Never in a Million

A Gay Romance Short Story

By

Savannah Brooks

This work of fiction is intended for mature audiences only and contains material some may find offensive. All characters portrayed herein are fictional and are mature, consenting adults (18+). Names, characters, businesses, places, and events are either products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any and all resemblances to persons or places, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 by Savannah Brooks

All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

“Austin. Can I ask you something?”

My younger sister by two years looks up from her medieval history text book resting in her lap waiting for me to acknowledge her.

“I don’t think I’m gonna be much help, Ellie,” I reply, not taking my eyes from the TV as swap my sword for a shovel and start digging for the flute.

“Austin, will you pause that stupid game and pay attention to me?”

“Stupid game? I’ll have you know Legend of Zelda is a classic.”

“Whatever.” She punches me in the bicep. Not enough to hurt, of course. “I’m serious. I need your help.”

“What could you possibly need my help with?”

“Guys. One in particular.”

I pause the game when I hear the worry in Ellie’s voice and set the video game controller on the coffee table. Shifting sideways on the couch, I turn to face her.

“You have my undivided attention,” I say. “Spill it.”

“Is there something wrong with me?”

“Okay, that’s a loaded question. I’m your brother and even I’m afraid to answer that one,” I laugh. When she doesn’t, however, I soften my tone and get serious. She isn’t usually like this, so I know something is bothering her. “Ellie, there is nothing wrong with you. You’re gorgeous and really fucking smart. If you weren’t my sister and I was into girls, I would be all over you.”

“Eww,” she laughs, making a face in mock-disgust. “That’s a little unsettling to hear my brother say that.”

“Well, it’s true. I think the only reason guys haven’t been chasing after you is because you and Taylor are always together. Which definitely made my big brother job of defending your honor and keeping hormone-raging boys away from you a lot easier,” I smile wholeheartedly. Ellie gives me a weak smirk. This can’t possibly be good. “So, what’s this all about? What did Taylor do anyway?”

Ellie pinches the frame of her glasses, lifts them away from her face, and lays them on her open book. “It’s what he doesn’t do.”

“Okay…”

“Something’s off with him. It’s like he doesn’t even want to touch me. Not even just a hug or anything. He used to hug me all the time until we decided to move from friends to more than friends. You don’t think he’s cheating on me, do you?” she asks, the strain in her voice evident.

“If he is, I’ll kick his ass, but he never seemed like the kind of guy to do that. Besides, you two were best friends for years before you started dating. Why would he do that to you?”

Tears well up in her eyes and I can tell she’s trying desperately not to cry. Which is saying a lot about the situation because my sister has never been one to cry over much of anything. “I don’t know, Austin. Maybe it’s something else, but he won’t talk to me. I’m worried something’s wrong. I don’t care what it is. I just want him to tell me what’s bothering him.”

Ellie’s voice trembles and she squeezes her eyes shut.

“Tell you what, sis. I’ll see if I can talk it out of him next time he’s over.”

“You would do that?”

“If you think it might help, sure. Do you want to be here when I do?”

She bites her lip, looking at me through watery eyes. “No. I’d rather you just convince him to talk to me.”

“Okay. Why don’t you plan a date? Have him come over to pick you up and you can be running late from something. I’ll use that time to talk to him. Just let me know when I need to be here.”

***

“Hey, man. How’s it going?” I ask, letting Taylor into the condo I share with my sister.

“Eh, okay I guess,” he replies, shrugging out of his jacket. His eyes dart around the open living space and across to the kitchen as I close the door. “Is Ellie here?”

“No, not yet. She probably got stuck after class again. Her TA job is really taking it out of her this semester.”

“Yeah. She’s really good though,” he replies, but I can tell there’s something else on his mind. Taylor plops down on the sofa and runs a hand through his hair.

“Everything alright, Taylor?” I ask, crossing to the kitchen. I grab a root beer from the fridge, knowing it’s his favorite, and hand it to him as I drop down at the end of the couch facing him. “You seem stressed about something.”

Taylor puffs out his cheeks and blows out a long breath of air.

“Wow. That bad, huh?”

“Life altering.” He leans forward, setting the unopened bottle on the table and resting his elbows on his knees. Head in his hands.

Whoa. Didn’t expect that response. I straighten and lay my arm across the back of the couch, studying the man sitting before me. This is not the confident, fun-loving guy I’m used to seeing. Ellie was right.

“Have you talked to Ellie about it?”

“No. I’ve tried to, but I can’t bring myself to do it.” He looks up and I’m taken aback by the hopelessness staring at me. “I love her, Austin, but only as a friend. I’m afraid if I tell her the truth, I’ll lose her completely.”

“Is that all? You just want to go back to being friends? Because if that’s the case, I guarantee you won’t lose her. She’s worried about you, you know.”

“She is?”

“Yeah. So you’d better tell her. And how is that life altering anyway?”

“There’s more,” Taylor grimaces.

“So help me, if you tell me there’s another girl—”

“No! That isn’t it at all. Fuck, is that what she’s thinking? God, Austin, I’m so messed up right now. I don’t want to hurt her, but I can’t go on like this.”

“Go on like what?” I say softly, moving closer to him so I can reach him. I put my hand on his shoulder and rub small circles over it. He relaxes into my hand. Hmm. Interesting. He avoids Ellie’s touch but leans into mine. I wonder… no, he can’t be. I’m sure I would have seen signs.

When he doesn’t answer, I continue. “Hey, whatever it is, I’m sure she’ll understand. I know you and I haven’t ever been as close, but I consider you a good friend. You can always try telling me. Maybe I can help.”

“Yeah. You always were a good big brother to her. Still are. Least I know she’s got you if she decides she doesn’t want me around anymore.”

“Taylor. Seriously, man. What is it that’s so earth shattering that makes you believe Ellie would let you go and never want to be friends again?”

He straightens and shifts toward me. His eyes, filled with worry, look right into mine, searching for something. I can’t help but feel a flutter in my stomach. If he keeps looking at me like that for much longer, I know I’m going to give in and kiss him, and then hope to God he isn’t straight afterwa— Oh fuck! He’s kissing me!

Taylor’s lips are pressed softly to mine and my heart starts to pound. The simple kiss lasts only a few seconds before he pulls away, but just long enough to get the message across.

I stare at Taylor, wide-eyed and in partial shock. “Holy shit,” I whisper.

“Yeah.”

“When… did you…?” I’m almost at a loss for words. My heart and brain are trying to catch up with this new information. This could be life altering for both of us.

“Well, I’ve had this feeling inside for years now. You know, like I never had any interest in girls, but I didn’t completely understand it until shortly after Ellie went from being my best friend to being my girlfriend.”

“You need to tell her. Tonight.”

“I don’t know how, Austin. I still feel torn inside. What if what I think I’m feeling isn’t real? How do I know for certain if I’m gay or bi or that it’s just that I haven’t found the right girl?”

“Well, do you ever find yourself looking at or attracted to other guys?”

“No, well, sort of… maybe?”

I arch a brow.

“Okay, there’s one guy, but I’m not sure how he feels about me.”

Don’t get your hopes up, I warn myself.

“Okay… well, what about this? You’ve kissed Ellie before, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you like it?”

“Not really.” My heart does a little dance. My brain scowls.

“What about other girls?” Please say no.

“Nope. Dated a couple here and there, but couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

“Have you ever kissed another guy before?” Because I really want to kiss you again.

“Only if you count what happened a minute ago.”

“That depends. Did you like it?” I hold my breath because I’m hoping he did. I’ve always been attracted to Taylor, but had always assumed he was straight. Of course, once he and Ellie started dating, he became off-limits anyway. Technically he still is. But still, the nervous pounding of my heart in my chest might send me into cardiac arrest just in waiting mere seconds for his answer.

“I think so,” he says, seemingly unsure in his response. “I mean… it was practically nothing. I mean, not nothing,” he stutters, “just, uh, that it was barely a touch.”

Stay calm, I remind myself. He’s probably just nervous or uncomfortable talking about this. Not wanting to kiss you again.

“Okay. How about a social experiment to help you figure this out?”

“Um. Okay…”

“I’m going to kiss you and if at any point you don’t like it or it becomes uncomfortable, you stop me.”

Taylor takes a deep breath. “What about Ellie?”

“You’re going to tell her everything tonight.”

“I am?”

“Yes, you are. She deserves to know the truth, and she deserves to hear it from you.”

“But—”

I cut him off by leaning forward and pressing my lips to his. Taylor’s whole body goes stiff and I can tell he’s hesitant, but he doesn’t push me away. After a few seconds, his tension eases and his lips begin to move against mine. Kneading and caressing. Then he whimpers quietly and I decide that’s my queue to take this further. I slide my tongue across the seam of his lips and gently press in. To my surprise, his lips part and he flicks his tongue tentatively against mine.

Holy hell.

There’s nothing in my life I’ve experienced that can compare to the way Taylor kissing me back makes me feel. I know this is supposed to be an experimental kiss to help him, but now I want more. My pulse races and I feel my erection straining against my jeans. I kiss him deeper and he responds with a groan that sends the blood rushing straight to my groin. Fuck, I need to stop, but he feels so good. And he hasn’t stopped me yet. That could only mean one thing. He wants this as much as I do.

Ellie. Think of Ellie, I tell myself. She needs to know before this goes any further.

I pull away and sit back a little, noticing we’re both panting. “Whoa,” I mutter. “That was…”

“Intense,” Taylor breathes, finishing my thought. A blush colors his cheeks and I can’t help but think how adorable he looks. “Wow. I didn’t know kissing someone could feel that good.”

“Yeah. So… um… did that help… at all?” My thoughts are scattered. All I can think of is how amazing that kiss felt and how much I want to do it again. But I can’t. Not until he breaks things off with Ellie. And that’s assuming he wants me as much as I want him.

Taylor presses his lips into a thin line. “Yeah. Definitely gay.”

My heart skips a beat. I tamp down the excitement bubbling up inside me with the hopes of speaking coherently. “Well, glad I could help,” I reply, trying not to sound too distant or flustered as I scoot back a little more. Disappointment flickers in his eyes. It’s the last thing I want to see after what we just shared, but before I can reassure him, the front door swings open.

I look up to see my sister’s exhausted expression and hope she doesn’t see anything in mine. “Hey, sis. Stuck after class again?”

“Yeah.” Ellie drops her keys on the entry table and closes the door. “Hey, Taylor. Sorry I’m late.” She leans down over the back of the couch and kisses his cheek. I catch a barely discernible flinch and watch as something like pain or guilt passes over his eyes. Eyes that are locked on mine, almost pleading for help. Fortunately, Ellie doesn’t notice it as she walks to the kitchen.

“Taylor and I were just talking, passing the time,” I chime in.

“Oh, okay,” she answers, her voice cheerful yet tired. “I hope you don’t mind, Tay, but I picked up take-out. Thought we could just hang here and relax instead of going out. Austin, you can join us if you want. I picked up your favorite.”

“Thanks, sis,” I say as I push to my feet and join her in the kitchen. “But I don’t want to be in the way. I’ll just eat in my room.” I start digging through the bags of delicious Mexican food. The spicy, rich smell making my mouth water. Ellie leans in close and whispers in my ear.

“Did you find out what’s bothering him?”

I glance toward Taylor who’s watching us intently and quietly suck in a deep breath. I never could lie to my sister, but this isn’t something that I should be telling her. It really should come from him. I turn back to the food on the counter so Taylor can’t see my face.

“Austin,” she whispers, poking me in the side.

“It’s not my place, Ellie.”

“So you do know?”

“Yes.”

“But you won’t tell me?”

“No.”

“Fine.”

“I told him he needed to tell you tonight.”

“Ellie, can we talk?”

Startled by Taylor’s despondent voice right behind us, Ellie and I both jump and spin to face him. I look up and see all the pent-up emotion swirling behind his eyes. My heart goes out to him. I want to wrap him in a hug and remind him everything will be fine, but I can’t.

“Uh, yeah. Of course,” she stutters, nervously glancing at me.

I grab the foam container with my rolled tacos, a plastic cup of red sauce, and a beer from the fridge. “Ellie. This is probably one of the hardest things for him to tell you,” I say, trying not to give anything away. “And Taylor. Just tell her. If anyone will understand, it’s her.” I pause, looking between them. “I’ll leave you both alone,” I add. Turning, I head toward my bedroom and close the door behind me, still wanting to know who the lucky guy is that had caught Taylor’s attention. Wishing with all my heart that it’s me until my brain reminds me of the hard truth. Guys like Taylor don’t pick guys like me.

My heart sinks.

Yeah. It isn’t me.

Chapter 2

I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling, wondering how the conversation in the other room is going. The voices echoing from the next room are too quiet for me to know what’s being said. God, I hope I was right. I can’t imagine Ellie being anything but understanding. When I came out to my family back in high school, she was the only one to keep loving me as though nothing had changed.

My bedroom door slams open, startling me into an upright position. Ellie stands frozen in the doorway, staring at me with tears cascading down her cheeks.

I scoot to the edge of my bed. “Ellie?”

She opens her mouth, closes it, and then opens it again. Still, nothing comes out.

“Ellie. What did he tell you?”

“He broke up with me,” she finally answers, but I can tell by her tone that isn’t the issue. “When I asked why, he looked torn, but then told me there was someone else he’d fallen for.”

My chest tightens and I narrow my eyes at her. “Is that all?”

“Yeah,” Ellie nods. “I knew that wasn’t the truth, or at least not all of it. When I called him on it, he started acting nervous and weird and just left. I don’t get it, Austin. He’s hiding something. This isn’t like him and I’m really worried.”

I move across the room and enfold her in my arms. Ellie presses her tear-dampened face against my neck. Damn Taylor. Why didn’t he just tell her?

“He’s afraid he’s going to lose you, sis,” I sigh.

“What? That’s crazy. Just because I’m not the one for him doesn’t mean I’m going to throw away our friendship. Doesn’t he know me better than that?”

“Ell… he’s scared. I know.” I pull back and frame her face with my hands, brushing a few loose strands of hair away from her face. “I’ve been there.”

“I don’t understand,” she sniffles. “Austin, please.”

I blink slowly, taking a long, deep breath. I hope Taylor will forgive me for this. But he had his chance to come clean, and I won’t sit here and let her mind run crazy with all the horrible things I know she’ll start to imagine. “Ellie. Taylor is gay.”

“Oh my God.” The words whoosh out of her along with a loud sigh of relief. “Is that all? Is that really what this is about? He couldn’t tell me that? I was beginning to think he was in some sort of trouble or that he had cancer and was dying or something. Why would he think he would lose me over that? I mean, he knows about you and how much I love you. Why would he be any different?”

My heart warms. This is the sister I know. The reaction I expected when I reassured Taylor everything would be okay if he told the truth. But I also know what it’s like to expect those who love you most to support you only to find out they can’t accept you.

“I’m sorry, Ellie. I tried to tell him you would understand, but I get what he’s going through. I mean, look at what happened between me and Mom and Dad. Thankfully, I had you. He’s still figuring this out and I think today, he had a moment where he felt really good about it.”

“Why? What happened today?” She raises a brow and her lips turn up into a nearly undetectable, wry smile.

“Promise you’ll forgive him if I tell you?”

“If it means Taylor being happy, then of course I will.”

“Okay, but you have to promise to forgive me too.”

“Austin Jacob Daniels. Tell me what happened before I pin you down and tickle it out of you.” Her threat carries no weight. When we were younger, she could take me down, but since I started working out after high school, I actually have some muscle. Not at much as Taylor does, but enough that I feel confident in my own body now.

“I kissed him,” I cringe, preparing to defend myself.

“You what?”

“You heard me. I’m so sorry, Ellie. I didn’t know what to do. He was pretty sure he didn’t like girls and talked about how touching and kissing never felt right to him, but that he’d never tried it with a guy before and wasn’t sure if guys were his thing or not, so I offered to help by kissing him so he’d have something to compare to, and he told me he liked it, as in really liked it, and… I’m babbling, aren’t I?”

The grin plastered on Ellie’s face answers the question I really didn’t need to ask.

“You like him,” she croons, her smile touching her eyes.

“Ellie, I’m in love with him. Have been for years now.” Not exactly sure why I told her that. I always imagined I’d take that secret to my grave.

“Really? Wow. I had no idea.”

“That’s because I wasn’t supposed to be. I always thought he was straight. As much as I tried, I couldn’t stop myself from falling for him.”

“But now that we both know he’s gay, maybe you’ll have a chance with him. He did always seem to enjoy hanging around you. Hmm…”

“What?” I ask, catching the wicked, excited gleam in her eyes. Her tears all dried up now that she knows.

“Well, now that I think about it, he has seemed happier the last few months when it’s the three of us hanging out together. Ohh… I wonder if he was talking about you when he said there was someone else.”

“I thought he used that to avoid telling you the truth.”

“No, I didn’t sense he was lying when he said that. Only that it wasn’t the whole truth.”

I let out a breath and run my hand through my hair. I can’t believe this conversation is happening right now. “Ell, I highly doubt it’s me he’s referring to. Really, what are the chances the man of my dreams would actually want me in return? Besides all that, shouldn’t you be upset or something? I mean, you guys just broke up.”

“Austin. Taylor and I weren’t gonna work. I should’ve brought it up sooner, but I didn’t want to hurt him. He seemed like something was weighing on him and I didn’t want him to worry about us too. God, if I had known that the problem was us, I could have set him free a long time ago.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You didn’t know. Hell, I didn’t know. He hid it pretty well, I think.”

“Yeah, well, you need to find him so we can clear all this up.”

“Me? He’s your best friend.”

“Yes, but he talked to you. Right now, I think he trusts you more than me.”

“Ellie…”

“Please, Austin. Just find him and bring him back here. I need to know he’s okay, and he needs to know I love him and I just want my best friend back.”

“Is that true, Ell?”

We both look up and toward the door. Taylor is standing in the doorway, hands in his jean pockets, looking between both of us. The uncertainty and worry evident in his somber expression. I wonder how much of our conversation he heard. And I just admitted to Ellie about being in love with him. Crap.

Ellie starts to move toward him, but stops and answers his question. “Of course it’s true. Why wouldn’t it be?”

Taylor take a cautious step into my room, letting his eyes wander over my personal space before settling on her again. “I don’t know, Ellie. I just… wasn’t sure how to tell you.”

“Why don’t I leave you two to talk,” I say, starting toward the door.

Taylor grabs me by my wrist as I pass him, sending a shockwave through my body and halting my exit. “No, Austin. I want you here,” he insists, pinning me with his big, soulful eyes. “Actually, I need you here.”

“Um, sure.” I glance back over my shoulder at my sister. She nods and winks at me. I should have known. She is way too understanding sometimes, but right now, I’m thankful for it, and I’m sure Taylor is too. “But if that’s the case, let’s go back out to the living room where we can all sit more comfortably.”

“Okay, but can I talk to you for a minute first?” he asks me, then turns to Ellie. “Ell, is that okay?”

Ellie smiles genuinely and comes over to where both Taylor and I stand with his hand still clasping my wrist. “More than okay, Taylor,” she replies. “Take all the time you need. I mean it. As much time as you need.”

Ellie leaves my room, closing the door behind her. The moment she’s gone, Taylor says, “Is what you said true also?”

“I’m not sure how much you heard, but yes, every word.”

“This is all new to me. Do you think you can be patient with me?”

I cock my head, furrowing my brow, not quite sure where he’s going with this. “I’m not sure I follow.”

“What if I told you I’ve been feeling the same way?”

Now my heart is racing. Thoughts of too-good-to-be-true spinning in my head. “I thought you were uncertain about all this?”

“Part of me was,” he answers immediately, finally releasing his grip on my wrist. “I was fighting so hard to be what I thought I was supposed to be. Mostly for my parents and for Ellie. But I was miserable inside. Ever since you and Ellie moved out of your parents’ house into your own place, and I started spending more time with you guys, I began to realize how much I enjoyed spending time around you. But it wasn’t until the last few months that I came to realize that I’d fallen in love with you.”

I fall back to sitting on the bed. I could swear my heart stopped beating for a few seconds. There’s just no way this is real. How can it be? For years I’ve loved this guy, knowing he could never be with me the way I’ve always dreamed, but unable to move on to anyone else. How many nights have I lain awake thinking of what it would be like if he loved me the way I do him? Imagined what it would be like to kiss him and hold him. Endless nights of making love and then falling asleep in each other’s arms.

Dreams. That’s all I ever expected them to be.

And now, the potential exists for my dreams to come true.

I press my lips together, suppressing the tears that threaten. To hear him say he’d fallen in love with me is unraveling all the emotions I’ve locked away.

Taylor sits beside me and clasps my hand in his. I relax a little more as he continues. “Everything is easier for me when I’m around you. I even feel safer when we’re close. Our kiss earlier was a shock to my system. It was exactly what I needed to understand just how miserable I was and just how happy I could be. I didn’t know how you felt about me, so when I thought I was ready to tell Ellie earlier, I couldn’t. I was so worried that I’d lose her and if I did, I would lose you. But you were right. I should have just listened to you and told her.”

“Yes, you should have,” is all I can manage, trying to keep my voice from breaking. I clear my throat. “How much did you hear anyway?”

“I came back right about the time you told her about our kiss.”

So he did hear me say I was in love with him. I look at him, my eyes wide. My heart lodged in my throat, swelling so much I can hardly breathe.

“And I would have said it anyway even if I hadn’t heard you say it first,” Taylor adds with a smile, as if reading my mind. “I do love you, Austin, and I want to be with you. You and Ellie mean more to me than anyone other than my own parents.”

“Speaking of parents, do they know?”

“Not yet. I think my mom might have some suspicions, but she hasn’t said anything. My dad though… I don’t know. I want you and Ellie with me when I tell them.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow?”

“This seems fast, Taylor. Are you sure?”

“I told you I’ve had this feeling I was gay for several years. But I had convinced myself that if I admitted it and accepted it, I would let down everyone I cared about. I realize now how wrong I was. I ended up hurting the people I love anyway while making myself miserable in the process. I can’t live like that anymore. I won’t live like that anymore.”

I tilt my face up toward his just as Taylor leans in, pressing his lips to mine. It’s just like our kiss earlier, only no hesitation this time. He urges my mouth open with his tongue and deepens the kiss. Excitement and desire rush through my veins as he cups my jawline with his hand and lays me back on the bed. Our tongues dance and explore and I feel the hot tears from earlier break free and slip from the corners of my eyes.

Taylor eases up on our kiss and pulls back slightly, rubbing a tear away with his thumb. “Baby, why are you crying?”

I inhale sharply. “Taylor. I’ve wanted this— wanted you— for so long, always knowing it would never happen. This feels too good to be true. I’m waiting to wake up from whatever dream I’m in and face reality.”

“This is real, Austin. What we’ve been living, that was the dream. Well, more like a nightmare if you ask me. It’s time we both wake up from that. So, will you come with me tomorrow? I want to tell my parents so I can move on with my life, hopefully with you in it as my boyfriend.”

Taylor as my boyfriend? Warmth pools in my core while my stomach twists in knots. But I can’t not accept. I can’t risk not having this chance again. The one person I’ve ever wanted is sitting next to me, asking me to be his boyfriend. To be a deeper part of his life. To be his.

“Yes,” I whisper, looking up into his eyes filled with hope, tinged with regret.

“Is that a yes to going with me or yes to being my boyfriend?”

“Both?” I reply, my heart still racing, but feeling less flustered than earlier. I’ve never been this emotional over anything before. I’m typically the calm and collected one.

“Good. Is it okay if I crash here tonight?”

“Do you really have to ask? You crash here all the time.”

“I know, but this time, I want to be in here with you instead of on the couch like usual.”

“I can’t promise I won’t keep my hands to myself,” I tease.

“I was kinda hoping for that.”

Chapter 3

“That didn’t take very long,” Ellie says, smiling at both of us as we come into the living room. “I was just making some hot apple cider. Did either of you want some?”

“Sure,” Taylor and I answer simultaneously. He pulls me with him to the couch. I go without question and sink down beside him, our thighs pressed against each other. His hand still linked with mine.

“Wow. That was kinda… weird,” Ellie smirks. “And cute.”

“What?” I ask.

“You guys have only been together for ten minutes and you’re already in sync with each other.”

“How do you know we’re together already?” I challenge.

Ellie arches a brow, her lips twisting into a wry smile. “Are you gonna deny it?”

“No,” I answer without hesitation. If I did, I know it’d only hurt Taylor and that’s the last thing I want to do. He’s been through enough pain lately.

Ellie brings two glass mugs of cider to the table and sets them down before going back to retrieve hers. She plops down in the arm chair and blows air over the surface of her drink in an attempt to cool it faster.

Leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, she says in a soft voice, “Is there anything you want to tell me, Taylor?”

I turn my glance to him and give his hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Just that I’m sorry, Ellie,” Taylor answers, shifting his gaze briefly to me before looking back to Ellie. “I think you know everything else by now. You’ve been my best friend for years and I should have known I could trust you enough to know the truth wouldn’t ruin that.”

“Maybe if I’d been a better friend, I would have seen it without you telling me. But it doesn’t matter now. I’m just glad you’re okay, and that you’re not dying on me.”

“Dying? What? Why would you think that?”

“I told you she was worried about you,” I interject.

“I knew you were keeping something from me, Taylor. I just didn’t know what. This… you coming out as gay… you have no idea how relieved I was when Austin told me. No more secrets between us. I mean it. Well, nothing important anyway. Whatever you guys do in the bedroom, please feel free to keep that between the two of you.” Ellie teases, wrinkling her nose in a mock look of repugnance. “I really don’t need those kind of details about my brother, or my best friend for that matter.”

I roll my eyes. Taylor seems to ignore her. “So, are we okay, Ell?” he asks.

“Yes, Taylor. We’re good. Once I get my bear hug,” she smiles.

Taylor stands and walks around the coffee table. Ellie meets him half way. I watch as he puts his strong arms around her waist and lifts her off the floor, squeezing her in a hug. The kind he always used to give her before everything got weird between them.

I can see the anxiety in his expression fade away as he hugs her and my heart swells. My sister has her best friend back and I know she couldn’t be happier for him. He sets her down and releases her.

“Well, boys. I’ve had a long and exhausting day and I have to work at the museum in the morning, so I’m going to bed. Are you crashing here tonight, Taylor?”

“Yeah, if that’s okay.”

“You know you never need to ask,” Ellie smiles widely. “I love you, Taylor. As a friend, and if it makes you feel any better, I consider you family. I’m really happy for you and my brother.”

“Thanks, Ell. I love you too.”

“Goodnight, guys. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow.”

Ellie takes her half-full mug of cider and retreats into her bedroom. I take a welcome sip of the hot drink, savoring the sweet taste. “I told you she would understand.” I take another sip. “But I get it, Taylor. You were around to see the way my parents treated me. I reminded her of that. I hope it’s okay that I told her. She was seriously upset until I did.”

“No worries. I guess it all worked out and far better than I imagined. Guess I had myself worked up over nothing,” he snorts, reaching down for the mug of cider Ellie poured for him and taking a drink.

I push to my feet and navigate around the table to stand in front of him. He’s got about three inches and probably at least thirty pounds of muscle on me and that’s when it hits me. I get to sleep with that next to me all night. Unless he’s changed his mind.

“Well, I’m going to bed now too. Did you still want to join me?”

“If you’re still okay with that,” he answers, almost unsure of himself.

“Yeah. Of course.” I walk into my bedroom. Taylor follows me and closes the door.

I let out a shaky breath. I really have no idea where this is going or where he wants to take this. Does he only want to sleep? As in, literally sleep? Or is he looking for something more. Or worse, what if he said those things earlier simply because he was curious and knew I would fall for it. My gut clenches at the thought.

“Taylor… I’m not… entirely sure what it is you want. I mean, a few hours ago, I didn’t even know you were gay, and now, we’re in a committed relationship? I just… damn it. I really am in love with you. And if things fall apart between us… I don’t think I can… I mean… and Ellie… I don’t want to come between…” I fall back on the bed and cover my face with my arm. I’m on the verge of tears, my stomach in knots, unable to finish a complete thought while trying to keep everything in check.

The bed dips beside me and I feel Taylor’s warmth as he lies down with his body pressed to mine. He takes my hand resting on my stomach and clutches it gently. “Austin. I promise this is not me just being curious. I really do love you. When you kissed me earlier, that was it. It’s what I needed in order to see clearly. What I needed to convince myself to stop living a lie. Please, give me a chance to prove that to you.”

I move my arm and squint up at him, drowning in his gorgeous, pleading eyes. “Okay. We can start with you sleeping with me. Just sleeping. Nothing else.”

“Can I at least hold you?”

Warmth trickles all the way through me. God, he sounds so sweet and innocent the way he just asked that. “Yes,” I whisper, my pulse hastening at the thought of Taylor wrapped around me all night.

“Deal.”

Taylor stands and quickly strips off his clothes. He’s already down to his boxer briefs as I work my way out of my jeans. Leaving my clothes in a pile on the floor, wearing only my underwear, I pull back the covers of my queen bed and climb in, rolling to my side with my back to him. Taylor settles in behind me and pulls the sheet and blanket up to cover our shoulders. Then he scoots closer to me, draping his arm over my side, and pulls me tight against him.

“Is this okay?” he asks.

My breath catches in my lungs. Is this okay? This is amazing. I’ve never had anyone hold me like this before. It’s so intimate. Almost surreal. I feel loved and protected. This is how I want to feel every night before I fall asleep. And the fact that it’s Taylor giving me this? It’s more than I ever dreamed.

“Austin?”

I was so caught up in how he made me feel with the one, simple gesture, that I forgot to answer. Now, I’m all choked up. I want to scream yes and tell him how I feel, but all I can manage is a hoarse, “Sorry. Yeah. Yes. I’m good. This is good.”

“You sure? Your heart’s racing. I can sleep on the couch if this is too much for you.”

I grab his hand, desperate to keep him from leaving. “No. I’m okay, Taylor. I want you to stay.”

“Alright then,” he whispers and kisses me right behind my ear. “Good night. I love you.”

“Good night. I love you too.”

I lie there, awake and resting in his arms. After a few minutes, Taylor starts snoring lightly and I realize he proved it to me without hesitation.

“I’m so in love with you, Taylor,” I barely whisper so as not to wake him, even though part of me wants him to hear what I’m saying. “Please don’t ruin my dream of us.”

“Never,” he mutters as he squeezes me tighter, and my heart soars at the fact that even in his sleep, he’s listening to me. My dream just might come true after all.

***

I shiver and pull the blanket up under my chin, a cold chill cascading through me. The warmth I had all night now gone. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I blink and roll to my back. It takes me a few seconds to realize that it’s Taylor I’m missing.

Muted light from the early morning filters in through my window. Voices echo from the other room. Knowing I won’t be able to go back to sleep, I force myself out of bed and pull on a pair of sweats. After taking a leak, I head toward the kitchen with the hopes of finding fresh coffee, but I halt in the doorway, out of sight, when the conversation in the next room becomes clear.

“So, how did you sleep?” Ellie asks.

“Good. Real good. Best night sleep I’ve had in a long time,” Taylor sighs.

“Then what’s wrong? You looked so happy last night? Like a weight lifted off you.”

“I’ll admit, it feels really good having you both know. Even better knowing how Austin feels about me. But he doesn’t believe me, Ell. He doesn’t trust me.”

“What makes you think that? He let you sleep with him last night, didn’t he?”

“Well, yeah, but—”

“You have to give him time, Taylor. Neither of us knew you were gay. And you and I didn’t even know Austin was in love with you until last night. That’s how well you both hid it. He kept it to himself because he knew he could never have you. Now, he can. So you need to convince him that this is real. That you’re certain about this. About him.”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything, Ell. When I first came over yesterday, I was so nervous. I had actually hoped you would be late getting home so I could have time to talk with him. I’ve been in love with Austin for months, maybe longer, but I had no idea if he even liked me enough to be more than friends, let alone love me.”

“Wait. You love him?”

“I do. I really do, Ell.”

Those words wrap around my wildly beating heart and push out the lingering doubt in my mind as to his intentions. He loves me. Taylor Simmons loves me.

“All this time, you’ve both been in love with each other and never able to show it. Never even knew. That’s so heartbreaking and romantic at the same time.”

“You’re such a girl,” Taylor laughs.

“Oh, you noticed?” Ellie shoots back.

I decide I’m done eavesdropping. I think I’ve heard everything I need to hear. I take a quiet step back and turn the door handle, deliberately making noise, then wander into the kitchen rubbing my face and the back of my neck.

“Please tell me there’s coffee,” I groan, acting as though I just woke up and hadn’t heard any of their conversation.

Taylor slides a cup across the counter toward me. “I thought I heard the toilet flush and figured you might get up, so I made you a cup,” he says in a sweet but masculine voice that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. “Three sugars and a splash of milk, right?”

“How’d you know?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I spend enough nights and mornings over here. Just something I happened to notice.”

My heart sputters. Such a simple thing to notice, but it’s the fact he did notice and he remembered that has my stomach doing somersaults. Our hands brush against each other as I take the cup from him. He smiles and as he pulls his hand away, I reach out with my free hand and grab his, pulling him to me and planting a tender kiss on his lips. He draws me in closer, nipping and tugging on my lips. The sweet suction sends a tingle straight down my spine and has me instantly hard. I suddenly have the urge to drag him back to bed and get him completely naked this time.

Taylor gently breaks our kiss and eases back with a glowing smile.

“You two are so cute!” Ellie squeals, quickly reminding me we aren’t alone. “Wow. I still can’t believe my brother and my best friend. This is so awesome! Eek!”

I roll my eyes. “You’re such a girl.”

“Ha! That’s what I said!” Taylor laughs.

“Don’t you have to leave for work soon?” I ask.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m going.” Ellie downs the last of her coffee and grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. “I should be home around three and I guess we’re all going to Taylor’s parents’ house for dinner tonight?”

“Yep,” Taylor answers.

“Alright. I’ll see you both later.”

“See ya, Ell.”

“Later, sis.”

Five minutes later, Taylor and I have the entire condo to ourselves for the first time since our recent declarations of love.

“You realize the whole campus will know about us by lunch on Monday,” I say somewhat unenthusiastically.

“You worried?” Taylor asks with genuine concern.

“Nah. I tend to fly under the radar and keep to myself. No one even notices me.”

“That’s not true. I’ve had my eyes on you for a long time. And I’ve seen a few others looking at you. You’re the one that never noticed them.”

I huff in disagreement. “No one wants the plain-looking, smart guy who spends his extra time immersed in classic video games and sci-fi movies.”

“Wrong again. I want you. And for the record, I like the plain, t-shirt and jeans look and that strong, lean body you’ve been hiding beneath them. No tats. No piercings. No crazy hairstyles or flamboyant clothes. I love how down to earth you are and I happen to love watching you play those classic video games. And I can’t wait for movie nights now that I can cuddle up with you on the couch.”

Taylor takes the coffee from my hand and sets it down, then pulls me against him. He tilts his head down, resting his forehead against mine and circles his arms around my waist.

“You know what else I can’t wait for?”

“What’s that?”

“I can’t wait to feel what it’s like to make love to you,” he whispers seductively. “I’ve never been with anyone before, Austin. I never wanted it with anyone before. Only you.”

Oh my heart. This guy is breaking through every one of my emotional barriers. “Me either. I was saving myself for you,” I breathe. My cheeks heat. I never intended to let that secret out. Crap. How pathetic did that sound? I’m already short, lean, and nerdy with a side of geek. Didn’t need to add lovesick, virgin loser to all that.

“Really?”

Okay, now I just want to crawl into a hole. “Yes. Really,” I reply, trying to sound confident, but failing miserably.

“Good,” he says with a crooked smile.

I knit my eyebrows in confusion. “How is that remotely close to good?”

“Because it means I’m the only one you’ll ever be with. Just like you’ll be my one and only. You’re mine, Austin. I’m never letting you go.”

Taylor’s arms tighten around me. My knees almost give out beneath me as he presses his lips to mine, capturing me in a kiss that has me melting against him. He grinds his pelvis against me, making sure I feel just how hard he is. How much he wants me. And it feels fucking incredible.

His kiss deepens, his tongue pushing into my mouth. Claiming. Devouring. And I know I can’t wait either. I want to feel him inside me. I ache to feel him inside me. But even more than that, I want to bury myself in him and watch him fall apart with me inside him.

I drop my hands to his waist, unbutton his jeans, and tug the zipper down. Reaching into his tight boxer briefs, I find his hard, thick cock and wrap my fingers around it.

“Fuck,” he moans into my mouth, momentarily pausing in the middle of our kiss but not breaking away. His hands slip down to my pajama pants hugging my hips. He pushes them down along with my underwear, just enough for my dick to spring free of its confines.

Needing to feel more of him, I push his clothes down to release his erection as well. The moment I do, Taylor wraps his big, calloused hand around both of us and our cocks touch for the first time as he starts stroking slowly. I let out a garbled moan as he resumes plundering my mouth with his tongue. My brain turns to mush and all I can think of is, if this feels this good and I haven’t even come yet, what will it feel like when he fucks me.

“Austin,” he mumbles. “Fuck, I’m so close.”

That’s all it takes to send me over the edge. I grunt, coming hard. Harder than I ever have before. Taylor hits his climax a fraction of a heartbeat after me. I don’t even know if he makes any noise. I’m too lost in my own release and focused on keeping my legs beneath me from collapsing.

I’m still panting as I come down from my high. “Shit. That was amazing,” I say between ragged breaths. Both our bodies still quivering a little as we hold each other.

“Yeah.” Taylor looks down, then looks back up at me with a slight grin. “Shower?”

“Together?” I ask, reaching for the kitchen towel. I hand it to him.

“Preferably.”

“Okay, but then I want to go out for breakfast. I need to replenish my strength.”

His eyes light up. “And after that?”

“We’ll see where the day takes us,” I grin happily.

Chapter 4

After breakfast, which actually ended up being brunch because we couldn’t keep our hands off each other both during and after our shower, Taylor went with me to run a few errands. I have to admit, having the company was nice. Having him accompany me as my boyfriend was wonderful. He wasn’t shy about showing it either, holding my hand as we walked. Stealing a kiss every now and then.

We made it back to the house with just enough time to change our clothes and have a brief make-out session on the couch before Ellie arrived home from work. I swear it was like we were making up for lost time, but I didn’t care. Kissing Taylor was pure heaven.

Now, after about an hour drive, the three of us are standing on the porch of Taylor’s parents’ house.

“You sure you’re ready for this, Taylor?” I ask, making a point not to touch him affectionately until he’s ready for it, or until both his parents know the truth.

He glances at Ellie, then his gaze catches mine and he smiles in a way that sends my heart into a frenzy. “Absolutely. I don’t want to hide the real me anymore, Austin. I love you and want to be with you.”

Taylor presses the button for the doorbell, more as a courtesy than anything. Ellie looks between us with a wide grin as he turns the door handle and opens the door. Ellie and I follow him into the small foyer and he shuts the door just as his mother rounds the corner.

“Taylor, Ellie, Austin,” she beams, pulling us each into a hug one at a time. I’ve only seen his parents on a few occasions, and every time, everyone got hugs from her. She even wanted us to call her Mom, even me, always insisting that since Ellie was like a daughter to her, then I was like a son simply by association.

“Hi, Mom,” Taylor says. “Is Dad around? There’s something important I really need to talk to you both about.”

“Sure, sweetie,” she answers. “He’s in his office. Why don’t you three settle in while I get him?” She casts a concerned, questioning glance at Ellie before turning and disappearing around the corner. My first thought is she probably thinks Ellie’s pregnant or something, which couldn’t possibly be further from the truth. Though I do wonder which news would be better received. Her only son getting Ellie pregnant and with it, the prospect of a grandchild, or her only son coming out as gay.

Ellie drags a nervous Taylor to the living room sofa and sits down with him. I take a seat beside him, sandwiching him between me and my sister.

“You okay, man?” I ask.

He nods and looks at me. His expression softens when his eyes meet mine.

Ellie grips his hand, and I know she’s only trying to comfort him. I wish I could be the one to do that right now. To hold his hand or pull him into a hug.

“Remember, Taylor. No matter what happens, you’ll always have me and Austin.”

Taylor reaches over and clasps my hand so that he’s holding onto both of us. The moment our hands touch, he visibly relaxes and I can almost feel the tension leave his body.

“Always?” he asks, directing his question more to me than Ellie.

“Yes. Always.”

Then, Taylor does the unexpected. He leans closer and kisses me. I think he intended it to be a brief peck, but as the seconds pass, he doesn’t pull away as he tenderly nibbles and caresses my lips with his. I’m so lost in the sweet, passionate slow dance between our lips, and only our lips, that rational thought abandons me momentarily. If he keeps this up, I’ll be a puddle on this couch for sure.

“Oh, thank God!” is the next thing I hear.

My heart slams to a stop and I jerk away, turning to find Taylor’s mom and dad staring at us. Him wearing an expression of shock. Her looking relieved and almost a little embarrassed, covering her open mouth with her hand from behind which I can actually see a tentative smile spreading. I feel my face flush but my attention quickly goes back to Taylor. I need to make sure he’s okay first.

Taylor seems a little confused by his parents’ reaction and if I had to guess, more so his mom’s cry of relief. Then his dad shakes his head and a smile replaces the disbelief, leaving all three of us scratching our heads.

“So, I’m guessing what we just walked in on had something to do with the important topic of conversation your mother mentioned?” his dad smirks.

Taylor lifts his head and looks at his dad. “You’re not upset?”

“Son, your mother and I have been fairly certain for a while.”

“You have?”

“We’ve just been waiting for you to figure it all out, sweetie,” his mom adds, sitting on the arm of the couch behind me. “And by the looks of that kiss, I’d say you finally have.”

Taylor’s face turns red, as does mine. Funny how, even as grown adults, his parents still have a way of embarrassing us so easily. I think it’s something natural that occurs the moment you have a child.

“What your mother’s trying to say is, this is who you are, and we love you and we’ll support you in anything that makes you happy. I gather this wasn’t the reaction you were expecting.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Taylor frowns. I squeeze his hand for reassurance.

“You were worried we’d react the way Austin’s parents did,” his dad deadpans.

Five years ago, that comment would have hit me hard, but I’ve gotten over it. My parents practically disowned me for several years before finally apologizing. Since then, they’ve made efforts to be understanding and accepting, but it’s been difficult. Having Taylor’s parents act like this is normal is refreshing and heartwarming, to say the least. I’ve always loved his parents. Now, I love them even more.

“Honestly… yes.” There’s a twinge of guilt in his tone.

His mom reaches across behind me and rubs Taylor’s shoulder. He glances up at her.

“Sweetie,” she says. “I’m sure this was hard for you, and we’re not at all offended. Now, come on, let’s eat. I made spaghetti and garlic toast. Ellie, sweetheart, would you mind giving me a hand?”

“Of course not, Mom,” Ellie beams. She pats Taylor’s thigh and stands, following Mom into the kitchen. His dad trails behind them, leaving Taylor and I alone.

“That went better than expected,” I say. “Was that how you planned to tell them?”

“No, I hadn’t planned it that way. I just needed to kiss you and then I didn’t want to stop.”

“At least we don’t have to worry about the awkward first kiss in front of them,” I chuckle.

“True.” Taylor huffs a small laugh. His face softens. “Thank you, Austin, for being here with me. It means a lot.”

Before I can respond, Taylor captures me in another kiss. A deep, passionate one that has me really wishing we weren’t sitting in his parents’ living room.

“Come on, boys!” Taylor’s mom yells from the kitchen. “Food’s on the table!”

I smile against Taylor’s lips. “We’ll continue this later.”

“Am I sleeping over again?”

“God, yes, but I can’t guarantee how much actual sleeping we’ll be doing.”

“Is that a promise?” is his response.

“Guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

***

“So, Austin,” Taylor’s dad says as I shove a mouthful of spaghetti in my mouth. “How’s your Master’s coming along? You still set to graduate this winter?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Still looking to get into video game design?”

“Dying to, is more like it,” Ellie answers for me. “I swear, he spends almost every free moment playing those silly games of his. Of course, now that he’s finally got a boyfriend maybe that will change.” She winks at me.

I look over at Taylor who’s smiling at me, but not in the way I expected. Instead, he’s looking at me like with reverence. Like he’s in love and proud that I’m his boyfriend. Like I’m everything in the world to him right now. And I’m pretty sure I’ve got that same, twitter pated look, because that’s exactly how I feel about him.

“Oh, stop staring at each other and kiss already,” Ellie says, snapping me out of my trance.

Taylor shrugs his shoulders and leans close, pressing a sweet kiss to my lips. All I can think of in those simple, blissful seconds is how great this day has turned out to be, and it’s not over yet.

Chapter 5

“Alright, guys,” Ellie says, dropping her keys on the table by the front door as Taylor and I follow her in. “I saw the looks you two were giving each other all night, so I’m going to bed so you can have some time to yourselves. Love you both. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Night, sis,” and, “Night, Ell,” are our simultaneous responses.

With that, she hugs us both and disappears behind her bedroom door. The moment her door clicks closed, Taylor pushes me against the wall, using the weight and strength of his body to keep me in place, and kisses the hell out of me. I have no choice but to open my mouth to his eager, almost desperate kiss.

“Fuck,” I groan as he grinds his erection against mine, rubbing through our jeans.

“God, I hope so,” Taylor mutters, breaking away from my lips. He nips and licks and kisses his way along my jaw and up to my ear. I try to catch my breath but the restoral of oxygen to my brain is halted by his next whispered words of desire. “I can’t wait to feel you inside me.”

Fucking hell.

“Naked. My bed. Now,” I growl, barely recognizing my own voice.

We practically sprint to my room, pulling our shirts off as we go. Taylor beats me in, dropping his shirt in the middle of the floor and kicking his shoes off. I lean back against my door to close it, toeing my shoes off as I unbutton and unzip my jeans. I push my briefs and jeans down at the same time. They catch around my ankles and I hurry to get them off, struggling and stumbling a little as I go.

Taylor’s naked ass hits the bed just as I finally free myself of the twisted denim holding me back. My socks are the last to go and I tackle the gorgeous, muscular man waiting for me in my bed. He immediately pulls my face down to his and resumes our kiss. I settle over him, my thighs between his legs, and thrust my hips against his. I can’t help it.

Our hands rove and explore each other furiously while our mouths and groins remain fused together, sliding over one another. Everywhere his skin touches mine sets me on fire, and I just want more. I break away from his lips and kiss down his neck to his chest, stopping momentarily at each nipple to flick my tongue over and around it, before continuing on.

“Austin,” he pants as I dip my tongue into his navel. He sucks in a sharp breath. “Please… I need you inside me before I go insane.”

I ignore his plea, still licking and kissing my way down until I reach that beautiful, erect penis of his lying hard against his lower abs. I press soft, teasing kisses down his shaft until I reach the base, then slide my tongue from root to tip.

“Fuck,” Taylor hisses.

I circle my tongue around the velvety, smooth head, lapping up the pearly drop clinging to the tip. Wrapping my lips around it, I take him into my mouth, slowly working my way down until I’m about half way down his rigid length. A hand on my head stops me.

“Don’t, Austin. I want to come with you buried deep inside me,” he says, threading his fingers through my hair and tugging me upward. He pulls me back to his lips, kissing me again.

“You sure you want me on top?” I whisper. He’s said it enough times, I suppose I shouldn’t question it. As much as I want it, I always imagined he’d prefer that position for himself, being the big guy that he is, and me being the little guy. I guess that’s kind of a dumb thing to just assume, but I did. And while so far, I’m learning just how much of a soft, teddy bear Taylor is underneath his hard exterior, my mind just wants one more verbal confirmation.

“God, yes,” he says, then pauses, a concerned look in his eyes. “Unless you don’t want to.”

“Oh no, I want to. Really want to. More like, need to. I just… didn’t expect it.”

“I’m open to being on top, but I want to bottom our first time. I really want you to fuck me. Make me yours. Claim me.”

Holy fucking hell. A low, primitive growl escapes me. The primal need I have to bury my dick in him, marking him as mine, is just as great as his need to feel me take him. No more foreplay. I have to him, now.

I lean away from him just enough to reach the nightstand drawer and pull it open. My fingers search blindly for the lube and a condom. When I have them in my hand, I slam the drawer shut and settle back between Taylor’s legs.

“Do I need to roll over?” he asks.

“No, I want to see you. Just pull your legs up.”

Taylor complies right away, revealing his puckered ring and I can’t help myself. I lean down and lick around his entrance. Taylor lets out a needy moan, but it’s not enough for me, so I plunge my tongue inside.

“Oh, fuck!” he cries softly, giving me just the reaction I was looking for. I keep at it for a few seconds while Taylor begs quietly for me to stop. “Shit, Austin. Fuck. I’m gonna come if you don’t stop.”

I pull away from him, feeling wickedly triumphant as he whimpers in relief. It’s probably a good thing I did because I was close to coming with just the idea of pleasuring him and having control over him. We’re both easing back from the edge, trying to hold out a bit longer. Maybe it’s time I relieve us both. I just know, once I’m inside him, neither of us will last very long.

Settling back on my knees, I grab the lube and squeeze a generous amount onto my fingers. I work my fingers slowly inside him. One finger, then two, then three. Trying my best not to send him over the edge too soon.

“Damn it, Austin! Just fuck me already!” His demand comes out breathy and more of a desperate plea. If I knew I could last, I wouldn’t stop. I’d make him come now and then again with my driving deep into his ass. Maybe next time.

I tear the condom open and roll it on, then rub more lube over my swollen cock and position myself at his entrance. Slowly, I guide myself inside his hole. After a few careful seconds, I feel the head of my dick slip past the tight ring of muscle and glide in easily until I’m completely buried to the hilt.

“Fuck, Tay, you feel so good. You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m good,” he whispers, but his eyes are closed and his face scrunched up like he’s concentrating. “You can move,” he grunts.

“Okay. But I’m not gonna last,” I reply.

“Me either.”

I ease out a little, but not all the way, and push back in. After a few times, I adjust my angle and grab his hips, sliding in again.

“Oh, holy shit! What the fuck was that?” he pants loudly, eyes wide open.

“What?” I grin, pulling out and thrusting back in again, a little harder this time.

His eyes go wide again as he gasps and moans all at once. “That! Oh my God, that right there! Is that my…? Fuck…” he moans, his hoarse voice trailing off, his eyes rolling back.

I speed up my thrusts, slamming into him hard and fast, ignoring the thumps of the bed hitting the wall. My balls slap against his ass. My fingertips dig into his skin. I pull him into me with each drive, trying to get deeper. His hot tunnel clenches around me. Faster. Harder. I feel my impending climax.

“Tay… fuck, I’m gonna come.”

Taylor lets out a garbled mix of expletives followed by a loud roar as he hits his release. I drop my eyes from his face to his spurting cock as I follow him over the edge. Whisper shouting his name as my entire body combusts with the most explosive orgasm I’ve ever experienced. My muscles tremble, suddenly weak from exertion.

Both of us still panting hard, I pull out of him and lean down for a brief kiss, bracing myself with my hands on either side of his head and praying my strength holds. Taylor grabs my face and holds my lips to his a moment longer. “That, was amazing. And perfect,” he breathes.

“As much as I would love to stay here like this and agree with you, I’m afraid if I do, my arms are going to give out on me.”

The smile he gives me weakens me even more. Before I collapse, I scramble off the bed and hurry into the bathroom. I dispose of the condom and clean myself up. Taylor is still lying in the bed in the same position when I return with a warm, damp cloth. I sit on the edge of the bed and wipe the mess from his skin left behind from our lovemaking.

Tossing the washcloth on my dirty clothes on the floor, I climb over Taylor and settle into bed beside him. Once again, just like the night before, he rolls to his side and pulls me into the curve of his body. Only this time, we’re skin to skin, nothing between us. Even this, just lying here in his arms, feels fucking amazing.

“Austin?” Taylor whispers in my ear. I can hear the sleepiness in his voice.

“Yeah?”

“I really do love you.” His voice is even softer.

“I know. I love you too.”

Seconds later, he’s out and I’m falling asleep in the arms of the man I fell in love with. Something I never in a million years thought would ever actually happen. I hope I get to do this with him for the rest of my life.

***

A NOTE FROM SAVANNAH

You may have noticed as you read this story, that there are no specific physical descriptions of people or their surroundings. I did this purposely so that you, as the reader, were free to indulge your own imagination and see the characters and settings as you would see them. I hope this added to your enjoyment of this short, romantic story and welcome you back for more.

Thank you for reading!

If you enjoyed Never in a Million, please check out more of Savannah’s gay romance short stories, also available on Amazon.

Falling for his Best Friend

Four years ago, Ryan realized he was gay. Since then, he’s also been secretly in love with his best friend, Jake. Over the years, Ryan watches his friend trudge through life, college, and several girlfriends and begins to see the same things in Jake that he’d seen in himself once.

When Jake comes home one afternoon, he’s convinced he’s just had the worst day of his life. Losing your job and your girlfriend within hours of each other will do that to a guy. So Ryan, his best friend and roommate, plans a guy’s night in to help get his mind off things.

Drunken fun turns crazy when bets are placed and ends with Jake locking lips with Ryan. What starts out as innocent teasing and a chance to make some extra cash opens Jake’s mind and heart to something he never thought of before, and for the first time in his life, he wants more. And when Ryan points out how miserable he always seems to be, Jake begins to think he may not be into girls after all…

Letting Him In

One tragic, heartbreaking experience was all it took to shatter Micah’s trust in everyone. That’s when he left home and never looked back. Now, six years later, he’s living on a secluded ranch, content and finally ready to accept a life alone. His heart is safe. That’s all that counts.

But fate has other plans.

Jonathan has been under witness protection for the last couple years after having witnessed a horrible crime that left his only family dead. The constant running and hiding and living with always changing false identities lands him on Micah’s doorstep.

Painful memories resurface for Micah the moment they meet, and it’s all he can do to not push him away. Within hours, however, Micah finds himself opening up to Jonathan in a way he’d never thought possible with anyone ever again. When Jonathan does the same, Micah realizes he doesn’t want Jonathan to leave after all.

Micah promises to keep Jonathan safe and the more time they spend together, the more Micah realizes he’s falling for a guy who might have to run again…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Savannah Brooks is the pen name of a thirty-something-year-old woman, wife, and mother, who writes romance of all kinds, from sweet to steamy to erotic, and all things in between. Stories range from short reads that get your heart pumping on lunch breaks to full-length novels that will hopefully keep you turning pages until the very end.

There is something beautiful about romance and love in all its forms and Savannah longs to show this through her writing. No lines are drawn here. It's all about love. No matter who you are or where you're from, love touches everyone.

"We don't choose who we fall in love with." – Savannah