The Mentor

The Mentor by K. Nitsua. Copyright 2008 by the author.

He hadn't wanted to come to this conference, but when he saw the hotel they had booked for the event he started to change his mind.

When the bellboy opened the door for him and they walked in the room he had to force himself not to gape. As far as he was concerned it was a palace. There was almost too much space for one person. He felt guilty about the expense and reminded himself that it was the university's bill, not his.

The bellhop was chattering on about all of the luxury features of the establishment. He didn't pay a whole lot of attention until a phrase caught his ear.

"And if you want to keep in shape, there's our state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with sauna. Great place to relax and unwind after a workout."

"Sounds good," he replied. He made a mental note to check it out.

After he'd tipped the bellboy and ushered him out he flopped onto the bed with a sigh of relief. There wasn't going to be much to do until tomorrow, when he was to give his presentation. He'd already had dinner.

He ought to call his wife. He knew that conversation could easily turn into a half hour, though, and he just wasn't up to it. She'd probably already left a message on his cell phone, which he'd deliberately turned off. He'd give her a quick call in the morning, when he'd have an honest reason to cut things short.

It would be easy to spend the rest of the evening vegging out, looking at the TV. But something in him couldn't get what the bellhop had told him out of his mind. Work and travel had knocked him off his regular exercise routine and he should try and get back on.

Before he got too sleepy and lazy to move he willed himself off the bed. He peeled off his street clothes and reached into his carry-on for his workout gear. Dressed in t-shirt, jock and nylon shorts, he put on his Nikes and headed to the elevator.

The fitness center was on the second floor. He opened the door and saw that the corridor straight ahead of him led to the pool. To the right were the men's and women's locker rooms. The exercise room was on his left.

It wasn't quite as large as he had thought it might be, but it was clean and well lit, with a nice assortment of treadmills, stairmasters and weight machines. A TV screen on one wall was playing a sports channel with the sound turned off. He decided to have a go at the treadmill-cardio was a priority after days of inactivity and plane rides.

It took a minute or two to get the speed and intensity adjusted to his liking, but pretty soon he was jogging at a good pace. It felt good to be moving. He touched a button and jacked it up a notch, fast enough that he really had to concentrate on keeping up. Soon he was panting and sweat was running off his brow and into his eyes, making him wish he had a headband.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw that someone else had come into the exercise room, an older man who was working one of the weight machines. At last he put the treadmill into cool-down mode and slowed to a walking pace. He pulled his t-shirt up and wiped his dripping face.

"How is it?"

He looked up, startled. The other man had stopped lifting and was sitting up, looking at him. He had silvery hair and a neatly trimmed beard of the same color that set off a pair of twinkling blue eyes. His chest and shoulders filled out the t-shirt he was wearing in a way that wasn't common in men his age.

"You mean this machine? Fine, I guess."

"Looks like you had a good run."

"Yeah...yeah, I guess I did." He was a little unnerved that this stranger was so intent on conversation.

"I might try that thing myself."

"I'm done. Be my guest," he said. All he wanted to do was get out of there and back to safe solitude.

The other man didn't seem to notice his discomfiture. "Nice talking to you," he said, standing up and extending his hand. "I'm Al."

There wasn't anything he could do except take it and say his name. "Doug. Listen, I'm going to hit the showers. I've got a big day tomorrow."

The other man smiled slightly, as if to acknowledge the brush-off. "Take care."

Relieved, he picked up a towel from the stack by the entrance and headed into the men's locker room. As he stripped off his sweaty gear and wrapped the towel around his waist he wondered what had gotten into him. The man after all had been perfectly pleasant. Nice body too, for an older guy. He'd especially admired Al's muscled legs, the thighs filling out the legs of his nylon gym shorts, the bulge between them...

Doug shook his head. Men weren't supposed to notice things like that about other men. He stalked off toward the showers. The marbled bathroom had sinks, urinals and toilets at one end. At the other were two private shower stalls next to a frosted glass door that led into the sauna.

He opened the door to the first stall. It was divided into two spaces, the shower stall and a dressing area with a hook on the wall and bench beneath. He left his towel on the bench and stepped into the shower, turning on a blast of cold water. It made him gasp and his heart race. He could feel his cock shrinking. After a while he added some hot water, soaped up and rinsed.

As he dried himself off he found he didn't want to get dressed and leave just yet. It had been a long time since he'd had a sauna. The heat would get him relaxed so he could get a good night's sleep.

The sauna was tiny, the box of hot rocks in one corner taking up a lot of space, two sets of benches along one wall barely long enough for two to sit side by side. Doug sat on the lower bench, away from the door. He stretched his arms out, leaned his head back and closed his eyes, letting his mind drift.

He opened them again just as a shadow passed in front of the frosted glass of the sauna door. A moment later he heard the sound of rushing water. Al must have finished his workout.

Doug sat and listened, hardly noticing that he was hoping Al would join him.

The shower stopped and there was silence. Doug held his breath, straining to hear. The shadow passed by the door again, without stopping. Doug's shoulders sagged. He closed his eyes again and leaned back, expelling his breath in a sigh.

He started up as the door opened, letting in a blast of cooler air.

"Hello again," Al said, standing in the doorway naked, holding a towel. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all." It would be nice to chat more with this pleasant stranger.

Al climbed onto the bench and sat on the upper board, so that his left leg was next to Doug's right shoulder. He spread the towel loosely on his lap and leaned forward, elbows on his thighs.

"So did you do the treadmill?" Doug asked.

Al looked up and smiled. "Yep. Not for long, though. I'm pretty beat. Long plane ride today. I take it you're here for the conference too?"

Doug nodded. "I'm presenting a paper tomorrow. I should be going over it right now, but obviously I'm not." He laughed. "Playing hooky."

His companion smiled. "We should all do more of that."

"Not if you're junior faculty coming up for tenure." Doug caught himself, a bit embarrassed. "I'm sure it's been a while since you've had to worry about that."

Al shrugged. "I see it from the other side now."

"So you're a chair?"

"Dean."

"Well," Doug said, only half joking. "I'm honored that you're even talking to me."

Al snorted. "I'm not one of those. You know, most of us want to help. We want you to do well." He leaned his head back against the wall. "Don't worry about that now. Relax and enjoy."

Doug closed his eyes and tried to take his advice. At that moment he noticed that Al's leg was barely touching his shoulder. He stiffened and was about to shift his body away, but something stopped him. Instead he remained where he was, and leaned very slightly to the right. In another moment he felt Al's leg shift in response. Now there was no doubt that it was pressing against him.

His heart was pounding with excitement and the sweat trickling off of him wasn't just from the heat of the sauna. Without looking up Doug slowly raised his right hand and ran his fingers up and down Al's calf, feeling the hard muscle.

The pressure from Al's leg increased, and Doug felt the other man's hand on his shoulder. Al moved his fingers gently, massaging the deltoid. Doug's head fell back and his mouth opened as he enjoyed the touch of another man, the first in a long time.

Abruptly the massage stopped. Al stepped swiftly off the bench and pulled open the door of the sauna. Doug's heart sank until he saw the shadowy figure pause on the other side of the frosted glass. Al held his towel as he stood in profile, stroking his hardening cock.

Doug's own cock leaped in response. The silhouette disappeared. The next moment one of the showers started running.

He had to make his move and fast. The next second he was out of the sauna, the air cold against his bare skin. Doug pulled open the door of the shower stall. A blast of steam and the sound of rushing water surrounded his senses. Ahead he saw Al, standing under the spray, turn and smile, beckoning with one hand.

Feeling like he was in a dream Doug moved slowly forward. Al left the shower and came toward him. He stiffened, not knowing what to expect. The other man smiled and pulled his towel off, tossing it onto the bench. "You won't be needing this," Al said. He took Doug's hand and led him gently into the shower stall.

Al stepped back under the spray. In the small space under the showerhead there was no way their bodies could avoid touching. Doug shivered as the other man's arms went around him and pulled him close. He sighed, closed his eyes and let his body sag against Al's.

Then he felt Al's lips press against his own. He started and pulled away as his eyes flew open. He shook his head. "Not here," he said.

For a moment Al looked hurt, then nodded. "You're right," he said. He stroked Doug's arm. "You're the best looking guy I've run into in a long time," he said. "Come to my room?"

The water pelted their bodies as Doug stood still, thinking. He was a happily married man. Or was he? Happily married men didn't avoid calling their wives on trips. They didn't go to the gym hoping to run into another lone man. They didn't get in a single shower stall naked with another man. And their cocks didn't get hard as rock when they thought about going to a stranger's hotel room.

"Okay."

Al's smile was so sweet and genuine that Doug felt a tug in his throat. "Great. I'll go first. I'm in Room 546. Can you remember that?"

Doug nodded.

"I'll see you there. Don't bother to change. Just come soon, okay? Promise?"

There was no way to resist the urgency in Al's eyes. "Promise."

Ten minutes later Doug stood before Room 546 in his clammy gym clothes. He was shivering, still damp from the shower. His heart was in his mouth as he knocked on the door.

The door swung open into the dimly lit, spacious hotel room, even more luxurious than his. Al was nowhere to be seen. As Doug entered he saw why-his friend was concealing himself behind the door, stark naked. Doug's eyes widened at the sight of Al's erect cock, the shaft straight, roped with veins and capped with a flaring, darker head.

The hotel room door fell shut with a thunk. There was no turning back.

Al smiled. "Welcome," he said. Before Doug could reply Al was on his knees before him, tugging at the waistband of his shorts, pulling Doug's already half-erect cock out of the damp pouch of his jockstrap.

"Sweet," Al murmured, and Doug gasped as hot slippery pleasure engulfed his organ. It quickly became steel hard as Al slid back and forth along the shaft, taking him down to the root, pressing into his pubes until he gagged. Ropes of spit leaked out of the corners of his mouth, dropping onto the carpet.

Doug's brain was in total shock, unable to comprehend anything except the moment. Soon the sparks darting up from his loins began to gather themselves into a larger fire. He felt the explosion coming and was helpless to stop it-didn't want to stop it.

"Oh God," he gasped, "I'm going to cum."

"Mm hmm," Al said, his mouth stuffed with cock. He slid back and forth even faster as Doug reached the point of no return. He threw his head back, letting out strangled grunts, struggling not to make too much noise as he unloaded spurt after spurt into Al's mouth. His hands tightened around Al's head in a convulsive spasm. Dimly through the stunning force of his orgasm he noted with wonder that Al hadn't let go-he was swallowing every drop.

Finally Doug's balls were drained and his breathing began to slow. He released his grip on his partner. Al let Doug's softening organ slip out of his mouth, taking a few last licks at the head. He kissed Doug's thighs and looked up with watery eyes, smiling.

"Very nice. Thank you."

Doug suddenly felt weak. He dropped to one knee, head hanging, taking deep breaths. He felt Al's hand on his shoulder.

"Are you all right?"

He looked up into his new friend's anxious eyes and tried to reassure him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just took a lot out of me."

Al chuckled. "I'll say it did. Felt like I drank a quart. Sorry I wasn't very sociable, but you got me so hot in that sauna. I couldn't wait."

Doug didn't reply.

"Seriously, are you okay?"

He looked up again, startled. Al's look was knowing, but sympathetic.

"You don't do this all the time. In fact I bet you haven't done this in a long while, if ever."

A beat, then Doug nodded.

"I've had guys who pulled their pants up and left without a word. One even punched me out. You're not going to do that, are you?"

"No." He felt a little indignant at the thought.

Al smiled. "I'm glad. You want to sit a bit, have something to drink? I have a great mini-bar."

"But you didn't-" Doug hesitated.

Al got to his feet. "No big deal. Maybe later."

Doug stood up and started to adjust his clothes. They were damp and uncomfortable. The room was warm, and on impulse he bent and pulled his shoes off, then the rest of what he was wearing. When he was naked he looked up. Al had fished two bottles of beer out of the mini-bar and was standing, holding them. He smiled.

"Come sit."

They faced each other in two armchairs on which Al had spread towels, and drank their beers, not saying much. Doug swallowed his brew and leaned his head back. The tightness inside him that been there all day was gone.

"Feeling better?" Al asked.

"Yeah. Much." Doug opened his eyes. "Thanks."

Al smiled. "Don't mention it. I always aim to please."

Doug chuckled. "You're not like most deans I know."

"I'm not a dean tonight. Only a man."

Al's eyes were half-closed. His pupils glinted in the dim light. They were looking straight into Doug's. He sat sprawled in the armchair, his legs apart. His soft cock hung down between his balls, heavy in their sack. Al's pubic hair was light brown flecked with gray, sparse and pale on his lower belly.

He reached down and gave his flaccid organ a squeeze. Doug felt his breath quicken.

"What are you thinking?" Al asked.

The answer rose to his lips without conscious thought. "I want to suck your cock."

A smile. "I thought you'd never ask."

Again Doug had that dreamlike feeling he'd experienced in the shower. He slowly moved to where Al was sitting and dropped to his knees in front of him. He put his forearms on Al's warm thighs and looked up. The other man raised his brows playfully.

"So far, so good," Al said. Doug laughed, surprised and grateful. He took Al's cock in hand, inspecting the dark pink head, the neat circumcision scar, the paler, veined shaft that curved a bit to one side. Gathering all his courage he leaned forward, closing his eyes and opening his mouth. He felt the heat rising from Al's crotch, caught a whiff of cologne and male scent mixed. He closed his mouth very gently around the head and took the cock down his throat. As he slid slowly back and forth he heard Al's quick intake of breath.

"Mm, nice." A hand gripped the back of his neck. Doug tasted salt and knew that precum was flowing from Al's cock. It had grown steely hard and much bigger. In fact his mouth was starting to ache from trying to stay open wide enough not to scrape it with his teeth. He let it slip out and licked at the head and down the shaft.

"Oh, baby," Al breathed. Doug took him back in with renewed vigor. With a shock he realized he was enjoying this. "Cocksucker" was just about the worst thing you could call a man, but that's what he was doing and liking it. He bobbed his head vigorously back and forth, then lunged forward, taking as much of Al's cock as he could, until his nose was pressed into the other man's pubic bone. He gagged as the head cut off his breathing and surfaced, gasping for air, tears starting from his eyes. His own cock jutted from his crotch.

Al caressed his cheek with his hand. "Damn, you are good," he said, smiling. "Come here." He lifted Doug up as he bent downward and put his lips to the other man's. This time Doug didn't recoil. Al's lips and tongue were soft and sensual, his breath scented with alcohol, his beard scratchy on his cheeks and chin. Every touch made Doug more aroused. He didn't want this to end, ever.

"Get on the bed," Al whispered. Doug stood and went to the king-sized bed. When he lay on his back Al gestured to him.

"Turn over on your stomach. Spread your legs."

Doug obeyed, a bit nervous. He felt Al climb onto the mattress behind him and between his legs. The next moment he felt a soft wetness tickle his butt. Al's tongue found the crack and slid downward as his hands pulled Doug's cheeks apart. The next moment Doug moaned as Al's tongue darted and flicked into his exposed asshole.

Al burrowed deeper, pushing his entire mouth against the opening, bathing it with his spit, shoving his tongue in as far as he could. His beard scratched the sensitive area behind Doug's balls. By now Doug was whimpering into the bedspread. The sensation was indescribable, even better than the blowjob he'd gotten.

Finally Al came up for air. "Mm, sweet ass." A pause. "I'd love to fuck you."

Doug wheeled his head around, startled.

"Don't worry, I've got protection," Al said.

"It's not that. I've never done that."

"Oh." A pause. "You want to try?"

Doug thought. The idea scared and thrilled him at the same time. He wanted to know what it was like, to be used and ravaged by another man's hard dick. When would he get another chance?

"Go slow, okay?"

Al smiled. "I will. I want you to like it too."

He got up and disappeared into the bathroom. When he returned his erection was hooded with a rubber and he carried a small squeeze bottle.

A while later Al lay on his back on the bed, one hand gripping Doug's arm as he knelt straddling his body, the other pointing his cock up at Doug's greased hole.

"Just push out as you sit on it." Al smiled up into Doug's eyes. "You're doing great. Ready?"

Doug nodded, his breathing tight and shallow. His heart was pounding with fear and excitement. Al had been honest and told him it might hurt a little. How much? He was a man, he could take it. He bent his knees and slowly began to let his weight down.

He felt the blunt head of Al's latex-covered cock press harder and harder against his resisting ring. Then he gasped as he felt it breach the barrier. Before he knew it the head was inside him and his anus had closed around it, clamping shut. Pain shot through him as muscles not used to the invasion protested.

"Shit! I've got to stop!"

"Shh. It's okay."

"No. Please. I don't want to-"

Suddenly Al's hands grabbed Doug's arms, holding him down as he tried to rise. "Doug. Do you trust me?"

Silence. Doug looked down into Al's eyes, steely with authority. He nodded.

"Relax. It'll get better. I promise I won't go any further. Breathe."

Doug tried to obey. The room was silent except for the sound of his breathing. His thighs were aching with fatigue. He couldn't hold out much longer.

"Ohhh." A long soft moan rose from his throat as he felt Al's cock push further into him. He found himself sitting pressed against his partner's pelvis. A slow fire was burning inside him where he had never felt anything before.

"Fuck yeah," Al said softly, his eyes boring into Doug's. "How's it feel now?"

"I...I don't know."

"Look down."

Doug did, and saw his cock jutting rock hard from his crotch, leaking clear fluid from the tip onto Al's stomach.

Al smiled. "Body doesn't lie." He thrust his hips upward, drawing a grunt of pleasure from Doug. "Ride with me, partner."

Doug grabbed Al's shoulders to steady himself as the older man began to drill his hole from below. He raised his head, wanting to laugh with joy. It wasn't just how good it felt. It was knowing that he was flying into uncharted territory, letting himself go, surrendering control to another man. He understood for the first time what his wife must feel. The thought of her brought a fleeting wave of guilt. He brushed it aside to concentrate on squeezing every drop of sensation from the moment.

"That's it, squeeze my cock, man," Al whispered. "Clamp down on it with those virgin ass muscles. Yeah."

After a few moments more he sat up and drew Doug's face to his own. They kissed as Al stroked Doug's cock. Without letting go Al leaned forward, tipping Doug backward until he was lying on the bed and his legs were hooked over Al's shoulders. He could feel the other man's weight pressing on him, bending him double. His hot breath bathed his face, his musky scent filled his nostrils. He was trapped underneath Al, impaled on his cock. There was no escape.

He raised his head and whispered into Al's ear. "Fuck me."

Al grinned. "You got it." He raised his hips and began to drive into the younger man. His pubic bone collided with Doug's tensed butt muscles, thudding on each downstroke. Doug hung on for dear life, tossing his head from side to side, his arms around Al's neck, his eyes closed. There was nothing in his consciousness except the reality of Al's cock, invading him, splitting him open, shattering his last defenses.

He felt a hand grasp his cock and begin to stroke it. The simultaneous assault on his penis and prostate finally pushed him over the edge. He groaned with delight as he came for the second time that evening, his cock spurting over his heaving stomach.

"Yeah, do it," Al muttered. "I'm going to cum with you. Fuck, here I go..." His words became hoarse grunts as his face contorted in a grimace of pleasure. His body contracted in one last, huge thrust as if to pin Doug to the bed. Al raised his head, eyes squeezed shut, mouth open in a silent shout. Doug felt the cock in his ass pulsing as it emptied his load into the rubber.

Al's body collapsed on top of his. They stayed joined for minutes longer as their breathing slowly returned to normal. Finally the older man raised his head and smiled into Doug's eyes.

"Thanks. That was worth waiting for." He kissed Doug lightly and began to withdraw. Doug cried out as Al's cock popped out of his used, sensitive hole. He stretched out on the bed as Al disappeared into the bathroom, heaving a tremendous sigh, looking up at the ceiling, his mind a complete, contented blank.

He heard water running. Al was taking a long time and Doug suddenly realized how tired he was. It had to be really late. He ought to get up and go back to his room, but it felt so good just lying here...

He opened his eyes with a start. A towel had been placed on his stomach. Al was lying beside him on the bed, and had taken hold of his left hand. In the light of the lamp the circular indentation on his ring finger was clearly visible.

He turned his head and found himself looking into Al's eyes.

"So how long've you been married?"

Doug thought a moment. What was the use of pretending now?

"Eight years."

"Happy?"

He wondered why he wasn't offended by the question. "Yeah. Mostly."

"Good for you."

"How about you?"

Al didn't miss a beat. "Was. Twenty-five years."

"Did she know about you? I mean with other guys?"

The other man looked thoughtful. "Toward the end I think so, in a general way. I didn't tell her everything when we decided to divorce. She never would have believed me." A wry look appeared on his face. "I have a hard time believing it myself sometimes."

Doug felt some unexplained emotion welling in him. Before he could stop himself the words poured out. "Is this how it's supposed to be?"

"What do you mean?"

"Picking up strangers? Sneaking around when you're away from home? Living a lie?"

Al's eyes revealed nothing. His voice was even as he said, "It depends. There's nothing to stop you from living the way you want. You could tell her tomorrow you're gay. Divorce her. Come out. Get a boyfriend."

Doug said nothing.

"Have kids?"

"A little girl. Eighteen months."

"Bet she's cute."

He smiled. "Oh yeah."

"That makes it more complicated. You don't want to lose her."

"I don't want to lose my wife either," Doug said vehemently.

"Then don't sneak around. Never do it with men again. I won't hold it against you." Al's smile was ironic. "Just so you'll know, I tried that route. Denial. Covering up my feelings, my needs."

"And?"

"Got migraines. Started drinking. Finally it got so bad I tried to kill myself."

Doug stared. Al held his gaze without blinking, then softened his expression. "I'm making it sound too simple. It's not an either-or thing. Maybe you'll be able to live a straight life. Maybe you can tell your wife and she'll understand. Everyone has to find his own way. I can't tell you it'll be easy, though."

A silence, then Doug said, "I'd like to see you again."

Al's smile was as sweet as it had been in the shower downstairs. "Doug, I'm truly flattered. I'd like that too, though I don't know when." Seeing what must have been the gloom on Doug's face, he added, "You can e-mail or call me whenever you want. Talk about anything that's on your mind. Like I said before, I want to help."

"Why?"

Al shook his head. "I remember when I was where you are now, young, married, at the start of my career. Struggling with feelings that were ripping me apart. All alone. I don't want anyone else to go through what I did."

Doug reached out and embraced him. "Thanks."

They clasped each other for a long moment. Al released him and turned onto his back, stretching and yawning. "Damn, it's late. We ought to turn in. What time's your session?"

"Nine o'clock. I've got to get up early though and look over my paper, make sure the PowerPoint works." Doug grinned. "I was going to do that tonight."

Al smirked. "Guess we both got sidetracked. You're welcome to stay here if you like. I'm getting up early too, I'm presiding over a session at nine myself." He reached for the conference program booklet that lay on the nightstand by the bed. "Let's see, I'm in the Prothro Room-"

"Prothro Room?" Doug said, surprised. "That's where I'm giving my paper."

Al raised his eyebrows. "I guess I'm introducing you. Douglas Baxter, Steelman College, right?"

Doug stared. "Albert Willis? The leading authority on nineteenth-century Latin American music?" He laughed, incredulous. "Al. I had no idea. Obviously."

"Actually, Douglas, had I known, I might not have been quite so forward. This is a little bit unusual."

"Well, I'll never tell." Though Doug wished he could, someone, sometime.

"I appreciate that." Al rolled his eyes, mocking himself. "You'd never know it, but I'm actually pretty discreet."

Doug nodded. "To think I had you for a whole evening and never asked you a single question about the subject." He grinned. "I did learn a whole lot about other stuff."

"You're a good student, Douglas," Al leered, then added, "We can talk shop tomorrow. I'm very interested in hearing your paper."

Doug blushed. "Thanks."

"And now, Dr. Baxter, will you do me the honor of sleeping with me tonight?"

"Sure."

They got under the covers and turned out the light. Doug quickly fell asleep in Al's arms. His last thought was about the morning. He didn't know exactly what it would bring, but he was looking forward to it.

END