by Hayes, Lane
Eric gave me a dubious sideways glance. “I can’t believe you didn’t suggest we use this to get the upper hand on the Byzantine deal. Or was that coming next?”
“No. Wes won’t let me, but…that’s not why I told you. I just want you to beware. That’s all. We’re dealing with sharks, Er. No one here is playing nice.”
“Believe it or not, I know that.”
He smiled then. The gesture softened his features and immediately diffused the tension and anxiety associated with running a multi-million-dollar company with an old friend. When the lines of worry receded, I had to admit he looked happier than I’d ever seen him. His normally pale complexion was sun-kissed from weekends spent with Zane on their boat, and he actually looked like he’d bulked up a bit.
“You been hitting the gym? You’re looking good.”
“Thanks. So do you. How’s the wine guy?”
“He’s great.” I beamed, stuffing my hands into my suit pockets.
“Wow. Nick is in love. This is a first!”
“Who said love? I’m just…it’s good. That’s all.” I looked down at the streak of sun across the gray area rug to hide my certain blush.
“Hmm. You should bring him by. We could sail over to Tiburon and drink wine with the country-club set. What do you say?”
“Oooh, like a double date?” I widened my eyes comically and gave him an exaggerated dopey grin.
“Fuck you. I’m just fascinated there’s someone out there besides me who’ll put up with you.”
“Very funny. Get outta here, Schuster. Go be fabulous. I’ve got work to do.” I held up my hand to give him a high five then captured his wrist and held it. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not giving up on me. I won’t let you down. I promise.”
* * *
In the following weeks, I found a new rhythm. I still worked a ridiculous amount of hours, but my long days in Mountain View were offset by weekends in the city. The winery wasn’t as busy in the winter months so Wes had more free time to meet me halfway. I started using the company helicopter instead of hassling with traffic on the 101 to save time on the commute. And I gave Wes a key to my place at the end of January for the sake of convenience.
For the first time in years, I had someone waiting for me. My house wasn’t dark and quiet anymore. Most nights I came home to soft music playing while my lover hummed as he stirred something amazing on the stove. He’d smile when I called his name and some days, I had to pinch myself. I couldn’t believe how good this was or how easy it felt just to be with him. We’d sip a bottle of Conrad’s finest and talk about everything and nothing at all. Movies, politics, travel. I couldn’t tell if simple conversation or simply being with Wes was responsible, but the numbers faded completely. If I didn’t conjure them, they no longer appeared. I finally found my balance.
And in the first week of March, I had my solution. I tested, beta tested, and then fine-tuned the program for good measure, but it was perfect. I had created the ultimate cyber-security weapon. It was unparalleled in sophistication and design, making the software a no-brainer for government, financial, and hell, any institutions that required reliable secure networks. The contract with Byzantine was still unsigned. I supposed Eric was hedging his bets and biding time until my work was done. And now, it was.
I took a deep breath and picked up my phone to text Wes just as it vibrated in my hand.
“Be naked, face down, lubed up and ready to fuck in two hours, baby. It’s official. I did it!”
A brief silence was followed by a tired-sounding chuckle. “Are you at least gonna buy me dinner first, cowboy?”
I frowned and glanced at the caller ID. “Oh hey. Sorry about that, Joshy. How’s it going? Hey, you’ve been dodging me. I left you a message. What’s up with that?”
“An unreturned message from three weeks ago is hardly dodging your calls. I’ve been busy. I heard you have too. Congratulations.”
I jumped out of my chair and moved to the bank of windows facing my mountain view. The setting sun’s reflection painted them a majestic shade of purple and sent streaks of pink and orange through the late afternoon sky.
“How do you know about that?”
“About what? The super-secret program you’ve been writing for a year? Everyone knows about it.” Josh let an uncomfortable silence stretch before he laughed. “Just kidding. Eric spilled the beans this morning. Since I barely grasp what you do in the first place, your secret is safe with me.”
“Oh. Well, good. It’s in early stages but—what’s going on with you? Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you…are you still screwing Finn?”
I winced the second the words left my mouth. I wasn’t known for my smooth delivery, but that was bad even by my standards.
“Wow, Jorgensen. What happened to finesse, or have you given up on the concept entirely?”
“Sorry. I meant to ask you weeks ago after I saw him with someone in the Castro and heard rumors about him and a married man, which were no doubt false, but—I just wanted to be sure you weren’t seeing him ’cause the dude is bad news.”
“Thanks for the alert. I haven’t seen Finn in a month.”
“A month. That’s more recent than I would have thought,” I said, furrowing my brow as I tried to remember if something significant was happening at that time.
“It was an off and on thing, but…it’s over now.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I sprang from the sofa and paced from the window to my desk.
“There wasn’t much to say. It was sex, Nick.”
Something in his tone gave him away. It wasn’t just sex to him. Josh wasn’t built like that. He used humor to hide his feeling sometimes, but he was mushy and fiercely loyal. A one-night stand was one thing, but a string of them with the same man wasn’t Josh’s style.
“But it’s over?”
“Yeah. But…I don’t think he’s been with anyone but me since October.”
“I just told you I saw him with someone.”
“I bet it was the guy from the winery. Ryan. He mentioned him once, but I don’t think they slept together.”
“You’re joking, right?” I scoffed.
“No. I’m serious. I think Finn is used to using his looks to close deals. Flirt where you need to, be seen at the right parties. It’s meaningless contact, but the lines blurred with us. We never talked about you or his work or Ryan. But it was there. Like an ex your lover swears he’s over, but you can’t help thinking he’s full of shit. Whatever. Story of my life. Being single in the city is complicated BS. You’ve got to watch out for the ones who want to get married immediately and the ones who are married or recently separated and possibly still hard up for their ex, and…the ones married to their job. I’m taking a break for a while.”
“Oh. That’s good. I just—I don’t trust Finn. He’s not good enough for you.”
“Thanks, but he was actually kinda perfect. In the future, I want someone who puts me before work.”
“Josh, he was using you. He’s as far from perfect as a guy can be. Maybe he was being subtle, but he wanted to be close to someone who was close to the money. I’m sorry but it’s true.”
“Thanks, Nick. I feel much better now,” he snarked.
“Hey, I’m sorry.” I wished I could undo the night of that party back in October. Not the part where I met Wes again, but I would have rewoven the story and gone alone. I hated the hurt and melancholy in my friend’s voice. “Are you okay? I mean, if you need anything, I’m here.”
“Whoa. Did you really ask about my feelings? Let me catalog the date and time. It’s Friday, March—”
“You’re a funny guy, Joshy. Do me a favor and stay out of trouble. No more sexy Irish dudes for you.”
“Well, luckily I have a close relationship with my right hand. I’ll be just fine. See ya, buddy.”
I chuckled as I shoved my phone into my pocket and opened my door. Barb and Miles were engaged in an animated co
nversation about a much-anticipated episode of Game of Thrones. Miles stopped mid-sentence and set his hand over his heart to give me an exaggerated once-over when I approached my secretary’s desk.
“You’ve conquered the rumpled lab geek look, Nick! You’re positively dashing. Hot date?” He grabbed a bottle of wine sitting on Barb’s desk and waggled his eyebrows comically.
I took the bottle and ran my fingers over the C of the Conrad label. “Where did this come from?”
“It was delivered this afternoon. There’s a card attached.” Barb turned the bottle in my hand and pointed to a small white envelope taped to the glass.
I removed the card and started to open it but stuck it into my suit pocket at the last second and shook my head in mock censure at my two employees who were obviously hoping for a glimpse at a love letter.
“You’re no fun, Nick,” Miles complained.
“Sure I am, but this tiny card may contain x-rated material. I can’t be responsible for corrupting your minds.”
Miles’s eyes lit up. “Oh, please feel free. The dirtier, the better.”
Barb rolled her eyes at my lascivious grin and Miles’s over-the-top glee and picked up her phone. “Would you like me to call the pilot?”
“Yes, please.” I raised the wine bottle over my head like a trophy as I walked toward the elevator. “I’m going home.”
* * *
The helicopter ride into San Francisco was smooth. Thank God. It was a beautiful but cool evening. The temperature dip between Silicon Valley and the city could be twenty degrees or more. I’d learned to carry an extra coat even in the summer and to be prepared for wind and rain. Clear skies with no breeze was always a pleasant surprise. I thanked my driver when we reached my townhouse and gathered my belongings before sprinting toward the gate.
“Honey, I’m home,” I yelled above a Billie Holliday classic as I traversed the stairs to the great room.
“Hi, honey.”
I dropped my briefcase on the floor and had the presence of mind to set the wine bottle on the island before I dropped it too. Holy fuck, he was gorgeous. Wes was a good-looking man by anyone’s standards but in a suit and tie…damn.
“You—wow. What’s the occasion?”
“I had a meeting.” He sauntered toward me with a devilish grin that went straight to my dick. Then he wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me in, licking a seductive path from one corner of my mouth to the other. “I was going to change but I just got your message and—”
“The one about waiting for me naked on all fours?” I groaned as I flattened my tongue to slide over his.
Wes pulled back slightly and chuckled. “No. I must have missed that one.”
“Oh. Maybe I guess I thought it but forgot to send it.”
“That’s understandable. You’ve been busy today,” he purred as he undid the top buttons on my white Oxford shirt. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, but you already knew—uh, fuck…” I winced at the sublime mix of pleasure and pain when he ran his thumbs over my nipples and then tweaked them. I slipped my hand around his trim waist and ground my hips forward looking for friction.
“And now everyone knows my man is a genius.”
“Your man?” I smiled against his mouth then nipped his bottom lip.
“All mine,” he said, unbuckling my belt and unzipping my pants like a pro. He snapped the elastic on my boxer briefs then lowered them over my ass and ran his finger along my crack. “We’re celebrating. I made a dinner reservation at an exclusive French restaurant. You deserve champagne and caviar and—”
“A blowjob?” I held his chin still then licked my way down his neck, loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt so I could taste his skin.
“I think that can be arranged.” He molded his lips over mine and sucked on my tongue as he walked me backward. “Bed.”
Wes held my hand and pulled me toward the master bedroom. The curtains were drawn, but the light from the adjoining bathroom cast the room in long shadows. He pulled me into his arms for a moment then pushed my wool-blend trousers and briefs down my legs and knelt in front of me. The sight of him in his navy Armani suit on his knees was an outrageous turn on. He was a fantasy come to life. I gripped my aching cock and squeezed. Precum pooled at the tip and dripped down my shaft. I smeared the clear fluid over my thumb then offered it to him to taste. Wes looked up at me with a lust-filled gaze and obeyed. He closed his eyes and moaned as he released my thumb and went straight for my balls, sucking one then moving to the other. I loved the way he flicked his tongue over the sensitive skin before using just the tip to trail a path along my dick and then sucking the wide mushroom head.
I grabbed a fistful of his hair as he fumbled to release his rigid dick from his suit pants. His tie swung in front of him, impeding my view. I flipped it over his shoulder and then pulled him forward.
“You were going to blow me, remember?”
Wes growled before immediately swooping down to suck me whole. I threaded my fingers through his hair, urging him on as I thrust my hips rhythmically. He stroked himself and worked me over, sucking and licking me in a frenzy. He fondled my balls then reached between my thighs to slide his fingers over my hole. My legs were trapped in my pants but I bent my knees to give him space to go further if he wanted. I couldn’t tell if he was teasing me or if he was oblivious but the incessant featherlight brush drove me mad. I grunted as I thrust, hoping he’d get the message. He pulled back for air and gave me a sex-hazed lopsided grin.
“What do you want, Nicky?”
“Stand up.” I tugged at his suit coat and pushed his trousers and briefs out of the way. Then I stuck my tongue in his mouth before reaching down to stroke us together.
“Fuck, that feels good.”
“Yeah, but I want more, Wes. I want to be inside you. Hard and dirty. I don’t know if I can go slow. I want you too much.”
Wes captured my head between his hands and commandeered the kiss, angling his head to drive his tongue between my lips as he clutched at my bare ass. I was dizzy when he backed up, and almost fell sideways when he kicked off his shoes and trousers and climbed on all fours on the mattress wearing nothing but black work socks and a shirt and tie.
“What are you waiting for?”
I swallowed hard and stared at the gorgeous view. His strong thighs and that perfect bubble butt. But the shirt was in the way.
“Take off your shirt, but leave the tie.”
Wes tossed a wicked grin over his shoulder. I stroked myself as I watched him. The tiniest hint of skin sent shivers up my spine. I never realized how beautiful a man’s back could be. All those toned, rippling muscles…fuck. I stepped behind him and grabbed his shoulders then humped my hips against his ass, sliding my dick over his crack until we were both groaning for more. I pulled his tie over his shoulder then leaned in to lick his ear.
“Hands on the headboard. Move it.”
Wes gave me a lusty, wild-eyed look before crawling on the unmade bed to grip the low platform. Fuck, that was hot. I forgot I still had shoes on and almost tripped over myself in my haste. I kicked off my loafers and stepped out of my pants and briefs. Then I shrugged off my coat and tossed it on the floor with the rest of my clothes and grabbed the supplies. I rolled the condom on as I moved behind him then poured some lube on my fingers and set one over his entrance.
“Open up for me, baby,” I whispered into his ear then licked the shell before gently pushing a digit inside my lover.
Wes was far better at relaxing than me. I pushed one finger inside and then a second one. I twisted them carefully, making sure to hit his sweet spot. He wriggled backward and fucked himself on my hand. “More.”
I didn’t bother responding; I was going to burst the condom if I didn’t get inside him fast. I pulled my fingers out and pushed the tip of my cock into his hole.
“Push back. Lower yourself on me. That’s it.”
Wes held his ass open and sat back, taking
me in inch by inch until I was buried deep inside him. I raked my fingers over his chest then caressed his sides and rested my hands on his hips. I repeated the soothing motion and slowly withdrew before pushing forward again. In and out. Sweet and steady.
I let Wes control the pace for a while. He quickened the tempo, turning his head to kiss me while he fucked himself on my length and jacked his cock with his free hand while the other clutched at the low headboard. I wound my arms around his chest to hold him close and not so subtly took over. I twisted his tie around my fist and let my hips fly double-time. Wes’s knuckles were white with the effort to brace himself as I bucked wildly. My balls smacked his ass with enough force to ensure they’d be sore in the morning. I couldn’t stop moving. I could have done this all night long. When he tried to adjust his balance, we fell sideways on the mattress. The fall didn’t break us apart. I hooked my right leg over his and reached around to stroke him in time with the frenetic rhythm of my hips. We dripped sweat as we grunted and fucked like animals. The harder I thrust, the harder he pushed back. We were an equal match. Give and take, give and take.
Everything about this was beautifully masculine. There was no part of Wes that wasn’t all man. I never thought I could be this attracted to someone with zero feminine attributes. There was nothing soft, curvaceous, or effeminate about Wes. He blew away every theory I had about my own sexuality. In many ways, he showed me I wasn’t who I thought I was. I didn’t have to be limited. I could be so much more if I let go.
That was my last thought before I adjusted my hold around his waist, flipped him on his back and pushed into him from above, pistoning my hips wildly. I fell apart a moment later, roaring with the force of my release just as Wes came between us. Cum shot across our sweat-drenched chests and his tie. He milked every last drop as he quaked underneath me, digging his heels into my ass.