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"I knew it well because, where he was, life began." Felix Sizemore, the owner/undertaker of The Final Rest Mortuary, was a good friend of Father Chris. He also, just happened to be an old closet queen, a fact that he had revealed to Father Chris in the confessions he made every Thursday evening at St. Thaddeus. Chris had never admonished Felix for his gay activities, as they were actually harmless. Felix was technically still a virgin at the age of fifty-two. His 'sinful activities' were that he made regular visits to the Vane; but just to watch the young men dance, always leaving the gay bar alone, carrying with him enough fantasies stored in his memory to put him to sleep. Was he gay, or was he only guilty of impure thoughts on which he never acted? Chris had often wondered how his own situation differed from Felix's; so, he never rendered a judgment or penance on Felix after his confession. Felix did keep one dark secret from Father Chris, one that could get him arrested, as well as costing him his undertaker's license. Felix had embalmed hundreds of young men, who had died from AIDS, or any of a hundred other things that had taken their lives far too soon. He always wore disposable gloves, but he always seemed to take a little longer time than necessary, when washing the young male bodies. Felix never had sex with a corpse, but it was a predilection that bordered on necrophilia. No one had ever seen him so engaged, since he was always extremely discreet; but nonetheless, he often pleasured himself while touching a lifeless penis. He thought that this was one sin for which God would have to judge him directly, as no man or priest would ever learn of his surreptitious actions. To counteract his feeling of self-abasement, Felix offered cut-rates on caskets, funeral arrangements, and cremations to indigent young men. The profit margin he lost was easily replaced by raising his prices to adults who had burial insurance. Felix had known Mark ever since Mark's first visit to the Vane nearly two years ago. Mark had often been the object of midnight fantasies for Felix, so he was more than willing to cremate Mark for the nominal fee that SSI paid... a little over two-hundred-fifty dollars. David was very grateful, and thanked Felix. Felix told David he would need to go to the morgue and sign a release so Felix could pick up Mark's body, plus a second form to permit Mark to be cremated. David agreed, saying he and Chris would go directly to the morgue as soon as they left the mortuary. However, Felix reminded him that there was the matter of an urn or receptacle in which to store Mark's ashes. On these, Felix didn't offer a discount to anyone. If a family member could afford a five-hundred dollar urn, or maybe something even nicer - up to a two-thousand dollar copper container, Felix was more than happy to show them his wares. "But what if I decide not to keep Mark's ashes? What if I want to strew them in a field or lake? What kind of container would suffice?" "Oh!" Felix said, trying to cover his disappointment, "I... I do have the cardboard containers, which are supplied by UPS when I have to ship the remains to another address." "Felix, what do you charge for a damned cardboard box?" Chris asked, getting a bit edgy. "I suppose maybe ten dollars," Felix replied, lying through his teeth. Turning to David, Chris asked, "Would a cardboard box suit you?" "I... I suppose. I mean, I... I just don't know..." "Sold!" Chris said to Felix firmly. "Now, Felix, as long as I'm here, Thad Burton may be stopping by here looking for a similar arrangement for Alex..." "Alex passed?" Felix had thought often of the boy and his body. "Last night." "Oh, my Lord, I'm so sorry to hear that..." "What I want to know, Felix," Chris continued, "is can Thad get the same deal for Alex that you gave to David here for Mark?" "Well, I don't know... probably," Felix squirmed. "'Probably', my ass." When fighting for his friends, Chris was a tiger. "I want you to give Thad the same price, or you'll have more than a penance to pay come Thursday when you come to confession." Felix's stomach drew up into a knot as he wondered, How much does Father Chris know about… you-know-what? "Sure, Father! Tell Thad to drop by anytime." "Thanks, Felix, you're a true Catholic. God bless you!" Chris said, lifting his hand and making the sign of the cross toward Felix. "Thank you, Father." David looked at Chris with amazement, as they left the mortuary to head toward the county morgue. "Boy, you sure were rough on him..." "Oh, Felix loves authority. If he ever came out of the closet, he'd probably go to the nearest S&M club to get beaten or spanked. I think he'd love it!" "Felix is gay?" "David, I can't believe how naive you are. Felix practically has a neon sign on his back flashing 'men only.'" "Well, he... he was a bit effeminate, but that doesn't necessarily make him..." "He is," Chris interrupted, "only he doesn't know how to activate his gay membership card." "Are you serious? There are membership cards...?" Chris glanced at David and grinned. "David, are you sure you're from Virginia, and not West Virginia - that you're not one of those mountain rubes?" "My naiveté again?" "With a capital 'N' this time'!" David grinned ruefully, but spoke seriously. "Chris, I want to thank you for getting Mark that special deal at Felix's." "Felix will still make money, don't worry," Chris replied. "All kidding aside though, he really has been a great help to the gay community with his low prices. Back in the mid-eighties, when HIV and AIDS scared the hell out of everyone, no funeral home or undertaker would even consider taking a body with AIDS... that is, until Felix stepped up and said he wasn't afraid. He was the only undertaker, who would deal with the victims for several years, until the general public got better educated... and especially after AIDS began to show up in prominent social neighborhoods. Back then, AIDS was a gay disease, reserved for low-life's and unclean participants. Then word got out that one of the City Councilmen's daughters died from it. That scandal nearly ripped the dome off city hall. Suddenly all the more expensive funeral parlors were practically making bids for her body. Among the rich, it had almost become a status symbol. Stupid-ass jerks!" "Chris, would I offend you, if I say that your vocabulary shocks me a bit at times? I never heard a member of the clergy use profanity..." "Hell! Priests smoke, drink… do everything, I suppose… except sex. Some of us have gotten caught doing that, too. Swearing or cursing is no greater a sin for us than for the rest of humanity." Having gone that far, he thought he might as well let it all out. "They're using words like shit, pussy, and goddamn on the FX channel now. 'Fuck' is just around the corner. You ever watch NYPD Blue? The next-to-last season, Sipowitz was getting by with saying 'bullshit' and 'balls' on the ABC network." "Chris, am I really that out of step with the real world?" "Let's just say that in the two days I've known you, I've learned that your brother was a bit more in step with reality than you are… no offense!" After a bit, David remarked, "Even after two years, I still can't figure out why Mark was... well, you know, the way he was. We were always so much alike... or at least, I thought we were." "Don't sell yourself short. I'm sure you know more about the female anatomy than Mark ever knew." "I guess you're right. Come to think of it, Mark dated in school, but he never said anything about having sex with a girl." "And apparently, he never mentioned having sex with a boy either?" "No... no, he didn't, come to think of it. And y'know, somehow that hurts me. It's as if he couldn't trust me to..." "To let you know he was gay?" "Yes." "And if he had told you? What would you have done? Condone or condemn?" "Condemn, I suppose," David admitted, mostly to himself, ruefully. "Then you've just answered your own question. That's why he never told you." David looked at Chris, then sat silent for the balance of the trip to the morgue, and remained wrapped in his thoughts till the car slowed, and he looked up to realize they'd arrived at that gloomy pile of stone. He and Chris went inside, saw the coroner's secretary, to whom David showed his I.D.; so, he could sign the designated forms for Felix to pick up Mark's body for cremation. As they exited the morgue, David felt relieved for the first time in two days. At least a decision had been made... good, bad, or indifferent - at least, it was made; and David suddenly felt more mature, having taken an adult stand on a very delicate matter. With the requirements met at the coroner's office, and preliminary arrangements made for Mark's transport to Felix's, the rest of the afternoon was free for Chris, until he had to begin evening meal duties. Chris suddenly found that he was looking forward to spending the rest of the afternoon with his Virginia guest. "David, would you like to go somewhere and have lunch?" "I know I should eat, and I also know that you must be hungry; but would I be imposing too much by asking you to take me to Thad's?" "Not at all..." Chris felt a strange pang.... jealousy? "I just want to make sure he's alright, and tell him about the arrangement with Felix." "I can see you're always the 'caregiver,' wanting to help others in their time of need," Chris replied. "That's nice." "You're the caregiver, Chris, not me..." "You know, though; you're right, I should go check on Thad myself." Chris started the car, and they headed toward Thad's apartment. His hopes of getting better acquainted with David had been temporarily dashed, and he was slightly miffed; but he refused to let his disappointment show. Once again, Chris questioned himself. Am I seeing Thad as a rival? Rival? That's a strange thing to occur to me - I'm a priest. I have no designs on David. But then, why do I feel as I do? Am I attracted to Mark's straight brother? If not, then why am I feeling this tinge of jealousy? Thoughts of this nature crowded Chris' mind all the way to Thad's, and very little conversation passed between him and David. David, on the other hand, kept trying to reassure himself that he had made the right decision about Mark's body. He was still wrestling, mentally and emotionally, with cremation, and it was compounded by a certain amount of guilt at not having called his parents to inform them of Mark's passing. He reminded himself that he should call Jenny again, too. Pulling up in front of Thad's place, Chris recognized Thad's car, causing Chris to slightly curse inwardly. He had hoped that Thad wouldn't be home. He parked behind Thad's car, and he and David walked to Thad's door and knocked. Thad opened the door, wearing only a pair of boxers, with no shoes or socks. Chris had never seen this much of Thad's body, and was instantly overwhelmed by Thad's physique and his unconscious display of rugged, handsome, masculinity - his sheer physicality. "Hello, Father... David... come on in..." Thad said. "Thanks, Thad" David said. "I... I just got off the phone to Chattanooga - I was trying to tell Alex's brother what happened," Thad offered. "Were you successful in reaching him?" Chris asked earnestly. "Yes and no. I wasn't able to talk with him directly... the little son of a bitch is in jail... locked up for armed robbery of a convenience store!" "Good heavens!" Chris said. "I called a detective in Chattanooga, a friend of mine, and told him the situation. Then Chuck, my friend, made a trip over to the Hamilton County jail to tell Jerry, Alex's brother, about Alex. After he had talked with Jerry, Chuck called me back on his cell phone." "And...?" "The prick told Chuck he didn't give a fuck what happened to his faggot brother... said he was glad Alex was dead. When Chuck asked him what to do about Alex's body, Jerry said to burn it... his soul's gonna be burning in hell, so why not burn his fucking body!" "That's awful," Chris said, commiserating with Thad. "So, I guess it's up to me to decide what to do..." "Maybe we can help, Thad," David said softly. David told Thad about everything that he and Chris had accomplished earlier concerning Mark's body, all about the meeting with Felix, and about the prearranged deal Chris had made, just in case Thad wanted to follow suit. Thad seemed somewhat relieved, but said, "Hell, I don't think Alex was on SSI, or that he was getting any financial aid from the government. I don't think he'll qualify for burial assistance. It's OK… I'll pay Felix myself. That's the least I can do." "Thad," Chris interjected, "Alex was a member of St. Thaddeus', and his death was not ruled a suicide, but an overdose. I don't see any reason why we couldn't have a service for Alex at the church." he suggested. "I'm sure lots of his friends would like to honor him." "I'm not much for funerals, Father. You know that. But still it might be the right thing to do." Then Thad looked at David. "What about Mark?" "Mark, although a practicing Catholic, was not actually a baptized convert. However, if we forego a funeral mass, there's no reason why we couldn't have a memorial service for both of them." Chris said. "I'd like that..." Thad said. "How does that sound to you, David?" "That's... that's fine," David replied, his somberness somewhat lightened. "Then I suggest, Thad, that you go to see Felix this afternoon, as soon as possible," Chris said. "But I'm not sure you can get Alex's body released to you...?" "Let me handle that. I can pull a few strings at the coroner's office. That old bastard owes me more favors than he can ever repay. I won't have any problem getting Alex's body, or permission for his cremation. Hell, it would cost the county more, if they put Alex in a wooden box and buried him in potter's field." "David, if Thad's going to Felix's, what do you want to do? I mean, earlier you mentioned something about checking into a hotel..." "Thanks, Chris, but I... I think I'll stay here with Thad..." and turning to Thad to complete his sentence, "that is... if your offer is still good...?" "Of course it is. Hell, you can stay the rest of the week, or a whole month if you like." These were words Chris really hadn't really needed to hear, for in spite of his vow of celibacy, he knew he'd been more than attracted by Thad's almost naked body. When Thad sat, the fly of his boxers gaped open slightly, Chris tried to make himself look elsewhere, but the darkness hidden in the partly open fly drew Chris' eyes as surely as a magnet drew iron shavings. Surely David must feel some kind of attraction to Thad Chris thought ...any man would...gay or straight. Bi-curious? Was that the 'in' phrase? Weren't all men's eyes drawn to manly physiques and perfect bodies? It was an automatic response... or it should be with most men! Though unknown to Chris, twice during the conversation with Thad, David had casually shifted his legs to hide his own straining erection, caused by looking at Thad's near-naked body. "In that case, I'll be off to the church to tend my flock, and leave you two to matters at hand," Chris said, walking to the door with his back to Thad and David, hoping they wouldn't notice the barely concealed protrusion in Chris' black trousers. "If either of you needs me, I'll be at the church until five. Please don't hesitate to call... either of you." "Thanks, Father..." Thad said. That was followed by David's, "Thanks, Chris, for all that you did for me today. Maybe we can meet later, when you get back from your evening meal route?" "That would be nice, David..." Chris replied, then left. "Chris was so helpful this afternoon." "He's a great guy, David," Thad said, then he grinned devilishly. "I suppose I should feel guilty for playing a trick on him." "What trick? I didn't notice..." "I'm saying, I should have put on a shirt and a pair of pants, instead of teasing him by being nearly naked." "What do you mean?" "Oh, I forgot... you're straight! You wouldn't notice the hardon Chris was trying to hide while we talked. His eyes were practically glued to my crotch. Once, I almost laughed out loud." "Surely, you don't mean..." "David… David, Father Chris might not be a practicing homosexual, but he's still a man... a gay man with human feelings and desires just like the rest of us; well, the rest of gay men, like myself." Then Thad got a small smirk on his face. "I... I didn't notice you looking at my crotch..." David blushed, "No... no, I didn't. God, I... I hope you don't feel insulted. Do you?" "No, I don't... well, maybe slightly. I'm more used to men looking at me than trying not to look. And not even noticing...?" "You enjoy being an exhibitionist?" "Sometimes… especially, when I know my exhibition is not going to lead anywhere, like a hop in the sack for a quick fuck or blow-job." Thad's remarks caused David's initial blush to deepen even more, and he felt the need to change the subject ASAP. "I hope my not looking wasn't a blow to your ego." "It was... but I'll get over it." Thad laughed. "I... I'm really glad you decided to stay with me. I realize what a dump my place really is... I mean, you really would be more comfortable staying in an environment to which you're more accustomed." "Well, a hotel costs money... and I'm still in school..." "Is that the only reason?" Was Thad's question probing? "Maybe not..." "What do you mean?" Did Thad dare hope? "I... I think we can be a lot of support for each other until Mark and Alex are... until Chris has the memorial ceremony for them." "You're gonna stay that long?" "A few days, at least." "What about your classes?" "This is more important... doing what I can for my brother." "Any other reason?" "Well, I.... I'd like to get to know you better. I enjoy your company..." "All of it? Including my drying you after your shower?" Thad's grin softened what could have been discomforting. David looked directly at Thad. "Thad, are you trying to get me to say I was attracted to you last night?" "Were you?" "Not in the way you think... or maybe wish..." "Then what?" "I'm not sure. I'm still trying to learn more about gay life, and why Mark was attracted to it." "Still doing 'research,' are you?" "Well, yes." "And you're using me as a guinea pig for your research project?" "In a way, yes … maybe..." "David, what would you have done if I had taken you into my arms last night and kissed you? Would your project have flown out the window?" David stiffened at these words. "No, but I probably would have thrown you out the window, or if I found out I couldn't, I'd of probably jumped out myself." Thad laughed. "Somehow, I don't believe you..." "Wanna try, and see what I'd do?" "Y'know, I might be strangely willing to take that risk..." "You mean you want to kiss me?" "Man, it took every ounce of strength I could muster last night just to keep from kissing you." "And now? Do you want to see if I'd hit you or run away?" After a moment, Thad said "Stand up." "What?" "Stand up and double up your fist..." "Are you nuts?" "Come on... stand up. I think I do want to see what you'll do." "Maybe I should leave now." "Scared?" "No... no, I'm not scared, in spite of the fact you're a strong-armed detective." "Then prove it!" "What? How?" "Just stand up, David." David stood, and was only two feet away from Thad. "Okay! I'm standing! Now what?" "This!" Thad reached forward and grabbed both of David's arms, pulling him roughly to him and pressing his mouth upon David's. David's first reaction was a feeling of helplessness, and he drew his head back as far as his neck would permit. Thad was relentless, though; he refused to unlock his lips as they pressed searchingly against David's. David started to object, but that only made matters worse; because by opening his mouth, it gave Thad a chance to launch his tongue into David's mouth. David was shocked at the feel of a man's tongue touching his, and his first instinct was to bite the invading red monster; but he was reticent, believing this would only get him a mouthful of blood from the wound his teeth might make on Thad's tongue. Thad being more physical and stronger than David by far, David found it was useless to try to fight Thad off. He hesitated, then decided to let Thad satisfy his curiosity. That would be the end of it, he told himself, when Thad saw that David had no intention of responding to the invasive action. So David remained rigid, but stopped fighting to get released. David felt as if he'd been orally defiled; maybe what a woman must feel, while she's being raped, but halfway through the long kiss, David felt an emotional change taking place in his body and attitude. Perhaps, he was finally succumbing to the built-up tension of the past two days... or was it that he felt safer, being in stronger arms than his own. Thad sensed David's surrender, and slowly loosened his grip on David's arms. He gradually put his arms around David's back and drew him into his naked chest. David uttered a sound... more like a moan than a groan; and suddenly, a seemingly unconscious response took hold of David as he thrust his arms around his conqueror, and submitted himself to Thad's emotional and romantic rush. And he found himself trying to return Thad's kiss, fighting with his own tongue to enter Thad's mouth. David knew he was standing in the middle of the floor of Thad's home, but the room began to spin, as if he were traveling through time and space into another world... a strange new world... a world Mark had known; but David had never thought to enter. Finally, the kiss was broken, and both men stood, still embracing, and gasping for air without breath to speak. David's eyes were locked into Thad's, as if he'd been hypnotized, magically changed into another person. Slowly, they each dropped their arms and stepped apart. Thad turned his back to David as if he were ashamed. "I'm sorry," Thad said, above a whisper. "I... I went too far. I... should never have..." "Please... don't ruin it," David replied. "Don't ruin the moment I never want to forget." Thad could hardly believe what David had said. Was David being sarcastic? He slowly turned back to examine David's expression. David didn't appear to be angry. He looked more like a little puppy that had been scolded, and was awaiting his master to forgive him. Thad was unaware that David had shed a few tears during the kiss... angry tears, no doubt. But it was difficult to decipher the emotion behind the tears now. Thad raised his hand, put his thumb just under David's lower eyelid, and carefully wiped away the tiny salty pool of liquid. "Can you ever forgive me?" Thad whispered. "I don't intend to... or want to" David replied, matching Thad's vocal tone and volume. "Look, if you wanna take a swing at me … go ahead, I deserve it! I promise not to hit back..." "I don't want to hit you," David replied, as Thad used his other thumb to remove the tears from the other side of David's face. "You... you hate me, don't you?" Thad said. "You have every right..." "No, I... I don't hate you," David replied, quietly. "I... I..." "You what?" Thad was terrified of David's answer. "Thad, I... I want you to take me in your arms and hold me... hold me tight, please!" "Are you sure?" Thunderstruck, Thad couldn't believe what he'd just heard. "I'm positive." That was all the invitation Thad needed. He moved forward to put his arms around David, holding him tenderly at first, but then with growing force. "Tight enough?" Thad asked softly. "Oh, dear God, I didn't know how much I've needed this!" David said, as he began to cry. "Not just today, or even for the past two days! All my life, I think I've wanted someone... some man... my dad... anyone... to hold me and make me feel safe. A few minutes ago, Thad, my whole life flashed before my eyes. I knew what I'd missed most in life... and suddenly, I knew what Mark had missed, what I could have done for him. I... I could have held him, but I wasn't strong enough, honest enough with myself. He... Mark went looking for safety in other men's arms. I think he was trying to feel what I'm feeling at this moment." "Oh, David, I understand... really I do!" "Just hold me, Thad... hold me!" "I will, David, for as long as you like." It was as if every clock in the world had suddenly stopped, as Thad and David clung to each other. Time was of no importance, when a moment such as this was fulfilling a lifetime of need, a lifetime of searching for understanding. Neither man was aware of how long they stood in the middle of the room, until the phone rang, breaking their combined emotions. "Don't you dare move!" Thad said, as he left David to answer the phone. "I wouldn't think of it..." David replied softly, but firmly. "Hello?" Thad answered the call. "What? No.... well, I'm not any better, and I won't be tomorrow either, so don't expect me to find a cure-all and get well immediately. I'll call you in a day or two, when I'm feeling better. No, asshole! I said, 'Not tomorrow' ...did you hear that plain enough? All right..." Thad slammed down the phone. "Fucking idiots!" Then he turned, looked at David, and walked back. "Now, where were we?" he said, gently wrapping his arms around his new .... new what? he asked himself. David pulled away slightly, "I... I think maybe we'd both better calm down and tend to... to the other matters that we planned on." "Such as...?" "Well, you were going to see Felix to handle Alex's arrangements." "And you? What do you plan to do?" "I... well, I have a couple of calls to make. I need to call Jenny... and I met a friend of Mark's in the drugstore, and he asked if I could meet him for a cup of coffee. I guess he wants to share his thoughts about Mark." "Are you gonna tell Jenny about... what just happened between us?" David flushed, sighed, and said, "What do you think?" "I knew the answer, but I thought I'd ask anyway. Oh, do you need a ride somewhere, if you're gonna meet someone?" "No, he said he could pick me up when I called him." "Does this 'friend of Mark's' have a name?" "Randy...Randy Carpenter..." "You mean Atlanta's pretty boy?" "I'm not sure, but he was nice looking..." "Dark hair, olive skin, long lashes, nine inch dick?" "I did notice his hair, his skin and lashes..." "But you, being straight ... your eyes didn't gaze downward, toward that humongous bulge in his pants?" "Sorry, but, no, I didn't notice." "You're like an unsolvable crime... an enigma. Last night, I dried you off while you were naked. Later, when I got out of the shower, I made a point of letting you see me naked. You walk in today, and I practically exposed my cock to Father Chris... and we stand in the floor for a large part of eternity, lip locked in a kiss, and you tell me you didn't notice Randy's dick or mine?" "So what does that say about me? That I'm not gay, but I just love being held by a strong detective?" "And during our kiss, you didn't get aroused at all?" "Not that I was aware of..." "I gotta go figure this out, and we'll discuss it when we both return. Oh, by the way, there's an extra door key on the ledge above the front door. Take it with you, in case you get home before I do." "Thanks, Thad! Now I hope you're gonna get dressed before going to see Felix. Rumor has it that, if Felix were to see you in your boxers, he might be in need an undertaker himself!" David weakly joked. "Should we plan on having dinner together?" "Probably, but I'll call you in case there's a change of plans." "What you're actually saying is we'll have dinner together, unless you decide to have dinner with 'pretty boy.'" Thad's jealousy showed itself abruptly. "Thad, I don't know him at all. We met quite by accident - literally - in a drugstore." "You hardly know me, and yet you let me kiss you...?" "Thad, how many times do I have to tell you… I'm not gay. I'm not on the prowl for Randy, or for any guy. Randy was..." "I know who Randy was," he interrupted. "He was Mark's lover, but the minute Randy found out Mark was sick, he ditched Mark like yesterday's fish, and never saw him again." "I know all about that. Randy told me he could explain his leaving, and I want to know the real reason… not a lot of faggot speculation." "O ho! You're using the 'f' word now? Who are you trying to convince that you're not one, me or yourself?" "I apologize. I hate that word, and I don't know why I used it just now." "Maybe you were lashing out at me... I'm a faggot... or hadn't you guessed?" The heat in Thad's voice rose again. "You're not a faggot... not in my eyes anyway." "But if we hadn't kissed, I might be? Is that it?" "My God, Thad, why are we quarreling? We've both suffered tragic losses in our lives during the past two days… we should be grieving, not fighting." Thad's face showed his realization of his loss of control. "All right! I renege... no more quarrels. I'm sorry." "You don't have to apologize!" "Wanna kiss and make up?" "What?" "I simply asked if you wanted me to kiss you and make up... you know, mend our broken fences." "I'm afraid if we kissed, it might lead to a road I'm not yet ready to travel..." "I'll keep my hands behind my back! No tricks!" "Thad, stop it, please! You've got my head spinning. I'm so confused." "One kiss?" David now understood that this was an apology on Thad's part for his change in attitude. "No." He had to admit to a small temptation, but only to himself. "Please..." "I said 'no!'" "Pretty please. I'll only use my lower lip, and no tongue. Pretty please?" "Oh, all right," he laughed. "But then, you promise to get dressed and go take care of Alex's arrangements with Felix." "I... I promise." "And you stand still, and let me kiss you... remember, no hands!" "Deal!" David slowly walked toward Thad, and cautiously put his lips on Thad's. Once again, they both felt the heat of the moment, and their arms embraced each other as the kiss grew more passionate... their heads twisting and turning… exploring each other's tongue that was rabidly invading the other's hot mouth. This kiss was different in that this time, David was aware of a mounting urgency in his loins. His penis was hard... harder than he could ever remember, and he pressed his pelvis into Thad's. Thad's reaction was identical, as his cock emerged through the fly of his boxers, pushing against David's concealed organ, restrained only by his trousers. Thad lowered his right hand to grope David, and David felt a shudder down his spine at Thad's touch... and almost immediately, the reality of the sensual situation struck a chord in David's psyche, and he pulled away quickly, covering his mouth with his hand and turned his back to Thad. |