Berto's Roses
By Ben
Part XXXIII
I heard the phone ringing in the dim morning light. I had not yet had one installed in my room, so I was not able to answer it myself. I heard a knock at the door and then it opened.
"Senor Ben?"
"Yes Manuella?"
"Sorry to wake you, but Senior Enrique is calling for you." I heard her feet shuffling across the tiled floor toward the bed. I hastily pulled the quilt over the naked bodies of Jake and myself. Manuella handed me the cordless handset.
"Thank you Manuella. Ricky? Is everything okay?"
"Everything is perfect, my friend. I was just calling to tell you that I would be bringing your hot tub and bathroom fixtures to you this morning. I should be there in two hours. Oh yes, and I have a surprise for you as well."
"What is it?" I asked. The cobwebs of heavy sleep were finally clearing from my mind.
"I cannot tell you, mi amigo, lest it not be a surprise." Ricky laughed.
"I guess you are right about that. I'll find out soon enough. How long will you be able to stay? I'd like for you and me and Jake to go to dinner or something like that."
"We shall see. It will depend on how long it takes my plumbers to install the equipment."
"Okay. We'll just play it by ear. See you in a bit." I rang off and looked up, surprised to see Manuella still standing beside the bed. She pulled the quilt over Jake's shoulders and tucked it under his chin. Shit, I never got that kind of treatment from her. Then the thought struck me that perhaps she was transferring some of her motherly affection to Jake in the absence of Berto.
"Would you like some coffee this morning, Senor Ben?"
"Yes thank you Manuella. I'll come get it after I take a shower. I handed her the phone and waited for her to leave the room before I raced to the bathroom. I peed a mighty stream then filled up the sink with hot water. I lathered up my face and scrotum. I shaved both places and neatly trimmed my goatee and pubic hair. Satisfied with that, I took a long leisurely shower.
Returning to the bedroom, I quietly dressed in a pair of shorts and a Henley shirt. The weather was warmer today and the air was clean and sweet. The smell of the rose garden brought me back to focused thought. I went into the kitchen and got myself a big mug of morning coffee. I walked through the brand- new sunroom and out into the garden.
I witnessed the last remnants of gold and scarlet from the sunrise painting the eastern sky, over the gulf. I didn't need to wonder why I loved it here so much. I walked slowly through the garden, looking here and there at the roses as I passed. Their fragrance was intoxicating, and I made mental note along the way as to where I needed to prune, which buds and flowers to pick.
I found myself at the break in the wall which led to the beach. I recalled the events of yesterday afternoon and, more so, revisited the evening Berto and I went swimming and he gave me the huge sand dollar. I smiled as I watched the gulls circling and calling in the brightening sky.
The coffee was gone and I needed to get to work on the garden. I walked back to the sunroom and set my mug on the table. Then I turned on the sprinklers and began my kneeling and duck-walk routine, visiting each rose bush, giving them individual attention. They had become my foster children and I was determined to do right by them.
I found the work relaxing and wonderful to my soul. It is impossible to describe "becoming one" with the rose garden, but at some point, you can feel the life and rhythm of each plant. You know them personally, and they know you. They trust you to do what's best for them and they are grateful for the care.
I don't know how long I had been squatting there, moving along slowly, but, suddenly, there beside mine were a pair of young, strong, brown hands, loving touching, and pruning the bush next to the one I was working with. I turned my gaze up the bare arms and shoulders, then looked into the face of Berto!
He wasn't looking at me, but concentrated on his work. Where had he come from? Was he really here or was I dreaming? I didn't know how, but there he was in his white shorts and bare feet, this beautiful man-boy. It wasn't until that moment that I realized how much I had really missed him.
Finally he turned and looked at me. A smile lit up his face and it was everything I could do not to lean over and kiss his lips. He turned his attention back to his roses and we worked side-by-side until the garden was done. Berto took the clippings to the compost heap outside the wall while I carried the cut roses for the house.
We went into the kitchen where we heard lively conversation in Spanish. Walking in we saw Manuella, Ricky, and Jake, chattering. Stepping further inside to put the roses on the counter, I noticed that Carla, too, had come and was listening attentively to what Manuella was saying.
I cleared my throat and they all turned toward the rude noise. Ricky's killer smile split his face. He walked to me with his arms outspread.
"Ben! Buenos dias, mi amigo! See? I have brought Berto and Carla with me. The did not have to go to the university today, so I brought them for a visit."
We hugged tightly and Ricky kissed me on the mouth. One of these days I was going to get used to being kissed in front of Manuella and Berto. To top it off, Jake was looking at us intently.
Manuella had prepared two huge trays of food for breakfast. I suggested we take it to the sunroom. Carla immediately picked up a tray and carried into the table, while Manuella took the other and looked at Carla's retreating back. She seemed to be assessing the younger woman and, so far, Carla seemed to be getting her approval.
We sat at the large round table. I sat next to Jake, then came Manuella and Berto, and finally Ricky and Carla sat down last between her brother and me. For my benefit, I presume, the conversation was held in English.
Berto was full of excitement as he talked about school and his roommates and what he and Carla had been doing. Everybody looked at him as he spoke. I glanced at Jake and noticed his attention was focused on Ricky and not on Berto, who was talking.
Carla was quiet unless she was answering questions. She was so polite and treated Manuella like a queen. I realized, belatedly, that she was under Manuella's microscope, so to speak. Berto's mother was sizing her up as potential daughter-in-law material. Poor girl! But, she was handling herself quite well.
We heard a truck rumble up and Ricky said it was the guys coming to install the hot tub and plumbing fixtures. The men got up to help unload the stuff. I looked and saw that Carla automatically started clearing the table and was moving the used dishes to the kitchen for cleaning. "Atta girl, Carla. Rack up those brownie points." I thought to myself.
It took four guys to bring the big hot tub through the carport and into the sunroom, via the glass doors. It was set into place and the rest of the showers, sinks and toilets were brought to their respective new locations. It was time for the plumbers to go to work. I went upstairs to let Bob know that the water would be shut off for awhile.
He was sitting at his desk, feet up on his desk and looking almost healthy again. He came downstairs with me, because I wanted him to see how everything was going to be done. He seemed satisfied and greeted Ricky with enthusiasm.
There wasn't much for us to do while the plumbers hooked everything up. Bob and I took Ricky, Berto and Jake up to Bob's office and showed them our new web site. We also talked about plans for a party before our grand opening. We all decided on a date before Jake went back to Jacksonville and I flew to Chicago. I made sure that Ricky knew that Carla and Don Chavez, as well as Jose were invited.
I also wanted to include the people who had helped us get everything done. The work, so far, had been excellent, and I wanted to be sure they were all recognized. I would talk to Carlos and his mother to make sure they would be there. I was going to have to take Jake along to help me with that.
Bob mentioned that he and Mack would be going to Mexico City while I was at Great Lakes watching my son graduate from Navy boot camp. Ricky generously made his Lear Jet available to them as well as Jose to pilot it. With the whole house empty, there would be little for Manella to do, so I suggested they take her with them.
Jake remembered that we still hadn't finished putting the windows in the studio. So we went downstairs to do just that. It became a bit of a competition with Ricky and Jake on one team, Berto, and me on the other. It seemed to go quickly, and soon we had windows installed on all three open sides.
By this time the plumbers were finishing up, the water was turned back on and they were checking for leaks. Having found none, they started filling up the hot tub and showed Bob and me how to operate the heater, pump and jets. It would take the rest of the day to heat the water to a comfortable temperature.
Regretfully, Ricky announced that it was time to get back to San Augustin. The plumbers loaded up their gear and headed out. Carla got and gave out hugs to everybody-even Manuella. Berto opened her door for her and then shut it after she got in.
Berto hugged me and then his mother. She stuck her finger in his face and said something in Spanish. Whatever it was, it caused him to blush deep red. Ricky and Jake were having a hard time trying to keep from laughing. Berto got in the back seat, still embarrassed.
I got a kiss and hug from Ricky. So, to my surprise, did Jake. Ricky gave Manuella a big hug then slipped behind the wheel of the sleek, blue Mercedes. With a wave, they were gone. No tears this time. It was an unexpected treat to see Berto and Carla. They would be back in a couple of weeks for the party, anyway.
I asked Jake what Manuella had told Berto. He replied, "She told him to keep his dick in his pants and his mind on his studies." No wonder he was embarrassed. At least she had the tact not to say it where Carla could hear her. Of course all of this made me wonder if Berto was actually having sex with Carla, or anybody else.
It was siesta time and Jake seemed unusually anxious to go to bed. He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to my room. His cock was semi-hard before we got there. He asked, "Is Ricky's partner as hot as he is?"
I gave him a sideways glance and said, "Yeah, Jose is pretty damn hot. Why?"
"I was just wondering if maybe they'd go for a four-way sometime. Do you have any pictures of Jose."
"Yeah I have a lot of pics of them together. Would you like to see them?"
"Hell, yeah! Let's have a look!"
I booted up my computer and found the directory I had set up with the pictures I had taken in San Augustin. We looked at the picture by the pool with both Rick and Jose in Speedos, then the pics of them making love. Jake was positively drooling.
"So, Ricky has a Prince Albert, huh? Nice. You're right, Jose is pretty damn hot, too."
"They're a lot of fun, both together and separately. But they're very much in love."
"I can tell that by the pics, man. They make a great looking couple. Turn that thing off and let's go to bed." Jake was almost tearing my clothes off and had his mouth all over my face, neck shoulders and chest. He literally picked me up and tossed me into the middle of the bed and then pounced on me.
Still fully clothed, he sucked my entire cock into his mouth and created a huge vacuum. It was like some powerful aphrodisiac had taken hold of him and he was devouring my cock like a mad man. I had to make him stop two or three times to keep from cumming too soon.
Jake got off me long enough to take his clothes off and flip me over on the bed. He lay his body on top of mine and began licking and sucking my ears and the back of my neck. His hands were everywhere at once. He began working his way down my back.
When his hands got low enough, he placed them between my legs and spread them as far apart as they would go. He then grabbed and parted my ass cheeks and buried his mouth against the hole. His lips, tongue and teeth all worked together on my pucker, causing exquisite pleasure.
Jake reached under me and pulled my hard cock straight down. Once again, he started sucking it. He sucked in both of my balls as he shoved a finger up my spit covered asshole. He was being kind of rough, but I wasn't ready to stop him yet.
He licked his way up my crack and then my back again. As his tongue reached my ear, the head of his cock reached my asshole. He took my earlobe between his teeth and bit down on it, not to hard, but I definitely felt it. At the same time, he pushed his entire cock up my ass with one strong shove.
"Aaauughh", I hollered. "Are you trying to split me in half? Take it easy, Jake."
"Oh man, Ben. I'm sorry but I am so turned on after looking at those pix, and your ass feels so good. I just want to fuck you hard."
"Well, let me get used to you being in there, for Pete's sake. Then you can take it however you want to."
By this time, I was okay, and it was a good thing I was because Jake never slowed down. Hie fucked me hard for a long time. He pounded my prostate and I leaked precum all over the bed beneath me. Jake held my hands down and licked, sucked, kissed and nibbled my ears, neck and shoulders.
It was almost like being raped, and I wasn't getting into it at all. I just wanted him to finish and get the hell off of me. I loved making love with Jake, but this raw fucking was not my cup of tea. I guess seeing Ricky and Jose had really gotten his fire stoked.
The heavy panting in my ear turned to a whimper and then a shriek as Jake's body tensed up on top of mine. He drove his cock deep into me and held it there. I felt it spasming out his cum. Jake was gripping my hands tightly as he came. I could tell it was a powerful orgasm, and when it finally subsided, he completely collapsed on top of me.
I half crawled-half rolled out from under Jake. His chest was still against my chest and his cock was still in my ass, but he fell asleep almost immediately. I lay awake and wondered what to do. This was a side of Jake I never even suspected, and I didn't like it at all.
I didn't feel special like I always had when we made love in the past. I felt like a warm hole into which he deposited his semen. I felt used, almost dirty. My feelings were hurt because he didn't even seem to care whether I enjoyed it or not.
As his cock softened, I felt it slide out. Jake was snoring loudly and I just wanted to take a shower. I got up and turned the water on full blast. I took a long shower, cleaning all the bad feelings away. I turned off the water, dried and got dressed. I quietly walked through the house and out to the garden.
I could tell that Berto had been here. It was if the roses knew of his presence, too. Each flower held its head a little taller. The leaves were all of a greener, happier color. I walked on to the beach and took a long walk, enjoying the solitude.
There weren't even any gulls to interrupt the murmuring of the gentle surf. The sun was high and the breeze kept thing from getting to hot. These were perfect conditions for thinking.
"What the hell just happened?" I asked myself. How could Jake, a guy so sweet and loving, be so uncaring and almost brutal? This was a man I would have considered spending my life with just hours ago. It's not that I feared him, it's just that I wasn't sure I totally trusted him anymore.
What if it's just a one-time thing? By the time I knew for sure, I might be in so deeply, that I could really be hurt, both physically and emotionally. I didn't want to leave myself open to abuse. What Jake did might not fit that category, but it was as close to it as I ever wanted to get.
The walk took a long time and when I got back, Jake and bob were sitting in the sunroom, enjoying a beer. They were laughing and having a good time. Jake turned to me and saw my face.
"Hey, where did you go? I woke up and you were gone. Is everything alright? What's wrong, Ben?" "Jake, we need to talk."
Ah, something is happening here...Where are we going with this? You just have to ready the upcoming chapters. Write to me at ben_sc@hotmail.com. If you haven't read any of my other stories, check them out under the "Authors" link. Look for "Lyle Benton".