Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles)

by Talia Carmichael

  “Bur, the box is moving.”

  “It should be.” Bur chuckled, then gestured to the box. “Open it and see what we’re having for dinner.”

  “If it needs to be plucked, I’m not doing it,” Gerald joked. He cautiously looked at the box. He really didn’t think he wanted to see his meal before it died to be cooked.

  “No plucking.” Bur unpacked the bags. He opened the big box and lifted a big container. “Steaks.” Bur held up the container before placing it on the counter. Then he unpacked various pots.

  “You didn’t need to borrow pots from Harper. I don’t cook much, but I do have pots.” Gerald pulled the lid of the box.

  “I bought them. I didn’t know if you had a big enough pot for my needs. Actually, you can keep them.”

  Gerald looked up sharply. “You bought pots just to cook for today?”

  “Yes. But we’ll get use out of them if you invite me over again.”

  “You don’t need an invite. Come by any time,” Gerald replied. Then he said again, “You bought pots.”

  “Yeah—”

  The box wobbled. Gerald looked down and gaped.

  “Holy shit. Lobsters.” Gerald lifted his head.

  He viewed the steaks and thought of the various food that was put in the fridge. Gerald reached over and turned the two bottles on the counter. It was wine and champagne. Then he looked back at the live lobsters.

  “Bur, where did you get the money for all this?” he demanded.

  “My bank account.” He lifted an eyebrow.

  Gerald closed his mouth, not pushing it. He’d accepted Bur’s need to pay, but had to make sure they went to affordable places. Gerald glanced again at all the stuff Bur had bought.

  “We’ll also have to work on what budgeting is,” Gerald muttered.

  “Huh?”

  “Nothing.” Gerald went over to him and kissed him, then said, “Thanks.”

  “You haven’t tasted my food yet. Then you can thank me. Your dessert better live up to my food.”

  “It will.”

  “What are we having?”

  “It’s a surprise,” Gerald replied.

  “Whoops. No escaping, buddy.” Bur hurried around the counter and caught the lobster before it made it out of the box.

  He closed the lid. Gerald heard a purring sound.

  “What do we have here?” Bur asked.

  Gerald joined him. He glanced down at his orange tabby.

  “That’s Cinders.”

  Bur squatted. “You’re a beautiful fellow.”

  “She. Cinders takes—” Gerald trailed off as Cinders stood on her hind legs, resting her front paw on Bur’s jean-clad leg.

  “She what?” Bur petted her.

  “Usually takes a while to warm up.”

  “She’s a cutie. Will you let me pick you up?” Bur asked her.

  Cinders was already trying to crawl in his lap. Bur lifted her in his arms and stood. Bur petted her, leaning against the island. Cinders purred, arching under his long, lean fingers.

  Lucky cat. Gerald scratched behind her ear. His fingers brushed Bur’s. Bur gripped his hand. Gerald met his gaze. Bur leaned forward, and Gerald met him. They kissed, shifting closer to each other. An indignant hiss sounded, and then the warm body between them wiggled. Bur pulled back and turned slightly, releasing the cat.

  “Sorry, Cinders. Your daddy and I need a moment.” He returned to Gerald.

  Bur slid his hands into Gerald’s hair and kissed him hungrily. Gerald gripped him close.

  Bur released his lips and murmured, “A few hours.”

  “Days,” Gerald said.

  “Weeks,” Bur kissed him again.

  Gerald slid his hands under Bur’s ass. He lifted him. Bur wrapped his legs around his waist. Turning, Gerald walked. He felt something soft, then heard a howl.

  “Meowr!” Cinders cried.

  Bur pulled back enough to murmur, “Later. He’ll apologize later.”

  Gerald walked rapidly to the bedroom. Inside, he set Bur on his feet next to the bed. Impatiently, he undressed Bur. Bur worked on his clothing. They fumbled as they fought to get naked. Finally, when he was bare, Gerald took his first view of Bur. His lean frame was more muscular then he’d thought. Gerald stepped forward and traced his finger over the tattoo on his shoulder. The treble clef over a trinity with letters and the word “Triumvirate” was artfully done. Bur shivered under his touch.

  “For your brothers.”

  “Yes.”

  Gerald slid his finger down. He stroked the expanse of skin between, before touching the smaller tattoo on his pec. It was the same one he had seen him wear on his sweats and sometimes T-shirts.

  “And what is this?”

  “The emblem for TrebleBur. You really need to check out more about my band,” Bur said.

  Gerald lowered his gaze. Bur’s erection was pointing out from his body. Gerald’s was almost touching it. His cock throbbed. Gerald focused on Bur’s shaft. The tip glistened. Gerald placed his fingers over it, rubbing his thumb over the head. The hot, silken skin felt good in his hand. He tugged more firmly. Bur rose on his toes, pushing into his gripping fist.

  “Gerald,” he groaned.

  His face was in harsh lines of need. Bur placed a hand on his left hip. He dug his fingers in, gripping. Gerald continued to jerk him off. Bur’s other hand touched his on his cock.

  “I want to come with you inside of me.”

  Gerald slowed his motion. “I got some stuff.”

  “Stuff?” Bur pursed his lips.

  “You know. Stuff,” he said again.

  “Now you get shy with saying stuff. Pun intended,” Bur replied.

  “Condoms. Lube, slick, glide, and all the words they call it. Why are there so many ways to say it anyway?” Gerald asked.

  “Now is not the time for that question. Where is it?”

  Gerald pointed to the nightstand. Bur walked around him. Gerald turned, immediately zeroing in on his ass as Bur bent to get the items in the drawer. Gerald couldn’t resist. He moved behind him, pushing against his ass. Bur pushed back, moaning. It was then Gerald registered the tattoo that was on the expanse of his back. The swirled design seemed to be an image, but was so complex in bold eye-catching colors. When he thought he had it figured out, it changed again. Gerald touched it. Bur flinched, straightened, and turned to him.

  It was the way he reacted each time Gerald got near his back. “Bur—”

  He kissed him, derailing what Gerald was going to ask. Bur gripped his hips, pulling him with him as he stepped back. Bur released him, turned, and pushed off the blankets, then got into bed. He stretched out in the center of the bed, then shifted, undulating. Watching Bur’s motions, what Gerald was going to ask came back to him. The way Bur moved let him know it didn’t hurt for his back to be touched.

  “Bur—”

  Bur lowered his hand and tugged on his shaft. Gerald’s gaze locked on his motions. He lifted his gaze, then took the tube and condom from the bed beside Bur. Gerald went to the foot of the bed and pushed open Bur’s legs. He settled on his knees between them. Gerald coated his fingers and slid a hand under Bur’s ass, lifting him. He searched and found his crease, pushing into it. He scissored in and out. Bur arched.

  “Gerald… you seem very adept at what you’re… doing.” Bur pushed against his fingers.

  “I got some very informative help on male sex.” Gerald grinned.

  “I don’t even want to know who gave it to you.” Bur chuckled.

  Gerald wet his fingers again and slid them back into Bur’s wet heat. He searched.

  “Gerald.” Bur groaned, shaking.

  Gerald felt the knot of nerves and stroked along it. Bur made loud noises.

  “Does it really feel that good?” Gerald continued to stroke inside of him.

  “You can’t expect me to answer questions right now.” Bur bit his lip and rocked on Gerald’s fingers.

  Gerald rubbed in a circle, touching it. He st
ared at the man spread out before him. Bur was writhing. Gerald pulled out his fingers and grabbed the condom. He donned it and coated it with more lube. He moved forward. Bur canted his ass, lifting his legs. Gerald slid his knees under Bur’s legs. He held his cock and rubbed it along Bur’s crease, then lined up and pushed in. Gerald groaned as he filled Bur. The tight passage gripped him, then released, and he slid in.

  I’m having sex with Bur. Gerald’s control shattered, and he thrust fast and hard into him. Bur used his legs to grip Gerald’s hips, and he countered against him. Gerald stroked faster and faster, pistoning in and out of him. They set a wild, untamed pace. Leaning over, Gerald blanketed Bur’s body. He met his lips, kissing Bur as he rocked in his hole. Bur suckled his tongue. The piercing in Bur’s tongue, as always, added an extra thrill to the kiss. Every time they kissed, Gerald imagined it on his cock. He licked along the top of Bur’s tongue, rubbing his tongue on the piercing. Bur made a growling sound. It reverberated between their joined lips.

  The hot length of Bur’s shaft pinned between their bellies rubbed against Gerald. He groaned, feeling it. He surged forward.

  Bur parted their lips and grunted, “Gerald… harder… yes… like that.”

  Gerald moved as he bid. Tension knotted in his back. He stroked faster, then stiffened. His balls went tight, and he shook as he came. Bur growled, and wetness coated their bellies. Gerald collapsed against him. Bur grunted, moving his arms around Gerald and stroking down his back. Gerald breathed in and out, trying to calm his racing heart. When he could finally speak, he lifted his head and met Bur’s gaze. His pale green eyes were heavy-lidded, a relaxed grin on his face.

  “Now do me.”

  Bur scowled. “No. We have to prepare you first. Not all men like penetration.”

  “That’s not how they showed it in the porn. Everyone I watched loved it.”

  “Of course they did. They wouldn’t show ones who didn’t. But didn’t they show blowjobs and other stuff as well as the fucking?”

  “A mix of both. So how do we know if I like butt sex?”

  “Fingering or rimming.”

  “Okay.” Gerald rolled off him.

  He disposed of the condom in the trash beside the bed, then lay down on the bed and waited. Bur didn’t move. Gerald glanced at him.

  “Well, come on then.”

  “Gerald, we don’t have to do it now,” Bur said.

  “From the way you were squirming and moaning, I want to try this. Feel the prostate thing,” Gerald said the one thing he knew would get him to move. “Don’t be a selfish lover, Wilbur.”

  “Don’t call me that.” His face went into the expression. “I’m not selfish. You want to try, we will.”

  Bur partially lowered his lids over his eyes. The look in them was pure wickedness. Gerald started to rethink what he’d asked.

  “Ummm… we can wait.” He went to roll.

  Bur grabbed him, straddled him and pushed him back on the bed. Gerald tried to buck him off, but Bur was stronger than he looked and clung to him, not moving. Gerald stopped. He stared at Bur, his cock hardening at Bur pinning him down.

  “Bur,” he said softly.

  Bur’s gaze went soft, and then he kissed him. Gerald opened, letting him in. Bur slowly stopped the kiss. He slid down Gerald’s body. Gerald’s skin broke out in goose bumps. Bur’s mouth closed over the tip of his cock, and he sucked him in one gulp.

  He stiffened, shouting, “Bur!”

  Bur sucked him firmly. Gerald clenched and unclenched his fists, rocking into Bur’s wet mouth. Bur took him in. Gerald felt Bur’s cool fingers rubbing along the line of his ass. He blearily noted the open tube of lube by his hip. Bur lifted his head until he was off Gerald’s cock.

  “Open for me.” Bur’s breath wafted over his tip.

  Gerald shifted his legs, widening his stance. Bur slid his hand lower, and Gerald felt his first touch on his pucker. He tensed.

  “Let me in,” Bur whispered, kissing the tip of his cock.

  Gerald fought his reaction, releasing. Bur murmured, not really forming words. He pushed against his hole. Gerald went stiff. Bur didn’t make any further move. Gerald relaxed slowly. Bur pushed deeper. Each muscle in Gerald tensed, then he forced himself to relax. Bur lowered his head again, taking Gerald’s cock into his mouth in one motion.

  “Bur.” Gerald rocked up, then back.

  Bur’s finger in his ass was a secondary thought to the things Bur was doing with his mouth. He could feel the ball of Bur’s piercing as Bur went up and down on his cock.

  “Bur.” Gerald gasped as pleasure filled him.

  Bur rubbed again, making him arch as he touched the nerves inside.

  So that’s what it feels like. Gerald lost all rational thought as he got lost in the pleasure Bur was giving his body.

  Bur sucked Gerald, rubbing on the knot inside of him.

  “Bur,” Gerald moaned in a litany.

  HE CONTINUED to suck Gerald. Bur clenched his ass, still pleasantly tingling from where Gerald had taken him earlier. As he plunged his fingers in and out of Gerald’s ass, Bur imagined his cock in that wet heat. Gerald rocked in between his mouth and touch. He modulated his sound, letting Bur know he was enjoying it. Bur lifted off Gerald’s cock, then ran his piercing over the spongy head. He lifted his gaze, locking with dark brown eyes. He continued mouthing the head of Gerald’s cock. Gerald arched. Bur raked his teeth over the tip, then swallowed him down again.

  “Bur.” Gerald moved his head back, the muscles in his neck standing out.

  His jaw was clenched, and he shuddered. Bur swallowed as Gerald came. Gerald’s crease spasmed on his fingers. Bur pulled out and released his cock. He straddled Gerald, palming his erection, pulling at it urgently. Gerald’s hand covered his. He grabbed the back of Bur’s neck, pulling him down.

  “Come for me.” Gerald tightened his hand, jerking him hard and firm.

  Bur moaned, shuddering as his cock spurted out his release. Gerald kissed him, swallowing the sound. Bur slumped against him. Gerald slowed their kiss, then pulled away. He shifted Bur higher on his body, cupping his ass. Bur blinked, sleepiness filling him.

  “That answers the question if I like penetration. It was fantastic. When can we do it?” Gerald asked.

  Bur drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Six

  A LOUD blaring sound reverberated. Bur jumped out of bed, looking around frantically. It continued getting louder and louder, then suddenly stopped. Bur rubbed his hand through his hair. He glanced back at the bed. Gerald was sprawled on his back. He hadn’t moved.

  “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” filled the room.

  It repeated, getting louder and louder.

  “A rooster?” Bur walked around the bed in search of what was making all that noise.

  At Gerald’s side of the bed, he spotted the Rubik’s Cube-shaped clock. For its medium size, it was very loud. The rooster stopped. Bur turned.

  “Whooooweeeee. Woooweee!”

  Bur pivoted to face the clock. The siren sound continued. Bur’s humor kicked in, and he made the gestures of directing traffic.

  “Proceed to your left.” He moved his hands.

  Bur glanced at Gerald. He still hadn’t moved. Bur didn’t know how anyone could sleep with such a racket. The noise stopped. Bur stood closer to the alarm, waiting to see if there was anything next. A few seconds passed. He shrugged, then turned.

  “Whoooooo… whoooooo.”

  Bur jumped as a foghorn echoed behind him. He shifted, staring at the clock. “Oh my God. Where the hell did he get that alarm? I am so getting one for each of my bandmates. A house-warming gift.” Bur rubbed his hands together, imagining it.

  “Die, die, die!” Gerald pounded at the clock with his fist.

  Bur noticed he hadn’t even opened his eyes. Suddenly, Gerald sat up and grabbed the clock. Bur stepped back in surprise.

  “Die, die. Damn you, die.” Gerald shook the clock, then pounded it with his fist.

&n
bsp; Bur gaped as he continued to beat the clock and repeat the words. Gerald’s lids were still closed. Finally, the clock went silent. Gerald opened one lid. He opened the other and glanced at Bur.

  “Hello, sexy,” Gerald said.

  Bur sputtered, then laughed, dropping onto the bed and falling onto his back. Gerald’s legs were under his head. They shifted under him as Bur continued to laugh uproariously. The mattress moved, and then Gerald leaned over him. Bur spotted the clock and rolled around on his back, holding his stomach as he laughed.

  “You and that clock. I need to tape you beating the shit out of it. You killed it. I’ll get you another. It was too priceless not to be enjoyed by all,” Bur calmed, wiping his watering eyes.

  “It’s not dead. The damn thing doesn’t die. Although, believe me, I have tried to kill it.” Gerald glared at it and shook it again.

  Bur sat up, taking it from him and turning it to face him. “It’s still working. Why would you get this clock if you hate it so much? Where did you get it? I want to buy a whole lot and plant them all over. Scare the hell out of people.”

  “I need it. I’m hard to wake up in the morning, and I’m hell on alarm clocks. They usually don’t last long. So I don’t hate it, just that it does the job and gets me up. You’ll have to ask my mother. She bought it for me. Didn’t tell me what it did. Got a hell of a kick out of it too. Sometimes, she likes to ask me what noise woke me up. Which noise was it?”

  “The foghorn.”

  “Hmmm… better than the end. I’ve gotten better and usually get up at the rooster. But someone wore me out.” Gerald threw the clock over his shoulder and leaned over him.

  “There are more sounds?”

  “A few. Then it repeats.” Gerald kissed him gently, then said, “I set it for earlier than I usually get up.”

  “I wonder why?” Bur ran his hand down his side.

  “No reason.” Gerald moved off him and slid off the bed.

  Bur braced on his elbows, watching him. Gerald walked into the bathroom, not looking at him.