by DHP
Sure enough, as soon as he walked into the reception, he saw Jeremy standing in a corner of the room, observing and making notes. God, he was cute. He was wearing glasses, which Brandon felt, somehow, made him even hotter. Brandon grabbed two glasses of champagne and made straight for him.
Jeremy looked up from his notepad in surprise as a glass of champagne appeared between his face and the notebook he was writing in. He laughed. “Brandon, you’ve got to quit sneaking up on me.” He took the champagne and gulped down half of it.
“Whoa, that’s champagne, not water.”
“I know. I’m thirsty and tired and ready to get out of here. No offense to your cousin, but these things drive me nuts.”
“No offense taken. I plan to make my excuses as soon as I can and head for home myself. How much more of the note-taking do you have to do?”
“Thankfully, I believe that I have enough information to write a piece for the paper that they will treasure forever.”
“Great. It’s hot as hell in here. Why don’t we go outside for a walk, get some fresh air?”
“God, that sounds great.”
They walked out onto the wraparound porch of the building and stood for a minute looking out over the Gulf. It was a beautiful, clear evening and the sky was full of twinkling stars. They could hear the music from the band inside and people laughing and talking, but it was peaceful out there on the porch. After a few minutes, Brandon looked over at Jeremy. “Let’s go downstairs.”
Jeremy agreed and followed Brandon down the steps to go to the basement parking deck of the building. It was deserted right now. Brandon walked into the shadows and Jeremy followed him. Backing Jeremy into the wall, he whispered, “I hope I read you right and you want this as much as I do.”
Jeremy leaned forward and kissed Brandon, sliding his tongue into his mouth. Brandon groaned and leaned into Jeremy’s body, rubbing their groins together. Both were hard and ready, and without breaking the kiss, Brandon unzipped Jeremy’s pants, slipped his hand inside and took his cock in his hand, just as Jeremy reached for Brandon’s zipper. When both dicks were free, Brandon took both of them in his large hand, stroking the velvety, sensitive skin together. It only took a few strokes for each to find release, almost simultaneously.
They were kissing and holding on to each other, when the sound of footsteps and giggling penetrated their euphoria. Someone was coming so they broke apart. Brandon grabbed his handkerchief and gallantly passed it to Jeremy so he could clean up, then zipped his pants and turned around to stand in front of him. When he was ready, they began walking toward the stairs as if they were taking a leisurely stroll. As soon as they got up the steps and on the porch, they both leaned on the rail, laughing.
Brandon looked over at Jeremy. “Well, we were almost that couple that gets caught doing the deed at the wedding reception. That would certainly have made quite a story for your paper.”
“Yeah, I can just see it now. Local newspaper man and aspiring best-selling author is caught with his pants down under the Yacht Club being jacked off by former football star.”
“A little long for a headline, but it would definitely make the news in this town.”
Brandon looked over at Jeremy. “I’ve got to find a bathroom and then get in there and see what’s going on, but don’t leave before we can talk. I’d like to see you again.”
“Okay. I’ll find you before I leave.”
Brandon squeezed his hand before turning and going back into the reception. It was an unpleasant surprise to run right into an old boyfriend named Ben. He was good looking, and they’d had a short-term relationship, but the fact was that Ben was a cheater. Brandon had caught him on more than one occasion, and he always begged forgiveness and promised he’d never do it again. Until the next time, it seemed.
Ben also seemed to be pretty drunk at the moment. “Brandon, baby. Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you.” This said while Ben was draping himself all over Brandon, grinding his groin into his. “I’ve missed you so much. Have you missed me?”
Oh, God. Ever the drama queen. He’d forgotten that. “No, Ben, I haven’t, and I doubt seriously that you’ve given me a second thought.” Brandon was trying to extricate himself from Ben’s grasp when he looked up and saw Jeremy standing about ten feet away, staring at them.
Ben was still trying to hang on to Brandon. “Baby, how can you be so mean? We’re so good together.”
“No, we really aren’t. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Brandon made his escape, but not in time to catch Jeremy, who was already getting in the car and slamming the door.
“Wait, Jeremy.” But he didn’t wait. He peeled out of the parking area, squealing tires, and never looked back.
****
All the way home, Jeremy thought about how stupid he’d been. He was a pushover for Brandon Devereaux from the start, and apparently he’d been obvious about it. He remembered how excited he’d been in that parking garage to finally be with the man he’d crushed on for years. And afterwards, he’d been so happy.
He had smiled at himself in the bathroom mirror before going back out to the reception. He’d found a different bathroom from Brandon so as not to make it too obvious, in case anyone was watching. He’d been ecstatic that Brandon wanted to see him again. Earlier he had told himself that some good old-fashioned lust would be enough, if he could only have that with Brandon, but if he had a chance for more, then he should go for it. That’s what Dear Jill would have advised.
He couldn’t imagine that Brandon Devereaux would ever be interested in more than a one-night stand with him, but it appeared that he was. He had washed his hands, straightened his tie and left the bathroom with an air of confidence. Entering the reception area from the hallway, he had seen Brandon immediately. He’d also seen a ridiculously handsome man hanging all over him and touching his face in a familiar way. This wasn’t a football fan. This was someone who knew Brandon really well and it was obvious that Brandon knew him.
Brandon looked up and saw him, and Jeremy realized that he was staring. He turned and hurried outside, headed for his car. What the hell had he been thinking? He had just met Brandon this morning and had already been thinking relationship. How stupid could he be?
As he reached his car and opened the door, Jeremy had heard Brandon calling him. He got into the car, quickly, and peeled out of the parking lot. He’d watched Brandon in his rearview mirror running across the parking lot and waving his arms, but Jeremy never slowed his vehicle.
****
Brandon spent the next two weeks looking for Jeremy everywhere he went. You’d think that he’d have run into him by now since this was such a small town. He had left numerous messages for Jeremy at the newspaper office, but he never returned Brandon’s calls. He couldn’t understand why it was so important to him to contact Jeremy, but it was. They’d only met that one day and Brandon sure as hell didn’t believe in love at first sight or love at all, for that matter. Still, there was a certain chemistry between them that Brandon had never felt with anyone else and he couldn’t seem to ignore it. Maybe it was all these goddamn hearts plastered everywhere for Valentine’s Day.
Even worse were the stupid cupids with their little bows and arrows. Wasn’t there an old song once called Stupid Cupid? If not, there should have been. Brandon’s mind was wandering and he needed to stay focused to figure out how he could find Jeremy’s address without looking like a stalker.
The public library--maybe Jeremy would be listed in the City Directory, and sure enough he was. Feeling very pleased with his detective skills, Brandon decided to go to Jeremy’s apartment and leave him a note explaining that it was urgent that Jeremy call him.
It only took Brandon a few minutes to find the old house that had been turned into four apartments. Jeremy’s was on the second floor and as soon as he located Apartment Three, Brandon noticed that the door was ajar. He knocked, and it opened even further.
“Jerem
y?” He called out, but there was no answer. He tried knocking and calling out at the same time. Still, no answer. Feeling like an intruder, Brandon, nevertheless, walked all the way in. After all, Jeremy could be injured. What if he had fallen in the shower and knocked himself out? Nice theory, but there was no water running.
Looking around, Brandon noticed that there was a laptop on the table and a big stack of letters beside it. Intruding further into the room, Brandon, being unforgivably nosy, perused the letters and saw that they were addressed to Dear Jill. Dear Jill? It was as if a light bulb lit above Brandon’s head, like in the cartoons. Well, I’ll be damned.
Brandon turned and hurried down the stairs, making his escape before Jeremy caught him. As he drove back to his house, an idea began to form in his mind. So, Jeremy wouldn’t return his calls, huh? He bet Dear Jill would answer him.
When Brandon got home, he typed out a letter to Jill on his computer, reading over it before printing it.
Dear Jill,
Recently, I met someone in the park (actually, he literally fell in my lap) and I think that we would be perfect together. After spending some quality time together that day, we later had a misunderstanding and now he refuses to talk to me or to even let me explain.
Normally I think Valentine’s Day is a stupid holiday, but this year I’d love to spend it with him and explore what I think might be a wonderful relationship. What should I do?
Brandon
****
Jeremy picked up the last few letters in his box at work and put them in his computer bag. He would be so glad when this damn holiday was over. Hell, it wasn’t even a real holiday, just something that the card manufacturers made up years ago. If he had to read one more letter to the lovelorn, he thought he might puke.
After trudging up the stairs to his apartment, Jeremy made himself a sandwich, got a beer out of the refrigerator and sat down at the table with his laptop and the letters. He had answered all of the others and just had one to go, thank God. He opened it and started reading….
Recently, I met someone in the park…
Oh, my God. He skimmed the letter and looked at the signature--Brandon. Jeremy scanned the letter into his computer and began typing his answer, explaining that if this person was really special then Brandon shouldn’t give up. He should show up at his door with a valentine and a big box of chocolate candy and make him listen to his explanation. All of this should be done on Valentine’s Day, he told him, and it had been Jill’s experience that chocolate went a long way in soothing hurt feelings.
****
Brandon left his office to go buy a newspaper. His letter should have had time to get to there and be answered by now. As soon as he paid for it, he opened it to the Dear Jill column and there it was. He read the answer and smiled. Valentine’s Day was the next day, and he had some shopping to do.
After going to several stores, Brandon finally found exactly what he wanted. It was Whitman’s Sampler in a huge box about three feet long and two feet wide. If Jeremy was a chocoholic, he should be able to make himself sick on this. Brandon also bought a large heart that said BE MINE across it.
The next morning, Brandon made himself wait until ten o’clock before heading to Jeremy’s apartment. It was Saturday morning, after all, and Jeremy might want to sleep in. On the other hand, if this went well, maybe he could sleep in with Jeremy.
When he got to Jeremy’s place, Brandon got the big box of candy and the equally large Valentine out of the back seat of his car. As he started up the steps, he felt like an idiot carrying in his gifts. Before he could knock on the door, it swung open and there stood Jeremy in tight jeans and a red t-shirt with the words, Kiss Me, emblazoned on the front of it.
“It’s about time you got here. I was afraid you weren’t coming.”
Brandon stood there, staring for just a minute. “No, uh, I was afraid that you might be sleeping late.”
Jeremy took the candy and Valentine from Brandon and put them on the table before turning around and sliding his arms around Brandon’s neck and nibbling at his bottom lip.
Brandon groaned and put both of his hands on Jeremy’s ass, pulling him close and grinding his swollen cock into Jeremy’s. That’s all it took before they were tearing at each other’s clothes. They were both naked by the time they got to Jeremy’s bed and fell onto it.
They were facing each other, trying to make every part of their bodies touch. Brandon’s hand moved slowly down the side of Jeremy’s body and over to his taut, round ass. Just as he slid his tongue between Jeremy’s lips to explore his mouth, Brandon slid a finger down Jeremy’s crease to tickle his hole.
Jeremy moaned and began rhythmically grinding his dick faster and faster against Brandon’s and holding onto his ass to keep him close. When Brandon inserted a finger into Jeremy, it was all over. With a loud groan, Jeremy came, putting one of his legs over Brandon’s and pressing their groins together.
The sound and feel of Jeremy coming brought Brandon his own release. They lay together, entwined, each trying to get his breath. Brandon looked at Jeremy and smiled ruefully. “If we ever get to actually have sex before we get off on each other, I bet it would be great!”
Jeremy laughed and leaned over to kiss Brandon. “I have a feeling we will. Happy Valentine’s Day…let’s go have some chocolate. Then maybe we can try again. That would make this day perfect.”
Brandon laughed and slapped Jeremy’s ass. “Oh, I think that I might be able to think of a few other ways to make it even more perfect. Happy Valentine’s Day, Jeremy. You know, this holiday is actually beginning to grow on me.”
CARA DARLING
A HEROES AND ROGUES STORY
DESTINY BLAINE
Chapter One
She may have been a little rough around the edges. She may have seen more miles on her back than she’d ever dared to walk, but one way or another Cara, often referred to as Mama or the MC’s sheep, would soon wear another title, too—his woman.
Scott stood next to the pool table watching the club’s broads like he had some interest in one or two of them, but most of the night he’d kept Cara in his periphery. By two in the morning, he considered himself lucky. His drunken stupor provided excellent double vision. And in his mind, both Caras didn’t have a clue he’d been gawking for the better part of the evening.
His buddy Logan Marcs sort of shot that assumption all to hell when he appeared out of nowhere. And nowhere must’ve been an exciting place because he sure didn’t look too pleased as he marched toward Scott in the wee hours of the morning.
“Didn’t expect to see you again tonight, Marcs,” Scott slurred. “With a pretty little thing like Sassy in your bed, most men would think you’d know better than to leave her alone, especially after the party you and your boys threw here tonight.”
“If I had my way about it, I’d still have a beautiful woman snuggled up in my arms,” Logan said. “Cara called. Says she’s not sure if she should throw you out or invite you back to her room. Claims you’ve been standing here gawking at her for the past couple of hours.”
Scott stumbled to the wooden ledge on the far wall and grabbed his lukewarm beer. “That’s a lie and the truth.”
“I can figure out the truth. What’s the lie?”
“I haven’t been gawking exactly. Admiring has a much better ring to it.” Scott turned up the bottle and took a drink of the god-awful brew. “Any chance you could talk to Tigger’s old lady and see if she’ll grab me a cold one?”
Logan smirked. “I never took you for a fisherman, Scott.”
“I’m not,” he said, not at all following him.
“You’re fishing, all right. Tigger and Cara haven’t been together in over a year. She’s free game, if that’s what you want to know.”
“Is that a fact?” Scott played dumb. He took another sip of his beer. “Ah.” He tried to pretend the alcohol was ice cold and the news wasn’t music to his ears. “I hadn’t heard.”
“You’d heard. You just wanted confirmation.” Logan slapped him squarely between the shoulders. “Come on. Let me find you an empty room and see if you can’t sleep off that drunk.”
“Are you the hospitality chairman nowadays?” Scott looked around the large recreational room. After the big spring fling the Heroes and Rogues had hosted, Scott was surprised the MC didn’t have more night owls. Other than a groping couple making out in a dark corner—well, by the looks of it, they’d moved on to fucking—the place was pretty deserted.
Then again, it was after four in the morning.
Even the pretty pool-sharks called it a night. As soon as Marcs appeared, they went on their merry way. Apparently, they’d looked at Logan as an opportunity and taken off. The club’s broads rarely left an invited guest unattended.
“Devon and Victory are camping out back. I’ve got floor duty,” Logan told him, interrupting his self-inflicted pity party before he had the opportunity to invite a few guests. “I told them I’d lock up.”
“You guys lock this place up?” He snorted at that. “Man, things sure have changed around here.”
“Meth heads,” Logan grumbled, guiding him toward the other side of the recreational area. “If we left this place open for anyone and everyone, we’d wake up without food and booze. And they’d take everything that wasn’t tied down.”
“You can thank the Devil’s Angels for that. They make that shit quicker than the customers can line up for it and that’s saying something.”
“Uh-huh,” Logan said, noncommittal.
Stopping abruptly when he realized Logan was definitely trying to push him off to bed before he was ready, Scott said, “I hope I didn’t scare Cara. If I see her in the morning, I’ll beg for her forgiveness.”