by A. T Brennan
Sorry, overslept. Work emergency had me up all night. Still good to go if you are.
I typed out a quick message and sent it before taking a moment to relieve myself of my full bladder. After washing my hands, I went to the kitchen to get something to eat. I was starving.
Still good. How about I pick you up at 6?
See you then xox
I sent the message, complete with x and o kisses and hugs, before I could second-guess myself. We were dating, and we'd slept together. It wasn't weird to send that to my boyfriend. Right?
Rhys sent back a gif of a guy pretending to catch animated kisses before putting them in his pocket. It made me laugh, and it was also a relief to know I hadn't crossed some sort of boundary.
I didn't have much in the way of food. It had been a while since I'd gone to the grocery store. I managed to pull together the ingredients for an omelet, which I burned, and some toast. It wasn't fancy, but it was food.
I had no idea how long this birthday party would go on for, but I knew I wasn't going to get any work done tonight, so I emailed my boss and told him I was taking a personal day. After the all-nighter we'd just pulled, I knew he wouldn't have a problem with that.
I didn't hear back from work until after I'd finished showering and was standing in front of my closet trying to figure out what to wear. My boss said he understood and was planning to give me a day off in lieu anyway, so tonight was a freebie.
As I was standing at my closet, I glanced at the time. It was almost six. I opened up my message thread with Rhys and quickly sent him a text.
My door code for my building is 116213. Punch that in, and it'll unlock the security door for you. My door is already unlocked.
I'd meant to give it to him yesterday morning before he left, but I'd been a little sleepy, so I'd forgotten. This would make things easier for both of us. I just hoped he didn't think it was too forward.
A few minutes later, I was still staring at my closet when I felt heavy footsteps in the other room. I glanced at the door just as Rhys appeared.
And here I thought I was being all stealthy. He signed, grinning.
You're built like a marble statue. You walk too heavily to ever be stealthy.
Rhys laughed and came to give me a kiss. I expected it to be soft and sweet, like a hello peck on the lips, but Rhys had other ideas.
His lips sealed over mine as one hand gently gripped my chin to hold me in place, and the other slid around my lower back. I could feel his erection through his clothes as our bodies pressed together, and I was hard in only seconds.
I couldn't stop the moan that escaped my lips as Rhys's tongue delved into my mouth, and the next thing I knew I was being lifted up and suspended in the air. I instinctively wrapped my legs and arms around him as Rhys's hands held me up by the globes of my ass.
“Wow. That was the best hello I've ever gotten,” I managed to say after he'd pulled back, a grin on his handsome face.
Somehow we'd ended up sitting on my bed, and I was straddling his lap with my legs neatly tucked behind him.
“That was definitely the best hello I've ever received.” Rhys pushed my curls back from my face as his smile went from happy to downright mischievous.
“What's that look for?”
“I think I proved my stealth capabilities. You didn't even notice me carrying you over here, did you?”
“Not fair. I was distracted by your kisses,” I protested with a laugh.
“Only by my kisses?” He raised his eyebrow teasingly.
“And your body and your cock and your everything.” I rolled my eyes, surprised at how easily the world “cock” had come out of my mouth. I usually had trouble saying anything that was remotely sexual.
“Good answer.” He reached down and rubbed my still hard dick through my pants. “I think I need to take care of your everything right now.”
“Won't that make us late?”
“It's not my party, so I don't really care if we're late or not.”
I started to laugh, but that turned into a gasp as Rhys spun us around and laid me on the bed. I'd thought he meant to give me a quick hand job, but realized what he really meant as he pulled off my sweats and knelt between my legs.
“Fuck.” I breathed as Rhys licked a trail up my balls and the underside of my cock, only stopping for a few seconds to swirl his tongue around the head before moving back down.
That had felt amazing, and I gripped the sheets in my hands as Rhys sucked first one, then the other testicle into his mouth to tongue it.
“Fuck, Rhys.”
“Does that feel good?” he asked, looking up at me as he held my dick in his hand.
“So good.”
Rhys grinned and returned his mouth to my cock, and all I could do was lie back and lose myself in the sensations.
He didn't just suck me. He also licked and teased and stroked me. Everything felt amazing, but he kept changing his technique so I couldn't quite get to the point of orgasm.
“Fuck, please let me come, Rhys. Please,” I begged, my legs splayed wide as I panted and pulled at my sheets. If I could have looked down at myself, I probably would have been appalled at how out of control I was, but in that moment, I couldn't be bothered to care.
My hips twitched as Rhys drew me all the way into his mouth and held me there, using his tongue to tease the underside of my shaft. I needed to come so bad.
Rhys must have felt it because he grabbed my ass with one hand and tugged, silently telling me it was okay to fuck his mouth. A part of me wanted to hold back and ride out the pleasure as I was, but another part wanted to try it.
I always hated it when Michael did it to me, but if Rhys was telling me it was okay, he must trust me not to hurt him.
“Fuck!”
Rhys pulled almost all the way off me before sucking me back down, his hand still on my hip. I gave a little test thrust to see what would happen and was rewarded with Rhys's deep groan.
I didn't hear it, but I felt it, and the vibrations on my cock were almost too much. I began fucking up into Rhys, and he took every inch of me like a champ.
“I'm going to come!” I warned. Rhys might have swallowed the other night, but I didn't want to assume he'd do it again in case he wanted to pull off.
He didn't pull off. In fact, he sucked me even harder until I came in a mind-melting, body-numbing explosion.
My entire body felt like it was alive, and my nerve endings were crackling from the overload of pleasure running through me. I cried out. I'm pretty sure I said all sorts of dirty things as I did, but I was so far gone I couldn't have repeated them if my life depended on it.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Rhys still between my legs, one of his hands holding his body up while the other worked his freed cock.
“Come on my face.”
I had no idea where that had come from, but as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew that's exactly what I wanted.
Rhys's eyes flared as he moved to crawl up beside me. I loved the way he was looking down at me, like I was the sexiest man he'd ever seen. His passion was almost palpable, and that made the last of my inhibitions slip away.
“Come for me, baby.”
Rhys's eyes widened at my words, and a moment later he shuddered. His hot seed splashed down on me as I opened my mouth. Rhys's free hand reached down to stroke the side of my face, and he let out a deep groan as his body bucked. Most of his release landed in my mouth or on my lips, and I watched, enraptured, as Rhys came, his hand furiously working his gorgeous cock as he did.
“Fuck, baby.” Rhys looked down at me, still holding his dick in his hand. “Fuck.”
I leaned up and wrapped my lips around the head of his cock, lapping up what was left of it as I teased him until he pulled away.
“That is so fucking hot.” He leaned down and kissed the side of my face, and I moaned when I realized he was cleaning up the last of his cum.
I moved my head so I could kiss his lips and reached up to
run my hand through his hair. We might not have fucked, but that had been just as intense and intimate as our night together.
“So, there's a party we're supposed to go to?” I asked cheekily when Rhys pulled away.
“Asshole.” He laughed and sat up, pulling me with him. “You're the one who's not dressed.”
“I can't figure out what to wear,” I admitted.
“Athletic stuff for climbing. Shorts or sweats, proper shoes, that sort of thing. You can toss a bag with whatever you want to wear later in my car, and we can change at the climbing gym.”
“That only solves one of my clothing dilemmas. What do I wear after?”
“Just be comfortable and be you. The guys are all really laid back and chill.”
“So that's your advice? Be myself. Not exactly makeover guru speak,” I chided playfully.
“Well, the only suggestion I have is to wear a jockstrap after climbing, but that's for personal reasons, not fashion ones.”
“Oh really? And what personal ones are those?”
“It'll be so much easier to eat your ass out and fuck you if I don't have to waste time taking your underwear off.”
“I do like the sound of that.” I swallowed as my mind wandered to what it might feel like to get fucked with a jock on.
“Feel free to return the favor, anytime.”
“I've always thought jocks were hot,” I admitted.
“A lot of guys, and gals, do.”
“I've never seen a guy in one, not in real life.”
“Not even at the gym?”
“The last time I was in a gym was high school PE.”
“Well, then I'll just have to make that a reality for you and wear one on our next date.”
“You'd do that for me?”
“Of course.” Rhys pulled up his hands and started to sign. If it makes you happy, it would make me happy. I want you to be completely comfortable with me. If you want something, or don't want it, just tell me.
You won't think I'm a freak?
For wanting to see a jock? Of course not.
No, that's not what I was talking about. I sighed, suddenly very grateful we were signing now and I didn't have to look him in the eyes.
What else do you think is hot that you haven't seen or done?
Sex in the shower.
We can definitely try that some time if you'd like. Anything else?
Maybe I could try topping again?
I would love that. Rhys gave me a sweet kiss, then nodded to my closet. Why don't you finish getting dressed while I go wash my hands?
Okay.
I watched as Rhys headed into my bathroom and tried to think about my clothing choices and not about the fact that I was most likely going to fail and humiliate myself again when I tried to top him.
Chapter Fifteen
Rhys
I COULD TELL CALEB was nervous about meeting my friends, and I didn't blame him. Evan and Layla were working so the rest of us could attend the party, so he was essentially being tossed into the lion’s den.
I also knew he wasn't all that confident with his physical abilities, although I wasn't sure if that was from his hearing loss or from not being very athletic. I was glad he'd agreed to come, and excited for him to meet my friends.
He was the first guy I'd ever brought to one of these get-togethers, and I knew everyone was a little shocked that I'd found someone I wanted to date.
You okay? I asked as we made our way into the climbing gym.
Just nervous. We should probably talk so no one feels left out.
“I was thinking the same thing.” I reached out to take his hand and was pleased when he didn't pull away from me.
“You know something funny? I sometimes hold Lizzie's hand when we walk together. Not because I'm being romantic or anything, but because it's the only way to get her to shut up some days.”
Rhys laughed and squeezed my hand.
“I would refuse to look at her so I couldn't read what she was saying, and with one of her hands locked away, she either has to be quiet or talk to herself.”
“That's funny. I'm going to remember that every time you hold my hand and wonder now, just so you know.”
Caleb grinned and pretended to zip his lips shut with his free hand. I loved his goofy sense of humor and was happy more and more of it was coming out.
“Two, please,” I said as we came to the welcome desk. I paid our entry fee and steered Caleb toward the back walls where we'd planned to meet.
“Wow, and I thought we were late.” I grinned when I saw Tristan standing with Galen and Blaze.
“These two were late too.” Tristan rolled his eyes at Galen and Blaze. “I'm guessing for the same reason you were?”
“Book club ran over too?” I asked Galen, trying to shift the topic off our sex life. I knew Caleb was still a bit shy when it came to talking about sex, and I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable.
“Yes, twice.” Blaze grinned as Tristan rolled his eyes again. “I'm Blaze, and this is my husband, Galen,” he introduced, holding his hand out to Caleb.
“Caleb. Nice to meet you.” He shook first Blaze, then Galen's hand, and turned to Tristan.
“Tristan. It's nice to finally meet you.”
“You too.”
I noticed how Tristan watched Caleb to see if he would hesitate to touch him. Tristan knew I'd told Caleb about his diagnosis, and while he understood, he was still weary. Caleb didn't hesitate to shake his hand or try to pull back at all, and that made Tristan visibly relax.
“And I thought we were going to miss all the fun.”
We turned to see Jonah, Cody, and Isaac walking toward us hand in hand in hand.
“You know, it's a good thing you're a throuple, or things would be uneven.” Tristan pointed out after a new set of introductions and hellos.
“Good point. I'll pair up with you, Tris. We're closer in weight.” Jonah nodded as he held on to his boyfriends’ hands.
“So, we're just waiting on the birthday boy.” Isaac grinned. “I'm guessing they're late for the same reason we were.”
“Book club ran over,” Blaze deadpanned.
“Yes, yes, it did.”
I rolled my eyes and was about to make a smartass remark when I saw Kai and Zander making their way toward us.
“Book club?” Cody asked.
“Nope, early birthday fuck.” Zander grinned and gave Kai a kiss as he blushed red. “Hi, I'm Zander.”
Caleb and Zander shook hands, and then Kai introduced himself before we paired off to climb.
Zander and Kai were members and went to get their equipment so they could tackle the more difficult walls. Cody and Isaac headed off toward the free climbing walls, and Jonah and Tristan went to get equipment so they could hit the midlevel walls. As far as I knew, neither of them had ever climbed before, but both men were intensely competitive, so they were a perfect match.
“Want to hit the free climbing walls with Cody and Isaac?” I asked, turning to Caleb.
He nodded a bit uncertainly, and I took his hand to lead him over to the easiest of the walls. I'd never climbed before, and based on my body type, I didn't think I'd be very good at it. I was solid, and while I was strong, I was heavy. Caleb was slender, and he had some strength, so out of the two of us, it was likely he'd be better than me.
We met up with Cody and Isaac and exchanged some friendly banter as we checked out the wall.
I loved seeing Cody with his men. From the moment I'd met him, I'd known there was a special and loving man hidden under the horrors of his past. To have been able to watch him go from a timid, terrified child to a strong, confident man was wonderful, and honestly, I was a little jealous.
I'd spent so much of my youth hiding who I was. I'd known I was gay by the time I was in middle school, and having to stay in the closet for over a decade had taken its toll on me. I'd been lonely, never feeling like I was enough or that I was worthy. Sam had been my strength and had kept me grounded, and then
Violet had given me a reason to keep going and living the life I'd chosen. For years I'd dated women, never even feeling friendship for them because they'd been my mother's choice and not mine. I'd used religion and honor to keep from doing more than kissing any of them, not only because I wasn't interested but also for their sake. It wasn't fair to have sex with someone to cover up my own sexuality. It was dishonest, and it felt like taking advantage of them.
Every time I'd kissed a woman or held her hand or put my arm around her, there had been a flash of regret and longing deep inside me. I figured it was the reason I'd gone so hard into hooking up and casual sex. After being outed and dismissed from my family, there hadn't been anything holding me back, so I'd indulged in everything, like a starving man at a buffet.
Unfortunately it had done nothing to quench my hunger, and it had left me feeling emptier and emptier. I thought I'd done a good job hiding how I felt, but apparently everyone had seen it.
“You okay?” Caleb asked as he caught me staring at Cody and Isaac as they played around. Cody had just jumped off a low part of the wall, and Isaac had caught him before they'd both tumbled to the floor in a fit of giggles.
“I'm fine.”
“Rhys, you can talk to me about anything. You know that, right?”
“I know.” I gave him a smile and nodded for him to follow me a few feet away from the giggling couple still on the floor.
I was just thinking.
About what? Caleb asked, his face concerned.
I'm happy for Cody, so happy because god knows that kid deserves all the happiness in the world, but I'm a bit envious.
Oh?
I spent twelve years denying who I was. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I envy people like Isaac and Cody and Jonah, or Zander and Kai, or anyone who never had to hide being gay. It's petty, but I wish things had been different.
I get it. Caleb nodded. I hid when I was younger because I was afraid of what might happen if people found out. It's a bit different being bi because I dated a girl by choice, and that gave me a bit of a shield until I was ready to live both sides of my sexuality. I wish things had been different and I hadn't struggled so much to accept what I am or worry about what others might do to me if they knew the truth.
