Fire and Fog

by Andrew Grey

  “I was attacked and lost my dad on the same day.” Robin sniffed. “But in my mind, those things are separate, I guess. Thankfully I don’t associate my dad or even his loss with what happened. Is that crazy?” He wiped his eyes with the corner of the blanket.

  “No. I think that’s pretty amazing. I don’t know if I could separate them.” Hell, Dwayne didn’t know if he’d have been able to go through what Robin had and come out the other side with his sanity. “How long after you lost your dad before your mom remarried?”

  “She met my stepfather at some bar about three months after Dad died, and she started bringing him home. I asked Amy’s mom about it because it hurt that she was willing to forget my dad like that. She said my mom was lonely. She also said she didn’t think it would last, but she was wrong about that. They got married less than a year after my dad died, and I was stuck with my jerk of a stepfather. I hated him on sight. So did Gretchen. She was older, and she moved out after she and Mom had a huge fight over Stan. It was ugly. Gretchen refused to come to the wedding, and I don’t know if she’s seen Mom or Stan since. Sometimes I think…. Hell, I know she’s the smart one.”

  “Was that because you thought he was replacing your dad?” Dwayne leaned back on the sofa.

  “Maybe. I think it was mostly because he really was a jerk, and he proved it when he kicked me out.” Robin blew his nose. “I’m sorry for dumping all my crap on you.”

  Dwayne stood and went to the refrigerator, grabbed two of the beers he’d brought home, returned, and handed one to Robin. “I’ll be right back.” He went to change and came back in comfortable clothes. He sat on the sofa, putting his socked feet on the coffee table, and leaned back, taking a long drag from his bottle. “Sometimes life really sucks.” His definitely had a while ago. He took another drink, trying not to think about his own family disappointments.

  Dwayne focused his attention on the television and the old movie Robin had been watching. He finished his beer and got up for another. The brew was cold and felt good on his throat. Sometimes he talked loudly for long enough his throat ached, and today had been one of those shifts. He and Red had gone on a number of calls, mostly disturbing the peace and loud parties. He finished his second and went for a third beer, offering Robin another, which he declined.

  “I love this movie,” Robin said softly as Gene Kelly confessed his love to Debbie Reynolds in Singin’ in the Rain.

  “Never saw it all the way through,” Dwayne admitted and watched the romantic ending. He finished his bottle of beer and wanted another but knew that wasn’t a good idea. He placed the bottle on the table and turned to Robin, who watched him in return, heat searing the space between them.

  “Dwayne… I….” Robin’s lips stopped moving, the lower one pouting out just slightly.

  Dwayne raised his hand, touching Robin’s smooth cheek and running his thumb over his bottom lip. This was not a good idea, but when Robin blinked and leaned into the touch, Dwayne shifted, closing the distance between them.

  He’d wondered how Robin’s lips would taste since that first night in the club, and for the last two days, and both nights, he’d fantasized about how Robin would feel next to him. Dwayne’s heart pounded in his chest as the distance between them narrowed. He wasn’t sure if that was his doing, Robin’s, or both of them. All that mattered was Robin didn’t back away.

  Dwayne closed the final gap between them, their lips touching in an electric shock that was so strong, it nearly forced them back apart. That only lasted a mere second, and then the attraction kicked in and Dwayne wound his arms around Robin’s shoulders and drew him closer until their chests pressed together as well. God, this felt so right. Dwayne’s body was on fire, his blood rang in his ears, and his cock threatened to tear through his shorts. The heat of early summer was nothing compared to the molten need that ripped through him. He leaned back, drawing Robin down along with him, until Dwayne’s head leaned on the armrest and Robin pressed onto him.

  Robin’s weight and heat all mingled together gloriously as Dwayne kissed the hell out of his sweet, beer-spiced lips. He stroked down Robin’s back, slid his hands under his shirt to his bare, smooth skin. Damn, that was heady, but Dwayne kept going until he pulled Robin’s shirt up and off. Holy hell, he was gorgeous. White skin, with small pink nipples that Dwayne plucked gently, kissing him once again, because the thought of more than a few seconds away from those lips would be like starving to death.

  “Dwayne….” Robin groaned, and Dwayne held him closer, afraid Robin would pull away.

  “You’re beautiful,” Dwayne whispered. He splayed his hands, stroking Robin’s back in order to try to feel as much of him as possible. Dwayne wanted it all, everything he could possibly have from Robin, all at once. He couldn’t get enough, and that desire drove him to heady heights he could barely control.

  “I want to see you too,” Robin breathed, then tugged at Dwayne’s shirt. Dwayne raised his arms over his head and let Robin pull his shirt up and toss it on the floor. Kissing Robin was amazing, but doing it with his chest pressed to Robin’s and his hands free to wander was mind-blowing. He caressed Robin’s shoulder and then down his back, teasing at the waistband of his sweatpants before gliding his fingers underneath to brush along the very top of his butt.

  Dwayne ground his hips against Robin’s as Robin stroked his chest. He flexed his arms, tightening his grip, and Robin quivered.

  “You’re huge.” Robin smiled, his incredible blue eyes darkening to cobalt. “And sexy. Though I knew you’d be sexy. I could tell that by the way you looked in your clothes, but I didn’t think you’d be this sexy and….” He slapped a hand over his mouth for a second. “Sorry, that was a little too much.”

  Dwayne chuckled and cupped Robin’s butt, pressed their hips closer, and thrust upward so Robin rose and fell with his undulations. “And you’re the prettiest man I’ve ever seen.” He ran a finger over Robin’s lips, and Robin parted them to lightly suck on the digit. Dwayne’s eyes crossed as Robin tickled his finger with his tongue and then pulled away. “And here I thought you were an innocent guy who’d gotten in over his head.”

  Robin pressed forward and put his lips to Dwayne’s ear. “I’m exactly what you thought, and I did get myself into trouble, which I’m so grateful you helped me get out of. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t learned to use my imagination. It’s all I’ve had for most of my life.” He kissed Dwayne’s ear and leaned upward.

  “Damn….” Dwayne sat up, held Robin as he turned on the sofa, and lifted him as he got to his feet. “Wrap your legs around my waist.” Dwayne grabbed Robin’s ass and ignored the light and the television as he carried Robin toward his bedroom.

  Once on the other side of the door, Dwayne kicked it closed, took Robin to the bed, and set him down, leaning over him. Robin’s eyes had darkened even further, swirling with desire. Dwayne captured Robin’s lips with his, kissing him deeply, taking what he wanted and needed. Robin tasted amazingly sweet and musky at the same time. He held him tightly, chest to chest, as he slid his hands down Robin’s back and under his sweatpants to cup his bare asscheeks in his hands.

  “Dwayne….” Robin’s voice broke, the note of concern palpable.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll never hurt you. I promise that. I’m not that man in the woods or the bastard in the alley.” He took Robin’s lips again. “What happens between us is about pleasure and happiness for both of us. Nothing else.” He slipped Robin’s pants down over his hips and freed his cock, which pressed hard and thick against Dwayne’s belly. He backed away, taking Robin’s pants with him, tugging them off his legs.

  Dwayne stared breathlessly down at Robin. He was slight and sleek, with narrow hips and long legs. His belly was flat but not ripped. Still, it rose and fell with each breath Robin took, his cock stretching toward his belly button, pulsating in anticipation. Dwayne closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. The scent of testosterone and masculine desire filled the room. Some of it had to be his own, but he was e
asily able to pick out Robin’s sweeter scent, and it went right to the base of his own cock, which was throbbing hard in his shorts.

  He leaned closer to Robin as he raked his gaze over him. Robin shifted nervously until Dwayne gently stroked his hands down his belly, then closed his fingers around his cock. Robin groaned as Dwayne stroked slowly. God, he was beautiful, with his mouth open and eyes wide.

  “I promised I’d never hurt you or push you.” Dwayne locked gazes with Robin.

  “Oh God.”

  Dwayne smiled. “Sweetheart, we haven’t come to the ‘oh God’ part of the evening yet.” He leaned forward and took Robin between his lips, then slowly sucked him deeper and deeper. Robin’s groans became lower and more desperate by the second.

  Dwayne sucked harder, Robin’s cock sliding along his tongue. God, this was amazing. Robin tasted incredible—salty, rich, and masculine as all hell. He bobbed his head, listening for clues as to what Robin liked. He sank lower and Robin’s gasps became higher and more urgent. He backed away and Robin groaned as though Dwayne was going to stop, which he had no intention of doing. Robin was like a drug and he was already addicted. There was very little chance he’d ever want to give this up. When he did let Robin slip from his lips, it was so he could cradle him in his arms and kiss the stuffing out of him.

  “Dwayne.” Robin’s voice broke as he fumbled his hands down Dwayne’s side to his waist, then tugged at his shorts. Dwayne stood, and Robin pounced on him, yanking down his shorts until his cock sprang upward, relieved at the freedom. Robin froze and looked at him, his lips curling upward in an almost evil smile of delight. Then he leaned forward to take Dwayne between his lips.

  “Go slow and be careful.” He groaned as Robin went deep and backed off. He massaged his scalp and hair, and Robin took him much more slowly. Dwayne’s knees instantly felt like rubber, and he concentrated on remaining upright as Robin surrounded him with wet heat. Robin wasn’t polished and definitely had limited experience, but he was enthusiastic, gentle, and amazingly exploratory.

  Dwayne rubbed Robin’s back, unsure where to settle his gaze. The sight of his cock sliding between Robin’s lips was sexy as hell. So was him waving his little butt in the air, like a red cape in front of a bull. He stroked down Robin’s back, reminding himself of the need to let Robin set the pace.

  When Robin sat back, Dwayne leaned closer, kissing him as he eased Robin onto the bed. “You are incredible, you know that?” Whatever he’d done to deserve someone like this, Dwayne thanked his lucky stars. He climbed back on the bed and pressed Robin into the mattress as Robin’s hands roamed over his back and then clamped onto his buttcheeks.

  “What are you made of, rocks?” Robin squeaked as Dwayne clenched his cheeks in return.

  “I work out. It’s part of my job.” He nuzzled the base of Robin’s neck.

  “The sexy part?” Robin asked, then squeezed once again. “Oh….”

  Dwayne flexed his hips, sliding his cock alongside Robin’s, adoring the soft moan he earned. The intoxicating scent of man and desire ramped up as Robin shook under him.

  “I think you’re the sexy part.” Robin’s cheeks heated to a deep crimson as Dwayne kissed him breathless before sliding down him and kissing his way back to his cock. Dwayne took Robin deep, sucking him hard and fast. The damn bed shook with the way Robin rolled slightly back and forth, trying to contain his excitement. Dwayne wasn’t the most experienced guy in the world, but he could hardly imagine anything more arousing than the moans and whimpers that filled the room.

  “Dwayne….” Robin quivered even harder.

  After pulling off, Dwayne stroked hard as Robin stiffened under him and painted his release on his belly in a glorious display of joy. Dwayne crawled back up Robin and kissed him as their bodies came together. His arousal peaked off the charts, and he held Robin to him, rocking along with Robin as his own desire became more than he could contain. Dwayne cradled Robin’s body—precious, strong, hot as hell—in his arms, and within seconds his own release tingled from deep inside, building fast until containing the energy was no longer possible and he added it to Robin’s.

  Dwayne flew into orbit, afraid to move as he danced happily on momentary clouds of white. Reality sank back on him quickly, and Dwayne rolled onto his side so he didn’t crush Robin. He took a few seconds to catch his breath before kissing Robin gently and then getting up. Dwayne went to the bathroom and wetted a warm cloth, cleaned up quickly, and then returned to the bedroom.

  Robin’s eyes were closed and he looked completely angelic spread out on the bed, naked, sated, and unblemished—pale and perfect. He started when Dwayne washed him, and after Dwayne had finished, returned the cloth, and made sure the lights and television had been turned off, he climbed into bed. Robin turned to him, curling against him. He didn’t say anything, and Dwayne rolled onto his side, pulled Robin to him, and held him close.

  He hadn’t meant for this to happen, and in the back of his mind, he knew it would be easy to simply say he’d had too much to drink and the beer had been to blame. The truth was he’d wanted Robin almost from the first moment he’d seen him. Now Robin was in his bed and they’d been intimate. Dwayne cared for him, there was no denying that, and he was attracted to him like nobody’s business, but he had to wonder what he’d just done and what the hell he was going to do in the morning.

  Chapter Four

  ROBIN WOKE in the morning with Dwayne’s arm around him. It felt so good… too good. What the hell had he done? He’d slept with Dwayne, and….

  With a knot in his belly, Robin gently moved away and slid out from under Dwayne’s arm.

  “Where are you going?” Dwayne asked sleepily.

  “I need to use the bathroom.” Robin got up and hurried to the other room, closed the door, and took a deep breath. He’d slept with Dwayne. Part of him was over the moon. Dwayne had been sweet, and he was all kinds of sexy. Being with him had been amazing. Robin turned toward the mirror, staring at his reflection. What in the hell could Dwayne possibly see in him? He was skinny, small, and afraid of his own shadow half the time. Yeah, he tried his best to cover up the scared part, but the latest evidence was written in the fading abrasions on his face. When Harvey had grabbed him, he’d been so scared he’d almost pissed himself. Dwayne could say that he thought Robin was strong, but he wasn’t and never would be. His strength had been ripped away from him over and over, and he didn’t know where to find it.

  “Robin,” Dwayne said before knocking softly on the door. “Are you okay?”

  Robin didn’t answer right away. He wasn’t okay. Taking a good look at himself made him realize just how far he’d fallen and also how fucking lucky he’d been. Dwayne had been the kindest, and probably the best, person he’d ever met, and Robin had slept with him. That had to be the dumbest thing he had ever done.

  “Robin….” Concern rose in Dwayne’s voice.

  “I’m okay. I’ll be right out.” Somehow Robin managed to keep his voice from breaking. He really wanted to slap himself. He and Dwayne had had sex, and now he was falling to pieces. He tried to think of where all this was coming from, but the reason only added more hurt to the pile.

  “He deserves better than me,” Robin said, just mouthing the words. Hell, he wasn’t even good enough for his mom, so how could he possibly be good enough for a great guy like Dwayne? It wasn’t possible. Robin wiped his eyes and got a drink of water. He had to have something to cover for the fact that he was in the bathroom, doing nothing that it was typically used for. Hell, he was just hiding, and he didn’t want Dwayne to know he was.

  “Fuck….”

  Robin wiped his eyes and used the toilet, then returned to Dwayne’s room and got back into bed. It was still early, and thankfully Dwayne fell back to sleep, which gave Robin more time to think. One thing he learned over the next few hours, though, was that time to think was the worst fucking thing in the world.

  WHEN HE woke again later, Robin’s head had stopped spinning and he w
as alone. The bed seemed big and rather cold. His clothes had been folded and left for him at the end of the mattress. Robin pulled them on and when he opened the door, he heard Dwayne on the phone.

  “Is that why you called?” He sounded uptight and on edge. “Look, I’m not going to apologize for being who I am. It isn’t going to happen, so you and Dad are either going to have to get used to it or—”

  Robin didn’t know if he should just go back into the bedroom or not. It seemed like Dwayne was having some sort of heavy conversation with his mom. He peered into the living room and went to the sofa to fold the bedding he’d used before Dwayne had come home. He didn’t look at Dwayne in the kitchen and pretended not to pay attention. What he was talking about certainly was none of Robin’s business.

  “What am I supposed to do for work? The department there made their feelings more than abundantly clear.” Dwayne grew quiet and then scoffed. “Right. I’m going to work in the plant the way Dad did all those years.” He huffed. “I make more than twice what Dad did in a good year, and I like my job. Why would I work at some awful place that I’d hate just so I could be back under your thumb? Sorry, Mom, but Little Hope and I have parted ways, and I don’t think we’re ever going to get back together again.” Plates tinked as Dwayne set them on the counter. “Just give it a rest, Mom. You and Dad could have stood up for me, but nope. You let the asshats in town do what they wanted because it was easier. … I’ll swear about them if I want to. They deserve it and you know it. … No, Mom, I don’t think I’ll be coming back there for quite a while, and it’s going to take me some time to be able to deal with what you and Dad did.”

  Robin joined Dwayne in the kitchen and helped with the toast. He let Dwayne make the rest of breakfast. He’d already demonstrated his lack of proficiency in that department, and he didn’t want to take the chance of poisoning the one person who’d been kind to him.