by G. A. Hauser
“They locked you guys in there?” Michael asked in shock.
“Yes! Morons!” the big one growled.
“Never mind. Thanks anyway guys! I’ll just change it myself somehow.”
They waved as he walked away. When he turned back they were kissing again. “Wow. That is a trip.”
Cursing under his breath, Michael dug under the carpet mat in the trunk and felt metal. With his fingers growing numb and wet, he tried to unscrew the jack and release the small spare tire. Skinning his knuckles a few times as his hand skidded off the tight screw, he peered back up at the front of the store to those two men. “It’s like some kind of romance movie. Two guys, locked inside a mall…meet…kiss. Wonder if they’ll fuck.” He bit his lip. “Bet they do. Two gorgeous hunks…”
Finally the wing nut of the jack loosened up to his twisting. He was completely saturated from the rain and occasionally pelted with something harder than water drops but ignored it.
Sirens were wailing in the distance and Michael couldn’t even imagine calling anyone for help for a simple flat tire under these circumstances. The cops were busy with real emergencies. Not a stupid flat.
Another peek up at the front of the store and the men had vanished. “Uh huh. Gone to play. Lucky fuckers.”
He set the jack down beside his tire and fought with the next screw to release the tiny temporary spare. His hands were raw and clumsy.
The sound of a car and the flicker of headlights made him spin around. He waved in hope that the person would see him. When the car veered towards him he sighed with relief.
The tires cracked on the wet tarmac and the window rolled down an inch. “You need help?”
“Yes. Just some light. I can’t see a thing. I’m trying to change my flat.”
The car backed up and the front headlights of it aimed directly towards his driver side fender, right where he needed it.
My hero. He sighed with relief. With the help of the light, Michael was able to see into his trunk and remove the spare. He set it on the ground.
A moment later the man was standing next to him, a rain slicker with an upturned hood on his back. “Let me give you a hand.”
“You’ll get soaked. Go back in the car. I just needed the light.”
“It’s okay.” The man knelt down by the jack and felt under the car for a place to set it up.
Michael crouched next to him. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Look, let me just get you fixed up. Okay?”
A glimpse at the man’s handsome face convinced Michael he should let the man help him. Peering back at the storefront where the lovebirds had been, Michael wondered if it was his turn to get lucky. He could use a good screw to warm him up after this.
The man began cranking the lever on the jack.
Michael stood by with the tire iron until the man got the car raised up slightly.
“Pop the hub off.”
Nodding, Michael pried the hubcap off and set it upside down on the wet pavement.
The car shook as it raised up off the axel.
“Let me loosen the bolts.” Michael waited for the man to move back. He cracked the five lug nuts loose and nodded. “Okay.”
The man went back to cranking the lever and the tire elevated off the water soaked tarmac.
“Perfect.” Michael removed all the nuts, placing them into the upturned hubcap.
The man pulled off the flat tire, setting it against the side of the car. Michael tried to get the small temporary spare lined up and struggled.
“Here.” The man leaned against his side and helped him get it on the five protruding bolts. At the brush of his shoulder, Michael felt a rush to his loins. “It’s really great of you to help me out.”
“Look, the whole town is gone to hell. It’s the least a person can do.”
They both began threading the nuts back on. “Were you shopping at the mall when the power went out?” Michael asked.
“No. I work at one of the stores inside.”
“Which one?”
“Bailey, Banks and Biddle.”
“Jewelry?” Michael smiled.
“Yeah. I’m the store manager. What the hell are you doing here so late? I thought they cleared out the shoppers the minute the lights went out.”
“I work for Cleo and Cucci.”
“Ah. Gotcha.”
“My name is Michael.”
“Greg.”
Michael shook his wet hand.
“Let me lower the jack so you can tighten those up.”
Leaning back, Michael bit his lip as Greg lowered the car so the tire touched pavement. Once he did, he went to work tightening up the lug nuts.
A loud crackle and bang scared Michael. He jumped out of his skin as one of the enormous power poles started sparking near the entrance of the parking lot and tilted at an odd angle.
“Holy fuck!” Michael gasped.
“This is not a very good spot to be in at the moment.”
“Go! I’ll finish.” Michael nudged him.
“No. I’ll wait until I’m sure you’re okay.”
“Wow. You’re really nice. Thank you.” Michael continued cranking on the lug nuts until he couldn’t move them anymore.
Sirens were heard once again all over the city.
“This is one of the worst storms I can remember.” Greg started loading Michael’s trunk with the jack and flat tire.
“Me too. I still have no idea how bad it is. I haven’t gotten a chance to listen to the radio.”
“I have. The power’s out in ten counties.”
“Motherfucker.” Michael tossed the tire iron into the trunk as Greg removed the jack and set it in the back with the rest of the items.
Michael was soaking wet. He closed the trunk of his car and reached out his hand. “Greg, I wish there was a way I could thank you.”
“Were you headed home?”
“Yes. I live close by so I know my power is out.”
“Me too.”
“You want to come over? You know, keep me company? I have a well stocked liquor cabinet.”
Greg laughed sweetly. “You serious?”
“Yeah. As my way of thanking you.”
Checking his watch, Greg seemed to be undecided.
Michael felt badly for placing him in an awkward position. “Never mind. You must have family to see to.”
“No. It’s okay.”
“Up to you. But decide soon, I’m freezing.”
“Go. I’ll follow you.”
Michael’s skin lit on fire through the chill of being soaked. “Stay close to me in case the spare tire screws up.”
“I’ll be right at your back door.”
Meeting Greg’s gaze for a moment, seeing his handsome smile, Michael hoped he was indeed going to be at his back door.
After a smile and a nod at Greg first, Michael climbed into his car and started it in excitement. “Yes! This is too cool!”
As he drove to his apartment in West Hollywood, the traffic signals and streetlights were out, swaying in the strong gusts. Making sure Greg stayed behind him, Michael made his way slowly to his place. He parked on the street out front and Greg was able to pull in behind him. Racing through the teeming rain, taking out his house keys from his pocket, Michael waved him on to his front door. Once inside, Michael lit three large pillar candles and kicked off his shoes. “Are you wet?”
Greg met his eye as he took off his raincoat.
“I mean, do you need something to change into?” Michael blushed. Was that a controversial thing to say? Greg wasn’t a woman.
“I’m okay. This rain coat is very efficient.”
“Give me two secs. I just want to change my things.”
“I’ll be here.”
Well if Greg didn’t know I was gay before, he must know now. Posters of Bette Midler on the wall? A collection of gay porn in the DVD cabinet and gay erotic novels in the bookcase. WeHo? Hello?
Michael washed his hands, scrubbin
g the greasy dirt off them, then rubbed a towel over his black hair and brushed it to stop it from standing straight up from the wild wind. Next he changed into a pair of soft worn jeans and a long-sleeved black cotton jersey shirt.
When he returned, Greg was washing his own hands at the kitchen sink. Able to see him better in the candlelight, Michael estimated his age to be late thirties. Good. He preferred older men.
“Bourbon? Scotch? Vodka? Name your poison.”
Chuckling as he dried his hands, Greg requested, “Bourbon.”
“My favorite.” Michael removed two glasses from the cupboard. “Thanks again, Greg. It was so dark I couldn’t even see into the back of my trunk. I really would have struggled without your help.”
“It was my pleasure, Michael.”
“Sit. Don’t be so formal.”
Greg relaxed on the velour sofa. He had taken his shoes off at the door.
“Here. Enjoy.” Michael handed him a glass.
They paused prior to taking a sip as the wind howled outside.
“It’s really bad out there.” Michael sat next to him on the sofa. Holding up the glass in a toast, he said, “To kindness.”
“To kindness.” Greg tapped his glass.
“Are you hungry?”
“Don’t open your fridge. You have no idea how long the power will be out. Best to keep it closed.” Greg sipped the alcohol.
“I have snacks. Pretzels? Chips?”
“I’m okay for now.”
Michael set his glass on the coffee table and folded his leg under him. “Want to hear something funny?”
“Sure. I can always use a good laugh.”
“When I first realized I had a flat tire…” Michael studied Greg’s expression closely for his reaction to his little ditty. “I noticed two guys behind the entrance of the doors up at Nordy’s.”
“Security?”
“No. Two customers locked in.”
“No kidding? That is funny.”
“That’s not the funny part.” Michael placed his drink on the coffee table and rested his arm behind Greg’s head on the sofa.
“I’m listening.”
“They were making out.”
Greg’s eyes widened.
Michael went for the kill. “Kissing, sucking face. Two men, locked in the store alone, going mad on each other.”
Greg choked on his booze and set the glass down to cover his mouth as he coughed.
Thought so. Straight as they come. Oh well. “You okay?” Michael went to pat Greg’s back.
He nodded, holding up his hand. “Sorry.”
“No problem. Sorry for making you choke.”
Shaking his head no, Greg replied, “I was just surprised.”
“Yeah. So was I. They were a couple of hunks. God only knows what they’ll be up to in that place alone overnight.”
Once he cleared his throat, Greg gestured to wall hangings. “Can I assume you’re gay?”
“You ‘assumed’ correctly.” Michael picked up his drink casually. “Time to run away?”
“What makes you think I want to run from you simply because you prefer men?”
Blinking at him, Michael felt his skin tingle. “Uh, because you look like a straight happily married man with kids?”
Greg held up his left hand showing an empty ring finger. “Do you see a ring?”
“Single? Separated? Divorced?”
Greg grimaced in reply.
Wondering if he was going to get any verbal answers, Michael added, “Any kids?”
“Two.”
The plot thickens. Michael scooted closer. “Curious?”
“Curious?” Greg tilted his head. “About gay men?”
“Mm?”
“I’ve been with men, Michael.”
It was Michael’s turn to choke. He set his glass aside and coughed as he inhaled the bourbon down the wind side of his piping. Seeing Greg’s wry smile, Michael gazed at him in expectation. Been with men? You? Really? He wanted to shout that, but bit his lip.
After a deep exhale, Greg replied, “Let’s just say the marriage was my experimentation with the straight side of life.”
“Holy shit. I take it, it didn’t work?”
Greg finished his drink and placed the glass down. “It didn’t work.”
“So?”
“So?”
“Back to men?” Michael gulped the rest of the contents of his glass and twisted to face Greg.
“I haven’t gotten that far yet. I suppose I was slightly apprehensive diving back into the gay pool.”
Michael smiled sweetly and opened his arms. “Dive with me.”
Again Greg seemed surprised. “A handsome young man like you wants me?”
His jaw dropping in exaggeration, Michael gasped, “Are you kidding me?”
“I’m thirty-five, Michael. I must have ten years on you.”
“And your point?” Michael scooted closer, the candlelight reflected off of Greg’s square jaw and high cheekbones. He touched Greg’s knee.
“You find me attractive?”
“Greg!” Michael laughed at the joke. “You’re very handsome. Not only that, you’re my knight in shining armor. Do you have any idea what it would have been like to change that tire in the storm without light while power lines fell and sparked around me? What planet are you from?”
“Then it’s just a way to say thank you. With sex.”
“No! Duh! I’m hot for you. Do you own a mirror?”
“A young man as pretty as you? Hot for me?” Greg seemed astonished.
“You have been out of the gay pool too long.”
“I don’t find it conceivable. You’re very attractive. You can get any young man you want.”
“I like older men.” Michael leaned against him. “They have their shit together. Older men appreciate young ones. You know?”
“I come with a big load of baggage, Michael. You can do better than me.”
“And? You don’t have to move in. We can have some nice times together. Dinners out? Long sessions in the bedroom after a show or a movie?”
They paused as the sound of sirens raced by and the wind rattled the walls.
Greg gave Michael his attention once more. “That does sound nice.”
Michael leaned over Greg’s lap, closer to his lips. “How long were you married and without male touch?”
“A decade.”
“You must miss it.”
“I do. Very much.”
Reaching for Greg’s hand, Michael used it to caress his own face. “You can touch me, Greg.” Michael felt Greg shiver and watched the expression of longing cross his handsome face. “Kiss me.”
As kindly and as gently as possible, Greg cupped Michael’s face and drew him to his lips. Michael let out a long low moan and wrapped his arms around Greg’s neck. After they had kissed for a few moments, swirling tongues and sucking them gently, Michael asked, “As good as you remember?”
“Yes.” Greg ran his hands up Michael’s arms to his shoulders.
“Come to bed.” Michael stood, picking up a candle to take with him. Using the tiny wick to illuminate his small bedroom, Michael set the candle on his dresser, spinning back to stare at Greg as Michael undressed himself.
Greg’s eyes appeared luminous as he watched.
Michael revealed his narrow, lithe figure, dropping his clothing in a pile on the floor. Once he was naked he posed. “Suitable for a fuck?”
“Very suitable.”
Floating over to Greg, Michael began undressing him, kissing his skin as it was revealed. Peeling back Greg’s dress shirt, seeing a solid chest covered in dark hair, Michael shivered with delight. “Nice.” He ran his fingers through the soft brown curls that were between Greg’s pectoral muscles. “Just the right amount.”
“You really know how to make a man feel desirable, Michael.”
“Do you think I’m making it up as I go along? You are desirable, Greg. You’re what I love to call ‘distinguished’.
You’re glorious.”
Michael helped him step out of his trousers and briefs, lastly his socks. When Greg was naked, Michael led him to his bed. “I take requests,” Michael teased. “Anything you’ve been craving for the last decade?”
“Everything.”
“I have all you need in my bag of tricks.” Michael sealed their bodies together, admiring Greg’s good looks in the flattering candlelight.
“I’ll let you guide me.” Greg caressed Michael’s hair affectionately.
“I’m a bottom, Greg. Do you recall what that means?”
Smiling shyly, Greg replied, “I recall.”
“Good. Then let’s play a little while, and then you can shove that fantastic cock up my butt. Sound good to you?”
As if he were holding back his laughter, Greg’s eyes glistened. “Sounds perfect.”
“Mm. Good. Come here, my hero.” Michael draped his arms around Greg’s neck and urged him closer. Michael opened his mouth and pressed his lips against Greg’s moaning happily.
* * * *
Greg cherished Michael’s considerate pace and delicate touch. Though he’d yearned for a man to enjoy, Greg hadn’t found the courage to venture out. He felt out of practice and too old for the young crowds at the local gay bars. Besides, bars were never his scene.
Seeing the poor man out in the blackness changing a tire on his own, Greg couldn’t ignore him. He wasn’t the type. Any person’s misery was his own. Perhaps he was too soft, had too much empathy.
But he was being rewarded for his good deed. Maybe fate was smiling at him finally.
Michael’s youth and freshness were arousing Greg intensely. As they licked the flavor of bourbon off each other’s tongues, Greg felt his skin sizzle with passion.
He smoothed his fingers down Michael’s arm to his hip pausing to feel the firmness of his flesh. Unable to help himself, Greg ran his hand over Michael’s perfect backside. And he was very happy indeed Michael preferred to bottom.
As Greg gently traced the line of Michael’s crack from the top down, Michael shivered and his kissing intensified.
The whimper from Michael caused Greg’s craving to escalate. While the wind pelted the apartment from the outside, they were lighting an inferno on the interior.
Running his palm over the globe of Michael’s ass cheek, making Michael squirm and moan, Greg dipped his fingers between those firm muscles and brushed against Michael’s rim lightly.