Don't Read in the Closet volume one

by Various Authors

  “Then why did you—” Rick looked confused.

  “I wasn’t okay with feeling like a casual fuck. A friend with benefits. I thought that’s all you wanted.” Bruce shrugged.

  “Well, it’s not.” Rick reached out and grabbed Bruce, his hands cupping Bruce’s ass.

  Bruce leaned in, bracing his hands on the back of the chair, his muscles straining to prevent him from completely collapsing on Rick. Rick wrapped his legs around Bruce’s, his heels caressing Bruce’s calves. Rick grabbed his ass, pushing his cock against Rick’s chest. The skin beneath him was so warm. He wanted to rock, but Rick kept him steady. Wet heat encased his nipple. He looked down to see Rick circling the hard nub with his tongue. The sensation overloaded his senses. Rick’s eyes were closed allowing Bruce to really look at the man he loved unobserved. Rick looked…relieved and maybe a little tired and…happy. Bruce hadn’t been the only one losing sleep.

  He shifted his arms and the chair slipped, causing him to fall totally onto Rick. The chair wasn’t going to work. Not for what he wanted. He reluctantly moved back, struggling a little because Rick didn’t want to let him go. Finally he held out a hand and guided them both to the bed. He pushed Rick over and waited for him to get to the head of the bed before crawling up his body, pausing to kiss what flesh he could. Nothing was safe.

  Bruce peppered tiny bites and licks up Rick’s body until he reached the other man’s mouth. His full body resting on top of Rick, he took what was his. Lips collided, tongues dueled.

  Rick took the opportunity to wrap his whole body around Bruce. It was just the two of them in a cocoon of happiness, rocking against each other. He wanted Rick’s cock up his ass in the worst way. His hole clenched at the thought, his dick leaking pre come.

  “Lube? Condom?” Bruce looked down at Rick.

  Rick moved his hand under the pillow. It took a couple seconds before he raised the items in triumph.

  “Sure of yourself, huh?” Bruce teased.

  “Not really. Hopeful. I was scared it would be too little too late,” Rick admitted and ran his fingers through Bruce’s hair.

  “I love you,” Bruce whispered against Rick’s lips. “Now fuck me.” Rick clutched at Bruce’s head, holding him close.

  Bruce reached for the lube, kissing Rick while opening the bottle with one hand. He managed to get some on his fingers so he could stretch his own ass. He groaned when he heard the wrapper tear. He moaned when Rick added his thumb to Bruce’s two fingers. He was so full, but it still wasn’t enough.

  He rocked against Rick, whimpering in need. Bruce pushed Rick’s hand away and sat up, breaking the kiss. He impaled himself on Rick cock. They both froze. Bruce braced himself on Rick’s chest and began to move. Slowly. Up and down. He closed his eyes and threw his head back. Rick’s hand’s rested on his hips, helping him as his movements became more erratic.

  Rick sat up and Bruce was wrapped completely in Rick’s embrace, every part of them touching. His pace slowed down. He wanted to come so bad, but this was about more than sex. It was about them, loving each other, becoming one. Bruce grabbed Rick’s face, his breath hitching over Rick’s mouth, lips open against each other, but not kissing, just breathing on each other. Although, Bruce’s couldn’t quite catch his breath. His body shuddering, he panted. He quivered in Rick’s arms and hung on tight. Without a touch to his cock, he exploded, the moment more intense than anything he had ever experienced. His ass clenched on Rick’s dick, milking his lover’s release.

  The two fell to the bed, trying to slow down their heart rates. Bruce locked fingers with Rick, not wanting to be without his touch.

  Minutes ticked by, the silence nice, as Bruce came down from the rush of making love for the first time with Rick. Sure, they’d had sex before, but what had just happened? That was special.

  “We should do this more often.” Rick looked over at him.

  Bruce licked his lips, trying to get his voice to work. “Yes. We should.”

  Things were going to be okay. They’d figure out the future together. But for now? Now they could rest up so they could have a round two. And if Bruce was lucky? Maybe a round three. In the shower.

  Real life might peek in and the next year wasn’t going to be the easiest, but knowing Rick wanted more from their relationship was all he needed. He curled around Rick as his eyes drifted closed and he smiled, thinking he really could go off into the wild blue yonder. With his Air Force man by his side, nothing could go wrong.

  THE END

  Author bio: Jambrea wanted to be the youngest romance author published, but life impeded the dreams. She put her writing aside and went to college briefly, then enlisted in the Air Force. After serving in the military, she returned home to Indiana to start her family. A few years later, she discovered yahoo groups and book reviews. There was no turning back. She was bit by the writing bug.

  You can reach her at binojo2@yahoo.com or Jambrea@jambrea.com

  Website: www.jambrea.com

  Blog: http://internationalheat.wordpress.com/ (Not just an m/m blog)

  Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Heat_Wave_... (This is not just an m/m group.)

  Pender Mackie – DOG DAYS OF SUMMER (Blue Collar/First Date)

  Selected by Pender Mackie

  Dear Author,

  I'm a little late to the game but I'm really hoping you can help me out. I've seen this man a few times sitting hunched over outside a closed door at the hospital. He seems so sad but still always lifts his head and gives me a tiny smile of acknowledgment before continuing to clutch a dark piece of clothing that's always present in his hands.

  I really wish you could somehow foresee a happy ending for this obviously emotional, loving man because I'd really love to see a real smile on his beautiful face.

  [PHOTO: A man's face, one eye hidden by the press of his hand. The other eye stares out, dark, sad, a tear trembling at the corner. Strands of dark hair fall forward on his temple; stubble outlines his angular jaw and frames a well-formed mouth. The lines on his forehead, the set of his lips...he's hurting.]

  Sincerely,

  Karen

  Genre: contemporary

  Tags: hook-up, pets, blue collar, summer romance, first date

  Content Warnings: bereavement

  Words: 8,451

  DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

  by Pender Mackie

  CHAPTER ONE

  Levi apologized to his vet. “Thanks. Sorry he was such a pain in the butt. The way he was shaking, you’d never guess he was just getting his shots.”

  Whirlwind’s tail was between his legs and he hid behind Levi—probably getting hair all over his jeans. He bent down to rub his dog’s head. “Come on buddy, don’t be a wuss. It wasn’t that bad.”

  The vet laughed. “For a young dog he was pretty good.”

  Levi smiled. “If you say so. Thanks again.”

  He opened the examination room’s door. The leash ran through his fingers as his golden retriever squeezed though the door, then streaked down the hall and around the corner, towards the waiting room and the front door beyond.

  Levi chased after his dog. “Whirlwind!”

  He rounded the corner and stopped.

  A dark-haired man was on his knees, his arms wrapped around the retriever and his face pressed into Whirlwind’s shoulder. Whirlwind’s tail waved to and fro as the man stroked him and murmured words Levi couldn’t hear.

  Levi hesitated. It was one thing to pet someone else’s dog, but to kneel and hug him? That was a little weird.

  As he approached slowly, the man spoke. “Is he yours? He’s gorgeous.”

  Levi stared into the prettiest eyes he’d ever seen. Maybe pretty was the wrong word. With his tousled black hair and five o’clock shadow, the man looked too rugged for any part of him to be described as pretty, but his eyes were beautiful, a deep, soulful brown. Like melted chocolate.

  Levi’s expression softened. “Yeah. He is.”

  The man gave him a lopsided smile
and Levi felt something move in his chest. He raised his hand and rubbed at his shirt, but the unsettling feeling had already passed.

  The stranger stood and offered Whirlwind’s leash.

  Levi took it and smiled back. “Thanks.”

  There was something in the man’s other hand. At first Levi thought it was a black bandana or a small towel, but as the man straightened he saw it was a leash, folded over until it was only about six inches long.

  “Hey, you’ve got a dog too.”

  The other man’s face twisted. He bent his head and swiped at his face with the back of his hand.

  What the hell? Levi didn’t want to get involved, but he felt some sort of response was necessary.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s…I have to go back inside in a couple of minutes to…say goodbye. They’re making her comfortable first.” He raised his head and smiled at Levi, but it wasn’t a real smile. He still looked heartbroken.

  Shit! Levi felt like a jerk. He should have known something was up.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, knowing the words were hopelessly inadequate.

  “Thanks.”

  Whirlwind whined and butted the man’s hand with his head.

  Once again the man bent and petted his dog. Levi waited, giving him some time. He wondered if the guy was going to be okay. If he had a wife and kids crying their eyes out at home. He’d only had Whirlwind for just over a year, but he couldn’t imagine life without him. He was trying to figure out what to say or do next when the door to the examination room beside them opened.

  A man in a white lab coat, obviously a vet, stuck his head out of the door. “Lacey’s resting now, Shea—if you want to sit with her.”

  The man took a deep breath. “Yeah.” He looked at Levi and smiled. “Take good care of him.”

  “Sure. Take it easy.”

  As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Levi regretted them. The man was about to sit in a tiny, impersonal room and watch his dog’s life fade away and he’d told the guy to take it easy. He had a real way with words.

  The other man didn’t seem to notice. He gave Levi another small smile. “Thanks.” He turned and entered the examination room.

  Levi made his way to the reception area to pay his bill.

  He thought of the dark-haired man as he was watching TV later that night, and again as he took Whirlwind out one last time before bed. He hoped the guy was doing okay.

  Levi wasn’t big on the soft, doe-eyed look. He preferred men that met his gaze coolly as they sized each other up. He’d been checked out plenty of times and done his fair share of scoping out men in return. He knew what to do when a man’s eyes gleamed with appreciation and lust. He’d returned that look enough times, right before some hot, sweaty sex.

  But it had been different at the animal hospital. Levi hadn’t known how to respond. When the other dog owner had looked at Levi, his eyes had shone with unshed tears not desire. Levi had felt helpless. Those sorrowful brown eyes had spoken to him. He’d wanted to do something, anything he could, just so the man would stop looking so wounded.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Shea pushed himself a little harder as he started up the incline. He hadn’t run this far for a long time and at first it had been hard. It was easier now, though he’d only started running again after Lacey died.

  Towards the end Lacey wasn’t able to walk without pain let alone run. Shea had felt guilty every time he’d gone out without her, but even a bathroom break had been an ordeal for the yellow Lab. She’d been a dignified old lady though, right to the end. Shea couldn’t believe she’d already been gone for over six weeks. He still missed her almost every day, especially on long, lonely weekends.

  The incline gave way to a small plateau and he paused to drink from his water bottle. To his left the land rose and dipped in a series of small hills. To his right, the park flattened out. He could see the parking lot and the pond from up here.

  Off in the distance, near the pond, a young woman walked her dog. Shea watched them and missed Lacey all over again.

  ****

  “Come on Whirlwind. Let’s get you some exercise.” Levi clipped on the leash. Whirlwind wagged his tail, eager to go.

  Levi loaded his dog into the back of the car, making sure Whirlwind was secure. He wished he’d bought a bigger car, but he hadn’t realized he’d be the owner of a large dog when he bought this one and he sure as hell couldn’t afford to upgrade.

  It was a beautiful sunny July afternoon. For once he hadn’t pulled the Saturday shifts at the restaurant and Levi had nothing to do and nowhere he had to be. He’d give them both a treat and drive over to Green Hills Park. Even though it was hot out, there’d probably be a breeze.

  The park was over five square miles with plenty of paths for cyclists, joggers and dog walkers. Best of all, dogs were allowed to run off leash in designated areas. Whirlwind loved Green Hills and since his apartment was stifling, they’d both enjoy the fresh air.

  Whirlwind started whining excitedly as soon as they pulled into the parking lot. “I know, me too,” Levi told him.

  He got out of the car and made sure he had a good grip on the leash before letting the car’s back door open all the way. Whirlwind scrambled out and pulled eagerly, directly towards the road and the houses on the other side.

  “Idiot,” Levi said fondly. “You’ve got a whole park and you head straight for traffic. Come on, let’s go this way and I’ll give you a run.” He turned them towards the low-lying hills.

  Soon they were deep in the park. Occasionally they met a jogger or were overtaken by a cyclist. Whirlwind trotted ahead at the end of his leash, crisscrossing the path, snuffling in the grass and peeing every time he came to something he could cock his leg at.

  At the top of a small hill Levi stopped. He couldn’t see anyone around. There were no other dogs or wildlife so it looked safe to let Whirlwind off leash. He pulled a tennis ball from the pocket of his cargo shorts.

  “Sit.” Whirlwind sat and looked at him happily, his tail sweeping the path. Levi took off the leash. “Behave or I’ll put this right back on.” The retriever got to his feet, almost vibrating in anticipation, his eyes fastened on the tennis ball.

  Levi threw the ball, watching the dog chase after it. He brought it back and dropped it at Levi’s feet and Levi threw it again.

  Ten minutes later Whirlwind showed no sign of losing interest, but Levi was tired of picking up a ball soggy with dog slobber. He threw it as hard as he could. The ball bounced down the hill. Whirlwind raced after it, barreling along the path.

  Levi saw the jogger come around the bend. Seventy pounds of friendly retriever veered away from the ball and headed straight for him.

  Levi ran down the hill, horrified as Whirlwind danced around the jogger, barking and wagging his tail. The man stopped—he could hardly move forward—and bent to pat Whirlwind, who started licking his face.

  “Whirlwind!”

  The dog ignored him. Levi reached the bottom of the hill. “I’m so sorry.”

  The jogger grinned up at him. “No problem.”

  Levi stared, the leash dangling uselessly from his fingers. He recognized those gorgeous brown eyes right away. It was the guy from the animal hospital. The one whose dog had been put to sleep.

  The man straightened and reached out. For a crazy moment Levi thought he was going to take his hand and his heart leapt. Instead the man caught the end of the leash and attached it to Whirlwind’s collar.

  Whirlwind dropped to the ground. He lay between them panting, his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth.

  “I’m really sorry,” Levi said again.

  “No harm done.”

  “Right.” Levi suppressed a wince. He’d stepped wrong on the way down the hill and pulled something. The initial bright flare of pain had dulled to a steady ache, but the leg couldn’t support his full weight without hurting. He kept his weight on his other foot and focused on the attractive man in front of h
im.

  “You and your dog seem really familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?”

  Shit. Levi really hadn’t wanted to bring that up. “We met at the vet’s a while back.”

  The man’s smiled faltered. “Oh.”

  “I’m Levi and this is Whirlwind,” he said quickly. He gave the man a bright smile as he wiped his hand on his shorts before he held it out. He hoped it wasn’t still sticky from dog saliva.

  “Shea.”

  They shook hands.

  Shea was wearing shorts and a tank top, the kind that serious runners wore. There was a lot of tanned muscular thigh on display and the tank top clung to his chest and flat stomach. His skin was lightly sheened with sweat, but he wasn’t breathing very hard. Levi dragged his eyes up to Shea’s face.

  “I’m sorry we interrupted your run.”

  Shea shrugged. “It’s okay. I was on my cool down anyway.”

  “Oh. Well, nice meeting you again.” This time he did wince. Considering the last time they’d met, that was a stupid thing to say.

  “My pleasure.”

  Shea smiled at Levi, something in his gaze making Levi aware that the attraction wasn’t one-sided. He’d seen that look enough times to recognize it. Though Shea was much more subtle than any of the guys Levi had hooked up with at a club. He might not even be aware he was broadcasting his interest.

  He’d have liked to talk to Shea. Try to get a feel for whether or not Shea was willing to have some fun, but his ankle was throbbing. He could feel sweat starting on his forehead.

  Shea must have picked up on something in his body language because he asked, “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Sure. Don’t let us keep you.” Levi willed Shea to leave so he could limp back to his car. Forget looking for the ball. Even if he took the shortest route to the parking lot, he had a good walk ahead of him.

  “Okay.” Shea frowned. Maybe he didn’t like being dismissed. “Nice to meet you. Bye, Whirlwind.”

  Shea loped away and turned to wave after a few feet. Levi waved back and made a show of petting Whirlwind. He waited till Shea was out of sight before he started down the path. He hadn’t sprained his ankle, but he’d wrenched something. Maybe his Achilles tendon.