by Mathew Ortiz
“You moved there from Atlanta?”
“Yes… to get away. From the memories… from it all. And there I met a gay, redneck man, who swept me off my feet, made me feel special, important and most of all, loved. I never told him, but he was the first man to touch me after Robert. I was scared I couldn’t respond to Emmett but he was so loving, so in command, so caring that it melted the ice around me and I let myself feel for the first time in months. Emmett renewed my faith that there are a few good men still out there.”
I released his hand, grabbed my scotch and down a large swallow. “How did you tell Emmett?”
He wiped away the wetness from his face and shuddered a long breath. “We’re getting married in the spring at our house in Tatesville. I had to be honest, completely honest and it was the hardest thing I had ever done. I was so worried Emmett would hate me and call us off… call off our wedding. I’d never seen him so mad! He raged, stomped and cussed. In the two years we’d been together, I’d never seen that side of him and it scared me. I burst into tears and begged him not to leave me.” Alex’s sob broke my heart and made the hollow pain in mine flare dangerously close to the surface.
“He stopped mid-rant gathered me into his arms and told me he loved me. He started to cry as he hugged me. I told him I was sorry for lying to him. He shushed me and only kissed my cheek and rocked me. He gathered up my broken soul and loved me whole again. Emmett Gaither is my lover, my best friend and my savior.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?” I asked, dread in my heart.
“I’m going to testify against Robert at the trial. I told Emmett that Robert had to be stopped and he agreed. I worried what people in Tatesville would say. About Emmett, about us. Emmett only told me to stop being silly. Whatever happened wouldn’t change his love for me. He said he would be there with me at the trial and until the day he died. I only cried. I’d been so lucky to find such a good man and I thank the part of me that stayed my hand that day. If it hadn’t, I’d never have known how wonderful love could be.” He straightened and regarded me thoughtfully. “I’m asking you as a fellow victim, please don’t let him win. Testify.”
My fingers flexed around my glass. Here this man was, airing his dirty laundry and asking me to do the same. The only difference was that he wanted me to join him and take Robert down. Could I?
“Do you have a guy in your life?”
The nerve! American’s were so nosey. “I do. Someone I just met.”
“Serious?”
The balls! “Perhaps.”
“Good for you.” He sighed heavily and stood up. “You’ll forgive me but Emmett is waiting in the terminal. We’re on our way to 350 Degrees Bakery to meet up with Boone for our confirmation of the wedding and the groom’s cake.” For the first time since we met, his face lit up with a genuine smile. Hey!
“Are you talking about Boone Myer?” No way! This is too coincidental.
“Yes, that’s him,” Alex’s head cocked to one side. “Why?”
I laughed, truly relieved. “I’m seeing Boone’s brother, Cotton!”
Alex clapped his hand over his mouth briefly and said, “Oh, how weird. I mean really weird! Boone is dating my kinda cousin, Robbie. He’s Emmett’s cousin. How weird. I’ll have to call Oscar and tell him! Weird!” He punched a number on his phone immediately when he pulled it from his pocket. “Hmm… he must be on a job for COR Interiors.”
“Oscar? Oscar Hernandez?”
Alex’s mouth fell open then snapped shut. “Yes. Why?”
“Oh. My. God,” I groaned and leaned forward on my elbows. “I hit on Oscar a year ago, right before I met Robert. He was doing my kitchen.”
“Weird!” He drew it out and I giggled. I liked Alex King. “Talk about Six Degrees of Gay Separation! Anyway, Mike has my number if you want to talk. Please… help me stop Robert.” His pleading voice drew me and I felt my resistance begin to crumble.
*
To say I had a bad week would be the understatement of the century. I arrived home after another day of flying back and forth to Orlando and the solace and comfort of home beckoned me. My encounter with D.A. Venture and Mike Wirzbowski had angered and embarrassed me. After finding out they’d seen my medical records, I’d felt violated all over again. Added to that, meeting Alex King had shaken me to the core. I wanted to help. I needed—no—I had to help. But testifying meant having my being plastered all over the evening news. Could I face my family after the truth came out? Perspective and a neutral party was what I needed. My thoughts immediately zeroed in on Cotton. Could I tell him? And if I did, would he be a good sounding board or dump me and run for the hills? I had to find out. Either way, he was going to find out.
I sighed heavily, deciding there was no time like the present. I tapped my phone and retrieved his number. My hands shook as it rang and I—
“Hi, Caleb!” He sounded so happy to hear from me, having no idea I was about to lower some heavy stuff on him.
“Hello, Cotton.” My voice quivered. “Can we meet tonight? We need to talk.”
“Sure.”
“How about you come over my place? Say around 8.00 p.m.?” My voice almost cracked.
“Great. I don’t get off work ‘til after six and I have to stop at a shop afterward to pick up some parts for my bike but I’ll come over.”
“That’s great. See you then.” I ended the call and buried my head in my hands. Tonight. I’d tell him tonight.
*
I sat, sweating nervously and ready to bolt. I’d set out a cup of coffee for him on my coffee table and waited, growing more anxious by the minute. What I was going to tell Cotton did not need an audience. The chill of the air in the room nipped at my cheeks, only held in check by the steaming mug of tea warming my hands. I would testify. As much as it terrified me to do so, I planned to get up on the stand and tell my story. Fallout be damned. I’d told Mikey about my meeting with D.A. Venture and Detective Wirzbowski and, at first, he’d raged at me for not telling him the whole story. After he calmed down, he said he would support my decision to go to court. I admitted to him my fears about our parents finding out and he told me to fuck them and stop Robert Davenport. You’ve got to love my brother. For all his good-natured attitude, Mikey had a vengeful streak a mile wide. If Davenport got off, he might not live to enjoy the freedom, if my brother had anything to do with it.
I almost jumped out of my skin when the doorbell chimed. Dashing to the door, I swung it open and my throat nearly closed up.
“Caleb?” His soft southern drawl broke into my train of thought as Cotton smiled down at me. He wore black jeans, a blue sweater, boots and a black leather jacket.
“Hello, Cotton.” I motioned for him to come in and closed the door as he did. Leading him into the living room, I motioned for him to sit on the couch and I took the spot next to him. I sucked in a deep breath and pushed forward. There was no point in beating about the bush. “I have something to tell you and, when I’m done, if you don’t want to see me again, I’ll understand.”
Cotton took the cup from my shaking hand and set it down on the table. He gently rubbed my knuckles with the tips of his fingers, soothing my jangled nerves. I opened my mouth and the whole sorry story fell out, like so much vomit. My life with Robert, the abuse, the assault, the aftermath and how I’d been called upon to testify against him in court. How afraid I was about my family finding out and how Mikey was standing by me. I must have talked for ten minutes straight and shook like a leaf the entire time. Eventually, when I’d finished, we sat in silence. It wasn’t a long silence, but a part of me died each moment it lasted.
“I knew.” His words were like a sledgehammer to my soul.
“Y-you knew?” I stammered. “How?”
“I overhead you talkin’ to your friends at Whisper’s Green. I didn’t know you were there when I sat at my booth ‘cause they’re so freakin’ high, then I heard your voice. What I didn’t know, I kinda put two and two together….” I pulled my han
d away and wrapped my arms around myself.
“You must hate me. I’m dirty.” Tears welled up in my eyes and I shivered.
“Don’t put words in my mouth, Caleb.” I met his gaze, but it held no contempt. No pity. “Let me tell you a few things and you can get them through your pretty head. First off, I’m broken myself. My drinkin’ and my temper nearly destroyed me. I thought it made me better, stronger. It didn’t. It took me years to realize it. I’m a loser—”
“But you’re not!” He cut me off with a curt wave of his hand.
“Let me speak my piece. I’m damaged, so who I am I to judge? I can’t say I understand what you went through, that’s too personal. But I do know what feelin’ worthless is like. I’m not worthless and neither are you.” He let out a breath and his dark gaze bore into me. “I think you’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. I want to keep seein’ you more than I’ve ever wanted anything’ and I’m hopin’ you feel the same.”
“You-you’d still have me after the ra-ra—?”
“Every day, every minute, every second. I want all of you, Caleb.” The tenderness in his voice humbled me.
I bowed my head and my tears fell like warm rain. “I don’t deserve you.”
His strong arms slid around my shoulders and he cupped my chin with his left hand, forcing me to look at him. A gentle smile peeped from within his beard.
“I was gonna say that I don’t deserve you,” he said and lowered his mouth to mine. His beard tickled my nose. His kiss, soft at first, deepened. Firm and persistent, he plundered my lips and coaxed my mouth open, his tongue sweeping inside to find mine. He savored me, desired me, wanted me.
I met his tongue with my own and tasted the heady flavor of Cotton Myer. My pulse shot through the roof as I responded to his kiss. I wanted him, too. For the first time in months, I wasn’t afraid. His kiss ceased and his ragged breathing mirrored mine. I leaned against him and said softly, “I want you.”
His dark brooding stare bore into mine. “Are you sure?”
“More than anything.” I wanted his touch, more than anything.
*
The darkness of my bedroom gave way to the light from my hall as I led Cotton into the room. My hand trembled and he covered it with his.
“Caleb, we don’t have—”
I placed a finger over his lips and shook my head. Letting him go, I slipped off my clothes, slowly and deliberately. His eyes darkened in the light coming from the hall and his breathing deepened. He walked toward me, took my hand and gently guided me to the bed. I flopped onto my back and he towered over me, yet I still wasn’t afraid. I was about to tell him to undress when he lifted my right foot and ran his tongue over my insole. The wetness shocked me and a chill raced up my leg to my chest. Cotton worked his way up my leg with slow, languid kisses and long licks. He ran his tongue over my shin, my knee and the inside of my thigh. His beard scratched at my flesh and my cock bounced on my belly, sticky and aching. He ignored it and worked up and over my stomach, delving his tongue into my navel. I’d never thought of it as erogenous until now. Upward he went until his lips found my left nipple.
He nipped my nipple sharply and immediately suckled the sting away. I loved having my nipples worked and, as Cotton sucked hard, I reared off the bed, screaming out his name. The whole time, he remained silent, his gaze never leaving my face, wanton desire in his eyes. He stretched his long body, still full clothed, over me and captured my mouth in a wet, dirty kiss. His beard scraped my chin and cheeks deliciously raw. I never wanted him to shave it off. A long lock of his hair swooped across my forehead and I almost giggled out loud. If, that was, I could have made a sound, other than moaning into his mouth.
So different. Cotton worshipped my body, drew out each moan and cry with a sensual grin. Part of me had been afraid I wouldn’t be able to respond to him, because of what had happened to me. Another part waited for him to hurt me but he didn’t. He treated me as if I was the most precious thing in the world.
Cotton lifted away from me and crawled down the bed. Getting to his knees, he pulled my ass toward him. I sucked in a sharp breath as his tongue touch me there. I practically swooned as he worked his tongue over and into my body. I relaxed and he pushed a lubed finger into me. Then another and another. He fisted my weeping cock and skimmed the foreskin over the hypersensitive head. I cried out and begged him to fuck me. A sensual chuckle filled my ears. The clank of a belt buckle rattled the air and a moment later, he loomed over me, his prick poised at my entrance.
“Caleb… please?” Voice rough with emotion, he waited for me… he waited for me!
I reached up, touched his face and nodded. A rustling of necessities didn’t even break the spell and, in a single stroke, he was inside me. My world exploded.
Chapter 6
Cotton
“Cotton Myer, recoverin’ alcoholic. Ninety-one days sober and in the grand scheme of things, that’s not a lot of time. For me, however, it’s the longest stretch I’ve ever gone without drinkin’. My sponsor asked me to talk about my life, so here it is. I’m datin’ again and I’ve been warned it might be too soon. I didn’t plan on meetin’, Caleb. That’s his name… Caleb. It just happened and, according to my mawmaw, these things happen when they’re meant to. He makes me like bein’ around him and I like myself when I’m with him. He knows I’m an alcoholic and it didn’t scare him off. He still wants me. Damned if I know why.”
*
Date night. I sped along the east Atlanta roads to pick up Caleb. After our night together I craved more of him. His skin was so soft, so warm and he reacted to my touch like no other man I had been with. I made one last wide turn into The Havershire Condos entrance. Luckily, I remembered how to get there, but thank goodness for the GPS on my phone. I didn’t want to get lost.
Caleb lived in a quiet, older condo complex. All one-story homes tucked amongst the autumn foliage. The crisp evening air felt good on my cheeks as I pulled up to his condo and killed the engine on my bike. I quickly swiped my hands over my leather jacket, making sure I didn’t have any bugaboos on it. It was at least ten-years-old and butter soft. Avery and Boone had given it to me as a Christmas gift and I couldn’t wait for the weather to turn cold enough to wear it. I slipped off my helmet and my hair fell over my face. Tossing my head back, my bangs flitted away and promptly fell back into my view. Meh, maybe I should get it cut. I usually went to Big Bears Barbershop, where a bearded hunk named Van, did my hair and beard, and I was overdue for a trim.
Shit, another thing for my ‘to do’ list. I hoped I looked alright. I’d decided on my favorite black Converse, dark jeans, black plaid button-up and my leathers. Either, he’ll love it or hate it, so nut up Myer and find out. I hopped off my bike and meandered my way to his condo. I halted at number 16 and rapped the door with my gloved knuckles. Dang, maybe I should have driven my car. It would’ve been more comfortable for him I guess? Hell, I’m such a moron! I—
The door swung inward and my mouth dried—Caleb. Oh man, little Cotton plumped in my jeans. He wore a pair of dark, distressed, skinny jeans, loafers and a deep blue shirt. His pale skin begged to be touch and his blond hair had that tousled, straight out of bed look. He smiled, dimples in each cheek. Fucking dimples! Seriously? Talk you idiot, don’t just stand there perving on him with a boner.
“Hey, Caleb.” Oh, such witty repartee and you’re an editor? For Christ’s sake.
“Right on time. I like punctuality,” he said nervously and I smothered a smile. Him and me both, I guess. “Come on in, I seem to have forgotten my manners.” He gestured me inward. “I need to get my wallet. Um… where are we going? And why do you have a helmet?” He disappeared into the back and reappeared a moment later, pushing his wallet into the pocket of his jeans.
“I thought we could go to the outdoor movie showing at Menders Park. They’re playing Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.”
He stopped mid-step and I swear, if his dimples got any deeper, they’d go through his
skull.
“Could you pick a gayer movie?”
I shifted my weight to one leg and lifted my nose at him. “Sweetie darlin’. I chose it because it’s British and gay friendly. No one will give a rat’s ass about seeing two guys kissin’.” I murdered the fake British accent epically and Caleb dissolved into giggles. “Besides… who doesn’t love Patsy and Edina? ‘Course, my favorite character is Bubbles.”
Caleb held his stomach as he laughed and I only looked down my nose at him. Righting himself, he wiped the tears from his eyes and came over and touched my lips with his finger.
“Just when I think I’ve found the most masculine man in the world, you surprise me again.”
“Hey, eventually, the pearls fall out of every gay man’s mouth. It’s only a matter of time.” I hefted my helmet. “And we’re takin’ my bike. Yes, close your mouth, my bike. Feel free to scream like a girl and let your pearls fall out, sweetie!” I crowed and led him down the stairs to my waiting hog. It was kind of a trial by fire. If a guy could handle riding my bike, he could handle me. The fact that riding my hog gave my boys an erotic tingle was a happy coincidence. He followed me to my bike, eyeing it dubiously. I grinned and handed him a helmet.
“It’s going to muss my hair,” he complained and I reached over, yanking him to me. The kiss was powerful, deep and fierce. He squeaked in surprise and I took the opportunity to slip my tongue into his mouth and sample him. He tasted awesome. Mint and Caleb tantalized my tongue and I ground my mouth against his. He sagged against me and our combined wood rubbed against each other. Oh yes, Mr. Jaspers liked me. I ended our kiss with a flip of my tongue over his bottom lip and he blinked, dazed.