Chapter Nine | Ethan

I finally had some time I could set aside for something I was excited about. A nude photoshoot with Carlos. I'd made the arrangements to meet him at his studio. I nearly bounced out of my shoes as I waited for him to open the industrial door after he buzzed me in.

The metal door slid aside, exposing a chic warehouse space. Also on display, the gorgeous Carlos. Wavy black hair, amber eyes, no shirt, and delicious, seductive tanned muscles.

Yum.

"Hey, beautiful." Carlos brushed some hair off my forehead then stepped aside, letting me in. He slid the door closed. "I'm looking forward to this."

Most of the walls in the vast space were covered in red and tan brick. Modern lighting. The broad wood plank ceiling soared at least thirty feet above us. At one end, his studio; backdrops, and props set to be used. I wandered down to that end past the massive kitchen island.

"How do we do this?" I asked, spinning around to face Carlos.

He pointed to a chair. "You can start by taking off your clothes. Throw them over there."

Simple enough.

"So, how long have you been taking pictures?" I unbuttoned my shirt, removed it, and lay it over the back of the chair. I kicked off my shoes.

"Almost twenty years. "

"How long doing nude photos?" I undid my shorts and slid them off. They joined my shirt on the chair. "And publishing them in print?"

"Nudes, professionally, for eight years. I started doing the coffee table books four years ago. They sell like crazy." Carlos wandered up behind me. I could feel his warm breath on my bare shoulder. "Love these panties on you." He stroked my hip. "But I need you to take them off."

"Could we take some pictures with them on?"

"Sure. Later."

I slipped off my manties and tossed them onto the chair. My cock was showing some interest in what was happening. I had no issue with that. Some firmness would look good in pictures.

"Come into the bathroom," Carlos said. "Gotta oil you up."

I followed him. "Why?"

"The light reflects beautifully off skin with a bit of oil." Carlos guided me to stand on a bathmat and popped open a bottle of oil. He poured some into his hands. "Arms up from your sides." He started at my throat, using his hands to cover me in a light layer. It didn't feel greasy. More like a sheen. He bypassed my cock after oiling my hips and v-cut and moved onto my legs.

My cock was even more interested. I concentrated on mundane things as Carlos' hands cruised all over my body. This wasn't sex. This was Carlos in his professional capacity.

"Okay, you're good." He turned to the sink and washed his hands.

We made our way back to the studio area. Hanging on the wall, the backdrop was a base of black with grey swirls like plumes of smoke. "I'm working on a Roman gladiator theme. "

I could see Carlos had various pieces of armour: helmets, chest plates, tunics, and swords. The idea of being half-dressed in ancient clothing excited me.

"But we'll start with some sexy bedroom photos." He pointed at a mess of white sheets on a mattress on the floor. "I liked the ones I took at your place. I'd like to recreate those."

Carlos wandered up behind me and traced his finger down my spine, then kissed me on the back of my neck. My cock hardened as I shivered.

"I've dreamed of fucking you again," he whispered directly in my ear.

"Oh … um." My heart pattered in my chest. "I'm seeing someone."

"So?"

I swallowed, my body on the brink of giving in. Carlos had made me feel so good. I bit my bottom lip, trying to slow down. "I don't feel comfortable fucking anyone else."

"He's important to you?"

I stepped away from Carlos. I turned to face him, aware that my hard cock was giving me away. I wanted him—badly. "He is. Is that going to be a problem?"

Carlos shook his head. "No. But I'll need you to jack off that gorgeous cock first. It'll look better in pictures if you're freshly spent. And keep biting on those lips. I want them swollen."

I jerked my head toward the back of the room. "In the bathroom?"

"Wherever you feel comfortable, but I'd love to get pictures of you doing it."

I laughed. "Not going to happen. I'm comfortable with my body and a few weeks ago, I would've been all over that … but things have changed."

"The guy."

"He's special. "

"I can respect that. Use the bathroom. Don't make a mess."

I walked back into the pristine bathroom of chrome fixtures, glass, and grey marble walls. It honestly didn't take me long to cum. I used memories of my weekend with Daniel to get me there.

I rejoined Carlos, my cock soft.

"Okay, onto the bed. Recline. One hand behind your head."

I followed his direction, leaning back on the copious pile of pillows. I fixed my face in an expression I'd worn many times over the weekend. That I was ready to be fucked again.

"Perfect." Carlos snapped a quick succession of pictures. "Now, drape the sheet across your cock." He changed his angle and took more. "So sexy. Bite your bottom lip. Seduce me."

I bent one knee, placed my hand on my abs, and tipped my head back slightly.

"Jeezus, Ethan, that's hot."

More pictures. Carlos circled in front of me. "Uncover it again and cup it in your hand."

I moved the sheet aside, caressed my abs, and encased my cock in my palm, licking my lips.

"Yes … that's it. You're desperate to be fucked."

My cock recovered. "I'm getting hard again."

"Roll onto your stomach. Bend one knee. Draw it up. Look over your shoulder. Let me see the full roundness of that gorgeous ass like we might get a peek at your hole."

I rolled and posed.

"Excellent." The camera snapped again and again. Then stopped. Carlos stood still, looking at me. "Do you mind if I take pictures of you erect?"

That request gave me a little shiver. I'd talked to Daniel about having the photos taken. The whole idea had turned him on, and he'd fucked me over the camper's table, so taken with urgency, we hadn't managed to remove my panties. He'd just hauled them aside to get to my hole.

"Where do you want me?" I asked.

Carlos pointed at a tall stool in front of the smoky backdrop. "Sit yourself on there." He set his camera down and arranged me on the stool, one foot on a rung, my hands behind my ass, leaning back slightly, looking up at the ceiling. He stepped away and looked at me. "You need black boots." I relaxed as he dug around in a box. I was soon wearing a pair of open Doc Martins.

He looked at me through the lens. "Stroke it a few times. I want it completely hard."

Wow … okay.

I palmed my dick and encouraged it until it was aching.

I reset the pose Carlos had placed me in. I'm positive my cock was beaded with precum. I fixed an image of Daniel in my mind as Carlos took pictures from all sides.

After we were done that, I went into the bathroom and jerked off again. Back in the studio, Carlos dressed me in a gladiator outfit, and we spent the next hour with me in various positions.

The whole experience was more exhausting than I thought it would be.

We wound down, I redressed, and Carlos called me over to his computer to see the pictures he'd taken. Even I had to admit, they were stunning. Carlos was talented.

"Do you mind sending me some of those?"

"Sure." He scrolled for a few minutes and typed some things. My email program dinged, alerting me to the arrival of the pictures. I opened the email, picked a few, and texted them to Daniel, grinning as I did it. He was going to freak out, in a good way, when he saw them.

My phone dinged again. I laughed as I read the text .

Daniel: OMG!! eggplant emojispurting emoji

Me: Thought you'd like them.

Daniel: Are you at home?

Me: No, I'm still at Carlos' studio.

Daniel: How soon can you be home?

I snort chuckled.

Me: You're at work.

Daniel: I suddenly don't feel well and need to go to your apartment.

Me: I can be back there in 20 minutes.

Daniel: Yup. I'm definitely coming down with something.

Me: See you in 20. kiss emoji

Daniel: heart emojiheart emojiheart emoji

I looked up. Carlos was smiling at me. "You talking to your guy?"

"I sent him some of the pictures. He wants to meet at my place."

Carlos chuckled. "My photos seem to have that effect on people." He left his computer and came to stand in front of me. "So, he's treating you good? You deserve the best."

"He gets me."

"You're one of the cheekiest guys I've ever fucked. I hope he realizes how unique you are."

"Pretty sure he's got an inkling. We went camping last weekend. Spent the entire time in his camper fucking like a couple of bunnies. Played some fun games, too. "

Carlos smiled. "You do like your games."

The beautiful man was staring at me with too much intention. "I should get going."

"We should grab coffee sometime."

"You can drop by my shop anytime. Salish Sea Café in Cook Street Village."

"I will keep that in mind." Carlos walked me to the sliding door. "Go enjoy your guy."

I wasn't home for more than three minutes when Daniel showed up. He dropped to his knees in my front entry and sucked the life out of me.

By the time we passed out in my bed, we were both too exhausted to move another muscle. Sated for the time being, we became a tangle of arms and legs.

I watched Daniel as he slept. I had never felt this way about someone before. Our time talking always enthused me. Just being in his company felt precious. And the sex was amazing.

I didn't know being with someone could feel like this.

So perfect. So destined.

I kissed his bicep as I stared at his soft lashes and the creases by his eyes. He mumbled something and hugged me tightly to him. I tucked my face against his neck, inhaling.

This is what I wanted forever to feel like.

We were having a special meeting of the Salish Sea Society tonight. It was Noah's birthday and Owen had suggested a barbeque at his place. I wasn't ready to subject Daniel to my group of hooligan friends yet, so I went on my own. It felt strange walking into Owen's without him.

I headed for the kitchen, in the direction of exuberant voices. I was the last to arrive. I started my hugs with Noah. "Happy birthday, old man!" I gripped him and pounded his back .

When we let go of each other, Noah braced for the kiss. He couldn't help laughing as I planted an extra wet one in the centre of his forehead. "Why do you only do that to me?"

"Because it annoys you the most." I hugged everyone else and then wandered to the drinks fridge and selected an IPA. I'd acquired a taste for them during my weekend with Daniel.

The guys were quiet when I slipped onto a stool at the kitchen island. I looked back and forth between all of them. Even Brody was eyeing me. "What?"

"The camping weekend," Owen said. "You haven't filled any of us in on it."

I smiled and looked down at the label on my beer bottle. "It was amazing."

A moment of silence.

"That's it?" Liam leaned on the counter.

"Yeah," Noah said. "We need more than that."

I was only willing to share to a point. What had happened between Daniel and me felt private. We'd been in our own little world all weekend. What we'd shared was strictly for us. "We didn't leave the camper except for when we took a break Saturday night to sit around the campfire."

"Nice," Liam said. "The man has stamina."

"We napped a lot between." I grinned and winked at Liam. "Tried to remember to eat."

"The protein shots weren't enough to sustain you," Noah teased, laughing.

"Oh, my God." Owen clapped his hand to his forehead. "Ew. Seriously, Noah."

Brody grunted and hugged Noah to him. Noah's comment had amused him.

I chose to ignore the cum joke. "He loves my manties." He'd destroyed my red ones. Left them in shreds. Having him want me that desperately had fired up an unexpected need in me .

I liked it when he was in charge. Fucking me hard.

Whispering praise across my skin.

"You've got some nice ones," Owen said. "If you're into that sort of thing."

"I want to know more about the camper," Brody blurted. He'd been hanging onto that one.

"Sure," I replied. "What do you want to know?"

"I looked at some online. They say they sleep six. How much room does everyone have?"

"Um … I only really saw the main bedroom in the back. There was enough room back there for us to entertain each other in all sorts of positions."

Brody groaned. That's not the kind of answer he was looking for.

"I think the seating by the kitchen folds down into a double bed," I said, being serious. "There is an area over the cab, but I can't imagine anyone other than small children up there."

"The two kids would have to share a bed," Noah said to Brody. "Maybe they won't mind."

"Not ideal," Brody grumbled. "Maybe we should be looking at buying an RV."

"Those can be really expensive," said Owen.

Brody sighed.

"Maybe you can talk to Daniel about it," I said to Brody. "He used to camp with his kids."

"Hey!" Liam shoved me, almost knocking me off my stool. "Why does Brody get to talk to Daniel, and we don't get to meet him yet? Seems unfair."

I lifted my beer bottle, about to take a sip. "Because Brody won't embarrass me."

Owen pointed at Liam. "He has a point. "

"Can we eat now?" Brody interrupted. I smiled. I liked how Brody kept our group on track. And I adored how much he loved Noah. I wanted that level of love in my life.

We worked as a team, getting all the food outside to the al fresco dining area. Owen was tasked with the grill. We were having burgers with bacon and cheese. The conversation had turned to work, everyone chiming in about the adventures of their everyday lives.

We were having a lot of fun.

Until Owen stuck his foot in it.

"How's the social media stuff going, Liam?"

Liam's smile of moments before slid from his face and he looked down at the burger he had pulled to pieces over the last few minutes to avoid the bacon, the cheese, and the bun.

I kicked Owen under the table.

"Ow … what?"

"He's been taking some fabulous pictures," Noah said, laughed—so fake, and nudged Liam. "Jamal called me into his office the other day asking about one of them. Whether I'd ever seen you wear those shorts outside of working out because they were absolutely criminal."

Liam shoved his chair back, burst to his feet, and took off inside the house.

"Way to go," I said to Owen.

"What did I do?"

"You know damned well how sensitive he is about those stupid pictures," replied Noah as he threw his napkin down on the table, launched to his feet, and took off after Liam.

"Fuck, Owen," I muttered. "You know better."

"I thought it was all good. The pictures have been great."

"Have you been reading all the comments?"

Owen furrowed his brow. "Briefly."

"A lot of people don't like him," Brody said. "They say cruel things. "

"Give me a heads-up next time," Owen replied.

"Your head should always be up when it comes to Liam."

Noah wandered back outside and sat in his chair. "He'll be all right. Just give him a second."

It was almost twenty minutes later when Liam emerged. His food was cold. Not that he would've eaten any more of it anyway. He pushed his beer aside in preference to his water bottle.

When he opened the lid, it made a loud pop as if under pressure.

Liam looked at Owen. "My social media could be doing better."

Owen took Liam's hand and squeezed it. "I'm sorry to hear that."

I had wanted to share details about my photoshoot with Carlos with the guys tonight, but it would strike too close to home for Liam this week. My nude photos could wait.

Brody rose to his feet. "Noah and I have to go now."

"We have a home inspection tomorrow morning," Noah added. "Brody is concerned there is some glaring error we have made with our home that will make us ineligible to foster."

"I just want to check everything again." Brody reached for Noah's hand once Noah joined him by the path that led down the side of Owen's house, through a gate, and to the street.

"Good luck," we called in unison as they disappeared.

"They'll be fine," Owen said.

"They're going to be good parents," Liam added. "Those kids are lucky."

I finished my beer.

Talk about lucky. The universe had brought me Daniel. All the experiences in the years he'd lived longer than me had created the most incredible, caring, and beautiful man.

Parts of me couldn't believe he was real .

Or that I deserved him.

Maybe I didn't.

I picked at my beer label and put that thinking out of my head.