Talk to Me

by D K Sutton

  “Come on,” he said, pulling me up. “Let’s finish getting ready.”

  There wasn’t much left to do. I made queso dip and Chase scrubbed the countertops. I told him I’d already cleaned, but it seemed to help calm him down. He also made chocolate chip cookies. It was the perfect dessert to go with pizza and beer. Dylan and Sadie were picking up the pizza on their way over.

  “Is there anything else I can do?” Chase glanced around the room, but there was nothing to do but wait.

  “I can think of one thing you can do.”

  “Really? What is it?” He seemed so eager. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him close.

  “Help me calm down?” I kissed Chase’s neck, finding my favorite spot under his ear. His breath caught.

  “This is calming you down?”

  “Not all of me,” I said, pressing my erection against him.

  Chase laughed. “You’re such a tease, Maxwell. Don’t cock that thing, if you don’t plan on shooting it.”

  “I blame you for looking so damn hot.”

  “You say the sweetest things.”

  I wrapped my hands in the long blond strands of his hair, pulling to expose the long line of his neck. I licked the pulse there, and he gasped.

  “Max.” He moaned, rubbing against me.

  “Maybe I should call Dylan and cancel the whole thing.”

  “I want to make a good impression, Max.”

  “You are making a good impression.” I squeezed his ass. And he shuddered.

  Chase sighed and pushed me away. “I’ll get the fruit salad out of the fridge. It should be cold enough.”

  I kissed his cheek. “Fine. I’ll be good.”

  It was a good thing we put some distance between us because Dylan and Sadie arrived not long after, pizza in hand.

  “Yay,” I said. “The pizza’s here. I mean the guests are here.”

  Sadie smacked my arm and gave me a playful kiss on the cheek. “You mean your competition is here.”

  “I definitely mean that.”

  Chase shifted on his feet as he watched us and waited for me to make introductions. Of course, he knew Dylan, especially since Chase had been sitting with us quite a bit more at lunch, but this was his first time meeting Dylan’s girlfriend.

  “Chase, this is Sadie, Dylan’s best half…” I realized we should have talked about what labels we were using. Did I introduce him as my boyfriend? Friend didn’t seem right. “Sadie, this is Chase.” Since I didn’t know what to call him, I figured I might as well stake my claim with actions instead of words. I wrapped my arm around him.

  Chase didn’t seem to mind. He hugged me back, using his free hand to shake theirs. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Oh, it’s very nice meeting you.” Sadie winked at me.

  There was no way this evening was going to go well. No way at all.

  But I was wrong. Chase loved video games, so he fit right in. He was very good at Gears of War, so Sadie had tougher competition than she was used to. She still won, of course, but she had to put a little more effort into it.

  I sighed in relief as we finished the game and the pizza. I’d been worried Dylan and Sadie would tease me about the fact that Chase was the first guy I’d ever brought into the group. I didn’t want to remind Chase I didn’t usually do relationships, or at least I didn’t do them very well. And I definitely didn’t want to remind him I usually only did hookups. But my friends were being good for the most part. Toby was happy as could be since all his favorite people were in one room. I even noticed Dylan sneaking him pizza under the table earlier. Did he not know how that would end? I would be the one cleaning it up. Everyone seemed so happy I didn’t say a word.

  The night went very smooth until it was time for them to leave.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you, Chase.” Sadie gave him a hug. Yes, they had already gotten that close. Although I would have preferred she ask first, Chase didn’t seem to mind.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you, too.”

  Dylan shook Chase’s hand. “Glad we all could hang out,” Dylan said. “This is the first time Max has ever invited someone to join us.”

  I shook my head at Dylan. He needed to stop speaking immediately.

  “Really?” Chase turned to look at me, and I abruptly stopped and smiled.

  “Oh, yeah. He doesn’t usually have boyfriends. Just hookups.”

  Everyone stared at Dylan like he was an idiot. Which he was.

  “Is that so?” Chase looked at me again.

  Sadie slapped Dylan on the arm. “I think it’s time for us go before you screw up anything else.”

  After they left, I started cleaning up. I usually left it until morning, but I needed something to do other than see the disappointment on Chase’s face. I should have talked to Dylan ahead of time, but I’d been afraid of putting the idea in his head.

  “I think everyone had a good time,” I said as I threw away the plates and started washing the glasses. There weren’t many. I wished there was more, so I’d have more to do. I started wiping the counter when Chase’s hand covered mine.

  “We should talk about this.”

  “About what?”

  “About whatever is bothering you, Max.”

  I turned to face him. I didn’t see the disappointment or anger I expected, only concern.

  “Remember this is my way of dealing with stress.” He took the cloth from my hand and finished cleaning the counter. We both washed our hands, and Chase guided me to the couch. “Talk to me.”

  “I haven’t been in many relationships,” I said. “The ones I have been in were mostly about sex. I just don’t want you to think that I’m that guy. That I’m only interested in one thing.”

  Chase laughed. “Seriously?”

  “I pour my heart out to you, and you laugh?”

  “I’m sorry for laughing, Max, I really am. But I have been trying to have sex with you for the last week, so no, I don’t think that’s the only thing you’re after, or we probably would have done it by now.”

  I laughed. “Good point.”

  “I can see you’re really trying, and it makes me feel special. I get that you have a past. I have one, too. Although I suspect it’s not as active as yours.” He sighed. “But maybe just as embarrassing.”

  “What do you mean?” I took his hand, trying to reassure him.

  “I was in a serious relationship with a guy. We were together two years.”

  “This is the guy you wished had cheated on you?”

  “No, I mean yes, but no. What happened was humiliating.”

  “Tell me.” I squeezed his hand.

  “He never took my anxiety seriously. He thought I should have been able to control it.”

  “Jerk,” I muttered. His hair hid some of his face, but I could see a small smile on his lips at my comment.

  “We went to the movies, and he bought the tickets online. I think that’s the part that bothered me the most. He picked the seats, and they were right in the middle of the row. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t.” He shook his head again.

  I knew it was hard for him to admit. I lifted his chin, so he had to look at me. Tears shone in his eyes.

  “It’s stupid, I know.”

  “It’s not,” I said. “You’re not comfortable sitting next to someone you don’t know. In a dark theater.” Something your boyfriend should know. But I didn’t add that part. “What happened?”

  He ducked his head again. “I think if he’d just acknowledged how hard it was for me, maybe I could’ve done it. Just sat there and tried to enjoy the movie. Lord knows I’ve done it before. He was angry. He told me I always ruined everything.”

  I pulled him closer, my grip tightening on his hand. I was furious. How could someone treat him like that? Someone who supposedly loved him.

  “He was yelling at me and everyone stared. I left the theater and him.”

  “He’s an asshole.”

  Chase looked up at me, his eyes
wide. “You don’t think I overreacted?”

  I cupped his face with my hands. “Listen to me, Chase. This was not your fault. You guys were dating for two years, right?”

  He nodded.

  “He must’ve known how uncomfortable this would be for you. How hard this would be for you. And not only did he pick seats that he knew you wouldn’t like, he didn’t even care. And maybe those were the only seats left and maybe that was the only choice he had, but not telling you ahead of time? Not preparing you or giving you a choice? Dick move. Then he embarrassed you in public. The guy is an asshole. I’m so sorry he did that to you.”

  Without warning, Chase was in my lap, hugging me tightly. “I can’t believe you understand.”

  “You should never accept anything less. Nothing is wrong with you, Chase,” I said, hoping he was hearing me and believing it. “We all have our little quirks, our things. When you care about somebody, when you love somebody, you love all of them.”

  Chase kissed me, ending my rant. “I want you so much, Max.” He stood up and reached out for my hand. “Please, take me to bed.”

  CHAPTER 14

  CHASE

  MY STOMACH TWISTED AS I WAITED for Max to respond. I wasn’t exactly sure what he was worried about, but I needed him to trust me. Long seconds ticked away as I waited for his answer. He stood, towering over me, and picked me up. I squeaked in surprise.

  “Let’s go,” he said, carrying me to his bedroom. “Toby, you stay here.” Of course, that didn’t work. He shut the bedroom door with his foot and deposited me on the bed. I couldn’t help laughing. Toby barked for a few moments in protest but quickly gave up.

  “Are you sure?” Max said. “We could binge watch The Office again.”

  “Tempting. But I’d rather binge on you.”

  Max stripped off his shirt before stretching his body over mine and kissing me sweetly. I wasn’t sure how slow he planned on going, but I was having none of it. I didn’t usually take charge but with Max, it looked like I’d have to.

  I turned us over so I was on top. Watching his eyes, I slowly unbuttoned my shirt. If he wanted slow, I could give it to him. His eyes darkened as I slid my shirt off. His hands held on to my waist, and the strength in his long fingers made me hard. I unbuckled my belt and pulled it off. He licked his lips as I undid the button of my pants and slid the zipper down. His thumb slipped inside my pants, rubbing my cock through my underwear. I moaned. I wanted to be naked now, but I didn’t want to pull away from his touch.

  “You’re so hard for me already, babe,” he said, awe in his voice. He pulled my underwear down enough for my cock to spring free. His hand tightened around my erection and I almost lost it.

  “Wait,” I said, trying to still his hand. “Too soon.” It had been a while for me, not counting those endless jerk-off sessions I’d had thinking about Max.

  He moved his hands, stretching them behind him to grab the bars of his headboard. “You’re the boss. Tell me what to do.”

  Fuck. He looked gorgeous like that, his muscles bulging and the dark patches of hair under his arms. I had to shut my eyes for a minute to get control of my body. I quickly undressed the rest of the way. Max watched me, his eyes going darker still. He had definite bulge in his pants. I rushed to pull them off along with his underwear. Max was sexy with clothes but stunning without. His body was all hard muscles with a spattering of dark hair. I suddenly felt unsure. We hadn’t talked about anything. What if…

  “Don’t overthink it, Chase. Do whatever you want to do.”

  I straddled him, leaning in to kiss him. “Do you have a preference?” I asked.

  “If you’re not sure, we don’t have to do everything.”

  “I know what I want.”

  “Fuck, that’s sexy. I’m yours, babe.”

  I kissed down his chest, licking his nipples. I could taste sweat and his salty skin. I kissed down his abs, giving special attention to the trail of dark hair that led to his cock. It was standing and ready for me. I licked the slit and sucked the tip into my mouth. Max moaned, his hips thrusting upward. I tried to hold them down as I took his cock into my mouth. I didn’t stay there long, I had plans and I didn’t want him to come yet. I kissed my way down, my hair twisting around his cock.

  “Fuck,” Max groaned.

  Remembering his fascination with my hair, I wrapped the strands around his erection and stroked him. “Is this what you want?”

  “Oh, God, Chase,” he said. “I won’t last...”

  I didn’t want him to come just yet. I tucked that information away for later and continued my journey. I nipped at the inside of his thigh and then worked my way down to his hole, licking and teasing him.

  “Please,” he whined, as he pushed back against my tongue.

  “Supplies?” I wanted to be inside him, now. I hoped he was okay with that plan.

  His eyes were shut tight, making me wonder just how close he’d been. He pointed to the nightstand before gripping the headboard again.

  I grabbed the lube and condoms. His eyes were open now, watching me. I poured lube on my fingers. “You okay with this?” I wanted to be sure.

  “God, yes,” he said.

  That was all the encouragement I needed. I pressed a finger against his hole, and it slid in easily. He bore down on my finger as I added another one, scissoring him open. “You feel so tight and amazing. I can’t wait to be inside you.”

  His responded with a needy whimper. I put the condom on and lubed up, replacing my fingers with the tip of my cock. There was only a slight resistance before I was able to push in. He was so tight, I had to close my eyes to keep from coming right there. The sight of his body taking my cock like it was made for it was too intense. Too real.

  “Move, babe,” he said. “Please.”

  I pulled out and pushed in again. We soon found a rhythm, and I knew I wouldn’t last. It had been too long and the stimuli were overwhelming. The tightness of his ass, the visual of Max taking it all, the smell of his sweat. I couldn’t last. I came with a shout. The world exploding around me.

  Max was almost there. I wrapped my hair around his erection and stroked him with it. His whole body tightened and he came.

  I climbed up his spent body to kiss him.

  “Your hair.” He frowned. “I messed it up.”

  I laughed at that. “It’ll wash.”

  We took a shower, exploring each other’s bodies, which ended in another round. Afterward, I snuggled up to Max. I wasn’t sure if he wanted me to stay the night or not, but the hand around my stomach holding me in place, gave me my answer.

  The next day we lounged around Max’s apartment, playing with Toby, sharing stories, and having lots of sex. It was amazing. He was so attentive to my needs, and he never belittled me. I felt cherished. I could definitely get used to this.

  Max suggested I stay the weekend, so we made a trip to my apartment to get my stuff. It felt momentous, like he just didn’t want to let me go. I worried we were moving too quickly, but then Max would kiss my neck and the fear would go away, at least temporarily.

  The excitement and fear coursed through me in equal measures. I actually had nightmares that Max screamed at me in public. It was irrational. The anger on Max’s face when I told him about Cameron was enough to reassure me. And yet the fear of losing control of the situation, never seemed to go away.

  But neither did the excitement. I always enjoyed this part of a new relationship. It was as if was Christmas every day. Everything was exciting. Everything seemed possible. And although the fear was there lingering in the background, reminding me not to get too excited, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. For the longest time, my worry was that Max didn’t really care for me. That this was some cruel joke to get back at me. After all, Max could have anyone he wanted, male or female. People loved him. Why would he want me? We were complete opposites. Max loved being around people. He loved the excitement of the limelight. He charmed everyone he met.

  I avoided
people any chance I could. I certainly didn’t like attention drawn to myself. I didn’t want to stand out. It seemed almost incomprehensible we were together, and yet we were. One of the reasons I had been hesitant was because Max seemed resistant to us having sex, which didn’t make any sense because if I knew one thing about Max, it was that he liked sex. After our weekend together, all those fears washed away. Max was a very attentive lover, and yet I had to stop those thoughts as I arrived at the elevator. I tried not to think of all the people stuffed into the elevator with me. It did take care of the little problem I had a few minutes ago.

  As I walked in, I noticed Max coming from the lounge, a cup of coffee in his hand. That was the first thing I did in the morning. Got my coffee. As we passed each other, Max whispered, “Hey, beautiful.” I didn’t say anything, but I couldn’t help the smile on my face as our fingers touched briefly. I could get used to starting every single day like this.

  I poured myself a cup of coffee. Max had returned my Yoda mug, and I made my way to my cubicle to start the day. The first call came in almost as soon as I sat down. It wasn’t long before I was fixing Internet problems, equipment problems, and payment problems.

  I didn’t see Max again until lunch. Thankfully, he was the only one at the table when I sat down. I wanted to kiss him, but that was impossible with everyone there. We talked about work and how our days were going, but I couldn’t stop thinking about our weekend together.

  “Last night was amazing,” I said, my face turning red.

  “The whole weekend was.” Max leaned in closer so no one could hear them. “I was worried you might regret it,” he said. His eyes cast downward as if he was afraid of what I might say next.

  “Never.” I squeezed his hand gently before letting go again. Max looked up and our eyes met. “Never,” I repeated.

  “I’m having a hard time keeping my hands to myself.” He brushed his hand down my arm.

  His low voice stirred my cock. “You can’t talk like that, Max. Or touch me like that.” I should have stepped away, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. “Not when we can’t do anything about it.”

  “There’s always the storage room.”