Smoldering Desires

by C. E. Knipes

  “Good morning. How’d you sleep last night?”

  “I was up pretty late. After you left, Jess came over. We had a few beers and a joint, and it was around one when I walked her home. I had a hard time falling asleep. I think it was all the excitement of meeting you.”

  Okay, so I was spreading it on a little thick.

  “I didn’t know you were a toker. I am as well. It took me a while to fall asleep as well. I overslept and missed breakfast. I can’t wait till lunch. I’m starving.”

  The professor arrived and called the class to order. I was barely aware of what he was saying. My mind was still focused on yesterday’s date with Sebastian. And the fact that he was sitting next to me. His cologne and a small scent of sweat wafted to me. He was wearing a different cologne than yesterday. One that smelled just as good. I could still taste his lips.

  After class, he walked me to my next one.

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  He kissed me again before heading to his own class.

  In my next two classes I was also unable to initially focus. I could not stop thinking about Sebastian. Somehow though, I managed to still take notes on my laptop. Finally, my last class before lunch was dismissed. I tried to walk as nonchalantly to the cafeteria as I could. My first impulse was to run all the way. My hands began to shake and my heartbeat increased as I neared the cafeteria.

  Sebastian was waiting for me outside the main doors. He kissed me and gave me a hug. He felt nice when I hugged him. Good and solid.

  There were several selections for lunch. Given it was a cafeteria, the food was usually surprisingly good. I chose meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. With a large glass of milk. Sebastian substituted fried chicken for meat loaf, with the rest matching mine. We found a table in a far corner. The cafeteria was pretty packed this afternoon. I had just taken my first bite when Sebastian dropped his bombshell.

  “I thought a lot about yesterday last night, Evan. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself that much. Or when I clicked with someone like I’ve done with you. I hope I’m not going to freak you out, because we’ve know each other less than twenty-four hours. But I’d like to see you on a steady basis. It just feels right to be with you. And good. That is, if you aren’t already seeing someone. Or several someones.”

  He smiled after his last remark.

  “I’m sure a handsome guy such as yourself must have at least one suitor.”

  “No, Sebastian. I’m not seeing anyone. When I do, I’m a one-person kind of guy.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. I am as well. Any exes I should be afraid of?”

  I almost laughed at his question. That would have freaked him out.

  “Only one, and you needn’t be afraid of him. His name is Max Spenser. It was over a year ago, and it only lasted six months. He’s still back in Lancaster. We’ve been friends off and on since grade school. The summer before my freshman year here we were back on. We realized our attraction for one another was more than mere friendship.”

  “Why so short?”

  “He wasn’t ready to live his life as a gay man. Even in this day and age. We got back together twice. Truth be told, because the sex between us was so good.”

  “That’s too bad, Evan. Surely his loss.”

  “What about you, Sebastian?”

  “I have a few exes, the only notable one being the man I spent three years with. Since we were juniors in high school. He’s only notable because he went a little crazy when I wanted to end the relationship. I tried breaking up with him several times, but, as with your relationship, the sex between us was so intense he kept coming back for more.”

  “How serous was it? And what do you mean by crazy?”

  “It was very serious. I thought he was the one. I was shopping for an engagement ring when I finally broke it off. I found out he’d been cheating on me with my best friend at the time. When I told him it was over for good, he began stalking me. Calling and texting my phone. Calling my parents’ house. Driving by all hours of the day. Stopping in to see me at work.”

  I hated this ex already, and I didn’t even know his name.

  “That’s why I’d like to take things a little slow with you. I don’t want to fuck it up right off the bat.”

  “That works for me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m curious as to the last time you’ve seen this ex. Also, what’s his name?”

  He didn’t answer right away. When I looked up, he was staring toward a far table.

  “What’s wrong, Sebastian?”

  “My ex’s name is Brent Douglas. He’s sitting at that table right over there!”

  I turned in the direction he was looking.

  “Which table?”

  “The one nearest the wall. Below the windows. What the hell is he doing here?”

  The tone of his voice was making me very nervous.

  “The heavyset brown-haired guy on the end?”

  “No, the blond next to him.”

  My heart sank when I gave him a closer look. He was similar to Sebastian in build. Of course he had blue eyes to go with the blond hair and the gorgeous features. Why couldn’t he be ugly?

  “What’s he doing here? Does he go to Milton? Does he have friends that go here?”

  Sebastian turned his attention back to me. He looked like he had seen a ghost. He was clearly agitated. Probably more so by my barrage of questions.

  “I don’t know what he’s doing here, Evan. I haven’t seen him in six months. I don’t think he has friends that go here. At least he didn’t back when we were together. That could have changed. I’m sure he has friends I’m not familiar with. The last I heard of him he was enrolled at some college in Vermont. Which is a little unnerving, as I did have a restraining order against him.

  “Shit, he spotted me. He’s coming over here.”

  I found myself keyed up for a fight, without really knowing why.

  “Were things really that bad?”

  “They were. As I said, he was texting and calling my cell nonstop. I changed my number several times, but he always managed to find it again.”

  “Did it ever get physical?”

  “It did the last time we broke up. I’m not proud of the fact. He came into my house and physically attacked me. He had been drinking. I had to call the police in order to have him removed. That was the last time I saw him. That event also prompted the restraining order. I had him arrested, but I never followed through on pressing charges. I begged him to get help, but I’m not sure if he did.”

  “Thanks for telling me all that, Sebastian. It sounds like a terrible situation to be in. I hope he’s not going to start any trouble.”

  “Just be ready for anything.”

  I didn’t want to overreact. At least he was telling me this much.

  Brent approached our table cockily. The heavyset guy trailed him. He ridiculously appeared to be Brent’s muscle. The duo stopped at our table. Their menace was palpable.

  “Sebastian Tantalos. Funny meeting you here. This is my friend, Mike.”

  “Not really, Brent. You know I go to this university. The funny thing is seeing you here. The last I knew you weren’t supposed to be within five hundred feet of me!”

  “Oh, you must not have been notified. That nice little restraining order you had on me expired at the end of August. Which left me free to transfer to Milton.”

  The look on Sebastian’s face was one of complete incredulity. That mixed with anger.

  “You’re going to Milton? What the fuck are you trying to prove, Brent? We’re not getting back together. No matter how long you stalk me. As for the restraining order, rest assured I’ll be checking with our family lawyer.”

  It was the first time I’d heard Sebastian use foul language.

  “It’s a free country, as they say. I can enroll in whichever university I please. Regardless of how much you protest, Sebastian, you know we belong together. It’s just a matter of time before you come crawling back to m
e. Once you’re done with your current boy toy.”

  “I’ve only said this once before, Brent, but it bears repeating. I think you need professional help. Please get it before it’s too late.”

  Brent ignored Sebastian’s comment and directed his attention to me for the first time. The once-over he gave me didn’t bode well for me. Or Sebastian, for that matter.

  “Who’s this jerkoff? The flavor of the week?”

  He indicated me with a jerk of his right thumb.

  Before Sebastian could respond, I stood up. This took both Brent and Mike by surprise. They each took two steps back.

  “I don’t much like being called a jerkoff, asshole. If you and your hunchback would like to step outside, we can discuss this. Amicably or not. The two of you shouldn’t be much trouble.”

  Sebastian stood up across from me.

  “I’ll be right behind him.”

  Mike actually took a step toward me. I didn’t back up. I had faced and bested bigger men than him. Something in my attitude seemed to give both men pause. That added to the fact that Sebastian was a formidable opponent.

  A look passed between the two of them, and Mike stepped back.

  “No need to get in a fight, Mike. Sebastian, I was just stopping by to say hi. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other this semester. After all, I’m in two of your classes. By pure coincidence, of course.”

  He gave me a look before turning and walking toward the front door. The hulk followed him. Both Sebastian and I remained standing till the two of them had left the cafeteria. It was then we realized that the majority of the students in the cafeteria were staring at us. We both took our seats.

  “So, that’s Brent. What a complete asshole. Do you know this Mike guy?”

  “Yes, that’s Brent. I’ve never seen Mike before.”

  Sebastian was clearly extremely upset.

  “You had no idea Brent was enrolled at Milton?”

  “None. And I don’t know which classes he’s referring to. I’ve never seen him. But some of them are held in big lecture halls. He could be there and I just haven’t seen him yet. I need to keep my eyes peeled.”

  “What about the restraining order? Is he correct that it has lapsed?”

  “I’m not sure. As I told Brent, I will need to check with our family lawyer. He handled all the details for me. My only concern at the time was that Brent couldn’t come near me.”

  “I can see how it got physical. He seemed like he was ready to take a swing at either one or both of us.”

  “Thus the restraining order. I chose that over having him arrested. Maybe I was too nice. I should have had him arrested in addition to the restraining order. I’ve pretty much lost my appetite. I’m anxious to talk to our lawyer. Do you mind if we cut lunch short?”

  “Not under the circumstances, no.”

  We deposited our trays on the conveyor belt and left the cafeteria. Sebastian walked me to my next class. It was the last one for the day.

  He kissed me good-bye.

  “I’ll text you later.”

  “Okay, Sebastian. Try to keep your chin up.”

  God, that was lame. I was in a somber mood as I took my usual seat. My mood wasn’t helped when Brent walked in from another door. He took a seat in the third row. He hadn’t seen me. Christ, what were the chances. I focused on taking notes and listening to the lecture. But I couldn’t help stealing glances now and then at him. Why was he so good-looking? My mind began to wander about him and Sebastian being together. It took all my willpower to put the brakes on that train.

  When class was over, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Once in my room, I lit a joint and grabbed a beer. After stuffing the towel in its usual spot, I texted Jess.

  “Please come over ASAP. It’s urgent.”

  “I’ll be right there.” was her reply.

  As soon as she arrived, I passed the joint to her and handed her a beer. We smoked as I brought her up to speed on the incident in the cafeteria. And the fact that Brent was in my Business and Government class.

  “Christ, that is too creepy. He’s the stalker boyfriend you see in those Lifetime movies.”

  “I know, Jess. I have a very bad feeling about this. I know trouble when I see it. He’s trouble. With a capital B.”

  “Do you think he’s going to try to come between you and Sebastian?”

  “I do. Why else would he be here? Sebastian told me the last he knew Brent was going to a college in Vermont. Now he’s here. Of course, since I’ve only been seeing Sebastian a short time, I’m immediately insecure. It doesn’t help that Brent is hot as hell.”

  “I’m betting Sebastian is looking for more than a pretty package.”

  “Time will tell, I guess. They’ve gotten back together several times. According to Brent, it happens as soon as Sebastian tires of his current boy toy. What if that’s me? There’s nothing I can do now. I wish I’d hear from Sebastian regarding his lawyer. That would make me feel better if Brent had to keep his distance.”

  My phone rang. It was Sebastian. He confirmed that the restraining order had indeed expired.

  “Can you get it reinstated? Or get another one?”

  “Not until he does something illegal, or threatens me with physical violence. As he did the first time. Stalking can sometimes be very hard to prove. I can’t press charges against him simply because he’s here at Milton. Believe me, I wish I could.”

  “I know, I know. But isn’t your gut telling you that it’s going to come to that? Just from that run-in in the cafeteria, I think he’s crazy and looking for trouble.”

  “Oh, that’s a guarantee, Evan. Again, we need to be on guard at all times.”

  *

  For the next two weeks, Sebastian and I were inseparable. We ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. I went to his soccer practices as well as his games, which were typically held on Sunday nights. I slept in his room, and he slept in mine. For whatever reason, he preferred to sleep in mine. Because of our agreement to wait to have sex, we had agreed that at least underwear had to be worn in bed. However, we didn’t rule out snuggling, which I’m a big fan of. I loved the feel of his arms holding me, and the warmth of his strong, hairy body pressed to mine. I had also felt, on many occasions, his substantial cock pressed against my leg. Or teasingly against the cheeks of my ass.

  On numerous occasions, I came back to my room to find vases of flowers in front of my door. However, despite all the good times and romance, a pallor hung over us. Its name was Brent. Sebastian had sussed out which two classes he shared with Brent. Brent had not approached either of us since the encounter in the cafeteria. He had acknowledged that Sebastian was in his class with a smile and a wave. Sebastian was convinced the other shoe would drop soon.

  It was the second Monday in October. I was headed to my Business Ethics class when I saw a flyer on the bulletin board in the dorm’s foyer. It was date stamped, and had been there for two weeks already. I had simply been too preoccupied to see it. The college was holding its annual event titled Fall Formal. It was to welcome new students in addition to returning ones. It was next Saturday at the Pittman Manor. Tickets were one hundred dollars for a couple and had already been on sale since the date stamped on the flyer. The flyer stated there were a limited number of tickets. Would Sebastian be interested in going? I didn’t even know yet if he was the formal type. It couldn’t hurt to ask. Or was it too soon for Sebastian and me to attend such an event? Were we even officially a couple yet? We’d only been dating for two weeks. We hadn’t even had sex yet!

  It had been a mutual decision to wait to have sex. We had both come from relationships where sex had kept us trapped far past the point of when the relationship should have ended. For Sebastian, it had brought him and Brent back together several times. The same for me and Max.

  However, I was more than ready to end our self-imposed celibacy. Feeling Sebastian’s strong, hairy body pressed to mine was getting hard to resist. Especially those times
when I felt his hard cock pressed against me. Its size and length promised good things to come. Maybe the Fall Formal would be the perfect opportunity to consummate our relationship. When I got to Business Ethics, I took my usual seat. I texted Sebastian while I waited for the professor to arrive.

  “Hi, Sebastian. I hope you’re having a good day. I just saw a flyer 4 the Fall Formal. It’s next Saturday. I’d like 2 go if you’re into it. If yes, that leaves us less than a week 2 get ready. I don’t know what 2 wear 2 a formal. If it’s a tux, I will need 2 rent 1.”

  His reply was immediate.

  “Great minds think alike. I saw the same flyer this morning in my dorm. It sounds like it’ll b fun. I would love 2 go. Let’s meet at DiMarco’s 4 lunch. After we can go and buy tickets. They’re on sale in the Student Union. See u soon.”

  I couldn’t wait for class to end. DiMarco’s was the pizza and sub shop on Main Street. It took only a few minutes to walk there. Sebastian was already seated at what had become our favorite table.

  “Before I left class I ordered a large pepperoni with extra cheese and extra sauce. I know that’s your favorite.”

  “Thanks, Sebastian.”

  I was pleased he had remembered.

  While we waited for the pizza to arrive at our table, Sebastian updated me on his morning. The waiter brought the pizza and set it on the table. Sebastian gallantly placed two slices on my plate and gave himself two as well. I was just ready to take my first bite when Brent walked in. He was alone. He spotted us and made a beeline for our table. I braced myself for the confrontation I knew was coming. Brent completely ignored me. In fact, he stood facing Sebastian, with his back to me.

  “Hi, Sebastian.”

  The look of distaste on Sebastian’s face was priceless. However, it didn’t faze Brent one bit. Before Sebastian had a chance to speak, Brent continued.

  “I’ve been wondering if you have a date for this Saturday’s Fall Formal. If you don’t, would you like to go with me? It can be just like old times.”