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His mother’s unexpected visit put Tré behind schedule, and he had to hustle to make his flight. He’d made it to the airport in the nick of time and plopped down in his seat just before the flight attendant closed the cabin door. Tré used his hour in the air wisely, going over the things Brandon had said in their hotel room to make sure he understood his partner’s concerns: there was an issue with physical intimacy and Brandon worried Tré would leave him behind, either to strike out on his own or leave professional wrestling altogether. When he thought of it that way, it became ridiculously easy to understand Brandon’s fears, which made Tré even more ashamed that he hadn’t.
By the time Tré got off the plane, he had an idea how he was going to address each problem. He would show Brandon with words and action how important he was to him, and that he wasn’t going to let them break up so easily.
In the rental car parking lot, Tré used Google maps to find a location for Target on the way to the arena. He hit the Start Navigation button for the one closest to him and pulled out into the airport exit lane. Thankfully the drive there was short, and the parking lot wasn’t crowded when he pulled in.
Hoping to get in and get out, Tré grabbed a hand basket, then changed his mind and pulled out a cart just in case. The cart he’d chosen had a squeaky, wobbly wheel, but he didn’t bother to turn around and exchange it for another. Time was short, so he just squeaked his way over to the ethnic hair section in the beauty aisle.
Tré went through and grabbed everything he’d seen Brandon use over the years: wide-tooth comb, coconut oil, shea butter moisture cream, a spray bottle, hair elastics. He threw everything he could think of in the cart, most of it from the As I Am line. It was pricey, but Brandon liked their products. He was on his way back up front to the registers when someone called his name.
“Tré Montgomery?”
He stopped and turned around. A young fan stood there, a star-struck expression on her face.
“Oh, wow. I thought that was you! Is it okay if I get a picture?”
Tré smiled at her. “Of course.”
She rushed up to him, her blonde ponytail bouncing with her excitement. Tré started to ask if she wanted him to take the picture since he was much taller than her, but the fan snagged a passing customer and got them to take it.
“Are you going to challenge for any titles soon?” she asked after they’d taken the snap and she’d checked to be sure it came out okay.
Tré grinned. “You’ll have to watch the show and find out.”
The young lady laughed. “I guess you can’t give me any backstage news in the middle of Target. Thanks for the picture!”
She went on her way, and Tré continued on to the register. While he waited in line, he decided to go ahead and get something important taken care of instead of waiting until he was at the arena. He pulled out his phone and opened the text app to send a message to his boss.
“Alex. I hate to do this, but can I skip the next couple of shows after tonight?” The text bubble floated on his screen for several seconds before Alex’s reply popped up.
“Why?”
Tré groaned. He didn’t want to get into it, but he figured if he was asking to be let off work with such short notice when he was already advertised to appear, he owed his boss an explanation. “I need to go and straighten some stuff out with Brandon.” This time the text bubble didn’t show. His screen stayed blank until Tré grew impatient and typed another message. “Come on, Alex. Every ticket says card subject to change. It won’t be the end of the world if I miss one weekend’s worth of shows.” A few seconds later, he finally had his answer.
“Okay. If you need it, you can take off the rest of the loop.”
Tré grinned at his phone in relief as he typed. “Thanks, boss. See you soon.” He slid the phone back into his pocket and started unloading onto the belt. The woman checking him out clearly didn’t recognize him as anyone famous and politely chatted him up as she scanned his items. She looked at the wide-tooth comb and hair elastics, then at his own short hair.
“This must be for your girlfriend. How nice you’re shopping for her.”
Tré smiled. He felt free to be honest since the cashier didn’t know who he was. “Boyfriend actually. I’m going to do his hair for him.”
She pressed her hand over her heart. “Oh, that is so sweet. I’d cry and give my girlfriend whatever she wanted for a month if she detangled my hair for me.” The cashier reached up and poked at the heavy-looking bun of curly hair on top of her head. “This takes hours to do. I’ll give you a tip, make sure you work from the ends up when you’re working on the tangles.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Tré said as he swiped his card.
The cashier handed over the receipt. “Good luck,” she said with a wink.
Tré smiled and thanked her again, took his bag, and went out to his rental car. Lunch hour traffic made the roads a little crowded as he made his way to the arena, but he still managed to arrive and check-in fifteen minutes before call time. Inside the locker room, Tré sat on a bench with his phone in hand. He stared down at it, debating whether he should call Brandon or just fly out and show up. He liked the idea of a romantic surprise arrival, but would hate to make the trip to South Carolina if Brandon wasn’t even there.
“Hey, Tré. You got a minute?”
He looked up to see Joe in front of him. “Yeah, man. What’s up?”
Joe sat down on the bench next to him. “It’s about Brandon.”
“What about him?”
“Look, I don’t want to get in your business. But I just wanted to let you know there’s rumors going around that he’s the one selling FPW spoilers.”
Tré’s hackles immediately went up at the slander coming from Joe. “It’s funny how you’re the only one I’ve ever heard bring that up. Brandon told me he overheard you bad-mouthing him.”
“I might be the only one who’s said it in front of you or Brandon, but others are thinking the same. I’m just giving you a heads up so you can decide whether you want to stay tied to someone who might be up to some shady dealings.”
Tré stood, looking down at Joe with his arms crossed over his chest. “First of all, I know how to handle my own shit without unwelcome advice from you or anybody else. Second, unless you have actual proof that Brandon is guilty of anything, I suggest you keep my man’s name out of your mouth.”
“Fine,” Joe snapped as he stood as well. “Just trying to do a good deed and warn you. Don’t blame me if you drown going down with his sinking ship.” Joe spun on his heel and left the locker room.
Tré sucked in a deep calming breath, determined not to let that little shit ruin his optimistic mood. He would get through tonight’s show, then he was going to win his boyfriend back.
***
Brandon spent two days frantically making phone calls, driving to the bank, and hiring a courier service as he set his plan in motion. But he didn’t let Tré know what was up just in case it didn’t work out as he’d hoped. And he made both Alex and Chance swear they’d keep his plan a secret.
His first phone call had been to Joseph, and he’d learned that GWS was in fact willing to take twenty percent off the buyout. Once they had a concrete number, Brandon had worked with Joseph on getting the payment settled up. With the hope of speeding things along, he’d given his lawyer a few gentle nudges. It was imperative that he was in the all clear by today. Refusing to doubt that it would happen, Brandon booked a flight to Washington, DC, packed his gear, and made the trip.
Now, he sat outside in the parking lot of the DC arena in the driver’s seat of his rental car. Alex rightly insisted they do everything by the book and not give GWS any reason to hold up the process. Which meant he wasn’t allowed in the building until they sent over the contract saying everything was cleared. Besides, Brandon didn’t want to go in and ruin the surprise he had for Tré. So, he sat there in the car, watching the damn show on his phone. Tré’s segment was up next after the commercial break.
Brandon nervously popped the knuckles of the second finger on each hand. GWS was taking forever to send the documents over on purpose, he knew it. Fuckers.
When the commercials started, Brandon switched screens, impatiently tapping through to his email just in case the message had come through since he’d checked thirty seconds ago. Still nothing. Damn it. Cold defeat started to settle in his gut. His plan wasn’t going to happen. Out of desperation, he tugged the screen down, forcing the email to refresh. And there it was. The bold letters of an unread email from Joseph Naderi. “Ah! Yes, finally!” He opened it up to read Joseph’s personal message.
My apologies for the wait. I sent it as soon as I checked everything over to make sure there were no issues. You’re in the clear to re-sign with FPW and go back to work. Good luck!
Brandon threw the door open and got out of the car, nearly tripping and falling to the pavement in his rush. He grabbed his bag from the trunk, shoved his arms through the straps of his backpack, and took off in a near sprint across the parking lot. At the door, he gave his name to security and was let into the arena.
Backstage, he didn’t bother going to the locker room to drop off his stuff. There was no time for that. He ran straight for gorilla. As expected, Alex and Chance were both there, watching the action on their monitors. Brandon looked at Chance’s screen and saw that Tré was still in the ring with Chad. He’d made it just in time.
“Got it!” He took his phone from his back pocket, made sure the email was up, and held it out to Alex.
Alex took the phone, eyes narrowed in concentration as he read through the message. When he was finished, he passed it back to Brandon. “Cut it down to the wire, but it’s a go.”
Brandon grinned, his heart pounding with excitement. “And he doesn’t know, right?”
“No clue.”
“Perfect.” Brandon bounced on his toes, ready to get out there and win his man back. He was dressed in ripped jeans and a plaid shirt, but he didn’t need to worry about changing into ring gear since they wanted it to look like he’d run in from the street.
Alex watched the monitor for a few moments, then pointed at Brandon.
Brandon took a deep breath and stepped up to the curtain. It was time.
***
The ring bounced under Tré’s feet as he body-slammed Chad to the mat. Even though Brandon’s return had been delayed, Chance had decided to keep Tré in the tag champ’s sphere. When things with Brandon and GWS were cleared up, the groundwork would already be set for the two teams to enter into a feud together. Of course, Brandon had said he wanted to end their partnership, but Tré wasn’t buying that. He hadn’t said anything to Alex or Chance that might cause them to change their plans, and as far as he knew, Brandon hadn’t said anything to them either.
As soon as this match was over, Tré was out of there and heading straight to the airport. He’d booked a red-eye flight to Charleston, and he would have to haul ass from the arena to make sure he caught it. For now, he had to push his impatience to the back of his mind and put on a good match. Chad was a good hand to work with. He played his obnoxious gimmick so well that the crowd loved seeing him get his ass kicked in the ring. They went back and forth, both of them getting in their crowd-pleaser moves until it came time to wrap it up. Tré ended it with his hard-hitting clothesline for the victory.
Chad immediately rolled out of the ring after losing. Tré planned to make a quick exit as well. But as he stood there with his hand raised by the ref, he heard footsteps rushing him from behind. Tré tensed, but the ref’s signal of a quick squeeze to his palm let him know that something was up and to roll with it.
When the blow to his back came, Tré dropped to the mat. Navy blue boots flashed into his peripheral vision as Brad assaulted him with a fury of kicks and knee drops. Chad climbed back in the ring and joined in. Tré went with it, curling up into a defensive ball. He’d get a signal when and if he was supposed to fight back.
The bell rang again and again, a strident demand from the officials that the Hampton Bros let up on their attack. But the beatdown didn’t stop. Chad and Brad took turns stomping on Tré over and over while the crowd booed. More refs ran down the ramp, jumping in the ring to try and pull the tag champs away from Tré. The two big wrestlers just shoved the smaller men aside and continued. Tré assumed this was going to go into the commercial break and the Hampton Bros would eventually stop on their own. To his surprise, however, the crowd suddenly erupted with cheers and screams.
Tré turned his head just enough to look toward the ramp. What he saw shocked the hell out of him. Brandon was running toward them, dressed in street clothes, his face hard with determination. He jumped up into the ring and started whaling on Chad and Brad. Tré hid his smile as he struggled to his feet. He didn’t know how this had come about, but he was all in for it. He took on Brad while Brandon traded blows with Chad on the other side of the ring.
They threw the champs over the top rope at nearly the same time, their rhythm syncing into place as though they hadn’t missed a single day wrestling together. Then they backed up toward the center of the ring, keeping their eyes on the Hampton Bros as the two skulked away. When Tré and Brandon bumped into each other, they spun around and stared. Tré was shocked. Brandon looked wary. Tré took a step back. So did Brandon.
The crowd was still going nuts. Brandon glanced around the arena as he rubbed the nape of his neck. After a few moments, he looked back at Tré and held his hand out.
Tré stared down at it, then up at his old partner, but he didn’t move to accept the handshake.
Brandon pushed it forward a little more. “I’m sorry.” He shaped the words clearly, so that the audience could read what he was saying and the cameras would pick it up.
Again, Tré looked down at the hand. He turned to the crowd, an unsure look on his face. They started chanting, Shake his hand! Shake his hand! indicating they wanted him to accept the peace offering. Tré raised his hand, holding it just out of reach of Brandon’s. Again, Brandon apologized, and he took a step closer, bridging the gap between them. The crowd chants grew louder, stomping feet joining in until the arena rumbled with noise.
Tré finally accepted the handshake, clasping Brandon’s hand in his own. They smiled at each other before Tré pulled his partner into a hug. The crowd erupted, the chant dissolving into loud cheers and applause. Tré whispered into Brandon’s ear, “They’re glad we’re back together.”
“So am I,” Brandon whispered back. “And I’m really sorry for leaving. Will you be my partner again?”
“Hell yes.”
They broke apart after that, remembering they were in front of cameras and a crowd of several thousand people. But as Tré smiled down at his lover, he couldn’t bring himself to be too concerned. Leaving the ring, they made their way up the ramp, accompanied by cheers the entire way. They were both grinning when they made it behind the curtain.
“That was perfect,” Alex said.
“Thanks, boss.”
Brandon reached out to shake Alex’s hand. “And thank you for keeping my plan a secret so I could surprise him.”
“You’re lucky I love a dramatic finish. Keep that energy up. We’re going to make your reunion and feud with the Hampton Bros a big part of the next month’s pay-per-view. If it gets the crowd hyped enough, we’ll make your match the main event.”
Tré’s eyebrows shot up in shock. “No shit?” Tag team matches rarely closed the show. That slot normally went to singles competition.
“No shit,” Alex said with a smile.
“In that case, we’ll definitely bring it,” Brandon assured their boss.
They each shook hands with Alex on that promise before leaving to let him direct the rest of the program. Brandon started walking toward the locker room, but Tré put a hand on the back of Brandon’s neck and steered him down a dark hallway.
“Where are we going?”
“I need an out of the way spot to talk to you for a minute.”
“Uh-oh.”
“No uh-oh,” Tré said. “I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you’ve decided to be my partner again. What changed your mind?”
Brandon looked up at Tré, a small, hesitant smile on his lips. “I realized I was running away, just like I always have. I ran away from several foster homes as a kid. I took off from my adoptive family as soon as I turned eighteen, and I ran from you because I didn’t know how to handle the changes in our relationship. I want to stop running and put down roots. With you.
“I know this might sound dorky and be even dorkier to admit it in a dark, dusty hallway in a sports arena, but you’re my home, Tré. The house in Isle of Palms is just a big ass closet for my stuff. No matter what city we’re in, or what hotel we’re crashing at, I always feel at home when I’m with you.”
Tré eased his arms around Brandon’s slim waist, tugging him close. “You’re my home too, B. My partner in every way. No matter what, I’m not leaving you. If we ever decide together to end the Pittsburgh Power Machine, I’ll still be your home. I love wrestling and have no desire to leave it for any other career.
“But if something were to happen and I had to leave the ring to do something else, I’d still be on the road with FPW, right by your side. I might not have sought out wrestling as a career, but this business is in my blood now. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Brandon nodded, his eyes sparkling in the dimly lit hallway. “I know you’re not. I had an early morning epiphany on the beach. I was using my history to judge you for things you hadn’t even done yet.”
Tré squeezed Brandon tight. “For something I’ll never do.”
Brandon didn’t respond, he just leaned forward and tucked his face into Tré’s neck. They stood there quietly, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Eventually, Tré released his hold on his lover so Brandon could step back. “Come on, let’s go.”
They made their way to the locker room so Tré could take a shower. Brandon sat on the bench in front of Tré’s locker, waiting while Tré gathered his stuff.
“Shower fast so we can get out of here.”
Tré looked over his shoulder at his boyfriend. “What’s the rush?”
Brandon smirked and raised an eyebrow.
“We still have a two-hour drive before we get to the hotel, eager beaver.”
Brandon shook his head and stood. “You’re crazy if you think I’m waiting that long. We’re getting a room here in DC tonight.” He stepped close, tucked his fingers into the waistband of Tré’s trunks, and yanked him forward into a kiss.
The kiss was hot and passionate, but Tré could feel the joy and love that spurred it. When it ended, Tré pressed his forehead to Brandon’s. “It’s like that?” he asked in a soft whisper.
Brandon smiled. “Oh, it’s definitely like that,” he said before stepping back with a saucy wink.
Tré laughed and went to take a very fast shower.
An hour later, Tré sat in the passenger seat, Brandon driving to the hotel where he’d made their reservation. Staying overnight meant they’d have to get up earlier than usual to make sure they made it to the next town in time for tomorrow night’s show. But Tré didn’t mind. He wanted to celebrate Brandon’s successful return to FPW TV and their reunion just as much as his partner did.
They pulled into the hotel parking lot, grabbed their bags, and made their way to the front desk. It didn’t take long to check in, and once they had magnetic key cards in hand, they were on their way to the room. Tré used his card to open the door and stepped inside. Brandon immediately dropped his bag and pulled Tré into a kiss.
Tré returned it, but stopped before it got too hot and heavy. He hated to put the brakes on his boyfriend’s happy enthusiasm, but he wanted everything settled between them before they went any further. Gently cupping Brandon’s shoulders, Tré eased them apart.
“Before we get naked, we need to address something.”
Brandon’s brows drew together in a frown. “What?”
“I don’t know the best way to bring this up, so I’ll just be honest. I’ve noticed there’s something going on with you when it comes to sex.”
Brandon abruptly stepped back, his expression shuttering.
Tré let him have his space, but didn’t let the topic drop. “Hey. We’re a team, remember? That means we work stuff out together as a team. I understand if you were nervous about saying something before. But we can’t move on and enjoy our sex life if we don’t clear this up.”
Brandon sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “We do have a great sex life. But ummm...” His shoulders slumped and he looked down at the floor. “Sometimes I get stuck in my head and lose the moment. Once that happens, it takes forever for me to get back into it. Sometimes I can’t get past the block, and I’m just not able to have an orgasm.”
“Okay.” Tré nodded. Now that he knew the issue, they could figure out how to address it. “Has that happened with us?”
“Yeah,” Brandon said, rubbing his neck again. “The night the roster paid my buyout money.”
Tré made sure to keep his voice soothing and his expression open. He didn’t want Brandon to feel attacked and close off as a result. “That wasn’t a good night for you?”
“It was, but there was a lot going on, and I couldn’t stop thinking about everything. Before I knew it, I was too busy blaming myself for the non-compete fiasco to stay focused on sex.” Brandon paced away as he talked. “It’s like my mind and body are on two separate planes. I can feel the arousal and I want to come, but it’s in the background while my head runs wild with a bunch of nonsense.”
“What do you normally do to try and get back in the mood?”
“Close my eyes and wish real hard?”
Tré laughed softly. “I have a feeling that’s not very helpful.”
Brandon snorted his own laugh. “It’s not.”
“What do you think will help?”
“Just...being close to and really connecting with my lover.” He took a step forward, erasing some of the space he’d put between them.
“And that lover is me and only me.” Tré crooked a finger, and Brandon continued forward until he was close enough for Tré to pull him back into his arms.
“Yeah,” Brandon said as he looked up with a smile. “Being close to you and not even having a second to think. Our first time together, we were touching and kissing so much, and I was so happy you felt the same way about me, that I didn’t have a chance to get in my head. The night you let me top you, I was excited, and it was new and amazing. That made it easy to stay in the mood. But the times I said no, it was because I was worried I’d freeze up and uh...” He paused as his face went red. “And I’d have to fake it.”
Tré rubbed Brandon’s back. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to fake anything. I love being close to you and kissing and touching you. Whatever you need to feel good during sex, I’m happy to do, okay?”
Brandon drew in a deep breath, slowly breathing out before he answered. “Okay.”
“I have a surprise that might help too.”
“What is it?”
Tré released him. He went to the head of the bed, grabbed two pillows, and tossed them to the floor on top of each other. “Take your shoes off, have a seat, and I’ll show you.”
Brandon looked confused, but followed Tré’s directive. Tré went over to his luggage to take out the Target bag, then into the bathroom to grab a towel and fill the spray bottle with water. Brandon watched with open curiosity until Tré took a seat behind him.
Tré guided Brandon to scoot back, so that he was between Tré’s knees, with his back resting against the side of the bed. As a spur of the moment idea, he grabbed his phone and queued it up to soft R&B station with the volume on low. Only then did he take all the supplies out of the bag.
“I wanted to do your hair as a way to show how much you meant to me. But I think it could help you relax too. Would you like that?”
Brandon breathed a quiet laugh. “More than I want the main event match of any show ever.”
Tré smiled at that. With permission granted, he got started. He picked up the spray bottle filled with warm water and misted Brandon’s hair. Once it was damp, he opened the jar of shea butter. The warm scent filled the room as he smoothed the cream through Brandon’s hair. Using his fingers first, Tré ran them through the long curls to loosen some of the easier tangles.
Next, he picked up the wide-tooth comb. Keeping the advice of the friendly cashier in mind, he started at the ends of Brandon’s hair. He went slowly as he combed, not wanting to tug and cause any discomfort. This was all about making his boyfriend feel good and relaxed. Apparently, it was working, because Brandon’s breathing turned slow and easy, and every so often, a content little sigh slipped into the quiet room.
Once Tré could run the comb through the strands with ease, he set it aside. But he wasn’t finished yet. He massaged Brandon’s scalp then down to the nape of his neck. He’d noticed that Brandon often rubbed that spot when he was tense or upset. It was no surprise the muscles there were tight. Tré pressed in with his thumbs, rubbing in circles until they loosened, and Brandon melted against the side of the mattress.
“That feel good?” Tré asked in a whisper.
His head hanging forward, Brandon moaned his answer. “Mmmm...”
A satisfied smile curled Tré’s lips. Brandon might be the one on the receiving end of the relaxing treatment, but Tré was loving this just as much. He was happy, finally taking care of his partner the way he’d dreamed of doing for so long. For the last step, Tré opened the jar of coconut oil. The scent always reminded him of Brandon. Now it would make him think of this night with his lover.
He scooped out a small amount and rubbed it between his palms. Then he ran his hands over Brandon’s hair. Brandon finally spoke, so low Tré had to lean down some to hear him.
“This is better than a back massage.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” He drew the word out on a long, relaxed breath. “It takes me so long to do my hair myself that my shoulders always get tired and sore.”
“I’ve seen you lift men twice your size up over your head.”
Brandon wrapped an arm around Tré’s leg. “I know, but detangling your own hair is harder. Trust me.”
Tré laughed and straightened, gently working the coconut oil through Brandon’s hair until it was completely absorbed. When he was done, Brandon’s curls were soft and sweet smelling, gleaming under the hotel lamp light. Tré closed the jar, put everything back in the bag and set it on the floor. Brandon hadn’t moved, other than to let his head loll against Tré’s knee.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Tré said as he wiped his hands clean on the towel. “Now come here.”
Brandon languidly rolled to his feet and stood in between Tré’s legs. “Are you gonna do my hair every time before we have sex?”
“No.” Tré grasped Brandon’s slim waist, holding him still. “But I’m going to do my damnedest to make sure you feel good. And if it’s not happening for you, let me know if you want me to keep trying or let it go.”
“You shouldn’t have to do that.”
“It’s not something I have to do, B. It’s something I want to do. Because you matter to me.”
Brandon closed his eyes, swaying slightly in Tré’s hold. “I love you so much.”
Tré sucked in a breath, surprised at the sudden declaration. Before he had a chance to respond, Brandon’s eyes popped open.
“Was that too soon? Should I take it back?”
“Do you want to take it back?”
His dark gaze locked on Tré’s, Brandon silently shook his head.
“Good.” Tré tugged Brandon down to straddle his lap. “Because I don’t want you to.” Tré raised his hand and placed it over Brandon’s heart. It thundered beneath his palm. “So fast. Will it slow down if I tell you I love you too?”
“Maybe. Or maybe it’ll just explode.”
That made Tré laugh. He reached for Brandon’s hand and brought it up to rest over his own heart so he could feel how hard and fast it was beating. “I love you, Brandon.” Tré watched as his lover closed his eyes again.
“This is the best day. I’m in a hotel room in a random city, but I feel like I’m at home.”
“I told you, B. I’ll always be your home.” Tré smoothed his hand up to the back of Brandon’s neck to pull him closer for a kiss. Their lips met, soft and sweet, each of them whispering their avowals of love again. Tré eased to his back on the bed, bringing Brandon down with him.
“Should I undress first?”
Tré smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Clothes will come off when they come off.” He pulled him into another kiss, this one deep and intense. He liked Brandon on top of him, their bodies pressed together so close he could feel when his lover grew hard. Tré rolled his hips up, making sure Brandon knew he was in the same place of arousal. They kept kissing until Brandon was rocking against him and moaning into Tré’s mouth. Tré pushed a hand down the back of Brandon’s jeans, squeezing his ass and letting his fingers tease at the sensitive skin where ass and thigh met.
Brandon gasped, hips jerking at the touch.
“You like that?” Tré asked, his voice already gone rough with arousal.
“Yeah.”
“What about this?” he asked as he moved his hand over so he could dip his fingers into Brandon’s crease. He circled the pad of one finger over his entrance, tapping it lightly before easing the tip inside.
Again, Brandon gasped, pushing his ass back into Tré’s hand. His mouth hung open, but he didn’t speak. He nodded his answer instead.
Tré teased Brandon with the tip of his finger before he slid his hand back up to Brandon’s slim waist. “Take off your pants.”
Brandon fumbled with his button and zipper, then wiggled out of his pants and briefs while he was still on top of Tré.
Once the pants were off, Tré gripped Brandon’s hips, thumbs slotting into the sharp indentions of his pelvis. Using light pressure, he guided Brandon to resume his rocking movement from before. Tré was tempted to take off his own pants so his lover’s bare cock could rub against his own. But he wanted to give Brandon all of his attention for a little while longer.
Tré smoothed his hands up Brandon’s back, then around to tug and twist at his nipples. This time he didn’t have to ask. Brandon sat up and whipped the shirt over his head then stayed upright, his dark eyes glassy with desire as he stared down at Tré.
Tré took in the sight of his lover completely naked, legs open and spread over his lap. Brandon’s gorgeous golden skin was flushed and glowing, the tiny brown disks of his nipples tight and hard. Tré put a hand on the hard ridges of his abs, feeling the firm, defined muscles before following the soft line of hair farther down. Brandon’s erection rose up, stiff and swaying as Tré brushed a finger over it. “Kiss me.”
Brandon immediately dropped back down and pressed their lips together. Tré slid his tongue in Brandon’s mouth at the same time he gripped his ass with both hands. Their bodies rolled together, kisses losing their finesse as their arousal spiked higher and higher. Brandon finally broke away to whisper in a shaky voice.
“Tré, please.”
Tré immediately flipped them over so he was on top. He rose from the bed to strip out of his clothes and grab a condom and lube from his bag. Then he slowly lowered himself back onto the mattress, settling between Brandon’s legs so he could kiss a path down his body. He brushed his lips over neatly trimmed curls, then over, teasing his lover’s hot, throbbing length with whisper-light kisses and soft licks. To his amusement, Brandon’s cock jumped as though it were trying to get closer to his mouth.
“Tré.” Brandon’s voice was just shy of a whine.
“Hmmm?” Tré playfully hummed the question. His only answer was Brandon’s ragged breathing, so Tré gently prodded him to speak. “What do you want, B?” He brushed his open lips over the slick head of his cock. “Tell me.”
“Your mouth. Suck me— Ah!” He choked off with a sharp cry as Tré gave him what he asked for, sucking him into his mouth. Brandon rolled his hips up, sending his cock sliding deep until it hit the back of Tré’s throat. Tré relaxed and accepted it, letting his mouth get wet to ease the slide when he started sucking. Using one hand, he kept Brandon’s cock steady as he bobbed his head up and down. While with the other, he teased and played, cupping the weight of Brandon’s balls, trailing his fingers down to stroke the soft skin behind them, then easing a lube-slick finger inside his hole.
Tré sucked and licked at the same time he curled his finger inside his lover, gently rubbing and pressing against his prostate. His efforts had Brandon writhing and gasping, fingers twisting in the sheets. But that wasn’t enough. Tré kept pushing until Brandon’s legs were twitching, his hole clenching on the finger inside him.
By the time Tré rose up, Brandon was sweaty and flushed. Tré obviously couldn’t see into his head, but he was certain his boyfriend’s mind was on nothing but the pleasure Tré was giving him. Wanting to make sure it stayed that way, he guided Brandon’s hand to his own erection lying damp and straining on his belly. “Give me something to look at while I get ready.”
Brandon bit his lip, but a moan still slipped free as he started stroking himself.
Tré enjoyed the sight of Brandon’s fist slipping up and down his cock while he worked to roll the condom on, then cover his sheathed length in lube. Once he was prepared, he lowered his hips between Brandon’s spread thighs. Tré rubbed the head of his cock over Brandon’s entrance before he slid inside.
His first stroke in was easy, thanks to his lover’s eager mood and body. Hooking an arm under Brandon’s leg, Tré raised his knee, pressing it up against his chest. Tré pumped his hips back and forth, watching his lover’s face grow tight with pleasure-filled tension as Tré sank his cock deep inside him again and again. As they made love, Tré thought how much Brandon meant to him. Without planning to, he started whispering praise to his lover.
“You’re amazing, Brandon. So brave for coming back to me.”
Brandon raised his lashes and met Tré’s gaze. “You don’t—”
Tré cut him off. “Sssh. Just listen.”
Lips parted as he panted, Brandon nodded.
Tré started again. “You are amazing. I love being your partner and your boyfriend.” His words were rushed and breathless as he moved, but he continued. “I want to be with you always. No one else could make me so happy.” He pushed in hard, making Brandon gasp. “And no one else could make me feel so good.” Tré leaned down until their lips were just touching. “I love you,” he whispered. Then he kissed him.
Brandon moaned into their hot, openmouthed kiss. He flung one arm around Tré’s neck and held on tight, while he slipped the other between them to take his cock in hand again. Tré heard the wet slide of his stroking, even over the sound of panting breaths and the creaking bed. He kept rocking into Brandon, faster and deeper, until he cried out and started to come.
Tré whispered a curse. Brandon’s rolling hips and ass squeezing tight on his cock brought his own climax rushing up. His stroke changed, thrusts becoming fast and shallow as his cock throbbed and his balls drew up tight. Tré pressed his mouth to Brandon’s neck, groaning against damp skin as his cock pulsed his release.
They stayed pressed together for long moments, their heartbeats and breathing gradually slowing. Finally, Tré gently pulled out and rolled off his boyfriend. To his surprise, Brandon cuddled in close. They always relaxed together after sex, but it wasn’t usually like this. Tonight, Brandon was practically glued to him. He’d slipped one leg between both of Tré’s and slid an arm up his back in a hug. Tré didn’t mind. He loved it actually. As they lay there, Tré stroked his hand over the curve of Brandon’s ass and pressed kisses to his soft, coconut-scented hair. Holding Brandon like this made him feel needed and important.
“That was amazing.” Brandon eased back just enough to look up at Tré. “You didn’t have to—” He bit his lip. “You really focused on me tonight.”
“Sex is supposed to be enjoyable for both of us. How can I enjoy myself if you’re not into it?”
“I guess I didn’t think of it like that. I was too busy being worried that you wouldn’t want to deal with me and all my problems.”
Tré shook his head, rejecting Brandon’s statement. “That’s not a problem. It’s us working through an issue and finding our rhythm in bed as lovers, just like we did in the ring as tag partners.”
Brandon laughed. “Well, when you put it that way, it makes sense.” His laughter eased into a soft smile. “I love you.”
Tré squeezed Brandon in a hug and kissed his forehead, happy they were together and at peace with everything it had taken to get them there. “I love you, too.”
