An Unlocked Mind

by K. C. Wells

Rob put his head on Vic’s shoulder. The aroma of the sunscreen mingled with the perfumed air and Vic’s own scent to create another thing Rob had never really sought.

  A memory.

  No matter what else, Rob doubted he could forget this day or this man.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “I TOLD you, I’m fine,” Rob insisted. He knew Vic wouldn’t buy it. Try as he might, Rob hadn’t been able to act normally since his… epiphany.

  Vic fixed him with a steady look. “If there’s one thing I’m certain of right now, it’s that you are definitely not fine. You haven’t been yourself since we got home last night. Before that, even.”

  Rob regarded him with a calm he didn’t feel. “Well, you wanted me to change.”

  Vic widened his eyes. “No, I damn well did not. Don’t even try to pull that crap on me. I wanted you to find your center so that we could build on it. Right now you’re acting like a Stepford Wife, and you know what? It’s freaking me out. I want you to go have a lie down—”

  Rob had to say something. “Lie down? We just got up, for God’s sake. I don’t need a lie down. I… I just have a few things on my mind.”

  Vic regarded him in silence for a moment. “And that’s what concerns me. Is it something I need to worry about?”

  The thought was there. No, I’m the one who’s just woken up to the fact that I’m attracted to you. Vic was blissfully unaware, and that was the way Rob wanted it to stay. Anything rather than be rejected.

  Except he had to say something.

  “Can I ask a question?”

  “Sure. Go ahead.”

  “Do you… you know, shave your head?”

  Vic arched his eyebrows. “Really? That’s it? That’s what you have on your mind? You saw my bald head—the same bald head I’ve had since the first night we met, I might add—and you’re wondering now if I shave it?”

  “Humor me.”

  Vic frowned. “Okay, fine. I started losing my hair when I was nineteen. It sucked. All my friends had these thick, full heads of hair, and there was me with a receding hairline. It got to the point where I figured, to hell with it, and I shaved it all off. I blame it on genetics. My dad used to do everything he could to cover it up. He tried comb-overs. He bought those stupid products that promised a full head of hair but only ended up looking like you rubbed shoe polish over your scalp. There was no way I was going down that route.” He grinned. “And besides, a lot of people think it looks sexy.”

  “Oh, it does,” Rob whispered.

  Vic blinked, then recovered. “You should see how it feels. Why not go ahead and touch it?”

  Rob’s hand trembled as he reached out and lightly rubbed his fingers over Vic’s scalp. The skin was warm and soft, unlike Rob’s dick, which was suddenly hard. It took him a few moments to realize he was stroking Vic’s head, and he jerked his hand away. Vic, the bastard, was still grinning.

  God, those lips. They were so full. So tempting. Even if Rob had wanted to stop himself, he couldn’t have.

  “Vic?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I think I’ve been as patient as I could possibly be.”

  Vic snorted. “That’s a good one. Go on, tell me another.”

  Rob ignored him. “I’m not good at subtle. Usually if I want someone, I buy them drinks, invite them out, and you know the rest. No real gray areas in those conversations. But with you? I’m not sure how I’m supposed to act or what I should do.”

  Vic stilled. “What do you mean?”

  Rob sighed. God, do I have to do everything? “Why haven’t you tried anything with me? Is it because you don’t want me? I mean, I think you do. I see the way you look at me.”

  Vic blinked again, then took a deep breath. He got up from the table where they were sitting and walked over to the fridge. “Yes, Rob. I do want you. But like I said, this isn’t about sex. It’s about helping you to—”

  Fuck it. Rob was out of his chair like a shot. He strode across to Vic, grabbed hold of his beard, and yanked him down into a fierce kiss, their mouths colliding.

  Vic stiffened for all of a millisecond, then went with it.

  The kiss was… weird, but a good weird. Vic’s well-trimmed beard itched and tickled, but Rob liked it. He clung desperately to Vic, sliding his tongue into Vic’s mouth and swirling it around. God, he tasted heavenly. Rob pushed him back until they reached the kitchen wall. Vic had apparently recovered from his shock. His tongue pressed between Rob’s lips, all heat and dominance, and Rob allowed it. Vic could kiss, that was for sure.

  It wasn’t enough. Rob wanted more. He slid his hands up Vic’s chest, fascinated by the taut muscle, not the soft flesh he was used to. Vic groaned, and Rob loved it. But then Vic broke the kiss and stepped back, wiping a hand over his mouth.

  What the fuck?

  ROB TASTED every bit as good as Vic had imagined, but fuck…. Those warm lips and probing tongue lit a fire inside him, and it had taken every ounce of Vic’s effort not to bend Rob over the nearest flat surface, drag his jeans down over that firm arse, and plow into him from behind. But as far as he knew, Rob hadn’t been with a man before, and that thought was enough to have Vic applying the brakes. He fought hard to regain his composure and awaited the many questions he felt sure were about to spill from Rob’s lips.

  “Why the hell did you stop?” Rob complained.

  Okay, maybe not so many questions.

  Then it struck home. Rob had liked it.

  Fuck it. Vic spun Rob around until it was his back against the wall, and dove in. The eager sounds that poured from Rob’s mouth told Vic he’d had the right idea, and Vic was more than happy to continue. Slow it down. Take your time. He pressed up against Rob, his face between Vic’s hands, and gentled the kiss. Rob evidently got the memo, and his breathing slowed, his hands on Vic’s neck and shoulders, rubbing, stroking, the tempo definitely more languid, more sensual.

  “Fuck, don’t stop,” Rob whispered into his mouth. He wound his arms around Vic’s waist and pulled Vic tighter against him. Vic brushed his lips over Rob’s neck, and a shiver ran the length of Rob’s body. Rob pushed against him, long enough for Vic to feel the hardness contained behind his jeans zipper.

  Vic moved higher, kissing Rob’s ear. “Fuck is right. If we don’t stop soon, that’s exactly where this is going to lead,” he murmured. The fire inside him had cooled a little, and he knew he wasn’t about to do any such thing, but he had to gauge Rob’s state of arousal.

  Rob pulled back far enough to meet Vic’s gaze, his pupils blown. “What’s wrong with that?” He gave Vic an evil grin. “Are you telling me you can’t perform?”

  Vic chuckled. “God, you can be such a brat.” He reached down to cup Rob’s arse, rubbed firmly down the seam of his jeans, and pressed into his crease. “And since you ask, nothing’s wrong with that, except that it would be my cock going in here.” He pressed again, and Rob shuddered. “Or did that scenario not occur to you?”

  Rob swallowed. “I’ve… thought about it.” He locked gazes with Vic. “Fuck me.”

  Vic ignored his words, noting instead the rapid blinking, the way Rob’s breathing had quickened. For all his bravado, Rob was nervous and doing his best to hide it. Vic cupped his cheek and looked him in the eye. “No matter how much I prep you, the first time will hurt. Now, you may want to jump from one kiss to sex, but I don’t.”

  Rob’s eyes were huge. “You… don’t?”

  Vic shook his head. “If we’re going to do this, I’d rather we took our time.” He rubbed his thumb along Rob’s jaw. “I want to enjoy you.” Then he leaned in to deliver the bad news. “But not now.”

  Rob stiffened. “Why not?”

  Vic smiled. “Because, while your words give out one message, your body language tells me something else entirely. When they’re both on the same page, then we’ll take this further.” He straightened. “And besides, there’s something I badly need to do today.”

  Rob’s breathing was back to normal. “What’
s that?” His arms fell to his sides.

  “Go to the gym.” Vic laughed when Rob regarded him incredulously. “I go two or three times a week, usually Tuesdays and Fridays, but the last couple of months have been crazy and my routine has gone to shit. Right now I’m in desperate need of a gym session.” Because he needed something to focus on beside how Rob felt in his arms, and how hard he got from just a kiss.

  “When are you going?”

  Vic thought about it. “As soon as I’ve washed the breakfast dishes, had one more mug of coffee, and slung whatever I need into my gym bag. So maybe half an hour?”

  “Can I come?” Rob blurted out.

  Vic didn’t think Rob was the sort of guy who worked out, but he wasn’t about to refuse. “Sure. Go find something to wear, maybe a pair of shorts or some jogging pants. But if you’re not ready, I’m leaving you behind. Got that?”

  Rob had apparently recovered from his brief surfeit of lust. “Got it.” He left the kitchen at a run.

  Vic listened until he could hear Rob overhead, then sank into a nearby chair.

  Oh my God. He hadn’t seen that coming. Not that he hadn’t thought about kissing Rob—far from it—but that kiss had blown him away. And as for Rob’s demand to be fucked? Vic had his own ideas as to what had led to that particular declaration.

  He’s full of hormones, and he admitted it’s been a while since he got laid. No wonder he wants to get his rocks off. Vic wasn’t about to take advantage of the situation. If—when—we take things further, it will be with Rob in full possession of his faculties. It will be because he wants it with every part of him.

  And there was something else.

  This wasn’t the club. This was no casual scene where both partners would get their needs met, where they’d fuck and then move on.

  This was Rob, and as much as Vic wanted to be inside him, he didn’t want this to be just sex.

  This fucking well meant something.

  ROB SAT on a chair near the window and ogled Vic as he went through his routines. Does he even notice people’s reactions to him? The power in Vic’s body could be intimidating, Rob was sure, but only to those who didn’t know the warm, caring man beneath the large exterior. That’s what I’ve got to see for the past month.

  He wondered if it had been like this for Alex. Did Leo sweep in and pick him up? Show him his worth? Uncover truths that he’d kept hidden—and not without good reason—from everyone, even himself? No, probably not. Alex had always been much more in tune with his nature. He’d accepted his role. Unlike Rob, who had denied it, who’d allowed it to eat away at him until he became angry at the world.

  More like, angry at myself.

  Vic was working on his chest and arms. He pulled down the bar on the machine, his muscles straining, his skin gleaming with perspiration. Rob’s breathing hitched at such an incredible display of power and muscle. For a moment he allowed himself to fantasize about being surrounded by all that muscle, maybe with Vic’s body covering his as they….

  Down, boy.

  Vic chose that moment to stand up and run a towel over his furry chest. Intense jealousy speared through Rob, until he stopped himself with a chuckle. Only I could be jealous of a towel.

  Vic glanced across to where Rob sat against the wall. “I’m going to lift some weights next. Want me to teach you how to?”

  Rob grinned. “No, thank you. I like my body the way it is.” Then he caught his breath as Vic strode unhurriedly across to him, his body moving gracefully. He stopped in front of Rob and inclined his head toward him.

  “So do I.” The words came out in a low growl that went straight to Rob’s aching cock. Then the bastard turned and walked over to the weights bench. He squatted to choose the weights, and Rob stifled a moan at the sight of those taut thigh muscles, his firm back glistening with sweat, the curve of his arse in shorts that did little to hide Vic’s beautiful body.

  Vic had been true to his word. He hadn’t pressured Rob for anything. In fact, beyond the kiss they shared, he hadn’t done much more than touch Rob to tousle his hair, lay a hand on his shoulder, or give him a brief hug. Every one of those had been an experience Rob savored, but they had left him wanting more.

  He sat there, torturing himself with the view, until Vic declared he was done and headed for the showers.

  The word conjured up some very delightful images that did nothing to relieve Rob’s rigid dick. He waited for a moment, his heart pounding at the ideas running rampant through his head right then, until he couldn’t stand it any longer. He got up off the floor and went toward the lockers.

  There was no one in sight, and Rob walked as quietly as possible to peer around the corner into the communal shower. Vic stood alone under the spray, his muscles rippling as he soaped his body, those powerful, large hands suddenly soft and gentle.

  Those same hands that Rob wanted to feel moving over his body.

  His heartbeat raced as he slipped back toward the lockers, his breathing quickening.

  He found Vic’s bag stuffed under the bench and began to undress, folding his clothes in a neat pile on top of it. When he was finally naked, he strode purposefully toward the shower, his mind made up. He wanted more than just a pat on the back or a squeeze of his shoulder, and it was about time Vic realized that. Rob hadn’t lied when he told Vic he’d thought about being on the receiving end of Vic’s cock. He’d thought about it until the idea threatened to consume him. And right then?

  It was all he could think about.

  VIC DUCKED his head under the spray, rinsing off the sweat. He gave a start at the feel a hand on his back and turned to find—

  Mother of God. Rob stood there, one hand covering his dick, the other in midair. Vic was torn between feasting his eyes on a finally naked Rob and wondering what the hell was coming next. He pulled himself together and took a breath before speaking.

  “And who says you get to shower? That generally happens after you’ve finished working up a sweat.” He raised his eyebrows. “Since when does guy-watching do that?”

  Rob swallowed and lowered his hands to his sides. “I decided I couldn’t wait for the man in the shower to get his head out of his arse.”

  Before Vic could come back with a witty retort, Rob lowered himself to the tiled floor, his gaze fixed on Vic’s cock, his eyes widening at the sight of Vic’s piercing. When he wrapped a trembling hand around Vic’s shaft, a shudder coursed through Vic.

  “Rob?” The whispered name crept over his lips.

  Rob didn’t say a word, but simply leaned forward, licked his lips, and opened his mouth to get what Vic guessed to be his initial taste of cock. More importantly, Vic’s cock.

  That first tentative suck was heaven. Then it got even better. Vic wanted nothing more than to grab Rob’s head and thrust deep into the recesses of Rob’s throat, but it was clear one of them had to be sensible. With a groan he stepped back, pulling his dick from Rob’s mouth with a soft pop. It was then Vic realized Rob wasn’t the only one who was trembling.

  Rob’s face fell. “Did I do it wrong?”

  Oh, holy shit. His lips had been soft, his mouth warm. His sucking, after that first hesitant attempt, had grown more determined.

  “You did…. Wow… that was fucking hot,” Vic managed to get out.

  “Then why did you make me stop?” Rob demanded, raising his hand once more.

  Vic clasped a hand around Rob’s wrist. “Because, in case you hadn’t noticed, we are in a public place, and I don’t fancy getting nicked for indecent exposure.”

  Rob’s eyes widened, as if it had just dawned on him for the first time. Vic could understand that reaction: a surge of lust had clouded many people’s better judgment. But before he could say as much, Rob leaped up and darted out of the shower.

  Damn it. Vic hurriedly flipped off the shower before grabbing his towel from its hook. There was no way he was about to let Rob feel guilty for the step he’d just taken. He strode into the locker room to find Rob squirming into cloth
es that clung to his damp form.

  “Stop,” Vic called out.

  Rob froze, his breathing rapid, his chest rising and falling.

  Vic walked up to him and placed his hands on Rob’s shoulders. “Listen to me,” he said quietly. “One, you did nothing wrong, do you hear me?”

  Rob blinked, his mouth opening and closing.

  Vic continued. “Two, you’re not the first man to want to blow someone in those showers, and I doubt you’ll be the last.”

  That raised a half smile, and Vic was pleased to note Rob breathed more evenly.

  Encouraged, he cupped Rob’s cheek. “And three?” He leaned in close to whisper in Rob’s ear. “Keep that thought until we get home, because we are not done, you hear me? Not by a long shot. Because when we get there, I want your lips around my cock again.”

  And this time he wanted to watch as Rob swallowed his load.

  Judging by the way Rob’s pupils grew large, Vic didn’t think he’d have any issue with that plan.

  Chapter Eighteen

  THE SECOND the front door shut behind them, Vic didn’t hesitate. “We need to talk.”

  Rob stared at him. “Now?” There was a hint of a whine. “But I thought we were going to—”

  Vic met his stare. “Now.”

  “But you said—”

  “I know what I said. Lounge. Now.” He’d had a chance to reflect during the drive home, and once he’d cooled off and stopped thinking with his dick, he realized there was something vital he needed to know before they went any further.

  Rob gazed at him, his brow furrowed, and then he nodded. Vic followed him into the lounge and waited until Rob had sat on the couch. Vic sat next to him, his heartbeat speeding up a little. It had already occurred to him that Rob’s response to his question might very well be one Vic wouldn’t like, but he had to know.

  He took a deep breath. “Okay. I think what happened in the shower made it obvious you want us to—”