More Than A Manny: Gay Romance Read online

  There was no proof of that right now. The house was pretty quiet. Quin had taken the kids to school, and Brent was probably still sleeping.

  "I kind of like this zoo," Nate said with a smile. "I haven't been bored for one second." He tried not to think about last night too much. Brent's beautiful eyes were impossible to block out though.

  "Then you're the right man for the job," John told him.

  Nate thought so too. Since he would need to go to Miss Pullman's soon, he got to the point.

  "You said something last night about your previous life. Quin made sure I didn't ask you about it."

  "And here you are, asking," John said wryly.

  "You gave Brent credit for something. And if it's about Brent, I want to know about it," Nate admitted. If he wanted John to tell him personal things, the least he could do was be honest with him.

  "What is it with you two?" John said as he shook his head.

  "What? You don't think I'm good enough for Brent?" Nate asked jokingly.

  "You're fine," John said with a wave of his hand, making sure not to stroke his ego too hard. "But I get paid to worry about things."

  "You don't worry about Brent because he pays you." Nate hadn't known either one of them long, but he was sure of that.

  "You could say I owe him. I had a crappy childhood and was on my way to continuing a losing streak into a crappy adulthood when Brent came along," John said. Apparently he had decided to tell Nate about himself.

  "You had it rough?"

  "Just too many foster homes, some bad, some OK, but none of them real homes. And I didn't do much better on my own. Then I fell in with this guy. After all those foster homes, I was desperate to belong. Too desperate. Let's say it wasn't a good relationship. But I was stuck. I was miserable, but I didn't know how to get out. Gary was a stock broker. Smart, impressive, mean. I was living with him. I was working for him as well. That's how I met Brent, and he stole me away."

  "He stole you?" Nate asked with a laugh.

  John smiled then frowned as he told Nate about meeting Brent.

  "I was ready to dismiss him. Some rich boy that Gary was going to make even richer. But Brent kept looking at me like he really saw me. When he got me alone, he offered me a job here. He said he needed me. I just figured he was hitting on me. But there was a look in his eyes like he understood what I was going through. It was like a lifeline, but I didn't take it right away. He kept showing up, bugging me, telling me about this place. He wouldn't give up till I was out of there and moved in here." John couldn't hide how much Brent's persistence meant to him.

  "And you found where you belong?" Nate asked. It certainly seemed that way to him.

  "This crazy place." John looked shy as he said it. It was like his own happiness embarrassed him. No wonder he was always so grouchy. He was hiding how happy he was. Now he looked around.

  "The first time I stood in this office, I was listening to the kids arguing and Pam trying to get them to behave. I saw Brent looking at me like I was the one who had saved him not the other way around."

  "He did tell you he needed you," Nate pointed out.

  "He needs someone," John said and looked at Nate significantly.

  "Don't tell me you're giving us your blessing," Nate told him.

  John looked at him the way he usually looked at Brent.

  As they walked out of the office, Nate asked him about Quin.

  "Where does Quin go all the time?" Nate had noticed that he was away a lot.

  "He has his own thing. Not being on duty every minute is one of the perks of being a driver. He's getting his private investigator's license and taking martial arts classes."

  "That is so hot," Nate had to admit.

  "Hey, I'm standing right here," Brent said. He had been lurking by the stairs. Nate was surprised he was up.

  "And?" John challenged him.

  "I think it's hot too. Now say something nice about me," he said, turning to Nate.

  "I said it all last night," Nate told him.

  "You better not mean that. I want a lot more of what I got last night," Brent said.

  "I might have a few more things to say," Nate said with an indulgent smile since Brent had been so good.

  John pretended to be disgusted, grumbled and left.

  Brent immediately rushed at Nate. Regrettably, Nate had to stop him before he started making out with him in earnest.

  "In five minutes, I'm out the door," Nate warned him.

  "Why were you wasting time with John instead of wasting time with me?" Brent complained.

  "I was getting his life's story. He told me you stole him from some jerk."

  "I should thank that jerk. I would have never found John if it wasn't for him. I needed him. Greta's assistant had higher ambitions than working for someone like me. I didn't know what I was going to do," Brent said, minimizing what he did for John.

  "John tells a different story," Nate said.

  "He was unhappy, and I just made him a better offer, that's all. Then I made it again and again until John accepted, dumped that guy and came here."

  "To live happily ever after. But he didn't fall madly in love with you?" Nate said. He really did wonder why everyone wasn't crazy about Brent.

  "I know. How is that even possible?"

  "To each his own," Nate said and got dangerously close to Brent.

  "Is that how it works? There's someone for everyone?" Brent asked as he kissed his face and ran his hands down his back.

  "Yes. You just keep hiring random guys until you click with one of them."

  "I guess I can take down the help wanted sign now," Brent said and buried his face in the crook of his neck.

  As Brent fondled his ass and kissed his neck, Nate hated to stop him. They kissed for a while at the door until Nate wrenched himself away.

  Brent stood at the door even after Nate was gone. He finally noticed the chill of the morning air and went inside. This was the way he felt when Nate left his bed last night too. Brent's arm was still stretched out across the bed, still reaching for Nate to stop him from leaving. He stayed awake humming with aftershocks. Even hours later his whole body was infused with a wonderful feeling. He and Nate were so good together. Brent had even forgotten that he wanted to make a good first impression. He let desire take him. He got carried away by his lust, and it still worked out. It was like there was no wrong move. Whatever he did, Nate knew how to respond. Just as he always knew what to say. He was like no one else. Nate's eyes didn't ask for anything and that made Brent want to offer him everything.

  Even after they made each other come, Brent felt such a strong yearning for Nate. And he knew why being with Nate didn't calm his need. He didn't just want Nate's body. Though he didn't want to face it, he knew what it was. Lust can be satisfied, at least for a while. Love was bottomless, impossible to satisfy. It was also new to Brent. He was unprepared for it so it swallowed him whole, drew him to Nate, made him want to confess to him, claim him, make him his. What a crazy feeling. Brent laughed at himself. He wondered if it was possible that Nate could feel the same way. Just the thought that he didn't was crushingly painful. Brent was afraid, but he wanted to believe that this thing between them was real. Maybe his answer was Nate himself. He was the most real person he had ever known. That's what had struck him when they first met. Nate's eyes didn't waver. His hand was strong and warm, a hand you never want to let go. Right away Brent had recognized him as the man he needed. Now he was more than that. Nate was now in his heart and in his dreams for the future.

  Chapter 13

  Nate had been back for a little while. As Ricky did his homework at the kitchen table, Nate went over his notes from his latest bout of reading. He felt like his brain couldn't keep up with everything he was trying to cram in there before he lost access to Professor Pullman's library. Meanwhile, Georgie was playing the teacher to both him and Ricky. This meant that she pointed to each one of them with Ricky's small, plastic ruler and yelled, "F! F!"

&nb
sp; "What do I get?" Brent asked her as he came in.

  She ran to him with a hug and a kiss but still gave him an F.

  "Is it OK if I take Ricky and Georgie to visit Miss Pullman?" Nate asked Brent. Miss Pullman had invited the kids for a visit.

  "What about me?" Brent asked.

  "I don't understand your question," Nate said since Brent couldn't possibly mean that he wanted to visit an old lady.

  "Why aren't I invited?"

  "Would you like to go?" Nate was sure Miss Pullman wouldn't mind.

  "No." Seeing Nate's disapproving look, he explained, "I just don't want to be overlooked."

  "That would be impossible," Nate told him. He couldn't see how anyone with eyes could overlook him.

  Nate got the kids ready while Brent pouted that he was being left behind. When Nate repeated his invitation, Brent refused again. Ricky gave Nate a commiserating look.

  As they walked up the path to the Pullman house, Nate had to keep Georgie from picking the flowers from the flowerbeds along the way.

  "Those aren't the kinds of flowers you pick," Ricky told her. She was used to picking whatever flowers she liked at home.

  "So these are the little hellions," Miss Pullman said as soon as she opened the door.

  "Georgie mostly," Nate told her. He made sure to hold on to Georgie so she wouldn't live up to her reputation.

  "I like your shirt," Georgie said to Miss Pullman, who always dressed in oversized, garish shirts and bright leggings. The outfits accentuated her thick torso and skinny legs.

  "Why, thank you, darling. It's one of my favorites," she said to Georgie and complimented her taste. Nate hoped she would outgrow it.

  Miss Pullman had cookies ready that had clearly come straight out of a box, not that anyone was complaining. She also had two glasses of milk and a bottle of chocolate syrup set up so the kids could make it how they liked. Georgie wanted to put more chocolate syrup than would fit in the glass. Even with Nate restraining them, they still made a mess dunking the cookies. After that, they explored the house, and Miss Pullman showed them souvenirs from her trips. Ricky liked hearing about every place she went and every cruise she took. Georgie just wanted to play with the tchotchkes. They settled in the game room, which was decorated with the framed puzzles Miss Pullman had solved. That's where she hosted booze fueled bridge sessions. Seeing the playing cards, the kids started playing with them. Ricky was trying to explain the rules, but Georgie just kept throwing down cards and yelling, "Checkmate!"

  "They are so different," Miss Pullman whispered though the kids were out of earshot. "It's hard to believe they're even half related."

  Nate looked at them and thought the opposite. They looked exactly like brother and sister. They certainly fought like brother and sister.

  "Appearances can be deceiving," he said to Miss Pullman absently and thought about Brent. He was a perfect example of that.

  Last night had thrown Nate off balance. He was more preoccupied with him than ever before. He almost felt like it might have been a mistake, but it was also something he couldn't deny himself. It was supposed to cool him off a little, but it only served as that taste that makes you hungry for more.

  Miss Pullman had fun hosting the children, and they behaved well enough, but Nate didn't want to push their luck. He took them home before anything got broken.

  "Maybe I'll go somewhere, and I won't invite you," Brent grumbled when they got back. He was lounging in the sunroom which was ruddy with the beginnings of a sunset. Nate admired how Brent looked in that light.

  "You do that all the time," Nate reminded him.

  "Did. Want to come clubbing with me?" Brent asked, but Nate wasn't sure he meant it.

  "Won't I be in the way when you're trying to pick up guys?"

  "If you scare them off, you'll just have to make it up to me," Brent said. He jumped up and threw an arm over Nate's shoulder then kissed him.

  Brent was thrilled that he and Nate were going out and also a little nervous. The kids were in bed and already asleep, and Quin and John were going to watch them.

  "Looks like it's on. This is getting serious," Quin said coming up behind Brent as he stood in front of a hallway mirror to make sure he looked good enough for Nate. He never had trouble getting any guy he set his sights on, but he had never wanted anyone in this way.

  "No, it's not," Brent said defensively and squirmed just as Quin intended.

  "Who are you lying to?" Quin looked around like he was looking for someone gullible enough to buy Brent's BS.

  "Mostly me," Brent said. It was hard to admit what was happening. He was afraid to take a deep breath, afraid that he would break whatever magic was making this happen.

  "Just relax and go with it," Quin advised and clapped him on the back.

  "Like you did?" Brent said in an accusing way, but Quin admitted it without hesitation.

  "Damn right. When one of these ballsy nerds gets his hooks into you, there's no use fighting it. Just lie back and enjoy the ride."

  "Is that how it works?" Brent asked. He wondered if it could really be that easy. "I just don't know if I want the pressure of chasing down a boyfriend." Brent had never had one and wasn't sure how he would handle himself. Mostly, he didn't know how to make him stay.

  "Then you shouldn't have hired one," Quin told him.

  "I hired him as a manny and a sex toy."

  "You hire everyone as a sex toy," Quin said.

  "And it never works out," Brent complained.

  "It does work out. It worked out better than you planned." Quin smiled leaving no doubt what he meant.

  "Like you and John, you mean."

  "Your best work," Quin said, looking self-satisfied.

  "You know you two make me sick."

  "Shut up. You love us."

  Brent was going to deny that, but when Nate came out of his room, he wiped all thoughts from his head. He wore a tight, black T-shirt that Brent wanted to peel off him before licking every inch of him. His jeans and what was under them would get the same treatment. But when Brent suggested they skip the club and cut to the main course, Nate just marched past him to the garage to pick out a car.

  Nate decided that a Lamborghini was the right car for going clubbing. It seemed both extravagant and obnoxious to show up driving something like that, but Brent was the more ostentatious accessory as far as Nate was concerned.

  Though more upscale than the clubs Nate had gone to, Shonen had the spirit he recognized as soon as he walked through the doors. It was a hunger, a yearning, which seemed more hopeful and promising to Nate with Brent by his side. Dense with bodies, pulsing with light, the place was alive and loud enough to knock you over, and Brent was leading them into the thick of it. Guys were shouting to get their drink orders heard. Sweat slick muscles were on display all around. The beat was like the giant heart of a crowd of men with only one thing on their minds – other men.

  Nate had only one man on his mind, and he was radiant. The life in this place suffused Brent. Nate never spent much time in clubs and bars unless his friends dragged him there. When he went, he preferred hanging out with people he knew, not meeting strangers. Being here with Brent was something new. He felt the thrill of it, but he felt grounded too, anchored and flying free.

  With a drink each, they went to a less crowded spot and surveyed the multitudes. Their eyes lingered on some choice guys then moved on.

  "You see anything you like better?" Brent asked, shouting in his ear.

  "Better?"

  "Better than what's right in front of you."

  Nate smiled at him. The answer was no, not even close.

  They danced, their bodies pressed together tightly. They were grinding against one another with a delicious friction that drove Nate insane with lust. Everyone around them was just a blur, and Brent was as bright and burning as the sun.

  Brent had watched Nate's face when they entered. He saw him smile as the lights played over his face. He then turned to Brent to give him a
look that he read as some kind of promise.

  Being here with Nate, Brent again felt like he was a part of things but not like ever before. This was a new feeling, more exhilarating, more real. He was now one of those guys who came in to show off their boyfriends while giving everyone a warning look to keep their hands off. Having someone to share the experience brought the place to new life. It was like being with Nate united him with everyone who was like them, whether they had someone or were still looking. And when he left, Brent would get to go home with Nate, like he was the one he had come here to find. Really, until now, Brent had only come to escape.

  After absorbing the noise and the motion, he and Nate moved toward the bar. They barely made their way through. Brent was worried that they might get separated, but the other muscled bodies only pushed him harder against Nate, which was where he wanted to be. When Brent smirked at him, Nate smirked right back and put his arms around him.

  "Might as well," Nate said directly in his ear so he could be heard.

  Brent loved the closeness of it, feeling Nate's breath on his neck. He didn't care that the place was filled with noise and people as long as he could lose himself in Nate's eyes. Nothing and no one could distract him from Nate. He was heaven.

  As they drove away, Nate was completely sober, and Brent was a little bit buzzed. He ran his hand over Nate's thigh as a suggestion of what they might do next.

  "That's one, by the way," Nate said cryptically.

  "One what?"

  "Date. Bringing you closer to the two date minimum for getting properly laid," Nate explained.

  "This is not a date. I can throw a better date than this," Brent boasted. "We're just two guys out here looking for a good time."

  "I've been on a few dates so I know a date when I'm on one," Nate insisted.

  Brent smiled. He was guilty as charged.

  As he drove, Nate looked around, and Brent hoped he was looking for a place to stop. He hit the brakes then backed up, pulling into a parking lot of an auction house. Brent was puzzled by his choice. Maybe Nate wanted some parking lot action, fog up the windows and watch out for the stick shift, that kind of thing. He was surprised when Nate got out of the car. He led the way to the side of the building along a giant, perfectly trimmed hedge. This was the building's blind side, no windows or doors. It was very close to the hedge, just room enough for one person. As they went through, Brent didn't ask any questions. Nate looked back and smiled at him. Then he disappeared. Brent saw that he had ducked into an alcove just big enough for two.