Bleu Balls

by Tara Lain

  “Kiss me like you mean it.” He accompanied the request with a snarky grin. Mixed messages but still very adorable. Robin leaned forward and pressed a hand to each of Paolo’s cheeks. Hardly any stubble. Just a tiny scratch. He whispered his lips across Paolo’s soft mouth, nibbled at his bottom lip, and pressed his tongue against the seam.

  Paolo sighed and opened. Hello. Robin slid his fingers into that silky hair and yanked just a little as he pressed inside and explored his way into unknown territory—where his heart opened so wide, fucking bluebirds of happiness started flying in. He pressed his forehead against Paolo’s. “You know how you said being with me might be honest for you?”

  He felt the nod against his head.

  “Back at’cha.”

  A soft sound escaped Paolo’s throat, and he wrapped his arms tightly around Robin and just held him. For a second Robin wanted to squirm away, but one of those damned bluebirds chirped in his ear, and his whole body relaxed—if he didn’t count his cock.

  Paolo whispered, “Can I interest you in a tour of the bedroom?”

  “I guess I should see it if I’m going to help you choose a new place.”

  “Definitely the responsible thing to do.” Those unexpected dimples popped in his cheeks. Wow. Am I really about to fuck Paolo Lind?

  PAOLO HELPED Robin up, and they carried their champagne to the bedroom, arm in arm. He closed the blinds against the too-close neighbors.

  Robin pulled his shirt over his head. “You really need to get out of this building.”

  “Yes, tomorrow.” His heart thumped hard as he sat on the edge of the king-sized bed and watched Robin toss his shirt, revealing an abstract dragon tattoo in tones of blue and yellow that curled around his upper arm and extended its tail onto his neck. “Man, you’re gorgeous.”

  Robin stared down at his lean, lightly muscled torso. “What? This old thing?”

  “When did you get the dragon?”

  “A few years ago. I designed it.”

  “Beautiful. Someday I’ll tell you about little Juli, the first twink who ever captured me.”

  Robin crossed his arms. “I hate him already.”

  “Actually, I might never have escaped my old neighborhood if he hadn’t proved to me beyond a doubt that I was gay, and gay was a sure way to get dead where I grew up.”

  “Okay, so maybe I love him—a little. Is Alonzo a remnant of that previous life?”

  “Yeah, my best friend. Even after I told him I was queer, that guy, total gangbanger, says to me, ‘You were my brother before I knew. I figure nothing changed.’”

  “Shit, man, that’s enlightened.”

  “He’s been keeping me honest ever since. Or trying to.” He twirled a finger. “So do I get to see the rest?”

  “Consider this a two-way street.” He twirled his finger similarly.

  Paolo gave him a racy leer and pulled his light sweater over his head.

  Robin nodded. “Very pretty. Actually, the first time I saw you I could barely talk, I wanted to paint you so badly. Will you sit for me?”

  He posed an arm behind his head. “Yep. I’ll pose nude.” He took a breath. “Right after we choose a house—” He took a bigger breath. “—and move in.”

  Robin’s face moved from a flash of elation, to confusion, to suspicion in one second flat. “Wait. What?”

  Be calm. “You said you’d help me pick out a house.”

  “Right. But you said—” He pointed a finger.

  “Move in.” Keep your cool. He grinned as he inspected the items on top of his dresser. “You didn’t think I was asking you to pick out a house for just me, did you?”

  ROBIN STARED at Paolo like he’d lost his fucking mind—but in a good way. “Of—of course I thought you wanted me to help pick out a house for you….”

  “If it’s just me, I barely care where I live. But if I get to live with you, I want it to be your dream house.”

  Robin flopped on the bed. “How can you move this fast from hate to living together?

  “You think I’m luring you into my den so I can hide your body under the porch?”

  “Something like that.” Robin cocked an eyebrow.

  Paolo looked really serious. “I never hated you. I feared you because you shook the underpinnings of my carefully constructed life. A guy who was sort of like me but who didn’t hide, didn’t pretend, who lived his life with lust and abandon—you were a walking accusation that I was a phony headed for a fall.”

  Robin shook his head. “I’m not all that authentic.”

  “No, you pretend to be a lot darker and meaner than you are, but I figure that’s self-protection.” His gaze softened, and the edges of Robin’s frigid heart chipped off and melted into something warm and gushy in his chest. Paolo turned up his lips. “If we stop being scared of each other, I bet we could create some mutual protection, you and me.”

  The tears pressing at Robin’s eyes almost hurt, but he swallowed them. “That sounds almost too good.”

  “I don’t think it’ll be a snap. We’ll probably fight like cats.”

  He sniffed. “I like makeup sex.”

  Slowly Paolo unzipped his fly and spread the front of his jeans over a pair of silky black boxer briefs.

  Robin waggled his nose, trying to contain his grin. “This is unfair pressure.”

  “Any minute now—” He slid the jeans down his legs showing a very prominent erection pushing out the front of his briefs. “—I’m going to reveal my glorious ass, which you might have the privilege of fucking, if and only if you agree to move into a house that we choose together and become my boyfriend, solely and exclusively.”

  “Wow, you play dirty.”

  He grinned lasciviously. “You have no idea.”

  That sounded so promising it made his teeth itch. Could they really make it work? Shit, he could always get another apartment, since it would just be him alone.

  Paolo sneaked his briefs down an inch. “Want to try it?”

  The lump in Robin’s throat was almost as big as the one in his pants. He nodded once sharply.

  Dimples! They broke out all over Paolo’s face. “Then here’s your reward!” He ripped the black boxer briefs to his ankles and wagged his gorgeous, taut, creamy, fuckable ass at Robin. Peeking below those round wonders were two low-hanging balls. The other appendage seemed to be riding too high for visibility. Yeah, well, Robin’s was pretty high too, or would be when he shucked the jeans.

  Don’t let him change his mind! Robin dropped to his knees and dove toward Paolo’s ass, grabbed a globe in each hand, and spread ’em. Whoa. Pink, puckered, and pretty. He blew softly on the target.

  “Hey, what’s going on back there?” Paolo held on to the arm of a chair and wiggled as his balls bounced.

  “You’re being assailed by the elements. That was wind—and this is water.” He slid his tongue between Paolo’s cheeks and softly laved the area, tasting musk and sex and sweetness.

  “Holy crap. Are you really doing that?” Paolo gazed over his own shoulder, eyes wide.

  “Don’t you like it?” He licked again and pressed harder, circling the opening.

  “Oh, unh, wow, I love it but don’t get it much. Oh shit, oh!” With an arch of his back, he shoved his butt closer to Robin’s questing tongue.

  Robin chuckled. “Just shows you hang out with the wrong guys.” He licked a bit deeper, pressing his tongue inside.

  “Oh man, oh yes.”

  “Have you got lube and condoms nearby, or shall I rim you until tomorrow?”

  An arm extended toward one of the night tables, but Paolo kept pressing his ass closer toward Robin.

  Robin chuckled. “I’m getting mixed messages.”

  “Due to the mixed messenger. That feels so damned good, but I want it all.”

  Robin reached a hand around Paolo’s front and grasped the available handle—quite available, in fact. Pumping the cock firmly, he slid his tongue back and forth on Paolo’s taint until the guy squealed, t
hen pulled away and slowly stood. “Hold that thought.” He backed up toward the nightstand while gently “persuading” Paolo’s dick to follow. Where the dick went, Paolo came after. When they got beside the bed, Robin pushed Paolo down on the white sheets folded over a dark blue comforter. “If you don’t want jizz on your comforter, you should move it, because I plan to make you come a lot.”

  “Promises, promises.” He pulled his long legs up beside his ears.

  For a second Robin couldn’t do anything but stare. Who’d ever dream Paolo Lind would let himself be so vulnerable?

  “Uh, not auditioning for America’s Got Talent over here.”

  Robin laughed, sprang to life, and grabbed a box of condoms and a big bottle of lube that looked brand new from the drawer. After slicking up his fingers, he sat on the edge of the bed next to Paolo’s beautiful butt and swiped some of the gel onto his exquisitely displayed hole. Sliding it around, he got a little whimper and bounce. Gently he insinuated his index finger inside.

  “Oh yeah.”

  Hot and tight. Still, Robin could tell Paolo was a bottom. “How long’s it been?”

  “A few months. I’ve been a business top.” He barked a harsh laugh.

  “No more compromise. I’ve got you.” He stood, stripped the rest of his clothes, then pressed three lubed fingers into Paolo.

  “Oh man, it feels like years.” He thrust upward on Robin’s buried fingers.

  Robin pulled a condom from the box and ripped the package with his teeth.

  “Music to my ears.”

  Retrieving his other hand, he sheathed himself, then leaned down and kissed the silky skin. “Relax. You’re in good hands.” For a second he gazed at his shiny, lubed target like the promised land. “I’ve wanted to do this since the moment I met you. It took restraint not to fuck you on the conference table in Hyer’s office.”

  “You should have. That would have gotten you the contract much faster.”

  “Take a breath.” Paolo complied. “Let it out.” He fit the head of his weeping penis to Paolo’s hole, closed his eyes, and pressed. It only took a second and in—oh!—he—my!—slid—God! The welcome mat carried him all the way to the hilt, his balls banging on Paolo’s ass as heat permeated his cock and spread like a love virus through his groin.

  “Shiiit!”

  Robin’s eyes flew open. “Am I hurting you?” He stared at Paolo, whose perfect mouth hung open, eyes rolled back, and neck strained in a long column.

  “Ohhhh. More. More.”

  Robin grinned. That he could deliver. Resting weight on his arms, he let his hips flow back and forth like a well-oiled machine, changing angle each time so he slid over Paolo’s gland a little differently each time—seeking perfection. One sideways angle got the ultimate reaction.

  “Holy shit, yes!” Paolo’s whole body shook and the creamy skin on his chest flushed pink.

  Robin smiled. Got to remember that one. His hips froze in midthrust. I get to fuck Paolo again. And again. I get to live with him in the same house and hold him when he’s sad and laugh with him when the whole world looks insane. I get to take care of him—and let him take care of me.

  “Robin. Are you okay, sweetheart?”

  Robin dropped onto Paolo’s chest, buried his head in his neck, and fucked like a madman while he laughed so hard tears ran down his cheeks—and looked a lot like crying.

  “Holy crap, Robin. Like that. Oh man, I’m coming. Coming!”

  Hot stickiness squeezed across Robin’s chest and squished between them as he hammered his love home. “Yes, Paolo. Yes!” A bolt of joy shot up his spine and exploded in his balls at the same time—rewriting all his expectations.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  LAINEY, THE real estate agent, babbled away as they drove south down PCH. “Some of the best views of the water are farther south since the hills are higher down here. People usually choose North Laguna for the easy access, but if you don’t mind the drive through town, I think the south will suit you better.”

  “The south is fine.” Paolo nodded and squeezed Robin’s hand where he sat in the back seat. Robin had insisted Paolo take the front. Back here he could just stare out the window and dream of a house in Laguna.

  He sat forward, still holding Paolo’s hand, and stared at the seagulls flying overhead. His only uneasiness was not having told Bobby yet. When he’d gone home that morning, no Bobby. Micah had probably taken him directly to the Sawdust. Damn, I don’t want to tell him on the phone.

  “This is the house we discussed, Paolo.” Lainey pointed toward a gate on the right—the ocean side of PCH. She pulled in and navigated a narrow road to a row of houses overlooking the water. One had a Realtor sign in front of it.

  Robin leaned toward Paolo. “Surely not. This looks so expensive.”

  Lainey smiled back at him as she parked. “You give up space for location, but it’s an awfully good buy. You’ll see why.”

  That probably meant it was only five million dollars. He made wide eyes at Paolo as he held the door, and they walked to the house hand in hand. It seemed to be a Paolo thing, and it was A-OK with Robin.

  Lainey opened the door and they stepped into a—dream. Yes, a pretty run-down, neglected dream, but still amazing. A single-story home, with an interior courtyard and a solid wall of glass at the back looking out over the ocean, just didn’t happen every day. Robin clasped his hands on his chest and turned in circles, admiring all the midcentury details.

  He suddenly looked up. Paolo just stood there smiling at him, not looking at the house at all. “You like it?”

  “My God, who wouldn’t?”

  Polo walked across the expanse of the living room and opened a sliding door. The rush and rumble of the ocean filled the room. “Come on.”

  Robin followed Paolo outside to a narrow yard that looked down over a cliff directly to the sea. “Oh, magnificent.”

  “I hope you don’t sleepwalk.” He laughed and grabbed Robin’s hand again to amble back inside.

  “You don’t seem to be looking much.”

  “I confess, I found this house online and asked Lainey to show it to me. It would need some serious work before we could live here, but I think we could get it done in about three months of concentrated effort.”

  Robin could barely catch his breath. He’d get to live here?

  Paolo grabbed Robin’s hand again. “Let’s explore the neighborhood and look up the hill. I want to make sure we’re comfortable with the location this far south.”

  Robin almost said, “Are you kidding?” But it was Paolo who had to drive to the office. Robin only had to get to their studio. Plus he had the Ferrari. Maybe this was too far south for Paolo.

  They walked out the front of the house onto the narrow road that ran parallel to the highway. Paolo pointed. “Let’s go up there.” Passing houses on both sides of the residential street, they curved around to the highway, where a stoplight let cars out onto the busy PCH. “Want to cross?”

  “Oh, okay.”

  They waited for the light, still holding hands, and then power walked across to the hilly side of the street. Robin pointed. “I think our apartment is only about half a mile that way.”

  Paolo plunged ahead and started walking up the steep street. What the heck? Robin trotted and caught up to him. When they got to the first cross street, he turned right, walked half a block, and hung a left, turning onto the next uphill street.

  Robin stopped and stared. Standing on the front lawn of a beautiful two-story modern home on the hillside were Bobby and Micah—and they were waving.

  Paolo halted and looked back with a grin. “Hey, there goes the neighborhood.”

  “Wait. You mean—”

  “I thought you’d still like to be near your brother.”

  Robin’s whole heart turned to mush. Paolo even thought about keeping him together with his twin. Too much. Robin crumpled to the ground, put his head on his knees, and cried.

  “Oh no. Oh no!” Bobby fluttered h
is hands as he ran across the street to Robin and dropped down beside him. “I’m hoping those are nothing but good tears.”

  Robin nodded.

  “Paolo knew there was no way we could live too far apart.”

  Robin glanced up. He must look like a wet Morticia Addams. “You did this for me?” More tears flowed down his cheeks.

  Paolo joined the crew on the ground and gathered Robin into his arms. “Of course I did it for you. And for me too. You and I can’t hide away in our fortress of solitude forever. We need some sunshine—right across the street.”

  Micah came over and plopped his butt on the pavement next to Bobby. “So anybody got any cards?”

  They hung like that, alternately laughing and crying, until a car trying to pass broke up their party.

  As they all walked back to the house above the ocean to show it to Bobby and Micah, Bobby said, “Okay, dear. I talked to Mama this morning, and she’s not taking no. I told her we’d both met the men in our lives, and she and Daddy want to meet them. No more putting it off. I promised we’d all come for Labor Day after the festivals close.”

  Robin took a breath and squeezed Paolo’s hand. That gave him over a month. Maybe for the first time, he might be up to it.

  ROBIN STARED out the window as Paolo followed the GPS in the rental car and ferried them from the Redwood Valley motel they’d checked into to his parents’ house. Don’t get tense. Don’t get tense.

  Music played on the speakers, and Bobby and Micah kept up a stream of conversation in the back seat, but Paolo kept looking at Robin. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. Thanks.” He slid a hand over Paolo’s on the console of the Mercedes he’d rented.

  Bobby reached between the seats and petted Robin’s shoulder. “It’ll be fine, dear. They don’t bite, honest.”

  He said it lightly, which produced a slight crease between the eyebrows from Paolo.

  They rode another mile, music and Bobby’s chatter filling the car.

  Paolo spoke softly. “Are you likely to see the alcoholic?”

  Robin’s head snapped around on its own. He’d never exactly said, “Don’t say anything in front of Bobby,” but he hadn’t expected Paolo to remember. Or at least, when he’d told Paolo about Harold, he’d never thought they had a future.