Where You Least Expect It (8 page)

“Because she wasn’t supporting what you did?” Christian asked.

Matt toyed with his beer bottle. “Partly, but it was more that her reasons were completely selfish and not because she thought it was the right thing to do. It was a knee-jerk reaction.”

“Well, sure,” Christian agreed, “But you know there’s a huge psychological aspect to people’s beliefs that have nothing to do with reason or logic, right? As much as we may be able to rationalize our opinions, there’s still an emotional component.”

The server brought their food while they were talking, causing a brief lull while they dug into their dinner. The food was excellent and the selection of hot sauces to choose from just added to the flavor.

“I know what you mean.” Matt said, picking up the conversation from where they had left off. “There was more to it than that, obviously, but it felt like she didn’t respect what I was doing. She was waiting for me to get done and decide to settle down. She wanted to get married, buy a house, have kids. I felt like she thought I was playing soldier, not doing something important.”

“Would you have stayed together if she had felt differently about the war? If she had an opinion beyond how it affected her?” Christian’s eyes widened. “Oh, wow, did that sound as obnoxious to you as it did to me?”

“It’s okay.” Matt laughed and returned to their original conversation. “I don’t think I’d have felt differently. I don’t mean to sound like an ass, but we were just looking for different things, you know? She hated the giant TV and stereo system.” Matt added, remembering the fights they had about his spending habits.

Christian nodded. “Maybe we should talk about something besides our exes.”

“You might be right about that.” Matt smiled to try to take the sting out of his words. “I actually don’t like talking about it that much.”

“God, I’m sorry. I’m just a dork.” Christian made an embarrassed grimace.

“It’s no big deal.” Matt switched to a neutral topic. “Tell me about your classes.”

“Okay.” Christian ate a few more bites before continuing. “I’m a dual major in History and Journalism, but I think I told you that. I’m kind of fascinated by how people can be compelled to follow political movements that have no value to them personally.”

Matt thought he knew what Christian meant, although it wasn’t something he thought about much himself. “You mean like poor people voting for corporate tax cuts?”

“Exactly! It seems completely counterintuitive, but it’s based on emotional and psychological needs. People look to something outside of themselves to provide a sense of stability and immutability that they can hold on to when things are uncertain. It benefits them psychologically, but not economically or socially.” Christian stopped and chewed his bottom lip. “Tell me if I’m boring you. It’s easy to forget sometimes that other people don’t share my level of obsession. Trent, my roommate, has to listen to a lot of this.”

Matt smiled, enjoying Christian’s enthusiasm and the easy conversation. “It’s not boring. Do you know what you’re going to do when you’re done?”

“My plan is to go into journalism — not that fluffy news casting crap, but real investigative journalism. I probably need my Master’s degree in order to really get into it and get as far as I want.” Christian paused again. “Do you think I’m a freak? Most of the people I’m in school with do. And I keep talking about myself so that must kind of be boring for you.”

Matt found himself laughing again, amused by the look on Christian’s face, like he must think Matt thought he was a total weirdo. “No, I don’t think you’re a freak. I think it’s kind of cool that you know what you want to do.”

“Yeah, but you already have a job,” Christian pointed out.

“True, but I joined the Army when I was eighteen because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. They, well, and my test scores, decided that I would be best working with computers and telecommunications, so I just sort of fell into it.”

“So, it’s not what you want to do?” Christian frowned.

“I don’t dislike it and I’m good at it,” Matt explained. “I don’t always like the hours, but other than that, it’s not bad.”

They both declined the server’s offer of dessert and settled the check quickly, heading back into the cool fall weather.

Sometime during dinner, Matt’s mind wandered to the dreams he had been having about Christian and his body started to remind him, rather insistently, that his recent bout of celibacy was getting to be a nuisance. He wasn’t ready for the evening to end, so he said the first convenient thing that came into his head.

“So, I have this leftover pie.”

Christian grinned at him from the passenger seat. “Do you? You going to go back to your condo and have some dessert?”

Jesus, was he that obvious or was he reading into Christian’s response? “I was thinking about it, but it’s kind of a lot for just me. You wouldn’t be interested in any, would you?” And was he actually flirting back?

“I do like me some pumpkin pie. You sure there’s enough for both of us?”

“Well, except for the piece I had for lunch, there’s still about half left, so I think there’s enough to share.”

“Cool. I accept.”

Matt was at once relieved and anxious. He knew he wasn’t going to stop things if they went the way he hoped they would. He forced himself to focus on the road and not think about the growing heat in his groin, or the warring voices in his head. Just because Matt was horny was no reason to assume Christian was going to do anything more than eat a slice of pie and leave.

Preoccupied as he was, Matt managed to get them to his condo in one piece. They brought Christian’s bike up and parked it in the same place it had been yesterday.

“Can I help?” Christian asked as he followed Matt into the kitchen.

“Grab some plates out of the cabinet.” Matt motioned to the cabinet next to the sink as he took the pie and whipped cream out of the fridge. “Beer?”

“Sure.”

When Matt turned back suddenly to grab a napkin, he almost collided with Christian. He was acutely aware of how very close they were standing.

“Sorry,” Matt said, stepping around Christian to pick up the napkins he’d forgotten. He handed one to Christian as they settled on opposite ends of the couch.

Matt picked the remote up out of habit. “I don’t mean to be a shitty host. Let me know if there’s anything you want to watch.”

Christian shrugged. “I’ll watch whatever’s on. I don’t have TV, so I don’t get to watch much.”

“I, ah, I was planning on watching Top Chef. Do you mind?”

“Oh, is it the new season already?”

Matt smiled, vaguely relieved that Christian didn’t laugh at him for watching reality TV. “It is. Have you watched it?”

“Only last season. My roommate was kind of obsessed with it and downloaded it. It was a fun way to procrastinate.”

“Cool.” Matt switched to the DVR and started the first episode.

They watched mostly in silence, commenting occasionally on the new cast and the judges. Matt had gotten them each another beer and Christian had eventually migrated from his corner of the couch to sit closer to Matt.

Matt noticed Christian starting to fidget. “Hey. You okay? You look kind of stressed.”

“What?” Christian jumped. “I do? Oh. I.” Matt watched as Christian emptied his beer and stood. “I should go. I need to go. I have to study and stuff.”

Matt was only half listening. When Christian stood, Matt was suddenly eye-level with Christian’s very obvious erection. At least he had his answer about whether or not Christian was still interested.

Matt looked up. He didn’t really want Christian to leave. “Do you want to know why I stopped coming in for coffee?” Matt asked.

Christian shook his head. He looked nervous, which Matt found ironic. Matt was the straight one, wasn’t he?

“Why?” Christian finally asked.

Was he really going to do this? “Because I couldn’t stop thinking about you, about what happened when I drove you home from that party. I.” Matt took a breath; in for a penny, as they say. “That’s why I invited you over.”

Christian’s expression was more relief than surprise. “Really? Would you think it was terrible of me if I told you that’s why I said yes?”

“No.” Matt watched Christian’s gaze follow his hand as he adjusted himself. He rubbed his hand over his erection, the anticipation becoming almost too much.

Christian bit his lip and pulled his gaze up to meet Matt’s, blue eyes intrigued. “No?”

It took Matt a minute to remember what they had been talking about. “No.” At least this time, he had a reason for his inability to carry on a conversation. “I keep wondering what would have happened if your roommate hadn’t come home.” Matt lowered his eyes; he could see the outline of Christian’s erection pushing against the zipper and his own cock throbbed in response.

Christian dropped to his knees and placed his hands lightly on Matt’s jean-clad thighs. “I want to suck you.”

Matt moaned and spread his thighs wider to give Christian better access.

Christian edged forward, sliding his hands slowly up Matt’s thighs, thumbs rubbing along the inner seams of Matt’s jeans. He followed with his mouth, kissing his way up toward Matt’s bulge. Christian’s hand briefly cupped Matt’s erection before reaching higher to push Matt’s shirt up.

“So hot. I knew you’d have a perfect six pack.” Christian leaned forward so he could run his tongue along the outlines of Matt’s muscles.

“Oh, fuck.” Matt wasn’t sure what he had expected and certainly hadn’t anticipated how good just this little bit of contact would feel.

Matt flexed for Christian, resulting in a sound somewhere between a laugh and a moan. Christian nuzzled into Matt’s stomach, kissing and nipping along Matt’s waistband. Christian looked up at Matt as he opened the button and zipper on Matt’s jeans, slowly spreading them open and sliding his hands to the edge of the waistband.

“Can I take these off?”

Matt licked his lips and nodded, raising his hips enough for Christian to strip him. Christian teased along Matt’s legs and placed light sucking kisses on the sensitive insides of Matt’s thighs.

When Matt felt Christian’s lips and tongue playing with his balls and sucking gently, he groaned and dropped his head back against the couch. “Fuck, that feels good.”

Christian’s hands were still touching Matt, roaming over his thighs, hips, chest. Matt felt Christian’s tongue on his erection and looked down to see Christian licking up the side of his cock and along the edge of the head.

Christian opened his eyes as he licked sensuously around the head, catching a drop of precome.

“Does that feel good?” Christian licked again, making Matt’s cock glisten. “Does it make you hot?” Matt could feel Christian’s breath as he spoke.

“Oh, fuck, yes.” Matt’s heart was pounding and his whole body was tense. “Please, Chris. Suck me.”

Matt wanted Christian to swallow him, but Christian kept teasing, sucking and licking until finally taking Matt in slowly. Matt made a sound embarrassingly like a whimper as he felt himself engulfed.

Matt brought his hand up and ran his fingers through Christian’s hair as he started gently grinding his hips. When Christian moaned instead of moving away, Matt thrust harder, letting the sensations overwhelm him.

“Oh, God.” Matt looked down and saw Christian’s hand working between his own legs. “Oh, fuck, fuck, are you…” Matt trailed off and Christian stopped sucking long enough to show Matt what he was doing.

Christian leaned back and Matt could see Christian jerking himself. “I’ve wanted to taste you for weeks. I get hard just thinking about it. I went home and jerked off last night thinking about sucking you.”

“Do it, please, don’t stop. I need to come.”

Matt moaned as Christian swallowed him again, sucking harder.

Words kept pouring from Matt as he thrust into Christian’s mouth. He cock was throbbing and his balls ached. He was so close.

Matt shouted as he came, shooting into Christian’s mouth. Christian’s moan vibrated along Matt’s cock as Christian continued sucking and swallowing. Matt released his grip on Christian’s hair as he started to soften. After one final lick, Christian leaned back and stroked himself. Shit, Matt had just let another guy suck him off and now he was watching that guy jerk off. Matt wasn’t sure what to do next. It was odd — and oddly hot — to watch Christian bring himself off with a strangled moan.

They sat there breathing hard and staring at each other until Christian bit his lower lip and asked, “Um, do you have a towel?”

Matt blinked and let out a shaky laugh. “Sure.” He stood up and put his pants back on, only feeling mildly self-conscious. He made a quick detour through his bedroom after getting a towel.

“I thought you might want a fresh shirt.” Matt handed Christian a worn ARMY sweatshirt. “It’ll be big on you, but it’s warm.”

“Oh, that would be awesome. Way better than a damp T-shirt.” Christian stripped off his shirt and exchanged it for Matt’s sweatshirt. Matt tried to be casual about stealing a look at Christian’s chest. He wasn’t nearly as well-defined as Matt, or even Sam, but Matt could see muscles flex under Christian’s pale skin.

Christian folded the T-shirt up and finally looked at Matt again. “We’re good, right? I mean, I really do like hanging out with you.” He smiled slightly. “And not just because you have cable and beer.”

Matt nodded, still feeling awkward and not ready to think too much about what just happened. “Here I thought you were using me for Top Chef.”

“Well, I’m not saying I’d turn you down if you invited me over to watch the next episode. Not that I’m trying to get you to invite me. I mean —”

Matt laughed and cut off Christian’s babble. “Are you always this neurotic?”

“I am not neurotic!” Christian was mildly indignant at the suggestion. “I just don’t want you to think I’m pushy.” He frowned. “You don’t, do you?” Christian asked and rolled his eyes. “Fine, maybe I’m neurotic.”

Matt laughed again. “No, I don’t think you’re pushy. I kind of like hanging out with you, too.” Matt would have to think about the rest of it later.

Christian smiled. “Okay, good. So, I should probably go. It’s getting late and I’ve still got studying to do.”