Dreamspinner Press Year Nine Greatest Hits

by Michael Murphy

  He blinked, unsure what Lance meant. “Just an ass?”

  “You know, I’m not classy or suave. I’m nervous and I only work well with my camera.” Lance stood up, fastened his jeans. “Okay, enough sharing.”

  He grabbed Lance’s arm and tugged him back down. “You are not an ass. You are hot and sexy. I like you, or this wouldn’t be happening.”

  “I feel like… like I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole.”

  “It’s a good hole, though.” He started to chuckle as he heard the words from his own mouth.

  Lance looked at him, then started giggling, the sound lovely and charming. Tide tugged Lance back into his lap while the boy laughed.

  “I-I don’t know how to process someone like you,” Lance admitted.

  “How about we just take each other as we are?” He didn’t need to be processed.

  “Can we…?” Lance stood, held out his hand. “I’m Lance. It’s good to meet you.”

  He stood as well and took Lance’s hand. What a charming idea. “Tide. Pleased. Would you like to have lunch with me? It’s pho.”

  “I love pho.”

  “Perfect.” He put Lance’s hand on his arm and led him back out into the kitchen.

  “Goodness, the studio’s a mess. I’ll have to pick up later.”

  “Later. After our date.”

  “Yes. There are Cokes, cold water. I’ll heat the soup.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll just have water. I think you should too.”

  “Yeah, me too. A nice cold glass with the warm soup.” Being hydrated would help Lance deal with things more easily; Tide believed in healthy choices for his body.

  He watched Lance move around the little kitchen, setting the table for the two of them. He poured two glasses of water, placed them on the table. Once Lance had their soup ready, he held Lance’s chair for him. He couldn’t have helped himself doing it—something about Lance brought it out of him.

  “Thank you.” Lance smiled at him, the grin tentative. “I hope I didn’t ruin your day.”

  “Just the opposite.”

  Lance sipped the soup. “It’s lovely.”

  He took a mouthful of his own, nodding at the flavor. The taste of the food seemed brighter in Lance’s company.

  “Are you a model full-time?” Lance asked.

  “I have been, yeah. Now I freelance and I work as much or as little I want.” He did work for the gym mostly now. It gave him a steady income and didn’t have him flitting all over the place for jobs.

  “Excellent. Congratulations. The camera loves you.”

  “Are you sure it’s the camera?” He teased.

  “I am. You’re incredibly sensual.” Lance’s cheeks heated, and he ducked his chin.

  Reaching over, he tilted that chin back up. “Thank you, boy.”

  Lance swallowed hard, eyes wide, watching him.

  “You need to stop putting yourself down, stop hiding behind that camera. You’re sensual as well. Special.”

  Lance shook his head, swallowed hard, throat working against Tide’s fingers.

  “I don’t want to hear any more negative words from you. I don’t want you to put yourself down again.”

  “I can’t promise that,” Lance admitted.

  “I want you to try. And I’ll be sure to remind you when you’re less than kind to yourself.”

  “You… you like the soup?” More deflecting, more hiding.

  “That was a bit of a non sequitur,” Tide noted.

  “Was it?” Lance gave him this wide-eyed innocent look.

  “Yes. We were talking about you.”

  “Well, see? I’m not that interesting.”

  “Lance.” He growled. “Do not put yourself down. I will start spanking you if you do.”

  “What? You can’t. We can’t do that. You should eat. Just have your soup.”

  “Of course we can do it.” He put his spoon in his bowl, mostly to keep Lance from telling him to eat it again.

  Lance shook his head, stood up, and started straightening the studio.

  “Come back and eat with me, Lance. You need the food.” And to stop running away.

  “Uh-huh. It was good.” The sheet was taken to the tiniest laundry closet ever.

  “You hardly ate anything. Come sit.”

  “I’m just on edge.” Lance walked close enough to grab, pull close.

  Pushing back from the table, he put Lance on his lap. “How about I feed you?”

  “I….” Lance blinked. “Okay?”

  He beamed at Lance, so pleased he’d agreed.

  “Is this something you do a lot?” Lance asked.

  “This is the first time I’ve fed you.” He picked up the spoon and dipped it into the bowl, holding the mouthful to Lance’s lips. Lance opened up, looking like a wee bird.

  He slipped the spoon in and went for another one. “Is this the first meal you’ve had today?”

  “Yeah. I was nervous, you know?”

  He shook his head and pushed another spoonful of soup into Lance. Was it any wonder Lance had nearly passed out when he’d freaked out and hyperventilated? And Lance had been about to have a Valium on top of that.

  “Mmm. Noodles.” Lance’s cheeks were bright pink. It was a cute look on his boy.

  Lance’s fingers tangled and twisted in his lap.

  “You could hold on to me,” Tide suggested.

  “I’m wigged as hell.” Lance grabbed him, though, the action immediate.

  “Tell me why.” Even as he asked, he fed another spoonful of soup into Lance’s mouth.

  “Because I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”

  “So it’s a good wigged.” He grinned, wanting Lance to be charmed by his confidence.

  “It’s a totally different wigged, for sure.” Clever boy.

  “I’ll take it.” He would take Lance any way he could have him.

  Lance actually smiled for him.

  When they’d finished up both bowls of soup, he stood and rubbed his hands together. “Okay. Point me at what needs doing and I’ll help you clean.”

  “Oh, I’m just going to straighten up. You shouldn’t have to clean.”

  “So I’m just supposed to sit here and admire your ass as you clean?”

  Lance blinked and blushed. Chuckling softly, Tide gave Lance’s ass a lazy swat and grabbed the dishes, putting them in the sink and running water over them.

  Lance moved quickly, pulling up backdrops, putting the massage table away. Tide soaped up the dishcloth he found and wiped the bowls and utensils down, then rinsed and put them in the little dish rack. He turned and watched Lance bebopping around the room, cleaning what seemed to him to be nonexistent dirt.

  Nervous boy, just bursting with energy. Tide could picture him, tied with the ropes they’d brought today, the black and white bisecting Lance’s pale skin and holding him as still as possible. Trapping him in pleasure. He could bind that sweet cock too. Threaten punishments if Lance came before he got permission. Plug that tight ass, lay down stripes.

  Tide groaned, his cock getting hard in his slacks.

  “Are you okay?” Lance asked.

  “More than. You’re very sexy.”

  Lance chuckled. “You want to go get a coffee?”

  “Sure. It’s a date.” Just so Lance didn’t think he was managing to run away again.

  “Oh. Did…. You’d said supper too. I don’t mean to monopolize your whole day.”

  “But I mean to monopolize yours, darling.”

  Lance grinned at him, the look so pleased. “There’s a place just across the way, fair trade coffee and everything.”

  “It sounds good. And we can decide how to spend our afternoon and where we want to have supper while there.”

  He checked his outfit, making sure he wasn’t wrinkled or wearing come stains. Then he offered Lance his hand.

  “You’re beautiful,” Lance told him.

  He blinked at Lance for a moment before smiling. “Thank you.”

/>   “Just the truth, huh?” Practical boy.

  He brought Lance’s hand up and kissed it. Lance’s fingers curled around his, holding on tight. There was an electricity between them, and it made his heart beat faster.

  “Coffee. We should go have coffee.” Lance nodded as he said it.

  “Yeah, that’s where we’re headed. You just keep distracting me.”

  “Shh.” Lance grabbed his wallet, his keys, and Tide could see him trying to decide whether to grab his camera.

  “Go on. There won’t be any hiding behind it, though.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Honestly?” He checked Lance’s face.

  “I’m just a photographer. We see things through a lens.”

  “You’re an amazing photographer.” He grinned at Lance. “You don’t think I looked you up when the job offer came in?”

  “I hope you would. I’m not a hack.”

  “No, no you’re not. You’re very good. And soon enough everyone is going to figure that out and you’ll be in high demand.”

  “Wouldn’t that be nice?” Lance grinned, eyes sparkling.

  “It’ll happen—you’ll see.” He knew the right attitude was everything.

  “Yeah, well, this job is going to help out, money-wise.”

  “I’m glad we’re a part of it.”

  “Me too. You three are stunning.” They headed down the stairs, across the street.

  “Thank you, darling. All we’re missing is a slender photographer to make us the perfect foursome.”

  “Like three men that look like you want someone like me.”

  He stopped, right there in the lobby of Lance’s building. “I want you, Lance.”

  “I… coffee.”

  “No, I want you. You didn’t think I could, but I do.”

  Lance shook his head. “Come on. I can’t deal with this right now.”

  “Ah, running away. Classic Lance.” He grabbed Lance’s hand, and they headed to the coffee shop across the street.

  “Shush. You don’t know me.”

  “I know some. I’ve been paying attention.”

  Lance ducked his chin.

  “That’s a good thing, darling.” He held the door open for his boy.

  “Thank you.” Lance headed in, nearly vibrating.

  They went to the counter. “So are you a pure coffee man, or do you like the fancy stuff?” Tide asked.

  “I like it all, but I’d like a caramel latte right now, please.”

  “Oh, good choice—I’d like to taste you flavored with that.” He was totally serious too. He ordered Lance’s caramel latte and a plain latte for himself, and handed over a ten.

  “I…. Thank you.” Lance fluttered and offered him a warm glance. “I’ll buy the next.”

  “Sounds good. Although dinner tonight will be my treat.” That way Lance knew he was expecting another coffee date soon.

  “Oh. Are you… are you trying to seduce me?”

  “Guilty as charged.” He let his hand rest on Lance’s lower back.

  Lance’s eyes crossed at the touch. Ah, hot spot. He wanted to know each and every one, especially the ones that he could touch in public. Smiling, he stroked gently, his fingers moving in little circles.

  “Tide. I’m going to get hard.”

  “Then let’s go find a booth so no one can see.” He was totally not going to suggest Lance not get hard.

  “Okay. Okay, yeah. The coffees are ready.”

  They grabbed their coffees and headed for a booth near the back. Tide kept his hand right where it was. Lance tried to slide into the booth opposite him.

  Chuckling, he didn’t let it happen, sitting next to Lance. “Now you’re protected from view by the wall, the booth, and me.” He could almost jack Lance off without anyone knowing. Almost.

  “I….” Lance moaned softly, wriggled on the seat.

  “You? You have my entire focus now, darling.” His hand was still on Lance’s back, simply resting there at the moment, warming Lance’s skin.

  “You’re the most sexual person I’ve ever seen.”

  “Really?” He thought Lance needed to hang out with new people. Although, honestly, he was glad Lance wasn’t already bored and jaded like so many of the subs he’d met.

  “Yes. Honestly.” Lance sipped his coffee and made the orgasm face.

  Tide felt his prick jerk and begin to fill. God, he had it bad for Lance. He really did.

  Leaning closer, he murmured into Lance’s ear, “Roll it around in your mouth, hold it on your tongue. I can’t wait to dive into your mouth and have a taste of caramel-latte-flavored Lance.” Then he sat back to watch the effect his words had on his boy.

  Lance took a deep breath, eyes going wide.

  He went on. “Mmm, you’re going to taste so damn good, I’m going to want to eat you right up.”

  “You make me ache.”

  “Good.” That was totally an appropriate reaction.

  “Is it? I feel like Alice in Wonderland a little.”

  “Like you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole?” Did that make him the Mad Hatter? Maybe there was a better analogy…. Something sexier.

  “Like the world has shifted and I don’t know what to do, exactly.”

  “How about you just go with it and enjoy the ride?” Tide suggested.

  “Yeah. Yeah, I guess.”

  “I promise I won’t try to chop off your head. Either one.”

  Lance covered his cock instinctively. “No chopping.”

  “That’s what I said.” He slipped his hand into Lance’s lap, pushing past Lance’s hand.

  “Tide!” Oh, that sweet cock was rock hard.

  “Shh. You’ll give us away.” He wrapped his hand around Lance’s cock through his pants.

  “You can’t. We can’t.”

  “But I am. We are.” He moved just his thumb along the heat he held.

  “Tide. Tide, I don’t….” Lance reached for his coffee.

  “Don’t what, darling?” He kept stroking.

  “I’m not the type. I’m not into things.”

  “Not the type who enjoys being touched? I find that hard to believe. And I bet you’re into all the things, you just haven’t tried any of them yet.”

  “Oh God.” Lance grabbed his wrist.

  That didn’t stop him from moving his thumb at all.

  “You have to be good,” Lance insisted.

  “I’m being very good, aren’t I?”

  “You’re being very naughty.”

  “I’m just sitting here.” And moving his thumb.

  “You’re touching me,” Lance whispered.

  “Mmm. I am. You feel good.”

  “I feel hard.” Stubborn boy.

  “Hard is good.” Tide found the tip, worked it until Lance’s jeans had a damp spot.

  “Please. Please don’t make me embarrass myself here.”

  “Oh, darling.” He pressed his hand against Lance’s cock, no longer stroking, and tilted the lovely face with his free hand. Closing the gap between their mouths, he kissed Lance softly. Lance opened, sharing a quiet kiss with him.

  Then he rested their foreheads together. “I don’t want to embarrass you. I just want to touch you. We should have stayed in.”

  “Thank you.” Lance squeezed his wrist.

  He took another kiss, then sat back. “You’re welcome.”

  Lance drank his coffee, swallowing hard.

  “Would you like to come to my place? I’ve seen yours—it only seems fair that you get to see mine.”

  The spark of interest, of honest curiosity was immediate. “Yes. Yes, I’d love to.”

  “Excellent.” He nodded at their coffees, his own completely untouched as of yet. “When we’ve had a chance to drink our coffees.”

  “Yeah. Is yours good?”

  “I’ll let you know in a second.” Laughing, he grabbed his cup and drew in the scent of it first. Oh, it was good coffee—that always made a differe
nce in a latte. Then he took a sip and nodded. “Yeah, this is great.”

  “Cool.” He got another of those quick, wicked little grins.

  Lance was such a wonderful bunch of contradictions. Shy but eager, easily shocked, but with a streak of naughty. Confident in his photography, but often self-conscious without the camera. Tide wanted to explore it all and help Lance find that confidence he felt with the camera in all the other areas of his life. He wanted Lance to be his boy.

  He wanted a caramel-flavored kiss.

  “Drink up and remember to let the coffee flow over your whole mouth so I can taste it when you’re done.”

  “Tide!” Lance turned a sweet, bright pink.

  Oh, Lance did make him happy.

  Lance took a drink, though, a big one, and Tide hummed in anticipation and to let Lance know he’d noticed, that he was pleased by it. It took a balance of praise and punishment to give a sub all he needed.

  “So when did you know you were a photographer?” Tide asked.

  “My mom is one. I grew up in a portrait studio. I never even thought about being anything else.”

  “That’s pretty cool. What did your father do?”

  “He was a schoolteacher. Science. He retired last year and now he’s back in college.”

  “Like as a student?”

  “Yes!” Lance grinned, eyes twinkling.

  “I guess you’re never too old, eh? That’s pretty cool.”

  “I’m proud of him. I mean, really. He wants to be an art history professor.”

  “That’s a one-eighty from science.”

  He liked that Lance was close enough to his parents. He always appreciated parents who didn’t kick their kids out of their lives when they came out.

  “I know, right? He cracks me up, but he’s like a big doddery bird, just cheery and excited about everything.”

  “That’s great. Do you see them often?”

  “I wish. Dad is out in BC for school, and Mom lives in the States down on the beach in Florida.” Lance rolled his eyes, but the look was fond. “She loves it there.”

  “Snowbird, eh? Good for her.”

  “Yep.” Lance pulled out his phone and showed a picture of a tall, gangly man and another of a little woman who looked just like his boy.

  “Cool. I don’t see my folks anymore,” Tide admitted.

  “No? I’m sorry.” Lance reached out, touched his wrist.

  He turned his hand and twined their fingers together. “Shit happens. And some people aren’t worth shedding tears over.” Tyrone and Bran were his family now and more supportive than his folks had ever been. Hell, the guys at the gym were his support, like Tyrone and Bran were his heartbeat.