by Macy Blake
Cody made the short drive home and tried not to grimace when he walked into his pitch-black apartment. His roommate, Matt, had moved out two weeks prior. It made Cody’s lonely existence that much worse. After kicking off his shoes and adding them to the messy pile by the door, he wandered into the kitchen. He opened the fridge, but it was empty. And he’d forgotten his yogurt at the bar. He really was throwing a pity party for himself. And he was the only one who’d showed up.
His phone dinged, drawing Cody out of his depressing thoughts.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent? Probably another idiot on Bear4Me who thought just because Cody was into bigger guys meant he wanted to be dominated or something. Not that he was opposed to a little rougher play, but he didn’t get off on being threatened, like the idiot he’d blocked earlier had tried to do. Cody had enough problems in his life without stepping into another disastrous relationship. He started to ignore it and delete the notification. He hadn’t found what he was looking for on the site, but maybe this time would be different. Every couple he knew had met online. Well, except Meshaq and Drew. But he couldn’t set his hopes quite that high. He’d never seen anyone look at their partner the way Meshaq looked at Drew.
He opened the app and clicked the provided link to HellBent’s profile. It was pretty much empty. He glanced at the date. HellBent was a brand new member of the site. Cody rolled his eyes. He tapped the message icon and sent a message to his newest bear admirer.
GoldiLad: You should complete your profile before you send growls.
Feeling a bit better at having helped a newbie out, Cody closed the app and went about his night. It kind of sucked living alone, especially since he worked nights and never got to see anyone who worked a normal schedule.
HellBent: I’ve been staring at the profile questions for hours. I went and looked at profiles to see what other guys said. Ridiculous, right?
Cody couldn’t help but smile. The questions were pretty ridiculous, especially since the app developers had tried to do a fairy tale theme. Cody had heard about it from one of the twinks at the gay bar he went to sometimes on his nights off, and they’d had a good laugh over all of the Goldilocks references. Cody had even played along by making his user name fit the theme. The “which bear does it for you” labels had been very cheesily executed. Cody hadn’t honestly planned on continuing the ten bucks a month they charged users for much longer. It had been fun while it lasted.
GoldiLad: Have fun with them. I did.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent: Sorry. I hit the wrong button. Growling is a good thing, right? This app is strange.
GoldiLad: Growling is good. And if you think it’s so strange, why are you here?
HellBent: Besides the obvious? Check my profile now.
So bossy. Of course, Cody was too curious to resist looking. This guy was at least being honest and not using some variation of suck my cock as his opening line. He clearly had no idea what he was doing. He hadn’t even attached a dick pic. Cody was beginning to think he’d never used a dating app before. It was unlikely, but he supposed everyone had to have first time. HellBent’s basics looked good. No pictures yet, which Cody would advise him to add soon. But his interests and hobbies were normal. Hanging out with friends, working out, hiking. Nothing that sparked any excitement in Cody, but nothing that had him running away screaming either. There was one guy who had a thing for snakes. Nope. Just nope. Cody had him blocked so fast he’d almost sprained his finger hitting the button.
Cody scrolled down a bit further, to the Makes Me Growl section. He gulped. So HellBent wasn’t afraid of saying what he wanted. Control. A boy. Someone to take care of. Cody was into that, more than a little.
GoldiLad: Looks good to me
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent: Damn it. Why did they put the growl button right next to the reply button?
HellBent: And which part looks good to you?
Cody bit his lip and wondered if he was really up to going through this again. He decided to go for it. Worst case, he would have a little fun and end up blocking the guy once things got weird. He kept his info safe and never gave anyone any actual details about where he lived or worked. Besides, it wasn’t like he had anything else to keep him occupied until he fell asleep.
GoldiLad: All of it.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent: That one was on purpose.
A little shiver went down Cody’s spine. He decided to up his game a little to see if this guy got weird and creepy fast, or if the little squiggle of excitement he was beginning to feel was something to explore further.
GoldiLad: Did you check out my profile?
HellBent: Yes. But I’m going to go look again now.
GoldiLad: Let me know what you think of my pics.
HellBent: Pics?
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent: Fuck. You’re perfect.
Cody shivered again, and his cock twitched in his jeans. He went into his bedroom and stripped them off, left only in the snug boy-shorts and T-shirt he’d worn to work. And speaking of, HellBent was up late. Cody wondered if he worked nights, too. Most people were down for the count at three in the morning and not setting up new profiles on a hookup site.
GoldiLad: I showed you mine. You show me yours.
HellBent growled at you.
He’d spent a lot of time on the pics he loaded to the site. No face shots at all, but multiple views of his body from the waist down. The unlocked pics were all clothed; he had a few others, but he only let guys on the app he’d connected with see those. HellBent hadn’t quite earned the privilege yet.
Cody took off his shirt and climbed into bed, pulling his blankets up. He normally didn’t go to bed so early, but he had errands to run before work so he needed to be up in enough time to get them done. His fridge wasn’t going to miraculously fill up with food on its own.
HellBent: That’s for you.
Cody quickly clicked the link and opened the profile page. Sure enough, there was now an image. Cody made it bigger and nearly swallowed his tongue. His cock filled, and he tried not to whimper. HellBent’s pic showed the tented front of his boxer-briefs. The black fabric was stretched tight over an impressive erection. The black and white elastic band kept everything trapped. Cody wanted nothing more than to take that band in his teeth and slowly drag it down, revealing what had to be a really impressive package.
He slipped his hand beneath the blankets and gave his cock a rub. He kept his underwear up like HellBent’s were. He wondered what HellBent would say if he knew what his image had done to Cody. What he was doing, imagining.
GoldiLad: I want to suck it. Would you let me?
GoldiLad: I’m touching myself, just thinking about it.
HellBent: I’d let you. But I’d make you put your hands behind your back. No touching what’s mine. I’m imagining you on your knees for me, that sweet perfect ass in those pics empty and begging for me to fill it.
GoldiLad: *whimpers* You’re mean.
HellBent: Aww, is the sweet boy pouting? It’s okay. Pout all you want. I’ll let you get me nice and hard by sucking me, but then it’ll be my turn. I want to taste what you hid from me, too. Peel down those tight little shorts and see what you have for me. You think you could take me, sweet boy?
Cody’s cock leapt in his hand and a dribble of precome landed on his belly. He really needed to get laid, and since his own hand was going to have to do the trick, he quickly pushed a few buttons on the phone as he slowly stroked his cock.
GoldiLad: I sent you an invite.
HellBent added you as a cub.
HellBent: I accepted.
Poor guy had no clue how all this worked. Cody wondered how long it would take him to figure out there were more pictures available to him
now. In fact… Cody tossed off his blankets and opened the camera on his phone. He snapped a quick pic and attached it to their conversation.
GoldiLad: Look what you’re doing to me.
He hit send before tracing his hand up his stomach, tickling his own sensitive spots. He imagined HellBent’s hands—they’d have to be big to have a cock that impressive—touching him. Finding all his secrets. Learning what made him moan.
HellBent: I wish you could have heard the sound I just made. Fuck, Goldi.
HellBent: I want to kiss my way down your belly. I’d give you a little love bite, right there where your hand is. No one would see it but me and you. I wouldn’t even pull your boxers down. I’d taste you right through the fabric. I bet you smell amazing.
HellBent: Would you let me taste you? I bet I could make you come from that alone.
Cody shivered again. He was about to come already, and HellBent wasn’t even there.
His phone chimed again, and he found another message. This time, with a pic attached. He had to grab his cock and squeeze to keep from coming. HellBent had uncovered his cock and sent another pic. It was even better than Cody had imagined. And there was a shimmering drop of come right on the tip.
GoldiLad: Try. Make me come. I want to come for you.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent: Get those boxers off.
Cody scrambled to do as he’d been told, setting his phone aside only long enough to drag the waistband down and push his boxers to his knees. He kicked them off the rest of the way as he grabbed his phone and replied.
GoldiLad: They’re off.
HellBent: Good boy. Spread your legs for me. Pick those knees up and show me that pretty hole of yours. I’d spread you wide and look my fill. I bet you’re so pretty like that. Will you show me?
Cody gasped as his body heated. He snapped a pic that showed stomach, his cock pointing straight at the camera, and a hint of his thighs, spread wide and waiting. He hit send.
HellBent: Fuck, you’re beautiful. Touch yourself for me. Slowly. I’m not in a hurry.
GoldiLad: I’m so hard already.
HellBent: Good. Give the head a squeeze for me. Tell me how it feels.
Cody did as he said and squeezed. He added a little twist and his hips bucked up.
GoldiLad: So good. I can’t stay still. I’m fucking my hand.
HellBent: Get some lube. Slick your cock up for me.
Cody couldn’t move fast enough. He rummaged around on the floor beside his bed and found the bottle of lube he’d tossed there after his last jack-off session. He squirted some on his hand and grabbed his cock. There was nothing as good as a warm, slick touch. His cock glided through his fingers, and he gave the head another squeeze.
HellBent: I’m imagining you moaning for me. I want to listen to your breaths, hear that little hitch that means I’m touching you just right. Squeezing and stroking and bringing you closer and closer. Do it for me. Just the way you like it. I’m getting myself off thinking about it. My cock is hard thinking about you. I’d push us together and wrap my hand around us both. Jerk you off until you came all over my hand, dripping on my fingers and all over that sweet belly of yours. Come for me, Goldi. Let me see what a mess you’ve made of yourself.
Cody didn’t know how he managed to do it, but HellBent’s words were all he needed. It took only one more solid pull, and he came, shooting his release over his belly, exactly like he’d been told. He gasped for breath, his cock still twitching as he stroked himself a little more, chasing that last spasm of pleasure. He uncurled his toes and opened his eyes.
He didn’t pause to think. Instead, he snapped another pic and sent it.
HellBent growled at you.
HellBent: Such a mess. I’d lick it clean. Would you clean me up too?
He’d attached another pic, and it was similar to the one Cody had sent. Cock still hard and slick and red. Come all over his stomach, dripping down his side. God, he must have come a ton to have that much all over him. Cody’s hole clenched imagining it filling him up, leaking out of him.
GoldiLad: I would. I want to taste you.
HellBent: I want the same. Go to sleep, Goldi. Dream about me.
GoldiLad: I will.
Cody shut off his phone and plugged it into the charger before reaching down for his dirty shirt. He cleaned himself off, unable to stop his ridiculous grin. He’d needed to get off, and HellBent had a way with words. He hoped it wasn’t a one-off. His smile slipped, but he settled down under the blankets and pushed the thought aside.
He drifted to sleep imagining big hands and a bigger cock, slowly taking him apart. It was the best night’s sleep he’d had in as long as he could remember.
* * *
****
* * *
Cody had a spring in his step. He couldn’t even pretend otherwise. After bouncing into Hair of the Dog half an hour early for his shift, he spun Izzy around in a dance and made Drew one of his famous fuzzy navels. He’d woken up with a smile on his face which only got better when his phone dinged at noon while he was in the middle of the grocery store.
HellBent: I dreamed of you. Have a great day.
He’d replied with a heart. He’d wanted to do more, but he was in the middle of the cereal aisle and dancing the jig. He’d scared a little old lady.
Not even Solomon’s stern glare could keep him from being happy. The bouncer was in his usual spot at the back of the bar, all black hair and leather jacket and scowl, glaring at the world with his arms crossed over his chest like he was offended other people dared to breathe his air.
“I’ve never seen you like this,” Drew said after Cody had finished making a tray full of drinks for one of Izzy’s tables. “I like it.”
Cody sent him a wink and shook the empty shaker he’d used to make Drew’s cocktail. “Another?”
“No way. I feel that one all the way to my toes.”
Meshaq had been called away on one of his mysterious missions, leaving his boyfriend behind at the bar. Cody had been trying for years to figure out what they were up to. His best guess was mob, but it didn’t exactly fit. Although all the guys who hung out with Shaq did look mean enough to be mob enforcers. He bumped that idea up to the top. It made more sense than a secret assassins guild, and in the end, he didn’t actually care. They paid him on time, and very well. And honestly, they took care of him. He liked it. He grinned across the bar at Drew.
“You know, Shaq’s not here. I swear, you’d think you were pregnant or something the way he worries over you. You sure you aren’t knocked up?”
Drew made a face that Cody couldn’t quite read, and he worried he’d offended him. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Drew reached across the bar and grabbed his hand. He hesitated one second too long, but smiled. “Nah, not pregnant. Sadly. I keep telling Shaq he has to try harder.”
The mischievous gleam in Drew’s eyes put Cody over the edge. He cracked up and made another cocktail, this time leaving out the alcohol. Drew really liked sweet stuff. He passed the virgin cocktail over to him, adding a cherry on top at the end for fun. “Well, practice makes perfect.”
“Don’t you worry. We get plenty of practice.”
Cody cackled again and turned for the other end of the bar. He took care of his customers, and when he turned back, Solomon was standing next to Drew. They were having a low conversation, and Cody worried again that he’d caused offense. His big mouth always got him into trouble.
“Cody, break time,” Solomon said sharply.
“I’m okay.”
Solomon put both hands on the bar and leaned over. “I didn’t ask you if you were okay. I told you it was time for a break.”
“Sol—” Drew began.
Solomon turned to Drew and his sharp glare dimmed a little. “Ask him if he’s eaten today.”
Drew’s brow furrowed and he turned to face Cody. “Cody—”
“I ate!”
“What did you eat?” Sol barked.
&n
bsp; Cody turned his own glare onto Solomon. “Not that it’s anyone’s business what I do or do not eat, as I happen to be a grown man, but I had a salad.”
“Rabbit food does not count as a meal,” Solomon said.
Cody swore he saw a flash of red in his eyes. He leaned forward. “Grown. Assed. Man. Fuck off, Sol.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Drew said. He pushed to his feet and put a hand on Solomon’s chest. “Sol, go to your corner. Cody, let’s take a break. Vice!”
One of the other guys who worked at the bar stood. He’d parked himself near the entrance and seemed to be looking over every single person who entered. Something must be going on in mob-land, because they’d definitely upped security recently.
“You need something? What’s wrong?” Vice asked.
The guys around here were so weird lately. Seriously.
“Watch the bar for a few. Cody and I need some air.”
“But—”
“Watch the bar.”
Vice didn’t look happy about it, but he ducked behind the bar. Cody swapped places with him and followed Drew outside. It wasn’t too late, only ten or so. The bar was pretty crowded, though.
“I’m proud of you,” Drew said once they’d walked to the other side of the lot.
“What? Why?”
“For standing up for yourself. I’m proud of you.”
Cody didn’t honestly know what to say. “Thanks?”
“Don’t ask it. You’re doing great, Cody. I’m your friend so I’m allowed to tell you I’m proud of you for not letting Sol boss you around.”
Cody sighed and kicked at the gravel in the parking lot. “Why do I feel like the other shoe’s about to drop?”
“Maybe because it is.” Drew poked him in the arm, and he rubbed the spot mutinously.