Gabe grinned as he lay on his back at home in bed with Hal naked on top. It was a dream come true. Their gazes locked. Gabe knew that he’d never want to look away.
“I’m not sure I understand this application of the noun embellishment.”
Gabe pressed upward and rolled Hal onto his back. He reached out with his right index finger and traced it along Hal’s jawline.
“With plain ordinary sex, I might just kiss your neck like this.”
Hal chuckled when Gabe pressed his lips to Hal’s neck and released with a big smack. Between laughs, he said, “That’s not too bad. I’d take it over nothing.”
“If I embellish it and add a few more details, you get something like this.” Gabe cradled Hal’s chin in his right hand. The left reached out and raked his fingers into Hal’s hair while he lightly touched his tongue to a spot just below Hal’s ear. Gabe gently exhaled and then covered the spot with his lips.
“Oh, yeah, well, I think I’m starting to understand. Do you have another example?”
Gabe slid downward in the king-sized bed. “I could do this.” He reached out, gripped a nipple, and twisted.
“Fuck, why the hell? That hurts…”
It was Gabe’s turn to laugh. “Buck up, big guy. We’re having an educational moment. With me, you get this—more details.”
Gabe reached out again and touched the nipple with feather-light brushing movements of his fingertips. He followed with a flicking tongue until the nub grew hard. A kiss with tender sucking sensations followed.
“Okay, okay. I think I’ve got it now. How about you let me try?”
Hal slipped his hand between their bodies and gripped Gabe’s stiff cock like he was choking up on a baseball bat. He started tugging forward and back.
“Hey, whoa! Careful with that! It’s vital equipment. You’re likely to break something significant.”
“I’m only giving you an example to show you that I understand.”
Hal shifted his rough handling to a lighter grip and a slow leisurely stroke. He used the pad of his thumb to massage a particularly sensitive spot where Gabe’s head met the shaft.
“Damn, you learn fast. I’m proud.” Gabe wiggled and squirmed as the sensation intensified.
“Thank you for the compliment, but I’m still a little nervous.”
Gabe asked, “Why? You’re in the safest spot in the world. How could you be better taken care of than in bed with an ace first responder?”
Hal pulled himself back up in the bed so he could kiss Gabe’s lips. “It’s my first time. Don’t forget that.”
“How could I forget that. I’ve never gone to bed with a first-timer before.”
“Wouldn’t you call me a virgin? At least with men.”
Gabe kissed Hal’s lips while Hal continued to stroke. “Hell no. I think that sounds a little too virgin-ish. First-timer is much better. It’s like your first time skydiving, or…”
“First time paddling a canoe?”
“Yes. Just like that.”
“And does it hurt?”
“Maybe a little,” said Gabe. “We can have you on top if you’re worried about that.”
Hal paused in his stroking. “I thought you’re either one or the other.”
“Some guys are—oh, man, please start that again. Do I seem like the kind of guy who’d miss out on any of the different ways to have fun?”
Hal started to stroke again with a huge grin on his face. “No, you don’t. Not since you put it that way, but maybe you should be the one on top this time. Show me how it’s done.”
“I’ll show you how Gabe does it. I don’t think there’s a specific way to do it, and you’ve got a good start.”
“Me?”
“I’m rock hard in case you couldn’t tell.”
While Hal continued to stroke, Gabe playfully walked his fingers down Hal’s belly, lightly tickled his balls, and then slipped the hand beneath, rocking Hal’s body back.
“Have you ever played down here yourself?” asked Gabe.
Hal’s cheeks blushed pink. “Yeah. Is that weird?”
Gabe kissed Hal again. “Not at all. As long as it feels good.”
While he spoke, Gabe slipped a single finger inside Hal’s tightly puckered hole only about an inch past the ring.
“Oh…wow. So…different when it’s somebody else.”
“Yeah? Tell me, Hal. I want to hear you embellish on that.”
“I…I don’t know what you’ll do next. It’s like my body wants to grip and pull you further inside.”
“I’ll help you,” purred Gabe, and he kissed Hal just below the ear once more.
“I…I never pushed my fingers…very far.”
“Why’s that, Hal?” Gabe spoke close enough to his skin that it caused the tiny hairs to stand on end.
“I was embarrassed?”
“And now?”
“Excited—damn, so fucking excited.”
Gabe chuckled. “Right where I want you to be.”
When Gabe slipped a second finger inside to open Hal up more, he heard gasps and the first moan in response. Hal closed his eyes and pushed his head back against the pillow.
While sliding the fingers of one hand deeper inside, Gabe fumbled for condoms in the nightstand. He’d perfected his technique for doing both tasks at once and hoped it was all seamless activity for his partner.
Hal started to babble. “Are you going to…I mean, I’ve heard. Ohh—is that it?”
Gabe’s finger found the knob of Hal’s prostate. When he touched it, Hal forgot about stroking Gabe’s cock and gripped the bedsheets instead. He moaned louder, and his breathing was shallow and fast.
“That’s it, Hal. Now, take one hand and help me with my cock.”
Gabe kissed Hal hard while they collaborated in rolling the condom down the length of Gabe’s shaft. The animal instinct told Gabe to push Hal’s legs back and take him hard. It was time for all the pent-up energy to explode.
Gabe’s love and appreciation for his man told him to continue to take things slow. A first time could be somewhat painful, and he remembered all the worry about performance. There would be plenty of time in the future for raw, hard-edged sex. The first time was about savoring the experience, learning, and drawing out the sensations.
When Gabe was ready for the first penetration, he insisted, “Open your eyes and look at me, Hal. I want you to breathe. Take long deep breaths. I want you here with me. This is about love.”
“I so fucking love you,” moaned Hal as he opened his eyes.
Gabe saw a world of emotion. Hal’s eyes reflected excitement, appreciation, lust, and affection. He also saw a hint of fear, but he knew that would soon dissipate.
“Push out against me while I thrust, Hal. That’s the best way for it to work.”
It took a few thrusts for Gabe to push past the tight ring, but when he did, Hal fought to keep his eyes open. Gabe watched a single tear roll down his cheek.
“Are you okay? Does it hurt that much?”
“Tear of joy. No, it doesn’t hurt bad—a little bit of an ache. Oh, fuck—I’ve wanted this. Gabe…”
“Yeah? I’m right here.”
“Fuck me, please. Show me what it’s like.”
Gabe took it slow, and he shifted positions multiple times. Hal loved taking it doggie-style, but in the end, they both preferred Hal’s legs wrapped around Gabe’s torso. “I can see your handsome face,” said Gabe. “It’s such a fucking turn-on.”
As he felt himself move closer to the edge, Gabe wrapped the fingers of his right hand around Hal’s cock. “Oh, that feels so good. Yeah, I love that,” moaned Hal.
“Can you come with me inside? Not every guy can do that.”
Hal opened his eyes wide and grinned. “That will be no problem.”
Gabe picked up the speed of his thrusting and stroked Hal in rhythm. As his balls started to tense, he closed his eyes and rolled his head back. He’d dreamed of the moment from the first time he kissed H
al at Lone Cedar Lake. Some fantasies did come true.
“I’m almost there, Hal.”
“Me, too. I’ll try to hold out.”
“Don’t—fuck. Let go. Come with me.”
Seconds later, both men soared in the grip of powerful orgasms. Hal shot hard in an arc that hit both Gabe’s belly and Hal’s chest. Gabe let out a feral growl as his body convulsed deep inside Hal.
Gabe wasn’t sure he’d ever come so hard. He held on tight to Hal’s cock while waves of orgasm swept through both of their bodies. When it finally subsided, he fell to Hal’s side on the bed, sweaty and spent.
“This is how you celebrate an election.”
Hal asked, “So, do we get to do this again in November?”
“I hope we do this dozens of times before then. Morning, noon, and night.”
“You’ll break me.”
“But what a way to go,” said Gabe.
“Breakfast in bed? I’ve never had this before. Unless you count room service, but that’s something different.”
“Yes, it is,” said Gabe as he carried a tray to Hal in the bedroom. “Don’t expect this every morning, either. I’m not that sweet, but I thought this occasion deserved something special.”
“What is the—occasion? Is it a specific event?”
Gabe placed the tray’s legs over Hal’s lap and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’d say your first election victory and first fuck all in the same night adds up to a major event.”
“I guess it does. Who’d have thought they’d happen together? Oh, have you seen any news this morning? Are they going crazy about us? Where’s my phone? Has Trent…”
Gabe pressed a single finger to Hal’s lips. “Shh. This time right now is for us. Only you and me.”
“Are you sure? I never get to have that kind of time. Somebody always wants something, and when I try to take the time, I catch hell for it. Like after we went canoeing.”
“This morning is when we start a new pattern. Right here and right now. We come first—you and me.”
“I love the sound of that.” Hal broke a slice of the crisp bacon on his plate and took a bite.
Gabe watched and said, “A few days ago, I didn’t think it could happen up here in the woods, but you’ve made this…” Gabe pounded the left side of his chest. “I don’t know how to describe it.”
“Whole? That’s the way mine feels.”
“Yes, that’s it. Both of our hearts are finally whole and complete—like the poem.”
Epilogue - Hal
Gabe shook Hal’s shoulders. “You’re back in the lead. This is better than a close hockey game the way you go back and forth, but I think you’ve got it won now.”
“Only 75% of the vote in,” said Trent. He wiped the beads of sweat from his brow. “It could still go either way.”
Hal frowned. “I thought you’re supposed to be the confident voice. Tell me that it’s in the bag. Keep my spirits up.”
“This election wasn’t close until after the primary. Then you opened your big mouth onstage.” Trent looked away from the monitor showing the latest vote totals and glanced at Hal.
The frown deepened.
“Of course, it was the right thing to do. You’ve got this won, Hal. Don’t worry.”
Gabe chuckled. “Even I can tell you’re not sure.”
Hal backed away from staring at the numbers. “I can’t watch. Gabe, let’s dance.”
“Yes, Sir. Lead the way. That creaky elevator music kind of sucks, but we’ll do our best.”
While Gabe and Hal danced, Brandon took the seat next to Trent. “He did manage to steal away a lot of voters from the other side. Look at Arrowhead Falls. It’s a 50-50 tie there.”
“But then he weakened on the mining issue. McNally is close in places he shouldn’t be. Hal announced that he would put together a commission to hold public hearings. I still remember the specific comment that made news headlines. ‘We only move forward when we’re together as one. I won’t let it be us against them.’”
“But then McNally fumbled the ball,” said Brandon. “Somebody caught him on video with a cellphone camera complaining about the woods. He said it was all a stunt trying to replicate Hal’s canoe trip. They still don’t know who got the film.”
Levi whispered in Brandon’s ear. “And some voices will never tell.”
“May I have this dance?” Nate reached out a hand toward Elle.
“Why, of course. I’d never reject an offer from my Prince Charming.”
Brandon said, “They’re so sweet that watching them is like choking on a circus peanut.”
Trent poked at the screen. “Two more precincts. The lead is growing. Only 20% of the vote still out!”
Brandon rubbed Trent’s back. “You’ve got this one. I bet they hire you on a presidential campaign next. You’re a genius, Trent.”
“And I can’t watch.” Trent stood. “I have to find coffee somewhere in this place.”
“It’s in the kitchen,” said Brandon as Levi pulled up a chair.
“I think this is another thing that Grandma and I didn’t miss out in the cabin. You all look like you’re hoping your ship makes it to port before it sinks, but you’re not sure. How can somebody do this every two years?”
“It’s a waltz,” said Hal. “You do it like this. One-two-three. One-two-three.”
“I think Hal has the right idea,” said Levi. “He isn’t so stressed.”
“Gabe can take anyone’s mind off of anything,” said Brandon. “He’s distracting in a good way. His personality fills the screen.”
Trent brought back a cardboard carrier with three cups of coffee. “I hope you don’t mind it black. I couldn’t find any cream. Where are we now?”
“Aww, damn, the lead shrunk again, but it says 92% of the vote in,” said Brandon.
Levi stood. “Here, you can have the screen back.”
Trent exchanged coffee for a seat. He poked at the monitor. “Hey, is that—oh holy fuck, is that right? Brandon, take a look at this!”
“I think—oh, man—yeah, there it is!” Brandon stood and shouted. “Hal, you won! You’re in!”
Hal was so shocked that when he dipped Gabe at the end of the dance, he forgot to hold on. Gabe tumbled to the floor.
“I won? Are you sure? Did they count right?”
“Umm—man down. Can I get a hand?” asked Gabe.
Elle offered her hand. “I bet you’re going to have a bruise.”
“I won! I never won anything before!” Hal jumped up and down.
Trent joined him. “You did it! Fuck, I was worried. I tried not to show it.”
Gabe walked up to Hal. “I’ve got a disagreement. Could you stop jumping for a moment.”
The group of friends grew quiet. The celebration ceased while they watched Gabe and Hal.
The color started to drain from Hal’s face as he stopped jumping. “Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?”
“I think you made a factual error.”
Brandon frowned. “Factual—what? What the hell are you talking about?”
Gabe folded his arms over his chest. “Hal said that he never won anything before, and I disagree.”
“Nothing,” insisted Hal. “I didn’t win any blue ribbons in school, and I lost every race I ever entered. I don’t have a collection of trophies at home.”
Gabe reached out and poked Hal’s chest. “But you won my heart. That’s the most important victory of all.”
About the Author
Grant C. Holland is an author of gay romance and a pen name of author Declan Rhodes. He lives in the upper Midwest enjoying friends, family, great food, and putting stories with happy endings into writing.
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Crash: Northwoods, Book 2 Page 19