CHAPTER TEN
GAbrIEL
I sighed the moment I was in my condo. My feet hurt and I was mentally exhausted after a long work week. If ever I hated the drive home, it was when I was achy and tired.
I greeted Pixel and scooped him into my arms. The cat sniffed at my face then butted his head against my chin. As much as I loved my furbaby, it would have been nice to have someone else waiting for me.
“Thanks, buddy.” I set him down and stretched. “Alexa, play Phil Collins.”
As ‘In the Air Tonight’ jammed, I got Pixel’s dinner set before I poured myself a bowl of sprouted grains in almond milk.
I was out of bananas, so it was like eating cardboard, but I didn’t feel like cooking nor ordering out.
As I chewed, I leaned against the kitchen counter.
Despite the music, my condo was forlorn, so much so that I thought the rest of the world had winked out of existence. It was just me, completely alone.
I’d obviously bothered Jake with my clinginess earlier.
I hadn’t meant to come off like Velcro, but truth was, I was lonely as fuck and spending time with him chased away the desolation.
What was it that Pringles said? Once you pop, you can’t stop?
And I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to quit him if he decided he wanted to break up.
Break up? Jesus, I didn’t even know if we were a thing yet.
I finished my cereal and set the bowl in the sink.
I shed my clothes and dumped them in the laundry basket, not caring if my Valentino got wrinkled.
All the nice things had ceased to make me happy years ago.
I considered all the expensive shit I liked to buy was an attempt to fill a void in my life.
I took my time in the shower, enjoying the hot water rolling off my body and the smell of my designer soaps.
The heat did wonders to loosen my muscles.
When I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around my waist, a modicum of hope surfaced.
Alexa was playing ‘Against All Odds’ as I strolled into my bedroom, the air cool against my flush body.
I considered for a brief moment checking out Adam’s Garden, but I couldn’t take my mind away from Jake.
Besides, I wouldn’t feel right going behind his back even if I just watched.
And it would be much more fun if he went with me, though I wasn’t sure how to explain that part of my life to him.
How exactly did one demonstrate the excitement of watching and being watched?
The need? I didn’t think I could ever put that desire into words.
Hell, I’d never mentioned it to the multitude of brief boyfriends I’d had except for Sean, and it had been a deal breaker for him.
It always seemed like a thing that was separate from my relationships but that was largely because they ended rather quickly.
I got comfy in bed with my laptop. I browsed some doctor’s forums, then surfed over to Porn Hub.
I found little interest there. Shutting my laptop, I proceeded to stare at the window.
The illumination of the streetlights rose up, cutting through the black of night.
Biting my lip, I glanced at the screen of my phone.
It was almost eight and Jake hadn’t texted me yet.
I couldn’t help thinking I’d made him uncomfortable earlier.
I was unable to help myself and shot over a message to let him know I’d gotten home late.
The minutes ticked by and when he didn’t respond, I dialed him.
“Hey!” He answered, out of breath.
“Sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?” I asked, my stomach tumbling, and I wasn’t sure why.
“No, I was just hanging out at a laundromat with some friends. I’m on my way home now.” The sound of city life cut through Jake’s words. “How was work?”
“Long day to a long week. But the evening has gotten marginally better now that I’m talking to you.”
He made a breathy sound as if he were smiling. “I’m glad I could help.”
“Listen, I want to explain myself about what happened earlier,” I said then drew a blank.
“What happened?”
“On my lunch break. Ah, I didn’t mean to come off as clingy, and—”
“You weren’t. I… It wasn’t you. Of course, I want to go trick-or-treating with you.”
“I get it. I understand that I can’t expect you to spend all your free time with me. And I imagine your friend wouldn’t want their kids around a stranger.”
“No, that’s not… Can I call you back in a few minutes? I’m almost home.”
“Okay.”
As the line cut, hope flared in my chest. His tone had been light, his words sincere.
Having dealt with my sister through all her bullshit, I was familiar with the tone of dishonesty.
I blew out a pent-up breath and forced myself to relax against the fluffy pillow.
Pixel joined me in bed and lay down next to me, the cat’s fur soft and warm as I pushed my fingers through his coat.
As I waited, I gave my best buddy an ear message until he was purring like a sports car.
The ring of the phone made me jerk and I answered it right away. I couldn’t help the smile on my lips. “Hey.”
“I can hear you now,” Jake said. “It’s noisy here this time of the night. And I was practically running home. It turned chilly fast. This weather can’t decide what it wants to do.”
Unable to help myself, I said, “I’d keep you warm if I was there.”
“I bet you would,” he said, his tone smooth and welcoming. “Anyway…It’s not that I didn’t want you to come trick-or-treating with me. I…”
The change in his voice sent a shard of ice through my heart. “Talk to me.”
“I kind of…lied about where I live.” The moment the words were out, he sighed as if the confession had been weighing on him. “The truth is, I’m not very well off and didn’t want you to know. It’s embarrassing.”
Frowning, I absorbed his words. “I don’t care about that.”
“I do. I know we come from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and…”
I waited for him to continue, hating that he thought he was unworthy because he wasn’t rich or something. “Jake, money doesn’t buy love. I don’t care about any of that. Besides, it gives me an excuse to spoil you.”
He laughed softly. “You’re not mad that I lied?”
“I’m not mad. I’m glad you came clean with me.” A tender smile pulled at my lips. I was far from upset. “I’m guessing life hasn’t been very kind to you. I hope in time, you’ll come to trust me enough to tell me all about it.”
Another rush of breath came through the speaker. “Okay. Yeah. Thank you…for not being upset.”
I figured that was the best I was going to get for the time being and changed the subject. “So, what are you dressing up as for Halloween?”
“A zombie. For me, it’s a piece of pie to pull off.” He chuckled uneasily. “It’s not too late. You can come tomorrow.”
“No. You have fun with those kids. We will do something another time,” I said, noting the half-woody tenting my shorts. The sensation of being horizontal and lying on comfortable sheets had sparked something. His voice had a lot to do with it, I was sure. “Are you busy tonight?”
“Ah, no… I don’t usually have busy nights. I mean, I don’t do a whole lot.” A long moment passed. “I can’t exactly go bar-hopping with a ten-year-old. I don’t…really know anyone—Ah, I’m not good with socializing.”
“Deep breath,” I said and ran my thumb over my dick. “Is it something you’d like to do in the future? I’ll be your chaperone. Anyone fucks with you, and I’ll put them in their place.”
The amusement in his voice was perfect. “I would like to go out one night and see the city. It’s just not easy sometimes. You probably think I’m a sissy.”
“Not at all. We will do that. I can think of a few places to take you.” Biting my lip, I considered my next words. “When I asked if you are busy tonight, that isn’t exactly what I meant.”
I swore I could feel the heat coming off his cheeks through the phone. His tone was pure realization. “Oh.”
“Tell me to behave and I will. I won’t mention it again.”
His gulp was audible. “I’m not busy, no.”
The smile split my face. He hadn’t explicitly told me to back off. “I imagine working at the supermarket is stressful. Maybe I can help you blow off some steam. What do you think?”
God, I wished I could see his expression right now. I was certain he was all shy smiles. But FaceTime was probably pushing it too far. I really wanted to get him to relax a bit and develop some trust between us.
“How–How do you suppose you might do that?”
Green light. I let out a long groan as I relaxed against the fluffy pillow. “I like to think I have a wicked tongue. And I mean that in more ways than one. Do you want to find out? It’s okay if you don’t. No pressure and I won’t be disappointed if you say no.”
“I do.”
“You do…what?” I prompted, needing him to say it.
“I want to know more about this wicked tongue you’re bragging about.” His tone bordered on arousal, and I knew there was a pent-up animal deep under the surface. I just needed to figure out how to set it free.
“I’m going to tell you all about it. But first you need to get more comfortable. Will you do that for me?” I purred.
My cock was a full-blown erection in my briefs now, the thin cotton outlining the heavy rod and blunt head. Oh, yeah. I was going to enjoy this.
“Okay,” he murmured. “Give me a second.”
My cheeks hurt from grinning as I listened to cloth tussling. I imagined peeling the clothes from his body, slowly revealing his skin. I needed to know what his nipples looked like. Where they pale discs or little buds? I had a sudden craving to find every freckle and kiss it.
“I’m back,” he rasped, heavy with breath.
“Relax for me. Are you comfortable enough?”
“I’m in bed.” He cleared his throat. “Naked.”
“Naked is a good thing to be. It feels nice, doesn’t it?
Brings us closer to nature and our true selves.
” I freed my pulsing cock from my boxers and let it stand in the cool air.
“Getting head is amazing. Luckily for you I love giving it too. I have a habit of wanting to drive my lover crazy. Do you enjoy having your cock worshiped?”
“Yes,” he whispered.
“Are you hard, Jake? I wish you could see how hard I am thinking about sucking your dick,” I practically growled. I realized it was only going to get more difficult to keep my hands off him from this point on.
“Yes,” he said again, his voice cracking.
“I want you to run your hands all over your body. Pretend they’re mine.
Start at your shoulders,” I commanded. “Close your eyes. Don’t think.
Just feel. I’m running my palm across your shoulder and down your bicep right now.
Have to get all those nerves sensitized.
I’m not the kind of guy to go right in for the kill.
I like to take my time. Savor it. It’s the journey that’s important. Don’t you think so?”
“Mhm.”
I chuckled softly. From what I could tell, he was completely into this. “I want to touch you everywhere. Explore every inch of your body and find all your hot buttons.”
“Okay, I believe you,” he murmured. “You have a wicked tongue.”
“I’m just getting started, baby boy.” There was no hesitation on my part. I knew I was good in bed. “Run your hands over your nipples. Do you like playing with them?”
“I…don’t know. Every now and then, maybe. I’ve never really paid much attention to them.”
“Hm. We will find out soon. Personally, I don’t like mine touched too much. They tend to get over sensitive and hurt. But everyone is different. Who knows? You might be a nipple slut and don’t know it.”
His shaky laughter was amusing as if he were slightly worried he might lose control the moment I touched them.
“Keep going. Focus on the sensation.” I mimicked my words and ran my palm across my chest. For shits and giggles I skimmed my fingertips across a nipple, the touch making me jerk.
My voice was hoarse as I said, “Lower, down your stomach, your hip. I bet you’re wanting to touch your cock so badly right now. I know I am. It’s standing at attention.”
The sound that he made was all arousal. I saw in my mind’s eye, his head thrown back, hip mouth agape, his engorged dick weeping at the head and needing attention.
“Grab it. Tell me how hard you are,” I ordered, needing a drink of water. I didn’t think it could ever quench the thirst I had for him.
“I think…I can hammer…a nail,” he croaked.
“Are you cut?” I blurted, trying to picture him with his cock in his hand.
“No… Are you?”
“Yes.” I squeezed my prick as I conjured a picture of Jake stroking himself to completion, the glans popping in and out of his foreskin. It was a beautiful image. “Start jacking yourself. Long, slow motions. I don’t want you coming too quickly. Want to play a game?”
His words were barely more than a whisper. “What kind of game?”
“Let’s see if we can synchronize our orgasms.” A rush of breath was his only response, and I stroked my cock in long, languorous motions.
I licked my lips, wanting to taste him. “Have you ever been deep-throated, baby boy? I’d take your cock all the way down my throat until I kiss your skin. It feels really nice.”
“I-I don’t know if I’m going to last long…”
I grinned like a devil and sped up my strokes. He was younger than me and likely came with the touch of a feather. As much as I wanted to take my time, I had a feeling we both needed release. “It’s okay. Come for me. I want to hear what you sound like when you orgasm.”
He said something indecipherable, a rush of huffing and puffing filling my ear. He said in a gasp, “I’m going to come.”
“Do it for me,” I urged, my own orgasm quickly rising.
I savored the little grunts and groans, the restrained noises coalescing into a shocked gasp that made me smile like the grinch. I wasn’t far behind, my release rocketing out as I nutted all over myself.
“Feel better?” I murmured.
He offered me a soft reply then seemed to have fallen asleep.
I listened to his steady breathing for a few minutes before hanging up, feeling on top of the world. Small steps, but big bounds. I made a promise that I was going to rock his world even if it took a long time.