INTERLUDE II Read online

  He paced the floor until he heard Arnold’s car pull into the driveway.

  Get a grip!

  He waited until Arnold knocked on the door before crossing the room and bidding him to enter. He felt stiff and awkward, as though his professionalism had suddenly drained away. He forced himself to smile, to invite Arnold inside and offer him a chair.

  “This better be good, Leland. I hate to drive in the rain and from the looks of that sky; it’s going to pour any minute.”

  Arnold Hayes was tall and thin with wide shoulders and brown hair graying at the temples. He had played football in college, earned degrees in journalism and business finance, and then taken over the running of the family magazine upon graduation. He had been married twice, had no heirs, and lived in a mansion on the expensive side of town.

  He’s out of my league.

  Steve left Arnold in the living room while he went to the kitchen for the wine. Returning to his guest with a glass of wine in either hand, he was startled to see his guest had removed his suit coat and was in the process of loosening his expensive silk tie. He paused in the doorway of the room and stared, transfixed.

  “This is a casual meeting, isn’t it?”

  “Er…yes, of course.”

  Steve resumed his trek into the room, offering Arnold one of the glasses of wine.

  “Then I’ll get comfortable.”

  “Of course. Is there anything else I can get for you?”

  He realized by the leer in Arnold’s brown eyes that he shouldn’t have asked such a thing. He held his breath while Arnold looked contemplative for a few seconds, then he resumed loosening his tie, finally, he pulled it from his neck and tossed it onto the back of the couch.

  “I’ll let you know.” He took the wine Steve offered and sat down.

  Steve’s mouth suddenly felt as though it was filled with cotton. He raised his glass of wine and took a sip, his eyes on Arnold seated across the room. In his wildest dreams, he had never envisioned their meeting to be as awkward as it seemed to be. His mind was blank of something to say.

  “Tell me about yourself, Steve.”

  He drew in a deep breath and began reciting his work history as though he were suddenly being interviewed.

  “And I’m delighted to be given the chance to write for your magazine.” He ended his quick rendition with a smile and gulped the last of the wine in his glass. Quickly, he levered himself out of the chair and headed to the kitchen to fetch the bottle. His body felt sweaty all over and his heart was hammering against his ribcage.

  He made every effort to hurry back to his guest, despite the feeling of dread that gathered in his gut. He struggled to understand the feeling—but the moment he returned to the living room he realized the feeling of gloom was well founded.

  Arnold Hayes had removed his shirt and pants in Steve’s absence. He sat on the couch in his underwear, his knees parted, and a rapidly hardening cock tenting his boxer shorts.

  Steve gasped and almost dropped the wine bottle.

  “Are you surprised?” Arnold chuckled and cupped his prick with one hand.

  Is rain wet?

  Suddenly, the mystique surrounding Arnold Hayes dissolved. It was clear to Steve why the man was so hard to work for, and what he was going to have to do to remain on staff at his magazine.

  An unidentifiable tremor snaked through his insides. He let his gaze travel over Arnold’s trim body. His legs were very muscular, well-developed calves and thighs. His chest was broad and dusted in fine black hair; his arms looked as though he lifted weights on a regular basis. And the tented underwear at his crotch—

  He hadn’t dreamed Arnold Hayes was gay—or was he?

  “Yes.” Arnold said, a wide smile on his handsomely chiseled face. “I’m gay.”

  He hadn’t given in to his lust for months—having spent all his time composing articles to sell—but now that he was being offered the pleasure of partaking—

  He smiled broadly at the prospect of an evening of fun unfolding before him. He raised his hands and stripped out of his shirt, not bothering to unbutton it before pulling it over his head. He felt alive suddenly—alive and filled with anticipation.

  Arnold refilled his wine glass while he watched Steve shed his clothes.

  He was hard already, he realized as he lowered his hand to his fly. He released the zipper and pushed the denim fabric down his thighs, letting the garment fall about his feet. He raised his gaze to Arnold’s face, recognizing the building lust in his eyes. He stepped out of his shoes and then his jeans, kicking them aside. His erection pushed at the front of his briefs, firm and ready.

  Arnold sat his wine glass on the table at the end of the couch and turned his gaze on Steve. He pushed his thighs further apart and smiled.

  “It’s play time.” He traced one fingertip across the head of his cock, making it jerk erratically beneath the silk covering of his shorts.

  Steve crossed the room to Arnold and crouched between his splayed legs. He raised one hand and stroked his cock through the silk material.

  “Oh…Stevie boy, you’re played before.” He pulled in an audible breath and pushed his crotch toward Steve’s hand.

  Steve teased his prick through the silk covering, running his fingers down its length, then gathering the silk fabric around its round base and gently caressing. He felt his own prick straining at the front of his shorts and pressed his crotch against the front of the couch, adding an aura of lust to his already growing feelings. He lowered his mouth to Arnold’s prick and lathed the round head, wetting the fabric with his tongue.

  Arnold bucked his hips and moaned in delight. He reached for Steve’s nipples and pinched them, his fingers eager and demanding.

  Steve winced at the rough play. He hadn’t figured Arnold to be gay—let alone liking it rough.

  “Tie me up!”

  Steve halted his hands on Arnold’s prick as he suddenly pushed off the couch. He headed for the bedroom and Steve roused himself and followed. When he entered the room, Arnold was already sprawled on the bed, his legs spread, his prick standing tall in his silk-covered crotch.

  “Tie me up!”

  He sounded so demanding that Steve rushed to find something to tie him up with. Finally it dawned on him that he should use his neckties and he raced to the closet in the room. Arnold lay on the bed and panted, his mouth open and sweat blanketing his body while Steve hurried to do his bidding.

  Steve tied Arnold’s hands above his head, securing them to the headboard so he couldn’t pull loose. He then tied his ankles to either side of the footboard of the bed. And Arnold panted and squirmed against the mattress in anticipation.

  Steve’s prick was so hard his balls were aching. He was finding it difficult to maneuver around with the hard stick of flesh bobbing at his crotch. He looked down at Arnold’s prone body on the bed, a sight to behold, while he decided what he should do to him. He had little time for planning though because the second he finished tying him up, he began barking orders to him.

  “Rip my shorts off my body!”

  Steve looked at the tented navy blue silk shorts covering Arnold’s aroused prick. The front of the shorts was wet from where he had put his mouth on Arnold’s shaft. He could see the outline of his round balls pressing against the fabric. He set one knee on the bed and reached out one hand, taking hold of the elastic waistband of the garment. Could he really rip the shorts from Arnold’s body? He had never played so rough before.

  “Pull, dammit!”

  His shouted order urged Steve to action. He gripped the fistful of material gathered in his right hand and gave a yank. The sound of ripping fabric rent the room and a long tear appeared across the front of Arnold’s shorts. One more forceful tug and the silky fabric hung from Steve’s fisted hand.

  “Suck me!”

  Lust intensified inside his body as he moved toward Arnold’s engorged cock. He hoped he could please him—since it was evident that he was being tested. The thought jangled his nerve
s. Of all the editors he had worked with during his career as a freelance writer—he had never had the assignment of satisfying the boss sexually.

  Arnold bucked his hips, arching upward against the restraints at his wrists and ankles, tempting Steve with his large cock.

  Steve sucked in a deep breath and positioned himself between Arnold’s splayed legs. He wound his fingers around the base of his cock and leaned his mouth to the smooth head. He licked the heated flesh, lathing it with his tongue, inching lower along the breath of it. He circled its circumference, delving the tip of his tongue into the thick black hair at its base.

  Arnold moaned and rolled his head on the pillow. Arching his neck, he pinned his gaze on Steve.

  “Jerk me off—and I like it rough!”

  Steve sat back on his haunches and squeezed Arnold’s prick in his fist. He began to move his hand, squeezing and jerking his fist up and down rashly. Arnold hunched his hips with every jerk Steve gave to his prick, panting audibly and grunting loudly.

  Steve worried at first that he might hurt him, jerk too erratically and injure his balls or worse yet, tear the smooth skin on his prick. But Arnold seemed to urge him to play rougher with every stroke of his fist.

  “Harder, dammit! Jerk harder!”

  He could see him sweating, reaching for an orgasm that appeared near, yet far away at the same time. He jerked his fist faster, bouncing his hand off his crotch with audible slaps. He felt sweat blanket his body and his palm grew moist. Arnold was panting loudly, his body gyrating wildly with every hunch of his buttocks.

  “Oh Goddamn! I’m coming! Suck me off! Suck me off!”

  Steve fell on his prick with his mouth, sucking in the thrusting shaft, gagging when Arnold lunged in far enough to touch the back of his throat. He raised up on his hands and knees, bracing his body as Arnold intensified his lunging thrusts.

  The hot stream of semen shot down Steve’s throat without further warning, causing him to pull back suddenly. The white cum spilled from his mouth and dribbled across Arnold’s hairy balls.

  “Put your mouth back on me!”

  The order was yelled angrily and Steve didn’t refuse him. He shoved his mouth back into position and swallowed the ensuing cum as it spurted into his mouth.

  Arnold writhed on the bed, moaning and jerking his legs and arms against the restraints holding him spread eagle.

  “You… need a… few lessons.”

  Steve raised his head slowly, afraid of disobeying. He spit out Arnold’s rapidly deflating cock and sat back on his haunches. His own prick was limp in his crotch—having lost the lusty urges he had previously harbored. The episode with Arnold made him feel more dominated than aroused. He felt puzzled by the strange sensations gathering inside him.

  “Get it up, Stevie, and we’ll play some more.”

  He looked at Arnold to see his eyes pinned on his crotch and his limp prick. He laughed suddenly. He had wanted sex—when Arnold first began undressing—even when he ordered him to tease his prick while he still wore his underwear—but now—

  “What’s the matter?”

  Steve combed one hand through his hair. He wasn’t quite sure he could explain his feelings—or that he should try.

  Arnold cocked an eyebrow at him. “I can be your teacher—if you’re interested.”

  Steve thought for a moment. Maybe he could make Arnold a deal.

  “I might be interested—in playing games with you, Arnold—if the price is right.” He held his breath, hoping he wasn’t sounding too demanding.

  Arnold was becoming aroused again—and to Steve’s surprise, he saw his own prick starting to rise in his crotch. Perhaps he had more power over Arnold than he surmised. He smiled slightly.

  “Name your price.” He wiggled his butt, shaking his rapidly growing erection at Steve.

  Steve reached out one hand and stroked Arnold’s balls, delving his fingers amidst the dense bush at his crotch. He could learn to like playing with Arnold—if he could be in command.

  “I want to be the only freelancer working for your magazine. I want my articles published on a timely basis. I want a raise in salary. I want—“

  “Granted!” Arnold chuckled. “Now—it’s time to play some more.”

  ONE NIGHT STAND

  The music from the bar blared into the street, its steady drum-thumping rhythm filling the dark night with enticing sensations of gyrating bodies in dance. Dan allowed the sensations to waft through his body, feeling the erotic rhythm wash along his sensitive nerves. He paused on the sidewalk in front of the nightspot, his gaze wafting over the garish lights and flashing signs.

  He had tried to stay away—tried to pretend he could find other means of alleviating the edgy feelings assaulting his insides. He had tried for two weeks to refuse his own senses—to imagine other things taking the place of his carnal urges. He heaved a laden sigh. In the end, he had given in to the battery of emotions fueling his thoughts. He needed human contact. He needed to be touched, stroked, and fondled.

  He pulled the door open and stepped inside, at once assaulted by the intensity of the bar. There were a multitude of people inside, crowded around the bar, filling the assortment of tables scattered about its wide room. Couples were embraced, swaying to the loud music, their male bodies rubbing together erotically.

  He felt his pulse kick up a degree. He searched the crowd for a familiar face. But then, did he have the idea that he would see Ray again—since he hadn’t kept the date he made with him almost two months ago? Surely he hadn’t waited for him to arrive, killed time over several beers, or wine. And since so much time had passed, surely he never expected to see him again.

  He told himself that it had been a whim—a wild and crazy whim that drove him to seek out Ray’s company that night. He shrugged his shoulders, feeling the soft caress of the suede shirt he wore. He walked to the bar and threw one leg over an empty barstool. Just to his right stood two men, intent on a conversation, leaning very close to each other, their hands on each other’s buttocks. The sight sent his senses spinning.

  He ordered a beer and took a sip, then swiveled on the stool to look at the bar patrons. The music had changed to a soft, dreamy slow song with a high-pitched female voice singing along. He tuned it out—aroused to the point that he didn’t really need further stimulus—at least in the form of music.

  He spied him then—Ray—seated across the room with another man. His arm was stretched across the table, his hand clasping that of his companion.

  Damn! Ray’s busy.

  He felt as though he had been stood up—though he had little reason to feel that way. After all, he had been the one to forget about the date he had set with Ray months ago. Why should he feel that way? He only came to the bar for…for…

  Why in hell had he come to the bar?

  He finished the beer in his glass and caught the attentions of the bartender, ordering another. The thought that he wasn’t fully satisfied with the reason he was there bombarded his senses suddenly. He needed male companionship—wasn’t that enough?

  He felt the hand clasp his right shoulder and jerked his head around. A shiver of utter delight raced ram shod through his insides when he locked gazes with Ray. A smile came to his lips instantly as he admitted he was glad he had seen him and come over.

  “How have you been?” Ray’s hand tightened on Dan’s shoulder.

  He didn’t want to make small talk, he admitted, turning to fully face Ray. He wanted to strip out of his clothes and fuck.

  “Can we go somewhere? Can we be alone?”

  Ray slid his hand across Dan’s shoulder and lowered it to his chest. He pressed his palm against his breast, before lowering it to Dan’s lap. He raked his fly with a fingertip.

  Dan shivered and drew in a quick breath. He lowered his own hand to cover Ray’s and pressed his palm against his crotch.

  “I need you.”

  Dark male brows rose in speculation. “I waited for you. You stood me up. Are you sure you want t
o be with me?”

  A tremor of regret rose inside Dan. He nodded his head. “I’m sorry.” He broke their intense stare and glanced away for a moment, studying. “That night was so…new to me. I…you were my first…my first sexual experience with a man.”

  “That’s no excuse, Dan. You acted like you liked it—what we did—the sex…and all.” He grinned broadly, displaying a row of elegantly white teeth.

  Dan roamed his gaze over him, feeling the arousal of need rise as he took in his handsome chiseled features. He had Italian ancestors and it was evident from the dark coloring and intense black eyes. Shoulder length jet-black hair lay on his broad shoulders. He wore a red silk shirt open almost to his waist, displaying a beautiful bronzed chest with a spray of coal black hair peeking out. Designer jeans in charcoal gray rode low on his narrow hips—and the sizable bulge at his crotch hinted of his large cock.

  “I did like it—the sex, Ray. I really liked it. But—“

  “But? You expect me to be available whenever you find yourself too horny to stay away?”

  “I’m sorry.” He reached out and caressed Ray’s left cheek with his fingers. His flesh was smooth and warm, flawless in texture. “I want you. Can we go somewhere?”

  “Let’s dance.”

  Dan allowed him to pull him off the barstool and followed him through the crowd onto a small dance floor where other couples were swaying erotically to the tune of a lazy ballad. He went into Ray’s arms, snaking his own arms around Ray’s waist. His cock pressed hotly against his, rubbing erotically as they began to sway to the music.

  A delightful shiver of lust began in Dan’s body and spread to every pore. He tightened his arms around Ray’s body, holding him even closer. Momentarily he felt Ray lower his hands to clasp his buttocks. He held him firmly, swaying erotically against his body.

  “You drive me wild.” He pulled in a long breath. “I want to rub my prick against yours—I want to lunge inside you,” he whispered against Ray’s ear.

  The music suddenly changed from slow and dreamy to a wild drum tattoo. It surged through his insides, making him aroused to the point that he felt as wild as the thundering beat. The dancers around them were suddenly gyrating, their bodies entwined, rubbing, hands roaming across backs and buttocks. He felt alive and yet strangely removed from himself. He peered down into Ray’s dark eyes and was suddenly assaulted by the sheer force of his lustful gaze.