Only Box Set

by Lane, Shawn;

  Darrell laughed, too, though he couldn’t entirely squelch a bit of jealousy that sparked at the mention of Alan. He knew Travis’s former lover was gone and all, but from the few times the man had mentioned him it seemed clear theirs had been a great love. Darrell had never had that.

  “How about you? I’m guessing with a friend owning the boat, you’ve been out a lot.”

  “Not as much as I once did, but yeah, I used to. Casper and I were once friends with benefits,” Darrell admitted.

  Travis shot him a sharp look. “The boat owner?”

  “Yeah. His dad owned the boat before him. He bought it from his dad when his dad decided to sell the business. We were never serious or anything. Casper is bisexual and I think pretty much used me to experiment with.” Darrell shrugged. “Anyway all that has long been over.”

  “Okay.” Travis frowned a bit, but kept his eyes on the road ahead of him. His body had gone a bit rigid as well.

  “Something wrong?”

  “No. Not really.”

  Darrell watched him silently for a bit. “Yeah, there is. What?”

  “Just didn’t realize this guy was a former boyfriend.”

  “Casper was never my boyfriend. I told you, just friends with a few benefits. Nothing major. Blow jobs. We never had full sex.”

  He directed Travis to the harbor where Casper docked his boat, and he pulled into the parking lot and parked the Honda.

  The sky was still partly cloudy, but the air had warmed up some. They grabbed windbreakers out of the trunk and headed down to the landing where Casper stood waiting for them.

  Casper was a six foot four African American man who’d played high school football. Like Darrell, Casper hadn’t come out as gay until college. Though they’d been friendly, they’d never had enough in common to become a couple and had eventually decided they were better off being friends sans benefits.

  Up until the idea came to Darrell for the harbor cruise he hadn’t actually seen Casper for several months.

  Darrell noticed immediately the way Casper’s gaze swept over Travis with obvious interest. His gut twisted. He hadn’t given much thought to Casper being attracted to Travis. He guessed he should have because the man was gorgeous.

  “Hey, Darrell, how are you doing?” Casper smiled and patted Darrell playfully on the shoulder. “This must be Travis. Darrell spoke very highly of you, Travis. I’m Casper.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Travis shook his hand.

  “Well, come on, the boat’s ready if you are.” Casper led them through a gate and down a steep wooden walkway to where his boat, Barracuda, was docked.

  While Travis boarded first, Casper pulled Darrell aside. “I packed a picnic lunch for you just like you asked. It’s in the galley. Once I get out of the harbor and on to the open sea, I’ll make sure to leave you two alone.”

  Feeling much better, Darrell smiled. “Thanks, man, I owe you big time.”

  “If things don’t work out between you and him, I want his number.”

  Darrell opened his mouth to say, “Fat chance,” but thought better of it and just shrugged. He followed Travis on to the boat.

  * * * *

  Travis let the cool sea breeze hit his face, smiling into the wind. They’d been out on the water for about an hour now and they’d viewed all sorts of wildlife including a bunch of dolphins following in the boat’s wake. It had been a great day.

  He’d been a little nervous at first, knowing Darrell had something of a history with Casper. But Casper had basically left them alone shortly after they got started.

  “This is great, isn’t it?” Darrell asked, leaning a hip against the railing.

  “It’s perfect, thank you. It’s the nicest after birthday I’ve ever had.”

  Darrell chuckled. “I’m glad. I have to admit I was a little leery when I suggested it. I’ve not done the dating thing very well. I’m pretty shy and as a general rule keep to myself and a few friends and family. I’ve never dated a white man before.”

  Travis nodded. “I’ve never dated an African American either. I guess this is new for both of us.”

  “I’ve never dated my boss either.”

  Travis’s cheeks flamed. “Well, if it makes you feel better, the whole job thing is the first time for me, too.”

  Darrell touched his arm lightly. “It does. How did you meet Alan?”

  “At the grocery store, actually.” Travis smiled at the memory. “He asked my opinion on cereal. Really, he admitted it was just a way to introduce himself to me. Said he’d seen me at that store a few times. Anyway, we ended up going for coffee.”

  “Speaking of eating, follow me.” Darrell smiled and tugged his hand to follow him to where the galley of the boat was. Travis saw a picnic basket had been set out on the small table inside. “Sit down there and I’ll break out lunch.”

  Travis sat on the wooden bench and waited to see what Darrell would produce. His grin widened when the first item that emerged from the basket was two champagne flutes followed by a half-sized bottle of champagne.

  “You think of everything,” he murmured.

  “My attempt at being romantic.” Darrell ducked his head.

  Travis reached for his hand. “It’s sweet. I like it.”

  Darrell smiled shyly. “Yeah? Good. I’ll pour us glasses.”

  The small bottle had a twist-off cap rather than a cork and he quickly filled the glasses and handed one to Travis. He was finding it rather nice to be wooed. He’d done most of the wooing with Alan. And it was something he wouldn’t have expected from Darrell.

  “Now, we have chicken salad sandwiches, apples, chips, and potato salad.”

  “Yum.”

  Darrell sorted out the food and they ate and drank, just enjoying each other’s company and the views of the ocean and Channel Islands just outside the galley window.

  “Thank you again. This was really great.”

  “Did you have nice birthdays with Alan?” Darrell asked as he repacked the picnic basket.

  Travis shook his head and smiled a little when Darrell’s eyebrows shot up. “Alan was pretty self-centered. Don’t get me wrong, I loved him, we had a nice life together, but his attention span wasn’t great unless it centered around him. He’d forget my birthday all the time but if I forgot his he’d go ape-shit.”

  “Well, that sucks.” Darrell ducked his head again. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

  He laughed. “Don’t apologize. It did suck. I overlooked a lot where Alan was concerned. Probably too much, really. But you know what? Enough about Alan and more about sucking. As in me sucking you.”

  Darrell’s dark eyes widened. “Here?”

  Travis glanced toward the door. “I don’t see Casper, do you?”

  “No, but he could come along any time.” Darrell’s teeth tugged his bottom lip, clearly torn. Both embarrassment and interest shown in his eyes.

  It was rather bold of him, really. Travis didn’t make a habit of sex with others nearby, but he wanted to give pleasure to Darrell.

  “I won’t if you’re uncomfortable,” he forced himself to say.

  Darrell’s uncertain gaze lingered on the door to the galley for a moment more before he slowly nodded.

  His heart hammering, Travis asked, “Okay?”

  “Yes.”

  Travis rose from the bench and went to Darrell’s side. He leaned down to place a quick kiss on the man’s too-tempting lips, then he went onto his knees next to him. “Just stay sitting there.”

  Darrell swallowed, his Adam’s apple sliding down his throat.

  He undid the button of Darrell’s beige slacks and lowered the zipper, deliberately brushing the man’s erection with his fingers. Travis smiled at the sight of Darrell’s navy briefs. Reaching in, he pulled the heavy, hard cock through the opening in his pants. A creamy dot of pre-cum appeared on the fat brown head. “Yum.”

  Darrell shook and placed his hands on Travis’s shoulders. At first he thought Darrell intended to
push him away, but then he realized he was drawing him closer. He closed his mouth around the smooth tip, drawing it inside the moist warmth.

  “Oh, God,” Darrell whispered almost reverently.

  Cupping the man’s ball sac, he pulled him in deeper, pausing just long enough to stop his gag reflexes from kicking in. Darrell’s shaft was long, thick, and delicious. Travis worked the hard rod in and out, squeezing the heavy balls, and loving the low moans coming from Darrell.

  “I’m…Travis.”

  He knew the other man was close so he sucked harder and deeper still. He placed one hand on Darrell’s butt cheek, lightly caressing it even and urged him closer.

  Darrell threaded his fingers through Travis’s hair and pumped. When he stiffened, Travis opened his throat, anticipating the flood of cum that filled his mouth. He waited until Darrell went limp before he gently eased him out of his mouth. He leaned back on his haunches and surveyed his handiwork, or rather, the aftermath. Darrell’s eyes were half closed, his lips curved in a small satisfied smile.

  “It was good then?” Travis teased.

  “Very good.” Darrell adjusted himself and re-zipped his pants. “A little embarrassing though. I certainly hope Casper didn’t walk by.”

  Travis used the bench to hoist himself up. “Honestly, I wouldn’t know. Never even looked at the door.”

  Darrell’s warm gaze settled on Travis’s crotch. “What about you?”

  “Well, I admit it’s a little uncomfortable right now, but I think it’ll go down pretty quick.”

  “You don’t want me to…you know?”

  He laughed. “No. Let’s enjoy the rest of the harbor cruise. There’s plenty of time for that later when we get back.”

  Chapter 7

  Darrell jolted awake and for a moment looked around blearily, wondering where he was. He blinked.

  “Hey, finally woke up, huh?” The sound of Travis’s deep, sexy voice had him fully awake in seconds. They were just getting off the freeway exit near his condo.

  He brushed a hand over his face. “Sorry, man, I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”

  “No worries, I had the radio on.”

  “Car rides always make me sleepy,” Darrell admitted.

  “I don’t mind driving. I often wished I’d been driving the night Alan died.” Travis sighed. “I don’t know that I would have done much better. We’d both been drinking. We were damn stupid.”

  “People make mistakes.”

  “Yeah, and that was a doozy.” He grimaced. “I never drive if I have even one drink now. Unless it’s been hours like today.”

  “Are you hungry?” Darrell asked.

  “Not terribly. Why don’t we order a pizza later or something?”

  “Sounds like a plan to me.” He pushed the button on his garage door opener as they approached it. One of the best parts of his condo is it had come with a two-car garage, so he always had a space for a guest to park. Not that he had that many guests, of course.

  Back inside his condo, Darrell felt a little nervous again. The day…the weekend actually…had been amazing. Never in his dreams had he imagined Travis Anderson would be spending the weekend with him. Hot guys like Travis had never shown any interest in him. So, he supposed, it was fairly natural to be nervous.

  “Where should I put my overnight bag?” Travis held the duffel bag he’d packed earlier when they’d gone to his place.

  Deciding not to be coy, Darrell said, “In my bedroom. This way.”

  He’d been tempted to let Travis go down the hall before him so he could look his fill at that very fine ass. But he was supposed to be leading the way. When they reached his room, he pointed to the opposite side of the bed he liked to sleep on. “You can set it down there on the floor next to the bed or there’s a chair there, too.”

  Travis hoisted it on the chair and unzipped it, his back to Darrell.

  Feeling unsure again, Darrell fidgeted. He thought it would be too crude to say something like…”pull out those condoms”…even if that’s what he wanted to say. Should he offer Travis a drink? Ask him if he wanted to watch a movie? Order that pizza? He wasn’t sure Travis wanted to get naked as soon as they returned. He did, of course. He hadn’t been able to think about much else, really.

  Finally after what seemed an eternity but probably was a few seconds, Travis turned around to look at him. Darrell’s breath stilled, his pulse raced. Travis held a strip of condoms in one hand and a bottle of lube in the other. His absurdly beautiful turquoise eyes sparkled.

  Darrell’s mouth went dry. He wet his lips with his tongue, feeling heat infuse his cheeks and flow through his torso straight down to his already rising cock. Clenching his fists to get himself somewhat under control, he smiled. “Great minds think alike.”

  Travis threw the supplies on the bed and tugged off his shirt, revealing his toned, slightly tanned chest and abs.

  Oh, yeah.

  He unbuttoned his own shirt, shrugging it off his shoulders. Darrell moved slowly, more interested in watching the beautiful man in front of him discard his clothes. Travis’s long, elegant fingers moved to the snap of his jeans. It seemed almost like slow motion to Darrell as the zipper slowly lowered.

  Darrell’s hard, aching cock pressed painfully against his own pants. He unfastened them and barely kept from telling Travis to turn around while he slipped the pants off his ass.

  Travis lowered his pants to his ankles. He toed off his Vans and then stepped out of the jeans. He stood in only navy boxers. He smiled. “What about you?”

  “Me?” Darrell stared.

  “Your pants.”

  “Yeah…yeah.” Darrell shucked both his pants and briefs. His freed erection curved slightly up, eager to get down to business.

  Travis scooted his boxers off, turning around and bending over, showing off the pink puckered opening between the two perfect globes of his pale white ass.

  For a moment, Darrell just gawked. The man was beautiful. Sleek and graceful and toned. His gaze shifted slightly to the bed. Sure there would be time for that. But for now he couldn’t stop imagining taking Travis against the wall.

  “Stay there, just like that.” Darrell grabbed the lube off the bed and tore off a single condom. He walked up behind Travis and spread his hands over the smooth cheeks.

  “What do you have in mind?” Travis murmured.

  Darrel pushed him flat against the wall. “That give you an idea?”

  Travis exhaled and spread his legs a little as he braced his hands against the wall. “Damn, the wall’s cold.”

  “Sorry,” Darrell said. “I’ll warm you up.”

  He tore open the condom and rolled it over his aching shaft. Darrell massaged the firm cheeks beneath his hands. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on Travis’s quivering back.

  “Mmm.”

  Encouraged by Travis’s low moan, Darrell trailed his lips up his shoulders to the pulse of Travis’s throat. The man smelled clean, like soap. His mouth closed over a soft earlobe, his teeth sinking into the delicate flesh.

  Darrell smoothed his hand down the front of Travis’s thigh and then lightly brushed the man’s erection.

  Travis pushed back enough to rub Darrell’s sheathed cock. Jolts of powerful lust shot threw him. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He oozed lube onto his fingers. First he liberally coated himself before slipping two digits into Travis’s puckered entrance.

  The other man removed one hand from the wall and crept down to his cock. Darrell swatted it away. “Not yet.”

  Travis returned his hand to the wall, but pushed back against him impatiently. “Fuck me.”

  Needing no other urging, Darrell replaced his fingers with the head of his cock, pushing in slow and deep, easing in until he slid all the way, flush with Travis’s perfect cheeks. Travis inhaled, quivering just a bit beneath him.

  He waited just a second, reveling in the feel of Travis clenching around his dick. But as good as it felt, he couldn’t hold still for long. With
one hand clutched around Travis’s middle and the other closing around the man’s heavy erection, he began to thrust, long and slow, angling himself in the exact position to nail Travis’s prostate.

  “God, Darrell. Please.”

  Darrell closed his eyes and increased his pace. Fingers of pleasure flittered up his spine, tightening his balls. A low growl escaped his lips. He released Travis to push him harder against the wall, slamming into him again and again.

  Travis aggressively pushed back, matching him thrust for thrust. His hand slipped from the wall to grab his cock, stroking it.

  “Travis.” He groaned, ramming one last hard and deep thrust as his orgasm slammed through him. He pulled Travis close, his back against Darrell’s chest, as the man’s cum splattered the wall.

  Reluctantly, Darrell withdrew, relaxing his hold, but not letting go of Travis entirely. He nuzzled his neck. “God, that was great.”

  “I agree.” Travis leaned back against him and yawned.

  “Hungry? Ready for that pizza?”

  “Yeah.” Travis turned to face him and they exchanged several breathless kisses that almost caused his cock to rise again.

  When they broke apart, Darrell suggested, “Why don’t you rest in bed for a bit? I’m going to take a quick shower and then I’ll call.”

  “Excellent plan.”

  * * * *

  Later in the week, Darrell was getting ready to shut down for the day. He was heading over to Travis’s house for dinner and to spend the night. Since the prior weekend they’d spent almost every night together. He hadn’t seen Travis today as he’d been at a trial all day, but he couldn’t wait.

  Things were going well. He was a little worried about the boss-employee dynamic. If their relationship didn’t work out, he’d be forced to find another job. He liked working for Anderson, Llewellyn, and Stevens. Darrell was not a fool, though, and he realized a bad breakup with Travis would cost him his job.

  He didn’t think Travis or the others would fire him, but more likely he would quit, too uncomfortable to work there.