Guys on Top 02 - Guys on the Side (26 page)

That’s what he told himself, but the truth was he was scared. Angelo’s fight with Tommy had cast a spotlight on the facts of the situation—Angelo had never been with a man before, and Corey was taking a huge chance trusting his heart to this tinderbox of a situation.

He studied Angelo’s face. It didn’t help that he thought Angelo was perfect. Not just physically, but in every way. Perfect. Perfect for
him
. This wasn’t like fooling around with some straight guy for kicks. This could fuck him up emotionally, and if Angelo hadn’t been so eager and sexy and sweet the other night at his loft, Corey never would have pursued him. “You really want to talk about that?” Corey asked. “Coming out?”

“I’m sorry,” Angelo said. “Am I over stepping here?”

“No, it’s fine. It’s just hard to remember that far back. I think dinosaurs were still roaming the earth.”

Angelo frowned. “Your energy is funny right now. You don’t want to talk about this.”

“Not really, no. Is that a problem for you?” Corey asked. “And I both love and hate that you can read me so well.”

Angelo shook his head. “It’s not a problem, it’s just a little confusing. Is it your coming out you don’t want to talk about, or mine?”

“
Yours?
”

“Yes, Corey. Mine. Is that what’s making you uneasy, the fact that I might want to acknowledge you publicly at some point, if we keep seeing each other?”

Corey twisted his wine glass on the table, not sure what to say. It was unlike him, but since meeting Angelo, he’d found himself tongue-tied more often than not, and when that happened, the wiseass in him took over against his will. “It’s not like you
have
to come out, Angelo. You can always use the fallback and tell people I gay brainwashed you.”

Angelo’s brow lowered, lips tightening.

Corey wanted to kick himself for being an asshole. Angelo didn’t deserve that. The statement itself hadn’t been that bad, but he was sure his energy was getting across the undercurrent of defensiveness he felt.

“Okay,” Angelo said. “I get it. You really don’t want to talk about this.”

“Good.”

Angelo’s eyebrows rose. “Good. Um...how’s your work going?”

“Good. Had a couple clients in this morning. How’s yours?”

“Fine.”

“Good.” Corey drained his wineglass.

“This is awkward,” Angelo said.

Corey shrugged. “How so?”

“Are we gonna talk about the weather next?”

Corey met his eyes. “It’s supposed to rain on Thursday.”

Nodding, Angelo looked away.

“I’m sorry,” Corey said. “But don’t you think it’s a little soon to be having this conversation?”

Angelo turned and looked at Corey, his cheeks flushing. “I wasn’t trying to pressure you. I just kind of have no choice after yesterday with Tommy. I thought you might offer some insight into how to deal with being suddenly outed.”

“I’m not Queer Abby.”

Angelo blinked slowly, his jaw tightening. “Forgive me. We’ve had such open conversations about everything since meeting, I didn’t think there would be restrictions on this. It’s kind of in the foreground of my life at the moment.”

“And I’m sorry for that,” Corey said. “I’m sorry it got pushed into the foreground against your will.” He stood. “I better check the salmon. That stuff cooks up fast.”

He got up and went to the oven. The salmon was already browning and sizzling. He checked it with a fork. “This is done.” He took it out and set it on the top of the stove, then went to the fridge and pulled out the salad.

“If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave,” Angelo said.

Corey paused. Setting the salad bowl on the counter, he turned around. “What are you talking about?”

Angelo’s expression was ripe with hurt, restrained anger a close second, but not quite there yet. “Well, you’re not being exactly
rude
to me, but it’s like my very presence is making you uncomfortable or pissing you off or something. So I’ll say it again. If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave.”

“Angelo...” Corey sighed. “I don’t want you to leave. This is just...all new to me.”

“What’s all new to you?” Angelo’s expression crossed over from hurt to full on anger. “Dating a
straight
guy?”

Corey crossed his arms over his chest. “Something like that.”

Standing, Angelo said, “Yeah, I got that. Loud and clear. I’m so sorry I didn’t come out back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. I’m sorry my entire world turning upside down in a matter of days is making
you
uncomfortable.” He turned and headed for the door.

“Wait, Angelo.” Corey went after him. “Why are you so mad?”

Angelo turned around, his cheeks flushed. “I like you, Corey. I thought we made a connection the other night, and I’ve been...fucking floating on air because of it. It’s a big change for me, yeah, but not because you’re a guy, or because Tommy’s throwing a baby tantrum and gonna tell on me to my mommy and aunties. But because I’ve never been this excited about someone before.”

“Angelo—”

“Let me finish. I stepped out of
my
comfort zone and made a move because I thought it was worth it. I thought
you
were worth it. But since the night you came to my loft you’ve made clear that I’m the fucking straight guy out to screw with your head, playing some ‘flirt with the gay guy’ game. But it’s not me who’s already trying to fuck it up, it’s you. So I’m leaving. Because I don’t need you fucking with
my
head because you can’t see past your own prejudices.”

Corey let out a hard breath.

“Goodbye, Corey.”

Fuck
.

The most exciting man I’ve ever met
is walking out the door. No. Can’t let him leave
.

Angelo headed for the door and Corey went after him, stopping him with a hand on his shoulder. “Please,” he said.

Angelo paused.

Corey wrapped his arms around him from behind. “Please, please, please. Don’t go. You’re right. About everything. And I’m sorry. I’ve had my head up my ass. But I’m gonna pull it out, right now.
Please
don’t go, Angelo.”

Angelo leaned back into Corey, sighing. He unraveled himself from Corey’s embrace and turned around, his eyes raw. “I know the last thing you need is more drama in your life, Corey. But if I’m not a valid option for you, if you’re not even gonna give me a chance, I have to know. I have to know that now.”

“You are a valid option. Such a valid option it spooked me a little. But I do want to give it a chance. Will you give
me
another chance?” Corey stepped close to Angelo. “Please stay?”

Angelo smiled softly, looking into Corey’s eyes. “I guess I’ll give you a stay of execution because you look so fucking hot.”

Corey grabbed Angelo and pulled him in close. “I’ve never been so thankful for my hotness.”

Angelo’s pupils dilated, his breath quickening, and Corey relished the instantaneous reaction the other man had to his touch. “So what now?” Angelo asked.

Corey kissed Angelo, making it deep and tender. He felt Angelo’s stiffness melt away, muscles relaxing, going limp in Corey’s arms as he surrendered to the kiss. This, Angelo’s response to Corey’s kiss, his lack of hesitation or restraint, this was
real
.

Corey reluctantly pulled back from the kiss, still holding Angelo in his arms. Angelo’s eyes were closed, his lips still parted. “So,” Corey said. “Now that I’ve pulled my head out of my ass, will you allow me to wine and dine and woo you properly?”

Angelo’s eyes opened and he smiled. “After that kiss I’ll allow you to do anything you want.”

Corey grinned. “Such a slut, you are.”

“Only for you.”

“Good. Let’s eat.”

****

After dinner they moved to the living room. Corey put on some music, then joined Angelo on the sofa.

As he leaned back against the arm of the couch, his favorite comfy throw pillow behind him, Corey had a surreal moment as he looked at Angelo, who mirrored his position at the other end. Flashes of Zach, then Stewart, sitting right where Angelo was. Different faces, different personalities, different relationship dynamics, ever-changing but the setting remained the same. For the first time since moving into this apartment, Corey thought maybe he needed a change of scenery. Doug was moving out, Stewart had moved on. Maybe it was time for Corey to make some changes as well.

“That’s a serious face,” Angelo said. He lifted Corey’s foot and put it on his lap.

Corey sighed as Angelo began massaging his foot. “Oh my God, that feels great.”

Angelo kneaded the ball of Corey’s foot with his thumbs. “I like giving you pleasure.”

“No one I’ve dated has ever massaged my feet before.”

“Never?”

“Nope. This is new.”

“Am I doing it right? You’re the massage expert.”

“It’s perfect.” He sighed when Angelo peeled off his sock and went to work on his toes.

“You have nice feet.”

Corey laughed. “Most people think feet are gross.”

“Yours aren’t.” Angelo grinned, and brought Corey’s foot to his mouth, sucking his pinky toe in and swirling his tongue around it.

Corey groaned. It was only his toe, but the feel of Angelo’s tongue, his mouth sucking, it sent a jolt of pleasure through him that tightened his cock.

Sliding Corey’s toe out of his mouth, Angelo raised his brows. “No one ever sucked your toes before either?”

“I’ve done it for other people. But no. Never been on the receiving end.”

Angelo smiled widely. “That’s good news.”

“Is it?” Corey chuckled. “How is it good news that I’ve never had my toes sucked?”

“Because...” Angelo set the foot down and slid forward, running his hands up Corey’s thighs. “I’ve been worrying that there’s nothing I can do for you that hasn’t already been done. But...”

Angelo shocked Corey by sliding his palm over his groin, then up under his shirt, caressing his bare stomach. “Maybe I have an edge. Maybe you’re so good at touching other people that no one’s ever wanted to touch
you
as badly as I do.”

Angelo crawled over and leaned down, sliding his tongue along the patch of bare skin above the hem of Corey’s jeans. “Maybe,” he said, “no one’s ever focused on making you feel good as much as I will.”

Corey’s eyelids fluttered as his cock swelled. “Angelo...” He jerked in surprise, then laughed when Angelo tugged his white shirt open, buttons popping. “Angelo!”

Looking up at Corey, Angelo nuzzled his hip. “I’ll buy you a new shirt,” he said, then kissed his way up Corey’s ribs.

Corey stretched back as Angelo licked his way up to his chest. “I like your...” He shuddered when Angelo sucked his nipple. “...your enthusiasm.”

Angelo moved on to Corey’s neck, sucking gently under his ear, then he nibbled along his cheek, finally coming to his mouth. “I want to taste all of you,” Angelo said, and kissed him, sliding his tongue deep into Corey’s mouth.

Unable to stop himself, Corey lifted his hips, pushing his groin into Angelo’s. Angelo lowered his body, pressing all his weight down as his kiss became more aggressive. Angelo’s sudden fervor was turning Corey on like crazy, and it felt pure, unlike the desperate, frantic mauling he’d received from Zach over the past months. Zach had been demanding, but with Angelo, Corey felt truly
wanted
, not only for his body, but for all that he was.

Angelo finally broke the kiss. His eyes were hazy and heavy lidded as he looked down at Corey. “I can feel how hard you are,” he whispered.

Smiling, Corey tilted his hips upward, bringing a soft hiss from Angelo. “You scared of it?” he teased. “You’ve made it awfully large.”

Angelo raised himself up, hooking a leg over and straddling Corey’s thighs. “I’ll show you how scared of it I am.”

“You don’t have to...” Corey sighed as Angelo’s palms dragged down his chest, over his stomach, dipping his fingers inside the hem of his jeans. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Angelo. We can go slow.”

Caressing Corey’s lower belly, Angelo slid his hands up to his ribs, then grabbed the sides of his open shirt. “This,” he said. “You can leave this on.” Angelo shuffled backward and leaned down to kiss along the hem of Corey’s jeans. “But everything else...” He looked up at Corey. “Everything else is mine.”

Corey tried to think of a clever retort to Angelo’s mimicking of his seduction the other night, but all thoughts stalled in his brain when the zipper of his jeans was dragged down.

“Including what’s in your pants,” Angelo said.

Corey gasped as Angelo took hold of his jeans and tugged them down over his hips, taking his underwear with them. His stiff cock sprang free. Angelo paused a moment, staring at it, then he slid off the couch and stood, dragging Corey’s jeans and underpants the rest of the way and pulling them off his feet.

Naked aside from his open shirt, Corey stared up at Angelo. “Whoa,” he said. “That’s not what I’d call going slow.”

Climbing back onto the couch, Angelo shuffled on his knees, parting Corey’s thighs with his hands. Corey’s eyes closed as Angelo’s palms moved slowly up his thighs.

“Eyes open,” Angelo said.

Smiling, Corey opened his eyes and looked at Angelo.

Angelo grinned down at him. “You’re going to want all your senses for this,” he said, then lowered himself down, burying his face into the hollow of Corey’s hip.

Corey whimpered when Angelo’s beard stubble grazed the side of his cock. “Angelo...where is this coming from?” This was not the cautious, tentative guy he’d been with Saturday night. Angelo seemed to be on a mission to prove he could drive Corey nuts.

“Don’t worry.” Angelo moved his mouth over, hovering above the base of Corey’s cock. His eyes turned up. “I’ll go
nice
and slow for you.” His tongue flicked against Corey’s erection, right above his balls.

“Holy shit,” Corey whispered.

“I want you to feel
comfortable
,” Angelo said, then dragged his tongue up the front, all the way to the head.

“Oh, that’s comfortable,” Corey whispered when Angelo repeated the action. “Very, very...comfortable.”