Toledo's Turn

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Chapter 1

"Hey, Tol, get your ass moving! I need to get home." Uncle Dan's voice boomed from behind me like an old-time radio baseball announcer. I could just imagine him lugging the giant cooler he brought his lunch and snacks in as he headed for his truck. He'd seen me and knowing that I was caught, even though there was nothing to catch me at, I felt a blush rise in my cheeks. I hoped it was hidden by my dusky skin and dark tan.

"See you later, my ride's going. I...," I stared at Cole Hansen and couldn't come up with a thing to say. I turned and held up a single finger to my uncle, telling him just a second. Cole was looking at me and smiling with a knowing grin. The knowing part pissed me off and I turned to walk away. He caught my shoulder and stopped me as he moved closer, close enough I could feel the heat from his body, smell the sweat he'd worked up during the day.

"I could give you a ride home, Tol." His breath brushed over my ear as he uttered the simple offer in a tone that meant anything but simple. Against my better judgment my prick wanted to accept. Three years ago I'd have already been in the cab of his pick-up, ready and waiting. I looked at my uncle who was turning red in agitation and shrugged Cole's hand off my shoulder.

"What would your wife think about that?" I said it over my shoulder without even looking at the guy. I picked up my own cooler, straightened my shoulders and walked away. I didn't really want to walk away but I knew I'd be kicking myself later if I didn't.

Uncle Dan didn't say a word until we were in his truck and on the highway. He somehow managed not to look at me until the buildings and shops of the greater-Boston area had slipped south to be replaced by trees and grass. I'd spread my legs and slumped in the seat, trying to ignore Dan and not think about Cole. I adjusted the vents for the AC for the twentieth time, couldn't get cool.

"What did that asshole want?" I'd known this was coming, just surprised it had taken him this long to finally let it out. Uncle Dan wasn't known for his patience. Not my biological uncle, Dan had been my Dad's friend since they were eight and they'd grown up together. I wondered what he knew about me and Cole, what my Dad might have told him.

"He was just saying hi, that's all. Can't even say hi to people?" I knew I sounded like a whiny, sullen brat but I couldn't help it. Curse of the youngest child.

Uncle Dan finally looked at me, a `Don't give me that bullshit' kind of look. "I'm not a sucker, kid. I don't know what was going on back there or what happened in the past. What I do know is that he treated you like shit once upon a time, that he's married with two kids and you shouldn't be talking to him at work." Wow, the full on lecture, I hadn't seen that coming.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, but it wasn't like that. Seriously, I ran into him and he just wanted to know how I've been doing." Sure, it was a lie, but only a little one. Uncle Dan, of all people, wouldn't want to know the details, I assured myself.

"Just be careful, Tol, that's all I ask. I don't want to see you get hurt again. I may not understand the whole gay thing, but I know an asshole when I see one." The last part struck me as hilariously funny. I started to say, "So do I," only managed to get out "So," before I busted up laughing. Uncle Dan finally caught up and he laughed too, dispelling the tension.

By the time we finished cracking up we were almost home. Dan dropped me off at the house with a parting word of advice. "Seriously, kid. Stay away from that guy, especially at work." I nodded and thanked him through the open window, shrugging off his words before he'd even driven away. It was Friday and work was done. I raced up the stairs by the old barn, up to my apartment and the shower I desperately needed.

With the hot water running over me I let my mind drift back to Cole and our unexpected meeting. Uncle Dan and I were working at a condo development in Brookline, one of the few jobs around. Dan and I happened to be at the top of the list at the union together and both got hired for the construction job, better money than maintenance work. It had been perfect because we could carpool and it would make the forty-five minute commute easier.

That day we'd been running more wire, double checking the plans to make sure we didn't mess anything up. Uncle Dan is a master electrician and, strictly speaking, my supervisor. The plumbers showed up and there was Cole. It was like a punch to the gut, I hadn't seen him except in passing since his marriage. I pushed the surprise to the back of my mind and concentrated on work, ignoring the other men working nearby.

I did take the time to notice that he was still hot. Six-two and built like a linebacker, with black hair and blue eyes. The firmness of his scruffy jaw and the tight fit of his white t-shirt proved he hadn't let himself go. If anything he looked leaner, more cut and defined. His hair curled at the nape of his neck in the same way I remembered, where I used to run my fingers through it. Hard to ignore, that was Cole, especially when he was working. His shirt would ride up as he squatted down, a hint of the crack of his hairy ass showing. I tried not to look.

At the end of the day he'd caught me throwing trash into the large dumpster in the back, must've seen me through the framing of the building taking shape. He called my name, gave me fair warning he was coming, and approached me with a cocky grin. He must have been remembering the easy control he once had over me but I wasn't a nineteen-year-old kid anymore.

"What's up, Cole. How's the wife and kids?" I smirked at him and saw the twitch of his lip, a sneer that wanted to form. He played it cool.

"They're good. What've you been up to? I mean, besides keeping tabs on me?" Busted, I looked away from his eyes and found myself checking out the bulge in his worn jeans. He laughed and his hand passed over the denim encased ridge. Feeling like more of a fool I looked up at him, running over options of what to say in my head. That's when Uncle Dan caught me.

I let the water rinse the soap away and contemplated jerking off, thoughts of Cole making me half hard. I'd been a kid, a stupid boy with a crush, an obsession. The truth was that I'd let Cole use me, only to happy to service him whenever he had the time or need for me. I hadn't realized it was all one sided until he told me his girlfriend was pregnant and they were getting married. When I started crying he'd said I was just a nice mouth, a hot ass to use. Live and learn, I'd done both.

My family had thought I was suicidal, but I was just depressed and feeling sorry for myself. They watched me too close and I got over it. Vowed to never make the same mistake. Three years later, I was twenty-three and a grown man. I should have been mad but in my shower I admitted to myself that there was still some sick, oily part of my brain that still wanted Cole. Images of his naked body flashed through my mind. Remembering the time we'd fucked in the back of his truck while everyone was watching the fireworks on the Fourth.

Luckily my little water-heater snapped me out of it when the water turned cold. I shut it off and jumped out. My Mom probably had dinner on the table already. I dried off and got dressed, thinking that I was glad I hadn't given in to temptation even though it wasn't by my choice. I had to wonder if Cole kissed his wife the way he'd kissed me.

I jumped down the steps and crossed over to the main house to let myself in. My Mom was in the kitchen pulling a roast from the oven. I went through the hall to help her, pulled the heavy pan out and put it on the butcher block in the middle of the big kitchen with a smile. She'd made my favorite.

"Thanks, son." She hugged me and pushed the damp hair off my forehead. "How was work today?" She had on her funny little apron with the dancing cows on it, always made me smile.

"It was good. Thanks for the egg salad sandwiches, they were delicious." I rubbed my belly for her and licked my lips. She pulled dishes down from the cabinet and smiled as she handed them off to me.

"Is that Toledo? Tell him to come in here," my Dad yelled from the living room. Like I couldn't hear him myself. I put the dishes down and walked across the hall. He was watching the news with the phone pressed to his ear. When he saw me he stood up and handed me the phone. "It's your Uncle Dan, he needs to talk to you." I pressed the phone up to my ear, they must have been talking awhile because the plastic was warm from my Dad's ear.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked him.

"Tol, I got a side job tomorrow. Sorry it's kind of last minute. You want to make a little extra money?" I did, but damn it had been a long week and I had the farm chores to do besides.

"Uh, yeah, sure. What time and where?" I could always use more money and my Uncle Dan was more than generous with splitting it evenly when it came to side jobs.

"Okay, I'll pick you up at eight tomorrow. Just bring your tool belt. I have everything else we'll need. See you then."

"Cool, see you tomorrow. `Bye."

"Have a good night. Don't stay up too late." I clicked off the phone, exasperated.

I wandered back into the kitchen where my Dad was setting the table and my Mom was putting the food out. My Grandma wandered in with a big basket of fresh vegetables from the garden that she put on the counter by the sink. She said something to my Mom in Portuguese that I didn't catch. I could speak it enough to get by, understood more, but my Grandma could lay it down so fast it was hard for me to keep up. I went to help set the table then took my seat, looked like it was just the four of us tonight. My brothers and sisters must all be busy.

"You going to do that job tomorrow with Dan?" My Dad asked me from the head of the table. I pulled some bread from the basket as my Mom and Grandma joined us.

"Yeah, he's picking me up at eight." I dug some butter out of the tub while my Dad carved the roast and passed it out. "He didn't say what it was, though. Did he tell you?"

"I'll tell you about it later," he said. It was kind of odd but I shrugged it off and served myself some carrots and potatoes.

"Oh, wow, Mom, this is so good." I moaned around a mouthful of food. She smiled at me with that look, don't talk with your mouth full.

"Dan says," my Dad said as he looked at me and paused. "That boy is working there in Brookline. The one you met at that office building job." Oh shit, I thought. My Grandma cursed in Portuguese, looked like she wanted to spit on the floor.

"Um, yeah, I ran into Cole today." I should never have told them about him. If they hadn't been hiding my shaving razors I probably wouldn't have. "Listen, it's no big deal. That all happened a long time ago." I put my fork down on the plate. "I'm over it, there's nothing to worry about. Besides he's married now, has two babies. Can we just eat?" I dug into my food and stared at my plate, listening to the silence. "What's going on with Lisa?" My sister and her pending divorce were always good for changing the subject.

The rest of the meal passed in a heated discussion about my sister and her problems, Grandma throwing her comments in like grenades to rile everyone up. After we'd eaten my Dad and I went out to see to the cows. My parents had bought the little farm back in the seventies when it was in the middle of nowhere, a little south of the New Hampshire state border. It had always been more of a hobby than a working farm. At right around seven acres it was just enough land to support the cows we had for milk. Uncle Dan and Aunt Erma had two acres next door.

"So what's the deal with the job tomorrow?" I asked my Dad as we worked.

"Oh, you remember Tom Johnson? He used to come around when you were little for poker night and barbeques? Had a boy that was, I think, five years older than you?" I only vaguely remembered a kid with blond hair who'd stopped coming over when I was around seven. Somewhere between my age and the eight years that separated me from my youngest sibling, he'd always ended up playing with me like I was the consolation prize.

"I kind of remember the son. Whatever happened to them? I just remember they stopped coming around."

"Tom's wife died and he had a really hard time of it. He went a little crazy. Anyway, he died in October and his son took over his business. Now he's renovating the place and called Dan for some help with the electrical." We finished with the cows and left the "new" barn, still called that though it was at least ten years old.

"So why the secrecy?" We'd stopped by the little flower garden between the house and the old barn.

"Well, it's a porn shop. You know that one right off the highway? By the second exit?" I knew the place, had never been inside. I shrugged and nodded. "Your Mom and Grandma wouldn't approve but the kid needs the help and Dan won't cheat him. We owe it to Tom, in a way. I appreciate you helping out. Just don't mention where it is, okay?"

"Sure, no problem." My Dad placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed.

"You're a good man, Son. I can't help it if I still worry about you."

"I know. Thanks, Dad." I pulled him to me and gave him a hug. We said goodnight and I made for my apartment. My Dad and I had renovated the old loft when I was in high school. I had a bedroom, bathroom and a living room/kitchen area. It was almost more than I needed since I ate most meals with my family. I watched TV for an hour and went to bed.

Saturday morning I was up early as usual. I took care of some chores, fed the chickens and had breakfast before Uncle Dan showed up. My Mom had packed me a lunch and I threw the cooler on the back seat in the extended cab as I climbed into the truck.

"Morning, Uncle Dan. How you doing?"

"Good. Thanks for helping me out with this. Had a message from the guy yesterday when I got home. He wants the work done ASAP." He was wearing the typical white t-shirt and jeans, almost the same as me.

"Cool, thanks for ratting me out, by the way." I grinned to let him know I was just teasing. I should've expected it anyway. We laughed and joked as we made our way to the highway and crossed over to New Hampshire. There was the little porn shop, just like I remembered. I'd never been inside and I wondered who did go and hadn't they heard of the internet?

"So, what are we doing?" I asked.

"He just wants a lighted display case built into one of the walls. He's doing most of the work himself. He was saying that it's mostly just paint and finishing stuff, but this is beyond his skill level." He pulled up and parked, the only car in the lot. I noticed the big "Closed for Renovation" sign on the blacked-out window.

"Easy money," I laughed. We climbed out of the truck and grabbed our tools. We had to go inside and see what we were up against to determine what else we'd need. Uncle Dan approached the door and knocked. A guy opened the door, took us and our tools in with a look of confusion that slowly cleared.

"Hey, you must be Dan." He stuck out his hand and opened the door wider. "I'm Bobby. Vin said you'd be coming by. He went to Home Depot, should be back soon." Uncle Dan shook the guy's hand and stepped inside. My hands were full so Bobby didn't offer to shake with me but we nodded at each other. He was young, probably in his mid-twenties, with cut-off denim shorts and a paint-splattered tank top. He was in good shape, attractive in a way but came off as trying too hard. Maybe it was the plucked eyebrows and too-blonde hair but something about the guy turned me off.

I walked into the shop, expecting all kinds of crazy naked pictures of female porn stars but the place was practically empty. There were a bunch of wood shelving units pushed together in the middle of a huge open space. The walls had been lined with pegboard, some of it painted white. The few support beams were square and obviously in mid-repair. No nude women with giant breasts anywhere. The back wall was completely bare in the middle and that's where we were headed. There was just a hint of old cigarette smell, fresh paint and something like plastic or rubber.

Bobby knocked against the wall and said, "This is it. Vin wants a recessed display case right here to showcase new or interesting products. I'm just here to help out painting and cleaning up today since I don't really know anything about this." He waved around the big room like it was the most perplexing thing he'd ever seen. I wasn't one to make assumptions but he was setting off my gaydar big time.

"We'll get to work but we'll have to talk to Vin about what he wants first. This is Tol, he's helping me out today. Let's start bringing stuff in, Tol." I put down my tools by the wall and the short sledgehammer I'd brought in. I shook Bobby's hand and he held mine for a little longer than necessary. I smiled at him and pulled away to follow Dan back to the truck.

"Tol, let's just wait here until Vin gets back. We can't really do anything until we know more about what he wants."

"It's all good. My Mom packed some cinnamon rolls for me, you want one?"

"Ugh," he groaned. "That would be perfect. I got a thermos of coffee, too. Shit, I guess we'll start by taking a break." He lowered the tailgate and we got the food and drink out of the cab. I passed over one of my rolls and got a Styrofoam cup of milky coffee in return. We ate and talked about work, what we'd have to do on Monday.

An old Mustang pulled into the parking lot and parked next to Dan's truck. I hopped off the tailgate and threw my empty cup into the pile of trash littering the bed of the truck. The owner of the Mustang got out like he was unfolding himself from the driver's side.

He was tall with brown hair streaked lighter by the sun. He had on the coolest sunglasses I'd ever seen, something I'd break within a day of owning them. He was wearing a washed out, blue t-shirt with the sleeves and neck cut out and faded brown cargo pants. The outfit showed off his lean body and nice arms without overdoing it. I had to wonder about the spiky black tattoos that ran out of the holes of his shirt and down onto his pumped biceps, what was hidden underneath on the skin of his back and shoulders.

He walked over to us with his hand extended to Uncle Dan but I could feel his eyes on me. "Hey, Dan, it's been a long time." He smiled wide, showing off lots of white teeth, and pumped Uncle Dan's hand with both of his. Uncle Dan grinned back.

"No shit, huh? It's good to see you, kid." Uncle Dan said and let go of Vin's hand to pat my shoulder. "This is Tol, John's son. Not sure if you remember him?" Vin turned to me and pushed his glasses up onto his head.

"Holy shit! Toledo Pereira? I remember you, wow, we were just kids. You used to follow me around like a little puppy when I'd come to your house. How you doing, man?" He gave me the double-grip handshake and our eyes met. I recognized him now, the bright blue eyes bringing it back for me. My first crush on a boy, even though I'd never realized it until that moment. I felt him focus more on me and a different kind of recognition rocked through me. I knew he wanted me and saw that I wanted him. We continued to shake hands, eyes locked, until Uncle Dan cleared his throat. We disconnected and Vin turned to Dan.

"I gotta thank you guys for coming out. I'm almost done and I decided to get this display thing put in at the last minute. I want to start putting out products and setting up this week, so I really appreciate this."

"No problem," Dan replied. "Just let us know what you want and we can get to work."

"Okay, come on in. You met Bobby?" Uncle Dan said we had as we followed him into the shop. "Hey, Bobby, the paint's in the back of the car." Vin called out. We followed him to the back wall and Bobby emerged from a back room. Vin tossed the keys to Bobby, who fumbled them but managed to get them before they hit the ground.

"So, I want it to go right about here." Vin rapped on the wall. "Right at eye-level. It doesn't have to be very deep, maybe five or six inches. I have some stuff in the back but if you need anything else just let me know and I'll go get it for you. Me and Bobby are going to finish painting and putting up the pegboard. Seriously, let me know if you guys need anything."

He and Uncle Dan discussed some more specifics while I checked Vin out. He had a really nice ass. The worn brown khaki hugged his curves perfectly. He was just barely taller than me, probably around six-two or three. His waist was small and I could see his abs behind the tight t-shirt when he breathed in. He'd definitely grown up good, hot enough to make me worry about sporting wood all day.

"Come on, Tol." Uncle Dan broke me out of my staring and I realized they were both watching me, Vin with a smile that showed he hadn't minded. "Let's get started." I followed Dan back to the room Bobby had come from. It was full of boxes but there was an open space at one end where there was a backdoor. The door was propped open to let the air in and there was a pile of supplies right outside. Lengths of two-by-four, a stack of sheetrock, sawhorses, a selection of power tools and more made up the pile.

Uncle Dan and I talked for a few minutes about what we needed and where to begin. I started uncoiling extension cords and laying them out. While Dan and I were both electricians by trade we had plenty of experience between us for this kind of job. The morning passed quickly and we got a lot done despite my constant checking on Vin and what he was doing. By the time lunch time rolled around I was up in the crawlspace over the shop running wire to the wall with the display case.

Dan and I snaked the wire into place and he called me down for a break. Vin and Bobby were hanging another sheet of pegboard when I entered the shop. I wondered what the relationship was between them. I'd been paying attention to them all day and I got the impression they were just friends.

"Hey, Vin," Uncle Dan called out to him. "We're gonna grab something to eat. We'll be right out front if you need anything." Vin nodded then put down his hammer and came over to us.

"Why don't I go get us some subs? Treat you guys to lunch for all the help you're giving me? I know a little place that makes the best Italians and it's just down the road."

"Nah, you're paying us to do this. I don't want you to go out of your way." Uncle Dan told him. Personally, an Italian sounded just about perfect to me.

"No, Dan, I insist. Let me just call it in and I'll be back in thirty minutes. Okay?"

"Well, if you insist...," Dan looked from my pleading expression back to Vin. "A sub sounds really good."

"Perfect, I'll be back before you know it." He turned as he pulled his cell out of a pocket and yelled to Bobby, "Hey, man, what do you want?" I turned to Uncle Dan and smiled.

"Let's start cleaning up some of this mess while he's getting lunch," Dan said. I nodded with a "sure," and went to get the broom.

"Hey, Tol," I heard Vin call out. I hadn't taken more than a few steps and I turned to face him. "Want to come with me?" I looked at Uncle Dan for permission, he nodded with a smile and roll of his eyes.

"Sure, let's go." I followed Vin with a grin on my face out to his car. I walked over to the passenger side and opened the door as he climbed in behind the wheel.

"Thanks for coming along. I'd've invited Bobby but he's getting on my nerves. He offered to help me out but he's whining more than working." Vin talked while he raced down the road.

"Yeah, I know how that goes." I couldn't think of anything better to say, but better lame than awkward silence.

"Yeah, well, I guess I shouldn't complain since the guy is helping me out. There's a lot more work to do than I realized. Shit, I still can't believe you're here. I used to love going over to your parents' place. They still have it?"

"Yeah, fewer animals but it's pretty much the same. I live there too. Me and my Dad built an apartment in the loft over the barn when he had a new barn built."

"I bet that's nice. All the comforts of home and your own place? Sounds just about perfect."

"I like it. Plus it lets me help my parents out since I'm the only kid still around. I can do all the heavy lifting for them."

"Ha," he snorted. "It looks like you do lots of heavy lifting. Who would have guessed that skinny little kid would turn out looking like you do?"

"Uh, thanks," I replied hesitantly, too modest to know what to make of his comment.

"Seriously, you look way better than most of the models in those skin flicks I sell."

"Well, you're not exactly hard on the eyes either." He took his eyes off the road to meet mine with a big smile.

"You got any plans for tonight, Toledo?" Shit, this was getting better and better.

"Not anymore. Why, you wanna do something?" He gave me a full on shit-eating grin.

"Yeah, I wanna do you." He put his free hand on my thigh and squeezed. His hand felt good and almost distracted me from what he'd said. That had to be the cheesiest line I'd ever heard and I laughed out loud.

"Did you really just say that?" He smiled wider but put his hand back on the steering wheel while I couldn't help laughing harder.

"So... seriously, you want to hook up tonight?" I got myself under control and nodded like a fool.

"Heck yeah. Where and when?" I was up for whatever he wanted. The slow build-up and sly glances all morning had me raring to go.

"I have a ton of shit to do so it'll have to be later. And my place has become storage for all the stuff from the shop. How about I come over to your place around... seven?" He looked from the road to see what I was thinking but the huge grin on my face must have made my answer obvious.

"Excellent. You remember how to get there?" He was pulling off the road into the parking lot of a little deli as I asked.

"Yeah, but if I have any problems I'll call you." He parked and pulled out his cell and pressed a few keys. "Okay, give it to me." I rattled off the number for my cell and he put it in his phone. When he was done he called me and clicked it off when my phone rang. "There now you have mine, too. Wait here, I'll be right back." He hopped out and went into the deli while I saved his contact information. I stared at the entry for Vin Johnson in my contact list. I tried to check the silly grin on my face before he came back, but it was hard.

As he got back into the car he handed me the bag of subs before putting on his seatbelt and reversing out of the parking spot. I could smell the pickles, onions, peppers and fresh baked bread. It made my mouth water. I looked over at Vin and watched him drive, relaxed and confident, like he owned the road. I remembered him as a kid, running around the farm with me following, willing to do whatever he wanted. It was starting to look like things hadn't changed.

"So, you work with Dan?" He startled me out of my little daydream.

"Yeah, sort of. Right now we're on the same job together, some condos down in Brookline. Electrical, but we both know a lot about other stuff, that's why he took the job for you."

"He's a good guy, I really appreciate you guys coming out at the last minute... Hey, wait a minute. Are you out to your family? I didn't even think of that when I decided to show up at your house." His eyebrows drew together in concern.

"Yeah, I'm out. It was sort of an accident, but they're cool now," I said with a laugh. He gave me a look, like he was left out on the joke.

"How do you `accidentally' come out?"

"My Dad, my brother John and I were watching a Red Sox game. I was fourteen. My Dad made some comment about how good Manny Ramirez was going to be for the Sox. I guess I was kinda' hypnotized by the game and I just blurted out `Yeah, and he's hot, too.' I realized what I said and turned to my Dad in shock. He looked at me like he was shocked and John just started cracking up. Then I started cracking up. It was out there and I couldn't take it back, you know? And that was pretty much it. My Dad had a really hard time with it at first but now it's all good. Does your... I mean did your father know about you?"

He'd been smiling during my story but now the smile faded and his knuckles went white where he gripped the steering wheel and he sat up straighter. "Nah, he didn't know. We weren't very close before he died."

"Oh, um... sorry to hear that." We were pulling off into the parking lot of his shop.

"It's no big deal. Let's eat, I'm starving." We were both quiet as he parked and we got out of the car and went in with the food. Uncle Dan and Bobby had set up some empty paint jugs for seats so we sat and passed out the subs. They were as good as Vin had promised and none of us really talked while we dug in except to say how delicious the subs were.

We made short work of the food and got back to work. Dan and I had the display case finished by three. Vin and Bobby were in the backroom putting more shelves together when we found them. Uncle Dan called out, "Hey, Vin, we're all done. Come and check it out." Vin followed us into the big main room and looked really pleased with the finished project.

"It's perfect, just what I imagined." He shook Uncle Dan's hand, then mine. He pulled out a wad of bills and counted the money out, handing it to Dan. "Thanks again, guys, for helping me out. You'll have to come and check it out next week when we open."

"Ah, I don't think my old lady will let me but Tol can check it out and fill me in later. We'll see you around, kid. Let me know if you need anything else." He patted Vin on the shoulder and picked up the last of our tools.

"Yeah, see you around. Tol, I'll see you at seven." I bit my lip, I should've known I wouldn't get out of there without Uncle Dan finding out about our "date".

"Okay, see you then." I nodded to him and Bobby and shrugged our tool belts higher onto my shoulder and followed Dan out the door. We climbed into the truck and I sensed Dan silently laughing as he started it up.

"Just spit it out, whatever you have to say, Uncle Dan," I said with a sigh.

"Nothing to say. You got a date and I'm happy for you. That Vin is a total hottie." I stared at him in stunned amazement, shocked to hear Uncle Dan say something like that. He started laughing and we both dissolved into laughter. We drove home, neither one of us able to go more than a few miles without laughing.

Back home, Tom, my oldest brother's car was in the driveway along with Aunt Erma's. "Looks like I'm staying for awhile," Uncle Dan said.

"Yep, I think you're right. I'm gonna go shower, see you in a few." I jumped out of the truck, grabbed my lunch cooler, and took my tool belt out of the back. Uncle Dan pulled around to park in front of the house while I headed up the stairs.

I took half an hour to trim the hair around my dick, pretty sure I'd be getting lucky, before I got in the shower. I paid special attention to getting clean, then another half hour on picking out what to wear. After shaving, trying to do something with my hair, splashing myself with cologne and getting dressed I'd spent a little more than two hours getting ready. Finally I was checking my ass out in the mirror to see how the baggy cargo shorts looked on me. I realized what I was doing and laughed at myself. I pulled on a green polo shirt, it made my eyes look extra green, and hustled out the door to the house.

I walked up onto the veranda and thought how I hadn't spent so much time getting ready for a date since I was in high school. I shook my head at myself and opened the kitchen door. My Mom, Grandma, Aunt Erma and my sister-in-law Susan were all working around the kitchen. I closed the door quietly behind me.

"Look at all these beautiful women. Whatever you're cooking smells good," I said. I walked up to my Mom and kissed her cheek while peeking over her shoulder to see if there was anything ready I could steal a taste of. My Grandma caught me and slapped my shoulder as she pulled me down for a kiss. I had to make the rounds and hug and kiss Susan and Aunt Erma. My brother, Tom, must have heard the commotion because I saw him walk in holding my little niece, Emma.

"Hey, there's Tol." He put Emma down who ran over to me, squealing. "Wow, you look all dressed up, little brother. Is all that just `cause you knew I was coming?" Tom said it with a goofy grin and I knew instantly that Uncle Dan had spread the word about Vin.

I grabbed Emma before she could barrel me down and scooped her up into the air before bringing her close to my chest. I hugged her tight as she wrapped her little legs and arms around me. "Hey there, pretty girl. Did you come to have dinner with me?" She giggled against my neck and I danced my fingers over her side to make her laugh even more. I kissed her cheek and shifted her to my hip to face the rest of my family.

"So, what exactly did Uncle Dan tell you all?" I let my gaze bounce between my Mom and my brother, Tom. I knew Tom would have something to say.

"He said you and Vin Johnson were making goo-goo eyes at each other all day and he practically had to do the job by himself." The jerk always had a smart-ass comment. I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Thomas Pereira, leave your brother alone," my Mom interjected. My Dad and Uncle Dan came in to see what was going on.

"Listen, all of you, this isn't a date or anything. We're just reconnecting. Vin wanted to know if you guys still had the farm so I invited him out for dinner. You all have to promise to be nice or I'll just make him something at my place." I tried not to feel guilty about the half-truth. Emma squirmed so I let her down.

"Toledo, it's just Saturday dinner, you can invite anyone you want." My Dad spread his hands as he spoke and smiled at me and continued. "We'd all like to see Vin again, it's been too long, so this is nice what you're doing. And if it turns out to be something more, what's wrong with that?" Tom snickered and his wife, Susan, smacked his arm. He turned a hurt expression on her and my Grandma smacked his other arm, which made us all laugh.

Chapter 2

By the time Vin arrived it was five past seven and dinner was ready. I'd garnered promises from every one of my family members, even little Emma, not to do anything that might embarrass me. I hoped he wouldn't mind having dinner with the family. We hadn't made any specific plans and the whole thing had somehow taken on a life of its own.

At the sound of his car I went out onto the veranda and waved to him to park in front of Tom's truck on the circular driveway. He approached me with a smile and a bottle of wine. I leaned against the post at the top of the short stairs, trying to look relaxed and casual. As he got closer he gave me a wink that had the blood rushing into my cheeks and south to my crotch. My smile grew wider in return.

"How's it going, Vin?" His smile turned wicked.

"Better now. I've been looking forward to this all day." The inflection of his voice intimated more than what he'd said and caused a little shiver to race up my spine. He was wearing a light-blue button up shirt, untucked with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, and jeans over sandals. His strong forearms, covered in golden hair, looked sexy. Not to mention the little peak of his chest hair, the same golden color as that on his arms, curling from the open neck of his shirt.

"We're having dinner with the family first, I hope you don't mind?" I took the bottle he offered and let my fingers glide over his. I looked at the bottle and glanced up from under the dark fringe of my lashes. "Thanks," I wasn't sure if I was talking about the wine or his showing up.

He mounted the last stair and leaned into me. I tipped my head to him and he leaned in for a kiss. Our noses met seconds before our lips touched. I was expecting just a simple kiss and was surprised when I felt his tongue trace the seal of my lips. I opened to him with a sigh, almost dropping the bottle of wine. He licked along the rim of my bottom lip before I ran my own tongue over his and into his mouth. He pressed his body against mine and my back met the post I'd been leaning on.

"Is Vin here?" I heard my Dad call out from inside the house. Vin pulled back from me with a last little flick of his tongue on my top lip. I smiled into his blue eyes.

"What's for dinner?" He asked with a chuckle. I only realized that his hands had been on my hips when he let me go.

"We're having chicken Piri-Piri. I hope you like spicy?" I opened the screen door and let him in before me.

"I love spicy," he said with another wink. I couldn't stop grinning like a fool. As he passed before me I reached down to adjust the aching hard-on in my shorts so it would be less noticeable.

Vin remembered the way to the kitchen/dining room. My Dad saw him and came over to shake his hand, pulling him into a hug. All the women, except Susan, gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. Tom came over to shake his hand and introduce his wife and daughter. I handed the bottle of wine off to my Dad and tipped my chin towards Vin.

"Let's eat," my Dad announced. We made our way to the table and I took Vin's elbow to seat him beside me. My Mom and Aunt Erma followed with steaming dishes to set out on the table. Once they took their seats we started serving ourselves, passing the dishes around as we filled our plates.

"Thanks for bringing the wine, Vincent." My Dad said it as he worked the cork out. "I was real sorry to hear about your father passing."

"Thank you, Mr. Pereira. It was pretty sudden, massive heart-attack. The doctor said he never knew what hit him." I couldn't read Vin's face as I tried to watch him from the corner of my eye but his words lacked emotion. I couldn't help but think how I'd feel if my own father died and knew it would be the opposite of whatever Vin was feeling.

"Please, call me John. I'm glad you came to dinner, Vincent. You're welcome here anytime."

"I appreciate that, sir." Vin stared down at his food.

"I'm sure my little brother appreciates it, too." Leave it to Tom.

"Thomas!" My Mom exclaimed. "Be nice, Vincent is our guest. And stop trying to embarrass your brother."

"What? I wanna know what his intentions are towards Toledo." He tried to look innocent but I could tell he was suppressing a huge grin.

"Christ, Tom. Leave it alone," I told him. Emma giggled and Grandma muttered something under her breath. Vin looked around the table with a little smile twitching his lips. My Dad laughed and passed the wine to my Mom. I stared daggers at Tom.

The rest of the meal passed in easy conversation. Vin filled us all in on how he'd gone to school in Philadelphia and decided to stay there until his father died and he moved back to take over his dad's business. I was glad he never said exactly what his father's business was. My Mom and Dad filled him in on what was going on with my other siblings and their families. It was nice and Vin fit seamlessly into the family dynamics.

As the meal wound down and talk turned to the times Vin and his father had been to the farm, Vin asked, "Is that little pond still out there, back in the woods?" He gave me a significant look as he said it and I caught his meaning immediately.

"Yeah it is, you wanna go check it out? Maybe take a swim?" I asked.

"I want to go!" Emma yelled.

"No, honey," Susan said. "You don't have a bathing suit and we have to go home soon."

I didn't wait for Vin to answer but pushed out of my chair and grabbed our plates. I took the dishes to the sink and returned to the table. I stood behind my Mom's chair and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. "That was great, thanks ladies." I made my way down and kissed my Grandma, Aunt Erma and Susan as well. Vin had stood and met me at the end of the table.

"Thank you all for dinner. It was nice to see everyone again," he said. I squatted down beside Emma and gave her a kiss and hug. I whispered in her ear, "See you soon, pretty girl." I punched my brother in the arm on my way by, dodging out of reach before he could react.

"Uncle Dan, I'll see you on Monday morning. Goodnight," I called out to everyone in general. I took Vin's elbow and steered him out the door. I heard my brother call out, "No skinny-dipping." I just shook my head and continued through the door and down the steps.

"Thanks for giving me an excuse to get us out of there," I told Vin as I released his arm. "You really want to go down to the pond?" He put a hand on his stomach and rubbed it.

"Yeah, a walk would be nice after all that food. I haven't eaten so much in a long time. Your family sure knows how to put it out. And they're a riot."

"We try... Um, how'd things go at your shop?" We climbed through the slats of the fence around the pasture. The sun was setting and the soft light of dusk lit our way. I was glad for the longer days of summer but dreaded the mosquitoes that would soon be out.

"I got a lot done, but it's really nice to take a break." He took my hand and let our fingers lace together. "It's been awhile since I've been around a whole family. Getting the shop running has been consuming all my energy, you know?"

"I bet. Will it be ready on time?" I felt incredibly pleased with the fact he still held my hand. We made our way towards the woods that bordered the pasture.

"It better be, I can't really afford to have it closed longer. The shop made okay money before but most people go online for porn now. I'm gonna try to make it more couple-friendly, offer more stuff than just porn."

"Like what?" I tried to think of what else there might be.

"Stuff like dildos, different lubes, hardware for role-playing or S&M. Things people will want to see, not just order off some website. And DVDs, there's a lot more stuff out there about how to please your partner or be a better lover. Like, instructional videos, you know?"

"Sure, I get it. Sounds like you have a good plan." I didn't really know but I was starting to see what he talked about. We were getting close to the fence on the far side of the pasture.

"Yeah, hopefully it all works out like I want it to." I climbed over the fence and Vin followed me. There was a path leading into the woods that forked after a few feet in. The right would take us to the little pond that abutted my parents' property, and the left would take us around the pasture and back to the house. Vin remembered the way and walked beside me as the sunlight slowly faded out.

"Shit, I forgot how bad the mosquitoes are around here," he said as he slapped at his arms. I laughed at him and nodded.

"Let's go, they can't get you in the water." I took off down the path after glancing back at him. As I neared the pond I kicked off my sandals and pulled my shirt over my head. I could hear him coming up behind me as I unbuttoned my shorts and paused to push them and my underwear down. I ran right up to the bank and splashed through the mud and weeds into the cool water until it was deep enough to go under.

I swam under the water towards the middle and surfaced just in time to see Vin shedding his jeans and boxers before running into the water. The brief glimpse of his body made my heart pound harder. He was beautiful in the soft twilight with a grin plastered on his face. He was less hairy than I'd expected, a small inverted triangle of hair across his chest pointed down to the line of hair that started at his navel and spread across his lower stomach into his crotch.

His nice-looking cock flopped around at the dark juncture between his muscular thighs as he raced into the water and his abs flexed with each step. He dove under the water and I had a quick peek at his rounded ass before he was submerged. He came up not far from me and aimed a splash at me. I pushed back off the muddy bottom and splashed at him but he'd already dived back under.

He surfaced partially behind me and to my left. He managed to grab one of my legs and pulled me under before I could react. I wiggled out of his grip and swam away from him. I came up for air and found him laughing behind me. I turned and splashed him, laughing as well. I was struck with the odd sense of having done this before but we'd been kids then. He splashed me back and it turned into an all out war.

"Truce!" Vin held his hands up but my last splash managed to catch him full in the face. "Okay, truce," I said. I held my own hands up out of the water. The moon had risen and the silver light reflected off the water on his broad shoulders. I wanted to lick the drops off him. I could feel the grin evaporating from my face and knew I must be looking at him like a hungry wolf on the prowl.

Vin's own expression changed and his smile faded to a half grin that curled only one side of his lips. His eyes went hot and I could feel them moving over me. He moved toward me and I backed up to draw him into the shallower water. I stopped when the water lapped at the base of my dick. The humid night air felt good on my skin.

As he got closer Vin's arm rose from the water and his hand reached for me. He slid his fingers over my belly then up to press his palm against my chest causing goose bumps to rise along the backs of my arms. I couldn't wait any longer and reached out for him as well. I ran my fingers through the soft hair at the nape of his neck and pulled him to me as I stepped closer. His other hand went around my waist to hold me at my lower back and we pressed close together.

Our lips met with force and urgency, barely making contact before each of us opened for a deeper taste of the other. My cock filled with blood and I felt Vin's hardness pressed to my thigh, so hot in contrast to the cool water around us. His tongue brushed across mine with an electric current of pleasure. I slid my hand down the flexing muscles of his back to squeeze his ass before slipping my hand between us. I found his cock and locked my fingers around its thickness as his hands moved from my ass to my shoulders and back.

As I stroked up the heated length of his big cock he took my upper arm in a tight grip and the air whooshed out of him through his nose. He pulled back from our kiss to suck in air as I tightened my fist around him and twisted. I watched his eyes turn dark and gave him a devilish smile. His eyes narrowed and he moved in to bite at my lips. I stroked his cock harder in retaliation.

One of his hands moved to my ass and his fingers danced through the crease, stopping at my entrance. Without warning he shoved one thick finger into me and made me cry out into his mouth. The water eased the sting as he pushed the digit deeper to find my kill-spot. I humped my cock against his smooth, hard body and jerked him off faster.

When he found my prostate I moaned and his tongue snaked deeper into my mouth. I tightened my lips and sucked at it while he slowly withdrew and pushed back inside. He massaged my gland with more force and my orgasm washed through me with a suddenness I couldn't prepare for. I threw my head back and groaned, Vin's lips and teeth finding my neck. Warm jets of come splashed between us as my hole squeezed around his finger in pulsing contractions.

As his finger slipped from inside me I pushed him back enough to kneel and took his cock in my mouth. My feel for his size hadn't been wrong and I let the wet head pry my jaw wide. I'd barely taken more than a few inches before I felt his come spurting into my mouth. I laved the underside with my tongue and swallowed the copious load as I sucked it out of him. With the last little dribble I released him and stood to find his lips with mine, pulling is body close once again.

"Fuck, that was hot," he said when we finally let go of one another. Some part of my brain registered the chorus of frogs around us and the chirping of bats hunting in the night. The majority of my attention was focused on the man in front of me.

"Yeah it was," I replied. "Didn't mean to shoot so quick but I've been thinking about doing something like that all day. Guess I had too much pressure built up."

He gave me quick peck on the lips before saying, "Well, I didn't give you the best example of my staying power." He said it with a little smirk that had my cock twitching. He had the sexiest lips I'd ever seen.

"Are you saying you have the kind of staying power to brag about?" I teased him with a smirk of my own.

"Baby, I got plenty to brag about..." He cupped his spent cock and balls in one hand, displaying the enticing package for me. "But I guess you've already had a taste of that?"

I laughed and ran the back of my hand over my lips. "More than a taste, I'd say." We both laughed and I took his hand to lead him from the water. I looked over my shoulder at him as I led him to the bank and said, "When do I get a demonstration of this so-called ability?"

"As soon as I get you in your bed." He pulled me back and kissed me, muttering, "If we make it that far."

We kissed some more until I felt the need building and my cock was hard again. I pulled back and dragged him out of the water. As we climbed up the shallow bank I dropped his hand and raced to find my clothes in the dark. I pulled on my shorts and gathered the rest in my arms. When I looked up Vin had his boxers on and the rest of his clothes in his hands.

"Let's go." I led him back up the path and took the turn to go around the pasture; I didn't want to chance crossing it in the dark. We were mostly quiet as we hurried along. Back at the old barn he followed me up the stairs. I opened the door and let him in then entered and shut the door behind us. I turned to find the light switch. As the lights came on Vin pressed up against my damp back and gripped my shoulders to turn me around.

"Nice place. Where's the bed?" I would have laughed but his intense gaze made me shiver and nod my head in the right direction. I realized that somehow he was naked already. As our bodies met and we kissed I managed to guide us into the bedroom. I found the light switch as we passed through the doorway and flicked it on.

We tumbled onto the bed, tangled together. He managed to pull my shorts off and his body settled over me, between my legs. I pulled my legs up and back to cradle his hips and felt the hot throbbing of his cock pressed to mine. Vin licked over my chin and ran his tongue across my bottom lip and I tried to match the rhythm of his thrusting hips. My hands went around his back and I could feel the slight texture change of the tattooed skin over the moving muscles.

He pulled back from devouring my lips to look me in the eye and asked, "Can I fuck you?" His voice was deep and susurrus with want. My ass clenched at the suggestion, the distant muscle memory his question evoked in me. I wanted him inside me, his fingers had awakened a long dormant hunger back in the pond.

"Yeah, fuck me... just," I couldn't find the words I needed to ask for what I wanted. How to tell him that I hadn't let another guy fuck me in a long time, years, without explaining everything? Without sounding like a pussy? I searched his eyes and nodded, making up my mind to take whatever he would give me. "Just... don't make me regret it." He smiled in response, a grin that lit his eyes.

"I'll make it good for you, babe. Just tell me that you have condoms and lube or my balls are going to fucking explode." I couldn't help smiling along with him.

"In the top drawer, there." I nodded to the nightstand. He reached over and fumbled it open, searching for the supplies as he pressed his lips hard against mine. I ran my hands up into his hair and held the back of his head while our lips and tongues slid together in an intricate dance that I seemed to know all the steps to. When he'd found what he was looking for he pulled away and sat up on his knees before me.

He had a condom in his hand and tore the wrapper open, pulling the rubber disc out. He looked at it then fit it over the head of his cock. I watched as the sheath slowly unrolled and covered his big cock while he held the reservoir at the tip. My heart started beating faster in nervous anticipation. His dick looked so big, jutting out over me like the spit I was about to be roasted on. I took deep breaths and tried to relax, willing my body to calm down.

He reached over and I realized the lube was on the bed next to me. He coated his cock and spread the lube before pouring more onto his fingers and searching for my hole. I'd let my feet drop to the bed but at the first touch of his hand I pulled them back and spread them wider so Vin would have easier access. His fingers moved inside me, the thickness of two digits stretching me open. I moaned and canted my hips up higher in the air.

His fingers separated and stretched the muscles at my entrance just enough to cause a little ripple of pain/pleasure to race through me. My body seemed to remember what to do or maybe it was the powerful desire I had to feel him fucking me because a moment later I gladly accepted a third finger. He reached in deeper to find my prostate once again and my back arched. I closed my eyes and fought the urge to clamp down on his invading fingers.

I'd barely found the control I needed when his fingers left my body and I felt the nudge of his cock at my opening. Vin pushed forward with his hips and his cock breached me the second before I understood what was happening. My mouth flew open and I would have yelled out, moaned, screamed or something but he shoved into me. There was a tight burn, a feeling of being completely stuffed full, but my ass accepted his cock in a rush that felt beyond natural, meant to be.

There wasn't any of the discomfort I'd remembered, none of the work it had taken in the past to allow another man into me. In one glorious instant he was seated fully inside me, his pelvis pressed hard against my upturned ass. Where before I'd needed a few moments to get used to the feeling, get over the initial pain of penetration, now I needed time to adjust to the deep pleasure of a cock that seemed made to fit inside me. I gasped and reached for his thighs with both hands, pressing my fingers into the corded muscles.

His hands on the back of my thighs pressed my legs back and he settled his weight on my bent body. His tongue met mine outside and rubbed against it before sliding into my mouth. The new position let his dick sink just a fraction of an inch deeper, at the very edge of too much. I pressed my legs against him and pulled at his hairy thighs.

"Shit, Tol, are you fighting to get away? Am I hurting you?" I opened my eyes, confused, to find him watching me through the brackets of my ankles and feet.

"I... don't know. Fuck, I just need you, need you to fuck me." The smirk on his face said it all and I couldn't disagree. At the first withdrawal it was like the insides of my entire body moved with his cock and squeezed around him in denial of the impending emptiness.

"So... fuckin'... tight," he groaned as he slowly slid back into me. He felt so good, filling me and touching so many sensitive pleasure centers in my suddenly needy chute. I groaned on one long exhalation and pressed my head back into the mattress until he was buried again. I let my hands drift up his thighs and over the curve of his ass, onto his back and up to his broad shoulders where my calves rested. I held him there and let the feel of his cock throbbing wash into my body.

He braced his arms against the bed and started moving in slow thrusts that kept the wide base of his shaft ever close to my stretched opening. My cock ached from feeling so swollen and jumped between us with every move he made inside me. With each thrust Vin would withdraw just a little more, incrementally lengthening his strokes until he was fucking me with every inch of his long dick. I moaned and bucked beneath him, lost to the pleasure radiating from my ass.

It was better than I ever remembered and before long I was begging him to fuck me harder, deeper and faster. The friction mounted and his cock moved over the little node inside me in waves of ecstasy. We moved together as he took possession of me and pounded my ass in thrusts that I met with equal ferocity. His lips met mine, slid away and connected again. His rhythm faltered for a second before he found it, panting and grunting.

My insides felt swollen and abused yet ached for more of the hard pummeling. It took me totally by surprise when I locked down on his cock and come erupted from me, spewing over my clenched abs and onto my chest and face. My eyes flew open along with my mouth as the orgasm careened through me. Vin's face locked in shock as he thrust deep and stilled, threw his head back and gasped. I felt the pulsing of his shaft and knew he was coming, too. When it felt like my balls had been turned inside out and the last little shocks raced through me I collapsed, all the tension in my body drained away. Seconds later Vin fell over me, letting my legs slide off his shoulders.

We lay quietly and caught out breath. "Christ, you're wild," he whispered against my ear. "And strong."

"Yeah? It was good." The last part came out somewhere between a question and a statement.

"That was awe-inspiring. Shit, it took everything I had to hold you down." He kissed my temple. "I'm fucking exhausted. Would you mind if I crashed here?" He eased himself off me as he spoke and his dick slipped from inside me.

"Of course, stay. I don't think I can move anyway." I felt him moving around beside me and looked over to watch him skim off the very full condom. He located the trashcan beside the little desk and managed to toss it in. I rolled onto my side and he pressed up against me. I thought about getting up and cleaning out the crack of my ass but fell asleep before I could find the motivation to actually do it.

Chapter 3

I awoke to the sound of someone singing in my shower, some pop song I vaguely recognized from the radio. I stretched long and hard and felt the slight soreness of being well fucked, along with the tacky feeling of dried lube in my ass. I remembered the way Vin had taken my ass the night before and smiled, my already hard cock getting harder.

I turned my head and smelled him on the pillow next to mine. I rolled off the bed and made my way to the bathroom. The door was open so I stepped in and approached the glass door of the shower stall. I could make his form out behind the opaque glass, his middle whiter than the rest of him. I rapped on the door and startled Vin out of his singing. I slid it open and stepped into the stall.

"Morning, Vin, you didn't have to stop singing for me. My ten-year-old niece loves that song." I grinned at him as a slow smile curled his lips.

"Hey, dude, that one is destined to become a classic." He reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me under the water to him. His lips met mine and he took a handful of my ass to squeeze. I let my hard cock press against him. "Mmm," he groaned against my lips. "Someone woke up happy to see me." He took my hard length in the hand that wasn't holding my ass and stroked it. "Sorry I woke you up so early."

"Are you kidding? It's after seven, that means I got to sleep in. My Dad's probably taking care of the cows and chickens for me." I leaned in for more sweet kisses.

"Let's get clean first," he told me after we'd made out awhile. "Then I want a taste of this," he pulled on my cock.

"Yeah, breakfast of champions," I said with a smirk. I knew he was right, the hot water wouldn't last long. I quickly scrubbed down while he washed his hair. He got out before me and I told him where the coffee could be found. By the time I finished the water was cold but the smell of brewing coffee motivated me to hurry. I found Vin standing behind the couch in a pair of my boxers, watching TV and sipping from a mug. Something about seeing the man in my underwear made my dick re-harden in a flash of desire.

Vin watched the news and I watched him. The tattoo on his back was a big one, a sort of tribal version of angel wings. The lines darted out in thick swathes that swooped down to just above his ass and up over his shoulders, across the tops of his arms. It looked jagged, somehow sharp and made me think of fallen angels not the ones that lived in heaven. I crept up behind him and let the towel drop from around my waist.

I pressed myself against his back and wrapped my arms around him, kissing his neck. "Your tattoo is fucking sexy," I told him. He turned in my arms and gave me a coffee flavored kiss. Just when I would have taken the kiss deeper he pulled back, smiling.

"Can this wait a little longer?" He held my cock but didn't stroke it.

"Sure, why? Is something wrong?" I bit my bottom lip and tried to rub myself into his loose grip, making him chuckle.

"I need to get to the shop. My buddy Jeff is supposed to meet me there in twenty minutes so I need to get going." He let go of me and finished off his coffee.

"No problem, but I'm holding you to your word. You promised to blow me." I winked at him to let him know I was half-kidding, getting his sexy smirk back. "You want some help? I didn't have any plans for today, just some chores I can do later."

"Oh man, I'd really appreciate that, Tol. I could really use a professional's help over there. Are you sure you have the time?" I was surprised at the sincerity and relief in his voice. I hadn't realized how much pressure he must be under.

"It's no problem, Vin, I swear. Besides, if I'm with you I can make sure you don't break your promise."

"If you help me today I'll not only go down on you, I'll give you the best damn head you've ever had. Now, go get dressed. We'll hit a drive-thru and I'll buy breakfast," he said with a slap to my ass. I reluctantly got moving and went back to the bedroom for some clothes. "Hey, Tol?" Vin called from the other room. "I borrowed some underwear. I hope that's okay. Would you mind if I maybe borrowed a t-shirt too?"

We were both dressed and out of the loft in a few minutes, my thermos full of coffee at my side. We hopped in Vin's car and took off, I was grateful we didn't run into any of my family. I texted my Dad to let him know where I was going and that I'd be gone all day. He sent me a message reminding me that dinner would be at six and told me to have a good time with Vin. I knew he was laughing and gossiping with my Mom about Vin spending the night and me going off with him. I'd deal with them later.

By the time we got breakfast and arrived at the porn shop Vin's friend was waiting for us in the parking lot. Vin introduced us and we shook hands. Jeff was an older guy, probably in his forties, and very good looking with a well maintained body. Somehow I knew he was gay just like Bobby. A small part of me wondered if these guys were just friends and how Vin had met them. I pushed the twinge of jealousy aside and followed the two men into the shop.

When it was time for Vin to take me home I was amazed at the amount of work we'd gotten done, but I was more amazed at the way we'd worked together. We spent the whole day talking, catching up on our pasts and current lives, while we worked like a well-practiced team. By the end we'd completed assembling the new display cases and set them up, put up all the remaining pegboard and hung the display hooks on it. All that needed to be done was putting out the merchandise and refinishing the bar where the register would go.

Vin and I communicated in an almost wordless manner while we joked and chatted through projects. After awhile I even forgot that Jeff was there, I think Vin did too. At lunch time I watched Vin eat and thought about how perfect we'd be as a couple, hell we were already halfway there. I knew I was insanely attracted to him, sporting wood half the day while we worked. If Jeff hadn't been there I'm sure we wouldn't have gotten so much done.

Before he brought me home I got my promised blowjob. Vin and I were working in the back room, assembling the last of the shelving units for display, when I felt him press up against my back. I was so concentrated on getting the right pieces in the right order I hadn't realized he moved. I leaned back into his warm body and rested my head against his shoulder before tilting my neck and searching for his mouth with mine. As we kissed his hands skimmed over my chest and stomach before settling at the waist of my shorts. He unfastened the button and let the baggy shorts drop to my ankles.

"What about Jeff?" I questioned as his hands slid into my boxers, groping my dick and sac.

"He won't bother us," he said against my ear. One of his hands moved up under my shirt to trace the muscles of my abs while the other brought me to full hardness. I felt his shaft pressed against my ass and wiggled for him, making him groan. He turned me around and kissed me deeply before dropping into a squat before me. He worked my underwear down over my hard-on and down my thighs before releasing his cock through the fly of his jeans.

He gripped me hard, stroking my shaft a few times before he pressed it up against my belly and pushed his nose into my loose balls. He inhaled then licked at the wrinkly skin, making the soft orbs tingle. I leaned back against the table top where I'd been working and ran my fingers through his hair. He pulled my balls into his mouth where he sucked lightly and licked them. I watched his face, his lips stretched taught around that part of my body, and knew he loved it.

Vin let loose my balls and pulled my cock down to face him. He licked over the sensitive head and my toes curled. He fit his lips to the small slit and pushed in with the tip of his tongue, making me moan. He pulled off to say, "Try to keep quiet." He took in the whole of the head and sucked at it. I ground my teeth together as he let the shaft slide in deep, into his throat. I looked up at the ceiling, too close to coming, as he set a punishing pace fucking his face on my cock.

It wasn't meant to last long and I was close before I knew it. My hand tightened in his hair and I tried to warn him but he didn't let up until I was spewing down his throat. I came hard and the swallowing action of his throat around the head of my cock only prolonged the orgasm until I was utterly spent. I sucked in air and tried not to collapse. Vin rose to his feet and kissed me, letting me taste my come. When we finally separated Vin looked down with concern.

"Sorry about your shorts." I followed his gaze to see that he'd come all over my shorts while he was blowing me. I just smiled and shook my head. I pulled up my underwear and the messy shorts and went to the bathroom to clean them off the best I could. It was impossible to be anywhere near mad knowing he'd gotten off on sucking my cock.

By the time I got home it was close to three-thirty and I still had a few chores to do. Vin kissed me before I got out of his car and promised to call me later. I ran up to my place to change and went looking for my Dad. I found him in the new barn working on the riding mower.

"Hey, Dad, I'm home. You need me to do anything?"

"Welcome back, Son. How did things go at Vin's place? You guys get a lot done?" He said it with the kind of inflection I'd never expected to hear from my father and it made me blush a little.

"Vin's buddy, Jeff, was there and we got a lot done. He'll definitely be ready for the opening next weekend." He left off what he was doing to the engine and smiled.

"Let me finish this then would you mind mowing the yard for me, before dinner?"

"No problem. Need a hand?" We put the little engine back together and I hopped on. I finished the mowing and raced back to my place for a shower. By the time I made it back to the main house it looked like a party in full swing. All my brothers and sisters had managed to make it for dinner along with their families. Mom and Grandma put on a feast and we all ate and talked for hours. I endured some heavy teasing about Vin spending the night but put it to rest by ignoring them. Uncle Dan and Aunt Erma showed up in time for dessert. It had been a long day and I went home before everyone left, making the rounds and saying goodnight.

On Monday morning it was my turn to pick up Uncle Dan. We rode to work and I filled him in on Vin's plan for the porn shop. We made good time because it was so early and the traffic was light. Work went well and I didn't see Cole at all. With finishing the job would last through the summer and with my journeyman wages I'd be set through the parse winter months.

That night as I helped my Mom clear the dinner dishes my phone rang. I saw it was Vin and practically jumped up and down, I was so happy. I quickly thanked my Mom and kissed her before answering. "Hey, Vin, how are you?"

"Hey, Tol. It's not too late it is?" I made my way to the living room.

"Nah, just getting ready for bed. What're you up to?" I kissed Grandma on the cheek then my Dad.

"Just getting home, gonna eat some stuff I picked up on the way." I let myself out and headed across the lawn.

"Sounds good, I was just helping my Mom clean the kitchen from dinner. She made linguine and sausage."

"Oh man," he moaned. "Don't do that to me. The burger I picked up doesn't sound so good now. I'm jealous." I laughed as I let myself into my loft.

"Yeah, well, you're welcome to come over anytime. My Mom would love to feed you, and I know I sure wouldn't mind having you around." I tried to pull off my clothes one-handed and went to the bathroom.

"I wouldn't mind seeing you either, Tol. In fact I've been thinking about you since I dropped you off on Sunday." I squeezed toothpaste onto my toothbrush and ran it under the water while he talked.

"Me too," I admitted. I stuck the brush in my mouth and tried to brush my teeth as quietly as possible.

"Saturday was nice, I really did have a good time with your family. Sunday was good, too. You're easy to get along with." I spit the foamy suds into the sink so I could talk.

"I think you are too, easy to get along with I mean. And really hot, shit I wish you were here." I turned the tap and scooped water into my mouth.

"Yeah, me too. I haven't been able to stop thinking about your hot little ass, or blowing you in the back. You've got a great cock." Said cock was rapidly filling with blood as I spit into the sink.

"You know," I whispered, "I hadn't been fucked in a long time. I guess I'd forgotten how good it could feel." I moved into my bedroom and pushed my boxers off, kicking them into the dirty clothes basket.

"Or I was just that good," he said with a laugh. I laughed along with him.

"Maybe. You were really good," I said with a smile. "I wouldn't mind a repeat performance...," I let it trail off to see what he'd say.

"Are you in bed?" His voice had gone husky.

"Yeah, I am. And I'm naked, hard as fuck." I'd never done something like this over the phone but I figured it couldn't be that complicated. "How about you? Are you hard, too?"

"Oh yeah, stroking myself on the couch. Thinking about you and your big cock, hot body and your perfect ass. Next time I wanna feel you go down on me while I suck you, sixty-nine." I pulled the lube from the drawer and slicked my palm.

"That sounds hot. I didn't get enough of a taste of you last time. I'd like that a lot." Now my hand was just gliding along the shaft of my dick. I imagined I could hear his hand on himself over the phone.

"Mmhmm. And I have to fuck you again, I gotta be honest, I dreamt about fucking you last night. Woke up so hard." Shit, I was already getting close.

"What was the dream?" I had to know, wanted to hear what he wanted.

"I sell this one dildo, it's really big; long and thick like you wouldn't believe. I dreamed that I used it on you, made your tight little hole all loose and sloppy with lube. I made you beg for the real thing then I shoved my cock in you and fucked the hell out of you." The visual was too much and I started coming all over my stomach and chest, groaning and babbling.

"Yeah, Tol, come for me. I'm gonna shoot now, gonna shoot inside you and fill you with my load." I heard him groaning and slowly pumped my cock as it went soft.

"Thanks, Vin," I panted. "I needed that."

"No, thank you. Just what I needed after the kind of day I had. Maybe, maybe I can make it over there tomorrow?"

"I'd like that, Vin. I'd like it a lot. A home-cooked meal and hot sex? Why wouldn't you come over?" He sighed.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I just... I don't want your parents to think poorly of me." I heard the hesitation in his voice.

"Shit, you don't need to worry about that. They love you. My Mom's practically planning our wedding since you slept over Saturday night." I laughed, having meant it as a joke, and was surprised he didn't join in. There was a long silence where we listened to one another breathe.

"Listen, Toledo," he finally said. "I don't want you to get the wrong impression. I'm not a monogamy kind of guy. I, I don't know, I saw what happened to my father after Mom died. He fell apart and his life went to hell. I can't let something like that happen to me. I really like you, but we can only be friends. You understand, right?"

"Oh," I said and took a moment to mull over his words, let them sink in. "It was just a joke, Vin. I guess it was pretty stupid. Whatever, I didn't mean to freak you out. Let's talk about this some other time, I'm pretty wiped out."

"Yeah, okay, that sounds good. Sleep tight, Tol. And thanks for getting me off." The relief in his voice was palpable.

"You too, I'll be able to sleep really good now. We'll talk soon." I disconnected the call and set the phone on the nightstand. I rolled over and went over the last part of our conversation again, trying to understand what he said and how it seemed so different from what he meant.

The next day I didn't hear from Vin so I stalked him on the internet. I found his profile on Facebook but it was set to private. All I could see of it was his profile picture which was a shot of his back displaying the tattoo. I spent twenty minutes debating with myself if I should send him a friend request before I realized that I was acting like a middle school kid with a crush and logged off.

When I hadn't heard from him by the time I was in bed on Wednesday night I figured I didn't have anything to lose so I called him. The phone rang a few times and a nervous queasiness settled in my gut while I waited for the voice mail to pick up. I was taken by surprise when Vin answered with a "Hey, Tol," that dripped sexual innuendo.

"What's up, Vin?" Just the sound of his voice had my dick perking up. "Sorry to bother you. I was just wondering how things were going with the store. You know, if you'd be ready on time?"

"Everything is going great. In fact, I should have all the products set up sometime tomorrow. Friday I'll do the displays and put the finishing touches down. It looks like we'll be ready to open on Saturday." He sounded pleased with himself and I was happy for him.

"Wow, Vin, sounds like everything's coming together. I'll have to come check the place out sometime, see it all put together."

"Hey, I'd like that. I'm glad you called, dude. I was going to give you a call anyway, didn't realize how late it was getting. Listen, I'm having a little get-together at my place on Saturday night, kind of a thank you for all my friends that have helped get the place up and running. Think you could make it? It'll be pretty late, around nine, when my new assistant manager can take over at the store for me."

"Yeah, I'll be there." I couldn't wait to spend more time with Vin. I'd decided that if he just spent more time with me he'd have to realize how good we fit together. He gave me directions to his house and I wrote them down.

"See you Saturday, then. Goodnight, Tol."

"For sure, see you then. I can't wait. Goodnight." I put the phone down and laid back in my bed. I had trouble falling asleep as I kept thinking of the coming weekend and going through all the possible scenarios of how I could win Vin over to my way of thinking.

Chapter 4

On Saturday night I dressed in my best jeans and a tight t-shirt that showed off my chest and arms. I wanted to look my best, present Vin with the most temptation I could muster up. I even dug up an old bottle of cologne my parents had given me. I looked at the dopey smile on my face in the mirror and shook my head at myself. I could admit to myself that I wanted Vin badly, I just worried he'd break my heart.

I thought of Cole and how I'd been so in love with him, or had I? The way I felt about Vin was so different. I wanted to spend time with Vin just hanging out, talking and laughing. Even the way we'd worked together in companionable silence had been great. Sure, the sex was beyond hot and my heart beat faster in lust just from the thought of the man but it went beyond that. So different from the quick fucks I'd enjoyed with Cole, always at his convenience.

I stopped to say goodnight to my family and told them I might not be home until the next day. They told me to have a good time and I headed out. I turned my old truck north and headed over the state line into New Hampshire. The cooler night air felt good coming through the open windows and I turned the volume on the radio up, singing along to an old Stones song. I felt invigorated, excited to start something new. My life of the past few years suddenly felt stale, boring. I raced along the dark and deserted roads. Vin's place wasn't far and I made good time, arriving just after nine.

His house was small, set off a back road and surrounded by trees. The other houses on the street were dark. As I got out of the truck I looked up at the stars and took a deep breath, told myself to calm down and be cool. There were a few cars in the long driveway and more parked along the side of the street. I walked down the drive carrying the six-pack I'd brought and said a little prayer aimed up to the sky that this would go the way I wanted.

I knocked on the door and after a few seconds it was answered by Bobby, Vin's friend who'd been at the store the first time I went with Uncle Dan. He looked better without his wanna-be construction worker clothes. I stuck my hand out to shake, saying, "Hey, man. How're you doing?"

"Oh, hey," he said and stood there. "Sorry," he finally realized I was waiting to come in. "I didn't know you were coming tonight. Come on in," he said and moved out of the doorway with a big too-bright smile. For a second there he'd seemed pissed to see me.

"Uh, yeah, Vin invited me. I brought beer." I held them up for Bobby to see.

"Let's put them in the fridge. Everyone's in the kitchen."

I followed Bobby further into the house, past the staircase that ended just beyond the front door and down a short hallway. We passed the dark living room where I could make out a couch and a big TV. The house seemed really lived-in, a little shabby but clean. I wondered if Vin had done anything to it since moving in after his father's death. The kitchen was brightly lit but felt gloomy because of the heavy cabinetry all stained in a really dark finish. A sliding glass door was open and a lit deck beyond it at the back.

Vin stood leaning against the counter by the sink, drinking a beer. Our eyes met and I saw his smile get bigger and my lips twitched. I'd have the man in his bed before the night was over, I knew. He looked good in his white tank top and shorts, his hair still a little damp from the shower he must have just taken. I held up the beer I'd brought in offering and headed toward Vin.

Peripherally I realized there were other guys there but all my attention was focused on the man I wanted. I approached Vin with every intention of kissing him but an odd movement on the deck caught my attention. I stopped and looked out. Jeff, another guy I'd met at Vin's store, was sitting in one of the deck chairs completely naked and getting his cock sucked by another guy. I stood there in shock, not sure if I should be embarrassed or what.

I don't know how long I stared, somewhere between turned on and repulsed by the blatant public sexual act. Jeff was turned partially away from me with his hands on the other guy's head guiding his movements. I could see part of Jeff's hairy chest and thighs, his wet cock glistening in the glare of the mounted light as it appeared and disappeared into the other man's mouth. My own cock twitched and lengthened in my shorts. Beyond the pair of men there were two other guys leaning against the deck railing and watching the action before them as they fondled each other.

"Glad you could make it," a voice startled me at my shoulder. I turned to find Vin grinning at me. My mouth was gaping and I closed it quick, doubly embarrassed to seem so naïve yet still confused.

"Hey, Vin. I brought some beer." I was feeling lamer by the second, out of place in this situation. I shoved the beer into his hands.

"Thanks, man, let's put these out in the cooler and you can meet the other guys." With that he went through the door and I was left to follow him out onto the deck. He pulled the bottles out and put them in a large cooler while I tried not to look at the other guys. He stood from his crouch after he'd nestled the beer into the ice and handed me a beer that was already cold. I opened the can and took a long swallow to cover my awkwardness.

"Come over here, Tol. You've met Jeff," Vin said as he laid a hand on the man's shoulder. "The guy on his knees is my buddy Mike." Mike glanced up at me and winked, a mumbled sound issuing from his full mouth. He looked younger than me, skinny and dark haired. I smiled at him, not knowing what else to do.

"Hey there, Jeff, how ya' doing? Um, nice to meet you, Mike." I was behind Jeff and to his left. He tilted his head back to look at me with a big smile on his face.

"I'm doing good right now. Mike here is really good with his mouth," Jeff said and patted the head bobbing up and down in his crotch. I just nodded and smiled harder, not sure what to say to that.

Vin tapped my shoulder and nodded to the other two men by the railing. "This is the other Mike, but he goes by Michael, and that's Rich." Vin pointed them out as we approached, both of them smiling at me. They'd stopped manhandling one another and sipped beers. I stuck my hand out to shake, first with Michael, as Vin introduced me. They were both good-looking, about Vin's age, with brownish hair cut short. The one named Rich was stockier than Michael but I would've given them both a second glance, or more, in other circumstances.

"Nice to meet you, Tol," Rich said as he took my hand. I faced him and was turned side-on to his friend Michael, whom I'd already shaken hands with. I felt Michael's hand move roughly over my ass as he said, "Damn, he's hot. Who gets to fuck the new guy first?" Vin and Rich laughed while I stood frozen in place.

"Calm down, Michael, all in good time. Toledo hasn't met Steve yet." Vin steered me away from the two men and said over his shoulder, "Enjoy the show, guys." I kinda' felt like I should've punched the guy Michael in the face but also wondered if we might end up having sex later, the idea turning me on more than I would have thought.

As we walked around to the door I spoke softly, "You didn't tell me what kind of party this was, I'm sort of surprised. You could've given me some warning, Vin."

"I wanted to surprise you. These are just a couple of guys I've hooked up with since moving back, the ones that left an impression. I figured we could all get together and blow off some steam." By this time we were back in the kitchen where Bobby was talking to the other guy. Must be Steve, I thought. Vin went through the whole process of introduction again as I shook Steve's hand. He was also older, probably in his forties, but had a hot beefy body. His head was shaved but thick tufts of blond hair peeked from the low, open v of his shirt.

"You've got some hot friends, Vin," Steve said with a wink at me. I felt myself blushing. "When does the real party start? Bobby here promised to let me fuck him," he went on.

"In a little bit, now. Get yourselves some more to drink, it'll be better if everyone is nice and relaxed." Vin answered him. I remembered the beer in my hand and lifted the can to my lips and finished it off. By the time I'd swallowed it all down Bobby and Steve were out on the deck and it was just me and Vin.

"You seem like you're freaking out a little, man. Is this the first time you've been to a party like this?" Vin asked me the question with a smirking grin.

"Yeah, I can't believe I'm at an orgy. This is crazy! You should've told me, Vin." I leveled an accusing look at him.

"Hey, hey," he held his hands up, palms facing me. "I just wanted you to come out and have a good time, Tol. I wasn't sure if you'd come, knowing the whole deal. You okay with this?" He sounded sincere but I couldn't figure out for myself how I felt.

Finally I just nodded and shrugged, "I'm here now." We walked out onto the deck where the skinny kid, Mike, had taken Jeff's place in the chair. He was sitting low with his legs pulled back and hooked over the arms of the chair. Jeff was on his knees with his face buried in the kid's ass. Mike was moaning and cooing while the other guys looked on. I saw Jeff's big cock jutting out, still wet from Mike's mouth.

I pretended to watch while my mind spun in frantic circles. I wondered what would happen, how something would get started, which of the guys would want me, which guys I'd most like to hook up with and what my brothers would say if I told them about the whole thing. I looked at Mike and imagined myself in that chair, ass on display while all these guys watched Vin eat me out. There was no denying that my dick got hard, throbbing with lust. I'd probably feel comfortable doing anything with Vin, knowing he'd be there for me.

I looked around at the other guys. They were all chatting with half an eye on the show. I caught Vin watching me and winked, he smiled in return. I sensed someone beside me just before Steve spoke to me, "You're a hot fucker, like a construction worker but with a model's face. Those muscles look earned." He gripped my bicep and squeezed. I turned to face him more.

"Actually, I am..." his hand gripped my erection through my baggy shorts and I gasped in astonishment and desire. "A, ugh, a construction worker... I mean." He rubbed his palm over my shaft and leaned in to put his lips on mine. The kiss was hard and demanding, more familiar than it should have been with a virtual stranger. His tongue forced its way into my mouth, slick along mine and tasting like beer. I froze and let him work up to thrusting his tongue in past my lips.

He pulled away with a groan and one last grope of my hard cock before running his hand up under my tight t-shirt and rubbing my belly. "You've got a nice mouth," he said. I just stared at him, not knowing what to say since I hadn't done anything while he kissed me. "I'd love to see those lips wrapped around my cock."

His other hand found my shoulder and applied gentle pressure. I found my legs weakening and my resolve wavering. I looked around at the other guys, Vin was watching with a strange look on his face; mad and proud but smiling. He nodded and I let myself sink to my knees. Steve was already working his jeans open. He wasn't wearing anything underneath and his hard cock fell out. I stared at his big dick, the head a violent almost-purple red. I mapped the thick veins covering the shaft with my eyes. It looked like a gnarled tree branch, dangerous and mean somehow. His hand palmed the back of my head and urged me forward.

The slit brushed my lips and I smelled him, dark and masculine. I opened and took the head in, licking over the sensitive spot just under the crown. Steve moaned, letting me know he liked it. I took him deeper and looked up. He'd unbuttoned his shirt and was running the hand not on my head over his chest, caressing his peaked nipples. He thrust forward and his cock hit the entrance of my throat, triggering my gag reflex. I pushed the urge away and swallowed him wholly, earning more moaning.

I closed my eyes and gave myself over to the task, enjoying his dick and the sweet/salty flavor of him. I played with his heavy balls and sped up while he carded his fingers through my curly hair. "That's it, baby. Suck me good, Tol." I urged him to fuck my mouth and forgot about the other guys watching. I liked it, sucking his cock. It made me think of Cole, how we'd both gotten off on me blowing him. This guy's dick was even similar to the size and shape of Cole's.

The memory of Cole in my head made me stop short. He'd used me, like Steve was, and left me. I'd sworn to myself that I'd never let another man use me yet here I was on my knees. Worse, I realized, Steve wasn't even the one to blame. Vin was using me, providing me like a plaything to these guys he'd already had sex with. The realization hurt, withering my cock and drawing a hard knot in my gut. I pulled away from Steve and his cock, wiping my hand over my mouth.

I shook Steve's hand off me and got to my feet. "Sorry, I can't do this," I told him.

"What's wrong, kid? Did I do something wrong? Whatever it is, I'll make it right for you." What Steve said made me feel a little bad and I tried to explain.

"It's not you, Steve. You're a hot guy. If things were different..." I looked down at my feet for a second and went on, "I'm just not the kind of guy that does shit like this. I have to go." I didn't wait for him to reply, just turned around and made for the door, avoiding looking at anyone. I made it through the kitchen and out the front door before Vin caught up with me.

"Tol, hey, Tol! Where are you going? Wait up," Vin called to me. I paused just in the circle of weak light from the sconce by his front door and turned around to face him. He was fixing the button of his shorts, his hardness tenting the front of the fabric.

"I'm going home. I'll see you around," I said with a wave and made to turn around. I couldn't face him as the bitter resent in me turned to anger.

"Wait a minute, Christ! What's wrong with you?" He came towards me with an angry expression. As he got closer he spoke in a softer voice and said, "Is it just too much for you, the party and all?"

"It's complicated, Vin. I don't really wanna talk about it and there's no point anyway. Sorry if I made a scene. I hope the opening went well, good luck with that. Have fun tonight." I turned away from him but was stopped by his hand on my shoulder.

"No, Tol, I'm sorry. I figured you'd be into the whole orgy thing. Listen, just take a second to calm down and think about it. You could have a good time with those guys in there, they're all hot and I can guarantee that they're good fucks too. Don't let some fucked-up Portuguese-catholic-guilt get to you. You know you really want to stay." As he'd spoken he'd moved closer and turned me so he could massage my shoulders but the tension there wouldn't go away.

"That's just it, Vin." I shrugged his hands off me and turned to face him. "I don't want to stay. And fuck you, it's not `cause I feel guilty." I clenched my hands at my sides, getting angrier.

"I don't get it. What's the problem then? We're just blowing off a little steam. Is this because I don't want to be your boyfriend?" I couldn't help smiling and shaking my head at his audacity.

"You know, you're a fuckin' piece of work. Here's the thing, and listen close, dickhead." I held up my hand and pointed one finger in the air, tapping it with my other finger. "I don't want to be just another guy you fucked and passed around to your friends." I stuck another finger up between us. "I do want a boyfriend, but more than that. I want what my parents have, what my brothers and sisters have. Even if it does get messy." I stuck up a third finger, on a roll now, but he swatted my hand down.

"Fuck off, Toledo. You can go back to your mommy and daddy, I've had enough of this shit." The crack at my parents pissed me off even more and I heard the blood pounding in my ears as Vin turned away from me.

"Whatever, dude, I'm out of here. But first, let me tell you something. You said you can't end up like your Dad, you don't want to turn out like he did after your mother died. Really you're just a fuckin' coward, afraid that you're as weak as your old man." He rounded on me, seething. I stood my ground. I'd been through enough fights to know I could take him if it came down to it.

"You've got a lot of fuckin' nerve, you know that?" He stopped and I could see the muscles in his jaw flexing as he ground his teeth. When he'd cooled down a little he went on, "I can see right through you. You want some prince to ride in and have some kind of happily ever after but that shit doesn't exist. It's not real. What's real is that you're the coward. What's real is what's going on in there," he waved back towards his house. "Guys wanna fuck without all this drama, now you're running away `cause it messes with your head. But you sure didn't seem to mind it when you had Steve's cock down your throat."

Now I had to clench my jaw and fight the urge to deck him. I leveled my eyes at him so he could see the absolute sincerity there. "Vin, I don't care what you think. I've been through this shit and I'm not gonna let you or anybody else use me like that, not again. I felt something the other night at the pond and after. I hoped you did too." I sighed, the admission taking all the fight out of me. "I'll see you around," I said and turned in the direction of my vehicle.

I heard him walk away behind me and the slamming of his front door. I got in my truck and paused before turning the key in the ignition. I'd had such high hopes for this night and they'd all been crushed. I breathed deep, ignoring the ache in my throat and tightness in my eyes. I sat up straighter and turned the truck on to head home.

Chapter Four

The rest of the weekend crawled by. My parents didn't say anything about Saturday night, or about Vin. They must have been able to tell that something was wrong but they let me be and I appreciated it. I worked around the farm, doing a lot but accomplishing little while my mind went over the scene from the night before. By Sunday night I was exhausted and more than ready for bed after skipping the big family dinner.

Monday came too early since I'd spent most of the night tossing and turning. Uncle Dan picked me up and we made our way to work. He tried to ask about Vin but I just asked him not to bring up "that motherfucking piece of shit." Uncle Dan let me be the rest of the day. I tried to act more normal as the week went on, I didn't want my family to think I was depressed like I had been after ending things with Cole.

I'd been thinking about Cole a lot, comparing the situation with him to things with Vin. So I shouldn't have been shocked when the asshole caught me by surprise at work on Thursday. I was just finishing installing some receptacles. I was putting my tools back in the heavy canvas tool bag I carried them in when someone pressed up against my ass and grabbed my hips. I'd been alone in the room and hadn't heard anyone enter.

"Damn, this brings back memories." I straightened up quick but he had a good grip and just pressed closer against my backside. "Good memories," he drawled. "Don't you think so? Remember that Fourth of July in the back of my truck." He began rutting against me while I tried to pull his hands off me without stumbling into the wall before me. "Good thing the fireworks were so loud or the whole town would of heard you screaming and begging for more." Heat rose in my cheeks and I stopped fighting him, utterly embarrassed because he was telling the truth.

With a chuckle he let me go and I turned to face him, fists clenching. "Can't take a hint? Stay the fuck away from me." We stared each other down, him smirking and me trying to breathe. Finally I made to move around him but he was still close and held up an arm to block me. I was breathing hard through my nose and closed my eyes to calm down.

"Can you really say you don't miss those days, Tol?" I could smell him, a scent I remembered so well, as he whispered to me. "Tell me why we can't get together still. You tell me the truth and I'll never bother you again."

"Cole, I was a stupid kid," I said with a sigh. I opened my eyes and looked into his. "I thought I loved you and we'd always be together. Yeah, the sex was hot but it wasn't worth the shit you put me through. If I could go back and change things I'd wish we'd never met." His arm dropped and he turned and walked away without a backward glance. I waited, sure that I couldn't get off so easy, but he never came back. I picked up the tool bag and trash and left to find Uncle Dan.

Somehow the confrontation with Cole left me feeling better about the mess with Vin. After that day things got better and went back to normal. A few weeks later and I was only thinking of Vin every other day and not every minute. A part of me still missed him but I told myself, live and learn.

On a Saturday night, one of those rare nights when the humidity had dissipated with the setting sun, a family dinner turned into a party. We moved from inside to the back porch where my Dad turned on the strings of Italian lights and lit the citronella candles. My Mom served desert, a Portuguese bread pudding, and poured out sweet wine. We were all talking and laughing, a couple of my brothers and sisters had come along with their families, into the night. My Dad and Tom, my brother, were smoking cigars and soft, old-fashioned instrumental music floated from the screened kitchen door.

I had just been handed my ten-month-old nephew and was trying to get him to burp while my Mom and sister, Theresa, went in search of the diaper bag. Tom was listing the reasons why it was best to marry a good Portuguese woman and we were all laughing at my blushing sister-in-law. "And," he continued, "they really know how to take care of their men. How to keep them satisfied." I was laughing so hard I almost didn't feel the rumble in the baby's little body as he finally let go of the air in his belly. I held him up and watched him, waiting to see if more than gas would come out. The baby looked happy and sleepy so I tucked him into my arms and leaned back in the chair. The other nieces and nephews were watching a movie in the living room or passed out.

Tom stopped talking and everyone went quiet, except Grandma snickering into her coffee cup, as I adjusted my position with the baby. I looked up to see everyone staring over my shoulder. I turned around to find Vin standing just inside the kitchen door a little behind my Mom. She pushed open the door and he followed her out onto the porch. The poor guy looked a little stunned and I wondered what had passed between him and Mom.

"Hi everyone," he said. No one said anything and he stood there awkwardly for a moment. He held up a bundle of clothing towards me. "I wanted to bring this back to you, Tol." I wasn't sure what to do, shocked to see Vin standing there.

"Who the fuck does this guy think he is," Tom growled. Vin slowly lowered the little bundle to his side and I realized it was the t-shirt and boxers he'd borrowed the day after he spent the night. I wasn't happy to see him but I couldn't leave him hanging. I met my brother's eyes and gave him a little shake of my head. I stood and handed the baby off to my Mom.

"Come on," I told Vin and led him off the back steps of the porch. As I walked down the steps I looked over my shoulder and said, "Goodnight, everyone. Love you." Vin had caught up to me and reached the bottom.

"What are you doing, Tol?" Tom asked and got to his feet. My Dad grabbed his arm and told him to leave it in Portuguese.

"I've got it, Tom. I'll give you a call tomorrow, be careful going home." I could tell he wasn't happy about it but he sat down. I took the last few steps and inclined my head towards my place so Vin would follow.

Once we were halfway there beyond the range of my family's hearing I rounded on Vin. "What are you doing here?" He handed me the clothes and I took them with a roll of my eyes. "What are you really doing here?" I let the exasperation come through in my tone.

"I wanted to apologize for how things went down. Tol, I really fucked up." He took my hand and held it. "I'm so sorry," he went on. "I haven't been able to get you out of my head. I know I don't deserve it but I've been doing a lot of thinking, about what you said that night at my place, and I want to ask you to forgive me. I came over here to ask you out... on a date, like, you know, a boyfriend date." This pronouncement was the last thing I would've expected.

"I'm sorry for some of the things I said too. You were right about my expectations, even if I still don't think I was pushing you. What made you do this?" He pushed the fingers of his other hand through his hair and sighed.

"I've missed you, Tol. I know we only just reconnected, and it's more than the sex, but there was something between us and I want to find out what it is. What do you say? Will you go out with me? Christ, I feel like I'm in high school." I smiled at him and pulled him farther along the path to my loft.

"Let's go to my place and talk. I wanna hear more about this date, if I say yes." He stopped me at the bottom of the stairs and pulled me into an embrace.

"Just say yes, Tol. I promise it'll be better than any date you've ever been on," he said just before stealing a kiss. I resisted but only for a second before melting. Our lips and tongues met, better than I remembered. Vin grabbed my ass and pulled me closer to feel his hard cock under the layers of our clothing. I let my hands roam over his shoulders and up into his hair.

"Get a room," my brother's voice carried over from the direction of the house. Vin jumped away from me in surprise. I flipped Tom off without looking back at him then grabbed Vin. I pushed my shoulder into his stomach and wrapped my arms around his legs as I stood, taking his weight. With him slung over my shoulder I took the stairs.

"Hey, put me down. I can get up the stairs on my own." I patted his ass and climbed up, listening to my brother laughing in the distance.

"This is faster, and you're not that heavy. It's like carrying a couple lengths of four inch rigid conduit," I laughed. He probably had no idea what I was talking about. "I'm going to take you to the bedroom so we can go over this date plan of yours." I managed to open the door and kicked it shut behind us. I hauled him into the bedroom and threw him down on the bed before climbing in beside him.

I spread my body out on him and kissed him, pulling back to suck on his bottom lip before diving in with my tongue. He cupped my face in his hands and gentled the kiss. He held me at bay and stared into my eyes. "Tol," he murmured, "I'm really sorry about the party. I was using it as an excuse to keep you away from me. I should've known how full of shit I was when watching you touch another guy pissed me off so much."

"At least you came to your senses. And just so you know, I'm not some prude or anything. When I was watching those two guys I imagined what it would be like putting on a show like that if it was you and me. It really got me going."

"So you'd let me rim you in a room full of guys?" My smile grew wider at that.

"As long as we aren't sharing, I could get into that." He kissed me briefly on the lips before grinning back at me.

"Would you let me fuck you in front of an audience?" I laughed and shook my head.

"Would you let me?" I asked him.

"Hmmm," he pretended to think about it but his half-grin belied the puzzled expression arching one of his brows. I only laughed harder at him.

"Maybe we should try it alone first," I said.

"You fucking me or the rimming?" He responded.

"Ooh, that's a tough one." Now I pretended to consider the options.

"So you like getting your ass eaten?"

"Oh yeah," I winked, "but only if I'm gonna get fucked after."

"I can do that." I couldn't stop smiling, I was so happy to have Vin in my bed again.

"Why don't we do both. The night's still early..."