Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Of course, it was just Nolan’s luck.
The man who pulled his key turned out not to be bi or even gay. While they were both disappointed with the situation, they had a good laugh about the odds of him picking another man. Especially since the ranch guests’ genders seem to be evenly divided.
They ended up grabbing a drink at the lodge, anyway, and had some interesting conversation.
After the guest left—with neither of them having any hard feelings or hard cocks, unfortunately—Nolan decided to hang out at the lodge a bit longer, trying to give Hope and Cam enough private time in the small cabin.
But by one a.m., he was yawning so badly—especially after getting up early to hit the bike trails—that he finally headed back to the cabin.
He tried not to make much noise as he undressed and used the restroom before heading to the pull-out couch. While it had been quiet when he entered, an unfamiliar vehicle was parked in front of the cabin. Obviously, Hope hadn’t left yet.
If Nolan was lucky, they had tired themselves out and fallen asleep. Because he was pretty damn sure he didn’t want to hear Cam having sex with someone other than him. To be fair, they probably assumed he’d be gone for the night with the man who picked his key.
Nolan had expected that, too.
To add insult to injury, just as he was drifting off, the unmistakable sound of two bodies doing what two bodies do drifted to him from the bedroom.
Again with his shitty luck. He sighed.
Unfortunately, his cock also recognized the moans, grunts, skin slapping, and headboard knocking against the wall. With a groan, Nolan drove a hand down his boxer briefs and wrapped it around his now very interested and very erect cock.
Despite being tempted to join the couple, he didn’t want to freak them out.
And it would be kind of weird to invite yourself to your friend’s bed.
Consent and all that, being the primary concern.
The other being, he was afraid to tell his friend how much he wanted him, mostly out of fear of rejection.
But at least tonight wouldn’t be a total bust.
He closed his eyes to watch the movie playing in his mind that corresponded with the sounds he heard. Nolan visualized Hope and Cam getting each other off as he began to tug on his own cock.
He yanked the elastic waistband of his boxer briefs down enough to tuck it under his balls before cupping his sack in his palm and squeezing gently as he continued to jerk on the base of his cock.
He’d occasionally slide the pad of his thumb over the tip, gathering the pearly beads of precum and spreading it over the head.
He quickly got lost in the rhythmic and guttural sounds coming from the bedroom as well as in his fantasies.
Hell yeah.
His hips lifted off the couch with each quick stroke until finally, he grabbed the pillow and jammed it over his face with one hand as he kept tugging on his cock with the other at the speed of light.
He was right there…
Right there!
He could practically feel himself driving deep into Hope’s hot, slick pussy as Cam jammed himself just as deep into Nolan’s ass.
Fuck yes. To be in the middle of that scenario would be perfect.
He was bummed it would never happen. He would never screw over his friend by fucking the woman Cam had an interest in.
How was his life so pitiful that he was reduced to masturbating while listening to others have sex when he was staying at a damn resort that focused on those same activities? Not to mention, full of guests with the same mindset?
His ass shot off the couch one more time and seconds later, strings of warm cum landed on his stomach when he came like a fountain.
When he dropped back to the couch with a grunt, he threw the pillow aside and continued to milk every last drop from his cock while his heartbeat thumped in his ears and he attempted to slow his breathing.
He glanced down at his stomach, grimaced, then took a quick glance toward the bedroom door before sliding his eyes over to the only bathroom in the cabin.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Since they had no idea he had returned, either could walk out to use the bathroom and catch him like this at any moment.
After yanking up his underwear—careful not to smear the cum—he rushed into the bathroom before they discovered him along with the aftermath of him jerking off. That would be fun to explain.
He’d rather not, actually. It was just one more secret he’d be keeping to himself.
After cleaning up, he hit the couch once again. Luckily, he passed out quickly enough that he avoided any questions about why he’d come back to the cabin before morning.
Though, he was sure Cam would be asking plenty of questions come tomorrow morning during their bike ride.
Nolan released a contented sigh while sprawled on the lounge chair by the sparkling pool. The early afternoon sun was warm on his skin and the air smelled clean and fresh with only a hint of sunscreen. He sipped on a cold local brew one of the servers had dropped off from the nearby pool bar.
This was the life.
However, he couldn’t spend the next decade or so getting a tan, sitting in the hot tub, and people watching, even as entertaining and eye-opening as it had been.
Well, he would if he could. Only, it wasn’t realistic or practical. He was only up here in paradise for three more nights, then he had to get back to his condo in West Chester and continue the frustrating search for another job.
Now that one life chapter had closed, he was ready to start a new one. One where he didn’t have to hide who he was. He only hoped that chapter paid well.
What he wanted could very well be a pipe dream. Just like lusting after his very hot friend and former co-worker.
When he had cracked open his eyelids that morning, Cam’s bedroom door had still been closed. But not five minutes later, Cam came striding out, dressed and ready to tackle the trails on two wheels.
Nolan had to guess that the sex must have been great since the man sure looked relaxed. As well as worn out.
It was at that point that he realized Hope somehow managed to sneak out without waking him.
As expected, Cam had been very interested in how Nolan’s night went. He explained that he and the other gentleman had a good laugh about the situation over some drinks.
The expression on Cam’s face when he mentioned that caught Nolan’s attention. He couldn’t tell if his friend was relieved or disappointed.
And that didn’t make much sense. Nor did the fact that Cam was pretty quiet during the whole ride through the woods.
Did Cam think Nolan was lying? That he was actually gay and he didn’t approve?
Nolan really didn’t want this misconception affecting their friendship. Maybe he should simply come clean and deal with any fallout.
When his cell phone chirped by his hip, he squinted as he read the text from Cam: Stop by my office when you’re ready to go for lunch. I have news.
News?
Did Cam somehow figure out that Nolan jerked off while listening to him and Hope fucking each other? If so, that would be embarrassing.
He glanced at the time and was surprised it was almost two already. Time to go change out of his bathing suit and find out what “news” Cam wanted to share.
Nolan only hoped it was good news.
“I had a meeting with the owners and we discussed you.”
He did? Did he do something wrong? “Me? Why?” Nolan’s heart skipped a beat.
“Because I can’t be the only one in charge of the security team. I can’t—and don’t want to—work twenty-four-seven. I need someone to help me.” Cam lifted a finger. “Someone with experience and training. I also need someone I work well with and can trust.”
Nolan stared at Cam as those words sank into his brain. “What are you saying?”
With his fingers spread out, Cam pressed his hands onto his desk and looked pleased with himself. “I’m offering you the assistant head of security position. Are you interested?”
Assistant head of—
Hell yes, he was interested!
“There’s only one problem.”
Of course.
“The bunkhouse is currently full and the employee cabins are all claimed. But until a spot opens up, you can stay with me.”
Nolan blinked. “On the couch?”
Cam shrugged. “It’s the best we can do right now.”
“Won’t that put a kink in yours and Hope’s relationship?”
“I wouldn’t call it a relationship. We fucked twice.”
From what he could guess, they fucked at least twice last night alone, but he wasn’t pointing that out.
“This is their offer.” Cam slid a piece of paper across his desk. “I talked you up and insisted they make it worth your while. I also mentioned you’d be a huge asset to the team.”
Nolan sank into one of the chairs facing Cam’s desk before pulling the paper closer and scanning it.
Holy shit. Not only would he eventually have a free place to live plus all the perks of the resort, but he’d get to work with his close friend again? Not to mention, having a sexual playground at his fingertips…
How could he say no?
Cam’s lip pulled downward. “Is that offer not fair enough? It’s damn near exactly what I was offered.”
Nolan closed his gaping mouth and met Cam’s eyes. “No, it’s…it’s more than fair. But, Cam, I didn’t come up here to get a job.”
One of his eyebrows cocked. “So, you don’t want it?”
Nolan quickly scanned the document again. If he took the job, his reduced pension wouldn’t be stretched thin. He wouldn’t be stressed about money at all.
Better yet, this place was truly paradise for someone like him. Between being surrounded by nature and plenty of sex, great food, the financial benefits—and Cam, of course—he’d be a fool to say no.
Luckily, his mother hadn’t raised a fool. “I want it. It’s perfect and exactly what I was looking for. I hope you didn’t feel pressured to do this.”
“Not at all. You mentioned you were looking for another job. You seem to like it here. And I would love to have you here. So that had me thinking, if I need someone backing me up—and I do—I can’t find anyone better than you.”
“That’s quite a compliment.” It also stroked his ego a bit.
“One well deserved.”
“How soon would you want me to start?”
“As soon as you’re ready.”
“I would need to sell my condo and put my stuff in storage.”
“You don’t need to be living there to sell it. It might be easier if it’s empty.”
That was true. If he moved out before listing it, he wouldn’t need to vacate his home every time prospective buyers wanted to see it. He also wouldn’t need to worry about keeping it clean and tidy.
“Are you okay with bunking with me for a while? At least until a spot frees up in the bunkhouse? Then I’ll make sure you’re at the top of the list to get one of the cabins as soon as one’s available.”
Was he okay with waking up every morning and having Cam so close but not close enough? Will listening to his friend have sex with others, and not him, eventually drive him mad? Make him bitter?
Every silver lining was attached to a dark cloud. You had to take the good with the bad.
“I appreciate that.” The sooner he could move into a cabin, the better. He’d just have to suck it up and suffer through his insatiable lust over Cam—and now Hope—until that happened.
He could do it. He’d done it before when they worked together. The only difference now would be them living in close quarters. And the possibility of hearing them fuck if Cam and Hope’s relationship progressed.
Maybe Nolan should drop a hint for them to do the bump and grind at Hope’s place instead. “Do you have any idea how soon a cabin will open up? I don’t want to infringe on your privacy.”
Comprehension filled Cam’s expression. A second later, he grimaced and scrubbed fingers over his forehead. “I’m sorry if you heard us last night. We figured you’d be gone all night.”
“So did I.” Nolan waved a hand around. “It’s fine. You didn’t know and I didn’t want to interrupt to announce that I had returned.”
“I’m not sure if we’ll hook up again, but if we do, Hope has her own place.”
Luckily, his subtle message was received. Only… “Why wouldn’t you? She seems great. Did you two have an issue last night?”
“No, not at all. The sex was as great as she is. However, I’m not looking for a commitment and neither is she, since she just got out of a relationship. As such, I don’t want to assume the sex will continue. We don’t owe each other anything. If it happens, great. If not…” Cam shrugged.
“You won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t?”
“Of course, but…” Suddenly Cam masked his expression, sat back, and stared at him. “Nolan, I have to ask you something.”
“Shoot.”
“You indicated you didn’t have sex with that guy last night, and I could see you were attracted to Hope when you first spotted her, but…”
Here it comes.
Cam pulled in a breath. “I’m not sure how to approach this.”
“We’ve been friends for a long time, brother. I would hope you’d be comfortable asking me anything.” As long as I’d be comfortable answering it.
“I’m worried that I’ll be wrong and you’ll be offended.”
Nolan had a good idea where this was heading. He should put Cam out of his misery. “Cam, before you ask me your question, I’ve got a confession to make.” And it might be the answer his friend was looking for.
“About?”
“About what I think you’re struggling to ask.” Nolan pressed a hand to his chest. “About who I am.”
Cam’s head twitched. “I know who you are. I worked with you for years.”
“Do you ever really know somebody unless you know their deepest, darkest secrets?”
“I guess not. What’s your deepest, darkest secret?”
It was better to know how he’d react now rather than after Nolan moved in with him and things became unbearably uncomfortable.
Not to mention disappointing.
Or maybe after his confession, Cam would want to pull the employment offer. While that would suck, Nolan needed to know the truth before completely uprooting his life.
“The truth is…” Now’s the time to pull off the damn Band-Aid. Get it over with. “I’m bi.” Nolan squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and waited for Cam’s reaction, good or bad.
When he didn’t hear anything, he opened them and saw that Cam had deflated in his chair, as if all the air had fled his lungs. Nolan had no idea what to make of that.
He quickly followed up with, “If you no longer want to offer me the position, I’ll understand.”
Cam blinked and shook his head in confusion. “Why would I want to revoke the offer?”
“Because I hid the fact I’m bisexual.” And I’ve lusted after you for a long time. Plus, had plenty of fantasies about you.
Cam’s brow dipped low. “Why would that matter? That doesn’t affect how you do your job.”
“But I was afraid how it would affect our relationship.”
“Because you’re bi?”
“Because of how attracted I am to you.”