“My friends like you.”
“Seems like it.”
“I like you.”
Max grinned. “Seems like it.”
Patrick’s hand came up, rubbing his lower back. “I’ll mingle a little while longer, but people should start leaving soon.”
Max stiffened slightly, unprepared for the show of affection. He started to pull away, but saw the flash of hurt on the doc’s face. That stopped his movement. Patrick smiled, rubbing his back for a few seconds longer.
“Thank you,” he said.
Max only nodded.
A few minutes later, Max was off on his own while Patrick was talking medical journals. He went over to the bar to get another drink. Two women, one blonde, one brunette, were standing there while the bartender mixed theirs. He waited in line behind them. His plan wasn’t to eavesdrop. He just had one ear tuned to their conversation as he looked around, until he realized they were talking about him.
“I think he looks like a thug.”
“Are you serious? I think he’s gorgeous.”
The brunette sniffed. “I’m utterly surprised that Patrick would date someone like him. He’s covered in tattoos. Patrick can’t take him anywhere like that.”
The other woman laughed. “You’re so full of it, Karen. You just don’t like him because Patrick stopped seeing your brother. And having tattoos won’t prevent him from going anywhere he wants to. Besides, haven’t you heard of those newfangled fashions called sleeves? Anyway, I’d like to get a tattoo myself.”
The brunette, Karen apparently, made a noise of disgust. “You would. Go ahead and mark yourself up. Just don’t be surprised when you continue to be single. Men don’t want their ladies to look like an ex-member of a biker gang.” The bartender put her fresh drink on the bar. “And spare me your feminist talk about how it’s your body.” She turned and saw him standing there. She stopped talking, her face immediately blushing scarlet.
“Oh! Hello, Max.”
The other woman coughed as she took a drink and turned around.
Max smiled at them both. He refused to comment on the conversation he’d overheard, but he could tell by the brunette’s red face that she had a good idea she’d been caught out. “Hello. How’s your drink?”
“It’s great. Excuse me, I think some fruit would go great with this.” She hurried off to the other side of the room where light finger foods were set up.
The woman she’d been talking to laughed. “I’m willing to bet that you overheard that entire conversation. And it was decent of you not to say anything. Karen can be a real snob sometimes.”
He shrugged. “No big. Not everyone likes tattoos. But I heard you say that you’re interested in one yourself?”
“I am actually. I’m just a little afraid of the pain.”
Patrick came up to them right then. “If I can stand the pain, you can Tracy.” He spoke to Max. “Tracy was an Army medic. She’s told me stories of all they had to withstand to make sure they’d be able to treat their patients no matter what.”
Tracy snorted. “I never told you any such thing.” She took a sip of her drink. “Although I am pretty tough.”
Max laughed and pulled another card from his pocket. “If you ever decide to get one, come and see me. It’s on the house.”
Tracy took the card. Smiling, she saluted him with it and went to rejoin the party.
“What was that all about?”
“She’s just a really decent person.” Patrick had a confused frown on his brow, but Max left it at that.
****
“That wasn’t so bad was it?” The cocktail party was over, the guests and hired staff all gone.
“Nope. They were some decent people. Surprised the hell out of me that I may have drummed up some business.”
Patrick laughed. “Your work is just so good.” He came over to him and wrapped his arms around his waist. “You’re staying tonight, aren’t you?”
“Depends on if I have to help with the cleanup.”
“The cleaning service will take care of it in the morning,” he said with a squeeze.
“In that case, yeah. I’ll stay.”
Patrick smiled before kissing him softly. “Let’s go to bed. I’ve been watching you all night. I really liked having you here for the party. And right now, I really want to make love to you.”
Max wasn’t prepared for that. He started to say something, but decided against it. He was sure the doc was only referring to the physical act. Nothing more. They went back to his bedroom, undressing each other with familiar hands. Patrick went down on his knees in front of him. Max ran his hand through that that hair, feeling it soft and cool between his fingers. Max let his head fall back on his shoulders as Patrick sucked him. It felt good, the long slow pulls on his cock making him hard, but not taking him to the edge. Patrick took one last lick across his cockhead before he rose back to his feet.
“Lie down for me.”
Max reclined on the bed, Patrick kneeling over him. He ran his hands down Max’s chest.
“Beautiful skin. So dark and smooth.”
“You’d better not compare me to chocolate.”
Patrick laughed softly, his warm breath gusting over his skin. “Trust me baby, there’s no comparison.”
Patrick kissed his way over his chest and down his stomach, eventually guiding him to turn over. He did, but he was tense. He tried to relax as Patrick trailed kisses down his back. His lips brushed over the curve of his ass, his hands coming up to cup and massage him there. Warm breath blew over his skin, then came the delicate touch of a tongue. Max gripped the sheet in his fists, caught between his body’s enjoyment of the damp caress and his brain shying away from it. He gripped the sheets even tighter as Patrick groaned against his skin, his tongue sliding in deeper. Patrick was so hot pressed against him, his fingers digging deep into his ass to hold him tight. Max’s heart was pounding, the same beat echoing in his cock where it was pressed into the bed. Max thought this time he’d be able to go through with it. But when Patrick’s thumbs came up, spreading him open, he jerked away.
Max reached over to the nightstand for a condom. Turning over, he sat up to put it on. He looked at Patrick, there in front of him on his knees. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
“Max…”
Max arched a challenging eyebrow. “What?”
Patrick stared at him for a long moment. Max knew what he was thinking. He tensed again, waiting for him to say it.
Patrick shook his head. “Nothing.”
He leaned over him for a kiss, straddling his lap. Max pressed his head back against the headboard with a deep groan as Patrick slowly slid down onto his cock. He rose up, then slid back down again.
“You feel good, Max. And I want you, no matter how I get you.”
Max reached up, sliding his fingers into the silky hair at the nape of his lover’s neck. He tugged him down into a kiss, circling his other arm around Patrick’s waist. Max held him tight, both of them moaning as Patrick rode him slowly. Neither of them would end their kiss, their lips stayed close, sucking and biting each other softly while the heat and urgency rose between them. Max’s arm tightened around the doc, yanking him close. Whispered curses danced in the air as Max rolled his hips up, thrusting into the heat of his lover’s ass. Patrick stroked himself off, his body clenching around him. They pressed their foreheads together, somehow managing to keep the pace slow all the way through the sweet burst of their climax until finally Patrick collapsed against him.
CHAPTER 9
The next night, Max was on his grandmother’s couch after Sunday dinner. His mom sat next to him, his grandmother in the armchair. They were all watching some TV show, but he wasn’t paying any attention to it. He was thinking about things with Patrick. It was starting to look like it was time to end it. He knew the other man cared for him and he felt the same. But there were two big important things he couldn’t give him. He wasn’t out. And he wouldn’t let Patrick top him. He
knew Patrick would eventually get tired of dealing with his bullshit. It would probably be best to end things now before either of them got much deeper in their feelings. If he didn’t, it might get ugly when they finally split.
“That is a good looking man,” Kayla said. “Shame he’s gay. I just can’t understand that.”
That grabbed his attention. “Can’t understand what?”
“How two men can be together. You can’t be a real man if you’re rolling around with another man, letting him inside you.”
Max turned to look at his mother. His face was hot, but he tried to keep his tone calm. “I have lots of gay friends and they’re pretty manly. Remember Nate, the boxer? I dare anybody to say he’s not a fucking man. If they did, they’d wind up on the ground with a broken jaw.” He glanced over at his grandmother. “Sorry for my language, Grandma.”
His grandmother snorted. “Don’t apologize to me. Your mother’s the one who should be apologizing for her ignorance.
His mom crossed her arms over her chest, but she didn’t say anything else. Max settled back against the couch beside her, more uncomfortable than ever.
****
“Why don’t I come over to your place tonight?”
Max was on the phone with Patrick. It was Wednesday and so far they hadn’t seen each other this week. The doc’s office had been busy, and he’d had several late evening appointments. He was down for spending the night with his lover, but preferred they hung out at his apartment like they always did.
“What for? We have a good time at your apartment.”
“Because we’ve been seeing each other for weeks now and I still haven’t seen your house.”
“It’s just a regular old house. Nothing special about it.”
“And my apartment is just a regular old apartment. Nothing special about it either. Let me come over Max, I want to see where you live.”
Max thought for a moment. He often had friends over, because he liked having people around him. And folks were known to just drop in to hang out. But it was the middle of the week. Everyone had to work, so they weren’t as likely to come by and see Patrick at his house. This was as good a night as any to have the doc over without the worry of being caught.
“Alright, my address is 1118 India Street. It’s only about twenty minutes from you and your GPS should bring you straight here.”
“Good.” Max could hear the smile in his voice. “I’ll see you soon.”
Thirty minutes later, Max opened the door as Patrick pulled up in his silver Audi. The doc parked in his driveway and got out with a smile on his face. He was clearly happy to be there. Max wanted to share that happiness, but he couldn’t. He knew where this was going. Patrick was going to want more. For now, he pushed that to the back of his mind and stepped aside to let the doc in. Max made sure the door was closed before he kissed him hello.
“This is nice,” Patrick said as he looked around the entryway. “I was expecting more of a bachelor pad. But this feels really … homey.”
“Thanks.” He led Patrick back to the kitchen. “I have friends over a lot.”
“Is that the only reason your place is so welcoming? For your friends?”
Max shrugged. “I guess. Don’t really have anyone else to come over.” He didn’t confess his secret desire. He wanted a family but wasn’t sure how the hell he was going to pull that off as a closeted gay man. Marrying a woman and continuing to live on the down low like so many other men did was out of the question. He’d never disrespect a woman like that.
“Sabrina mentioned at the convention that you have barbecues a lot.”
“Yeah, I do. I need to get stuff going for the one I’m having for my birthday in a couple of weeks.”
“Sounds like fun.”
Max changed the subject. “I would show you my bedroom, but I’ll save that for later.”
Patrick’s eyebrow rose. “Oh yeah? And why is that?”
“Because there’s a new movie starting on the Syfy channel that I want to watch.” He pulled Patrick close and whispered in his ear. “And I know if I show you my bedroom, we’re going to end up on my bed, you’ll be riding me, and I won’t get to see the movie.”
Patrick smoothed his hands up his back, pressing his hips close. “We wouldn’t want that,” he said with a laugh.
They were in the living room on the couch, watching TV. Sort of. Patrick was kissing his neck, rubbing a hand up his thigh. Max was pretending to ignore him, commenting on the stupidity of the research team determined to discover what a serum that gave apes higher level intelligence did to humans.
The doc gripped his thigh, pulling his leg over to rest on top both of his. This time when his hand slid up his thigh, he didn’t stop until his hand was rubbing over his cock. Max groaned, rolling his hips up into the touch.
Patrick whispered in his ear. “Is that a DVR record light I see on?”
Max held back a grin. “Yeah.”
Patrick squeezed him through his pants. “So tell me why we’re watching this movie now?”
Max shrugged. “I like to watch things live?”
Patrick nipped his neck before pulling back to take his shirt off. Max hit the pause button on the remote, pulling his own shirt over his head.
“Those damn doctors. Their curiosity never leads to anything good.”
Patrick laughed against his skin, easing him down until he was on his back on the big couch. “Curiosity can be helpful. In fact, I’m hoping mine leads to something good.”
“Is that right?” Max gripped the doc’s ass, holding him tight against him as he thrust his hips up. Their cocks rubbed together through their pants. He knew they wouldn’t have them on for much longer.
“Mmmm…hmmm.”
“And what are you curious about, Doctor Bishop?”
Patrick leaned down and kissed him, deep and slow just like he liked. He pulled back, looking down at him with his blue eyes bright with arousal.
“I’m curious how it feels to be inside you.”
Max went still. After a moment, he pushed the doc off him and sat up. “I don’t bottom.”
“Why not?” Patrick calmly asked.
“Because I don’t, alright? I don’t fucking bottom and I’m not out.” He got up. “So if you’ve got a problem with either of those facts, there’s the fucking door.”
Patrick leaned back against the couch. “I didn’t say it was a problem, Max.”
Max was frustrated. He knew something like this was on the verge of happening. “Then why are you bringing it up?” The doorbell rang before Patrick could answer. Max cursed. So much for thinking no one would come over on a work night. “I’ll be back. Stay here.”
He went to the front door and saw Gage through the window. Max opened the door a crack. “Gage, what’s up?” He didn’t move aside or open the door all the way. The doc was still in the living room. Max couldn’t chance one of his best friends seeing a bare chested man with an erection sitting on his couch.
“Hey, man. Had a fight with Joseph. Was hoping to talk, but it looks like you’re busy.”
Max looked over his shoulder. He could just see Patrick’s legs around the corner. “Yeah, I’ve got company. Sorry, man.”
Gage shrugged. “It’s no big. I’ll talk to you later.”
Max watched as Gage slowly walked back to his truck. He felt bad not being there for his friend as he usually was. But clearly this wasn’t the time for them to have a late night heart to heart. He had his own shit to deal with. Max closed the door and went back into the living room.
“Look, doc. Maybe this was a mistake.”
Patrick’s shoulders visibly tensed. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not stupid alright? I know you want more than what I can give you. You want somebody to sit at your side during dinner parties, someone you can take out in public.” He cleared his throat. “And apparently someone you can top. I can’t give you any of that, which I knew going in to this. Maybe I should have been clear
er and I’m sorry if I wasn’t.”
“Why can’t you give me any of those things, Max?”
“What?”
“Why aren’t you out? You’re confident in every other aspect of your life. You have a close circle of friends that I know would support you. Your two best friends are in same sex relationships. You have gay employees and your studio is gay friendly. I haven’t met your family, but if they raised you, I can’t imagine they’d be anything but supportive.”
Max bristled at the mention of his family. “You don’t know as much about me as you think.”
Patrick got up and came over to him. “I’d like to. I just need you to let me in.” He slid an arm around his waist, pulling him close.
Max stood stiffly in his embrace.
“Let me in in, Max.”
Patrick kissed up his neck and along his jaw. By the time their lips met, Max was relaxing into Patrick’s hold. Until the doc’s hand pushed into his pants, one finger sliding between his ass.
“Don’t!” He pushed the doc away and went to the couch to grab his shirt. He held it out to him. “You need to go.”
Patrick snatched the shirt from his hands, roughly pulling it over his head. “Go for tonight? Or go for good?” he asked as he stuffed his feet into his shoes.
Max stared at Patrick and shrugged.
“Fine. I think I’ll answer that question for myself.”
Patrick strode over to the door. He was clearly pissed from the way he yanked it open and slammed it closed behind him. It was the first time he’d ever seen a display of temper from the doctor. Max listened to the Audi start, convincing himself that letting the doc leave like this was best for the best of them.
After the car drove off Max turned and kicked the couch, forgetting that he was in bare feet. He cursed at the pain that shot up his toes. He liked to keep his life as calm as possible. How had he ended up in such a cluster fuck?
Bad Boys Need Love Too: Max Page 6
