Shaine and Cameron met some years ago and have forged a great relationship that never crosses the sexual boundary. In all accounts, people have thought the two of them were an item but most knew that Cameron was not into women that way. Shaine loved the quality family time spent with Cameron and knew they would be best friends forever.
“Hey Cam. How are you doing?” Shaine answered.
“Hey baby, I am doing well. How are you?”
“I am good just getting ready to go to the Smoke and Bubbles party. You remember the one you didn’t want to go to.” Shaine said sarcastically.
“You know I don’t smoke nasty cigars and you also know I don’t like dry champagne. I ended up being busy anyway. I’m leaving dinner and have this guy named Monti following me to the house. He seems to be cool and I want to get to know him better. In case anything happens, you know where I hide my computer and you know the password. His information is there but here is his phone number so you have it. You ready for the number?” Cameron said.
“You are a mess Cameron but I love you. Is he another guy you met on the Internet? You know that Internet is going to be the death of you. You need to get over this self-esteem stuff and start meeting people like the rest of the world does.”
“After you did all that talking, Shaine, I gotta do what I gotta do. I could have someone waiting for me at every layover but I am trying to do this the best way I know how. Plus, I ain’t trying to fly all over the country for some sex. Thank you very much.” Cameron gave her the number and wished her a great time with the crew. They promised to do breakfast, which meant brunch, tomorrow to fill each other in on how their evening went.
Chapter Five
H olding on to the Pain
Monti could not help but to call his friend Dee after his eventful dinner. He didn’t have much time to go into details but he wanted to keep him up to speed with what was going on with him. Plus he did not know if this sexy guy was a serial killer. He also needed to tell him about that damn server.
“Man Dee, dinner was good man. This kat is cool. He has good conversation and all that. I think he might be a good one to try to know better.” Monti said.
“You seem to be excited about him. What happened that you are so giddy about this guy?”
“Man he is sexy as hell and he actually has great conversation.”
“What else happened at the dinner?”
“Dee, I messed up man. When I went to pay the bill, the damn server came back and asked me how I pronounce my name after she butchered it twice.”
“Why was that an issue?”
“I did not tell Cameron my real name. I gave him my brothers name cause I didn’t know him.”
“Oh shit man, really?” Dee asked.
“Yeah man. Cameron pays attention to everything and he caught that right away. I had to explain why I used my brother’s name.”
“How did he take it?”
“He was not happy about it at all, but I was able to explain it to him. I think he is cool with it.”
“Are you all done for the night?”
“No, we are going to his house to hang out some more.”
“You are a trip man, going to his house right out the gate. How are you feeling about him?”
“He seems to be able to look at me and pull out things that I am not ready to talk about. He asked me what the secret behind my eyes was. He said there is something there and I needed to work on whatever it is.”
“For real? He does have a point though. You do have some stuff that you need to handle.”
“Whatever man. I want to explore this guy some more. I’m not sure how far this is going to go. You know I don’t trust dudes. I am headed to his house now. Maybe I will be able to release some of this tension I have in my nutts. It has been a minute since I got some and I am overdue.”
“I told you about being so damn secretive, Monti. You have to let go of that ex of yours. Just because he did that stuff and got you caught up doesn’t mean that every guy is going to do the same thing.” Dee explained. “You need to think about what you might want from this situation. Is this gonna be a serious thing or is this guy you want to hit and quit? That should be the deciding factor in how you proceed with him. You know I ain’t about no relationship. I like to get my shit off and send them boys home. You must have really liked this guy before you met to be going in like this.”
“Man who knows but this boy got some mad sex appeal and he is giving me the business. I have been fantasizing about laying it on him so good that those hypnotizing eyes roll to the back of his head. I think he is gonna be a cool guy…I may kick it with him from time to time.” Monti answered. “I gotta get off here, we are pulling up to his place. Man his crib is nice. I did not know they had these types of places down here. We will touch bases tomorrow, aiight?” With that, Monti hung up the phone as he took in the sight of Cameron’s townhouse. He thought, “Damn, this kat got some good taste. Let’s see what the inside looks like.”
Chapter Six
I f Only For One Night
Monti walked through a solid oak door with an ovular-shaped brushed glass and an iron door handle into an immaculately designed foyer. The floor was laid out with travertine tile made up of different sized tiles. The white semi-glossed baseboards started the frame of the wall. The walls were painted in alternating shades of gray. Cameron had wainscoting with deep panels painted down pipe gray outlined with magnetic gray. The walls were painted November Rain Gray. The nine feet ceilings were finished with the formality of crown molding that was intricately designed so one could see the quality of the craftsmanship. Cameron spared no expense in his housing designs. This same motif was found throughout the house. The walls were bare. There were no family portraits, paintings or nail holes in the walls of Cameron’s home.
The living room had a brown woodsy colored sofa and love seat made in leather. He had a sofa table that backed the sofa with a lamp and basket that contained cinnamon-spice scented pinecones. The coffee table was truly eclectic. It looked like a number of brushed metal pieces that were intertwined together to form a triangular shaped base with a beveled glass top. It was something that Monti had never seen before. The drapes that he had on the windows were not meant to cover the windows. They framed the windows majestically. The burgundy colored crushed crepe material stretched from the floor up through two metallic gray sconces, that held burgundy colored pillar candles that were only lit a few times, and back down to the floor on the other side. It was a conservative splash of color that Cameron had added to the room. The décor was a reflection of Cameron’s conservative inner self. He was, for the most part, a clean uncluttered guy. His home felt uncluttered and clean with just a splash of color.
Monti watched as Cameron clicked a button on a remote control and the fireplace ignited, shedding more light into the room. Cameron dimmed the lights in the living room to set the mood for the night. He turned on a Bose system, which was preset to V98.7’s the Quiet Storm. Monti didn’t want the storm to hit quietly; he wanted it to be quite loud.
“Would you like something to drink?” Cameron asked. “I am going to have a glass of German Riesling.”
“I’ll have the same.”
Monti was not much of a wine drinker, he preferred Cognac, but did not want to be rude. He would make sure that he worked it out so good that there would be a next time for him to bring his own drink. Before long Cameron was back with two glasses of wine. The two of them settled down on the sofa and talked.
“Cameron, what are you looking for?”
“I want a long lasting relationship where love was the most important thing and honesty is at the foundation.”
“I agree with you on that one.”
“I’m open to new experiences and want someone that is going to be there for me in thick and thin.”
“That is interesting.”
“Interesting?” Cameron responded. “I don’t want a one-sided relationship. I give 100 percent of myself in a r
elationship and want the same in return. I don’t want to find my other half because I am a complete person already. I need to find a mate that brings 100 percent of himself to the table also.”
“That is a tall order you are looking for. You know how guys are; they are always on some game and not straight up honest with you.”
“That has not been my experience, Monti. I have met some fairly decent guys and have been treated great. I know they are out there. I just have to find the one.”
“Are you saying that I don’t fit in that category?” Monti questioned.
“I am not saying that. What I am saying is that I am an out gay man and though marriage is not legal yet, in the state of Michigan, I hope that one day soon it would be and I will be able to marry the guy I fall for and we can build a life together. You may or may not fit into this category. Are you out of the closet?”
“Who me?”
“No, the other guy I am talking to.” Cameron joked.
“No, I can’t say that I am.”
They both thought about the conversation. Monti was touched by the candidness of Cameron. Though they had talked via phone for a few months, Monti loved listening to Cameron share his hopes, dreams and aspirations. He spoke about how he wanted to get out of his native California as soon as he could. The first thing he did after graduating high school in 1993 was joining the United States Marine Corp. One of his biggest dreams was to be a pilot for an airline. Cameron felt that he achieved that goal by being a flight attendant but better because he got to work with the people. Needless to say, Cameron was a world traveler. Monti was attracted to Cameron for a number of reasons. One was that Cameron was his own person and he was a strong man. Sure he did have some feminine ways but what gay guy doesn’t?
“So, when was the last time you were in love?” Monti asked.
“Right now.” Cameron replied.
Monti blushed because he didn’t know what he should say to that because they just met in person a few hours ago. Cameron sensed the nervousness so he explained.
“I am still in love with Guy. He was…well is still a great man with a great heart. We did not argue or anything much. He showed me what is means to be a proud gay man.”
“What are you looking for with me?”
“I’m just looking for a cool guy to get to know and see what he is about. I want to see where life will take me. In time I am sure I will resolve these feelings for Guy and be able to fully move on. I like you Monti. Our conversations have been good from the time we started talking on the computer. I noticed that you always talked about sex or hooking up. The reason why I always deflected the conversation is because I wanted more.”
“You did not like what I was talking about?”
“Yes, I did. It was very hot, but I am not looking for just sex. I get sex thrown at me all the time just like you do, I’m sure; however I feel that I am worth more than just meaningless sex. I have a lot to offer the right person but it has to be 100 percent reciprocated. I don’t want a one sided situation.”
As much as it pained Monti, he knew that this was going to be a challenge. Monti loved a challenge and he felt that he had to take on the challenge of conquering Cameron. As he began to think about what he saw…a handsome man, a strong man, a man with goals, dreams and aspirations, Monti thought how much of a power couple the two of them could be, if it went that way. He knew that he would have to take it slow, well not that slow…and get to know Cameron’s heart but hoped he could get to know him intimately before winning his heart.
Monti had his own dreams and aspirations. He wanted to finish school and become a Ph.D. He wanted to start a business and help other at risk males. Monti had deep desires to be in love and to give his heart unconditionally to someone. Despite his demons, he wanted to be a partner, lover and friend to a significant other. He wanted to live freely without being constrained to societal standards. His upbringing still held him back from achieving success in love.
“What do you want to do tonight?” Monti asked hoping to get some sign of Cameron’s sexual desires.
“I want to talk and enjoy your company.”
With that Monti opened his arms. “Come here.”
“Come where?” Cameron asked.
“Come lay here on me.”
Cameron walked over to where Monti was sitting and laid his head on Monti’s chest while Monti’s arms wrapped around him. Cameron could hear Monti’s heartbeat and could feel the rise and fall of Monti’s breathing. The comfort of the moment, coupled with the three glasses of wine they had, made sleep come easy. Cameron felt comfortable in Monti’s arms and soon found himself dozing off. Monti was right behind him. They both stayed there in the moment basking in the comfort that each provided to the other. Cameron had not had much sleep in the past few weeks because of the breakup with Guy. Monti had not slept well because of the constant nightmares he had because of his soon-to-be ex-wife Yolanda Burroughs.
“Hey sexy man.” Monti whispered. “Hey sexy man.” Monti said a little louder this time rubbing Cameron’s freshly shaved head. Cameron’s stubble felt soft like a brush one would use to keep their beard appropriately groomed. This felt good to Monti because it felt similar to a 5 o’clock shadow but on this handsome man’s head.
“Yes, what’s up?” Cameron answered as he stirred in Monti’s arms.
“What time do you have?”
Cameron pulled his arm from around Monti and looked at his watch. “Its 3:48 am.”
“Oh damn, I have to go. I did not know it was this late.”
“Why do you have to go now? By the time you get up and get your stuff together it will be 4:00 am. You have another forty-minute drive from here so you will get home about five in the morning. Why not just stay here and you can get up first thing in the morning to head home.”
“No, I really have to go.”
Cameron had to think fast, even in his groggy state. He found the right answer; at least he hoped it would be the right answer.
“If you go now, I will be tired in the morning because I will not be able to sleep from worrying about you. You don’t want me sleepy tomorrow right?”
“You are right; I don’t want you to be tired so ok, I will stay.”
“Alright thanks…Monti?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to go upstairs and get in the bed?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
With that they both ascended the staircase to the third floor of Cameron’s townhouse. They took off their clothes but kept on their underwear. They got in the bed and sleep swiftly engulfed them. Before they knew it, morning was upon them, the sun was beaming through the bedroom windows cascading its light upon their faces.
Chapter Seven
B reathless
Monti woke up before Cameron and was surprised at how much sleep he got. He felt rested. Last night was the first night in a long time that he didn’t have the nightmare, which stole many nights of Monti’s sleep. Monti was a family orientated man and wanted nothing more than to be the best father he could be. He did not want to be like his father; he wanted to shower love and affection on his children. He could not help falling out of love with his wife. He could not understand why the thought of masculinity turned him on more than the feeling of the softness of a woman. He could not help that a fine man made him feel some kind of way. The urge that he had deep within coupled with his scorned wife only served to make reconciliation impossible.
After their conversation last night, something inside Monti knew that Cameron was going to be the one he would want to grow old with. He had to be willing to make sure he did everything in his power to make that happen. Cameron stirred in his sleep as Monti was examining at him. He must have felt Monti’s dark eyes taking in the very curves of his face, noticing how an occasional freckle appeared and the combination of different colors of hair that made up Cameron’s sandy brown hair. Cameron opened his eyes and smiled at Monti.
“Good morning, Monti.”
“Good morning handsome. How did you sleep?”
“I slept well. Lying in your arms, I did not want to get up. I felt safe.” Cameron said.
“I felt comfortable, too. It was the first time I got a good nights sleep in a long time.” Monti admitted.
“I am glad you felt at ease.”
“I want to ask you something and I hope you don’t get offended.”
“Sure go ahead, ask me anything.”
“I have been waiting on this all night…would you mind if I gave you a kiss?” Without waiting for an answer, Monti moved his head slightly and began to kiss Cameron. Cameron’s lips were soft and sweet and Cameron’s kiss aroused Monti.
“Did he just ask to kiss me and not even wait for my response to the question?” Cameron thought as he kissed Monti back with all he had in him. Cameron also loved a challenge and he was not going to let Monti out kiss him. They both became aroused sharing intimacy.
After they kissed, Cameron got his bearings together and got up to give Monti a clean set of towels to use before he made his way home. Monti got up and went to the bathroom to take care of his morning grooming. After Monti was done washing his face he came back into the room with Cameron. Cameron wanted to go further last night but he didn’t want to ruin the purity of the night. He didn’t want to reduce their meeting to just a sexual encounter. Neither of them had an issue getting sex when they wanted or needed.
“What do you have planned today.” he asked.
“I am having brunch with Shaine, my best friend, and then I really don’t have any plans. I am going to take it easy today.” Cameron replied. “What about you?”
“I have to go to the Eastern Market to pick up some fruit and vegetables. Then, I have praise team practice so that we are ready for church on Sunday morning. You know I have to make sure that my team is on point. After that I don’t have anything to do. Maybe I can call you and see what you are doing after that?” Monti proposed.
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