by Z. Allora
With a deft flick of his wrist, the wrap dropped to the floor.
The crowd inhaled, then exhaled with chuckles.
Rory wished he could find the board shorts Kyle wore humorous, but not even the Yaoi characters in odd pairings could make Rory laugh. No, unfortunately Rory envisioned slipping them down Kyle’s hips, thighs, and legs, and—
“Just wanted to take a dip.” The innocence in Kyle’s voice astounded Rory.
“Um, sorry, sir, but our pool closes after Labor Day.” The hotel employee didn’t buy the excuse any more than Rory did.
“That’s disappointing.” Kyle ran his hand through his perfectly styled hair and never took his gaze off Rory.
Enough! Rory found Amber off to the side chatting with a guy, grabbed her hand, and fled into the dealer’s room, hoping to get lost in the aisles of merchandise.
* * *
During lunch, Kyle slid into the chair Amber had just vacated.
“I’ll be back.” She gave Rory a wink and abandoned him.
Kyle leaned toward him. “Hey, I... wanted to say hi.”
Was this actually happening? Rory’s stomach knotted. “Hi.”
“Hi....” Kyle’s deep voice wrapped around Rory, pushing dark fantasies to the forefront of his mind.
Kyle stroked a single finger along the back of Rory’s hand up his arm to the crease of his elbow, sending shivers of want through him with every stroke.
Rory shook his head, hoping to dislodge the desire of slipping to his knees, and—the mischievous sparkle in Kyle’s eyes suggested he was well aware of how he tortured Rory. Fuck!
“Are you having a good Con?” Kyle’s easygoing style said he did this all the time. This was no big deal to him.
Rory hated that Kyle’s crooked smile had the power to make him melt. His anxiety dragged him into fight-or-flight mode. He pulled his arm away and chose fight. “Yeah. You looked like you were having fun last night.”
Kyle shrugged. “I was in high school theater, and I try to play it up for the audience.”
“Right.” Totally out of Rory’s league. Flight mode kicked in, forcing him to cut bait and run. He stood. “Well, good chatting with you. I’ve got to go.”
“Oh, um, okay. I hope I see you again.”
Argh! He needed to stop being so damned nice.
Rory ignored Kyle’s frown and his own need to turn it into a smile. He waved and took off across the restaurant. He jogged down the stairs away from Kyle and his own stupid wants and needs... though his damned insecurities trailed after him all the way back to the hotel room.
* * *
As soon as Amber returned, Rory hated himself for asking, but he had to know. “So, who won Kyle?”
Rory had refused to go with her to the Bishie Auction. He’d had more than enough stress looking over his shoulder trying to avoid more encounters with Kyle all day long. After being depressingly successful, he couldn’t bear the thought of watching someone bid on and buy time with Kyle.
“Unzip me,” Amber begged. “I have to change. I’m going to Sangon’s room for some adult fun.”
He figured she’d be hooking up with the guy she’d been stalking all weekend. Doing her bidding, Rory repeated, “Who won Kyle?”
“No one. When I didn’t see him there, I asked around, figuring you’d want to know.”
Rory gave a lame denial. “I don’t.”
Shrugging, Amber huffed out, “Okay. Then I won’t tell you what I know.”
“Jackass.” He glared.
“Says the guy who sat in our room all night and pouted.” She must have taken pity on him and became serious. “Apparently, Kyle’s father was in a car accident, so he flew home this afternoon before the auction even started.”
“That’s terrible!”
Amber nodded. “I heard his dad was in pretty bad shape, and poor Kyle was a mess.”
Shit. Reality hit. Rory didn’t have Kyle’s contact information. “Does anyone have his email or social media details?”
Shaking her head, Amber said, “I asked, but Kyle is focused on finishing his degree, so he doesn’t have any he shares.”
“No social media?” His heart whined. But we had a connection! And his dick assured him they hadn’t connected, only tormented each other with erotic suggestions.
It was nuts, but Rory really liked the guy, and now he’d lost his chance. Regret overwhelmed him.
“There’s always next year....” Amber slipped out the door, escaping the pillow directed at her head.
Damn! Just damn!
Chapter 4
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Rory! Rory! Are you back yet?” Was Amber going to break down his dorm door?
“Yeah, I just got in.” He stepped over his suitcase filled with clean clothing—thanks to his mom—and pushed the door handle to let Amber into his dorm room.
She burst in like a tsunami. “Why didn’t you respond to my texts over the break?”
“After Thanksgiving dinner, my sister’s little girl thought my cell phone should take a bath. I couldn’t face the crowds on Black Friday, so I figured I’d go to the phone store when I got back here. My dad got the protection plan on it so no biggie. Did you miss me?”
Rory moved his backpack and started to pull down the turkey hands Amber had pasted all over his dorm room to get him in the mood for the holidays.
Waving at his computer, she asked, “Did you check your email?”
“No phone, so no. And this dinosaur is still booting up.” Hopefully, his parents took the hints and coupons he’d left for the laptop he wanted to replace his huge out-of-date desktop.
She stared at him as if trying to see if something was different or out of place. “How’d your date go?”
After YaoiCon she bullied him into joining a bunch of sites, and going out with guys. “Ah, you want to know how Operation Get Rory Boy-Laid is going?”
“Yeah.”
He shook his head and exhaled hard. “As good as the last three you pushed me to go on.”
Two of them had been nice guys, although there had been no chemistry. The third date was with an older man. While he was hot, he confessed to being in a complex poly relationship that seemed more confusing than sexy to Rory. And last night’s date disaster simply creeped Rory out.
“Good.”
“Good? This from the girl who made me get an account on Men4SexNow?” He rarely opened the app because it was unnerving to see the number of men searching for a hookup in close proximity to him.
“That’s where you found the guy you met last night, right?”
He didn’t grimace, but only great restraint prevented it. “Who would make the first question they ask a complete stranger, have you ever fucked a heated grapefruit?”
“And?”
“What? No, I never fucked a warmed grapefruit!” Her quizzical stare complete with head tilt made him clarify. “Or any other fruit or vegetable.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, you shouldn’t discount cucumbers. I—”
“Never mind. I don’t want to know.” He’d bet money on having to endure the story about her and intimate relations with a cucumber during their next game of I Never.
His prehistoric computer groaned readiness, and she exclaimed, “Finally! Now go to the YaoiCon page.”
His heart triple-timed. It couldn’t be, but she was so gleeful he hoped for the impossible.
There was a countdown post to next year’s convention with details about the hotel. Several people posted video clips, and a number of pictures of the antics. He glanced over his shoulder at her.
She gestured him onward. “Scroll down.”
There for all to see was a meme of half-naked Kyle in a towel holding Rory’s hands above his head. It read: Seme needs to find his uke. If you have any information, please contact me.
“Holy fuck!” Kyle was looking for him? He stared at Amber to make sure he wasn’t getting this wrong.
“I know! Several jackasses left comments
about offering uke service to him, but I messaged him directly.”
There had to be a trick. “It might not be him. This could be someone catfishing me.”
“No, I think it’s him. He had too many details and said he’d email you. Go check.” She waved with wild abandon at the screen.
Right there at the top of his account were two new emails. He opened the top one, sent three hours ago. The subject line read: Sorry.
Rory,
Maybe you think I’m a stalker and that’s why you haven’t responded. I get it. If I don’t hear from you, I won’t pursue you.
-Kyle
“Shit! Rory!” Amber stopped leaning over his shoulder and typed on her phone. “There. I told him you’d broke your phone and you’d Skype him as soon as you were settled.”
“What?”
Amber grabbed him by the shoulders and spun him around in his desk chair to face her. “Best friend to best friend. You sparked with him. He likes you. Read his other email, and Skype him when you’re ready.”
He nodded.
“I’m going to visit Doug. See you tomorrow for class, and the dirty details. Text—Skype me if you need me.” She slipped out of his room.
He locked his door and paced. This could be classified as crazy. He couldn’t believe Kyle had looked for him. Although afraid, curiosity got the better of him. Sitting at his computer, he read the first email Kyle had sent.
Hey, Rory!
I’m sorry I didn’t get to exchange contact information with you. My dad was in a car crash and was in critical condition for several weeks. He’s doing better, though I’ve been slammed at school trying to catch up, but over break I thought I’d see if you.... Look, I’m not going to play it cool. I like you. I can’t stop thinking about you. I want to get to know you better. My Skype is KyleAustin28.
-Kyle
Rory reread the email twice. He slowed down each time on the “I like you,” and “I can’t stop thinking about you” parts. For some reason, Rory brushed his teeth, changed his T-shirt to a plain black one, and ran some product through his hair.
Skype’s video chat connected while he was wiping his hands on his pants. Shit! He hadn’t embellished Kyle’s looks one bit. If anything, his memory paled in comparison.
“Hey, Rory. Sorry for hunting you down, but... well, you read the email, right?”
Rory nodded. After staring like he didn’t have use of his mouth, he finally asked, “How’s your father?”
“Better. He’s still got some surgeries and physical therapy, but he’s strong.” Kyle leaned in closer to the screen and gave Rory a deadly smile. “So, what’s your favorite Yaoi trope?”
And just like that, they were off and chatting until midnight.
* * *
At Christmas break, Rory stayed at school an extra day to Skype with Kyle. Hopefully, his parents had gotten him a laptop for Christmas. He and Kyle stayed connected by a running text every few minutes, which was new and wonderful to Rory because they’d decided to stick with email until exams were done.
On Christmas Eve, Rory’s parents gave him his present early. It was a laptop, and with the help of Kyle via phone, Rory got it set up and was skyping in no time.
A minute after midnight, Kyle said, “Hey, check your email.”
Rory stifled a yawn and clicked over to his email. A Christmas card from Kyle waited for him. Attached was a plane ticket confirmation from California to Rhode Island in March. “What’s this?”
“Meet me at BishounenCon.”
“What?”
“You said you don’t have class on Fridays next semester. We can spend the whole weekend together.”
“Kyle....” How could he even think about accepting such an extravagant gift?
“Merry Christmas, Rory.” Kyle gave him a heart flipping smile over Skype. “Make my holiday and say you’ll join me.”
How could he not? “Merry Christmas. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too.”
* * *
“So, you’re not going to Skype with him until when?”
Rory smirked. “Well, we decided as long as we got our work done during the week we could have a Skype date on Saturday night.”
“Sweet! Skype sex is safe sex.”
“What? It’s not like that.”
“Whatever you say.” Amber’s giggle clearly stated her disbelief.
“Do you always have to turn my every action into the dirtiest Yaoi ever?”
“Um, wait, let me look up the answer.” She paged through her invisible best friend book she always pretended to drag out. “Yup. It looks like I do. It’s right there on page forty-eight.”
“Jackass.”
“Me the jackass? You’re not even chatting with your boyfriend—”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Say what now?”
“We agreed not to label what we’re doing.” It made practical sense.
Rory felt mature to be the one to insist on that. He’d made Kyle promise they wouldn’t discuss anything about their future plans either.
* * *
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Rory.” The words pulled him from sleep, but because they were from Kyle, he didn’t mind.
Sun streamed through Rory’s dorm window. He stared at the laptop screen. “We must have fallen asleep on Skype again.”
Kyle stretched and finger-combed his hair while he smiled at his computer screen. “We did.” He pulled off his T-shirt.
Holy Mother of Manga! Rory wished he wasn’t across the country. The things he wanted to try. He reached down and straightened his morning wood. With this kind of visual, it was no wonder his cock was even more rearing to go than usual.
“Rory?” Kyle shifted on his bed. He ran his hand down his chest, and stopped just above the navy-blue sheet that covered his lower half.
Rory shifted and realized he still held on to his dick. “Kyle?”
“You wanna?”
He could play dumb but.... “If you don’t think it’s weird, then hell yes.”
“Oh, thank the gods of cyberspace.” Kyle pulled down his sheet, revealing a pair of red underwear with a blue band at the top. Reaching inside, he gripped his cock and gave it a stroke. The glistening tip poked out of his waistband.
Rory scrambled to kick out of his pajama bottoms and caressed his naked dick.
“Move your laptop so I can see you better,” Kyle demanded in a husky voice.
The angle of the computer screen allowed Kyle a view of everything. It might be kind of embarrassing but hotter than hell, so Rory allowed the view.
Kyle moaned. “Nice body. God, look at your cock. The things I want to do.”
He swallowed and then asked, “Like what?”
“Like suck you. Trace your finger around the crown. Yeah, just like that. That’s what I’d do with my tongue.”
“Oh fuck.” Rory followed Kyle’s instruction. His fingertip seemed to morph into Kyle’s tongue.
“We could do that too. But first, I want you to stroke your cock in time with me.”
Groaning, Rory warned him, “I’m really close.”
“Good.” Kyle growled and started moving his fist.
Matching the hand pumping on the screen, Rory edged climax. “Kyle!”
“Hands off.” Kyle took his hand away.
“Fuck!” Rory throbbed. A strong gush from the heating vent would have made him come. He panted. “You’re killing me.”
Kyle smirked. “Just want to make it last.” He inhaled and exhaled harder than usual. “Ready?”
“No stopping this time, right?”
The mischievous smile worried Rory, but Kyle said, “Right. Ready, set, stroke nice and slow.”
Rory followed the command.
“That’s right... enjoy it for me, Rory.” The breathless cadence of Kyle’s words licked parts of Rory that were ready to give Kyle whatever he wanted. “Pretend it’s my hand on you, going up and down. Yeah, a little fast
er.”
Rory kept time by staring at Kyle’s hand. Everything in him coiled tighter. His toes curled as he tried to hold on to the pleasure that was threatening to break loose. “Kyle.”
“Yes, Rory. Come.” Kyle’s cock erupted and a white stream rained down on him and the bedding.
“Kyle!” Rory groaned as satisfaction burst free from his core. Waves of bliss radiated outward, releasing all his frustrated impatience.
Kyle gave him a crooked grin and stared at him from the computer screen. “That was awesome.”
“Best Valentine’s Day ever.” That had to be the greatest thing that ever happened to him.
Kyle snagged his cell from his nightstand and frowned at it. “Hey, you have class soon, but do you wanna meet me here later to celebrate more?”
Rory used his sheet to wipe his mess. “Definitely. I’m done by three o’clock.”
“I’ll see you at 3:05.” Kyle laughed. “Seriously, why don’t we plan to eat together and—”
“Via Skype?”
“Yeah, why not? Pick up something to eat, and we can... hang out.”
Like a real date? Rory didn’t ask, but it sure felt like one. “Cool. I’ll text you in a bit.”
Chapter 5
The time passed with incredible slowness, and counting down to BishounenCon didn’t help. Though they’d repeated their Valentine’s Day date more than once over the past month. Truth be told, every day started with a jerking session with Kyle via Skype to cheer him on to orgasm.
Finally, Rory paced around his duffle bag in the hotel lobby, holding his BishounenCon badge trying to breathe.
Did he and Kyle really have something? Skype, texts, and emails were one thing, but what about in real life? Doubt crept in. And what happened at the end of this weekend?
Rory had dreamed about the kiss that never was for the last five months and thirteen days... God!
Fingers combed through Rory’s hair, and then a hand wrapped into the hair at the nape of his neck. Forcibly spun, he was dipped.
Oh God!
Rory exhaled, and his body tightened with anticipation. “You came.”
“Not yet... but we will.” Minty breath tantalized Rory’s lips. The words barely registered before soft lips glided against his mouth.
