by Jet Mykles
He hadn’t been out of his house in two days. That was strange itself, but what was even stranger was that he didn’t mind. He usually got a penned-in feeling that only went away if he either went out or invited people over. Having others around kept him diverted from his thoughts. He’d spent so much time alone in his childhood that once he’d learned to make friends, he’d kept them around him at all times. He could be alone when it was needed, but he didn’t generally choose to be alone.
Of course, he wasn’t alone, was he? There was definitely someone with him. Someone special. And that bugged him, which was stupid. With Foxy, he felt relaxed. He felt wanted. He didn’t doubt that Foxy was interested in what he had to say, and he’d so far been very interested in what Foxy chose to tell him. They meshed in a way he’d only meshed with one other person, and things had been very different with Lance. With Lance, all the romance and sex had been false, forced when they’d tried it. He enjoyed—no, cherished—Lance on a different level. Lance was his very best friend, the guy he could always talk to, no matter what. Foxy was… What the hell was he?
Noble sighed, reaching up to rub his eyes. He wasn’t going to think it. It was stupid. It couldn’t be true. He couldn’t have fallen in love. He didn’t fall in love. And there he went ahead and thought it. Because it might just be true. Foxy was special. To deny it would just be stupid. Foxy made him feel good in a way no one else had ever made him feel good. If he believed in such things, he’d say Foxy was his soul mate. But he didn’t believe in such things, because the idea was preposterous. He’d slept with too many men to believe that one could hold his heart. Love was one thing, but what he felt bordered on obsession, which just couldn’t be healthy. He sighed again, irritated.
“Wha’s wrong?” asked a sleepy voice.
Noble jumped. “You’re awake?”
“No.” Foxy pulled Noble closer, tucking his chin up on Noble’s shoulder. “Wha’s wrong?” he repeated.
Was it ridiculous to be soothed by the soft breath that wafted up his neck? “Nothing’s wrong.”
“You’re thinking too hard.”
Noble turned his head to try and see Foxy’s face. He could only manage to see half, with the eye closed and barely visible under the shadow of dark curls. “How do you know that?”
A glint in the change of shadow suggested that Foxy’s eye was now open. “You’re tense.”
“I’m not.”
What he could see of that luscious mouth curled in a smile. “You sure?” Fingers dug gently into Noble’s side. “You seem tense.”
Noble squirmed because it tickled. “Stop that.” To make sure it stopped, he turned on his side, facing Foxy. He could see both eyes open now, although they looked drowsy. “I don’t usually sleep all that long.”
“Since when?”
He shrugged, sliding one leg up over Foxy’s hip so they could scooch closer. “I don’t need that much sleep.”
“You’ve slept pretty hard when we’ve been together.”
That gave him pause. It was true. Probably had to do with that comfort thing he didn’t want to think about. “You wore me out.”
With a happy murmur, Foxy brushed lips to lips. “I didn’t tonight?”
“You did.” Noble swiped another kiss. “I guess I’m just getting used to you.”
Their gazes met, so much unsaid. Was Foxy getting used to him too? Everything Foxy said and did indicated he felt the same things Noble did. Noble tried not to tense up, tried not to look apprehensive.
Foxy took pity on him—or didn’t want to talk about it either—by pushing Noble onto his back and crawling half on top of him. “I’ll have to try harder.”
Noble laughed through their kiss, relieved to have dodged that bullet. Also relieved to have Foxy up and active, because that meant Noble didn’t have to brood. “I’ve got an idea.” He pushed, and they rolled so that he was on top. He wedged his knees between Foxy’s thighs to spread them, then, while kissing, slid his hand down Foxy’s belly and past his cock and tempting balls so he could gently rub the hidden entrance between two firm butt cheeks. “How ’bout we try something new?”
Foxy hesitated just a little. Then he bit at Noble’s bottom lip. “What?”
Noble got up on his knees but stayed bent over his lover. Yeah, his lover. Hard to deny that one. “Knees up,” he ordered as he rummaged under the pillow for the lube.
Mild apprehension all over his face, Foxy obeyed, watching as Noble sat back on his heels, tossing all the covers toward the foot of the bed.
Noble looked closely at the bottle in his hands. “Huh.”
“What?”
In the dark, Noble couldn’t see very well, but the weight of the bottle told him something. “We’re almost out of lube.”
“Oh.” Such disappointment in that one syllable.
“Never fear. There’s enough for this.” He poured some on his fingers. He’d make it work, damn it. “We’ll need some more tomorrow.”
How? an errant thought asked him. He ignored it. Instead he lowered to his belly between Foxy’s knees so he could pay homage to Foxy’s growing erection while playing in his ass. He took his time, paying attention to Foxy’s reaction. He was fine as Noble’s finger circled his hole, but he tensed when Noble pushed in. Noble was gentle, willing to make this right. Needing to make this right, for Foxy. Because… Stop thinking. Foxy rocked with Noble as he got used to the finger. Almost everyone liked one finger, especially when Noble found the good spot that made Foxy hiss and twitch. Licking Foxy’s balls, Noble introduced another finger and worked slowly until Foxy was rocking with him again.
“Hey?” he said, lips against the tip of Foxy’s cock.
“Wha’?”
“Find a condom.”
It was amusing to watch Foxy fumble at the dresser, completely distracted by Noble’s mouth and fingers. But he did eventually manage it, and Noble rewarded him by taking his cock deep to the back of his throat.
“Oh fuuck. I love when you do that.”
Noble did it again, then pulled away. He plucked the condom from the mattress where Foxy had dropped it. “You’ll love this too.” He gestured. “On your knees.”
Maybe a little trepidation on Foxy’s face. Noble accepted that. But he knew he could make this good, and he was confident that Foxy wanted it. Noble was all sheathed up by the time Foxy settled, his arms bunching pillows up under his head. God, what a sight he made. Noble wished they’d turned on the light so he could see that long, bare back better, see the cap of unruly curls for what they were instead of just darker shadows. But he could see the man’s perfect, pert ass, all smooth and sexy right in front of him, Foxy’s balls tempting baubles dangling between his thighs. Using the last of the lube, Noble inserted his fingers into Foxy’s hole again, making him groan, making him want it, waiting until he pushed back before Noble positioned himself, rubbing the tip of his dick against the puckered, wet opening so he could start to push in. He took his time, pushing in a little, then drawing out, letting Foxy have all the breathing time he needed to get used to what was happening. The head of Noble’s dick eased past the tight ring of muscle, and he had to pause to enjoy the feel of it.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“More?”
“Yeah.”
Noble smiled in the dark and leaned in so more of him sank into Foxy’s body. The man groaned, shifting his hips to take in a little more. The small of his back dipped, creating the sexiest arch. Noble smoothed a hand up his spine, up and over to grip the meat of his shoulder. Noble eased inside, more and more, until his thighs met Foxy’s. He draped himself over Foxy’s back so he could get his mouth close to Foxy’s ear. “I’m all in.” He tugged soft curls. “God, you feel awesome.”
Foxy whimpered. Noble managed to pull his head back for a really messy, badly angled kiss, but the sentiment was what was important. He thrust his hips, reminding his lover that they were attached, that he was deep inside. Foxy thrust back, so Noble pus
hed him harder.
“Good?” He was close enough to see Foxy’s lips parted, saw him lick them.
“Yeah.”
“Real good?”
Just the slightest pause. Understandable. “Yeah.”
To test it, Noble drew up so he could pull out some to properly shove home. Foxy flinched but groaned on the next thrust. Oh yeah, he was digging it. Noble readjusted, shoving Foxy’s thighs wider. Hands on Foxy’s waist, he rolled his hips into Foxy in a slow, steady rhythm. Foxy writhed, clutching pillows to his face to muffle sexy-as-fuck moans.
“Hey.” Noble paused, leaning over Foxy.
It took a moment, but Foxy pulled his head up, listening.
“Jack your dick for me. I’m kind of busy.”
As though the idea were completely new, Foxy scrambled to comply. Noble knew the second Foxy’s hand found its place, because his ass clenched around Noble, drawing a groan out of him. Noble thrust. And thrust. And thrust. Losing himself in the gorgeous heat of the body beneath him. He curled over that long back, grabbed hold of strong shoulders, and used them as leverage when he had to start pounding, when the imperative to be as deep inside as he could get was undeniable. Foxy was crazy beneath him, hidden hand busy, free arm throttling a mound of pillows. Noble heard his name in a litany of “fuck me” that he couldn’t deny. He fought the culmination as long as he possibly could, but it took him anyway, rushing heat and bright white lightning through his body, then deep into Foxy’s.
He collapsed, dimly aware that he needed to get back up, that he needed to finish off his lover. Beneath him, Foxy’s body was squirming, moans hard in his breathing. Noble needed to help him with that, needed to… But then there was a pained series of grunts that went with the jerking of his muscles as Foxy brought himself off.
They lay in a tangle of sweaty limbs, Noble with his nose pressed into the back of Foxy’s shoulder. Christ, his heart shouldn’t be this warm. He shouldn’t have this expanding feeling that assured him he’d just experienced something precious. Foxy was just fucking different, and Noble wished to God he could figure out why it had to be this man.
He was still struggling with his thoughts when Foxy managed to worm his way around. He had to be lying on a huge wet spot, but he didn’t seem to notice as he sought out Noble, arm wrapping around his neck to bring him into a kiss. A soft whimper escaped Noble’s throat as their lips met, and he had to clutch at Foxy to keep him in the kiss rather than draw back. Noble didn’t want to explain. He wouldn’t explain. Foxy did not need to know that every fucking thing he did was perfect. He did not need to know that he’d taken possession of Noble’s wretched heart.
Chapter Eight
Late morning Friday, Lance called. Noble took the call in the kitchen while Foxy was upstairs taking a shower.
“Hey. Gordon’s cooking tonight and told me to invite you over.”
Noble was tempted. Gordon was a pretty good cook. And it’d been days since he’d seen or really talked to any but one person. Truth be told, he was going a little stir-crazy. But… “Sorry. Can’t.”
“You can’t miss clubbing for one night? He finished the second bedroom, and he’s all excited about it.”
Noble grinned. Once Gordon and Lance had finally settled down with each other, Gordon had become downright homey. He was determined to make their new place a proper home for them both to come back to after travels. It was sweet. “I’m not going out. I’ve got a friend over.”
“Kind of early for that, isn’t it?”
Noble briefly considered being coy, but this was Lance. Even when he was annoying, Lance was his best friend, the person who knew him best. Noble didn’t think it was prudent to keep things from him. Well, big things, at least. And this thing with Foxy? Yeah, this was big. He left the kitchen for the office in back. From there, he could hear Foxy coming down the stairs before Foxy could hear him. “Foxy’s here.”
“Foxy? When did that happen?”
“Tuesday.” He sat on the chair of the desk he never used. Gordon had left behind a lot of furniture when he’d moved in with Lance. The only contribution Noble had made to the room was the drum kit in the corner.
“He’s been there since Tuesday?”
“Yep.”
“Do I need to ask what you’ve been doing?”
“Exactly what you think.”
Lance took a moment to process that. “So, is this a thing now?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t left the house.” Noble snatched a pen out of the holder and twirled it through his fingers.
“You haven’t been out of the house? For how long?”
“Tuesday.”
Lance’s pause this time was significant. Noble couldn’t blame him. Noble’s present behavior was very unlike him. Not to mention that warmth he’d finally acknowledged last night was still there, although in the light of day he’d managed to compartmentalize it so it wasn’t so overwhelming.
“So, wait—he flew across the country to spend time with you? Or is he in town for something else?”
With the pen, Noble tapped out a rhythm. Tika tika too, tika tika too. “The first one.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yeah.”
“But you haven’t left the house.”
He changed the rhythm. Tika ti tika tika. “No.”
“So no one knows he’s there?”
“Just his handler.” His other hand itched to get another pen to pursue the rhythm, but he was holding the phone. True, he could put it on speaker, but then Foxy might sneak up and hear something he maybe shouldn’t.
“And you’re okay with that?”
“The sex is fabulous.” Noble kept his tone light, but he was paying very close attention to Lance’s reaction, aware of many times when Lance had pointed out his ever-changeable moods regarding sex partners. Offhand, he couldn’t think of one who’d lasted more than two consecutive days.
“Well, then, it’s all right.” The sarcasm was heavy. “Where is he now?”
“Upstairs.”
“How long’s he staying?”
“Don’t know.” Abruptly, Noble stopped his fingers, halting the lure of the beat. The pen’s tip hovered in midair, waiting. “As long as we can get away with it?”
“Are you okay?”
“Actually, yeah.” He was. He knew a shit storm was likely coming, but he couldn’t bring himself to regret any moment of the last few days. “That’s weird, huh?”
“Very. Yes.”
A silence fell between them. He set down the pen. Usually it was Noble who’d fill the void, but he honestly didn’t know what to say.
“If you were me, would you ask anything else?”
Noble had to laugh. Lance wasn’t good at this, and Noble appreciated that he was trying. “Nothing I haven’t already asked myself.”
“Care to share the answers?”
He sighed. I really like this one. “No. Not…yet.”
“Okay.” Lance clearly wasn’t full of sage advice. He was much better as the shoulder to cry on. “Call if you need me. If you need us.”
Noble smiled, glad that Lance felt close enough with his lover to include him like that. “I will.”
Noble had just returned to the kitchen when his phone rang again. This time it was Gordon. He went ahead and took it there, aware that the shower had stopped upstairs. “Hey.”
“Do I need to be concerned as your manager or as your friend?”
Noble hummed happily. “Why, darling, I’m touched you’re concerned about me at all.”
Gordon wasn’t in the mood to respond in kind. “Lance says you’re okay. Are you?”
Staring into the refrigerator, Noble sighed. “I think so.”
“Has anyone seen him with you?”
“I don’t think so. He came in a rental car, wearing a hat, glasses, a wig, and a big old hoodie. I don’t think anyone could have recognized him.”
“So he does realize this is a big story if it gets out?”
“He d
oes.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“But you’ll let him stay.”
“The sex is awesome.”
“Strange. Sex with a straight guy is awesome. What a novel concept.” There was a decided bite to Gordon’s sarcasm.
“What’re you mad at me for? I haven’t done anything to hurt the band.”
“The band’ll survive if this gets out. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’m fine, Mom.”
“Are you?”
Was he? “It’s weird, I know.” Not an answer, but he didn’t have a fully honest answer.
“How long is he staying?”
Noble closed the refrigerator without pulling anything out. Footsteps sounded above. A door opened. “I don’t know.”
“I’m calling a band meeting tomorrow.”
“Just to get me out of the house?”
“Partially. We need to discuss the tour also. You do remember the tour?”
Noble scowled. “Yes, Mommy, I remember.”
“Good. You know you’re going to be pretty busy in the next year or so.”
“I know.”
“So, tomorrow?”
“Okay.”
“You’ll be rid of your houseguest?”
“He has to leave?”
“Don’t you think it’d be best?”
Probably. Noble grumbled.
Gordon took that as his answer. “Good. Be here at six.”
“Okay.”
Scowling, Noble switched off his phone and walked into the hallway. Right into Foxy. Clean and sexy Foxy of the bare chest, damp trimmed beard, and almost dripping curls.
Noble pulled his scowl up into a grin. “Hey.”
“Hey.” The look Foxy gave him made Noble wonder how much he’d heard of the last part of the conversation. What had Noble said? Unable to remember, he ducked back into the kitchen rather than sink into the man’s embrace like he wanted to. “So, listen. We need lube.”
“Okay.”
“So”—Noble swiped keys from the table and held them up—“can I take your rental?”
Foxy had his fingers tucked over the door frame so he was sort of hanging from them in the doorway. It made his arms bulge real nice. “Do you drive? You don’t have a car.”