Page 15 of Chosen Spirits (The Bartender Mage #4)

Tucker positioned himself so that he was on his knees, straddling the back of Rickert's beefy thighs. Being careful not to rest his weight on his injured friend, he gently draped Rickert's thick, lizard-like tail over his shoulder. There was a lot of ground to cover, so he started at the base.

With effort, Tucker managed to keep his focus on applying the medication, ignoring the heat he could feel radiating from the tail, and the gratifying smells of pleasure and contentment that had been gradually replacing the scent of discomfort.

After a period of silence while he did his job, he felt Rickert shift.

"Hey, uh, bro? Can I ask a question?"

"Sure."

"When did you first know you were gay?"

"Well, for me, it was pretty straightforward.

I didn't really have a filter growing up, so according to my parents, when I was eleven or twelve, I just came home one day and told them that a boy in my class smelled really good and I wanted to live inside of his clothes so I could keep smelling him.

" Tucker barked a laugh. "It happened a few more times after that, and I got a talking to by my dad, explaining things.

Then as the years went on, a few of my classmates and friends let me just lay my face on them while they did things like play video games, and after a bit of experimentation…

yeah. It was obvious enough that I was se xually attracted to men, and only men. Guys just smell more heady to me."

Tucker paused to sniff, gauging his friend's mood. A bit of curiosity mixed with… worry? "Why do you ask?"

Rickert's tail became more agitated, smearing some of the lotion on Tucker's chest and belly; he had to hug it snugly to keep it from striking anything that would hurt the burned areas. "Okay, so, I know I'm not gay. I definitely like women."

"Uh-huh."

"I fooled around with a guy back in college, once, and it didn't really do much for me at the time.

Just getting your rocks off, you know? Yeah.

But maybe some gay things are kind of cool?

I don't mind kissing, like making out with Leif.

" Rickert looked back over his shoulder. "That's okay for me to say, yeah?"

Tucker grinned at him, then grunted when Rickert's tail nudged against his kilt again. "Stop twitching if you want me to finish. I'm almost done. And yeah, I like making out with Leif, too. I also really like watching you two."

"Right! Anyways, he's cute, and he's always vocal about my muscles. So, I was wondering, kind of…"

"Are you wanting me to ask him to see if he's available for some fun, see if things have changed for you since college?"

"Oh, no, bro, that's not it at all! I wouldn't turn down another massage, though—oh, hey!

If I covered myself in glitter, that would totally count as a sparkly gift, yeah?

But back on topic, I was actually thinking, you know, I've been trying to find a girlfriend on FINder for a while.

Right? But, um, maybe having a dick isn't, uh, a deal breaker?

If you get what I mean? And like, bro! Guys have always seemed to appreciate my muscles more, which is nice.

They're always the ones who come up and compliment me at the gym. "

Tucker finished putting the last bit of cream on Rickert's tail, then slid to the side and started in on his legs.

He gave a hamstring a squeeze with both hands after making sure it wasn't burned.

"Your muscles are really impressive, there's no doubt.

You've been my inspiration the last few years, so thank you. "

" Bro ."

"But if I'm hearing you right, and I put all of your requests together, you want me to get Leif to help you find a super feminine but dedicated gym person who will worship your gains? And who also has a bubble butt. Yeah, I reckon Leif would be happy to help."

That was an understatement. Tucker would have to make sure he covered his ears when he told him, for the inevitable squeal of delight.

"Can my future girly bro wear a dress, too, while I'm fantasizing?"

"Does a kilt count?" Tucker teased back.

"Bro, it does! Your hotness went up by two whole points when you started wearing them, and it's especially great when you flash some thigh. Kilts are basically sundresses for guys, and I've been tempted to just flip up the back and rail ya'. Maybe if you shaved your hairy legs and ass…"

"The hell I will!"

Rickert reached back and up with a hand, grabbing Tucker's cock and giving it a squeeze, causing him to freeze. "Not even for a chance to ride Big Blue?"

"Nngh. No, not even for that."

A knocking at the front door interrupted Rickert's next response .

"Damn, fast pizza. Bro, you gonna get that?"

"Rickert, there's no possible way I can hide my erection. Can't you grab a towel or something?"

"And smear the lotion before it has time to set in? Besides, I'm seriously chubbed up, too." Rickert rolled to the side, giving him a solid look as proof. "Just use a couch cushion. Or not! Give the delivery dude a thrill, I know you like showing off."

Tucker growled, but couldn't argue, especially about smearing the medication. The knock came again, so he wiped his hands on the beach towel, then hurried to the living room to fetch their dinner.

"And don't forget, you still gotta do my front side! You're not gonna leave a job half done, right bro?"

"Damn tease," he muttered fondly, covering himself ineffectually with a hand as he opened the front door.