by D K Sutton
After the movie, we talked about our families while Toby lounged between us.
“You have five siblings?” Chase stared at me, his eyes narrowed. “Really?”
“Why is that surprising?”
His face turned red. “I thought you were an only child.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or be insulted.
Chase smiled sweetly. “You’re so sure of yourself all the time.”
“Are you sure you don’t mean loud and obnoxious?”
“That too,” Chase said with a laugh. His smile really did light up his whole face. And those dimples.
“I’m the second child in a large family. The only way to get attention is to be loud and obnoxious. Plus, I was the comedian of the family. Always playing pranks.”
“That, I believe.” Chase looked at me, biting his lip. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
But he still hesitated. “Are you bi?”
Of all the things I thought he’d ask, that wasn’t even close to being on the list. “No. Definitely not.”
“Oh, okay. I’m sorry,” Chase said, frowning.
“What are you sorry about?” I reached over to touch his arm, but he pulled his hand away.
“I thought maybe this was a date.”
“That’s what I was hoping. Do you not want it to be a date?”
“No, I mean, yes. But you said you’re not bi.”
“I’m not. I’m gay.”
Chase looked even more confused, if that’s possible, but I didn’t get it.
“I really like guys,” I said, wanting to be clear. How was this even a question?
“I know what you mean.” He laughed nervously. “But when we first met, you thought I was a woman and you hit on me.”
“No. I didn’t.”
“You said and I quote, ‘Hey beautiful, I’d like some of that.’” He quirked his eyebrow up at me in challenge.
“That part is true,” I said. “But I did not think you were a girl.”
“I saw your face when I turned around, Max. You were shocked.” He sat up straighter on the couch, his blue eyes flashing.
“I wasn’t shocked that you were male. You have an amazing ass that had to belong to a guy. I was shocked because…” I hesitated. I didn’t want to piss him off, but I needed to be honest with him. “You had this look of pure loathing on your face. So, I acted like it was a mistake. You clearly did not want me hitting on you.”
“I’m sorry,” Chase said. “You’d be surprised at how many people mistake me for a woman because of my hair. I thought about cutting it but…”
“No, don’t do that.”
Chase smiled. “You like my hair?”
“Yes, very much.” I’d fantasized about that hair, but I wasn’t about to tell him how I wanted to wrap my hand around it and pull him closer.
“Tell me more.”
“I’m trying to be good here.”
“What does that mean exactly?”
“I know you have boundaries. You like your space, and I just want take it slow.”
“You’re going too slow, Max. I’m not made of glass. I won’t break. If you’re worried about doing something I don’t like then, just ask first.”
“It’s that easy?”
“It can be,” Chase said. “Or I can just take the initiative.” He leaned closer, mere inches from my lips. I wanted to close the gap between us, but I needed him to be the one to do it. He bit his lip, before leaning in to touch our lips together. The kiss was shy at first, and then he grew bolder. I let Chase set the pace, and when he opened his mouth to me, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I pulled him closer, exploring his mouth as our tongues twisted together. I wrapped my hand in his hair, that glorious hair, and pulled him closer still.
Chase moaned and it went straight to my cock. I pulled back. “Chase,” I said, trying to catch my breath. “We should take it slow.”
“Stop talking, Max.” He straddled my body, rubbing our cocks together.
“You’re making this hard.”
“That was my intent.”
I needed to stop this. I didn’t want Chase regretting anything. But more than that, every encounter I’d had with a guy had ended after sex. Maybe it lasted for a week of sex, but it still ended. I grew bored. I was sure that wouldn’t happen with Chase. Positive. But I had something to prove. Not to him. To myself. I could do this. Have a relationship that wasn’t just about sex.
I pushed against his chest. Chase looked dazed. His pupils blown and his lips swollen. I almost gave in right then. “We need to stop.”
CHAPTER 12
CHASE
MY BODY BURNED WITH DESIRE. I wanted Max, like yesterday, and yet he was pushing me away. I’d been too bold. I wasn’t usually like that, but he’d been going so slow, and I felt safe with Max. I let him drive me to the restaurant. Something I would normally never do. Max had been so sweet at the beginning of our date. He knew I had issues with making decisions, and instead of making a big deal of it, he gave me time to make up my mind, even narrowing the choices for me. It wasn’t that I didn’t know what I wanted, I was just nervous about making the wrong choice and ruining the whole evening. It was too much pressure. But Max was so understanding.
It almost went sideways when Max got the call about Toby. Why did I assume he was talking to someone like that? I heard the dog barking in the background, but I didn’t put it all together.
And then I’d questioned his sexuality. It felt like a date, but I’d panicked. What if I was wrong? But I hadn’t been wrong. Kissing and touching Max had set me on fire, and I wanted so much more. The press of his cock against mine almost drove me over the edge.
Only to get pushed aside. I was not giving up that easily.
“I want you, Max,” I said, slipping my hand between the gap in his shirt buttons to touch his warm skin. I undid another button to give me better access. I could see the outline of his nipple on his shirt and that was my target. I rubbed my thumb over the peak, and he arched his back, pushing his straining cock against me.
“Chase,” he moaned. “You’re killing me.”
I kissed him again, and Max pulled back. Again.
“We need to slow down. I don’t want you to regret this.”
“I don’t want to go slow, Max.” I said, getting frustrated. “I know what I want.”
“It’s not you. It’s me,” he said.
“Are we breaking up already?” I moved off of him so I could focus on his words and not his muscled legs and straining erection.
“No. Poor choice of words. You’re not just some guy to me, Chase. You’re important to me.” He waved his hand between the two of us. “This is important to me.”
I knew the last part of his statement was what I should focus on, but I couldn’t get past the first part. I wasn’t just some guy. It reminded me that Max had been with many guys. I wasn’t that experienced. And after Cameron always wanting me to bottom, because he had to be the one in control, I wanted to top. To slide into Max’s body, giving him pleasure. But what if that wasn’t what he wanted. How could I be so stupid as to think I could even compete with all those other guys?
“Where did you go?” Max asked, tilting my face toward him.
I wanted to hide from his gaze, to retreat back into my shell, but where had that gotten me? “I don’t have much experience. I know you’ve been with a lot of—”
“Stop,” he said. “You are the only one I want, Chase. And you’re worth waiting for.”
It was sweet that Max wanted to take it slow. Frustrating as hell, but sweet. “We can still make out, though, right?”
“Oh, yeah,” Max said, pulling me into a lingering kiss. “We can still make out.”
~~~
I loved my job, but this was the first time I’d been really excited to go to work. I couldn’t wait to see Max again. We couldn’t be open about our relationship at work, but there were plenty of lingering looks and secret touches.
I hated the elevator. Too many people pressed together. I usually got to work early so there were fewer people there. If I was running late, I took the stairs. Max and I met at the elevator this morning. Unfortunately, there were others around, but for once I didn’t notice the mingled smells of perfume, deodorant, and body odor that seemed to permeate the small space. Max distracted me by lightly sliding our fingers together. I wanted to slam him against the back of the elevator and climb his body. I squeezed his fingers to stop their motion. It was too much. I didn’t need to leave the elevator sporting an erection.
My body temperature was set to overheated for the rest of the day. If it had been winter, I could have worn a sweater to hide the bulge in my pants. Damn the summer months. Max teased me all morning, and I’d finally had enough. Around midmorning, I dropped a note onto Max’s desk and made my way to the copy room. He’d been on a call, so I wasn’t sure he’d be able to follow. I waited by the copier, pretending to make copies. Max arrived shortly after, shutting the door. I pulled him into a kiss.
“I don’t think I solved that guy’s problem,” he said between kisses.
“Shut up and solve mine.” I pushed him against the copy machine, grinding my cock against his.
We made out like teenagers for a few moments, and then I put some distance between us. I needed to get control before I walked back out there.
“Missed you,” Max said, and my heart melted. The guy could be so sweet.
“Missed you, too.”
“See you at lunch?” His voice was hesitant as if he was afraid I wouldn’t sit with him.
“Absolutely.” I winked at him before sliding out the door. If my calls didn’t go long so I could keep that promise.
I had a few slow moments with no calls. It didn’t happen often, but there were slow days. I thought about Max. Sneaking around was exciting, but office romances were strictly forbidden. Too much drama. I needed to keep my job, but I couldn’t resist Max.
“Hello, boys,” I said, sitting down next to Max and Dylan at a table in the lunchroom. Dylan glanced quickly at Max, but otherwise hid his surprise well.
“How’s it going, Chase?” he said.
“Very well, thank you.” I didn’t know what to say. That wasn’t my forte and Max, who was the master at carrying a conversation, was strangely silent. He studied his sandwich and then looked up and our eyes locked.
“Should I leave you guys alone?” Dylan asked. The snark in his voice told me that was the last thing he was going to do.
“Shut up.” Max flushed. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him embarrassed.
We chatted for a few minutes, mostly complaining about customers who didn’t understand technology, and I tried not to stare at Max. Enough people would be curious about why I was sitting with them. I didn’t need to throw fuel on their speculation.
“I’m going to get a soda. Do you guys want anything?”
“I’ll go with you,” I said.
Dylan opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He shook his head. Whether it was to deny he wanted anything or because we caught him off guard, I didn’t know.
Max turned the lights on in the small room, and I turned them back off, kissing him for several long moments. When had I become so bold? I switched the light back on and reached for a soda from the small dorm fridge. Even though the lights were on and anyone could’ve walked in, Max grabbed my ass when I bent over.
“Sorry, couldn’t help myself,” he said with a smile. Why were there so many people at work? I couldn’t wait to be alone with him.
We deposited our money and restocked the fridge.
The rest of the day, we found little moments to be together, and I could barely keep the smile from my face. My coworkers stared at me like they’d never seen me before. Gina asked me if I was okay more than once. At one point, she stopped by my desk to ask if I was on new medication and if so, she wanted to try it. I just grinned at her like an idiot.
Amica caught me in the hall at last break. I hadn’t seen Max, so he was probably on a call.
“So, you and Max.” she said. “Spill.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Right. Any idea why the lights in the snack room keep going off with people in there?”
Before I could deny it again, she leaned in closer.
“Come on, Chase. Let me live vicariously through you. I haven’t had a date in forever.”
I looked around to make sure no one was listening. Then I zipped my lips, indicating it was a secret. She mimicked my motions and threw away the key.
“We went on a date last night,” I said. I enjoyed having someone to confide in. I missed things like this. Having friends. The excitement of having a crush. Being able to touch someone. Kiss someone. It was a heady experience and I loved every minute of it.
“And by the look on both your faces it went well.”
I nodded. “I have to get back.”
Amica squeezed my arm. “I’m happy for you, Chase,” she said. “But I want details. Call me tonight.”
I promised I would and went back to my desk. My life had changed so much in the last few weeks, and it was all because of Max.
CHAPTER 13
MAX
DYLAN ROLLED HIS CHAIR OVER, almost hitting me in the process. “Dude, what’s going on with you and Corrigan?”
“What do you mean?” Throughout the week, Chase and I had flirted at work and then hung out together at my place. Mostly that was because of Toby’s anxiety, but I did wonder if Chase didn’t want me to see his place. We’d made out a lot. I stopped it from going much further. I wanted to take it slow. It had been one of the best weeks of my life, and I was surprised that Dylan hadn’t cornered me before now.
“Your goal was to beat him at the number one spot for customer service rep, and now you guys are best buds.”
I shrugged, typing on my computer, finishing the notes from the last call.
“Is he your boyfriend?”
“We haven’t really talked about it,” I said.
“You hang out together all the time.”
“I don’t want to scare him off, okay. No sense in labeling it.”
“So, you’re not hooking up with other guys?”
I stared at him. “Of course not.” I couldn’t believe he’d say that. I thought we were friends.
“Heck yeah, you guys are going steady.”
I pushed his chest, so his chair rolled away.
Dylan laughed. “Speaking of hanging out. We still on for tonight?” It was our standard video game night.
“About that,” I said, not looking at him. “I thought about inviting Chase.”
“Seriously? You can’t go one night without him?”
“Isn’t your girlfriend there every time?”
“First of all, she’s a gamer and much better than you and I put together. Second of all, we don’t even know if Chase can play.”
“Chase can play.”
“Third of all,” he said as if I hadn’t interrupted him. “She’s my girlfriend, so you just made my point for me. Chase is your boyfriend.”
“Just don’t tell him that.”
“I’m happy for you, Max. I just worry.”
“You’re like a mother hen.”
“That boy is going to stomp on you with his size ten boots.”
The analogy made me laugh. Chase was fierce and I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side—again. “It might be fun.”
“Heck yeah. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Hey.”
“The man-killer Maxwell Sloan, getting his heart handed to him. I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
“Shut up.”
“Heck off.”
“That’s really not a thing.”
“It’s catching on.”
“It’s really not.”
The light on Dylan’s phone lit up. “Bring the boy,” he said, rolling back to his desk.
&nbs
p; “He’s the same age as you,” I said, but he ignored me.
At first I’d been worried about Toby getting used to Chase. He didn’t really do well with new people. It had helped that we stayed at my house all week. I needn’t have worried. Toby seemed as enamored of Chase as I was. He curled up in Chase’s lap the moment he sat on the couch.
“Hey, cutie,” he said, stroking his ears. “Love the hoodie.” Toby had on a blue Adidog hoodie. “But why do you put a shirt on him during the summer?”
“He licks and scratches himself when he’s nervous. He has a few sore spots. This is the only way to keep him from making it worse.”
“Poor baby.” Chase nuzzled him, and I was suddenly jealous of my dog.
“How about me?” I asked, sitting beside him.
“Are you feeling neglected?” He leaned into me.
“Yes,” I said softly as he trailed kisses along my jaw. I growled at his teasing and pulled him in for a kiss. Toby jumped down as I pulled Chase on top of me. Toby needed to learn sooner than later, that Chase was all mine.
We kissed for a while until things started to get heated. “We need to finish getting ready. They’ll be here soon.”
Chase sighed as he sat up.
I understood his frustration. I wanted him. Like crazy. But our relationship was so new. It was like the game of Jenga. If you moved any one piece the whole thing could come tumbling down. Our relationship was fragile. That one shift could cause the whole thing to fall apart. Chase didn’t understand, and sometimes I had to work hard at convincing him I wanted him without letting it get too far.
Adding Chase to my nights with Dylan and Sadie was another thing that could topple us. I wasn’t used to the whole relationship thing. What if I sucked at it? Then Chase would leave me.
“I’m the one who should be nervous,” Chase said.
“What do you mean?” Was I that obvious?
“You bite your thumb when you’re nervous.”
I put my hand down. I hadn’t even noticed.