by Jet Mykles
Back to NY?
Chicago. That’s home these days. Got a house, even. Well, a town house, but it was the same difference.
Nice.
Probably. Haven’t seen it much. Got it right b4 left for tour. Noble yawned. It was just after six in the morning. They were due to arrive shortly after eight.
Will you get time at home after tour?
Some. We get a few months before we start the US dates.
Some life.
Rock on.
They texted a little more about nothing in particular until Noble heard Danny stir. It was almost seven.
Gotta go. Breakfast soon.
Enjoy.
Later.
He always felt he should add more after that, but couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t sappy. They were just friends who’d fucked, nothing more than he’d been with any number of other men. Why did he tend to want to think of this one as special? Maybe he should wean himself off Foxy for a while?
But later that day, when he got a picture of a tiny lizard Foxy found in his new backyard, Noble couldn’t help but laugh out loud and text his reaction. Fuck weaning. It wasn’t necessary. They were just friends.
Chapter Six
The end of the overseas tour was surprisingly anticlimactic. Maybe it was because there was so little going on in the near future. Both Heaven Sent and the Indigo Knights were off for a few months to recover and rejoice in a successful tour. Rabin and Danny were very glad to be back in Chicago, because they had boyfriends to spend time with. Lance and Gordon dived into doing stuff for their new house, planning to enjoy their first quality time together as a couple. Noble? He had a new town house he hadn’t gotten a chance to fix up before they’d left for the tour. He had some vague plans to get some new furniture, get a room or two painted. But nothing special. He threw a party for himself the night after he got home, inviting a handful of friends who were local. There was much drinking, much sex, and two of the guys stayed through the next day. But after they’d gone home, Noble was reluctant to call anyone else over. He went out a few times over the next week, but his bandmates would have died of shock to know that he’d gone home each night alone. So he didn’t tell them.
A week into the first month off, he sat in his living room, staring at his cell phone. Outside, the July sun heated the muggy air, but inside, the air conditioner was working fine. The television was on, surround sound all around him. A new laptop sat open beside him on the new couch, and a tablet was perched on his lap, displaying an array of bookcases he was determined to select from.
He was bored out of his mind.
He should call some friends. That was his plan when he’d picked up the phone, but he stalled in deciding whom to call. Lance and Gordon were busy with their own life. He’d just seen Rabin and Danny and their significant others in the last few days. He didn’t want to see anyone in a relationship anyway. Anyone else—anyone single—he invited would want to stay the night, even if he invited a group, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to deal with people that long. Strange feeling. He was bored and lonely, but he didn’t want to spend time with anyone. Odd. And not quite true. There was one person he wanted to spend time with. But he didn’t want to call that person. He didn’t know where that person was, to be honest. They’d texted since he got back home but had yet to have a conversation. That was good. He wasn’t going to appear needy. Because he didn’t need. He just wanted.
An hour later, he hadn’t made any progress and was thinking maybe he should just go out, when his phone rang. Caller ID identified Foxy. A ridiculous thrill rushed through him, enough that he had to consciously calm himself before opening the call. “Hey.”
“Hey. What’re you up to?”
“Nothing much.”
“Good. Can I see you?”
Noble’s heart stopped. He stared at the carpet between his bare feet. “Where are you?”
“O’Hare.”
Suddenly Noble was on his feet. “What the hell are you doing at the airport?”
“Coming to see you?”
His heart raced. “What?”
“I came to see you.”
“What the fuck?”
“If you don’t want to see me, I understand.” Foxy sounded uncertain. “I just thought—”
“Are you even allowed to see me?”
“Huh?”
“I thought we were secret? I mean, I’m assuming you’re coming for sex, right?” Okay, that was blunt, but sometimes you just had to go there.
“Well…yeah, it’s secret.”
“And the sex?”
“That too. I mean, that’s if…”
“Are you crazy?”
Foxy laughed softly. “Probably. If you don’t want me to come—”
“Don’t be stupid.” Noble snatched up the remote to mute the TV. “I’ll text you directions to my place. But…” He went to the single window that overlooked the postage-sized stamp of a front yard and parted the curtain enough to see. No one stood on the curb beyond the fence, but that didn’t mean no one was out there. He lived in a very cool, very small community. There were a dozen town houses arranged in a U around a lush courtyard shaded by trees. Modern but built to look like old brick brownstones. Trees and bushes made the sidewalk shady and green. Everyone had money, so security was pretty good. The rent-a-cops they paid to patrol the area were top-notch, but some groupies and at least one photographer had gotten through since he’d been home, although the paparazzi could have also been there for the actress who lived across the courtyard. “What if someone sees you?”
“I’ve got a hat, sunglasses, and wig.” Foxy sounded amused. “Or we can meet at a hotel?”
“Hold on. Lemme think.” Noble got up, needing to move. In the kitchen, he looked into his gated backyard. There was a space to park two cars, both empty since he didn’t drive. The back alley was more private than the front. “I’ll text you directions. Call when you’re here, and I’ll let you in the back.”
“Awesome. Hey?”
“What?”
“Thanks.”
His fucking heart shouldn’t expand like that. It wasn’t right. Noble rubbed at his chest to try and relieve it. “Don’t thank me, fool. You’re the one who flew across the country. Now hang up.”
“Yes, sir.” Clearly amused, Foxy obeyed.
Quickly, Noble sent his address to Foxy. Then he had to wait. What the fuck was Foxy doing here? He couldn’t possibly have flown in just to see Noble. He must have some kind of business in the area. Suddenly agitated, Noble flew into action. He changed his clothes but kept it casual at a T-shirt and ripped denim shorts. He considered putting in contacts—what would be Foxy’s preferred color?—but discarded the idea because he couldn’t be bothered. He lamented that he hadn’t shaved or dyed his hair recently; his naturally dark blond roots were showing under a strip of blue that now looked like a washed-out purple, while the sides of his head were a little more than peach fuzz. He checked for drinks and food, of which there were plenty because he’d been stocked by a service Gordon had provided. He called to get a rent-a-cop to clear the street of any groupies and, hopefully, photographers. It wouldn’t last long, but it might last long enough to get Foxy inside.
He was snacking on potato chips, staring at his bare feet on the light tan kitchen tiles, when his phone rang. “I’m down the street.”
Staying on the phone, he gave Foxy directions to the mostly private alley that ran behind a row of the town houses, using a fob to open the gate. A few minutes later, Noble stood in the mudroom between the kitchen and the back door, watching a dark blue rental sedan turn in to the carport. As Foxy got out, Noble snickered. The hat was a baseball cap, pulled low over a thick-framed pair of glasses. Straight black hair that couldn’t be his own fell over the shoulders of a bulky black hoodie that made him look bigger than he was. A backpack slung over one shoulder and a slightly hunched-over walk completed the disguise. Noble sure wouldn’t have recognized him.
“Hey.” Familiar brown eyes shone at Noble over the rims of unfamiliar, unflattering sunglasses as Foxy hurried up the steps. At least two days’ worth of sparse, dark brown stubble obscured his chin and upper lip, aging him a little.
“Hey.” Unable to suppress his grin, Noble waved him inside. “Get in here. You’ve got to be cooking in that getup.”
“Yeah.” Foxy brushed past, the full backpack bumping Noble on the way. Noble shut the door and was barely inside the kitchen before Foxy swept him into a kiss. Arms swathed in thick sweatshirt squeezed him close, and gloriously warm, soft lips pressed to his, stubble tickling his skin. He’d forgotten just how thorough Foxy’s kisses were but quickly became reacquainted as a tongue that tasted of coffee and mint explored his mouth. He kissed back with more zeal than he could help, cupping either side of Foxy’s head as though he held a special relic that contained the secret to eternal life.
They drew away from each other gradually. Noble belatedly realized that Foxy had shed the hat, wig, and glasses. Sweat shone on his forehead along a red band that showed he’d worn the ridiculous hat for a while.
“Hi,” said Foxy, luscious mouth curled into a sinful grin.
Noble brushed his thumbs along the facial hair to either side of that mouth. “Hi.”
“Nice place.” Foxy didn’t take his eyes off Noble.
Noble snorted. “It is. But you haven’t seen it.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re here.”
Noble had to laugh. He had to pull away, look away, lest the mushy warmth that filled his head show in his eyes. “Dork.” He watched his hands fold into Foxy’s, noting a few bulky silver rings on those lovely fingers. Odd to see when he was without his own rings. Odd to even notice. “You hungry?”
“Not for food.”
He grinned and dropped one of Foxy’s hands. “Then follow me.” Putting his back to the temptation of the man, he led the way out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his bedroom. Early twilight had settled in because the only windows up here were shadowed from the setting sun. Satellite radio pumped classic rock through the speakers throughout the house. His bedroom was the most completely furnished room, with a huge California-king bed with an extra-thick pillowed mattress. The dressers were dark wood, and the accents were all clashing colors that went with the framed classic-rock posters that dominated the walls. He’d tossed lube and condoms in among the pillows and drawn all the covers down to the foot of the bed.
He faced Foxy as the other man let his backpack slide to the floor. “Take this off,” Noble commanded, grabbing the waistband of the hoodie.
Foxy let him help push the thick fabric up to his armpits, then took over to pull it over his head and off. While Foxy’s hands were otherwise occupied, Noble ran his hands down his Def Leppard T-shirt, noting that it was damp. “You’re sweaty.”
Foxy chuckled as he tossed the hoodie aside. “It’s hot.”
Avoiding a kiss, Noble bunched his fists in the T-shirt and yanked up. “Then let’s get you naked.”
While Foxy obeyed, Noble took care of his own clothing. Foxy had been smart enough to wear sandals, so it wasn’t much longer before they were standing at the edge of the bed, wrapped in each other, skin to skin. Noble couldn’t get enough, nipping at Foxy’s lips while smoothing his hands over the warmth of Foxy’s back. I missed you. The words tumbled through his head, trying to get out of his mouth. He had to keep on kissing to stop himself from saying them. Then he thought of even better things to do with his mouth. Grinning, he tugged Foxy around and pushed him onto the bed. “God, you’re sexy.” Those words were safe enough.
Foxy laughed, up on his elbows in the center of the bed. “Lots of people tell me that.” He twitched a shoulder in a casual shrug. His chest was broad and lightly furred, his nipples tiny and hard, his belly on the way to a six-pack, and his cock… Dear God, Noble could wax philosophic about his cock for days. “But I believe you when you say it.”
Noble stared at him—hair flat from the wig, unfamiliar facial hair, and a smile that wouldn’t quit. Was he even real? Maybe this was a dream and it wasn’t really happening. To convince himself of reality, Noble lowered to sample the tufts of dark brown hair that led from Foxy’s navel to his groin. He tasted real enough, a little bit salty, more so the farther down Noble went. He smelled real, a man who’d been sitting in jeans on a long flight. Noble pushed apart Foxy’s thighs so he could shove his nose into the crevice between thigh and groin, breathing Foxy in. Licking at his balls. Swiping his tongue up the shaft of his cock to that thick head. Noble loved sucking cock anyway, but somehow this was an extra-special treat. He got comfortable between Foxy’s thighs, stretching out for a good, long blowjob with Foxy’s gorgeous moaning to fill his head.
But it couldn’t be long. Seemed like Foxy was just as pent up as Noble. Soon enough he was tugging at Noble’s hair, trying to get him to stop. “I’m gonna come.”
Noble took a second to decide, then popped his mouth off his treat. “Stay there,” he warned as he drew up to his knees. He snagged a condom, then opened the packet while he straddled Foxy’s hips.
Foxy watched, licking his lips as Noble rolled the latex onto Foxy’s cock. When he started to sit up, Noble stopped him with a palm at the center of his chest.
“I’m gonna ride you this time,” Noble explained, picking up the bottle of lube.
Excitement shone in those dark eyes as Foxy lay back. Noble swiped lube over Foxy’s cock, then placed himself over it. He was good at this position. Countless hours working his drums had given him thighs of steel. Foxy’s cock sank inside as Noble lowered himself and threw his head back, enjoying every inch. He took it slow as he pulled up and dropped back down, prepared to let this one take a good, long time.
Foxy’s hand slid up from Noble’s belly to his chest, fingertips flicking the bar through Noble’s nipple. “Fuck.” Propped up in the pillows, Foxy could explore all he wanted while Noble gyrated in his lap.
Eyes closed, captivated by the exquisite draw of flesh within squeezing flesh, Noble was caught off guard when Foxy wrapped both hands around his neck to pull him in for a kiss. Not that he minded, but the angle was wrong to keep Foxy inside of him. Foxy took it in stride, keeping their lips latched together as he flipped them over. Noble was impressed with the move, gasping when he landed on his back, head in the pillows. Foxy shifted, grabbing Noble’s thighs to push them up to his chest, then sank back home with a solid thrust. Noble’s eyes rolled back into his head, and he clutched the wood of the headboard above him. Foxy had him bent in half and split his ass in two, and he loved it, crying out for more. Foxy gave it to him, now hugging one of Noble’s legs to his chest, holding him open for rapid thrusts. Their skin was slippery with sweat, and Foxy looked like he might be blind thanks to the thick, loose hair that hung over his eyes. The rhythm changed, and Noble reveled in the shudders that wracked Foxy’s body as he came. Noble reached down to pull his own cock, to bring up his own orgasm, but Foxy slapped his hand away. Hand wet with spit and sweat, he wrapped his fingers around Noble’s shaft and pumped. Noble groaned as Foxy leaned over him, capturing his mouth to swallow his cries as he came, striping his belly in cum.
“Shit.”
Foxy collapsed, hard belly pressing Noble’s spent cock. He rested his head on the horny-toad tattoo, his ragged breath wafting over Noble’s nipple. They lay like that forever—or maybe it was a few minutes—catching their breath.
“Shit.” Noble felt the sentiment bore repeating. He lifted a hand to push faded purple hair from his forehead and left it there, too weak from satisfaction to move the hand anymore. This was entirely too good. He’d had sex since Foxy. Perfectly acceptable sex. Why was it so much better with this man? And why did it have to be this man? The one he really had no business wanting so very much.
Foxy recovered before Noble did, pushing up on his arms to smile down at Noble with that ridiculously boyish smile. “That was worth flying across country for.”
Noble had to
laugh. He balled his hand into a fist and punched at the thick, smooth muscle of Foxy’s shoulder.
Still grinning, Foxy dropped a quick kiss on his lips, then left for the bathroom.
With Foxy’s warmth gone, lying there in the stink of sex wasn’t an option. Noble sat up and got to his feet. “You hungry?” he called, plucking his lounge pants from the floor.
Foxy appeared in the doorway, completely unself-conscious about being naked. Noble liked that in a man. “Starving.”
“How about I order in?” Noble stepped into his pants, not bothering with underwear. It was fine to be naked, but he wanted the pants on.
“That’d be awesome.”
“What do you like?” Where was his phone? Probably downstairs in the kitchen, where he’d left it. “Chinese? Indian? Greek? There’s an awesome Italian place.”
Foxy approached, snagging his backpack up from the floor. “Oh, man, how about some real Chicago pizza?”
“Ah. A connoisseur.” Noble tried not to be distracted by the easy grace of Foxy’s movements. “I approve. I know just the place.”
He found his phone in the kitchen, as he’d thought, and placed the order while Foxy was upstairs. Because he didn’t want to think too hard, Noble checked a few apps on his phone, shopping for music he didn’t need and flipping through Twitter. He thought maybe he should call Lance but realized that was only because he was agitated. If he talked to Lance, his friend might make him see that having Foxy here was a bad idea, and he wasn’t ready to accept that. Not after sex that left his blood thick and warm.
Foxy came downstairs wearing black sweatpants with a white stripe down each side. His feet and chest were bare, and his hair was slightly damp, pushed back from his face.
Noble sipped at the soda he’d taken from the refrigerator, leaning against the kitchen counter. “What’s the deal with the beard?”
Foxy reached up to scratch at his cheek. “I don’t always shave it when I’m not working. Helps when I don’t want anyone to recognize me.”
“Hmm.” Noble tipped his head, eyeing it critically. “Makes you look older.”