The Harder They Fall

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  Mark drank half of it quickly. He sat down on the couch and watched Paul take off his jacket.

  “Hey there, junior, slow down. You’re going to get drunk fast if you keep drinking like that.” Paul watched as Mark drank the rest of his beer.

  “Can I have another one?” Mark smiled.

  “Shit.” Paul grabbed another beer and handed it to Mark. “Slow down there, speed drinker.”

  “Greg says you only fuck college boys. Is that true?” Mark blushed.

  “Are you asking out of curiosity, or because you want to know if I’ll fuck you?” Paul sat on the couch next to Mark. He put his hand on his upper thigh.

  Mark felt himself harden immediately. He tried to hide the bulge in his pants but Paul had seen it.

  “Um, just curious.”

  “Do I turn you on, Mark?” Paul slid his hand up further. “Do you want to feel me in your ass?”

  “I’ve never, um, you know…” Mark blushed again. Paul’s hand was sliding up further, it now rested on Mark’s bulge.

  “Mmm, feels like you’re packing quite a package there, Mark.” Paul squeezed.

  “Fuck,” Mark breathed. He knew this was dangerous territory. He had just broken up with Tanner, but it didn’t mean he didn’t still care about him. But Paul was looking at him with hungry eyes right now and Mark didn’t have any experience in the sex department. He knew this was going to go further, he just wasn’t sure he was ready for it to. “Wow, I should go.”

  Mark got up and grabbed his jacket. He made it to the front door only to have Paul’s hand flatten on the wood, holding it shut. He turned and found Paul right in his face. Paul’s other hand came out, essentially sandwiching Mark between him and the door.

  “I’ll let you leave, Mark, if you can tell me you don’t want to kiss me right now.” Paul looked in his eyes. It was there; he knew Mark wanted him.

  “I…I just broke up with Tanner,” Mark stammered.

  “That’s not an answer.” Paul moved in closer and ran his tongue over Mark’s bottom lip. “You want me, don’t you, Mark? It’s okay, I want you, too.” Paul ran his hand beneath Mark’s shirt. “Tell me, Mark, tell me you want me.”

  “I want you,” Mark whispered.

  Paul closed the short distance. His tongue entered Mark’s mouth and slowly swept over and under Mark’s own. His hands slid up his chest, squeezing his nipples. Mark grabbed Paul’s shirt and pulled it off.

  “Someone is sexually repressed.” Paul kissed him again. Mark trembled under his hands. “Relax, Mark, I’m not going to do anything you won’t let me do.”

  “You don’t do guys like me. I’m only seventeen,” Mark stated weakly.

  “Mark.” Paul took his face between his hands. “I won’t do anything you won’t let me do, understand?”

  “Okay.” Mark tried to relax. Paul’s lips were on his again and this time the kiss was much slower and more sensual, as if Paul was trying to reassure him.

  “Do you want to go to my room?” Paul’s lips were right on his and Mark tensed up. “Remember what I said, Mark.”

  “Okay.” Mark let Paul lead him to his room. He sat on the bed, waiting.

  Paul removed his pants to his boxers and then kneeled in front of Mark. “What do you want, Mark?”

  “I…I want you to kiss me again, and touch me.”

  Paul leaned in and kissed Mark softly. He ran his hand up to Mark’s hardened cock, unbuttoned his pants, and pushed him down gently on the bed. Paul settled in between Mark’s legs, keeping their mouths fused together. He slid his hand into Mark’s pants, where his hand wrapped around a very large erection.

  “Oh fuck,” Mark moaned in his mouth. It turned Paul on even more. He slowly stroked Mark’s cock, loving the small noises and grunts escaping into his mouth. He tightened his grip on the shaft and moved his hand faster. His tongue licked and nibbled Mark’s and his cock swelled in his hand. Paul knew Mark was getting ready to blow. He shifted and took Mark’s cock in his mouth. Salt blasted his tongue and he swallowed greedily as Mark shuddered beneath him.

  “You taste fucking great, Mark.” Paul pulled himself back up and kissed Mark slowly, letting him suck on his tongue.

  “You want more, don’t you?” Mark rasped.

  “I’m not going to lie, I would love to bury my cock in what I am sure is the tightest ass on the planet right now. I know you’re not ready, though.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Look, you just broke up with Tanner. This would be like revenge sex, and I’m not into that. Especially with a virgin.” He cupped Mark’s face. “I would love to have you, Mark. I really would. That’s not something I say lightly, but whatever is going on with you and Tanner, you need to fix.”

  Mark’s phone buzzed and he eyed Paul.

  “Answer it.”

  “Hey, Damon, what’s up?” He listened to Damon talk as he watched Paul’s face. “I’m fine; yeah I left with Paul. No, I have a ride. I followed him. Yeah, I’ll see you later.”

  “Maybe you should go.” Paul got up and Mark grabbed his hand.

  “Can I stay?”

  Paul ran his hand through his hair. Jesus, this kid was hitting him hard. A fucking junior even. Paul made it a point never to get involved with younger guys. It always turned out badly. But Mark — Mark did something to him. He had found himself being nice to the kid for Christ’s sake. His motto was love them and leave them.

  So why didn’t he just refuse Mark?

  “I don’t know, Mark.”

  “Please? I’ll sleep on the couch.” Mark didn’t feel so hot. The beers were hitting him.

  Paul eyed Mark closely; it was obvious the beer had hit him hard. He wasn’t in any condition to drive. “Okay, just get in the bed and stay on your side.”

  Paul watched as Mark undressed. He took off his shirt and pants and even with the bare light coming from the window, Paul could see Mark’s body. Damn, he was beautiful. Paul got in bed and stayed as far away from Mark as he could. He didn’t think he’d be able to stop himself if Mark touched him, and he was not going to take Mark’s virginity. He could be an ass but that was going too far, especially when Mark was drunk.

  “Paul?”

  “Mmm hmm?”

  “Do you find me attractive?”

  Paul sighed. “Yes, I do.”

  “Then why didn’t you just fuck me?”

  Paul rolled over to face Mark. “Like I said, you just broke up with someone, you’re a virgin, and let’s not forget you’re a little fucked up right now on alcohol.”

  “So if all that wasn’t there, you would?” Mark smiled.

  “I don’t deal with hypotheticals, Mark. I deal with facts.” Paul looked at Mark’s face; the eyes that looked back were mesmerizing. Ugh! Stop it!

  Mark slid closer to Paul. He put his hand out and palmed Paul’s face. He watched as Paul’s eyes closed. “You are so — wow. There are no words to describe the way you look.” Mark’s finger trailed Paul’s lips. “You really are a nice guy, aren’t you?”

  “Don’t put me up on a pedestal, Mark. I’m not always a nice guy. I would fuck you in a heartbeat, and then kick you out.”

  Mark smiled as he leaned in and kissed Paul’s lips lightly. “Yeah, but you didn’t.” Mark slid closer and snuggled into Paul.

  Paul sighed. Oh, for fuck’s sake. Now Mark wanted to cuddle. Paul didn’t do cuddling. Ever. Mark burrowed into his chest.

  Fuck. What did I just get myself into?

  Chapter 5

  Damon took Tyler home and sat on the hood of his car. He had just hung up the phone with Mark.

  “Shit, do you think he’s going to be okay? Greg said Paul chews them up and spits them out.” Damon looked worried.

  Tyler palmed his face and brushed hair out of his eyes. “Hey, I’m sure he’s fine. You talked to him— he sounded okay, right?”

  “Yeah, he sounded fine.” Damon pulled Tyler in between his legs. “So, you’re coming to Heath’s birthday party, right
?”

  “Of course I am. It’s at Skyline, right?” Tyler kissed him slowly.

  Damon pulled Tyler in closer, his lips brushing Tyler’s lightly. “Mmm hmm. You taste good.”

  “So, how about you come to my house Friday night?” Tyler smiled.

  “I can arrange that.” Damon ran his hands into Tyler’s hair and kissed him again.

  Tyler pulled back reluctantly. “Hey, you better get home.”

  Damon looked at his watch. “Yeah.” He watched as Tyler started to walk toward the house. “Tyler?”

  Tyler turned. “Yeah?”

  “Tell me we won’t have any secrets.”

  Tyler walked back to Damon, hugged him tight and looked into his eyes. “I promise. I’ve told you everything.”

  “Okay. I just — I don’t ever want us to break up. I’m in love with you.”

  “I’m in love with you too, Damon.” Tyler kissed him softly.

  “Get in the house.” Damon smacked his ass.

  “See you tomorrow.” Tyler winked at him.

  Damon hopped in his car and thought about Mark and Tanner on the drive home. They seemed so close, and now Mark finds out that Tanner has a history with Heather. That he had slept with her. He could easily understand Mark’s point of view. Nearly everyone has to face a significant other’s ex — but you don’t expect to find out that your significant other is equally attracted to both sexes. Plus, Mark has to go to school with Heather every day, and every day he has to see her and know that she had a part of Tanner that Mark hasn’t.

  Damon pulled into the driveway and entered the house. His dad was going over company papers at the breakfast bar.

  “Hey, Dad, need help?” Damon sat down and looked at the shipping invoices.

  Stefan smiled. “I think you should be hitting the sheets, Damon.”

  Damon picked up the papers anyway, grabbed a pen and started underlining certain dates.

  “Dad, didn’t you say Uncle Morgan had slept with a girl?”

  Stefan looked up, startled. “Did something happen with you and Tyler?”

  “No, oh God, no! It’s Mark and Tanner. Apparently, Tanner dated Heather a few years ago and they slept together. I guess he’s bi.”

  “Oh. Mark didn’t know?”

  “Nope, it happened his freshman year. Mark took it hard. Lots of other people knew, though.”

  “Well, it can still be considered a lie — a lie of omission, but still a lie.”

  “I know, and right now Mark’s off at some older guy’s house.”

  “What?” Stefan gasped. “Did you talk to him?”

  “Yeah, I did; he seemed fine. I would know if he was in trouble, we have code words.” Damon smiled.

  “Okay. Jesus, you kids.” Stefan looked relieved. “Okay, off to bed with you. Big party tomorrow.” Stefan kissed Damon on the forehead.

  “Night, Dad. Oh, and here, by the way.” He handed Stefan a stack of invoices. “These are done.”

  Damon left and Stefan looked down at the papers in his hand. “Well, look at this shit.” He smiled.

  ~*~

  Friday morning, Mark woke up with strong arms around him. It took him a minute to realize where he was and what had happened. He was still in boxers, and Paul’s alarm was going off. He missed the warmth when Paul’s arm left him to hit the snooze button.

  “Good morning.” Paul looked down at Mark — his hair was mussed, but God he still looked adorable. Oh, shit. Stop it, Paul; get yourself together.

  “Hi.” Paul’s arms encased him again and Mark all but sighed at the contact. It felt so good. His mind snapped back to Tanner and the fight last night.

  “I see last night’s events are returning. You better get home and change for school.” Paul sat up and stretched.

  “I don’t…” Mark looked at Paul’s naked chest. Holy shit. “Regret anything, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

  “Well, there isn’t much to regret. I kissed you and jacked you off.”

  “Is that all it was?” Mark asked.

  Paul ran his hand through his hair. He was not going to get involved with Mark; he couldn’t.

  “Look, we had fun. Let’s just leave it at that, okay?”

  Paul turned to see hurt in Mark’s eyes. Dammit, this is why he didn’t get involved with younger guys.

  “Okay. Yeah, sure. I get it.” Mark hurried into his clothes. “I’m just some dumb kid.” Mark grabbed his keys and headed for the door.

  Paul was right behind him. “Fuck, Mark, look —”

  “No really, I get it, Paul. You don’t have to explain.” Mark walked out and slammed the door behind him.

  “Oh, fuck.” Paul sat down on the couch and dropped his head against the back cushion. “What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I letting some high school junior get to me? This is why I only fuck older guys. No problems. So why am I thinking about Mark?” Paul looked around. “And why am I talking out loud?”

  Truth be told, he had loved waking up with Mark in his arms. Had loved the feeling of having a warm body next to him. And when Mark had kissed him…

  Paul quickly got off the couch, got into the shower, and let the warm water hit him. He only had about a half hour until he would be late for school. He dressed in a hurry and spotted Mark’s cell on the floor. He picked it up and put it in his pocket. Now he was going to have to see Mark again. Shit.

  ~*~

  Mark made it to school with ten minutes to spare. He parked next to Damon’s car, where Damon and Tyler were talking.

  “Well! Good morning, sunshine. And how was your night?” Damon smiled.

  “SO don’t want to talk about it.” Mark walked by them.

  “You okay, Mark?” Tyler asked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Mark headed into the hall and went to his locker. He ran right into Heather. “Oh fuck, this day is getting so much worse.”

  “Hello to you, too. I suppose you know how hurt Tanner was last night.” Heather had her hands on her hips.

  Mark eyed her. “Really? And how would you know this, Heather?”

  “I saw him.”

  “Where did you see him?” Mark backed her into the wall.

  “Back off, Mark.” Heather tried to push him back.

  “Where, Heather? Where did you see him?”

  “She saw me at her house, Mark.” Tanner stood in the hallway.

  “You. Went. To. Her. House?” Mark asked slowly.

  “Yeah.” Tanner shrugged. “I was upset that you broke things off with me.”

  “So, of all people, you went to Heather’s? Tell me, Tanner, what happened?” Mark narrowed his eyes.

  Tanner looked at the floor. Mark looked at Heather. She was looking anywhere but at Mark.

  “Oh my God — you slept together!” Mark gasped.

  “Look it was an accident. I didn’t mean to — things just got out of hand. I was upset and she comforted me,” Tanner babbled.

  “It was an accident? So you tripped and your dick fell in her?” Mark snapped.

  “You broke up with me, Mark. I felt alone.”

  “Did you even try to call me, Tanner?”

  Tanner looked at the floor again.

  “Well at least it wasn’t cheating. I mean, I broke up with you. So I guess that makes this okay.” Mark grabbed his books. “Have fun, you two.”

  Mark felt sick. He couldn’t concentrate all day and by the end of it, he was even more pissed off. He got to his car and reached for his phone — only it wasn’t there.

  “Oh, shit.” Mark thought back to last night. It must have fallen out of his pants at Paul’s. He sighed in irritation and noticed Damon and Tyler heading his way.

  “Hey, Mark.” Tyler reached him first. “Are you okay?”

  “Great, I see the gossip has spread,” Mark griped.

  “I’m so sorry, Mark. Hey, are you coming to Heath’s party tonight? It might make you feel a little better.” Damon smiled sweetly; he felt bad for Mark.

  “You know I
wouldn’t miss Heath’s party. You guys are like family to me.” Mark smiled.

  “Well, I’ll see you at Skyline then. Gotta get home and change.” Damon winked.

  As Damon and Tyler left, Mark noticed Heather and Tanner come out of the school deep in discussion. He got in his car and left as fast as possible. After everything, after he had waited to have sex with his special someone — he had been replaced by a girl. Great.

  Mark called his cell phone when he got home.

  Paul answered.

  “I see you have my phone.” Mark tapped his fingers on the table in irritation.

  “Well, it’s not like I stole it. I found it on the floor.”

  “I didn’t say you did. When can I get it back?”

  “Well that depends. I’m a busy man,” Paul laughed quietly.

  “Look, I have to be at Skyline tonight for a party. Can you meet me there?”

  “Why don’t you just come over after?”

  Mark blew out an exasperated breath. “Fine. I’ll see you later.”

  ~*~

  Skyline was packed when Mark got there. He spotted Heather and Jess in the corner deep in discussion and realized they were just hanging out. They weren’t a part of the party. He gagged in his brain and headed to the back dining room to Heath’s party. He hugged the guest of honor and handed him his gift.

  “Hey, happy birthday, Heath!”

  “Thanks! It’s good to see you, Mark. How have you been?”

  Mark could tell Damon had already told his older brother about the Tanner fiasco. “I’m good.”

  Tyler spotted Mark and headed his way, dragging Damon behind him.

  “Mark, so glad you came.” Tyler hugged him.

  Mark hugged him back, and then hugged Damon. “So what’s going on? Everybody here?”

  Damon smiled. “Yeah, we’re just hanging out. Watching Heath get old.”

  “Idiot,” Tyler laughed affectionately. “I’m going to get us another soda. I’ll be back.” He squeezed Damon’s hand.

  Tyler fought through a sea of people to the bar. He ordered two sodas and then looked over at Heather and Jess. They were talking and laughing and rage boiled up in Tyler. How could they be so blasé about what they’d done to Damon? And now to find out Heather had slept with Tanner? Okay, he wasn’t with Mark then but it was the idea that Tanner had hidden it from Mark. If you’re going to swing both ways, own it.