by Lane, Shawn;
“That sounds fantastic.”
“Great. Come by at six. You like steak? I can grill.”
“Yum.”
Mark walked him to the front door and tugged on Drew’s arm to bring him close. He covered Drew’s lips with his own. “Thanks, Drew. See you tomorrow.”
Chapter 6
“What are you getting?” Drew’s best friend, Steve Llewellyn, asked him at breakfast Saturday morning. He peered at Drew and then at the single page plastic laminated menu.
“Either the bacon and eggs or the corned beef hash and eggs. You?”
Steve scowled. “Not sure yet. Maybe the waffle?”
Drew glanced around the busy diner at the others eating their breakfasts. The two of them used to come to the diner for breakfast every weekend back when they’d grown up in the area. Since moving back to help his folks, they’d met here a couple times.
It was no longer just the two of them now. Steve’s fiancée, Heather, was due any minute. “When’s Barbie…I mean Heather supposed to get here?”
Steve gave him a look, but then smiled. “Here she is now. Hey sweetie.” He got up from the booth and gave the pretty blonde a kiss.
“I’m sorry I’m late. Hi, Drew.” She smiled warmly and slid into the booth across from Drew. Steve sat next to her.
“No problem,” Drew said. “We haven’t ordered yet.”
He couldn’t help wondering, as he watched Steve and Heather speaking in soft whispers to each other, if someday there’d be the four of them having breakfast. Not that he had the fourth person yet.
Heather turned away from Steven and fixed her beauty queen smile on him once more. “You look a bit tired, Drew. Are you getting enough rest?”
“Sure.”
“Heather’s right. Are you doing too much for your parents?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
Steve frowned. “Have they given more thought to selling the gift shop?”
“A little. You know how it is. They’ve had it for years so it’s hard to give it up so easily. I think it might come to that soon, though.”
The waitress stopped at their table. “Ready?”
Heather spoke, “I’ll have melon stuffed with fresh fruit and the cottage cheese, please.”
Drew ordered the bacon and eggs and Steve ordered the waffle.
“Anyway,” Drew said. “I’ve actually been sort of seeing someone.”
Steve stared, his eyes wide. “Really?”
Drew wished he’d kept his mouth shut when Heather’s eyes narrowed and focused on him. He felt his cheeks warm. “Well, it’s probably nothing.”
“Bullshit. You wouldn’t have mentioned it if it were nothing. Who is he?”
He squirmed in his seat. Of course Heather knew he was gay. Hell, she knew about Steve’s half-brothers. But Drew also knew Heather’s family were conservatives who, though they approved of Steve, they did not approve of Steve’s family. It had been a matter of contention between Heather and Steve. Drew hoped they could overcome the family differences without it interfering in their happiness, because truly he believed the two loved each other. Still, Steve had told him privately that Heather’s father had been more disapproving of late as the wedding neared.
“Nathan’s partner at the firm.”
“Travis? I thought he had a boyfriend.”
“No, the other one. Mark Stevens.”
“The workaholic?” Steve asked. “I thought he didn’t socialize.”
Drew shrugged. “He does now. I talked to him at the party Memorial Day weekend, remember? You’re the one who talked me into it. At the barbecue we made a date for coffee.”
Steve nodded. “I remember now. I guess I just assumed he either wouldn’t show or it wouldn’t go anywhere.”
“Thanks a lot.” Never mind Drew had thought the same thing.
Steve nudged him with his foot. “You know what I mean. Drew, any gay man would be lucky to have you. You know you’re cute as a—”
“Button, yeah.” He rolled his eyes.
Heather laughed. “Well, it’s true. I think that’s super cool, Drew. An attorney. Wow.”
He smiled. “Well, don’t go getting too excited. We haven’t…well, gotten very far.”
“You mean you haven’t gotten laid?”
“Steve!” Drew shot an apologetic look at Heather. She just grinned. “No.”
“Well, geez, what are you waiting for?” Steve demanded.
He sighed. “I’m going over to his house for dinner tonight. Of course that doesn’t mean anything, for sure anyway.”
Steve smirked. “Uh-huh.”
“Leave poor Drew alone,” Heather said, smacking him in the shoulder.
Drew was saved from further speculation about his potential sex life by the arrival of the waitress with their food. He quickly changed the subject to plans for Steve and Heather’s wedding.
* * * *
Mark surprised himself by being nervous as he waited for Drew to arrive. It wasn’t as if Drew was a blind date or someone he barely knew. He’d already been out with him, had him at Mark’s mama’s house, and been seeing him for coffee for several weeks.
Of course, he knew that tonight could be the first time he and Drew had sex. In fact, Mark had sort of planned for that to be the case. He’d been to the store earlier and bought condoms and lube.
Since Collin’s death, Mark had had sex three times, all one-night stands with men he’d picked up at a gay bar in West Hollywood. He didn’t go there often and hadn’t been there in over a year, but those three times he had felt particularly lonely and wanted a hookup.
Before he’d looked up at Nathan’s barbecue to see a short brunet pixie impishly staring at him and asking him out, Mark had begun to wonder if he had banished himself to a lifetime of self-applied hand jobs and loneliness.
His cell phone chirped to life and for a moment crushing disappointment settled over him. It was Drew canceling on him. Mark just knew it. He picked it up and saw the caller ID and instantly let out the heavy breath he’d been holding.
“Hello, Nathan. I was expecting your call.”
“You were?”
He grinned and reached into his kitchen cabinet for a wooden bowl for the salad he’d be serving. “Yeah, as soon as Barnaby saw us I knew he’d be blabbing to you. How could he help himself?”
Nathan laughed. “Too true. Then you’re really seeing Drew Richards?”
“I am. In fact, I’m expecting him at any moment. I’ve invited him for dinner.”
‘That’s great, Mark. When Barnaby first told me I thought he was lying.”
“I can hear you,” Barnaby shouted loud enough for Mark to hear.
His friend chuckled. “Anyway, I’m glad to find out it’s true. I don’t know Drew really well, but I know he’s been a great friend to Steve.”
The doorbell rang and Mark’s mood improved even more. “That’s Drew. I’ll talk to you later, Nathan. Thanks for calling. Bye.”
* * * *
Drew had parked in front of Mark’s house in Glendale. He’d brought an overnight bag but decided to leave it in the trunk. No point in showing his eagerness too much. He’d likewise packed in his bag condoms and lube. Just in case Mr. Workaholic didn’t have any of the necessary supplies.
He poked the lighted button for the doorbell and waited. Belatedly, he’d wondered if he should have brought a bottle of wine or something. Drew rolled his eyes at his own ineptness.
The door opened and Mark stood there looking devastatingly handsome in a pair of dark blue denim jeans and a crisp, milk-white buttoned-down shirt opened at the throat to reveal dusty brown skin Drew suddenly had an urge to rain kisses all over.
He refrained and smiled. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.” Mark pulled him into his arms and gave him a very brief kiss. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” Drew gave a quick glance around when Mark released him and immediately noticed the framed picture of Mark and C
ollin was missing. He decided not to comment on it, though. “Something smells good.”
“Twice baked potatoes. I know it’s something of a cliché that guys like meat and potatoes, but in my case it’s true. What would you like to drink? I’ve got just about anything.”
“Beer?”
“Sure, what kind?”
“Well, I like Michelob best but whatever you have.”
Mark smiled. “Will Ultra do?”
“Definitely.” He followed Mark to the kitchen and sat on a stool at the bar overlooking the open, airy pale yellow kitchen. “If I haven’t already told you so, you have a great house.”
“Thanks. Glass?”
Drew nodded. “Salad, too? You think of everything.”
“I try,” Mark said. “I’m glad you aren’t a vegetarian like Barnaby. I mean he’s cool and all, but I like my steak.”
He laughed. “Yeah. I think Nathan still eats meat.”
Mark shook his head. “Not as much as he used to. A few weeks ago the two of them decided I needed a home cooked meal. I guess they decided since I was working long hours I never cook for myself. Not true, but anyway they invited me over and of course Barnaby cooked.”
“That bad?” Drew asked when Mark wrinkled his nose.
“I guess it was all right. Some brown rice and zucchini thing. I have a feeling Nathan’s eating a lot of vegetarian dishes these days.” He handed Drew his glass of beer.
Drew took a big sip, foam covering his lips when he lowered the glass. He laughed and ran his tongue along the top lip. Then he noticed Mark’s nostrils flair and his dark eyes widen ever so slightly. He took the glass out of Drew’s hand and set it on the bar counter.
“Mark?”
Mark leaned down and sucked the foam from Drew’s bottom lip. He gasped and the minute his mouth opened, Mark’s tongue slipped inside. Any hunger for food was quickly replaced with a deeper, more primal hunger. Drew grasped the hem of Mark’s shirt to pull them closer.
As if that was the only encouragement he needed, Mark’s hands slipped under and grabbed Drew’s ass, pulling him off the stool. Drew’s fingers worked at the buttons of Mark’s shirt.
“I want you…now,” Mark groaned against his lips.
The smell of cooking potatoes had Drew asking, reluctantly, “Dinner?”
“Can definitely wait.” Mark’s hand tugged on the waistband of Drew’s jeans. “Bedroom.”
Mark practically dragged him down the hall to the bedroom, but Drew was too turned on to think too much of his caveman behavior.
When they reached the room, Mark knocked him onto the bed and quickly covered his body with his own, his mouth devouring Drew’s, barely allowing him to catch a breath.
It had been ages since he’d been kissed like this. Drew whimpered low in his throat and inched his hand down to cup his aching erection through his jeans. Mark’s body crushing his into the mattress didn’t quite allow him to unzip his pants. He squeezed his crotch and moaned.
“Okay, baby, hold on,” Mark murmured. He moved just a bit so he was laying half on and half next to Drew. He covered Drew’s hand with his own and rubbed.
“Oh, fuck.”
Mark smiled and sucked Drew’s bottom lip into his mouth. “Like that?”
“Hell, yeah.”
Mark maneuvered so he could unzip Drew’s jeans and he pulled Drew’s cock out of his boxers. Grasping the hard length in his big hand, he whispered, “You’re fucking gorgeous, Drew.”
Drew’s breathing hitched when Mark rubbed the drop of pre-cum into the tip. Dusty brown fingers rolled his balls. “Mark, you keep that up and I’m going to come.”
“Uh-huh.” Mark urged Drew to rise just enough for him to yank the jeans and boxers down his hips and to his knees. His hand looked especially dark against the very pale skin of Drew’s thighs. His lips found Drew’s once more even as his hand stroked Drew’s dick, sending jolts of near blinding lust through Drew.
And then Mark pulled back.
“What?” He grasped Mark’s arms, trying to prevent him from moving away.
Mark laughed. “Easy. Just want to get you naked.”
Naked. Yeah, that’s a good idea.
Warm fingers slipped under his shirt and inched it toward his armpits. Drew struggled up enough so that he could pull the offending garment over his head.
“Your body is amazing. I never imagined a little guy like you would have such a killer chest and abs,” Mark said, his gaze raking over Drew’s bare flesh.
Feeling his cheeks heat, Drew shook his head. “I’m not little.”
“Not here, that’s for sure.” Mark gave a quick stroke to Drew’s cock. He stood and quickly divested Drew of his shoes. But rather than taking off Drew’s jeans, Mark unbuttoned his own shirt, his fingers taking it far too slowly for Drew.
“Let me.” He sat up and reached for the hem of Mark’s shirt and tugged him closer. He pushed Mark’s hands out of the way and slid the buttons open with practiced ease.
“Wow, you’re good at that.” Mark raised an eyebrow even as he shrugged off his shirt and it dropped to the floor.
“I’d be happy to show you what else I’m good at if you want to hurry along the striptease.”
Mark laughed. “Okay.” He yanked off Drew’s jeans and boxers the rest of the way and let them pool at his feet with his shirt.
His mouth watering, Drew watched Mark’s hands as they worked to unfasten his pants. Shuddering with need, Drew grasped his shaft and pumped it while Mark continued undressing. “You do have condoms and lube, I hope?”
“Brand spanking new.”
Drew grinned. “Forget the spanking part, I’m not into that.”
Both of Mark’s eyebrows shot up. “Too bad, your pale ass would look mighty fine with my red handprint across it.”
His cock jumped in his grasp. Okay, maybe the spanking idea wasn’t so far-fetched after all. “Should I get them?”
“No, just lie there.” Mark now stood nude before him and what a sight he was, too. Sculpted and muscled like a bronze statue. A very erect bronze statue. Mark’s cock jutted out between his thighs, curving just slightly upward.
Mark turned and displayed his muscular, perfect ass while he walked to the dresser across from the bed. He opened a drawer and withdrew a tube of lube and a strip of condoms. He tore one off and dropped the rest of the strip back in the drawer.
“Geez, we don’t have all day here,” Drew protested when Mark didn’t immediately return to the bed.
Mark chuckled. “I never realized how impatient you were.” He crossed the room and tossed the foil packet at Drew. “Why don’t you take care of opening that?”
Drew eagerly grabbed the packet and tore it open. Mark knelt on the bed and lowered himself over him. He snagged the open wrapper from Drew’s fingers and set it on the bed next to them.
The other man’s mouth hovered just inches above his, his breath brushing the stubble on Drew’s chin. “I know you want me to go fast, but I just can’t resist tasting these lips of yours.”
Drew gasped as Mark’s lips came crushing down on his. Mark closed his hands on Drew’s wrists and held them above his head. He moaned, straining up, trying to feel Mark’s hot, silky skin against his.
“Mark, please.”
The low rumbling laugh coming from Mark’s chest sent shivers through him. His hands were freed and he immediately smoothed them over Mark’s solid back. The other man’s lips trailed from Drew’s mouth to the pulse in his throat, then farther to close around a hard nipple.
His breath hitching, goose bumps appearing on his skin, Drew’s hands slid down to Mark’s firm buttocks, fingertips teasing the crease.
Mark lifted his head from his assault on Drew’s nipples and flipped Drew with one swift motion on to his stomach. Drew closed his eyes as he heard lube being squirted from the tube.
He felt for the open foil packet and when his fingers closed over it, his arm stretched back to hand it to Mark.
After a brief hesitation, cool lubed fingers entered him, stretching his hole, pushing inside him before pulling out, and then the process was repeated over and over until Drew grew impatient again and pushed back against Mark’s probing fingers.
“Hmm, somebody’s ready,” Mark murmured.
“Uh-huh. Now.”
Mark straightened, poised himself between Drew’s cheeks and slowly slid his cockhead inside. He exhaled, feeling the fullness of Mark’s thick cock pushing past the ring of muscle and farther in, to the hilt.
If he didn’t think it was a tad too dramatic, Drew would have sighed in relief. He’d begun to think Mark liked him having a severe case of blue balls.
He thrust back against Mark urging him to move even as he slipped his hand under his body and stroked his own painfully hard erection. He’d been close to coming before when Mark had stroked him, so Drew knew it wouldn’t take long with the added bonus of Mark slamming into him.
Mark grasped him around the middle, thrusting fast and deep, the slap of his balls and their grunts of pleasure the only sounds in the room.
“God, Drew, won’t last,” Mark gasped out.
Drew nodded, but was beyond words. He fisted the sheets and met each thrust forward with a push back, squeezing Mark’s cock. He felt the electric jolts of his own orgasm shoot up his spine as his balls tightened and released all over his hand.
With a throaty groan, Mark pumped two quick times, then stiffened behind him. After a few seconds, he withdrew and collapsed next to Drew, spooned against him.
Smiling, Drew kept his eyes closed while he listened to the sound of their heavy breathing. Yawning, he said, “Wow, that was quite the appetizer.”
“Yeah, it was.” Mark sighed. “I can smell the damn potatoes so I guess that means I should get up and get to grilling our steaks.”
“I am kinda hungry. I worked up quite an appetite.”
Mark’s arm tightened around him for a moment. “Can you stay over?”
Drew nodded. “I brought an overnight bag. It’s in my car.”
“Mmm.” Mark kissed his shoulder and rose from the bed. “Smart man. Okay, time for dinner.”