Those lips. Those big, luscious, red lips. They were as eager as Craig’s. Had Jeff really kissed him back as aggressively as he’d gone after his best friend? It couldn’t be. Friends didn’t feel that way about each other. It had to be the excitement of the moment. Their business was truly ready to go. That had to be it, hadn’t it?
Trying to shake thoughts of Jeff from his mind, Craig started when someone whispered, “Hi,” in his ear.
“Not interested.” Craig responded automatically, despite knowing the only reason he came to the Music Box was to get a fast, hot fuck.
“Glad you’re not interested. I’m not particularly interested in you that way either.”
Craig turned around, the edges of his mouth turned upward. “Sam. Fancy meeting you here.”
Sam snickered. “Fancy that indeed. So why are you here? I thought you and Jeff were getting ready to launch The Male Room.”
“We are. We were.” Craig combed his fingers through his hair again.
“So what are you doing here?”
“I just… we… he and I….” Craig gave up and lowered his head.
“Holy hell, it finally hit you.” Sam winked.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the light bulb shining brightly over your thick skull. It appears you finally turned it on.”
“I have no idea—”
“Stop the bullshit!”
Craig’s eyes widened.
“I can say that to you here. We’re not in my office.” Sam placed a hand gently on Craig’s shoulder and squeezed. “Please tell me you’ve seen the light.”
“You’re talking about me and….” Craig’s voiced trailed off.
“Yes, you asshole. You and Jeff. I’ve never seen two guys who were meant for each other more than you two. I bet if you each filled out one of your applications, you’d come up with a one hundred percent match.” Sam looked directly at Craig. “So, why are you here?”
“Because I kissed him, really kissed him.”
“And?”
“And he kissed back, enthusiastically.”
Sam snickered. “I’m pretty smart, but even I can’t figure out what you’re doing here, rather than having an incredible night with someone who’s obviously in love with you.”
“Shit!”
Remaining silent, Sam continued to hold Craig’s attention.
“I should go back there. Damn, am I that fucking blind?”
“Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s right in front of us.”
“Thanks, Sam. I’ll talk to you in a few days.” Craig turned to head home as fast as he could.
“Have a good time.”
Craig tossed back over his shoulder. “You know, I think I will. In fact, I’m sure of it.”
Ghosting his fingertips over his lips, Craig could still feel Jeff’s lips against his. It was right with Jeff. Right like it had never been before. What a fucking idiot he’d been! He wondered how fast he could jog home. He was about to find out.
Chapter 8
“THAT’S right, baby, you know you want this. I know you missed this as much as I did.”
Craig entered his apartment, shocked to hear Derek’s voice. Shit! The jerk was back in Jeff’s life, exactly as Craig had predicted. What an idiot he’d been, thinking Jeff wanted him, loved him. Obviously Sam had gotten it all wrong.
“Two fingers can’t be enough for you, beg for more. You know you want it. Here’s another. I’m gonna fill you until my dick can slide right in—no need for lube.”
“Ahhh.” Jeff’s cry filled the apartment.
Grimacing, Craig started to back away, hoping to go unnoticed and leave before he interrupted Jeff and Derek’s reunion. Then he heard Jeff’s voice.
“Please, Derek, don’t.”
It wasn’t the voice of lust or passion. Certainly not the voice of the love Jeff had spoken of only a few weeks ago. It was a whimper, the sound of fear.
Craig changed his plan and inched forward. His eyes narrowed and he felt his stomach churn, bile rising within. It was all he could do to keep from retching. Jeff lay plastered to the floor, Derek’s fingers ramming mercilessly in and out of his friend while the other hand was pressing down hard enough against Jeff’s back that it was red.
Grabbing the back of Derek’s shirt, Craig hoped the element of surprise would be on his side. Pulling him off Jeff, he shoved Derek, face-first, against the nearest wall, a nearby lamp crashing to the floor.
“You fucking bastard.” Craig slammed the stunned man’s forehead against the clean, white surface, then spun him around so they were facing one another. Consumed by what must have been pure adrenaline, Craig balled his fingers into a tight fist and sent a right cross crashing into Derek’s nose. Although he couldn’t be positive, from Derek’s agonized yell, Craig was pretty sure he’d done serious damage.
Without thinking, Craig planted his hands around Derek’s throat, applying pressure slowly and steadily until the man’s eyes were round with terror. “If you ever come near him again, I’ll kill you.” Pressing in further with his thumbs, Craig was prepared to continue but something inside sent a message to stop before he went too far. “Do you understand me, you worthless piece of flesh?”
Loosening his grip around the bastard’s neck enough so he could speak, Craig heard the words he wanted to hear. Derek choked out, “I won’t come near him, I swear. Never again.”
“If you do ever come near him, me, or anyone we know, be prepared to suffer the consequences. I won’t hold back next time. Now get out of my home and be sure to remember how fucking pissed off I am, because all this—I haven’t even peaked!”
With a dramatic wave of his arms, Craig released his hands from their choke-hold around Derek’s neck. The hulking brute put one hand over his nose and the other against his throat as he ran for the door, leaving it open behind him.
Following, to make sure he had, in fact, left the hallway, Craig closed the apartment door with a loud, resonating bang, securing the chain and deadbolt locks.
Jeff. He needed to get to Jeff.
Running the few yards back to the living room he found Jeff still lying in the same position he’d been in when Craig first saw him and Derek. Slowly and gently, Craig pulled Jeff’s sweatpants up as high as he could without having to ask his friend to move.
Stretching out on the floor next to Jeff, Craig tenderly guided the frozen, terrorized man into his arms, holding him against his chest. Then it started. At first Craig detected a shudder, soon Jeff’s hands clutched at Craig’s T-shirt as his body began to shake, tears streaming from his eyes onto Craig’s shoulder.
Unable to form any words, Craig held Jeff as tightly as he could, letting his dear friend get past the first release of panic.
Stroking his hair, Craig whispered, “It’s okay. I’m here. He’s never coming back.” Jeff still remained silent, other than the hitching in his breath as he recovered from the wracking sobs.
“Please tell me you’re okay.” Craig rested his cheek against Jeff’s head as he continued to rub circles over his back, holding the frightened man as closely as possible. “Please, Jeff, talk to me. I’m so sorry I left you. I should have stayed.” Craig took a deep breath. “Oh God. Jeff, tell me I wasn’t too late.”
A weak voice finally murmured, “You were just in time.”
“Thank God.” Craig rocked Jeff in his arms as his body began to relax. Tenderly pressing his lips to the top of Jeff’s head, Craig gently moved Jeff into a position where he could help him pull his pants up the remainder of the way.
“Is he gone?”
“For good. He’ll never come anywhere near you again unless he has a death wish.”
Jeff huffed. That was a good sign.
“Let me help you get to your bed so you can rest.”
“No!”
Both men were sitting, with Craig’s arms still supporting Jeff. “We can’t just stay here on the floor.”
“I don’t want
to be alone.”
Even though Jeff wasn’t looking at him, Craig nodded his understanding. “Then I’ll walk you to my room. I won’t leave you.”
Hearing no objection from Jeff, who remained eerily silent, Craig helped his friend to stand, walking him to his own bedroom where he settled Jeff on his bed.
“Can I get you something? A glass of water, a cup of tea, anything?”
Shaking his head, Jeff stared fixedly ahead, focusing his gaze on a bedroom wall.
“Then I’ll just climb in here next to you. I told you I wouldn’t leave you and I won’t. Not until you’re ready.”
Taking his place on the bed at Jeff’s side, Craig pulled the top sheet and blanket over them. With a gentle nudge, he guided Jeff until he was leaning against Craig’s chest. His arms, once again wrapped around Jeff, Craig ran his fingers up and down Jeff’s arm.
Not sure if it would help or hurt, Craig knew he had to be honest. This wasn’t the time to shy away from everything he was feeling for Jeff. “I shouldn’t have run out on you. I was afraid of what I felt, what was happening between us. This wasn’t supposed to happen. You and I are buddies, but since you’ve been living here… hell, if I’m honest, for years I’ve wanted more. But not just sex. With you it would be something completely different, so much more. I didn’t want to risk having you run from me because I couldn’t keep my pants zipped when you were around. Instead, I left you alone and that asshole came. I’m so sorry.”
Nothing. Jeff rested his head again Craig’s chest, over his heart, but said nothing.
“Sam said you feel something for me too. I’m paraphrasing, but he basically told me I was a blind jerk, and you’d been in love with me for a while. I came home to find out for myself. With all the boyfriends you’ve had, it never dawned on me that you were just biding time, waiting for me to grow up and get a clue.”
Jeff’s gripped the hem of Craig’s shirt. “Sam’s right.”
“Fuck. Am I really that blind?”
“Yes.” It was just a whisper, but Jeff’s answer resonated loud and clear.
For the first time that evening Craig allowed himself to smile. “Can you look at me? I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Jeff slowly lifted his chin, his eyes still bloodshot and moist. “I’m okay. You got here in time. I prayed you would. Somewhere deep down, I knew you would.”
Overwhelmed by Jeff’s faith in him, Craig bravely asked, “Do you?” Craig bit his lip. “Do you really feel something more for me than friendship?”
“I love you.” Jeff’s voice was still flat, but Craig could hear the truth in his words. “I’ve been in love with you for years. Probably since our track team days.”
There it was. Courageously laid out in the open. Craig had been a fool, but maybe he had needed time to grow up, to become a man before he could own up to his own feelings too. “If what I’m feeling isn’t love, then I don’t know what to call it, because it’s pretty damn powerful.” He stroked Jeff’s sweat-matted hair, unable to stop touching him, needing to assure himself he was all right. “I want you in my life, Jeff. I want to take care of you, keep you safe, and—”
The edges of his lips curling upward, Jeff’s eyes widened. “And what, Craig?”
Taking a deep breath, Craig tenderly brushed his lips against Jeff’s. “And I want to make love to you. I know it sounds insane coming from me, but it wouldn’t be just sex with you, with us.”
“I want that too. But not tonight. Not after he was here.”
Understanding, Craig took Jeff’s hand in his own. “I need a shower. I feel pretty disgusting. You can join me.”
Jeff narrowed his eyes but grinned as well.
“No funny stuff. Let’s send all the filth down the drain, together.”
Nodding, Jeff sat up, and the two made their way to a G-rated shower.
After they each toweled off separately, Jeff found his voice again. “He knocked over all the accounting and bookkeeping I was working on finalizing for our business.”
“I guess we’ll just have to put our partnership to work tomorrow to fix everything.”
Both men knew Craig wasn’t only referring to the Excel files for The Male Room.
Chapter 9
WAKING up, Craig felt a warm weight on his chest. He began to gently run his fingers through Jeff’s hair, hoping not to wake him, but needing to know he was there and he was all right. Craig relished the contact, the closeness, in a way he never had before.
Looking down at Jeff, he was mesmerized by those beautiful, red lips. He shuddered thinking of how Derek had nearly—No! He wasn’t going there, not now, not when he had Jeff safely tucked in his embrace. Craig didn’t care if he didn’t move the entire day, despite knowing at some point they’d both have to face each other, and it would be time for them to talk, really talk. He’d spent way too long avoiding the truth and Jeff deserved it. He deserved it all.
Curling in closer, Jeff inched a leg over Craig’s. Oh God. Craig took a deep breath. The touch was too much, and yet not enough. His body reacted immediately, betraying Craig’s intention to hold back and let Jeff take the lead at his own pace. Closing his eyes, Craig laid his head back on the pillow and breathed slowly, actions proving to be a vain attempt to regain composure. Giving in to his unstoppable desire, Craig kept one arm wrapped around Jeff and let the other hand make its way toward his lengthening cock.
Shit! He had no self-control. The more Jeff moved in his sleep, the more Craig wanted him. His need became overwhelming. Craig began to stroke himself through his briefs. This wasn’t his typical reaction to any random hottie; this was all about Jeff, his Jeff. The man he hadn’t known he needed, wanted, until it was almost too late.
Sensing Jeff beginning to wake, Craig tried to halt his hand, but he couldn’t bring himself to completely cease touching himself. Looking up into Craig’s eyes, Jeff blinked. Startled, he tried to jerk away, but Craig kept a supportive arm around him. “You’re with me. You’re safe.”
“Craig?”
“Yes?” Craig stilled his hand, but the evidence of his desire couldn’t be missed.
“Did you?”
Not following Jeff’s line of questioning, Craig made a random stab at an answer. “He’s gone. I got rid of him. Derek’s out of your life, our lives, for good. I promise.”
Shaking his head against Craig’s chest, Jeff licked his dry lips, deepening their fiery color. “Did you tell me you—?” Jeff stopped speaking and tried to turn away, but Craig was determined. The time for hiding his feelings was over. He wasn’t going to keep making the same mistake over and over.
“Stay. Please stay.” Taking another deep breath, Craig knew he had to step up and be honest in the light of day. “Yes. I said all those things and I meant them.” He wanted to be careful with Jeff, but Craig sensed an urgency that demanded he show him how he felt. Words were empty after the near disaster from the previous night.
Rolling Jeff onto his back, Craig slowly followed, aligned his body with that of the man he had never, for all those wasted years, been able to acknowledge his love for, and now couldn’t imagine ever releasing from his embrace. He hoped he wasn’t going to screw this up.
Eyes wide, Jeff tentatively ran his hands down Craig’s arms. Shivering from the touch, he felt the tingle go right to his dick. “Jeff. I won’t hurt you.” Somehow, it seemed more important to say that than anything else at the moment.
Feeling the effect of Jeff’s matching need beneath him, Craig began to slowly rock. The friction between them was almost too much.
Pressing his head into the pillow, Jeff closed his eyes and bit his lip. “Craig.”
Was it pleading? Was it pleasure? “Jeff, are you okay?” Unable to stop moving, despite his concern, Craig needed a confirmation from him. Jeff had to be completely willing. Craig wanted more. He wanted all of Jeff, but he began to wonder if it was too soon. If he were completely honest with himself, Craig was scared of Jeff turning him away or making him wait.
Seeing a smile inch its way onto Jeff’s face, Craig leaned down, brushing their lips together.
Feeling Jeff’s fingers dig into his shoulder blades, Craig braved more. Pressing his tongue inside, he needed to explore and know everything, he needed to be a part of Jeff. Their entire bodies were working as one as their kisses grew more heated and the rhythm of their movements quickened. Craig felt, more than heard, Jeff moan into the kisses, and it encouraged him to continue.
Peppering kisses over Jeff’s closed lids and flushed cheeks, Craig bowed his head into the crook of his neck. “I’m not going to last. Almost there.”
Craig continued to increase the pace, the bed creaking. Jeff followed his lead, holding him tight.
“Ahhh!” Without another word, Craig began to spill, still inside the tight confines of his briefs, soaking them.
Jeff suddenly arched his back, fingernails digging into Craig’s arms. Marks would be left in their wake. It was bliss watching Jeff follow him over the edge. Not wanting to separate and end their moment, Craig kissed along Jeff’s neck, working his way back to his lips. He couldn’t stop, couldn’t resist. He’d been an idiot, waiting so long to experience this incredible passion, like nothing he’d felt before. And they hadn’t even fucked.
Knowing he had to move so they could clean up, Craig began to roll off Jeff. That’s when he spotted it—a tear escaping the corner of one of Jeff’s still-closed eyes. “Damn. Did I hurt you? Oh God! I’m so sorry.”
His eyes still tightly shut, Jeff shook his head. “No.”
“No? Then why?” He was such an insensitive jerk. Of course Jeff wasn’t ready, and all Craig could do was think with his cock. That’s what he was, a great big stupid prick!
The Male Room Page 5