“Oh. Wow.” Walter’s breath came in short pants. But just as his legs began to tremble, he gripped Bing’s shoulders and pulled back. He escaped Bing’s mouth and his hold, and he leaned forward, his breath heaving as he held himself away.
Bing looked up, pleased when he saw his friend’s eyes close as he steadied himself. When Walter finally opened them, his gaze was hot with need.
“That’s not how I want to do this,” he finally rasped.
“You sure?” Bing challenged. Apparently he was feeling confident enough to push back a little.
“Yes,” Walter answered. He tugged at Bing’s arm, half pulling, half guiding Bing to the thick bedroll lying rumpled on the ground. “You don’t get me unless I get you. Deal?”
Part of him tightened in anxiety. The other part gloried in letting Walter make all the decisions. “What should I do?” he asked.
“Get naked, then lie back.” The words were brusque, but Bing didn’t mind. He loved the new note of command in his best friend’s voice. Even better, Walter wasn’t wasting any time stripping out of his clothes. Robe, pants, bands to protect against the harness, and finally underwear. Soon Walter was standing above him, fully naked with skin turned rose gold from the light of the heater.
Bing stared. “You’ve been working out,” he said. “A lot.” Two months ago Walter had been soft from a diet filled with Cheetos and chips. Now he had muscle definition.
“I had to get camera-ready and learn martial arts.” Walter shrugged. “Plus working nonstop and being too broke to afford food.”
Bing winced. “Hard way to do it, but the results are undeniable.”
Walter knelt down beside Bing. “Working out doesn’t give me your face, your beauty.” He trailed a hand down Bing’s chest. “You’re leaner,” he said. “You move differently.”
“More like a wolf.” Bing smiled. “There’s nothing like it.”
“I’ll bet,” Walter said. “But forgive me if I prefer the man.”
“At the moment,” Bing whispered as Walter leaned down over him, “I’m in total agreement.”
Their kiss was slow and tender, Bing opening and allowing Walter to thrust inside. Then he moved over Bing’s body, the slide of his skin feeling like molten gold—hot, slow, and so luxurious—as he took his time. It was new to Bing, this slow dance of tongues while the bodies brushed against each other.
His belly tightened, his buttocks too. He thrust upward against Walter without even realizing he was begging. Walter drew back with a smile. Bing was lost for a moment in the familiarity of the expression. This was his best friend grinning at him in the same way he’d done so many times before. He’d seen that smile as they watched TV together, while hammering nails into the sets they built together, and when a script Walter worked on was coming out right. But this time they were naked and Walter was gripping Bing’s cock in a fist that squeezed tight enough to make him gasp.
“You ready to do what I tell you? When I tell you?” Walter asked.
Bing nodded, thrilled by this new bossy side to his friend.
Walter stroked him, pressing down while Bing thrust up. He varied the speed and the tension, pushing Bing higher when he wanted and letting things slow when he chose. Within minutes Bing was panting, his hips working, as he reached for release.
Walter never let him get there. He simply watched from his position on the side and grinned like a fool.
“You’re beautiful,” Walter murmured as he slowed things down again.
Bing gasped for air, then looked at his friend. “Now,” he said. “Please.”
Walter nodded. “Okay,” he said. “But not the way you think.” When he let go of him completely, Bing almost screamed in frustration. Walter left his side and to rummage around in a backpack, half-hidden underneath a pile of papers.
“What—?”
“Condom,” Walter said. “I’m negative, but there’s no sense in risking either of us.”
“I haven’t been with anyone in years.”
Walter pulled out condom and lubricant from his pack. “Good. Because once we start doing this, I expect it to be just me, understand? You and me. Unless we have a conversation about it.”
“Just you,” Bing echoed. How good it felt to say that. To finally let himself feel while his best friend kept him safe.
Walter poured a little oil onto his hand, warmed it by rubbing it between his fingers, and then, holding Walter’s gaze, Bing allowed the man to work him open. He felt warmth, pressure, and a steady insistence that Bing surrender to what was happening.
“Take as long as you need to relax,” Walter said. “We’ve got time.”
