Happily Ever After Isn't Easy

by Jake C. Wallace

  Brandt was roped into playing tea party with Maddy and thoroughly charmed Karen. After they left, she texted Gabe to say she was happy for him. He was happy, ridiculously happy, and ready to take their relationship to that next level. He invited Brandt to his house, where they ate dinner and had a beer. Now that part of the evening had come where they turned into nervous and shy teens wanting to get into each other’s pants.

  Gabe’s hands itched to touch Brandt, his bare skin, kiss and lick and suck and… everything. When Brandt wandered into the living room and perused the pictures on his mantel, Gabe switched on some smooth jazz. Brandt turned and gave him that cocky grin. Gabe returned a flirtatious smile as he dimmed the lights.

  Brandt’s brow rose. “Hmm, if I didn’t know any better, I might think you’re trying to seduce me.” Brandt remained by the fireplace.

  Gabe flipped a switch on the wall and the gas fireplace ignited. Brandt gave him a coy look.

  “Is it working?”

  “Maybe.”

  Gabe’s heart rate picked up as his proximity to Brandt increased. His hazel eyes appeared to glow with the firelight. The shadows played off the angles of his face. Gabe thought he looked like a superhero. Too bad Gabe was the comic sidekick.

  “What if I asked you to dance?” The question had been a joke, one where Gabe had expected a laugh but a decline, but when Brandt raised his hands in position, Gabe swallowed hard.

  “Shall I lead?” That low, growly voice was so sexy.

  Gabe nodded, and when their bodies touched, he shuddered. Closing his eyes, he allowed Brandt to lead him in a slow circle. Their cheeks brushed, the stubble on Brandt’s cheek rubbing over his skin. Betsy’s voice popped into his head. Cinderfella found his Prince Charming. Too soon to tell, but Gabe’s heart had definitely jumped on board for the ride.

  The sounds of the saxophone and the swaying of their bodies lulled Gabe into a semihypnotic state. The rubbing of their chests, the occasional bumping of their hips and groins, the light circles Brandt traced over his back heated his libido.

  “I do believe I’m the one being seduced,” Gabe whispered into Brandt’s ear.

  Brandt exhaled sharply. “Good, because my intent is to totally lure you in, make you all mine.”

  Gabe swore his heart skipped a beat. He pulled his head back and gazed directly into Brandt’s eyes. What he saw there was a burning need to match his own. “Mission accomplished.”

  Brandt huffed, then placed his hand on the nape of Gabe’s neck. For a moment, he was still. Then he attacked Gabe’s lips with a fervor. Gabe clutched him tight, needing their bodies to touch, wanting to climb inside of the man. The kiss continued, their chests heaving against each other, and Gabe’s cock fought against his jeans for release. When Brandt’s bulge rubbed over his, Gabe gasped into Brandt’s mouth, a warm rush radiating out and filling his body. That spurred him to rub harder and faster. Gabe feared this would end as it had at the bar.

  Reluctantly, he pulled back from Brandt, panting. A cold sweat broke out over his skin. His lips tingled. “I just… I don’t want to rush this.”

  Brandt nodded, his eyes heavy-lidded, his lips red and appearing swollen. Gabe thought he was the sexiest man he’d ever seen. “Yeah, slow.”

  “Come with me.” Gabe took his hand and led him into the bedroom. Anticipating Brandt being there, he’d cleaned his room and made the bed that morning. Good call.

  “Nice room,” Brandt managed to say before he once again mauled Gabe.

  As they kissed and stroked, Brandt walked Gabe backward to the bed. Gabe’s groin was on fire, the need to feel Brandt on him and inside him greater than his need for air to breathe. Gabe grabbed the hem of Brandt’s T-shirt, and they parted long enough to lift the shirt over his head. Brandt was back on Gabe’s lips as he ran his palms over the rounded mounds of his pecs, his hard nipples. Gabe felt a patch of hair on the center of Brandt’s chest and ran his fingers through the hair on Brandt’s stomach that ran beneath his waistband. When his hand ran across Brandt’s bulge, the man whimpered.

  Gabe wanted to draw more whimpers from him. He was on his knees and opening Brandt’s pants before he could even react.

  “Gabe.” His name was said on an exhale.

  Gabe had Brandt’s pants down around his knees and then took his cock into his hand, sliding a closed fist from base to tip and back again. His light touch barely grazed the skin of Brandt’s shaft.

  “Oh, shiiit,” Brandt moaned. When Gabe ran his tongue over the cock head, he felt Brandt’s thighs shake. “Been a while. Not going to last.”

  Gabe stroked, and Brandt panted. “Hold it in, soldier, and that’s an order.”

  Brandt chuckled. “Yes, sir.”

  “You still have to fuck me.”

  Brandt’s hips bucked with those words. “Jesus, Gabe.”

  Opening his mouth, Gabe closed his lips around the shaft and slowly made his way to the base of Brandt’s wide cock, then languidly back up to the tip. He stopped, leaving just the head in his mouth, pushing his tongue into the slit. More moans, and Gabe’s cock was hard as steel and leaking in his underwear. He unbuttoned his fly and fished his cock from his boxers as he bobbed faster over Brandt’s shaft, tongue massaging the underside, lips squeezing, his throat relaxing, letting Brandt in farther until Brandt’s light brown pubes tickled Gabe’s nose. Another shudder and Brandt moaned loudly.

  “So good, Gabe. My God…. Your mouth…. You have to stop, or I’m gonna come.”

  His hands grasped Gabe’s head, trying to get him to stop. Gabe pulled off and licked at the head several times as he looked up into Brandt’s blissed-out expression.

  “Come up here.”

  Gabe stood, and Brandt ripped Gabe’s shirt over his head. He grasped Gabe’s cock as he licked and bit over Gabe’s neck, causing Gabe’s eyes to roll back into his head. Brandt’s large palm stroked Gabe’s shaft within his tight grip. Soon Gabe was thrusting into the snug heat. Brandt’s mouth was attached to the skin on his shoulder. The suction and teeth scraping the skin pulled groans and whimpers from his throat. His hands clutched at the mounds of Brandt’s perfectly formed asscheeks. He kneaded as the muscles flexed beneath his hands.

  Brandt released his skin, which Gabe was sure had been marked. Licking at the shell of Gabe’s ear, Brandt whispered, “You’re sexy as fuck. I can’t wait to make love to you. To drive you out of your mind. Watch you come while I’m thrusting inside of you.”

  The fire in Gabe’s groin roared, and he was so ready to share that intimacy with Brandt. He stepped back and plopped down onto the bed, pulling Brandt on top of him. The weight on his body was as erotic as a hand on his cock.

  “Lay on me. I want to feel you holding me down.”

  Brandt allowed his full weight to settle on Gabe’s lower body while he kissed and licked at his chest. Gabe’s back arched off the bed when Brandt bit on his nipple. “Feels so good, but I want you in me. Please. Lube and condoms in the drawer.” He pointed to the nightstand.

  Brandt kissed him breathless again, and Gabe wondered if a person could die from what he felt. His pulse pounded in his ears, in his groin. His heaving breaths made him feel light-headed. He closed his eyes and palmed his cock, the sensation almost too much. He stroked slowly, deliberately.

  “Fuck, you look hot.”

  Gabe opened his eyes to see Brandt with a condom in one hand and lube in the other. He dropped them onto the bed, then removed his underwear, pants, and socks. His body was beautiful and firm. The hard angles of his tribal tattoo reached over his left shoulder and part of the way down his chest, making him only more desirable. Gabe wanted to lick every inch of that tattoo.

  Brandt grabbed Gabe’s pants and yanked them off, then did the same with his boxers and socks. Totally naked, he was generally embarrassed by his soft body, but the way Brandt looked at him, as if he wanted to devour Gabe, was heady. Gabe lifted his knees and opened his legs, giving Brandt total access to him.

  Gabe actually t
hought he heard the man snarl then dive for his crotch. His hot tongue and breath coated Gabe’s cock. The total number of blow jobs he’d had from men in his life could be counted on one hand. Over the years, he’d fantasized about looking down his body as a hot man made love to his cock with his mouth. Brandt doing so was a fantasy come true. He didn’t want him to stop, but he was so wound up. He hadn’t ever had really satisfying sex with a man, even Tim, and he feared that he would come too quick.

  Gabe hissed as the cold lube hit his hole. Brandt’s large finger pushed in as Gabe pushed out. The burn was minimal. He could get three of his own fingers in there no problem. He imagined that equaled two of Brandt’s.

  “More.”

  Another finger and then his cock was in Brandt’s mouth. “Shit!”

  Gabe bucked his hips as Brandt swallowed his shaft. The moans from Brandt vibrated over his skin. Gabe lifted his chin to the ceiling, his neck stretched, his ability to speak gone, his breath stolen. His hips were no longer under his control, pushing his cock into the moist heat and then the fingers into his hole. The pulsing grew, his entire groin one large source of pleasure.

  “St-stop,” he eked out.

  Brandt was off him in a flash, the condom on and lubed. Gabe wanted to face him, feel the weight on top of him, and Brandt seemed to understand this. He climbed over him, their gazes locked as Brandt positioned his cock at Gabe’s entrance. Not once did his eyes waver from Gabe’s, the intimacy between them surrounding them like a bubble. Only they existed at that moment. As Brandt pushed forward, Gabe pushed out. The head popped in and made him catch his breath. Oh God, Brandt was inside of him.

  “You okay?” The hushed tone was reverent within the sanctity of the room.

  “Yes.” Wrapping his legs around Brandt’s hips, heels on his ass, Gabe pulled him in, the pressure steady, guiding Brandt’s cock in farther, slowly, as the burn increased. “Don’t stop.”

  Gabe bit his lip. His eyes fluttered as the fullness increased. Brandt lay on him, his weight restricting Gabe’s breathing.

  “Oh hell, baby, you feel so good around me.”

  “So good,” Gabe gasped.

  Brandt grunted, pulled out, and snapped his hips, ramming into Gabe, who clutched at Brandt’s biceps. Brandt’s face was inches from his. Gabe couldn’t break away from Brandt’s intense stare, couldn’t believe how strong his feelings were for the man, how quickly he’d claimed his heart. He knew what he felt was lust and that love took time to develop, but he could definitely see himself loving Brandt.

  Brandt set a slow and steady pace. The slide of the shaft through Gabe’s muscle and the friction on Gabe’s cock, stuck between them, pushed whimpers from his throat. Brandt stroked Gabe’s forehead and his hair, leaving a tingling in his wake. Gabe released his grip on Brandt’s biceps and placed his palm against Brandt’s cheek. Their breaths were nearly in sync, and Gabe imagined their hearts beating out the same rhythm as well. Two men joined by pleasure and seemingly their hearts. With the enormity of the emotions attached to their lovemaking and how Brandt gazed lovingly upon him, Gabe’s eyes burned, threatening to tear. He blinked repeatedly and swallowed hard. How lame would it be to cry during sex? Then he remembered that he’d cried after his orgasm at the bar that night. This, however, was for a different reason. Focusing on the pleasure, he lifted his hips to meet Brandt’s thrusts.

  “I’ve never felt like this before.” Brandt’s slow and languorous thrusts were gentle, almost loving. Gabe was content to lie with Brandt upon him, to feel the man inside of him, allowing the slow burn to build.

  “Me neither, honey.” Gabe pursed his lips from having used the endearment, but Brandt didn’t seem to be upset by the word.

  Brandt grunted, then delivered an unexpected thrust. Another hard thrust and Gabe clutched at his shoulders. Brandt’s mouth thinned as his thrusts increased, the power behind them growing, reaching a punishing pace. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the air. Brandt’s body tensed, his breaths increasing. The intensity of his stare was mesmerizing. Gabe gasped as Brandt canted his hips just right and pegged his prostate.

  “Brandt.” He nearly sobbed as his balls became painfully tight. If Brandt kept up the torturous pace, Gabe was sure he’d come. “Don’t… stop.”

  Gabe’s vision tunneled onto Brandt’s face. His head swam, and he could barely take in a breath with Brandt on his chest. God, he felt like he was flying. Brandt grunted deep in his throat, and Gabe could tell by his stuttering thrusts that he was close. Gabe bucked up harder, the rubbing of his dick between them like tingling fingers reaching into his balls. His stomach clenched, and for a moment he was suspended, his breath caught in his chest, his groin contracting, his vision blackening, his balls so tight they were painful. Right there he stayed… one… two… three. Then his balls let loose their load. He exhaled a whimpering grunt as Brandt still pounded away, his face buried in Gabe’s neck.

  Brandt’s breath caught, and then he bucked hard, pushing in farther than he had been, his muscles taut, his jaw clenched tight. He released a breath and groaned, continuing to push into Gabe, who wrapped him up tight. His entire body throbbed with pleasure as Brandt began to relax in his arms. Gabe held him tight, keeping Brandt’s cock inside, not ready to feel the emptiness. He rubbed over Brandt’s sweaty back, reveling in being trapped beneath his lover.

  When Brandt lifted his head and gazed down on Gabe, he looked shell-shocked.

  The look was enough to raise Gabe’s concern. “Are you okay?”

  Brandt was still for a moment. His mouth opened, then closed and opened again. “I’ve never…. Nobody ever….” Again his body was still, which kind of scared Gabe.

  Gabe ran a hand over Brandt’s cheek. “Just tell me, honey.”

  Brandt’s Adam’s apple rose and fell repeatedly. He licked at his lips. “I’ve never made love to anyone before. It’s always been fucking. I didn’t know it could be like that.”

  Gabe smiled. “Same for me. Even with Tim, something was missing. I didn’t know it until now.”

  Brandt shook his head, as if he still couldn’t believe what he’d just experienced. When his gaze was back on Gabe, he whispered, “What was missing with Tim?”

  Gabe sighed. “His heart.”

  Brandt grasped Gabe’s hand and held it against his chest between them. Gabe couldn’t have asked for more.

  Chapter 16

  GABE PULLED into the parking lot of Steele Heating and Plumbing. Randy’s large red truck was parked beside the building. He stepped out of his car, still warring with himself over what he was about to do behind Karen’s back. Brandt had gone home late the night before, and Gabe had been too wired to sleep. He couldn’t help but focus on Karen and her fears that Randy was cheating on her. The seed had been planted in Gabe’s head. The more he thought of Randy rarely being home anymore, his lack of interest in Karen and the kids, his lack of care in Karen’s illness, that possibility solidified. What if Randy wanted out? Gabe wasn’t sure Karen could handle that.

  Inside he found Mrs. Steele behind the counter. She’d taken over the business when her husband had died over ten years ago. She smiled, her deep wrinkles gathering around her eyes and mouth. He guessed she had to be in her seventies by now.

  “Gabe Reynolds. Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. Come over here and give me a hug.”

  When she rounded the counter, arms spread wide, Gabe accepted her hug and the kiss she planted on his cheek. When Gabe had come out as gay, she had been one of his biggest supporters, taking him aside and telling him God never turned his back on any kind of love.

  “Hi, Mrs. Steele. Looking beautiful as always.”

  She snorted. “You young men are always trying to charm a tired old woman.” Her deep blue eyes twinkled.

  He laughed. “But none of us have caught you yet.”

  “And none of you will. I’m too sly for all of you.” She winked at him, and he chuckled. He loved her sense of humor.

  Goi
ng back behind the counter, she asked, “What can I do for you?”

  Gabe stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I was hoping to speak with Randy.”

  Her smile faded slightly but didn’t disappear. She cocked her head as if she had something to say but merely nodded. “He’s in the back shop, working. He’s always working, that one. Wish I had three of him.”

  Gabe pursed his lips. “Karen tells me he works a lot.”

  “He does. Old Barney can’t work anymore, and then Cray broke his leg. I don’t know what I’d do without him, although I tell him the work can wait and to head home early, but he insists on finishing.”

  “I’m glad you have the help. Is it okay if I go out and talk with him?”

  “Of course. Maybe you can talk some sense into him. I know he has a family to support now, but a man can only work so long before his home life comes calling.”

  “I’ll try. It was nice to see you again.”

  “Don’t be a stranger, Gabe.” She waved as he closed the door.

  He rounded the building, headed to the shop out back. From what Mrs. Steele had said, cheating seemed to be off the table, since Randy was actually working long hours. How to get the man to pay more attention to Karen and work on his marriage was the issue at hand. Gabe had a premonition that what he was about to do was going to go so wrong. Still he trudged on.

  The sound of metal banging against metal filled the air. Stepping into the shop, Gabe spotted Randy before a partially disassembled boiler, grunting as he tried to remove a pipe with a wrench. When the pipe didn’t budge, he banged on it, swore, and threw down the wrench. Forget catching him in a good mood.

  Gabe cleared his throat. “Randy?”

  Randy turned his head, his dark eyes narrowing. His shaggy blond hair poked out from beneath the old, dirty ball cap he wore. His blue coveralls were grease- and oil-stained. He was only in his late thirties, but a lifetime of too much sun and smoking had aged his face.

  “Gabe? What’re you doing here?”

  “I wanted to talk to you about Karen… and the twins.”