Fool of Main Beach

by Tara Lain

  “Man, I’ll bet Aaron was pissed.”

  “Yeah, I think he was, and Tom actually felt badly for leading him on. I guess Tom wanted to dance more than he wanted to be with Aaron.”

  “I think Tom lives very simply, so the idea of going to a fancy dance club probably appealed to him.”

  “He does live simply. I went there with him on the way here this morning. I mean, the guy has one tiny room with two dogs.”

  Ru smiled. “Tom does love his dogs.”

  “Yeah, that’s another thing. He volunteers at this animal shelter where I gather they take good care of the dogs and don’t kill them. But the place is running out of money. I’d sure like to do something to help.” At the lack of response, Merle looked up from his coffee cup. “What?”

  “Baby, you’re seriously involved with this guy, you know that, right?” Ru held up a hand. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. Tom’s great. Amazing, even. I’m sure you get that people will think he’s a surprising choice, but—”

  “Whoa.” Merle put down his cup extra hard and held up both hands. “There’s no choice here. I didn’t choose anything. Anyone. Tom’s a friend. I’d like to help his freaking dogs. That’s all.”

  Ru nodded. “Okay, sure. I get it. You want to help your friend.”

  “Right.”

  They both fell into silent coffee drinking.

  Tough to explain he’d had the best sex of his life with his “friend.”

  TOM DRILLED the last handle onto the shiny new kitchen cabinets. This was like the most beautiful kitchen ever. He stood back and looked at the granite countertops and the smooth maple wood with the modern handles. What would it be like to have a kitchen like this all for himself? Of course, if it was his kitchen, he’d put in a special place for the dogs to eat. Wonder if Merle might get a dog since he has such a big house?

  “Hey Tom, lookin’ good.” Billy walked into the kitchen in his work clothes and studied the details with a big smile.

  “Yeah, it’s a great kitchen. You did a super job.”

  “Thanks. I designed it, but it’s mostly Merle’s taste. Nice, huh?”

  “Merle does good stuff.”

  Billy cocked his head. “So how was your trip to Hollyweird?” He laughed. Tom had told Billy about the date so he could get the morning off.

  “It was good. I liked the dancing.”

  “Okay, but did you like the guy? That’s the big question. And you better tell me because Shaz will want to know.” He laughed again.

  Tom felt kind of funny talking about it, but this was Billy. “Not so much. He was nice, but I don’t think he’s for me.”

  “Oh, that’s a shame, but a lot of those Hollywood people are—well, not like us, you know? Shaz is different. So are Merle and Gray.”

  “Yeah.” Tom smiled. “Not many people are as nice as Merle.” He looked up. “Oh, and Shaz.”

  Billy kind of looked at him funny. “So did Merle bring you home?”

  Tom nodded. Better not say too much more. “He should be coming to see the house in a while.”

  “Good. Maybe I’ll get to see him.”

  “You know Merle’s shooting that movie, so he’s not going to have much time to move in. I was thinking I could help him, but I’d need you to pick out stuff that he’d like and tell me where to put furniture.”

  “What a great idea.” Billy looked around the room. “What if we made it a surprise? Like don’t tell him and do the whole thing while he’s shooting the film?”

  Tom’s chest felt warm. “I’d love that. Surprises are great.”

  “Okay, I’ll talk to Shaz tonight. I’ll bet Ru and Gray might want to help too. If I talk to Merle today, I’ll see if I can get him to tell me what he has in mind for the house.”

  “I’ll do that too, and I’ll tell you and Shaz.”

  “We better work fast, though, because I think next weekend he finishes shooting his series for the season. So that means he’ll be starting the movie and we’ll need to start the house.”

  Billy left, and Tom went to put the handles on the cabinets in the guest bathroom. It would be fun to do something for Merle. Thank him for giving Tom the best night of his whole life.

  MERLE WALKED toward the house with an ambivalent stomach, half anxious to see Tom and half dreading it. Come on, he’s your friend. Just be fair. He doesn’t expect anything. Shit, even the fact that Tom didn’t expect anything made Merle crazy. Doesn’t he think he’s worth having someone really care for him?

  He let out a long breath. Justice, you’re wacko.

  As usual, walking in the door of his house lit him up like a neon sign. My house. My home. Rather than look for anyone—like Tom—he just went straight to work, measuring the downstairs spaces he hadn’t gotten to yet.

  “Hey, Merle.”

  He looked up. “Hi, Billy. This appears to be in the home stretch, you should pardon the pun….”

  “Yep.”

  “I’m really excited.”

  Billy flashed that sweet smile. “I’m glad.” He looked around. “So tell me how you’re thinking of using all the spaces.”

  Merle waved at the big room they stood in with its view of the backyard of the house. “This will be my gym.”

  “Maybe we should put a rubber floor over the hardwood to absorb the shock?”

  “Great idea.”

  “I’ll get Jim on that right away.”

  Merle walked out of the gym and into the next room that had high clerestory windows since it faced the side of a hill. “This is the theater, so I’ll put blackout curtains in here and comfortable chairs.” He crossed back into the large central area of the downstairs. “This is my playroom. I’m thinking a pool table, a wet bar and refrigerator, comfy couches, a big-screen, of course, and all the trimmings.” He waved an arm toward the back. “And that’s the guest room. I’ll use the extra bedroom upstairs as my office and, of course, the big bedroom is my master.”

  “Great. Sounds like a wonderful place.”

  Funny that Billy was taking notes. “Yeah. When I get back from filming the movie, I need to buy rugs and stuff. Maybe you and Shaz can point me in the right direction?”

  “Sure. What kind of rugs are you looking for?” His pen stood poised to write.

  “Uh, well, modern stuff, I think. Maybe some Middle Eastern rugs too. A mix. You think that would look good?”

  “Like at our house?”

  “Yeah. Actually, I love your rugs. I love your furniture.” He laughed. “Just send me wherever you guys went.”

  “Good. I’ll make you a list. After your filming, right?”

  Merle nodded.

  “What about upstairs?”

  “The same, I guess. Maybe divide up the great room into areas with the rugs.”

  “Yeah, that sounds good.”

  Nice of Billy to be so interested.

  “Great to see you.” Billy tucked his notebook into his back pocket. “I need to get over to another job.”

  “How many do you have going?”

  Billy grinned. “Five.”

  “That’s fantastic. Your business really has taken off.”

  He smiled shyly. “We seem to offer a good balance of value.”

  “Man, I’ll second that. Design and construction skills at an affordable price, and reliable too. If I can give you a reference or anything, just let me know.”

  “Good reviews are always helpful.”

  “You got it. As soon as I get back to my laptop.”

  “Thanks, Merle.” He gave him a one-armed hug, which surrounded Merle in that big body. Kind of like Tom. “See you soon.”

  Merle finished his measurements. He folded up the tape measure. Every cell in his body screamed to go up the stairs and find Tom. Bask in his sweet smile and those eyes that appreciated him but never seemed to judge him. Ru’s voice rang in his head. You’re seriously involved with this guy.

  Just get out of here.

  Maybe he needs a rid
e home. I brought him.

  Somebody else can take him.

  He shoved the tape measure in his pocket, folded the piece of paper he’d written notes on, and walked toward the front door. As he reached the bottom of the wide staircase, the end of a ladder protruded, and he slammed himself against the wall to keep from getting hit. “Damn!”

  “Oh no! Merle, are you okay?” Tom propped the ladder he was carrying against the wall and rushed to Merle. “I didn’t know you were here.”

  “It’s okay. I was taking measurements downstairs.”

  “I didn’t hit you, did I?”

  “No. I’m fine.” If you didn’t count feeling weirdly nervous and uneasy seeing Tom.

  Tom smiled softly. “It’s almost done, Merle. You’ll have your new house in just a few days.”

  He nodded. “Right.” And then he’d have less reason—none, really—to encounter Tom. Maybe that would be good.

  Tom stared at the floor. Odd for him to look shy or nervous. He was always so frank and open. “I keep thinking about last night.”

  Oh shit! He wasn’t the only one. Merle glanced around. Nobody nearby to hear.

  Tom leaned in and whispered, “It makes me hard.”

  “Damn.”

  Tom glanced at his face. “Sorry. I guess I shouldn’t say that.”

  “No. If that’s how you feel. It’s just—” He looked around and felt like a lying asshole.

  Tom followed Merle’s flitting eyes. “Oh no, I’d never tell anyone else.” He smiled. “They’d never believe it anyway.”

  Merle frowned. “What do you mean?”

  He whispered, “That you’d ever let me fuck you.”

  “Jesus, Tom!” He wanted to grab his cock through his jeans and wring the thing to death so it stopped doing the salsa in his pants. “Look, quit selling yourself short. You’re handsome, talented, and, well, sweet. At the club last night, you could have had most of the guys there if you wanted them. Both Aaron and René think you’re gorgeous. I just lucked out.” He stared at his feet.

  “Wow. Thank you, Merle. Nobody ever said anything so nice to me before.”

  “Well, they should.” He took a breath. Be strong. “Look, I’ve got to get going. Can you get a ride home with someone else?”

  The tiniest flicker of hurt or disappointment tiptoed across that pretty face; then he smiled. “No problem, Merle. Jim takes me home sometimes. I can walk too. Don’t worry.”

  “Good. Sorry. See you soon.” He hurried out the front door, down the steps, and into the Audi before heat burned his eyes. Impossible to be even a little mean to that guy and not feel like a fourteen-carat bastard. How could Tom’s sister and family have stood it all these years?

  He stomped the accelerator and headed the short distance south, back to Ru and Gray’s. When he got there, he keyed his way in and jogged straight to the guest room without even checking to see if the guys were home. Behind the closed door, he pulled the french doors ajar so he could hear the ocean, then threw himself on the bed.

  This isn’t about Tom. I don’t want to be involved with anyone. I need to focus on the movie and my career. I need to be open and flexible. I need—he sighed—to quit lying to myself. This is about Tom.

  Nobody could write off the previous night as no big deal. Sex like that didn’t happen by accident. He and Tom had serious chemistry, and he honestly wasn’t sure why. Tom was a deeply good man. I’m a compromising, lying SOB, but I still want him so bad my teeth ache.

  He closed his eyes and drifted.

  A buzzing in his pocket woke him. The vibration tingled through his already erect cock. Must have been having quite a dream. He grabbed his phone. “Hello.” He glanced at the windows. Dark. What time was it?

  “Merle. Hi.”

  Tom. His breath caught. The leap in his dick testified to what his dream had been about. “Hi.”

  “I-I hope—”

  “What Tom? Are you okay?”

  “Yes. I mean, I hope you’re not mad at me.”

  He slapped a hand to his forehead. “No, Jesus, I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at me. Can you understand that?”

  “Yes. I get mad at me all the time.”

  “I like you so much. I just don’t know what to do about it.”

  “You don’t have to do anything, honest.”

  “I don’t want to take advantage of you.” Shit, just saying that was manipulative.

  “You said I’m smart in a different way.”

  “Yes, and I think that’s true.”

  “My kind of smart knows you’re nice and that I like having a little of you. I don’t need more.”

  Crap. Heart ripped from chest again. “Why? Why the hell do you want even a tiny bit of me?”

  Tom chuckled, and the sound traveled right up Merle’s spine. “That’s for me to know,” Tom said.

  A soft laugh escaped Merle’s lips. He wanted to finish the childish taunt. And me to find out. “What would you like?”

  “I’d like to fuck you again.”

  He pressed down on the bulge in his jeans and sparks flew into his balls. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to just call this off now since it can’t end happily?” There, that’s the hard truth.

  “Not to me.”

  “I’m at Ru and Gray’s and you’re at Mrs. Allison’s. We don’t really have a working venue for fucking.”

  Quiet. Then Tom said, “There’s your house.” Merle heard the smile creep into his voice. “I have a sleeping bag.”

  One hundred percent chance that I’m a goner.

  Chapter Seventeen

  AN HOUR later, with his stomach doing somersaults, Merle opened the front door of his house with his key—first time he’d done that since he bought it. The only residents in his home for the last month and a half had been Billy’s crew. Tom belonged here more than he did.

  Speaking of Tom—he glanced back over his shoulder. Was he waiting outside, or maybe he hadn’t gotten here yet? Nobody. He closed the door behind him and walked a few steps in before he saw the light filtering toward him from the main floor. Either someone left a light on or—

  At the top of the stairs, he followed the glow to the master bedroom, looked inside, and—stopped. A sleeping bag lay in the middle of the floor. Beside it sat a lamp—like the cheap gooseneck kind you could buy at IKEA—with its light pointed toward the floor so it was very indirect. The centerpiece of the tableau, however, was Tom, seated in the middle of the sleeping bag, shirtless. He looked up and smiled. “I’m really nervous.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  “Why are you nervous?”

  “You first.”

  “Well, I wanted to make it nice, but it’s pretty hard on the floor, and maybe it won’t be so much fun for you.”

  Merle grinned. He was tearing himself apart with conflicting emotions and motivations, and Tom was worried about the floor being too hard for Merle. Classic. “I suppose we can fuck standing up if it gets too bad.”

  Tom gave that little laugh that sounded charmingly like a giggle. “So you still want to do it?”

  Merle circled his hands around his dick that had refused to be anything except erect since Tom issued his sweetly salacious invitation, I’d like to fuck you again. “What do you think?”

  “I think yes.” He grinned like a cat. Sitting back, he pulled off his flip-flops, yanked his jeans down his legs, and revealed that historic cock presented commando. “Come and get it.”

  Merle started to laugh. “Did you really just say ‘come and get it’?”

  His grin faltered. “Yes. Was that wrong?”

  “Oh no. It was so right. Stay right where you are.” He dug condoms and lube from his windbreaker pocket, tossed them on the sleeping bag, threw the jacket and his T-shirt on the floor, then pulled down his own jeans and briefs, revealing Mr. Constantly Peppy, at your service.

  Though Tom’s eyes stayed glued to Merle’s crotch, he managed to get his boner sheathed in a condom at the same time. He sat cros
s-legged with the flagpole at full staff rising in the center.

  Merle fell to his knees, careful not to land too hard, and grabbed the lube. With a rip, he opened the package and squeezed the sticky fluid into one palm. After coating his fingers, he inserted them into his own hole until the thing dripped. Yes, he wanted all of it, but he also knew what a challenge it was.

  Tom applied some lube to his own penis, and Merle knee-walked over to him. He crawled up onto his feet and positioned himself over Tom’s lap with the cock pointed at the best possible orifice.

  Tom’s hand touched his cheek. “Hey.”

  Merle glanced up from his intense inspection of the interface between cock and hole and met Tom’s eyes. Tom smiled softly, grasped his fingers around Merle’s neck, and pulled him in so their lips almost met. Oh. Oh hell.

  Tom put a big hand on each of Merle cheeks, his fingers splayed so Merle felt both caressed and controlled; then Tom kissed. Starting with the touch of a butterfly wing, pressing in and gently caressing Merle’s lips with his, then slipping a tongue inside to explore ever so softly. A long sigh escaped Tom’s open mouth.

  Merle’s thighs trembled from holding himself up, but the magic of their lips together held him suspended in every way.

  Tom reached down with one of his hands. Merle felt the big head against him. Then Tom pressed down on Merle’s shoulders, prompting him to lower himself onto the waiting intruder. Down he went. Heat, pressure, burn. Pop. In it went, sending a bolt of electricity up Merle’s spine. Still Tom pressed and Merle lowered until he rested on his knees with Tom’s penis buried in him. Tom never stopped kissing.

  Indescribable. The feel of his body being penetrated from more than one direction, but softly, almost reverently. Every nerve in his ass and his mouth shimmered with aching pleasure as Tom’s cock and tongue possessed him. Deeper and deeper. Sweetness turned to fire, sweet fire. Then not so sweet. The blaze in his ass burned outward and filled his balls and cock until they sizzled. Rising on his knees, he pulled almost to the tip of Tom’s dick, then lowered down. Harder and harder until he was slamming his ass onto that waiting rod, forging space inside him for everything Tom had to offer. So much. So great. His eyes closed, teeth gritted, and he rode Tom more and more frantically, his own cock bouncing so it rubbed against Tom’s hard, cobbled abs and chest.