The Harder They Fall

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  “Yeah. I miss you that much.” Mark sloshed back to shore.

  Damon and Tyler watched, mouths hanging open, as Tanner moaned in pain. Neither of them moved.

  Tanner looked up and smiled.

  “Wow. I guess this is going to take a lot more work, huh?” he gasped.

  “Tanner, I really want to stay friends with you, but leave Mark alone. Don’t make me choose between you and him. You’ll lose.” Damon grabbed Tyler’s hand and they left Tanner alone in the pond.

  “Well, shit.” Tanner sighed.

  ~*~

  Mark’s birthday arrived and Damon and Mark had worked it out with their counselor so Mark could leave for the night. Paul laughed and shook his head when he got to the camp — it hadn’t changed since he had been there. He was waiting for Mark when he noticed Tanner hanging around.

  “Paul, how nice to see you.” Tanner grinned.

  “It’s a shame I can’t say the same. Oh wait…no it’s not.” Paul looked around for Mark.

  “Oh, Mark’s in the shower. I just left him.” Tanner smiled wickedly.

  “Am I supposed to believe that you and Mark were getting it on in the shower, Tanner? What are you, nine years old?” Paul raised an eyebrow.

  Tanner shrugged. “Believe what you want.”

  Paul grabbed his arm and pulled him close to his face.

  “Listen here, you little shit. You hurt Mark once, and I won’t let you do it again.” The threat was clear. “Don’t think being Jason’s younger brother is going to protect you forever. Your brother would probably agree with me right now.”

  “Jesus, Paul, relax. I was just kidding.” Tanner snatched his arm back.

  “If and when Mark ever decides he wants you, I’ll step back. But until then, leave him the hell alone.”

  “Yeah, Mark won’t be wanting Tanner any time soon.” Mark walked up on the conversation.

  “Hey, Mark! Happy birthday!” Paul spun him around as he hugged him.

  “You came!” Mark grinned.

  “I did. I have plans for us.” Paul cupped his face.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. Ready to go?” Paul held out his hand.

  “Am I coming back tonight?” Mark took Paul’s hand and squeezed.

  “Well that’s up to you. I got a hotel room in town.”

  “Let me go get my stuff; I’ll be right back!” Mark ran back to his cabin.

  Paul turned his attention back to Tanner whose eyes were following Mark.

  “Aren’t you with Heather?” Paul eyed him.

  “Yeah.”

  “Can’t make up your mind whether you like boys or girls?” Paul raised an eyebrow.

  “I still care about Mark, Paul.”

  “No you don’t, Tanner. You care because he found someone else and he’s not pining over you. That’s competing, not caring.”

  “Whatever.” Tanner turned and began walking.

  “Oh — and Tanner, don’t forget what I said. I won’t play nice,” Paul called after him.

  “Who are you not playing nice with?”

  Paul turned and found Mark, eyebrow raised.

  “Just a little forewarning for Tanner,” he explained.

  “Oh, well I think when I kneed him in the nuts I gave him plenty of warning.”

  “You kneed him in the nuts?” Paul doubled over laughing.

  “Yep. Come on, let’s get out of here!”

  Paul treated Mark to dinner at a nice restaurant. He had the wait staff sing “Happy Birthday,” which promptly brought a blush to Mark’s cheeks. After dinner, they headed to the hotel.

  “Nice room.”

  “Well, it’s a small town so they didn’t have a five star hotel. I would have gone there with you instead.”

  Paul smiled as he pulled Mark into his chest and palmed his face. He leaned in and brushed their lips together. Mark moaned softly and Paul slid a hand to his crotch.

  “I think your friend is excited,” Paul breathed.

  “We missed you.” Mark trailed his lips over Paul’s and to his jawline. He grinned when Paul rocked into him. “Feels like you missed us, too.”

  Mark moved Paul to the bed. He laid him down gently and got on top of him, their lips never breaking contact. Mark made quick work of Paul’s pants and pulled them down. He ran his hands up Paul’s inner thigh and his hand slipped around the hard cock. He leaned in and kissed Paul. Seconds later, Paul was removing his shirt. They both made quick work of the rest of their clothing and were lying naked, touching each other as though it were all new.

  “I missed you, Mark.” Paul palmed his face. “I missed having you next to me in bed.”

  “You’re not used to that are you?”

  “What?” Paul kissed him.

  “Needing somebody.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m used to being alone and never dealing with anyone but me.”

  “Are you sorry we met?”

  “No, I’ll never be sorry about that. You made me more human. I have feelings. It’s scary, because I’ve kept that buried for so long. But I’ll never regret meeting you, Mark.”

  “I won’t hurt you,” Mark whispered.

  “I believe you. I have a present for you.”

  “You do?”

  “Yep.” Paul got up and rummaged through his bag. He took out a small box and handed it to Mark, before grabbing a bag by the bed.

  Mark opened the box. It was a watch — an expensive one at that. “Paul, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

  “I know; I wanted to. It’s inscribed.”

  Mark turned the watch over to read the inscription.

  For the time we spend together is precious

  “Oh my God, Paul — I love it!”

  “My mom always said that. It means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me.”

  A few tears slipped through before Mark regained his composure. “You mean a lot to me, too.”

  “What’s in the bag?”

  Paul smiled. “Another gift for you.”

  Mark peeked inside. His head snapped up and his eyes met Paul’s. “You want to?”

  “I want you, Mark.”

  “You’re letting me? I have no idea what I’m doing, Paul.” Mark shifted his gaze.

  “Well there’s no time like tonight.” Paul gently raised Mark’s face to his. “You don’t want to?”

  “Are you serious? Of course I do! But, I mean…I don’t know what to do, Paul. What if I screw up?”

  “You won’t, I’ll help,” Paul assured him.

  “This is so embarrassing.”

  “Stop it, Mark. It’s just you and me, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Mark pushed Paul back onto the bed. He settled himself between his legs and kissed him. Paul’s hands went directly to his ass, squeezing his cheeks. Mark sucked in a breath and began rotating his hips slowly. He deepened the kiss, rubbing their tongues together sensually. Paul groaned softly, lifting his hips to meet Mark’s. Mark opened a bottle of lube, rubbed it on his fingers, inserted two into Paul’s ass and twisted.

  Paul’s loud moan encouraged Mark to wiggle those fingers before adding another. Paul clamped down as Mark pushed them deeper, moving them in several directions to discover what made Paul happy. He looked into Paul’s eyes, and when Paul nodded, Mark slowly removed his fingers and nervously pulled a condom out of its package with shaking hands.

  Paul’s hand gently moved his. Mark allowed Paul to roll the condom on for him and he licked his lips apprehensively as he lined himself up.

  “Is this okay?”

  “Go slow.”

  Mark inched himself in. Oh, God. He already wanted to come. Paul was tight and Mark had certainly never felt anything as incredible as this. He pushed little by little, vigilantly watching Paul’s face.

  When he was balls deep inside, he was terrified to move.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Mark blushed. “I think I might come if I move.”

  Paul laughed li
ghtly. “We have all night, babe.” He grabbed his dick and began stroking slowly.

  “Are you trying to make me come even faster?”

  “Pull out some.”

  Mark pulled out and then slid back in. Fuck, but it felt great! His legs were shaking, and the effort to hold off his orgasm was taking its toll. He pulled out and slid back in again, then stepped it up a notch. He drew nearly all the way out then shoved back in faster, bottoming out.

  Paul’s face was one Mark would never forget.

  Mouth slightly open, fingers gripping and releasing the sheets, Paul’s loud groans reverberated around the room as Mark began to slam into him in earnest. All too soon, that familiar tingle began to spread up his spine and his abdomen clenched as his orgasm demanded release. Paul shouted out and ropes of cum covered his chest. Mark lost it. His whole body convulsed as he emptied hot and hard into Paul. He collapsed on Paul’s chest, trying to catch his breath.

  “Holy shit.”

  “Happy birthday.” Paul grinned, moving Mark’s sweat-soaked hair from his brow.

  “That was some present. Was I, um, any good?”

  “You were fantastic, Mark! You made me come didn’t you?” Paul smiled; Mark was so damned innocent.

  “I think you kinda helped with that, Paul.” Mark rolled his eyes.

  “Well, having you inside me did most of it. I loved feeling you inside me; I can’t describe it.”

  “Oh, my God, I loved it too.” Mark kissed him.

  Paul pulled him over and cleaned him up, then cleaned himself. He pulled Mark into him and sighed.

  “Well — how does it feel to have been with someone?”

  “It was so much better than I thought it would be. Thanks for being so patient with me, Paul.”

  “I wanted you to be comfortable.”

  “When do you think you’ll make love to me?” Mark blushed.

  “When you’re ready.”

  “What if I’m ready?”

  “Are you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Then you’re not, but that’s okay. I can wait.”

  “I’m just scared it will hurt. It does, doesn’t it?”

  “It does at first, but then after a while it starts to feel fantastic.”

  “I’m kind of glad my first time will be with someone who knows what he’s doing,” Mark laughed.

  “Really? I thought it would make you feel bad that I’ve done it before.”

  “No. I mean, do I wish I had been your first sexual partner? Maybe. But I’m happy at least one of us knows what the fuck they’re doing!”

  Paul laughed. “Mark, you’re so damn cute! It really bothers me that you think so little of yourself. I know why you feel that way. I’m telling you — you’re absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous. You have an ass I want to bite, and your eyes — Jesus!”

  “Really?” Mark ducked his head.

  Paul kissed him slowly as he ran his hands up Mark’s chest. “Yes, really. But you don’t just have good looks going for you. You’re also smart, funny, sweet — I could go on, but I’m afraid you’ll decide you can do better than me.”

  Mark snorted. “As if!”

  They spent the night talking. Mark asked Paul a million questions about his life and sex, which Paul answered. It was so adorable to watch Mark’s face when he asked questions he thought were embarrassing and then blushed when Paul answered him. Paul watched him when he brought up past boyfriends and it hurt him to know that Mark had been hurt twice already.

  Paul hadn’t known about Mark and Damon, but Mark assured him they were just friends now and that he was completely to blame for the split. He hadn’t trusted Damon.

  Tanner was a different story. Mark had trusted him and been blindsided by his previous relationship with Heather. The fact that it seemed everyone but him knew about it, knew Tanner was bi, is what had hurt Mark the most.

  Mark listened as Paul talked about his parents. They had been loving and caring. When he came out to them, they had accepted him right away, unconditionally. His mother had said that no matter what, she would always love him. They were driving home from a function when they were hit by a semi. Both died instantly. Paul had been at a football game.

  After the police told him his parents were dead, Paul never went back to football. He just couldn’t. He moved in with his aunt who despised him and his lifestyle. When he had gotten the phone call from his lawyer telling him that his aunt had embezzled millions from his account, he went to court and emancipated himself. He invested the still-considerable amount of money left from his parents’ estate, and rented his own place.

  “That’s the whole story.” Paul smiled.

  “I’m so sorry, Paul. How awful for you to lose your parents when you were so young.”

  “It was really hard. I kept myself busy though; I studied and kept to myself. I swore I would keep my grades up. My mom always took me out for ice cream when I brought home As.” Paul smiled at the memory.

  “Have you decided whether you’re going to college?”

  “I am. I’m going to TCU. My parents went there, and they have one of the most respected business schools in the nation. Plus, I think I’m going to work part-time at Santorno for Mr. Youngblood.”

  “So you’re staying in Fort Worth?” Mark couldn’t hold back his smile.

  “Yep. I’m staying here.”

  Mark hugged him and caught sight of the hotel clock. “Wow, it’s late. We should get some sleep. I have to be back early tomorrow.”

  “Me, too.”

  They both got under the covers and Mark snuggled into Paul again. He laughed and Paul looked at him.

  “You’re letting me snuggle again.”

  Paul smiled. “I’ve become accustomed to it.”

  ~*~

  Paul pulled into the camp in the morning, sat on the hood of his car and pulled Mark in between his legs.

  “How many more weeks, Mark?” He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Mark’s neck.

  “Um…two, I think.”

  “Two more weeks. I’m going to die.” Paul ran his tongue up Mark’s neck and settled on his mouth; he kissed him slowly, tugging Mark closer.

  “I don’t want you to go,” Mark moaned.

  “Um…Mark?” Damon and Tyler stood behind them.

  “Yeah?” Mark smiled.

  “We’ll wait for you somewhere else,” Tyler laughed. “Hey, Paul!”

  “Hey, Tyler, Damon. Hey, it’s okay, guys. I have to go, anyway.” Paul slid off the hood, took Mark’s hand and walked to his car door.

  “Uh, Paul, is it okay if I talk to them about last night?” Mark blushed.

  “You trust them?” Paul smiled.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Of course you can. You need someone to talk to.” Paul kissed him lightly. “I’ll call you tonight, okay? Seven.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” Mark hugged him. “Bye, Paul.”

  Mark watched Paul drive off, a big smile plastered on his face.

  “Wow, you know Mark looks different, Damon. I wonder what happened last night.” Tyler tapped his chin playfully.

  “Oh, lay off.” Mark gave them a playful dirty look.

  “Holy shit! What’s on your neck, Mark?” Damon pointed, an exaggerated look of horror on his face.

  “What? Is something on it?” Mark palmed his neck.

  “Oh my God, something attacked you and left a mark!” Tyler laughed.

  “Jesus, guys. Fuck off, will ya?” Mark laughed and started walking toward the mess hall.

  They got their food and sat at a picnic table by the lake. Damon and Tyler were staring at him expectantly.

  “Okay, what?” Mark eyed them both.

  “Spill it, Mark. We know something happened.” Damon pointed at him with his fork.

  “I had sex.” Mark smiled.

  “No shit?” Tyler gaped.

  “No, no shit. Paul let me…you know…” Mark turned beet red.

  Damon smiled. “He let you
top him?”

  “Shh, Damon!” Mark laughed.

  “Did you let him?” Tyler prodded.

  “I wasn’t ready, but the more I think about it and talk to Paul about it, I think I am ready.”

  “Well you’re the only one who knows for sure, Mark. But it’s cool that Paul didn’t push you.” Damon smiled at Mark; he looked so damned happy.

  “No, he never did. In fact the first night I went to his house, he flat out said no.”

  “Damn, that guy has some willpower,” Tyler whistled approvingly.

  “Yeah he does, especially when you know he’s already had sex. He could have had me six different ways and upside down,” Mark laughed.

  Damon’s head tilted. “How does that work?”

  Mark smacked him. “You’re so fucked up, Damon.”

  “Maybe we should try that, Damon. It could be fun.” Tyler lay down on the picnic bench.

  “Okay, sluts, just because you two have had sex, doesn’t give you a right to pick on the semi-virgin.”

  Damon laughed his ass off. “I am so not a slut! I am Tyler’s slut.”

  “Oh, Jesus.” Mark smacked his hand to his forehead.

  “So, how did it feel? You know, being inside Paul?” Damon chuckled as Mark turned pink.

  “It felt, it felt — wow, I can’t explain it. I wanted to fucking come right away,” Mark laughed.

  “No shit.” Tyler nodded seriously.

  “Paul was so patient with me, though.” Mark sighed with a smile.

  “Okay, enough sap. We sound like sexually active Care Bears. Let’s go take some guys out on the field.”

  The three friends headed to the field. They were gearing up to play some tag football.

  Tanner appeared behind Mark.

  “So how was your night?”

  “Best birthday ever.”

  Chapter 9

  Isabelle came home the last week in August. She was huge. She roamed around the house whining and Jordan was ready to strangle her.

  “No wonder Jacob sent her home,” he whispered to Stefan.

  Stefan laughed and smacked him. “Come on, she’s pregnant.”

  “Daddy, I can’t see my feet,” Isabelle whined and collapsed on the couch.

  “Oh, Christ, let’s call Bethany,” Stefan laughed.

  Jordan mocked Stefan “’Oh come on, she’s pregnant’.”