Heart Unseen

by Andrew Grey

  “I can take care of myself just fine.”

  “I just meant that you seem a little unsteady and I don’t want you to fall.”

  James heard the door open. Trevor released his hand, and James left the bathroom trying like hell not to look like he’d been doing something he shouldn’t. They hadn’t done anything, in reality, but damned if James didn’t feel like something had happened, and his mother had eagle eyes—she saw everything.

  Trevor gently took his arm and guided him back to the table. James heard his sister gasp slightly, and while he didn’t hear anything from his mother, he could imagine the reproachful look on her face. It was the same one she’d given him as a kid when he colored outside the lines and left a mark on her kitchen table.

  “Here’s your seat.”

  “Thank you.” James hoped he kept his voice level even as he sat in a hurry to cover other parts of his anatomy that were beginning to stand and take notice.

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you around soon. I hope.” Trevor squeezed his shoulder, and James grew warm and slowly searched for his glass because his throat was suddenly as dry as the Sahara. Footsteps snapped on the tile floor as Trevor left, and James found his glass, then drank to try to wet his mouth and cool himself down. Did they turn up the heat or something?

  “Cake now?” Zack asked forcefully, as though he’d been waiting forever. He bounced right next to James’s chair.

  “Yes. You can have cake.” James ruffled his hair. “Can someone arrange for the cake stuff so this one doesn’t starve to death?” He managed to tickle Zack and heard his mother sigh.

  They sang “Happy Birthday” as the cake arrived—at least that’s what James thought was happening. He always felt left out as everyone sang, clapped, and Zack blew out his candles. So much of life was visual, and that left him on the outside. Okay, it was time to stop whining, even in his head.

  “Do you like your cake?”

  “It’s chocolate with sprinkles… sprinkles!” Zack practically screamed his delight.

  “Okay, little man, get back in your seat so you can have a piece.”

  Coffee was brought, and James could smell the rich aroma, but he declined because he didn’t want to make a mess.

  However, Marti overruled him and came around to where he was sitting. “Just enjoy yourself and don’t let Mom’s pain-in-the-ass-ness ruin the day for you.” She put her arms around his neck and hugged him gently. “There’s a piece of cake right in front of you, fork to the left, and coffee to the right. I asked for a mug so it will be easier for you to drink.”

  “Thanks.” He was so grateful to his sister for her quiet help.

  “Don’t mention it.” She patted his upper chest and then slipped away.

  James ate his cake and, as far as he could tell, managed not to make a mess. The coffee was divine, and Zack was happy and laughing, so the meal ended well. His father paid the bill, and they all headed outside for the trip home.

  They said good-bye to Marti, Tim, and Zack, who chattered on about his presents. James smiled and ruffled his hair one more time before Zack headed toward their car.

  “Why don’t you come back to the house for the afternoon and stay for dinner?” his mother offered. “I have a roast planned, and you can eat something other than those prepared frozen things you live on.”

  “Mom, thanks, but I’m really tired and I think I just need to go home.” Not to mention he’d had about enough family time for now.

  “You were out too late last night, you mean?” she asked, the recrimination in her voice almost too much. “All right. I need to stop at the house first and then I can take you into the city.”

  Trevor stepped close, his scent announcing his presence. He didn’t have to say a word and James knew he was right there, next to him. “I can take you home if you’d like. I’m headed that way already.”

  “That would be nice.” James turned to his mother. “Trevor can give me a ride, and that way you won’t have to drive that far out of your way.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom. I was in his car last night and it’s nice. He’s a good driver and there’s nothing to worry about.” He gave his mother a hug and said good-bye to his father before letting Trevor lead him away. “Thank you. I don’t think I could have taken much more of that.”

  “I gathered that by the way you were nervous all through your meal.”

  James stopped. “You were watching me?”

  Trevor chuckled. “Of course I was watching you. Yesterday at the club, I kept watching you all night, and it took a long time before I could approach you. That never happens. I always just go for it where men are concerned, but with you, I was nervous.”

  “Me. I made you nervous?” James liked that for some reason. “Why would you watch me?” He wondered what could possibly be fascinating about a blind guy to someone like Trevor.

  “Doesn’t matter. I did. Today I watched you spill your tea and I saw you play with your nephew.” Trevor gently guided him forward. “I saw how nervous you were and how very careful you were being.”

  “My family puts up with a lot as far as I’m concerned.”

  “Bullshit. They’re your family, and they should be able to look past a little spilled tea or salad that ended up on the table.”

  James felt his cheeks heat. “I’ve never been a nonmessy eater.”

  “So? You can’t see. I think we’d all have a problem with manners and cleanliness if the rest of us couldn’t see what we were eating either. Cut yourself a little slack.” Trevor guided him through the parking lot, and when they stopped, James reached for the car door, but his hand caught only air.

  “Aren’t we there yet?”

  “We’re here.” The leather of Trevor’s jacket crinkled and then its weight settled over James’s shoulders. “Go ahead and put that on.” Trevor helped him and then settled a helmet on his head.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I rode my bike. It’s a Harley and big enough for both of us, but I want you to be safe.”

  “A motorcycle? You want me to ride on a motorcycle with you?” James said, floored. “Are you kidding?”

  “No. I take it you’ve never ridden before. It’s no problem. I’ll help you on and then I’ll get on in front of you. All you need to do is hold on to me.”

  “But….”

  The scent from heaven returned as Trevor stepped in front of him. “Trust me. You’re going to love this more than you can possibly imagine.” He gently swept his hand over James’s cheek. “You have my jacket and a helmet.”

  “Do you have one?”

  “I’m fine. Now let me help you get on.” Trevor very patiently helped James straddle the bike, and then he got on. “Stay close to me and put your arms tightly around my waist.”

  “Like this?” James moved closer, and Trevor tugged his arms even tighter. James pressed his hips to Trevor’s butt, and damned if he didn’t get hard in an instant. Trevor said nothing and started the engine.

  The bike roared to life under James, which sent a thrill racing through his body. He always told himself that he wished his world weren’t so small. Well, here was a chance to expand it and he had every intention of taking it.

  “Hang on tight and don’t let go. Stay right close to me, and when I move, do the same.”

  The bike started forward, and James moved closer. Trevor picked up speed, the wind whipping through James’s clothes. Air passed by at high speed, racing around him.

  “Damn, this is fun.”

  “Just wait,” Trevor said. “It’s a real rush, and I want you to feel it.”

  James already was. He was hard enough to pound nails, and he tightened his hold, sliding his hands over Trevor’s flat stomach. God, he was incredibly sexy. More than once James shifted his hands, not because he needed to, but because he wanted to know more about what Trevor looked like. His hands often acted in place of his eyes, and James wished he dared to explore more.

/>   Trevor’s heat seeped into him as the wind tried to strip it away. He slowed the bike and came to a stop. “We’re at a light, and then we’re going to enter the freeway, where we’re going to go really fast. If it’s too much, tell me and I’ll get off and take city streets. But I think you’re liking the ride.” Trevor slid a little farther back on the seat, and James groaned as his cock slid along Trevor’s butt. The thrill was small but enough to make him warmer and to tell him that Trevor was well aware of James’s excitement.

  He didn’t have much time to think about it because they started forward once again, the engine revving and calming as Trevor switched gears, speed increasing, the bike vibrating, power roaring under him. It was more sexual and thrilling than James could possibly imagine, and as they reached the freeway, the energy built and surrounded him completely.

  James forgot all about being scared and rode the wave as they zoomed down the road. Since he couldn’t see, he let his other senses go wild. The power beneath him and the strength in Trevor’s body, as well as the fact that he was completely exposed and yet felt safe, were heady in the extreme. This was something he could get used to, and he hoped he got the chance to do it again. Trevor weaved across lanes, passing cars while others zoomed by. That part wasn’t so thrilling, but the rest was amazing. James felt them climbing as the freeway got higher, extending over the city, the wind, fresh from the lake, buffeting them slightly.

  As they descended once again, Trevor picked up speed and then zoomed off one of the exits, slowing as they came to the end.

  “God, that was amazing.”

  “Good, huh?” Trevor pulled to a stop.

  “That was better than sex.” James almost laughed and then realized what he’d said and his cheeks heated. “I mean….”

  “Sweetheart, there’s something primally thrilling about riding a bike, and my friends often equate it with sex, especially when it can feel like flying. But I do have to tell you that if that was really better than sex, then you haven’t been having it with the right people.” Trevor snickered and slowly started forward, then picked up speed once again.

  “Is that so?” James asked, taking up the conversation when they stopped once again.

  “You better believe it. I’m not saying that wasn’t exciting, but sex with someone who knows what they’re doing can blow your mind forever.”

  “Oh, can it?” James pressed, but Trevor didn’t answer as he started forward. They made a few more turns, then pulled to stop and Trevor turned off the engine.

  “You better believe it. Hold on a second.” Trevor got off the bike before helping James down. His knees were weak and he took a few tentative steps. “Riding a bike is heady, but I have to tell you that I think taking you out for a ride will be an experience I’m not likely to forget.”

  He and Trevor had flirted, but this was beyond that. “It will?” James swallowed hard because, damn it, he’d love to get a good feel of Trevor and find out exactly what he had under all those layers of clothes. Trevor had to be teasing him. James really didn’t see Trevor actually taking him inside and spending the day driving him crazy.

  “Oh, yeah. There are things I could show you that would take your breath away.”

  “Now you’re bragging, and maybe… eventually… I’ll call you on that just so you can try to prove you aren’t just bragging.” James lifted off the helmet and handed it to Trevor before taking off the leather jacket. He loved the smell of it, the richness of leather mixed with Trevor’s scent. Dang, he wished there was a way he could keep it. Instead, he handed it to Trevor. “Can you help guide me to the door? I know my way most of the time, but I’m a little disoriented.” More like muddleheaded with lust, but he couldn’t exactly say that.

  “Sure.” Trevor gave James his arm and slowly guided him up the walk and the steps to his front door.

  “Would you like some coffee?”

  “I’d love to have coffee with you, but I need to get to one of the stations. There’s an issue that I can’t put my finger on, and I need to look things over.” Trevor released his arm, and James reached into his pocket to get out his keys. Trevor gently stroked his cheek, and James stilled. He wondered what Trevor was doing and hoped that maybe Trevor was going to kiss him, even if he wasn’t sure why, except that for the last half hour, he’d been hard as hell and pressed as tightly to Trevor as possible.

  “Okay. Maybe I’ll be able to meet up with you again sometime. It was good seeing you, and thank you for bringing me home. I really appreciate it.” James didn’t dare move as long as Trevor was touching him. He didn’t want it to end, and then Trevor’s scent grew stronger.

  Trevor’s lips touched his so gently, James wasn’t sure it was happening. He leaned into the touch, deepening it, and that seemed to be what Trevor was waiting for. Trevor kissed him harder, and James got his first taste of him: rich, masculine, a little head-swimmy—a flavor to go along with the scent he wasn’t likely to ever forget.

  James groaned softly from deep in his throat, and Trevor kissed him harder before backing away. James didn’t know quite how to react to what had just happened.

  “Was that okay?”

  “Yes.” James was a little breathless. He’d been kissed before—not many times, but he had. None of the others had curled his toes or made him forget where he was. It took him a second to remember he was outside his own front door.

  “Can I have your phone number?” Trevor asked, and James rattled off the numbers. Then he heard chimes from Trevor’s phone and his rang. “There you are. Now you have mine. I’ll call you soon, and maybe we can go somewhere fun.”

  “Okay. But just to be clear, are you talking like as a date or just as friends or something?”

  Trevor cleared his throat, sounding uncomfortable suddenly. “I don’t date. It isn’t something I do.”

  “Okay.” James wasn’t sure what the hell that meant, especially after the kiss, and it certainly wasn’t the answer he’d been hoping for.

  “We’ll go out and have a good time. Dinner and then something fun. We don’t have to call it anything special.”

  “All right. Call me, and we’ll see about going out for an undate of some sort.” He smirked and suppressed a cough at the ridiculousness of his own words. “Ride safely.” James unlocked the door and waited until the roar of the motorcycle engine faded into the distance before closing it.

  Chapter 3

  “SO ARE you going to dance with him?” Dean asked as they sat at a club early Sunday evening. Trevor, Dean, and Brent had decided to go to dinner, and Dean got the bright idea to hit this new bar/club, but it was pretty dead.

  “I don’t think so.” Trevor wasn’t in the mood for all that chasing and pursuing. He wanted to have a drink with his friends. This place was a bad idea, which he’d known ahead of time, but Dean seemed to be on a tear to fuck his troubles away.

  “Why not?” Brent asked, putting his beer on the table. “Even with a crowd this sparse, you never fail to score.”

  “Let’s not talk about it.” Trevor drank his beer and saw Dean and Brent share one of those looks. “Don’t even think about it.”

  “You know he took that guy home from the club,” Dean tattled.

  “And he managed to meet him at lunch yesterday and took him home then too.” Brent seemed inordinately pleased with himself.

  “For heaven’s sake. This isn’t tenth grade, and we aren’t gossiping around the cafeteria table about who likes who and who has whose name written in lipstick in their locker. God, you two.”

  “Well, what are we supposed to think? You see this guy twice and take him home, so we figure you must like him. But you never like any guys. You screw them and then move on, and never give any of them a single thought afterward.” Dean leaned over the table slightly. “Why do you think I was never interested?”

  Trevor groaned. “Please. You aren’t my type.”

  “What? Why?” Dean turned toward the bar to glance at himself in the mirror behind it. “
What’s wrong with me?”

  “Oh, for God sake. We have sunk into high school mode. You’re my friend, and you don’t fuck your friends unless you never want to see them again. That’s the rule, and you both know it. You also know I don’t date or go out with guys.”

  “At least not in a long time.” Dean sat back with a self-satisfied grin on his lips. “Remember, we’ve all been friends a long time. We know your shit.”

  “Yes, and I know yours too. Good friends are more important than a fuck, so let this whole subject drop.” Trevor leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at the two of them until the Gossiping Guses decided to give the subject a rest.

  “Would you like to dance?” asked the guy Dean had indicated as he came over, rolling his hips to the music as he talked. He was cute enough and was definitely interested. But….

  “I’m not up for it tonight. Thanks.”

  The kid pouted and turned to Dean, who didn’t have to be asked twice and followed the dark-haired twink onto the floor.

  “What’s with you?” Brent asked as soon as Dean was out of earshot. “You’re, like, the man—you always score.” Brent groaned and leaned forward, reaching under the table.

  “Your ankle?”

  “Yeah. I managed to reinjure the damn thing. I’ve been icing it, and it isn’t as bad as the first time I hurt it, but I’m wearing the ankle brace all the time now so I don’t do it again.” Brent stretched his foot out and sighed once again. “So what’s really up with you?”

  “I don’t know, okay?” Trevor waved his hand around as another guy from the sparse crowd began making his way over. The guy smiled, and Brent jabbed Trevor in the side with his elbow, so Trevor got up and asked the guy to dance.

  The blond, sleek otter-type was all kinds of bendy, if the dancing was any indication, and he never took those baby blues off Trevor for a second. The intensity in his gaze was attractive and damn flattering. The kid—he said his name was Brian—was all over him, twerking when the music allowed, and he knew just how to do it. Holy crap. Trevor wound his arms around Brian’s neck, drawing him closer as the song continued, and he rubbed up and down Trevor like a cat in heat.