by Riley Hart
“I won’t if that’s an issue. I figured it might actually be fun, though.”
We hadn’t really discussed either of us participating, and knowing he wants to be in it makes me uneasy.
“I’m fine with it,” I lie. “It’s not like we’re actually together. I don’t really have a right to have a problem with it.”
Maybe I don’t have a right, but the tension in my chest assures me I do have a problem with it.
“I won’t do it if you don’t want me to, though.”
“It’s fine. That’s totally something you’d enjoy, and like I said, it’s not like we’re even dating, so it’s not even something you should have to ask me about.”
He purses his lips and sizes me up.
“Now that I think about it, you should be doing it, too,” he says.
“Oh, hell no.”
“Why? You look hot as hell and it is for charity, after all.”
“Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Act like I’m throwing people out on the street by not wanting to strip in public.”
“You do a good job of stripping in private.”
He scans my body, and I might as well not even have the towel on, considering he knows what everything underneath looks like.
“That’s not the point.”
I open my closet and retrieve a pair of boxers. I drop my towel and hear a soft growl behind me.
I glance back at him, enjoying the hungry look in his eyes.
“You know what I said about covering up.” Judging by the look in his eyes, he’s dead serious.
I pull my boxers up quickly, because we won’t get shit done if we start with that now.
I fall down on the bed beside him.
He’s still looking at me, his eyes filled with lust.
I open the container with my salad and grab the plastic fork Travis placed beside it. I look at his laptop screen. He’s already in his Facebook account.
“Come on,” I say. “We’ve got work to do. We need to find these hotties, but I’m not planning on being one of them.”
“But I can be?”
Tension fills my chest. I shouldn’t react like this. He should fucking be able to strip in front of or fuck whomever he wants without me giving a shit. It’s none of my business. For whatever reason, though, the idea of a room full of horny guys watching him strip down to his underwear makes me uneasy. Not just uneasy…jealous.
“Of course,” I say as I open a packet of Ranch dressing in the salad container and pour it over the salad.
I’m acting cool, but really, I’m irritated as fuck. If he can undress in front of a room full of people, I should be able to. I’m not the kind of guy who does shit like that, but why the fuck not?
Because I don’t look like him, that’s for fucking sure.
Still, if he’s doing it, for some reason, I feel like I should. It’s only fair.
“Maybe you’re right,” I say.
He takes a bite of his salad, and with his mouth full, asks, “About?”
“I should do it.”
He covers his mouth with his hand as he finishes chewing and swallows. “Are you serious?” he asks.
“Well, it is for charity,” I say.
“Changed your tune real fast, didn’t you? You jealous?”
He eyes me suspiciously.
A little, but I don’t have to fucking tell him that.
“I think it’d be nice to rub this in Peter’s face. Hell, I wouldn’t have done something like this when I was with him. Maybe it’d be good for me.”
I was just trying to make up bullshit, but as I say it, I realize it’s kind of true. And I’d love to see the look on Peter’s face when he finds out I’m going to be stripping in front of a bunch of guys at Flirt. Although at the same time, I’m fucking terrified at the thought of having to take my clothes off in front of people.
“I’m gonna do it,” I say.
I set my salad container beside me, grab his laptop, and sit upright.
I set the laptop on my thighs before turning and seeing an uneasy expression on his face. Like he’s surprised by how I just grabbed his computer.
“Oh, sorry,” I say, realizing he probably has private shit on here he doesn’t want me to see. “I’m used to people handing their computers to me. Part of what I do.”
I start to hand it back to him.
“No, no. It’s fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. We have to go through these pieces of meat together anyway, right?”
Though he’s talking about other guys, he’s looking right at me, his lips twisted into a playful smirk.
I wish I fucking knew what he was thinking.
20
Travis
I could tell how uncomfortable Gary was, so I should have told him I wasn’t going to do it. The thing is, I’m glad he’s stepping outside of his comfort zone. It’s good for him. He’s keeping a part of himself trapped inside and as crazy as it sounds, this is another step toward letting him free. Or maybe I’m a fucking head case and want to do the show so I’m being a pushy bastard. Who the hell knows?
“Hey,” I find myself saying as Gary sits beside me, going through my laptop.
“Yeah?” he replies without looking at me.
“Are you sure you’re cool with me doing the show?”
Gary whips his head around so he’s facing me. Yeah, I get it. The question makes unease slither beneath my skin. It sounds an awful lot like something someone in a real relationship would say.
“I don’t have the right to say whether you can or can’t do something. Especially if I’m…wait. Are you saying you’re not comfortable with me doing it? You brought it up.”
“No…fuck no.” He winces and I groan. “Not like that. You’re sexy as fuck, Gary. Stop trying to hide it. Show the world how fucking hot you are. You deserve it. And I also want to see Peter lose his head.” I sit up straighter. “I just know things are a little different with you…because of what Peter did and I want to make sure my doing the show won’t make you feel like you look bad.” See? Look at me trying not to be a pushy bastard.
“Oh.” He cocks his head slightly. “That’s…that’s really nice of you, Travis.”
What the fuck? I grab a pillow and swat him with it. “You don’t have to sound so surprised. I am a nice guy, you know.”
“Do I sound surprised?” He laughs and I roll my eyes at him. I like it when Gary lets loose like this.
“Fucker,” I tell him. “If you’re good, I’ll be real nice to your ass a little later. Now, let’s pick some of these guys.”
First, we make a Facebook page for the event. Then we go through profiles of some of the men we both know. We make a list of people we think would want to participate in the fundraiser and send out a few messages, link them to the page and ask them to share it. When we’re finished, Gary closes the laptop but leaves it where it’s sitting. “What was wrong with you earlier? You didn’t sound right when we first spoke.”
Oh fuck. This is the last thing I want to do. I wink at him. “Oh, you think you know me so well now, huh? Just a minute on the phone with me and you know my mood? What about you? Are you sure you’re okay with doing the show? I know you’ll be great, but how do you feel about it?”
He huffs. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Always change the subject when I ask a serious question. It sounds like you’re deflecting.”
Jesus fucking Christ. “I don’t know, doctor. It must have something to do with my scarred childhood.” Turning, I go to get out of the bed, but Gary grabs ahold of my arm.
“I thought we had become friends.” There’s an innocence to his voice that does something to my insides—twists them up and pries my mouth open.
“We are.” I sigh and sit back against his headboard again. “It’s nothing. You’re making a big deal about nothing. I had lunch with my brothers. Martin is planning on proposing to hi
s girlfriend at her birthday party. He wants me to go, which means I’ll be in the same room as my parents. It’s a shitty idea because to them I’m an abomination and an embarrassment, but Martin won’t take no for an answer. I was in a shitty mood and wanted to talk to you is all.”
I cross my arms and stare at him. A kaleidoscope of different emotions flashes around in his eyes.
“Oh, fuck. Don’t do that. Don’t start to feel sorry for me or romanticize me. I’m not some kicked puppy who is heartbroken due to family issues. If you’re going to feel anything about me right now, I’d rather it be desire. I don’t know…blow me or something.”
“Oh my God.” Gary rolls his eyes at me, but I can see the amusement on his face. “I’m not romanticizing you, and I sure as shit don’t see you as a puppy—though puppy play sounds fun. I’d be a real obedient puppy.”
I cock a brow at him. He never ceases to surprise me. “I’m sure you would be.”
“I was just thinking about how shitty life and family can be…and that you never really know what people are dealing with. You’re gorgeous and confident.”
“Keep going.” I smile, and it earns me one from him.
“Conceited, too. But I guess I never imagined you dealing with shit like that, which is stupid—I realize that—but it’s true. And I guess I’m surprised you called me when you felt that way.”
Yeah…yeah, I am too. “Well, you are my fake boyfriend. I should get some benefits out of that.”
He frowns. “What? My ass isn’t enough?”
“Superass is definitely enough.” We both laugh and Gary sets the laptop on the nightstand. He changes positions so his whole body is now facing me. It’s strange, sitting here with him like this. Talking with him like this. I sure as shit never saw this coming when I woke up in his bed—hell, not even when we started this stupid farce. “What’s your biggest sexual fantasy?” I ask him.
“What?” Gary drops his head backward and laughs. “I’m not answering that. Hell, I don’t even know.”
Well, that’s a damn shame. “Fine. I’ll let that one pass. Tell me why you’re such a beast when we fuck, but you had mediocre sex with Peter.”
He hasn’t straight up come out and said that to me, but he makes it obvious. Otherwise he wouldn’t be so surprised by the way he goes at it with me.
His cheeks flush pink and he turns his head. I hook a finger beneath his chin and turn his head so he’s facing me again. “You skipped my last question; you’re not skipping this one. I don’t care if I have to force it out of you.” I nod my head at him as though I’m waiting for him to test me. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get what I want, Gary.”
His Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows. “Jesus, that kind of got my dick hard.”
“Only kind of?” I reach down and grab his stiff cock, but only briefly because I’m really not going to let him skip out on this question. “Tell me.”
He shrugs. “I don’t know…I guess I just didn’t feel comfortable letting loose with Peter.”
Huh. I didn’t expect that…and I don’t fully understand it either. “But you feel comfortable with me? We hardly knew each other the first time we fucked.” In a lot of ways, we hardly know each other now, but it doesn’t feel that way. Somehow, I feel like I get Gary and like maybe he could get me.
“Maybe that’s why, because I hardly knew you. Or maybe it’s because you’re so fucking sexual or I’m so attracted to you. I don’t know why it is, I just know that I feel that way, which surprises me. How you can intimidate me and yet make me feel confident at the same time.”
I’m not sure how much I like everything he just said to me. “I intimidate you?”
“Not like that.” He waves his hand in the air as though I’m being ridiculous. “Not like I’m scared of you. I just mean because you’re so sexy, and you have the perfect body. You’re confident and experienced and everyone wants you. You’re so damned gorgeous, how could I not be intimidated by you?”
My pulse speeds up in a way I’m not familiar with. I’ve had too many men to count tell me I’m attractive, but it feels different coming from him. “Stop selling yourself short. You’re sexy as hell. You keep my dick hard. I want to toss you around and fuck you every time I see you. Hell, I’m not even screwing anyone else, and I’m satisfied. You need to give yourself more credit.”
He looks away, and I let him this time. The tension in the room switches, changes into this awkward heaviness. I suddenly feel like lines are blurring between us, and it makes unease settle at the base of my spine. “Are you going to blow me or not?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood.
“Are you going to go?” he asks when he looks at me. Somehow, I know he means to the birthday party.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I answer honestly. “I don’t want to let my parents dictate what I do. Martin is my brother and I love him, but that’s what makes me feel like it’s best if I skip it. I don’t want to ruin his day.” My biggest fear is that I won’t be able to keep my cool and it will only hurt Martin and Liz. I also can’t believe I just told Gary that.
“You won’t,” he says softly. “You won’t ruin his day, not by being there. He wants you there, and you’ll keep your cool because you care about him, and that’s the kind of man you are.”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. No one has said something like that to me before, especially not some guy I’m fucking. He sounds so confident in his words though, confident in me. I don’t know how I feel about that. “I’ll think about it,” I tell him, but it doesn’t feel complete there, so I add, “thank you.” Patting my lap, I say, “Come here. Straddle me.”
Gary moves swiftly and fluidly until he’s sitting on my lap, one leg on either side of me. Part of me feels like I need to get the fuck out of here. Like I need to put some space between us. This moment feels raw in a way I’m not used to. Still, I add, “Good boy. Now, kiss me.” Not sure if I’m going to stop it right after the kiss, teasing us both, or show him just how fucking hot his ass makes me.
I grab ahold of his waist. My hands are big around it. I glance down at his bulge, right before he does as I said—leans forward, and presses his mouth to mine.
I thread my fingers through his hair, push his face closer so I can kiss him deeper. My cock throbs, and I want nothing more than to take his hole, but I feel too raw tonight, like I need to get my ass out of this bed and get the hell out of here as quickly as I can.
Tugging his hair a little, I pull him away. “I’m gonna go.”
His forehead wrinkles in confusion. “Okay…I thought you wanted me to blow you.”
A smile pulls at my lips. Jesus, this guy does something to me. “I always want you to blow me, but it’s better if I go.” Because I feel too close.…Right now, I feel too close to him and that has my head spinning.
Gary nods and crawls off me. Turning his way, I take his mouth one more time, because he tastes so fucking good, before I force myself out of the bed. I pick up our mess from dinner, the computer, and ask, “I’ll see you tomorrow, right? Gotta keep this shit looking good for the fundraiser.”
Gary smiles and tells me, “Yeah, of course. Though I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” There’s a moment where I consider climbing back into bed with him and fucking him until we both lose our minds. Or maybe more than just fucking him…maybe I think about talking to him some more too, or laughing with him. That’s my cue to get the fuck out, so I wink, turn and walk away while I still can.
21
Gary
Water sprays from the showerhead, hitting my chest and slapping against the tile floor beneath my feet. Travis massages my shoulders from behind, his thumbs pressing into my muscles. His touch feels so good, especially on my right shoulder, which I strained when I was using the bench press a few days ago.
“Feels better, doesn’t it?” he asks.
“So much better. If you keep this up, I might start finding more reasons to hurt myself.”
He
chuckles. As he loosens me up, I roll my head back, enjoying how good it feels, reveling in his touch the way I might if we were fucking.
“I’m just glad we only have a week until the fundraiser,” I say. “At least my body still looks decent from all the gym time we put in.”
I can’t believe it’s already been two weeks since we were trolling through our Facebook friends for volunteers for the fundraiser, which has become the Summertime Boys Boxers and Briefs Strip-Off. The drag queen we hired, my primary care physician, suggested the name.
Travis stops massaging and trails his fingers down my back, around to my torso. He gropes and fondles my new muscles. Not massive but just a little more defined than usual.
“What are you doing?”
“Shhh,” he whispers, his breath hitting behind my ear just right. “Just let me enjoy this hot body you’ve been working on.”
He works his skilled hands. Those hands that have learned their way around my body as we’ve fucked our way through our preparations for the Boxers and Briefs Strip-Off.
The past few weeks have been busy as fuck. From contacting the hotties who’ll be stripping to creating promo material and posters to hang around town, we’ve had plenty of work to do, and we’ve done it all together. Other than that, we’ve spent every spare moment we’ve had fucking each other’s brains out…but the thing is, we’ve done a lot of talking too. And laughing. And watching movies. It’s confusing as hell.
Travis moves closer to me, his chest pushing against my back, his hard dick pressing up between my ass cheeks.
“I just blew you not even five minutes ago,” I say, shocked that he’s as hard as ever.
“That was just to get rid of the morning wood. And I wouldn’t have let you do it if I’d known how much it was going to hurt your neck. You have to tell me these things.”
As he continues caressing my torso with his hands, I find my own dick stirring to life again.
Being with him like this has done wonders for my self-esteem.
He tucks his face close to me and whispers into my ear, “Wouldn’t be a crime if we had another go. I can never keep my hands off you.”
