Trials and Triumph

TRIALS AND TRIUMPH -- II

Chapter 4: ANOTHER VALUE DILEMMA

While Mike was in the bathroom, Eric sat on the edge of the bed and made a painful decision.

"Well," Mike said when he returned, "shall we have a bit of fun?"

"I'd like to, Mike. It's what I've wanted since I first saw you back at the lake. But I can't. It's not because you would be cheating on your lover. You convinced me that's not a problem. The reason is a one of my hang ups. I don't know whether I can explain it but hear me out. For a long time I lived with a man, an older man. He hired me as his personal assistant. But I knew going in that he wanted me only for sex. I was his private whore boy and I was obligated to be available whenever he wanted me. And that was usually several times a day. He was very rich and promised we would travel the world for the next few years. He was generous and considerate but in all that time there was no affection. I walked out on him ... walked away from a life of luxury and world travel."

Mike was listening with surprise and said, "That's an unusual story. A lot of gay guys would like to live like that."

"I did ... for a while. And you're probably wondering why I gave it up. You may not agree with my reasons. I think physical sex without an emotional connection can be satisfying but after the sex is over, what's left? Nothing. Sex can only be great when it's an expression of genuine love, love that permeates every moment of your life. What I'm looking for ... hoping for ... is that kind of sex -- sex based on love. The kind you have with Larry. If there's no chance of winning your love, Mike, and giving you mine, then I would be no more than one of your clients. Don't get me wrong. I'm not criticizing you for what you do because I did the same thing. I did it for one man; you do it for several. But it was just a job for me and nothing more. It's the `more' that I want. I want what you and Larry have. Love ... not an obligation."

"I can understand that," Mike said. "I guess I'm lucky to have found Larry."

"Yes, you were. I wasn't. I didn't like my job. Maybe I'd feel different if I had a variety of customers. But back to my reason for not having sex with you. Would I enjoy it? Yes and no. It would be thrilling while it lasted. But afterwards I'd be left with the disappointment of not having your love. It would be a one night stand ... temporarily gratifying but in the long term it would leave me frustrated that I couldn't have you as a permanent partner. If none of that makes any sense to you, I apologize."

"On the contrary, Eric. I've experienced something similar. Larry and I met while working for the escort service. One night when neither of us had a client I was horny. I made moves to get him into bed. But he refused for reasons similar to what you've just told me. He said he got plenty of sex on the job. Away from the job, he wanted to have sex only with someone he felt he could live with ... and love. We dated for six months without any sex and as a result became very good friends. Then one magical evening we expressed our love for each other and consummated our union. It was almost mystical. It was the first time that I felt the full power of love. And being half of a much larger entity. Do I understand where you're coming from? Absolutely! Yes, I want to have sex with you. But only because I respect and admire you. And I want to make you happy."

"That was sweet of you, Mike. But like I said, I don't want to do something that I would enjoy and then have to live knowing there would never be any more."

"I understand that. But may I offer an alternative analysis? You don't want to suffer with the knowledge that we can't have sex again. But consider this. If you decline the opportunity now, won't you still have the same feelings? Won't you continue to wish you could have more? What's the difference? The difference is that you'll regret NOT having sex with me when you had the chance. We can enjoy each other now, fully aware that it's a one-time event. Sure, it will be just recreational sex without emotional attachment. But it will be wonderful and a memory that you can look back on."

Eric was silent for a long time. Mike waited for a response, knowing that Eric had to evaluate his options. He hoped that his argument had been persuasive because he was very attracted to Eric and he was quite horny. It would not be the same as sex with Larry but it would be enjoyable. It certainly would not be the same as sex with a client, which was sometimes enjoyable but usually just doing a job.

"You're right, Mike. Either way, I'll be sad because I can't win your love. But I have to admit you've changed my mind. I want to do it even if it's only once."

"Thank you," Mike grinned. "I've met only one person in my life, that's Larry, who I've wanted more than you. You're that desirable. Who knows? If I had met you first, both our lives would be very different."

Eric stripped off his boxers and lay down next to Mike. The next hour was filled with sensual pleasure for both young men.

<><><><><>

At eleven that morning, they returned their rented horses to the stable, having enjoyed the cool morning riding along the trails of the park. They decided to have an early lunch because they had skipped breakfast in favor of extended sex in Eric's room. After lunch, the temperature had risen to almost ninety and Mike suggested, "Let's go back to that secluded cove where we first met. A dip in the lake would feel good."

Eric readily agreed, "Good idea. And this time I'll enjoy it more."

"What do you mean?" Mike asked.

"The first time we met, I was panicked because you caught me naked. Then when I saw you take off your clothes, I was somewhat relieved because you were naked, too. But as we talked I got very frustrated. You were so friendly. And you had a gorgeous body. But I was sure you were straight and nothing would ever happen between us. That frustration only got worse. Until this morning. Now, I'll feel completely comfortable being naked in the water with you."

Mike chuckled, "You're not the only one who felt frustrated. I had about the same feelings from the first moment I saw you."

"Really?" Eric asked. "You've got Larry ... and lots of sex with your clients. Why would you want to do anything with me?"

"Don't be so damned modest," Mike said with a friendly grin. "Do I have to spell it out? You've got a great body. A great cock. And to top it off, your personality and character are admirable. Any gay guy ... or any girl for that matter ... would give anything to have you as a partner."

Both young men thoroughly enjoyed frolicking in the refreshingly cool water of the lake, laughing much of the time as they splashed and dunked one another. Their playfulness evolved into something else when Mike grabbed Eric's cock, gave it a quick tug, and retreated. The victim pursued the aggressor without any sexual motives but as a continuation of their playfulness. Grabs and tugs quickly escalated to hugging, mutual fondling, and shared enjoyment. Inevitably, each felt his cock inflate. At that point their lighthearted competition was supplanted by instinctual biological drive that assumed control of their thoughts.

Mike was the first to voice what was on both of their minds. Grinding his crotch against Eric's, he whispered, "Let's go back on shore. I think we both need to take care of a problem."

Eric knew what that meant and eagerly agreed.

They found a spot with tall grass not far from where they had left their clothes. It was surrounded on three sides by thick underbrush and overlooked the cove. Hands, tongues, and lips roved -- sometimes gently, sometimes teasingly, and sometimes almost aggressively -- over the two naked bodies. When neither could delay the culmination of their foreplay any longer, each achieved a massive orgasm in a sixty-nine position. Eric's was the first but Mike's soon followed.

They snuggled together for a long time before Eric's curiosity demanded satisfaction. "Tell me about your job. What kind of customers do you have?"

"Where do I start?" Mike asked rhetorically. "They run the full gamut, I suppose. Mostly, they're middle aged or older. That's because they can afford the price of dinner, a hotel room, and a companion ... and because younger men can easily attract willing partners. Most are married. That may surprise you. I don't know the exact percentage because some don't reveal any personal information. I've got a few steady customers. One guy books me almost every Wednesday night while his wife goes to her bridge club. Another one wants to see me Sunday mornings while his wife is in church. He's out of town today so that's why I drove up here yesterday. The majority of them, however, are just passing through Dallas or Fort Worth on business. I also service a few lonely women but there's far fewer of them. You're probably wondering what the guys want. That ranges from the standard -- blow jobs, rimming, fucking -- to the unusual. One guy just wants us to get naked and snuggle together. He never gets hard and I don't either. We just talk before going to sleep. He pours out his soul to me and I listen sympathetically. Another regular is a local politician. You'd recognize the name if I told you ... but I won't. Strict confidentiality is demanded. That's the reason for the big increase in the number of clients. So, yes, there's a wide variety of customers and each has his own individual needs."

"Do you have any that want to do things TO you but don't want any service in return?"

"Occasionally. Why do you ask?"

"Because that's what Ted was like. More than half the time he just wanted to explore my body and suck me off or have me fuck him."

"Can't say I blame him for that," Mike replied. "At least the first part about exploring your magnificent body."

Eric grinned at the compliment and said, "I'd say what I'm thinking but you told me not to be too humble."

Mike laughed. A short time later he said, "It's been wonderful with you, Eric. But I'd better be on my way home."

"It HAS been wonderful," Eric gushed. "I can't thank you enough for the way you made these two days the best in my life."

As they put on their clothes, Eric said, "I'd like to get together again from time to time ... not for sex ... just because I'd like to be your friend."

"Count on it!" Mike exclaimed. "Give me a call anytime. We'll work something out."

"I'll do that. And bring lucky Larry along. I'd like to meet the man who owns your heart."

Eric drove home thinking about his weekend. The frustration of being with a handsome guy but thinking he was straight and unavailable -- and the mental turmoil when he learned Mike was gay but still unavailable -- were outweighed by the extraordinarily erotic times in bed and on the shore. It may have begun with the difficulty of wanting what he couldn't have but it ended with two glorious sexual couplings with a new friend. Yes. A friend! He would never be the lover that Eric wanted but he was quite happy to have gained a friend.

<><><><><>

"So how was the time off? What did you do?" Grant asked eagerly when Eric arrived home.

"I spent the weekend at Ray Roberts State Park. It's a beautiful place. I had a great time."

"That's good, kid. I'm delighted you got away from an old man for at least a little while."

"I didn't get away from you," Eric protested. He grinned and added, "You kicked me out. Remember?"

"I did it for your own good. So tell me what you did for two days."

"I met another guy who visits the park frequently. He showed me around. We swam, hiked, took a horseback ride, and had a very good time."

"I'm glad," Grant gushed. "I told you that you ought to be around guys your own age. And I'm glad you had a friend with you. That doubles the pleasure, doesn't it? You gonna see him again?"

"Probably. He lives not too far away, in Dallas. I suppose we can meet for dinner once in a while."

"DO IT!" Grant exclaimed but thought a moment and added, "That is, if you like him and want to."

"I like him a lot and I want to. Don't worry about it. Okay?"

Grant suddenly got a curious look on his face and paused before asking, "You like him a lot? Does that mean that you and he.... Never mind. It's none of my business, is it?"

"No, it isn't, Grant. But like I said before, if and when I find someone, you'll be the first to know."

Grant flashed an enigmatic smile and said, "I hope it works out for you."

Because Eric had come to know Grant very well his curious smile conveyed a meaning. The man sensed that the new friend was probably the companion that Eric wanted.

Chapter 5: SPIRITS LIFTED; SPIRITS CRUSHED

Eric and Mike talked infrequently by telephone but the conversations were short and never rose above trivial topics. Eric was surprised, therefore, when Mike called and said, "Hey there, Eric. It's Mike. You said once you'd like to meet Larry. Well, he's just as eager to meet you. I don't think he believes me when I tell him what a great guy you are. Can you break away for an evening and drive down to our place? We'll have dinner. Larry's a great cook. You can be home in time to help Grant get ready for bed. How about it?"

It took very little thought for Eric to answer. He wanted to see Mike again and to meet Larry. "I'd love to. When is the best time?"

"Terrific! As you know, weekends are busy for us but we can get together almost any evening midweek that fits your schedule."

They agreed on Tuesday, just three days away. Mike gave Eric the address and directions. Grant was pleased that Eric would be spending time with a friend but Eric was more than pleased. He was extremely excited and impatient for Tuesday to arrive.

Mike greeted his guest at the door -- "Great to see you again" -- and gave him a hug that felt good but wasn't arousing because Eric had long since resigned himself to having only a good friend and not a sexual partner.

Larry came out of the kitchen. Eric was impressed with Larry's strikingly handsome looks. He was only about five and a half feet tall but had a muscular body under a tight-fitting tee shirt and cargo pants. His facial features and skin tone suggested a Hispanic heritage. His bright eyes and broad smile seemed to attest to a jovial, perhaps, mischievous nature. He greeted the guest with, "Hi, I'm Larry. You must be Eric, the guy Mike has been telling me about. But I have to say that his description of you doesn't begin to match your good looks."

Eric was momentarily taken aback by the compliment and more so by news that Mike had been so complimentary but he managed to say, "Thanks. I guess I inherited the right genes."

Larry said, "I'd like to admire you some more but that will have to be later. Right now, I've got to get the biscuits in the oven." With that, he made his exit as quickly as he had his entrance.

Eric turned to Mike and said, "I can see why you love him. He's gorgeous and has a delightful personality."

"You're right on both counts," Mike grinned. "I'm very lucky."

Dinner was superb and the conversation was pleasantly animated throughout. After desert, they settled into the living room. After about an hour of enjoyable conversation, Eric got a huge surprise when Mike got a serious look and said, "I hate to interrupt the socializing but I have some business to discuss. You know we both work for an escort service. What you don't know is how successful it is. There are more clients than the ten of us who work there can handle. Bottom line: would you be willing to join the team? Before you answer let me emphasize that it pays VERY well and, more importantly, they only accept well-healed clients so you never have to worry about entertaining some sleazebag or putting up with kinky stuff. How about it?"

Eric had listened in disbelief and wasn't able to digest the proposal. He sat silently for a long time evaluating the possibilities. Mike and Larry waited patiently for Eric's answer, fully aware that the idea was unexpected and they understood Eric's hesitancy.

Finally, Eric said, "I don't know what to say, guys. On the one hand, I may very well enjoy the frequent sex even though there would be no affection. And you already know that I walked away from a similar situation because it was no more than doing my duty. That and the deceit of my sugar daddy. If that were the only consideration, I would be willing to give it a try. The variety of sex partners might outweigh the lack of emotional commitment. However, I can't abandon Grant. I love him like a father and he can't get along without my help. So I guess I'll have to decline the offer. But I'm extremely flattered that you think I'm qualified."

"Take some time to think about it," Mike urged. "Who knows? Maybe you can figure out a way to join us and still take care of Grant."

For the next twenty minutes, Eric quizzed Mike and Larry about their typical schedule, details of their client's preferences, and whether he could refuse to service a client after an unpleasant first experience. With all the information he needed, he said, "Give me some time to think about it. Okay? I'll let you know in a day or two."

"Add this to the possibilities," Larry said. "I met Mike because we both worked for the service. Now we're deeply in love but we can keep our private life and our job separate. No guarantee but you may be able to do the same -- with another escort or somebody else."

Eric hadn't considered that and said, "If I could find a partner like either of you two and enjoy the love you have for each other, I would be the happiest person on earth. But I realize that the chances of that are slim. But I can hope, can't I?"

Eric struggled with his dilemma on the drive back to Denton. Two days later, he phoned Mike with his answer. "Thanks again for the offer. I appreciate the compliment and the confidence you showed. I've thought of very little else since then. But I have to decline. For now. Maybe -- if the offer stands -- I can accept it later."

<><><><><>

Grant's mobility slowly became more impaired. He never complained but the grimace on his face as he moved, especially getting up out of his recliner, told Eric that the pain was getting worse even with an increase in the amount of medication. Without telling Grant, whom he knew would object, he bought a lift chair -- a motorized recliner that would raise the occupant to an almost standing position -- and scheduled delivery for a Saturday. Eric's prediction was correct. When the chair was delivered, Grant exploded. It was the first time Eric had seen the man angry. He ranted and fumed for fifteen minutes, ignoring Eric's insistence that he wanted to make Grant's life a little easier and had bought the lift chair as a token of friendship. Grant sulked for two days. The atmosphere was positively chilly and quite unlike the amiable rapport the two had enjoyed for so long. Eventually, however, Grant's residual anger was replaced with appreciation and an admission that the lift chair was a luxury that helped more than he thought possible.

Grant was able to enjoy the chair for only six months. Eric came home from work to find the man lying on the bathroom floor, cold and not breathing. He immediately called 911 and was advised that, given the situation he described, CPR would be useless. An autopsy (mandatory for unexpected deaths) found that he had suffered a heart attack.

Eric arranged for burial and a brief, graveside memorial service. Grant was the fourth father he had lost and the one for whom he grieved the most. The father in his childhood degenerated into a cruel demon due to the poisoning effect of booze and who drunkenly stumbled to his death in front of a passing car. The second, a surrogate father, was lost due to the inexplicable anger of his high school friend and would-be lover, Brian. The third, his biological father, turned out to be intolerably selfish and deceitful. But it was Grant who, in spite of his deteriorating body, was kind and loving. It was Grant's death that submerged Eric into the deepest grief and mourning.

Eric no longer felt at home in Grant's house. Aside from the memories of his best friend that arose in every room of the house, he knew he didn't belong, that it was not HIS house; he had been just a boarder. He was homeless for the third time in his young life. He decided he would look for an apartment. But the more immediate concern was a sense of obligation to figure out what would become of Grant's house and its contents. The man had said he had no living relatives so Eric faced a problem with no apparent solution. He was brooding over the quandary when the phone rang.

"Are you Eric Mathews?"

"I am."

"This Paul Stevens. I'm an attorney. I saw Grant Kaiser's obituary in the paper."

Eric, irritated by what he thought was a hearse-chasing lawyer, interrupted, "If you're trolling for clients, I'm not interested."

"No, I'm not looking for a client. I have some information that you may or may not know. Mr. Kaiser had me draw up a Will. You're named in the Will and there's a personal letter from him to you in a sealed envelope. He gave me explicit instructions to deliver it to you after his death. Can you stop by my office? There are a several matters we should discuss."

Eric was stunned by the news but managed to say, "I can't get off work but I have the late shift on Monday. I can come in on Monday morning."

"That will be fine. I'll transfer you to my secretary to make the appointment and give you directions to my office. I'll see you on Monday."

Paul Stevens, the attorney, was a man of about thirty and was reasonably pleasant but very business like when his secretary ushered Eric into the plush office. "Good morning. Thanks for coming in. Please have a seat." Eric sat in one of the leather- covered chairs in front of a large, cluttered desk. "If you don't mind, Mr. Mathews, I'll get right down to business. Grant Kaiser executed this Will three months ago. I must say, I didn't expect him to pass away so soon. He told me that you have been a resident in his home for quite some time and have seen to his needs so I wasn't surprised that he designated you as the sole beneficiary of his estate. It's little more than the house, all its contents, and the car." Stevens paused before saying, "I see you're surprised. You didn't know about the Will and inheriting his estate?"

"No, Sir. I never thought about his passing. He was crippled with arthritis but otherwise in good health. And I never gave a thought to what would happen to his meager possessions when he did die. I knew he had no family but I'm mystified by his leaving it all to me.

"I inquired about his reason but he said it was explained in the letter he left for you. I also asked a routine question in such matters. Namely did he want provisions in the Will for final expenses and burial. He said, in effect, `They can cart this old body off to the land fill. It's worn out, anyway.' He was so emphatic in his answer that I didn't pursue the subject. Now, however, my curiosity is aroused. It's none of my business but who paid for the burial and final expenses?"

"I did," Eric replied. "He has no family and I thought he deserved a decent burial."

"Just as I suspected," the attorney said. "That was very kind and thoughtful of you. Now back to the matters at hand."

"Before going on, my curiosity is also aroused. I know that legal help is not cheap. Since he had less than enough money to meet basic necessities of living, how could he afford to pay you to create the Will?"

The attorney replied, "I sometimes do pro bono work ... for destitute but deserving people like Grant Kaiser. When I visited his home, he wanted to pay my fee in ... forgive me ... dribs and drabs. But I declined his offer."

"How like him," Eric mused. "He was -- or wanted to be -- as independent as possible."

"You will need to transfer title to the car and the deed to the property. You can do it yourself through probate court if you like. If, however, you would like assistance, I would be glad to handle the details for you."

"I'll let you know," Eric replied.

As soon as he got home, Eric opened the sealed envelope and read the letter from Grant.

Dear Eric, my friend

Thank you. You've been a reliable help for a crippled old man. It pains me to think of how you have denied yourself the pleasures of being young in order to make my life more bearable.

Most of all, I thank you for being a companion for a lonely old man. You have brought joy into my life just by being a friend. I pray that God will reward you for your compassion and unselfishness.

You've been a great help to me when my body wouldn't do what I wanted it to. You've also been a great help to my spirits and kept me from loneliness and self-pity. For that I love you as a proud father would love his son.

I don't know when you will read this letter but one thing I know for sure. You made my days pleasant just by being there for me.

God bless you, Grant ________________________________________________

Eric cried, once more, over the loss of his good friend.

Chapter 6: COURSE CORRECTION

Eric was increasingly frustrated over the impossibility of finding a partner in Denton, Texas and discouraged by the ultra-conservative and stridently evangelical population. He was sure there were gay men who, like him, concealed their sexual orientation to avoid cruel persecution. But his chances of finding a partner and forming a loving relationship were dismal at best. He had a good job, a sizable bank account, and a comfortable home but he was not happy.

In one of their periodic telephone conversations, Mike asked, "Any chance you've reconsidered your decision about moving to Dallas and working for the agency?"

"As a matter of fact, Mike, I have. If the opportunity is still available, I'd like to give it a try."

"That's wonderful!" Mike exclaimed. "I'll set up an appointment with the guy in charge. It will be a sort of a job interview but I'm sure he will like what you have to offer."

Eric drove down to Dallas, nervous about the direction he had chosen to take his life but hopeful that it would turn out to be satisfying for at least a little while. It conflicted with his distaste for being nothing more than a prostitute and his hopes of finding a loving, permanent partner but it was marginally better than the lonely frustration of living in Denton. If he was hired he would relocate to Dallas where he expected the much more urban and cosmopolitan environment would provide opportunities to find a partner.

He found the home of the escort service's owner with little difficulty, thanks to excellent directions Mike had provided. The house, at the end of a cul-de-sac was not as large and imposing as Ted Connors' but was elegant and obviously expensive. He was ten minutes early for the nine o'clock appointment but thought it best to demonstrate his punctuality so he parked the old Buick, walked to the front door, and rang the doorbell. The melodic chimes of the doorbell could be heard through the thick wooden front door. Moments later, the door opened and a young man greeted the visitor effusively. "Eric Matthews?" he asked.

Eric was awe struck by the figure smiling at him. He wore a short robe. It hung only slightly open in front but enough to reveal a tanned, muscular body with only a a Speedo swim suit to cover a prominent package. "Yes. I have an appointment with Mr. Goldman."

"He's expecting you," the stud replied. His eyes unabashedly roamed up and down Eric's body for a moment before he added with a wicked grin, "And I'm sure he'll be VERY pleased to see you. Come in."

Eric wondered whether the new, expensive, designer clothes he had bought were part of the reason for the overenthusiastic greeting. He was ushered into a room off the foyer that was furnished with a desk, leather covered arm chairs and sofa, and bookcases loaded with books. The barefoot hunk said, "Make yourself comfortable. I'll tell Mr. Goldman you're here."

Eric's nervousness would have been much worse if Mike and Larry had not briefed him on the interview process. If their predictions were true, it would be a unique experience but one he was willing to go through if it meant being able to join the organization.

A middle-age man burst through the door and said, "Ah, Eric Mathews. I'm Max Goldman. I'm very pleased to meet you." Eric stood for a handshake that lasted much longer than necessary while the man took his time to scan Eric's body from head to toe. Finally, the husky man released Eric's hand and said. "Please sit down." He sat in a chair next to Eric's.

"May I ask you some questions, Eric?"

"Of course."

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"You understand that I must be very careful. If I offer you a job can you provide proof of your age?"

"I don't have a birth certificate and it would take several days to get a copy but I do have a driver's license with my date of birth. Will that do?"

"Yes. Now tell me what experience you have that would qualify you for a position in our organization?"

"I've had very few partners but one of them was a former business executive. I lived with him for several months and was able to satisfy him in a wide variety of ways."

"A wide variety? What does that include?"

"Oral, anal, indoors, outdoors ... very often two or three times a day."

"And who was this man? Can I contact him for references?"

"With respect, Sir, I'd rather not say. He's deep in the closet and it would jeopardize his reputation."

Goldman smiled at the answer as though it was exactly what he wanted to hear. "That's all right," he said. "But you no longer live with him?"

"No, Sir."

"And why is that?"

Eric did not expect to have to explain walking out on Ted Connors but reasoned that he could answer in a way that might ... just might ... impress his interrogator. "He was not dissatisfied with me. Quite the opposite. I left his home on principles. He had a private investigator check out my background and sexual orientation before he asked me to move in with him. That didn't bother me. It was prudent of him. What DID bother me was that in all the time we spent together he knew that my father had died and he didn't tell me. What made up my mind to leave him was that he also knew that he had made my mother pregnant and he was my biological father. And he didn't tell me for months. When I found out, I was furious that he knew and wouldn't tell me. I saw that as selfish -- he was USING me for sex without any show of genuine affection. It was deceitful. I couldn't tolerate living with a man like that so I packed my things and left."

Goldman was surprised at the revelation but admired the candor.

"If you join our team, Eric, you will be providing a service to men who also want you only as a sex partner. They will be using you just as your former partner did. Does that bother you?"

"I see the situation as quite different. The clients I serve won't be concealing information that I have a right to know. It will be strictly business."

"That's right. Now I need to see what you have to offer. Would you take off your clothes, please?"

Eric knew that would be asked of him. Mike and Larry had told him what to expect and gave him advice on how to handle the situation. In fact, they had coached him as he practiced in front of them. He first took off his shoes and socks and then stood. His movements were neither rushed nor unnaturally slow as he removed his shirt and laid it across the back of his chair. He maintained eye contact with Goldman as he unbuckled his belt and unzipped his fly. The man watched with obvious interest as Eric pushed his trousers down to fall around his ankles. He pretended to adjust his cock through the fabric of his white cotton jockey shorts to draw attention to the dimensions of the bulge. He put his thumbs under the waistband of his shorts and began to push them down slowly, revealing a thick, black pubic bush and then the base of his cock. Goldman's eyes were riveted to Eric's crotch. The teen gradually revealed more of his manhood until it was fully exposed to view and swung out from the constraining waist band. He paused for just a few moments to allow the attentive man to visually inspect the merchandise but then turned around to display the rounded checks of his ass. He pushed his shorts down to his ankles quickly but took his time bending over double to remove his trousers and shorts from around his ankles. Goldman was impressed with the inviting pucker that peeked out at him. Finally, Eric faced the man, scratched his dangling balls, and asked, "Are my qualifications adequate, Sir?"

"Very nice. Very nice, indeed. From your performance, I suspect Mike told you what to expect and how to behave. Am I right?"

"He gave me some advice," Eric said. Then he added, hoping to prevent Goldman from probing into details of the briefing and rehearsal, "I believe it's important to be prepared, which is what I would do for your clients."

"That's good," Goldman said. "Now there's something else I need to see."

Eric was confused. And worried. What else was there to see? He searched his memory for anything that Mike and Larry might have said about a continuation of the strip tease and drew a complete blank.

"Please be seated," Goldman said. Eric complied. "I need to see you erect. Can you get yourself hard for me?"

That was definitely not in the script that Mike and Larry had coached him on. Nor was it a routine part of the selection process that Max usually followed. However, he asked it of Eric solely for the purpose of prolonging the opportunity to enjoy the sight of Eric's exquisitely masculine form.

There was only one acceptable answer to Max's request: "Yes, Sir." Eric began fondling himself and in spite of the tension he felt he was able to rouse his cock to a fully upright stance.

"Impressive," Goldman said in a rare statement of admiration. "Just one more thing, if you don't mind. I'd like to see how long you can maintain your erection. Do whatever you like to keep it up while I ask you a few more questions."

For the next thirty minutes, the questions were completely bland. None of them dealt with anything sexual. To sustain his hard-on, Eric was forced to keep half his mind focused on the extremely erotic encounters with Mike and the fantasies that had served him well in the past to achieve full arousal. The other half of his mind was more than adequate to carry on a conversation with Goldman. Just when his cock seemed to tire of waiting for orgasmic release, the man said, "Very good, young man. The job is yours."

"Thank you, Sir."

"You can get dressed. I'll leave you now. I have some other business to attend to. I'll send Justin in with some forms for you to fill out -- just the standard employment forms along with a nondisclosure agreement. Welcome aboard."

Eric didn't have time to dress. Justin, the barely clad hunk who answered the door bell and was obviously just outside the closed door of Goldman's office, burst into the room. His eyes did a quick but thorough reconnaissance of Eric's naked body with particular attention to the still semi-hard cock. "My, my," he said. "I knew you were attractive when I first saw you but I was wrong. You're GORGEOUS! You're going to be a star in the agency." He then sat behind the desk but kept his eyes on the Adonis before him.

Eric succumbed to the flattering comments and yielded to a mischievous urge. He dressed very slowly, making an obvious effort to display his crotch and ass to the awestruck Justin who sat entranced, overcome with feelings of reverence, admiration, and lust. When Eric was fully dressed and seated, Justin said, "Gawd! You've given me a raging hard-on!" Surprisingly, he stood, lowered his bikini briefs, and adjusted his long, stiff rod to an upright and more comfortable position. He fondled himself briefly while Eric watched in wonder.

"Keep doing that," Eric said, "and you'll give me a hard-on."

"Mustn't do that," Justin grinned. "It could lead to something. Max would not approve. He has this hang-up about monogamy."

"So you and he...?"

"As if you didn't know already!" Justin laughed. "Yes, we've been together for three years."

Eric's curiosity trumped his sense of decorum and he asked, "Is it more than a purely physical relationship? Is there a genuine affection between you?"

"Yes and no," Justin replied. "For the first few weeks we were just sex buddies. I was his boy toy. But then the magic happened. I love him and he loves me."

"I think that's wonderful," Eric gushed. "You're both very lucky to have each other."

<><><><><>

When Eric arrived home there was a phone message. "Hi, buddy. It's Mike. Give me a call as soon as you can. I'm dying to find out how the meeting with Max Goldman went."

Eric's first call was to Mike to report everything that happened in the interview with no details left out. Mike was surprised at what he called the `erection endurance' test but elated that Eric was hired. His second call was to a realtor to list the house in Denton.

To be continued

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Iatia's ideas, encouragement, and editing made significant contributions to this story.