Chapter 15 - Can Cook, Will Cook
The dinner Julian prepared for them was nice but intentionally simple: steak, green beans, and new potatoes with hollandaise sauce.
Callum sat at the breakfast bar opposite Julian, watching him work and thinking how lucky he was to have met him.
He noticed that Julian worked fast and efficiently, prepping, clearing up as he went, no drama, no fuss.
Little did Callum know that this was the first meal Julian had cooked in a very long time.
Julian spoke about the weight of his father’s expectations and his lonely early years at boarding school that had taught him how to become a statue.
He talked about his younger brother Sean and their time together in the SAS back in the UK (was that when he developed his muscles Callum wondered but didn’t interrupt him?).
He also shared that he had a younger sister, Tina, who had lost her husband to cancer and was raising their two daughters on her own.
At the mention of her name, Callum saw a sadness cross his face.
Callum held his hand, and the moment passed.
Julian confessed that his greatest ambition wasn’t a bigger or better firm or more money.
He just wanted a happy life, with someone special, at which point he gave Callum’s hand a squeeze.
He shared how he already supported the arts, culture, exploration and various charities, but wanted to do more so he could feel that he’d given back and done some good in the world.
Callum clapped, “I think that’s a great ambition. You clearly have so much, it would be great to be able to use your power to help those who have less, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes, I plan to,” Julian responded. “Now, hopes and dreams, Callum, no pressure.”
Callum shared more about his life. Brought up in Brooklyn, he’d moved out after college to go on his own, with nothing but a gym bag.
He had a dream to build a community through fitness, and his secret hope was to one day open his own non-profit gym for at-risk youth.
He explained that the gym he ran with his business partner Jack was struggling.
They had done some great work in their community, getting kids off the street, helping turn lives around, shifting them away from drugs and crime and into fitness and the benefits of the wellness it can bring.
But their building was in a poor state of repair; the landlord was an asshole and didn’t fix things, so they did the best they could, but it was tough.
Julian noticed the passion with which Callum spoke; this was clearly an important issue for him. His assistant had found Callum and hired him. How she came to pick this guy from this gym was a question he was definitely going to ask her.
“I see people at their most vulnerable,” Callum said, swirling the dark red wine in his glass. “When they're sweating and failing at a lift, breathless, the ego drops; there is no mask. I see people best when they're struggling. It's the only time they’re truly bare.”
“Then you must see me,” Julian murmured, his eyes fixed on Callum’s mouth, “because I feel like I’ve been struggling for air since the moment I met you.”
The shift from conversation to touch was seamless.
The gravity of the penthouse seemed to draw them together.
Julian pulled Callum onto his lap, his hands sliding up under the black button-down Sophia had picked out.
The silk-and-stone luxury of the apartment faded into the background as they fell into each other again.
Julian unbuttoned Callum’s shirt and put his hands on his chest. The warmth and touch were instant. He played with Callum’s nipples which grew taut under his touch. He was quickly aroused as Julian massaged his cock through his jeans and they kissed tenderly.
The foreplay was long and languid this time, fuelled by wine and the relaxed, unhurried mood. Julian removed Callum’s shirt, fascinated by how sensitive Callum’s nipples were to his touch, pinching and biting them as he squirmed.
They moved to the thick, fluffy white rug by the window, the lights of the city flickering below them. Julian removed his sweater, so they were both topless.
“Can we be seen?” Callum asked, worried that the world was watching.
“Not at all, the windows have a reflective coating. No one can see us,” Julian confirmed.
When Julian leaned over him, Callum’s breath caught at the sight of him. Callum really did love everything about him. That word again. Callum’s heart skipped a beat every time he thought it, or it was said. It’s too soon to think of love, he mentally forced himself.
They undressed slowly, taking their time.
They both had great bodies and there was much to admire.
Callum was slighter than Julian, his body leaner and more defined.
He’d come from a background of fitness. He’d trained and grown through precision and hard work.
Julian’s body was larger and his shoulders, arms, legs and chest were huge, but slightly out of proportion with his waist. Julian’s body had grown through exertion and lacked the precision of Callum’s.
Once naked, they continued the touching, but this time, slowly and tenderly.
Until now all their intimacy had been frantic, focused on satisfying animalistic needs. This time it was slower, considered and sensual in a way they hadn’t previously explored. The kissing progressed slowly from mouths, over nipples, abdominals and ultimately to proud erections.
They took turns pleasuring each other with a slow, focused reverence, the oral sex an extension of their conversation, an exploration of every sound and whimper the other made. They took time to learn what pleasured and pleased the other.
When they both finally came, it was a silent, shattering release. Face to face, breaths ragged, neither breaking eye contact; pupils dilated. They kissed with a passion previously unfound. Julian gripped Callum’s forearms as if he were saving him from falling.
Afterwards, they lay tangled together, adrenaline fading into a warm, comfortable glow. Callum snuggled into Julian’s body for heat as they watched the city lights in silence, snug and safely entwined.
Eventually Callum found his phone, wincing. “It’s past midnight Julian. I have a 5:30 a.m. bootcamp in Fort Greene Park. If I don't leave now, I’m going to be like a zombie. I’m sorry.”
Julian sat up, his hair messy, looking entirely unlike a Titan. He watched Callum pull on his clothes, the silence of the apartment feeling heavier than before.
“I love watching you dress and undress, but I hate that you're leaving,” Julian said, leaning his back against the cool window. “I can’t believe this has happened, you and I. This is amazing to me, Cal. It honestly is. I’m so happy.”
Callum zipped his boots and stood, then crouched in front of him.
“I’m sorry. I’d love to stay wrapped up in your arms, you know I would, but I have to go.
Real life calls, and this was probably just a dream anyway.
” He smiled. “In a few short hours, I'll have a class of people waiting to be yelled at on a small hill in Brooklyn.” He kissed him. “Hey, you should sign up for one of my classes, and I’ll work your ass in the park,” he kidded.
“I might just do that,” Julian retorted, a smile creeping back to his face.
Callum leaned down and kissed him on the forehead, which elicited a low, rumbling “grrrrr”.
“Help me up then, please,” he asked, lifting his arms comically. Callum put both hands under his armpits and gave him a boost. Julian stood. “Latissimus Dorsi,” said Callum.
“Latissimus Dorsi,” repeated Julian, giving him another little peck on the lips.
Julian retrieved his trousers. He looked up and said out loud, “Alexa, message Markus, car in five, please.” There was an affirmative ‘Message sent to Markus’ response, which came directly from the ceiling.
Callum realised that there were lights and speakers all over the ceiling, along with some other weird shapes that bore further investigation another time.
Standing naked, Callum admired Julian’s body. As he pulled on the trousers, his dick still bloated from ejaculation, created a huge, clearly visible outline.
“Fuck, you wear your clothes so well,” Callum laughed, giving him another quick fondle, Julian’s cock immediately swelling at his touch.
“Stop it. Don’t start something you’re not going to finish,” Julian mocked.
He adjusted himself and walked Callum to the elevator. As the doors hummed open, he turned and reached out, catching Callum’s hand.
“Callum, I don't want this to be just a Sunday thing, or an office thing.” Julian took a breath, his voice steadying. “I’d like you to come over one night this week, or every night this week. Not for a training session, just for the night. I want you to stay over. I want to fall asleep with you and wake up with you. This is what I want.”
Callum looked at the elevator, the chrome cage that earlier this evening had felt so intimidating, then back at Julian.
He remembered how nervous he was when he arrived, but what a lovely night it had been.
He leaned in, giving Julian one last, long, deep kiss.
The kiss was like the bottle he’d bought; it tasted of wine and their lovemaking, with subtle hints of good times to come.
“I’d like that, Julian. I’d like that a lot.”