Placing Out (11 page)

The sky was so blue it almost hurt to look at it. A light breeze wafted the scent of jasmine and orange blossoms into the car. Under it was the scent of the nearby ocean. Seagulls flew over the road and when I pulled into a parking lot off a beach, they were on the beach and in the waves along with some long-legged birds that danced over the wet sand, weaving in and out of the bigger, slower moving gulls.

Out on the water boats of all colors and sizes moved gracefully over the waves.

I sat in the car, entranced. "Beautiful."

Ben came to stand beside me. "Since neither one of us came dressed for the beach, I say we go some place where we're not going to stand out like pigs at a wedding."

"Like where?"

"We're here to sightsee, right? So let's go see some sights."

We toured all of old town. There were buildings under repair, the odd empty lot I figured must have had a structure on it at one time. Ben nodded when I mentioned that.

"Lot of places here were built from wood. It didn't hold up. This time around it's being done right. Stone and adobe."

We ended our tour at the mission, spectacular in the setting sun. The white walls blushed pink, deepening to red in the growing shadows. Breezes whispered through the palms and ornamental plants. Birds had gathered to nest for the night and the air was alive with their songs.

"Was the mission damaged in the earthquake?" I asked.

"A few columns fell. No one was hurt," Ben said. "They repaired it pretty fast."

Wandering through the gardens, nodding at the men and women we passed, and the black frocked priests we were in no hurry. A fountain spilled water into a stone lined pool. The air smelled like nothing I had ever experienced. It reminded me there were other places in the world besides smoke filled bars and strange hotel rooms and the aroused men that went with them. A clean world. I reached out and trailed my hand through the cool water. Mist washed over my upturned face.

I glanced over at Ben. He was looking toward the chapel where two priests were talking. I took the chance to study him when he wasn't aware of me. He had a strong face, but it wasn't cruel like some men's were. His nose had a slight bump like it had been broken at one time. The dark hair I loved running my fingers through when he sucked me had a curl to it. The few times he smiled I saw a small gap between his teeth.

I wished he would smile more.

I shook the water off my hand and met his gaze. His dark eyes were alive with something that sent a bolt straight into my groin.

"I'm hungry. You?"

I realized I was. "Eat here, in town?"

"No reason to rush." Ben smiled. "Right?"

Since I would have followed him anywhere for that smile, it was easy to nod.

By the time we got a table at a seafood restaurant near the ocean it was dark. We watched the lighted freighters on their way toward the Port of Los Angeles, the even more distant lights of a gambling ship out past the three mile limit and Coast Guard ships on the lookout for bootleggers. The gentle sound of surf was only occasionally drowned out by a distant ship's horn or a burst of music or laughter from a cantina down the beach.

I had a beautiful piece of sole. Ben had chowder and oysters and bread he used to sop up the butter sauce.

"Sounds like someone's having fun." I took a sip of mineral water. "Maybe we can take a walk later and see what's up."

"It's getting late. We should head back."

I took a deep breath. I'd thought about this for the last hour and wanted to wait for the right moment to say it, but I guess that moment was now.

"Let's stay the night."

He froze. His dark eyes bore into mine. There was no anger in them, but there was wariness.

"We can do it. Take two rooms." I knew I had to convince him fast. "Who's going to know or care what room we're in or who sleeps where as long as the bill's paid."

"I don't know." Ben looked around the patio as though he thought someone might be eavesdropping. When he saw no one was even on the patio he turned back to me. "I'm not sure I have enough money for a room. I wasn't planning on even leaving town--"

"That's okay. I've got more than enough. Let me do this. Don't you think it would be really nice to be away from everything we know? In a place no one knows us?"

I could see the idea appealed to him. He rubbed his chin and looked out toward the dark water.

"I can't be late getting back tomorrow," he said, and I knew I had won.

"That's okay. I'll make sure we get back to L.A. before noon." The waiter came out and I signaled him over. "The bill, please and do you know the name of a nice hotel nearby. My business partner and I have decided it's too late to drive to San Francisco tonight."

"Of course, sir. Right away." The guy practically bowed. I guess he took us for a couple of swells. "If I might suggest, sir, the Upham is a wonderful hotel that I'm sure would meet all your business needs."

After he gave me directions to the hotel, which was only about ten minutes away, I paid and we made our way back to my flivver. Old Greta fired up on the first crank. She must be feeling frisky tonight. I know I was.

"San Francisco?" he asked.

"No reason to let them connect us to L.A., is there? We leave in the morning and as far as he's concerned we're on the road north."

He raised one eyebrow. "You'd think you did this sort of thing often."

"Not really."

I could tell he didn't believe me, but he let it slide. I forced myself to be patient while we checked in to two adjoining rooms--explaining that we might have business to discuss--and were taken to the third floor, which the desk manager assured us was almost deserted and we would not be disturbed. I left a wakeup call for seven and Ben and I entered our rooms with a firm goodbye and a tip to the porter.

Waiting for the half hour Ben had insisted on was nerve wracking. I wished I had thought to bring a flask with me. A drink would have gone down just fine right now. There was a knock at the door not ten minutes after I had let myself in.

I jumped off the chaise longue where I had sat to strip off my shoes and socks and lunged for the door. Had someone figured out what we were doing and come with trouble? I was sure the desk clerk hadn't looked at either of us oddly, but if he didn't buy our story of being business partners...

I threw the door open and gave a startled
oof
when Ben pushed past me into the room. He seemed to enjoy plunging into rooms and catching me off guard. And just like the last time, he kicked the door shut. His jacket was gone and so were his suspenders and tie. His shirt was open halfway to reveal the light mat of hair on his chest. He was sweating.

"Fuck waiting thirty minutes. I want you now."

He pulled me into his arms, crushing me against his chest. His swollen cock pressed against my belly and I would have moaned if he hadn't swallowed it with his mouth.

"You can talk all you want later," he growled against my throat. "All I want right now is to fuck you."

I managed to squeak, "Yes," before he propelled me toward the bed. After that I shut up. We spent a precious few minutes pulling the rest of our clothes off. This was no easy, slow seduction. He meant it when he said he wanted me now, this instant.

Once we were both naked, he threw me down on the bed and fell on top of me. Our cocks were trapped between us, rubbing along our bellies while our mouths were glued together, our tongues battling. He broke away and rose above me.

"Look at me."

I did and his half-lidded eyes were dark with passion. He kept his hips between my legs and thrust gently against me, his face twisted in desire and need so naked it was frightening. Then he shut his eyes and slammed his mouth back down on me. His tongue assaulted mine; his lips were bruising. I grappled to pull him closer and when I couldn't, I grew frustrated.

We rocked together, two animals with a need that consumed us. There was no petroleum jelly. Instead, he spit into his hand and wrapped his fist around his swollen cock, guiding the fat head into my tight ass. My moans were whimpers now as pain mingled with raw pleasure when he invaded me. I clutched his ass and pulled him into me, wrapping my legs around his shoulder, angling my hole to take him deep. Each stroke across my prostate was pleasure beyond memory.

I would have screamed, but he rammed his mouth over mine and all that escaped was a grunt. Our bodies were slick with sweat. He drove into me again and again, mindless now as we both clawed toward something I had never experienced before.

My balls tightened and fire started in the base of my cock, spreading outward until every inch of skin burned with it. I came in pulses and he moaned and filled me with hot cum. My tremors went on and on and only after I had stopped shivering did I realize we had both been shaking.

Ben stroked my damp hair and murmured my name repeatedly. His lips trailed heat across my face and throat and his hands shook. We both slipped into sleep while our nerves still trembled.

I awoke once, to find him clinging to me, his breathing deep and even. Even in sleep he never released me. I whispered his name and slid back into a dreamless world of comfort.

"Dylan?" My name was a soft whisper on his lips the next morning when I cracked one eye open. Newly risen sunlight streaked in through the curtain seams.

I stretched gingerly, aching in the most delicious way. His soft cock, still impressively large, lay across his hairy thigh. I shivered at the memory of being split apart with it. My smile was tentative when I raised my eyes to meet his.

His was blinding. Then regret shadowed his face. He stroked my cheek with his thumb, brushing my swollen lips.

"We have to head back. We can grab breakfast on the way."

Food was the last thing on my mind, but I knew he was right. We showered and shaved and eventually made our way to the desk to check out. If we got any curious looks from the staff I never noticed. I found it too hard to take my eyes off him as he paid with the money I had given him earlier. Soon after, I followed him to my car, blinking against the sun when I stepped out of the cool shadows into a glorious Santa Barbara day.

I had never found a city so beguiling.

We were silent over a quick breakfast and on most of the road trip back. This time I let him drive. He handled Greta as easily as he handled me and I found myself flushing when I watched his hands grip the gears and steering wheel with easy skill.

At his building, Ben quickly clambered out. He waited for me to walk around to the driver's side, but already his eyes were back to scanning the streets, watching for nosy gazes that might be looking at us. I wanted to tell him not to ruin it, but it was too late. Ben was back in his world and fear ruled him again.

He barely glanced at me when I shut the door and put the flivver back in gear.

"Will I see you later?" I asked, low and quiet.

"Maybe," was all he said.

I didn't wait for him to enter his building. I knew he wouldn't want me to. Still, it took all my willpower to pull away from the curb and turn Greta toward home. I even managed to make it to the end of the street without turning around to see if he was watching.

The sidewalk in front of his place was empty.

I was barely inside my room when a knock pulled me back to the door. But instead of being Ben, it was the old woman down the hall.

"Somebody on the phone for you."

I knew it wasn't Ben the minute I picked up the handset. My heart folded when I realized it was George.

"I'm coming into town Monday and I was hoping we might meet."

My tongue twisted around my first response and I froze when I realized I meant to say no. What was I doing? I had no reason to believe Ben and I were going to be anything long-term. Sure, the last couple of days had been beyond divine, but if he never came back where did that leave me? I still had to survive in this world and I wasn't going to do it wishing for the permanence of a relationship with a fickle, scared cop.

I shuffled on my bare feet on the thin carpet. On the phone, George's soft breathing never changed, but I knew he was waiting. Not once in our times together had I ever even considered saying no to him. I wanted to now, oh God how I wanted to, but I realized with a falling heart that I couldn't.

"Sure," I whispered my lie. "You know I always do."

"Good. Good. I should arrive at the hotel by six in the evening. We can meet in the Golden Room and have drinks."

"I... I'd like that."

When he hung up I stood there for several minutes while chilled air flowed over my toes and up my legs. Or was it the air? The goose bumps crowding my arms hadn't been there earlier.

Slowly, I replaced the receiver and made my way back to my room where I shut and locked the door.

I was already in bed that night when the second knock came. I threw a robe on over my pajamas and crossed to the door. It was late for another phone call. Taking a deep breath I pulled the door open.

Ben stood in the dark hall, his knee length trench coat parted, revealing his long legs clad in black pinstripes. He had an equally dark fedora pulled down over his head. I stepped aside without a word and let him in.

"I wasn't going to come," he said when he pulled his hat off and revealed his flushed face. "I didn't want to come."

He stepped closer and my hands reached out to part his coat. "But you did. You always do."

"You know why." He grabbed my hands and held them away from him. It didn't help. I still felt his tension, the hardness in his body. "I was walking. That's all. Just walking. Trying to think. But I can't... " He growled low in his throat and hauled me against him. "I can't fucking think of anything but this." Still without taking his long coat off he held me tight, his mouth on my throat.

"That's okay," I whispered. "I can't either."

"But you're not trying."

Before I could respond, his mouth shut me up. In seconds we were on my unmade bed, his trench coat enclosing both of us in its folds. Finally he cursed and rose on his knees, ripping the material away. At the same time I fumbled with his pants and freed him to my eager hands and mouth.