Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CLAY

"What do you mean it's mine?"

Sue gestures toward the big pile of roofing shingles I just asked about, the surplus as we finish the job.

"I got them for a song," she says. "I certainly don't intend to store them. And I don't mean to speak indelicately, kid, but I have seen the condition of your roof. You will inevitably have to tend to the matter. So if you'll do the labor of getting these shingles out of this work site today, you can keep the load."

I huff, not sure what to say. I've barely worked with Sue, but I can't imagine she'd overestimate an order by this much. It's probably enough to finish most of my job.

And it's going to save me an ass-load of time and money.

Not about to argue with good luck, I offer her my hand instead. "Thanks, Sue."

She accepts with a firm grip. "Shingles need to be out of here by noon," she says.

"Got it. If you need another backup while I'm in town, you know where to find me."

"Possibly. We're going to gut the apartments above the bear bar this month. I'll let you know if we need an extra hand." She nods once. "Until later."

She takes off, and I frown to myself, still uncertain if anyone actually likes me. Seems like it, but why would Sue decide to like me? Except for the fact that I work hard, and tried my best to take the instruction her crew offered.

It's only nine in the morning, which means I can get a good day of work in at my place. After gulping down a protein shake, I borrow a wheelbarrow, spend the morning hauling shingles to the backyard, and turn straight back to roofing.

If this potential buyer does come by, I want to make the best impression possible. Nicholas went to the trouble of dragging me out to network, and I somehow managed to not fuck it up, so I'm determined to take advantage of the opportunity.

"Hey!" Nicholas yells from the ground a couple hours later. It's sunny and hot, and I wipe sweat off my face as I look down at him, two floors beneath me.

"Sorry!" I yell. "Too loud in the shop?"

"No!" Nicholas climbs up the ladder so he's close enough to talk normally. "Just wondered if you're aware that you have an audience."

I arch an eyebrow. "Where?"

He nods discreetly down the street. When I look, I see that I'm perfectly positioned to be on display for the entire block, from the bus stop to the outdoor café, and more than a few people are watching me work.

With an annoyed grunt, I squat down to get closer to Nicholas. "Guess I'll make sure not to scratch my balls anymore."

Nicholas laughs. "A little ball-scratch would be a hit with your audience, but you're right. Best not to pander."

I hate the feeling of everyone staring at me, but in this moment, there's a little bit of a thrill to it, too. They can look all they want, but no one is going to see the truth of what's going on between me and Nicholas. That's just for us.

"You're coming over tonight, regular time?"

He nods quickly. "Want me to pick anything up?"

"Just you," I answer with a slight growl.

The rest of the afternoon, I work on the rear of the roof, away from prying eyes. The paycheck from Sue and the free shingles are a huge boost. I'm driven to get this done, and the more I work on the house, the more committed I am to the vision that's forming in my head.

There's no better way to fall in love with a beautiful old building than to work on it.

All afternoon, my desire for Nicholas builds, too.

I'm ready for more with him. Keeping this part of my sexuality buried meant that, in the past, I didn't entertain many fantasies about men. I pushed my desires aside before they had a chance to take shape.

But with Nicholas, there's time to think about what I want. I have him all to myself, and the opportunity excites me.

I want to drive Nicholas out of his mind. Get at him with more than my hands. The potential builds every time we're together, like a geyser ready to break the earth open.

I've been wondering about licking him. Sucking him. Tasting him.

When the sun dips to the horizon, I clean up the worksite and head inside. After popping a pizza in the oven, I take a steamy shower, easing my muscles and washing off the day's dirt.

Nicholas arrives right on time. He's brought another bag, this time with ice cream, which he says we can't have until after we orgasm. I've got the flowers he gave me arranged on the table, and Nicholas smiles at them as he drops his bag and marches over to kiss me.

He's all hands, tearing into me like he can't get enough. It feels good, and I groan under my breath as I hitch him close, kissing him back.

"Frisky," I say. "Nice."

I love when Nicholas is turned on. And I especially love that I'm the one turning him on. It's like the dirty talk. With everything explicit and right out in the open, it's easier to trust myself and be with him.

"Yeah," he says. "I keep thinking about how hot you looked wearing nothing but your tool belt."

Still feels funny to have him talk about me being hot, but I'm getting better at not balking.

I kiss him again and drag my thumb over his cheek. "Maybe we can try something new this time."

"What do you have in mind?"

I move my hand over his crotch, feeling his erection through his pants. We're standing by the couch, and Nicholas leans against me, his breath fluttering.

"Sucking your dick," I answer.

Nicholas grabs my bicep. "Clay," he moans softly. "That sounds very hot."

"Good," I tell him. "Because I'm ready, and you know I'm not patient once I decide I want something."

He pulls back slightly. "In that case, sometime soon, we should walk down the street to the clinic and get STI tests. Then we can skip the barriers in the future. If that works for you, too."

I pull my phone out. "Already got tested," I tell him as I pull up the results. "Did a full panel. Remembered that you said that's important to you. Want to see?"

Nicholas blinks, surprised. "Oh! I trust you," he clarifies. "You don't have to prove it to me. But since you're offering..."

The words I trust you land like a heavy blanket over my shoulders as he pulls out his phone.

"I've been tested, too," he says, showing me. "After my last vacation hookup at a flower conference in Miami a few months ago."

I raise up half a smile. "Cool," I say.

Nicholas grins. "I was planning to get another test anyway. Out of good faith, since I'm asking you to."

I reach out and take the back of his head. Pulling lightly, tugging on his hair, I bring his mouth to mine again.

"Nicholas," I say, dragging my palm up his hard dick. "Nicky. This means we don't have to use condoms, right?"

He shudders against me, rewarding my confidence, the ways I'm trying to put myself out there.

"You want to suck my dick, Clay?"

"Yes," I answer.

Nicholas kisses me. "Okay," he says softly.

"Good boy," I tell him, rubbing his erection. With another low growl, I pull his pants and underwear down, freeing his stiff dick.

Fuck, I really like his dick. Why did it take me so long to admit how much I like a hard dick? I want to pump it and work it like a damn power tool.

"Come here," I tell Nicholas as I drag him over to the couch, losing my pants on the way, too.

I push him up against the back of the couch. "Right here." I kiss him and rub his cock with my hand, feeling his reaction in every pulse. "This is where I want you."

When I get on my knees, Nicholas's cock twitches in front of me.

I've been close and personal with him plenty of times now. The earthy, musky scent is familiar, and I huff Nicholas's arousal, turned on by it. When I take his dick in my hand and rub it slowly, the precum that oozes out is the reward that I'm waiting for.

Taking him in my mouth is different. I'm unsteady at first, unsure. But his gentle hand takes my face, and he guides me. Slow.

I'm comfortable with him. Can't imagine being vulnerable like this with anyone else.

Nicholas's cock rubs against my lips, stoking my desire. I grab his hard shaft and brush his dick against my beard. He moans out in approval, taking my shoulders, and I bring him to my mouth.

When he slides between my lips, I feel his core shaking. Nicholas pants with pleasure, and I pull my lips over his crown, testing the feeling.

His dick is average size, but in my mouth, it feels bigger. That would distract me, but the deeper I take him, the more I can feel what I'm doing to him.

He pulses when I lick up his shaft, and I want more. I grab his hip and grope at his ass as I pull him closer, and his dick goes deeper into my mouth, not quite far enough to choke me.

Nicholas grabs the back of my head and holds me there, and I growl with satisfaction as I feel him leaking and throbbing between my lips. He rubs my face and the back of my head, moaning as I swirl my tongue and suck on him, exploring.

My brain reaches, trying to remember what I like when I'm getting my dick sucked. But just as quickly, Nicholas starts rocking his hips lightly, and instinct takes over again.

I paw at his thighs. Suck him. Lick and taste every inch. He groans his approval, tells me when he wants me softer or harder, slower, and it's satisfying to meet his urges. When my fingers are slicked up with saliva and precum, Nicholas pulls my hand back to his ass, and I tease his rim, too.

The feel of his slick, tight hole nearly does me in.

I'm burning with how much I want him, how fucking sexy he is when he's moaning and sweating and hard. With a groan, I jerk myself, too, and suck him harder, the early quakes of an orgasm thundering at my core.

My fingers slick his rim, rubbing his edge, and I feel him clench.

Nicholas takes my face, gently tugging me off his dick. When I look up, he's sweaty, and his eyes are watery.

"Do you want to lick my hole?" he asks with a raspy breath.

I flip him around, pushing him over the couch. "Hell yeah," I answer as I feast my eyes on his ass.

Nicholas widens his stance, spreading his cheeks for me, and this time, I know exactly what to do.

I lean in, press my mouth to his rim, and lick him.

His scent goes straight to my brain. It doesn't take much kissing and licking to warm him up. He's clean and sweet, and when I push my tongue against his rim, it slides across his tight muscles, loosening him.

I bury myself in Nicholas's ass, working my way in. As he groans encouragement, I get my fingers in, too, and I realize with pride that I'm rocking his world. I know just how to stroke Nicholas and touch him, his reactions giving me pleasure, too.

"That's it, Nicky," I tell him, snaking my hand around to squeeze his dick. "Give me that ass."

He thrusts back with a low moan, right on the edge. I keep going, hitting all of his spots, and when he climaxes, his hole squeezes. I drag my tongue over his rim as he takes my fingers hard, yelling and convulsing.

When he's done, I retrieve my hand and pull him into a deep, long kiss, and Nicholas jerks me until I orgasm, flooding his torso as we make out.

I look down at him. He's glowing with sweat, blissful and totally at peace. The world is swirling around me. It's like I'm drunk, but at the same time, as clearheaded as I've ever been.

This is only temporary, I remind myself.

A chance to experiment.

No matter how strongly something inside me rises up to insist that I never let this man go.