Most Likely to Succeed

by Shawn Lane

  “That’s a bit of a paraphrase,” Clark said drily.

  “Maybe. But who would you rather be? George or mean old Mr. Potter?”

  “I never quite thought of it that way. But you don’t think this place is decent?”

  Thomas shrugged again. “Sure. It’s also not exactly cozy or homey feeling. Can you honestly tell me you look forward to coming home, knowing this place is waiting for you?”

  “I might if someone like you was waiting for me to come home.”

  Thomas flushed with pleasure, even though he figured Clark was just bullshitting him. He decided to drop the subject for now anyway. He didn’t want to insult Clark. Besides, he could definitely think of something else to do.

  With just a little bit of maneuvering, he positioned himself between Clark’s legs. And now he intended to get acquainted with the taste of Clark’s cock.

  Clark eyed him. “What are you doing?”

  “Can’t you figure it out?” Thomas ran his index finger along Clark’s inner right thigh, not quite touching his hardening cock. Thomas got close enough to blow a slow breath across his lover’s balls.

  Clark closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “I think I’m getting a pretty good idea.”

  Thomas darted his tongue across the tip of Clark’s erection, scooping up the precum leaking there.

  “Oh God, suck it, Thomas.”

  “I’m in charge this time, Sterling,” Thomas said, before licking along Clark’s sac. He closed his hand around one of his lover’s balls, drawing it into his mouth. “Mmm.”

  Clark growled low and clutched the edge of the tub in a white-knuckled grip. He lifted his ass and pushed his crotch into Thomas’s face.

  Thomas decided to let Clark have his way this time, and he opened his mouth to take the man’s shaft inside. He grasped it and slid it in halfway.

  “You’re really good at that,” Clark gasped.

  If his mouth hadn’t been full of hard dick, Thomas would have agreed. He’d been told that before. He’d done a bit of practicing in high school and college. Not that he necessarily wanted to admit that.

  He opened his throat muscles and pushed Clark farther down his throat. He concentrated on only giving his lover pleasure, blocking out all noises, all other distractions. Thomas thrust Clark’s cock in and out of his mouth, pulling it out to the tip and then pushing it back to the base, sucking and licking as he went.

  Clark threaded his long fingers through Thomas’s hair, tugging on the strands. He didn’t know how Clark knew Thomas liked his hair pulled, or if it was some sort of instinctual thing, but Thomas wouldn’t complain. He loved it.

  His lover fucked his mouth in earnest, both hands now roaming through Thomas’s hair, pulling him closer. He knew Clark was close by the loud moans coming from the man’s lips, not to mention the almost painful grip on Thomas’s head.

  “Thomas!” Clark yelled, cum bursting from his cock, filling Thomas’s mouth with hot liquid. He swallowed as much as he could, but some he let leak out, down his chin.

  He pushed at Clark to release him, and after a slight hesitation, Clark loosened his viselike grip. He gently brushed Thomas’s hair, smoothing it down. His lips curved.

  Thomas leaned back, once more scrunching down in the bubbly water, quite pleased with himself and with Clark.

  “That was fantastic. Thank you.” Clark plopped into the tub, sinking down. “Even better about this tub is the fact it fits more than one. I don’t put it to use near enough. By the time I get home some nights, I barely make it to the couch and get a couple hours’ sleep.”

  Thomas frowned. “You need to give yourself a break. It’s not good to work so hard.”

  “Yes, doctor.”

  “Look, I know what I’m talking about. My dad was an accountant, and he always worked long hours, but especially at tax time. It put a strain on him and on his marriage and family. We were all still kids when he died of a heart attack. He was only forty-five.”

  Clark stared at him in silence for a minute. “I’m sorry. Must have been tough.”

  “It was. But I didn’t tell you that to get you to feel sorry for me. I think you should consider slowing down. Have you thought of taking on a partner or partners for the firm? More associates? Or even firm managers?”

  Clark sighed and closed his eyes, sinking farther into the water. “I have an office manager. But she can’t do the legal work. Paralegals can only do so much. As for more associates, that’s why I hired you, as a clerk, and then another lawyer, provided you pass the bar.”

  “I’ll pass.”

  Clark nodded. “I expect you will. I’ve got some good associates on board already, like Denise Copeland. She’s excellent. As for a partner, I’ve come close before. It didn’t work out.”

  His words were cool, abrupt. Thomas got the distinct impression the subject was closed and he wasn’t to question the boss further.

  Grimacing, Thomas said, “So, tomorrow’s Saturday. What’s your plan for the day?”

  He fully expected Clark to say work. And more work. He wondered what he’d do himself. He guessed he could watch some of his old movies or television shows he had on DVDs. Or he could go to a gay bar and hang out in the hopes of picking up some stud. Trouble was his mind would be on the stud sitting across from him in the tub. Not that he thought they were together now or anything just because they would be spending the night together. He was old enough to know better than that.

  Still, Thomas didn’t think he could go man-hunting so soon after being with Clark. There was always being the third wheel and inviting himself over to Matt and Josh’s place. They would be too polite to kick him out.

  “Hey, Thomas,” Clark spoke really loud and prodded his leg with a toe.

  “What?”

  “I asked you what you wanted to do.”

  “Me? What I wanted to do?” Thomas stared at him, realizing Clark had opened his eyes and was looking at him rather intently.

  “Yeah. I said I was going to spend the day with you. That is, if you want.”

  “That would be great. Yes,” Thomas said quickly before Clark changed his mind. “What will we do?”

  “Good question. Well, I’ll make you breakfast in the morning for starters.”

  “Really? You cook?”

  Clark poked him with his toe again. “Yes, I cook. I’ll make crepes.”

  Thomas felt his jaw drop. “Crepes?”

  “After breakfast,” Clark continued, “we can do anything. Go to the beach, go for a walk. Go to Disneyland. Whatever.”

  “Disneyland?” Thomas laughed. “Oh, yeah, I can see you on Space Mountain or Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.”

  Clark smiled. “You’d be surprised.”

  * * * *

  “Okay,” Thomas mumbled around a large bite of crab-stuffed crepes the next morning, “can I marry you?”

  “While I’m certainly flattered my cooking gives you domestic thoughts, it’s a little early to go picking out rings.” Clark poured coffee from a carafe into Thomas’s previously empty cup.

  “Hmm.” Thomas paused to swallow and then took a sip of the coffee. He’d died and gone to heaven. “I can see why the coffee at work is so good. I think this is the best coffee I’ve ever had.”

  “I like coffee, so I purchase the best,” Clark acknowledged, sitting at the dining table next to Thomas.

  “Have you ever thought about it?” Thomas asked casually. Not that he seriously considered getting married. Legal or not. And he was a long way from thinking in that direction with Clark. He really was. Hell, what were they, anyway? New lovers, of course, but anything more, Thomas didn’t yet know.

  “No.”

  It was the cool, curt voice that Clark seemed to use when he wanted very much to impress that the conversation was over. Thomas had been there when Clark had done it in business and now a few times privately. It stung a little, but he was in too good a mood to let it get to him too much.

  “Are we really going to Disneylan
d?”

  He’d noticed Clark had dressed in form-fitting jeans and a muscle T-shirt. Having never seen Clark in any clothing but a suit, it was a startling transformation. He looked like a model from one of those Abercrombie and Fitch advertisements. Thomas’s mouth watered, and what he really wanted was to head back to the bedroom.

  “Yes, I think we should. It’ll be fun,” Clark said. “First we’ll take you back to your car, then you can go home and change clothes, and we can be on our way.”

  “I can’t remember the last time I went there. Probably Grad Night.” Thomas smiled at the memory of himself as a somewhat geeky teen going to Disneyland for the high school graduation trip so many Southern Californian schools planned.

  “Did you go with a date?”

  “Nah. I just went with a group of friends. Everyone in my circle of friends knew I was gay, but I didn’t really have a crush on any specific guy or anything.”

  Clark stood and began to clear the dishes. “Let’s go.”

  * * * *

  The day turned out to be so much fun, Thomas couldn’t believe it had to end. Even though they’d had to stand in massive lines, they managed to ride almost every ride they liked in the park. They’d even stayed for the fireworks show.

  Clark, as it turned out, had once had a yearly pass to the park. It proved to Thomas you really couldn’t judge people by appearances.

  Now, as they took the Dumbo Tram to where Clark’s car was parked, Thomas couldn’t stop grinning.

  Clark eyed him. “You look happy.”

  “I am. I had a great day. Thank you.”

  Clark returned his smile. “Anytime. See, I’m not quite the ogre everyone thinks I am.”

  “You’re definitely not.” Thomas sighed. “I was kind of afraid of you.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “You knew I was?”

  Clark laughed. “Of course. I know they made you come to remind me of the meeting last week.”

  Thomas felt his cheeks heat. “Yeah. You are kind of intimidating sometimes.”

  “Sometimes I need to be.”

  Thomas looked out over the cars they traveled past. “What did you want to be when you were little?”

  “A pilot. An Air Force pilot.”

  “Really? How come you didn’t do it?”

  “Well, besides the military gay thing,” Clark said, shrugging, “dreams change. I decided when I got a little older I wanted to make money, so here I am.”

  “I know you’re pretty ambitious. The article they did on you in that magazine makes you sound like a wunderkind.”

  Clark shook his head. “Nonsense is what that is. I told you, it’s a lot of hard work. What about you? What did you want to be?”

  “President.” Thomas grinned. “And then a police officer, and then a private eye. Sort of went from there to law.”

  The tram stopped near their lot, and they disembarked.

  “Thanks again for a great day. Great night last night too.” It occurred to Thomas that now he’d have to go home to his own lonely apartment with dreams of Clark and wishing for something that probably was never going to be. This was probably their only time together. He’d have to savor it.

  Clark clicked the electronic locks on his car as they approached it. “Well, it doesn’t have to end. Why don’t you stay over tonight?”

  Yes! Thomas felt like high-fiving someone.

  “If you’re sure,” he said, doing his best no-big-deal voice.

  Clark smiled. “I’m sure.”

  “Great.” So his perfect weekend didn’t have to end yet. He just wished he knew if it was going to lead to something more. He wanted it to, Thomas realized. Hooking up with the boss might not be the best idea, but he’d already taken that step, and he wanted to take it even further. He hoped Clark did too. Inviting him to stay over again definitely seemed promising.

  Chapter 6

  Clark woke at three in the morning, as he often did. He’d had trouble sleeping for years. He could pretty much fall asleep right away, but staying asleep seemed to be his trouble. He’d considered having sleep-pattern tests done but didn’t really have time for it. He just accepted it wasn’t going to change.

  Of course, it had been a long time since he’d shared his bed with a partner. Other than the night before. Two nights in a row with a lover in his bed. Last time had been with Aaron. Not that he wanted to go down the road of thinking about that asshole.

  He lay awake for a while, trying to will himself back to slumber. Thomas had his back to Clark with the sheet pulled up all the way to his neck. He really liked Thomas. Sure, the sex was great. But he also liked the younger man as a person. He was smart, quick-witted, easygoing, funny, and sweet.

  Mentally sighing, Clark rose from the bed, being careful not to disturb Thomas. Clark had given him a workout earlier in the evening, so he definitely deserved the rest. He walked to the other side of the bed so he could see Thomas’s face. With the help of the light from the digital clock on the nightstand, he could just make out the man’s features.

  Clark knew it was something of a cliché to imagine someone looking like an angel while they slept, but in Thomas’s case it certainly proved to be true. There was a softness to the man’s face. Not feminine, but a gentleness there, an innocence. Clark found it excessively appealing.

  Of course now he was watching Thomas sleep like he was some weird stalker. He could just imagine Thomas waking up and being creeped out to find Clark hovering.

  He left the bedroom and closed the door. Normally he left it open since he lived alone, but he didn’t want any noises he might make to bother Thomas.

  Clark made a pot of coffee and poured himself a large mug. For a while he just stood at the slider near the dining room looking out at the city lights. Soon enough the lights would dim and the sun would make its way up over the horizon.

  Was Thomas right? Should he start looking for a house now? The economy wasn’t great, but his firm was doing very well, and it was a buyer’s market. Clark certainly had great credit.

  Part of his reluctance had to do with Aaron. There was no way to deny the pain still stung from Aaron’s betrayal. But it wasn’t like Clark to let one bad experience color his perspective. Even one as bad as Aaron.

  Of course, having a big house to himself would only remind him how alone he was.

  Clark grimaced and returned to the kitchen to pour another cup of coffee. He hated feeling sorry for himself. These stupid early mornings of his always had him reflecting on shit he was better off pushing aside.

  He walked across his apartment to the other side where his home office was and flicked on the light. Might as well check his e-mails. He powered up his desktop computer and quickly checked his cell phone voice mail. A few business messages and a message from his sister inviting him to dinner later in the week.

  Clark turned to his computer, signed into his e-mail, and stifled a yawn. Eventually the coffee would kick in. He hoped.

  Most of the e-mails were boring. Work stuff. A follow-up e-mail to her voice mail from his sister. Crap his spam filter hadn’t caught. He shot off a quick reply to his sister that Wednesday worked and also impulsively asked if it was okay if he brought a man with him. Not that he was even sure Thomas would agree.

  And then his gazed fixed on the e-mail message he’d left unopened ever since it arrived three days before. In his wildest dreams he couldn’t begin to imagine what Aaron wanted. He supposed it could be an apology, but it was more likely a taunt. Or worse perhaps asking for his job at the firm back. Not until the next ice age, pal.

  Hell, for all he knew, it could be one of those forwarded e-mails asking to pray for some nonexistent sick kid. It should be simple enough to either open it and read it or just send it to the trash bin where it belonged, never to be read.

  Clark couldn’t decide whether to read it or trash it, and so it had sat for three days.

  Time to grow some balls, Sterling.

  He blew out a breath, sipped his
coffee, and clicked Open.

  Hi Clark.

  Bet you don’t want to hear from me. I just wanted to tell you I am sorry for what happened. Well, not sorry, really. I mean, it was business. Sorry you got hurt is more what I mean. You won’t take my calls, so this is what I am left with. I never meant to hurt you, but you know I never said we were exclusive.

  That was where Clark stopped reading and hit Delete.

  “You said you loved me, you sick fucker,” Clark muttered. He really needed to let it go. The trouble was he had believed Aaron was the one for him. Apparently his judgment was skewed. He would be more careful with Thomas.

  He shut down his e-mail and just stared at the computer. He had some legal briefs he could be going over. They might even help him go back to sleep.

  * * * *

  When nine o’clock came and went and Thomas still had not awakened, Clark decided to take matters into his own hands. He made waffles and poured coffee the way he’d already learned Thomas liked it. After placing the breakfast on a tray, he carried it into the bedroom and set it down on a nearby dresser.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, he placed his hand on Thomas’s shoulder and shook him lightly. “Wake up, sleeping beauty.”

  “Mmm.” Thomas scrunched up his face but didn’t open his eyes. “Isn’t the prince supposed to wake me with a kiss?”

  Clark smiled and pressed him lips briefly to Thomas, who smiled but still didn’t open his eyes. Clark rose from the bed and grabbed the coffee. Thomas seemed rather fond of Clark’s coffee, so he knew that would get him. He returned to the bed and waved the coffee toward Thomas’s nose.

  Thomas’s eyes opened. “Is that coffee?”

  “Yes. I brought you breakfast.”

  Thomas licked his lips. “Crepes?”

  “Waffles.”

  “You really are trying to seduce me.” Thomas grinned and sat up. He snatched the coffee out of Clark’s hand and took a loud sip. “Oh my God, that’s good.”

  Clark laughed and brought over his tray with the waffles and placed it on the bed in front of Thomas. Next to the plate was a little pitcher of syrup and containers of butter, powdered sugar, and whipped cream.