Chapter 17 #2
Tommy’s breathing hitched, but he placed his mug on the nightstand.
He eased his briefs down over his hips and firm, muscled thighs, and stepped out of them.
Mike gazed up at Tommy’s wide chest and taut belly with appreciation.
The young man was beautiful. He lowered his gaze to take in that long, thick cock.
Tommy noticed his observation and quickly climbed under the sheets, pulling them up around him.
Mike hid his smile. Tommy’s modesty was delightful, a refreshing change from the guys he usually mixed with.
Then it struck him. How many of those guys, when faced with the prospect of sharing Mike’s bed, would be happy to cuddle?
In that instant, Mike’s plans for Sunday morning changed. He wanted nothing more than to spend an hour or so in bed, holding Tommy, kissing him, caressing him, maybe having him touch Mike. And judging from Tommy’s reaction, that was fine by him too.
It was exactly the balm Mike needed.
“Mike, this place is amazing!”
Mike loved hearing the note of genuine awe in Tommy’s voice. He smiled to see Tommy craning his neck to stare up at the curved acrylic tunnel, eyes wide as a manta ray floated serenely above their heads.
“How big is he, d’you reckon?”
Tommy shook his head, difficult as that was to do when he was staring up. “Eight feet across, maybe nine? Lord, just look at him. Isn’t he beautiful?”
Coming to the aquarium had been a great idea.
It had been an idle comment during breakfast when Mike had mentioned the glass tunnel.
Tommy’s reaction had been instantaneous.
From that point, Mike couldn’t wait to watch Tommy’s face as they walked around the exhibits.
All around them were visitors wearing the same expression, small children tugging at their parents’ hands to pull them toward the acrylic wall.
Mike couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this relaxed.
There was no pressure, just the simple enjoyment of spending time with Tommy.
And after the rage and frustration of that last shoot, this trip to the aquarium was exactly what Mike needed.
Space and time to be himself, to leave Scott Masters behind, even for a little while.
When did I last feel so comfortable with a guy? It certainly didn’t feel like it was only their second weekend together. Tommy was easy to be around, made no demands, and seemed free of artifice. What was there not to like about a guy like that?
The most refreshing thing about Tommy was his innocence. This wasn’t some twink playing at being coy; Tommy was the real deal.
He took a moment to study the young man from a distance.
Tommy seemed relaxed, dressed in a pair of jeans, boots, a sweater, and a jacket.
Even the way he looked was refreshingly different.
Mike could easily picture Tommy working on the farm.
Those calloused hands spoke of a young man who wasn’t afraid of hard work.
“Y’know, this is the second largest tunnel of its kind in the world? How much water do you suppose is behind that acrylic?”
Tommy whirled around to look at him. “Hell, I don’t have a clue.” He squinted at Mike. “Bet you already know, don’tcha?”
Mike nodded. “Would you believe, over six million gallons of it?”
“Lord,” Tommy exclaimed softly, eyes wide with wonder.
“You know this was built by the Homo Depot, right?”
“The what?” Tommy’s mouth dropped open.
Mike chuckled. “And you call yourself gay? That’s how every gay man refers to the Home Depot.” An embarrassed Tommy was truly a thing of beauty. Mike smiled and then jerked his head up, frowning. “Did you feel that?”
“Feel what?”
Mike stretched out his hand, palm facing upward. “I swear I just felt….” He shook his head. “Nah, I must be mistaken.”
Tommy gaped at him. “No, what did you feel?”
Mike bit his lip. “Well, for a moment there, it felt like a drop of water landed on me.” He stared up at the curved surface of the tunnel.
“Do you suppose… I mean, it could happen, couldn’t it?
All that pressure, all that water… must put a real strain on the tunnel…
.” He snuck a peek at Tommy’s face and tried to hold back his laughter.
Tommy was staring up at the tunnel, mouth still open.
Then suddenly he jerked his head back to glare at Mike. “You… you…”—his gaze narrowed—“you’re just yankin’ my chain, ain’tcha?”
Mike was really fighting the urge to grin. “Maybe.”
From the expression on Tommy’s face, he was trying not to grin too. “Damn, you almost had me believin’ you.” He shook his head. “Not gonna believe nothin’ you say after this.” He walked off, head held high, but Mike didn’t miss Tommy’s shoulders shaking.
They walked on together, marveling at the fish, the sharks, the rays. It really was impressive. Tommy caught sight of a giant grouper and burst out laughing.
Mike peered at it, but for the life of him, he couldn’t see what was so amusing. “I give up. What’s tickled you?”
Tommy pointed at the huge fish. “I swear, Mike. That fish is the spittin’ image of my aunt Jeanie.”
Mike gazed at the huge, downward curving mouth of the gray fish. “I’m just guessing, mind, but… your aunt Jeanie, she’s not a very cheerful person, is she?” He tried not to smirk.
Tommy stared at him and promptly dissolved into giggles. When he recovered, he wiped his eyes. “Shit, no. She’s an ornery ol’ lady who doesn’t have a pleasant word for anyone.”
It was the first time Mike had heard Tommy talk about anyone in his family since that awful day when he’d told him about their intervention. He left it there, unwilling to risk spoiling Tommy’s good mood. “Let’s go to the touch tank next.”
Tommy nodded eagerly. “I’d like that.” As they walked along to the tank, Tommy was humming to himself, a happy little tune.
“You enjoying this?”
Tommy smiled. “Oh yeah, this is just great. Thanks for suggestin’ it.” He gave Mike a sideways glance. “How much longer do we have ’til you have to go to work?”
“Another hour or so.” Just thinking about it brought him down. It took a moment or two for him to realize it wasn’t the idea of going into Woofs that depressed him—it was the thought of calling an end to their time together.
Enough of this. Mike gave himself a mental shaking. Day’s not over yet. “C’mon, let’s go stroke a baby shark and some rays,” he said with a grin.
The way Tommy’s face lit up did wonderful things to his insides.
Damn, he’s good for me.