by Joel Skelton
“There’s something about this deal we need to talk about.” Harper walked out of the bedroom, drying his hair with his bath towel.
“Shoot.” Ian knew by the look and the hesitation in his voice, Harper had something serious on his mind. He had noticed in the short time they’d been a couple that Harper’s words were chosen for accuracy and precision. Once the idea had been baked to Harper’s liking, was there room for negotiation? I guess I’ll find out.
“I know this is all very new to us, but I have to be honest and tell you I can’t live here… in this. I just can’t do it. I won’t be happy no matter how much we fix it up.”
“Okay.” Ian pushed his chair back from the table. I called the serious part right. Wow! “I don’t know what to say. I mean, I guess I just assumed we’d give it a shot. I can’t see us running this operation from Minneapolis. Can you?”
“No. Sorry, I started this out poorly. Let me start over.” Harper took the seat across from him.
Please don’t tell me you can’t make the whole idea work. “Talk to me, hon.”
“Well, I have to be honest. From the minute we looked at this place and toured the living quarters, I knew it would be impossible for me to be happy here. I didn’t want to say anything at the time because everything else about this place seemed so right, and, well, I didn’t have a solution to my problem. I wanted to spend a few nights here just to make sure, and I’m sure. This isn’t going to work.”
“I guess I’m confused. You mean the whole cabin rental idea isn’t going to work, or just the living situation? It’s a little late in the game to question the whole idea of running the cabins, isn’t it?”
“It’s a wonder I ever set foot in a courtroom. Not sure what’s happened to my presentation skills, but I’m failing this one miserably. Okay, let me try this again. I think we should build ourselves a home here that is comfortable, modern, and a welcome retreat from a day of pleasing our guests.”
“Well, I wish rainwater was beer, but what the hell? Harper, how do we make something like that happen? I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be snotty here, but I don’t see how we could make something like that happen. We haven’t even figured out the total cost of bringing the cabins back to where they need to be. Or the cost of landscaping and, well, with all we need to do here, where’s the money going to come from to build ourselves a home?” As much as he understood where his partner was coming from, the alternative, what was being proposed, was impossible. Unrealistic.
“Me.”
“Huh?”
“I have money. Plenty, actually.”
A wily smile blossomed over Harper’s face. Ian had seen this smile a few times before, but up until now, it had never been produced with such a definitive sparkle. He laughed nervously. “What are you trying to tell me?”
“The plane crash that killed my parents, there was a settlement. My grandfather invested it. Turns out he had a knack for making good decisions. I’m worth, well, I feel kind of creepy for not telling you this before. The last time I checked, I was worth over several million.”
“Hang on, I might have just pooped my pants.” Didn’t see that one coming. This unexpected development was more than Ian could process sitting down. Getting up, he began walking a tiny circle in the kitchen.
It was Harper’s turn to laugh. “My grandparents kept it a secret from me for the longest time. When Gramps first got sick, he sat me down and went through all of it. Of course I’d already worked my ass off in law school, bartending and everything else it took, but I guess that was the plan. I’m a hard worker, but I have a small fortune in the bank if I need it. I’m tellin’ ya, Ian, we need some of it now. Are you mad at me?”
“I’m not sure yet.” Why am I just hearing this now?
“Are you okay?” Harper laughed.
“I guess I’m not okay. I’m trying to think of reasons you might have had for not sharing this little piece of information with me. Was it by any chance because you didn’t trust me?”
“Ian, no. God no. I’m kind of freaked out by the money.” Harper made a move toward him.
“Not as freaked out as I am. I mean, come on, this is pretty big news, Harper.” Ian moved further away.
“I don’t know what else to say. I guess I never thought it would be a big deal.” Harper leaned up against the counter.
“Do you have any idea how crappy I’ve felt for not having the money to match your investment? I’ve spent nights laying awake trying to think of ways to cut costs so you won’t be pinched so hard.”
When Harper failed to respond, Ian continued, “Do you think I was looking forward to living in this piss hole all winter long? I was fired up to do it because I didn’t think we had a choice. God, I feel like a fucking idiot right now.”
It was Harper’s turn to walk in circles. “Okay, I made a terrible mistake in not telling you. I had no idea this money thing…. I had no idea how sensitive you are about it.”
That was the wrong thing to say. The wrong thing. “I’m not that sensitive. You didn’t level with me. I’m more sensitive about that. I’m really pissed off.” Before he could check himself, he turned his back to his partner and slammed his fist down on the counter.
Minutes passed. Neither of them moved or said a word.
“I don’t blame you for being angry.”
I know you didn’t mean it. I can’t explain to you why I feel this way.
“I know you didn’t mean to offend me.” Ian turned around and backed into the counter. He found it impossible to make eye contact. “I can’t explain why this makes me feel so crazy.”
“You have a huge sense of pride, Ian. It’s one of the things I love so much about you. I offended your pride, and I’m deeply sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I love you so much, I’d never intentionally hurt you. Do you believe that?”
Ian looked up from the floor. He hated the distressed look on Harper’s face. “Yes, I know that.”
“I don’t want you to walk away from here without getting it all out. Is there more fueling this? I’m not patronizing you. I want you to let me have it. I deserve it.”
“No,”—Ian couldn’t help but chuckle—“that’s pretty much it.” It felt good, for some reason, to have these feelings surface.
“Will you let me hold you?” Harper took a step forward.
Ian chuckled again. “Yes, you can hold me.” I feel like I’m twelve.
Harper took him into his arms. “I hate seeing you upset. I promise to do whatever I can to not let this happen again. Well, at least until the end of the week.”
“Does this mean I get a raise in my allowance?” Ian broke the embrace and traced his finger innocently up and down his partner’s chest.
“You’re going to get a raise out of me, but it won’t be your allowance.”
Ian laughed. “That works.”
Harper went for a beer. “Want one?”
“Like you’ll never know.” Accepting the cold beer, Ian sat back down.
“What’s changed is that we have some money up front to invest in our dream. We still have to recoup our investment. I want this place to make us money. And you know what? I think once you get it looking like it already does in your mind, we’ll be well on our way to making that a reality. I believe in you.”
“Man, Harper. I’m still digesting the fact you’re a millionaire.”
“I know. I pooped myself too when I found out. You know what’s funny, well, funny in a weird way?”
“Huh?”
“Had I not survived the gunshot, a small library in central Iowa would have been the happy recipient of one big-ass testamentary gift. That’s the Lollie way.” Harper raised his bottle in a toast.
“I love Lollie, but I’m so much happier things turned out differently.” Ian returned the toast. “Testamentary gift?”
“Yeah. I only know that because of a case we had a few years ago when the surviving members of a family contested their mother’s will.”
�
�Gotcha. So, what’s plan B? Were you thinking we’d tear this little apartment down and rebuild it?” This should be interesting. No doubt, Harper had a plan.
“No. I think we leave it for a while until we figure out what to do with the space. I don’t think we should alter the place much. With the exception of the money we spend on landscaping the property, I don’t want people to think there is big money behind this enterprise. But that doesn’t mean we have to live like slum dogs either.”
“That’s a good point about the money thing. Besides, this place has its own charm. I think we can build on that and make it better without having to change it much.” He looked at his sketches.
“Let’s take a walk.” Harper got up and gestured for him to follow. “Okay,” he said when they’d both stepped outside. “The left side of the property is all about the guest cabins. But the right side, the piece we were thinking of using for trails? Follow me.” Harper grabbed him by the hand and marched over to the edge of the woods. “Let’s build something nice in here. Let’s build a home we’ll be comfortable in year round. Not ostentatious, but comfortable. If we locate it back here somewhere, we’ll have privacy from our guests. We don’t know it now, but trust me, by the end of the day I’ll bet we’ll have had our fill of them. It’s hard to imagine, but all it takes is a few difficult guests to suck the fun out of life. Consider this our sanctuary. Off limits to everyone but us.”
“Wow!” Ian giggled. “I like it.” He peered up to the top of the huge trees. “It’s already fall. Is this something you think we should start next spring? We need time to plan, right?”
“Let’s go back inside.” Harper took the lead back to the apartment. Ian sat at the table.
“Don’t get mad.” Harper moved to the end of the room. “This isn’t another secret I’ve been harboring. It’s something I just stumbled on when I was trying to come up with an alternative to living here. Wait, I’ll be right back.” Harper went to the bedroom and came back with a folder. He took his chair and moved it over to Ian’s side of the table. “There’s this place up here that manufactures prefab homes. The homes are built at the plant and then moved onto the site. They come in all shapes and sizes. You can customize the interiors to however you like. Here’s one I’ve been looking at.”
Moving his designs, Ian made room for Harper to lay out his materials.
“Here, what do you think of this one? Isn’t it cool?” Harper presented two color photos: the outside of a large two-story, log cabin-style home and an interior shot showing an awesome kitchen connected to a spacious great room.
“This is a prefab house?”
“Yes, isn’t it amazing?”
Together they hunkered over the photos. He couldn’t believe it. The home was beautiful.
“I love you, Harper Callahan. You’re rich, clever, and when I get those clothes off you like I’m about to do in a second, you’re all mine. And you know why that is?”
“I’m all ears.” Harper giggled.
“Because”—Ian stood and hovered over his man—“I’m the master!”
“Oh God….”
Ian picked him up from the chair and carried him by the waist into the bedroom.
“No. Nooooo!” Harper hollered. “You’re a… scrappy little thing… you know that?” He was laughing so hard he could barely talk.
“Little? Hmmm, we’ll see about that.” Crashing them both onto the bed, Ian smothered him with kisses.
“Ian.” When they had settled down, Harper rested a finger on his lips to halt the kisses. “Make love to me.”
“I’d planned on it. I want you so badly, my boxers are coated with happy gel.” He’d been leaking since they’d hit the bed.
“Let me see.” Harper thrust his hand down the front of his pants. “My word.”
“Told ya.” Ian reclined.
“We’ve got to do something about that.” Harper kneaded his balls.
“We?”
“Sorry, I forgot you’re the master. Here, let me service you properly, Master Ian.”
Ian watched Harper undress him, beginning with his shoes and socks. Crawling back onto the bed, Harper cupped his hand behind Ian’s neck, raising him gently until their lips met for a passionate kiss.
Ian felt himself harden in anticipation. His shirt came off next. Harper tossed it over his shoulder. Naked from the waist up, he was gently pushed back onto the pillow. To his delight, a tongue traced around and over his nipples.
“Oh God, yes, bite ’em, hon. Bite my nips.” Ian arched his chest. Harper responded as requested, nibbling on each nip until he purred with pleasure.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Oh yeah, harder, harder!”
Harper bit down, holding each tender nipple between his teeth until Ian begged for release, pounding the bed with his fists. Harper finally relented, gliding his tongue down Ian’s stomach, making lazy circles around his navel.
“You’re driving me crazy. I’m going to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before, Mr. Callahan.”
Unbuttoning his jeans, his handsome partner knelt on the edge of the bed and pulled them off in one fluid move, exposing his wet, stained boxers.
Making a move for his own crotch, his hand was slapped away and replaced by Harper’s mouth. “That wasn’t niceeee… oh yeah… oh yeah… that’s it.” His trapped cock was being sucked through the thin cotton fabric. He throbbed where teeth held him captive. “I’m so….” Before he could finish his sentence, his boxers were whisked off and his cock shoved deep down his lover’s warm throat.
“Fuckin’ yes! Yes! Yes!”
He could hear himself pant. He could feel his prick pulsate, begging for attention. Seconds later, Harper backed him out of his throat until the head of his dick was squeezed tight by lip-covered teeth. Lifting himself off the pillow, his eyes locked with his devilish sex slave. “Please don’t bite it off.”
Harper’s tongue circled his cockhead. Turning dry, the tongue scraped over and over his scar. He squirmed, attempting to manage the powerful sensations rocketing through his body. “Please take me deep. Take me deep, I can’t stand it any longer. You’re driving me crazy.”
He gasped when he was suddenly throated to the root. Placing a warm palm on his hard stomach, Harper bobbed up and down on his rock-hard shaft until it was sloppy wet.
“Babe, I’m so hot for you.” Knowing he wouldn’t last much longer, he reached for his lover and gently pulled him off. “You’re amazing.”
“I love pleasuring you.” Harper crawled on top of him for a kiss.
“It’s my turn.” Ian scooted up from under and stood by the edge of the bed. “You want my Tina Turner?”
“Not sure, but probably.” Harper’s laugh was spiced with innocence.
“The Tina Turner starts out nice and easy, and then we finish it rough.”
“Oh, Daddy, bring it on.”
Ian wasted no time removing Harper’s clothes. He was dripping with anticipation, and despite the wonderful foreplay he’d just been treated to, servicing his partner in the same loving, leisurely way just wasn’t going to happen. I need to fuck you and I need to fuck you now!
“Ian, I can’t wait any longer. Fuck me.”
Thank you, penis god!
“I can’t wait to feel you deep inside.”
Ian grabbed Harper by the feet and dragged him down until his ass was on the edge of the bed. Placing his feet up on his shoulders, Ian took Harper’s dick in his hand while painting his partner’s tender ring in preparation for the biggest fucking hard-on I’ve sported in my entire fucking life!
Unable to hold back another second, Ian leaned forward and planted his dripping cock at the center of the target. “Don’t worry. I’m still in gentle Tina mode.” Leaning into his handsome partner, he broke the seal, stopping after the engorged head of his dick had disappeared. “How’re you doin’?” He looked down and smiled.
Harper gripped Ian’s powerful arms until his body relaxed. After a few steady
breaths, he smiled back. “I’m ready for more.”
Locking eyes, Ian pushed again, sliding deeper until he could go no further. “I’m going to make this one memorable.” He leaned forward until their lips met. His cock throbbed, nagging him to pick up the pace.
“You’re the greatest thing that will ever happen to me.” Harper stroked his chest.
Their tongues melded and twisted until passion won over and the kiss intensified. Ian pumped with deliberate thrusts, almost completely removing his dick and then shoving it all the way back in. The expression on Harper’s face told him everything he needed to know. He could tell when his plump head with its flared scar scraped across his sensitive gland, sending waves of ecstasy raging through his lover. He rocked his body from side to side, continuing to monitor its effect.
He pumped harder, faster. Harper pounded and slapped his arms in response. “I’m so hot for you, baby.” Ian threw back his head, savoring the sensations from the friction on his swollen cockhead as it moved up and down Harper’s warm, tight chute. As the pace increased, juices flowed freely, and he began to glide effortlessly in and out.
“Harder, Ian. I’m ready for rough Tina.”
“Wrap your legs around my waist, babe.” Without completely pulling out, Ian waited until Harper had them linked snugly. Placing his hands under his partner’s back, he lifted him off the bed.