by Nico Jaye
Trick watched Edwin for a moment, desire shining out of his eyes. Without a word, Trick slid his fingers out of his body and guided Edwin toward his entrance.
When Edwin ventured closer, his fingertips brushing against Trick’s puckered skin, Trick gasped out a soft “please.”
Edwin slid a finger in, and Trick’s body gave way after a moment, having already been stretched in such an intimate way when Trick had done it. Trick was hot and smooth, and Edwin pressed forward, sliding a second finger inside Trick. The low groan Trick let out made Edwin flush with arousal.
“Fuck, that feels good,” Trick muttered. “Keep doing that.”
Edwin grinned to himself and, with his other hand, urged Trick forward so they could kiss. Trick took the hint and leaned in, his mouth covering Edwin’s in a sloppy kiss, even as he rocked back onto Edwin’s fingers.
Another finger was a tight fit, but Trick’s body stretched to take it. Trick was rolling his hips, their cocks sliding against each other, when Edwin pressed forward a little deeper into Trick’s body.
Gasping loudly, Trick jerked above him.
Edwin stopped his movements and caught Trick’s gaze. “Are you okay?”
Trick took a moment to catch his breath, but he eventually nodded, a blissful smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, that spot. That felt amazing.”
Grinning, Edwin craned his neck up to kiss Trick again.
“I’m ready,” Trick whispered against his lips. “I don’t want to wait.”
Chapter Twenty-One
THE FEELING of Edwin’s fingers inside him almost sent Trick over the edge. He steadied his breathing and concentrated on pulling up building codes in his head to combat the rising orgasm. He wanted this to last. Blowing his load before Edwin even got inside him was not how he wanted this to end.
He slid his mouth across Edwin’s, trying to slow things down, to tamp down the desperation that had his hands grappling along Edwin’s body, trying to cover as much skin as he could. It wasn’t enough and Trick needed more.
He picked up the packet and tore it open, then removed the condom from inside. Placing it against the tip of Edwin’s cock, Trick watched his reaction intently as he rolled the latex down over his shaft.
Edwin sucked in a sharp breath as Trick’s fingers traced over him, smoothing down the condom with a little more contact than was necessary. Turning Edwin on was one of the things Trick loved most about sex with him. Everything was new for Edwin. He was discovering heights of pleasure he’d never experienced before, and Trick loved to be the one that gave that to him.
Trick slicked his palms with lube, warming it between them before reaching for Edwin’s cock. He fisted both hands around him, alternating between tight and loose as he stroked. Edwin’s dick twitched against his grip, and Trick grinned.
“Ready?”
“I don’t know,” Edwin answered.
“We’ll go slow, and if you feel like it’s too much, we can stop.”
Edwin shook his head. “I want this. I want you.”
The words saturated every cell of Trick’s body, lighting up his synapses and releasing all the pleasure hormones in a solid wave. He lay back on the bed, his head supported by his pillows, and bent his knees, opening himself up and letting Edwin see him.
“Come here.” Trick reached for Edwin and was rewarded when Edwin covered Trick’s body with his own.
Trick could feel him shaking. He cupped Edwin’s face with his hands and met his eyes. Their breath mingled. Trick took a moment to steep in the enormity of what they were about to do. Fully aware of what Edwin’s level of experience was, it made the trust he had in Trick so heady. This was a big step, and in the grand scheme of things, they hadn’t known one another all that long.
They’d been together together even more briefly, and here Edwin was, handing Trick his body and his heart, and Trick wanted desperately to make everything perfect.
Edwin settled against him and sighed his exhale. Trick threaded his fingers through Edwin’s hair as he pulled him down for a kiss. The head of Edwin’s cock grazed Trick’s hole, making his hips buck, every muscle in his body clenching in flickering anticipation.
Their kisses became less graceful as Trick lost his concentration, his mind addled by the sensations of Edwin’s skin sliding across his. He’d never wanted anything more than he wanted Edwin right now. Trick needed to feel him, stretching him open and pushing inside. He needed to be connected to Edwin in a way no one else had ever been before.
Hiking his knees up higher against Edwin’s sides and wrapping his legs around Edwin’s back, Trick opened himself up as much as he could. Edwin’s cock butted up against his entrance. They both froze. Edwin broke the kiss and pushed himself up far enough that he could look into Trick’s face. Trick gave him a slight nod and watched Edwin’s expression change as he pushed inside.
Eyes wide, he looked like he was barely holding himself together. Trick could read the bliss written on his face as clear as anything, and it made his stomach lurch to know that it was him that made Edwin feel that good.
Inch by excruciatingly slow inch, Edwin entered him, the hardness of his cock dragging along every nerve ending inside Trick. He fought against the pleasure to keep his eyes open—to keep watching—until Edwin bottomed out, his hips flush against Trick’s ass.
Everything stopped and moments drew out into an eternity between them, but Edwin remained completely still. Their eyes locked.
“Are you okay?” Trick asked. It took every ounce of concentration he had to force the words out. The burn that suffused his body when Edwin had breached him was slowly fading, deepening and transforming into a radiating warmth. His heart was pounding, making his pulse points throb.
“I… I don’t want to hurt you.” Restraint colored Edwin’s words, making them overwrought and tense.
“You won’t. Jesus, you won’t, I swear, but you gotta move.”
And he did. Slowly at first, an agonizingly slow drag out before he thrust back in.
Edwin cried out as his hips snapped forward, lurching Trick against the mattress. Trick laughed, and as he did, the place where he and Edwin were joined constricted, pulling a deep groan from Edwin.
The noise erased any thoughts of humor, and all Trick could think about was pulling that sound from Edwin again.
Edwin’s pace sped as he buried himself over and over inside Trick.
“Trick, you feel….”
“I know. You do too.”
Edwin’s hands were everywhere, fingers tight against Trick’s skin. If he was lucky, there’d still be marks in the morning—a reminder of what they were doing. Edwin pushed faster, and breathing became a secondary concern. Trick could feel Edwin’s muscles straining, his skin damp with sweat as he pushed them both toward completion.
Trick’s cock, caught between them, soaked their bellies with slick precome. It was just enough friction, and Trick could feel himself tumbling toward his orgasm.
Edwin’s rhythm faltered and his mouth crashed down on Trick’s as he thrust one last time. Watching Edwin fall apart above him tipped Trick right over the edge and his orgasm washed over him, pleasure convulsing through him.
They stayed locked together for as long as they could. Trick refused to loosen his grip on Edwin until he absolutely had to. It was far too soon, but Edwin’s cock began to soften and he pulled out with a sigh.
Boneless, Trick rolled onto his side and helped clean them both up with tissues taken from beside the bed. The room seemed cooler until Edwin reached down and tugged the blankets up and over them. Trick snuggled in close, basking in the warmth of Edwin’s body and trying to memorize what it felt like to lie there in his arms.
TRICK WATCHED shadows shifting across every surface. Edwin was asleep, his chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths. Trick could feel sleep tugging at him too, but he wasn’t willing to close his eyes—not if these were the last few hours he had to spend with Edwin. They hadn’t talked about what time he
was going, but Trick was determined to cherish every second he had left with him.
His heart ached. There were so many things he wished he had time to say, but what was the point if Edwin wasn’t going to be there after tomorrow? Everything hurt just thinking about it.
Love sucked.
This was love, Trick was sure of it. There had been so many times he’d almost told Edwin, but he couldn’t find the right words. Now, he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud. It would make the good-bye that much more difficult. It was going to be hard enough to let Edwin walk out of his life, but to do it after admitting how deeply his feelings ran might actually kill him.
Trick shifted closer, needing more contact. He was still having a difficult time believing this was it. He wondered briefly if it would make a difference if he begged Edwin to stay. Edwin had responsibilities back in Paravale, but maybe he could return there temporarily? Trick wasn’t sure how it all worked.
There had to be something that could be done, though. Maybe it was selfish, but Trick didn’t want to give Edwin up, especially so soon after finding him.
Trick let his eyes slide shut for a moment, blocking out the prickling feeling in the corners. He wouldn’t cry. There was no reason to cry. Surely there was something that could be done, some loophole in the fairy handbook that would allow Edwin to stay in New York.
“TRICK?”
He rolled over to see Edwin looking at him, his eyes soft. Mentally kicking himself for falling asleep, Trick reached for Edwin and pulled him close.
“I have to go.” The words were muffled against Trick’s skin, and rather than pulling back, Edwin tightened his grip.
“You don’t. The sun isn’t even up yet,” Trick lied. It could have been noon for as bright as the room was, but Trick was willing to shut his eyes and pretend if it meant he could hold on to Edwin a little longer.
“I’m going to miss you terribly.”
Trick felt the sting of tears prickling at the backs of his eyes. He swallowed hard and inhaled deeply, trying to push them back. If he cried now, he was likely to dissolve into a wet, snotty mess, and that didn’t make for very nice good-bye kisses. If he was losing Edwin, even temporarily, he wanted to make the last few minutes perfect.
“I’m going to miss you too. So much.”
As much as he hated to, Trick loosened his grip and pulled back. Edwin’s eyes were suspiciously watery.
“How long will it take you to get there? Is Paravale far?”
“Over a day’s ride on the bus.”
“That’s fucking brutal.”
“It’s not the most pleasant way to travel, but I’ve not learned to port yet. That’s one of the last things I need to master before I receive my certification.”
“I wish I had a car. I’d drive you.”
Edwin kissed him. “I’ll call you. As soon as I can.”
“You’d better, or I’ll have to track you down and drag you back here.”
That option was sounding better and better the more he thought about it. Reluctantly, Trick let go and sat up, Edwin following suit. Wordlessly, they climbed out of bed, and Edwin dressed. Trick watched with sadness weighing down on him. He wished there was something he could say or do to keep Edwin there forever.
When Edwin had gathered the few belongings he kept at Trick’s and clasped the necklace around his neck, he started toward the door. Trick followed close behind. His heart stuttered when Edwin turned, dropped his bag, and reached for Trick. Trick threw himself toward Edwin and wrapped his arms tightly around him.
Trick squeaked as Edwin squeezed the air from his lungs in a crushing grip. He didn’t mind one bit.
Edwin kissed him then, his mouth slanting heavily over Trick’s. Trick could taste the sadness on Edwin’s tongue when he kissed him back with everything he had. He wanted to fall apart in Edwin’s arms, his heart shattered, but he held it together. There would be time later.
Far too soon, Edwin broke the kiss and took a step back. The air that filled the space between them was too cold. Trick shivered at the loss.
“Call me as soon as you can.”
“I will. I promise.”
Edwin reached for the doorknob and with a turn, pulled it open. One last kiss and Edwin was gone.
Trick stared at the door for several long minutes, still having difficulty wrapping his head around what had happened. Everything hurt.
He walked back to his bed and climbed in, pulling the covers up over himself before he let the tears finally fall.
Hours later, Trick rolled over and found the other side of his bed empty. The stillness of the air confirmed that Trick was still alone.
He climbed out of bed, scouring the apartment for any sign that Edwin had changed his mind and come back while Trick was sleeping, but as he searched, hope grew slimmer and slimmer.
Maybe that old saying was right. You can’t have it all. Everything else in Trick’s life had lined up so perfectly, something was bound to go sideways. If he’d been given the choice, though, Trick would have chosen Edwin over pretty much anything else.
He felt like someone had shot him right in the chest, leaving a gaping wound where his heart used to reside.
It wasn’t fucking fair.
Trick spent the rest of the day moping. He ate far too many leftovers from the night before, stuffing himself with pasta and cheese and watching sappy made-for-TV movies on the Hallmark channel before he finally gave up and climbed into bed.
The sheets still smelled like Edwin, and Trick fought back the tears. He wouldn’t cry any more. He just wouldn’t. There was no reason to. Edwin had said he would call, and just because it had already been half a day and the phone hadn’t rung, it didn’t mean it wouldn’t ring in the morning.
This wasn’t over. It couldn’t be.
Trick shut his eyes and tried to block out the thoughts racing through his head. It took a long time, but finally he fell asleep.
FIVE DAYS. It had been five days and he hadn’t heard from Edwin. The more time that passed, the less hope Trick had that Edwin would actually call. He was driving himself nuts, alternating between worry and anticipation, waiting for the phone to ring and then imagining a variety of scenarios as to why Edwin hadn’t called.
None of the situations Trick came up with were pleasant. He’d tried calling Edwin’s cell phone, but the number he’d used—a New York number—had been disconnected. Googling Edwin’s name and Paravale had resulted in exactly zero hits, and so it looked like nothing but dead ends in his quest to track Edwin down.
All he could do was wait.
Trick had always been a patient person. Having to wait for anything had never fazed him. He’d always soothed himself with the knowledge that whatever the delay, it was probably worth it in the end. This time, though, he was having great difficulty remembering that. Maybe because this was the longest he’d been apart from Edwin since they’d met, or maybe because it was New Year’s Eve.
Trick had never made a big deal of the holiday. When his dad had been alive, Christmas had always been the more important of the two. Most New Year’s nights were filled with Chinese takeout and watching the ball drop on TV. Even though they lived within a fifteen-minute subway ride of Times Square, there wasn’t enough money in the world to bribe them into braving the crowds and the cold to watch something they could see much clearer on television.
Since his father died, New Year’s had become less and less important. The year before, Trick had been in bed by nine in preparation for an early morning of completing drawings Jasper had neglected to do for weeks prior.
This year, he’d been looking forward to initiating Edwin into the traditions held outside Paravale. Mostly he’d been looking forward to kissing him at midnight and hoping things would keep going from there.
Instead, he was looking down the barrel of a long night all by himself.
When the phone rang, he jumped up to answer, thinking Edwin had finally kept his promise. The number on the caller ID was un
known, and Trick’s heart beat faster as he pressed the button to connect the call.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Grigsby? This is Marcus Wilhelm.”
Trick tried not to sound too disappointed. He was surprised his lawyer would be calling him on New Year’s Eve and so late in the afternoon. He supposed technically the holiday wasn’t until the following day. “Hello, Mr. Wilhelm. What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to phone and let you know that Mr. Redden has offered to settle out of court.”
“I bet he has,” Trick said, his voice laced with venom. “What has he offered?”
“Half of the company at its current value.”
Trick paused. He’d seen the numbers on the contracts that went in and out of that office. It didn’t take a mathematician to estimate how many zeros trailed the value placed on the firm. It was far more money than he would ever need to start his own company.
“What do you think?” Trick asked.
“I think you should get it all. Plus damages.” There was no hesitation, no hedging. Trick believed Mr. Wilhelm’s conviction. This went beyond startup money for his own firm. This was taking back what his father had gifted to him. This was restoring his father’s name on what he’d worked so hard to build. Sweet and simple—this was revenge.
“Then that’s what I’ll ask for.”
“Good. I’ll draw up the paperwork this afternoon. If Mr. Redden declines our deal, then I will let him know we will see him in court.”
Trick couldn’t help the giddy laugh that bubbled up. “Thank you.”
It might have been a bit petty, but after everything Redden had put Trick through, Trick was happy he was finally getting his comeuppance. None of what was happening to Redden was anyone’s fault but his own, and Trick was filled with glee to have a front-row seat. He only wished Edwin was there to share it with him.
Victory over Redden was bittersweet without Edwin. He’d been such a huge part of the reason Trick found out about what Redden had done that it felt wrong to move forward alone. Without knowing when—or if—Edwin would be returning, though, Trick couldn’t afford to delay anything to wait for him.
