by D. J. Manly
Reed lifted an eyebrow. "That was a rather stupid question," he said to Mark.
"Adrian is laughing. Lighten up."
Adrian's gaze settled on Reed. "Well, I must say it's been rare. I want to thank you for inviting me, Mark. And you also, Reed."
"You are most welcome," Reed replied.
"Can you go and get us some more wine?" Mark looked at Reed.
"Sure."
"Maybe Adrian can go down to the cellar with you and help you choose a bottle," Mark said. "Adrian is rather a connoisseur of wine, aren't you, Adrian?"
Leo couldn't believe what he was hearing. He stood at the same time as Reed. "I'll help Reed choose a bottle of wine."
Reed looked baffled. "I think I can do that on my own. Oh, just tell me what kind you want and--"
"Come on," Leo said. "We'll do it together." He wanted to ask him why Mark was acting so bizarre.
Reed hesitated, then followed Leo into the basement. Leo could hear him sigh when they reached the bottom step.
Leo turned and looked at him. "Okay," he asked in a hushed voice, "what in fuck is Mark doing?"
"I suppose he's playing a game."
"A game? He's practically serving you on a platter to Adrian White."
"Um. Seems so."
"That's it?"
"What do you want me to say, Leo?"
"Why is he doing this? This isn't like Mark."
"Yes, it is." He walked past him and went to choose the wine.
"He's in love with you and yet he wants you to sleep with Adrian." Leo shook his head. "Doesn't make sense."
"Better Adrian than you."
Leo's head sprang up. "What?"
Reed sighed again, holding up the bottle in his hand. "You heard me, and don't be so fucking innocent, Leo. It's annoying."
"I'm annoying now, Mr. Smug Ass."
His mouth twisted into a smile. "Mr. who?"
Leo shook his head. "You and I are not going to sleep together, you got that?" He pointed his finger at his chest.
Reed took his hand and pointed his finger away from him. "I got it. Now, can we please go upstairs?"
"You're not scared down here alone are you?"
"I'm not alone, and I'm not scared," he replied, walking past him.
"Reed, about that kiss in the shed. I..."
Reed turned and looked at him. "What kiss in the shed?"
Leo felt the color drain out of him. "I just wanted to say it was...well...nothing."
"Good," he headed up the stairs, "glad you thought so because I've forgotten all about it."
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck you.
Reed stopped at the top of the stairs. He turned and met his gaze. "Now, I have a question for you. You don't have to answer it, Leo. Maybe it's something you can ask yourself later. Why was it so important to accompany me to the cellar and ask me why Mark was pushing me at Adrian? What could you possibly care if I go down to Adrian's cabin tonight and fuck the shit out of him?"
Leo blinked. "Well...I...I don't...care."
Reed nodded at him. "Good to know." Then he proceeded to the living room.
* * * *
The wine flowed and Leo was not surprised to see the discussion switch to cock size and orgasms. Mark and Adrian were the most talkative on the subject whereas Reed sat back on the sofa, one leg tucked under him, adding very little to the discussion.
Leo watched Reed, who ignored him completely. I've forgotten all about it. Damn. He didn't have much of a memory. He'd kissed him less than fucking twenty-four hours ago.
Leo drank some more of the wine. The more he thought about it, the more he drank. Was he really going to take Adrian back to his cabin and fuck the shit out of him? That's what he'd said...he'd said fuck the shit out of him... And Mark would approve? Better Adrian than you. He could understand that, being Mark's best friend and all...but...
"You don't want to get involved with these men," Leo announced suddenly, interrupting something Adrian was saying.
He looked at him. "Pardon me?"
"I said," Leo repeated, "you don't want to get involved with these men, Mark or Reed, especially Reed. He'll fuck the shit out of you"--he gave Reed a mocking look--"and leave you high and dry, crying in your beer, bleeding from the--"
"Leo!" Reed's voice, laced with anger cut him off. "That's enough."
Adrian glanced from one to the other. "I'm missing something here."
Leo lowered his head, embarrassed. "I'm sorry." He got to his feet. "I've had too much. And I really wanted to paint. Do you mind, Reed, if I go to the room?"
He shook his head. "Do what you want."
"Thanks. It was really nice to speak with you tonight, Adrian." He walked over and took his hand. "I'm sorry I got stupid. Wine goes to my head."
Adrian stood and shook his head. "I didn't take offense. Good night."
"Night."
"I think I'll be going as well." He turned to Mark and Reed. "It's getting late and I'm a little tired. I'm usually up early to write."
"Reed will walk you back," Mark said, looking at Reed. "It's a little dark."
Adrian glanced at him.
"It will be my pleasure," Reed said. "No problem."
Leo said goodnight again, watching as Adrian and Reed left the house. After the door closed, Leo gave Mark an incredulous look. "Are you out of your mind? Didn't you get that Adrian wants him? You might as well have pushed Reed's cock into his ass for him."
"You looked pissed," Mark said.
"I'm not pissed, I'm--"
"A little too pissed if you ask me," Mark said. He held his gaze with his.
"What do...do you mean?"
"You're jealous."
"Don't be insane. I have no reason to be jealous of Reed. He's not mine."
"No," Mark said matter-of-factly, "he's not. And don't forget that."
"Mark, do you think there's something going on between Reed and me? Because if you do, you're wrong. You couldn't be more wrong."
Mark nodded.
"Do you want me to leave?"
Mark shook his head. "Oh no, no, Leo," he said, coming over and hugging him. "I'm just...don't listen to me, okay?"
"Do you think it...do you think they'll sleep together, Reed and Adrian?"
"I don't know," Mark said, sliding his fingers through his hair. "Oh shit, Leo, what in fuck did I just do?"
Leo went to comfort him, but Mark shook his head. "You know what? I'm not going to sit up here waiting for him to come back in. I'm going to bed. I'm going to show him that I just don't care if he fucks Adrian or not, okay?"
Leo nodded. "I'll, ah...pick up a little."
"Thanks." He leaned over and kissed Leo on the mouth. "Come and join me later, okay?"
"Goodnight," Leo told him. After Mark went upstairs, Leo began to slowly pick up the dirty glasses. He checked the clock as he put them into the dishwasher. It was almost eleven o'clock. They'd left ten minutes ago. It took no more than five minutes to walk to the cabin, and another five to come back. Reed had long legs and he was a fast runner. It wouldn't take him long to...
Leo walked to the front door and glanced out the window. He could see a light shining over the door at the last cabin. There was no sign of Reed. Fuck the shit out of him. And suddenly an image of that came to Leo's mind... Adrian down on all fours and Reed fucking the shit out of him.
Leo broke out into a sweat. He reached for the near empty wine bottle and raised it to his lips, downing the last few swallows of wine.
Suddenly, he heard the door open and close. Leo turned around and saw Reed. He almost ran to him and hugged him. And that didn't make sense. But he was so damn happy to see him. "Hi," he said.
Reed looked at him. "Hi, yourself."
"What happened to fucking the shit out of him?"
He shrugged. "My cock's not for hire."
"Oh." He laughed a little. "Is that what you think Mark was trying to do, turn you into a rent boy?"
He didn't answer.
"How much?"
"Huh?"
"How much for your cock?" He met his gaze.
"I told you, my cock isn't for hire."
"Pretend."
"I don't like to pretend," he replied.
They were standing closer now. Reed's expression was perplexed.
"Do you think cocks are worth more by the inch?"
"Are you drunk?"
"No," Leo shook his head, "not really. Maybe a little."
Reed laughed faintly. "Which is it...no, not really, or maybe a little?"
Leo shrugged. "One of the above. You choose."
"I'd put my money on maybe a little."
He laughed. "You're funny."
"Um, a laugh riot."
"So, why didn't Adrian want to be fucked by you?"
"Maybe I'm not his type."
"You're everyone's type."
He lifted an eyebrow. "Apparently not."
"Tell me the real reason?" Leo came closer and peered into his face. "No lies. He wanted to and you turned him down, right?"
"Would it please you to think that?"
"Yes."
"Okay. He wanted me and I turned him down."
"Why?"
"For a reason that doesn't exist."
"Translation?"
"There isn't any translation. Come on, I'll put you to bed." He held out his hand.
"You'll tuck me in and sing me to sleep?"
Reed reached out and grabbed his hand. He tucked it under his arm and walked him up the stairs.
"You're so gallant."
"Um, that's me, your knight in shining armor."
Leo laughed. "You have no armor."
Reed stopped at the top of the stairs. "You're right," he said softly. "I don't. I thought I did. I thought I'd built it back up, but it seems to be breaking down."
Leo reached up and traced the furrows in the brow. "What was that?"
"I don't know," he said softly. "Nothing. The wind. Come on, Leo." He pulled him into the room and Leo clung to him.
"The room is spinning."
"I'm thinking that maybe you should change that little bit drunk to very drunk," Reed said, as he dragged Leo's arms from around his neck and laid him down on the bed.
Leo immediately reached up and wrapped his arms around Reed's neck again. He pulled him closer. "I want to hear your heartbeat."
"Leo," he protested, "stop it."
Leo pressed his face against his and then moved his head down to his chest. "Let me hear it," he urged.
Reed sat on the edge of the bed as Leo pressed his head flat against Reed's chest. He wrapped his arms around his waist and hugged him tight for a minute.
"Leo," Reed began to squirm a little, "what in the hell are you doing?"
"You have a good strong heartbeat." He looked up into his eyes. "Why do I feel like it's the end of the world?"
"I have no idea. I'm missing the connection between that and my heart." He lowered him to the pillow.
"Don't go," Leo said, grabbing his hand. "Just stay here with me for a second, in the dark, in the silence."
"Are you sure it was only wine you were drinking?"
"There is so much pain, Reed. Love is pain. It doesn't have to be that way all the time, does it?"
"I don't know."
"How many times have you been in love?"
"Oh, Leo, come on..."
"No, tell me."
"Once," he said.
"But then you fell out of love. You could fall in love again if you loved him once."
"No, I can't do that."
"Why not? He still loves you."
"He can't love me, Leo. He's dead."
Leo's hand tightened on his as Reed made a move to go. "Dead?"
He wrestled his hand loose and stood. He looked down at him in the dark. "The only man I ever loved died four years ago. So you see, he can't still love me, and I can't love him."
"What about Mark?"
"I never loved Mark."
"But Mark and you were together. I thought...I believed..."
"Go to sleep, Leo. Forget about it. It's not important."
He wanted to get out of bed. He wanted to go to Reed, talk to him some more, comfort him, hold him. He dreamed about holding him as he fell to sleep. Reed.
Chapter 3
* * *
When the sun rose, Leo breathed a sigh of relief. Even without the natural light, the manifestation of the face before him appeared exactly the way his mind had drawn it. He'd done it almost blind, compelled, and as he stood back now and studied it, putting the finishing touches here and there, he wasn't sure if he should be surprised or pleased. In some way, he was just afraid.
On the canvas, the black hair fell forward on his forehead just like it did in real life. Those impossible blue eyes hued with silver were unreadable as usual. And Leo realized there was a sadness there he hadn't recognized before. Square jaw, with just a trace of stubble, and a mouth that he could still taste on his completed the image that stared back at him. It became Reed. There was no smile, just that look he often wore, a brooding cross between a smirk and a scowl that made him compellingly sexy and mysteriously infuriating.
Leo smiled.
He had wanted to draw his body. He would have loved it if Reed would have been sitting for him last night, gloriously naked, and lying on a blanket. He'd seen him naked coming out of the pool, but not for a long enough time to be able to paint him from memory. No, he'd stick with his profile.
He played with different colors for awhile, finally sitting in the corner and just studying the painting. The only man I ever loved is dead...dead...dead.
The word dead echoed in his mind. Mark had never mentioned that. And he was sure last night Reed had said quite plainly that he had never loved Mark.
He heard some noise, so he got to his feet and walked over to the window. Reed stood outside talking with Adrian. Adrian said something and Reed laughed, then they took off jogging. Leo looked at the clock--a little after seven. He yawned, and considered going back to bed. He'd gotten up at four to paint, not quite sure why, or even what he wanted to paint. Now, Reed's face looked back at him and he raised his hand to his mouth. A sudden dawning realization spread over him and he shook his head. Even if it was true, even if he was falling for Reed, it could never be. It would mean that he'd have to choose between Reed and his best friend. Besides, he thought, as he studied the painting again, Reed had no interest in him, and his own feelings for Reed were little more than fantasies. At least he hoped to hell that's all they were.
As he was about to go back to his room, he paused in front of the painting again. Should he put it somewhere, hide it? Would Mark be upset that he'd painted Reed? What about Reed himself? Maybe he wouldn't like it either.
He walked back to the window. Reed and Adrian were no longer in sight. They must have made arrangements sometime last night to go jogging together this morning. There was nothing wrong with that as long as it didn't end with Reed fucking the shit out of him.
* * * *
Leo slept for two hours, then returned to the attic. He stood in front of the easel. Reed's light blue eyes stared back at him. He took the easel off its stand and brought it with him, back to his room.
That day he went to work painting the inside of one of the cabins. He'd almost finished painting three rooms, but decided to wait to put on a second coat. The rooms had a lot of trim, and he had to be careful not to get paint on the wooden beams. It was almost nine P.M. by the time he came back to the house.
Reed sat in the living room. A basketball game played on the large screen television and he seemed focused on that.
"Where's Mark?" Leo asked, looking around. He felt grungy and longed for a shower
"He went into town with Adrian. He's not back yet." His eyes stayed on the screen.
"Adrian?" Leo wrinkled his nose.
"Yep. Adrian had tickets to a play."
"I would have thought he would have asked you to go."
"I didn't want to go
," Reed replied. "I want to watch the game."
"Who's winning?"
"Boston."
"Is that your team?"
"No. I don't have a team. I'm not a big basketball fan. I prefer football."
Leo perched on the sofa. "So, if you prefer football, why are you watching basketball then?"
"I have money on this game."
"Ah, you're a gambler." He laughed.
"No," he replied, "but one of my clients is. And it was a little joke between us."
"Is the team you bet on winning?"
"Nope." He glanced at him. "Are you finished painting?"
"I did the first coat on one of the cabins."
"I can give you a hand tomorrow if you like."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Sure." He shrugged.
"That would be great. So, tell me about your job, Reed." Leo settled onto the sofa a minute. It felt good to rest his aching joints.
"Is this an interview?"
"No." He laughed. "It's just that Mark told me you fixed the Queen's computer. I find that pretty cool."
"I didn't actually fix her computer. I installed a new computer system in the palace."
"So are you a computer genius?"
"Is that a loaded question?"
"No." Leo grinned "Loaded how?"
"If I say yes, you'll accuse me of being arrogant. If I say no, you'll say I'm not being honest."
"Why do you always think I'm trying to set you up?"
"Experience."
"What kind of experience?" Leo smirked.
"Are you flirting with me?" He sat back, meeting his gaze.
Leo flushed. "No. I'm teasing you."
"Oh, okay. That's what that is."
"So are you a computer genius?"
"Some would consider me to be a genius when it comes to computers, I suppose. I just seem to be able to figure them out easily. I was like that as a boy. Computers are much less complicated than people."
"Ah. And you work when you want?"
"Now I do. I've trained people to do the job in my place. If something is really impossible to figure out, they'll call me."
"You like your job?"