“I made it almost a month,” Henry’s voice was soft.
“Yup and now it’s happened and you don’t have to stress about the first time anymore.”
Peering over his shoulder, Henry looked into Quinn’s eyes, “Did you know I was stressed about it?”
Running his index and middle fingers softly down Henry’s cheek, Quinn silently nodded.
Henry leaned his face into Quinn’s hand, closing his eyes and sighing. “I didn’t want that to happen.”
“I know. But it was this thing between us – waiting for it to happen. And now it has. So it’s not between us anymore. And we’re both still here,” Quinn smiled, “and he’s not.”
Turning his face into Quinn’s hand, Henry kissed his palm. “It’s just us.”
“It is just us. That wall had to come down. It did and we’re still standing. Nothing left separating us.”
Quinn was right. Henry could see it plain as day. Tonight’s nightmare was actually a godsend, eradicating unspoken fears and removing boundaries that had been deeply rooted in place.
With a hand on each of Quinn’s cheeks, Henry longed to tell him that he loved him, but the words, “Thank you,” came out instead.
“For what?”
“Being so good to me tonight. So understanding.”
“Pffft.” Quinn shrugged his shoulders.
Henry shook his head, not understanding Quinn’s intent.
“Henry, this is what you do for people you love.”
Searching Quinn’s eyes, there was no mocking. Only sincerity.
“Did you just say the “L” word to me?”
“Does that surprise you?” Quinn asked.
“Yes and no.”
“Does it make you happy?”
“Very definitely, yes.” He brought Quinn’s face very close to his. “I’m ready for the rest of our relationship. More than you can imagine. It’s all I think about.”
“And how do we do that?” Quinn was confused by Henry’s response.
Crawling over Quinn, Henry opened the nightstand drawer on Quinn’s side of the bed and pulled out a condom and the bottle of lubricating liquid.
“No more barriers. No more fears. Just us. You’re right, I needed that to happen tonight. I lived through it. It didn’t kill me. I was letting that fear control me.” He shook his head.
Quinn’s expression was blank as he was processing what was going on.
Taking Quinn’s hand, he wrapped it around his cock, and with his hand over Quinn’s, they stroked him to hardness. Tearing open the condom packet, Henry tossed the wrapper to the floor, and began to unroll the latex sheath over himself as Quinn watched.
Cocking his head to the side, “Are you going to fuck me?”
“Damn right.” Henry smiled, squirting liquid in his palm and wrapping a fist around Quinn’s semi-erect cock. “I’m not letting anything or anyone come between us anymore. You. You’re my only priority. Making you happy. That’s all that matters.”
Quinn hardened to a combination of Henry’s words and strokes.
Leaning forward, he gave Quinn a quick, hard kiss. “Now turn around.”
Turning on his knees, Quinn faced away from Henry who softly pushed him down by the shoulder so that his face was on his pillow. Pouring some lube onto his fingers, he quickly massaged it into Quinn. There was an urgency in his motions, they weren’t slow and gentle, but rather rapid and rushed, as if he needed to get someplace quickly, racing to erase everything that had come before.
Briefly he explored Quinn with his finger, hardening at his sounds of pleasure. Pulling out his finger, he stretched his body along Quinn’s, laying on top of his back, his arms wrapped around him. Lifting his cheek off Quinn’s shoulder, he gave it a quick kiss and ran his hands down his back as he sat back on his knees behind him again.
Positioning the head of his cock at Quinn’s opening, Henry grabbed Quinn’s hips, pressing past the tight sphincter ring and was sucked deeply into his ass.
“Oh God,” he wasn’t sure who said it as he started relentlessly plowing into his lover, lost to the sublime feeling.
“Fuck, I’ve been missing out,” Henry was shocked at how good it felt. Pulling Quinn up by the shoulder into a near seated position, he reached around him to stroke his erection with one hand and wrapped his other arm around Quinn’s muscular stomach to control their movement.
“Oh God, Henry. I don’t want this to ever end. You feel so good.”
“I’ll fuck you as often as you want me to,” he groaned, buried as deeply as was physically possible.
Taking his arm from Quinn’s midsection, they continued to move in rhythm as he reached for Quinn’s chin, pulling his face around.
Seeking Quinn’s lips, he wanted his tongue in his mouth, needing yet another point of connection between the two of them.
“Quinn,” he cried into his mouth.
“I know, babe. I know.”
“Quinn, look at me.” Henry stopped moving.
Craning his neck around to see him, he waited for Henry to speak.
“I love you so much.”
Smiling, Quinn’s eyes said it all. “I know.”
“I love you so, so much…” He buried his face in the nook of his neck as he rammed his last powerful thrusts deep into his lover.
The doorbell rang and Henry put the chef’s knife down onto the cutting board. Wiping off his hands, he glanced at his watch and headed toward the front door. Shaking his head, he could not contain his smile.
“Did you forget your keys again,” he opened the door to a smiling Quinn.
It had become a running joke between the two men. Henry had even bought Quinn a new keychain with a detachable segment for his house keys only to find the detachable section never got reattached and didn’t fix the problem.
“Nope,” Quinn leaned in, pressing a hard kiss to Henry’s lips. “I just need a third hand. It’s a design flaw,” and he handed Henry the large basket he was carrying.
“What’s this,” Henry took the basket, leaning his face into it and inhaling deeply. “Oh my God, they smell beautiful. Are they lilacs?” He walked back to the kitchen and put the basket down on the counter.
“Yup. Lilacs and ivy.” Quinn watched Henry’s reaction as he unpacked the plants.
Feeling the soil, Henry grabbed a cup of water and fed the plants, “Let’s get a pot and some potting soil this weekend, we can put them out on the deck. Maybe get a little trellis thing for the ivy.” Then he looked up at Quinn, “What a nice surprise. Did you just see them on your way home?”
“Nope.” Quinn smiled, his eyes shining with delight.
“So, what’s the story behind them?”
“It’s more the meaning behind them.” Quinn pulled a beer from the refrigerator, “Want one?”
Henry shook his head no, and picked up the chef’s knife, poised to slice a tomato. “So, what’s the meaning?”
Popping the top off his bottle, Quinn took a long swig of the cold beer, “Ahh, that’s good.” He looked at the bottle and then back at Henry. “Lilacs signify first love and ivy signifies fidelity,” he explained, ending with a shit-eating grin.
“Well I’m not your first love,” Henry countered, giving him a hard time.
Looking at him with a hard stare, Quinn pointed the neck of his beer bottle at Henry, “You’re wrong.”
“Bullshit,” Henry laughed. “You loved the dude before me.”
“No.” Quinn shook his head. “It was nothing like this. This is a whole new level of everything. I had no idea what love was.”
Putting down the knife, Henry quickly got serious. “And you do now?”
“God, you’re a dick,” Quinn laughed. “You know I do now.”
Smiling, “I love giving you a hard time.”
“I love when you give me a hard time.”
“I kinda like it myself.” Henry’s smile was wolfish.
“What a monster I’ve created. You’re like a little addict.” Qu
inn took another swig of his beer.
Henry shook his head, “No, I’m a big addict. I’m totally addicted and there ain’t no rehab for this.”
“Oh yeah?” Quinn spurred him on.
“I’m addicted to your smile. I’m addicted to your laugh. I’m addicted to the way you tangle your legs with mine when we sleep. I’m addicted to fucking you. I’m addicted to you fucking me. I’m even addicted to falling asleep in front of the TV on the couch with you.”
“Sounds like you might love me,” Quinn’s piercing eyes were smoldering.
“Sounds like I might.” As Henry bent down to take in the fragrant scent of the lilacs, the perfect gift of first love from his first love, he never once took his eyes off Quinn’s.
“Come on, pussy.” Quinn looked back with a smile.
“I’m very happy just where I am. Nice view from back here,” Henry sassed back, referring to Quinn’s birthday present that he was wearing on this cool beautiful morning, as they made their way down the Pacific Coast Highway, passing through Sunset Beach. “And we have a long way to go.”
Eight months of training had led to this day, participating in the Long Beach/San Diego Challenge, benefitting the Lesbian and Gay Centers of both Long Beach and San Diego. Eight months, countless hours training, a friendship, a love affair, a life partnership and two brand new Cannondale EVO Hi-Mod street bikes.
“What is this?” Quinn had walked into the apartment to find two identical bikes parked in front of the television set.
With a coy grin, Henry said, “I found something useful to do with my last quarterly bonus.”
“I can’t,” Quinn started to protest.
“Shut up. Yes you can. I’m keeping mine and you’re going to want to look good if you’re riding next to me.”
“Seriously, Henry, you need to return it.”
Shaking his head, Henry wasn’t taking no for an answer. “Don’t force me to key it and put a big gaping scratch down the frame, so that they won’t take it back.” Henry reached into his pocket for his keys and dangled them in front of Quinn, tauntingly.
Suddenly serious, Quinn pointed a finger at him, “Don’t you dare scratch my bike.”
Smiling, he flipped the keys back into his palm and returned them to his jean’s pocket.
With eyes that bored into his soul, Quinn slowly approached him, knowing his leisurely swagger was killing Henry. His fore and middle fingers trailed down Henry’s cheek at an equally languid pace. “You’re spoiling me for all other men, you know that, don’t you?”
“There will be no other men,” Henry held his intense gaze, all the while wanting to melt as Quinn’s fingers trailed his check.
“Look at my little bottom being so possessive.”
Reaching around Quinn and pulling him in by his ass against his already throbbing shaft, “Does this feel like a bottom cock to you?”
“Feels like my very generous lover’s cock to me, who went overboard, and bought me a really expensive gift.”
Henry smiled. “I bought us gifts. We’ve worked really hard for this and we’re going to be on those bikes for probably close to eight hours. We’re going to need some fine equipment for our fine equipment.” He brought his hand around to Quinn’s groin and gave him a squeeze. “Plus this gives us about three weeks to get used to them, make any mods if we need to.”
Walking over to one of the bikes, Quinn ran his fingers gently over the outstanding equipment. “Henry, a Cannondale like this has always been my dream.” He crouched down, looking closely at the parts, and then looked up with a smile, “Actually, sharing this with someone I love who enjoys it as much as I do, has always been my dream.”
“Three more weeks, babe, and we’ll be living the dream.”
As they entered Huntington Beach, a crowd awaited them along the sidewalk. Beachgoers, surfers, gays and straights, all cheered on the 300 plus riders who had undertaken the challenge. The cyclists waved to the passersby, many of whom waved small rainbow flags back at them.
Quinn turned around, “I don’t think all the towns will be this friendly.”
“Probably not,” Henry agreed, knowing that next up was the more conservative and moneyed Newport Beach.
As they hit the causeway over Lower Newport Bay, Henry pulled up alongside Quinn, “See that island over there on the other side?”
“Nice houses and nice boats,” Quinn checked it out.
“That’s Linda Isle. That’s where Schooner lives.”
Quinn laughed, shaking his head, “Why am I not surprised?”
It was less than two minutes later when they reached land again on the other side of the causeway, and were met with one awesome surprise. Standing on the sidewalk, with bougainvillea and boats behind them, was their lone cheering section consisting of Schooner Moore, his little girl, Holly, and his son, Zac, who was perched high on his shoulders.
“Holly,” Henry screamed out, blowing her a kiss.
The excited little girl danced as she waved, thrilled to see the rider that she knew. “Henreeeeeee,” her voice carried on the breeze.
Henry and Quinn waved to Schooner and his small son.
“That is awesome that he brought the kids out to see you.” Quinn was impressed.
“Well, that just made my day,” and with a new burst of energy, Henry pulled ahead as they cycled along the beautiful beaches of the Newport coast en route to Laguna Beach. “Catch up, pussy.” Henry yelled back.
“Not a chance in Hell,” Quinn returned. “It’s a beautiful day to enjoy this view.”
At San Clemente, they hit the halfway mark of their 107 mile journey and took a pit stop.
Getting off their bikes, they stretched out their backs and legs, shook their shoulders and wrists free, and removed their helmets to roll their necks.
Downing cold water and Gatorade that had been set up, their bodies still felt the sensation of riding. Tilting his face up to the relentless blue of the sky, Henry closed his eyes, deeply breathing in the sea-scented air.
He opened his eyes to Quinn’s two fingers tracing a path down his cheek. Leaning in for a kiss, Quinn uttered, “Thank you,” against his lips.
“For what?” Henry’s light brows merged, questioningly.
“The bicycle. It would have been hell on the old one. I can’t tell you how much easier it is on this one than it was last year. The difference is incredibly significant.”
“Glad you’re enjoying it.” Henry’s grin spoke volumes.
Snaking an arm around his waist and pulling him close, “And thank you for being here with me. When I asked you to come train with me,” Quinn closed his eyes and shook his head, “I could not have imagined how amazing my life was about to become.”
“You’re thanking me?” Henry’s eyes were wide, astonished. His hand went around the back of Quinn’s neck, as he searched his lover’s baby blue eyes. “Quinn Callahan, I’m alive, and I mean that on so many levels, because of you. Because of us. There aren’t enough bikes in the world to thank you for what your love has given me.” Pulling Quinn’s lips to his, Henry got lost in their kiss, allowing himself to feel a sense of total and complete happiness. “I love you, thanks for asking me to train with you,” he was smiling as their lips parted.
“Why did we agree to that party tonight?” Derek and Willie were hosting a post-race fundraiser at their home with Henry and Quinn as the guests of honor.
“I don’t know. You, the hot tub and food delivered would have been Heaven.”
“Too late to get out of it now,” Quinn lamented as they got back onto their bikes and merged into the pack of riders, reenergized to head into the uphill climb and cycle the bluffs above San Onofre State Beach and away from the shoreline through, what felt like an interminable ride to Henry, Camp Pendleton.
Finally exiting the base, and heading west toward the ocean with the afternoon’s sun glinting off the waves, Henry shoulders loosened, letting go of the tension he hadn’t anticipated joining him on this ride. Quin
n had ridden behind him the entire time they were on base and Henry knew it was not by accident. His handsome cop was letting him know that he had his back as they cycled through the Marine encampment.
Oceanside was beginning to feel like the homestretch, even though they had another forty miles to go. Behind Quinn again, Henry observed the rhythm of his lover’s legs and back muscles, and there was something very Zen about watching this beautiful man, his beautiful man. Just thinking about his dark hair and pale eyes, his full lips and scruffy jaw made Henry twitch. He laughed out loud, knowing the seat of his bike was not the place to get excited.
Quinn. This ride. His new life. Second chances and dreams. An openly gay cop living an openly gay life. As Henry watched him, he realized what a hero Quinn truly was. Not only to him, but what an amazing role model to any little girl or boy who felt different, who didn’t fit in. This man maintained who he was in the most conservative and mainstream of professions.
Henry wanted to scream, He’s mine! With the utmost of pride.
Carlsbad. (Henry blew a discreet, silent kiss up to the cliff that housed L9 as a thank you for everything wonderful it meant in his life – Schooner, Ivy, Yoga, Quinn, the Bike Challenge).
Encinitas.
Solana Beach.
Del Mar.
Torrey Pines.
La Jolla.
Cycling side by side, every muscle screaming as they approached San Diego, Henry could feel the lump in his throat as people waited along the route to greet them. A rainbow colored archway of balloons stretched across the road as they approached the finish line. He and Quinn reached out for one another’s hands at the same moment and passed under the arch with their fingers entwined.
Parking their bikes, they turned to one another, falling into a tight embrace, steadying one another as their bodies still felt the motion from hours of cycling. Henry realized there were tears streaming down his face and he could feel small sharp jolts between Quinn’s shoulder blades, letting him know his handsome cop too had been moved to tears.
Exhausted. Depleted. Proud. Aching. Satisfied. Overjoyed. Overwhelmed. They stood there holding one another, neither prepared to let go. What began on a SkyTrack some eight months before was now part of a shared tapestry already rich with memories and moments. Arriving at this moment had been a cornerstone of their relationship and when they laid it in the soil, neither could have envisioned the beautiful skyscraper that would grow floor by floor.
Henry's End Page 14