Artist's Holiday-Joel 3
WARNING this story contains graphic descriptions of hot man 2 man sex. If you are offended or too young to read it go away. Otherwise enjoy. This story is based on real characters and real events. While creative license has been used to enhance the tale, and obviously the names have been changed, the general storyline is factual. The characters in this story were living in a place and time when diseases were not so common. Be responsible and don't make love without a "glove". Ciao Dante-
I watched as Joel disappeared up the path toward the bunkhouse, then closing the door I went into the sitting room and dropped into the wingback chair.
"Shit, damn, fuck, fuck, fuck!" I thought, "What have I gotten into. Here I am 42 years old, nearing the pinnacle of my career and I've not only encouraged a kid of 23 to fall in love with me, I've gone and fallen for him too." My mind raced to what was facing us. My common sense had kicked in full throttle and I knew that there was every chance that one or both of us was headed for pain and anguish. Joel didn't even know if he was gay or not, let alone told his parents.
I could just imagine the scene, "Hi Mom, Dad; this is Dave, he's my new lover, yeah I'm gay and by the way he's your age!" "FUCK!" My face burned with embarrassment just imagining it. My natural instinct at this point was to run, but my heart told me I couldn't do that to Joel. Besides, why couldn't I have this, my life had been spent in the race to fame and the recognition of my art but had been sadly lacking in reciprocated love.
I spent quit some time see sawing back and forth between exuberance over Joel's love and desperation at the situation. Finally I settled down to the fact that I loved him, hopelessly and passionately, it would work itself out for good or ill.
In my memory I guess the next few days will live as an interval of love and passion lit with the warm green light of a bluegrass summer. During the days I finished the portrait and when the frame arrived, and was installed, I decided that just maybe I had completed one of the masterworks of my career. Joel came to me every evening and we made love and snuggled and laughed at secret jokes and did the things that new lovers do. I tried on a couple of occasions to bring up the future but he always told me he didn't want to talk about it yet. We got to know one another on a less sexual level and to my surprise I found Joel to be extremely intelligent and didn't doubt that he would make it into Vet school and be a marvelous Vet. For his part I shared what my life had been like, trying to make him understand what had brought me to the cynical point of view I tended to have. I found a new sense of Joi de Vive around him, and the experience of introducing him to an adult relationship made my heart swell. Watching him sleeping, looking like a little boy, I found myself crying silently at his beauty and innocence. It still didn't diminish my dread of what we would have to face.
I had talked to Ingrid earlier on that Thursday and confirmed the party arrangements for the next night. I had rented a Tux as it was black tie and had also picked up a cheap display easel. I had entered into a collusive arrangement with her housekeeper to get the painting and easel setup in the Library after we went into dinner. I would make the presentation over Champagne that Dale had shipped overnight and the housekeeper would chill and setup. I also clued her into the fact that Joel and I were going into town that night. He had already cleared a night off with C.V. Ingrid was mildly surprised but didn't read anything else into it, or if she did she didn't comment. I also knew that I had a ticket for a flight to London on Sunday and I didn't know if I would be on it.
"Damn."
I was finishing getting dressed when I heard the door open and Joel's footsteps against the floor. I was just slipping my loafers on when he appeared at the bedroom door. He looked amazing. The black jeans cupped his tight butt and the polo shirt, under his tan blazer, showed his pecs off the wisp of blond curl at the open neck made me want to rip it off and bury my face in his dusky fragrance. "You look good enough to eat, lover." I said huskily.
"Look who's talking, "He said, "I guess we could postpone dinner for a few minutes." He ran his hands lightly over my button down clad chest and then cupped up my crotch encased in kaki.
"I'd love to Dude, but we have reservations. I'll make it up to you later." I said, pinching one of his nipples and kissing him.
He drove the old Mercedes into town and talked about his day, how Carlo was kidding him about having a girl somewhere he was visiting and how he was afraid Carlo would follow him one evening.
I stilled his amblings when I said, "Joel, tonight we need to talk, O.K.? You know my time here is running out. We have to decide how we are going to proceed from here." I reached over and gently rubbed his thigh, "I love you, Joel, more than maybe I've shown. I need to know about us. How are we going to go on after I leave?"
His hand dropped from the steering wheel and covered my own, "It's O.K. Dave, I've figured it all out. Trust me." He said quietly and looked over at me and grinned.
I sighed and held his hand.
The restaurant was one of the best in town, Joel had never been there. "Not in my league, Dave." He said blushing as we walked up to the Maitre'd. I gave my name to the young man who looked from me to Joel and raised an eyebrow then led us to a quiet table in a back corner.
I ordered tonic water with a twist and Joel ordered beer. He looked at me very uncomfortably and said, "I've never been in a place like this before. I feel like everyone is looking at me."
I smiled and said quietly, "That's because you're the most beautiful thing here." I brushed his knee with my own under the tablecloth. "Relax its fine. Let me take care of everything."
The waiter returned and I ordered our meal from the French menu in unaccented French putting the haughty waiter in his place. Then smiled at Joel and asked, "So tell me about these plans that are going to make everything alright, big boy."
He turned pink and said, "You won't laugh or anything?"
"No, Joel this is too serious to laugh." I said and sighed.
"Ok, well here's what I thought. I called my advisor at school and talked to him about UC Davis. They have a Vet school and I could probably transfer out there. It is only about 75 miles from you. We wouldn't be next door or anything but we would be a hell of a lot closer than Kentucky. I am getting loans now for school; they spend the same in California as they do here. There is also the added bonus that they give preference to their undergraduates for entry into the Vet program. I would probably transfer most of my credits and not loose more than a semester and a summer session. I could set out this coming semester and move out there and start in the winter term. My advisor told me that he might wrangle me a job at their Vet hospital. That would also get me a tuition discount. It would let us be together at least on weekends." He paused and took a long drink from his beer glass. "I hate beer from a glass!" He said scowling at me.
I was stunned, I had anticipated he would offer to quit school and move to San Francisco, or something equally dramatic, but here he was thinking about his future as well as ours. I decided it was time to talk about the wider issues.
"What about your folks, Joel, have you talked to them about this, are you going to tell them about us?" I asked quietly. "Don't get me wrong, I never told my parents about Anne, nor am I ready to tell them about you yet, but it has caused a certain reserve between us. I think they guess a lot about me but never ask directly. Are you ready for that duality in your life? It can be very sad sometimes." I paused, lost in thought.
I felt his hand cover mine on the table. I looked at him and could see the concern in his eyes. "I told my Mom this morning I was thinking about it. She told me I was a grown man and while she didn't want me to move out there, she knew this was what I had dreamed about all my life. She said Dad would understand in time. I didn't tell her about you. I guess I'm a coward when it comes to hurting my Mom. But I'm willing to hold your hand in a restaurant in Lexington." He said as he squeezed my hand.
The meal arrived and we ate in a comfortable silence. I thought about Joel's plan and saw the merits of it. Of course I'd never be happy with him 75 miles away, but something might work out. I could sell or rent out the studio in the City and find something in the Sacramento area we could share. It would mean a commute into the city for me at least twice a week. First though I had to decide about next week.
"Listen Joel, I'm supposed to fly to London on Sunday.
I would love to cancel and stay here for the next month, but I have meetings in London and Paris. You understand that don't you?" I asked.
"Dave, I've thought about that too. I decided that it might be a good thing. Before I move to California and you change anything we need to be sure this isn't a flash in the pan. I'm sure it's not on my part but being apart for a month or so will let us be sure. I love you and trust you. I'm already missing you so be ready when you get back." He said and laughed.
I was at a loss...no wonder I'd fallen in love. He was sexy, smart and methodical.
"I'm supposed to fly directly back to San Francisco from Venice but I'm thinking I might rearrange some things. I can cut the Italian leg off my trip I haven't any meetings there and could fly back here from Paris and spend at least a few days before I go back west. In the meantime you can double check the Davis deal and make sure it's what you want to do. When I get back out there I'll look for you some digs around Davis and come back to help you move. It would be nice to drive out just the two of us, we could stop in the high Sierras for a few days and I could do some Plein Aire." I said, caught up in the plans.
I gave the waiter a credit card and we left. Joel was glad to be out of the stuffy restaurant even if the food had been good. The drive over to the bar was brief and Joel was nervous at the prospect of a "gay" bar.
"Why are you worried, I'm the one that should be worried? Taking a hot stud like you into this meat market, you'll get asked to dance a lot." I said then paused. "You dance, don't you?" I asked.
Joel turned red again, "Uh, not really. I haven't done much more than sway on a dance floor." He muttered.
"Oh well that should be enough for me, I'm no dancer either, but I do love a good grope while slow dancing." I chuckled.
The club was crowded and the music was hot and fast. The dance floor was packed with all types of men. I could see Joel was overwhelmed with the scene, so I led him over to an area near the dance floor but out of the main circuit of cruisers and settled in next to a column. We picked up two Coronas as we passed the bar and were sipping them. I watched as Joel scanned the crowd, I had long ago lost any interest in the club scene, but while there I had certainly tasted it to the full. In just a few moments a handsome guy about Joel's age slid up next to him and put his arm around his waist and whispered something into his ear.
Joel turned red, shook off the guys arm gently and said something I couldn't hear. The young man looked at me made a face and wandered on.
Joel looked at me smiled and said, "I told him I was taken."
I leaned down and we kissed slowly. The music changed to a slow song and I said, "Hey stud, wanna dance?"
"Sure, if you don't mind me stepping on your feet." He said and smiled.
The music was a newer love song that I had heard but couldn't remember the name of. The black woman could really sing and her crystal notes seemed to take us out of time as we held each other and swayed to the beat. Joel, like me, wasn't a bad dancer and with practice would be passable. I could feel his crotch rubbing against my thigh and could tell he was getting aroused, which caused my unruly member to spring into action and poke him in the waist.
As the song ended Joel tilted his head up and whispered in my ear, "You ready to get outta here, you owe me remember?" I felt his fingers pinch my nipple.
"You sure you don't wanna stay and see if you get a better offer?" I asked half seriously.
"I already have the best, why would I want to go trading you in for a newer model, now?" He said and smiled.
The drive back to the guesthouse past quietly, the moon roof allowed the warm night air to bring us the scent of the country. I let us into the house and we walked back to the bedroom. Joel flopped down on the bed and propped himself up on an elbow and watched as I methodically removed my watch and wallet and belt. I kicked off my shoes and went into the bathroom. I got hard pissing while thinking about what was waiting for me in the other room.
I did the essentials like brushing my teeth and when I went back into the bedroom Joel lay naked on the bed. He had turned on the stereo and some acoustic guitar music was playing, he had also poured us some white wine into a couple of glasses and was holding his glass up to the candle light watching the straw colored liquid turn gold. I slowly removed my clothes as he watched, I could see he was already hard and the smoldering look in his eyes told me he was more than ready. I eased into bed beside him and he wrapped his arms around me. Our mouths found each other and my heart raced with need. As we explored each others mouth my hands wandered over his body, feeling his nipples rise to my touch I pinched one and felt the moan in his throat. He reached between us and took both our hard cocks in his hand and started jacking them together. I slipped around until we were in a 69 position and went down on his dripping cock. He took me into his warm mouth and I sighed around his shaft. Slowly we began to be more urgent in our needs and my tongue slipped behind his balls. He moaned louder as I licked the sensitive area there and then went deeper and touched his pucker. I moaned as he mirrored my movements and I felt his tongue touch me there. His scent was all around me and I felt his curled dusty blond hair touching my cheeks. Slowly I returned to face him and we kissed. He pushed me to my back and rolled on top of me, all the while kissing me deeply I was drunk on his odor and taste. I felt his cock exploring behind my balls. I reached to the bedside and got the tube of lube out and handed it to him.
"Dude you forgot the rubber." He whispered.
"Not this time love, I want to feel you completely, nothing between us. There has been no one but you since Anne, I'm clean." I said. He looked at me with a quiet smile and then stroked the lube onto himself. He leaned into me and started kissing me again. I could feel his fingers sliding from my slick cock to my balls then reaching behind them. I felt them insistently push into my chute and moaned with pleasure. I raised my hips and wrapped my legs around his waist as he replaced his fingers with his cock.
His cock bottomed out and as it rubbed over my nut I sighed in complete contentment. Joel slowly stroked in and out kissing me, as he would bottom out I pushed up with my hips and felt his fuzzy abdomen brush my balls. I went into ecstasy as his rhythm sped up. The pressure of his belly against my hard cock and the sensation of his dick plunging in and out sent me over the edge and I moaned as I coated our stomachs in hot cream.
"Aw shit." He sighed as I felt the first throbs of his orgasm.
He slowly sank down beside me and his dick plopped out. I could feel a trickle of his juice down there and felt like we had crossed a line in our relationship somehow. I reached down and pulled the duvet up over us and snuggled in against him.
"I love you." He whispered in my ear. "It just gets better."
"Yeah, kind of scary isn't it." I said against his shoulder. His warmth and strength made me feel very sheltered and no longer alone. "I love you more than I will ever be able to tell you, Joel. What can I bring you back from Europe that will prove it to you?"
"A BMW?" He said. We both laughed. "Just be sure you bring this back dude." He said as he circled my cock and balls with his hand.
The next day was spent on the phone to California and getting ready for the big party that Ingrid was throwing. I checked in with the housekeeper and told her Joel would bring the painting up that evening and help her set it up. He came down to the guest house early, I was taking a shower when I felt the door to the stall open and Joel stepped in. He was nude and circled my waist with his hands and pulled me in for a kiss. I could see that he was anticipating another interlude by the condition of his dick. It was pulled up tight against his abdomen and already drooling snot. I knelt down and took it into my mouth as the warm water surrounded me. I circled his helmet with my lips and let it slide slowly to the back of my throat. I could hear him breathe deeply as it bottomed out and my nose was buried in his fragrant pubes. I loved sucking him off. Slowly I tightened my fingers around the base of his shaft and started jacking and bobbing on his purpling cock. I felt his hands resting on my wet hair and his balls gently slapping my chin. I heard him sigh and felt the first volley of cum hit the back of my throat.
I stood up and let the water wash the rest away, kissing him letting him taste his juice on my tongue. I was rock hard and my cock was poking him. Slowly he turned around and leaned in under the shower head and braced his hands on the tile.
"Do me, Dave." He said.
I slowly ran my hands across his shoulders and down his back, my lips touched his neck and nuzzled his ear. My cock slid perfectly between his butt checks and nudged at his pucker. He sighed and pushed backward. I steadied my dick and pushed into him letting his velvety warmth surround me. I paused a moment letting him relax around me, then pushed in further until my belly was touching his tight butt. I sighed into his ear, "You are so hot. I could live like this forever." I slid out almost until I fell out of him then pushed in harder. He moaned as I brushed his prostate. I reached around and felt his dick hardening up again. Slowly I stroked his cock and his chute stroked mine. We found a mutually pleasing rhythm and soon he was moaning in time with me. I stroked his dick and felt him start to tremble, I was caught up in my own orgasm and we rocked through it together, his cum hitting the tile wall.
We soaped each other up and gently caressed the bubbles away. I wrapped a towel around my waist and went through to the bedroom. Joel was toweling his hair dry as he entered. I was pulling up a pair of black boxers.
He looked at the simple black tux laid out on the bed and said, "Bet you look hot in this." He rubbed the lapel between his thumb and forefinger.
I slipped on the pants and started inserting the studs into the shirtfront. Joel watched as I figured out the cumber bun, and handed me my jacket as I stood up from putting the patent leather slippers on. "Well black tie isn't very comfortable certainly. Don't let anyone see you carrying the painting up to the house or the surprise will be ruined." I said turning to him.
Joel stared in amazement and said, "Dude you look...fabulous." He came close and touched the satin of the bowtie and then his fingers strayed to my cheek and he leaned in and kissed me softly. "I got you something." He said handing me a square black box.
"What's this? You didn't have to buy me anything." I said quietly.
"Just open it, OK? Don't go getting all squishy on me." He said and laughed.
I hesitated looking at Joel, he was smiling at me but I could sense the apprehension behind it. I snapped the box lid back and lying on the black velvet was a silver bracelet. I looked at Joel and lifted it out of the box. It was heavy and the silver had a Native American pattern worked in it. I slipped it on my right wrist and looked at Joel and then reached out to him and pulled him to me.
I kissed him tenderly and sighed into his ear, "I love you, Joel." I felt him relax against me.
The party was a surprisingly lively affair. The conversation was lively and interesting. I was introduced to too many people to keep track of. It looked like there were about 50 people there, from a variety of backgrounds but the horse industry was the dominate force. I met the local movers and shakers from the world of thoroughbred horses. It began with cocktails and a trip around the elegant living room with Ingrid and C.V. Then Ingrid proposed a toast to my artistic "legend" and we went into the Federal Style dinning room and ate a marvelous meal. While the salads were being cleared, I noticed the housekeeper standing at the serving door; she caught my eye and nodded. All was ready.
The meal ended with a light desert of fruit and Crème Brule. As we were standing to leave, I taped my water glass with my knife and everyone paused and looked at me.
"If everyone would join me in the Library, I took the liberty of having some of champagne sent in." I said.
The group murmured their appreciation. C.V. and Ingrid looked mildly confused but were laughing telling everyone that I was such a wonderful guest. The pocket doors of the Library were open and the wait staff from dinner was passing through the group with silver trays of champagne flutes. I put my hand under Ingrid's arm and led her and C.V. to the front of the group, the easel was covered with a damask cloth. I once again asked for everyone's attention.
"Dear Ingrid, C.V. I have truly enjoyed my stay here more than you will ever know. It has allowed me to find some much needed rest and chance to re-evaluate my life and art. In token for your kind hospitality I have arranged a little thank you. While here I managed to complete what, I think, will be considered one of my best works. I present it to you in thanks for your kind friendship. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you "Ingrid's Suede"." I said in my special High Anglican voice and pulled off the shrouding cloth.
There was a general murmur than gasps of admiration and then applause. It is always scary to unveil a work in front of a crowd, you are always afraid they might hate it. My hosts stared at the painting for a long time then Ingrid with tears in her eyes turned to me and hugged me. C.V. thumped me on the back and beamed a happy smile at me. I took a deep breath and relaxed.
As I sipped champagne several of the guests asked about commissions of their own, I gave each of them a card that had my California number on it and told them I would be pleased to discuss their needs. Then an older man whose name I had forgotten asked if I could meet with him the following week and talk about a commission. I explained I was leaving for Europe on Sunday but if he would call the California number my agent could arrange a meeting. He went on to explain that he was on the board of the international thoroughbred racing committee and they were getting ready to commission an art work to decorate the atrium of their offices. I still insisted that I would be leaving for Europe and didn't see how I could meet with him next week.
"Sir, I don't think you quite understand. The Committee has authorized one million dollars for the commissioning of this monumental public work. I think you are just the artist we want, and I would like to discuss the specifications of the work with you. I will be calling the rest of my committee on Monday to tell them I have found the Artist for this important project." He paused and my face must have registered shock. He smiled at me and said, "Surely you can rebook your flight or I could perhaps loan you the use of the committee's jet to hop you over the pond, say Monday evening."
"I think something can be arranged. I can be at your disposal on Monday, and the flight on in the evening will allow me to make my meetings in London. Would you like me to have a copy of my portfolio sent overnight to your committee?" I said.
"That would be great, but I think if you could just bring a copy with you Monday. We will be meeting at the offices so that you can see the space and hear our thoughts on what the work should be like." He said.
"Where exactly are the offices?" I asked.
He chuckled and said, "C.V. can give you directions, hell, you probably can ride with him, he's on the committee also."
The rest of the party was rather anticlimactic, C.V. said that he would be glad to have me ride along on Monday and that I could use the guesthouse through Monday. Back at the guest house I called Dale it was early evening their but he was all business when I told him about the potential commission and he got Clark on the line also and we discussed the potentials of such a work. Clark also told me that the Xcom specs would be waiting in London for me. I rang off telling them that I would call them after the meeting on Monday.
I was still in shock when Joel walked into the sitting room and found me staring into the empty hearth.
"So, did they like the painting?" He said as he leaned down and nuzzled my ear.
"Joel, sit down I think our plans just got changed again." I said.
He immediately looked concerned and sat across from me. "Whatever it is Dave, we'll get through it together." He said.
To be continued...