The Contract

by D. C. Hall

  “I didn't know it was him at first. I only ever knew him as Martin.” Williams replied.

  “You said at first. Did you figure it out? I'm guessing you did since you tried to block me from him in there.”

  “I did.”

  “When?”

  “Thanksgiving. It's part of what started the fight. I'm sorry, Nathan.” Williams said. He was hoping the other man's anger would dissipate. It didn't seem like it would. “Can I make this better?”

  “Just take me home.”

  “Nathan, i-“

  “Just give me time to calm down. Seeing that bastard has me worked up.” Nathan snapped again. Williams looked at him for a moment with sad eyes. Nathan refused to be swayed by the expression.

  “Okay.” He responded softly. It was a short but silent ride back to Nathan's apartment. Once they were there, Nathan turned towards him.

  “I promise I'll calm down by tomorrow.” Nathan stated. He leaned over and gave Williams’s a quick peck on the cheek before turning and getting out of the car. Williams watched him leave with a bad feeling in his stomach. He really did hope that Nathan was calm tomorrow.

  ***

  Williams had had a long day at work again. Orders had started to pile up. So, he'd been trying to figure out the best way to catch up. He was tired as he walked up to his front door. Nathan was inside, and he wasn’t sure how the next conversation was about to go. With a sigh, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  “So, you’re free?” He heard Nathan talking in the next room. Williams walked to the door and watched Nathan pulling out a notebook with his phone pressed between his cheek and shoulder. “It wouldn't be until the first of May… Okay, that's perfect. I'll let him know to get into contact with you… Alright, bye.” He hung up and sat the phone on the desk. Nathan turned in the seat when he felt like someone was behind him. “Hey, you’re home.”

  “Yeah, I just got back.” Williams watched as Nathan stood and walked closer to him.

  “I got you Tammy.” Nathan stated. “She just needs to know about the pay and what you expect from her.”

  “That's great.” Williams responded. Nathan knew why he was being short with him. He wanted to know if he was still upset. Nathan chewed his lower lip and rocked back on his heels.

  “I'm sorry for blowing up at you.” Nathan said. Williams shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

  “I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Martin.” He answered back. Nathan stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him. Williams let his rest on Nathan's shoulders. “You want to know what's funny?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Mom dropped his merger offer.” Williams said. Nathan gave a quick laugh and pulled the other man closer. They relaxed into each other. It took everything Nathan had to not tell him he loved him right there. He had a plan for that later.

  ***

  It was actually ending. Nathan was doing his last bit of work. Williams had stayed at the house today and sat beside him for the most part. Now, his stomach was turning. Nathan logged off the computer and turned towards him.

  “I guess that's it.” Nathan said. “I'm not your employee anymore.” It felt weird to say.

  “So, what now?” Williams asked. His heart thumped in his chest. He was desperately hoping that this wasn't goodbye. Nathan reached over and squeezed his knee which had been bouncing up and down.

  “Calm down.” He said with a soft smile.

  “I am calm.” Williams responded even though the hand on his knee did make him feel better.

  “I’m going to be busy with the new shop this week. Do you want to come over to my apartment, Saturday? I can make us dinner.” Nathan asked.

  “Sure,” Williams answered. “What time?”

  “How does seven sound?”

  “That should worry.” He answered. Nathan looked at his watch and stood up.

  “I need to meet up with Brad. Let me know how Tammy does, okay?” Nathan said, getting a nod in return. He bent down and kissed him. Williams leaned into it and cupped the other man's cheek. “I'll see you later.” He turned to leave before stopping at the door. “I almost forgot something.” He walked back over to where Williams was sitting. Pulling out his phone, he lowered down behind him.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Taking a photo.” Nathan answered. He held the phone out and wrapped his arm around Williams’s shoulders. They smiled and he clicked the screen. Nathan kissed Williams’s cheek before standing back up. They said goodbye again, and Nathan was gone. Williams sat there for a long moment letting himself register that Nathan wouldn't be with him all the time anymore. He just hoped that Saturday got here quick.

  ***

  Saturday both came early and not quick enough. Williams hadn’t actually been inside the other man’s apartment. Regardless, he was about to. He walked up to the door and knocked. There was a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. For some reason, he felt like a teen that had come to pick up a date. It was odd considering that he and Nathan had done all the things that teenagers would have been nervous about doing.

  “Hey,” Nathan said brightly as he answered the door. “You didn’t have to bring anything.” He added, seeing that Williams carried a small pan covered in tin foil.

  “You made dinner. So, I made a dessert.” He responded as Nathan pulled him inside. Nathan took the pan from him and sat it on a nearby table. Williams thought that maybe he was going to look to see what he made. Instead, he had hands cupping the side of his face. He let his own hands fall onto Nathan’s hips. The taller man leaned in and kissed him with what he would have referred to as hunger. Nathan hummed, making their lips tingle. Their mouths worked against each other before Nathan managed to slip his tongue into Williams mouth.

  Williams let out a soft moan, letting his hands run up Nathan’s back. The taller finally pulled back and looked at him. His lips were slightly swollen and red from the contact. His thumbs ran over Williams’s cheek bones gently.

  “I missed you.” Nathan said softly. Williams felt his heart melt.

  “I missed you too.” He responded. There was an ache in his chest to tell Nathan he loved him, but before he could contemplate it, Nathan had turned and was pulling him towards the kitchen. He already had two plates set out with what looked like Alfredo on it.

  “Ta da.” Nathan said. “I’m going to be honest with you. I only know how to make one thing.

  “If you can only make pasta, I want to know how you’re so skinny.” Williams replied, nudging the other man in the ribs gently.

  “Are you complaining about my body?” Nathan joked back.

  “Only your metabolism.” They sat down and started their meal. “So, how’s the shop shaping up?”

  “It looks great. I think Brad had this idea longer than he acts like he has. You would like it.”

  “I’ll have to come by.” Williams stated, sipping his drink.

  “I actually wanted to get your opinion on some of the pieces. Maybe you could stop by before we open. I mean if you want to.” Nathan had an odd twinkle in his eye that Williams couldn’t quite place.

  “I’d love to.”

  “And how is the factory holding up?”

  “Sales have gone up. I’m considering getting a few new people in.”

  “How is Tammy doing?” He asked, taking a big bite of his pasta.

  “Tammy is wonderful. I think I may have stressed her out a little. I’m having her add up what can be given to charity this year. She was about as shocked as you were, last year.” He replied. Nathan smiled.

  “I’m glad she’s working out for you.”

  They fell into comfortable conversation. After the pasta was gone, Nathan went and retrieved the pan that he had sat down in the other room. He divided the portion of cake that Williams had made for them. It was sweet and moist. Nathan made a mental note to get Williams to teach him how to make it. After that was gone as well, they sat comfortably with their fingers intertwined over the top
of the table. It was hours later before either of them looked at a clock.

  “I should probably get going.” Williams stated and stood. Nathan stood up after him, still holding his hand.

  “Or, you could stay.”

  “Nathan, I can’t impose on you like that.”

  “Come on, it’s late. And neither of us are working tomorrow.” Nathan said, squeezing his hand a little tighter.

  “I still shouldn’t.” Williams said. Nathan chewed his lower lip before looking down.

  “What if I wanted you to stay? For tonight, I mean.” Nathan asked. Williams seemed to mull it over.

  “Then, I guess I could stay.” He answered. Nathan felt almost relieved. He wasn’t sure why. He hadn’t been worried about Williams’s response. But it did make him happy that he agreed. He pulled Williams closer to him and wrapped his arms around him. They stayed that way for a few minutes before Nathan pulled away. He walked over to the counter where he had the record player that Williams had gotten him. Only now, there was a different disc, but the meaning was still the same. He turned it on before walking back to the shorter man.

  “Would you like to dance?” Nathan asked as the soft music swirled around them.

  “Dance or ‘dance’.” Williams questioned, using air quotes.

  “Which ever one you want, baby.” Nathan pulled him close again, Williams wrapped his arms around the other man’s neck. They swayed with the music. Williams eventually leaned his head on Nathan’s chest. Nathan kissed the top of his head and let a hand run up his back slowly. Williams could feel the vibrations in Nathan’s chest as he hummed along with the music. It made him relax further. One of the hands on his back left to slip under his chin. Nathan gently tilted his head back before pressing a kiss to his lips. Williams tightened his grip on the other man slightly to pull him closer.

  Nathan pulled back just enough to kiss him again. Williams let his hands run down the other man’s chest. He gave a small moan in the back of his throat which prompted Nathan to nip at his lower lip. He moved down to suck at Williams’s neck and let his hands drop to his lower back. Williams leaned his head to the side and ran a hand through Nathan’s hair. He moaned again when Nathan sucked at his collar bone. Nathan reached up and started unbuttoning his shirt.

  “One day, I’m just going to rip this off of you.” Nathan muttered against his skin. If he had a second shirt with him, he would have told him to go ahead. But, he’d like to not go home shirtless tomorrow. The buttons went quick and Nathan’s hands were on him. They stopped quickly. “Did you want to do this?”

  “Yes, sweetheart.” Williams replied, letting his own hands wander. He squeezed Nathan’s ass before tugging at his shirt collar. He felt Nathan smile against his skin as the fingers trailed down his chest and over his stomach. For once, Williams didn’t flinch when he grazed over his belly. Nathan’s fingers hooked into his pants button and undid it. He reached around and wrapped his arms around him. With a quick move, Williams’s was off his feet with his legs wrapped around Nathan’s waist. He looked at Nathan when he gave a laugh. “What?”

  “I just realized you’re travel size.” He answered, carrying him to the other room. Nathan saw the dirty look he got when he laid Williams down on the bed. “Come on, don’t look at me like that.”

  “You better make it up to me for that one.” Williams joked. A shiver went though his spine when he saw the look and smile that Nathan gave him.

  “Trust me, I will.” He grabbed the bottom of Nathan’s pants and pulled them away and dropped them on the floor. Next went his shoes and socks. Now, he was just left with his boxers and open shirt. He watched as Nathan started kissing up the inside of his leg. Once he reached his knee, Williams was chewing on his lower lip. His blood was already starting to move south. Nathan seemed to notice since he ran his tongue the rest of the way up the inside of his thigh. Williams gave a low moan at the feeling.

  “Do you intend on getting undressed, soon?” Williams asked while a hickey was being sucked onto the upper part of his thigh.

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” He teased.

  “Don’t make me rip yours off.” Williams warned. Nathan seemed to take that as a challenge.

  “Go ahead.” He replied with a grin. Williams waited a moment to see if he was joking. He sat up and grabbed onto his shirt. “Rip it, babe.” With that Williams jerked the two sides apart and buttons flew across the room. The next thing he knew, Nathan was on top of him with his tongue in his mouth. Nathan’s hands gripped him tightly as he hovered over him. Williams felt his cock twitch at the sudden onslaught. Nathan tried to pull his boxers down over Williams’s legs but grunted in frustration when his own legs were in the way. He moved out of the way before yanking them away. After, he started undressing himself while Williams pulled his shirt off of his shoulders and tossed it to the side. One look told him that Nathan was already hard.

  “How do you want to do this?” Williams asked as Nathan crawled over him again. Williams ran his hands run over Nathan’s chest, making him draw a breath as he grazed over his nipple.

  “Anyway, you’ll let me.” Nathan answered. He could still hear the music playing in the next room. He couldn’t quite get the lyrics. Although, he knew there was something in this one about falling in love with green eyes. He took the hand that was traveling across his chest into his own. He pressed his lips to the other man’s knuckles as he looked into his eyes. He wouldn’t argue with the song as green eyes stared back intently with a light behind them that wasn’t there when he first met Williams.

  “What do you want to do, Nathan?” Williams asked. Nathan seemed to think for a moment. He pulled Williams up with him off the bed and brought him over to the desk. He turned his work chair around before going to his nightstand to get the bottle of lube. A few strokes over himself and he was ready. “You want to do it in a chair?”

  “Just trust me.” He said and sat down. He pulled Williams to straddle him. Williams took a moment but ultimately lowered himself onto the other man. Nathan’s idea had worked. He got a good view of Williams’s face as he entered him. Williams closed his eyes and opened his mouth with a moan at the feeling. Nathan bit his lower lip to keep himself from bucking into the other man. Williams felt himself harden. His feet didn’t quite reach the floor. So, him doing the work was out of the question. Nathan took a moment to brush the other man’s hair out of his face before wrapping his arms just underneath Williams’s ass. He lifted and lowered him slowly. From the noises that Williams was making, he was hitting the right spot.

  “Oh, God.” Williams groaned. He held onto Nathan’s shoulders before leaning his head against his chest. He breathed hard and wasn’t sure if he was hearing his own heart pounding or Nathan’s. “W-why are you…Ooohh. Being so quiet?” He asked. Usually Nathan would either be moaning or saying something. This time he was completely silent.

  “I’m listening to-“ His breath hitched in his throat for a second. “T-to how good you sound. Mmm, oh fuck.” Now that his mouth was open, Nathan could barely hold back his moans anymore. He stopped moving Williams up and down. Now, he held him tight to his chest and trusted his hips upwards. The sounds that Williams was making in his ear was about to push him over the edge. He turned his head to kiss his cheek and thankfully, Williams turned to meet his mouth. Nathan moved his mouth almost in time with his thrusting. Now, his own breathing was becoming erratic. He needed Williams to finish soon. If not, he was going to cum first.

  He was sure it was over when Williams started sucking at his throat. Nathan moaned and felt his eyes roll back. He was silently thankful when Williams grunted and shook. His release splashed between them. What pushed Nathan over the edge was when Williams ran his fingers through his hair and tugged gently. He gripped Williams tighter in his arms as he rode his orgasm out. The two were left panting in each other’s arms. After a while, Nathan lifted them both and pulled out of Williams. He took him to the bed and laid him down gently. Then, he fell beside him on the bed. They
could shower in the morning. Right now, they just wanted to sleep in each other’s embrace.

  ***

  The next two weekends were similar. It flipped back and forth between who’s house they were in. Each time, they stayed the night and most of the next day. This weekend was different, however. Williams had been brought to the shop. Monday was the grand opening of Nathan’s and Brad’s business. Nathan had brought him in under the guise of getting his opinion. He let Williams look around while he got his composure.

  “I think you two are going to do just fine.” Williams stated. Brad had managed to find a very good supplier. “I may have to be here for the opening.” He added. Nathan let his hands rest on Williams’s shoulders as he stood behind him. Thankfully, Williams didn’t feel the slight tremble in them.

  “I’m glad you like it.” Nathan said. He squeezed Williams’s shoulders gently. He might as well do what he was planning. “So, I have one that I painted already. I wanted to give it to you.”

  “That’s sweet.” Williams replied with a smile. Nathan tugged him gently to get him to one of the seats. Williams went along with it, confused on what Nathan was doing. The taller man went behind the counter and came back up a flat package that was about the size of a book. He handed it to Williams before leaning back on the edge of the table.

  “Wait,” Nathan said, almost sounding panicked when Williams was about to open it. “Before you open it, I wanted to say thank you. If it hadn’t been for you, Brad and I would have never had the opportunity to have this place.” He said. Williams reframed from saying that he didn’t have a reason to thank him. Nathan seemed nervous enough which was already confusing him. He went back to opening the package and smiled brightly when he saw the picture frame. It held the picture that Nathan had taken his last day. The edges were simple. It was a sky blue with a few clouds. At the top was a shooting star.

  “This is adorable. Thank you, Nathan.”

  “You’re welcome, Eugene.” Nathan replied, voice soft. He was getting a little more fidgety now. “Do you know why I went with that one?” He asked. Williams just looked up at him in confusion. “Do you remember when we went to the cabin?”