Chapter 15

After a shower, Garrett lie nude on his bed to rest, and maybe nap. He had several ideas for restaurants and taking Aaron out for a nice expensive meal. The sun had sapped him but made him feel good at the same time.

Like Aaron, he had no fond memories of youth. No wonderful loving outings.

No picnics with the family pet.

No reunions with cousins, aunts, uncles, or grandparents.

As an army brat he and his brother moved from place to place, country to country.

No roots.

No parties.

No affection.

Just a strict adherence to rules or painful punishment.

Aaron emerged from the bathroom, also having showered. He asked softly, “Would you rather I left you alone?”

Garrett reached towards him, wriggling his fingers.

Aaron joined him, naked, on the bed.

Under the soft spinning ceiling fan, with the A/C set at 75 degrees, Garrett held Aaron’s hand, interlacing their fingers as they lay side-by-side.

Loneliness wasn’t just a state of mind. It was an emotional block. A wall.

If you don’t fall for someone, you can’t get hurt.

If you don’t have a loved one, they can’t be used as collateral against you.

If, if, if…

I’m thirty-five. If not now, when?

He turned his head on the pillow to see Aaron’s deep brown eyes gazing at him. The love there. It was so obvious.

He’d known it after the two of them had made love for the first time.

Garrett rolled to his side and cupped Aaron’s handsome face. The emotion in this dear man welled up in the form of tears filling his eyes. The dark eyelashes surrounding Aaron’s deep chocolate irises kept the tears from rolling down his cheek.

Garrett parted his lips. Wanting to say it. Wanting to tell him.

I love you .

It didn’t come out of his mouth. Trapped by his dead soul.

Neither parent had ever said it. No. He didn’t hear those endearing words before bedtime. No.

No motherly kisses. No bedtime stories.

Robots breeding robots.

Far right in their political views, deeming anything loving or emotional as weak.

When his brother died, his mother didn’t cry. At his brother’s funeral Garrett battled so hard not to fall to pieces as the flag-draped coffin was carried off the plane. His mother. Her face like stone. His father. His expression frozen in a frowning sneer. Not one tear fell.

Oh, they hurt. Yes. They hurt.

But show it?

Ha. No.

Crying was for pansies. Commies. Lefties.

Garrett kissed Aaron in gratitude. Aaron showed him he could love. That meant more to him than he had ever anticipated. He drew Aaron into an embrace and held him tight.

Aaron returned the embrace. Two lonely souls from opposite ends of the society spectrum managed to love each other.

It boggled his mind.

~

With Garrett’s loving embrace surrounding him, they napped.

The sun had a way of making you drowsy. That, or the stress and preoccupation of the events occurring in their lives, was equally draining.

Aaron sighed as he came around from a deep sleep. He leaned up to see the time. It was after five. They had slept for over two hours.

When he stirred, Garrett woke. The ever-alert soldier.

Aaron wondered if he’d slept on the battlefields. Nothing would surprise him when it came to this man.

Garrett sat up and yawned, rubbing his face. “Hate naps.”

“What are we doing for dinner?” Aaron struggled to think clearly too, because afternoon naps did that. They gave you brain fog.

“I’m taking you out to dinner.” Garrett entered the bathroom and shut the door behind him.

“Out?” Aaron blinked. “Out in public? Dinner?” He was thrilled and nervous at the same time. He couldn’t recall the last time he was in a nice restaurant for a meal.

Fast food, cafés, yes. But fine dining?

He rose from the bed and dug through his clothing. He had a couple of decent pairs of slacks and one or two nice cotton shirts.

After Garrett emerged, Aaron took his turn. He freshened up and looked into the mirror at his blond hair and dark eyes. Brad Houston. You’re Brad Houston.

No worries.

Aaron made a silly face at himself and finished up.

~

While Garrett dressed in smart casual clothing, he saw the outfit Aaron had laid on the bed. It was passible, but dated. Garrett thought about taking Aaron clothing shopping but shut himself down when he did.

You’re not his mother.

You’re not even his boyfriend.

Stopping short as he tucked his shirt into his trousers, he asked himself out loud, “Am I his boyfriend?”

He looked at the bed they shared, then bathroom they shared, thought about the sex the shared…

“I have a boyfriend?”

Aaron opened the bathroom door, shutting the light. “Huh? Did you say something?”

Shaking his head, no, Garrett finished getting dressed and tucked his smaller handgun into an ankle holster, then his semiautomatic pistol into a holster he could clip on his belt.

Once Aaron was dressed, Garrett thought he looked fine. The clothing wasn’t worn or faded, and the man was handsome.

Very handsome.

Aaron touched his dark jaw stubble. “Should I shave again?”

Garrett approached him and used the back of his knuckles to caress the coarse texture. “Probably.”

“Are you sure us being seen in a restaurant together is a good idea?”

“It’s fine.”

Aaron nodded and returned to the bathroom to shave off the dark stubble, trying to be perceived as a real blond.

Garrett filled his wallet with cash, because that was all he used. Cash. Debit and credit cards could be traced. He didn’t need his whereabouts tracked.

After Aaron finished shaving, he left the bathroom and touched his own jaw. “Better?”

Even though Garrett preferred Aaron to look ruggedly masculine, he nodded. “Yes.”

They slipped on shoes and Garrett tilted his head for Aaron to follow him through the house to the connecting kitchen door.

Back inside the sedan, Garrett elevated the garage door and smiled at Aaron. It’d been a while since he’d taken a ‘date’ out for a meal. The area of town he was headed to was far from the DC crowd. No doubt they’d be fine.

No doubt at all.

~

Aaron gazed out of the passenger’s window as they drove. A summer night in Baltimore and people were outside trying to cool off. Many homes did not have central air conditioning, and A/C unit boxes hung out of windows, running constantly.

Some kids had removed fire hydrant caps and were dancing under the spray like under lawn sprinklers.

After filling the tank with gas at a service station, Garrett parked on the street, and walked around the back of the car to a block of retail storefronts.

Aaron joined him and they came to Marconi’s Restaurant. Garrett opened the door and the noise of chatting echoed in the space. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling and fresco paintings of trees and landscapes were on the plaster walls.

The scent was divine. Garlic. Olive oil.

A man waved at them. “Sit anywhere you’d like.”

Garrett touched Aaron’s elbow and led him to a small round table with a white tablecloth which was against one wall. Garrett sat facing the front of the restaurant, and Aaron had his back to the door.

Laughter, friends meeting up, regulars dining, gave the place a homey feel.

Garrett and he were given menus. It all looked fantastic.

“How about a bottle of wine to start,” and old man waiter asked.

“Any red would be just fine.” Garrett smiled at him.

He got a big grin from the elderly man as he walked off.

Aaron looked up from the menu at the crowd. It was loud, and lively, like a reunion of family from the old country. Fantastic.

A bottle of red wine was uncorked at their table, and two stemmed glasses were filled. The bottle was set down and the old man with the thinning gray hair and stained apron, said, “We have specials.”

Aaron heard a slight accent that time. Italian. Cool.

“Stuffed artichokes, baked manicotti, and linguini with clams.”

Aaron’s mouth watered. He read the menu to see the other choices.

“Do you need more time?” the man asked, holding a pencil and pad.

“Aaron?” Garrett asked him.

“You go.”

Garrett said, “I’d love the special. The artichoke and the baked manicotti.”

“Very good.”

Aaron was torn between that and the shrimp scampi.

Garrett asked, “Does it come with salad?”

“Yes. Salad with oil and vinegar.”

“Perfect.” Garrett handed his menu to the man.

Aaron said, “The artichoke and the shrimp scampi.”

“Very good.”

He gave the menu to the waiter and the man walked off.

Garrett raised his wine glass to him in a toast. Aaron picked his up and tapped Garrett’s glass. “To?”

“To happy endings.”

“Oh, hell, yes.” Aaron sipped the wine, and it was smooth, like velvet. “Wow! This is amazing.”

“Probably homemade.” Garrett winked at him.

Bread was set on the table along with olive oil for dipping and butter. Two bowls of salad were served, lettuce, tomatoes, and sweet onions. The salad was divine. The vinaigrette dressing, perfect.

The napkins were cloth.

As more friends entered the restaurant, loud calls and greetings rang out.

Aaron could not be happier. “Love this place. Great choice.”

“Yes. It is. Fantastic.”

As they drank the wine, ate the salad, and absorbed the intensity of the atmosphere, Aaron felt safe. Safe among the neighborhood people, good people, wholesome, hardworking.

~

Garrett knew this was the right spot for them. The family run business allowed no funny business. No trouble. No hoodlums.

The bread was crusty outside and soft as a cloud inside.

Their huge stuffed artichokes were served with a side plate for the leaves. As they dug in, sliding the meaty part of the petals over their teeth, Garrett tasted the incredible stuffing of breadcrumbs, anchovies, and mushrooms.

Aaron hummed with delight and then asked, “What’s in this? It’s amazing.”

Knowing Aaron had said ‘no anchovies’ when they ordered a pizza, he didn’t have the heart to tell him that was what gave the food its great flavor.

So? He shrugged. “Mama Marconi’s secret recipe.”

“Ha.” Aaron devoured the appetizer as quickly as he did then he showed Aaron how to scrape out the choke and eat the delicate heart.

Garrett wondered how hard it would be to live this kind of life. The longer he and Aaron were together, the more he craved it. Because this was what it was all about.

Good food.

A lover.

And a life without the complexity of government and politics.

Man, how he despised that world. Now, more than ever.

~

Since Garrett was driving, he had two glasses of wine and Aaron, well, he decided he’d down the rest. Why waste it?

His main course was terrific, filled with flavor and sweet plump, tender prawns.

Garrett devoured the manicotti, which had homemade crepe-like tubes and scratch-made sauce.

They ate every bite until the plates were wiped clean with what was left of the bread.

The bill was set out after they refused dessert of cannoli or tiramisu, tempting as it was.

The cost was very reasonable, so Garrett left a big tip.

They rose from the table and left the noisy restaurant, hearing someone singing an operetta song as the evening festivities appeared to just begin.

Outside, the streets were busy with pedestrians, cars slowly passing, and the noise of firecrackers being lit all over the place.

Aaron jumped out of his skin and leapt onto Garrett, who laughed at him and calmed him down.

A roman candle was set off close by and its whistle, pop, and shower of color filled the sky between buildings.

Aaron stayed close to Garrett as they neared their car. He couldn’t tell the difference between fireworks and gunfire. But no doubt, Garrett could.

They sat in the sedan and Garrett started the engine. “That was a delightful meal.”

“Yes. Thank you.” Aaron put his seatbelt on. “I have a stash of cash at the house. I want to give you some.”

“Why?” Garrett merged into traffic and headed home. Along the way kids with sparklers lit waved them, and lit whole mats of firecrackers making the sparks fly all over the sidewalks.

“Why?” Aaron asked him. “Because you’re paying for everything.”

“It’s fine.” Garrett patted his knee.

Aaron was about to protest but shut up. He thought about it. Am I the little woman?

He was good with that. Very good. And surprised Garrett didn’t mind being the breadwinner.

With his criminal background he was sunk. Garrett knew it. It wasn’t as if Aaron had a college degree and was lazy. The opposite was true.

He decided there were other ways to ‘pay his share’ in this relationship.

He stared at Garrett’s package and the way it made the zipper flap bulge. While Garrett drove them home and the approaching evening dimmed the sky, Aaron loosened the seatbelt and leaned over his lap.

~

Garrett choked in surprise when Aaron unzipped his trousers and rooted out his dick. While waiting at a red traffic light, Garrett’s cock was sucked into a hot, wet mouth.

Uh, when did this ever happen to me before?

Never!

Aaron hummed and spread Garrett’s clothing wider, gaining access to his balls.

“Holy shit.” Garrett focused on the road, and it wasn’t a long drive, but wow!

As Aaron’s blond head of hair bobbed up and down on his lap, and Garrett’s cock thickened from the thrill, he kept splitting his focus from the road to the act.

Teased to distraction the entire drive home, Garrett did a scan of the area, including his rearview mirror, and turned into the cul-de-sac of his home.

He rolled onto his driveway and elevated the garage door. Once inside the closed space, Garrett put the car in park and kept it running for the cool A/C.

Aaron unhooked his safety belt and tucked his hand between Garrett’s legs, to his ass. Through his clothing, Aaron rubbed hot friction against his rim and Garrett nearly howled at the pleasure. One thing he had not gotten much of in his life was ass-play.

He liked it.

Aaron sucked deep, strong, and hard, and Garrett went tripping off the cliff into a climax.

“Oh, fuck!” He kicked his feet into the brake and gas pedals and closed his eyes.

Aaron moaned and milked him strongly as he swallowed.

“Fuck… fuck…” Garrett muttered as he tried to function.

Aaron sat up, looking smug.

“Holy shit.” Garrett smiled at him. “I need a minute.”

Aaron rested his chin on his palm and stared at him. “God, you’re handsome.”

All Garrett could do to respond was a soft, ‘Ha.’

After his blood returned to his brain, he tucked his cock into his clothing and fastened his pants. Shutting the motor, he and Aaron then exited the car and entered the house.

As he went, he turned on lights, and kept thinking, yes. I want this. Yes.

This is my new goal.

Garrett took off his shoes, both guns, and left his wallet on the dresser, then spun around to see Aaron’s sweet smile as he removed his shoes.

“Get over here.” Garrett craned his finger.

Aaron approached him.

Garrett pulled him into an embrace and pressed his face against Aaron’s neck. Love. Yes. I do love you.

He rocked him side to side and knew, just knew, they’d make it through this. He had a reason to live. A reason to break on through the other side of the mess Aaron was in.

He knew everything was going to be okay. Why? Because he’d make it okay, that’s why.

~

After they washed up for bed, Aaron relaxed on the mattress and felt content. Happy.

Garrett shut the lights and was nude, like he was. When Garrett walked his big cock swayed side to side hypnotically.

Aaron couldn’t get enough of looking at him.

With one of his large hands, Garrett nudged Aaron to lay back. Then he positioned himself between Aaron’s legs and drew his dick into his mouth.

“Oh, hell, yes.” Aaron spread wide, bent his knees, and propped his head up on the pillow to watch.

Garrett’s blue eyes were like sensual orbs of light as he gave him head. Using saliva, Garrett massaged Aaron’s rim.

Sparks of pleasure rushed over Aaron’s body. Just the sight of Garrett with his dick in his mouth was enough to get Aaron to come. And he did. Quickly.

Garrett moaned as he swallowed and massaged Aaron’s cock and the root of his dick, prolonging the pleasure.

Aaron’s body went tense, his ass clenched, and he felt the intensity rush over him.

Once he’d come, Garrett inched his way to the pillows.

Outside, booms and crackles were heard from kids all over the neighborhood setting off fireworks.

Some towns had their displays this evening, so an occasional sonic boom from a big explosion made the house rattle.

Aaron tried not to tremble at the noise. Garrett seemed impervious. He rested his cheek on the pillow and closed his eyes.

And while the nation began to relish the anniversary of its independence, Aaron savored his love for his hero. A man he would die for.

Yes. He said that.

A man he would die for.

He rested his cheek on Garrett’s upper arm and fell asleep.