Silver & Gold

Silver and Gold by Devon Rhodes

Dreamspinner Press www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Copyright ©2009 by Devon Rhodes First published in 2009, 2009 NOTICE: This eBook is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution to any person via email, floppy disk, network, print out, or any other means is a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines and/or imprisonment. This notice overrides the Adobe Reader permissions which are erroneous. This eBook cannot be legally lent or given to others. This eBook is displayed using 100% recycled electrons.

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Silver and Gold by Devon Rhodes

CONTENTS Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

One Two Three Four Five Six Seven ****

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Chapter One Geoffrey Radcliffe stared intently into the mirror, grimacing at the reflection, then wincing as the grimace accentuated his laugh lines. Laugh lines, c'mon, just call them wrinkles. He ran his fingers through his straight, dark hair and froze. Oh shit. He peered closer at his hairline, holding his hair back with his hand and angling his head so that his temples were just inches from the mirror. A healthy dose of grey splashed on each pulse-point, while more isolated strands were beginning to snake through his conservative hairstyle. When had that happened? Far from narcissistic, he was embarrassed by his sudden interest in his appearance, and even more embarrassed by what had prompted it. God, he felt like he was a kid back in school again, mooning around over the Big Man On Campus. Jesse Sullivan. His one and only boyfriend as a young man; his first blissful, and eventually heartbreaking, relationship that thrust him firmly into the more socially accepted side of his bi wiring. Geoff sighed at his image one last time before giving himself a mental shake and retreating to his desk, staring blankly at his laptop's screensaver, then reaching out with a finger and nudging the touchpad, bringing Jesse's email back into glaring focus. Dear Geoff, it began. Such a polite and generic opening to something that rocked the foundations of everything he had made himself believe for the past two decades. Dear Geoff, 4

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I can't believe it's been so long, over 20 years. I never thought at the time that we'd fall so completely out of touch when we went our separate ways. Separate ways? Geoff snorted, rereading the missive for the umpteenth time. That was putting it mildly. Nothing like a little revisionist history. I've wanted to get in touch with you for a long time. But what finally did it for me was hearing my mom talk about your divorce. Ironically enough, mine just went through as well. She also said that your parents mentioned you're coming back for a week over the holidays, and I'll be at home then as well. I'd really like to get together. Since there's going to be the usual houseful back home, I've volunteered to stay at a hotel. Geoff felt a disconcerting shock of lust burn through him at the thought of Jesse and a hotel room. He fought to breathe normally, reminding himself he was at work, and surreptitiously adjusted his half-hard cock in his suit pants. We have a lot to catch up on, and I'm hoping that you want to see me as well. Give me a call, my numbers are listed below, and let's set something up. I've missed you, G-man. Hope to hear from you soon. Jess Jesse was going to be home for the holidays, at a hotel, and they were adults now.... Merry Christmas to me. Geoff scrubbed viciously at his face. He needed to get a grip. There was nothing in the note to hint that this would be anything other than a reunion of two old friends. For all he knew, the whole incident in their youth was just Jesse having a one-time 5

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fling, a bi-curious growth experience. Yeah, it had burned hot at the time, but Geoff was obviously not what Jess had wanted long-term. Jesse made that abundantly clear on the night he got engaged, the night he revealed to Geoff that he was going to be a father before the year was out. Geoff felt that old, familiar pain twinge deep inside at the memory, the casual manner in which Jesse had related the life-altering secret he'd been keeping from Geoff for months. His girlfriend. Oh, he'd been so innocent, blinded by the charisma and the intensity of Jesse's focus on him, a latebloomer who had never attracted attention from anyone before. Eager for any time with Jess, he'd accepted his frequent, vague explanations for being busy. It was only in the aftermath, in the flurry of small-town gossip that flew when the pregnancy and shotgun wedding was made public, that he put the whole story together. Jesse had been dating Jennifer for months. It was love at first sight, wasn't the first time that two crazy kids got carried away and did things out of order, at least he was doing the right thing. That was the prevailing opinion in town, anyway. So Geoff had sat woodenly on the pew at the church, his face carefully blank but his heart crying inside, as the boy he thought he loved gazed into someone else's eyes and made his pledge to her. Geoff had fooled everyone with his act, even Jesse apparently, because afterward he had given Geoff a hug in the receiving line with no guilt in his eyes, clapping him casually on the back and saying that he'd call him when they got back from their honeymoon. 6

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Geoff began making his escape plans the day after Jesse's news, and headed off to his university town a month early, claiming he wanted to settle in before term began. He left before Jesse got back and asked his mom not to give out his number to anyone, wanting to make a clean break. There was a hint of sympathy in his mom's eyes, as if she had known, but they never discussed it and she had respected his wishes. Jesse's wedding day was the last time he had heard from Jesse directly, although Geoff occasionally heard details of his life from his own parents, who still lived in the same small town with the Sullivans. He had followed suit soon enough, dating girls in college until he found the one he wanted to settle down with, marrying Susan soon after their graduation. He had loved her, his broken heart had found solace in her gentle nature, and they had been good companions until quite unexpectedly, after almost seventeen years of marriage, Sue had found herself madly in love with another man. Their parting was as amicable as their marriage, and Geoff wished her well. He had dated a couple times since the divorce was final, always women, but nothing lasting. He had never again touched another man, tried not to let his mind run over those frantic, explosive youthful encounters with Jesse, except occasionally in his most deeply-kept fantasies. Now those old, faded memories flared to new life, settling into his viscera with uncanny accuracy. He groaned softly as he shifted in his desk chair, swiveling away from the door to reach down to give his stiff dick a quick rub and adjustment through the fabric. A lick and a promise. A lick... 7

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ah, fuck. He heard the tap at the door a moment before it opened, and quickly removed his hand, spinning back toward the visitor slowly, nonchalantly he hoped. Face flushing, he nevertheless kept his countenance neutral as he arched a brow in question at his administrative assistant, Kimberly. "Yes?" She gave him an assessing look but then shrugged. "I have your mail sorted, some hard copies that need signatures, and your flight info for your trip." She approached the desk, setting everything down in the usual places before glancing at his laptop. "Have you gone through the messages I forwarded? Anything you need to kick back to me?" He reached out casually and closed the laptop down, turning on his desktop monitor instead. "Nothing yet, I have a few things to go through first. You can, uh, delete anything from today on your end." "Sure thing." She moved back around the desk, then paused and looked back at him. She was a striking woman, tall and beautiful in a way that would only improve with age. They had a comfortable and friendly working relationship, and he thought, not for the first time, that it was a shame she did nothing for his libido. He had been damn lonely since well before the divorce, and it was starting to get to him if an email could send him into this state of arousal. "Anything else before I take off, Geoff?" she asked across the desk, and something in her questioning and sympathetic eyes made him pause. For a wild moment, he considered confiding in her about his current confusion. 8

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He wrestled with himself briefly, but the reserved habits of a lifetime kicked in and he shook his head. "Have a nice weekend, Kim. I'll see you Monday." "Oh," she said, memory evidently jolted. "That's right. Just a warning, I'll be in late on Monday. I have an appointment. It's on my Outlook calendar, but I know you always forget to check there." She winked as she backed toward the door. "Well, I probably would've remembered to check eventually," he grumbled distractedly, flipping his laptop back open. "No, you would've just called my cell. And I probably won't be able to answer." "Why? One of those woman-type annual things?" he asked before he thought, then flushed even more as he realized what he just said. "Whoa, that was rude. Sorry. None of my business." Kim laughed out loud from the doorway. "You're hilarious, boss. Nope, just a hair appointment. I'm having my color touched up, and I always turn off my phone while I'm there." Color touched up? He perked up at the thought. Shit, maybe he should get his hair done before the trip home. He unconsciously ran his hand through his hair again, stopping to linger at the temples. Nah, what the hell am I thinking? I'm no prima donna. They exchanged goodnights, and he watched the door close, reaching for his phone. He could do this. Piece of cake. Keep it casual and just see what happens. If he seems like he's interested, flirt a little, but nothing too overt. Flirt? Do you even know how 9

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Deliberately ignoring the skeptical voice inside, he bolstered his courage with a pep talk. Make him make all the moves, keep your cool. Let him see what he missed out on. Turning to the laptop, he took a deep breath and dialed. "Hello?" Geoff almost panicked at the sound of that deep voice, a more mature version of the one in his memories, but Jesse's just the same. "Jesse?" Get it together, you geek. "Geoff? G-man, is that you?" Pleasure colored Jesse's voice, and Geoff shivered in reaction, remembering suddenly how he had always tried so hard to please Jesse. "It's me, Jess. How are you?" "Wow, Geoff. I can't believe it. So, uh, I guess you got my e-mail, huh?" A touch of uncertainty crept into Jesse's tone, giving Geoff a bit more courage. "Yes, it's right here in front of me. So you're going home for the holidays?" Jesse laughed, sounding more relaxed with the conversation in known territory. "Just like every year. Only this year, I'll be solo. Except for the boys, of course. Jake and Josh." "That's right, you had twins." Geoff worked to keep his voice even. "They must be in college by now." "In their second year. They're eating up the college scene. I hardly ever see them, but my mom convinced them to come back for a few days around Christmas. So, well, anyway, I'll still have a few non-dad days open to... do something with." Jesse's tone deepened and it ignited a reciprocal hoarseness in Geoff's voice as he replied. 10

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"That's good. It would be fun to... get together." Geoff winced at his choice of words, which immediately brought a picture to his mind of their younger selves locked in a carnal embrace. When had everything become an innuendo? He wished he could read Jesse's thoughts. They had their shared history together, true, but since then, as far as Geoff knew, Jesse had been straight as an arrow. Just as he had. That reasoning didn't keep from him spinning his chair away from the door once more and reaching down to take his hardening shaft in a rough and welcome grip. Silence on the other end of the line. Then Jesse cleared his throat. "Ah, Geoff? Can I ask you something?" Geoff didn't respond, not wanting to give his assent at the start of what he suspected this conversation might turn into. He waited impatiently for Jesse to continue, giving his cock a ruthless squeeze. "Are you dating anyone?" Of all the questions Geoff had imagined in the interim, he hadn't even come close to that one. "Not currently." Geoff smiled at himself for the first time since opening the e-mail, pleased with the ambiguity of his response. "Have you? Since your divorce?" Geoff was starting to enjoy this, imagining Jesse squirming on the other end of the line. "Why do you ask?" Perfect, put the ball right back in his court. "Oh. Well. I'm just curious." Geoff waited Jesse out when he paused, and he resumed, a bit defensively, "I was just trying to make conversation, Geoff." "Is that all?" Geoff asked blandly. 11

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A ragged sigh from the other end. "No," Jesse admitted, to Geoff's surprise. Apparently, the man was done tiptoeing around. "I guess I was trying to get an idea of where you're at. You know, in the dating scene." Oh, there were so many comebacks to that one. Geoff debated whether he should keep toying with Jess and then slumped a little in his chair as he mentally kicked himself for being an ass. This couldn't be easy for Jesse. Either way, their past relationship was the elephant in the room. "Jesse. Look, I'm sorry, man. I'm not trying to be an asshole." That got a relieved laugh from the other man. "To answer your questions, both the ones you asked and the ones you didn't, no, I'm not seeing anyone right now. Woman or man. And if I did," he took a deep breath before confessing, "I'm not sure which it would be." A gust of air, as if Jesse had been holding his breath, or maybe whistling low. "Oh. Okay." A long pause. "Thanks for being honest with me. I guess it's my turn to be honest with you. I've been... thinking about you a lot. About us together. What we had back then." Geoff abruptly pulled his hand from his still-interested cock as shock and tension coiled in his chest, needing an immediate outlet. Suddenly now he's thinking about me? He stood to start pacing around his office. "What we had is ancient history, Jess, and it sure didn't seem like you were thinking of me at all at the time." The sudden anger was a welcome antidote to the lust and pain that had gripped him earlier. "Maybe you don't remember, but you went around with Jenn behind my back for months and then you dropped 12

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me like a rock. You cheated on me if you considered us a couple, and you used me if you didn't. Either way, I'm not interested in you sugarcoating the past." The words bubbled up from a festering wound deep inside him. He'd had no idea how much bitterness he had been holding on to all these years. "Geoff, I—" "Save it. I'm not going to fight about this." He stopped in his tracks and tried to get his plan back on track. Brilliant. Instead of flirting and being cool, you end up yelling like an idiot. Smooth move. "I'd still like to see you. I'll call you again before I head out next weekend. Where are you staying?" Jesse cleared his throat again, apparently collecting himself. "The suites hotel right by the turnoff. I get in on Saturday. Geoff," he paused. "I'm really looking forward to seeing you, seeing how you turned out. Thanks for... just, thanks." Geoff said goodbye and disconnected, his mind whirling, his stomach churning with the emotional ups and downs of the conversation. His pacing had brought him to a halt in front of the mirror once more, and he jolted a bit as his fortyyear-old face asserted itself over the younger version of himself that talking to Jesse brought to mind. He ran over the differences again, raising his hand back toward his hair before changing his mind mid-reach and instead running it down his firm chest and flat belly. He looked good, better than most of his peers. He kept himself in shape, running and lift weights regularly. Geoff eyed his reflection up and down critically, then turned, looking at his 13

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backside. What the fuck is wrong with me? Checking out my ass in the mirror? Jesus He cupped his waning erection. Maybe he needed to get out for a little while tonight. Geoff met his dark eyes in the mirror and nodded at himself decisively before moving to gather his things together. He should go out to a club and try to see if he could find someone, some man, to flirt with. Far from feeling like he could impress Jesse with how sexy he had become, he felt about as worn out and deep in the closet as his mom's fur coat. He needed all the practice he could get. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Two "Oh, no, he didn't!" Abraham Golden exclaimed, barely pausing in his application of the colorant as he gave his customer a nudge. "He did not have you pick him up from his boy toy's house!" He watched in the mirror as Kim, one of Golden Shears' most loyal, and frequent, customers, gave him an immaculately arched brow over an evil grin. "Oh yes, he did. Granted, he had no idea that the little twerp would lock him out. Without his keys and wallet." She blew out of the corner of her mouth at a strand of hair, and Abe deftly caught it with a finger, clipping it out of the way, as he waited for her to continue. "All he had was his iPhone and his pants. I have a feeling that if he'd had at least a shirt, he would've called the car service. But I imagine that he thought I'd be more discreet." Abe caught his tongue between his teeth as he gave Kim a wink in the mirror. "He so doesn't know you, does he?" He finished the last section on auto-pilot, segmenting her hair and brushing on the gel while his mind was on Kim's yummy boss, Geoffrey Radcliffe, who apparently occasionally took a walk on the cock side. He frowned as something occurred to him. "Wait, so if his little friend had locked him out, how did you know...?" "That he was a he? That's the best part." Kim turned clear around in her chair, her dark eyes snapping with delight. 15

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Abe leaned forward in anticipation of the climax, stripping the gloves off his hands and making a blind toss to the trash can. "Just as I pull up and Geoff is coming toward the car, the guy comes out of the house with nothing but underwear on and starts screaming all sorts of cliched things at him, about how he was lousy in bed, a skanky cheat on the down-low, that he should go back to his mama." Kim paused as Abe choked on a laugh. "Oh, it gets better. Then he starts throwing all Geoff's things out on the lawn and yelled to me that if I was Jesse, I was welcome to him, and ended by screaming at Geoff, 'Call me Jesse while you fuck me? Fuck you!' What a scene! It was fantastic." Abe was rapt, his mouth ajar. Now this was the best dish he'd had in months. "Oops! Yeah, gotta keep those names straight. Okay, so who's Jesse, the girlfriend?" Kim turned back to the mirror with a giggle. "Nope. He hasn't seen anyone since the divorce that I've known of. And I would know," she added confidently. "No, apparently Jesse is his first love... his first guy." She waggled her eyebrows meaningfully. "He told you this? Boy, when he comes out, he shares all the way." Abe finished wrapping her head and covered it with a towel before spinning the chair next to Kim around and perching on it. He really needed to get back to the office while her color set, but this was way too juicy a conversation to walk away from. "He didn't have to tell me. Just last week, Friday, he got an e-mail message from the guy. Jesse Sullivan. Let's see." 16

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She mentally searched the dead-on memory for detail that made her an excellent assistant. "He couldn't believe it had been over twenty years since they 'went their separate ways'." She used her index fingers for quotes. "He just went through a divorce. He said that he was going to be home for the holidays and really wanted to see Geoff. Oh, and he mentioned that he'd be staying in a hotel. It's gotta be him. I've been doing Geoff's Christmas shopping and cards for him for over ten years. There is no other Jesse in his life." "Huh, over twenty years ago, so high school or college age? And you've been with him for over ten and have never seen him with anyone but his ex-wife, right? Guess the twink had a point." Abe sat back in the chair and swiveled from side to side. "Heard from his old flame and had to go out and get some dick after all these years. Just wasn't together enough to shout out the right name." He tsked and shook his head. "Shame for a fine piece of man like that to be buried in the closet." Abe sighed regretfully. Geoff Radcliffe was a seriously drool-worthy stud, but obviously conflicted. And hung up on his long-lost lover to boot. "I agree," Kim agreed demurely, and something about her tone had Abe looking at her sharply. "Uh oh. Why do I feel like I should duck and cover?" Kim shrugged as she studied her perfect nails. "I have no idea. I was just going to suggest—" Abe had to nip this in the bud. He interrupted, "Time to rinse." "No, it's not." Kim slanted him a knowing look. "So what's happening in your love life right now?" 17

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"Sweetie, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. Suffice it to say, I have more than my hands full." "Liar. I heard that Tyler moved to California last week." Abe felt a little foreign embarrassment shoot through him. "How did you hear about that?" "Lula," Kim replied smugly, naming Abe's assistant manager. Abe immediately sought out the tattletale with his gaze, spotting her at the till. She waggled her fingers across the room at him, and he gritted his teeth, returning his attention to Kim. "Okay, I can see where you want to go with this, babe, but seriously, I don't need those kind of complications in my life. I like my men gay, out, and proud to flaunt it." Kim shrugged, going back to examining her nails. "Well, it was worth a shot. Mmm, you should've seen him without his shirt on. All those lunch workouts at the gym sure have paid off." She peeked up at Abe as he tried to tamp down the little shot of heat that zinged straight to his cock at the thought of Geoff Radcliffe shirtless and shoeless. He had only ever seen the older man coming and going in the building lobby, always immaculately turned out in a suit and tie, which was usually not Abe's preferred style on his men, but was frankly sexy as hell on the guy. He wore a suit well. Very well. And Abe knew a lickable, ripped body when he saw one, covered up or not. Abe closed his eyes and muffled a groan as a visual of that fine, slacks-covered ass popped into his head, then proceeded to morph into a delectable view of what Abe imagined Geoff's 18

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naked backside would look like. He bit his lip and opened his eyes, meeting Kim's knowing gaze. "I've made his travel plans for the holidays, and he's leaving in less than a week. Which doesn't give us much time." Abe dreaded the answer, but felt compelled to ask anyway. "Time for what?" Kim just smiled a little Mona Lisa smile. "Time for you to snag him before that divorced, rebounding man-whore on the prowl gets his claws back into him." She leaned forward. "I have a plan." **** Geoff walked warily into the outer office, remembering with relief that Kim was going to be in late. Thank God. After the debacle this weekend, he wasn't sure he would ever be able look her in the eye again. Exhausted from lack of sleep, he suddenly wished that he had stopped for a coffee. Maybe he'd order in. He sighed. No, he'd run down to the coffee place on the shopping level. Usually Kim picked up his coffee fix for him, which he subsidized by paying for hers too. He hung up his suit coat and set his case on the desk, before patting his back pocket in what had become a very familiar habit over the past day, verifying that his wallet was there. Geoff walked back toward the elevator as his mind inevitably went back to Saturday night's nightmare. He had gone home as usual on Friday, planning to go out somewhere, but when he went through his closet, he was 19

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dismayed to realize he had suits at one end of the spectrum and faded jeans and athletic wear at the other end, but nothing in between. He hadn't gone out to a bar or club, other than work events, since college. So Saturday had been spent shopping. He had finally found a hip, expensive place with a sympathetic employee who made it her project to dress him out. Geoff had to admit that the form-fitting slacks and silk tops, the stylish jeans and tight T-shirts all fit him well and made him feel more confident. Geoff was almost ready to go Saturday night when he discovered a problem. The pants he chose were so tight that the bulges of his wallet and keys and phone were really noticeable. Then he spied a leather vest in the pile and slipped it on over his tight black T-shirt. Perfect. The inner pockets were just the right size to hold everything without being visible. By the time Geoff had finished his first beer, he had two more beers and a shot lined up, and had stammered his way through rejecting several invitations to dance, or more, from both men and women. Flattered, but feeling wholly out of his element, he once again resolved to work on what he came here for, a little practice in the sexy, flirty chatting he'd been on the receiving end of all night. When Troy had approached him and made it very clear very quickly that he was interested, available, and willing, Geoff couldn't help but respond to his blatant invitation. It had been nearly a year since anyone had touched him besides himself, and Troy had been squeezing and stroking him all throughout their conversation. 20

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The elevator door closed Geoff in its comforting privacy, and he hung his head as he tried to block out the rest of the evening. When Troy had gone ballistic, Geoff knew that it was time to go. He had managed to pull on his tight, new slacks and had retrieved his phone from his vest to call a cab, when he was taken by surprise at the strength and intent of the smaller man as he manhandled him toward the front door, shoving him out and locking the door behind him. He had tried to get Troy to open the door for nearly twenty minutes, freezing his ass off, barefoot and half-dressed in the glow of the Christmas decorations, before he finally gave up and dialed Kim. He walked off the elevator and crossed the festively decorated atrium area toward the coffee shop. "I definitely need to give Kim a raise," he muttered to himself as he joined the line waiting to place their orders. Geoff shuffled forward automatically as the seemingly endless line moved in front of him. Lost in thought, his gaze drifted around the retail area, and he noticed an upscale hair salon in the far corner. One of Troy's jibes from Saturday night suddenly rang in his ears, drowning out the cheerful Christmas Musak. Old man. Can't even remember who you're fucking. Coffee in hand, he walked over to take a closer look. Golden Shears. Even if he didn't get something done to his grey, it would a lot handier to get trims here in the building. He stopped in shock a few yards from the door. "Oh God," he groaned aloud as none other than Kim exited the salon and began walking toward him, her eyes showing surprise as she registered his approach. As she reached him, she hooked her 21

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hand through his elbow and turned without a word, escorting him toward the salon. "Kim, where are we going?" "Where you were going in the first place," she retorted as she became the second person that week to manhandle him past a door he didn't want to go through. Once inside, he opened his mouth to protest, and snapped it closed again as he beheld the sexiest man he had ever seen in his life. Standing well under six feet, he nevertheless carried himself in a confident manner that made him appear much larger in stature. He was lean and tightly muscled, as evidenced by his clingy, collared sleeveless shirt and tight jeans. Oh my God, what's happening to me? His cock stirred, and he tried to think of something deflating. Ah yes, Saturday night's fun ending. Back under control, he was baffled by his response. Just looking at this guy made him hard, whereas it had taken Troy considerable groping and whispered lewd comments. First Jesse, then Troy, now this guy. What, am I going through a mid-life crisis? Focus, Geoff, you need to figure things out with Jesse before you go off on any more youthful tangents. The man's golden blond hair was arranged in a disheveled modern cut, and interested hazel eyes met his as he finished woolgathering and completed his assessment. Geoff flushed as he realized that he'd been checking the man out rather blatantly for some time. "This is Abe Golden, my colorist. Abe, my boss, Geoff Radcliffe." 22

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"Hi Abe, good to meet you," Geoff responded to Kim's introduction automatically. Golden? Is that like a stage name? He matches his hair, or maybe he dyes it to match his name. "Nope, it's really mine. The hair color and the name. The greats shortened it from Goldenbaum to sound less Jewish." Geoff would have happily sunk through the floor as he realized he had said that aloud. Could this week get any more embarrassing? And what am I even still doing here? "Okay, well, you already have your coffee, and no appointments, so I'll head up and leave you in Abe's capable hands." "What?" the two men echoed as Kim walked out the door, abandoning them. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Three Abe fought hard to keep his face straight as he beheld the panicked look in Geoff's beautiful dark eyes. He was delighted by the turn of events. The mountain had come to Mohammed. Kim's scheme had been clever and Machiavellian, involving considerable time on her part while she insulted, flattered, shamed, and bribed Geoff into a trip to the salon. So much for Kim's grand plans. If Abe was going to do this, he was going to do things his way. His quarry gave him a wary glance as Abe stepped closer and placed a hand on the small of Geoff's back, herding him gently toward his personal styling area at the back of the shop. "What can I do for you today?" Geoff had been walking along willingly enough, but the question apparently threw him, because he froze in his tracks. His eyes met Abe's, and as Abe stared up into that dark, deep gaze, he felt a tug at his heart at the self-doubt and confusion he read there. "Sit," he gently ordered, indicating the salon chair, and when Geoff hesitantly complied, he immediately went into action, raising the chair, wrapping a soft paper towel around his neck and securing it with the cape, then raising the chair to optimal height. Geoff's slightly alarmed look finally relaxed into something like determination. Mourning the loss of the view of that hard body now concealed under the cape, Abe turned his focus to Geoff's classically handsome face. Strong jaw line, straight nose, full 24

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lips over a square, masculine chin already sporting the early hints of what was evidently a daily battle with five-o'clock shadow. Those dark brown, almost black eyes were set off by lovely, naturally shaped dark brows and straight lashes. Abe met those eyes in the mirror from his stance behind Geoff and felt a curl of wanton longing tighten his insides. Barely able to keep from rubbing up against the man like a cat in heat, Abe settled for resting his hands briefly on Geoff's wide shoulders, before raising his hands to sift through Geoff's hair. At the first touch of his hands, those eyes fluttered closed, lashes flirting with his cheeks for a moment, before reopening to a slightly more heavy-lidded position. Poor man seemed starved for touch, Abe mused. Every time Abe laid his hands on him, he got a strong reaction. To test this, he lifted his hands from Geoff's hair and replaced them on his shoulders, this time giving a nice squeeze, feeling the firm give of muscles. This time Geoff tensed and shifted in the chair. Abe smiled inwardly and stroked his hands down and back up Geoff's arms, which were hidden from view by the plastic, but Abe could just imagine how they must've looked bare in the cold on Saturday night as his fingers learned their girth and definition through the layers between Geoff's skin and his own. Abe wasn't just touching gratuitously or with an ulterior motive; he was naturally a very tactile person. But something about Geoff just made Abe want to wrap him up in his arms and never let go. 25

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"I want you to cover up all this grey." Abe was startled back into the scene by the assertive command in Geoff's voice. He frowned as he raised his hands back to Geoff's dark locks, thick but fine and straight, filtering them through his fingers repeatedly as he examined the hair with an expert eye. Obviously took care of it, clean scalp, and a well-shaped cut. No receding, good genes. Sexy splash of silver at the temples, just a touch, just the right place. A few other isolated silver strands woven through the dark. He was going to grow into salt and pepper well in the coming decade. "What do you mean, 'all this grey'?" he countered. "You mean this gorgeous silver here?" he stroked Geoff's temples with his index fingers, watching with pleasure as his eyelids did that sexy drift closed, then open again. A frown marred Geoff's forehead as he reopened his eyes, meeting Abe's in the mirror. "It's not gorgeous. I look like an old man," he insisted with a touch of vulnerability that made Abe impulsively reach forward and give him a brief, tight hug from behind. The shock on Geoff's face as Abe withdrew was priceless. Oops. Oh well. "You do not look like an old man. Old man, please!" Abe snorted. "Whatever little bitch told you that, they were just jealous. You are one sexy hunk of man, and that silver is going to stay right there." He punctuated that last with another couple squeezes to Geoff's shoulders. "Now, how about a relaxing aromatherapy wash and a light trim instead?" 26

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Geoff's jaw hung in disbelief. Abe watched in amusement as he tried several times to start, finally managing, "Wait a minute." Geoff appeared to collect himself, and turn to face Abe, the frown back, deeper than before. "I want this grey covered up, not a trim, not a wash. Color. You're a colorist, right?" He paused and Abe nodded. "Then color." He sat back, facing the mirror once more, smugly certain he would get his way. Foolish man. "Nope." "What?" Geoff looked like he was about to jump out of the chair, and Abe set his hands back on his shoulders. "Now wait a minute! I know you're Kim's friend, but it's not up to you whether I color my hair, that's my decision. I'm the damn customer, and if you won't do it, I'll get someone else to." Geoff looked around the salon as if to pick out another technician. "No one here will do it, handsome, so don't bother," Abe soothed. "How about that wash?" Geoff went from looking slightly annoyed to plain angry. "I want to speak to your manager," he demanded with scowl. Abe couldn't hide his grin. "Abraham Golden, owner, operator, and colorist to a select few, at your service. 'Golden' Shears? The name should've been your clue, hon." Geoff wilted back into the chair, deflated. "Oh." He looked down and wearily ran a hand through his hair. "Shit, I'm sorry. Even if you weren't the boss, I had no right yelling at you like that." He looked up at Abe with a worried expression that gave Abe insta-wood. Mmm. Nothing like an uber-male groveling. Super hot. "Hey, don't tell Kim about this? I've 27

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done enough this week to ruin my credibility with her." His mouth quirked into a wry smile. "I must be going through a mid-life crisis or something. I really need to get my act together." Abe smiled. This was nice leverage. "Sure thing, Geoff. I'll make a deal. I won't tell her about your meltdown and rude behavior if you do a few things for me." "Anything." Oh, he was just asking for it with that agreement. Poor sweetie, Abe thought. He must be really rattled. It was pretty out of character for a successful businessman like Geoff to give carte blanche. "Okay, first of all, you need to promise me that you won't go to another salon to get your hair done, or, God forbid, try to do it yourself." Geoff frowned again. "I really want to get rid of—" "All this grey, yes, I know. And I'm getting to that, okay? Hold your horses." "Sorry." Geoff looked a little sheepish at the reprimand. Abe continued, "Secondly, you need to tell me the complete story of what has you so convinced that you look old... over dinner tonight. Then I'll think about it." Geoff breathed out in a whoosh. "You don't ask for much, do you?" "No, not much considering I think it would be crime to do anything at all to your incredible hair color." Abe returned with a little accompanying caress at Geoff's temples. "Agreed?" Geoff turned to face him again with a considering look that held an awareness of the mutual attraction between them. 28

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Abe held his breath as his lips parted, his eyes dropping to Geoff's mouth. The moment sizzled between them. "Six o'clock?" came from those beautiful lips, and Abe let his breath out as he raised his gaze back to Geoff's eyes. "I'll walk down and pick you up here, if that's okay?" "Fantastic," Abe murmured softly. "I can't wait." **** The day crawled by for Geoff, going south in the way only Mondays seem to be able to. Kim was barely speaking to him, not that he was giving her much opportunity to do so. He could barely look at her without the Saturday night incident popping into his head. Jesse had called just to chat while he was down in the salon, and Geoff was disappointed to have missed him, especially since Jesse said he'd be unreachable until the next day. And several kinks popped up in business transactions that he had thought were all sewn up. He and Kim put out fire after fire, until by the end of the day, they were both exhausted and tense. And all day, he couldn't get Abe out of his mind. The way Abe had constantly touched him while he was trapped in his chair sent shivers through Geoff just thinking about it. Just watching his trim form and expressive face in the mirror had made him hard and very glad for the concealment of the cape, but then when he ran his hands over him... Oh God. He'd had to come back from the salon and lock himself in his private bathroom. He had barely opened his pants and taken out his erection in his hands before he was coming, shooting all over the floor with Abe's name on his tongue. In the 29

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aftermath, a picture of Jesse popped into head, and guilt flared up. You shouldn't feel guilty. It's not like you and Jesse are even together. Yeah, but Jesse's the reason I'm so fired up right now, not Abe. Are you sure about that? Geoff pondered this. Trying to think about Saturday night without cringing, he was willing to admit there had been thoughts of Jesse in his mind while he was with Troy. Obviously! You said his name Okay, that was a given then. But today, when he was with Abe, all thoughts of Jesse were driven from his head. He tested that in this mind. Yep, he hadn't thought of Jesse once while he was at the salon. Even the drive to get the grey in his hair colored had become, at that point, more about Troy's taunt than about impressing Jesse. After all, Jesse was his age. He certainly was going to understand if Geoff was a little grey. Silver! Abe's voice popped into his head. Fine. Silver. Still don't want it But the point was that Jesse was more his age than Abe was. He didn't need to be ridiculous, chasing youthful twentysomethings. Look how well that had worked out with Troy. Geoff shook his head ruefully. And even though Abe was apparently a successful business owner, he looked extremely young. If Geoff had seen him in a bar, he would have wondered if Abe was even old enough to drink. He gave a quick smile. Abraham. What a name for a guy like Abe. 30

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He glanced at the clock. Shit, almost six! He quickly straightened his desk and grabbed his things, heading for the elevator, only to get waylaid in the lobby by Kim. "Boss, you got a minute?" He grimaced and turned. "Just a minute. I'm meeting someone. What's up?" Kim shot him an indecipherable look. "Abe?" Geoff exhaled impatiently. "Yes, Abe." Kim's smile widened. "Okay, I won't keep you then. Just wanted to give you this." She pulled him into a quick hug. Geoff started to protest, but the positive touch felt good and he found himself returning the hug with a quick squeeze of his own. "We're okay, boss, just so you know. I don't think any less of you, and we don't have to ever talk about it again. Okay?" Geoff swallowed. "Thanks Kim. I... look, I'd stay and talk, but I'm already running late...." "No problem," she interrupted with a little shove toward the elevator. "Go. I'll call and let him know you're coming." She pulled out her phone, hit two buttons and listened. Geoff frowned. "You have him on speed dial?" He shook his head. "Never mind. I'll see you tomorrow." He climbed into the car as it arrived, riding impatiently down to the atrium level and walking to the salon. Abe was just locking the security gate across the front of his shop. "Hey there," he greeted as he saw Geoff approaching. "Ready?" "Yes, I thought we'd take my car." 31

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"Actually, I have something else in mind that doesn't require a car." Geoff couldn't help but respond to the teasing tone in Abe's voice. "Oh? And what might that be?" Abe gave him a slow, sensuous smile that had Geoff wondering what those sexy lips would look like wrapped around his cock. "Follow me." Geoff took him at his word and walked directly behind Abe, right back to the elevators. Biting back an appreciative moan, he watched those tight jeans over that taut ass swaying seductively in front of him, momentarily diverted as Abe swiped a card key, typed in a code, and then pushed the call button for the private elevator. "Do you live here?" "Yep, up on fifteen." "Nice. I've always wanted to see the condos here, just never got around to making an appointment. I do love the view of the river from the restaurant upstairs, though." They stepped into the elevator, standing much closer than usual elevator etiquette. Geoff could almost feel the heat radiating off Abe's skin. "I do too. My condo's view is very similar, at more of an angle, though." Abe leaned past Geoff, brushing against him as he repeated the card swipe and code routine, and punched fifteen. "I called this afternoon to make reservations for eight o'clock. Is that all right?" "Sounds great. Although I'm surprised you were able to book a table at such late notice. They're usually full weeks ahead." Geoff fought to keep his hands at his sides when all he wanted to do was pull the beautiful golden man flush against him. 32

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"Residents get priority seating. They always hold a few tables back for us." The car began to rise, mirroring the heat building between the two men. Geoff was a little breathless by the time the door opened to reveal a foyer with four doors. Abe walked to the one on the far right and unlocked the door, indicating to Geoff to precede him inside. Geoff stepped inside, and Abe immediately followed, molding himself to Geoff's back as he kicked the door closed behind him. "We have two hours before dinner," Abe whispered as he nibbled on Geoff's ear, running a hand around his chest to cup Geoff's pec, flicking his nipple with his thumbnail. Geoff felt his knees weaken and his hand reached to grip Abe's. "One for each of us, yeah? I know how I want to spend mine. How would you like to use yours?" [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Four Abe felt a huge surge of relief as Geoff covered his questing hand with his own, not to remove it, but to encourage its exploration. Geoff slowly made circles down his abs with Abe's hand, heading due south to his belt. Abe wished he could see Geoff's face, but contented himself with bringing his other hand around Geoff's trim waist and nimbly unbuckling his belt, leaving it in the loops as he unhooked, but left zipped, Geoff's suit pants. "Shoes," he whispered, suddenly wanting to see Geoff's bare feet, which he had been picturing in his mind all day. He contrarily didn't give Geoff a chance to comply, instead taking him by the hand and leading him into the living room, giving a light push to encourage Geoff to drop to the couch. Kneeling in front of him, he quickly loosened and slipped off Geoff's shoes and removed his socks. His feet were long and masculine, and Abe let his hands trail up the back of Geoff's calves, feeling the light sprinkling of hair tickling his palm. Geoff watched him intently, completely still, but as Abe got to the backs of his knees, he let out a reluctant gasp and squirmed. "Ticklish?" Somehow that seemed just right to Abe. "I'll have to remember that." "Not..." Geoff cleared his throat and tried again. "Not ticklish, exactly. Just... uh, something." Abe let his hands trail back down the other man's calves. Then he reached to slide down Geoff's zipper and pulled out 34

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his straining erection. From his vantage point, he could see the individual veins bulging, a drop of pre-come welling in the slit, and he couldn't resist. Using just the tip of his tongue, he extracted the drop of essence, probing for more, then asking, "Something... like this?" He didn't wait for an answer to his rhetorical question before taking the shaft fully in his mouth, feeling it stretch his lips. He pulled back up as Geoff's breathy answer came. "Yeah. Oh God!" Abe licked his lips, loving the taste of salty and musky man, then dove back down, taking as much as could fit without opening his throat. He tongued around the shaft, finding and probing at the sensitive spot underneath the mushroom-shaped head; then, covering his teeth with his lips, he made a firmer pass down and back up. Abe looked up from under his lashes, and felt a spurt of pre-come from his own uncomfortably hard cock as he met Geoff's dark eyes. They were soft with arousal, pupils blown, and his face was taut, evincing the control he must be exerting to keep from moving. Abe had no desire to stop what he was doing at the moment, but knew that the extended play period he envisioned would be better in a bed. Plus the bedroom was where the supplies were—unless Geoff had some—he gave Geoff's front pockets a quick pat. Nope. "What's up?" Abe gave him a coy smile. "Just hunting for supplies, love." He winked and Geoff flushed. "Why don't we adjourn to the bedroom?" **** 35

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Geoff was following Abe's luscious ass down the hall and into the bedroom when suddenly he couldn't bear to keep his hands off the stunning man for one moment more. He took a long step, wrapping his arms around Abe's abdomen, locking Abe's arms to his sides. Abe didn't miss a step, and Geoff and he walked in sync to the bed, Geoff's cock nestled happily against Abe's jeans. As they reached the bed, Abe just kept going, crawling onto the bed with Geoff following to cover him closely, the feeling of pressing the younger man beneath him igniting a primitive, possessive part of him that had him kicking Abe's legs apart and grinding against his high, rounded ass. The moans and undulations coming from Abe beneath him were driving Geoff wild, and he knelt up on the bed to remove his tie and unbutton his shirt part-way, before giving up on the small buttons in frustration and pulling the shirt and undershirt at once over his head. "You need to get naked, right now," he growled at Abe, shocked at the intensity of his need to possess him. Abe stretched to all fours, prompting a groan as Geoff watched the ridiculously tight pants molding to his form, that tightly muscled ass on display in front of him. Abe rose to his knees, turning to face Geoff with a little smile as he quickly unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it to the floor. Abe knee-walked to the edge of the bed, teasingly crossing Geoff's legs and grazing against his back, before standing and making quick work of the remaining clothing until he stood naked and proud in front of Geoff. 36

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Geoff was stunned at the perfection of Abe's body. Obviously in great shape, Abe was perfect proportioned and sported a tan as golden as his hair... all over. Geoff suddenly got an image of Abe sunbathing nude on a beach with a bunch of middle-aged perverts ogling him, and his breath seized in his chest. He reached out and pulled Abe into a tight embrace, frantically running his hands everywhere they could reach, learning the smoothness of that gorgeous skin, the firmness of his taut physique, the feel of that beautiful ass as it filled his hands. Geoff was a little amazed at the ease with which he had moved back into man-loving after decades of being straight as an arrow. But that brought up thoughts of Jesse, and the last thing he wanted to do right now was worry about that impending meet-up. Better to stay in the moment. Abe reengaged his attention by sliding his hands inside Geoff's open waistband, skimming down bare skin until his fingers reached the sensitive area at the fold of his buttocks and thighs, teasing lightly along the crease until Geoff had to move or embarrass himself. He backed up and shucked his pants and briefs off in a single move, kicking the discarded clothes blindly to the side. "You should hang those up, just in case I don't let you leave tonight," Abe cautioned with a smirk. Geoff envisioned a long night exploring every inch of his new favorite pillow. "I have changes of clothes in my office," he shakily dismissed, pulling Abe back against him, and they let out a groan in unison as they came together, bare skin on bare skin, for the first time. He felt moisture not his own and 37

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thrust into it, driving against Abe's tight abs, gliding alongside his stiff shaft until both were slick and sliding together. "Let's get..." Abe began huskily, and Geoff took the thought and ran with it, giving Abe a light lift and toss onto his back on the mattress and covering him, the five seconds it took away from touching him seeming like an eternity. "...horizontal?" Geoff hazarded a guess, rubbing his bristly cheek against Abe's smooth one before lowering his lips to Abe's ear, giving his lobe a nip. "Oh yeah, that works." Abe rubbed back against him, his hands never still, floating down Geoff's back, cupping his ass, squeezing his arms. "I was going to say 'me ready'." Geoff translated that in his head, and his brain shortcircuited at the thought of preparing Abe to receive him. "Lube," he demanded roughly, already levering himself up and reaching for the obvious drawer of the bedside table. Inside he found what he was searching for, ripping a condom off the strip and popping the top of the lubricant with alacrity. Turning back to Abe, his cock gave an alarming jerk at the sight that greeted him, Abe spread wantonly to fully reveal himself to him. Holy shit, that's hot. Abe's eyes were wide and he pinned Geoff with a heat and longing in his gaze that had Geoff suddenly looking away, disconcerted by the emotions coming into play. Nah, don't get attached. This is about having fun, nothing more. Geoff focused instead on the lube he applied directly to Abe's tight hole, adding some to his fingers before entering him steadily with a single digit. That welcoming warmth clinging to Geoff's finger had him breathing through his 38

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mouth, trying to get enough oxygen to his overwhelmed brain. He added another finger, and soon a third as Abe writhed beneath his attentions, slowly stroking his own hard and leaking shaft. "Yes," Abe confirmed with a needy break in his voice as he reached for Geoff. "Time." Geoff took a deep breath and drew back to slowly open the condom wrapper with shaking fingers. Abe startled him by reaching out to touch his hand. "Let me," he murmured, sitting up smoothly. Geoff watched, fingers clenching into fists at his sides in an attempt at control, as Abe took him in hand, stroking him tenderly a few times before easily rolling the condom down his rampant erection. "How do you want me? Knees? Front? Back? Riding?" Abe's image-provoking questions caught Geoff by surprise. He had only ever had male sex, giving or receiving, in the on-the knees-from-behind position. But suddenly he wanted nothing more than to see Abe spread out beneath him, watching his beautiful face as they came together. A quiver entered his voice as he responded. "Lay down." Abe immediately complied, going back to the same pose he'd been in while Geoff had been preparing him. Geoff ran his fingers over Abe's opening, not penetrating, just a glance against the fluttering muscle, and Abe's cock gave a bounce as it slapped Abe's abs, leaving behind a splash of come. Geoff couldn't resist using his tongue to make a long, wide swipe, scooping up the bounty, savoring it. Such an earthy, sweet taste. 39

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He braced himself over Abe, again chancing to meet his eyes, this time not turning away from the want and need reflected there. Geoff used his hand to position his cock at Abe's entrance, then barely had to press against it before popping through, Abe pressing back and enveloping him greedily. Oh, the heat. He sank halfway in, trying to keep his control, and paused, watching Abe for clues. Abe grabbed his ass with a quirk of his lips and thrust upward, taking Geoff to the hilt. "Ah!" Geoff couldn't control the exhalation, and pressed and held deep inside Abe for a long moment, reveling in the feel of Abe's tight channel around him. His focus narrowed to the physical connection between them before he began to move, Abe undulating rhythmically beneath him, helping him set a sensual pace. Abe's hands never stopped moving, touching, loving him, and Geoff was overwhelmed by the carnal embrace: Abe's depths around his cock, legs bracing his hips, arms holding, hands stroking. He was surrounded by Abe, his golden man, and the warmth of that gold wrapping him up brought him to the brink. Emotions were choking his throat as he raised himself to thrust into Abe from a different angle, catching Abe off-guard as his eyes widened and he came with a shout, long, ropy strands of pearly come painting his abdomen. The sensation of Abe clenching rhythmically around him snapped the last of Geoff's control and he thrust deep, his orgasm jolting through him, jerking his hips uncontrollably as he filled the condom with pulse after pulse. He collapsed onto Abe, panting, feeling the man's cooling come smearing 40

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between them, only the habits of decades keeping him from becoming a dead weight in his repletion, bracing on his knees and elbows. To his surprise, Abe used his arms to knock him off his elbows, taking his full weight on his chest and using his legs to hook around his hips in a full-body hug. "Hey," Geoff protested lightly, "I'm smushing you." "Mmm hmm," Abe hummed in his ear, and he felt the vibration against his chest. "I like being smushed by you." He licked Geoff's neck then ran a hand over Geoff's head, smoothing his hair with a gentle caress. Geoff smiled and again took his weight on his elbows, raising up just enough to look Abe in the eyes. He muffled Abe's protest with a kiss that started out light, but quickly became deep yet tender as Geoff slowly slanted across Abe's welcoming mouth. He moved slightly to cradle Abe's head in his hands, never relinquishing control of the kiss, continuing to probe and taste until they were both breathless. "Wow," Abe gasped against his mouth. "Sweetheart, you sure know how to kiss." Geoff felt a goofy-feeling smile creep across his face. "Kiss? Is that all you got out of the last hour?" Quit being a nerd and at least act like you've had a hot fling before. He schooled his features into a more neutral expression. "So, was it good for you?" he quipped in an attempt to inject a lighter tone. Abe's expression changed as Geoff's did, with a brief hint of something—hurt?—crossing his face, and suddenly laying flush on top of the man didn't feel as natural. Geoff withdrew 41

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carefully, pushed himself up off Abe and wrapped the spent condom in a couple of tissues. At a sudden loss for what to do with himself, he reached to pick up his discarded clothing. Apparently Abe took that as a hint, and he got up and crossed to the en suite bathroom. "Do you need a shower before dinner?" he asked Geoff tonelessly from the door, and Geoff frowned, trying to figure out how things had changed in such a hurry. "Yeah, but I can take one in my office if you'd rather." "Fine," Abe responded quickly. "I need a half-hour to light the menorah anyway before we go. Why don't you go get cleaned up and meet me at the restaurant at eight?" He turned and entered the bathroom, shutting the door behind him with a decisive click. What the hell? Geoff was baffled and starting to get a little pissed off. Fine. He pulled on his rumpled clothing, hoping like hell he wouldn't run into anyone he knew between here and the office. Walking into the living room to retrieve his footwear, he finally had a chance to look around the large, window-lined great room and had to smile at the juxtaposition of the beautiful silver menorah on the sideboard and the enormous Christmas tree in the corner. Feeling a little bit lighter at the thought that Abe still wanted to go to dinner with him, Geoff made sure he had everything and walked out into the elevator lobby. He rode down to his office level, and walked quickly to his office, letting himself in with a breath of relief. As he cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothes, he pondered the change in moods at the end of their hot 42

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encounter. He had been out of the dating game for so long that he was rusty, and he was sure things had changed in a couple of decades. Okay, obviously joking around right afterward is out. He wondered what other faux pas he was going to make. It was a good thing he was getting a little practice in now before he saw Jesse. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Five Abe listened to make sure Geoff was gone before he stepped into the shower. He felt sated and sprung and thoroughly disappointed. Not by the sex. Hell, no. That had to be the hottest, most intense hour ever spent romping on a bed. And Abe had thought that he and Geoff made a real connection. Then suddenly Geoff had reverted to a casual pickup persona with his "was it good for you" tease. Abe had been basking in the tender and happy expression on Geoff's face before that remark and was shocked at how upset he was by its withdrawal. Probably remembered Jesse just then, and you would do good to remember him too. Geoff's heart isn't yours for the taking, so don't get attached, dumbass. Abe got ready for his date, and then went into the living room to light the menorah. He lit the four candles and whispered the blessing, but his heart wasn't in it. He was just going through the motions. Like I don't have enough to think about, now I have guilt. Ah, but I do guilt so well! That thought made Abe laugh out loud as his usual sunny disposition reasserted itself. One of the hallmarks of his past relationships was a tendency to feel like anything that went wrong was his own fault. Made for a lot of drama, both during and afterward. It was just recently, when he found out that Tyler was moving away without any regrets for leaving Abe behind, that he realized sometimes things just were. It wasn't 44

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Abe's fault that Ty wasn't in love with him, and it wasn't Tyler's fault that he wanted something different. It just was. Nobody's fault, just fact. Abe let out a relieved breath. This was just another example. Yes, the two of them had burned up the sheets, but Geoff already had someone else in mind, if not yet in reality. The fact was that Geoff was preoccupied by his former love before he and Abe met. And it wasn't surprising that hearing from this Jesse guy would make Geoff wonder "what if?" and "maybe now?" Abe just needed to remember to keep it casual, taking his lead from Geoff and just having fun with it. No more imagining some emotional connection just because they were smoking hot in bed together. Just because every conversation they had seemed completely natural didn't mean that they would get along permanently. No more thinking that he's the sweetest, sexiest, most complete package to get thrown your way in... oh, your whole life? Shut up, you're going to be late for dinner. **** Abe smacked himself on the forehead with the palm of his hand. Could you get any more pathetic, you twit For the past three days, he had spent nearly every nonworking moment with Geoff. Even now, just the thought of him was enough to make him melt into a puddle of goo. You are so whipped. And he doesn't even know you're alive. Well, maybe that wasn't quite accurate. Geoff knew he was alive; 45

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he just refused to see the forest for the trees, so intent was he upon his lame-ass first boyfriend. Abe was just an available fuck in the meantime. Available? That's one way of putting it, you slut. "Oh, shut up," Abe muttered to himself, drawing a startled look from the vendor he was signing off on a delivery from. "Sorry," he spoke up. "Here you go." He tipped his usual friendly smile at the man before turning around and keeping it pasted to his face as he worked his way to his office at the back of the salon. They were both leaving on Friday, tomorrow, Geoff to his hometown and the blast from his past, and Abe to drive to his parents' home for the weekend to celebrate the Hanukkah Sabbath with his dad and an early Christmas with his mom. This was the last night they were going to be together, Abe knew, and the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. His heart was dying a little as he admitted the truth at last. He had fallen in love. Him! What a joke. Abe had skipped unscathed through relationships all his adult life, only to be brought low in three short days by a sweet, conflicted, misguided man who had no idea how damn hot he was, who thought of Abe as a casual fling, who was fixated on a faulty memory, and who thought he was heading off to ride into the sunset with said memory, possibly getting his own heart broken in the process. And Abe couldn't do a damn thing to stop it. What a cock-up! Abe thought as he viscously sent a pile of paperwork flying and fluttering to floor of his office. Crap. He knelt and started to half-heartedly straighten the papers 46

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before stopping, his insides churning, tears welling in his eyes. He dropped to sit, leaning back against the desk as he battled in vain the alien emotions roiling within him. Abe sat that way on the floor of his office for what seemed like hours. His eyes were red and tender and his ass was sore from sitting by the time he was motivated enough to stand, disregarding the mess he had made, deciding to call it a day instead. He walked out through the salon, ignoring everyone except his assistant, Lula, who he knew wouldn't let herself be ignored. "I'm heading home. Can you lock up tonight?" Lula looked concerned, "Are you okay? Did you get some bad news?" This whole week has been bad news. "No, nothing like that. I just don't feel well." "Awww, you poor thing." She patted his arm. "You just go on home. I'll take care of everything. Okay?" Abe gave her a weak smile. "Thanks, Lu." He walked across the atrium, heading to his condo on autopilot, completely tuning out everything around him. He felt as if he were in a dream. Walking in, he crossed to flop on the couch, groaning at the memory of all he and Geoff had done on the couch. Shit, the whole apartment seemed to smell like Geoff, like he had saturated the space with his presence. Unable to face his bed, he went instead into the guest room and lay down, pressing the heels of his hands to his leaking eyes. One more night. His throat clogged at the 47

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thought, and he let the tears flow freely at last. I don't know if I can bear it. **** You need to calm down, Geoff scolded himself. He was riding an extreme high after three amazing nights of constant inventive and satisfying sex with Abe, and he was only two days away from seeing Jesse again. Geoff forced himself to concentrate on the document in front of him, stretching a half-hour later as he wrapped up his work for the day. He glanced at the clock, and a little frown crossed his brow as he realized he hadn't heard from Abe yet today. He probably just got too busy to call. Geoff pulled out his phone and dialed the now-familiar number, frowning again when it went right to voicemail. He shrugged and hung up. Abe was probably on his way; he usually came by at six after he closed up. Kim entered with the usual end-of-day paperwork. "Here you go. Is Abe feeling any better?" Geoff felt a jolt and stared at Kim. "What do you mean?" "Lula called to chat and mentioned that he'd gone home sick in the middle of the day." Kim began to look concerned. "You mean you haven't talked to him today?" She pulled out her phone. "Hey, I was busy. I thought he was busy too. Sick? Like, what kind of sick?" Kim shot him a dirty look as she dialed. "Does it matter? Voice mail." She listened for a moment. "Hey, it's Kim. I heard you're not feeling well, and just wanted to see if you 48

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need anything. Hope you feel better." Kim glared at Geoff as she finished leaving her message. He glared back, not sure what he had done to deserve this kind of treatment. A light tap on the door had them both straightening their expressions. "Abe!" they chorused, Kim hurrying to his side. "Oh babe, you look like crap. Are you okay?" Abe smiled wanly. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm sure I look like hammered crap, not just plain crap." Abe looked from Kim to the desk, avoiding Geoff's eyes. "Are you ready to go?" His eyes were red and puffy, his face pale and without his usual sunny smile. Geoff felt a tug deep within. "Yeah, but are you sure you're up for anything? We don't have to do anything tonight if you're not feeling well." He watched as Abe grew even more pale, if that was possible. The other man's hands were shaking. What the hell Geoff came out from behind his desk and placed a hand on Abe's lower back, turning the unresisting man toward the door. "Let's get you back upstairs. Kim, can you close up the office?" "Sure," she responded, watching the pair closely with narrowed eyes. "Abe, call me if you need me." Something deeper than sympathy colored her tone, and Geoff felt as if he was missing something. Abe gave her a rueful smile as they headed to the elevators. Abe accepted Geoff's touch on the way upstairs, but Geoff missed the way Abe typically snuggled up to him, constantly petting him. The poor guy must really be feeling ill.

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Arriving at Abe's apartment, Abe opened the door and took Geoff by the hand to lead him inside. Geoff hesitated. "Are you sure you want me to come in?" Abe stroked a hand down his evening-rough cheek. "Yes. It's just a headache, nothing contagious. I thought we could order from the cafe upstairs and then spend a quiet evening in." He walked ahead of Geoff into the apartment, and Geoff closed the door, relieved that Abe wasn't truly sick. "Here's the takeout menu. Let's figure out what we want and I'll run upstairs to pick it up." They made their selections and phoned the order in, relaxing on the loveseat in front of the windows, enjoying the view until time came to retrieve their dinner. "Are you sure you don't want me to go?" Geoff offered, still a little concerned by this drawn, quiet Abe. "I'm sure. I won't be long." He watched as the door closed behind Abe, and turned back to the window view. He smiled to himself as he thought about the past week. He really liked Abe. It was too bad they weren't closer in age. He had told Geoff the other night as they snuggled together in bed that he had never been in a serious relationship before. Probably trying to warn me. Nice of him, actually. Because he could see himself falling for Abe, and it was taking a huge effort on his part to keep their contact casual. He got up and paced around the room, stopping in front of the Christmas tree. Noticing a medium-sized gift with his name on the tag, feeling like a little kid, he glanced behind him then picked it up, giving it a shake. Not very heavy, there 50

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was no noise to give away the contents. He rolled his eyes at himself and placed it back under the tree, feeling guilty now. He should have really gotten Abe something. Geoff's mind then turned to Jesse, who he also still needed to shop for, and he felt the familiar achy feeling from his youth that he had locked away all these years. Two days. Maybe he should give Jess a call and make firm plans. Geoff hadn't heard from him since the missed call on Monday, but then again, he had told Jesse last Friday that he would call him at the end of the week. Close enough. He flipped through his contacts until he reached Jesse's number and hit enter. His heart thrummed nervously as he waited for Jesse to answer. "Hi, Geoff?" Caller ID, wasn't it great? "Hey Jess." He took a breath. "How was your week?" "Busy. Always gets that way right before a vacation. How about yours? Anything exciting?" Caught a little off guard by the question, knowing that he should just say "fine" and move on, he instead found himself responding, "I, uh, met a guy." Silence for a moment. "Oh." There was a wealth of meaning in that softly uttered syllable. Geoff had to fill the silence. "Nothing serious. He's pretty young." He had started off by thinking of Abe, but suddenly not wanting to discuss him with Jesse, found himself switching to describing Troy instead. "We, ah, pretty much just fell into bed together. But it's nothing that's going to go anywhere." 51

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"Damn it, it was less than a week 'til me, Geoff." Jesse's voice was low, with a strain of emotion in it. Geoff sighed, "I know. I should have waited. I guess I just wanted to, uh, practice. It's been a long time. I, ah... I didn't want you to be disappointed. Fuck. It sounds pretty bad when I say it out loud." Jesse chuckled a little. "Don't worry, G-man. It's okay. I can understand being a little pent up." He paused, asking humorously, "So just how young is young?" Geoff laughed in response. "Oh, twenties, I'd say. Didn't really come up in conversation, you know. Busy with other things." That provoked another laugh, then Jesse asked, "So when do you get in?" "Tomorrow night. I'll be staying at my parents' house. And you get in Saturday?" "Yeah, mid-afternoon, so I'll probably go straight to the hotel to check in and get settled. Do you want to meet at The Ridgeway at around five for happy hour?" "Happy hour sounds great. It's a date." Geoff teased. "Okay, G-man, see you then. I... can't wait to see you." "Can't wait to see you either, Jess. Bye." He hung up the phone, holding it to his chest like some awestruck teenybopper. Just the thought of what was to come was enough to send a shiver through him. Jesse Sullivan after all these years. He thought again about his grey hair, wondering if he could convince Abe to fix it tomorrow. As if the thought conjured the man, he heard the click of the door closing and turned around. 52

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"Hey you," he greeted, noticing a heartbeat later that Abe really looked ill. "Oh man, I told you I should have gone for you. Here," he strode to Abe's side and took the food from him. "Why don't I dish up?" "Uh, you know, I'm really not all that hungry anymore. I think I'll just go to bed early." Abe rubbed his eyes as if his head ached, which it probably did, poor guy. And here Geoff was making him entertain. "That's probably a good idea, Abe. Do you need anything before I take off?" Abe finally looked him in the eye, and the pain in his gaze hit Geoff like a physical blow. He reached out to touch his hair, but Abe flinched away, so he lowered his hand without making contact. "I'll be fine, Geoff. If I don't see you... have a good trip." "You too. Drive safe, okay?" Abe nodded, dropping to the couch and staring at the Christmas tree as Geoff walked to the door. "Merry Christmas, Geoff," came softly to his ears. He looked back at Abe, bothered for some reason he couldn't quite pinpoint. "Merry Christmas, Abe. And Happy Hanukkah." Abe nodded but didn't respond. Geoff blew out a breath, then crossed the room in four big strides, pulled Abe against him, and kissed him gently but thoroughly. At the touch of their lips, he felt Abe tense all over, as if he would pull away. But then he looped an arm around Geoff's neck and kissed him back with fervor, melting against him. 53

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Geoff pulled back, feeling their lips separate so slowly that each minute bit of flesh seemed to cling in its own embrace. Abe's eyes had fluttered closed, and Geoff kissed each reddened eyelid in turn, wished he could take the pain away. "Goodbye, Geoff," Abe whispered, and as the finality in his voice penetrated, Geoff stared at Abe intently until he opened his eyes. "I'll see you in a little over a week, okay?" Abe smiled slightly, and he gave a single short nod. "Bye," Geoff brushed another light kiss across Abe's forehead as he straightened. **** Abe lay back against the couch as Geoff finally left. As soon as the door clicked behind Geoff, Abe broke into great, racking sobs, curling onto his side as he let out all the unbelievable anger and pain at the overheard conversation. At first when he came in, he thought that Geoff was still just enjoying the view out the window. Then he heard Geoff say, "Hey, Jess. How was your week?" He had caught the door before it slammed, knowing that he should make his presence known, but needing to hear. "I, uh, met a guy." Abe had straightened. He hadn't expected Geoff to admit that he'd been seeing someone. A little bubble of hope welled up. Maybe he was going to tell Jesse that they shouldn't get together. That hope had been crushed by Geoff's next words.

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"Nothing serious. He's pretty young. We, ah, pretty much just fell into bed together. But it's nothing that's going to go anywhere." Oh fuck. Was it possible for a heart to actually break? The pain in his chest was almost unbearable. "I know. I should have waited. I guess I just wanted to, uh, practice. It's been a long time. I, ah... I didn't want you to be disappointed. Fuck. It sounds pretty bad when I say it out loud." Abe hadn't thought it could get any worse. He had slumped against the wall. Geoff had been using him to practice for Jesse? "Oh, twenties, I'd say. Didn't really come up in conversation, you know. Busy with other things." Maybe it should have come up. Then Geoff would know he was thirty. "Tomorrow night. I'll be staying at my parents' house. And you get in Saturday?" A pause. "Happy hour sounds great. It's a date." The easy, teasing lilt in Geoff's voice had been like a knife in Abe's heart. Had he ever heard that tone of voice directed at him? "Can't wait to see you either, Jess. Bye." The door slipped from Abe's hand and clicked shut, and Geoff had turned around and smiled at him. As if he hadn't just said all those things. When he finally got Geoff to leave, after that bone-melting kiss that he couldn't help but return in full measure, the sound of the door closing had been way too symbolic and 55

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triggered the bitter outlet of tears that currently wrapped him in their cathartic flow. As he cried, he whispered out loud one more time, "Goodbye, Geoff." It rang through the still room like a death knell in his heart. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Six Abe gratefully accepted the huge latte from Kim and tried once more to convince her to leave. He had thought he'd been successful on the phone in persuading her not to come see him, but she had bribed him with an "extra" coffee that she just happened to have. Abe, you're such a slut for coffee, and apparently everyone knows it. "I'm fine," he repeated yet again. "Really." And he smiled to emphasize how "fine" he was. "Abe, get that ugly excuse for a smile off your face and tell me what's wrong. What happened with you and Geoff?" "Tenacious little thing, aren't you?" "Tenacious, yes. Little, hell no. Thing?" She gave him an arch look. "Sorry, babe. You were the one who insisted upon seeing me before I'm caffeinated." "Meow. That actually almost sounded like the real you." She softened her expression. "What happened, Abe?" Just like that, Abe found himself telling her the whole story, not pulling any punches when it came to his own stupidity in falling for a man who was already in love with someone else, not to mention sleeping with him in the first place. When he came to the part about the overheard phone call, Abe thought Kim was going to burst a blood vessel. He finished cautiously, "So he left it where he'll be seeing me again soon... after going off to boink the love of his life. 57

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As if I would consider sleeping with him again knowing that he'd been practicing with me for another man." He absently raised his empty cup to his lips, frowning when nothing came out, smacking it down on the end table. "Fuck, we both know that I'll more than see him when I see him. Who am I trying to kid?" "Well, all I can say is my former boss won't be getting any ass from you if it takes having to duct tape you to my bedroom door." She pulled out her phone and dialed, her eyes flashing. "Shit, love, don't quit on my account!" Abe was regretting ever picking up the phone this morning. "Don't worry, I'm not quitting. I've decided I'm going to stay and make his life a living hell while I run his business into the ground." She gave Abe an evil smile and left a terse message saying that she would be using a sick day and hung up. Abe watched her warily. "What are you doing?" Kim smiled more naturally. "Just going to help you pack for your trip and keep you company until you leave." She waited a beat. "And keep you from going to his office, and him from coming up here," she admitted. Abe gave her a hug. "You're a good friend, my dear." She hugged him back. "You don't hate me because I fixed you two up?" "Not even close. One thing I've learned lately is that sometimes things just happen, no blame involved. It was hot while it lasted. More than just sex would have been... nice." Nice? Try wonderful, fantastic, over the moon... 58

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Abe continued, talking as much to himself as Kim, "If he comes back wanting to pick up where we left off, I'm not sure that I'll say no." Kim started to protest, and he cut her off gently, "But if I say yes, I'll make sure he pays for what he's put me through, and knows in detail what can and can't happen in the future. Fair enough?" He gave a nod, encouraging her to agree. Kim raised her eyebrows skeptically but conceded, "Fair enough. So tell me how you're going to make him pay?" Abe smiled. **** Geoff managed to secure a table at The Ridgeway, a pub in the next town over from their small hometown. It was pretty crowded, probably due to the happy hour drink and food specials that wrapped up at six, with everyone stopping in to let off some steam after their work weeks. He had stopped by the salon on the way to work Friday morning to see how Abe was doing, but his assistant had told him that Abe took the day off, deciding to get a jump on the Friday traffic by leaving for his parents' early. Disappointed at not getting to see Abe once more before he left, Geoff headed up to the office. He was surprised at a message from Kim that she was taking a sick day. Alone in the office, finding it hard to concentrate with the looming excitement of the upcoming reunion with Jesse, he had decided to close the office a day early. There wasn't much left to do since he had already planned to close the office for the two holiday weeks anyway. 59

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He wrapped up a few loose ends, and was headed back down to the underground parking garage before lunch. Geoff watched the pub door open and started when Jesse came walking in. God, he looks just the same. It was like going back in time. Jesse didn't seem to have changed at all, other than looking a bit broader through the shoulders, and maybe an inch or two taller. Same dark brown hair, a shorter cut. Damn it, no grey hair on him. That same athletic stride, long legs easily chewing up the distance between them. His light blue-green eyes were now fixed on Geoff, and he felt pinned in his chair by the gaze. Jesse also wore faded jeans and a simple black longsleeved T-shirt, almost exactly like Geoff's. We look like twins. The thought brought a smile to Geoff's lips, breaking the spell, and he rose to his feet with a grin. Then Jesse was there, pulling him into a confident embrace. They thumped each other's backs, both a little conscious of their public display, and quickly separated to sit on opposite sides of the high-backed booth. "Wow, Geoff. Look at you! You look fantastic!" Jesse's deep voice resonated as it always had. Geoff looked down at himself for a moment, selfconsciously smoothing his shirt over his chest, before looking up at his old flame. "You're the one who looks fantastic, Jesse. You haven't changed a bit." "Well, you have. You're even better-looking than you used to be." Geoff made a self-deprecating grimace. "That's not too tough. I was pretty geeky when I knew you." 60

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Jesse reached across the table, touching Geoff's hand lightly. "No. Not geeky. Sweet. And sexy." Visions of what had passed between them hung in the air, and both men leaned back at once. Geoff was flattered by Jesse's response, but with the good came the bad, and the memory of how it had ended between them. He grabbed a menu to give him some space. They placed their order with the waitress, then after she returned with their beers, they were once again alone with their past. "What was I to you?" Geoff began quietly, looking at his glass, needing to get this part behind them now, before they touched again. He waited tensely for the answer, and when the silence stretched out longer than he could stand, he looked up, shocked to see tears in Jesse's eyes. He felt a reciprocal sting in his own at the sight, and yet forced himself not to break eye contact. "I don't know if I can do this," Jesse finally admitted hoarsely. He rubbed the back of his neck tiredly. "It's hard to talk about. Ya know? Feelings and shit." They both smiled, the tension somewhat relieved. "I guess I was scared. Scared to be... gay. You know what it was like around here back then." Jesse's face was as serious as Geoff had ever seen it. "It was just alien and scary to the best of people, and a good reason to kick the shit out of someone for a lot of people we knew." "So you started going out with Jennifer. I get that, Jess, I really do. But why?" "Didn't I tell you?" Jesse finished with a humorless smile. "Because I didn't want to lose you. I loved you, or at least I 61

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thought I did." He swallowed. "I didn't have the guts to be with you, and I didn't have the guts to let you go. And then when Jenn ended up pregnant, ah, Geoff, I couldn't bear to tell you. You had such a way of looking at me back then. I didn't want to lose that. Like I was special, like you thought the world of me." "I did," Geoff pointed out in a steady voice. Jesse returned his gaze with a grimace. "Finally telling you was the hardest thing I ever did, to see how much I hurt you. I'm so sorry, Geoff." The tears finally broke free and ran twin tracks down his cheeks. His eyes begged for understanding. "I wasn't even twenty. I had no idea how to handle any of it. And then you left without talking to me, but by then we had the twins coming, and work, and school...." He trailed off dismally. Geoff reached across the table and covered Jesse's hands with his own. "Hey. It's okay. I mean, we're forty now, Jess. A lot of water under the bridge. And look, you got your two boys out of it, right?" Geoff had the brief thought that it was ironic that he was the injured party, and yet he was the one doing the comforting. But he genuinely felt bad for Jess and hated to see him in tears over something that had happened decades ago. I guess I'm not the only one who was hurt back then. The thought gave him a lot of comfort in a strange way. He had always thought that Jesse didn't care, that he walked away without a backward glance. Now he knew it had been just as hard on Jesse. And in many respects, the guilt at being the one in the wrong might have been even harder to bear. 62

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Geoff watched closely as Jesse pulled himself together. "You okay?" He gave Jesse's hands a squeeze, then disengaged one hand, reaching across and using his fingertips to wipe Jesse's tears away, suddenly not caring one whit whether anyone around them had a problem with it. The waitress came with their food, glancing between them nervously before setting the plates down. "Sorry to interrupt," she said softly. "Can I get you anything else?" Geoff smiled at her reassuringly. "Just the bill, thanks." She smiled back and walked away, and Jesse pulled his hand from Geoff's with a quirk of the lips that hinted at the carefree Jess he had known. "Can't wait to get away from me, huh?" Geoff smirked back at him. "Yeah, you big crybaby. C'mon, man up!" "We are so gay," Jesse joked. "Yeah, well, I am anyway." "Yeah?" Jesse raised his eyebrows as they started eating. Geoff shrugged. "The only people I've been interested in since my divorce have all been men." "Multiple men? So, the one young hottie this week, aaaand..." he drew it out encouragingly. Geoff flushed. "Well, it was actually two young hotties." "Two?" Jesse asked incredulously. "Since last Friday?" Geoff wished he had never brought it up. "Well, one was a pickup that went really wrong. And no, I'm not giving you details." He took a bite, more to collect his thoughts than because he was hungry. 63

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"And the other?" Jesse was relentless. He hadn't changed a bit, and Geoff knew from experience he'd be better off just spilling now and saving himself the headache. "The other is a friend of a friend." Jesse just cocked a brow and waited. The waitress ended up taking their check back as they added a couple more beers to the tab, followed by some pie and coffee, as they visited for hours. Geoff ended up talking endlessly about Abe and even related the whole embarrassing Troy story. They had a laugh over Geoff wanting to color his hair, although Geoff was still a little chagrined that Jess didn't have any grey in his yet. Jesse for his part told Geoff about his two boys, Jake and Josh, going on and on like the proud dad he was. They walked out together and stood in the now dark parking lot next to their cars. Jesse took a step that brought him just inches from Geoff. Geoff recalled that they had been the exact same height when they were together, a perfect fit when they kissed. In the years since, Jesse had gained a few inches on Geoff. He looked up at his first love and felt a small shiver go through him. With the camaraderie of the past hours, it felt almost like old times, felt right, familiar in so many ways. They had known each other so well, and Jesse looked almost exactly the same. He swayed forward, closing the gap, and Jesse ran his hands up Geoff's arms to gently hold him in place as their lips met in a chaste kiss. They both kept their eyes on the other as they came back together for another taste, then another slightly deeper kiss as Jesse stroked his way through Geoff's 64

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lips, taking the lead as he always had in the past. The taste hit Geoff first, a memory that he hadn't even known he had. They wrapped their arms around one another, together from head to foot, kissing fully before Jesse raised his head to take a breath. He looked at Geoff with a sad smile. "I guess coming back to the hotel isn't happening." Geoff searched his feelings one more time to be certain, shaking his head in response. He gave Jesse another hug, harder this time, an acknowledgment of what had been lost between them. "I'm sorry." Jesse hugged him back, and Geoff could feel his chest heaving against him. He pulled back, alarmed, thinking that Jess was crying, and gave him a shove when he saw Jesse's grin instead. "You jerk. I thought you were crying. Again." Geoff met Jesse's eyes as he teased him, and felt the bonds of deep friendship snap into place. Suddenly, he realized this was the rightness he had felt before their kiss. "Friends?" he offered seriously. "Yeah. Friends." Jesse gave him one last hug, adding, "For what it's worth, I saw the look in your eyes when you spoke about Abe. Don't let the whole age thing stand in the way, okay? Sometimes you have to fight for what you want, even if it looks impossible on the surface." Geoff smiled regretfully at the reminder of what they'd had and lost. But he didn't feel the same longing and bitterness any longer. He felt like he'd truly come to terms with his past. Now, he needed to work on his future. 65

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Chapter Seven Geoff paced nervously in his office as he waited for Abe to answer the phone. Cursing as he got voicemail again, he wondered what to do now. His grand plan for coming back early was hitting a huge roadblock since he couldn't even get up to Abe's floor. Geoff stopped pacing for a moment. Maybe Abe was still out of town? He wasn't at the salon. He hit on the solution. Kim. She always knew everything. Dialing, he was shocked by her icy tone as she answered. "Yes?" "Hi, Kim, it's Geoff." "Yes?" she repeated without a change in her tone. "Uh," he was thrown for a loop. "Are you feeling better?" "That's not what you should be worried about," she answered cryptically. Geoff pulled the phone away from his ear to stare at it in puzzlement. "Kim?" She sighed and asked dutifully. "How is your vacation going?" "Fine. Nice, I guess. That's why I'm calling, actually. I'm back in town, and I've been trying to reach Abe—" "You're in town?" she interrupted, surprise coloring her tone. "I thought you weren't coming back until after Christmas?" "I decided to come back early. Uh, do you know if Abe is still out of town?" "Why?" 67

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Defensiveness stiffened his spine. "Do you know or not?" "Listen, Geoff. You're just lucky I'm even speaking to you. Now, give me a reason to tell you." "Whoa! What?" "I'm hanging up now." He knew she would, too. "Wait! Okay, I just really want to see him. I, uh, have a Christmas gift for him." Silence, as if she was thinking about it. "Just a second," she cautioned. Then she put him on hold. What the fuck? He sat there obediently waiting, feeling foolish, straightening up as she came back on the line, only to ask for more information. "Where are you? Your house?" "The office," he answered quickly, then click, he was back on hold again. Damn it! He gritted his teeth and tried to wait patiently. Geoff was starting to rethink how much she deserved that raise when she came back on again. "Go wait at the private elevator. And Geoff, if you screw this up, you can find a new assistant." She hung up, leaving him sputtering in shock. Still unsettled by that exchange, Geoff walked to the private elevator, reaching it just as it opened. "Abe, hey." The sight of his lover standing quietly in the compartment made his heart soar. He entered the elevator and stepped close, pulling him into a hug. After a moment of stillness, Abe returned the hug briefly, before sending the elevator up to his floor. He led the way into his apartment, turning to Geoff just inside the door with an inquiring look. "You're back early." 68

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Geoff pulled him close again, needing to feel him in his arms. "I missed you. I wanted to come back and maybe spend Christmas together. If you, uh, don't already have plans." Abe smiled finally. "Nothing carved in stone." He ran his hands down Geoff's back to cup his ass lightly. "How much did you miss me?" Geoff could feel the press of Abe's erection nestled against his own and rotated against him. "I couldn't stop thinking about you the whole time I was gone." Abe's smile fell just a little, but before Geoff could ask why, Abe backed away and started to undo Geoff's jeans. Geoff gasped when Abe reached in to caress his hardened length, lightly stroking in a teasing touch before dropping to his knees before him and engulfing him in his warm, wet mouth. Geoff threw his head back, his hands automatically going to run through Abe's hair, gently urging him on as he set a sweat-inducing pace. Just as Geoff reached the edge of reason, Abe pulled off, and the coolness of the air hitting his wet cock made him jerk in surprise. Abe undid his shoes and quickly stripped him from the waist down as Geoff pulled his mock-turtleneck over his head. The contrast between his nudity and Abe's fully clothed state struck him as utterly erotic. He reached for Abe to pull him to his feet, and what happened next came as a complete shock. Suddenly he found himself on the wrong side of the front door. Holy shit. Abe had enticed him a couple steps toward the door by leaning on the wall next to it, and when he 69

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eagerly approached him, it only took a tug on the door and a quick shove for Geoff to be standing in the damn foyer—stark naked. "Abe!" He pounded on the door. "Let me in! What the hell?" "I wouldn't pound so loudly if I were you. You wouldn't want to disturb my neighbors." Abe's voice sounded a touch smug even muffled through the door. Shit! That was a good point. "Abe," he said urgently, covering his rapidly wilting hard-on with his hands as best he could, glancing frantically around at the elevator and the other three doors, "Please let me in. Whatever's wrong, we can talk about it. C'mon, Abe, please? Damn it! Let me in!" "Does this seem familiar at all?" Geoff's eyes narrowed. Kim. Oh, she was so fired. "Yes, unfortunately, but at least that time I had some damn pants on! Open the door, Abe." "You know what else she told me?" Geoff sighed in frustration, his erection a thing of the past, wondering what the chances were of him getting down to his office without running into someone. He answered only to try to hurry this along. "What else did she tell you?" "About you calling him Jesse. And about your e-mail from the guy. Tell me, Geoff." Abe's voice was stone cold. "How was he?" Shock and guilt washed over Geoff like a wave. Abe knew about Jesse. "Listen, Abe, it wasn't like that. We didn't—" "Maybe not, but you wanted to," Abe interrupted bitterly. 70

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Geoff sank bonelessly to the floor, his back against the door. Even with the barrier between them, he could feel the pain in Abe's voice, picture the hurt look on his face. "Abe," he began helplessly. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know what I wanted. And I wasn't expecting to meet you when I did. You have to believe me, though, nothing happened. We talked. I... told him all about you. Went on and on, really." He scrubbed one hand over his face, willing Abe to believe him. "I was worried that I was too old for you, that I'd look foolish chasing after you." He paused. "Jesse told me that I shouldn't let you get away. He could tell from how I talked about you that I...." He stopped, scared to death to put himself out there. "You what?" came the soft question from behind the door. "Please, Abe, can I say this face-to-face?" he begged, jumping to his feet as the door fell away behind him. Abe stood there with his eyes full of tears. Geoff reached for him, but when Abe backed away, he let his hands drop to his sides. Not missing the opportunity to get out of the hallway, he walked quickly past Abe into the living room. "Okay, Geoff. We're face-to-face." Abe encouraged, his eyes round pools of pain. Geoff swallowed with effort. "I fell in love with you. You were right there in front of me, and I had to go looking to recapture my youth before I realized it." Abe regarded him so silently that Geoff's heart skipped a beat. Oh God, I'm an idiot. He doesn't love me. Crushed, he sank to the couch in despair, covering his face with his hands. 71

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"I'm sorry. Shit, I guess that wasn't what you wanted to hear." "I guess it's a little hard for me to believe. Last time you were here, I was someone that you could just boink to practice on for the main event. You couldn't be bothered to find out how old I really am," Abe continued, the bitter tone back. "After all, 'we just fell into bed together' and were 'busy with other things'." The pieces finally came together for Geoff with an almost audible click in his head. "You heard my conversation with Jess. Oh shit, Abe, I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about... well, what Kim told you. Baby, I'm so sorry." Geoff got up and crossed to Abe, holding him by the arms and bending slightly to peer directly into his eyes. He watched as hope began to overtake the pain, and Abe offered him a tremulous smile. "Truly? Not me?" "No way, Abe. You are much too precious to me. I could never even think about you like that, much less talk about you that way. I love you." "I love you too," came the heartfelt reply, and Geoff's heart soared anew. He let out the breath he been unconsciously holding and pulled Abe in for a deep, passionate kiss that quickly escalated as they both frantically tried to find a way to get close enough to soothe the last of the misunderstanding. Feeling that nothing short of crawling inside Abe's skin would do, Geoff herded Abe ahead of him to the bedroom. 72

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Hands shaking with need, Geoff helped Abe remove his clothing and bore him to the mattress, absorbing the feel of the beloved form beneath him for a few precious moments. He pulled back and Abe watched him with lidded eyes as Geoff hastily slicked on a condom and made quick work of prepping Abe before sinking into him with a moan of satisfaction. "Ah, babe, love you." Now Geoff couldn't stop saying the words; he would never stop convincing Abe of how much he meant to him. They came together tenderly, foreheads touching in relief and reunion, passion heightened by their new bond of love. Abe arched beneath him, meeting his deep forays with strength before throwing his head back and coming, pulling Geoff over with him. Geoff heard himself call Abe's name as release took him, love suffusing his being, ringing with the certainty that he was where he belonged at last. **** Afterward, they lay together, exploring, hands making up for lost time as they relearned every nuance of their beloved. Geoff loved the feel of his legs caught in Abe's, and he played with Abe's hand, tangling their fingers before circling his wrist, gently stroking with his thumb. Which reminded him.... "I have a gift for you." "I have one for you too. But it's not Christmas yet," Abe lectured teasingly. "I want you to open mine early. Please?" 73

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"Well, far be it from me to disappoint a begging man." Abe laughed, wiggling free. They walked into the living room naked, and Abe flipped on the gas fireplace as Geoff tracked down his jeans and pulled a small box from the pocket. He returned to the couch in front of the fireplace to find Abe waiting, holding up the corner of a throw to invite him under, the gift he had seen under the tree last week on the table in front of them. "Mine first," Abe insisted, snuggling against Geoff's back and placing the box in his hands. Geoff turned it over and then shook it. "Oh, c'mon, open it!" "Okay, babe, hold on." Geoff carefully peeled the wrapping apart, prompting an eye roll from Abe. "What?" "Open. It." Abe poked his ribs, just in case Geoff wasn't getting his urgency. Geoff yelped, and ripped the box open. Inside was a small jeweler's case. He smiled inwardly. Looked like they had the same idea. Opening the case, he found a beautiful thick silver neck chain. "I wanted to convince you of the beauty of silver," Abe murmured against the top of his shoulder, taking the necklace from the case and fastening it around Geoff's neck. "Gorgeous. And the necklace isn't bad either." Geoff turned to half-cover Abe in a full body embrace. "I love it. Thank you." He kissed his nose, then sat up and handed Abe the small, unwrapped box. "Now your turn. Sorry, I didn't have time to wrap it." 74

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Abe looked at him with his bewitching hazel eyes shining with delight. "Jewelry too? My, we are on the same wavelength all of a sudden." He didn't hesitate, but opened the outer box and flipped the top of the case up. "Oh, Geoff." He sounded choked up. "It's beautiful." Nestled in the case was a bracelet of delicately entwined chains of silver and gold. Geoff looked at Abe, seeing the love he was feeling reflected back in his eyes. "Silver and gold. You didn't have to convince me. Put them together, and now I know what they're worth." **** [Back to Table of Contents]

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Silver and Gold by Devon Rhodes

Devon Rhodes started reading and writing at a young age and never looked back. After a creatively sapping career in the business world, she gratefully took some time off to be at home. At thirty-nine and holding, Devon finally figured out the best way to channel her midlife crisis was to morph from mild-mannered stay-at-home mom to erotic romance writer. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two girls, who are (mostly) understanding of all the time she spends on her laptop, aka the black hole. Visit her web site at www.devonrhodes.com. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Silver and Gold by Devon Rhodes

Silver and Gold (C)Copyright Devon Rhodes, 2009 Published by Dreamspinner Press 4760 Preston Road Suite 244-149 Frisco, TX 75034 www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors' imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Cover Design by Catt Ford This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ Released in the United States of America December 2009 eBook Edition 77

Silver and Gold by Devon Rhodes

eBook ISBN: 978-1-61581-338-4

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