by Tara Lain
He looked at her out of the side of his eyes. “You kind of already did, didn’t you, Lily? I mean, you’re here.”
She got very, very quiet.
“Do you really have time off from school?”
She sighed. “I don’t go to school.”
“What?” His foot stomped the brake so he didn’t hit the Beemer in front of him.
“They tell you I’m going to private school, but they keep the bucks and homeschool me. That’s why I brought all those books with me. So I don’t miss anything.” She sighed. “Like I said, despicable.”
The idea wouldn’t quite get into his head. “No private school?”
“Nope.”
He started moving again. “What about the dress and the shoes for the dance? I thought that was at your school.”
“No. They just needed extra money.” She looked at him. “I’m sorry, Tom.”
“Where do they think you are, Lily?”
“They know I came here. They didn’t mind me coming ’cause they figure I’m going to get more money from you and they’ll get it when I go back.”
“I’ll give you whatever I can.”
She whirled in her seat. “Goddammit, Tom, you gotta stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Letting them take advantage of you. It’s bullshit.”
He didn’t want to think about that. “Are you going back?”
“Not if I can help it, but they hold all the cards. More of that crap about being sixteen. Anyway, I’m here now.”
She got quiet, and he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t mind paying money for Lily, but nobody was going to make her get married. Nobody. His hands gripped the wheel.
“So tell me about Merle Justice.”
He swallowed. The whole thing about his parents made his head hurt. “He’s my friend.”
“I can tell. So what’s his story? I mean, no offense, Tom, but most movie stars don’t hang with guys like you.” She glanced at him. “Construction workers, I mean.”
“I know. But I saved his life and he was happy and he got to know me.”
“How’d you save his life?”
“On the beach. Some guys wanted to beat him up, and I stopped them.”
“Yeah, but why were guys wanting to beat him up? Jesus, he’s famous and shit.”
Tom shrugged. “They knew he was gay and didn’t like it.”
“Merle’s gay?”
He looked at her as he parked the truck in front of Mrs. A.’s. “Sure. Everyone knows that.”
“I didn’t.”
“You’re just not a fan, Lily. His fans know.”
“And nobody cares?”
“Maybe some do if they’re silly, but Merle’s so talented and sexy, who’d care if he’s gay? It’s not like they’re going to meet him and have sex with him. They like him anyway.”
“So Merle Justice is gay.” Lily stared out the window.
“Yep. Like me.”
“Right. Like you.”
Two hours later, after chatting with Mrs. A. and watching some TV, Tom stared at the ceiling and cuddled the boys on the daybed in the sewing room. He whispered, “Sorry, guys. I know it’s a small space, but we gotta make room for Lily. She doesn’t have such a nice life as we do. Sounds like maybe she’s going to try to stay with us, though. That’d be nice, but we’ll have to figure out how to live with girls, won’t we?”
Fluffy licked his ear, and he chuckled.
“I’m glad I have you to kiss me, because I sure do miss having sex with Merle.” He scratched Tigger’s chin. “Sorry. You’re too young to know about sex yet.” He laughed at his own joke. “To tell you the truth, I don’t mind giving up my bed to Lily, but I kind of mind not getting to see Merle. He’s going to go make his movie. I know he’ll be back, but maybe I won’t see him much then. I mean, like Lily says, why would a guy like him hang out with me, right? And then he’ll be a full-on movie star.”
His phone buzzed, and he grabbed it. He’d put it on vibrate so it wouldn’t bother Lily or Mrs. Allison if it rang. He’d been hoping it would ring—and it did.
He grinned. “Hello.”
“Hi.”
“I was just telling the boys how I miss you.”
“I miss you too. And I don’t have the boys to tell.”
He chuckled. “Sorry about the Lily surprise. I didn’t want to tell you and have her hear.”
“No, that’s okay. I enjoyed meeting her. Kind of.” He laughed, and Tom did too.
“I know she’s kind of mean sometimes. She says my folks are too, so maybe that’s where she gets it. But I think she’s nice underneath.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“She might be staying.”
“Seriously? Doesn’t she have school?”
“Kind of. A lot of things aren’t the way I thought.”
“Want to tell me?”
“No.” Tom wrapped a hand around his mouth and spoke into the phone. “I want to fuck you.”
“Holy shit, I want that too.”
“Where are you?”
“At Ru and Gray’s house.”
“Guess I can’t come there.”
He didn’t say anything for a minute. “Uh, I’m right on the beach. I could just walk outside and happen to run into you.”
“That would be very fun. How could I get there?”
“There’s public access beside the gate that leads to the community this house is in. Just walk down the stairs.”
“Okay, I’m coming.” He laughed. “Or I bet I will be pretty soon.”
Merle’s laugh vibrated in Tom’s dick. Oh boy, how fast can I get there?
It took him half an hour to grab his sleeping bag, condoms, and lube, sneak out of Mrs. Allison’s, and drive to the beach. He parked in a lot across the highway, jogged to the staircase, and hopped down the stairs, his cock getting harder and harder with every step. It was funny how much his dick knew about everything.
He walked down the beach. One of the houses looked like it might be the one he visited.
Some big rocks looked pretty near the water, but they were close enough to the hillside that they’d make a nice hiding spot. A fucking spot. He chuckled.
“Tom.” The soft voice came from behind him. Tom turned and ran toward Merle. He picked him up and spun him around, laughing. When he finally set him down, he said, “I always wanted to do that.”
“And I want to do this.” Merle pulled Tom’s head down and kissed him. Oh boy, did that feel good. And taste good. And smell good.
Merle’s tongue went deep in his mouth, and it felt like his insides were getting petted. All his insides, like his balls and his dick—and his heart. He picked Merle up again and kept kissing while he walked toward the rock. It was kind of funny, because he kept tripping on stuff, but really fun too.
He got to the rocks finally, leaned Merle back over a big smooth one, and really gave him a kiss all the way down to his feet.
“Oh man.” Merle wrapped himself around Tom like a monkey and got his cock to push against Tom’s. Wow. Tom pushed back until they were bumping into each other really hard and grinding. Merle reached down and undid his fly and then did the same to Tom. He tried to wrap his hand around both their bare cocks but he couldn’t reach, so Tom put his hand over the top and started jerking them both. Like having an electric circuit in his cock.
“Can I fuck you, Merle?”
“Oh yes, baby. Do it now. Please.”
Tom dropped Merle’s legs to the ground so he could pull off his jeans and put on a condom and lube. Then he lifted Merle again, propped his back, and stuck his dick into Merle’s beautiful ass. Oh man, I want to do this all the time, forever. He balanced Merle against the rocks, put his hands beside him, and pushed his cock in and out and in and out until it felt so good he couldn’t even hardly stand it.
Merle started making those cute sounds that meant he was going to squirt all over the place. Tom loved that. It was so warm and mess
y and like real life. He hammered harder and reached down and jerked on Merle’s cock. Yep, that did it. The cum came out in his hand, and that made all the good feelings twice as strong, and his cock just exploded like an overloaded circuit.
Merle shivered like he was cold but he wasn’t. He was really hot, and Tom did it too until they both calmed down, and Tom leaned forward and pressed himself against Merle.
I wonder what it will be like after I don’t have Merle anymore? I guess it will be nice to remember when I did.
MERLE TRUDGED down the uneven stone stairs, the sound of the waves so loud he could barely hear the string of questions coming from Lily.
“So what’s it like to make those sexy scenes you do? Is it really embarrassing?”
“Sometimes. I mostly do those scenes with the same actress.”
“Nichelle Holder.”
“Right. And we’re good friends, so we kind of laugh and get silly until we have to make it look real.”
“So you don’t get off on humping her?”
“There’re about twenty people watching us, so even if I liked girls, I doubt the experience would be sexy.” They got to the bottom of the stairs and walked out onto the sand. It was early since Merle had to go into the studio in less than an hour, but he wanted to show Lily the beach before he left. Joggers ran on the wet sand, and a couple of moms hunkered down over soggy castles with their kids, giving them some vitamin D before sunburn set in. He pointed at the waterline. “It’s low tide now, so a lot of this sand will be underwater by noon. Wear your sunscreen and catch most of your rays before it gets too hot.”
She spread her towel, plunked down on it, and stripped off her shorts and T-shirt to reveal a bikini that barely covered the necessities.
Merle smiled. “Have your parents approved your bathing suit?”
“Are you kidding? They don’t even know I own a bathing suit.” She leaned back on her elbows. “Can you sit a minute?”
“Sure, a couple, but I have to get to the studio.”
She stared at the ocean for a minute. “It’s pretty here. You’ll have a nice life.”
“Well, I doubt scenery makes a nice life, but thank you. I hope so.”
“What’s up with you and my brother?”
He knew that was coming. Lily wasn’t polite enough to feel like that question would be an intrusion. “Like he told you. We’re friends.”
“Come on. You’re a handsome, rich movie star. Tom’s a big, dumb construction worker with a good heart. What the hell do you two have in common?”
“He’s not dumb.”
“Hey, I’ve known him longer than you—”
“He’s not fucking dumb!”
She held up a hand. “Hold it. Before you bite my head off, I know. I know he’s not dumb. I guess I wanted to see if you knew it. He’s sweet and too nice for his own good, but pretty smart actually. Still, I’ve got a point. Tom makes most people uncomfortable because of the way he is.”
Merle looked up. “How’s that?”
“What’s that fancy word? Guileless. Right, and honest. Most people aren’t, so Tom makes them damned antsy. It’s like my folks. Yeah, they’re a bunch of lying pretenders, but Tom couldn’t even play them. He says, ‘Hey, I’m gay,’ and when they and their church ask him to repent, he looks at them wide-eyed and says ‘I like being gay.’ Jesus.” She snorted at her own joke.
“How do you know what he said? You must have been little when they threw him out.”
“I was nine. I just knew I lost my brother, the only one who really cared about me. But they told me later. What a pussy. Anyway, people don’t like to be around him, so how come you’re his friend?”
He gazed at her a second. “Because I do.” He stood. “You know how to get back to the house, right? To Tom?” She nodded, and he started to walk toward the steps.
“Are you my brother’s boyfriend?”
One foot caught in the sand, and he stumbled. He didn’t turn. No use showing her the red creeping up his cheeks. “Like I said, he’s my friend.”
MERLE TOOK one more small sip of champagne. He didn’t want to drink much since he intended to hop in his car and drive south for the weekend—before everything changed.
Nichelle edged her way through the crowd of cast and crew celebrating the end of the season—and the renewal of another. She sidled up and clinked her glass against his. “It’s been a great season. Here’s to many more.”
“I’ll drink to that.” He wet his whistle a little.
“I’ll bet you’re excited about starting the film.”
“Yes. Very much so.”
“What’s Montrose like?”
He shrugged and leaned against the hors d’oeuvres table. “I’ve just barely gotten to know him, but so far I’m impressed. He’s interested in his actors’ input, he’s not super temperamental on the set, and all in all, he seems good to work with.”
She grinned. “I hear there may be more than work involved.”
“What?”
“The rumor mill is grinding saying Montrose has a yen for his new vampire.”
“Where the fuck did you hear that?”
“Whoa.” She held up a hand. “Touchy, aren’t we? I don’t even remember where I heard it. Several places. Somebody said they saw you out dancing with him. If you didn’t want people to talk, babycakes, that wasn’t exactly a discreet move.”
He took a long, slow inhale and tried to restore his devil-may-care expression. “Sorry. Yes, I did go dancing with him. You’re right. I didn’t give the implications of the event enough weight.”
“So you’re not into him socially?” She nudged him. “In case you misunderstood, that’s a euphemism for sexually.”
He stared at the bubbles in his champagne. “He’s an attractive man.”
“Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and meet the master of deflection, Merle Justice.”
“I guess the answer is, I don’t know yet.”
“So he didn’t sweep you off your feet?”
“It’s not that—”
“So what is it? Not your type, or—” Her eyes widened. “Is there somebody else? Holy cow, has the elusive one been snapped up?”
“No. Uh, not exactly.”
“Jesus, Merle, you’re not exactly reinforcing my position as chief confidant for my gay BFF.”
That was true. He sighed. “I’m in a—” He shrugged. “—I don’t know what to call it. Kind of a friend-with-benefits or fuck-buddy situation with a guy I met in Laguna. He’s a nice person and, well, it’s the best sex of my life.”
That got a big-eyed gaze. “No shit?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, maybe this guy’s the one. I mean, if he’s that good and making you think twice about a relationship with Mr. Rich and Famous, he has to be kind of special, right?”
“God, I wish I knew what to say.”
She frowned. “What’s wrong with him? Is he married?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“But it is something? Ex-con?” She glanced up. “Okay, no. He’s straight.” She shook her head. “I guess that would rule out best sex ever.” Her face lit up like a light bulb went off. “He’s in the closet!”
“No. There’s nothing wrong with him. Just a different life and background and—” He shook his head. “It may not have long-term potential.” He set down his glass on the cocktail table. “I gotta go.” He hugged her. “I’ll let you know how the filming is going.”
“You better. I know you’ll be brilliant.”
“Thanks.” He smiled and turned.
“And if I were you, I wouldn’t be so quick to write off a nice guy with the best sex ever. They don’t come along every day.”
He flashed her a smile. It must have looked strained.
Chapter Nineteen
MERLE WALKED quickly to the Audi and started it. Nichelle’s words, even though she was half joking, punched him in the gut. I’ve got to quit brain-fucking and make some decision
s about what the hell I’m doing.
Before he could get the car in gear, his phone rang. Tom?
“Hello?”
“Hello, Merle. We’re here.”
Oh shit. His parents. “Hi, Mom. When did you get in?”
“Last night. Your father needed to get registered for his conference, and we had drinks with some of his colleagues. We have tomorrow evening available and hope to be able to get together with you.” Her voice changed. Smiling? “And perhaps Mr. Montrose if he’s available.”
Double shit. “Yes, I spoke to him about it, and he’s looking forward to meeting you.”
“How lovely.”
“We didn’t set a time, of course, so I’ll have to check and see if he’s available tomorrow.” His brain ran six paces ahead. I can go to Laguna tonight and come back tomorrow.
“We can possibly be a little flexible in our timing if he’s not able to be free tomorrow. I’m sure he’s very busy.”
Flexible for him but not for me. “I’ll contact him and call you—” His other line buzzed. He glanced at the phone screen. “This is wild, Mom, but René’s on the other line. Let me hang up and I’ll call you back.”
“Wonderful. Tell him we’re looking forward to meeting him.” She hung up.
God, she sounded kind of impressed. “Hello, René. Sorry. I was on the other line.”
“Hello, dear. I feel as if I haven’t seen you in a year. We talked about getting together to discuss ideas before we plunge into shooting on Monday and somehow, it’s already Friday.”
“I know. Uh, also, remember I mentioned my parents coming into town?”
“Oh yes.”
“That’s who I had on the other line. I must confess, I kind of forgot them what with finishing the series, but they’re here and I wondered if I could introduce them to you tomorrow night.”
“Of course. How delightful. Tomorrow will work brilliantly if, by some chance, you and I can get together tonight—to go over my notes and ideas.”
His stomach clenched. Shit. Stupid! “No chance we could meet earlier tomorrow before dinner with my parents?”
