Real Good Man

by Elise Whyles

  His rosette clenched at the faint clatter from the kitchen. The sound of Sean’s voice drifted through the wood, adding to the fantasy.

  “God, yes, oh yeah, harder, Sean, baby. Harder, faster. Stroke it,” Luke whispered. “Yes. Like that. Man, it feels so good. Yeah. Please, baby, yes. Suck on it, lick it. Taste me.”

  Luke pumped his shaft harder and shuddered at the wave of pleasure. It spiraled into his groin, his shaft aching with each glide of his hand. With his other hand, he reached behind him. The water slid down the crack of his ass, dipping and spinning along the curve over his ass. His ass tightened with the tickle as his fingers skimmed over the puckered flesh.

  Luke groaned and dragged his fingers over the tight opening. He shuddered at the pulse of his hole, the easing of the opening. Whimpers of need escaped as he eased a finger inside, stretching himself. Again and again he thrust a finger inside, adjusting his stance when he couldn’t get deep enough. With one foot on the edge of the shower, he reached between his legs, pulling and tugging on his cock as he eased his index finger into his ass.

  His skin felt tight. Hot. The slick walls of his rectum clenched around his fingers as he fucked himself. In, out, the slow friction driving him crazy. His hips rolled and bucked, the need for more raking at his control. His jaw clenched, Luke slid deeper, his palm pressed against the sensitive flesh behind his balls. Wiggling his fingers, he stroked along his prostate, swallowing the scream of pleasure as stars exploded behind his eyes.

  Luke held his hand steady, formed a ring with his thumb and middle finger, and slid it over the slick head of his cock. The pressure combined with the water sent shards of heat racing along his spine, his rectum tightening on his still fingers.

  “Oh God, yes, tighter. Take it deeper, Sean, yeah, baby, suck it. It looks so good in your mouth.” Luke let the fantasy roll over him, picturing Sean on his knees. His lips wrapped around the head of Luke’s cock, tongue bathing the underside. Sean’s head bobbing, his fist wrapped tightly around the hard length.

  The tension tightened, wrapping itself around him from top to bottom. Luke bit his lip and struggled to keep his voice down, to keep the scream building in his throat contained as his body raced headlong into the abyss. His scrotum tightened, drawing up into his body; his shaft pulsed, ass clenched around his fingers, and with a muted roar he came. Hot splashes of his cum hit his chest, his hand, his arm, as he leaned against the wall, his body throbbing, pulsing with pleasure. His orgasm seemed to go on and on, the muscles in his legs spasming until he could barely stand. Thankful for the cold tiles beneath his shoulder, Luke panted into the rapidly cooling water. He grunted as he slid his fingers free of his rosette, his body feeling achy, empty. A wave of heat crept up his cheeks as the vague thought of what he’d called out as he came flowed through the cracks in his mind. He prayed it hadn’t been Sean’s name; he probably wouldn’t appreciate the sentiment, and Luke didn’t need any unpleasantness.

  The warm glow of his orgasm fading, Luke grabbed the bar of soap. He made short work of washing himself before he killed the water and stepped out. His gaze landed on the black bag he’d brought, and he chuckled: he hadn’t needed the items in it at all. He dressed quickly and tilted his head, but didn’t hear anything beyond the sounds of the television droning and the dishes in the kitchen. Luke breathed a sigh of relief, gathered everything he’d brought into the bathroom, and hurried to his room.

  * * * *

  Sean frowned at the faint sounds coming from the bathroom. He turned, the frown tugging his brows together at the faint voice calling his name. Had Luke hollered at him? He set aside the spatula and walked down the hall. The bathroom door was cracked an inch; obviously, Luke hadn’t closed it tight.

  “God, yes, oh yeah, harder, Sean, baby. Harder, faster. Stroke it.” Luke’s thickened voice rose above the sounds of the shower. Sean stepped closer and peered through the crack in the door. His eyes widened at the sight that greeted him.

  Steam rolled above the shower stall door. Through the marbled glass he could make out Luke’s massive frame. Even distorted, he could see what was happening. Braced against the stall wall, Luke held his hard-on in his hand, pumping it. Thick, corded muscles flexed with each movement, his hips thrusting forward.

  Sean stared in shock, his mouth open an inch as the heat swept over his body. He swallowed, lust building, driving through his control as he leaned against the door. Hands shaking, he palmed the wall, his knees weakening. He choked on a groan and cupped his burgeoning erection, the tight confines of his jeans containing it until he ached. The pulse of it seeped through the material, jumping beneath his palm as he stroked himself through the denim.

  Sean stumbled back and bit his lip hard enough to taste blood as he watched Luke orgasm. Luke’s voice was garbled, but still he recognized his name falling from his lips.

  Frozen, Sean stood in the hallway, his mind racing, his body thrumming with need. His mind a tangled mess of half-formed thoughts, feelings, and doubts. Still, one thought rose above the din, repeating itself over and over again until he was giddy: Luke found him attractive because Luke was gay!

  Hearing the water go off, Sean turned and hurried back into the living room as fast as his cramped jeans would allow. He picked up his plate and stared at the steak and potatoes, any hint of hunger gone. For once, there was no guilt at eying Luke like a tasty side dish.

  Chapter 7

  Luke kicked at the tangled blankets, frustrated beyond belief. Dinner had been torture. Every time he looked at Sean his mind had replayed the fantasy he’d had in the shower until he’d wondered if Sean could read the guilt on his face … never mind the hard press of his cock against his pants. Thankful for his plate, Luke had struggled to keep it all from falling around his ears. Sean had lounged in the recliner, bare feet propped up, his T-shirt pulled taut over muscles that rippled and flexed with each lift of his fork. In that he’d been thankful; Sean appeared oblivious to the guilt eating at him. How could he fantasize about a man who was straight?

  Your body doesn’t care what the orientation is. If he’s attractive, why not use him? It’s not like you pulled it out in front of him. Luke cringed at the thought. No, he hadn’t. Still, it was bad enough. Obviously, he needed a bit of distance. Maybe he’d take a couple of days off, head down and talk to Jack. Yeah, Jack was the voice of reason in his world. He’d tell him the truth.

  Only truth is you want Sean, but won’t do anything about it … because you think he’s straight. Which could be an issue, but it’s a mute point. Fuck, you just fucked yourself and pretended it was him. Nothing wrong with that. It’s healthy.

  Luke pulled a pillow over his head and screamed at the tangled mess in his head. If Sean ever found out, it would create problems. Problems he didn’t want or need. He threw the pillow aside and rose. Bare feet slapped on the cold tile as he stalked into the kitchen and opened the fridge door. He grabbed a cold can of pop. A glance at the clock on the stove told him it was getting close to five. Another hour or so and he could call ahead of time and let Jack know he was coming. Though, if he knew the other man, seven would be too early. He grinned. Jack wasn’t one for early rising when he had him a new woman. Nope, the bed got plenty of action.

  “You’re up early.” Sean’s sleep-filled voice behind him pulled every muscle into a hard knot as Luke turned around.

  Plaid pajamas hung off Sean’s hips. A narrow scar ran along the top of one hip. Dark curls dusted his abdomen and down into the bulge beneath the fabric. “Uh, yeah, was trying to figure out what I was going to do with my days off. Figured I’d head out to see a friend of mine. Damn fool spent a long weekend at a buddy’s wedding, and ever since then he’s been acting weird.”

  “Sounds like a man possessed.” Sean rubbed at his jaw, the rasp of stubble under his nail loud in the silence. “But it’ll be nice; you’ll get a chance to see your girlfriend.”

  “Uh, I’m single at the moment.” Luke ducked his head to hide the wave of heat invadi
ng his cheeks. “What about you? You going to head down for a few days?”

  “Naw, figured I’d hang out here. One place my dad hasn’t invaded as of yet.” Sean moved past him to fiddle with the coffee maker. “He’s a bit of a manipulator.”

  “Does this have something to do with your therapy?” Luke twisted the can in his fingers.

  “Everything.” Sean shrugged. “I told you my dad was old-fashioned? Well, old-fashioned is just one way to put it. He managed to get my sister to agree to marry before she was twenty. Nothing outlandish there, but the man she married was in his forties. She left four years ago, took her kids, the money she’d been saving, and filed for divorce. Dad calls her a devil’s spawn and won’t speak to her.”

  “Sounds like there’s some religious…”

  “My family went to church, yes, but Dad’s extreme with it. I don’t think it’s about religion, he’s just a control freak. Always has been.” Sean turned to lean back against the counter, his hands on the edge. “He wants things he has no right to ask of his children. Why I left, went to university, I wanted more.”

  “And your girlfriend…”

  “No girlfriend.” Sean shrugged, a shadow passing over his face. “Hasn’t been in over three years. She, uh, went through my things and went home to my folks to tell them things they had no business knowing. Been dealing with it ever since.”

  Luke frowned, the betrayal of Sean’s ex like a physical blow. It had obviously affected Sean greatly. “What did she find?” He cursed and held up his hand. “No, don’t answer me, I did it again. You don’t have to. I’m being nosy, and it’s not always in my best interest.”

  Sean shrugged before he glanced at the coffee maker. “Naw, don’t matter. It was what it was. She’s married, and I don’t even think of her anymore. What about you? Why aren’t you wrapped around some hot to trot little number?”

  “I was at work for six weeks, took a prolonged assignment so I’d have a week or so off. Came home to find my partner in bed with another man.” Luke chuckled, the sound brittle, cold. “Couldn’t handle being alone, I suppose.”

  “I guess not.” Sean bit his lip, a frown tugging his eyebrows together. “You okay?”

  “Getting there.” Luke flashed a smile and straightened. The reminder of Tony’s betrayal sending a fresh stab of pain through him. Yet, it wasn’t nearly as deep or as painful as he’d believed. No, maybe he was getting over Tony. Maybe time and distance was helping. Maybe it isn’t time or distance but the company you’re keeping. Sean’s a great guy: funny, sexy, and single… He’s also straight as an arrow. Luke sighed at the argument running across his mind. There was no point in debating the issue; he’d just have to figure a way to keep Sean unaware of his own preferences. “I can get Craig to send up another vehicle while I’m away, if you like. The old Ford isn’t the most comfortable, nor does it have air conditioning. I’ll be stopping in the office later on.”

  “Naw, I think its fine. If I want to go anywhere, I’ll take the quad, but I think I’m just going to chill out here. It’s quiet, and whoever is covering for you may have a vehicle, so I could use it. And even if I can’t, the old Ford’s parked next to the woodshed, and air conditioning is overrated. When do you think you’ll be back?”

  “I’ll be back by Tuesday. Gives me a couple of days to visit and get things done around the house. If you want anything while I’m down there, you can call me on this number, I’ll pick it up.” Luke scribbled out his cell number on the notepad by the phone.

  “Sure.” Sean took the slip of paper from Luke’s fingers before he offered a quick grin. “You gonna start coffee?”

  “Yeah, can’t start the day without it.” Luke chuckled, his chest tight as Sean patted his bare shoulder before walking down the hallway. His body betraying him, Luke adjusted his pajama bottoms. “I figure I’ll head out after breakfast.”

  “Sounds like a plan. That way you won’t be on the road all day.” Sean’s voice drifted from the other room. Luke sighed. The sounds of Sean dressing didn’t ease the ache between his legs; if he closed his eyes, he could almost picture the other man’s movements.

  * * * *

  Sean leaned against the porch railing, barefoot, his sweats hanging from his hips, and watched the truck disappear down the bend in the road. The sound of an eagle’s haunting cry filled the early morning air. In the distance was the faint sound of running water, and he sighed.

  Turning, he stepped through the front door, letting it swing shut behind him. Silence descended on the house, stuffy, uncomfortable, as his attention was drawn to the leather sofa, the recliner, and the flat-screen sitting with a blank screen. He turned and strode to the kitchen. After making a cup of coffee, he stared out the window. Four days alone didn’t sound like a lot, but he didn’t feel up to it. Luke hadn’t been gone more than ten minutes, and already he could feel the loneliness creeping in.

  His mind wandered back to the night before. The memory of Luke’s actions in the shower had kept him up for the better part of the night. His wrist ached from all the action he’d seen. What would Luke do if he kissed him? How would he do it? Should he even act on the attraction eating him? Was the reward worth the risk?

  Sean shook his head. “If that ain’t the million dollar question.” He picked up the phone, dialed a familiar number, and waited for it to ring.

  “Hello? What’s wrong?” Sleepy, warm, his sister’s voice filled his ear, and he smiled.

  “Nothing. Hey, sorry, didn’t realize it was so early.”

  “Good morning, Sean. What’s up?”

  “I, um, I have a bit of a problem, and I know you’ll answer me without judging.”

  “Of course, that’s what family is for.”

  Biting back the retort that not all family thought that way, he debated the wisdom of talking to her. “I met someone.” He plopped his butt onto the stool by the counter. Butterflies danced in his gut as he stared out the window, his mind replaying Luke’s quick grin. “Really great guy.”

  “Congrats, what’s he like?”

  “Smart, sexy, loves animals, loves his job.”

  “But?”

  “He hasn’t said anything about being gay.” Sean’s voice dropped a few octaves until he was almost whispering. “I like him.”

  “Good. Do you think he’s straight?”

  Sean flushed, the memory of Luke’s hoarse voice wrapping around his name enough to squelch the idea. “No, I, uh, know he’s not. But that doesn’t mean he wants to hop into bed with a virgin. I’ve never done this before, sis. What if I bungle this up?”

  “How would you? Does he know you’re interested? If not, you may want to tell him.”

  “Yeah, I can just see it now. Luke, glad you’re back. By the way, I’m attracted to you, would you like to have sex.” Sean snorted. “That’s gonna go over real well, sis.”

  “Quit being sarcastic. It’s too early in the morning for it. Do you think you could be just feeling insecure? Maybe this attraction is because you’re alone with him, and he’s safe? I mean, you’ve never had a male lover…”

  “Yeah, he’s really safe, sis. I look at him and feel real safe. No, I felt it when I met him.” He braced his elbow on the counter and rested his forehead against his palm. “There was this flame that raced through me. When we touched, it was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Worse than the electric fence ever was. It was like everything just clicked into place, and suddenly I understood what it was I was looking for.”

  He could almost feel the sigh Beth offered. Silence crackled across the line for another minute before she cleared her throat. “Do you miss him when he’s not there? Does he make you laugh? Does he listen to you? Talk to you as a human being?”

  “Yes, he does. He’s got this dry sense of humor that just reaches out and grabs you. Doesn’t hold back, is brutally honest all the time. He headed down to Drumheller for a few days, and I miss him already. The house is too quiet, the day’s dragging by. I don’t know, Beth, what d
o I do? I want to see where this goes, but at the same time, I’m terrified. What if I’m wrong? What if I’m just setting myself up for heartache? I’ve known for a long time I was into men, tried hiding it, but with Luke it’s different. I don’t feel like I have to pretend, I can just be myself, and he’s not going to judge me. Still scares the crap out of me, though. I don’t even know if he’s aware I’m gay or not, I just know I feel as though we’re equals.”

  “It’s a chance you have to take. I can’t tell you what to do,” Beth replied. “The old adage of nothing ventured, nothing gained is true, Sean. Don’t let fear hold you back from finding out if Luke’s the one for you.”

  “You won’t tell Dad, will you?”

  “Dad and I aren’t speaking at the moment. I told him he had no right to judge you when I was over for Sunday dinner a couple of weeks ago. He kicked us out and hasn’t spoken a word to me since. Besides, you need to forget him and just live your life to suit you. It’s you who has to do the living, not him. I know it’s hard, he’s not the kind of guy to let things lie, but give it your best.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. The bastard needs to learn.” Anger colored her voice. “I spent five years in a marriage to a man I hated because of him. He’s got you painted as this sick person, but you’re not. Fuck them all. From Dad to Marcia, to everyone back there. They don’t matter anymore. Do what makes you happy.”

  “You’re a helluva sister, you know.”

  “Thanks. Now, let me get off this phone. I have three kids waiting for breakfast, and my fiancé is making a mess of my kitchen.”

  “Have a good day, love you.”

  “Love you too.” The dial tone buzzed in his ear, and Sean hung up the phone.

  There was work to do. Patrols had to be maintained; perhaps he’d head over and check out the campers a few minutes north of the fork. The time away from Luke would be well worth it; there were some hard choices he had to make, and now was the time.