by Rowan Shaw
"Are you planning on adding some yellow to her eyes?" she asked.
I cleared my throat. "No. Why?"
"Just to make some areas lighter, so the dark parts stand out more."
"I'll try that. Thanks."
"Sure. No problem." She responded to my smile with a resplendent grin, then turned to her girlfriend and held her hand, ignoring me.
I tried hard not to stare. She looked so much like her mother; seeing her cut me every time, even if I could never stop. Our interaction had been too short, and I could already feel myself craving more.
I stayed for a while longer, reveling in each one of her laughs that were recurrent and soothing, then I left before she did. I was surprised she'd never noticed me coming here before. Now that she had, I'd have to be more careful. I couldn't afford for her to ask questions. This was my only chance to see her, and I'd be damned if I ruined the opportunity by growing too greedy.
Chapter 9
RAPHAËL - TWO WEEKS LATER
It was pouring outside on the first day of class when I met Charlotte for the first time. She came running through the courtyard, sprinting for the amphitheater, trying to hide under her backpack. I took pity on her and offered the shelter of my umbrella. The professor was late, and for some reason, no one had unlocked the classroom door yet. Everyone around us was grumbling at the sudden cold the rain had brought along while Charlotte shivered in her thin blouse and tight jeans.
"I don't know what I was thinking?" she complained. "This weather just caught me off guard."
Though I didn't know her, I was ready to offer my jacket. Our friendship picked up from there. The teacher finally showed up twenty minutes later, apologizing that one of his tires had gone flat and he had to change it in the middle of the Parisian traffic.
When he let us in, I led the way to the middle of the amphitheater, where Charlotte sat next to me, chatting me up like we were old acquaintances. I was trying to listen and follow when the course started, but she wouldn't shut her mouth. She was so friendly, I had no choice but to reciprocate the conversation, whispering behind my raised book. It turned out we had so much in common, it was almost disturbing.
Charlotte was mixed-raced like me, also the child of an immigrant. Her father came from Vietnam and had married a white Frenchwoman. Like me, she was caught in between two religions, neither of which she believed in, and though she was fully French in her heart, she was the child of a different culture. Many were those who implied she didn't belong in this country even though she was born here and had never even gone to Vietnam.
"My family lives in Lille," she said when we left after a two-hour lecture.
"Did you get a dorm room here?" I asked, following her through the courtyard as she held on to my elbow to hide under my umbrella.
"Yes."
"Lucky you."
"You didn't get one?"
I shook my head. "I managed to find an apartment not long ago."
Her eyes bugged out. "You landed an apartment in the city without a job?"
"I have a roommate. He owns the place."
"You got lucky on that one. I'm glad I even got a dorm room."
After I offered for her to join me for some coffee, we chatted for hours before I got home, finding the apartment empty. Adrien was working. He'd told me not to wait for him. I crashed on the couch, feeling Ila's feline eyes on me. She was observing me from her armchair, probably plotting the best way to maul my face.
"Adrien's gone. It's just you and me tonight, so how about you try and be nice, huh?"
For her sole response, she moved around, settling down with her ass toward me.
"Nice. It's not my fault he's working every night. If you have a problem with that, talk to him."
I felt stupid arguing with a cat, so I turned on the TV and ignored her, soon falling asleep in front of the screen.
Chapter 10
ADRIEN
A few weeks went by during which Raphaël grew increasingly overwhelmed by the amount of studying ENSA required. That didn't prevent him from landing a part-time job at the bakery down the street. He was so studious and such a hard worker, I only saw him in glimpses every morning when we had breakfast together. I sometimes heard him stirring in his room, listening to songs by Mylène Farmer, but I was rarely home in the evening. My days were mostly spent painting, working out, or making plans for work.
I'd already been at the gym for a full hour today, but I decided to row a bit longer, no matter how hard that pulled on my abs. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a guy checking me out. He was trying to be stealth about it, but I was used to queer men ogling me. I didn't want to give him false hopes, so I pretended I hadn't noticed. He was hot, though—definitely someone I'd fuck in the locker room if I could, but I knew Daniel would have my balls if he found out I'd fucked some random guy at the fitness center.
Though it was becoming slightly more popular in France to hit the gym, exercising still wasn't much of a trend. The place was almost empty. I cast a quick glimpse at the man still watching me, grateful when my phone beeped and distracted me. I took a look at it, unable to repress the smile growing on my face.
Noah: Salut, beau gosse. What are you up to?
I could always count on Noah to brighten my day.
Me: Nothing much. I'm at the gym. And you?
Noah: Jerking off thinking of you.
My smile grew.
Me: Yeah? And what am I doing to you?
Noah: I'm taking a bath right now. I mean, literally, I am.
I shook my head. Noah and his obsession with bathing. I couldn't even count how many times we'd fucked in that bathroom of his. The shower was usually his favorite place to get nailed, though he sure liked the tub too.
Me: Yes, and...?
Noah: You're taking me while I'm sitting on your cock.
Me: Mmm. I like the thought of that. You're facing me?
Noah: No, reverse cowboy.
Me: Nice. Am I jacking you off at the same time?
Noah: Yes. Feels so good.
I gave a smile he couldn't see and rubbed my mouth.
Me: You're turning me on while I'm at the gym.
Noah: You can go to the showers to shoot a load. I'll wait.
Me: Right, and then some straight guy will walk in while I have my junk in my hand. No, thanks.
Noah: You could talk even the straightest guy into fucking you. You know you could.
I rolled my eyes. No, I couldn't. Things didn't work that way. Straight guys were not my territory anyway. There were enough queers around without risking a punch in the face for hitting on the wrong dude.
Me: You know I can't, even if I wanted to. Fucking random guys is against the rules.
If it weren't, I'd already be buried balls deep in the ass of that one hunk who wouldn't stop ogling me.
Noah: The rules schmules. I can come over and release you if you want.
He was such a damn tease.
Noah: By the way, I called Daniel. He didn't reply.
That was weird. Daniel never missed a call.
Me: I wouldn't have time to meet you today anyway. I have a plane to catch tonight.
Noah: Oh, where are you going?
Me: New York.
Noah: New York! Why?
Me: Work.
He didn't reply to that. I got the feeling I'd just ruined his bath time and chances of making himself come.
Me: You know the deal...
Noah: Yeah...I know.
Me: All right. I gotta run.
I didn't want to leave so abruptly, but I could feel the terrain sliding into some muddy territory I didn't want to step into.
Noah: I'll see you when you come back.
Me: In the meantime, think about the next time I'll be thrusting in and out of you while taking a bath.
Noah: You're just cruel.
Me: Not as cruel as you giving me a boner right as I'm about to hit the treadmill.
I turned off my phone after that. I di
dn't want Noah to arouse me so much I'd have to go squeeze one out in the locker room.
The other guy was still checking me out, too. I gave him a glimpse. Damn, he was hot. Fuck Daniel and all his rules! I shook my head and grabbed my towel, wiping my sweaty neck. I decided to forfeit and leave before I did something stupid that might get me in trouble—like fuck some random guy at a gym just because he made me hard.
Chapter 11
RAPHAËL
"So this is your place, huh?" Charlotte asked after stepping into the living room. "Fancy."
Her eyes caught on the erotic art ornamenting the walls, but she didn't even blush.
"Nice pictures you got there." She flashed a suggestive grin that made my cock twitch.
It hadn't taken long to figure out she was into me, but I was reluctant to make a move. It wasn't the best idea to start the year screwing one of my classmates. We probably still had three years of studying left together. I didn't want to fuck that up and make things awkward.
"Those are my roommate's. He drew them."
Adrien was out of town for the weekend. I couldn't believe he'd gone to New York for work. I was slowly rethinking my choices and considering his career as a new path. Technically, I wasn't supposed to bring anyone over to the apartment, but this was my place too. I figured there was no reason he'd find out anyway, so why not invite Charlotte?
She stared at the drawings a bit longer. "Is your roommate bi or pan?"
"That obvious, huh?"
"Well, it's not like straight men own a lot of art of naked guys going down on each other or team-fucking the same woman, you know?"
"He's bi." I hesitated a second, knowing that revealing the truth about me might screw up my chances with her, but I figured I owed her the truth. "So am I."
"Really?" She looked me up and down with renewed interest.
"You don't mind, do you?"
"Why would I mind?" She seemed vexed I'd even suggested she might be a bigot.
"Some women hate the thought of being with a bisexual man."
She crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, I'm not some women, first of all. And it's truly their loss."
I couldn't hide my smile. "I'm glad you think so. Is it okay if we study in the kitchen?"
I didn't wait for her reply before grabbing my backpack and leading her there. She took the chair right next to mine and pulled a bunch of books out of her own bag, scattering them over the table.
"Will I get to see your room eventually?" she asked, her dark brown eyes shining at me. Her black hair framed her naturally tanned face, falling straight over her shoulders. She was gorgeous, almost as tall as me, with tits so big it took all my effort not to stare.
"What are you asking, really?" She'd been so forward about wanting in my pants, it was getting hard to resist the temptation. If she wanted to fuck, there was only so much denying her I could do. I was just a man, for fuck's sake—a man who hadn't gotten laid in almost four months. I was ready to burst, my dick already hardening at the thought of penetrating her.
"I'm saying I haven't had sex in five months," she said, leaning into me, her lips only inches from mine. She smelled like raspberries. I was ready to bet she tasted like them too. "I really like you. My offer still stands if you want to. And I'm clean. I got tested after the last guy."
Who the fuck was I to deny a lady? Really.
I gave her an inviting smile, and when she moved in her chair, I pushed mine backward so she could straddle me, her crotch rubbing against my painfully swollen dick.
"You're so hard already," she commented against my ear when her pelvis pressed against mine. She looked into my eyes before brushing her lips against my mouth, teasing it open with her tongue. Her lips were soft, delicate, though her kiss was hard and passionate.
I was right. She tasted like raspberries.
Everything after that was a flash of lust. I lifted her up, pushed the books away, and sat her on top of the table. I wanted her so damn much, I didn't even bother moving to the bedroom. In no time, I had her pants down and was feasting on her pussy, eating her out so good she was writhing in pleasure, moaning in my arms. I searched my back pockets for my wallet and drew out a condom. It didn't matter how long of a dry spell I'd gone through; I always had ammunition.
I undid my pants and sheathed myself quickly before we nearly ripped each other's shirts off. Her breasts looked even bigger in her black lace lingerie than under her tight shirt. I grabbed one of them in my hand and unclipped her bra to reveal her nipples that I teased and sucked until I grew so damn hard, I couldn't wait much longer.
I guided myself to her entrance and slid inside her without a single resistance, drawing a loud sound from her mouth. We started fucking right there on the kitchen table, her moans echoing against mine with each roll of my hips. We were both starving, and I didn't care to go slow. I kissed her neck, her jaw, her lips, her breasts as she squeezed around my cock repeatedly, pulling me closer to the edge.
"What the fuck?!" someone exclaimed from the doorway right when I was about to come.
I stopped mid-thrust and turned my head toward some tall, skinny white guy standing right there staring at us, his eyes crawling over Charlotte's flushed face and down to her tits, stopping at our joined thighs.
I pulled out of her as fast as I could and put my pants back on, throwing her clothes at her at the same time so she could hide herself. I couldn't find her panties that had flown across the room somewhere.
"Who the fuck are you?" the guy asked when we were finally decent. He looked posh as hell, wearing a gray suit complete with tie and leather shoes.
"I could ask you the same question."
"I own this place." He ran his gray eyes up and down my body again before looking at Charlotte.
I was flabbergasted. I had no clue what to say. I thought Adrien was the owner. He'd never warned me that someone other than the maid might show up.
"You didn't tell me who you are," he insisted more aggressively.
"I live here. I'm Raphaël."
"What do you mean you live here?" he snapped.
"Adrien is renting the place to me."
He paused, his white face turning red. "Like fuck he is! He sure didn't tell me shit about that. What's your name, you said?"
"Raphaël."
"Well, Raphaël, I'm afraid you're gonna have to take your shit and leave because Adrien never told me about you, and subletting the apartment is illegal."
I swallowed hard. Charlotte stood there, equally petrified.
"Look, it has to be a mistake," I croaked.
"Why the fuck would he rent you the apartment anyway?" he asked. "He still lives here, right?"
"Yes, I'm just staying in the one bedroom. I don't know why he chose to rent it. Maybe he needed the extra income."
The guy began to laugh. It wasn't a joyful laugh. "I can assure you Adrien doesn't need any fucking money. He's got plenty where that comes from."
Yes, of course I knew that already. "Well, I don't know, but I can't leave," I replied. "I have nowhere else to stay."
"That's really not my problem."
"Are you even allowed to come in here when Adrien's not in town?" I asked.
This guy was the owner, sure, but renters had rights. People couldn't just intrude upon their private space whenever they wanted, walking in on them having sex and all.
"I do whatever the hell I want. Maybe Adrien didn't tell you all that, so I'm gonna bring you up to speed. Adrien is renting this place as part of a deal he has with me. Having a roommate isn't part of that deal. Do you get it?"
"What deal?"
One of his eyebrows rose along with a scornful smirk. "How about you ask him? Now I would suggest you get your shit and leave."
Upon that, he turned around and slammed the door in his wake. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want him to call the cops on me if I wasn't supposed to be here. I wasn't a squatter or anything.
Charlotte looked at me, her eyes wide open.
She grabbed my shoulder in a reassuring gesture, then kissed my cheek. "It's not your fault, Raphaël. How about you call me when you've got this figured out and want to go for round two? I was about to come when that prick stole my thunder."
I let out a sigh. "Sure. I'll call you once I've got this sorted out."
Hopefully, I wouldn't be homeless by then.
Chapter 12
ADRIEN
I was lying on the bed with Marion riding my face and Noémie sucking my cock when my cell phone rang from the nightstand table. I swallowed a silent curse. I could count the number of threesomes I'd had with two women on a couple of fingers. It was a rare occasion, and now some loser had to ruin that by calling my damn phone.
The ringing finally stopped, only to start again a few seconds later. Marion got off my face and grabbed the phone to shove it at me.
"It's Daniel," she said. "It'd better be important because I was getting close."
"I'll make it up to you," I replied with a wink and snapped in the receiver, "What?"
Noémie was still bobbing her head, pushing my foreskin with her lips, licking my glans. It was hard to talk when I was climbing my way so close to the top.
"Who the fuck is this Raphaël guy living at your place?" Daniel snapped.
Shit.
I sat up so abruptly, Noémie nearly ripped my skin off with her teeth. I suppressed a wince and held a finger up for her to stop. Then I covered the speaker.
"You two girls continue. I'll be right back," I whispered and slid off the bed.
I was so hard, my shaft hurt. I could fucking kill Daniel right now.
"I'm in the middle of something. Did you really have to call me now?" I snarled into the phone and left for the bathroom. With one glance behind me, I saw Noémie and Marion kissing on the bed, stroking each other's breasts. My cock twitched, making me groan. Daniel owed me big time for this.
In my frustration, I slammed the door and sat on the toilet seat.
"Who the fuck is Raphaël?" he asked again.