by Lane, Shawn;
Right now though, he really had to pee. He struggled out from under Nathan’s arm. He stared down at the sleeping man. Nathan had such an innocent look while he slept. A lock of his dark hair rested on his forehead and there was a faint blush to his cheeks. He nearly leaned forward to kiss the tip of Nathan’s nose, but decided he didn’t want to take the chance of waking him if he needed his sleep.
Barnaby walked past the bed as quietly as possible and over to the bathroom. After doing his business, he washed his hands and then frowned at the image looking back at him from the medicine cabinet mirror. Eyeliner was smudged all over his eyes.
With a quick glance around the bathroom, he didn’t notice any wash cloths, so he bent over and looked under the sink. He found a chocolate brown one with a matching hand towel and, using the soap on the bathroom sink, he scrubbed his face clean.
By the time he exited the bathroom, the bed was empty, as was the bedroom. Barnaby noticed the clothes he wore the night before had been placed on the made bed. He didn’t like wearing dirty clothes but since he was at Nathan’s he had little choice, so he dressed and went in search of Nathan.
He could hear noises from the kitchen, so Barnaby headed there. Nathan’s back was to him, pouring coffee from a coffeepot. “Good morning.”
Nathan’s back stiffened, but he didn’t turn around. “Morning.”
Barnaby tried to ignore the uneasy fluttering in his stomach. “That coffee smells wonderful.”
Nathan finally turned around. He looked gorgeous with his hair tussled and his glasses not quite straight, but his expression was grim. “Help yourself.”
He bit his lip, but didn’t move to pour himself coffee. Dread sat in his stomach like a ball of steel. Barnaby swallowed, not knowing what to say to this cold Nathan. He hugged himself.
Nathan leaned against the kitchen counter and sipped his coffee, studying Barnaby silently. After a moment, he straightened. “Barnaby, last night was a mistake.”
Oh God. One, two, three, four, five. Take a breath.
He nodded and opened his mouth, but a squeak came out instead of words. He vaguely heard Nathan speaking words like one-night stand and never happen again. Tugging at the collar of his sweater, which now seemed to be suffocating him, Barnaby backed up. He held up his hands to stop whatever Nathan was saying.
“It’s fine. I’m just going to get out of here.” He turned and walked out of the kitchen and headed for the front door. His hand closed over the knob when he remembered he’d come with Nathan and didn’t have his damn car. He fished his cell phone out of the front pocket of his jeans.
“What are you doing?” Nathan asked, approaching him.
“Calling a cab or something.”
“No.” Nathan shook his head and took Barnaby’s phone out of his hands. He took a deep breath. “I’m-I’m an idiot.”
“Forget it. You’re just not that into me. I get it. Can I have my phone back?” He was on the verge of seriously losing it and he didn’t want to do that in front of Nathan. His cool rejection was killing him, but there was no way Barnaby intended to let Nathan know that.
Nathan slipped Barnaby’s phone into the pocket of his own pants. “Barnaby, I’m sorry. I just realized what an absolute ass I am. When I first work up, I freaked out a bit. I mean, you work for the firm and you’re Travis’s assistant and we’re so different and I had a bit of panic attack.”
Barnaby nodded, but he didn’t really want to hear why he was a mistake to Nathan. Since he was a kid, he’d had the ability to tune out stuff he didn’t want to hear, and now was the perfect time to use that skill.
“All right, if you don’t want me to call a cab, you’re going to have to drive me home. It’s too far to walk.”
Nathan’s eyes widened behind his thick glasses. “No, please. I want you to stay.”
“Why?”
“I’m trying to explain. I’m sorry about what I said to you in the kitchen about not wanting it to happen again and you being a mistake. I’d say it’s because I’m not a morning person but that’s a lame excuse.” Nathan inhaled and reached for his hands, grasping them in a tight grip. “Please stay. I want you to spend the day with me.”
The ball of dread sitting in his stomach went away, but he was still wary. “And then?”
Nathan frowned. “Then?”
“Tomorrow is Monday. Are you going to pretend I don’t exist? Or are we going to keep seeing each other?”
Nathan shook his head.
Barnaby tugged on his hands still being held by Nathan. “Then I—”
He tugged him close and encircled Barnaby’s waist. “No. I won’t pretend you don’t exist. I could never do that.”
Barnaby shivered. “Okay. Kiss me.”
Nathan’s thumb brushed over his bottom lip, forcing his lips open just before Nathan’s mouth crushed over his. A hot, coffee tasting tongue thrust inside.
Ah, man.
Nathan’s fisted his sweater, pulling him in closer. Barnaby’s cock came to attention. He could hardly believe just a few moments ago he was close to leaving with a broken heart.
Finally coming up for air, Barnaby sighed. “Wow.”
Nathan laughed. “Yeah. Are you hungry?”
A little startled at the change of subject, Barnaby blinked, but then realized he was. “I am. You going to make me breakfast?”
Nathan tugged him into the kitchen. “I have a can of cinnamon rolls in the fridge. Will that work?”
He laughed. “Yum. Works for me.”
Nathan nodded. “Be right back.”
“What—” But Nathan had already dashed out of the kitchen. Shrugging, he opened the fridge and found the cinnamon rolls. He found a cookie sheet in one of the cabinets and then stuck them in the oven.
Nathan came back and smiled. “I see you got things started.”
“Where’d you run off to?”
“Come here.”
Barnaby titled his head questioningly but went to Nathan. “What?”
Nathan slid his hands under Barnaby’s sweater, spreading over his naked skin. “We have some time.”
His breath caught. “What do you have in mind?”
He was led out of the kitchen and into the living room. Nathan eyed the couch and he thought perhaps he intended to fuck him there. He went to move around to lie down, but Nathan stopped him.
Nathan had him stand behind the couch and brace his hands on the back of the couch. “Bend over,” he said in an authoritative voice.
Excitement and anticipation making him shake, Barnaby did as Nathan said.
Nathan stood behind and reached around to undo his jeans. Barnaby went to help and Nathan slapped his hands away. “Let me.”
Nathan pushed his to his knees and then squeezed Barnaby’s cheek. He closed his eyes when he heard the slosh of lube squeezing out and then a slicked finger entered him.
“God.”
“You are so damn hot,” Nathan breathed and then rubbed his now sheathed cock along Barnaby’s crease.
He bit his lip. “Fuck me. Nathan, please.”
“Damn, I love it when you beg,” Nathan growled just before he entered him. His hand closed around Barnaby’s erection and he began to stroke him.
Each thrust hit his prostate, sending him near the edge. It was a quick, hard fuck and Barnaby didn’t mind a bit. He planned on Nathan taking his time later. He was so close to coming himself as Nathan’s hand jerked him fast, Barnaby pushed back, clenching his muscle over the other’s man’s cock.
Nathan tensed and rammed him so hard he nearly stumbled over the couch. Barnaby’s cock released gobs of creamy fluid and he fleetingly hoped it wasn’t getting all over the backside of Nathan’s couch.
He straightened as Nathan pulled out of him, panting heavily. Barnaby dropped to his knees and glanced at the couch. He winced at the wet spot. “Um, sorry.”
“Hmm?” Nathan had pulled off the condom and was refastening his pants.
Barnaby flicked his head in the
direction of the spot. “Got any cleaner?”
Nathan laughed and reached down to pull Barnaby up. “Somewhere. I’ll get it later.”
He encircled Nathan’s neck with his arms. “Now that’s a better good morning.”
“Yeah, I am sorry about earlier. I can be a prick sometimes. I will say it pays off in court.”
“I know.” He sighed. “You’re always so cold to me at work I figured you didn’t like me at all.”
Nathan raised both eyebrows. “Cold to you? Barnaby, believe me, I was not trying to be cold.”
He bit his lip. “No? Then why didn’t you ever even look at me? Every time we were in the same room you’d look anywhere but at me.”
Nathan smiled. “I was always looking at you. I just didn’t want you to realize it. Or anyone for that matter.”
“How come?”
“It’s hard to explain, but you’re young and hot and definitely not my type. Even though I do pretty well in court cases, I’m fairly shy for the most part. And geeky besides. I figured if anyone noticed I was gawking at you they’d realize just how pathetic I am drooling over someone so out of my league.”
That definitely earned Nathan a big kiss. “You aren’t out of my league and you aren’t geeky either.”
Nathan deepened the kiss and Barnaby started crawling up his body. He pulled away when the smell of baked cinnamon rolls drifted out to the living room. His stomach growled and he broke the kiss.
“Smells like breakfast.”
“Yeah, I guess we’d better get them before they burn. What do you want to do for the rest of the day?” Nathan asked as he went into the kitchen, followed closely by Barnaby.
“I want to spend it in bed with you.”
Nathan grabbed a potholder and took out the cookie sheet of rolls. “Won’t that be boring?”
He laughed. “Seriously?”
The other man turned a slight shade of pink. “Well, maybe it wouldn’t be that boring.”
Barnaby winked. “I can guarantee it won’t be.”
Chapter 8
Just before lunch Monday morning, Barnaby poked his head around the cubicle of the firm’s financial manager, Darrell Lincoln. The handsome, African American man had his reading glasses perched on the end of his nose as he studied the computer intently.
“Hey, D.”
Darrell glanced his way. “What is it?”
“I was wondering if you want to go to lunch with me.”
Darrell removed his glasses and leaned back in the chair. “Okay. Where?”
“I don’t care, you pick. No places that only have meat, though. I’ll pay.” Barnaby smiled.
“You?”
“You look skeptical. Actually, Travis is paying. I have his corporate credit card.” He laughed.
His friend rolled his eyes. “I have to pay those bills when they come in, you know.”
“Sure, and you’ll already know about the charge, so you won’t be surprised. Come on, Travis is at court, so he won’t miss either of us.”
Darrell stood. “All right. But I’m driving. I still have gray hairs from the last time you drove us to lunch.”
* * * *
Darrell ended up driving them to a salad buffet restaurant a couple miles from the office. After they’d filled their plates, Barnaby chose a booth in the back corner of the restaurant.
“So, what’s the real reason for the lunch?” Darrell asked after they’d settled in to eating.
“Can’t friends just have lunch without an ulterior motive?”
“Yes. But, I get the feeling this time is more than that.” Darrell dug into his clam chowder. “Are you having trouble at work?”
Barnaby had just taken too large a bite of his salad, so he paused to chew it up before answering. His grandmother would kill him if he talked with his mouth full of food.
“Because, I have to say talking to me about any trouble you have working for Travis puts me in an awkward situation.”
He nodded and chewed.
“I understand the need to vent, but—”
He swallowed. “I’m not, dude. This isn’t about work. Travis is an awesome boss.”
Darrell looked relieved. “Okay, good.”
Barnaby laughed. “D, I’d never complain to you about your boyfriend even if I did have a problem with him. I’m not a moron.”
“I know, but, well, we’re friends and friends talk about crappy bosses and boyfriends.” Darrell shrugged.
“Actually, that’s sort of what I do want to talk about. The last part I mean. Not that I have a boyfriend…um, not yet anyway.”
“You’re coming to me for man trouble?”
He smiled at the other man’s incredulous look. “It’s not trouble exactly. And, geez, why wouldn’t I ask you? You have a hot boyfriend, which is more than I can say.”
“Well, okay. So what’s up?”
He clasped his hands together and stared at them for a moment. Finally, he looked at Darrell. “I know about guys, but not so much about, you know, relationships. Like adult ones. The thing of it is, I really like this guy. I mean really like him. I’m not sure he feels the same.”
“And he’s not a boyfriend?”
“No, not yet, anyway. We have had sex though. A few times.”
Darrell grimaced. “Like sex in the parking lot of the bar?”
“No. Geez, D, it’s not like that. We’ve even had a couple of dates.”
“What kinds of dates?”
Barnaby poked at his salad with his fork. “The first time we went to dinner. And the next date we went to the movies and then to cosmic bowling.”
“That the bowling at night thing?”
“Yes. And that night, Saturday night, we went to his house and had sex.”
“All right,” Darrell said. “That sounds promising. So, what’s the problem?”
He sighed and set his fork down, pushing his plate away. “Basically I’ve been the pursuer. Which is okay I guess, it’s not like I’m shy, but you know, in the past, guys have come to me. The first dinner we went to wasn’t even really a date. He was thanking me for taking care of him when he didn’t feel well, and even then he didn’t really want to go. And when it was over, I kissed him. He didn’t really have an intention of kissing me.”
“I see.”
“He wasn’t even going to ask me out again I think. I asked him to go to the movies, then bowling.”
“What about going to his house?”
He sighed and rested his chin in his hands. “I invited myself over.”
Darrell winced but said nothing.
Barnaby was beginning to get more and more depressed. “And here’s the thing. We had sex and all and he seemed really into it, but the next morning he started talking about how it was a mistake and all it could ever be was a one-night stand.”
“Ouch.”
“But wait, then when I was trying to leave, he stopped me and said he was an idiot and we ended up having sex again.” He bit his lip. “And again. And—”
“I get it,” Darrell interrupted quickly. “And this was yesterday?”
“Uh-huh.”
“How did it end?”
“He drove me home.”
“No plans for another date or to see each other again?” Darrell asked.
He shook his head. “Just see you tomorrow.”
Darrell frowned. “See you tomorrow? Well, that sounds like you did have a date.”
Barnaby rolled his eyes. “No. He meant at work.”
“What? Wait. Who is this guy?”
“Nathan Llewellyn, like I told you.”
Darrell threw his napkin down. “You did not tell me.”
He glared. “Well, you had to know it was him. Sheesh, I’ve been lusting after him for months.”
“Barnaby, you lust after everyone. How am I supposed to know which guy of the many you’ve lusted after it was.”
“You know now,” he pointed out.
“Oh, my God.” Darrell shook his head an
d took a bite out of an oatmeal cookie. “I can’t believe you spent the weekend sexing up Nathan.”
“I wasn’t sexing him up. Well, I was, but there was more to it than that. You of all people should be giving me sympathy.”
“Me?” Darrell’s mouth dropped open.
“Duh, have you forgotten you’re sleeping with our boss?”
Darrell squirmed. “It’s not like I planned on it.”
Barnaby couldn’t really say he hadn’t planned on being with Nathan, because, really, he’d thought of little else since he started working there, and he figured if Darrell was being honest he would admit the same about Travis. But none of that mattered.
“This isn’t about you, anyway,” Barnaby said. “This is about me and Nathan.”
“Right, and from the sound of it, there is no you and Nathan.”
That hurt. He ducked his head.
“I’m sorry, Barnaby. I’m not trying to be cruel. It’s just from what you’ve said, it sounds like he’s not interested in anything long-term with you.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. And why would he be anyway?”
“Hey.” Darrell touched his hand. “What do you mean?”
“He’s said several times I’m not his type. Remember that day I came in looking all different? More like you.”
“Sure.”
“I was trying to get Nathan’s attention.”
“Oh, I wondered.”
He shook his head. “But it didn’t work. He didn’t like nerdy Barnaby any better.”
“I know it sucks when someone you are interested in doesn’t feel the same way, but put this into perspective. There are a lot of gay men out there panting over you. Lots of us envy you.”
Barnaby nodded, but he didn’t care about any of those men. He only cared about Nathan.
* * * *
It was after five Wednesday night when he stood outside Nathan’s office door. For the last two days, Barnaby had not pressed him. He’d seen him across the office or in the hallway and exchanged polite pleasantries that nearly killed him. Not once had he seen him privately or called him. He had hoped Nathan would make the next move. If there was a next move.