Making It Personal

by Wells, K. C.

  “Everywhere,” came back the hushed reply. Will had suspected as much. He moved gentle fingers over Blake’s scalp, pressing firmly, massaging in circles, never staying in one place for too long. At first Blake stiffened, but then Will felt him sag into the sofa. Will concentrated on his task, applying slight pressure, knowing it would begin to ease the pain.

  He lost all track of time. Blake lay quiescent, his head resting on the pillow, his breathing thankfully even. Will eased off on the head massage, now stroking Blake’s hair, the movement almost tender. Now and again, he rubbed along Blake’s arm and down his back, reassuring him that he wasn’t alone. Will had no idea how long he sat like that, but at last Blake stirred, rolling carefully onto his back and looking up at Will in surprise.

  “Hi.”

  Will smiled. “Hi yourself.” He kept his voice low. “How’s the head?”

  Blake became still, as if assessing the situation. “Better.”

  Will’s smile widened. “I’m glad. Now lie there quietly. Let the painkillers do their stuff. Then I’ll get you something to eat. That will help, too.” Blake blinked several times and opened his mouth, clearly about to protest, but Will laid a single finger across his lips. “No arguments.”

  Blake closed his eyes for a second and then opened them, giving a slow, careful nod of his head. “Thank you.” His eyes closed once more.

  Will sat in the darkened room, content to feel Blake’s warmth against him. Memories flooded through him. The times he’d held Richard like this, seen that same look of gratitude when the pain left him. Tears pricked his eyelids. He wished Richard could have seen this day. He would have been so proud of Will. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks for the man who had turned his life around. Maybe one day Will would get up enough courage to share that part of his life with Blake. Maybe.

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  Blake groaned. He’d never get them all finished. He stared in exasperation at the monitor, the words no longer registering. How in hell had he gotten so far behind?

  “Take a break. Please.”

  Blake’s head jerked up. Will was at their adjoining door, arms full of folders, his eyes fixed on Blake.

  Blake snorted. “I don’t have time for a break. These submissions came in eight weeks ago.” Every writer who submitted was given a turn-around time of six to eight weeks to hear if their manuscript had been successful. For reasons he couldn’t quite fathom, Blake had fallen behind and now there were eight authors who were already past the deadline. He glanced at his watch. It was five thirty. The office closed officially at four, but he was seldom home before seven. He expelled his breath in one long push of air. There was nothing for it. He’d have to stay and get it done.

  He groaned. “Oh fuck. I was supposed to have dinner with Melissa tonight, too.” He couldn’t miss Will’s sardonic grin. He remembered the first time she’d waltzed into the office after Will had begun to work. Melissa had introduced herself as Blake’s girlfriend and Will had been momentarily too stunned to respond. Once she’d left, however, the questions began. Will found it most amusing, the sod.

  “I’ll ring her and cancel. You go on home,” he told Will. “I’m going to stay and finish these.”

  Will frowned. “How many do you have left?” Blake told him. “Can I help?”

  Blake sighed. “It’s a nice offer, but you know I don’t delegate these.”

  Will persisted. “So you’re reading through the story summaries, deciding if it sounds viable and if it does, reading through the manuscript?” Blake nodded. “And if not, they get put on the No Thank You pile?”

  Blake smirked. “Inaccurate, but yeah, you’ve got the general idea.”

  “And they can’t wait until tomorrow?”

  Blake shook his head. “We’re already over the limit. More than a couple of the authors have emailed to inquire.” He stared glumly at the file on his screen. Will hadn’t moved. And suddenly Blake relented. Just this once, he told himself. “Actually,” he began slowly, “you could help me.”

  “Name it.”

  “Would you read through the summaries? Decide if you think it’s a story we’d want to release? Then I’ll skim through those that you think suitable.”

  Something crossed Will’s face. Blake cursed inwardly. Of course—Will probably had a client lined up for tonight. In the two months since Will had joined the company, Blake hadn’t once brought up the subject. For reasons he didn’t want to analyze too deeply, Blake felt uncomfortable at the thought of Will being off somewhere getting fucked. He told himself it was none of his business, as long as Will’s work wasn’t affected. And he had nothing but praise for that. Will was a treasure. They worked well together, Will often anticipating Blake’s requirements before he had the chance to say a word. But that didn’t stop the thought which slipped through Blake’s brain with disturbing regularity. Why don’t you have another night with him? You know you want to. Wanting was one thing. Following through was another thing entirely. Blake pushed the thought aside. Better to keep things professional—even if his hole clenched tight at the thought of Will fucking him again.

  And now he’d clearly put Will in an awkward position. “Look, if that’s going to be a problem, then no worries. Go on home.”

  Will narrowed his lips. “Nah, it’s okay. I just have to make a call first, that’s all.”

  Blake nodded, although his chest tightened. Yeah, Will was supposed to be ‘working’ tonight. You know, I really didn’t want to know that. “Okay, thank you. You make your call and I’ll make us some coffee. Looks like we could use some.” Will gave him a brief nod and left the room. Blake stared at the screen, his mind focused not on the information there but on Will. Internally he berated himself. Why the fuck should it matter to you if he was going to be off fucking some guy tonight? Blake couldn’t account for it. His night with Will still lingered in his memory. Maybe what was required was another call to Jenny. I need to get laid. After all, it’s been two months since….. Yeah. Since Will. Blake scowled. It seemed his mind had a default right now. Every thought path seemed to lead back to his gorgeous PA.

  Working with Will was easy. They just got on with it. But that didn’t stop him looking at Will every once in a while, usually when he was sure Will was engrossed by a task. Two months hadn’t diminished the impact of that first meeting. Blake loved the way Will rubbed his bottom lip when he was deep in thought. Those sexy milk chocolate eyes that Blake could so easily lose himself in. He shook himself. Enough.

  “Pizza was a damn good idea.”

  Blake couldn’t agree more. When both their stomachs had started growling, he’d reached for the phone and organized a delivery. The meat lover’s pizza had definitely filled a hole, and both men sated, they were back at their task. Blake had to admit, having Will help like this was a godsend. He’d already allocated three authors to the rejection pile. And the one he’d told Blake he must read? Damn, it was good. Not that Blake would make this a regular event. Reading the submissions kept him in touch with things.

  Will got up and stretched, his long arms reaching above his head. Blake eyed his lean torso as Will’s shirt escaped from his pants, revealing a glimpse of creamy skin. Hurriedly he looked away before Will caught him.

  “I’d say we’re about done here.” He closed down the computer with a sigh. Five contracts to go out the following morning. And three of them for new authors.

  “I think they’re going to be really good.” Will tucked his shirt back into his pants. Blake glanced at his watch. Hell, it was nearly ten. But at least they’d got it done.

  “God, my shoulders ache.” He rubbed at his right shoulder, trying awkwardly to massage the muscle.

  “Here, let me do that.” Will came across to stand behind his chair and began to knead Blake’s shoulders, his fingers digging into the muscles in a really good way that had Blake groaning.

  “Damn, you’re good at that.”

  Will chuckled. “We ai
m to please.” He worked the tight muscles with his thumbs and Blake dropped his head forward, eyes closed, letting out little whimpers as Will’s fingers worked their magic. “Does that feel better?”

  Blake moaned softly. “That feels like heaven.” Will halted in his task and then Blake caught his breath as Will reached around to the front and slipped his hand under Blake’s shirt. He stroked down Blake’s chest, rubbing his fingers over Blake’s nipple. “Oh fuck,” Blake whispered. “God, yes.” Will reached down with both hands to unbutton his shirt, and then slid his hands over Blake’s chest, Will’s touch warm and sensual. He could feel Will’s breath against his ear.

  “Like that?”

  Blake shuddered as Will teased his nipples, which hardened into tight nubs. “Oh, oh God, that’s so good.” When Will pulled away, he let out a growl—until Will hauled him to his feet and propelled him toward the sofa, pushing him down onto it on his back. Will dropped onto his knees beside him and stared at Blake’s face, eyes wide. He stroked Blake’s bared chest with one hand.

  “Want to kiss you.” Will’s voice was husky with arousal.

  Blake’s pulse began to race. “Do it. Kiss me.” He reached up and grabbed Will’s head, pulling him down roughly until their lips met in a kiss which took his breath away. He moaned into Will’s mouth, the sound swallowed as Will sucked at his tongue. Will slid his hand lower until he reached Blake’s pants, and then Blake gasped as the clasp was freed, then the zipper was tugged. Will never let up kissing him, sliding his agile tongue deep into Blake’s mouth even as he wrapped his hand around Blake’s dick and tightened around it. Blake whimpered, and Will broke the kiss, only to pull free of Blake’s hand and move toward his cock.

  “Yes!” Blake hissed as his dick was engulfed in a hot, wet mouth. He hardened instantly as Will began sucking him deeper while he impatiently pulled Blake’s pants over his hips. Then he resumed his sensuous task as he grabbed Blake’s balls. “Oh shit, Will, I’m not gonna last.”

  Will let out an evil sounding chuckle around his shaft and then started to hum, the vibrations making everything that much hotter.

  All too soon Blake knew he was about to come. He cried out as Will worked his cock with his hand, lips tight around the shaft, his head bobbing faster over Blake’s groin. “Close, so close,” he stammered out, and then he felt his cock swell in Will’s mouth. Will drank him down, sucking the last drop from his dick with little noises that told of his pleasure. Blake lay there shaking as Will cleaned his cock with his tongue, before moving back to kiss him, sharing the last of Blake’s come.

  They kissed, this time more languidly, Blake’s fingers moving gently through Will’s short hair, their lips soft against each other. Blake wondered at the image he must have presented: chest bared, pants pushed roughly down to mid-thigh, his spent cock lying limply against his thigh. Will released his mouth with a sigh.

  “You taste delicious.”

  Blake felt the flush which rose up from his chest and neck, finally reaching his cheeks. “And you’re wicked.”

  Will chuckled. “Didn’t hear you complaining, though.”

  Blake snorted. “What man in his right mind complains about a kick-ass blow-job?”

  Will preened. “Glad to know my oral skills are appreciated.” He got up from the floor and held out a hand to Blake who sat up, fastening up his shirt.

  “Thank you, by the way,” he said sincerely. Will’s eyebrows lifted. “For staying, I mean. I really do appreciate it. And especially for what just took place.” Blake’s cheeks reddened. “I’m sure you must have had a client booked for this evening, so I’ll reimburse you what you would have made tonight. I wouldn’t want you to be out of pocket.”

  Will froze. His eyes narrowed. The cold expression on his face made Blake’s heart stutter in his chest. “Will? What have I said?”

  Will locked eyes with him. He stared at Blake in silence for so long that Blake started to worry.

  “Thank you very much. You just made me feel like a whore.” The words were delivered in a flat tone, but Blake saw him swallow, saw a shiver ripple through him.

  Blake’s jaw dropped, his eyes growing wide. “What?” He didn’t understand.

  Will’s jaw clenched. “You don’t have a fucking clue what I had planned for tonight. And by saying that, you made it sound like that’s all I do. Fuck guys.” He gritted out the words. “Well, fuck you.” Will got up off the sofa and strode into his office, slamming the door shut behind him.

  Blake paled. He got to his feet and hurried to the adjoining door. When he opened it, Will was putting on his suit jacket and picking up his keys. “Oh God, Will, I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry…” Will ignored him. He stood there trembling as his computer shut itself down. Blake approached him slowly. “Will. Please, don’t go. Please. I’m so sorry.” His heart was beating fast. Oh God, tell me I’ve not just fucked this up beyond repair. He watched Will become still. Long seconds passed.

  At last Will looked him in the eye. “Just so you know—not that it’s any of your fucking business—tonight I was supposed to be at the LGBT youth shelter in Charing Cross. I go there once a week and hang out with the kids. We play pool, watch TV, chat mostly.” He stared resolutely at Blake. “You don’t know me, Mr. Davis.”

  Blake wasn’t going to stop, not now Will was speaking to him. “Then come back to the sofa, sit down, and talk to me. Tell me.” Will’s jaw was still clenched. “Please, Will.” He could have wept with relief when Will finally nodded, and the two men went back to Blake’s sofa. Will sagged against the cushions, Blake sitting beside him. For a moment neither of them spoke. Will stared up at the ceiling as he finally started to speak.

  “You don’t know the whole story,” Will began. “So maybe I should explain something which might make it a little easier.” He shook himself. “Christ, I swore I was never gonna let you know any of this, but…. When I took on the job at J’s, it was as an escort. I escort a lot of women to functions, balls, stuff like that. They feel safer knowing they’re with a gay guy who isn’t going to hit on them at the end of the night.”

  “I can understand that.” Blake couldn’t take his eyes off Will. The man had a haunted expression about his face. Will scrubbed his hand over his cheek.

  “Then about a month before you and I…” Will flushed and cleared his throat. “A month before your birthday, Jenny asked me if I would consider doing a little more than just escorting. It didn’t take me long to work out she meant sex. For reasons I’m not about to go into right now, I wasn’t keen on the idea, not even remotely—until she mentioned what I would be earning. Let’s just say it was a lot more.” His eyes met Blake’s for the first time in what was obviously a painful confession. “I said yes.” The words were whispered. Blake reached across and grabbed hold of his hand, holding it tightly. Will gave him a grateful look before continuing with his story, his voice growing steadier.

  “Well, a few weeks went by and I carried on as an escort. I tried not to think about what I’d agreed to do. Until one day Jenny rings me up and asks how I would feel about having sex with this really nice guy by the name of Blake.”

  Blake stared. “I was your first client?” Will nodded. “Wow. And there was me thinking you must have been doing this for a while, you were so confident and assured. I’d never have guessed.”

  Rather than look pleased at Blake’s words, Will seemed very unhappy. He pulled his hand free of Blake’s and got up, picking up his jacket from where he’d dropped it by the sofa. “I think I’m going to go home now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” His voice was tight. Blake watched in dismay as Will exited the office, not looking back once. Blake was at a loss. He sat there thinking back on Will’s tale. There was much more to his PA than he’d thought, and Blake suspected there was even more to come.

  That’s if he comes back to work for you to find out. He couldn’t shut out the thought. The mood Will was in, Blake wouldn’t be surprised to see his resignation the following morning. Blake flushe
d with shame for making Will feel so cheap. The young man was no whore, that much was evident. Blake decided there and then to make it up to Will—if he ever got the chance.

  Chapter Six

  Will didn’t want to go to work.

  He lay in his bed, staring at his alarm clock where the minutes ticked away, already past the point where he should have been up, showered and dressed. Not that he’d needed the alarm this morning. He estimated he’d had about two hours sleep, off and on. All the way home from the office the night before, he’d mentally kicked himself for coming onto Blake in the first place. Why in hell hadn’t he just kept his hands to himself?

  ’Cause my boss is hot and I wanted him. Duh. Will had been fighting his attraction to Blake since day one. And he knew full well why he’d let go last night. He’d wanted to know if Blake would respond when he wasn’t paying for it. Well, I got my answer, didn’t I? The noises and whimpers coming from Blake had gone straight to his dick. And as for the taste of him… Will had almost come from watching his boss trembling as he came into Will’s mouth. Then Blake had gone and ruined it.

  You know he was sorry. Yeah, Will knew. It didn’t make the thought of facing his boss that morning any easier. At least Blake knew now.

  The sound of a horn in the street below broke through his reveries. It was no use. He’d have to face Blake sooner or later. Later sounded pretty good right now.

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  Will smelled the coffee as soon as he came through the main door. The clock above Karen’s desk showed eight ten. Will wondered what Blake was making of his late arrival. Then it hit him. He might think I’m not coming in at all. Will went swiftly to his office, took off his greatcoat and hung it up, before knocking quietly on the adjoining door.

  “Come in.” Blake sounded subdued, even through a closed door. Will pushed it open. Blake was seated at his desk, a mug of coffee next to him. He looked up and his eyes became large and round. “You’re… you’re here.” There was no mistaking the look of relief in those gorgeous blue eyes. Before Will had time to utter a word, Ed appeared behind him with a mug of coffee. He thrust it into Will’s hand, almost spilling its contents in the process.