Second Thoughts Read online

  …Jesse went into the bedroom and stripped for his shower. He looked at himself in the full-length mirror.

  Didn’t do too much damage with the moussaka and the cake. He ran his hand over his washboard abs. Better go for a run before the workout at the gym anyway. His man liked him ripped and toned.

  Stepping into the warm spray, he began to lather his body. He paid particular attention to his balls and ass. He began to fantasize what he had hoped would be happening about then if Denny hadn’t been assigned that flight. As he continued to massage his erect cock and rocks, he pushed a finger past the sphincter ring and began to massage his chute. He added more soap to the mix and began to stroke harder and faster, all the while picturing the hairy, muscular torso of his lover positioned above him, smiling as he pumped his thick manhood into his hole.

  Wishing he had three hands, he removed one hand from his ass and began to massage his nipples. That connection between his tits and cock was true to form, and before Jesse was really ready, he began to shoot ropes of creamy, white cum onto the walls of the shower stall. What happened at that moment surprised and unnerved him. In his mind’s eye, Denny had faded, Nick taking his place.

  “Oh…yes, Nicky. Yeah, man, fuck me. Nick, fuck me.”

  Trembling, Jesse steadied himself with one hand against the wall, while he pumped the last dribbles of cum from his soap-covered cock.

  Where did that come from? Shit, I know where it came from. That dude is one hot number. Better watch myself when Dennis gets home. Don’t want to be screaming out somebody else’s name when I’m with him…

  ALSO BY TERRY O’REILLY

  The Search For Soaring Hawk

  BY

  TERRY O’REILLY

  AMBER QUILL PRESS, LLC

  http://www.AmberQuill.com AN AMBER QUILL PRESS BOOK This book is a work of fiction.

  All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

  Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com All rights reserved.

  No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

  Copyright © 2010 by Terry O’Reilly ISBN 978-1-60272-739-7 Cover Art © 2010 Trace Edward Zaber

  Layout and Formatting provided by: Elemental Alchemy

  PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  This book is dedicated to Dave Lake, for his help, encouragement and love.

  A huge thank you to Drew Hunt for his continued support of my work.

  CHAPTER 1

  The phone was ringing.

  “Damn,” Jesse exclaimed as he placed the hot moussaka pan he had just taken out of the oven onto the stove top. He pulled off his oven mitts, reached for the handset and checked the caller ID.

  “Dennis Christopoulos! You better not be calling to tell me—” he said aloud before pressing the accept call button. “Hello, Denny, where the hell are you? You’re supposed to be walking in the door, not calling me on the phone.”

  “Sorry, babe,” came the response.

  Jesse recognized the apologetic tone in his boyfriend’s voice. Here we go again.

  “I’m in Detroit. I was waiting for a flight stand-by to get back to Chicago, and they asked me to take another trip. One of the attendants called in sick…last minute.”

  “Shit, Dennis!”

  “I know. You’re upset—”

  “Upset? Hell, yes, I am. It’s our anniversary! I got the table all set on the patio, the candles ready to light and a fuckin’ moussaka—”

  “That’s moussa-ka,” Denny interrupted.

  “What?” replied a flustered Jesse.

  “It’s moussa-ka,” said Denny accenting the last syllable. “You pronounced it wrong.”

  “Shit, whatever!” Jesse said trying to contain his irritation. “Moussaka, moussa-ka…it’s coagulating on the stove. Couldn’t you tell them no just once? This is the third time this month.”

  “Jess, please.” Denny was trying to sound soothing. He was speaking in his sexy low baritone. “You know how things are at the airline. They’re laying off attendants right and left with the merger with Delta. I gotta be co-operative. Please, sweetheart, don’t be mad.”

  As usual, when handsome Dennis Christopoulos turned on the charm, Jesse melted.

  “Okay, I’m sorry I got mad, but, Jesus, Denny, it’s our anniversary. You’re way over your allotted flight time this month. Where are they sending you? Not out of the country again? When will you be home?”

  “No, not out of the country. It’s just to Miami. Then the return flight is tomorrow evening and it’s direct to O’Hare. I won’t have to hitch a ride to get home. Okay? I got a big anniversary package to share with you, babe. I’m rubbin’ it right now!”

  Jesse smiled at the thought of that big anniversary package. Denny was hung, and being that he was a short guy with a gymnast’s build, the size contrast made it seem even bigger. He caved all the way. “Okay, okay, I forgive you. Just be sure I get to unwrap that package as soon as you get home. None of that ‘I’m too tired stuff’ this time,” Jesse admonished, but with a smile in his voice.

  “I promise. Hey, I gotta go. They’re givin’ us the crew call. Time to be briefed. See you tomorrow.”

  “Denny?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Happy Anniversary.”

  “Oh, yeah, Happy Anniversary, Jess.”

  “I love you—”

  “Yeah…here, too. Gotta go. ’Bye.”

  Jesse sighed and hung up. He looked at the steaming moussaka still bubbling on the stove, then at Shelby, the blue tick/beagle mutt he and Denny had adopted on their last anniversary. She raised her head, looking up at him with her soulful brown eyes. Jesse crouched down and scratched behind her long, soft ears.

  “Well, girl, guess it’s just you and me, again. Ya want some moussaka? Just as a special treat, now. Can’t be gettin’ people food all the time. You’ll get fat.”

  Shelby licked Jesse’s hand. He stood up.

  “We have to wait a bit till the moussaka sets up; otherwise, it’ll be too runny.”

  Shelby got up and sat next to Jesse, stretching her nose to the countertop, as if she understood what had been offered. Jesse went ahead and tossed the salad with Caesar dressing. He was just about to sprinkle the Parmesan when the door chime rang.

  Shelby was up and off to the door in a flash. Her strange crooning bark filled the room as she ran out of the kitchen. “Shelby, that’ll do!” Jesse was right behind her.

  Mrs. Kloswick, their sometimes-nice, sometimes-crabby, always-nosey, next-door neighbor in the row of townhouses, hated Shelby’s bark, although she liked the dog well enough otherwise, it seemed.

  “That’ll do,” he repeated as he reached for a doggie treat from a small basket that hung from a bracket next to the door. Shelby immediately stopped baying and sat.

  “Good girl,” Jesse said, giving her the treat and petting her head.

  He peeked through the peephole and saw a young man standing on the stoop, hands in his pockets, bouncing on his toes. Jesse didn’t recognize the guy, but immediately appreciated the set of muscles displayed in the tight-fitting, sleeveless tee he wore. Jesse opened the door. Shelby stood up and furiously wagged her tail.

  “Hey,” a deep voice sounded, “I’m your new neighbor, other side of Mrs…Klos…Klos?”

  “Kloswick,” Jesse offered. Shelby now took it upon herself to give the new neighbor a proper welcome. She walked out on the stoop to sniff his crotch and then jumped on him to try to
lick his face.

  “Shelby, down,” Jesse ordered.

  “Hey, no problem,” the young man said as he crouched and ruffled both of the dog’s long, silky ears and let her give his chin a good cleaning.

  “Got one of my own,” he said, standing. “Clyde’s a basset. His main goal in life is to get my attention. Yeah, kinda like you, Shelby,” he said, bending to stroke the dog’s head once more.

  If first impressions counted for anything, Jesse was impressed. The guy had looks, muscles and loved dogs: the trifecta. If this had been a couple of years ago, before Denny, he definitely would be a person of interest. Not that Jesse wasn’t interested now. Just not in the same way.

  “What can I do for you?” Jesse asked.

  “Can I use your phone? They haven’t hooked up my landline. My cell is dead and I can’t find where I packed the charger.”

  “Sure, come on in.” Jesse held the door and his new neighbor entered, followed by an adoring Shelby. As the man passed by, Jesse had a chance to check out his cute little butt, which matched the rest of his muscular body.

  The guy turned around. Jesse brought his eyes up just in time. “I’m Nick, by the way,” he said, offering his hand. “Nick Warden.”

  Jesse took the proffered hand. It was warm and the grip firm. “Nice to meet you. Jesse, Jesse Jamison. Yeah, yeah, I get that a lot,” he said, laughing as Nick raised both hands as if Jesse James, the outlaw, had pulled a revolver. “The phone is over here,” he added, pointing to the handset on the coffee table. “You got a problem in the condo?”

  “Yeah, the electric stove doesn’t work. I tried the breaker box and the coil insert. No luck. I’m calling the super to see if there’s anything he can do tonight.”

  “Good luck with that.” Jesse laughed as he returned to the kitchen to finish the salad he had started. He checked the moussaka. It was ready for serving.

  A few moments later, Nick came into the room. “Thanks for the phone. They can’t do anything until tomorrow, so I guess it’s McDonald’s again tonight. Hey, that smells great.”

  Jesse looked from Nick to the food that was now ready to be served. On an impulse, he said, “Why don’t you stay for dinner?”

  “Oh, geez! I didn’t mean…I mean I wasn’t hinting…” Nick was clearly embarrassed.

  “No problem, man. I got more than enough here.”

  “Well, okay if you say so,” Nick replied, the color that had risen into his cheeks receding.

  “Come on. We’ll eat on the patio.”

  He handed Nick the salad, picked up the moussaka and indicated Nick should follow him. When they reached the patio with its neatly set table for two, candles, flowers and champagne cooling in a bucket of ice, Nick stopped and said, “Are you expecting someone? Am I gonna create a problem here?”

  Jesse sighed. “No, my boyfriend was supposed to come home tonight to celebrate our anniversary.” He thought he detected a trace of disappointment cross Nick’s handsome face. “He’s an attendant for Northwest…no, make that Delta,” said Jesse, reminding himself of the merger that was intent on interfering with his love life. “But he couldn’t make it…had to work…at the last minute.” Jesse felt his irritation at being stood up…again. It seemed to be happening a lot lately. “So, I guess you’ll just have to stand in for him.” Then realizing the implication of what he had just said, added, “Just for dinner, of course.” Now it was his turn to blush.

  Nick chuckled softly. “I understand.”

  Jesse popped the cork on the champagne and poured them each a glass. “This might as well not go to waste, either.”

  Just then Shelby whined loudly.

  “Oh, shit, I forgot,” Jesse said. “I promised her she could have a taste of the moussaka.” He got up and ran to the kitchen, grabbed a plate and the basket of rolls he had forgotten, then returned to the patio. While he was gone, Nick had lighted the candles.

  “Hope you don’t mind,” he said with a smile that made Jesse shiver on the inside.

  “No, no not at all. That’s what they’re for.” He returned the smile.

  When he sat down, Nick commented, “You spoil her just like I do Clyde. I can’t help it, though. He was a rescue, and I just remember how forlorn he looked in that pen when I went to the shelter looking for a dog. Those big, sad eyes of his…and skinny? Man, I don’t understand how anyone can treat a dog that way.”

  Jesse had been serving the moussaka while Nick was talking.

  “Yeah, I know. Shelby was a pound pup, too.” He placed her dish with a fair helping of the main course on the patio bricks as he spoke. She dived into it with gusto and was finished before Jesse had finished serving Nick.

  “No, sweetheart, that’s all.” He laughed as she sat wagging her tail, begging for more.

  “How long have you had her?”

  “She was my anniversary present a year ago. I begged and begged Denny for a dog. Denny—that’s my boyfriend—finally gave in. He wanted to go the purebred route, but there are so many great dogs that need homes. I convinced him to check out some of the rescue sites. That’s where we found her. Didn’t we, girl?” he said, reaching down and offering her a piece of bread.

  “Denny says I spoil her, too. He really doesn’t care too much for dogs. He never had one growing up. Oh, he likes Shelby well enough, but she’s really my dog.”

  “You know what he’s getting you this year?”

  I got a big anniversary package to share with you, babe. I’m rubbin’ it right now. Jesse recalled his earlier conversation with Denny. He smiled. “It’s kind of a surprise, but I have a pretty good idea of what it is.”

  The two men ate, and the conversation continued.

  “How long have you two been together?” Nick asked. “This is great moussaka by the way,” he added.

  “Thanks. This is two years. Pretty good record for the gay world.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m finding out.”

  Jesse raised his eyes to Nick’s. So, you do play for our team.

  “Just finding someone who wants more than a hook-up is hard enough, let alone an LTR. How did you guys meet?”

  “Well, did I mention he was a flight attendant?”

  Nick nodded.

  “I guess you could say he picked me up.” Jesse smiled at the memory. “I was coming home from a convention in St. Louis. He was the attendant on the flight. Talk about a flirt. Man, he came on to me like gangbusters. I was sitting on the aisle, and he made sure he had to lean over me to help the lady sitting by the window…TMI, right?” Jesse laughed.

  Nick smiled.

  “Anyway, we got off the plane. He asked if I had time to meet him for a drink after he checked out, and so I did. We dated for a few months and then I asked him to move in with me. He lived in Detroit. So, now he has to commute to work.” They both laughed.

  By the end of the meal, the night had turned chilly. Jesse invited Nick in for black cherry ice cream cake. They sat on the couch in the living room and talked some more. Jesse was definitely enjoying his evening with his new neighbor. When they finished dessert, he offered Nick an after-dinner drink, which he refused.

  “You said you were at a convention in St. Louis when you met Denny? Is this him?” Nick asked, picking up the photo of Jesse and a dark, handsome man who stood leaning against the rail on the deck of a ship, arms around each other’s waist.

  “Yes, that’s my Dennis. We were on a cruise to Acapulco.”

  “Very nice. He looks Italian.”

  “He’s Greek. Christopoulos is his last name.”

  Nick replaced the photo.

  Jesse continued, “You asked about the convention. I’m a rep for a textbook company. Was there to be briefed on the new line. I used to teach science, but the lack of pay got in the way, so to speak. I took the easy way out and got this job representing the company’s line of science texts. What about you?”

  “I’m gonna be teaching junior high math this fall.”

  “Oooh, sorry, man.
Hey, teaching is great, though. I don’t mean to dis it. It just wasn’t takin’ me where I wanted to go.”

  “No offense. I may be thinking the same after a couple of years. This is my first teaching job. I was in the army for two years after college. Don’t ask me why. I just felt it was my duty or something.”

  “See any action?”

  “No, did my whole tour at Bennington, tutoring recruits who couldn’t read.”

  They both laughed.

  Just then Shelby got up from where she was dozing, walked over, sat down and laid her head on Jesse’s lap.

  “Time for her w-a-l-k.” Jesse spelled out the word. It did no good. Shelby stood, crooned her strange bark and trotted over to the door.

  “They’re pretty smart, smarter than we give them credit for,” Nick said. “I better get home. Clyde will want to go for his walk, too. Let’s get these dishes done, though. I hate to stick you with them.”

  “Nah, won’t take me that long. Besides, I don’t think the princess here will wait.”

  Jesse had enjoyed Nick’s company so much he didn’t want the evening to end just yet. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you and Clyde join us? There’s a dog park a couple of blocks over. We can take ’em there and let them get acquainted. They’re gonna be neighbors after all.”

  “Great.”

  Jesse noted genuine enthusiasm in Nick’s acceptance.

  Jesse got his light jacket and Shelby’s leash out of the hall closet. She stood, wagging her tail for all it was worth, as he clipped the leash to her collar. The two men stepped outside. The late summer night had turned chilly.

  “I better get a jacket, too,” Nick said as he went into his townhouse, two doors from Jesse’s.

  When he came outside, he donned a U of M hoodie and had Clyde on a leash. The two dogs pulled against their restraints when they saw one another. Once they were allowed contact, they sniffed noses and then all the other body parts that are necessary in doggy etiquette.

  “Good thing we don’t have those rituals,” Jesse said with a laugh.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Could prove interesting,” Nick rejoined.