Play Along

by Mathilde Watson

  "There are cameras everywhere, Alex. The only time you can really count on privacy around here is when you're behind a locked door." Alex rolled his eyes and pushed up off the wall behind him, standing so that he towered over Chance.

  "Oh, come on! Why does it matter? Kissing isn't a crime and the security guys aren't going to pay any attention to two men kissing in the elevator." Alex was truly upset; Chance could tell because his eyebrows were drawn together, something he rarely did for fear of causing wrinkles. Chance considered pointing out that he'd grown up here, the guards knew him personally, and they'd notice quick enough if one of the kissing men was the boss's son, but he held his tongue.

  The lighted numbers above the door indicated they were halfway to their destination, and briefly he wondered if he'd still have a boyfriend to introduce when the car stopped.

  "I'm sorry." It was all Chance could think to say, and Alex didn't bother to reply. They rode the rest of the way up in silence, not touching or even looking at each other. The time seemed to drag on forever.

  Finally the elevator doors slid open and Chance led them out into the hallway and risked a glance over his shoulder. Alex wasn't frowning anymore, his expression was calm and polite, but he wouldn't meet Chance's eye. Chance smiled at him anyway, hoping he would be understanding.

  The door to his parents' suite opened before the elevator even closed behind them. His mother glided out to meet him, extending her hand as if he were a visiting dignitary and not her own son. Chance took her hand, squeezing briefly and leaning forward to kiss her cheek. They were about the same height. She was tall for a woman at five feet eight, he was short for a man—and being in her presence still made him feel like a small boy. "Hello, Mother."

  "Chancellor, welcome home!"

  She eyed Alex critically, her raised eyebrows the only visible sign of her surprise as she extended her hand to him also.

  "And you brought a friend with you? How wonderful!" She flashed a radiant smile at Alex before returning her curious gaze to her son. "Aren't you going to introduce us, dear?"

  "Well, uh yeah, but… let's go inside first? I'd like to make all the introductions at once."

  Out of the corner of his eye, Chance saw Alex frown but he ignored it. Chance didn't think he could make his announcement twice. It was far better to get it all over with at once. He needed to do this his way. He only hoped he could sort things out with Alex later when they were alone.

  The trio entered the family suite with his mother leading the way, ushering them into the ornate parlor where his father sat waiting.

  "Nathan, dear, Chancellor is here, and he's brought a friend with him."

  "Yes, I can see that. Welcome home, son!"

  The time that Chance spent with his father always made him uncomfortable as he struggled to impress the man and fought to keep his interest. Now, as Nathan Marshall rose from his chair and stalked across the room to greet them, Chance felt that familiar pang of stress and dread settle in his stomach. His father was six feet tall and moved like a predator, sure and dangerous, his eyes locked on Chance's. His face showed no emotion—it seldom did—and his unwavering gaze added to Chance's nervousness.

  Most people were intimidated by Nathan Marshall, and Chance was certain his father wanted it that way. Despite being of average height and build, his father's presence tended to overfill any room due to his grim, ruthless intensity.

  Chance wiped the sweat from his hand before holding it out. "Hello, sir. How are you?"

  "Fine, son, fine!" His father took his hand and pulled him in for a fierce hug, slapping him hard on the back a few times before releasing him. The hug was unexpected, something he couldn't remember his father ever doing, and it caught him off guard.

  "So, who's this you brought with you?" When his father turned his attention to Alex, looking him over from head to toe, Chance began to tremble, stuttering out his response.

  "Mom, Dad… t-this is Alex Sharp," He looked up into Alex's face, silently begging his support. Alex arched an eyebrow, expectantly waiting to hear how Chance would explain his presence. Chance smiled weakly and took a deep breath, lowering his eyes and forcing the rest out with his exhaled breath. "He's my boyfriend."

  At first his declaration was met with silence, stretching on for maybe twenty seconds. His parents shared a look between them, conversing without words before his mother stepped forward and offered her hand to Alex.

  "Well, this is a surprise. It's a pleasure to meet you, Alex. Please, won't you come in and sit?"

  "Thank you, Mrs Marshall. The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure." Alex accepted her handshake and followed her into the parlor. His mother sat in her customary chair and Alex sat on the couch across from her.

  Stunned by his mother's casual reaction, Chance dared a glance at his father, hoping to gauge his reaction. The look in his father's eyes confused him. He didn't know how to describe it; not angry exactly, not disgusted, but interested. He smiled knowingly at Chance, slapping him on the shoulder and steering him into the parlor. Chance settled onto the sofa next to Alex, who immediately took his hand while his father settled into the seat next to his wife.

  "Well now, Alex, is it? Why don't you tell us a little about yourself? Did you two meet at school?"

  Excited by the attention, Alex launched into a colorful narration detailing his career. His parents were both apparently listening with rapt attention, making Alex feel welcome while Chance sat by, stunned. He pinched himself, convinced he had to be dreaming. This couldn't be happening, could it?

  His parents and his lover sat together, talking and laughing like old friends and Chance forced himself to join in, trying to ignore the insistent feeling that he had somehow stepped into an alternate dimension.

  ****

  Several hours later, Chance followed Alex into their suite and closed the door behind them. He turned and leaned with his back against the door, finally allowing the tension to leave his neck and shoulders. Alex and his parents had chatted for hours, laughing and joking while Chance watched in amazement. They had even eaten dinner with his parents and the experience left him tense, his feelings raw.

  Chance watched while Alex undressed. His tie landed on the bed, his shirt falling to the floor at his feet. "Oh, my god, Chance! Your parents are amazing! I can't believe you were so worried about coming out to them. I mean, really. They were dolls! The way you went on about them I was expecting warty trolls who breathed fire." Alex shot him a dirty look before grabbing his toiletry bag and heading into the bathroom.

  Chance sighed and pushed away from the door, gathering up Alex's discarded clothes before walking over to his own bag, which had been left on top of his usual dresser. He unzipped his suitcase and dug around looking for his shaving kit. He opened it and smiled, pulling out the condoms and lube he'd stashed inside.

  Alex had quickly figured out on their first date that Chance was a virgin. Ever since, Chance had tried repeatedly to entice Alex into fucking him, but he always refused. They'd shared hand jobs and exchanged incredible blow jobs, but Alex refused to take things any further. He wouldn't even move in with Chance, not until he was convinced that Chance was ready to take things to the next level.

  Chance appreciated Alex's consideration at first, even found it romantic, but now? Now Chance was beginning to resent it. He was ready, and he was old enough to make that decision for himself. Alex was treating him like a child rather than a partner, and Chance hoped that this trip would change that. He wanted Alex would see him for the man that he was, to respect him.

  "All done. The bathroom's yours, sweet cheeks." Alex glided out of the bathroom in nothing but his boxers, climbing into bed without so much as glancing at Chance. Chance didn't bother going into the bathroom to undress. He stripped and turned out the lights, climbing into the bed with Alex. Alex was lying on his back and Chance scooted up close to him, pressing his erection into Alex's thigh and reaching under the cover to fondle Alex's cock.

  "Make love to me?" Cha
nce kissed Alex's cheek and then licked the edge of his ear, sticking his tongue inside. He still had the condoms and lube clutched in his other hand, and he laid them carefully on Alex's chest.

  "Oh, for fuck's sake, Chance!" Alex slapped the supplies off his chest and onto the floor and pushed Chance away. Even in the dark of the room Chance could see the scowl on his face. Alex rolled away from him, putting his back to Chance and leaving a large space between them. "Is that all I am to you? Sex? Is that all you care about?"

  "What? No! I just thought…" Chance reached out and touched Alex's shoulder, but Alex shrugged him off and slid farther away.

  "Well, you thought wrong! I'm tired, Chance. We've been up since six, spent the morning on a plane, and then we got here and you freaked out, you wouldn't even kiss me! Now you think we're going to fuck like bunnies and make up? Forget it. Go to sleep, Chance."

  Chance rolled onto his back and threw his arm over his eyes. He could feel his face heating and his erection was now a distant memory. He sighed and settled back on to the mattress, trying to wish himself to sleep. Things would get better in the morning, right?

  Chapter Four

  Thursday, July 29, 2010.

  "Good evening, sir, and welcome to the Grand Chancellor Hotel." The perky redhead smiled at Mark from behind the check-in counter in the extravagant hotel lobby. "Do you have a reservation with us?"

  "Yes, I do," Mark said. "It's under—"

  Two men emerged from a door off to the side of the lobby, one issuing orders that drowned out Mark's words, "Beverly, Mr Stallings here is going to need one of the conference rooms from October 7th through the 10th. Could you take care of it for me? Oh, and be sure to reserve twenty rooms under his name, as well."

  Mark froze at the sound of that voice. He watched, dumbstruck, as the men shook hands and the younger of the two headed for the exit while the other approached the counter.

  The girl behind the desk began typing furiously, an impatient frown marring her freckled face. "Yes, of course. Just one moment, sir. I was about to get this gentleman here checked in. What was your name, sir?"

  Mark had no time to answer. The businessman turned and looked at him, recognition immediately lighting in his eyes. "Holy shit. Mark Nelson!"

  Mark looked down at the familiar face of Nathan Marshall and tried to remember how to breathe. Nate was still stunning, the same blond hair and piercing blue eyes, the same firm athletic build filling out a pair of slacks and a clinging, white dress shirt. Mark found himself suddenly embraced by his former lover in a macho hug, Nate slapping his back harder than necessary. The man hadn't changed at all.

  "Good to see you again, Nate."

  Nate stepped back and looked him over, his eyes raking over Mark's body like a caress, and Mark's knees nearly gave out under him.

  "God Mark, you're fucking huge! Looking good!" Nate reached out and squeezed the muscles in his arm and Mark's face heated in a pleased but embarrassed blush. He'd been awkward and gangly in his youth, a high metabolism keeping his six foot five inch frame thin and almost gaunt. He'd been too clumsy to consider sports, but Ricardo had encouraged him to go to the gym regularly after Nate bailed on him, and as he'd matured it had paid off, allowing him to bulk up and fill out.

  "You haven't changed a bit, Nate, not at all. It's great to see you again. It's been too long." Mark covered Nate's hand with his own and smiled fondly at him. He was surprised when a sudden rush of butterflies invaded his stomach. Nate still turned him on as much as he had twenty-five years ago. He hadn't expected that, not at all.

  The receptionist cleared her throat and tapped a key card against the counter to get Mark's attention. Her eyes were narrowed, but she smiled as she held the card out to him. "You'll be in room 709, Mr Nelson. Carl can show you the way."

  A bored-looking teenager appeared from behind them and reached for Mark's bag. Nate released Mark's arm and grabbed the bag himself, shaking his head at the teenager. "That won't be necessary, Carl. I'll show my friend to his room myself. We have a lot of catching up to do."

  Mark nodded his thanks to them both before following Nate to the elevator. He pushed the button for the seventh floor, surreptitiously admiring Nate's reflection as he bent over to set Mark's bag on the floor. The car began to move, and Nate stepped closer, reaching out and brushing imaginary lint off Mark's shirt.

  "I knew you would come. You never were able to resist coming for me."

  Nate's hand brushed quickly over Mark's groin, and Mark jumped in surprise, caught off guard by the playful grope.

  "It's been a long time. I've wondered how you've been, how you've changed. I've missed you." Mark bit his tongue, regretting the words the moment they left his mouth.

  Nate grinned back up at him. "Well, I'm very glad you're here."

  The doors opened and Nate led him down the hallway. When they reached the room, Nate pulled out a card from his wallet and used it to open Mark's door. "Passkey," he explained as Mark followed him in. Closing the door behind them, Nate held up Mark's bag. "Where do you want this?"

  Mark grabbed the handle, unsettled by how nervous he felt about being alone with Nate. "I'll take it." He carried the bag over to the dresser, putting some much needed distance between himself and Nate. He took a deep breath before bending over the bag to unpack his things. His body remembered Nate, and embarrassingly, it still responded to him the way it had when they were together. He needed to get himself back under control before he did or said something stupid.

  With his pulse pounding in his ears he didn't hear Nate approach, but a moment later he felt Nate's hands on his shoulders, pushing him down further over the dresser top. Stunned, he stood passive as Nate ground his solid erection against his ass, his hands sliding down Mark's back and grasping his hips.

  "Damn, Mark, this brings back memories, seeing you bent over the furniture like this," Nate breathed into his ear, pushing a knee between Mark's thighs and spreading his legs.

  Mark closed his eyes and slumped down over his bag, clutching the sides of the dresser. He was so turned on it hurt, memories of his time with Nate flooding his senses. "You have no idea how much I missed this, missed you. Missed having you inside me."

  Nate's hand slid around to Mark's fly, opening his pants and closing on Mark's solid erection. "Yeah. You want that now, don't you? You want my dick up your ass, pounding you raw. That's what you came for, isn't it?"

  Mark groaned, overwhelmed by the sensations of having Nate pressed against his back, his erection aching painfully as Nate fondled him with rough, hard tugs.

  "Aw, fuck, Nate! Fuck!" One of Mark's hands joined Nate's inside his pants. Nate slid his hand down Mark's shaft and grabbed his balls, tugging them sharply before stepping back and smacking him on the ass. Mark stroked himself to the sounds of clinking of metal and rustling of fabric behind him.

  "Oh, I intend to buddy. Don't you worry about that."

  Mark's legs began to tremble with anticipation, and for an all too brief moment they were kids again, lovers again. With his eyes closed tight and the man he'd been in love with pressed against him, Mark could believe they were back in their apartment twenty-five years earlier, that nothing had changed.

  But as his pants slid down around his thighs and the cool air from the hotel room washed over his bare ass, Mark forced his eyes open. Staring back at him from the mirror on top of the dresser, he faced his own reflection, with its gray hairs peppered into his close-cut black hair, the deep lines around his troubled brown eyes. A glint of light sparkled off the edge of Ricardo's watch, reminding Mark that he and Nate weren't kids anymore. They were no longer lovers—or even friends— at this point. They were strangers now, with nothing between them but bad memories.

  His erection began to flag with his conflicting emotions, and Mark drew himself up to his full height. He grabbed his pants and pulled them back up before turning to face his former lover. Nate had his pants open and his shaft in hand, leisurely stroking himself as he watched Mark. Nate's
cock was swollen and dripping pre-cum, and despite his resolve not to take this any further, Mark couldn't stop himself from licking his lips.

  Nate noticed, of course, and a smarmy grin split his handsome face. "You want to suck me first, buddy?"

  Nate really hadn't changed one bit, and Mark found himself swallowing back bile as he studied the lustful yet emotionless expression on Nate's face. Mark's anger made him bold, and he closed the distance between himself and Nate, caressing the smaller man's lips with the index finger of one hand and grabbing his ass with the other. "Or you could suck me first; before I spread you out on that bed over there and nail you into the mattress."

  Nate eyes flashed with anger and he quickly stepped away, glaring up at Mark. "You stupid, fucking tease! I saw how excited you were, bent over for me just now. You want it as badly as I do, so why waste time with these stupid games? Just drop your pants and I can give you what you really want."

  Nate's words hit Mark like a slap in the face, cruelly reminding him of how one-sided their relationship had always been. He tried to suppress the shudder Nate's words invoked. This man had been his world once, and it embarrassed him to realize how completely selfish Nate really was.

  Mark hadn't come for a last fling with an old flame. He'd come hoping to find a good man madly in love with his wife and leading a happy life. Instead, he found the same cold-hearted bastard he'd once foolishly loved, expecting Mark to fall to his knees and worship him. He had expected better, but after this, he could definitely close the door and walk away the way he should have done all those years ago. "You should go." Mark zipped up his pants and looked down into Nate's angry eyes.

  Nate tugged firmly on his cock and again closed the distance between the two men, reaching for the zipper on Mark's pants. "Really, Mark, let me at least give you what you came for first. You know you want it."

  Mark slapped his hand away and stepped back out of his reach. "I don't sleep with married men, asshole. I'm here for your anniversary, you prick!"