Page 55 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 9

ZACHARY

I woke up when my phone chimed with a text. Groaning, I squinted at the clock. 10:34am. Fuck, we hadn’t gotten back to the hotel until almost 4am.

I staggered to the bathroom. After I’d peed, I took the hottest shower I could stand. Joel and Mateo’s families were arriving today, and the rehearsal dinner started with cocktails at 6pm. Ugh, I didn’t even want to think about drinking. And I’d been the soberest out of all of us last night, switching to Coke around 1am like a good groomsman. Hell, I hadn’t even picked anyone up. A couple of guys in the audience at the strip club had caught my eye, but I’d been too busy getting our group from one place to another.

Feeling more human, I picked up my phone to see what wretched person had chosen to text me at this ungodly hour. When I saw it was Ford, my heart started beating faster.

Ford: I’m having a day by the pool. Here I am in your swimsuit. Why is it so small?

Ford: [photo]

I couldn’t get my finger on the photo fast enough. He’d angled the phone to get most of his body in the frame. He was lying on a lounge chair, wearing only sunglasses and my green and blue swim trunks. I sucked in a breath. Holy hell. I hadn’t been able to see much last night because of the lace of the panties and his pubic hair, but in my swimsuit it was obvious Ford was packing. I could see why he’d be slightly uncomfortable with how tiny my swim trunks were. If he got even half-hard, that trouser snake would be trying to escape.

Ford: Oh, and this is my dog Lola. One of the guys petsitting for me sent it this morning.

Ford: [photo]

Quickly I saved the photo of Ford to my phone, then I opened the next one. A pug was sitting in the grass, looking at an orange ball on the ground with an expression that made it clear she didn’t know what it was or what she was supposed to do with it.

Me: In order: You’re fucking hot in my swim trunks, and you should keep them! And your dog is adorable. Is she your only pet?

Ford: No. I’m a veterinarian. Acquiring a menagerie is a hazard of the job. I’ve got two dogs and three cats.

Me: Awww. I hope I get to meet them when we exchange our bags.

Ford: Do you have any pets?

Me: Not at the moment. I work pretty long hours, which sucks. One day I’ll have the mental energy to look for a job with better work/life balance.

Me: BTW, how did last night go? Were the lace panties a hit?

I felt like I should ask. It would’ve been weird if I hadn’t. But the problem was, I didn’t really want him to answer.

Ford: Well, I got hit on quite a bit, but none of the guys did it for me.

I scrunched up my forehead. He was in Palm Springs, a gay Mecca. He couldn’t find one guy he wanted to hook up with?

Ford: But I did make use of your lace underwear when I got back to the hotel, if you know what I mean.

Holy fuck! I had to adjust myself under the towel as I imagined Ford jerking himself off with my panties.

Ford: Oh, shit. I’m sorry. That was probably really inappropriate and more than you wanted to know. I washed them, I promise. I can buy you a new pair, if you’ll tell me where you got them. I am soooo sorry!

Okay, that was enough of that. I hit the button to call him.

“Are you mad? I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have done it. Those belong to you.”

“Ford, stop. It’s fine. It’s... more than fine. I’m getting hard just imagining it. Fuck.”

“Really?” I heard rustling. “Shit, now I need to put the towel over my lap.”

“Yeah? You like thinking about me with a stiffy?” What the hell, I might as well shoot my shot. “I could send you a picture. Or a video if you want.”

Ford hissed his breath through his teeth. “Fuck. Really?”

“Really. I’m in my room all alone. I’m so doing this right now, with or without you. But I hope it’s with you.”

He thought for a moment. “Um, can you hang on? I want to go back to my room.”

Yes! Now we were talking. I loosened my towel as I went into the bathroom to grab my lube. Then I got on the bed and listened to Ford make his way back into the hotel. His breath was harsh against the phone.

“Okay, I’m in the elevator, so if I lose you, I’ll call you back.”

“Take your time. I’m lubing up.”

“Oh, fuck.” More panting. “Um, Zachary, how old are you?”

I laughed. “I’m thirty-one. I know I look a lot younger though.”

He exhaled loudly. “Thank fuck. I’m forty-five, and I thought I was robbing the cradle.”

“Nope. You like to top, Ford? Or are you a hungry bottom? I can go either way.”

“Um....” I heard the beep of the electronic lock on his hotel room door. “Okay, I’m alone in my room.” The sound changed, so he must’ve put me on speaker. I did the same with my phone.

“Top or bottom, Ford?”

“I, uh, think I’m both? At least I want to try both.”

My hand stilled, frozen on my cock. “Ford? Have you never been with a man? Or have you just not had penetrative sex with one?”

“Um, the first one? I’ve been meaning to try it—being with a man—for years, ever since my divorce. But I had so many other things to do, it was easy to put it off.”

I blinked. “But you’ve been having sex with women.”

“No, just my hand. I’ve never actually done casual sex in my life. This trip was all about experiencing that. Casual sex, with a man.”

How could I say Oh, hell, no in a supportive, sex-positive way?

“Ford, that’s a great goal, and I’m glad you’re up for trying new things. Can I ask one more question, and then we can get back to jerking off?” Which would be Ford’s first sexual experience with a man. Fuck. I shifted on the bed as my dick got even harder.

“Sure.”

“Most—many people would have a difficult time going without sex with another person for years like that. This might not be your situation at all, and I’m sorry if I’m crossing a line by bringing it up, but have you considered if you might be on the asexual spectrum?”

He didn’t reply for a minute. Then he said, “Um, no, I hadn’t. I—you might be right. I’ll have to think about it.”

“Yeah, maybe do a little research. But, Ford, the only reason I mention it is if that’s the case, you may have trouble with casual hookups. Could be that’s why you didn’t find anyone you wanted to sleep with last night.”

Another pause. “Yeah, makes sense. Huh. Looks like I have some thinking to do.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry, Zachary, I don’t think I’m in the right headspace for, uh, doing what we were about to do.”

Well, shit. I’d done that to myself, hadn’t I? “No worries, I understand.” Though my balls certainly didn’t. “How about a raincheck?”

“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t mean to disappoint you.”

I chuckled. “Oh, trust me, Ford. I’m still going to jerk off.” Taking a chance, I asked, “You want me to record it for you?”

He cleared his throat. “Um, maybe not today.”

That wasn’t never. I’d take it. “Gotcha.”

It took me all of thirty seconds after hanging up with Ford before I came all over myself.

Panting, I wiped my hand off on the towel. So a one-nighter with Ford was off the table. I was good with that. I was good with taking all the time Ford needed.

New goal: make Ford mine.

If only I didn’t have to wait until we got back to Texas.