Chapter Seven
“Hey, you here?” Jason called out as he entered Ben’s Chicago apartment.
Jason hung his jacket in the hall closet before walking through to the bedroom. Ben’s voice drifted out from behind the closed door of the second bedroom, which he used as a home office. He smiled as he heard Ben trying to woo somebody for the upcoming fundraiser for an LGBTQ teen support group.
He got the boring job of unpacking done. At the bottom of his duffel were four Christmas presents he’d brought. They weren’t wrapped yet due to airline regulations, but they were hidden in shopping bags. He needed to find time to wrap them and get them under the tree. The trick was distracting Ben so he could get it done. He quickly got his stuff put away, some shirts hanging in the closet and everything else in the drawer Ben had cleared out for him the first time he’d visited..
“Hey, Jay. Where are you?” Ben called out.
“Bedroom.”
Jason quickly zipped the bag and placed it in the closet, since that’s where it usually stayed when he was here.
“Oh, man, it’s good to see you!” Ben wrapped Jason in a bear hug. “Merry almost-Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Jason kissed Ben gently on the lips. Feeling the stubble around Ben’s mouth made him moan. It was so good getting the burn from his rough whiskers. Ben opened his mouth and Jason’s tongue went right in.
“I miss you more than I thought possible,” Ben said through the kisses. “It’s been the slowest week ever.”
“Right? I swear someone played with the clocks.” Jason moved to nibble on Ben’s neck. He pushed the collar of Ben’s button-down out of the way with his nose so he could get at some skin. Ben shuddered as he licked and bit along his jaw line.
The phone rang in the office. Jason kept nibbling but also expecting Ben to step back. After two rings though he showed no signs of letting go.
“You don’t need to get that?”
“That’s what voicemail is for.” Ben held on tighter.
That surprised Jason, but he certainly wasn’t going to argue. He kept on kissing, biting, and nibbling his way along the edge of Ben’s stubble. Ben moaned as Jason went over the extra-sensitive area just above Ben’s Adam’s apple. Ben’s cock pulsed against Jason’s leg. Jason ground his hips back in response as his own cock hardened.
Jason switched from hugging Ben to unbuttoning Ben’s shirt. The space was narrow as Ben kept his embrace, but Jason had to see more skin. He opened three buttons before he couldn’t go further. He did the next, best thing—slipped a hand in and tweaked a nipple.
Ben held onto his man and moved them across the room as they kissed. At the bed, Ben pushed Jason back very gently on the mattress. Jason sat up on his elbows and watched as Ben slowly unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his fuzzy chest, all the way down to the belly button. After holding the pose for a moment, he took the shirt off and tossed it at Jason.
“Whoo-hoo!” Jason caught the shirt and swung it over his head, keeping his eyes locked on the strip show.
“You like this?” Ben flashed a sly grin, and slipped his belt from around his waist.
“Yes, yes I do. And I want to see what’s in there.” Jason dropped the shirt and pointed to the bulge in Ben’s jeans. “You were poking me pretty good.”
“This?” Ben grabbed his crotch, forcing the outline of his cock to be more pronounced. Jason came forward and sat up on the edge of the bed. He licked his lips as Ben opened the top button of his fly, revealing black briefs.
Jason reached out, but Ben slapped his hand away and stepped back.
“Uh-uh. No touching. What kind of a place do you think we’re running here?”
Jason hadn’t seen this side of Ben. The thrill of the tease filled him with a rush of anticipation. His cock wasn’t happy all jammed in his pants, but the buildup would be worth it.
Ben popped the rest of the buttons in a single, fluid movement. The wet spot on his briefs gave away his excitement, and his package strained at the waistband. Jason’s mouth watered, wanting Ben’s thickness. He held back the urge to pounce.
Ben kicked off his sneakers and ever so slowly slid the denim down, revealing his quads before letting the pants fall so he could kick them aside.
The phone rang again and Ben acted as though he couldn’t hear it. Instead he turned and bent over so his underwear stretched tight over his ass.
“Best butt ever,” Jason said as Ben looked at him through his legs.
Ben stood and lowered his briefs to reveal some cheek.
“Yeah, man, take it off!”
Ben slid the briefs off and stepped out of them, shaking his ass. After a few seconds, while still doing his jiggle dance, he turned to face Jason. His erection bobbed up and down, side to side, as he gyrated to whatever beat played in his head.
Jason couldn’t hold back any more. He pulled his sweater and T-shirt off in one move and quickly stood to kick off his sneakers and drop his jeans and boxers. He’d never stripped faster.
“You’re gorgeous.” Ben stepped forward, bringing them together. “We need to find a way to be in the same city. I need to see your hotness in person, every day. It’s not the same on FaceTime.”
Ben crashed into Jason’s mouth, ratcheting up the intensity. He lifted Jason off his feet with a hug, and Jason took the opportunity to wrap his legs around Ben. Shockwaves of desire flooded him.
Jason pulled back from the kiss. “I want you to f*** me. Right now.”
“Wow, really? Now?” Ben’s sounded equal parts surprised and excited.
“Yes. It’s time to take the plunge.”
So far Jason had topped Ben, but it had never gone the other way. They’d tried a couple of times, but Jason was always too tight. Over the past month, Jason had practiced, using a variety of toys. Jason wanted a Christmas present for them both to lose his virginity in this department.
“Let’s lay you back on the bed.” Ben took a couple steps forward.
“Uh-uh. Like this. I want to be wrapped around you.”
Ben’s eyes blazed.
“No one’s ever let me do that. They’re afraid I’ll drop them.”
Jason looked Ben square in the eye. “I trust you completely.”
Ben took a deep breath and grinned. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Jason loved how happy Ben was.
“You’re going to have to get down for a second so we can get to the lube.”
Jason released his hold, and Ben loosened his grip so Jason could stand. Jason quickly went to the nightstand to grab the lube.
“You know,” Ben said, “there’s another first here too?”
Jason nodded. “I’ve looked forward to it all week.”
Another present they gave to each other was an HIV test, confirming they were negative. With their exclusivity, condoms could stay in the drawer.
“Me too. Ready?”
Jason nodded.
This time Ben lifted under Jason’s ass and raised him up. Jason was always awed, and very turned on, at how easily Ben lifted him. Jason weighed 165 pounds, but Ben always made it seem much less than that. Jason didn’t often take a submissive role, but he loved the power Ben exuded.
Ben used his grip on Jason’s butt to spread his cheeks wide, and he lowered Jason gently onto his hardness.
“We go as slow as you need.”
[Time for you all to use your imagination...]
“That was absolutely incredible,” Ben said when he caught his breath. “You’re amazing, Jay.”
Jason planted a soft kiss. “Nah. I’m just along for the ride. You did the big work.”
Ben walked over to the bed and placed Jason on the soft comforter. As Ben moved him, his cock slipped out.
“Awwwww. You didn’t have to let that happen.” Jason offered a sly grin.
“You can have more later—anytime you want.”
Jason slid himself across the bed to get to the pillows. Ben crawled over the covers and joined him. He snuggled in next to Jason and draped an arm over his chest.
“I should’ve become versatile years ago.”
“It means a lot that I’m your first.” As if on cue Ben’s phone rang again. “Oh my God. What do these people want?”
“You’re a successful businessman. People need your services.” Jason idly ran his hands through Ben’s hair. “It’s good the phone rings.”
“Right now the only person that’s important is my man.”
Jason turned and kissed Ben, who pulled Jason into an embrace. Ben curled one leg around Jason’s as their bodies pressed together.
The two kissed and wrapped around each other for several minutes before the phone rang again.
“Next time I’m turning the ringer off.” Ben repositioned himself and looked at Jason. “So listen, I’ve had an idea over the past week. And, well, I don’t know. maybe it’s too soon. But, Jay, you see, I really love you. I know it’s only been three months of back and forth between here and New York. But I’m tired of the travel. What if one of us moves?
Jason nodded. He’d thought about this a lot. Ben was the most incredible person he’d ever met—smart, driven, truly making his way with his own company and a solid set of principles. It inspired Jason.
“I’d like to spend every day with you, too.” Jason paused for a moment to take in Ben stretched out beside him. “I think now is a good time for one of your Christmas presents.”
Ben looked confused.
“It’s okay. I promise there’s a connection.”
Jason got up and padded over to the closet. He pulled out one of the gifts from his bag. Ben’s view was blocked so Jason considered a moment how to present the gift that currently did not look festive.
“Close your eyes.”
“Come on. If I do that, I don’t get to see your hot, naked self come back to bed.”
“If you want this present, you’re going to have to do it.” Jason turned so he could make sure he complied. “No peeking, now. Close ’em.”
“Okay,” Ben said, giving it his best fake-perturbed voice.
Jason got back on the bed and sat down cross-legged facing Ben. He placed the flat bag in front of him.
“Open your eyes.”
“Awwww, you shouldn’t have. I’ve always wanted something from Shop Rite.”
“Don’t be a jerk.” Jason playfully slapped the side of Ben’s head.
Jason put his hand on the bag as Ben reached for it. “I hope you like this, and I hope I’m not too presumptuous.” He took his hand away.
Ben sat up with his back against the headboard and picked up the package. He felt along its edges and outlined a flat object that was about the size of a standard sheet of paper. Giving Jason a perplexed look, he slid a bright blue folder out of the bag.
Ben opened the folder to reveal a piece of gray parchment paper attached to the folder at the corners. Jason watched him read the document and fought the urge to say the words out loud because he knew them by heart.
Announcing J&B Works. Events and marketing tailored to your specific needs. Event specialist Ben Stewart and marketer Jason Karn have joined forces to create a dynamic one-stop shop. With a passion for non-profits and clients who want to make a positive impact, J&B Works can get your message out to the masses and bring you success.
At the bottom, in smaller print, the text continued: New York? Chicago? New city? What’s the website address? Heck, what’s the office address? Or the phone number? Should the company even be called J&B Works? Is Ben going to go for this idea?
Ben chuckled before looking up at Jason, who was shocked to find tears at the edges of his boyfriend’s eyes.
“Serious?”
“Very.”
A single tear escaped down Ben’s left cheek. “This is the most amazing gift ever. I would love to work with you.”
Ben got to his knees and moved in front of Jason. He wrapped his arms around Jason’s shoulders and kissed him deeply.
“This is quite the move for you too.” Ben kept the loose hold on Jason. “I know you’ve wanted to break out of your job, but this is exciting, going out on your own.”
“Not completely on my own. I’d have you. Yeah, this is scary striking out like this, but with you it seems doable. I think it’ll be fun too.”
“It’s the perfect gift.” Ben’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think anything I got you will compare.”
“You accepting this is plenty.” Jason guided them down so they could snuggle. Their kisses had just begun when the phone rang—again.
“Ugh.” Ben buried his face against Jason’s shoulder.
Jason laughed. “You should answer. It might be one of our future joint clients calling.”
“Good point.” Ben rolled off the bed and bolted from the room.
Fun fact: I’m inspired by people who do work that truly helps others, and doing the bike ride brought that into such sharp focus for me. Everything from social workers, teachers, those who work for non-profits and the companies that support non-profits (like the companies that help run and manage the Northeast AIDS Ride). In particular, when I wrote this story I lamented that my job didn’t do anything to better the world, so I channeled that into Ben and Jason. I’m happy to report that in the years since I wrote this, my day job has much more meaning now as I consult with companies large and small to help them make their websites accessible for everyone. I’ve also written many more stories that bring characters to the page who work for, or support, good causes.
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