Disclaimers: Please see chapter 1 for disclaimers. If you shouldn't be here, you know who you are.
I appreciate any comments or suggestions that you have about the storyline.
Joey stopped him by quickly locking his legs behind Stephen's back. Through his gritted teeth he said, "What...ever...you...do...don't...move."
Stephen froze. If Joey said don't move, don't move was what was going to happen. If a mosquito had landed on Stephen's nose, he wouldn't have swatted at it. Joey squirmed a little under Stephen, trying to get comfortable. He looked into Stephen's eyes again. The tears that had started to form were gone, replaced by looks of concern and love. That helped him forget the pain pretty quickly. He waited until the beating of his heart eased, the throbbing in his body subsided. He tightened the muscles around Stephen's tool. Stephen moaned as Joey smiled. A couple of minutes later, he rose up to Stephen, kissed him softly and said, "I'm okay.
Go ahead."
Stephen slowly pushed in some more. Joey prepared for more pain, drawing strength from deep within. He was going to smile for Stephen no matter how much it hurt. This was for Stephen. But it never got worse, it got better.
Stephen stopped pushing. Now Joey was concerned, why wasn't Stephen moving? What was wrong? Stephen smiled.
"You've got it all."
Chapter 21
A broad smile broke out on Joey's face. He laid his head back on the pillow. He wanted to remember this moment forever. He wanted to know what every nerve ending in his body was feeling. This was no dream. It felt very real. It felt calm and relaxing. It was warm inside his entire body. He was so excited that he was covered with goose bumps. It was magic. It was why Joey had taken that chance to offer Stephen his body in the hopes of helping him forget the rest of his world.
"Are you ready?" Stephen asked. Joey nodded wide-eyed as he stared at Stephen. Stephen started to pull out very slowly. Joey moaned, happy and upset at the same time. The pleasure he hoped for was even greater than he expected. He also felt the emptiness as Stephen started to withdraw from Joey's body. He wanted him in. He wanted Stephen to stay in there forever, as deep as he could bury it.
Stephen was unsure what to do. He surely didn't want to pull back so far out that he would pop out, but he was excited by the squeals and groans he was causing from the man under his body as he moved. Remember, this was his first time with a man and he really didn't know what he was doing that was so right. But he was very happy that Joey felt good. Stephen began stroking Joey slowly, pulling out and then pushing back in. Joey just moaned. Stephen wasn't a virgin. He and Susan had made love enough that he knew the signs if it felt good for his partner. He watched Joey's face for the answers. His expressions would let Stephen know what was good and what did nothing for him. Stephen took his time, but as he got used to the tightness of Joey's ass, he began to move faster.
They played - hugging, kissing and fondling each other. This was not going to be a "wham, bam, thank you ma'am." Neither of them cared how long this would take. They could go all night. And just like their times before, they were more concerned with the happiness of their lover. They reveled in the pleasures that each gave the other. Finally, when they could not stand it any more, Stephen filled Joey with shot after shot of his love.
Joey had already cum, and he was happy that Stephen had shown proof of his love for Joey, not that they really needed it. But for Joey, there was more to it. For years, he had sought love and affection from someone he could look up to. Joey needed to feel protected; he needed that security he had never had before. Joey watched Stephen's face as he claimed him as his lover, and he thought not of the physical pleasures he was giving Stephen, but he felt the emotional union of their two souls. He saw in Stephen's look, a man who loved him because of who he was. Joey felt acceptance, that he wasn't some freak. And in that moment, because Stephen could accept everything about Joey Edwards just the way it was, Joey was able to accept himself for who he was, and for the first time since he was five years old, he was truly happy.
They fell asleep, spooning in their favorite position, but this time with Stephen's now softening cock still inside of Joey.
Chapter 22
Bzzzzzz. Stephen's right hand reached to the night table as he slapped at the alarm clock. On the third try, he finally backhanded the damn thing off. He opened his eyes to take inventory. Pins and needles shot through his left hand. He tried to move it, but the dead-to-the-world weight of a teenage boy laying on it made it impossible. With his right hand, he lifted the boy, rolling Joey towards him until Joey was curled up under Stephen's arm, his head resting on his shoulder. At least Stephen's left arm was free to get the blood flowing again.
He finally slid out the side of the bed, letting Joey continue in dreamland.
Joey rustled a little bit, grabbing Stephen's pillow, pulling it to his face, inhaling the sweet aroma of the sweat of his lover. He took a deep breath, smacking his lips a couple of times, then nestled down, hugging Stephen's pillow under his chin as he went back to sleep. Stephen began his usual routine of shaving, showering, and dressing. As he put on his tie, he looked in the dresser's mirror and smiled as the naked boy lay sleeping, uncovered on the bed. He walked over to the bed, pulled the sheet back over Joey, kissed him on his forehead and tousled his hair gently. He quietly left and headed out for the office.
Joey woke around 9:30 to the sound of the doorbell. He staggered out of the bed, wrapping the bed sheet around his waist. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!" he shouted as the bell rang at him again. He threw open the door to see a man wearing a business suit and sunglasses.
"Hello, can I help you?" Joey asked, shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun.
"Is Stephen Andrews here?"
"No, I'm sorry, he left for work a while ago. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Yes. If you have a few minutes, I'd like to talk to you."
"Would you come in? Let me put some clothes on, and then we can talk." Joey left the door open after the stranger came in.
The man walked in to the living room and stood in the middle of the room. Joey went down the hall to the bedroom where he grabbed the first pair of jeans he saw. They were a pair of Stephen's old jeans. He slipped them on without his boxers and threw a t-shirt over it.
Back in the living room, the man walked over to the bookcase where the photos of Matthew Edwards and Scott were. He looked at them. He noticed the positioning of the photos. He wondered if it meant anything.
Joey re-entered the room. "I'm sorry, I don't believe you said your name before. I'm Joey Edwards."
"Jeffrey Wood."
Joey went pale. Jeff knew Stephen would be at work. What the hell was this guy doing here? Why did he want Stephen? "What can I do for you, Mr. Wood?"
"I wanted to stop by for a minute to see what Stephen thought was so damn hot that he couldn't keep his hands off it?"
"Excuse me, Mr. Wood, but that is personal between Stephen and me, and I don't think it is any of your business."
Jeff thought he was dealing with a kid he could bullshit. "Anything to do with Stephen is my business right now. He has been my best friend for ten years. Something has happened. He has changed and I'm worried about him. I just had to see what could make such an impression on Stephen. Tell me, is it your charming personality that changed Stephen so quickly, or do you fuck like a madman?
"Look, Mr. Wood." Joey wasn't fooled. He could tell how Jeff had risen to the top at the office, by stepping on toes and kissing ass. "I have never met you before today, I really don't know you very well, and even if Stephen and I were having sex, I believe in `don't ask, don't tell,' especially to you."
"Oh, but I think it is my business. You see, he is an employee of my firm, and if there is something that could possibly be interfering with his job, I have the right to know how that will affect the performance of his duties."
Joey was not buying any of this. "I have never set foot in your office, and, for that matter, I don't even know the phone number for your office even if I wanted to call. I have not interfered in Stephen's job, nor do I intend to. What Stephen does when he is not working is not your business at all. I think it is best if you leave now. Goodbye." Joey pointed to the front door and stood tall against this intruder. Joey was going to stand up to this jackass. He knew he didn't have to take anything from Jeff.
"Yes, I think you should leave." The two men turned to the new voice standing in the doorway. Stephen angrily stared at Jeff. "I was standing at the front desk when you called the office and said you were at a client's, I had a funny feeling about it."
Jeff was expressionless. "I had to come and see for myself what all the fuss was about. If it was so good that it made you forget Susan, I had to see it."
"First of all, IT is not an it, his name is Joey. Second, Joey is right. It is none of your business. Third, my resignation is sitting on your desk, so as far as being your employee, that's not true anymore. And let me tell you something else, I loved Susan and Scott with all my heart. But they are gone and I have to continue my life. I don't need your approval, although it would have been nice. After what you said yesterday, I felt that you had given me an ultimatum. I could have Joey or I could have my job. I choose Joey." He walked over to Joey, putting his arm around Joey's waist. Stephen put an exclamation point on it for Jeff, gently kissing Joey on the cheek.
"I've made my choice. Now you have a choice, Jeff. You can choose to accept Joey as my friend and our friendship will go on or you can say goodbye. No matter what you choose, I will always love you in my heart because you were there when I needed you. I will always remember you and Donna for your kindness when I lost Susan and Scott."
Jeff stood there. He couldn't accept the fact that Stephen was different. Why is it so difficult for a human to accept anything that doesn't not follow the rules? Why do people have to be so insistent on every one being exactly the same, staying within the lines? Besides, who made the rules anyway?
Jeff turned to the door without saying a word. He stopped at the picture of Scott, glancing at it for a second. He shook his head sadly and continued walking out the door. The screen banged shut as he stormed away.
"What do you think he'll do?" Joey asked Stephen.
"Jeff always had a temper, especially when he was younger. Give him some time to think about it. I don't really know if he'll come around, but it doesn't matter to me anymore. I meant it when I said I made my choice and I chose you."
"Thank you." They kissed and hugged.
Joey drew back from Stephen, "But what about your job? Why did you resign?"
"It was an easy choice. When I was getting dressed this morning, I looked in the mirror and I saw you sleeping. It's hard to believe, but looking at you then, I fell in love with you even more. I couldn't even remember what my life was like when I was alone. What you did for me last night confirmed your love for me. I know I want to be with you as much as I can, and while driving to work, I thought about all those 12 hour days I used to put in. I don't want that anymore. I want you. I can find a job, maybe for less money, but I won't have to work killer hours. We won't go hungry. I've got enough put away to take care of us for a while, even if I can't find a job. And last night, you convinced me that I can do anything. I will land on my feet."
"So will you go back to the office today?"
"No, I told them I didn't feel well. The rest of the day is ours. What does my boy want? Is there anything special we can do?"
"Well, we could do what we did last night. That is the most special thing I can think of."
"That would be fun, but that is tonight's entertainment. Try something else for today."
"I want to celebrate. Let's go anywhere not in the sun. I'm still stinging from yesterday at the pool."
Chapter 23
Stephen decided that they would go shopping. He felt that they needed a couple of new pieces of furniture for Joey's personal things, and he wanted to buy Joey a new computer for school. Stephen wasn't worried about money even though he had just quit his job. The love that these two had for each other made them feel invincible. They would take on the world together. If they could deal with Jeff Wood, they thought that they would be able to solve any problem the world could deal them. And, as they say, money is no object.
They spent the day talking as they shopped, learning more about their likes and dislikes. Stephen loved baseball, able to spout off the numbers of any player or team. He had become an accountant because of his affinity for numbers. Joey struggled to keep up with the team names. Stephen patiently explained things to Joey until he understood about the game. While they were out, they found a bookstore where Stephen bought a book to help Joey learn. He told him he could take it to the pool so that he didn't fall asleep again. That was met with a nasty stare from Joey. But the stare couldn't last long. A hug and a kiss and that stare was replaced by a grin.
"I wish you had been around to explain all this stuff to me before. I wanted to learn when I was a kid, but no one took the time. It wasn't worth the trouble without someone helping me. It almost seemed like school work."
Joey grew sad, knowing that once again he was seeing another part of his childhood that he missed.
"Hey, don't be sad, sport. Don't worry about numbers, that's for accounting geeks like me. I promise that we'll go buy ourselves some gloves and a ball, and I'll take you to the park behind the complex. Playing is more fun than watching anyway. We can have a game of catch." The offer was overwhelming to Joey, who could only fight back the tears for the lost part of his soul that Stephen had found. Yeah, it was only baseball, but when you've had nothing, everything is a treasure you feel you've missed.
Stephen learned that Joey was a history buff. He could read stories of the Civil War all day. Stephen found history dry, but listening to Joey's colorful details of this battle and that event, he found himself captivated.
Then again, Stephen could listen to the sound of Joey's voice all day, even if he just read traffic signs.
After lunch, they took in a movie in a nearly empty theater. The movie was pretty bad and they wound up getting into a popcorn fight that almost got them thrown out. They sneaked out the back exit so that they didn't have to walk past the manager. They were laughing so hard they nearly fell down the steps leading to the parking garage.
"I haven't laughed this much in years," Stephen told Joey. "Thank you for a great first date."
"First date!" exclaimed Joey. "I'll be damned if you call this a first date. I promised myself that I would never go to bed on a first date, and I don't plan on staying up all night by myself. You take that back!"
"All right, it's not a first date. How about second date? Do you put out on second dates?"
"Gee, I never got past a first date to find out." This started another round of howling laughter. When you're in love, everything is funny.
As they were driving home, they passed the market. Stephen turned in so that they could pick up dinner. They picked out some frozen things that they could microwave and went to pay. A familiar face was working the cash register.
Stephen smiled, "Hey Katie. What's going on?" He leaned over the counter to give her a quick hug. Joey was shocked by the apparent closeness between them. He stood behind Stephen, almost hiding, to see what would happen.
"Not much." She looked past him and was surprised to see the young boy standing with Stephen. "Hey, what are you doing hanging around this dirty old man today?"
Joey's mouth hung open. He didn't know what to say. Then he looked at Stephen with a questioning stare.
"Joey, this is Katie. She is my niece. She is Susan's brother's daughter. Katie, this is Joey. He is going to be, ah, living in my apartment for a while. He got kicked out of his house, and you know how I am with stray animals."
"Yeah, Joey, watch out. He's got a heart of gold and a head of lead." Katie laughed.
"Yeah, he does have a heart of gold. He was nice enough to take me in."
Katie rang up the groceries. "Just remember, he only likes housebroken strays. if you stain the carpet, he'll throw you out. Of course, if he throws you out, I'll be glad to take you in."
Stephen jumped in. "Watch it, Joey. She's a man eater."
"Anytime, Uncle Steve. I love strays too. It must run in the family."
They walked away from the register. Stephen turned to wave goodbye at Katie. Turning back, he whispered to Joey, "Too bad about poor Katie."
"What?" asked Joey. Stephen made it sound like she had some fatal disease.
"She wants you bad. Did you see her checking you out? And when I just turned around, she was staring at your cute butt."
"My butt? No, you're kidding!" Joey was almost shouting as he jumped away from Stephen. "I didn't see anything!" No wonder Joey never dated.
"Son, she was practically drooling over you. It will break her heart when she finds out you're taken. I can't believe you can't see it. Anyone would be happy to get their hands on you. I'm so glad I got there first."
"There will never be anyone else for me." Joey spoke with a firmness of conviction. "Oh, by the way," he questionned, "what will she say when she finds out it's her uncle that's taken me?"
"Touche'. That's one I don't want to be around for. Why don't you take her out on a date and tell her yourself?"
"Me on a date with a girl. Very funny. Are you going to chaperone for us?"
"You don't need one. Remember, you don't go to bed on first dates."
They both busted out laughing, people staring at them as they walked through the parking lot to the car. They headed home for dinner and a night of fun.
Chapter 24
Dinner was over and Joey was busy cleaning the dishes when the doorbell rang. Joey looked at Stephen nervously after what had happened that morning with Jeff. He was still worried about Stephen's decision to quit his job and kept to himself his fears that Jeff's anger might result in a confrontation. Stephen smiled at Joey calmly and offered, "I'll get the door." When Stephen opened the door a smiling face greeted him.
"Uncle Steve, what's going on."
"Hey, Katie, we're just finishing up with the dinner dishes. What are you doing?"
"I just got off work. I was so happy to see you this afternoon, and I thought that it had been a while since we had gotten together. I know that it's been hard on you to see all of Aunt Susie's family, but I was hoping you guys could use a little female company. I thought that if Joey was going to be a temporary member of the family, he could meet some of his new quasi-relatives." Katie bubbled over the prospects of getting to know more of Joey than his cute rear.
Joey turned the corner from the kitchen to see Katie standing at the door. "Hi, Katie."
"Hey, Joey. Has Uncle Steve showed you all the highlights of our little city?"
"Well, we have made a couple trips to the grocery, does that count?"
Katie laughed. Her outgoing personality was almost too much for Joey to handle at this point. "There is more to our town than groceries, believe me. Why don't you guys finish up and let's go down to Club Row. Uncle Steve, you and I can show Joey the nightlife in this town."
Stephen wasn't quite sure what to do. He could tell that Katie was coming on too strong for Joey, but he didn't feel like he could back out without some serious explaining to Katie. He flashed for a moment on the idea of having to tell Susan's family that he is gay, and secondly, that Joey is now his lover. He wasn't quite ready for that yet and he thought that this might be not too much of a sacrifice to protect their secret for a while.
"Well, Joey. Are you ready to hit the Row?"
Joey didn't want to go. Katie was not about to take "no" for an answer.
"You know, Stephen, I'm only 19. The bars aren't going to let me in. I'm not sure that this is a good idea."
"Oh, don't be a party pooper, Joey." Katie jumped in. "I know a few clubs that also have restaurants and dance floors. We can just go, you can have some soft drinks and we'll do a little dancing. I got tomorrow off, but we'll be home early for Uncle Steve to go to work. Maybe he might even take a day off for once."
And so the three of them headed off to the clubs. Stephen offered to drive.
When they got to the car, Joey offered to sit in the back and climbed in first. Somehow, Katie just followed Joey right into the back seat. She continued her aggressive attack on poor Joey by sliding over towards the middle of the seat, practically pinning Joey in the corner. Stephen stood outside the car on the driver's side watching every move that Katie was putting on Joey. He wanted to laugh so hard that his sides were hurting. He wouldn't let Katie do anything that would hurt Joey, but he thought that this might be a fun lesson for Joey. He'd have to deal with women at some point in his life, and he could think of a lot worse situations than Katie. He wasn't going to let her go too far. And he knew what all of her work was going to get her. No matter how hard she tried, Katie was not going to get Joey.