CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
JAKE
It was hard to believe another Friday was here. As I stepped out of Gabriel’s luxurious shower, I was reinvigorated. After my breakdown Sunday night, I was left raw, but his constant praises and reassurances soothed me. It was strange how a good cry helped blow off stress.
After confessing my kink to him, I’d felt a lot better. The fact that he still wanted to be with me after discovering my propensity to wear women’s underwear, was nothing short of astonishing. Even better, he seemed entirely interested in it, curious even.
I’d done a lot of thinking about what he’d said.
He was right. Why was I so ashamed about it?
I supposed it was because I’d been discarded for most of my life, anything I liked or did wasn’t good enough.
Even now, as I thought about all Gabriel had said and done, I was convinced he could never love me. Surely, I was too weird.
A rap at the door made me jump. “Are you almost done? We’re going to be late, and they will heckle me for it.”
I parted the door a few inches and didn’t miss the way he tried to sneak a peek at my junk. “I’m almost done. Why would they heckle you for being late?”
He laughed. “Just wait until you meet them. You know, seeing you naked makes me not want to go.”
A smile pulled at my lips. “You have to. They’re your friends. And I want to meet them.”
I closed the door, cutting off his snicker and hurried to get dressed.
I could spend all day in his beautiful bathroom with his expensive soap and scented creams and oils.
I was being nosy, looking through his cabinets and sampling all the amenities.
The wax pot was highly appealing. As self-conscious as I was, I’d wanted to wax my crack and balls, but could never afford to have it professionally done.
Besides, I’d never had anyone to appreciate it before.
And sexy women’s underwear would look and feel better against smooth skin.
I quickly abandoned my snooping. I tossed a long-sleeve T-shirt over my head.
I set my jeans on the marble sink and rifled around in my bag.
I couldn’t believe I’d brought the sexy panties.
It had been a spur of the moment kind of thing.
Was I really considering wearing them to hang out with Gabriel’s friends?
I believed him when he’d said my kink did not bother him, but…
dare I? If you can handle blowjobs, you can handle this. Go for it!
My heart hammering, I slipped my legs into the panties and pulled them up my hips.
I had to arrange my junk in the tight confines and the instant my brain registered lace against my skin, a rush of blood made for my cock.
I skimmed my palm over my lace-covered junk, imagining it was Gabriel’s hand.
This was a bad idea, wasn’t it? But the kind of bad idea that led to exciting things.
I was spinning out of control. I had no idea what I was doing anymore.
“Did you fall in the toilet?” Gabriel asked with a muffled laugh through the door.
“Almost done, I promise.” I slipped on my pants, entranced with the way the pink lace looked as I zipped up the fly. Holy shit, but I was doing this, wasn’t I. That a boy. I quickly buttoned my jeans before I could think twice about my decision.
When I finally left the bathroom, my heart was drumming in my ears. He was by the front door, playing with Pixel.
“Wow. No wonder. You look great.” He approached and kissed my cheek. “Smells like someone got into my cologne.”
“Sorry, ah, I didn’t have any.”
“Don’t be. You smell good. Now the boys can tease us about smelling the same.” He took my lips in a chaste kiss that lingered like a sweet note of fine wine.
“We're going to be late, remember?” I teased.
He grinned and took my hand as we left this condo. “You’re going to have fun tonight, I promise.”
I didn’t doubt him. He knew how to show a guy a good time and tonight wouldn’t be any different. I was a little anxious about being in a bar with a bunch of people I didn’t know, but he’d take care of me.
The place of meeting was a classy little pub on the gold coast, a rich part of the city.
Soft jazz music spilled out and there was a small crowd of women in black dresses and men in dress shirts with designer jeans, standing around the entrance.
Gabriel guided me past the people and inside the establishment.
A dark-polished bar top set against rows of glittering liquor bottles stood out.
The air smelled like expensive beer and maraschino cherries. It was kind of exciting.
“Here!” He said, his hand on my back. He smiled so widely, his cheeks creased. Two men surrounded him, whooping and laughing as they welcomed him.
“Always the last to arrive,” a guy with pink hair said. He looked to be about my age but wasn’t afraid to stand out with his pastel nail polish and dark eyeshadow. If only I had as much confidence as someone like him. “You’re worse than I am.”
“At least I’m fashionable,” Gabriel said lightly.
“Are you kidding? I’m the hottest little twink in this clique,” he countered and struck a pose. “Every gay in this city wants to bang me. Why do you think we get free drinks all the time?”
“Don’t know,” Gabriel said and scratched his neck. “Could it be because you know the bartender?”
“Oh, I’m very familiar with him,” he said, casting the big man behind the counter a heated look.
“Alright, control your hormones,” another man said. He was tall and husky, with pale blonde hair and baby blue eyes. He was the 1950’s cutout of an American man. “We haven’t even gotten started yet and you're bragging about your scorecard.”
The guy with pink hair narrowed his eyes on him. “I also have a record of turning you straight-bros to the other side.”
Gabriel sighed and passed me a meek expression. He ushered me forward gently. “Alright, you two, be nice. I mean it or no more free massages. I want you to meet Jake.”
“Your plus-one,” the blond said. He passed me a welcoming smile and offered me his meaty hand.
“Jake, this is Jank,” Gabriel said. “Our group's organizer and mascot.”
I accepted his hand reluctantly then quickly returned to Gabriel's side. “Nice to meet you.”
“Aw, he’s adorable,” the other said and pushed his way closer, running his gaze all over me as if I were a curiosity. He pulled me into a hug, and I got a whiff of alcohol and sugar.
“And loudmouth here is Felix,” Jank cut in.
Another man approached the table and threw his arms around Jank. “What did I miss?”
“This is Jank’s soulmate, Mike,” Gabriel said with a little chuckle.
Mike laughed. “Soulmate now? I’ve been upgraded from brother from another mother.”
There were more welcomes and teasing words exchanged and I was pulled in ten different directions as I tried to keep up.
I’d never really had any friends, so it was overwhelming.
I thought I should say something because I was afraid of coming off as disinterested, but all I could do was slink in the corner.
A bear of a man with a long red beard came up behind Gabriel and whacked him on the shoulder. “I’m here, I made it.”
Gabriel gasped and hugged him tightly. They rocked back and forth, slapping each other on the back. The energy was so palpable I couldn’t help smiling. “It’s nice not being the last one for a change.”
He introduced his ginger friend as Sean, and I recognized him as the man he’d occasionally shared lunch with.
Sean offered me his fist and I gently met it with mine. “So, you’re the one that's been hogging my best bud’s attention.”
“Ah…” I looked to Gabriel for support. I hated that I was so inept with social interaction.
“It’s cool. I’ve done my fair share of ignoring my friends,” Sean said, his green eyes twinkling with warmth. He pulled a young man next to him close and kissed his cheek.
“A nice piece of ass will do that to you,” Felix said.
Sean growled, pulled him in with the crook of his elbow and ran his knuckles across his pink hair. “You need a gag, my friend, amirite?”
Both Jank and Mike volunteered to restrain and gag him.
The young man with Sean parked his butt on the stool next to me and introduced himself as Matteo.
Gabriel was kibitzing with his friends, and I wanted to seek his protection, but I needed to join society.
Everything was overwhelming but I was determined to be brave.
“I’m new here too,” Matteo said, leaning in. He had the longest lashes I’d ever seen, dark and sooty over chocolate-brown eyes. “This is my third time hanging with the single mingle. Mostly, I just fade into the background and let them do their stuff. So stick by me and we can hide together.”
“Okay,” I murmured, glad I wasn’t the only one that felt out of place.
The crowd thickened, the clamor of conversations blending into a buzz.
Gabriel came to stand behind me and I leaned against him.
He kissed my neck and rested his chin on my shoulder as a conversation about the Sox got started.
He always seemed to know what I needed, and I loved that he was protective.
Matteo leaned in and whispered, “Is it me, or is it weird watching a bunch of gays argue over who might make play offs this year?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know anything about baseball.”
“I don’t really follow sports, either. Mostly, I’m subjected to long winded-explanations about protein and muscle groups.”
“Don’t knock it,” Sean said and kissed his lips in an audible smack. “When you reap the benefits of me looking this good.”
Matteo snickered, holding his boyfriend by the collar of his T-shirt as they kissed a little less chastely. I looked at Gabriel, who threw me a wink. I was starting to relax but stressed over how to respond to idle chit chat and banter. I was afraid of saying something stupid.
The conversation switched without rhyme or reason and Jank fetched several bottles of beer.
Gabriel motioned for me to take one and I did.
I sipped it, not sure if I liked it or not, but I hadn’t drunk much alcohol in my life.
I figured it would relax me, so I downed it as a round of boisterous laughter bounced around our group.
Biting my lip, I used our position in the corner to my advantage.
Guiding his hand against my back was easy and in a bar, failed to attract much attention.
He seemed a bit surprised as he laughed at something Felix said.
After a moment, I pushed his hand lower, hoping he’d get the hint.
Whether by accident or on purpose, he slipped his fingers under my jeans.
He must have felt the lacy underwear, because he stopped what he was saying to clear his throat, and when he started talking again, his voice was rough.
I hid my smile, feeling proud of myself.
He didn’t take his hand away, instead he pushed his fingers a little lower, and traced the panty line.
From what I could tell, he liked that I wore the panties, and his approval set off fireworks inside me.
I never thought I could be close enough to anyone and be able to share my kink with them.
This had to be a desperate dream, didn't it?