by Kate Steele
Ethan had been so cute last night. Shy but feisty. Once they’d gotten in bed and started touching, Ethan had lost his shy demeanor. He’d been so responsive he took Crewe’s breath away. Ethan’s body knew what it wanted and it dragged that too-thoughtful intellect along for the ride. Ethan had become downright demanding, and it thrilled Crewe down to his toes knowing that his touch had brought all that out in his mate.
He rolled a bit and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Six fifty-three. The alarm would go off at seven. He reached over and shut it off, not wanting Ethan jolted by the raucous buzz. He had a much nicer way of waking him planned. Crewe started by nuzzling the back of Ethan’s neck. Soft kisses were placed on his warm, pale skin while Crewe’s hand rubbed Ethan’s belly. Ethan started to stir, moaning a bit, his perfect ass pressing back into Crewe’s morning wood.
Crewe groaned and bit back the urge to sink into Ethan. Even though that tight, hot sheath beckoned him, no matter how prettily Ethan begged, Crewe was determined not to do it. His baby would be sore after last night and Crewe wasn’t going to hurt him. Instead, he slid his hand to Ethan’s cock and gently stroked. Ethan was waking up fast.
He drew in a deep breath which came out as a husky groan. “Crewe. Fuck me.”
Oh, shit. Crewe was left gasping at how two little words could take his breath away. It seemed once Ethan got past the first hurtle he wasn’t going to be shy about making his wishes known.
I’ve created a sex kitten. Crewe chuckled out loud.
Ethan stiffened in his arms and thumped his heel against Crewe’s shin. “What’s so funny?”
Crewe could hear the soft uncertainty behind Ethan’s ire. “Just thinking how sexy you are and how tickled pink I am by it.” Ethan relaxed. “It’s almost seven. Do you have to work today?”
Ethan yawned but his hips were still moving with the slow, light caresses of Crewe’s hand against his dick. “Yeah. Have to be there at nine.”
“I have to open the dojo at nine so that works perfectly. We can shower, have breakfast and I’ll drop you home so you can change and go on to work. That sound all right to you?”
Ethan nodded and moaned.
Crewe’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. He let Ethan’s cock go and threw the covers back. “Come on then, let’s hit the shower.”
“Crewe! What about…” Ethan sputtered his cheeks heating.
“You’re voracious.” Crewe eyed Ethan’s erection. “No time for sex, babe. Let’s go!” Crewe turned and headed to the bathroom. Behind him he heard Ethan’s muttered, “You suck.” Not yet, babe, but I will.
Rumpled, grumpy and to Crewe’s eyes, utterly scrumptious, Ethan joined Crewe in the bathroom. Crewe gave Ethan a new toothbrush, one he had stashed away from his last visit to the dentist. While Ethan brushed his teeth, Crewe took care of personal business then switched places with Ethan. He brushed his own teeth quickly, giving Ethan a bit more privacy by stepping into the shower stall and turning the water on.
“Don’t flush when you’re done. I don’t want any important body parts to get scalded,” Crewe called out.
“Yeah, yeah,” Ethan grumbled.
Crewe grinned. “Hurry up and get your sweet ass in here.”
The door slid open and Ethan stepped in. “I don’t know why we have to shower together. I thought that was for… I mean people usually do that to…”
“Yeees?”
“Never mind.”
Crewe reached out and hauled Ethan into his arms, pulling him under the warm spray of water. “You’re not a morning person, are you?”
“No,” Ethan sputtered, wiping water out of his eyes.
“Bet I could cheer you up.” Crewe’s hand slid down to Ethan’s fast reawakening cock.
“No.” Ethan struggled against him. “You’re just doing that ’cause I’m a grouch.”
“Babe, why do you think I hustled you out of bed? ’Cause I selfishly wanted you here with the warm water spilling over both of us. I wanted to go down on my knees,” Crewe sank to his knees, “so I could suck you.” His wet fingers slid slowly down Ethan’s cock. “Just. Like. This.”
Crewe’s mouth sank over Ethan. Prepared, Crewe held Ethan up when his knees weakened and backed him against the shower wall. Ethan’s moans, echoing in the steamy shower cubicle, sent shivers of arousal up and down Crewe’s spine. His free hand went to his own cock and started a fast, pulling stroke. Crewe growled and heard Ethan gasp as well as saw his toes curl. If his mouth hadn’t been full, he’d have grinned.
The feel of Ethan’s cock in his mouth was exquisite. The nature of cocks was fascinating. So soft on the outside while so solid beneath. Crewe could feel the hard thump of Ethan’s pulse in the thick veins under his tongue. He tightened his lips and slid his mouth up and down, his tongue swiping over the head before each downward move. Ethan was leaking pre-come. It was warm and sweet, and Crewe searched diligently for every drop.
Ethan’s moans became louder, his hips pumping, his fingers curling in Crewe’s hair. Those sweet sounds made Crewe’s belly go taut, pushing his own pleasure higher. Crewe sucked harder and increased the speed of his mouth. His hand cradled Ethan’s balls, gently squeezing. When one finger stroked over his taut rosebud, Ethan blew. His hot load jetted down Crewe’s throat, spurt after spurt of hot salty/sweet yet tangy cream. Crewe easily swallowed each burst and groaned when his own orgasm hit, a shuddering jolt of fiery bliss that engulfed his insides and squeezed. Creamy ejaculate shot from his cock and hit Ethan’s legs in warm, pearly streams that were washed away by the still flowing water of the shower.
Groaning, Crewe got to his feet and planted his hands on either side of Ethan’s body. He leaned in for a kiss and was surprised when Ethan’s arms wrapped around him, squeezing so tight it was almost bruising. Ethan met his kiss, whimpering with pleasure and something else. Crewe could feel the vibration of Ethan’s shudders against his skin. He eased and slowed the runaway vigor of the kiss, then leaned back. Ethan’s eyes were closed, his face damp but not enough to hide the few tears that leaked from beneath his lashes.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Crewe took Ethan in his arms and rocked him gently.
“You…” Ethan took a stuttering breath. “You just… you’re so… I didn’t expect this. I… I don’t know what to do.”
Crewe’s heart clenched. Oh, God, what you do to me. “Baby, you don’t have to do anything. Do you like being with me? Like what we do together?” Ethan’s nod was strong and sure against his shoulder. “Then that’s all that matters. We like each other, we like pleasuring each other. It’s all good, Ethan.” If you only knew how much I feel for you but, damn, I don’t want to scare you away. There’s so much you need to know, so much I hope you’ll accept.
Ethan sighed and Crewe savored the warm puff of air that caressed his shoulder. He hugged Ethan tighter before stepping back a bit and capturing Ethan’s gaze. Shaking his head, he smiled. “Still adorable, even if you are grumpy in the morning.” Ethan wrinkled his nose and Crewe laughed. “Let’s finish this shower. I’m starving.”
* * *
Three weeks and counting. Ethan pushed the book cart ahead a few paces and shelved another book. The smile on his lips had become a near permanent fixture. Crewe had turned his life upside down and Ethan was loving it. He halted with a book in his hand. Loving Crewe. A thrill shot through his chest, fear and delight in equal measure. I love Crewe. Just thinking the words made his chest tighten again.
The past few weeks had been amazing. Any mutual free time they had was spent together. Crewe was teaching him Tai Chi and some simple defensive moves. Ethan had to admit that the exercise made him feel good. Not to mention the fact that it brought him closer to Crewe. They’d gone out more than a few times, to the movies or the mall. They always shared lunch now. Crewe would pick him up at the library or Ethan would meet Crewe at the dojo.
They spent every night together either at Crewe’s or Ethan’s house. Nick was still out of town. After his
trip to Syracuse, he’d made another connection that sent him to Boston and from there to Atlanta. At the moment, he was back in Chicago. It seemed he and the security chief at Info Systems had a little more to work out. More than one date could take care of. Ethan had shaken his head when Nick told him that one. He still couldn’t get over the fact that Nick was gay.
Ethan shook himself and finished putting the books away. His shift ended in another hour and tonight Crewe had planned something special. Something Ethan wasn’t actually looking forward to for once. Crewe wanted to go out. To a club. A club in Indianapolis called The Midnight Howl. A gay club.
Ethan bit his lip and grimaced. This was oh so not his thing, but Crewe was so enthusiastic. He’d pulled out all the stops, loving on Ethan until he agreed to go. With Crewe’s mouth wrapped around his cock, Ethan was afraid he’d agree to just about anything. Which just wasn’t fair if he really thought about it.
Still, he figured it wouldn’t kill him to do something Crewe really wanted to do. Isn’t that what lovers were supposed to do? Please each other?
He sighed and bit his lip, trying to keep his tension and insecurity at bay.
* * *
Later that evening, Ethan was wishing he hadn’t been so eager to please. He was miserable and trying hard not to show it. They’d arrived at the club and it was everything Ethan dreaded. There was loud music, liquor, and loads of people. He’d never felt so out of place in his entire life. Once again in a polo shirt and casual slacks he knew immediately that he was going to stick out like a sore thumb. The look of the day was casual all right, but jeans and leather were the proper attire and shirts seemed to be optional.
The minute he and Crewe had come in the door, Crewe had been greeted by person after person. During his time living in Indianapolis, The Midnight Howl had been a favorite haunt of Crewe’s and he was well known. Crewe had introduced him to people who’d been polite, but after the introductions Ethan stayed quiet and no one seemed bothered by the fact that he didn’t join in the conversation.
Crewe got them a table and drinks, a beer for himself and soda for Ethan. Not liking alcohol of any kind was something else that Ethan felt made him odd. He couldn’t even join in the drunken revelry, and being sober in a roomful of drunks just sucked. Not that everyone was drunk. Crewe most especially wasn’t. He was quite obviously taking it easy on the beer intake.
One thing Ethan did find fascinating was the dancing. All those couples wiggling and gyrating and in some cases practically fucking on the dance floor was an eye opener. Crewe had actually gotten Ethan out on the floor, much to his embarrassment. But after the slow dance ended, Ethan insisted on going back to the table. Crewe was going out of his way to be sweet, touching and talking to him, encouraging him to relax, but Ethan just felt lost, though he tried hard to hide it.
After awhile most of Crewe’s acquaintances had drifted away and were dancing. One man stayed, Chad Sutter who Ethan actually kind of liked. He seemed like a nice guy and truly talked to Ethan, including him in their conversation. In the midst of a story about an incident that had happened at the club the week before, someone new came to the table. He was a tall, broad shouldered man with sable hair and amber eyes.
“Hello, Crewe. Nice to see you again.”
“Lucas!” Crewe rose from his seat and shook the other man’s hand. “Nice to see you too. The club’s as hot as ever. I’d like you to meet my ma… lover, Ethan. Ethan, this is Lucas Devereau, he owns the club.”
Ethan felt his cheeks blaze. Crewe hadn’t announced their relationship so bluntly to any of the other people he’d introduced Ethan to.
“Pleased to meet you, Ethan,” Lucas said, turning to him and holding out his hand.
Ethan returned the greeting and shook the man’s hand. Just like Crewe, he obviously knew his own strength and felt no reason to prove it by hurting him with a handshake. Lucas apparently knew Chad and greeted him cordially before turning back to Crewe.
“Crewe? Could I speak to you in the office? It’ll only take a few minutes. You don’t mind if I borrow him for just a bit, do you, Ethan?”
“No, not at all.”
Crewe rose from the table. “I’ll be back in a minute, baby. Chad will keep you company, won’t you, Chad?”
“I’ve no plans to run away,” Chad answered and waved him off.
Ethan struggled to find something to say, then gave up. He looked over to find Chad watching him.
“You’re not enjoying this, are you?”
Ethan shook his head. “Not really. This is so far beyond my scope of experience. I feel like I’m about to fall off the edge of the map. I… well. Oh hell, I’m a nerd. I have been my whole life.”
Chad laughed quietly. “Well you must be a very special nerd. Crewe’s wild about you. I’ve never seen him so happy.”
“You think?”
“Oh, yes. And I’ve known Crewe since college.”
“Sometimes I wonder what we’re doing together. There’s something else I was wondering too.”
“What’s that?”
“Where’s the bathroom?”
Chad’s grin was immediate. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
The two of them made their way along the outskirts of the crowd and into the bathroom. Chad gave him grin. “It’s quiet, best hurry before some randy couple comes in for, um, refreshment.”
They each took stalls. Ethan sighed with relief as his bladder emptied, then he tensed as the outer door opened. Two men came in laughing at something one or the other had said. Ethan zipped up and was just about to go out to wash his hands when one of them spoke.
“Did you see Crewe Jackson?”
“Oh, hell yeah. He’s looking fine tonight but who is that geeky little twink he brought with him?”
“Efram, Eben, something or other. It’s just too awful. Crewe must be handing out pity fucks. It must be those lips. They look like they could suck a golf ball through a garden hose.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Looks can be deceiving. He did have a nice ass though. Crewe’s probably just reaming it out for kicks. But as for pity fucks, if he’s handing them out I’m not too proud to take one. That man is hot.”
“Honey, he did fuck me a couple of years ago and pity had nothing to do with it. And let me tell you, the man is hung like a horse.”
The two of them prattled on and took care of business at the urinals. Ethan waited in frozen silence for them to leave. He bit his lip hard, blinking furiously to hold back the tears that stung his eyes. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.
The men finally left and Ethan cautiously emerged from the stall. Another stall door opened and Chad stepped out. Ethan stared at him for a moment, then turned away and went to one of the sinks to wash his hands.
Chad took the sink next to his. “Well, this is awkward as hell. Ethan, I’m so sorry you heard that.”
Ethan shook his head. “It’s okay. It just confirms what I knew all along. I don’t belong here. I don’t belong with Crewe.”
“Bullshit! This has nothing to do with you and Crewe belonging together. Any idiot can see the love between you two. They’re jealous ’cause one of the hottest guys here belongs to a sweet, geeky little nerd with the most luscious lips I’ve ever seen.”
Said lips quivered and Ethan found himself struggling once again to keep his tears at bay. He turned away to grab a paper towel to dry his hands. Chad reached past him for his own towel, then laid an arm around Ethan’s shoulders.
He gave Ethan a squeeze. “As for not belonging here, you may be right. You’re too nice a person for this place. Too vulnerable. Places like this can tear you up if you’re not tough enough.” Chad pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to Ethan. “If you ever want to talk or if there’s anything I can do for you, just give me a call, you hear?” Ethan nodded and stuck the card in his pocket. “I like you, Ethan. You’re a sweet kid and you make my friend very happy.”
At that moment the bathroom door opened and
Crewe walked in. He took one look at Ethan’s face and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Ethan walked into Crewe’s arms and buried his head against Crewe’s shoulder.
“These two guys came in while we were in the stalls,” Chad started to explain and grinned at Crewe’s glare. “Separate stalls,” he elaborated and went on to detail the incident.
Crewe was stony-faced by the time he’d finished. “Do you know who they were?”
“Not a clue.”
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you, buddy?”
“To keep you out of trouble? Yes. Yes, I would. Lucas wouldn’t care for you starting trouble, Crewe.”
“I don’t give a fuck what Lucas wants.”
“Then give a fuck about what your lover needs. Take Ethan home, Crewe. I think your boy needs to know just how much you care about him.”
Ethan raised his head in time to see the stricken look that came into Crewe’s eyes. He shook his head and put a hand to Crewe’s cheek. “Don’t even think that this is your fault.”
“But it is. I never should have brought you here. I wanted you to have fun. I wanted people who know me to see my lover. I wanted them to see how lucky I am. I never thought… oh, fuck. Ethan this is my fault. I forgot what bitches some of these people can be. I’m so sorry, baby. Can you forgive me?”
“Sure, but only if we can go now.”
“Now it is.”
Ethan looked back at Chad. “It was nice meeting you at least.”
Chad smiled. “Same here, Ethan.”
“Thanks, Chad,” Crewe chimed in.
“Anything for a brother,” Chad answered with a wink.
When Ethan would have pulled away, Crewe kept him close with an arm wrapped around his waist. As they walked out of the bathroom Ethan pinched him. “Let go. What are you doing?”
“Ow! I’m protecting you.”
“Nobody’s attacking me. At least not physically. You’re making me feel like a schmuck.”
“Well, forgive me. God forbid anyone should know I care about you,” Crewe intoned sarcastically.