First

by K. C. Wells

  Jack nodded. “Yes, I remember,” he whispered.

  Mike studied him. “But we both know there are days when you’ve got an infection, and your viral load soars. What then, Jack, when you’re putting those around you at risk? Are you being careful then? Taking care of those you curl up with?”

  Silence. Jack looked for all the world like he’d just taken a blow to the stomach. “You’re really asking me that?”

  Mike’s heart sank to see Jack’s pallor. “Babe, I have to. I never thought you’d do bareback, and yet here you are. I never believed you could do this. I… I thought you had more integrity than this.” Oh fuck. I said it. The words were out, no taking them back. And with them, Mike found himself facing a prospect he’d never contemplated—losing Jack.

  Jack winced, and the light died in his eyes. “Shit, Mike.”

  He grasped Jack’s hand. “There are guys in this industry who do bareback because it’s work and because, let’s face it, there’s no such thing as a full-time job in porn, is there? That also means there are guys out there who can’t afford Truvada, which we both know costs an arm and a leg, so you can forget about health insurance. So yeah, you bet your ass I’m asking if you’re taking care of them. ’Cause I don’t think for one goddamn minute that Rock Hard Men is making sure every guy you film with is positive.” He stared intently at Jack. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

  Jack bowed his head, but Mike still caught the words.

  “You’re not wrong.”

  Mike gazed at Jack’s head, his heart pounding as he awaited Jack’s next words. Jack lifted his chin and met Mike’s gaze head on.

  “Yes, babe. I swear. I’m being careful. I take my meds every single morning. I talk to guys on set, make sure they know the facts about Truvada. And you can bet I’m fucking careful on set too.”

  Mike looked into those expressive brown eyes. Jack seemed to be holding his breath. Finally Mike nodded. “Thank you.” He was shaking.

  Jack sagged onto the pillow, his relief evident. “Fuck, Mike. If you only knew how much I’d been dreading this conversation. I knew it was gonna be bad, but babe, you….” A shudder coursed through him.

  Mike shifted on the mattress and pulled Jack to him, enfolding him in his arms. “Shhh, it’s over now.” They lay there in the silence, Mike’s heartbeat returning to its normal pattern. He felt Jack’s tension ease little by little, until he lay quietly, his head tucked against Mike’s chest. For the first time since he’d laid eyes on Jack a few hours ago, Mike relaxed. “It is good to see you.” It was the best signal he could give to let Jack know normal conversation could resume.

  Jack picked up on it and eased himself out of Mike’s arms. “You too. I’m just sorry we’re not doing a scene together. Mine’s with Jesse, who seems like a nice guy. Young, but aren’t they all these days?” He smiled. “Anyway, enough about me. What’s happening in the world of Scott Masters?” The color had returned to his cheeks.

  “Not much.” Mike chuckled. “I say that, and yet I have news similar to yours.” He smiled. “I’ve met someone.”

  Jack’s eyes widened. “But that’s great news! Tell me all about him.”

  They lay on their sides, facing each other, heads propped up on pillows, while Mike told Jack all about how he’d met Tommy, their weekends together, Tommy’s history. Jack made unhappy noises when he heard about Tommy’s family and their ultimatum but snorted when Mike regaled him with the Scrabble story.

  “He sounds like he’s really good for you,” Jack said with a smile. “Well, he’s obviously good for you, ’cause you’ve never looked better.”

  “Flatterer.”

  “No, really. You look great, Mike.” Jack’s face glowed in the lamplight. “So, does he know about the porn?” Mike let out a heavy sigh, and Jack sat up in bed, eyes wide. “Oh fuck. You haven’t told him, have you?”

  “Not yet.”

  Jack studied him. “That sounds like you’ve thought about it, at least. Wanna tell me why you’ve put it off so far?”

  “Does Luca know about you?” Mike demanded.

  “Luca knows everything.” Jack’s face was soft. “All of it—the porn, my status, even those friends I curl up with when I’m away from him. And he’s fine with it all.”

  “Then he’s an exceptional man.” Mike scraped a hand across his scalp. “Jack, the number of times I’ve thought ‘This is it. This is the one.’ Then he finds out about Scott Masters and bingo—adios.” The thought of Tommy’s face, lined in disappointment—or even worse, horror—was too much to contemplate.

  “Mike, you have to tell him,” Jack stressed. “You’re hiding a huge part of yourself by not telling him.”

  “And what if I don’t want to run the risk of losing him?”

  “Mike.” Jack’s voice was gentle.

  “Look, I’ll tell him. I’ve already said I would, haven’t I? It’s just a question of finding the right moment.”

  “Then make the right moment,” Jack suggested. “It’s nearly spring break, isn’t it? Why don’t you take Tommy away somewhere, just the two of you? I’ll bet with all your traveling, you’ve amassed enough frequent flier miles to be able to take him wherever you might wanna go.”

  Mike had to admit it was a good idea. In fact, now he thought about it, the idea really appealed to him. “I’m going to call him tonight. I’ll put it to him then.”

  “Great.” Jack stretched out his hand and stroked Mike’s cheek. “So… can I sleep here with you tonight?” His voice softened.

  Mike became still beneath that hand. “Since when have you and I ever shared a bed and just slept?” He knew what Jack was asking, and for some unknown reason his stomach clenched.

  “True.” Jack chuckled. “So I guess what I’m asking is, do you want to?”

  Mike drew in a couple of deep, even breaths. “Would you be really hurt if I said no?”

  Jack stared at him. Just… stared. Then his face creased in a slow, radiant smile. “Well, whaddaya know?” he exclaimed softly. “Mike Scott is in love.”

  The world seemed to spin just that little bit slower. “What?”

  Jack tilted his head to one side. “Tommy’s not just some guy, is he? You’re in love with him. Or falling in love with him. Whatever.” His lips parted, his breathing hitched. “Oh my God. Talk about blind.” He grinned. “You really can’t see it, can you? Oh, this is just… delicious.” He leaned forward and kissed Mike on the lips. “I am so happy for you, Mike, really. I wish you every happiness.”

  Jack’s words were more than a blessing. They were his way of letting Mike go, and Mike knew it. What was more astonishing was that Mike was ready for it. He’d expected a wrench that left him heart sore and hurting, but what he got instead was a slow release of… peace.

  Mike curved his hand around Jack’s face and kissed him on the mouth, a gentle brushing of lips. He smiled at him. “Thank you,” he said softly. Message received and understood.

  Jack’s eyes sparkled. “Sleep well, babe.” He threw back the blankets and got up from the mattress to stand next to it, gazing down at Mike, still wearing that same smile and shaking his head. “Who’d have thought it, huh? Mike Scott in love.” He left the room, chuckling to himself.

  Mike turned off the light and pulled the blanket up over his shoulders. He lay there, the words still ringing in his head. In love with Tommy? His first thought was that Jack was seeing something that simply wasn’t there. Except the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. He pictured Tommy’s face, that sweet smile, the way Tommy looked up at him when they were in bed together, that light in his eyes, the way Tommy made him feel….

  Well, fuck. Maybe Jack wasn’t so wrong after all.

  BREAKFAST WAS over, the dishes cleared away, and everywhere was clean, ready for work to begin. The five actors sat around the breakfast bar with Pete and Tony, talking through the script, while the production crew got set up in the living room.

  “We’re going to film the five scenes in c
hronological order,” Pete told them. “So that means Scott and Kyler first, the night of Kyler’s eighteenth birthday. Then it’s Jesse’s scene with Armando, after he’s seen Kyler and Scott asleep naked on the couch. The scene ends with Armando’s wife coming home early to find him in bed with Jesse. Scene three is Armando’s friend Nico coming ’round, and Jesse spying on him and Armando fucking in the basement. The next scene will be Jesse getting into bed with Kyler, and then it’s the scene with Scott and Nico.”

  There were nods from everyone. Kyler was a little sullen and kept sneaking glances at Mike but said nothing. Jesse was calm and collected, although this would only be his second scene. And Nico was, well… Nico. Mike had to smile. The large man had an even larger personality, effervescent and full of enthusiasm.

  Jack looked relaxed and content. He winked at Mike. “How ironic that you and I don’t get to do a scene, given our history.”

  “I’d have thought you’d gotten your fill last night,” Kyler blurted out. He glared at Mike. “You send me packing, but then you fuck him. I saw him sneaking into your room.”

  Jesse jerked his head up. “What were you doing in Scott’s room in the first place?” He seemed upset by the revelation.

  Mike sighed and shook his head. “And this is exactly what I was talking about last night.” He stared at Kyler. “For your information—not that it’s any of your business—I didn’t fuck anyone last night. Correct?” He looked to Jack for confirmation, who nodded, his face tight. Jack hated confrontation. Mike gazed at Kyler. “Except now we have the situation where you and I are about to do a scene together. Bravo, Kyler. I’d say not only is the chemistry virtually nonexistent, it’s going to be extremely difficult to make a convincing show that I’ve always wanted you. So you need to take on board what I said last night and grow the fuck up.” He got up from the table and glanced at Pete. “I’ll be upstairs getting ready. Call me when you’re ready to shoot.” He gave Kyler one last look and then exited the kitchen.

  Jack caught up with him outside the bathroom. “Hey, don’t let him get you down.” He leaned close to whisper. “And if you have any difficulties, I’m sure you have some happy place you can go, right?” He chuckled, and the vibration tickled Mike’s ear. Jack kissed his cheek and then stepped back.

  Mike smiled. Jack really did know him. “Thanks for that.” He returned Jack’s kiss and then smacked him on the ass. “And now fuck off and let me go do my thing.” He grinned. “And tell my scene partner to use the other bathroom, okay? He’s done enough damage this morning. Don’t let him add to it by disturbing my routine.”

  Jack smiled and disappeared down the hallway. Mike entered the bathroom and leaned against the door.

  He really wasn’t sure he could do this for much longer.

  MIKE PULLED off the condom and shuddered, spraying Kyler’s belly with come. He gripped the back of the couch and held on until his cock had stopped pulsing and the last drop had been squeezed from his slit. Breathing heavily, he leaned over Kyler and kissed him, stroking his hair and chest. Kyler moved as Pete had directed, until he was lying on top of Mike, eyes closed, apparently sated. Tony pulled back on the camera, capturing the view of the pair of them, lying peacefully in each other’s arms. He cut to Jesse, standing in the doorway, staring at them and then walking away.

  “Perfect.” Pete applauded loudly, and Mike raised his head to see his director beaming. “Nice work, guys. And, Kyler? Congratulations on your first scene.”

  Kyler grinned. “Thanks, Pete.” He propped himself up on his arms and gazed at Mike, his cheeks flushing. “Thanks, Scott.”

  Mike ruffled his hair. “You did good, okay? Just keep in mind my advice.”

  “I will. I promise.” Kyler climbed off him, grabbed his towel from a nearby chair, and proceeded to wipe himself down.

  “Okay, a ten-minute break for the crew, and then we’ll do scene two an hour from now in the main bedroom. Jesse, Armando, be ready,” Peter called out before going to talk with Tony, the two men peering at the screen on Tony’s camera.

  Mike got off the couch and wiped off his and Kyler’s come with a towel.

  “Nice to see you in action again,” Jack said with a smile, stepping out of the way as the production crew picked up and moved cameras and studio lights, a buzz of activity around them. “I was trying to remember the last time we filmed together.”

  Mike scratched his beard. “Was it early last year? February, maybe?” He beamed. “We were filming for ManFactory, and that new director, oh, what’s her name?”

  “Alexa Stephens.”

  Mike nodded. “I haven’t worked with her since. Pity. I like her stuff.”

  “Well, that’s good to know,” Pete said, looking up. “She’s going to be directing with TopMen too.”

  Mike was pleased. It was yet another reason for considering working with the studio again in the future. Alexa’s films had a lovely feel to them, and her scenes were in keeping with TopMen’s aesthetic.

  He glanced down at his sticky torso and now limp dick. “Okay, shower time.” There was the low buzz of a phone vibrating. Mike shook his head and laughed when he saw it was Pete’s. “Talk about good timing,” he joked. He’d lost count of how many scenes had been ruined when a ring tone cut through the quiet, or worse still, the moans and groans of the actors.

  Pete smiled and mouthed to him to fuck off as he pressed the phone to his ear. “Hey, hi, Michelle. What can I—” The smile died on his face, and his eyes widened while he listened intently. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Christ, I’m sorry that—” Mike was alarmed to see Pete’s face whiten. “He did what?”

  By now the living room had filled as everyone stood around, all eyes focused on Pete. The director’s face was contorted, his brows knitted, nostrils flaring. “Okay, Michelle. Thanks for the heads-up. I’m on it.” He disconnected the call and turned to face his cast. “You are not going to fucking believe this! Not content with lambasting me on Twitter, Alex Travis called Michelle, the lovely lady who owns this house, to inform her that porn was being filmed on the premises.” Pete was shaking. “Fortunately she’s a family friend, and she knows exactly what we’re doing here, so no harm done. Except that little bastard went further. He told Michelle he’s contacted the local newspaper and the police to inform them of the same thing, but has also implied heavily that drugs are being used here.”

  “That fucker!” Nico’s face was crimson. “You don’t do shit like this to colleagues—and friends, for fuck’s sake!”

  Jack snarled. “That is it. I want nothing more to do with that diva. As far as I’m concerned, he’s just burned his bridges. I mean, what the fuck? Just because he was pissed about a bad experience, he goes and puts his friends in possible legal danger?”

  “I think he’s already burned a few bridges with the attacks on Pete on Twitter.” Mike shook his head. “He wasn’t exactly tactful about the last shoot. If word’s gotten around, I wonder if it’s lost him work and he’s decided if he doesn’t work, neither do we.”

  “Talk about selfish.” Jesse stared unhappily at them. “This sucks. This really sucks.”

  “Look, standing around here discussing Alex is going to solve nothing,” Pete growled out. “We have much more pressing concerns. For one thing, any minute now the police may be on our doorstep, wanting to search for drugs.” He stared at them, chest heaving. “There’s nothing for it, guys, but to shut this down, clean up, pack up, and get the fuck out of here. I for one want to be able to film here again.” He stared at them all. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get moving!”

  That last command proved the catalyst. Everyone began hurrying about the place, packing up and cleaning. Mike hurried to the bathroom to grab a quick shower before going to his room to pack his things and then get on with the general clear-up. As he bustled around the house, helping to pack away equipment, he worked hard to keep a lid on his anger. Alex’s temper tantrum had not only cut into his income, which wasn’t that great a worry, b
ut it also meant that he had no idea where he would be that evening when he was supposed to be calling Tommy.

  As far as he was concerned, Alex Travis was persona non grata. And God help him if Mike ever got his hands on him.

  No one messed with Mike Scott’s friends.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  TOMMY’S PHONE pinged, announcing the arrival of a text, and he flew across the apartment to peer at the screen. When he read the words, he couldn’t help smiling.

  Lock your door—now. Skype on & present within reach. Waiting for you….

  He put the phone down and scooted across the apartment to check he’d actually locked the door. Ben was out for the night—where, Tommy had no idea—and the rest of the Wellington family were upstairs, watching a movie. They’d asked Tommy if he wanted to join them, but he’d declined graciously. All he wanted was to see Mike.

  He sank down onto the couch and opened the laptop, his mouth dry, his breathing quickening. He’d been unable to stop thinking about Mike all day, his thoughts a whirling, confusing muddle. There’d been very few Saturdays when he hadn’t seen the sexy bartender, but unlike the previous occasion weeks ago, today had been the first time Tommy had been unhappy not to be seeing him. His hours with Mike had become important to him, and although he’d see him on the screen, it was definitely not the same thing.

  The laptop was on his knee, Skype was loaded, and Tommy waited for the incoming call notes, his heart beating just that little bit faster. On the couch beside him sat the gift-wrapped box. The number of occasions that past week when he’d been dying of curiosity to know what was inside….

  “There you are.”

  Damn, just hearing that voice made Tommy feel good. He grinned at the screen, where Mike’s head, shoulders, and bare chest could be seen. “Hey. You in a hotel?”