by Allan, S. H.
Jeff’s face softened. “That was really sweet of you, Eth. I’m on break in five minutes. Will you wait for me?”
“You sure you don’t already have other plans?” Ethan arched a brow and side-eyed Jeff’s companion.
Orange Jerk shook his head, then turned to Jeff. “I’ve got to go study. See you later, Jeff.”
To Ethan’s grim approval, Jeff ignored him. Orange Jerk walked off.
Jeff tightened his lips and glowered at Ethan. “Wait here, please. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the staff room. Ethan could see him talking to Kristy. She laughed and nodded, and Jeff came out, glaring at Ethan. He leaned in close and continued to stare as if he could eviscerate him with his face. He took hold of Ethan’s arm. Ethan went with him outside, and they got into Ethan’s car. Once safely inside, Jeff gave him a little shove.
“What’s your problem, you asshole? Are you trying to get me in trouble? Do you think I wanted all the patrons to know I was gay?”
“Oh?” Ethan arched a brow. “Are you ashamed? Like no one’s ever seen us together before? I think they can figure it out. And anyway, I think you already blew your cover with Mister Frosty Spikes.”
Jeff rolled his eyes. “Tim is just—” He stopped.
Ethan gave a mock gasp. “You’re on a first-name basis. That’s good.”
“Oh, come on, Ethan. I check out books to him. I can’t help but notice his name.”
Ethan wanted to make a joke about checking out other things about him but held his tongue. He leaned back in the seat, stared out the windshield, and sighed. This was silly. Wasn’t it? He’d been with Jeff for seven years. They’d graduated from college together, purchased a house together, and informally but solemnly pledged their love to each other in front of family and friends. If he didn’t trust him now, could he ever?
He held up his hands. “Okay. Okay. My reaction may have been a little… whatever.”
“Obnoxious? Premature? Absurd? You’re the author. Stuck for words?”
Ethan grinned sheepishly at his boyfriend. “Yeah. It was all those things. But.” He bit his lip. “Do you think he’s cute?”
Jeff stared at him stone-faced. Finally he said, “I don’t ask you about all the guys you meet at your signings and whether or not you like them, do I? Even though they apparently propose to you and want to suck your dick.”
Ethan blushed. “Well, it’s not like you’ve never asked me about…. I mean, last night you…. Okay, fine.” He held up the tote bag. “Look, I really want you to eat this lunch I made for you. It’s quinoa and asparagus, with a nice hunk of baguette. And a latte.”
Jeff’s eyes lit up. “Nice. Thank you.” He took the bag from Ethan and peered inside. He opened the plastic containers and tore into his meal, then drank his latte down.
Ethan chuckled. “It’s glorious to see you transform from a prim and proper librarian to a ravenous beast at the sight of some noms.”
When Jeff had finished wiping his mouth, he gazed up at Ethan. “That was some truly excellent grub, man. You should make me turn into a ravenous beast more often.”
“Hmm. I like the sound of that. How many hours till you get off work?” Ethan ran his finger up and down Jeff’s sleeve.
“I get off at five.” Jeff’s breathing had gotten a little labored. His gaze bored into Ethan’s.
Ethan tingled. “Well, I just have a few more things to do today, and you know how fast I work when I’m motivated… and how slow I can work when I’m stimulated.”
Jeff smiled. “I’m tempted to tell Kristy that I want the rest of the day off. But it’s just me and her working today. Well, and the janitor. But I don’t think we can get him to work the circ desk.”
“Damn. I guess that means I’ll just have to occupy myself for the rest of the day.”
“Are you going to cook me something else?” Jeff asked, making puppy eyes at him.
Ethan chuckled. “Maybe. But I was thinking more along the lines of…. Well, you’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Aw.” Jeff pouted.
“Hey now. No pouting. It’ll be worth it. I promise.”
“I trust you.” They stared at each other, and Ethan knew they both recognized the importance of those words. “I’d better get back to work.” Jeff leaned over and kissed Ethan gently on the mouth. “And I just want to tell you, you don’t have to worry about Tim. He’s cute, and his attention to me is flattering, but he’s not you. And you’re the one I want.”
“Gosh, excuse me while I melt all over the place here.” Ethan kissed him again, letting his lips linger on Jeff’s. “I’ll see you soon. Can’t be soon enough.”
“We’ll make it special,” Jeff promised. He got out of the car, waggled his fingers at Ethan, and headed back to the library. Ethan watched as Jeff’s jeans hugged his ass. He gently rubbed his burgeoning boner.
“Patience, my love. We’ll be rewarded soon.”
III.
“I’M GLAD you and Lover Boy got to make up,” Kristy said to Jeff, nudging his arm.
And how whipped am I that the first thought “Lover Boy” brings to mind is my boyfriend’s love of cheesy eighties music? “Yeah. We always do.”
“Well, I think that’s really good.” Kristy sounded serious for a change. “And don’t worry. If you get any more trouble from Frosty Flakes”—Jeff guessed she meant Tim—“you just let me know, and I’ll deal with him.”
Jeff smiled. “Thanks, Kris. Your Mama Bear attitude helps during crises like these.”
“I hope you feel you can come to me when something’s not awesome. And hey, I know what it’s like to be stalked by a patron,” she said with a shrug. “Did I ever tell you about my psycho fan?”
“Yeah, you did. About fifty times. Per week. Ever since I started working here four years ago.”
“Yes, I’ll never be able to forget that,” Kristy continued, as if Jeff hadn’t said anything. “He was just a few inches above five feet tall, and he always smelled like a mixture between pot and puke. Like he’d just come from a big outdoor music festival. Once a week he brought me an orange flower. I told him I hated orange, and he told me I would learn to love it, just like I’d learn to love him.”
“Kristy, it’s five o’clock now. I’d better get—”
“And then, after months of that crap, one day he came in and told me, rather haughtily I might add, that he no longer loved me and had taken up with a woman who worked at a ringtoss booth at that carnival they have out in Woodville. You know it?”
“Yes, but Kristy—”
“I told him I was happy for him, and he looked at me sternly and said I would never see him again, and I would cry for what I had so foolishly let go. And I never did see him again, and the last time I cried, it was because they stopped making those cheese and jalapeno chips I like.”
Jeff put his hand gently on her elbow. “That’s awesome, Kristy, but my time is up, and I need to get home because my boyfriend is going to rock my socks off. And maybe make me another nice meal.”
“Oh, he’ll make a meal out of you, all right. Have fun, tiger.” Kristy slapped him on the back. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t—oh wait, actually you’re probably doing a fair few things I wouldn’t do. Well, off you go then.”
Jeff grinned. “Thanks. See ya.”
JEFF opened the front door to his house and sighed in happiness as the smell of garlic wafted toward his nose. “Mmm. Nice.”
“That you, babe?” he heard Ethan call.
“Yep,” he called back. He peered around the front hallway and the living room. Everything looked the same. But then, what had he been expecting? For a circus to be taking place? A bunch of balloons and streamers everywhere?
Ethan entered the hall and lit up when he saw Jeff. “Hey, honey.” He came over to him and wrapped his arms around Jeff’s waist. He gently pushed their noses together. “It is so good to see you. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I certainly am.” Jeff nuzzled Ethan’s nec
k, moving back his luscious brown hair to do so, and twining the strands through his fingers. “What did you make?”
Ethan leaned into his touch and nibbled his ear. “Garlic chicken with scalloped potatoes. Oh, and some more nice buttery baguette hunks.”
“Yum. You’re a star.”
“You’re the star, my contrarian librarian.” Ethan kissed him, and for a moment they forgot the food as they wrapped their arms and tongues around each other. Their breathing became more harsh, more urgent.
Before they could get too lost in each other, Jeff’s stomach rumbled. They both laughed.
“Better soothe the savage beast first. Well, the one that wants food, anyway.” Ethan rubbed Jeff’s tummy, then took his hand, clasping it gently. “Come on.”
Jeff let himself be led by his love to the kitchen. He sucked in a breath when he saw what Ethan had done to it.
It was nothing absurd, nothing ostentatious. Ethan had gone for subtlety: two long white candles lit and placed in Jeff’s favorite rose-shaped candleholders, and his iPod was playing some Miles Davis on low. The food laid out on the table made Jeff’s stomach rumble again.
“Aww.” Jeff hugged Ethan and kissed his cheek. “You’re so sweet, Eth. You’ve relinquished A Flock of Seagulls and canned spaghetti tonight just for me.” He kissed him again. “But seriously, this is great. You’re the best.”
Ethan leaned into him, then pulled back and gazed into Jeff’s eyes. “It was my pleasure. You know, I am so lucky to have you in my life. And as my partner. Not everyone is fortunate enough to find the love of his life at such a young age as we were.” He chuckled. “I was so afraid you weren’t gay. And when I found out you were, I was afraid you’d think I was totally lame.”
“Who says I don’t think that?” Jeff nudged him.
“Hey. I made lunch and dinner for you. Watch it, buddy.” Ethan nudged him back. “Anyway, sit down and enjoy it before it gets cold.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice. I’m starving. Kristy didn’t want me to leave,” Jeff said as he sat down and unfolded his napkin. He took a sip of water and marveled at Ethan’s preparation. He’d thought of everything he’d wanted. Not that Ethan had never made him dinner before; he had, plenty of times. But it was usually something like slapdash pasta or frozen food.
Ethan pointed to the glass of merlot he’d provided. “Drink up. You’re going to need to be nice and drunk for the things I have planned for later.”
“Pssht. Somehow I don’t think my vanilla baby has anything too sinister in store for me.”
Ethan grinned and shrugged. “Wait and see.”
Jeff felt a shiver go down his spine.
They ate and drank mostly in silence. Jeff would take a sip of his wine and feel Ethan’s gaze on him. During those times, they’d lock eyes, smile at each other, and Ethan would continue to stare at Jeff as if he were with the most amazing man on earth. Well, maybe he was. And Ethan was amazing too.
When they’d finished eating, Jeff set down his napkin. “So, what’s for dessert?”
“Ah. Dessert. That’s in the bedroom.” Ethan winked at him as he stood. He gathered up the dishes to put them in the sink and refused to let Jeff help, saying he wanted to take care of him. When they’d both washed their hands, Ethan laced his fingers through Jeff’s and led him toward their room. Jeff’s heart began to pound with excitement and anticipation.
Ethan pushed open the door, and Jeff grinned.
His boyfriend had decked out the place in candles of red and purple, Jeff’s favorite colors, and had spritzed the air with sandalwood, one of Jeff’s favorite scents.
“Okay. You’ve seen it. I’m done seducing you,” Ethan said, and pushed Jeff onto the bed.
He fell with an oomph onto the black down comforter. Ethan straddled him and raised his eyebrows. “Uh-oh. I’ve got you now.”
“You won’t for long,” Jeff declared and began tickling Ethan’s ribs.
Ethan yelped and jerked out of Jeff’s grasp. But Jeff persisted, and soon the two were engaged in an all-out tickle war. They gave up and lay back on the bed, panting.
“Well,” Jeff said after he’d caught his breath. “You are a master of seduction, my dear man. You’ve utterly and completely conquered me.”
“Hey, there’s no reason why we can’t still be fun and young at heart, even if we are nearly old thirtysomethings.” Ethan ran his fingers over Jeff’s chest.
“You’ve still got five months left of your twenties,” Jeff grumbled.
“Doesn’t matter to me, babe. We can pretend our ages are reversed, if you want, and I’ll be the older one.”
Jeff nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
“And this sounds good to me.” Ethan wrapped his arm around Jeff’s waist and loomed over him, then kissed his throat.
“Mmm.” Jeff tilted his head back to give Ethan better access to his neck. He sighed in happiness as Ethan licked and sucked at the hollow in his throat. So good.
“Hey,” he managed to say, though he was beginning to find it hard to breathe, “so is this the dessert you promised me?” Washing the sheets will be so worth it if he’s brought ice cream and chocolate too.
“It’s not all of it. I promise there’s more.” Ethan took off his shirt, then coaxed Jeff’s shirt off. He ran his fingers over Jeff’s chest hair. “So masculine. So hot.”
“So are you.”
“I was talking about me.” Ethan pulled a serious face.
“Oh, ha-ha. No more talking unless it’s along the lines of ‘oh yes’ or ‘fuck me harder’,” Jeff ordered.
“You’re the boss.” But the sparkle in Ethan’s eyes told Jeff they’d both be taking charge throughout the night. He knew very well from past experience that Ethan was great at holding out on the good stuff, sucking Jeff some, but not enough, making Jeff beg for more. And Jeff was an expert in causing Ethan to make more noise than one of his beloved synthesizer bands cranked to eleven.
They kissed, slow and sweet at first, then deep and hot, moaning and sighing as they ran their hands over each other’s bodies. Jeff grasped Ethan’s ass and squeezed gently, then harder. Ethan pushed into Jeff’s touch and made a murmuring sound.
Ethan lifted off of him and began to undo Jeff’s belt buckle. Jeff helped him and then let Ethan unzip his jeans. He arched off the bed and let his boyfriend do away with his clothes until he was naked. Ethan, meanwhile, still wore his jeans and….
Jeff smiled as he pulled back his love’s waistband. “No underwear. Yet still you have on socks? Weird.”
“I won’t in a second,” Ethan said and tore off his socks and tossed them in the clothes hamper. “You want to do the honors, babe?”
“Absolutely.” Jeff guided Ethan to his feet and ran his hands up and down Ethan’s abs. “Mm. Nice.”
“It’s all for you, honey.”
Once they were both naked—that meant no socks either—Ethan held up his hand. “I think now’s the time for the dessert.”
“Excellent.”
Ethan gave Jeff’s back a loving caress, then headed over to the closet. He pulled out jars of chocolate sauce and marshmallow fluff.
“Are we making s’mores?” Jeff joked.
Ethan smirked. “We can be the graham crackers. I’ll put the filling on us.” He opened the jar of chocolate sauce, dipped his finger in, and wiped some on Jeff’s stomach.
“You’re too slow,” Jeff said and dipped his hand in the chocolate, then smeared it all over Ethan’s chest. He followed with the marshmallow fluff. He bent his head down and began to lick the mixture of sugary coatings off, making little noises of contentment as he did so.
Ethan sighed. “That feels nice.”
When Jeff had finished his impromptu dessert, Ethan suddenly growled and pushed Jeff back onto the bed. He rubbed his pelvis against Jeff’s. Both went from simply aroused to hard as stone in seconds.
“I’m so glad we don’t have to use condoms anymore since we’re monogamous,” Ethan whispere
d in Jeff’s ear. “I love to feel you against me and inside my body.” He stroked Jeff’s hair. “I’m so happy with you, Jeff. I couldn’t ask for a better partner or a better man.”
Jeff’s heart melted faster than the sauce had. “I’m happy with you too,” he said, surprised at how choked his voice sounded. “You make me feel so great. So important, even when I mess up. I love you.”
Ethan smiled. “I love you too.” He kissed him. The kiss was deep, wet and hot. Jeff wrapped his arms around Ethan’s back and stroked his lean muscles, moving down to cup his ass. Ethan arched into his touch.
Jeff sighed in happiness as Ethan sucked and kissed and nibbled his neck. He rubbed his hard cock against Ethan’s pelvis and grinned as Ethan responded in kind.
“I want you,” Jeff whispered.
“I want you too. Always.” Ethan ran his hands up and down Jeff’s sides and squeezed the side of his ass. “Are you ready?”
“Never readier,” Jeff said.
“Excellent.” Ethan lubed him up, whispering how much he wanted him and how hot he was, and when Jeff was relaxed enough for him—which never took much time or effort, given how long they’d been together—Ethan entered him. Jeff groaned and moaned as Ethan moved in and out of him. After many minutes of thrusting and caressing and kissing and grasping and pleading, Jeff orgasmed first, followed soon by Ethan. They collapsed on each other in a sticky, sweaty mess.
THEY cuddled underneath the comforter, arms and legs wrapped around each other.
“Thank you for this. For everything,” Jeff said, gazing into Ethan’s honeyed eyes. “You’ve really made tonight special for me.”
Ethan’s eyes crinkled. “Well, I’m glad I succeeded. Because you are special, Jeffy.”
Jeff’s eyes prickled. “Did you bring onions in here too?” he joked.
Ethan laughed and kissed him. “Yeah. Damn onions, they get in everywhere.”
They lay there together in silence, basking in the warmth and touch of each other.