by Andrew Grey
Robin looked at the phone for quite a while, then picked it up, dialed the number, and waited for an answer. When he heard his mother say hello, he nearly hung up again, unable to talk over the lump in his throat.
“Mama,” he said softly.
She didn’t answer right away, and then she sniffed once. “Irene, I’m glad you called.” He heard her shifting, and it took him a second to catch up. Irene was his mother’s dearest friend and she would certainly know her voice. “Give me just a minute.” The television played behind her, then faded. “Is it really you?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, Mama. It’s me. I called to tell you that I’m okay and staying with a friend.” He held his breath.
“I can’t say right now. Maybe we can talk tomorrow when I have more time. I’ll try to call you.”
“This is my friend’s phone. But if you call, he’ll get me a message.”
“Okay, Irene, I’ll call tomorrow.”
“Bye, Mama.” Robin hung up and turned to Dwayne. He wasn’t sure what was going to come out of this.
“What did she say?”
“She covered up the call with Stan, and she’s going to call tomorrow.” He handed Dwayne back the phone, then sat at the table. “My mom shouldn’t be so afraid of someone that she’d have to lie in order to talk to someone on the phone.” He sighed. “Can you look into Stan? I’ll give you whatever information I can, but something isn’t right about the guy.”
“What do you hope to find?” Dwayne asked, bringing over the salad.
“I don’t know. Maybe he kicked puppies as a kid or did something bad before he married my mom. I know there has to be something about him. He’s too selfish and mean-spirited not to have crossed paths with someone at some point.”
“I’ll see what I can do. I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll see what there is.” Dwayne turned off the sauce and drained the pasta, then tossed them together. “Now why don’t you call your sister and let her know you’re all right?”
That was a good idea, and Robin dialed her number but didn’t get an answer. He left her a message, bringing her up to date. He gave her Dwayne’s number because he didn’t have a cell phone of his own, and hoped she’d call back.
Chapter Five
DWAYNE WOKE happy. It was still dark, and Robin lay in his arms, quiet and warm, his silky skin pressed to Dwayne’s. Dwayne smiled and tugged Robin a little closer. He loved it when Robin scooted toward him. He was still sated and content after their evening, which had turned out to be more athletic than Dwayne had expected. Apparently once Robin got over some of his shyness, there was a tiger crouching under the surface.
“Why aren’t you asleep?” Robin asked in a whisper, sliding his heated hand over Dwayne’s chest.
“I was thinking—” He rolled in Robin’s direction, squeezing him to him, and guided Robin’s lips to his. “—about this.”
“I bet you were.” Robin giggled and pushed back, pressed Dwayne onto his back, and straddled him. He leaned closer and kissed Dwayne, who had to admit he much preferred things this way. Dwayne was bigger and stronger than Robin; he could easily overpower him and impose his will. He didn’t want that. He wanted reciprocation. And from the intensity in Robin’s kiss, which Dwayne felt to his toes, the ardor between them was most definitely two-sided. “I think I’m hungry.”
“It’s early, but I can make some breakfast if that’s what you want.” God in heaven, Dwayne certainly hoped Robin meant something else.
It turned out Robin did indeed have other ideas, which included setting Dwayne’s body on fire with his lips and hands before devouring him in a move that stole Dwayne’s breath and left his head spinning.
“Robin, my God!”
“Not a god yet, but I am getting better at this.” He damn well smirked and then sank his lips over Dwayne’s cock once again.
Dwayne groaned deeply and kept his hips still, pushing down the instinct to thrust and giving himself over to Robin. It was better to give than receive, that was true, but there were times when it was best to give oneself over to someone else’s care and to just accept what was freely and happily given.
Dwayne was shaking with desire and his growing need for release. He gently tugged Robin upward, unwilling to come so quickly. Hell, he was beginning to think he was a teenager again, the way he reacted to Robin so hard and fast.
Dwayne kissed him, holding him tight, and stroked down his back before cupping Robin’s tight little butt. “You make me crazy.”
“Is that good?”
“It’s amazing.” He kissed him again. “We made love before going to sleep and I wake up in the middle of the night, ready for more.” It was like Robin was a drug and he had been written the perfect prescription. He didn’t want to think about what he would do if things didn’t work out between them or if Robin decided he was ready to go out on his own again. Dwayne would let him, but the idea was enough to send a chill up his spine. He reached to the bedside table and managed to get the drawer out without it falling on the floor.
“You have condoms in there?”
“Yeah. Hope springs eternal, or something like that.” Dwayne reached for one and pressed it into Robin’s hand.
“You want me to….” Robin’s mouth hung open. “I’ve never done that before.”
Dwayne tugged Robin a little closer. “Have you ever done anything like that before?”
Robin shook his head.
“Do you want to do the driving?” Dwayne followed Robin’s gaze as he looked down. Oh yeah, Robin was very into doing the driving. Dwayne found the lube and handed it to Robin. “Just use a lot of it and take your time.”
“But what if I do something wrong?” Robin nearly dropped the lube, his hands were shaking so badly.
“As long as what you’re doing is with care and concern for what’s going to make your partner happy, you can’t go wrong.” Dwayne leaned forward to kiss Robin deeply. “You want this, I can tell. So just do what feels good.” He lay back down, then slowly rolled over.
Robin straddled him once again, and his cock pressed to Dwayne’s butt. Dwayne wriggled his rear end, and Robin groaned before slowly rubbing his back and down to his butt, massaging his skin.
“You’re like made of stone.” Robin lay against him and kissed his shoulder. “Everywhere I touch you, you’re hard.”
Dwayne twitched his hips. “I think that’s all because of you.” He turned his head to the side, and Robin kissed him. It was sloppy, wet, and damn good.
Robin pushed up off his shoulders and began massaging once again, this time concentrating on his ass. He added some slick, and his fingers danced around Dwayne’s skin, getting close to his opening and then backing away. When Robin slid his fingers along Dwayne’s crack, teasing his sensitive flesh, Dwayne groaned and closed his eyes, letting the heat wash over him.
“Robin,” he moaned, his voice deep and low.
“You’re the sexiest man I’ve ever met,” Robin whispered. “I could look at you all day.” He slipped a finger inside him, and whatever Dwayne was about to say dissolved into a series of groans and whimpers. He shook like a leaf when Robin found that spot inside him, sending fireworks shooting behind his eyes.
“Damn….” He pressed back against Robin’s touch in a silent beg for more. He needed it, and Robin provided.
“That’s good?”
“It’s amazing.”
“Then how is this?” Robin twisted his fingers, driving Dwayne out of his mind. It was clear Robin had some sort of magic touch, at least with him.
When Dwayne couldn’t take any more and swore he was going to come with just one more touch, he slowly rolled over and helped Robin get into position.
Robin’s hands fumbled and shook as he rolled on the condom, and then Dwayne rested his ankles on Robin’s shoulder and helped guide him forward. Dwayne wasn’t usually the kind of guy to bottom, but he wanted to show Robin how special he was, and when his body bloomed to allow Robin inside, Dwayne gasped
for breath.
“Oh, God,” Robin groaned, and Dwayne concentrated on his face. Robin glowed, his mouth hanging open just a little. When Dwayne clenched his muscles, Robin quivered and pressed forward, sinking farther into Dwayne’s body. “You have to be kidding.”
“What?” Dwayne asked, suddenly concerned that something was wrong.
“This is like the best feeling in the whole world.” Robin held his shoulders and slid in deep. Dwayne stilled him for a few seconds, hands on Robin’s hips. He needed a minute to adjust to being this full, and then Robin began to move slowly.
Dwayne pulled Robin down to kiss him and wrapped his legs around his waist. “I know it is. You feel pretty amazing right now.” He moved back and forth, helping Robin set a pace, and damned if Robin didn’t moan just loud enough to send a thrill of electricity running through him.
“Is this okay?” Robin asked.
“Sweetheart.” Dwayne stroked Robin’s cheek. “I’m not made of glass. You aren’t going to break me or hurt me, so do what feels good.” He kissed him again, and Robin moved faster, sending more and more thrills running through him. He’d given his advice, and Robin seemed to take it to heart. Robin’s eyes darkened and he tossed his head back, hips rolling in a way that drove Dwayne wild as he managed to touch that ever-sensitive place inside him, sending his body into overdrive.
Dwayne clutched the bedding, half expecting it to rip at any second but not giving a damn. He was flying and needed something to keep him earthbound.
“Is it possible for something to feel too good?” Robin moaned.
“No,” Dwayne squeaked and swallowed to wet his throat.
“Good.” Robin captured Dwayne’s gaze with his, and his pleasure increased tenfold. To have Robin look at him as though he’d just hung the moon was spectacular.
Dwayne groaned and kept eye contact as Robin stroked him, the pressure already building inside him. He arched his back, pressing to Robin, meeting each of his movements in a dance that put the two of them in complete harmony, like he knew what Robin was going to do. The connection between them seemed palpable and intensely strong. He never wanted it to end, but his own body betrayed him, and within seconds Dwayne tumbled into release. Robin gasped as he stilled, throbbing deep inside him. Dwayne didn’t dare move and held Robin close as he flew through billowing clouds of white that cradled them in bliss. The sensation only lasted a few seconds and then began to fade as they fell back to earth.
“Now that was definitely the best way I can think of to start the day.” He cradled Robin’s cheeks in his hands. “You were incredible.”
“So were you.” Robin leaned closer, their lips meeting in a deep kiss that warmed Dwayne’s soul. He shuddered as Robin slipped from his body, then got a cloth and cleaned them both up, took care of the condom, and returned to bed. Dwayne had his shift later but it was still early. He dropped off to sleep with Robin in his arms.
AFTER A quick breakfast, he took Robin to work and then used the time to run some errands and do the last of the shopping for the week. He wouldn’t have time to take care of it later since he was on shift for the next four days. Terry had said to pick Robin up a little after noon, so he was out front waiting for him when his phone rang, displaying a strange number.
“Hello?”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I’m looking for Robin, and he gave me this number and….”
“It’s all right. Is this his mother?” Dwayne heard the frantic tone to her voice.
“Yes.”
“I’m Dwayne, and he’s at work right now. But I expect him to be out any second.” God, he hoped she was calling to help Robin. Lord knew he didn’t need any more grief at the moment. He smiled when the glass door opened and Robin stepped out into the sunshine. “He’s on his way.”
“Hey,” Robin said after opening the car door.
Dwayne indicated the phone and passed it to him. “It’s your mom.”
Robin instantly tensed and took it. “Hi, Mama. … Yes, I’m okay.” He sank into the passenger seat and closed the door. “Well, what do you expect when you let Asshole Stan run everything?”
Dwayne lowered the window to let in a little air, figuring he might as well let Robin talk.
“No. As far as I’m concerned, that’s his name now: A. Stanley Gusterson, Asshole.” Robin clenched the phone tightly, and Dwayne wondered just how much progress they could possibly make like that. “I know, Mama.” Robin sighed. “You didn’t say anything, and he kicked me out just like that. It isn’t even his house. It was Dad’s. The jerk.” He scrunched down in the seat and listened for a while. “Mama, I expect you to take my side. I’m your son. Look what he did to me and to Gretchen. Don’t you think you’ve lost enough?” Robin listened and a tear ran down his face. “I know, Mama. You need to decide what you want. Because as long as he’s around, both your kids and your grandson aren’t going to be.” Man, he was pulling out the big guns. “I know he’s your husband and all, but have you ever thought that he was a mistake, and…?” Robin sniffed. “I know… I know. I just want you to be happy, and how can you be with him?” He wiped his eyes. “I know you have to go, but call me when you can, okay?” Robin sniffed once again, ended the call, and handed Dwayne back the phone.
“What did she say?” Dwayne asked.
“The usual things.” Robin closed his eyes as more tears fell. “I wish she had the strength to leave him. She goes along with what he does and says, and she isn’t happy. I can tell. But she says she married him for better or for worse, blah, blah, blah, and now she thinks she’s stuck.”
“Does she work?”
“Yeah, but Stan has control of the bank accounts so she doesn’t have money of her own. He keeps her under his thumb, and it really sucks.” Robin sighed. “I know she’d be happier without him. That’s the really sucky part. She’s smart and funny. Mom was always so much fun before she met that asshole. Now she works and worries about what he’ll think about things and how he’ll react if things aren’t right.”
Dwayne nodded. “You know those are the classic signs of abuse?”
“Yeah. I figured. But how can I help her?”
Dwayne started the engine and raised the windows as the AC kicked in. “There’s nothing you can do until your mother decides she wants to make a change. You can’t force her to leave him, and the police won’t step in unless there’s a crime. It really sucks, but she has to make up her own mind. Then she can get help and change her life. But it all has to start with her.” Dwayne patted Robin’s leg. “It’s the hardest thing there is.”
“I wish….” Robin put his hands over his face and leaned forward. “She’s my mom, and she deserves so much more than Stan. I know that.” He turned toward Dwayne. “How come we can see what other people need, but not ourselves?”
“That’s the bitch of it all the time.” And wasn’t that the truth.
He had less than two hours before he had to be on shift, so Dwayne drove to Hanover Grille, where they could get a quick lunch. He figured they could continue their conversation if Robin wanted, but it seemed he was talked out, at least for now.
“CAN YOU help me?” Dwayne asked as he took the extra seat at Carter’s desk. Carter was a great guy and as techie as they came, so searches and unusual requests were his specialty.
“What’s up?”
Dwayne scratched an itch on the side of his head, expelling a little nervous energy. “Robin’s stepfather,” he answered quietly. “Robin’s told me stories, and this morning he talked to his mother.”
“This is the kid who’s staying with you?” Carter looked up, his gaze boring into him. “I see.”
“What does that mean?” Dwayne asked, his defenses rising.
“Just that when it comes to this kid, your eyes give a lot away.” Carter smiled. “Anyway, what’s the deal?”
“From what I can figure out from what I’ve been told, Robin’s mother is in a classic abusive situation, and Robin asked if I could look into his stepfather. If
even half the stories are correct, the guy’s a real douchebag.” Dwayne handed Carter the page where he’d written down the information Robin had given him.
“All right. We’ll start with general, publicly available information.” Carter began typing like a fiend. “Stanley Gusterson, fifty-three.” Carter glanced at the page. “Yes. The address you have is what’s available online.”
“Where does he work?” Dwayne asked, and Carter continued looking.
“Employment history…. Let me see if I can get a Social…. Yes. Here it is.” Carter typed away, knitting his eyebrows together as he worked. “That’s unusual and a little frightening. I’m not finding any employment records for the last five years. It doesn’t mean he isn’t working, but I’m not getting employment tax records on a regular basis the way I do when someone has held down a job. So….”
“Do you think the guy’s been mooching off his wife all these years? Robin said that Stan has her on an allowance and controls all the money.” The idea was disgusting to him. What a sleazy asshole.
Carter whistled. “If he is, the guy sure knows how to save.” He turned the screen. “He’s got money stashed in a lot of banks, and all in his name. I’d have to request bank records to get any more information, but just from what I can see, there’s a steady string of regular deposits of a few thousand dollars.” Carter returned the screen to its initial position and went back to typing. He let out a low whistle. “Well, I’ll be damned. This guy is good.”
“What?” Dwayne asked, leaning forward.
“The guy has accounts at every bank from the looks of it, and he makes deposits to all of them.” Carter sat back, thinking. “Banks have to report large cash deposits. It’s part of how drug money is tracked, though I’m not convinced it does a great deal, but still….” He put his hands behind his head. “Okay. The trick is to stay below those reporting levels and to keep people from thinking too much about what you’re doing. So it looks like Stanley has opened accounts at various banks, and he makes a deposit at one bank one week, and then the next week, he goes to a different one, and yet another, making small deposits that no one really pays a whole lot of attention to.”
