Swap Meet (5 page)

“Hello?” Confusion colored Chris’ voice. Max figured he didn’t receive a lot of

international calls and hadn’t recognized the number.

“Chris? It’s Max.”

“Oh.” Chris sounded surprised. “How—how are you?”

“Well. And you?”

“Great.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t call before this.” Max fidgeted with the cuff of his shirt. “I’ve

been very busy.”

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“I understand. It’s been hectic here too.”

Max could hear boisterous voices in the background. He was reminded of a frat

house with all the laughing and shouting. The voices faded a bit and Max realized Chris

was moving away from them to some place a bit more private.

“I’m coming to Houston,” Max said. “I wondered if I might see you tomorrow

night.” There was no mistaking the hopefulness in his voice.

“I’d like that very much.”

Relieved, Max practically melted into the seat. “I’ll be in town for a few days.”

“After today’s shift, I’m off until Saturday morning.”

Max swallowed and carefully made his invitation. “I have a penthouse suite booked

through Saturday. I’d like to make you dinner. We could do whatever you’d like after

that,” he finished softly, praying he didn’t sound tasteless.

“I can think of a few things I’d like to do,” Chris said, a hint of a smile in his voice.

Blood pounded through Max’s veins. He throbbed with desire. “Oh?”

Chris started to speak but a horrid racket exploded in the background. Startled by

the noise, Max listened intently as a stilted woman’s voice followed the alarm. Chris

was being notified of a fire.

“Shit!” Chris exhaled loudly. “I have to go. Call me when you land?”

“Yes. Of course,” Max replied, a bit thrown by the abrupt end to their call. “Good

luck,” he added dumbly.

Chris laughed. “Thanks.”

The line went dead. Max stared at the paper between his fingertips. Until that

moment, Chris’ occupation had been merely a fact stowed away in his thoughts. He

was suddenly faced with the reality of such a career. In an instant, Chris went from

flirtatious to serious. Somewhere in Houston, someone waited desperately for Chris’

arrival, for his lifesaving skills. Max couldn’t fathom how Chris managed to deal with

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that level of responsibility. And the danger of such a position! Fighting fires was extremely dangerous.

Max found it all slightly unsettling. But it wasn’t as if there was anything serious

between them. This was simply a fling, wasn’t it?

* * * * *

Max cast a nervous glance around the dining room. He ran his finger over the

gleaming walnut table and adjusted a taper, the flame flickering a bit. He moved the

platter of cheeses, toasted bread, fresh fruit and crudités to the opposite end of the table.

Meandering back into the kitchen with its stainless appliances and fully stocked

shelves, Max peeked into the refrigerator and tasted the zesty bean salad. He checked

the ingredients he’d prepped for their main course and hoped Chris would enjoy the

cognac shrimp.

A loud knock drew his attention. Apprehension rippled through him. Max self-

consciously touched his hair and smoothed his shirt. As he made his way through the

suite to answer the door, he surveyed the rooms. The suite was magnificently

appointed with sleek yet welcoming furniture and every amenity a guest could possibly

request. Max wanted everything to be perfect for Chris’ arrival.

Hand trembling slightly, Max unlocked and opened the door. Chris loomed in the

doorway looking ever so sexy in his jeans and dove-gray polo. The impact of his

delicious scent sent Max’s pulse racing. Max wrestled down the urge to throw himself

at Chris, to bury his nose against his neck and inhale the smell of man and spice that

was so perfectly Chris. Instead he stepped aside and grinned.

Chris walked past, a medium-size overnight bag slung over his shoulder. “This is

nice.”

“It’s my preferred suite when I’m in Houston.” Max shut the door and turned the

lock. Chris dropped his bag near a couch and crossed to the panoramic window

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overlooking Houston. He gazed out over the skyline for a few moments before turning

toward Max with a broad grin on his face. Max’s heart swelled at the sight.

“This is an amazing view.” Chris drew closer until he stood only a few inches from

Max. He reached out and grazed his fingernails over Max’s cheek. “So is this.”

The breath rushed from Max’s lungs as Chris cupped his cheek and kissed him, his

lips moving slowly, searching. Max wound his arms around Chris’ shoulders and

brushed his fingers over the man’s nape. His other hand drifted lower until it cupped

Chris’ ass through the denim. Chris made a hungry noise and pressed closer. Their stiff

cocks rubbed together through denim and the cotton of Max’s chinos.

Wanting to draw out the anticipation of their eventual lovemaking, Max broke their

kiss and rested his forehead against his lover’s. He held tight to Chris’ waist and

swallowed hard. “Are you hungry?”

Chris chuckled. “Always.”

Max took his hand and led him into the dining room. He poured glasses of wine

and described the various tasty delights on the platter. They sat down and noshed

while discussing their work weeks. Max found Chris’ rundown of his week infinitely

more interesting than his own. There wasn’t much difference from one business

meeting to another. Chris, on the other hand, attended a series of car accidents, a house

fire and even helped deliver a premature baby. Max’s tales of swooping in and buying

out a failing company didn’t really compare.

When Max moved into the kitchen to cook, Chris followed close behind. He didn’t

wait to be asked for help but pitched in immediately. Max found the experience of

cooking with his lover oddly domestic. Max watched Chris masterfully wield a chef’s

knife. “You know your way around the kitchen.”

“We cook three times a day at the station.” He turned that dazzling, heart-stopping

smile on Max. “It’s something of a novelty only cooking for two.”

“I’m sure.” Max shut off the flame beneath the bubbling pan of shrimp. Plates

balancing on his palms, Chris stepped close so Max could dish out portions of the

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delectable seafood. They returned to the dining room and took their seats. Conversation

flowed naturally as they ate and drank. By the time they started dessert, they’d

gravitated closer to one another. Max touched Chris’ strong forearm and hand. Chris

fed him a small bite of the creamy lemon and raspberry flan. Sexual tension sizzled

between them.

“Would you like to join me for a bath?” Max stroked Chris’ cheek. “The Whirlpool

tub is amazing.”

Interest flashed in Chris’ blue eyes. “Sounds great.”

When Chris started to gather up their dishes, Max placed a hand on his wrist.

“Leave it.”

Standing, Max switched his grip on Chris’ hand and led him through the master

suite to the sumptuous bathroom. It was all gleaming silver and marble and granite. He

dropped Chris’ hand and made his way to the tub. He fiddled with the water

temperature and hot tub settings until they were just right. When he turned around,

Chris reached for him and began undressing him. Max enjoyed the feeling of Chris’

hands moving over his body, tugging on buttons and zippers until he stood completely

nude. He returned the favor, taking his time to uncover every delicious inch of Chris’

muscular form.

They slid into the tub, Chris in front of Max, and relaxed. Max spilled a little

aromatherapy oil into the water. The invigorating scent of eucalyptus blossomed in the

hot water. The steam filled their noses. Max kneaded Chris’ broad shoulders,

concentrating on the knots of tension. Appreciative moans escaped Chris’ lips and the

sounds went straight to Max’s cock. It pulsed and hardened and pressed against Chris’

ass.

Chris reached back and slid his fingers into Max’s hair. Max peppered teasing

kisses along the curve of Chris’ shoulder and neck before placing their cheeks together.

They sat silently for a while, simply enjoying the soothing heat and bubbles. Chris

moved first, swiftly turning over and straddling Max’s lap. Water sloshed over the edge

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of the tub and saturated the thick bath rug. Max wound his arms around Chris and ran

his hands along the wide expanse of the man’s back, Chris’ sensual, slow kisses driving

Max to dizziness. He’d never been so consumed by another person’s tongue and mouth.

Chris tasted of lemon and cognac, a potent combination if there ever was one.

Chris gazed down at him. He caressed Max’s face. “I can’t wait. I need you now.”

Max suppressed a groan at the sight of Chris’ wet, glistening body emerging from

the bathtub. He stood still a moment and let water stream along his tanned skin before

stepping out on the rug. Max accepted his hand and allowed Chris to practically haul

him from the tub. They met in a rush of frantic kisses and groping hands. Their overwhelming need rendered reaching the bedroom impossible. They tumbled onto the

cold tile and attacked one another.

With stabbing tongues and grasping hands, they fought for domination. Eventually,

Max won and shoved Chris onto his belly. He clasped the fronts of Chris’ thighs and

lifted him onto all fours. Chris gasped sharply when Max probed between his ass

cheeks with the pointed tip of his tongue. Max had dreamed of eating his lover this way

for weeks. He nearly passed out from the excitement as he made those dreams a reality.

He palmed the globes of Chris’ bottom and held them wide, granting him better access.

His tongue traced and lapped at the hidden rosebud. Chris moaned and pressed back

against his mouth. Max delved even deeper into the crevice, working his tongue right

into Chris and fucking him ever so slowly with it.

“Max!” Chris rocked back and forth. His heavy breaths echoed in the room. “Oh

fuck, Max.”

Max sucked on the sensitive skin and plunged his tongue right back into Chris’

hole. His own cock quivered and pulsed as his level of arousal reached an alarming

state. There was something so primal and dirty about pleasuring his lover in this way.

Max realized he could eat Chris’ ass all day and night and never tire of it.

“No more,” Chris said with a strangled groan. He pulled away and faced Max.

With a gentle shove, Chris pushed Max onto the tile floor. Max shuddered at the

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sudden chill against his back but Chris quieted his complaint with a searing kiss. He

dragged his lips side to side over Max’s cheek. “I want your mouth.”

“Take it.” Max started to sit up but Chris shook his head. He crawled over Max,

settling his knees on either side of his head. Taking his fat cock in hand, Chris painted

Max’s lips with the oozing tip before sliding it inside his hungry mouth. Max’s tongue

flicked out and gathered the salty pre-cum from the blunt head. Chris gently pushed his

dick between Max’s lips. His thrusts were lazy and shallow. He chewed on his lower lip

and seemed to enjoy drawing out every stroke.

Other than clutching at Chris’ pumping hips, Max remained passive. He found

immense pleasure in being completely submissive to Chris. This was only his second

time sucking cock but judging from Chris’ groans and the expression of absolute

ecstasy contorting his features, Chris had no complaints. Max’s belly fluttered with

white-hot heat every time Chris’ cock bumped the back of his throat. His gag reflex

threatened to kick in but he didn’t pull back. He wanted to be completely at Chris’

mercy, wanted to know what it felt like to be owned by this virile man.

Chris moved faster. His nostrils flared as he pushed his cock in and out of Max’s

mouth. Saliva dribbled down Max’s chin. The wet click and suction of his lips around

Chris’ dick ricocheted off the walls. Max gripped Chris’ hips even tighter and relaxed

his jaw, taking as much of Chris’ wide, hard length into his mouth as possible. He

moaned, suddenly desperate to taste his lover’s cum.

Swearing loudly, Chris jerked and shot his hot, salty seed all over Max’s tongue.

Cheeks hollowing, Max swallowed and sucked and licked until Chris begged him to

stop. He pulled free, his slippery cock sliding against Max’s chin. Chris panted as he

crawled away from Max. With tender swipes of his thumb, he wiped away the spit and

cum clinging to Max’s lips and chin. Chris kissed him lovingly and Max closed his eyes,

loving how gentle Chris could be when warranted.

“Let’s get you off this hard floor and onto the bed,” Chris said, his fingers threading

through Max’s hair.

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They left the bathroom. Chris threw back the comforter and top sheet on the

massive king-size bed and gestured for Max to climb on in. Chris wasted no time