by Eden French
Teo scrunched his nose, confusion written all over his expression. “Yeah, that local who’s on that vampire show, right? The one you saved from the teeny boppers at WinterFest. It’s been buzzing all through the shops. What’s that got to do with you?”
Brand leaned in closer, his voice low enough for only Teo to hear. “Well, a little known fact, well, I guess an unknown fact about Car is that… well, he’s my… my ex.”
Teo leaned back, his mouth twisted as Brand’s words processed. “Wait, I’m confused. Your ex? Like in—”
“Shhh, Teo, please keep your voice down.” Brand looked around the coffee shop. It was mid-morning, so the rush had subsided. The only other patrons in the shop were the cashier and an older man reading a newspaper by the fireplace. “He said I could tell you, but it’s not common knowledge. And I would greatly appreciate it, if that information stayed between us.” He glanced again around the café. When he was convinced the person behind the counter hadn’t overheard them, he leaned in closer to Teo.
“Look, I know this sounds crazy, but just hear me out. Car and I, we… have a past, okay.” No need to admit the man had not only been his first love, but his absence cut so hard, Brand had been virtually incapable of dating until just recently. “He left before we’d… well, he left and neither of us had come out. It was all very quiet. And even after I did, I didn’t see the need to say anything since he wasn’t around, and well, who outs a person?”
Teo’s jaw nearly hit the table. “No, I get that. It’s just… isn’t he with that actress, what’s her name, from the show? It’s all over the papers. Are you telling me that’s a lie? That, not only is Carson Keaton gayer than a rainbow flag in June, but that hunky gift of a man is also your… ex?”
Brand shrugged. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
Teo took a long sip from the cup in front of him. When he set it down, his eyes found Brand’s. The playful gleam usually present dimmed. “I’m sensing there’s more to this.” He took another sip. “Boy, I kinda wish this was an Irish coffee.”
Brand bit his lip. His heart raced, and his shirt stuck to his body as beads of sweat emerged on his torso. “Yeah. There’s more to it.” His fingers continued to tap on the tabletop.
Teo’s face softened. He scooted his chair next to Brand and placed his hand on his back. “C’mon, let’s go over to my place and talk about it? Somewhere more private. I’ll let Ryan know I’m taking an early lunch.”
Brand nodded. The two men stood and walked toward the door. He wasn’t sure how he was going to tell Teo everything, but he had to. He had thought it was ancient history, but seeing Carson, being so close to him, brought everything to the surface. He had to be honest with Teo. He owed it to him.
He finished his coffee as he reached the door and tossed the empty cup in the trash bin as he followed Teo to the sidewalk. The other man reached back and offered his hand. Brand took it in his and promised himself he’d tell Teo everything. He’d come clean, once and for all.
Chapter Seventeen
“Do I need to be worried?” Teo leaned back against his couch as he ran his hand through his hair after Brand finished unpacking his baggage.
“Of course you don’t.” Maybe. No. Yes? Ugh. What was he thinking? Seven years ago, Carson left him without a second glance. So easily, he had walked away. He silently cursed his feelings. Why did he feel so conflicted?
Teo cocked his head and raised his brow as if reading his deepest thoughts. Brand reached over and squeezed the other man’s hand. A shot of electricity flashed through Brand’s palm, up his arm, and along his chest. His connection to Teo was real. It was alive. How could he even consider going back to Carson? Why did he think that was even an option?
Because Carson loves you. He always has.
He shook his head. “Look, I know Car and I have a… history—”
“It doesn’t help when you refer to Hollywood Now’s Hottest Man of the Year as Car. To be honest, as much as I’m trying to be calm here, I’m freaking out a little.”
Brand bit his lip. “You’re right. And I get it. This is a lot to ask. But he just wants a chance to explain himself. And maybe, I guess I could use the closure. Ry’s always saying that—”
Teo sat up straight. “Wait? Ryan knows? I thought no one knew.”
Brand cursed himself. He should’ve explained this to Teo sooner. “Yeah. She knows everything. And she’s hardly no one. I mean in high school, she didn’t know, we really didn’t even hang out that much… we’d just been casual friends, the three of us. But after graduation, after he left, and I started the academy… I couldn’t hide it from her. She put two and two together pretty quickly. Hell, my feelings for him were practically painted on my forehead in neon paint.” He ran his teeth over his bottom lip and swallowed hard. “Ry’s been my rock. Especially in the beginning. She saved me from some really dark times, Teo. And she’s kept my secrets. There were moments that straight-up scared me, and I wondered if I’d even make it through. She’s never judged me. Not once. And she’s always looking out for me.”
Teo folded over and covered his face with his hands. “Dealing with exes is hard enough.” He turned and looked at Brand. “Of all the people in all the world, your ex has to be Carson Fucking Keaton. Karma can be a bitch sometimes.”
Brand’s forehead wrinkled. Karma? How did karma play into this? Could Teo, in some wild way, be blaming himself for this complication? No, this wasn’t Teo’s fault. He had nothing to do with this mess.
Brand took Teo’s hands in his and held them tight. He searched out his eyes. When their gaze met, Brand spoke. “Look, if you don’t want me to go see him, I won’t. After Carson left, I….” He blew out a breath. “I didn’t want anything to do with relationships. Seven years, Teo. Seven. And now here you are and… you showed me, you show me every day that I do still care, that I want to be part of something more than myself.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against Teo’s mouth. He swiped his tongue along the other man’s lips and playfully bit the bottom one. When he pulled back, Teo’s face had warmed. His cheeks held a slight blush.
Teo sighed. “This could be the closure you need. And as much as I want to tell you to not meet with him, I don’t want to be the reason you don’t go see him. If I did, I’ll always wonder if we’re together simply because of my actions or if it’s because you really choose me.”
“Teo, it’s not—”
“I want you, Brand West. You make me happy. When we’re together, I’m content. But I want you to want me in that same way. I want you to choose me, not because I took away your other choices, but because I was your choice despite those other choices.”
Teo placed his hand on Brand’s cheek. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
Teo smiled. “Be honest with yourself. Be honest with me. I’ll wait till you figure this out, because I think what we have is worth it. But I don’t want to be lied to. Don’t make a fool out of me, Brand. Lord knows I deserve it, but please, it’s the one thing I’m asking you to do. Be honest.”
Brand drew his eyebrows together. What was Teo talking about? How could he possibly deserve any of this?
“Teo, you don’t deserve any of—”
“Just be honest. Promise me, okay?” He looked at Brand with expectant eyes.
Brand’s shoulders dropped. He wanted to discuss this more, ensure that Teo knew none of this was his fault, but he could tell Teo was done talking for now.
“I promise.”
He leaned forward and kissed him hard. Teo’s response to his touch was immediate. He pressed his body up against Brand, his hands wrapping around Brand’s shoulders and pulling him closer. Brand’s tongue slid into Teo’s mouth, his lips pushing deep into the kiss. There it was, that hint of peppermint.
“You taste so good,” Brand whispered into Teo’s mouth.
Teo’s breath hitched as he pressed further into Brand’s mouth, stopping all words. A spark ignited in Brand’s core and spr
ead through his body like a wildfire. Heat lapped his skin, his heart thrummed in his chest, and his stomach tightened. His hands found the bottom of Teo’s shirt, and he gripped it in his fingers. He lifted the shirt over the other man’s head and tossed the garment to the floor and sat back to examine Teo.
His chest was tight and toned. Brand knew Teo worked out regularly and could see the results in the sinewy muscles of his pecs, shoulders, and abs. His skin was creamy, a dark, rich terracotta, smooth and delicious. Brand’s mouth watered. He leaned forward and took a nipple into his mouth. Flicking his tongue back and forth, he played with the hard nub until Teo squirmed under his touch.
“If you keep doing that, I’m going to come in my pants,” Teo whispered, breathless.
“If you come in your pants, then we won’t be able to play more,” Brand teased. “And I’d like to drag playtime out a bit.”
A moan escaped Teo’s lips, and Brand released his nipple and traveled the length of his torso down to his waist with thick kisses. Teo froze as Brand took the fabric of his pants with his teeth and pulled, unbuttoning his jeans with one quick tug. “Let’s just loosen this up a bit.”
“You’re gonna be the end of me, Brand West.” Teo hissed through his teeth.
Brand slid off the couch and propped himself up on his knees. His cock was rock hard, and he palmed it just enough to relieve the pressure building at a phenomenal rate.
“Fuck, Teo, you’re gorgeous,” Brand hissed as spread his hands over the other man’s abdomen. God, he was turned on. A quick glance at Teo’s crotch revealed just how turned on he was too.
He ran his hands down and rubbed Teo’s thighs. Hooking his hands behind Teo’s knees, he tugged him to the edge of the sofa. Teo fell back against the cushions, his chest heaving, his eyes smoldering. Brand positioned himself between his legs and lowered his head. Teo’s legs twitched as Brand kissed a trail up his inner thigh.
“I love kissing you,” Brand whispered as his lips traveled over Teo’s hidden cock to the bit of hair that trailed up to his belly button.
“Fuck, Brand. You feel so good.”
“I’m gonna feel better when I have your cock in my hand. Lube?”
Brand ran his hands up the sides of Teo’s legs, and Teo leaned over to the side table and pulled a small tube out of the drawer. Brand took the lube and unscrewed the cap, squeezing a quarter size amount in his hand. Tossing the tube to the floor, he gripped the center of Teo’s boxer briefs with his dry hand and pulled them down. Teo’s cock stood erect in front of him.
Brand took it in his lubed hand and rubbed his thumb over the tip, smearing the bead of precum that had leaked out with Teo’s arousal over the head. The sticky fluid urged Brand’s cock on, and it twitched in his pants. Fuck, he wanted to sink himself into the other man so bad, but it wasn’t time for that. Not yet. Not if he and Teo were taking things slow like they agreed. A sweet scent caught his senses and Brand leaned closer to Teo’s cock and inhaled.
“Peppermint lube?”
“I know how you like mint,” Teo breathed, the words barely coherent.
Brand chuckled and smeared it along Teo’s hard shaft, slowly rolling his wrist to ensure the lube covered as much skin as possible. Teo blew out through his teeth. Brand’s cock was about to burst, and he clenched his thighs, praying he’d be able to hold it together a while longer.
Brand opened his mouth and let as much air as he could fill his lungs as he watched Teo writhe under his touch. Christ, this man was hot. Brand hitched his body forward until he was practically lying on top of Teo, his hand steadily working Teo’s cock. Up and down, up and down, faster and faster. Teo squirmed and placed his hands on Brand’s shoulders, jutting his dick into the relentless rhythm of Brand’s hand.
Teo released a moan, and Brand slowed his pace, teasing pleasure from the other man’s body. When he sensed Teo relax his grip and calm under his touch, he began again at a steady pace dragging his fist from the base to the tip and back down again. Fingers of electricity tickled Brand’s chest. Fuck, he was turned on.
“Oh, God, Brand, yes,” Teo moaned.
Brand tightened his grip and drove his fist down over and over again as lube slicked over Teo’s cock, the erection growing more swollen with each milking pass. Brand’s mouth bit and sucked on Teo’s chest, his tongue and teeth playing, deliciously devouring every bit of salty sweat as they traveled up Teo’s chest and took a nipple between his teeth. He held it taut in his mouth and sucked it hard until Teo hissed and wiggled under him.
He reached down with his free hand and gently cradled Teo’s sack, his fingers playing with the soft skin there. He palmed the sensitive organ and massaged it rhythmically as he continued to pump Teo’s erection.
Teo’s entire body contracted, and Brand knew he was close. Teo brought his hands to his head and ran his fingers through his hair. Brand released Teo’s nipple with a pop.
“Fuck my hand, Teo,” he rasped, looking up at his lover.
Teo lifted his head and looked down at Brand. The two men made eye contact, and a fire blazed. Brand saw the pure desperate wanton need in Teo’s gaze. Or maybe it was Brand’s need mirrored in the other man’s eyes. The only thing Brand knew was that he had to extinguish this blaze, this intense burning in his blood.
His lips slowly wrapped around Teo’s other nipple and pulled it into his mouth as his hand continued to squeeze the hot, thick shaft. Teo’s fingers tightened in his hair. Brand had him just where he wanted. Teo pushed further into his hand until his fist was entirely full of cock. A guttural moan vibrated through Brand’s body, and he pressed his own erection against Teo’s thigh.
Brand closed his eyes and kissed Teo’s chest, his hands working the other man’s cock; his own shaft twitching in his pants and a deep moan rumbling in his chest. Teo had his hair firmly in his grasp, and his leg muscles tensed and shook as he rubbed against Teo’s body.
“Fuck, Brand. Fu—”
Teo’s voice cut off, replaced by a deep instinctual grunt. Brand’s skin was on fire. The flames lashed at him, stripping bits of flesh in stings and tears. He milked Teo’s cock at a frenetic pace, up and down, up and down, the ferocity of Teo’s thrusts matching him stroke for stroke.
Teo’s muscles strained against his body. His fingers fluttered. He was close to release. Brand pressed his own swollen cock firm against Teo, the orgasm threatening to consume him. His stomach tightened, sweat beading along his forehead.
“I’m gonna come, Brand,” Teo said with a gasp.
Teo tightened his grip in Brand’s hair. He held Brand’s head still as his hips jutted up and froze, allowing Brand to take the reins. Brand rested his forehead on Teo’s chest and he inhaled deeply as he focused on the thick cock in his palm. After a few more strong passes, Teo’s body trembled and his abs contracted before a massive release pulsed into Brand’s hand.
“Oh, God, yes,” Teo moaned, his hips hitching further.
Brand squeezed his eyes tight and rubbed his cock against Teo until the edge of orgasm prickled his insides. He squeezed and milked Teo’s shaft harder as the orgasm ripped through the other man. A few seconds later and Brand shuddered as his climax exploded through his body.
The two men remained unmoving until the last soft waves of ecstasy ebbed into the quiet of the room where only heavy breaths and muscles lingered.
After a few more seconds, Brand released Teo’s cock. He rolled onto his side and looked at the man lying back on the couch.
“Jesus, Brand.” Teo gasped as his hand fell to his crotch. “That was so fucking hot.” He leaned forward and grasped Brand’s shirt with his free hand, pulling him forward until their foreheads were touching.
“Do what you need to do. You have my support. And whatever happens, I want you to know that I do not, will not, and will never, regret our time together.” Teo pressed his lips against his.
Brand fell into the kiss but didn’t get lost in it. As much as he knew he could, no matter how safe it felt, he kept
his balance and held himself at the edge. His emotions splattered around like paint streaks on a canvas. Teo had lit something inside him he’d thought was long dead. Moving further with Teo, giving himself fully to the other man was something he could see himself doing, he could see a happy future. How could he even entertain old feelings for Carson when the man in front of him had so much to offer?
Brand kissed Teo back, deep and full. What was he doing? He had no clue. The one thing he did know was that, closure or no closure, maybe seeing Carson wasn’t such a great idea after all.
Chapter Eighteen
Friday afternoon came sooner than expected and nowhere near fast enough. If ever he had a doubt about meeting Carson, it was now standing tall in the forefront of his mind. Brand held the phone in a death grip, sweat beading at his brow. He hadn’t been this nervous in… well, God, he couldn’t remember if he’d ever been this nervous.
“I know I’m only in this for peace of mind and maybe a little morbid curiosity, but Ry, what if old feelings come back? What am I supposed to do then? What about Teo? No. No, I won’t let them in. I’m with Teo now. I really like him.”
“I know you do,” she said. “Breathe, West. Breathe. I swear, why is it always a dilemma with you? First, you can’t date anyone new because you’re stuck on Mr. Movie Star. You finally meet a nice guy and start something… for the first time in years. Now, Movie Star’s back and wants to explain, and you’re freaking out. Brand, this could give you the closure you need to really move on with Teo? You said it yourself, you really like him. Could you ever truly move on when there’d always be that ‘what if’ in your mind? This doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just calm down.”
“I don’t know, Ry. My stomach is all twisted, and I feel like I’m gonna vomit.” Brand’s stomach rolled as if to confirm his suspicions.
Ryan was silent on the other end. “Brand, I’m going to ask you something, and I want you to really think about it before you answer.”