In the Dark

by G. A. Hauser

  Determined to see the man he loved, Miguel hiked the bike back off its stand, rolled it down the few concrete steps and straddled the seat. After a deep inhale for courage, he started the motorcycle up and revved the engine. The headlight seemed to be the only thing giving him any illumination in the horrible blackness. The streets were vacant except for a distant emergency vehicle screaming by with red and blue lights flashing and screeching sirens.

  He touched his chest in the sign of the cross, muttered a prayer to the Virgin and sped off hoping nothing would hit him and knock him off the bike.

  * * * *

  Stuart lit a few candles and paused every time it sounded like something hit the house. “Jesus!” He set out a few hurricane lamps with glass domes covering tiny flickering wicks and curled on the sofa with the only thing he had to contact the outside world; his CD player with an am/fm radio. The station was static ridden but he could at least hear it enough to gauge the storm’s severity.

  “…winds expected to continue well past midnight with gusts of up to seventy miles per hour…power outages are far reaching all the way up the western coastline. High wind advisories continue in counties; Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura…”

  Stuart jumped at a noise. Shutting off the radio and hopping off the sofa, he pushed back the curtain to look out his front window. “What the fuck!” he gasped, racing to the door and swinging it open. “Miguel? Are you insane?”

  “I am! I am!” Miguel appeared pale as he tugged the helmet off his head. “It is a nightmare outside! Terrible!”

  “Where’s your bike?” Stuart searched the dark.

  “Out in front of your garage.”

  “Get it in!” Stuart slipped on his shoes.

  “No! Too much trouble!”

  “Not for your brand new bike it isn’t.” Stuart raced outside and opened the garage door as rain and wind pelted them both with debris.

  He helped Miguel push it next to his Viper, closed the garage again, and grabbed Miguel to hurry back inside.

  Once they were in the living room with the door locked, Stuart gaped at him. “What the fuck are you doing riding in the fucking storm?”

  Miguel set his helmet down, unzipping the leather jacket he wore that was running with rainwater. “I need see you.”

  “You risked your life to come here? Are you insane?” Stuart helped him off with his jacket, holding it out as it dripped. “You’re soaking wet.”

  “Si. Soaking.”

  “Come upstairs. Let me give you some dry clothes.” He picked up a candle to take with him. After he bounded up the staircase, Stuart hung Miguel’s jacket over the bathtub to allow it to drip dry. Setting the candle on his dresser he dug for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. “Why didn’t you stay home?”

  “I was no home. I was trapped at work for two hours. I only now get free.”

  Stuart dropped the clothing on his bed and stared at Miguel. “Trapped? What happened?”

  As he took off his boots and socks, Miguel snarled, “Some idiot lock me in. Everyone leave early on Fridays. Is normal. But I still in the office trying to finish my paperwork. The lights go out. Everyone goes home but this I did not know. I no think nothing. Not until I have to leave. Then! Aye! I have to pry open the door with a letter opener. I so angry. No phones working, nada!”

  “Okay, buddy. Calm down.” Stuart touched the ends of Miguel’s long black hair feeling how wet it was where it had poked out from the motorcycle helmet in back. “You must have frozen your ass off.”

  “Not too bad. Just wet and cold now.”

  “I wish I could make you up a cup of coffee. Sorry.”

  “No. I no need coffee.” Miguel struggled to drag his wet jeans down his thighs. He dropped onto the bed and yanked at them in frustration to get them off.

  “Why did you come here and not go home?” Stuart held the bottoms of the pant legs and pulled, helping Miguel.

  Once Miguel removed his shirt and was sitting still with only his briefs on, he seemed to pause to catch his breath. “I need see you.”

  Stuart relaxed next to him. “Why? Are you okay?”

  Combing his fingers back through his long hair to get it out of his eyes, Miguel shook his head. “No. I no okay.”

  In the flickering light of a single candle, Stuart took in the sight of his best friend. Miguel’s dark black hair was wavy and wild from his ride as it surrounded his square, dark coarse jaw. His brown eyes were smoldering under his arched eyebrows and the long lashes surrounding them made them appear painted. The sight caused the breath to catch in Stuart’s throat. Trying not to look at Miguel’s fantastic physique, Stuart was embarrassed to be lusting after his best friend. It was the last thing he wanted to do. To insult him, to lose him.

  “Did something happen at work? Other than getting locked in?” Stuart had to touch him. Gently he pushed the long, wild hair back from Miguel’s eyes. “Get dressed, you must be freezing. I can’t believe you rode your bike in seventy mile an hour winds—”

  When Miguel grabbed his jaw and kissed him, Stuart choked in shock. “What are you doing?” He stumbled off the bed and fell to the carpeted floor, astonished.

  “Sorry!” Miguel cried out. “Perdon. Oh, Stu…I not know what I am doing. Please forgive me.” Miguel covered his face and hunched over.

  Stuart tried to analyze the situation. Touching his mouth and still feeling the reverberations of Miguel’s lips on his, Stuart began to pant. “Miguel?”

  “I must leave. I must. I humiliate myself. What have I done?” He rose up, pacing, rubbing his face in agony. “I not want to lose you. No. You are mi mejor amigo. I insult you.”

  Slowly getting to his feet, Stuart gaped at Miguel in awe. “You? You?”

  “Sorry. No. So sorry. I go.” Miguel grabbed his wet jeans and struggled to get them on.

  Stuart clasped his arm. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  Holding up his hands in surrender, Miguel assented, “Yes. Hit me. I deserve. Go. Hit me.”

  Stuart ripped the wet clothing out of Miguel’s hand and felt him flinch, gearing up for a belt. Instead, Stuart hugged him in bliss and rocked him, squeezing him tight.

  “Aye? What?” Miguel asked in surprise. “What? No! You feel this way for me? All this time?”

  Stuart dug his hands through Miguel’s hair. “You told me you were straight. Why?”

  “Why? You ask me why? You say you are. What can I do? I no want to make you hate me. So? We both are straight.”

  Stuart inhaled Miguel’s fragrant hair. The wind howled outside and rattled the windows as things hit the house, battering it. “You know how long I have loved you?” Stuart ran his hands over Miguel’s shoulders and down his arms.

  When he met Miguel’s eyes, he found them glistening in the candlelight.

  “You say love?”

  “Yes.” Stuart urged Miguel to sit on the bed.

  “I no can believe. No. I no believe what I hear. You love me?”

  “Yes.” Stuart began to unbuttoned his shirt, staring down at his handsome friend.

  “I must be dreaming. Estoy soñando, si.”

  Laughing softly, Stuart whispered, “No, Miguel, you aren’t dreaming.” He tossed his shirt down on the floor, unzipping his jeans.

  “We make love?” Miguel asked innocently.

  “Would you like to?”

  “It is my wish. Yes.” Miguel reached out for Stuart’s hand.

  Once he was down to his briefs, Stuart crawled with Miguel to lie face to face on the bed with him.

  “Is chilly. We cuddle under covers?”

  “Yes. Good idea.” Stuart drew the blankets down and they scrambled to get beneath them. Once they were under the bedding, they embraced, wrapping their arms around each other. “I don’t believe it. I can’t believe you want me this way.”

  “Why you no say before? Why you wait so long?”

  “I could ask you the same thing.” Stuart pushed Miguel’s hair back from his eyes s
o he could gaze into them. “What happened today? Why did you risk life and limb on your bike in hurricane winds to come here to me and seduce me? Why tonight?”

  A shy smile first appeared and Miguel averted his eyes before he answered. “Two men. In the parking garage. They were locked in, no?”

  “Yes?” Stuart wrapped his legs around Miguel’s.

  “They get very sexy on each other in the front seat of one of their cars. I can no help myself.”

  “Did you watch them?” Stuart grew excited at the thought.

  “I did. So bad. I watch them. Oh, the love they made…” Miguel inhaled deeply. “It make me loco for you. I think, why not me and my Stuart do that? Why not?”

  “Wow. That’s really hot.”

  “You think so? You no think I terrible?”

  “No. I’m glad. Maybe it was the push we both needed.”

  “What now? What do we do?”

  “Have you ever been with a man, Miguel?”

  “Si. I have. You?”

  “Once. In college.”

  Miguel smiled and cupped the back of Stuart’s head gently. “Then we already know what to do. No?”

  “Yes.” Stuart closed his eyes and met Miguel’s lips. At the touch of his tongue, Stuart felt his body heat up to a slow burn morphing to a boiling caldron. Digging his fingers into Miguel’s long hair, running them through the damp ends, Stuart couldn’t be more excited to be holding a man he adored for so long from afar.

  “Touch me. Me toque.”

  Miguel urged Stuart’s hand downwards. As he found Miguel’s stiff length, Stuart moaned and smoothed his palm over it from base to tip. Though he’d caught a glimpse of this part of Miguel’s body in the shower at the club once, it was soft at the time and too brief of a glance to savor. To be holding it in his hand when it was erect and hot, Stuart thought he would die from the thrill.

  “So good. Oh. So good, Stu. You touch me like an angel.”

  Sweating suddenly from his excitement, Stuart tossed off the blankets dramatically and stared at Miguel’s handsome face, lowering his gaze to take in the beauty of his body. When he caught sight of that huge cock poking out of his briefs, Stuart began dragging the underwear off Miguel’s legs. When they were both nude, Stuart kissed his way down Miguel’s chest to his crotch.

  “Es bueno, muy bueno.”

  “Good.” Stuart licked Miguel’s belly button, kissing his way through his pubic hair to his cock. Rubbing his face against the silky skin of his engorged shaft, Stuart moaned in ecstasy.

  An unseen breeze flickered the lone candle flame, making Miguel’s flesh appear to shimmer.

  “You are fantastic.” Stuart lapped at his slit. “I can’t believe we waited so long.”

  “No wait now. You do what you please. I am yours to enjoy.”

  A shiver rushed over Stuart’s body at the delightful offer. “Can I make love to you?”

  “Yes. You must.” Miguel spread his legs in invitation.

  Stuart maneuvered between Miguel’s thighs and began running his tongue up the underside of Miguel’s cock. Miguel’s quadriceps tightened and he whimpered softly.

  “I am going to enjoy sucking you off,” Stuart hissed seductively.

  “Aye! Me as well.” Miguel laughed.

  Stuart propped himself up between Miguel’s thighs and took his time licking his mushroom-shaped head, enjoying the scent and salty flavor. Tiny moans of pleasure met his ears like music in the wild wind.

  The number of nights Stuart had dreamed of having beautiful Miguel Rodriguez this way were too many to count. Holding himself under the sheets, Stuart had fisted himself with the thought of doing just what he was doing at that moment. He groaned loudly at his own pleasure and deepened his sucking.

  Miguel responded, raising his hips and caressing Stuart’s blond hair.

  Tasting a drop of pre-cum on his tongue, Stuart paused and stared at Miguel whose gaze was riveted to him. Stuart made a move for the drawer of his nightstand and removed a condom and a bottle of lubrication.

  A low laugh came from Miguel. “I no know you have these. Maybe I should look in that drawer sooner.”

  “Yes. Maybe you should have.” Stuart knelt up and rolled a condom on himself. “We would have made up for lost time.”

  “No lost time no more. I am so glad I come. Stu…you make love to me and I will be yours. I want to be yours.”

  A chill rushed up Stuart’s spine at the loving compliment. “Miguel, you are so fantastic. I’m glad you risked your neck to come here as well. But don’t do that again!” Stuart chided playfully.

  “No. No again. Now is for loving, no talk.”

  “Yes.” Stuart squeezed the gel onto his fingers and tried to see between Miguel’s legs in the shadowy glow of the single candle. Feeling first, he located his tight hole and began sliding his fingers around and inside it. Miguel hissed out a breath of air and his body relaxed, splaying out on the bed.

  Moving two fingers in and out slowly, Stuart felt Miguel let go of his tight muscles and soften up for him. Placing the head of his cock against Miguel’s rim, Stuart met his eyes in the dark room. “This means everything to me.”

  “Me too.” Miguel reached to touch him.

  Pushing in, feeling the heat and tightness of Miguel’s body around him, Stuart inhaled a quick breath.

  “Si. Mas!”

  At Miguel’s request, Stuart penetrated deeper. His balls clenched as their connection united their bodies as one. “Miguel,” Stuart moaned adoringly, “Lover…”

  “Te quiero con toda mi alma.”

  Stuart thrilled at the sound of Miguel’s Spanish crooning to him as they made love. He didn’t have to know the translation, he already got the meaning.

  Hearing Miguel’s breathing quicken, seeing his chest rising and falling rapidly, Stuart gripped Miguel’s cock and worked it as he fucked him.

  “Si! Si!” Miguel bucked his hips underneath Stuart.

  The sensations rose to their climax. Stuart felt the churning in his nuts and his cock go rigid. Miguel’s hands covered over Stuart’s and he fisted himself frantically as, he too, was ready.

  Feeling Miguel’s dick throb as he came, Stuart opened his eyes to see Miguel in orgasmic bliss. Cream spurted out of his cock as he watched Miguel clamp his eyes shut and opened his soft full lips. Just the sight of Miguel in climax put Stuart into a tailspin of passion. He gripped both his hands behind Miguel’s neck and drew him towards his mouth, still glued together at the hip. Miguel wrapped his arms around Stuart to bring their lips together. When they kissed, Stuart whimpered in agony at the affection he was feeling for his best friend. His heart exploded in his chest, he was so satisfied they had connected sexually.

  Gently pulling out so he could rest more comfortably on top of Miguel, Stuart covered his face in kisses making Miguel laugh.

  “Te quiero con toda mi alma.”

  Hearing it again, Stuart asked, “What does that mean?”

  “It mean, I love you...with my soul.”

  Chills washed down Stuart’s back. He squeezed Miguel as tightly as he could and held back a sob of relief. “I love you too. So much.”

  “Bien...muy bien.”

  The sound of a loud crack startled them both.

  “What was that?” Staurt sat up.

  “I no know. We must see. It was very loud.”

  Stuart took a candle to the bathroom to remove the rubber and clean up quickly. When he returned to the bedroom, Miguel had dressed in the spare jeans and t-shirt Stuart had provided. Stuart slid on his pants and shirt, held the candle aloft and they hurried down the stairs.

  “What you plan to do?” Miguel asked.

  “I have to go outside and look.”

  “No. No go out. Is terrible out.”

  Stuart pushed back the curtains. It was still blowing hard and the rain was moving horizontally. “Jesus. I think a tree came down. I can barely see it but something huge is blocking the road. Can you see?”

  Mi
guel leaned against the window. “No. Is too dark. I see nothing.”

  “Let me just call Chris. He lives right on the coast and I’m really worried about him.” Stuart located his mobile phone.

  “The phone works? The phones in the building no work.”

  “Let me try my mobile.” Stuart turned the tiny cell phone on and it appeared to get a signal. He dialed a number and put it to his ear. “It’s ringing,” he relayed to Miguel.

  “Hello?”

  “Chris?”

  “Stu?”

  “Yeah. I was worried about you. Are you all right? I know you have a place right on the beach.”

  “You’re not going to believe this.”

  “What?” Stuart glanced at Miguel who was listening curiously.

  “I’m stuck in a department store at the moment.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “No. I wish I knew how my house was doing. Let me go, Stu. I’ll call you in the morning when I know the score.”

  “Okay, Chris. Just tell me if you need help with the clean up or anything.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  Stuart hung up and gaped at Miguel. “Chris is stuck at a department store.”

  Miguel covered his laugh. “I should not think funny. Sorry.”

  Seeing his impish grin, Stuart embraced him. “Get over here.”

  “I here.” Miguel hugged him tight.

  Rocking him side to side, Stuart wondered if the wind had brought something magical with it. Though it should have been a horrible evening, the chaos, the blackout, the damage, it wasn’t. It was the best night of his life.

  Mall Men

  Chris stood in the dressing room of Nordstrom’s in the Glendale Galleria. A pair of slacks on his hips, he modeled for himself in the mirror trying to decide on making a purchase or not. The lights flickered. Chris paused and looked up at the ceiling where florescent bulbs were covered by plastic sheilds. He checked the time. It was nearing five.

  Sliding the black dress slacks off his legs to hang back on the hanger, Chris froze as the entire area went pitch black. “You have to be kidding me.”

  “Oh shit.”

  Chris heard the exclamation in the next dressing room stall.