Friends, Sexcapades and Love Affairs Ch. 16

Adrian pursed his lips. "All right. Just call Shane and apologize. The sooner, the better. No moment like the present."

"Like, right now?" Jared asked.

"Yeah," Adrian confirmed. "If you want me and Mike to forgive you for the stunt you pulled on us tonight."

"Okay, if it's our friendship on the line," Jared tried to play it down a little. He did feel ashamed now, and he knew Adrian and Mike were right. He didn't have to change who he was because of a bad experience. "But I'm not going to be his pity boyfriend or anything. I still stand by the idea that we only hooked up."

Adrian made a gesture with his hands as if to suggest that it was up to Jared.

"As long as you don't insult him or make him feel bad again," Mike said. "You're nice, Jared. You're not not-nice."

Jared sighed. "All right, guys. You convinced me. I'll just go outside to make the call. I think you two heard enough for one evening."

He walked through the crowd and got into the warm evening air. Of course, Mike and Adrian were right, but now he felt awful. What were the right words to say? He moved under an awning, away from the rowdy groups walking in and out of the bar.

"Shane," he began rehearsing the words he wanted to say, "I feel that I must apologize for tonight. I didn't mean to -" Jared stopped and ran one hand over his face. "Shane, hi. I'm sorry for being a scumbag. I shouldn't have talked like that to you in front of my friends. It's just that I -" He stopped again. "Shane, it's me, Jared, from ... before. No, earlier tonight. I feel like I fooled you into thinking that I - Ah, goddamnit, why is it so hard to say the right words?"

"Maybe it's not what you want to say."

Jared jumped back in surprise. "Fuck, you scared me! Shane, what are you doing here?"

From the dark corner, Shane emerged into the street. Jared could make his silhouette and some of his features in the streetlights. "I got mad a little, so I needed to walk it off. I don't get mad often," he began. "It's usually serious when I do that. But you're a slick city boy, so I should have known it."

Jared sighed. "It's not like that. I mean, slick city boy? I'm not ... I mean, I obviously made you have the wrong impression of me. Adrian and Mike gave me an earful inside, so I'll try to apologize as I should."

"No need." Shane waved. "I heard you trying to find your words earlier. I don't think you really want to apologize."

Jared stopped for a moment. He sighed, letting the air leave his lungs with an audible noise. "You know what, Shane? You're right. I don't want to apologize. Not because you don't deserve an apology, but because I've been bottling up something inside, something that had absolutely nothing to do with you, and it has made me mad."

"What is it? Can you say it?" Shane asked.

Jared considered for a moment. Maybe what Shane really deserved wasn't some half-assed apology, but the truth. "I just went through something unpleasant. I was involved with a married guy. I had no idea he was married, and when I found out ... well, he was really unpleasant toward me."

"You keep saying the word 'unpleasant'. But it must have been more."

"Yes, it was," Jared said, letting out another deep sigh. "He insulted me. I thought we had a relationship, and I was nothing to him but an affair or even less than that. I slept with you for all the wrong reasons. I wanted to prove myself that I could be in control. I could just choose to hook up and feel good about myself. I had no intention to hurt you, but I am at fault for not stopping one moment to think about you and your feelings."

Shane said nothing.

Jared walked toward him slowly. "I can be your friend, Shane. I can show you around the city. I may be awful hookup material, but, as a friend, I can be nice. Really nice. At least, that's what Adrian and Mike keep telling me."

"A friend?" Shane asked.

"Yes. I'm so sorry I mislead you. I just kept telling myself that you must be a charmer and a playboy since you're such a hunk. I'm sorry about that. A lot of guys in this city would be happy to have you. I can introduce you to the scene here, so to speak. And then, I can assure you that you can have your pick."

Shane watched him closely. "Have my pick, huh?"

"Sure. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?" Jared asked with a small laugh.

Shane matched it with a chuckle of his own. "So I can pick anyone I like, is that what you're saying?"

"Sure thing," Jared confirmed it once more.

"I'll keep you to that," Shane said playfully.

"If any guy in this city turns you down and he's not married, or in a serious relationship, I'll personally deal with him," Jared promised solemnly. "Hey, now that we cleared the air, and, hopefully, you don't hate my guts anymore, would you like to come back inside? Adrian and Mike are already crazy about you."

Shane shook his head. "I think it would be a little strange."

It was evident to Jared that Shane was doing his best to speak correctly, but that charming twang still rolled off his tongue like honey, with a word like 'little' still sounding more like 'lil'.

"It's okay. I put you in an awkward situation, and I'm really sorry," Jared said and squeezed Shane's arm.

"Don't worry," Shane replied. "So, if we're friends, what do we do? Do we hang out? Can I call you and that?"

"Sure," Jared said with a nod. "This isn't me trying to get out of an unpleasant situation."

"You used 'unpleasant' again," Shane noticed.

"It must have been unpleasant for you," Jared replied.

"It's okay if I hug you?" Shane asked, out of the blue. "You do that with friends, right? How about kissing you on the cheek?"

"Shane, Shane," Jared cooed affectionately, "you don't need a book of rules to hang out with me, okay? But I guess this is you teasing me over being a scumbag. Come here and let me give you a hug."

Shane didn't wait for him to finish his words. Jared snickered when Shane pulled him into a tight embrace and lifted him off the ground. He couldn't stop inhaling Shane's manly cologne, which was a big mistake because memories of last night flooded his brain in an instant. It was nothing wrong to feel a bit regretful, but he was in no position to get a boyfriend now. Shane buried his face into the crook of Jared's shoulder and kissed him there. A light frisson traveled his body, and Jared remembered, with some latency, that he was supposed to protest to that.

Before he had a chance to do that, Shane let him back on his feet and pulled away. "I'll call you," he said and tipped his hat.

"Sure," Jared replied with a small nod and watched Shane walking away, a tinge of something he knew too well nudging him to do something already.

He pushed it down. It was all too soon and too wrong. Shane deserved something else. Someone else.

He walked back inside, his head full of contradicting thoughts.

"Did you call him?" Mike asked.

"Yes," Jared replied without thinking. Then, he shook his head. "Actually, I talked to him in person. He was just outside, walking it off ... I apologized. Job done. We're going to be friends."

"Friends?" Adrian quirked an eyebrow. "What kind of friends?"

Jared took back his seat and barely kept in a small wince at the slight discomfort he still experienced in his backside. "You know, friends."

***

Adrian whistled as he walked down the marina and waved at Edward, who was leaning against the rail of his yacht. "So, I get that this was the surprise. Well, once you told me where to meet, I expected as much. Quite a beauty, isn't she?"

Edward just nodded and gestured for Adrian to hop in. Although the maritime vehicle deserves much more attention than he could offer at the moment, Adrian's eyes were on Edward. He was dressed in white sailing clothes, and his eyes were squinting in the sun. The light breeze was playing with his hair, and Adrian couldn't help but notice the lazy smile on Edward's lips. He had known Edward the frozen fish, and Edward the master wannabe, and Edward the too hot too handle, but this version of him was new.

Adrian had a feeling that their little trip out at sea would reveal much more than he could observe at a glance. "No captain hat?" He pointed at Edward's head.

"I'll be your humble shipmaster," Edward said with a smile and a small bow. "To be a captain, I believe you should have a degree in marine transportation."

Adrian pouted playfully. "So, I don't get to call you captain?"

Edward laughed. He welcomed Adrian into his arms and kissed him softly. The kiss was different, too, although just as hot as any Edward gave without restrictions. Adrian felt a small shudder coursing his body; if they kept at it, they might not leave the shore at all. "Hmm," he purred as he reluctantly let go of Edward's fascinating mouth, "I suppose I need to play the good kid this time, or else you won't be able to sail us out of here."

Edward chuckled softly. "There is such a thing as autopilot, but of course, you will have to be good until we get at a, let's say, fair distance from the shore. In the meantime, you just enjoy the ride."

Adrian nuzzled Edward's nose with his own, earning an immediate burst of laughter in return.

"What is this?" Edward asked, but his voice was playful.

"I don't know. I feel all giddy inside and a lot like fooling around. I've never been on a yacht, so I apologize in advance if I behave like a total kid."

"Apologies accepted. Now, just lay back and let me do the sailing."

"I wouldn't dream of any other arrangement," Adrian said in return.

***

Jared looked at the caller ID, and his finger hovered over the screen for two heartbeats. Shane hadn't called since that disastrous evening, and he couldn't just admit that he had been all needles and pins over whether he would do that, eventually. But, it was Saturday, so maybe now Shane wanted to hang out. "Hi," he said, unnaturally bright, as he tried to hide his nervousness.

"Hey, Jared," Shane drawled.

Now Jared had a pretty good idea that it was just Shane's way of talking and not some carefully crafted weapon of seduction. Still, he had had no idea until now that he would fall so easily for that accent. No, he wasn't falling for anything. It was just a way of saying.

"Hi, Shane. I mean, I already said 'hi', and I knew who was calling because, duh, I saw the caller ID - I'm babbling here, why aren't you stopping me?"

A relaxed laugh was the immediate reply. "I like it when you're babbling. You're cute."

"Ah, you didn't just say that," Jared protested. "Anyway, do you want to hang out tonight? Mike and I want to visit this new place, which everyone praises like it's gay heaven or something."

"Sure," Shane replied. "What should I wear?"

Jared paused for a moment. "I think you should just wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Your usual clothes are fine."

"Won't anyone laugh at me? Seeing that it's some swanky place where everyone might be wearing Versace or something?"

Jared laughed. "All right. You're just pulling my leg. The place may be a little swanky, but not too much. Mike and I, we're not top earners or anything. We go to venues where we can afford the beer if you know what I mean."

"I'll pick up the tab, so don't worry."

"I would never let you do that," Jared said promptly. "It is on us to show you around, and since you're new to the group, let us play the generous companions. Of course, that will change down the road," he added quickly. "And if you make more money than us with that pub of yours, we might become obnoxious freeloaders."

"That's fine by me," Shane said playfully.

"Ah, so you're not worried," Jared said back.

"Mike looks like a lightweight, and I know for a fact how tipsy you can get after a few shots."

"Hey, hey," Jared protested, "we drank from the bottle. Seriously, who does that?"

"You," Shane said and laughed.

"Just because you made me."

"Right. I was just leading by example, is all."

"Yeah, I guess so. Now, let me give you the address, so you know where to meet us."

"Could I drop by your place and get there together?" Shane asked casually.

Jared hesitated for a moment. That wasn't anything out of the ordinary. He would pick Mike up from his place, anyway. It was a common thing between friends.

"It's all right if you think that's weird," Shane added.

"No, no. Here is my address. We're going to pick Mike up from home, too, after that."

"Sounds swell. Wait, only Mike? What's Adrian up to?"

"Ugh, long story," Jared said and rolled his eyes. "You cannot believe this guy's luck. His boyfriend is some hotshot doctor and millionaire. Right now," Jared checked the clock on his nightstand, "he's on some yacht, in the middle of the ocean, sipping Margaritas or whatever."

There was a short pause on the other end. "Is that your idea of fun, too?" Shane asked.

Jared laughed nervously. Whatever he did, he managed somehow to come across as a superficial ass. "I was just joking. Not about the yacht, and the millionaire boyfriend, but about the reason why Adrian is lucky."

"What's the reason?" Shane asked.

This kind of directness was not at all something Jared was used to. But Shane seemed to ask exactly what was on his mind, without censure. It was refreshing, in a way. Jared liked it. "It's a long story, but let's just say, without running the risk of ending up gossiping about Adrian's love life, that, for a long while, it looked like there would be no boyfriend in Adrian's life. And, suddenly, he meets this guy, Edward, and he forgets about playing the king of hookups every weekend. So, I think he's lucky because he found someone he truly likes spending time with."

"That sounds like a great reason," Shane said. "What would make you feel lucky?"

Jared sat on the bed and pushed one rebellious strand of hair behind one ear. "I haven't figured that out yet," he replied quietly. "I thought I knew what it was, but things didn't work out how I imagined."

"You're talking about the married guy?" Shane asked.

"Yeah," Jared admitted. "We've been together only for a little while, but - ah, let's not talk about it, okay? Let's have fun tonight, and, Shane, if you don't have at least a dozen new numbers in your phone by the end of the night, then don't call me Jared Boyle."

"Ah, is that your full name?"

"Right. We didn't exactly introduce each other. What's your family name?" Jared asked dutifully.

"McKay," Shane replied promptly.

"Shane McKay," Jared said slowly. "Only by this name, and I could picture you, boots and hat and all, without even seeing you once."

"Well, you saw me, though, so all you say know is only hindsight," Shane said.

"Yeah. I suppose so. All right, Shane McKay. Drop by at nine."

"Isn't it a bit late?"

"There's no real action before ten o'clock. And since we will take our time picking Mike up from his place, I think we will be there in the nick of time."

"So, it's really okay if I wear my usual clothes?" Shane insisted.

"I wouldn't want to see you in any other," Jared joked.

There was a small intake of air, like a sharp breath on the other end. Jared didn't have time to wonder what it could be about.

"All right, then. But if anyone laughs at me, it will be all on you," Shane replied.

"Don't you worry. Mike and Adrian call me the mother hen of the group. Just point the bully to me, and he will eat his hat. Or shirt. The chances are he might not have a hat."

"Counting on you, then."

"Sure thing."

There was a short silence. "Then I'll see you tonight," Shane said. "Cannot wait."

"Yeah. Me, either," Jared said politely.

"See ya later then, shug," Shane drawled, and just this time, Jared was pretty sure that the guy was playing the charmer, again.

For a while, he stared at the phone in his hand and wondered if he hadn't had his work cut out for him, all on his own. As long as Shane didn't use his charms on him, he would be fine. And Shane had no reason to do that since he was now interested in making the acquaintance of many fine lads who weren't Jared.

Great. Now he was thinking with an accent.

***

"Wow," Adrian expressed his awe as he looked around at the vast expanse of water. "I must say that it feels a bit assuring that I still see a bit of land in the distance."

"I hope you're not seasick," Edward said, now a bit worried. "I do have some antiemetics on board, but I would hate to be the cause of any discomfort that might affect you."

"I'm not seasick, but I do experience some discomfort right now," Adrian said with a grin.

"What discomfort?" Edward eyed him carefully.

"Come closer, and I'll show you," Adrian said and winked at Edward.

A hearty laugh was the reply. "As a health care professional, I should take care of it right away." Edward walked over to him and kissed Adrian full on the lips. "Undress," he whispered. "I want to see you in all your naked glory."

"Sure," Adrian replied. He pulled the t-shirt over his head in one go. "How is this?"

Edward blinked a few times. "What part of all your naked glory didn't you get?"

"Doctor," Adrian cooed, "do you intend to run a full body examination?"

Edward played along. "It's required so that I can identify the cause of your discomfort."

Adrian shrugged. He never missed a chance to put his body on display. He was damned proud of it, and if Edward wanted to see him, who was he to say 'no' to that?

His erection smacked against his lower belly as he pushed down his pants.

"It's truly fascinating how you can be hard like this without complaining," Edward said.

The sun on his skin was warm, and the ocean breeze was caressing his body. Adrian had absolutely no complaints. He was pretty much in paradise, and nothing could say otherwise. He stepped out of his clothes, pushing them aside with his shoes, and performed a small pirouette. "Are you pleased, doctor? What's next?"

Edward moved closer. Adrian took a step back and leaned against the rail. He liked what he saw, Edward's moist lips, the hunger in his eyes. That was a man who wanted him, and Adrian longed for that validation. He had been all tied up in knots after their last time; as much as Edward showed that he wanted him, Adrian didn't feel entirely sure. Each step could be on shaky ground, and the worst part was that he couldn't tell it was so.

Right now, his worries were gone. Edward stepped closer and knelt in front of him. Then he took Adrian's cock between his lips, while his green eyes stared up, without blinking. Adrian found himself lost in those eyes. Edward, with his mouth full like that, was a sight to behold.

It wasn't only that, the sensory assault of a tongue wrapped around his manhood, of lips that knew just how much pressure, was enough. It was a new feeling of wanting and longing that couldn't be quenched quickly. Adrian wanted more; he was well aware of it right now as he rested one hand on the back of Edward's neck and pressed gently. Edward went deeper, taking the cue right away.

"If the Coast Guard stumbles upon us, I don't think I can stop," Adrian whispered.

Edward's eyes crinkled at the corners, in apparent amusement. There would be no stopping involved; that was sure. Adrian cursed softly as Edward deepthroated him, but gently, not with urgency. He was taking his time, and Adrian could only be thankful for that, too, because having Edward blowing him like that, out there, away from the entire world, was, at the moment, everything he wanted.

Edward snuck one hand to caress and play with Adrian's ball sack, and that served only to heighten the pleasure. Adrian closed his eyes to focus on the sensations assaulting him. Then, Edward's hand got bolder, sneaking between his buttocks and finding soon, with restless fingers was its owner wanted.

Oh. Adrian wasn't sure. He could tell Edward to stop, but, seriously, that wasn't an option. So, instead, he shifted so that he could part his legs more and allow Edward access. Edward stopped sucking only so he could wet his fingers, and then, he went back at work with more skill and dedication.