by GA Hauser
“That’s hilarious. I never imagined that. I’ll have to ask Patty when she gets home.”
Just remembering “Patty”, Carl asked casually, “What time does she get in?”
“After ten.”
“Oh.” Carl nodded, it was just nearing six.
“You want to try to learn some lines?”
“There’s not a lot of dialogue, thank fuck.”
“No,” Keith laughed with sarcasm, “it’s all sex!”
“I think Charlotte has lost her head.”
“Maybe she’s one of those women who get turned on by two men.”
Seeing Keith’s sexy smile lit Carl up instantly. “Most likely.” He imagined putting his arm around Keith, urging him to his chest, kissing him, with tongues. Unfortunately for Carl, he knew in reality the punch would come to his face. Not some playacting swipe and recoil.
“She’s a perv.”
“Either that or she’s a brilliant writer and director.”
Nodding in agreement, Keith replied, “Yes, you’re right. She always writes and directs a major hit series.”
“Exactly. She’s giving them what they want.”
“Whoever them is. Hey, you want a beer?”
“Sure.” As Keith walked to the kitchen, Carl gazed at him sadly. You can’t always get what you want. Right? “Right.”
~
Carl lay in bed. It was nearing midnight and he had just jerked off thinking about kissing Keith. Recuperating, the spatter of his come on his chest, Carl’s yearning to turn Dennis and Troy’s love affair into a reality was beginning to wear him down. He didn’t know how long he could stand it. Episode after episode? Kissing, stripping naked with him? What about next season? Would they still be at it?
The first episode was set to air. Little spoilers were beginning to pop up in advertisements. His talk show taping was this weekend. The cable website had a synopsis of the upcoming debut. Photos of the cast members papered the site.
Releasing his hold on his cock, Carl climbed out of bed to the bathroom to wash up. Standing at the sink, wiping his body with a wet washcloth, Carl felt slightly pathetic to be pleasuring himself over Keith’s kiss. Like he was some crazed fan who hankered after the unattainable stars.
Shutting off the bathroom light, he crawled back into bed, curling into a ball, wishing for something that would never come true.
Chapter Six
Keith was dressed in his character’s clothing, made up, and going over his lines in his head.
Again, Keith had been rebuffed by Patty as he attempted to have sex with her. Throwing up his hands in frustration, Keith left her to sleep on his own. Rolling around on the spare bed with so much sexual tension pent up he was about to go to a bar and find a drunk, willing partner. Instead, he jerked off. Something he had not done since he and Patty became intimate. He was afraid to do it while lying next to her in the bed at night, fearing she’d think he was a nasty pervert. But alone, in that second bedroom, he had to. He was dying for release.
After he’d come, he felt his cheeks burn at his thoughts. The direction they had taken to help him along didn’t include Patty.
Seeing Carl being preened for their coming scene, Keith’s skin covered in chills. Images of Carl stripped naked, his cock blushing with color because it was so hard, Keith swallowed with an uncomfortable gulp.
When someone touched his arm, he jumped in shock.
“You okay, sweetie?”
“Yes. Sorry.” Keith grabbed his chest to stop his pounding heart.
Charlotte looked to where Keith had been gazing. Keith felt his skin go bright red at being caught admiring his delectable co-star.
“Uh huh.” She seemed to be digesting it. “Anyway, you ready for your big fight slash make-up scene?”
“Yes.”
“I knew you would be.” She kissed his cheek.
As she walked away she began shouting for everyone to get in place. Keith waited for Carl.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Keith felt shy suddenly, knowing he’d jerked off to thoughts of this man. “You ready?”
“As I can be.”
“Don’t whack me too hard.”
“Promise.” Carl winked.
They took their places. Keith was concentrating on his character, imagining the lines and actions in his head. They’d already had a dry run. This was for a live taping.
“Fight scene. Take one. Action!”
Instantly transformed into their roles, Keith felt Carl shove him into the room. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Keith confronted him. “You don’t fucking own me!”
“Don’t I?” Carl puffed up, menacing.
“You think just because of this trial, I have to pretend I’m your slave?”
“No. You don’t pretend. You are my slave!”
“Screw you!” Keith braced himself.
Carl slapped him, open handed, and quite hard. “Shut up! Don’t you ever talk to me that way!”
Getting over the power, Keith held his stinging cheek. “You bastard.” As he went to return the favor, Carl gripped his wrist. They struggled until Carl threw him to the ground.
It was rougher than the rehearsal, a hell of a lot rougher. Keith was trying to stay in character and not moan in pain. Carl had him pinned with his body weight. And the fact that he was much more muscular and taller, Keith was trapped by his size and determination.
Carl released his wrists and grabbed his face, urging it to his lips. Something happened. Keith didn’t know what. But this wasn’t like the other kisses.
Carl was devouring him.
“Baby, I’m sorry. I never should have hit you. Forgive me. Forgive me,” Carl sobbed.
Keith wrapped around him, rolling over so he was on top. He gripped Carl’s jaw in both hands and sucked on his face, whimpering at the passion. His tongue slipped into Carl’s mouth. Keith hadn’t intended it to, but it was painful planting it and holding it still in his own. Carl seemed to go wild under him. Soon Carl’s tongue was inside his mouth and Keith completely lost track of what they were supposed to do next.
Finally Charlotte shouted, “Cut!”
Keith jerked back, still sitting on Carl’s hips. “What?” he panted, unable to catch his breath. “Did we fuck up?”
“No sweetie. You’re done with that scene.”
Keith felt like dying. Everyone was staring at him. And there were so many fucking people in the room. A hand touched his arm. Wrenching his gaze away from the gawking crowd, Keith gasped for air and found Carl smiling up at him.
“Can you let me up?”
“Oh!” Keith stumbled to his feet. “Sorry!” He held onto the wall to steady himself.
“Did I smack you too hard?”
“Huh?” Keith was in a daze. His head was spinning. “No. Let me go for a sec. I have to take a minute to regroup.”
“Keith?”
As he walked away, Keith touched his mouth. His skin felt raw from Carl’s rough shadow. His cock was throbbing in his slacks. Staggering into the men’s lounge, Keith shut himself into a stall and leaned his back against the closed door.
Rubbing his face, dragging his fingers through his hair, Keith felt as if the walls were caving in on him and he couldn’t breathe.
“I’m insane. I can’t be feeling this. What the hell’s going on?”
But he did. He did feel it. Carl was so sweet, so genuine, so caring. That man was making this transition into acting so much easier for him. The guy was a saint. Patiently guiding him, nurturing him, and…
Keith was so petrified of the physical attraction, he was nauseous. Imagining retching, throwing up in the toilet, Keith felt his skin become dewy with perspiration.
“Keith?”
Carl’s voice. It was deep, masculine, and he adored it.
“Keith? Is that you in the stall? Are you all right?”
Swallowing down some black water from his nerves, Keith inhaled deeply,
opening the door.
“Oh, Keith. You look pale.” Carl hurried to him. “I never should have hit you so hard. Christ, I am so sorry.”
“No. I’m okay.”
Carl brought him to the sink, dampening a paper towel and mopping Keith’s brow. “Forgive me. I was just afraid if I lightly slapped you, she’d make us do it over. I know her. She needs the scenes to be real.”
“I’m sorry.” Keith nudged Carl’s hand aside, stopping him from wiping his face.
“Sorry? For what?”
“When…” Keith choked up. “When I kissed you…”
“Oh, that. Believe me, it’s okay. It’s hell keeping your damn tongue still, isn’t it?”
Almost crying with relief, Keith accepted Carl’s embrace. As Carl rocked him, he whispered, “Don’t upset yourself over this nonsense.”
“I felt like I violated you.”
A soft laugh emerged from Carl. “No. Not in the least.”
“It’s just the moment was so intense.”
“Yes, it was. It’s what makes Charlotte wet herself.”
Keith laughed. It broke his nervous anxiety instantly. Pulling back to gaze at Carl, Keith said, “What would I do without you?”
Carl stroked Keith’s cheek gently. “I left a red mark. I’m sick about it.”
“It’s okay. I can’t even feel it anymore.”
“You ready for our next scene?” Carl stood back, holding Keith’s hands.
“Yes. Let me just wash my face.”
“All right.”
Keith stood over the sink, seeing Carl’s reflection behind him. It felt so good to have Carl there with him it made his chest swell with warmth.
~
Carl led Keith back to the set. He knew everyone was watching and wished they’d lay off the poor man.
“You ready, snookims?” Charlotte baby-talked to him.
“I am.” Keith smiled bravely.
“Ken!” Charlotte hollered. “Make up the poor boy.”
Carl stood by as Ken powdered Keith and brushed his hair, adding a nice blushing reddish tone to the cheek that had been slapped.
Once Keith was tended, Carl looked back at Charlotte.
“Okay, here we go. Live taping…get into position.”
Moving to his place in the room, Carl opened his zipper and untucked his shirt.
“Make-up scene. Take one. Action!”
Stuffing the shirttail back into his slacks, Carl zipped his pants, fastening the top button. “I love make-up sex.”
Keith buttoned his shirt and cuffs. “You love any kind of sex with me.”
Meeting him on his side of the room, Carl wrapped his arms around Keith’s waist, pressing his pelvis into his, rocking him gently. “It’s because I love you.”
Keith’s eyes seemed to well up with emotion. Carl was constantly amazed by his talent and professionalism.
“Oh, Troy,” Keith sobbed, hugging him tight.
Carl stroked his hair, kissing his head softly. “We were meant to be together, Dennis. I don’t think we can fight fate.”
“I never meant for this to happen.”
Smiling sadly, Carl tightened his hold on Keith, loving the heat and scent of him. “Me neither, Dennis. But you can’t deny it. Love just sometimes happens.”
Hearing Keith sob, Carl almost broke the scene, unsure if this was acting or not. Holding out, not reacting to it, Carl paused as Keith’s eyes connected to his. Tears were running down his cheeks. It alarmed Carl and he knew it wasn’t scripted.
“I’m so happy we found each other,” Keith managed to get out before he hiccupped with his sob.
Carl wanted so much to ask him if he was okay. This was very odd. “Me too, lover. Me too.”
When they kissed, Carl felt his toes curl at the affection. Either Keith was the best actor on the planet, or Keith was falling for him and couldn’t prevent his emotions. Whatever it was, it was mesmerizing.
“Cut!”
Slow applause began to ring out. Carl leaned back to see Keith’s face. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” As Keith smiled, more tears ran down his cheeks.
Carl was not convinced.
Charlotte rushed over. “Oh! I love it! Keith, you are brilliant. The raw emotion is so fucking perfect for your character. Augh! Someone restrain me before I marry him!”
Laughing as he wiped at his eyes, Keith kept meeting Carl’s gaze shyly.
“Okay, boys and girls, same time tomorrow. We’ll finish up the episode and I’ll get you the new script. Well done!” Charlotte patted both of their backs.
Pinching Keith’s chin between her thumb and index finger, Charlotte whispered, “You are amazing.”
“Thanks.”
“Go home. Relax.”
As she vanished, Carl kept his eyes on Keith.
“Come on, let’s change and get out of here.” Keith walked to their wardrobe area.
Taking off his shirt, handing it to Melvin, Carl was worried about Keith. Once they were in their street clothing, Carl walked Keith out of the studio building.
Before they parted ways, Carl stopped him. “Is the pressure getting to you?”
“Huh?” Keith appeared confused.
“Keith, crying wasn’t scripted. You didn’t do it in any of the rehearsals.”
Keith shrugged weakly. “Felt right.”
“It felt real.” Carl touched Keith’s cheek. The one he had slapped.
“Good. That’s very flattering.” Keith laughed softly. Then, as if seeing Carl was not laughing with him, he added, “Look, it was the intensity. Don’t read more into it. The slap was harder than I anticipated and it brought out more emotion. Depth. It must have been okay because Charlotte really seemed to like it.”
“Are you sure that’s all it is?”
“Yes. I’m fine. See you in the morning.”
“See ya.” Carl watched as he walked away. Keith wasn’t fooling him. There was more to that passionate play than Keith was willing to admit. And Carl knew why.
~
Looking over his shoulder, seeing Carl staring after him, Keith gave him a small wave and sat behind the steering wheel of his car. “Shit.” He started the engine, and felt the lump return to his throat. He fucking loved the guy. Okay? So? Sue me! Leaving the parking lot, wiping at his eyes as they once again filled, Keith bit back a sob of frustration. How the hell could you spend every day, kissing, touching, speaking words of love to someone, and feel dead, nothing. Acting? Oh yeah, he was acting. Keep telling yourself that, Keith.
“Oh, Christ, Carl…” Keith dabbed at his eyes. “Why did you have to be so fucking amazing?”
Managing to maintain some self-control as he drove home, Keith came through his door and dropped his keys on the table. The light was blinking on his answering machine. He moved across the room to it and hit the play button.
“Keith? It’s Mom. I just wanted to touch base with you. Any luck with auditioning? Call and catch me and your dad up. Love you.”
Sitting down on the couch, composing himself, he picked up the phone and dialed. He’d put it off long enough. The damn premiere of the show was coming up.
“Dad?”
“Keith! Sandy, Keith’s on the phone!”
Keith waited until his mother picked up an extension.
“Keith?”
“Hi, Mom.”
“You weren’t home when I called. Were you just out or did you get a job?”
“I got a job.”
His dad asked, “In acting?”
“Yes.”
His mother cheered in excitement. “Tell us all about it!”
“You know that new cable series called, Forever Young?”
“Yes! Oh, Ron, you know that one, with Betty Blue, Omar Desmond, and Carl Bronson.”
“Oh! Yes. Right. Well done, Keith!”
“Is it a decent size part, Keith?” his mother asked.
“It is. I’m actually quite an important character in the new seaso
n.”
She squealed in excitement again so loudly, Keith had to pull the phone away from his ear.
“Oh, God! Tell me about it! Keith, I am so proud of you. You see? Patience paid off.”
His father added, “And him finally getting Adam Lewis as his agent helped.”
“Oh, I am so thrilled!”
“What’s the character you play?” his father asked.
“Well, I can’t tell you too much, you know, it’s all kept secret for the premiere.”
“We’re your parents! You can tell us,” his mother shouted.
“The character’s name is Dennis Jason.”
“Xavier’s brother?” his mom gasped.