by Mathew Ortiz
“It’s never made it to my face,” Caleb snorted and Martin and Robbie laughed til they were red in the face. “It’s been face… adjacent! I’ve also seen it in so many types of underwear, it’s ridiculous.”
“I like havin’ choices,” I muttered and the boys only snickered.
“Cotton has an underwear fetish,” Martin’s staged whisper sucked. I smacked his head as I passed to get to Caleb. He was sitting beside the fireplace and I scooted in beside him, pressing my body against his.
“Ow! Hey, it’s not a secret!”
“Ya’ll talk too much. ‘Bout private things,” I grumbled.
“Oh please. Avery puts Imelda Marcos to shame with his shoe fetish. Boone has a whole bedroom devoted to his clothes and you have a ten-foot dresser stuffed full of thongs, schlongshots, boxers, boxer briefs, bikinis and a variety of jockstraps in every color of the rainbow!” Martin crowed and Robbie nodded in affirmation.
“Martin’s right about your underwear dresser. I’ve peeked.” Caleb’s admission made my face heat up.
“When?” I asked, flustered.
“When you were in the shower last week. We had finished… uh…”
“Making sweet monkey love?” Martin queried and I laughed. What a dork.
“Anyway. I was waiting for you to come out and saw a piece of bright violet fabric sticking out of the dresser in your room. So, I looked and let’s say I wasn’t expecting the ass-less bikini in violet with a yellow vortex over the crotch.”
“Oh yeah. The Purple Pecker Puffer!” I chuckled. They stared at me and I shrugged. “It’s the name that was on the package.”
Caleb bumped me with his shoulder and I turned to see blue eyes twinkling with laughter. I leaned in to brush a kiss against his plump lips and shivered when his tongue darted into my mouth and touched mine. My mouth melded to his for a brief second and let him go slowly. He opened his eyes and I loved the softness of his features, as if all his worries were gone for a few precious seconds.
“Whooeee! Boone! Where are you?” Robbie bounded out of his chair and Martin did the same. I looked over to the door and saw Martin kissing Avery and I guess Robbie found Boone too from the soft moans coming from a corner of the kitchen. Caleb giggled and I kissed his nose quickly.
“Let’s interrupt the horny toads ‘fore this gets outta hand.” I stood and offered him my hand which he took and I helped him to his feet. “Break it up, buttheads. Ya’ll can finish that shit up at home.” The loud clap of my hands made both couples jump. Boone unashamedly rearranged his junk and, I swear, I saw Martin counting backward. Avery and Robbie only grinned and I jerked my chin at the table.
“Yeah… food… right. Hey! Avery and I are home!” Martin sputtered and stumbled once, earning him a laugh from Avery.
“Whatever, gingersnap!” Boone teased and Martin blew him a raspberry.
Avery snorted and pulled out Martin’s chair, who graciously took a seat and gave Avery a small smile. Robbie sat down after patting Boone’s butt and Boone waved to me and Caleb to sit. I made sure Caleb was comfy in his chair then plopped down beside him. Avery and Boone brought the platters of food over, set them down and sat themselves. Avery gently ‘amened’ and we all linked hands and closed our eyes. I hadn’t asked Caleb if he was religious or even what religion he was, but he took my right hand and Avery’s rich voice filled the air.
“Lord above, we want to thank for you a blessed year. In short order, we have found men who’ve made our lives better. They complement us and care for us despite our failins’. I found love in my Martin. Without him, my days would be silent and hollow.” I heard Martin sniffle. “Thank you so much for sendin’ him to me. My brother Boone has been blessed with Robbie Gaither. I couldn’t have asked for a better match for my crazy-assed brother than Robbie.” Avery paused and my heart tightened in my chest. “I especially wanted to thank you for sendin’ Caleb for my brother Cotton. Cotton deserves to be happy, he fought so much and he needs some joy in his life.” I felt the prickle of tears threaten to fall from my eyes as Avery, who was to my left, squeezed my hand hard. “Thank you again, Lord, for all that you give us and we rejoice in your love… Amen.”
Damn it, leave it to my big brother to bring tears to the table. He knew exactly what to say to pull at our hearts. I opened my eyes and saw Boone’s face tucked into Robbie’s neck with Robbie murmuring to him. Martin wiped at his damp lashes and pulled Avery’s hand to his mouth and kissed it hard. I slowly turned to Caleb, not sure what to think when I was yanked into a hug and Caleb whispered into my neck for only me to hear.
“I love you, Cotton.” My heart skipped a beat and I swallowed hard, sliding my arms around him.
“Love you too, Caleb.” I kissed him slowly and, as I let him go, I realized deep in my heart, I had found the one.
*
Another note appeared on his car’s windshield. The cop that had been monitoring his place had only been gone a moment, to get coffee, because I had arrived over Caleb’s. Fury, hot and dangerous washed over me when we found the note as we were heading out for brunch. The officer came back and we handed it over to him. I scanned the area and I didn’t notice anything or anybody out of the ordinary. Whoever this person was knew mine and Caleb’s schedules and that rankled me. Knowing that someone was watching us made me even angrier and the note only made things worse.
Last warning, Jaspers. Shut your fucking face.
*
The next few days blew past and I spent more time with Caleb at his place. Getting romantic while living with Momma and Mawmaw, proved to be problematic. I actually preferred to spend the night at his place and go to work straight from there. I walked back to my office and set the coffee down in front of my newest client: Liam ‘Goat’ Wurtzler. What a sight he was. His longish brown hair had streaks of pink and was brushed back on his head in a fade pompadour. He had nice light blue eyes, a long nose, upturned at the end, full pink lips and a healthy scruff on his chin. He wore a skin tight pink button-up shirt and grey cargo pants ending with pink Converse. His pale skin shone and light sparkled off the diamond earrings in each of his earlobes. He looked like a lead singer from an indie band. He was, in fact, a bartender, amateur baker and chef. He’d been cooking for his patrons at his bar for years, when he wasn’t behind it and had garnered quite a following. Martin’s cousin, Ray, had told me about the guy and how he was thinking about writing a cookbook.
That was ten months ago. We were going over the last of the pictures of some of his recipes and how we were going to go about marketing.
“I’m not sure about the cover picture of me at my bar. It’s a great place but not fancy.” Goat fidgeted and played with the rings on his fingers. Only his ring finger on the left and the index of the right didn’t have something on it.
“What about the other two? I liked the one around all the crates of food.” I poured over the pictures for the cover of his book. The only other one was him sitting on his prep table, muscled arms exposed, dressed all in black and grinning like a loon with stacks of white dishes around him.
“It’s good, too, but I think I like the third one.” He’d chosen my favorite. I tried not to influence things like this too much, unless the client was choosing something totally crap. It was separated into Appetizers, Salads, Entrees and Desserts or as he called them: Snarfs, Greenery, Tucks and Sweeties. I’d made some of his recipes and damn, the man was good. So far, his book was a hit at my work. His roasted cherry tomatoes in oregano, olive oil, butter and garlic tasted simple and clean. His charred romaine salad with heirloom tomatoes, bacon, feta and lime/mustard vinaigrette rocked all of my worlds. I’d made the Chinese five spice pork loin with zucchini and squash and even made his Peach Blop Cobbler. I’d had to fight Caleb for the crispy edges. All the recipes were easy to make, some were very inexpensive, like his Trailer Trash Mac and Cheese, and all were incredible. The testers, my brothers and me, had tried each dish out, fed them to the publishing staff as a trial and the entire st
aff gave them the thumbs-up.
So here we were, at the final stage. Pictures of the food had been taken, fonts chosen, stories from his life edited. He had been orphaned early because his parents both went to jail, being raised by his grandma, his time in juvie and turning his life around all filled the book. It didn’t hurt that he was as handsome as the devil. He had a son, Milo, from an old girlfriend and Goat had dedicated the book to his son and grandma.
“You’re set to go. If you’re happy, I’ll send this off to printin’ and be done with it.” I tapped the final picture with my pen and waited.
“Yes. This is the picture for the cover and I’m happy with all of it.” He sighed, ran his hand over his face and leaned back in his chair. “Cain’t believe it’s really happenin’.” He hugged himself and laughed softly.
“It’s happenin’,” I conceded. “Your food is incredible.”
He sat up suddenly. “I feel like celebratin’. Join me for a drink?”
“I don’t drink but I’ll join you.” The clock read two in the afternoon and I wracked my brain for a place to go. “How about Wolfsbane? I used to knock a few back there in my day.”
“In your day? You don’t drink?” he asked and I answered him honestly.
“I’m a recoverin’ alcoholic.”
“Oh man, I’m sorry! I’m such a dick!” Watching Goat stumble over himself made me grin.
“No problem, man. I can have a coke.” I stood up and grabbed my coat from the rack. “My treat.”
“Are you sure?” I nodded and Goat retrieved his leather jacket and joined me as we walked out of work. Today, I’d driven, so I drove us to Wolfsbane. This was my first time in a bar in over three months. My sponsor knew that I might be exposed to going to bars at times and she had been firm that I do it during the day only and if I was having a bad day, not to even try. Today had gone well and I admit, I wanted to drink but I didn’t have the same overwhelming craving as before. Facing my Waterloo did frighten me though.
I pulled up, killed the engine and we rushed inside. The warmth of the place caressed my face and hands and the rich aroma of brews, lager and ales filled my senses. Goat nodded to a corner and we slipped into a booth by the front window. Unlike most bars, this had a huge picture window and really beautiful interiors. It was one reason I’d liked Wolfsbane so much. It had class. The number of people, sparse at best, quietly chatted or drank alone. I settled back and took a long breath. My hands shook and I shoved them under my thighs as I tried to get ahold of myself.
“We shouldn’t have come here. I’m sorry, Cotton. Let’s go.” Goat started to move but I shot out a hand and stopped him by grabbing his arm.
“No. I’m fine. It’s hard, yes, but I have to face reality. People go to bars. I can, too. I just can’t drink.” I squeezed his arm and he relaxed.
“If you’re sure?” I nodded and he settled back into the leather booth. “How are you and Caleb doin’?”
I had taken a call from Caleb one day, when Goat and I were going over a chapter, and he might have heard me call him, baby. Being honest, I told him about Caleb and I and he only smirked and said.
“Figures. The cute ones are always taken!”
“Caleb and I are good. He told me he loved me.” I answered, flushing. I must have grinned like a loon. “And I told him I loved him.”
“Wow. Love huh? That’s some serious shit, Cotton,” Whistling long, Goat leaned over and clapped me on the shoulder. “He’s got himself a good guy.”
“Thanks, Goat. I—” My words were interrupted by a deep baritone and both of us turned to the source of the rich voice.
“What can I get you two?” The man’s deep sensual voice tickled our ears and Goat and I both were struck dumb, mouths hanging open at the pinnacle of masculinity in front of us. Easily six two or three, the gentleman leaned on our table on muscled arms, dusted in silver hair. The same silver hair was cut in a short spike on his head that darkened on the sides and back. Ice blue eyes took us in under dark brows. He had a cute nose and thin lips that quirked into a smile at us. His cheeks and chin were covered in close cropped silver beard. He had to be in his mid-forties and damn he had a hard as a rock body and a nice tan to boot. He looked at me and I think he actually sniffed the air. He dismissed me immediately and turned to Goat and sniffed. This time his smile grew wide and lascivious.
“Coke for me,” I said and chuffed at my annoyance at being ignored. I had Caleb and it would seem, this man wanted Goat who, at the moment, seemed to be tongue-tied and blushing furiously.
“I-uhmm-I, whiskey please,” Goat stuttered. “I mean, Benjamin Prichard's Tennessee Whiskey.”
“Good taste and handsome… a delicious combination.” The silver fox purred and licked his lips.
My mouth fell open. I had balls, but this guy put me to shame. He was basically eye-fucking Goat in front of me and Goat knew it. He blinked, blushed and smiled.
“Wick Masterson,” Hottie McDaddy growled and stuck out his hand. Goat took it and had a firm pumping from Masterson.
“Goat… I mean Liam, Liam Wurtzler.” I smothered a grin as Goat stumbled over himself.
“Why goat?” Oh, this was fun to watch.
“When I was a kid, I ate anythin’ put in front of me. My Grandma started callin’ me Goat and it stuck.”
“Hmm… I like Liam better,” Letting go of Goat’s hand, I saw Wick’s fingers dawdle as he let go. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.” He paused as he started to walk away and turned back to regard Goat one more time. “And I’ll want your number when I get back.” He strode away and I grinned at Goat.
“You need a pen and paper to write down your number?” I queried and he jumped, startled.
“No, I’m good,” he whispered. “He’s fuckin’ gorgeous! I mean, like model for some big New York department store gorgeous! Fuck, fuck, fuck…”
“Yes, I think he does want to fuck you,” I snorted and chuckled.
“I can only hope. It’s been a long time. I haven’t had a cock up my ass in over ten years. Havin’ a kid puts a damper on the sex life.”
“I hear a ‘but’ in there.” Damn, I do love to wind people up.
“Oh, there is a butt there. Mine, his, it doesn’t matter as long as I get him naked.” Liam fidgeted like a randy goat. Oh, Goat’s randy as a goat! I amuse myself sometimes. “Ssh he’s comin’ back. Be cool.”
“You might want to wipe the drool off your lip, dude.” My laughter rang out when he actually checked and all I got was an arched brow from Masterson and a death glare from Goat. First time I’d been in a bar and got a number for a friend instead of me!
*
Later that week, I arrived at Caleb’s at about 9.00 p.m. I’d pulled a late day and he’d done several quick runs to Tallahassee for a change then called to tell me he was bushed. I said I could stay home but he asked me to come anyway. I hadn’t slept over in a few nights so I happily grabbed my clothes, stuffed them in my overnight bag and jumped on my bike. Parking next to his car, I grabbed my stuff and headed into his condo. He’d given me a spare key earlier so I let myself in and locked up behind me. I called out for Caleb and a muffled ‘in here’ came from the bedroom.
Caleb liked to sleep in a cold room. He had the heat shut off to his room and the chill nipped at my nose. I saw him curled under the feather down, only a bit of his blond hair peaked out.
“Caleb?” I murmured and his head popped up over the comforter.
“Sorry, Cotton. I’m beat.” The bags under his eyes told me his day had sucked.
“Me too. I’m gonna go to the bathroom and come to bed.” He smiled lazily at me and I padded into the bathroom to carry out my night time routine. I stripped down, put on my drawers, folded my clothes and lay them on the dresser in his bedroom as I walked back into the icebox of a bedroom. I didn’t sleep in the nude. I slept in a pair of loose boxer briefs in lemon yellow. They were my sleeping drawers. This particular brand of underwear didn’t hold up well for everyd
ay use. They were, however, super soft, not too tight and perfect for bed. I quickly crossed over to the bed and slid beneath the covers. The warmth of his body had seeped throughout the feather cover and I eased in deeper, seeking his body. My hand found his waist and I skootched myself closer until I molded myself to his slender frame.
“Missed you,” Caleb muttered and I kissed the back of his neck.
“Ditto.’ I yawned hard as lassitude drug me down toward sleep. The last thing I remember was his snoring.
*
Wassat? Who’un? Caleb? Caleb! Oh, his mouth! I sleepily opened my eyes and the sight of Caleb going down on me woke me up—all the way. His lips clung to my shaft as he lovingly worked down my hard prick. Granted my skin chilled due to being uncovered, but the warmth of Caleb’s body soaked into me. His throat opened and he sunk down to my base, swallowing me whole. I sighed and carded my hands through his blond locks. Fuck, his lips looked amazing around me and the suckling heat of his mouth as he drew up made my balls tingle. His left hand held my cock in place and the other massaged my smooth nads. I hadn’t even felt him push down my drawers. He worked his way over the head, pulled his mouth off and gave my cock a long swipe of his tongue. Gazing up at me from between my legs, the hunger in his eyes took my breath away.
“Hey, baby,” I murmured and he smiled at me.
“You like?” He asked and pointed his tongue, dipping into my slit, sampling the copious precum already dripping from me.
“Love it. C’mere.” He crawled up my body and I wrapped my arm around his neck, opening my mouth wide. Caleb did the same and we kissed sloppily. A fine sheen of sweat coated our skin, his cheeks pink from my beard burn and I growled happily. His hands explored my chest, found my nipples and took both nubs between his fingers, tweaking them, making me hiss into his mouth. My tits were hypersensitive and I could pop my cork from having them worked over. I reached down and skimmed the foreskin from the head of his cock, finding him sticky and ready. His shaft, pale and pink all at the same time, burned hot and heavy under my touch. We were almost the same length, but he was thicker than me, where I had bigger balls. I loved the heft of his cock in my hand and my mouth watered.