The Harder They Fall

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  Mark knew that he was telling the truth by the way Paul was looking at him. He took him by the hand and went to the bedroom. Mark shucked his shirt and pants and crawled into bed. He watched Paul strip to his boxers and then he joined him.

  Mark’s eyes were so beautiful, and the way he was looking at him was giving Paul a hard-on. He was determined not to fuck this up. He traced Mark’s lips with two fingers and gasped when Mark pulled them into his mouth, sucking on them one by one. He let them go and kissed Paul — a light one — and trailed his tongue along the bottom lip.

  “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?” Paul rasped.

  “I’m going to take care of you. Don’t worry,” Mark whispered in his ear. He slipped his hand to Paul’s already stiff dick. “I don’t think you’re going to put up much of a fight!”

  Paul moaned as Mark began a slow stroke. He smothered the urge to grab him, roll him over and rut against him. Instead, he closed his eyes and relaxed. Mark tugged off the boxers, spread Paul’s legs, and rubbed his cheek up the taut torso. He kissed him and let his tongue roam lazily around Paul’s mouth.

  “Mark.”

  “Yes?”

  “We don’t have to do anything.”

  “I know we don’t. I want to do something.”

  He ran his tongue down Paul’s chest and stomach to find his prize; he licked the dick from shaft to tip and then took him in to the root.

  “Fuck,” Paul rasped. Mark’s tongue slid around Paul’s cock, dipped into his slit and wiggled. His mouth continued to torture him and Paul gripped Mark’s hair, arching his back as his orgasm neared.

  “Mark! Fuck, Mark!”

  Paul still had Mark’s hair in his hands as he thrust up, his orgasm overtaking him. Mark was still sucking him, swallowing every little bit of cum.

  “How was that?” he whispered, as he licked his way back up to Paul’s mouth. They kissed languidly as Mark sucked on Paul’s tongue.

  “Holy fuck, Mark! That was…I’ve never come that fast just from getting head.”

  “Oh, come on. Don’t try to make the virgin feel better,” Mark scoffed.

  “I’m serious, Mark. I swear I’m not lying.” Paul pulled him in and rested Mark’s head on his shoulder. He was telling the truth. No one had made him cum that fast. Because he never cared about them. And if he had to explain why he had begun to care so quickly about Mark, he couldn’t say. But care he did.

  Mark snuggled into the bigger man; he loved the feel of skin on skin. He loved being with Paul, he felt safe. And he had been honest with him. He ran his hands up his chest, loving the feel of his smooth skin.

  “Do you shave your chest, Paul?”

  Paul laughed. “No. Do you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Have you ever shaved your legs?”

  Mark busted out laughing. “Yeah, once.”

  “Are you shitting me?”

  “I shit you not. It was an experiment gone awry.”

  “Oh my God. Did you at least use a man’s razor?”

  “Nope, my mom’s Daisy.”

  Paul’s body shook as he tried not to come apart with laughter.

  “You laugh at my half shaved legs?” Mark asked incredulously.

  “Wait, you didn’t finish?”

  “No, I cut myself once and stopped. So I had this long line on my leg and the rest was hairy.”

  “Oh, I wish you had taken a picture.” Paul grinned.

  “Damon did. He still has it.”

  “I’m so going to ask to see it.”

  “I wanted to feel pretty,” Mark sniffed, hurt. “So, do you have any family? Brothers, sisters?”

  “Nope, it was just me.”

  “I’m so sorry, Paul.” Mark leaned in and kissed him softly.

  “It’s okay. I mean, I learned to get through stuff. I just shut myself off.”

  “Please don’t shut me out, Paul.”

  “You’re the only one I let in.” Paul kissed him softly.

  “Thank you for trusting me.”

  “Thank you for staying with me tonight.”

  “Thank you for taking me out of there before I had to play nice with Heather,” Mark laughed.

  “I have to say, it surprises me how fast Tanner moved on. Although, I guess it shouldn’t. He never made it past six months with anyone.”

  “Really?” Mark kissed Paul’s chin and gently bit it.

  “Hmmm…you better stop that.”

  “Maybe I just want you to kiss me.”

  “I can do that. I can do that all night.” Paul met Mark’s lips, tunneling his fingers in Mark’s hair and tugging him closer. He eased him onto his back and wrapped him up in his arms.

  “Your skin is so soft,” Paul whispered.

  “So is yours.”

  “I remember seeing you at the football games. You looked so hot in your uniform,” Paul chuckled.

  “You went to the games?” Mark asked in surprise.

  “Oh yeah. I quit football awhile back. My team didn’t know how to work as one, but I still went. I loved it when you guys ran over their asses; it was almost comical,” Paul snickered.

  “How did you know which one I was?”

  “Well, you do have a number on your back, you know. Besides, I saw you take off your helmet once in the huddle and you looked positively edible.

  “Wow, wish I had known.”

  “I’ve also seen you at Skyline. I was there at a party for a friend and you came in.”

  “I wonder why I never saw you.” Mark mused.

  “Maybe you weren’t ready.”

  Mark snuggled in again. Paul sighed and Mark searched the face above him.

  “What is it?”

  “I always hated snuggling, but you make it pretty awesome.” Paul sighed contentedly.

  “You’re a romantic at heart, aren’t you?”

  “You seem to bring it out in me. I don’t know how, but you got to me.”

  “I’m glad you let me in.”

  “Me, too. We should get some sleep.” Paul turned off the light, settled back down and pulled Mark in.

  “Aww, my big, bad Snuggle Bear.”

  “Shhh.” Paul kissed Mark’s nose. “You’re going to ruin my reputation.”

  “Oh, that tough guy rep you have?”

  “I am a tough guy.” Paul smiled.

  “Yeah, I saw Tanner’s face tonight. He was scared shitless.”

  “I wouldn’t have hurt him. Much.” Paul laughed. “His brother and I are friends.”

  Mark kissed him softly. “What are you going to do tomorrow?”

  “Do you have something in mind?” Paul raised an eyebrow.

  “Yeah I do. Will you come?”

  “Yeah, I will.” Paul smiled at the look of wonder on Mark’s face; he looked like a child who got ice cream for dinner.

  “Night, Paul.”

  “Night, Mark.” Paul closed his eyes. It was the second time since his mother died that he had slept with another human being this close to him. And he loved it.

  Chapter 7

  Sunday morning, Mark woke up with Paul’s arms around him. He wiggled in closer and Paul sighed in his sleep. Mark ran his hands up the other chest, feeling the slow, steady heartbeat.

  Time to speed it up.

  His hands skimmed their way to Paul’s boxers.

  “Mark?”

  “Yes?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Playing.” Mark swallowed a laugh.

  “Playing with me can get you in trouble.” Paul gently pulled Mark’s face up to his.

  “I’m already in trouble.” Mark kissed him slowly.

  “Mmmm, how do you figure?” Paul licked Mark’s lips.

  “You drive me crazy. I want you.” Mark pulled Paul on top of him.

  “We can’t do this, Mark.” Paul shifted to put some space between them.

  “You can rub me, you know.” Mark tempted.

  “I haven’t done that since…” Paul
tilted his head in thought. “Never mind.” He pulled his boxers off.

  Mark pulled his boxers off and pulled Paul on top of him again. Paul’s’ elbows rested on either side of Mark’s head and he leaned in and kissed him slowly. He rocked his body back and forth, and the skin on skin contact was unbelievable. God, he wanted Mark. Their hard cocks rubbed together and Paul’s abdomen clenched, readying for release.

  He knew Mark was close — the heavy breathing and moans were driving Paul crazy. Mark’s mouth was an aphrodisiac; Paul couldn’t get enough of it, he bit Mark’s tongue softly while probing his mouth.

  Mark sunk his fingers in Paul’s ass cheeks and came with a loud moan.

  “Oh fuck,” Paul groaned.

  They sprawled there, panting for several minutes. Mark grabbed his boxers and put them between their bodies, cleaning the mess they’d made. He gripped Paul’s hair and worked his fingers into his scalp.

  “Mark.”

  “Paul.”

  “Wow.” Paul nuzzled Mark’s neck, stopping to leave gentle bites and sucking on the skin.

  “Did you give me a hickey?” Mark smiled.

  “Yes, you want to give me one?”

  Mark licked Paul’s neck; he sucked hard on the soft flesh near his collarbone.

  “There, now I’ve marked you,” Mark announced.

  “Yes, you ‘marked’ me,” Paul laughed at his pun.

  “Oh, that’s funny, Paul.” Mark rolled his eyes playfully.

  “So what are we doing today?” Paul rolled off and cleaned Mark’s stomach and then his.

  “Well, I have to make a phone call first. You like Damon and Tyler, right?”

  “Yeah, Youngblood’s cool. And Tyler’s really cute.” Paul braced for the impact.

  Mark hit him. “Hey!”

  Paul grabbed his hands and pinned him down. “But you —” He kissed Mark softly. “You are gorgeous.”

  “Really? You think so?”

  “I know so.” He pulled Mark up. “Okay, shower time.”

  Mark covered himself with his hands. Paul looked at him and smiled. He took Mark’s hands away and stared at his body.

  “Why are you hiding this?” Paul gazed at Mark from head to toe. He admired his biceps, his abs and his strong, muscular thighs. He turned him around to look at Mark’s tight ass. “Holy shit, that baby is even better naked!”

  “Paul.” Mark blushed.

  “Don’t you ever be ashamed of this body. It’s incredible, Mark.”

  They took a shower. Paul washed Mark’s hair and cleaned him with a sponge; he loved squeezing it on Mark’s ass. They got out and dried off. Paul threw a pair of boxers at Marks head. They got dressed and Mark called Damon. They talked for a bit and then Mark hung up.

  Mark looked at what Paul was wearing. He was in jeans and a T-shirt with a jacket. “That will work.”

  Mark hopped in his car and Paul followed him. They drove past the hospital and Mark finally turned into a long driveway. Paul was checking out all the cars.

  “Jesus, who lives here?”

  “Damon.” Mark smiled.

  “What are you planning?” Paul asked suspiciously.

  “A little fun.” Mark bounded up the steps and rang the doorbell.

  Stefan greeted the guys with a smile. “Hey, Mark. Damon said you were coming. Who’s your friend?”

  “This is Paul Greystone, Mr. Youngblood.”

  Stefan put his hand out. Paul gripped it firmly. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Youngblood.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too. Come on in, Damon and Tyler are out back.”

  Mark held Paul’s hand as they joined them. Damon and Tyler were throwing the football around.

  “Hey, Mark!” Damon ran up to him, noticing the joined hands. “Hey, Paul.”

  “Hey, guys.”

  “So, you brought Paul to play some football, huh? Is he any good?” Tyler looked at Paul.

  “You brought me here to play football?” Paul arched a brow.

  “I did. Now show us what you got. This team plays as a team.” Mark winked at him.

  Paul got into it right away. He’d forgotten how much fun it was just to throw the ball around. He passed it to Mark and Mark took off. Damn, he was fast! Tyler was right on his heels and he tackled Mark. They both got up laughing and Mark tossed the ball to him.

  Damon ran to the other side of the pond and yelled at Paul to throw it. He put some muscle on it. Damon caught it and looked up.

  “Jesus!” he yelled. “Are you trying to kill me?”

  “What position did you play, Paul?” Tyler was pretty sure he knew the answer.

  “Quarterback.” Paul smiled.

  Damon ran back to the trio, shaking his hand. “Jesus, Paul!”

  “Yeah, well now you know what if feels like, Damon!” Tyler shoved him playfully.

  Damon looked at his bright red hand. He laughed and looked at Paul. “Damn!”

  Paul pointed at him. “Hey, I hear you hurt a few hands, too, Damon.” He laughed as Tyler raised his hand.

  They went inside after a few more rounds and sat down at the breakfast nook. Stefan had left them snacks and Paul chewed thoughtfully as he watched the other three interact. Damon’s father asked if they could help move some boxes to the attic and Paul stood up to help.

  “Why don’t you and I sit this one out, Paul?”

  Paul narrowed his eyes at Damon. It was obvious he wanted to talk to him alone. As soon as the other two left, Paul turned his attention to Damon.

  “Subtle much?” Paul eyed Damon.

  “Sorry, I just wanted to ask you about Mark. Ya know?”

  “I’m not going to hurt him, Damon. I think he’s been through enough, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, I do. Look, I’m still friends with Tanner. I don’t like what he did, but we’re still friends. I don’t want Mark to suffer anymore.”

  “Neither do I. I can see what this has done to Mark’s self-esteem and I don’t like it,” Paul practically snapped.

  “Hey, I get it. I just hope that what you’re doing with Mark…that it’s serious; you’re not just using him.”

  “Look, I don’t know if you know my whole story, and frankly the only reason I’m even having this discussion is because I know how close you, Tyler and Mark are. I don’t let people in…ever. Mark is special. He got to me like no one else and he called me on my bullshit. Nobody has ever talked to me the way Mark did.” Paul grinned at the memory.

  “Yeah, he can be an ass, but he’s loyal. I just want to see him happy.”

  “So do I,” Paul assured him.

  The guys came back to the kitchen and stared at Damon and Paul.

  “Wow, didn’t even help.” Tyler made a show of pushing his lower lip out and pouting.

  “Aw, baby, I’m sorry.” Damon grabbed him and kissed him.

  “Oh, don’t think a kiss will fix this, Youngblood.” Tyler pointed and winked.

  Paul pulled Mark into his hip. “Miss me?”

  “No.” Mark laughed.

  “Yes you did. Admit it.” Paul kissed him.

  “Okay, I did.” Mark smiled.

  They talked the rest of the afternoon and then Paul said he had to get home. He and Mark left and Damon and Tyler cleaned up the kitchen.

  “Okay, why are you staring at me like that?” Damon arched his brows.

  Tyler moved in and hugged him. “Because you’re beautiful and I love you. I don’t ever want to lose you.”

  Damon kissed him. “You’re never getting rid of me.”

  “Promise?”

  “Oh yeah, I promise.”

  They spent the rest of the day moving Tyler’s things from his house to Damon’s. Tyler’s parents hugged Damon and told him how much they appreciated Stefan and Jordan taking their son in. They knew splitting them up would hurt, and Tyler’s mom didn’t have the heart to do it. They would miss Tyler, but they promised to call every weekend.

  “I got you set up for football camp, sweetie. You have fun,
okay?” Tyler’s mom hugged him.

  “Thanks, Mom. I’ll miss you guys.”

  Damon and Tyler left and went back to the house. They unpacked Tyler’s stuff and started putting everything away. Tyler looked around the room, it was actually bigger than his own was and he laughed that Damon’s room was attached by a bathroom.

  “Wow, that’s dangerous.”

  “Oh, you mean my direct access to you through the bathroom?” Damon laughed. “I wonder if my parents realized that?”

  “Yes, the parents did realize that, Damon.” Stefan and Jordan appeared in the doorway.

  “Oh, um, hi.” Damon smiled sheepishly. “I was just thinking it would be helpful for me to be able to come in and remind Tyler to floss. Oral hygiene is very important, and sometimes he forgets the whole flossing routine. He’s a savage, really.”

  “Yeah…uh huh.” Stefan smacked Damon’s ass.

  “Dinner’s almost ready. When you guys finish, come to the dining room.” Jordan smiled at them, barely holding in his laughter.

  “A savage? I have amazing teeth, thank you.” Tyler folded his arms and glared when they left.

  Damon looked at him and laughed. “Hey, on a serious note, what do you think of Paul?”

  “I think Paul is scared to death, that’s what I think.” Tyler folded a shirt.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Look, from what I hear, Paul went through a lot after his parents died. He cut everyone off. Now he has feelings for someone and it’s fucking him up. I think he’s got a genuine thing for Mark. And bad.” Tyler smiled.

  “Yeah, I got that impression, too. Paul is very — protective — of Mark.”

  “Amazing. Hey, speaking of Mark, we’ll be in football camp when he turns eighteen, what are we going to do for him?”

  Damon smiled. “I think I have an idea.”

  ~*~

  On Monday, Damon, Tyler, and Mark were outside waiting for the bell to ring. They were sitting on the hood of Mark’s car, laughing about the weekend, and Damon was asking Mark what he and Paul had done when they left.

  “Hey now, I don’t kiss and tell.” Mark grinned.

  “If it helps, Mark, the guy is in deep.” Damon offered.

  “Yeah it does, Damon. Thanks.”

  Mark noticed Heather making her way over. She looked nervous and a more than a bit uncertain whether she’d be welcome.