Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 04:20:53 +0000 (UTC) From: keybedder@aol.com Subject: The Last Time We Meet THE LAST TIME WE MEET by K. Nitsua. Copyright 2020 by the author. Holt didn't know what he had expected, but the house was compact and pretty, with an impeccably trimmed front yard. The neighborhood was just south of downtown and off a busy north-south artery. It was in the process of gentrifying but not all the way there. He parked his rental car across the street and got out, his pace and heartbeat quickening as he approached the front door. How long had it been since the last time? Years, but how many? Now that he was finally about to see his love again he was torn between anticipation and trepidation. He fairly bounded up the two or three steps that led up to the modest wooden front porch and pressed the doorbell before he lost his nerve. He didn't have to wait long before the door rattled open behind the screen. "Holt," Lee said, his face alight. "Welcome." The next moment he was inside and gathered into strong arms. There was no doubt about the sincerity of Lee's welcomeÑhis embrace squeezed the breath from Holt's body. At last Lee stepped back, his hands still gripping Holt's shoulders. "I can't believe it," he said, beaming. "Neither can I." He was breathless, not only from the hug but from seeing Lee's strong, chiseled features. He had forgotten how handsome he was. That hadn't changed, though Lee's perfectly styled hair, dark the last time they had met, was now salt and pepper. The lines etched in his countenance simply made it more distinguished. "Just how long has it been?" "I can't remember. Years." "So have I gotten old and decrepit?" Lee's smile was wicked, daring him to agree. Holt rolled his eyes. "You're a fucking hot silver dad." He didn't expect a return compliment. Lee's looks had always turned heads. Just a fact. "Thank you. Believe it or not that means a lot." Lee gestured behind him. "You want to sit, have a drink, tour the place?" "Maybe after. I can tell it's beautiful. I knew it would be." Lee's clear blue eyes twinkled. "Thank you. Well, I can at least show you the bedroom now." They headed down a short hallway and into the bedroom, as carefully furnished and decorated as the rest of the house. "Here we are. You can put your clothes on the chair by the bed." Lee was already removing his shirt, letting it drop to the floor. He smiled as he noticed Holt watching him undress. In his youth Lee had been a dancer, and after that a long-distance runner who ran a race every year. No surprise that he had maintained his taut, sinewy frame well past the age when most men let themselves go. Holt's breathing quickened at the sight of Lee's veined forearms, sculpted pectorals and ripped abdomen. He still went to the gym regularly himself, but no one would mistake him for a fitness model. Lee had peeled down to a pair of colorfully patterned boxer briefs that hugged his narrow hips and muscled thighs. Holt stared at the bulge between Lee's legs. He'd have to wait just a bit longer to see what was inside that pouch again. He was the one feeling old and decrepit. Holt quickly stripped and lay on his stomach on the large bath towel laid on the bed. "So you'd like a massage to start?" Lee asked. "Absolutely. It was a long plane ride." He saw Lee's hand pick up one of two small bottles on the bedside table. In a moment warmth spread across his back and he felt the skilled pressure of strong fingers. Holt sighed and relaxed, his weight sinking into the bed. After a while Lee clambered onto his body so that he was sitting on Holt's thighs. His friend's strokes became slower and more sensual, fingertips snaking between his butt cheeks. Lee leaned down close so that Holt felt his warm breath on his ear. "How are you doing?" "Wonderful," Holt murmured. His cock had hardened underneath him and he shifted to relieve the pressure. Lee must have taken that as a signal, because he lifted himself off Holt and stood at the side of the bed, his swelling crotch now directly in front of Holt's face. That was too tempting a sight. Holt reached out and hooked his fingers underneath the waistband of Lee's boxers, drawing them down slowly until the cock he had waited so long to see again suddenly sprang into view, hard and proud. Lee's erect penis was as beautiful as the rest of him, outsize on his compact frame, almost vertical, the shaft absolutely straight, veined and capped with a perfectly proportioned purplish head. His balls were large and hung just low enough. Carefully trimmed pubes revealed the veins in the skin of Lee's lower abdomen. "Jesus," Holt said. He had it in his mouth almost before he saw it. Lee's hand caressed his head. "Oh baby," he breathed. "It's been so long." "Mm hmm," Holt said, his mouth full as he tasted the salt of Lee's precum. After a few moments his neck began to ache from the awkward position. He sat up on the edge of the bed, and to his surprise Lee bent and gave him a full, open-mouth kiss. Always before Holt had been the one to kiss first. Before he had a chance to wonder about this he found himself lying on his back on the bed with Lee's full weight on him, his friend still exploring his mouth ardently with lips and tongue. Lee lifted his head and grinned into Holt's eyes. "Let me get a little more comfortable." A swift movement of his legs and a toss sent his underwear sailing across the room. Now nothing was between them. Holt held Lee close. "After all this time you still feel familiar," he told him. "I hope that's not insulting." Lee chuckled. "Not one bit." He moved down Holt's body, kissing as he went. The next moment Holt gasped as Lee's lips surrounded his cock. He looked down as the other man began to blow him with long strokes, grasping his balls with one hand. Lee's tongue worked its usual magic, and after a very short time Holt found himself grabbing the head bobbing up and down on his organ. "Wait," he said. "Don't want to cum now." Lee released him. "What do you want?" In answer Holt gestured at him. "Let me have yours again." Lee raised himself and straddled Holt's chest, feeding him his cock. Holt nursed at it greedily, as if he were starving. In a way he was. For years he had lain awake at night, wishing he could hold Lee in his arms again, see his smiling face, run his hands over his hard muscles, feel the power of his runner's thighs as he drove into him. Now his dreams were finally becoming reality again and he couldn't get enough. He let his head fall back on the bed and laughed from sheer joy. Lee smiled. "Glad to see you happy." "I am happy. I'm with you." Lee smiled and leaned down to kiss him again. Holt's delight was mixed with wonder. As hot as their sex had always been, his friend had never been big on affection. Something had changed. "How else can I make you happy?" Lee murmured when they came up for air again. Holt didn't hesitate. "Do what you do best. Fuck me with that big old dick of yours." "Absolutely." Lee reached again toward the table. Holt took a hold of his wrist. "One request. No condom. I'm clean. Got checked out before I came." A pause, then Lee nodded. He left the foil-wrapped circles undisturbed and picked up the second bottle on the table. "How do you want it?" Moments later Lee was on his back, Holt straddling him. He took hold of the bare, greased organ behind him, feeling the familiar thrill of nervousness. Before he could lose his nerve he put the cock against his asshole and pushed, taking deep breaths, willing himself to relax and take it. An agonized cry escaped his lips as the thick head broke through his ring and Lee's shaft slid inside. "You okay?" Lee asked, concerned. Holt's back was arched, his mouth open, unseeing eyes turned up toward the ceiling. He looked down at Lee and refocused, smiling through the fiery pain of entry. "I'm home, baby. Back where I belong." "That's my guy. Come here." Lee's strong hand clamped on the back of Holt's neck and drew him down toward his face. The pain receded and the pleasure of being filled with Lee's cock took its place. Holt was dimly aware of his own cock, harder than it had been in a long time, dripping precum onto the ridges of Lee's abdomen. He grunted again as Lee moved his pelvis upward in a quick, hard motion, withdrew more slowly, then thrust up again. Holt began to move in sync with Lee's fucking, shoving his butt downward for the deepest possible penetration, though it hurt every time Lee's cock sank balls deep into him. Lee smiled into his eyes. "Good man," he said. "You can still take it." "Give it to me. Give me all of it." Abruptly Lee sat up, pushing Holt onto his back. His cock popped out of Holt's ass, but only for a moment. As soon as he had grabbed his legs and hooked Holt's calves over his shoulders Lee entered him again, in full command. He raised himself, leaned back and looked down to watch his cock fucking Holt's ass. Holt raised his head as well, taking in the sight of Lee's abs rippling as he drove into him. He imagined his friend's veined shaft, glistening with lube, emerging from and re-entering his hole like part of a sleek machine, stretching it to its limit. His first sight of Lee had been in a roughly produced, unforgettably nasty porn video he had ordered on impulse and furtively watched at home. Holt gazed, fascinated, as the lean stud fucked the brains out of his muscular co-star in the stairwell of a large hotel, while unseen men holding the recorders egged him on. The sight of Lee's cock sliding in and out of his partner's perfect butt over and over again had driven him to a fully clothed, hands-free orgasm. Lee bent down toward him, folding Holt almost double, knees pressed against his chest. They shared another kissÑHolt had lost count of how many. "How are you doing?" Lee whispered. "Never better," Holt said, and meant it. "You're getting me so hot. Don't know how much longer I can hold back." "Then go ahead. Breed me. Do it," Holt hissed at him. Lee waggled his eyebrows playfully. "You're sure now." "Fucking sure. Destroy my hole." "You asked for it," Lee said, and began to drive into him full force, his loins slapping against Holt's ass cheeks, making his balls shake. Holt cried out at every impact. His eyes screwed shut but he forced him open, not wanting to miss a single moment. It wasn't long before he was rewarded. Lee's eyes closed, his breathing deepened, his teeth gritted into a snarl of lust. The pace of his fucking increased until he was drilling Holt's ass. Moments later harsh shouts rose from his throat, and Holt knew that he was going over the edge. He tightened his ass muscles, feeling Lee's cock throb as it delivered its load deep into his guts. His friend's body was locked in spasm, every muscle standing out. Then suddenly it relaxed. Lee collapsed onto him, still heaving with the force of his release. With Lee's cock still inside him, Holt held his lover, caressing his hair, murmuring into his ear as he slowly came down to earth. "That was worth waiting for." Lee raised his head and smiled. "You're telling me." Slowly, reluctantly, he raised himself off of Holt's body and flopped over onto his back. Holt looked at the half-softened, still magnificent organ that had seeded his body for the first time, wet with cum and lube. On an impulse he turned and took it into his mouth, drawing a gasp from Lee. Holt cleaned Lee's cock with languid strokes, swallowing, heedless of the bitter taste. When he was finished he let go and looked up at his partner. Lee shook his head, looking genuinely amazed. "Wow. You're unbelievable." Holt grinned, pleased at Lee's reaction. "Watching porn stars taught me a thing or two." "You're probably one of the few who remembers." He kissed Lee's stomach. "Writing you that fan e-mail was the best thing I ever did." "I'm glad you did too." Lee's hand stroked his hair as they lay in peaceful silence. After a while he frowned. "You haven't cum." Holt shrugged. "No big deal." He hadn't always cum during their meetings. Being filled and possessed by Lee's cock felt so complete that an orgasm seemed almost beside the point. Lee shook his head. "This is a special occasionÑour reunion! We've got to celebrate." He gazed at Holt, his expression thoughtful. "Want to change places?" Holt couldn't believe his ears. "ButÉ I thought you were a total top. You never bottom." Lee raised his eyebrows. "I never said never. It has to be with the right guy. Like you." His expression grew playful. "C'mon. You know how. All married guys do." Still a bit in shock, Holt finally nodded. "WellÉ okay." Lee crooked a finger at him. "Let me fluff you up." Holt obeyed, kneeling above Lee with his legs on either side of his chest so that he could feed his cock into the waiting mouth. As Lee blew him his hands roved up Holt's chest and began to work his nipples. This drew a groan from Holt, whose tits were hard-wired to his cock. His organ twitched inside Lee's mouth, hardening even more. Things were happening between them that Holt had never expected. He threw caution to the wind. He backed up off of Lee, got his hands under his butt and lifted his legs into the air. He wasn't sure if he'd ever gotten a good look at Lee's asshole before. It was shaved, small, pink, and as perfect as the rest of him. The next moment Holt's face was buried in the cleft between Lee's butt cheeks. His tongue found the smooth circle of flesh and flicked into it. He was rewarded with a moan from above. "Fuck yeah, eat that hole!" "Mm hmm," Holt said, his voice muffled as he pushed his tongue in as deep as it would go. He lapped at Lee's anus, making obscene slobbering noises, air whistling through his nostrils. After a few minutes of this Lee was reduced to incoherent whimpering, tossing his head from side to side. Holt rose, his face wet with spit. He was filled with a new sense of power that he had never felt before with Lee. His hand found the small bottle that was lying on the covers. He squeezed out a handful of lube and applied it both to himself and to Lee's hole. Lifting Lee's legs again, he locked eyes with his partner as he positioned his cock for entry. "Ready?" Lee nodded. Holt thought he looked a bit nervous. He slowly pushed at the slick ring until he felt it begin to yield. Suddenly his head and shaft were enveloped by squeezing warmth. Lee's head fell back on the pillow. A long "ah!" rose from his lips. "You okay?" Holt asked. Lee gave him a pained smile, his breath coming in short gasps. "Just give me a moment. It's been a while." Holt stayed stock still, not only to give Lee time to adjust but also because he was afraid he'd shoot then and there. Then he pushed slowly deeper as Lee smiled and nodded encouragement. Finally he felt his pelvis hit taut flesh--he was in as far as he could go. He gasped, emotion coursing through him. He was joined with his lover in a way he had never experienced. Lee was giving him the most secret, private part of his body, a gift he had never offered him before. He felt humbled, as if he were part of a sacred rite. "How are you doing?" Lee asked. Holt snapped back to earth. How could he describe what he was feeling? He smiled. "Great. You?" Lee nodded. "Be gentle. I'm not used to this." Holt smirked as he began to move his hips. "Maybe. Maybe not." Despite his teasing words he thrust slowly, gently into his partner's hole, hovering right on the edge of cumming. He wanted to last as long as he could. Lee's hand on the back of Holt's neck pushed his face down for another kiss. "Oh baby," Lee breathed softly. "Fuck me." "You got it." Holt managed to find a rhythm that kept his excitement under control. He rocked back to watch his greased shaft sliding in and out of Lee's hole. Lee's balls bounced every time he hit bottom. Holt noted with amazement that his cock had returned to full, raging erection. The man was insatiable. He cried out as he felt Lee's fingers on his nipples. Holt shook his finger in Lee's face in playful warning. "Don't you do that. I'll cum right now." Lee grinned back. "Maybe I want you to." "Oh I want to, believe me. Just give me a few more minutes. I know what a privilege this is." "You're sweet." Lee kissed him again. "Stay in me as long as you want." Holt's eyes closed and he gritted his teeth. "Not much longerÉ Oh GodÉ Fuck I'm going to cum!" he shouted, as suddenly his hips swung into overdrive. No more words came from Holt's throat, only incoherent shouts as his brain exploded in bursting release and his thrusting cock delivered its hot gushes into Lee's innards. At last it was over. Holt slumped onto Lee's body, feeling strong arms around him as he began to catch his breath. Lee patted him on the back. "That was awesome. I should have bottomed for you sooner." Holt shook his head. "Don't know if I could've done it when we first got together. Too intimidated." He felt something wet between their bodies. He looked down and whistled. "Did you cum again?" "That's how much you turned me on." "I see why you were such a hit in porn." Lee rolled his eyes. "Not really. Being able to cum more than once a shoot did help, though." Holt's cock had softened and slipped out of Lee's ass. He turned over onto his back, one arm hooked under Lee's neck, and closed his eyes, utterly content. Just as he felt himself start to drift toward sleep Lee tapped him. "SoÑdo you want to see the place?" Clearly the house was his pride and joy. "Sure," Holt said. "Mind if I get cleaned up a bit?" He wrapped Lee in a warm embrace. "Thanks. That was beyond my wildest dreams." Lee smiled. "My pleasure." Fifteen minutes later, dressed and somewhat put together again, they walked through Lee's house. Every one of its half-dozen rooms was decorated with exquisite taste, devoid of dust or clutter. Not for the first time Holt found himself reflecting on how fortune had smiled on his friend. While supporting himself in the line of work that had brought him to Holt's attention Lee was earning a degree in design. Over the years he had built a successful practice as an interior decorator and freelance artist. His looks naturally opened many doors, but that was not the whole story. Those prepared to prejudge and dislike him had instead found themselves disarmed by Lee's modesty and charm, not to mention his expertise. The combination had landed him job after job. Holt wondered how many of his design clients had any idea of the alternate career paths Lee had also taken. They had made their way to the kitchen at the rear of the house. Lee opened the back door and held it so that Holt could pass. They walked out onto an expansive wooden deck. "This is pretty new," Lee said. "I put it in just last year." Holt gaped. "You built this yourself?" Lee nodded. "Some friends helped, but I designed it, got the permitting done, bought and cut the lumber, hammered in probably hundreds of nails. It was a real learning experience." "Jesus. Is there anything you can't do?" Lee smiled. "Sure there is. Most of what you do without a second thought, for starters." Holt shook his head, amazed, as he had been so many times since he walked into Lee's house an hour before. "I never thought coming here today would be soÑeducational." "I hope it was worth the trip." Holt glared at Lee in mock reproach. "Oh please. You know it was worth every penny, and more." A thought suddenly struck him. "I probably should get going. My time must be up." Lee shook his head. "You don't have to rush off. I'm not on the clock. At least stay and have a cup of coffee with me. Actually there's something I need to talk to you about before you head out." Holt looked at him, puzzled. "Really? What?" Lee grasped his arm. "I'll tell you over coffee. Come sit." "I should have told you this earlier," he said a few minutes later at the kitchen table, "but I was very sorry to hear about your wife." Holt nodded. "Thank you. It's been difficult, of course, but at least she's at peace." "She hadn't been in good health for years, you said." "No. After a while her care took up most of my time and energy outside of work. One reason why I wasn't able to see you for so long." "Family comes first, I know. I've had many married clients." Holt said, brightening, "If there's anything good that's come of it, it's thatÑI can finally stop hiding. I've decided to come out. Tell my kids. I don't think they'll reject me." He chuckled ironically. "If for no other reason than they want my money. Work will be harder, but then again, I don't have to work much longer anyway." He grasped Lee's hand. "I'll be able to travel. Come see you here. Or we can meet places, like we did that time in Chicago." He grinned. "Fuck at every airport hotel in the continental U.S. All expenses paid, of course." He stopped, noticing the strain in Lee's expression. His friend slowly withdrew his hand. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Holt." "What do you mean?" Lee looked down at the table. "There's been a big change in your life. Me too." He looked up, his gaze steady. "I'm retiring." Holt stared. "You meanÑ" Lee nodded. "From escorting." When Holt said nothing, he went on. "It's been happening naturally, in a way. Many of my clients have moved on. To someone younger, I'd guess. A couple of them have passed away themselves. "Last year a man I'd been seeing for a long time had a fatal heart attack. He wasn't that old and it was a real shock. He was a good friend, like you. Maintained my escort website. After he was gone I closed it down, and then I got to thinkingÑwhy not just close everything down? His expression became appealing. "But then you contacted me, and wanted to come visit. I didn't have the heart to tell you I wasn't going to be in the business any more. I like you a lot, Holt. You deserve more than an e-mail." Holt sat as if turned to stone. Lee stretched a hand toward him. "Please say something." More silence, then Holt spoke, very quietly. "I thought something was different today. You being so affectionate. Doing me bareback when I asked. Letting me fuck you. All new experiences." A snort of ironic laughter. "It was a sendoff, wasn't it? Kind of like giving an old dog his favorite meal and a last walk on the beach before you put him down, right?" "Aw, c'monÉ" "No, you c'mon!" Holt hated himself for raising his voice, but couldn't help it. "I've always known what I was to you. Give me credit for that, at least. I couldn't help it that over the years you've become more than that to me. You've been a lifeline. Someone that I missed. Someone I lay awake nights thinking about. Someone I loved, a little." Lee looked stricken. "I'm sorry." Holt began again, almost talking to himself. "Why shouldn't you retire? Everyone does. You probably have someone you're recommending, right? Some hot up-and-cumming stud taking over your practice." "Holt, don't." Holt looked Lee in the eye. A leaden lump of sadness was in his heart, but he was not going to cry. "You were wrong, Lee. An e-mail would have been a lot better. I'll let myself out." He rose from the table. Lee started to say something but Holt cut him off. "Envelope's on the table by the door. I should have left a bigger tip." He was out of the house and into his car in what seemed like half a dozen strides. On the road back to downtown he stared straight ahead, angrily brushing away the tears that had started from his eyes. *** After a shower the next morning Holt packed the few things he had brought with him into his one case. The hotel where he had been staying was one of the best in the city, but he had barely noticed his surroundings. He heard a buzz and glanced at his cell phone on the table. Another text from Lee, one of a half dozen, begging him to make contact. He had left them all unanswered. After their bitter parting Holt had spent the rest of that day in his room, lying on his bed or watching TV without comprehending what was on the screen. He had been lost in a fog of sadness and anger, directed as much at himself as at Lee. He'd been a fool not to have seen it coming. How could he have imagined that Lee returned his affection? He provided a service. He paid Lee well and the man delivered every time. Anyone who could have sex in front of camera could get it up for an audience of one. Sometime in the middle of a long, long night Holt sighed, resigned. It had been a good run, but the show was over. There was nothing left to do but move on, alone, as best he could. He picked up his phone and deleted the last text from Lee. Time to get moving. Luggage, briefcase, and sport coat in hand, he took a last look around the room, and walked down the hall toward the elevator. It was mid-morning and the lobby was not crowdedÑthe tide of early departures had ebbed. Holt dropped his keys in the express checkout box and headed toward the entrance. "Holt." He wheeled around, somehow not surprised. "What the hell are you doing here?" Lee tried a smile. "What else was I supposed to do when you wouldn't answer my messages?" "I have to catch a flight." Holt turned back toward the glass doorway. A hand grasped his upper arm. "Please. Hear me out. Then you can leave. Forever, if that's what you want." Holt stood still, then sighed and acquiesced. They found two chairs in a quiet corner of the lobby. As they sat Holt looked Lee over and felt some grim satisfaction at his haggard appearance. Apparently Lee hadn't gotten much sleep either. As soon as they sat Lee stretched a hand out toward Holt. He shrank away from the offered touch. "What is it?" he asked. Lee dropped his hands back into his lap. "I am so sorry I hurt you." With an effort Holt maintained his cool facade. "I was a fool. I made you into something you aren't. You're not my lover or boyfriend. Just someone I pay to pretend to like me." "Do you think I've been pretending all this time?" "I don't know. You sure were convincing in those videos." Lee's expression darkened. "When the fuck are you going to stop throwing that back at me? Whatever I've been selling, guys like you have been willing to buy. Takes two to make a transaction, buddy. So cut the crap." Holt sat silent, ashamed. "Holt, listen to me. Do you really think yesterday was just an act?" To his chagrin his voice wavered when he answered. "All I know is that the thought of never seeing you again is tearing me apart." "You may not believe this, but I feel the same." At that Holt snapped his head up. Lee's gaze was clear-eyed and unblinking. "Then what are we going to do?" Lee sighed. "I don't know. All I ask isÑdon't write me off. At least not yet. I don't want to lose you. And I'm not pretending." A long silence. Then Holt said, "I don't care about the sex. If you don't want to any more, that's fine. As long as I can see you. Talk to you. Be friends. Can you see that happening?" A smile crossed Lee's craggy features. "Absolutely." Holt felt something loosen in his chest, and drew a long, shuddery breath. "Then I won't write you off. I guess we'll leave it up in the air. Speaking of whichÉ" They rose, and Lee faced him. "I know you have to go, but there's something I want to show you." "What?" Holt asked, curious. "This is a great old hotel, and there are sights that tourists always miss." He turned and gestured at Holt to follow. "This way. It'll only take a minute." They walked down a quiet side corridor, until Lee stopped at a solid mahogany door. He pushed it open and Holt stepped in. He looked around, not comprehending. "This is just a restroom. WhaÑ" His words were stifled by Lee's lips on his own. Shocked, Holt struggled to break away. With swift motions Lee turned, shot the deadbolt on the door of the single occupancy lavatory, and turned back to face him, pulling Holt's shirt out of his pants, unbuckling his belt, drawing down his fly. "What the hell are you doing?" Lee gave him an impish grin. "What does it look like?" He sank to one knee and fished Holt's rapidly hardening cock from his underwear. "Just cum fast and don't make too much noise." The next moment hot, wet pleasure engulfed him down below. The baggage in his hands thumped to the floor. Holt closed his eyes and threw his head back, surrendering to Lee's expert lips and tongue. The thrill of coupling in a public place brought him to the edge in what seemed like seconds. "Oh God, going to cum," he hissed, his grip tightening on Lee's shoulder. "Mm hmm," Lee said, sliding even faster back and forth on Holt's shaft. Holt drew in a lungful of air and let it out in a strangled groan, struggling to stay quiet as his body pitched forward, his cock unloading what felt like a gallon of cum down Lee's throat. Choking, gurgling noises rose from his partner's stifled vocal cords, but Lee held him in his mouth until Holt's balls were drained. Then he quickly got to his feet. Holt just had time to catch a glimpse of Lee's smiling face, eyes tearing and cheeks flushed and bulging, before Lee's mouth clamped on his, forcing him to take his own load. They swapped semen back and forth, smearing it on each other's faces and licking it off, both swallowing their share. When that was done Holt, exhausted, let his forehead rest on Lee's shoulder. He felt Lee's arms encircle him. "So, what was that about being okay with no sex?" Lee said. Holt chuckled. All anger and bitterness had drained from him along with his ejaculation, leaving only rueful self-awareness. "Okay, that was bullshit." He lifted his head and met Lee's eyes. "I love you. Fucking love you. Can you live with that?" There was tenderness in Lee's cobalt gaze, perhaps for the first time. "Yes. I can live with that," he said. END