“Maybe a little.”
“I can’t imagine why.”
“Maybe it’s because we’re back home, and you’ll be going back to work soon, and I’ll be getting back into my usual day-to-day routine, and we’ll both have options.”
“Feel free to whore around if you have to. I’m not dumb enough to expect monogamy from you. As long as you don’t get tired of me.”
“But I don’t want to whore around, Rick. I want to be with you.”
“Then I don’t see what the problem is.”
“The problem is now that you’ve found out you can enjoy having sex with another guy…. Well, there are all these hot, hunky Hollywood types here to tempt you. For you to pick and choose from.”
“I don’t want a hot, hunky Hollywood type, thank you anyway. I want you.”
Flustered, Ken as usual resorted to levity. “Talk about your backhanded compliments.”
“You don’t need to hear any compliments. Your ego is inflated enough already.” Rick paused, then gave Ken another punch. “Asshole!”
“Ow! You son of a bitch. I’m not looking for an S and M relationship, God damn it.”
“But you are looking for a relationship?”
“Maybe.”
“With me.”
“Maybe.”
“Would it kill you to come right out and admit what you’re really feeling, for once?”
“Maybe.” This time, Ken saw the punch coming and was able to take evasive action, squirming out of the way.
Rick rolled over on top of him, grabbed his wrists, and pinned them against the mattress, using his weight to hold Ken down. “You’re impossible,” he complained. “You’re a pain in the ass. You’re annoying as hell sometimes. But I love you. I must be crazy, but I do.” Before Ken could say anything, Rick kissed him hard.
“I love you too,” Ken whispered when their lips finally parted.
Rick let go of Ken’s wrists and rumpled his hair. “There. Was that so difficult to say?”
“I’ll practice until I get better at it. Like you have to do, when you run through a script to learn your lines. Only I won’t be acting.”
“You’d better not be. One actor in a relationship is enough.” Rick kissed Ken again. “Now, come on, let’s get dressed. I want my dinner at Gallaghers.”
“So do I.”
“Can you spend the night here with me, afterward?”
“Sure, if you want me to. Although I am going to have to go home and unpack eventually.”
“Well, don’t unpack everything. I want us to go on another camping trip soon. Maybe nothing ambitious, just for a weekend. But I know I’m going to want to get away from the city and from work again, and spend some time alone with you.”
“That’s what I want, too. More than anything, Rick.”
Rick grinned at him. “See? You’re talking less guardedly already.”
“You’d better be careful what you wish for, buddy. Once I get started, you may not be able to shut me up.”
Rick laughed. “I’ll take my chances. Come here. Give me another kiss.”
They pressed their lips together gently and tenderly this time, the kiss of two lovers. There was passion in it, but it was a suppressed passion, at least for the time being. Ken felt oddly shy, as though he was giving himself to another man for the very first time. And in a sense, he realized, he was. He had never felt about any other man the way he now felt about Rick. There was a whole world of new emotions ahead of them for the two men to explore together. The honeymoon might be over, but the courtship had just begun.
About the Author
ROLAND GRAEME, a native of Pennsylvania, lives in Buffalo, New York. Although he earned a Ph.D. in English literature, he long ago realized that the Halls of Academe could not contain his overactive imagination. He has written both fiction (most of it erotic) and classical music criticism. An enthusiastic although spectacularly untalented amateur musician and artist, he is also interested in literature, history, and world cultures and religions. Like so many writers, he is a cat fancier and finds it easier to work with a feline in his lap.
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Also from ROLAND GRAEME
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Table of Contents
Title page
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE THE BECKONING CAT
CHAPTER TWO FISH TO FRY
CHAPTER THREE NOTORIETY
CHAPTER FOUR PRICKLY PEAR
CHAPTER FIVE THE VIEW FROM INSIDE THE FISHBOWL
CHAPTER SIX A GODDESS CALLED FAME
CHAPTER SEVEN PREPARATIONS
CHAPTER EIGHT ON THE ROAD
CHAPTER NINE THE VALLEY OF THE GIANTS
CHAPTER TEN IN THE BAG
CHAPTER ELEVEN SOUTHWARD BOUND
CHAPTER TWELVE HOT WATER
CHAPTER THIRTEEN A NOCTURNAL ENCOUNTER
CHAPTER FOURTEEN DESERT DESIRE
CHAPTER FIFTEEN A DEODORANT CALLED SUCCESS
CHAPTER SIXTEEN WHAT GOES ON IN CABO, STAYS IN CABO
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN THE HONEYMOONERS
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN NORTHWARD BOUND
CHAPTER NINETEEN TENT MATES
CHAPTER TWENTY THE SCENT OF PINE
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE CACTUS FLOWERS
About the Author
Also from Roland Graeme
Baja Honeymoon Page 30