by A. M. Arthur
“Yes.”
Levi moaned. “You’re absolutely sure?”
“Fuck yes. Please.” George proved his point by shoving Levi sideways and yanking at his own belt buckle.
Levi did the same, leaving his shirt and boxer briefs on for now, while stripping out of his jeans and socks. The loft was getting warm but he didn’t want to presume—George surprised him by yanking his long-sleeve T-shirt off, revealing a long, pale torso of lean muscle and a small scattering of blond hair. Levi licked his lips; George’s boldness was a huge turn on.
“You can take your shirt off, if you want to,” George said.
Sporty chose that moment to jump into bed and pounce on George’s foot. He yelped from what Levi knew were needle-sharp claws in his skin. “Shoo, you,” Levi said, swiping at Sporty’s tail. She swatted at him once, then bolted away. “You okay?”
George snorted. “She didn’t draw blood. Mostly surprised me. Guess they’re possessive of their dad.”
“Yeah, well, the last guy I let come around frequently ended up being a righteous mistake.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, it was a long time ago.” Levi did not want to bring Grant into bed with them, so he took his shirt off. Observed the way George’s eyes went wider, how his lips parted as he took in Levi’s mostly naked body.
“Working with horses is good for you,” George blurted.
Levi chuckled. “If I can’t control my body, my face will end up in the dirt. But you haven’t skated in years and you are in amazing shape.”
“I still have issues with food.” His face reddened. “Um.”
The instant, embarrassed reaction from George told Levi to pull back and settle him. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. But I will be here to listen when you’re ready.”
“Thanks. I just...” He faltered.
Levi clutched one of his hands. “You don’t have to explain. I understand having darkness in your past, remember? I also think everything about your heart, mind and soul is beautiful. You are beautiful, George Thompson, inside and out. I am humbled that you chose me to be part of this new journey you’re takin’.”
Those must have been exactly the right words because George pounced. He tipped Levi on to his back and climbed on top of him, their underwear-covered erections pressed together as George began to thrust. A light, slow rhythm, testing this new thing out, before becoming more aggressive. He remained annoyingly out of kissing range, hands braced on Levi’s pecs without teasing his nipples. Exploring these new sensations that left Levi a moaning, panting mess. Just enough to feel without being close enough to get off.
* * *
George was losing himself in this new, amazing thing he was sharing with Levi. To the sight, scent and feel of another man beneath him, giving George all the control. Letting him explore and go at his own pace. To the unique sensation of another hot dick rubbing against his own.
So. Good.
“You feel amazing,” Levi said. “Wow.”
George splayed his fingers wider on Levi’s chest, the tips of both middle fingers nearly touching his nipples. “I’ve seen this, I just...never imagined...fuck.” He was slowly losing the ability to speak.
“The real thing is better than a video, for sure. Can I hold your hips?”
“Yes.” He adored the man for asking. Being so goddamn respectful of the fact that George had never done any of this before. “Please, Levi...you can touch wherever. Anywhere you want.”
Lust burned in Levi’s blue eyes. His hands slid up George’s thighs and squeezed his hips, a firm hold without directing him. After a series of thrusts, Levi’s hands moved a bit farther, stopping with his fingers over the very top of George’s ass. The touch spurred George on, and he rolled his hips harder. Grew brave enough to rub Levi’s nipples. Levi moaned again, his own hips snapping up against George’s. Seeking his own pleasure.
Levi was always so controlled and well mannered, and George loved watching him fall apart. Loved knowing he’d done that for Levi. And as much as George was loving watching Levi’s face, he needed the comfort of Levi’s kisses. He plunged back into Levi’s mouth, seeking that familiar heat and taste. The slide of Levi’s naked torso against George’s had his balls drawing up tight, release imminent.
“Getting close,” Levi panted.
George lifted his hips and shoved his briefs down as far as he could, releasing his dick. Purposely revealing himself to an adult man not his doctor for the first time in his life. “Get yours down.”
Levi let out a sharp, almost-growl and pushed his underwear down as far as he could reach with George kneeling over him. As much as George wanted to admire Levi’s dick, he wanted to come a hell of a lot more. Precome and sweat helped slick their way, and George hadn’t thrust more than a half dozen times before he shattered into a thousand pieces.
Pleasure unlike anything he’d ever experienced raced up his spine, and he couldn’t censor the sounds he made. Levi writhed below him, and the extra wetness on their bellies told him Levi had come, too, but George was too boneless to do anything except remain plastered to Levi’s body. His pulse raced and he tried to get his breathing back under control. He needed to find words. Any words.
“Fuck,” Levi said. “Wow.”
Two very good words. Then surprise jolted through him, and George raised his head high enough to see Levi’s very blissed-out face. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you cuss before.”
“I trained myself out of the habit. But back when I was in the rodeo, I could put Samuel Jackson to shame.”
He laughed, and the movement reminded him of the mess they’d made of each other. “We’re all sticky.”
“I would hope so, considering that was one of the best moments of my life. And I have to admit, it was a heck of a turn-on when you ordered me to get my underwear off. I love seeing that take-charge side of you.”
“I kind of surprised myself with it, but I didn’t want to come in my briefs. I wanted us to share it more intimately.”
Levi leaned up to kiss him. “I’m glad. No regrets?”
“None. And it’s something I’d like to do again. Naked the whole time.”
“Oh, we are definitely doing that.”
“Good.”
“We should probably go shower.” He squeezed George’s hips. “Believe it or not, the bathroom is big enough to share if you want.”
For as in control as he’d felt during the sex he’d just had, George faltered over such a simple thing as a shared shower. Levi wasn’t going to maul him if they were squished together in a shower for ten minutes. It might even be fun. Everything he did with Levi—even the slightly scary stuff like riding a horse for the first time—was fun. “Okay.”
“Yeah?” Levi kissed the tip of his nose. “Thank you for your trust.”
“You’ve more than earned it.” He rolled off Levi, careful to keep his sticky skin off the coverlet, and untangled his legs from his briefs. Levi did the same. They both gathered up their discarded clothes and carried them downstairs. The cats were lazing about in a patch of sunshine, all three staring at them like they knew exactly what their daddy had just been up to.
George had thought the bathroom was pretty spacious when he’d first inspected it—he still didn’t understand how the composting toilet worked but he’d search on his phone later—but with Levi’s broad body in the room, it suddenly felt cramped. The tub had a clear sliding door instead of a curtain, which Levi pushed back to access the spigot.
“I’ll warn you,” Levi said with a wink, “sometimes the cats come in and just stare at me while I’m showering.”
“They’re just admiring you.” George admired everything about Levi’s body, from his taut ass to his hairy upper thighs. He’d yet to completely ogle the man’s dick yet, though. It seemed impolite now that the sex was
over. And Levi wasn’t blatantly staring at him, either.
“Good answer.”
Levi set the water and while it warmed, he draped his arms around George’s waist and pulled him close, their bodies aligning nicely, despite the height difference. George felt safe and cared for when Levi held him. Levi didn’t kiss him, simply stared until the room began filling with steam.
“What?” George finally asked.
“Nothing. Just admiring you. I have feelings for you, George, and I guess I’m a little worried that once you start peeling back my layers, you won’t like what you see.”
“Doubtful.” George had occasionally thought the same in reverse. If or when George admitted to how badly he’d screwed up his life, thanks to Adrian and his manipulations. Maybe George had been an impressionable teenager but Levi might not see it that way. Except Levi was the least judgmental person he’d ever met. Levi was a safe place. “Now let’s shower before we waste all your water.”
Levi brushed his nose against George’s once before releasing him. “Good point.”
They didn’t linger in the shower long, because the water was cooling fast, but it was a fun tangle of elbows and legs. The cats didn’t bother them so they dried and dressed in peace, and even though George loved admiring Levi’s naked body, he was grateful for the modesty of his clothes. To hide what old fears and habits still saw as an imperfect shape. Never skinny enough, fast enough, able to jump high enough.
The mood stuck with him on the brief walk into the kitchen.
“Are you thirsty?” Levi asked. “I’ve got cream soda, water or oat milk.”
No calories. “Water is fine, thanks.” George used the excuse of petting the cats to keep his back to Levi. Ginger purred before he even stroked her soft head. Usually, when the voice of doubt got too loud, George would put his earbuds in and play loud rock music until it quieted. But he didn’t have his earbuds on him, and how would he explain it to Levi?
Levi handed him a cup of water with a few ice cubes in it, and George’s hand trembled when he accepted it. Instead of commenting, Levi sat across the cat pile from him with a bottle of soda and started petting Sporty. They were who he’d come up here to check on, after all. Sex had just been a side bonus.
“George, are you sure you don’t regret something we did?” Levi asked after a few minutes of silence. “You seem off.”
“It wasn’t anything we did. I don’t regret having sex with you, I swear. I just...” He desperately wanted to be home in the apartment with his brother, who didn’t ever ask because he knew and accepted George’s quirks. “Can I get away with saying that it’s not you or us, it’s me? It’s cliché but accurate.”
“Of course. As long as I can get away with saying you can trust me with anything that’s bothering you. I’m a good listener and I don’t gossip.”
“I do trust you. It’s just not something I like to talk about. Ever. Maybe one day in the future, but not yet.”
“Heard and understood. Thank you for your truth, George.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for not pushing.”
“Never. I respect your feelings, and I will do my best never to pressure you into anything.”
Somehow, that still sounded like Levi doubted himself and that maybe he’d pressured George into sex too soon. And that simply wouldn’t do. George did not regret a single thing about their day together, other than his own little internal episode about his appearance. He put his water on the nearest flat surface, scooted right into Levi’s personal space, and pressed their foreheads together.
“How’s your recovery time, old man?” George teased.
“Old man, huh?”
In an unexpected display of strength and dexterity, Levi had George up and over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry, and he took them both over to the built-in sofa for round two.
Chapter Fifteen
Their second time rubbing off together lasted longer than the first because Levi was a sadistic bastard who loved to pull George right to the edge, and then refuse to let him come. George adored and hated him for it. They didn’t touch intimately beyond frotting, except for the one time Levi needed to arrange their dicks into a more comfortable position, and George was grateful. They had time to go slowly. For George to ease into physical intimacy.
He also got in a good laugh when Sporty attacked Levi’s feet during yet another “you’re not coming yet” tease.
His second orgasm of the day? Epic. Mind blowing. Best moment ever.
They rinsed off separately under lukewarm water, and then spent a lot of time kissing before George realized the time. “We’re going to be late for dinner if we don’t head back soon,” he said.
Levi found his phone and looked at the screen. “You’re right. One sec.” He swiped a few times, then bit his lower lip in a weird way.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing wrong, precisely. I forgot to text Wes that I’d be here to check the cats’ food and water. He texted me about twenty minutes ago that he came by, saw the ATV, heard the moaning and left.”
George flushed so hotly he thought his face might burst into flames.
“It’s okay,” Levi continued. “The only person who knows you’re up here with me is Reyes, and he doesn’t gossip. It’s our private business.”
“I appreciate you saying that. I’m just...not used to people hearing me doing private things. I can’t even masturbate while Orry’s home.”
One of Levi’s eyebrows twitched. “Then I will take you getting off twice with me today as a high compliment. And just to be clear, I do not expect anything else from you just because we had sex today. And expect is the key word. Would I love to do all this again and more? Definitely yes. But no pressure and no expectations.”
George melted a bit deeper into his gooey feelings for Levi. “Thank you. I mean, I definitely want to do more, but I appreciate your words more than you know. I spent a good third of my life feeling pressured to be what other people wanted me to be. The very best skater. An Olympic medal winner. Then I spent the last seven years hiding from everyone because I was terrified of other people’s expectations. You are a breath of fresh air, Levi Peletier. I am blessed to have met you.”
Levi cupped his cheek in a warm palm. “I don’t want to control or manipulate you. Not ever. All I want is your friendship. Your companionship. And your honesty. I genuinely like the man you are. Just be you, George Thompson.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“You don’t have to try. Just be.”
The naked emotions in Levi’s eyes prompted George to rise up on his tiptoes and rub their noses together. “I’ll be.”
“I’ll be, too.”
They kissed until George’s empty stomach growled for food, and while they could have probably eaten at Levi’s place, it would look funny to the other guests if they didn’t show for the meal. Levi put wet food out for the cats. George also spotted a dry food dispenser situated under the stairs. They both petted and cuddled the cats, especially Ginger, before leaving the tiny house. George enjoyed snuggling against Levi’s back on the ATV ride to the ranch, and it was hard to resist his urge to hold Levi’s hand during the walk from the barn/garage to the guesthouse.
Dinner was a hearty chicken potpie, and George did his best to get mostly vegetables and less of the crust. Plenty of the other fresh offerings, too. He also allowed himself to indulge in one of Patrice’s yeast biscuits, which were soft and buttery and so good. So different from the flaky breakfast biscuits. No one at the table commented on his and Levi’s afternoon-long disappearance, likely because they all knew Levi worked at the ghost town. They probably (and rightly) assumed he had special privileges.
After dinner was an evening hike that George kind of wanted to go on but he was exhausted after his long afternoon with Levi. Instead, he settled in the downstairs area with his phone to rea
d. Levi went on the hike, and George was completely unsurprised when Miles and Shawn appeared in the guesthouse. As if summoned. Possibly by a text from Levi. A good guess from the fact that the pair gravitated right over to George’s armchair.
“Hey, dude,” Shawn said. “How are you enjoying your vacation so far?”
George closed his phone screen. “I’ve had a lot of fun. The overnight camp was neat, and I really like riding a horse.”
“I remember my first camping trip crystal clearly,” Miles added. “I was terrified, and these guys kept trying to scare me more with talk of mountain lions, but in the end, I loved the experience. It’s one of my and Reyes’s favorite things to do now. Camp together.”
“I’m starting to see the appeal.” He could almost see himself enjoying it with just him and Levi one day. Waking up alone in a tent, surrounded by nature. Maybe in warmer weather, though. “You two don’t have anything better to do on a Tuesday night than chill in the guesthouse? Or did Levi ask you to check in on me?”
The pair shared a look that screamed guilty.
“Not check in on,” Shawn said. “Just to chill out with. Our guys are up at Mack’s place watching a movie.”
“And you’re not both up there with your guys?”
Miles offered a patient smile. “We both know what it’s like to do things outside your comfort zone. And this is not us asking you anything, only offering support. My first visit here, I was a flaming mess because of something a shitty ex had done to me. But there is something about Clean Slate that helped me find a semblance of peace. It let me accept help from my friends and to eventually let my guard down and fall in love with Reyes.”
“And finally get said shitty ex tossed in prison,” Shawn added.
“I’m glad you found that love, I mean it.” George didn’t know much about Miles but the guy seemed like a very genuine soul. Shawn too.
“I lived in my car for two years.” Shawn’s confession jolted George. “Even while I worked at the ghost town, nobody knew. It wasn’t until I let myself be embraced by the generous people here that my life really began to improve. If you ever find yourself in the position to lean on the folks here, and to be part of this family, then do it. It’s worth it.”