Page 37 of Something Like Hail
It seemed an odd transition. They had justfinished crying over old photos and lost loves, and now Chester wassuggesting they move to the bedroom?
“You can voice yourconcerns,” Chester said. “Half of you do. The others treat this asa job and don’t really care.”
Noah wasn’t one of them, but it did seem arude question to ask, especially after such a vulnerable moment.Still, he had to know. Was this all a game to win over guys likehim? He chose a more tactful way of broaching the subject. “Do youever worry about what Raymond would think?”
Chester smiled, as ifpleased with the question. “Not often. I know I’ve painted aportrait of a saint, but as it turned out, I wasn’t the first manthat Raymond had kissed and I certainly wasn’t the last. He had ahealthy appetite! Always in the mood, always wanting more, and notjust from me. The first time he brought someone home, I was upset.Raymond led me to another room, took my hand, and said, ‘If we dothis, it’s together or not at all.’ That wasn’t him threatening toleave me. He simply meant that he wouldn’t sneak around behind myback. He was too honest for that. But he had needs, and the man heinvited to dinnerwasvery handsome. I soon got over my reservations and discoveredanother activity for us to share. I don’t know if you believe inghosts, but if you do stay the night, just be aware that we’reprobably being watched. In a way, I’m the one bringing men home forRaymond now.”
Noah laughed. “Is this allan act? I bet it is! You’ve had all these years—all thesedecades—to come up withthe perfect pickup line. How many guys have fallen for it beforeme? Actually, I don’t want to know.”
Chester chuckled in response. “I wish I wasso devious. But I’m not. I’ve told you nothing but the truth. Sowhat do you say? Would you care to stay the night? Spare me fromfacing that empty bed alone. Please.”
Noah nearly nodded. The only thing thatstopped him was Harold’s advice about not being there in themorning, but why? Chester seemed sweet enough, and Noah hadn’t donewhat he was there to do. Sure, an escort could be hired just forcompanionship, but Chester had already implied he wanted more.Could Noah really leave without performing his duties?
He took one look at thosetired blue eyes and tried to imagine being so old. Noah designed anentire future for himself in an instant. He and Harold fell inlove, got married, built new lives for themselves, and enjoyeddecades of shared happiness. Then Harold died. The world grew dark,Noah’s bed grew cold, and occasionally—when he couldn’t take itanymore—he sought comfort. Companionship.
Noah stood and offered his hand. “The nightisn’t getting any younger, and neither are you.”
Chester chuckled in appreciation. Then heslid his hand into Noah’s, the skin soft and slightly loose. Thatwould probably describe the rest of his body too. Noah would needall of his imagination to get through this one. He helped Chesterto his feet. Together they walked down a hall to the bedroom. Therethey parted, Chester wanting to freshen up. Noah sat on the bed. Hereturned to the recently created fantasy and wound back the clock.Harold hadn’t died yet. He was old. They both were, but it wasn’timportant because their attraction to each other had ceased relyingon the physical. They loved each other so deeply that it didn’tmatter if their bodies were fading. Besides, the way Harold lookedat him made Noah feel young again.
He raised his head, a figure appearing inthe doorway. Harold. At the moment he was wearing an elegant silkrobe, his wispy white hair freshly combed. A hint of cologneaccompanied him as he came near. He might not resemble the handsomeboy he had fallen for, but the easy smile was the same, as were theeyes which crinkled with joy.
Noah shot to his feet, the breath catchingin his throat. “Are you wearing anything beneath that robe?” heasked.
“Nothing at all,” Chesterreplied.
“Then you have me at adisadvantage.” Noah gestured to the bed so that Chester—no,Harold, would sit. “Letme catch up with you.”
Once his audience was seated, Noah slowlyunbuttoned his shirt, shooting a shy smile toward the bed a fewtimes as if still bashful after all their years together. His cockbetrayed just how untrue this was, already straining to be set freeas Noah undid his jeans.
“My goodness!” Haroldbreathed.
“Don’t act like you haven’tseen it before,” Noah said. “Sometimes I think you love this thingmore than me.”
In the back of his mind, he worried that hemight be losing his client, but Chester probably assumed he wastrying to be Raymond. Noah abandoned his self-delusion just longenough to be sure everything was okay, and it was. They wouldcomfort each other tonight, adding a physical component to thefantasies that accompanied their daily existence.
“I’ve missed it,” Haroldsaid. “Come, let me give it a kiss.”
Noah was all too eager to comply, paddingnude across the carpeted bedroom and sucking in air when salivahelped cool searing hot flesh. He allowed himself to be selfish,enjoying the pleasure and letting it inch him closer. Not tooclose. He wanted to enjoy their time together. Noah got on hisknees, spreading Harold’s legs until the robe fabric pulled awayenough to reveal his prize.
Harold was already responding, his cockhalf-hard and stiffening. Noah caressed the low hanging testicles,a lifetime of gravity making them pendulous. That was hot enough tospur him forward. He opened his mouth and used his lips to massageHarold’s dick, coaxing it into a full salute. Then he looked uphungrily, hoping they shared the same desire.
“Let’s take this further,”Harold said.
Noah nodded. He didn’t complain when Chesterturned off the lamp next to the bed, casting them in darkness. Nodoubt this would make it easier for them both to fantasize. Condomsand lube were on the side table. Noah made use of them and listenedfor any protest when putting one on himself. None came. Good.
Harold got on his back, the robe flutteringopen. Noah was gentle as he started raising one of the legs.
“I’m not quite so spryanymore,” Harold said. “Here, let me roll over.”
No problem. Noah reached down to strokehimself, then he took aim. They started slow. This wasn’t Ryan. Hedidn’t want to hurt Harold, no matter how passionately they feltfor each other. In the dark it was difficult to see his expression,so Noah listened instead for little gasps that turned into sighs.Then he let himself move his hips like a gentle wave, one thatincreased along with the pleasure, building into a crescendo. “Ilove you,” Noah said, lost in his vision. It felt so good to say itout loud! “God damn, I love you!”
Harold laughed in response, voice warm whenhe responded. “I love you too. I always will. Help me up.”
Noah leaned forward to kiss his neck andhelped Harold to his hands and knees. One of his favoritepositions.
“Wanna try teaching an olddog some new tricks?” Harold joked.
“Definitely!” Noah said,moving his hips again. Then held his breath, because he was gettingclose. How could he not? The person before him was the love of hislife. They weren’t old anymore. They were young, entire decadesstill ahead of them. Countless days spent at the grocery store, orhaving dinner at a friend’s house, or visiting museums, and yes,plenty of sex too.