Edges

Chapter Five

What the hell am I doing?

Shanti asked himself this repeatedly as he rode in Mick’s FJ Cruiser. It was late afternoon, and the sun was quickly disappearing under muted snow clouds, a few surviving beams filtering through the tall pines that lined the narrow road. Green mountains shrouded everything like trusted guardians, a barrier between them and the real world. Mick wasn’t kidding when he said he lived in the boonies. They were only fifteen minutes outside the village, but it was like another world, a forest utopia, the only signs of life evident in the occasional log home, country store, and rickety homemade sign for maple syrup or firewood.

“I can’t believe I live so close to all this, but never come out this way,” Shanti said. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Yep,” Mick said, eyes on the road. “Wouldn’t live anywhere else.”

Shanti noticed that Mick had slid back into his gruff, country boy persona, remaining mostly silent, and answering questions primarily in monosyllables. He’d agreed to go home with Mick in the heat of the moment, while his emotions and hormones ran high in the bar, so he’d grabbed a quick overnight bag from the house, and they were on their way.

But now he felt awkward and hyperaware that he was planning to spend the night with a stranger. Was Mick still a stranger? His logical brain and his illogical heart had differing opinions. Feeling powerfully drawn to Mick, but having lived as a hermit for the better part of a year, the situation felt completely foreign. He was strangely shocked to find himself here, in this car, with this man, driving down this beautiful road of snow dusted pine trees.

Then they turned up a long driveway with a sign out front advertising firewood, and Shanti saw an enormous, beautiful house in the distance, surrounded by fields which were edged by thick, lush woodland. He blinked at the house, and the barn with its stacked wood to the left. “Holy crap. This is your place?”

“Yep.”

“Amazing. I’m stunned.”

Mick parked out front, shut the engine off and grinned at him. “Were you expecting something a little seedier?”

And just like that, Mick’s dimpled grin melted the awkwardness, and Shanti warmed through—they were back to the easy rapport they’d found in the bar. “I can’t wait to see the inside.”

“Grab your bag,” Mick said. “I’ll show you around.”

As they walked toward the front door, Shanti noticed a young man, about nineteen, moving around over by the barn. “You have company?”

Mick offered only a fleeting glance toward the barn. “That’s just Tyler, he handles the customers that come for firewood a few days a week. Okay, be prepared, my dogs are gonna jump all over you as soon as I open the door.”

Shanti still couldn’t stop marveling at the surroundings. He had formed a somewhat diminutive image of Mick based purely on Kelsey’s warning, and subconsciously hadn’t expected him to have much of a life at all, let alone a business and a nice house. He looked over at the piles of cut logs inside the open barn. “You cut all that wood yourself?”

“Yep,” he said as he put the key in the lock. “Me and my brothers.”

“That’s a lot of wood.”

Mick shrugged.

Shanti stood behind Mick as he unlocked the door, examining his long, solid legs, great ass, broad shoulders and tapered back. He was like a block of wood himself, powerful, unyielding and strong. Shanti tried to stay in shape, but he suddenly felt wispy by comparison, he who sold herbs and crystals to rich tourists. His shop sold a line of delicately carved knickknacks by an artist who boasted they were all forged of the wood from these local trees. Mick probably felled those very trees with a chainsaw, muscles bulging as he hauled them over his shoulder. My God , he thought. I’ve got myself a lumberjack.

But did he have him, or was he another of Mick’s conquests? Deep down he knew this was his fear talking, and suspected Mick was not quite the devil he’d been painted to be. But he could also definitely see how this guy could break a man’s heart, and how spending a night with him would lead to coveting more, followed by crushing disappointment if there was no call back. His pondering was interrupted by dogs.

“Oh my God!” Shanti stumbled back on the porch as the pack of canines sprang out of the open door, tails wagging at warp speed as they grunted and jumped and sniffed; huge paws landed on his chest with shocking force.

“Settle down,” Mick ordered. “Go on, go do your business.”

But the dogs were too excited, and Mick knelt down and took a moment to give them all pets and hugs, assuring them they were good boys, good girls, cooing and making kissing sounds. Shanti grinned as he watched. Do not fall in love with this man. Doesn’t matter how cute he is with his dogs, get a grip.

Finally, lured by the freedom of the outdoors, the dogs took off in glee across the fields, and disappeared into the trees. “Don’t you worry they’ll get lost?” Shanti asked. The land was so vast, the forest thick beyond it.

Mick grinned as he stepped inside. “I trained them to do their business in the woods. They’ll be back once they’re done playing, they know this is where they eat and sleep.”

Shanti followed Mick into a warm room with a stone fireplace. The ceilings were high with dark wood beams, and everything was tastefully decorated in a rustic motif. “Come on, I’ll show you the best part first.” Mick grabbed Shanti’s bag off his shoulder and set it down on a chair. “Spent long enough building it, I don’t get to show it off enough.”

“You built this place?”

“Yep.”

Shanti followed him through a large kitchen, down a hallway, to where a big sunroom with glass walls looked out over the back yard and the snow dusted pines. A thick rug and wooden chest separated two cozy couches, and in the corner was an enormous hot tub. “Oh wow,” he said. “You must just spend your life in this room.”

A proud grin broke over Mick’s face, and he shyly stuffed his hands in his pockets as he glanced around. “Actually, I hardly ever hang out in here. Not sure why.”

“Yeah, me either!” Shanti moved over to the hot tub, running a finger along the cover, then peered through the glass out into the trees. The sun had disappeared into a cloud covering, daylight easing toward darkness as a soft snowfall whirled like sugar through the air.

“You want to have a drink in the tub?” Mick asked. “Watch the snow fall, all romantic and crap?”

Shanti smiled as Mick approached him, and suddenly felt as shy and excited as a schoolboy. Mick’s smile was in place, but his green eyes were raw with need. “I didn’t bring a bathing suit,” Shanti whispered as Mick grabbed his shoulders and walked him backward, pressing him against the glass wall.

He kissed Shanti, sucking his lower lip, fingers gripping his arms tighter. Excitement coursed through Shanti’s body, making him lightheaded. It was so intense he thought he’d explode. He was thankful for the wall supporting him when Mick broke the kiss. Still close enough for Shanti to feel his breath on his lips, Mick whispered, “Get undressed and hop in. I’ll get us some wine.”

Shanti’s heart pounded as he watched Mick remove the cover from the hot tub and start the jets.

By now, his arousal overrode the shyness Shanti had over the thought of getting nude, so he stripped quickly while Mick went for the wine, set his clothes on one of the couches, and climbed into the bubbling water. Erection throbbing and heart pounding, any previous question as to whether this was a good idea had since dissipated fully. He was growing more smitten by the minute, and couldn’t wait to have Mick, hot and wet and naked in the tub with him.

Resting his arms on the sides, he sighed in satisfaction as he slid down into the steaming water and watched the cottony flakes land gently on the glass overhead.

Mick’s green eyes met Shanti’s as he stepped into the room with two glasses of white wine. “Damn,” he said as he leaned over, handing one glass to Shanti. “My hot tub never looked so good.”

“Come on in,” Shanti said, trying to control the desperation in his voice.

Setting his wine down on the ledge, Mick peeled his shirt over his head and cast it aside. His body was long and thick, muscled but not overly ripped. His chest was well-developed, shoulders strong and smooth with a long, trim waist, stomach flat and hard. Unlike the shaved meatheads at the gym, Mick had a hairy chest, and Shanti couldn’t wait to touch it. But he didn’t have time to marvel at Mick’s upper body before he unzipped his jeans, and pushed them down to his ankles, boxers going with them.

Mick kept his gaze on Shanti as he stepped out of his pants, completely naked, large and erect, long legs powerful with a dusting of hair on his thighs. But the way Mick’s gave locked on his face, hot and serious, made Shanti’s ass clench and his cock twitch. That heated look said, you’re mine and I know it. And Shanti couldn’t argue, he was practically salivating, and knew at that moment he’d do anything Mick wanted, as long as he didn’t go away.

Taking a big gulp of wine, Shanti watched Mick lower himself into the bubbling water. Eyes still on Shanti, he grinned as he took a sip of wine. “You’re too far way, Crash,” he said. “Get over here.”

Shanti set his glass down, then he bobbed over. “Crash?” He grinned as he closed the distance between them. “Forget my name already?”

“That’s the first thing I thought when I saw you go into the woods on your skis,” Mick said, grabbing him around the waist, pulling him in until Shanti straddled his lap, their thighs slick and wet as they glided together. “There goes Crash.”

Shanti gasped when their cocks met, then Mick grabbed Shanti’s hair, and tugged him roughly in for a kiss. Stubble scraped Shanti’s mouth and chin as the kiss deepened and became harder, Mick’s teeth grazing his lips, fingers tightening in his hair, both of them panting.

“You taste so good,” Shanti said, tongue gliding deeper into Mick’s mouth, satisfied at the gasp this elicited. Their wet chests rubbed together, and cocks hardened even more with the contact. Mick’s hands moved down his back until they gripped his ass, squeezing as he pulled him more firmly against his lap. His touch wasn’t gentle, but it wasn’t too rough.

Easing his head back, Mick studied Shanti’s face as his grip on his ass loosened, and his fingers drifted gently up to his ribcage. “How are your bruises? Am I being too rough?”

“No, it’s fine,” Shanti said, his voice breathless.

“You sure?” Mick’s eyes softened with concern, and it turned Shanti on, blood filling his already rigid cock.

“You won’t break me,” Shanti said, and moved his hips, causing their erections and balls to glide together in the warm water. Mick’s eyes closed and his head fell back as he inhaled sharply. His neck was thick and corded, perfect, and Shanti’s mouth fell onto it, sucking and nipping.

Mick’s hands glided up Shanti’s sides, and he held him under his arms and lifted, turning him in the water until his back was pressed against the side of the tub. Shanti lost his breath as Mick moved in between his legs, shoving his body against him as he caught his mouth in a kiss, tongue thrusting deep. His fingers threaded Shanti’s hair, lovingly kneading his scalp. Again, the combination of Mick’s roughness and gentleness sent Shanti over the edge, pleasure coursing through his entire body. He was aroused of course, but he also had goosebumps from the simple pleasure of warm skin gliding against his, or fingers stroking his hair, his scalp.

How the hell had he gone so long without this? How had he forgotten the pleasure of human touch? The thrill of a new body, of lips and tongue and hands on him, of this primal need? He didn’t think it could get any more intense, but then, with his mouth still devouring Shanti’s, Mick’s fingers let go of his hair and trailed down, over his sides, finally sliding under his ass.

Running a finger along the length of Shanti’s crack, Mick let it drift over his opening, then palmed his balls. He squeezed gently, then his hand slid back and repeated. The finger came again, pressure over his entry, palm pressing his balls, and back again. He continued the action, forming a rhythm until a moan left Shanti’s lips, and he threw his head back, panting. “Oh Christ, what are you doing to me?”

He lifted his head to see Mick’s dimpled grin. “Effective, is it?” he said as his fingers made another pass, this time pressing a bit deeper, barely penetrating his opening before gliding up beneath his sack.

“Too effective,” he said, body jerking as Mick’s finger applied more pressure, sliding inside him an inch, then out again. “You’re gonna make me lose it.”

“Follow me,” Mick said, and stood, taking Shanti’s hand and helping him up. They stepped out of the tub, and Mick led him to the couch. He opened the wooden chest that served as a coffee table, and pulled out a large, thick towel, handing it to Shanti. “Dry off, then lie down on your back.”

Shanti dried himself as he watched Mick pull another towel out and pat his own wet body down. He throbbed with need, cock still rigid.

“You’re still standing,” Mick said as he turned to him, dropping the towel on the floor. “On the couch. Now.”

Shanti obeyed and sat down, then lay back, resting his head on a throw pillow as Mick smiled down at him. “You have condoms?” Shanti asked, breathless.

Climbing onto the couch, straddling Shanti on his knees, Mick reached down and traced his lips with his index finger, then slid it inside his mouth, caressing his tongue. “Don’t be in such a rush,” he said. “I’m not done exploring.” He leaned over, still fingering his mouth as his other hand slid up Shanti’s thigh and fisted his cock.

A groan left Shanti’s lips, but Mick kept his finger in his mouth, gently exploring, gliding over his tongue. Down below, he gripped Shanti’s cock tighter, making quick, hard jerks. The combination of the gentle probing finger in his mouth and the hard fist below was dizzying, and just when he feared he’d come, Mick released his cock. Sliding the finger from his mouth, Mick lowered his lips to Shanti’s neck, sucking that spot that made him squirm, then slowly, he moved downward, over his chest, tongue circling one nipple, then gliding over to the other. Shanti could feel his cock hit Mick’s stomach as it bounced up, threatening to burst apart with pleasure.

Pausing as he proceeded down to Shanti’s ribcage, Mick’s eyes looked up at him, appearing brown than green with his pupils expanded, expression clouded with desire. “Is this okay? I’m not hurting your bruise, am I?”

Shanti laughed, but it turned into a groan as Mick’s hand slid under his ass, squeezing. “Hurting? God, no, you’re not hurting anything. But I feel selfish just lying here; let me do something for you.”

Mick grinned. “You are doing something for me. Just let me send you through the roof, okay?”

Shanti couldn’t speak, his throat constricting with heightened need as he looked into Mick’s eyes. He nodded.

“You trust me, Shanti?”

Again, Shanti nodded.

Holding his gaze, Mick lowered his face and gave his cock a long, slow lick, making his hips jerk as he whimpered. “Give me control of your body,” Mick said. “And forget about everything else.”

Head falling back onto the pillow, Shanti sighed. “Okay.”

He felt Mick’s breath on his balls just as fingers gripped his thighs and spread his legs, then his lower body was lifted off the couch. Mick slung both Shanti’s his legs over his shoulders, then gripped them behind the knee. “Relax,” he said, then lowered his head.

Breath on his balls, then the heat of a tongue drifting over his opening. Shanti made a small sound that was dangerously close to a squeak, then Mick pulled him tight against his face, and his tongue slid inside.

“Oh...oh God.”

The tongue slid out, tendrils of pleasure sending electric currents up Shanti’s spine. Mick’s head lifted. “That okay?”

Shanti nodded, but couldn’t speak.

“Want more?”

“Please,” he gasped. “Mick, please.”

Whiskers tickled his ass cheeks, then that hot tongue was there again, circling his opening. With a jerk on his thighs, Mick tugged him tightly against his face as his tongue thrust up inside. This time when Shanti squirmed and moaned, Mick held him there, not letting go as his tongue jabbed into him with delicious rhythm.

Shanti clenched as a shudder started low in his belly. Mick responded by grabbing his cock and stroking in time with the tongue moving in and out of his ass, the dual action making Shanti moan in pleasure. The orgasm started with a tightening in his balls, then shot through his ass, ecstasy exploding deep inside. He tried to hold back, hadn’t wanted to come so quickly, but it had been far too long, and Mick was far too skilled.

Mick held him firm with one arm, still penetrating with his tongue as he quickened the jerk of his fist on Shanti’s cock; cum shot from him, hitting his chest and stomach. Shanti howled, all control lost, tears leaking from his eyes as his cock sprayed, everything releasing and letting go, including the guarded, coiled tension hiding within for so long.

Sliding his tongue out, Mick lowered Shanti to the couch, then straddled him, fisting his own erection. With a few quick pumps, Mick gasped, grunted, then shot his load, the hot fluid hitting Shanti’s chest, mixing with his own.

When they were both spent and softening, Mick released his grip and collapsed on top of Shanti, sweat and cum gliding their skin together. His head fell to the side of Shanti’s as he panted. Shanti wrapped his arms around him, fingers trailing up and down his sweaty back. “Holy shit,” Shanti whispered.

Mick chuckled. “Feeling better?” he mumbled into his neck.

Shanti couldn’t do anything but laugh. His side hurt slightly with Mick’s weight on him, but it was worth a little pain, so he tightened his grip around the other main’s waist and hugged him tighter.

Mick pushed himself up on his elbows and grinned down at him, brown hair damp with sweat. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He climbed off the couch and stood, grabbing the discarded towels and tossing one to Shanti. “I have to go feed the dogs. There’s a bathroom down the hall.” He gave Shanti’s leg a quick squeeze, then left the room.

Shanti sat up with effort, wiping his stomach with the towel. The night had darkened outside the glass walls, tub still bubbling in the corner. He heard the sound of the front door opening, and the trampling of paws as Mick let the dogs inside. Standing, he snatched his clothes off the floor and went down the hall looking for the bathroom, finding it on the left.

He flicked on the light and an overhead fan started. The bathroom was large and clean, tiles shiny brown with a claw foot tub in the corner. He cleaned himself off in the sink, urinated, then put his clothes back on. His hair was a mess, face flushed. He ran his fingers through his hair, found some toothpaste and did a finger brush of his teeth, then went out to find Mick.

In the kitchen, the dogs were lined up facing the wall, heads buried in bowls of food. They didn’t acknowledge Shanti. He didn’t see Mick, but heard water running nearby, and figured he was in another bathroom. As the anesthetic shield of sex chemicals ebbed, insecurity tried to creep in. What happens now? Is he going to clam up again, get weird? Will it be awkward?

Moments later, Mick stepped into the kitchen wearing jogging pants and a long-sleeved tee shirt. He smiled at Shanti, then moved over and sat on one of the kitchen counters, long legs dangling over. “I had an idea,” he said.

Shanti moved to a kitchen chair and sat. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Linking his fingers, Mick studied him. “If I make you dinner tonight, does that count as a date?”

Shanti warmed inside. “Yeah, that counts.”

“Have you ever had venison?”

He struggled not to wince. “You’re gonna feed me Bambi?”

“Bambi’s mother, actually,” Mick said.

“Bambi’s mother who was killed by hunters and traumatized me when I was little?”

“Bambi’s aunt then, who died peacefully in her sleep. You’re gonna love it, trust me. But you haven’t heard the second part of my idea. You might not like it.”

Shanti stood and walked over to Mick, placing his hands on his knees. To his delight, Mick wrapped his legs around him, pulling him in. “I’m pretty sure I’ll like anything you suggest,” Shanti said.

Mick studied his eyes. “Since we’re both trying different things here, and I’m giving the whole dating thing a bash, would you be up for venturing into my world a bit?”

Confused, Shanti pulled back. “What do you mean?”

“I thought after dinner, we could take a trip out. To Stiffies.”

Stomach clenching with anxiety, Shanti let out a breath. “The gay bar.”

Mick nodded.

“What for?”

Shrugging, Mick said, “So you can do something you’ve never done before.” He grinned. “Try to get picked up in a bar.”