by J. P. Bowie
“Hi, Lena,” he said when she answered. “Not too early, am I?”
“No, but where have you been?” She sounded vaguely put out, but not overly upset. “I thought you were going to call me last night.”
“Yeah, sorry, I got kind of involved getting Edward out of hospital and, you know, things to do,” he said, knowing it sounded lame.
“Well, I wanted you to be the first to know, but now it’s probably too late. Jeff has been calling all the major news channels to make the announcement that Ryan and I are officially ‘a couple’.”
“A couple? What does that mean—you eloped, or something?”
Lena giggled. “No, silly, it’s just the build-up to us being seen around town—dating, taking a trip together, you know, the usual fluff.”
Alex wasn’t sure how he felt about this development, but Lena appeared to be okay with it. His momentary silence had her asking, “Are you that surprised, Alex? You’re the one who said I should move on.”
“No, no. Not surprised. As long as you’re sure this is what you want. Will marriage be the end result or have you not got that far?”
“Well, of course Jeff wants that possibility bandied about, but I want to take my time on that. Maybe wait a week or two before we get engaged.”
That’s taking your time? “So you’re okay with Ryan Hart? You like him?”
“We understand one another, Alex. He’s kinda funny, makes me laugh like you do. He’s not the greatest kisser. Not bad, but there’s room for improvement. I can handle it.”
Oh, Lena. At least she didn’t say ‘not like Hank could kiss’. “If you’re sure.”
“Alex, he’s the only guy Jeff’s come up with that I can remotely stand. You won’t marry me.” She injected a light laugh before continuing. “So, what’s a girl to do? Anyway, I was hoping to see you today but Jeff’s arranged a press conference for Ryan and me, then I have to get together with Will about finishing the movie with him.”
“Looks like you’ll be busy for a while then,” Alex said.
“Never too busy for you, darling. You’ll always be my best friend.”
Until Jeff and Ryan Hart put a stop to it. “Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Oh, how’s your friend—Edward, is it?”
“Right, Edward. He’s getting there, and the good news is his missing roommate’s been found—a little beaten up, but he’ll survive. The men who did this have been arrested, so it’s all good.”
“Alex, are you sure you want to be involved with someone like this? It all sounds so—”
“Totally sure, Lena.” He cut her off before she could say something he might find it hard to forgive her for. “I’ll tell you the whole story one day. Better let you go so you can get ready for your press meeting.”
“Oh, all right, Alex. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Sighing, he ended the call and pocketed his cell. He wished he could be happier about this latest situation in Lena’s life. He found it surprising she’d rolled over so easily with Jeff’s demands. Maybe he’d misjudged Ryan Hart.
Nope, don’t think I did.
He went back into the living room and slumped onto the couch next to Edward.
“What’s wrong?” Edward turned off the TV and looked at him with concern. “Bad news?”
“Not really. My friend Lena is dating Ryan Hart.”
“Ryan Hart, the movie star?”
“The one and the same.”
“But you don’t think it’s a good idea?”
Alex groaned. “It really doesn’t matter what I think, Edward. Soon there will be rumors of a Hollywood wedding between two major stars that will set the TV news media agog for weeks, boost the happy couple’s careers, give the tabloids enough fodder for months—Lena and Ryan are engaged, they’ve called it off, it’s on again, wedding bells are ringing, the honeymoon was a disaster, divorce imminent, Lena and Ryan deny marital problems—”
“Oh, wow.” Edward stared at him and frowned. “I didn’t know you were such a cynic.”
“I’ve been around this business for too long I guess.” He took Edward’s hand. “Sorry, didn’t mean to vent like that. It’s just that Lena is a fragile soul and her agent is pushing her into this affair with Hart, who I don’t think is a very nice guy. My fault too, I guess. I kept telling her to move on, find someone to make her happy. I just didn’t think she’d go for this kind of arrangement.”
“You mean her agent tells her who she should date, or even marry?”
Alex nodded. “It’s not that unusual. Publicity love affairs are good press while they last, and some actually do end in a happy marriage.”
“Arranged marriages,” Edward murmured. “Who knew? I thought that kind of thing only happened in countries like India.”
“Well, at least here, they do have the option of backing out if they think they’re not at all compatible. Anyway…” He kissed the back of Edward’s hand then got up. “I’m neglecting my caregiver duties, I haven’t prepared your breakfast yet.”
“Oh, don’t bother with that. I don’t eat a whole breakfast, just coffee and a Danish maybe.”
“Hey, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and while you’re here you will have breakfast.” Alex gave him a ‘no argument’ look and strode off to the kitchen. It’ll do me good to keep busy. He opened the fridge and pulled out a box of eggs.
“You think we could go over and visit Troy today?” Edward asked.
“If you feel up to it. I have to admit I’m kinda interested to see this new and improved Troy myself.”
“It is sort of hard to believe, but if it hadn’t been for him, God knows what would’ve happened.”
* * * *
After their breakfast at the kitchen counter, of scrambled eggs, sausage and toast, Edward announced he had to shower. “You can join me if you like,” he said, giving Alex what he hoped was a sly, inviting smile. “My arms are still a bit stiff—makes it hard to reach my back.”
“Hmm…”Alex appeared to be giving the matter serious thought. “Well, you do have a point, and I haven’t showered yet, so—you’re on. But…” He wagged a finger at Edward. “Don’t expect any shenanigans, young man. You’re not quite ready for that yet.”
That’s what you think. Edward gave him a sunny smile. “Whatever you say, O master.” He was pretty sure that when they were both in such close proximity in the shower, he’d be able to change Alex’s supposed steely resolve to keep his hands to himself. After all, he is going to scrub my back…
“Come on then.” Alex took Edward’s hand and helped him off the bar stool. “Would you like me to carry you again?”
“I think I’m okay.” He was more than okay, but he slipped an arm around Alex’s waist as if to steady himself. Alex reciprocated by wrapping an arm around Edward.
“We’ll use my shower,” Alex said. “There’s more room to maneuver.”
Edward frowned. That’s right, Alex’s shower is huge. Damn. He didn’t want more room. He wanted Alex’s body, slick with soapy water, pressed up against him with no ‘room to maneuver’ whatsoever. Well, he’d just have to be a bit more aggressive. Once he got Alex hard, that would be the end of his silly resolve.
In the bathroom, a marble-tiled affair with a sunken shower lined with the same tile, Alex turned on the water then quickly discarded his pants and T-shirt. Edward gasped at the beauty of Alex’s body, the smoothly defined musculature of his chest and torso, and the slimness of his hips. He found it hard to tear his gaze from the sight of Alex’s cock, impressive even in its now flaccid state. Something he hoped to alter in the next few minutes.
“Robe?” Alex was looking at him quizzically. “You need to take it off, Edward.”
“Oh, right,” he mumbled, undoing the belt and slipping the soft material from his shoulders. Alex continued to stare at him, his eyes darkening with undisguised lust. Yes…
They stepped under the hot spray. Alex grabbed a sponge and squ
eezed a liberal amount of body wash onto it. “Turn around.” His voice was decidedly husky, then he proceeded to wash Edward’s back, keeping an annoying distance between himself and Edward. When Edward felt the sponge pass over the base of his spine, he stuck out his butt, pressing against Alex’s hand. The sponge slipped from Alex’s grasp and landed with a plop onto the shower floor.
“Damn,” Alex exclaimed, but before he could bend down to pick it up, Edward gripped his hand and forced his fingers into the cleft between his butt cheeks. “Edward,” Alex muttered in warning, but it was half-hearted at best and did nothing to deter Edward from his mission. He turned to face Alex, wrapped his arms around him and kissed him with a passion he knew Alex wouldn’t resist. It was obvious from the very hard flesh prodding Edward’s thigh that he’d succeeded in breaking down Alex’s resolve. So far so good, but Alex might just pull himself together and push Edward away. He couldn’t let that happen.
He reached for Alex’s erection and began to massage it, gently at first, then as a moan escaped Alex’s throat, with sure, firm strokes. He wanted to get down on his knees and take Alex’s cock in his mouth, but he knew that would be foolish and something that Alex wouldn’t allow. He’d pull back immediately and stop him from risking even more pain. But this was good enough for now. He’d wanted to feel Alex’s hard body pressed against his, wanted those rapturous kisses that took him to heights of ecstasy he’d never known existed before meeting Alex.
“This won’t do,” Alex said, his lips not leaving Edward’s.
“What?” No, don’t make me stop, not now, not yet…
“Finish showering. There’s a bed out there that’s a helluva lot more comfortable for what you’ve got in mind.”
Edward figured he’d never showered and dried off as fast in all his life, but then there had never been anything quite so tempting at the end of any shower he’d had previously. The promise of sex with Alex was enough to make him almost race out of the bathroom, until his knees reminded him to take it easy.
“Uh-huh,” Alex said, seeing him wince. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”
“It’s a great idea! C’mon, Alex, don’t renege on me now. You’ll have the blue balls from hell if you don’t let me take care of you.”
Alex chuckled and kissed Edward’s nose. “Who could resist such a romantic invitation?” He patted Edward’s bottom. “Okay, but the slightest hint of pain and we stop.”
Edward nodded. There isn’t an agony in the universe that would make me tell you to stop…
He got on the bed and lay back expectantly as Alex stood over him, stroking himself while he gazed down at Edward, his eyes filled with a hunger that sent a frisson of pure lust zinging through Edward’s blood. Alex climbed onto the bed and took Edward gently into his arms. Edward could tell he was holding back for fear of hurting him, his kisses on Edward’s lips and skin more tentative than erotic.
Edward let out a needy whimper and pushed himself hard into Alex’s embrace. “I won’t break,” he whispered. Alex skimmed his lips over Edward’s chest, teasing each nipple, lightly at first, then as Edward writhed against him, he used his teeth to bring each tiny nub to a tingling peak, sending electrifying jolts all the way to Edward’s straining erection.
Alex kissed his way down Edward’s torso, lingering over each bruise as if he could heal them with his touch. He dipped his tongue into Edward’s navel before following the blond treasure trail leading to Edward’s hard cock, the glistening tip an invitation Alex couldn’t resist.
He grasped the throbbing flesh in one hand and licked the copious pre-cum oozing from the slit, relishing the slightly salty taste. Encouraged by Edward’s low, throaty moans, he slid his lips down the hot, rigid length, taking it all the way to the shower-sweet muskiness of Edward’s pubic hair at the root. He loved the feel of the hard, smooth flesh that seemed to fit so well inside his mouth and throat. As he sucked, his movements slow and deliberate, he cupped Edward’s balls in his free hand, massaging them gently, feeling them tighten in his palm.
He felt Edward’s fingers rake his hair, heard his muttered entreaty, “Let me take care of you, too…”
He shifted his body so that his cock was in reach of Edward’s mouth and he shuddered with ecstasy as he felt soft lips enclose his throbbing erection and a demanding tongue lick its way up and down the length of his thick shaft. Alex’s senses went on overload. He vowed to be careful handling Edward so as not to cause him any more pain, but right then all he could see, smell and taste was this beautiful man who, in such a short time, had begun to mean so much to him.
He wasn’t going to fuck him, not this time—it would be too much for Edward to bear in his present state. There were other ways to bring him pleasure. He paused to lubricate his middle finger with his spit, then pushed it into the cleft between Edward’s round butt cheeks and circled the tight pucker he found there. He probed gently at first, then as Edward writhed against him he slipped his finger far enough in to stroke Edward’s prostate. When he took Edward’s cock back into his mouth he was rewarded by a spurt of pre-cum, the salty tang coating his taste buds. Edward moaned, and his erection pulsed in Alex’s mouth. His own climax was imminent—he knew he couldn’t hold out much longer. As Edward orgasmed with a muffled cry, flooding Alex’s mouth with his cum, Alex steeled himself to teeter on the knife edge of ecstasy for a few moments more before succumbing to the now unstoppable rush of liquid heat that spread from the base of his spine into his balls. He came in long shuddering spasms that racked his body and left him boneless and sweating.
Waiting only to feel Edward’s erection soften he positioned himself alongside Edward and held him gently. “Are you all right?” he asked softly. “No pain?”
“Only the pain of not having you in my mouth.”
Alex chuckled and pressed his lips to Edward’s. Edward opened to him and their tongues tangled to share the taste of each other’s cum.
“You’re amazing,” Alex whispered.
“If I’m amazing, there isn’t a word great enough to describe you.” Edward rested his head on Alex’s chest. “Maybe super-amazing…”
* * * *
Later they drove to the hospital to visit Troy. When they entered the room Troy seemed to be asleep and Edward marveled at how young and defenseless he seemed in repose, so different from the smart-mouth Edward knew him to be. His face was marred by yellowing bruises, his forehead sported a large Band-Aid covering the stitches Doctor Wingate had told them Troy had needed on admittance.
“He doesn’t look too bad,” Edward whispered to Alex.
“I look like shit,” Troy opened his eyes and grinned up at them. “Doesn’t seem to turn Mark off, though.”
“Mark?”
“Detective McLennan to you. He was here earlier giving me the lowdown on that fucker Walter Jacobs and that pig Garth whatshisname. Man, I’d like to—” He bit his lip suddenly. “No, I have to control my anger issues. Mark says I mustn’t waste negative energy on jerks like them.” He rolled his eyes, his grin returning. “I know, doesn’t sound like me at all. So how’re you, Southern-fried?”
“Oh, back to that I see,” Edward said wryly.
“But now it’s said with affection.” He reached out and took Edward’s hand. “You and me, we went through shit together, didn’t we? But we came out the other side, and I hope you won’t hold all those crappy things I’ve said to you against me.”
Edward sat on the edge of the bed. “No, of course not. If it hadn’t been for you, I might have been a lot worse off. Who knows what Jacobs was capable of.”
“Right, he’s a complete freak. So…” He smiled at Alex and winked. “Are you two together, together now?”
“Uh…” Alex gave Edward a quick glance before answering. “We’re, uh, getting to know each other.”
“I think you are totally into one another—in more ways than one.”
“Hey.” Edward frowned at Troy. “I thought you were a changed man—no more snark a
nd smartass comments.”
“Oh now, you ask too much of me!” Troy laughed and squeezed Edward’s hand. “But…” His expression sobered and he added, “I want us to be friends, real friends, the kind you can count on when you have to. Mark says you were really concerned for me, and I— Shit, I’m not gonna cry, am I? It’s just that I’ve never had anyone really care about me—at least not that they ever told me.” He swiped at his eyes with his free hand while still holding onto Edward’s. “Or maybe I was just too toasted all the time to hear what was being said.”
Edward leaned down and did something he never could have imagined himself doing—he kissed Troy on the cheek. “Yes, Alex and I care for you, Troy, and…” He smiled into his roommate’s eyes. “I think you might have a big and brave detective who also, given the chance, will care for you—in more ways than one.”
Behind him, Alex chuckled. “Now who’s a smartass?”
“Just joining the club.”
A knock at the door had them all turning expectantly. Detective Mark McLennan stood hesitantly in the doorway. “Sorry, didn’t know you’d have company,” he said, biting his lower lip and looking slightly uncomfortable.
“Come on in,” Troy said. Edward got up off the bed and moved over to stand beside Alex. “You have some more news of those two scumbags? They gonna get life in prison?”
“Not yet.” He nodded at Edward and Alex then directed his gaze at Troy. “Sentencing’s scheduled for next week. With the plea bargain I’d guess Jacobs will serve fifteen to twenty years.” He paused for a moment then said, “I, uh, just spoke with your doctor. He told me you should be out of here in the next couple of days.”
“Great.” Troy flashed him a mischievous smile. “You haven’t forgotten what that means, right?”
McLennan glanced at Edward and Alex, a ghost of a smile on his lips. “I’m not following you, Mr. Kendall,” he said, looking back at Troy. “What is it I may have forgotten?”