The Male Room

by Carolyn LeVine Topol

  As Jeff signed the first short document, establishing the name for their business, he felt Craig come up behind him. Craig’s hands kneaded Jeff’s shoulders as he leaned down and whispered loud enough for Sam to hear, “I hope you know what you’re getting us into. My fingers are already callused from working day and night at that damn keyboard. Are you sure you’re willing to be fully dedicated to making this business of ours work?”

  Squeezing the pen in his hand, Jeff placed it carefully on the stack of remaining paperwork. Turning slightly in his seat to make eye contact with Craig, Jeff noted his best friend’s furrowed brow. Reaching up, Jeff gently brushed his hand over Craig’s cheek and let it rest there for a moment. Craig leaned into the touch, then blinked as he quickly stood up tall, taking a step backward.

  “We’re ready for this, Craig. I’m ready. We’ll be partners.” Jeff quickly glanced from Craig to Sam who was sitting back in his chair with his hands clasped on his desk and a strange, almost smug look on his face. “Business partners. We’ll be great business partners.”

  Craig nodded and returned to the seat he’d abandoned much earlier to pace. “Okay, let’s get this Mount Everest of paperwork signed so we can start making some money.” He picked up the second pen Sam had left on the desk in front of the empty chair and took the form Jeff had already signed, scanned the sheet, and signed on the indicated line at the bottom.

  Relieved to be back on track, leaving Craig’s panic attack behind, Jeff took the next form and began to read carefully, initialing at the bottom and then handing it to Craig.

  Both men had questions for Sam as the process continued, none of which were deal-breakers. The stack shrank rapidly, and Jeff was surprised to see the final paper signed and notarized within two hours.

  “That’s it, boys. You’re incorporated. Now go help the homos of this country find their perfect mates.”

  Craig chuckled. “Care to be our first client?”

  “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it.” Sam came around and leaned against the edge of his desk close to Jeff and Craig’s chairs. “There’s a lot to be said for having to answer to no one and going out whenever I want.” He paused, grinning. “And getting whomever I want, but there’s also the thought of removing the sense of loneliness and having someone care whether I come home at all. Give me a few days; I may just earn my pay in trade for services from The Male Room.”

  “I can’t believe I agreed to that cheesy name.”

  Jeff smiled from ear to ear. “You know it’s catchy.”

  “But what if we want to attract lesbians? The name surely won’t fit the bill.”

  “Ahhh, but it’s all in the marketing. Besides, we’re a new business. Let’s start small, with just the men. We can move on from there.”

  Sam added, “You can always change or slightly augment the name in the future to reflect a broader diversity of clients.”

  Craig stood again, this time he was evidently more relaxed than the first time he’d launched out of the chair to do laps across the office. Shaking Sam’s hand, he had a genuinely pleased look on his face, no longer flushed or agitated. “Thank you. Knowing how you felt about Jeff, and the fact that he, well, turned you down for a repeat, I wasn’t sure how this would go.”

  “First of all, Craig, my ego isn’t that easily deflated. Jeff and I had our fun, but this is business. I never mix business and pleasure if I can help it.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I’m disappointed not to get another night with you.” Sam looked directly at Jeff. “But from what I’ve gathered during our meetings over this past week, you are definitely a one-man’s man, not really the tricking type.”

  “You noticed that?”

  Sam patted Jeff’s back. “It’s kind of hard to miss from my angle.”

  Jeff snorted. “I wish some others shared your angle.”

  “I just bet you do.”

  Craig picked up the bound packet of documents that represented The Male Room’s copies of all the signed documents. “What are you two going on about? Let’s go start this thing and get people signed up. I’m just about finished with the new program.”

  Jeff shook his head and sighed. After Craig walked out of the office, Jeff gave Sam a warm hug. “Thank you so much for all your help.”

  “I wish I could help you in another department, but that’s all up to you now. I’m just an innocent bystander.”

  “He just doesn’t see me that way.”

  “Wanna bet?”

  “Huh?”

  “Go home and get to work, Jeff. And pay attention. The signs are all there, just not always at the right time or in the right place.”

  “HE DID it! That goddamn geek on the other side of the planet did it! We’re up and running and it works.” Craig leapt out of his seat, keeping his eyes on the computer screen as he threw up his arms as if his team had just scored a touchdown.

  “He’s not a geek, and he doesn’t live on the other side of the planet. He’s in California.” Jeff took Craig’s seat in front of the computer. “So the server is up and running; I guess this means we’re in business.”

  “How can you be so calm? I’ve spent the better part of the past two weeks glued to that chair. If I went to the eye doctor right now, he’d probably say I need glasses. So it’s just as well I’m not going. I have no intention of wearing glasses. You know what they say—‘men don’t make passes at men who wear glasses’.”

  Jeff shook his head. “Sometimes you can be so vain.”

  “So sue me. I want to look hot, not wise, when I head out to the Music Box.”

  “Speaking of which, you haven’t been there more than once in the past couple of weeks. Having some trouble?” Jeff snickered.

  Craig glared at Jeff. “You’ve had me working day and night to finish this fucking profile program so we can start rounding up clients. I’ve barely had enough time to jerk off, let alone go out and get some relief.”

  “Well, you didn’t seem to be complaining. And remember, I was here working on the accounting forms, most definitely not my favorite task. They are so boring.”

  “Boring maybe, but still necessary. You were in the office when Sam gave us all the start-up advice anyone could ask for, and then some.”

  Jeff stood up, facing his best friend, and rested his arms on his shoulders. “We really are doing this? Our business, The Male Room, is really going to happen.” Jeff bit his lower lip as he gazed into Craig’s eyes. They were so close he could smell the hazelnut flavor from the coffee Craig had finished just a few minutes earlier.

  “Uhm, yeah. It’s ready. Are we… ready?” Craig’s voice hitched.

  Looking into Craig’s eyes, Jeff hoped he wasn’t the only one feeling the heat between the two. He was on fire and didn’t care that it must be obvious by just glancing downward at his tenting sweatpants. “I’m ready, what about you?”

  Before either one could say another word, Craig wrapped his arms around Jeff and crashed their lips together. The kiss was fierce, wet, messy, and it went on and on. Jeff tangled his fingers in Craig’s blond locks, unwilling to break the connection, feeling relief and joy all at once.

  Opening his mouth, Jeff’s invitation was accepted as he felt Craig’s tongue enter, exploring every part he could reach. Both men were moaning into the kiss. Jeff never wanted to let go. He’d wanted this for so long, his true desire so close to being fulfilled.

  Almost as suddenly as it started Craig backed away, holding his arms out to the side and then dropping them. “Oh God. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.” He looked from side to side as if he was avoiding capture by the police.

  Before Jeff could stop him, Craig started to move toward the apartment door. “Craig, wait.”

  “I’ll be back soon. I just need some fresh air. It’s all the excitement from finishing this hellish program.” He shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to push myself on you. Fuck!”

  As Craig ran out the door, Jeff took a deep breath and called after
him. “I’m not sorry. Craig, I wanted this too. We both want this. Don’t run from me. Don’t go.” By the time he uttered the last two words, Craig was gone, jacket in hand, probably heading to the Music Box.

  Jeff stared blankly out the window into the darkness. They had been working continuously; day and night had melded into one. Now the night would separate them, rather than bringing them together as he’d hoped. Jeff wanted to celebrate their milestone. Hell, he wanted to celebrate how he felt about Craig. It was becoming more and more obvious that his feelings weren’t as unrequited as he’d thought. It was too bad Craig couldn’t give in to their attraction to one another.

  Running his fingers over his lips, Jeff closed his eyes trying to relive the feel of Craig’s onslaught. It was intense, intimate, and hot. That one moment couldn’t be it, and he wouldn’t let Craig get away with pulling back. He stared at the door, his desire building as he thought of soft, full lips on his. It couldn’t stop there. Craig had to feel it too. “I love you, you idiot, and this time I won’t settle for less.” Jeff continued speaking aloud, wishing Craig, wherever he was, would feel his words, his needs. “And I’m pretty sure you love me, too, if you weren’t being such a bullheaded moron, so come back to me. It’s about fucking time!”

  A knock on the door brought a smile to Jeff’s face. Craig must have forgotten his key. He’d come back. Nothing else mattered. With a skip in his step, Jeff quickly headed to the door and swung it open. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

  “Surprise. I thought you’d be glad to see me again. I decided to give you another chance.”

  Backing away from the strong smell of alcohol, Jeff drew in a sharp breath. “Derek.”

  Chapter 7

  “THIS is so unexpected.” Jeff tried to keep his voice steady. Most of their fights had been triggered by the large man having had too much to drink. Derek was a very mean drunk. “I thought you didn’t want to see me again.”

  “I decided to take you back. Besides, you must be cramping your buddy’s style. Is the little trickster home, or did he go out to get laid?”

  Jeff looked right and left, wishing his best friend was indeed at home. Craig wouldn’t be afraid to stand up to his ex-boyfriend, and in Derek’s inebriated state he could get rid of him without even breaking into a sweat.

  “Well, where is the best friend of the century? Is he here? Maybe I could give him a few lessons in how you really need to be taken care of.”

  Biting his lip to keep it from quivering, Jeff still gripped the apartment doorknob, hoping Derek would turn around and leave. “No one’s here but me. I was just doing some work.”

  “Work! You don’t work. You’re the little housewife. You weren’t so bad at it either.”

  “I did have a job when we were together.” Jeff didn’t want to aggravate Derek, but he had no intention of letting the belittling remark go unanswered.

  “You call crunching numbers for some local deli working? You wouldn’t know a real job if it bit you in the ass.” Derek stalked past Jeff, brushing him out of the way, and shoving the door closed behind him. “Hey, Craig, where’re you?” Derek called out, slurring the last couple of words together. “You taking care of my boy? He needs someone to make sure he toes the line so he earns his keep.”

  “I told you, Craig’s not here. I’m working and I wish you’d go.” Jeff tried another tactic. “You know how distracted I can get. It’s important that I concentrate when I’m doing my job.”

  “No need for that. I’ve come to take you back.”

  Jeff turned away and risked rolling his eyes. This was the last thing he needed or wanted. Derek drunk was bad enough, but a drunken Derek thinking Jeff would run back to him… again, was too much to deal with.

  “You know you miss me. I’m sure of it.” Derek grabbed Jeff’s arm and spun him around so they were facing each other. “I sure as shit missed having you around. The bed hasn’t been as warm without you.”

  “Uhm, well, that’s a tempting offer, but you were right. We really don’t belong together.”

  Derek’s hand started to constrict around Jeff’s lower arm. “Is that any way for you to act? Here I am, making the grand gesture of letting you back into my life, and you’re actually turning me down! Who the fuck do you think you are?”

  Until that moment, Jeff had thought he could deal with Derek. He’d hoped he would be able to calm the hulking man down, convince him to leave. Now, it became clear that would be out of the question. Jeff could feel his heart beating faster as panic began to set in. “Why don’t we talk about this in the morning, after you’ve had a night to sleep on it?”

  “You think I’m gonna change my mind.” Derek’s laugh had an angry, threatening tone that made Jeff take a step back as he pried the gripping fingers from his arm. They left a red mark in their wake.

  “I just don’t think this is the time to talk about getting back together. You seem a little—”

  “I’m not drunk!” Derek yelled, cutting off Jeff’s words. “In total control here, and I plan to stay in control.” There was a sinister edge to Derek’s tone of voice.

  Jeff held up his hands in surrender, trying to think of a new way to put Derek off. Where the hell was Craig? Think, Jeff, think. “Let’s talk. Would you like some tea or coffee? I can make some.”

  Derek huffed. “If I wanted something to drink I would have gone to a fucking coffee shop. You know why I’m here. I always get what I want. Isn’t that one of the things you love about me?” If his voice hadn’t been dripping with sarcasm and rage, those would have been words Jeff appreciated at one time. Now he understood just how unhealthy their relationship had been. Craig had always disliked Derek. Why hadn’t he been able to see what his best friend saw so clearly? Because he was in love with being in love.

  Craig. Everything came back to Craig. Jeff had spent years chasing love in the hope someone would come into his life that would help him forget the man he truly wanted. It was obvious that wasn’t going to happen. Now, without Craig near, Jeff was scared.

  Derek fisted Jeff’s shirt, tugging him close. He smashed his lips against Jeff’s.

  “Derek, not now. Not like this.” Jeff tried to pull away. The overpowering smell of alcohol was making him nauseous. Everything about the entire situation was making him nauseous.

  “You belong to me, and I plan to take you back.” Derek wrapped his bulky, sweaty arms around Jeff. “Waiting isn’t part of the program. We both know you want it as much as I do.”

  Rolling his lips inward, Jeff nodded, hoping to appease his angry former lover. “Of course I want this, too, but not here, not now. You know how much I like romance.”

  “Well this is another side of romance, sweet pea. It’s caveman romance, and this is what I like.”

  Jeff laughed nervously, hoping to distract Derek. “That’s so silly. I much prefer slow and sensual. You know that.”

  “I know you don’t tell me what to do.”

  Derek was sobering up, and Jeff was shocked to see it only seemed to make him more intense, more determined, rather than calm him down. “Derek, please. If we do it like this it won’t be good for either of us.”

  “How do you know what the fuck is good for me? All you ever thought about was your best buddy.” Derek’s chest was heaving. “It’s my turn to get what I want since I never got it when you lived with me.”

  “I thought we were happy.”

  Snorting, Derek tangled his fingers in Jeff’s hair, pulling hard.

  “You’re hurting me.” Jeff couldn’t see clearly, tears of pain blurring his vision.

  “Are you scared?” Derek wore a lopsided grin. “It looks hot on you.” Still gripping Jeff’s hair, holding him in place, Derek nipped hard at the pale neck.

  “Ow! Don’t.” Jeff’s eyes widened as his fear escalated. Derek was out of control, and nothing Jeff said or did seemed to get him to see the reality of what he was doing.

  “That’s just a little love bite souvenir. I wouldn’t want y
ou to forget what might be our last night together.”

  “Please, Derek. Please.” Jeff knew he was begging, but he didn’t care about pride or self-esteem. He wanted Derek to leave before he… raped him. Closing his eyes, Jeff offered up a silent prayer, hoping something, or someone, would change the course of the next few minutes.

  “Please. I love hearing you beg. It’s damn hot!” Derek released Jeff’s hair but then took hold of his shirt, busting it apart. “Come on, let’s hear you plead for mercy in an empty apartment. It’s just you and me, baby. You can enjoy the ride or not, but I sure as shit plan to have a good one.”

  “Derek,” Jeff whispered. “Don’t do this. You’ll regret it.” Jeff tried to push the man he’d once thought he loved away, but Derek grabbed his wrists.

  “You try that again and I’ll break these pretty little bones. It’s my turn to get what I’m owed after putting up with you for so long.”

  Shoving Jeff on the floor, face down, Derek unzipped his pants and then quickly yanked his victim’s sweatpants off in one swift motion. Jeff understood that, yes, he was about to become another statistic, another victim. Helpless and unable to throw off Derek’s hold, Jeff closed his eyes as a tear escaped and fell to the floor; hoping that whatever happened next would soon be over. He swallowed a cry, determined not to let it out, unwilling to give up everything, to give away to Derek how terrified he was.

  CRAIG stomped into the Music Box. Running his hand through his hair, he scanned the crowd. He was more keyed up than usual, and the need to release some unwanted energy was all Craig cared about.

  There had to be a willing ass waiting to be pounded. He could feel his half-hard cock twitching at the thought. Craig couldn’t believe his body’s reaction to Jeff. They’d kissed. They’d kissed before, but it never had an effect like the kisses they just shared. Not to the point that he wanted Jeff more than he wanted to breathe.

  He couldn’t do that to Jeff. It would be some kind of betrayal of their friendship. Craig would be taking advantage, and it certainly wasn’t worth ruining all the years they had been buddies for one fuck.