Corrupt

by Chase Potter

  “Mmm.” The sound comes from my waist. Alex’s eyes have just fluttered open, and he’s staring at my erection.

  “Sorry,” I say, sheepish.

  He grins. “For what? This is the view I’d like to start every morning with.”

  I laugh, and my stomach touches his face as I do. “You think you’re fat…” I give him a wry look and poke at my belly.

  “Can we just agree that neither of us are?” he asks as he bares his teeth and lightly bites the skin of my stomach.

  “Hey!” His facial hair tickles my skin, and my dick flexes at the sensation.

  “I just wanted a taste.”

  “Uh huh.”

  He glances up from my waist, and I love the way his expression is so helpless and innocent when looking up at me. But then something shifts in it, and the innocence is chased away. “Staring at this thing is getting me all worked up.” He nods toward my dick.

  I smirk. “You probably shouldn’t put it in your mouth. I never showered after last night.”

  He grunts in acknowledgement, but then he seems to reconsider. “Well, there is one place we didn’t defile last night.”

  “Huh?”

  Alex tosses off the sheet, climbs to his knees, and with the leverage that only his muscular little frame could possess, he rolls me over onto my stomach in a flurry.

  “Wait, what are you —” His hands grab my ass on either side, and the soft whisking of facial hair against my butt shuts me up. I don’t know what I’m expecting, because no one has ever done this to me before, and my self-conscious anxiety intertwines with my concern that I might not even like what he’s about to do.

  But then, tongue.

  His stubble scrapes against my skin, and his tongue works my hole up and down, side to side, and around. It almost tickles, but actually not, and it feels way, way better than I would have guessed. My eyes roll back in my head and I let my teeth bite into the pillow pressing against my face.

  My moan isn’t really muffled by the pillow, and when Alex hears it, he backs off just enough to lick me lower down. He draws a line with his tongue from my balls, up through my butt and over my hole until finally ending at my lower back.

  I can feel my dick leaking pre-come onto the sheets, probably a whole fucking puddle, and I spit the pillow out of my mouth. “Goddamn that feels good.”

  Alex’s answer is to shift his grip from my butt to my hips, and he pulls me back up onto my knees and elbows. He wraps his hand around my cock, and now he’s working on me both in the back and front at once. He tugs on my dick in a simple rhythm, but combined with what he’s doing to my ass, it’s working wonders.

  For the first time, he presses in with his tongue like I was doing to him last night, and I think I might never be the same. His hand works faster, and he pushes in over and over.

  “I’m going to come,” I gasp, hating that it’s happening so quickly.

  “Do it.” His breath is cool against my asshole, and he keeps going. His hand pumps harder, and nothing is in my control. Alex is doing this to me, to my body. He’s holding the reins, and I’m helpless to stop what’s happening. He’s forcing every burning second on me, and the orgasm is building so fast I only realize it’s going to happen a second or two before it gushes through me. I tense, defenseless, and the spot of pre-come on the sheet suddenly becomes a lot more.

  Only then does Alex stop. When I roll over, careful to avoid the wet area on the bed, I see him sitting back on his heels, naked and hard, looking like the cat who ate the canary.

  “What?” I demand, still breathless from what he just did.

  It’s like he can’t stop smiling. “That was… really good.”

  “But you didn’t even get off.”

  Alex shrugs, his grin still wide. “It’s okay. I still got my fix.”

  I lean back on my elbows. “Oh yeah? A fix for what?”

  He gestures suggestively. “For the constant craving of wanting to be with you, on you, in you…” He wipes his arm across his mouth, and my anxiety from earlier comes tumbling back.

  Even though I shouldn’t, I say, “I showered yesterday before you came over, but… I hope I didn’t smell like sweat and stuff.”

  He smirks. “You did, and it was amazing. I normally don’t get quite so into that,” he admits with a tinge of redness.

  The thought of him doing that to another guy leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, but I know it’s stupid to think like that. So instead I focus on the compliment I just got, and a smile sneaks up on me. “I’m glad you liked it.”

  He grins even wider. “I’d go for round two…” He crosses his arms, as if he’s having some kind of internal battle. “Although now you just taste like my mouth. That’s not as fun.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “You mean like mint and vanilla?”

  He blushes. “You think I taste like that?”

  “You do.”

  * * * * *

  Snow sinks through the fading afternoon light, and our footsteps carry us down the street lined with booths and string lights. The scents of sugar and spices mix with our white breath in the air, and I wonder how it’s possible that I’ve never been to the Christmas market before. It runs for all of December, but I’ve never wanted to go. Possibly because Carson didn’t suggest it.

  It’s just one more thing that Alex has introduced me to.

  “Where to next?” he asks.

  I glance at him, wishing that my gaze alone could impart how much I’m enjoying this. Just… walking and being together.

  Alex watches me for several seconds, and then he says, “Never mind, let’s just keep wandering. I like this too.”

  I have to fight to keep the smile off my face, because that unspoken connection that everyone always wants in a relationship… is something that’s actually possible to have. I’ve never felt so in tune with anyone in my life before. Not even Carson.

  At that moment, we both spot a stand ahead serving mulled wine. Alex tosses a glance at me, and this time I’m not surprised that we’re thinking the same thing. He smiles, and for some reason I can’t look away. He has the cutest covering of stubble and his hair has been angled to the side by the wind. But like always, I’m drawn mostly to his eyes.

  “See something you like?”

  “Yeah, I really do.”

  Five minutes later and we each have steaming cups. The scent of cinnamon curls up from the hot wine, and the snow tapers off. The soft navy blue of early evening looks down on us as we take unhurried steps down the street. The clouds get pushed away as I take a sip of wine, and my gaze drifts upward into the clear sky.

  I get an urge to reach out and take his hand, but even though I’m sure he wouldn’t mind, I don’t. I’m not sure if I’m ready for that yet. Although if I’m honest with myself, I can’t deny that every time I push through my unease and cross another boundary with him, I end up loving it. I swallow hard at the realization, and I zip my jacket up just a little more.

  “Cold?” Alex asks.

  When I shrug, he moves closer to me so our arms are pressed together as we walk. It’s not holding hands, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s the next best thing.

  * * * * *

  From the driver’s seat, Alex appraises me. “You have specific plans tonight?’

  “Other than doing terrible things to you? Nope.” I try to put on a goofy grin.

  He rolls his eyes. “Not exactly what I meant.”

  “Sorry.”

  He bites his lip, and it distinctly reminds me of Carson. “I sort of have a hobby.” Alex says. “If you’re interested.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “A kinky hobby?”

  “Not quite.” He glances into the back seat.

  Only then do I notice the large black duffel bag there. “Sure.”

  Not answering, Alex starts the engine and pulls into the street. We don’t talk, and I count out the passing streetlights as he takes us toward the freeway. Like always, the city’s night is never dark. W
ashed out by the orange of high-pressure sodium bulbs, the city looks on as we cruise down the interstate.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” Amusement plays in his features, and I get the feeling I don’t have much of a choice about this at all.

  We’re nearly out of the city when Alex asks, “How’s Carson doing?”

  I pull my eyes away from the deepening darkness outside. “He’s fine. No issues since we picked him up at school.”

  “He’s a good kid.”

  “I know.”

  There’s a pause, and then Alex's voice mixes with the night. “You did a good job raising him.”

  “I didn’t —”

  Alex interrupts me, “But you did.”

  He glances at me, and I’m about to argue, but something stops me. Maybe that deep down I know he’s right, at least partly. Once again I’m reminded of my conversation with Carson a few days ago. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but…”

  Alex flips on his turn signal, and we exit the freeway in the middle of nowhere. “But?”

  “Carson told me he kissed a guy.”

  Shadows dance across Alex's face as he smirks and turns onto a gravel road. “I can see where he learned that from.”

  “Hey now.”

  “Kidding! You think he’s actually interested in guys?”

  I shrug. “I don’t even know if I am, so I’m not going to speculate.”

  More smirking. “You don’t know, huh?”

  I refuse to answer that one, and after several more turns and curving stretches of road, Alex pulls up to a closed gate. Shutting off the engine, he gets out and opens up the back. “Ready?” he asks as he takes the duffel bag from the back seat and a blast of chilly wind whips through the vehicle.

  “Yeah.” I zip up my coat and hop out. “What are we doing?”

  “You’ll see,” he says, clicking on a flashlight and unzipping the bag. He takes out two pairs of snowshoes and drops a set in front of me. They’re the nice kind, the ones made with real wood and sinew.

  “How do I…?”

  Alex comes up beside me, guiding my boot into the harness and strapping it down. He helps me with the other as well before strapping his own snowshoes on.

  “Have you done this before?” he asks.

  I shake my head.

  “Just make sure to lift your feet high enough.”

  He walks around the gate and I crunch after him through the snow. “Are we supposed to be here?”

  “It’s public land, but no, we’re probably not supposed to be here. Don’t tell me you’re afraid to break a law or two?”

  Ironic. I grimace. “No, not afraid.”

  The beam of Alex's flashlight bobs back and forth across the untouched snow as the abandoned road quickly devolves into a trail. Cold nips at my fingers as we walk, and I stuff my hands into my coat pockets. All the while we’re carried upward, zigzagging up a steep hill. Even with a half moon overhead, darkness and chill press in around us, and my eyes cling to Alex's patch of light.

  I feel like I’m just getting the hang of this when the tip of one of my shoes catches and I fall forward in slow motion into the murky night. Alex swings the flashlight onto me. “You okay?”

  My gloves are pressed into the snow, and my feet are splayed at odd angles. “I’m stuck, I think.”

  Alex chuckles before coming over to help me.

  “You do this for fun?” I demand as I brush the snow off myself.

  He grins. “I’m sure having fun right now.”

  I scowl and wave him onward.

  My legs are just starting to burn from the climb when we’re abruptly deposited on top of a hill. Dead grasses poke through the snow, while the far side of the hill falls away in blackness, and an anxious feeling climbs into my belly.

  Alex plops down into the snow and announces, “We’re here.”

  I sit beside him, and he clicks off the light. Night leaps into the vacant space, and the world disappears.

  Except it’s not actually gone, because a crisp silver light falls from above. Smattered down the center of the sky is the heart of the Milky Way, and innumerable points of silver starlight gleam onto the snow. It’s stunning, and my mind is unusually quiet.

  Beside me, Alex lies down in the snow, his snowshoes angled to the sides.

  “It’s beautiful,” I whisper as I join him. Our arms brush together, and somewhere in the dark, Alex finds my hand and takes it. He’s warm, and out here in the cold and the night, I don’t feel the slightest bit self-conscious. Earlier tonight might not have been the right time, but now definitely is.

  “What is this place?” I wonder aloud, and through our gloves, my thumb absently rubs the back of his hand.

  “It’s part of a line of bluffs that overlook the river,” Alex answers. “I thought you weren’t having fun.”

  I smile up at the stars. “I’m starting to change my mind.”

  He turns his head away from the night-drenched sky. I don’t want to look away, but his eyes draw me even more than the sky above us.

  “You’re staring,” I say softly.

  “I like what I see.”

  “Me too.”

  I take a breath and make a confession to myself and the December dark: Even if everything comes tumbling down, I will have had this single perfect day.

  * * * * *

  It’s creeping toward nine o’clock, and beneath the windows of my bedroom blackened by night, Alex and I have just had sex again.

  My breath stops in my throat, because that’s not what it was. Just like the other times, it wasn’t anything as simple as sex. The thought plays across my mind, and I try to catch it. Making love… making love to the guy who was floored by my Star Wars Lego collection, making love to the guy who downed three burnt s’mores to spare my feelings, making love to the guy who bought me a goddamn scarf at a Christmas market.

  I really did like the scarf, and it was nice of him to run back to the shop and get it for me. But still it seems too thoughtful of him, and I can’t escape from my own unease as I sink deeper into the memory. My eyes drift closed, and a pang of guilt rips me hard in the chest. It’s funny how sex seems okay but buying a small gift doesn’t.

  “What are you thinking about?” Alex’s voice is low beside me.

  “Nothing.” I open my eyes and find him just inches away.

  “Okay.” Leaning against my chest, he shifts his naked body only a little, but it’s enough for me to know he doesn’t believe me.

  I swallow away an unexpected wave of embarrassment at the closeness of our contact, the intimacy of my arm draped over his shoulder and chest. I curl my fingers into a loose ball. It’s too easy to be with Alex, and that scares the shit out of me. Even though I’m now slept with him three times. Or was it four?

  As if sensing my growing anxiety, Alex nuzzles closer to me. His cheek presses into my chest, tickling me with the stubble I can’t seem to get enough of. Despite lying here naked for fifteen minutes, go figure that that’s the thing that starts getting me hard.

  “Again?” Alex asks, glancing up to me.

  I look away, but I can’t stop my smirk. “We probably shouldn’t.” Then my good humor fades, and I admit, “Carson is probably going to text soon. I can’t afford to miss picking him up again.”

  “When did you forget the first time?”

  I realize I haven’t told Alex about that. “Uh, just like a week ago. Not a big deal.”

  “Hmm.” He’s wearing that look again like he doesn’t believe me.

  Before I can respond, the distinct sound of the front door shutting echoes through the condo. A thud of luggage dropped on the floor is followed by Carson’s voice. “Matt, I’m home!”

  I’m frozen. Even my heartbeats seem to grind to a halt as I feel Alex’s muscles tense up all over. Talking to Carson about being emotionally involved in Alex is one thing, but having him walk in on us just after fucking is a whole different game. Indecision paralyzes me. The do
or to my bedroom is hanging open, and even if it weren’t, it’s not like I could just shove Alex in the closet.

  “Matt?” Carson calls again. “Are you even here? I got a ride from a friend’s parents.”

  The sounds of footsteps in the hallway force me into action, and at the last moment I throw a sheet over me and Alex, covering all the important parts but still not nearly enough.

  A second before he comes into view, Carson’s chuckle spills through the open door. “Matt, what have you been up to? Smells like funk in here.”

  His humor is silenced an instant later, and a single word falls from his mouth. “Whoa.” Framed in the doorway, he takes in the scene with wide eyes. And only now do I realize how bad it really looks in here. I follow Carson’s gaze from the room that’s practically torn apart to the condom wrappers scattered beside a bottle of lube on the nightstand. All the blankets with the exception of the sheet are on the floor. And then of course Alex and I are tangled up under a white sheet covered in stains.

  Carson’s surprise has gradually turned to a mile-long smirk, and he almost says something but seems to think better of it. Apparently only by keeping his mouth shut does he prevent himself from bursting into laughter, and he points wordlessly, first to himself and then out the door. Finally he backs out, still grinning like a damn fool as he pulls the door shut behind him. When the latch finally clicks, I let out a long and terrible sigh.

  Alex glances up at me, perfectly sincere. “You think he knows what we’ve been up to?”

  Despite being thoroughly mortified at Carson walking in on us, I can’t help as my laugh gets caught in my nose and I snort. A spray of snot droplets flies onto my bare chest and Alex’s shoulder alike. “I think he knows.”

  Alex wipes off his shoulder and makes a face at me. “Gross.”

  I don’t answer, other than to rub my wrist under my nose. In the resulting silence, Alex asks, “So what do we do now?”

  I drop my face into my hands, just in case I might find a solution there. “Get dressed and go out there, I guess.”