Denny looked over his shoulder. The living room was empty. He sighed again. “I miss you, too.”
“Do you love me?” Carter asked.
Denny looked over his shoulder again. “You know I do.”
“Say it. Tell me. I need to hear it.”
“Carter, I’m here at home. I can’t just—”
“Please?”
“I love you, too,” Denny said, giving in. Thoughts of the dinner he had just shared with Jesse to celebrate their second year together floated in his mind.
“Do you know your schedule for next week?”
“No.”
“Can’t you make something up? I don’t like being away from you like this.”
“I’ve been making up trips for the whole month. Jesse understands the system. He knows I’m overdue for hiatus. I almost blew it last night telling him I was in Florida when we were in Detroit. I didn’t know about that fuckin’ storm. He heard about it on TV and was suspicious.”
“Okay, I won’t press you any more, but let me know as soon as you can, so I can book a flight to meet you. And call me…when you can.”
Denny supposed Carter had anticipated his need to call when Jesse wasn’t around, so had added that last comment. “Okay, I will on both counts.”
“’Bye, Denny…I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Denny said, still looking apprehensively into the living room. “’Bye.” He disconnected the call and took a steadying breath.
“Clyde, come on you old hound. Time for bed.” Nick’s voice carried from his backyard one condo away.
“Shit,” Denny said softly. “How loud was I talking?” He shook his head and returned to the condo.
As Denny walked across the living room, he tried to come up with an explanation for the phone call and his retreat to the patio. He couldn’t say it was one of their friends. Why wouldn’t he want to talk with a friend in front of Jess? The same was true for colleagues from work.
Maybe he should just begin the inevitable and confess he was having an affair. But he wasn’t ready to do that, especially on their anniversary. He didn’t trust his feelings for Carter, or Carter’s first thrusts into the world of gay sex. He had a good thing here with Jesse and he wasn’t about to let that go until he was sure of where his relationship with Carter would wind up. He hoped Nick hadn’t overheard anything.
Then inspiration struck him. He would say the call was from a Carter Townsend. Carter was, among other things, an investment broker. He could truthfully say that. The stretch would be Carter called to discuss Denny’s investments. Jesse had always professed a loathing for high finance, and that would explain why Denny had not wanted to share the call in front of his boyfriend.
Feeling more confident now he had a plan, he walked into the kitchen.
“Can I give you a hand with the clean-up?”
Jesse turned and looked at him in amazement. Denny immediately realized this simple gesture probably garnered more suspicion than the phone call. He never offered to help with domestic chores and only lent a hand when coerced.
Denny tap-danced. “I know, I know.” He laughed. “I never get my hands dirty…but it’s our anniversary.”
Jesse seemed to buy it. “Okay.” He smiled. “Knock yourself out. Load the dishwasher.”
The two men worked side by side. Occasionally Jesse would make a suggestion as to how to make more room in the washer. As they were finishing up, Denny felt anxious that Jess had not brought up the call. Finally he had to relieve his tension.
“That call?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, that was a financial advisor.”
“Oh?”
“Uh, yeah…well, his name is Townsend, Carter Townsend.”
Jesse leaned against the sink, crossing his arms.
“Well, he has some ideas for me…ah…ways to invest and so he called.”
“Okay.”
“Well, that’s it. I just thought you might like to know who called is all.”
“As long as I don’t have to get involved. You know I hate money talk. So, go for it.”
Jesse turned away, bent over, picked up Shelby’s water dish and filled it, then replacing it on the floor.
Denny breathed a mental sigh of relief. He hoped his fumbled explanation was really accepted as it seemed to be. At least now the name Carter Townsend was out there and could be of benefit in the future.
“I’m gonna take Shel for a w-a-l-k. You wanna break the mold even more and go with me?”
Denny’s first impulse was to say hell no. But a little insurance wouldn’t hurt. “Sure, why not?”
“Wow, first help with the dishes, and now going on a doggie walk. I must really owe you some serious payback.”
Before Denny could answer, an overjoyed canine, who had recognized the word walk, was bounding all over the kitchen.
Denny just smiled.
* * * Denny lay in bed, naked and semi-hard. Jesse was in the bathroom finishing up his pre-bed routine. Denny idly played with his cock and balls as he waited. A series of thoughts fluttered across his mind as he waited for his boyfriend to join him.
Walking the dog hadn’t been so bad. They’d held hands. Denny knew Jesse got off on shit like that. Jesse had pointed out Nick’s house.
He seems to really like the guy, Denny thought. He wondered if he should be jealous…but then maybe it would come in handy down the road…when he made up his mind about Carter.
Carter. I miss you, man. God, he turned him on. Denny didn’t know what to do. He didn’t want to give up on Jess when the thing with Carter could be temporary. Carter had just figured out he was gay. He might want to play around.
But, shit, he fucks good. Denny had never liked that before. But Carter’s huge cock hit his spot just right. It was the first time Denny had ever come without touching his dick. He guessed he was a bottom boy after all. He smiled at that thought.
Denny mused that it would be good to top Jesse that night. It made him feel taller. Being a short guy, he liked the feeling. Jesse was four inches taller than him, but when he was up Jesse’s chute and Jesse begged him to go deeper… Fuck! That was so good.
Denny wondered if Carter would ever let him fuck him. His ass was so, so nice: round, firm, smooth like the rest of him. He liked Jesse’s hairy hole, but that pucker of Carter’s…whew! Denny smiled at the memory of his first rimming of the big stud. That had been somethin’ else. He had told him to turn over. Carter had never even thought a man would do that.
Denny chuckled.
When he had stuck his tongue in that pink hole…Carter had nearly shot off, right then. He had gotten into lickin’ out Denny, too.
Denny was completely hard. His huge, thick cock was resting on his abdomen, reaching all the way to his navel through the lush tangle of pubic hair. Pre-cum ran from its tip. He lay with his eyes closed, his legs spread, fondling his nuts and teasing his nips.
“Oh, shit!” he gasped in surprise, as he felt himself being engulfed by Jesse’s warm, moist mouth. He thrust his hips upward and grabbed the sides of Jesse’s head, forcing his cock deep into the man’s throat. “Oh, fuck, yeah!” He groaned again. “Oh, yeah, man, you know how I like it. Oh, fuck!”
Denny was getting close to shooting when Jesse backed off. He reached into the drawer of the bedside table and retrieved a tube of KY and a Magnum. Jesse stood beside the bed, applying the clear lube to his ass and the condom to Denny’s cock. Denny hated using rubbers, but had given into Jesse’s demands on this one: take an HIV test or wear a rubber. He didn’t want to bother with the former. He knew he was clean—but instead of arguing—he went along with Jesse’s request. Another plus for Carter… he didn’t like condoms, either.
His thoughts were interrupted when Jesse climbed onto the bed and knee-walked until he straddled Denny’s hips. Jesse bent down and kissed him.
“Happy Anniversary, sweetheart,” Jesse said, directing Denny’s throbbing pecker into his hot, wet chute.
> He waited a minute. Denny held his hips. “Okay,” Denny said.
Jesse started a slow, rolling rhythm. Denny closed his eyes. It felt good to be back inside a man. He would prefer to have Jesse on his back or on his hands and knees, but this was good, very good. He let his mind give into the intoxication of great sex.
As his excitement increased, however, his thoughts involuntarily turned to Carter. For a brief time he fought the images of the smooth, muscular, older man. Although he was penetrating Jesse, his position reminded him of the many times he lay with Carter’s face and torso above him, Carter’s thick dick deep inside him. He felt a twinge of guilt. Opening his eyes, he focused on the face of his boyfriend. Jesse was smiling. Denny could read the love in Jesse’s soft brown eyes. He reached up and ran his hands through the silky hair covering his chest and abs. He tried to concentrate on the moment.
“I love you,” Jesse said as he continued his slow undulations.
“I love you, too,” Denny answered. And he meant it. Even though he was now involved with another man, he could not deny he had feelings for this sweet guy. Once more he closed his eyes and tried to let himself sink into a sexual trance.
Although trying not to let it, his mind again turned to Carter. This time Jesse also appeared in the fantasy. Jesse was on his back. Carter was impaling him with his long, round rod. Denny saw himself kneel behind the big man, massage his beautiful ass, spread his cheeks and slide his own massive tool inside. The mental image of him fucking the older man pushed him over the edge, and he arched up, pulling Jesse tight against him. He emptied himself over and over into the willing body of his partner.
He lay back on the bed. His heart was racing, his body trembling. He became aware Jesse was pumping himself to achieve his own climax.
“No, wait,” Denny whispered, putting his hand over Jesse’s and halting his motion.
“What?” Jesse said, smiling into Denny’s eyes.
“Fuck me.”
“What?” Jesse said again, a note of incredulity in his voice.
“I need you to fuck me.” His voice was low and pleading.
“Denny, you never wanted—”
“Just do it. Please. I need you inside me.”
Hesitantly, Jesse reached once more for the lube and another rubber, unwrapping it and rolling it on. He smeared Denny’s pucker and his own fingers. He gently inserted first one, then two digits. He looked at Denny with concern.
“I’m okay,” said Denny, reading his boyfriend’s expression. “Come on, come on, please.”
Jesse placed his cock against Denny’s hole. Denny knew he was trying to be careful and not hurt him: assuming Denny was, if not a virgin, unaccustomed to being fucked. Denny saw the look of surprise on Jesse’s face as he grabbed his hips, pulling him hard against him as he raised his hips to meet the thrust. Jesse slipped easily inside, all the way to the base of his cock. Denny’s hairshrouded balls were buried in Jesse’s pubic bush.
He continued his firm gluteal contractions, milking Jesse’s cock with every thrust. In a matter of minutes, Jesse moaned and exploded inside his partner. Denny, still almost frantic in his sexual arousal, grabbed his own cock and pumped out his second load onto the lush tangle of hair on his stomach. Jesse lay down on top of him and sought his mouth and tongue with his own.
Jesse rolled off Denny and lay beside him. Jesse’s arm was draped over Denny’s chest, lovingly caressing his nipple. His head rested on Denny’s shoulder. They lay there for many minutes, letting their breathing come back to normal.
After a time, Jesse raised his head and said, “That was the best anniversary present you could’ve given me. Thank you.”
Denny didn’t know how to respond. He hadn’t meant it as a special act of love for Jesse. It had arisen purely from the need to be fucked, which Carter had instilled in him. He felt bad.
Finally he mumbled, “You’re welcome.”
“Wait here,” Jesse said, kneeling up and kissing him.
He got out of bed and went into the bathroom. Denny lay on his back and rested his forearm over his eyes. He was uncomfortable with his situation and tried to clear the confusion in his mind.
Jesse came back with a damp washcloth and a towel. He handed them to Denny, bending down as he did and kissing him.
“Don’t go away,” Jesse teased.
“I don’t plan on it.”
Jesse left the room, Denny watching his cute fur-fringed ass as he exited. Denny thought of the words he had just spoken. Were they the truth? Did he plan on staying here with Jesse? Or was he already pulling away and it was only a matter of time before he actually left? He didn’t like these feelings. He decided he had to do some serious thinking and come to some resolution.
Jesse came back into the bedroom, hands behind his back. His half-hard cock swayed back and forth as he walked, his round, contracted nuts rolling from one thigh to the other. Denny smiled. He sure was a great looking guy.
Jesse kneeled down on the bed beside him. “Pick a hand,” he said smiling all the way up to his eyes.
Denny looked from one side to the other. Finally he picked the left hand. Jesse held it out. Empty. “Okay,” he said. He pointed to the other hand. Jesse brought it around and opened the palm. It was empty, too.
“All right, asshole,” Denny said, laughing, grabbing Jesse around the waist and wrestling him to the bed. He rolled over on top of Jesse and pinned his arms to the pillow. Then he grabbed the hand that held a small box. Jesse tried to switch it to the other hand, but the muscular Greek was too strong and too fast. He peeled Jesse’s fingers back and removed the box.
The two men sat cross-legged on the bed facing each other. Denny started to open the box. Jesse laid his hand on his, stopping him. Denny looked up questioningly.
“I wasn’t sure when I bought this for you for our anniversary. I wasn’t sure it was right…that it would be something you’d want.” Jesse paused and looked intently into Denny’s eyes.
Then he continued, “But after what happened tonight…when you asked me to…you know…come inside you, well, I thought maybe it was right.”
Jesse removed his hand and nodded that Denny should open the box. Denny opened the lid. Inside was a velvet-covered case. He looked up at his boyfriend. Jesse nodded again, gesturing with his hands to urge the process forward with an expression of a little kid that could hardly contain his excitement. Denny felt a shiver of apprehension. Then he lifted the lid.
Inside, side by side, were two gold bands. One was inscribed with a “J” and one with a “D.” On either side of the initials were small diamonds.
Denny stared at the rings. He felt panicky.
When he didn’t say anything, Jesse said tentatively, “Do you like them?”
Denny, realizing how much they meant to Jesse, pulled himself together and said, “They’re beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”
Jesse looked relieved. “Now, I want to explain. I don’t want you to think these are wedding rings. They are just…promise rings…or friendship rings…or… well, whatever.”
Denny hated to have Jesse’s joy dimmed, so he put his hand on Jesse’s, leaned forward and kissed him.
Jesse’s enthusiasm returned. “I thought we could wear them on our right hands and then sometime…whenever you felt you were…I mean, we were ready…we could switch them to the left.”
Denny was at a loss for words. Images of his life with Jesse passed before his eyes. They blended with images of his brief relationship with Carter. This sucks! What kind of jerk are you, Christopoulos?
Still undecided as to what he would do, he resolved not to rain on Jesse’s parade that night. He pulled Jesse into his arms and kissed him warmly. Then he lifted Jesse’s right hand and, taking the ring with the initial “D” out of the box, he placed it on his finger. Then he handed the box to Jesse, who repeated the action. He took Jesse into his arms again. They lay down together. After a time of tender kissing and embracing, Jesse drifted off to sleep. Just
before he joined him, Denny held up his hand and looked at the ring. It sparkled in the light from the bed stand.
Just when I had other plans, life happened.
CHAPTER 5
Nick opened his eyes. He rolled over and looked at the digital display on the alarm clock sitting on the bedside table—7:17. He turned onto his back and stared at the ceiling. Clyde—feeling him stir—rose, padded up to his face and began to wash it. Nick smiled and pushed him away.
“Thanks, buddy, but no thanks.” Nick patted the bed beside him; the hound lay down, pressing himself against Nick’s side. Nick absently stroked Clyde’s back with one hand and rubbed his own stomach with the other. He felt the crusted remains of the previous night’s j. o. session. With those sensations also came the memory of his verbal ejaculation: Jesse, I love you.
“Shit!” he said aloud. Clyde’s tail thumped the bed. I knew it was happening. I felt it from the first minute I saw him. What the fuck can I do about it? Nothing, that’s what.
Nick got out of bed, pulling up his loungers that were still around his knees, where he had pushed them the night before. He went into the bathroom and pissed.
“Damn,” he said as his stream came out to the side because of the dried cum clogging the slit. He got a towel, wetted it and cleaned up the mess, vowing he would do a proper cleaning when he unpacked the box with household junk in it. He rinsed the towel and deposited it on the floor to be taken care of later.
He then went back into the bedroom and tried to entice Clyde off the bed to go out for his morning constitutional. Clyde responded by rolling over on his back, his tail wagging furiously between his legs. Nick finally had to resort to picking him up bodily and placing him on the floor.
“Come on, you old hound,” he said with affection. He walked to his sliding patio door, opened it and walked out on the cold bricks. Clyde shuffled off to do his business. Nick looked in the direction of Jesse’s place, which was hidden from view by the privacy fences between the units.
Second Thoughts Page 5
