by Andrew Grey
“I figured that if people knew why I was calling and that you needed their help, they’d respond.”
“They did. At least twenty people, and they paid me thousands of dollars today, and the phone has been ringing off the hook with other people saying they’ll be in next week or that they sent a check.”
“Is it going to be enough?” James asked.
“It’s a start.” Trevor guided him up the walk. “I know it could all fizzle out tomorrow, but people are responding. I mean, I’m only an auto repair garage, and yet they want to help.”
“They want to be fair.” James didn’t like seeing Trevor like this. “Let me ask you something. Do you remember the guy who swaggered up to me in the club a few weeks ago?”
“How do you know I swaggered?”
“I imagined it, okay? I have a really good imagination. How else could I take what my hands feel and put together an image of you that is hot enough to melt butter? Well, bring him back. Fill yourself with that kind of confidence. This is going to work, and you will find the money that you need.”
“James, a club is one thing, but this is everything I’ve built—”
“They’re the same thing.” James got out his keys and unlocked the door. “Sometimes it’s all about attitude. In that club, you acted as though every man there would want you. I still can’t believe you picked me for some strange reason. So remember that. There is nothing that’s going to get you down.”
“Yeah, well, it was a good day, but I put my motorcycle up for sale at the Brown Deer location. So the blessings were very mixed.”
James located the chair near the door and used his hands to guide him to the seat. “I’m sorry.” He hated the idea that Trevor was selling the motorcycle. He’d really liked riding on it behind Trevor, but he wasn’t going to say anything to make Trevor feel worse. He was doing what he needed to in order to save the business he’d worked for. And James understood.
“I have some beer in the refrigerator. Would you bring one for each of us when you take care of your empty?”
“Sure.” Trevor was already walking out of the room, and James got up and hobbled to the sofa so he could put his foot up. The pressure slipped away from his ankle and he sighed, and Trevor pressed a cold beer bottle into his hand. “How was your day?”
“Busy but good. I read Zack one of his ‘bumpy books.’ He’s such an amazing kid. I wish I could spend more time with him. Maybe have him stay overnight with me, but that can’t happen until he gets quite a bit older. If I could see, then I could babysit for them and even take Zack places so Marti and Tim could have some time for themselves.” James sighed. “Sorry. There are times…. I accepted that I was blind a long time ago, but I was able to see once, so I still wish I could sometimes.” James shook his head to try to clear out the thoughts that weren’t going to do him any good. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
“I had a good day, so I wanted to share it with you, especially since you helped bring it about.”
“I’m glad I could help—you know that.” James drank from his bottle as Trevor sat next to him. James wasn’t sure what to talk about, and the silence between them began to bother him. Quiet often meant he was cut off from the other people in the room, since sound was one of the major ways he connected with the world. Silence could unnerve him, and he often wondered if something was wrong.
“I do.” Trevor grew quiet once again.
James finished his beer and thought about getting another when Trevor took the bottle from him and set it on the table with a soft clink, followed by another. Then Trevor’s heat surrounded him even before Trevor touched him. Hot breath wafted over his lips. James had no idea what Trevor was actually doing, but he felt his presence with every inch of his being.
James’s skin went on alert, wondering where he was going to be touched, what special caress was coming. Then heat moved and shifted until Trevor gently pressed him back down onto the cushions with the lightest touch of his shoulder. “That’s it,” Trevor crooned just above a whisper. “I love watching you.”
“You know that isn’t fair. I can’t watch you in return.” James pouted until Trevor took his hand and placed it on Trevor’s firm, hard chest. Heat seared through James’s fingers and palm, careening straight through him. “Yes.”
“Do you want to stay here?”
James shook his head. He wanted somewhere more comfortable and slowly tried to get up. Trevor helped him and led him through the house, trying to take some of the weight off his ankle until they reached the bedroom. Trevor guided him down onto the bed with his lips, kissing him as he slowly removed James’s clothes.
With the removal of each article, James’s tension and anticipation ramped up higher and higher until he was shaking as Trevor removed his shoes and socks. “I don’t think you’ll need the brace for now.” Trevor carefully removed it and helped James get comfortable. Then James lay still, listening to the rustle as fabric tumbled to the floor. He gripped the sheets, waiting until Trevor joined him on the bed. He was strung tight, and Trevor straddled him, hovering over James, heat radiating downward. “I’ve been thinking of you a lot.”
“You have?” James hadn’t thought of Trevor much at all. Just a dozen times each spare minute of the day.
“Yes.” Trevor licked over one of James’s nipples, sending a quiver of excitement running through him. “I don’t want to hurt you, so I’m trying to be careful.”
Trevor lowered himself, and James pulled him closer. He needed the intensely hot feeling of Trevor’s skin against his, heat to heat, chest to chest, hips to hips. James clung to Trevor, learning each curve and ripple of his muscular back, down to the gentle dip of his hips, and then the curve of Trevor’s muscular ass. He grabbed hold, kneading the smooth flesh. He wanted to explore all of him, every inch, all at once. There was no way he could get enough, and when Trevor slowly rolled them on the bed and James found himself on top, he nearly gasped.
“Just take your time.”
“And do what?” James asked, pushing himself upward.
“You see with your hands. Go ahead.”
James’s mouth went dry. He started at Trevor’s wide, rounded shoulders, like he had cannonballs at the top of his arms. Then he moved down the plates of muscle on his chest, tracing the lines on Trevor’s slightly furry belly. He leaned closer, burying his face in Trevor’s skin, inhaling deeply to get every nuance of his scent, taking a second to listen as Trevor’s heart beat in his chest. It was like he was surrounded by Trevor, and when he wrapped him in his arms, James was content. “Just hold me.”
Trevor ran his hands slowly up and down James’s back, gliding lower until he caressed James’s butt. James loved that. Most people didn’t understand the intimacy, the tenderness, associated with a simple touch and caress.
James found Trevor’s lips with his own, tasting and nibbling as he writhed in near ecstasy.
“Take your time. There’s no rush.” Trevor cupped his cheeks in his strong hands.
“But it’s too much.”
“Breathe, relax, and stay with me.” Trevor kissed him, open mouthed, tugging on James’s lower lip. “You are stunning to watch.”
“And you feel so handsome.” James snickered as he settled his hands on Trevor’s chest and then used Trevor as a road map, sliding downward, feeling his way with hands and lips. God, this was exciting. He slid down Trevor’s belly toward his cock, then wrapped his fingers around its girth and slowly took Trevor into his mouth.
“Oh my God,” Trevor groaned as James sucked him deeper. He had limited experience and went slowly, but it didn’t seem to matter to Trevor, who moaned softly with each lick and suck. Damn, the noises he made were like music, and James threw himself into what he was doing as Trevor’s sounds became more urgent and insistent. Trevor’s musk with a hint of bitterness filled his mouth, sending James into overdrive.
Trevor gently guided him upward, and James let Trevor slip from between his lips. “If you keep that
up, it’s going to be over before we get started.”
James loved the way Trevor quivered beneath him. Trevor was really strong; James had felt it, and he loved the effect he had on him. It was like James had some sort of power that turned Trevor on, and it was amazing.
“Is your ankle okay?”
“Yeah….” What ankle? James was on top of the world, and at the moment, nothing was going to bother him. “Where do you want me?” He could feel Trevor’s gaze on him and it made him edgy. Sometimes it just wasn’t fair. He could be seen and yet never see.
Trevor guided James onto his back. “I want you right there.” He ran his fingers over James’s chest, circling his nipples lightly enough that it almost tickled, but sent ripples racing through him instead. “Do you know what you look like?”
“Not really. Marti told me that I was cute, but she’s my sister so she doesn’t count. You said some things too, but I figured you….” James swallowed. “Well, that you might be interested in one thing….”
“I never lie. You have amazing dark hair that sort of goes wherever it wants.”
“Oh God.” James hated his hair because he never knew if he’d combed it right. He’d thought of getting it cut short.
“No. It’s sweet.” Trevor wound his fingers through James’s hair, massaging his scalp until James groaned. He closed his eyes, not that it really mattered, but Trevor’s fingers felt so damn good. “And you have honey-gold skin, smooth and kissable.” Trevor sucked at the base of James’s neck.
He whimpered and hugged Trevor to him. “I’m not strong like you.”
“So? If I wanted someone like me, I could date half the guys at the gym. I like you.” Trevor caressed James’s chest, straddling him, rolling his hips, and James moaned as Trevor found a rhythm, sliding back and forth along James’s cock. He was going crazy, unable to understand where to focus his attention. “You’re kind and gentle.”
“I could be strong if that’s what you wanted.”
“Just be yourself. That’s all I really want.” Trevor sighed and kissed him hard, stealing James’s breath. He needed more, and Trevor seemed intent on giving him just that. “I think you spend too much time worrying about how others see you, when they should be the ones reaching out to you.”
“Huh?”
“You’re incredibly perceptive. You may not be able to see, but you see into the hearts of people. Hell, I didn’t even know I had one until you’d already stolen it.” Trevor kissed him again, and James let the fire between them build higher. He wanted to believe Trevor more than anything, but he could still feel that he was holding something important back. Of course, Trevor’s magic hands and mouth took all those thoughts away for now.
In Trevor’s capable hands, James flew higher and higher with each second, clutching the bedding as Trevor engulfed him in pressure and heat so intense, James could no longer think. “I didn’t think anyone would want….” His words turned into a gasp as Trevor sucked him harder. James was on the edge within minutes, and he pulled back, tugging Trevor upward until they were lips to lips. Trevor moved with him, their bodies slicking the way as James bucked up against Trevor.
Pressure built deep inside and James’s head began to swim as heat spread through him. James held off until Trevor spilled between them, and then he added his own as Trevor held him tightly, kissing him gently.
“James!” The front door of the house slammed closed and they both froze. “James, are you here?”
“My mother,” James said as Trevor jumped off the bed. The bedroom door closed quickly, and Trevor hurried around the room. James got up as well and went to his closet. He found his robe in its usual spot and put it on before tying it closed. “I’ll go out and see what she wants.”
James left the room, closing the door behind him. “Mom?” he called. “What are you doing here?”
“James, are you all right? I’ve been calling and you didn’t answer. You always answer, so I got worried.” She sounded frantic, and that was so unlike her. “Tim said there was a man here when he dropped you off, and I didn’t know if something was wrong.”
“Is everything okay, James?” Trevor asked from behind him, sliding his arms around James’s waist. He felt Trevor at his back, his heat sinking right through the robe.
“Trevor, you remember my mother, Joyce? Mom, this is Trevor. You met him at the club for Zack’s birthday.” He blushed something terrible. Even though he couldn’t see it, his cheeks heated, and he wanted to turn away and hurry back to his bedroom.
“It’s nice to meet you again,” Trevor said as though they hadn’t just been caught having sex.
“Mom, you came all this way because I wasn’t answering my phone?” His ankle ached, and Trevor guided him to a chair, where he sat.
“I’ll go get your brace,” Trevor whispered and gently patted his shoulder before his footsteps retreated.
“What do you want, Mom?”
“James.” She was scandalized. “Your sister told me you were seeing this guy.” She came closer. “He looks like some hoodlum.”
“He’s a nice man, and what do I care how he looks?” He tilted his head slightly to the side and waited for her response. “Trevor cares about me.”
“Have you given him money?” his mother stage-whispered, and James wanted to fall through the floor.
“Mother!”
“Well, you’re blind—”
“You should know more than anyone that I’m not stupid and that I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. You were the one who pushed me to be independent for years, and now that I am, you act as though I’m completely helpless.” He tilted his head. “I don’t get it.”
She took his hand in her soft one, caressing his fingers. “I don’t want you taken advantage of.”
“You mean like your friend Collin did?”
“He’s a nice boy,” she countered.
“No, he isn’t. He only dated me in order to get close to the family. He wanted me to ask Dad to get him a job, and he wanted money.”
“That’s not true,” his mother argued, and James shook his head.
“Yes, it is. Collin wasn’t interested in me, just what I could get him. When I said I wasn’t going to ask Dad to help him, he got mean.” James began to shake, and then Trevor’s hands rested on his shoulders and he steadied. “Collin hurt me, Mom.” Tears welled in James’s eyes, but he’d be damned if he was going to cry over an asshole like Collin. “He told me that I was useless and that he wasn’t going to spend the rest of his life wiping my ass for me. That no one was going to want to spend the rest of their life taking care of me.”
His mother gasped. “He what?” The anger in her voice surprised James. “So help me, I’ll—”
“Mom. It’s okay. Collin is gone, and I didn’t want to hurt you, so I let you blame me.” James leaned into Trevor’s touch, and he stroked James’s cheek.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” his mother asked plaintively, as though she were about to cry.
“I didn’t think you’d believe me.” James told her the truth, and Trevor’s hands slipped away as James was taken into his mother’s arms.
“Of course I’d believe you.” She hugged him tightly. “You’re my son.” She held him, and James hugged her in return. It had been some time since she’d done that. “I know I’m not the best mother in the world, but I will believe you.”
“Then trust my decisions.” James released her, and she let go, a chair softly sliding on the floor. “I make good ones, and I know what my limits are. I still need you, not as my eyes, but as my mother, someone who cares for me.”
“But I took care of you for so long.” The chair creaked a little as she sat down.
“And you resent me for it. Maybe resent is too strong a word, but I took a lot of your time and attention for so long, and there’s only so much I can ask you to give. It’s time you did things for yourself and Dad now. I really can care for myself.”
“Are you really willing to
do everything that James needs?” She must have been speaking to Trevor.
“I care about James a great deal,” Trevor said in a whisper. “He’s a very special person and doesn’t need all that much help. James is usually incredibly self-sufficient, as I’ve found out.” Trevor kneaded his shoulders gently before pausing. “Let me help you with your brace.” James extended his foot, and Trevor got it in the right spot and velcroed it into place.
“Mom. Do you think we can talk about this later… maybe in the morning?” James fingered the edge of his robe. “It’s a little late for all this.” He yawned, and his mother sighed.
“All right. But I still worry about you.” She stood, the chair creaking slightly once again, and James got up as well.
“I’m glad you worry about me. It means you care.” He took a careful step closer, and she hugged him.
“Of course I do.”
“Then sometimes you need to have a little more patience with me,” James whispered into her ear.
His mother scoffed. “If I were patient, you’d still be living at home and in that damn shell of yours. I pushed you, and it was the best thing I could have ever done. I know being blind is hard and requires that you spend more time to do the same things the rest of us can do in a few seconds. That’s why I pushed. It would be easy to give up, and I wasn’t going to let you.” She released him. “I know you didn’t always like me, but I did what I thought I had to do.”
James listened for her to move but didn’t hear anything. This was one of those times when he was a little in the dark about what was happening or what he should do.
“Before I go, I want to tell you that we got a call at the house today. Leader Dogs said that they’ll have a dog for you in two weeks. Apparently they still have our number. She’s going through final training and preparation right now. I gave them your direct number, and they said they’d call you to arrange the transition and training.”
