by Alex Berry
"It's late I'm tired." Ron cut the woman off. "Why are you here?"
Travis chuckled. His baby had picked up some of his ways. He lifted Ron's legs and sat down, setting them across his lap. For a second their eyes met, and his heart raced at the promise he read in Ron's eyes. Moments like these made him realize how dependent he'd become on this man. In the two years they'd been together, he'd fallen so far and hard, he'd be crushed if Ron ever left. It was ridiculous to love someone this much, but he couldn't help it. Travis looked up when Darryl spoke.
"Ma wanted to know if you planned to let Jenny and Herman stay here."
"And this couldn't wait until tomorrow?" Ron looked at his aunt and then his cousin. Both reddened.
"It could, but they need to find another place to live if they can't stay here. What do you plan to do with the house anyway?" Darryl's eyes slid over Travis and then back to Ron.
"It's late and I'm tired. All this can wait until another day. This house has been mine for a long time and I'll handle it." He swung his legs to the ground and stood. Travis's eyes were glued to his premiere ass. Ron swiveled, caught his stare and winked.
"Seriously, man. We need to know what you plan to do with the house. It's not just Herman that needs a place to crash, there are other family members in a bind." Darryl stood and watched Ron, his voice wavered on that last word. No one spoke.
"You and Blake need a place to live? Is that it?" Travis asked from the sofa.
"Things have been rough and it'd make it a lot easier on us."
Ron stared as if he'd been blindsided. "You've got to be kidding me. Why the hell would I help you out? You've been a bitch to me since we were kids. You even lied to get extra money from me the other day when you picked me up from the airport."
"You didn't tell me about that." Travis stood and moved Ron back a little ways.
"I forgot, and stop pulling me back." Ron returned to his spot with Travis behind him. "I'm not letting you or Herman mooch off me. Both of you need to find a place of your own."
"How can you say that about family?" his aunt yelled.
"Family?" Ron scoffed. "The only time I hear anything from any of you is when you want something. You don't give, you take. My granny gave me this house, and she'd decided who'd live here next. Trust me, not once did anyone in this family cross her mind. And why should it? You never came to see her or even called her, Darryl. Why should I give a damn about your situation?"
"You don't. I just wanted to know." Darryl turned toward the door. "Come on." He waved at Blake and his mom.
"Just shameful, shameful the way you carry on. Got with that man and turned your back on your family," his aunt muttered on the way out the door.
"What's shameful is how you think you deserve something after the way all of you treated my grandmother." Ron closed the door in her shocked face and stalked off to the bedroom.
Travis locked up, and then followed Ron.
The room was dark. The toilet flushed and Ron walked out the bathroom, shirt in hand. Travis could tell he was still pissed at his relatives. He took his hand and led him to the bed. Pushing him backward until he lay on the flat of his back.
"Trav-- "
"Sssh. I've got you." Travis pulled off his pants and briefs while watching Ron's face. Within a few minutes, he'd make sure that frown turned into a smile, well maybe not a smile, but something indicating he felt damned good. He reached forward and stroked Ron's cock, grinning at the challenge the limp noodle presented.
Leaning forward he kissed Ron's stomach, watching the tell-tale signs of his arousal, the tensing of his thighs, the slight hitch of his breath, his fingers moving back and forth. Travis kept one hand onto the hardening cock and the other reached upward and flicked a nipple. Both of them had sensitive peaks but Ron preferred harder tweaks to the point of pain. Rolling the nipple around in between his thumb and finger, he squeezed the peaks intermittently, watching Ron's face to make sure it wasn't too hard. Within seconds, he sighed in satisfaction at the hardened erection in his hand. Stroking and squeezing he waited until juices flowed from the tip. Slowly, he licked his way up to the tip of his cock, spending some time on the sensitive area beneath the head.
Ron shook. Obviously ready to take it up a notch. But they'd been together long enough that he knew, how the game was played. He had to wait to come. Travis took Ron's cock into his mouth, enjoying his taste, his flavor. No one tasted as good, he could eat him all day. Breathing deeply, Travis's hard erection reminded him of his own needs. Tamping down that distraction, he focused on his partner. His lover had been through a lot the past few days and he planned to make things better for him. He suckled Ron's cock to the back of his throat, his tongue massaging the hard erection as Ron thrust against him and withdrew to the tip. He loved the smooth skin against his lips, the malleable feel of the crown, the taste, the smell, he loved it all and sucked him back inside for another taste.
Ron's hips bucked. A keening sound filled the room as Ron slapped the bed. Travis loved seeing his baby come apart like this. He sucked him down harder. Ron arched his back. His legs shook. Travis knew it wouldn't be long. A touch between his thighs proved his balls were tight against his cock. That touch seemed to trigger Ron's release. Travis pulled back so he could taste the tangy flavor. His tongue swirled through the salty fluid before he swallowed it down. A final kiss and lick against the soft crown.
Pride and happiness washed over Travis at the satisfied glow on Ron's face. He put that look on his man's face. Crawling up and over his lover, Travis took his lips into a hungry kiss. Their tongues dueled and finally relaxed into soft whispers of love.
"So good." Ron kissed his chin. "So good." Opening his legs, he wrapped them around Travis's waist. "Love me."
"I do." Travis nipped his chin before reclaiming his mouth. Apparently, not satisfied with Travis's remark, Ron unsnapped his lover's jeans and pulled the pants over his ass.
"I'll do it." Travis moved Ron's hand, stood and shucked the pants off. Leering at Ron's naked body, he leaped onto the bed, covering Ron.
"You want this?" Travis laughed. "Is that why you're pullin off my clothes." Travis rubbed his hard cock on Ron's stomach.
"I always want you." Ron looked up at him, his face serious. "Always."
"And I'm always available for you. This is for you, babe." He stroked his cock while watching Ron lick his lips. "I'm too far gone for you to swallow this whole." He slapped Ron's ass. "I need some of this prime beef. Give it up."
Ron wiggled his rear as he turned over. Travis pulled him up on his knees and placed two pillows beneath him. Leaning over toward the night stand, he opened the drawer for the lube. "Tonight belongs to us. I'mma take good care of you." He smiled as Ron hummed and shimmied his ass as he lubed him up. It was so tempting; Travis slapped a cheek and enjoyed the red hand-print on the white skin. Ron moaned and rolled his hips again.
What's a man to do? He had to please his man. Travis slapped Ron's cheeks five times each. Then rubbed them to ease the heat.
"You like that, Baby?"
"Um hmm."
Travis was hard as a board. Inserting a finger inside Ron's tight hole, he was satisfied the lube held. Rising he seated himself with one thrust. His forehead fell to Ron's shoulder, he kissed the sweat licked skin and started to move.
"Tight, so tight, good," he muttered as Ron met his thrusts. The incredible heat greeted and rolled over him, sending his thoughts into the cosmos. Flickers of fire leapt up his spinal cord as he moved faster. His balls slapped against tight flesh. Grabbing Ron's waist, he drove faster, harder. He was so close to the edge. In the distance he heard a cry, felt a shudder beneath him. But he pressed harder. Closer. He was on fire. It started in his toes, spiraled upward to his back and exploded in his core. His breath hitched as he tried to breathe. He froze as his orgasm tore through him. His cum shot from him. Light-headed his head rested on Ron's quivering back. It took moments for him to gather the strength to move. When coherent thought ret
urned, he moved to the side and held his lover in his arms.
"Nobody has ever loved me like you. Nobody," Ron whispered into the dark.
"That's the way it's supposed to be. I've never loved anybody like I love you." Travis kissed his sweaty brow.
Chapter 5
Travis pulled the ladder away from the side of the house after repairing and replacing some loose and missing shingles. Ron had replaced the roof last year, but a few months ago a storm had sent a few shingles flying. The day was hot and he'd just pulled off his t-shirt before walking toward the storage shed in the back yard. He turned at the honk of a horn and groaned. Blake pulled into the driveway and slowly got out of the car. Angry at the intrusion, Travis glared in the other man's direction and started to blast him for coming by unannounced. However, one look at Blake's sad face held him back. The man appeared to be on the verge of tears.
"Ron's not here, he had some errands to do." He figured he'd save them both time and discomfort by stopping Blake's advance from the car.
"I...I don't know what to do. Can I come in, talk for a minute." His voice caught as he watched Travis lift the ladder over his shoulder and head to the back yard.
"Sure," Travis grumbled, wishing Ron was here to deal with his relatives. He waved to the open patio door, signaling for Blake to head inside. But the man just stood at the door, eyes red, waiting for Travis. Sighing, he locked the storage building and strode inside. Blake followed.
"You want a beer? Something to drink?" Travis knew his voice sounded gruff, but he was uncomfortable in close quarters around people he didn't know.
"A soda would be good, I've drunk enough."
Oh, oh. Travis closed his eyes, wishing he were somewhere else. He wasn't the most empathetic person in the world. Where the hell was Ron? He passed Blake a soft drink and headed out of the kitchen towards the bedroom. "Hold up a minute. I'll be right back." Locking the bedroom door behind him, he called Ron.
"Your cousin's boyfriend is here," he said in reply to Ron's cheerful greeting.
"Really? What does he want?" Ron sounded less chirpy. Good.
"I don't know, he looks like he's been crying or something. You need to come and deal with him. I just finished the roof and I wanna chill a minute." He planned to take a quick shower and warm up some leftovers. He hadn't realized how hungry he was, but now he was ravenous.
"Trav? Travis? Are you listening to me?"
"Sorry, I'm getting ready to get in the shower and then grab a bite to eat. My mind must have wandered off. What'd you say?" Travis smiled as he continued to strip.
Ron sighed loud and long. "I said I'm in the middle of a project here and I can't come for another hour or so. You can either kick him out or make him comfortable until I get there. But, I hope you'll be nice and let him wait."
Travis frowned. "You know I'm not good with this type stuff. I might say something that makes matters worse. Especially if this is over some bullshit Darryl's done." He stepped out of his pants. Now naked, he headed for the shower.
"It probably is, but if he asks your opinion then give it, otherwise..."
"Yeah, whatever," Travis snapped, aggravated at being in this position. "You should be here to deal with this. I'm taking a shower; I'll talk to you later." He hung up and stepped under the hot spray. The phone rang again, he let it go to voicemail. He'd learned to back off when Ron ticked him off, there wasn't much he could do after stating his displeasure, and leaving wasn't an option, so he had to deal. But he didn't have to like it.
He walked into the family room hoping Blake had left. No such luck. By the look on the other man's face, it appeared he'd fallen into a worse funk.
"What's wrong with you?" Travis snapped as he walked into the kitchen. "Your face is all blotchy and shit. Are you sick or something?"
Blake shook his head and stared at the can of soda in his hand. Since he didn't say anything more, Travis took the leftovers from the refrigerator and warmed them up in the microwave. Manners dictated he offer Blake a bite, even though there wasn't that much.
"You want something to eat?" Blake's watery eyes met his. Travis's stomach clenched at the pain reflected in the man's eyes.
"No thanks." The reply was soft and hoarse. Travis knew he'd just heard the sound of heartache and it made him more uncomfortable. After fixing his plate, he ate in silence. Blake's silent agony scorched the room until Travis couldn't handle the stench of misery.
"Okay, what's going on with you? Is this about Darryl? Did that asshole do something?" After placing the empty plate in the sink, Travis walked over to the chair where Blake sat, head down, unmoving. "Did he hit you?"
Blake's head shot up, his eyes widened. " N-n-n-nooo, nothing like that. It's just...he...I don't know. I think he's cheating on me."
"Drop him." Travis had an iron-clad rule on that shit. One he and Ron had agreed on before they entered into their relationship. There were some things a man didn't play with.
"Easy for you to say," Blake mumbled, looking at the opposite wall.
Travis sat on the sofa and picked up his beer. "Damn right, easy for me to say. I don't share. If my man needs to share, he's not mine. He's everybody's or anybody's man." He laid his head on the end of the sofa and placed his feet on the cushions, trying to get comfortable.
"You don't understand."
Travis snorted and took another swallow of his beer. "And I never will. Why would anyone accept someone they loved being with someone else? I damn sure wouldn't. It's not cool, plus that shit ain't safe."
"He's not...normally, he doesn't." Blake sighed. "I think he wants to know what it's like to be with a black guy. Once he gets that out of his system--"
Travis sat up and looked at Blake's red face. "What the fuck? He wants to fool around with a black guy? He's willing to throw you away, what y'all have, for a piece of ass, and you're sitting here saying he needs to get that shit out of his system? Are you fucking crazy?" His voice had risen on the last word.
Blake flinched. The color drained from his face. Licking his lips, his fist lay clenched on his thigh. "I don't know what to do. What to say." His voice hesitant as his eyes searched the corners in the room.
"Tell him to kiss your ass and change the locks on your muthafucking doors. That's plain ole' disrespectful, man, and I hope you're not sitting here telling me you plan to take that shit. If so, you need to step before I kick your ass. That shit's not cool with me."
Blake stood, frowning as he looked down at him. "Why are you getting so worked up? It's because of you that he wants to see what it's like to be with a black man. He was fine until you came here." His tone rose in accusation.
"Me? Nope. Wasn't me. That sucker had this play in him before I got here." Travis's eyes closed as he shook his head in disbelief. "And wanting to be with a black man because he saw me? That's bullshit. If anything, he wants what he thinks Ron has, and what we have has nothing to do with me being black. And everything to do with who we are. If I was a muthafucking zebra, I'd want Ronald Griffin for my own and I'd work like hell to get that man."
"He can't understand that." Blake moved from side to side, hands in pockets as he avoided Travis's glaring eyes.
"I know. That's because he's not in love," Travis said and snorted. Blake winced and turned away. Travis continued. "I'm not trying to hurt you or nothing. But nobody does that shit to people they care about. Maybe he's not ready to commit and if that's the case, you need to decide what you want. How much you're willing to take. Because you damn sure can't make nobody want or love you."
"I know that," Blake snapped as he wiped his face with the back of his hand. In a calmer tone, he added, "It's just I've loved him for so long. Put up with his cheating and shit for years. I thought we were past that. I guess I was wrong."
"I guess you were."
A few seconds later, Blake chuckled. "Are you always this blunt or am I getting the noon-day special?" He turned, his eyes were red-rimmed but clear.
Travis sighed, relieved. "Ron
says I'm brutally blunt. But here's the deal. No one runs your life but you. If someone's fucking you over, it's because you let 'em. You gotta take control of your life. Decide what you want and not settle. It could be the only reason Dickhead fucks you over is because you allow that shit. If you put your foot down, he might change. Then again, he might not. What's important is that you do what's best for you and stop being his damn doormat. That's just disgusting."
Blake snorted, a grin forming on his lips. "What's disgusting is how you can't keep your hands to yourself. Anytime Ron is in the area, you're feeling him up."
Travis smiled thinking of his baby bear. "Yeah, maybe. But he's mine and I ain't sitting here wondering if he's out screwing around with some other dude. Don't hate."