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"Be happy," Steve murmured close to his youngest son's ear, as Rex leaned down and gave him a quick, fierce hug. "Thanks for understanding, Dad," the young man murmured. He kissed his father on the cheek then stood and took Dave's hand. Steve jerked a small nod as he turned to Dave, and spoke in an emotion-laden voice. "Treat him well." It was Dave's turn to nod. "Count on it." He glanced at Levi, who acknowledged his one-time partner's unasked question with a crooked smile and a slight nod. "Y'okay, Dad?" Jak murmured, as the two men turned and crossed the courtyard, heading toward the studio building. Dave held Rex close, with an arm around the waist, while Rex, behaving true to form, groped the seat of Dave's shorts, laughed, then leaned into an embrace. Steve bowed his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, doing his best to rein in his emotions. Finally, he jerked a nod, answering Jak's question, and barked a rough laugh. "Damn, but a guy isn't supposed to have an audience when he's going through something like this!" He gulped a swallow. "I had a rough time of it when you left home, Jak. My oldest boy . . . gone. Now, in less than a year, I'm going through it again, only with Rex. Letting go is a rough thing to do. Most fathers don't have to face this sort of thing until their children are . . . older than your brother. Even then, it would be difficult." He absently rotated his drinking glass from side to side. "No matter how wrong it is to think this way, I feel as if you both are now being cared for by someone else. I'm no longer needed." "Keith may care for me, Dad, but I've found I need you more today than I ever have. You've become something more than a father. You're my friend." "And mine," Keith added. Jak squeezed his partner's hand, in thanks for the comment. "I know Rex feels the same way about you." Jak's voice took on a mischievous tone. "I guess this means the two of you will be moving to Florida . . . right?" Keith tried to stifle a grin, as Levi's attention shifted from the two men entering the studio building, and was focused on Steve. 'Oh, he's playing it soooo cool,' Keith thought. 'The minute Jak and I leave him alone with Steve, he'll pounce. Of course Steve and Rex will be moving to Florida! What's more, they don't even have to look for a place t'live! This place has got more beds than a hotel! I've seen Levi's bed. It's more than big enough for the two of 'em.' Rex excitedly turned to Dave as the door to the studio closed. Before he had a chance to say anything, though, Dave held out a hand, preventing him from heading into one of the bedrooms. "Hold up a moment," he said, his warm voice wrapping the younger man in a comforting, secure blanket. He rubbed the back of his neck, as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say. "Somehow . . . this doesn't seem . . . right, to me," he said, gesturing to the room they were in, and, by extension, the bedroom-sets, beyond. "I don't know how else to say it." "Are you talking about wanting to be naked together, or what?" "No!" Dave said, making a frustrated gesture, half turning away. "It's just . . . I'm feeling like . . . if you and I go in there and strip-off, and I've only known you for . . . what . . . less than a day, it's going to feel, t'me, like you're nothing but some guy I picked up on a street corner someplace, and will never see again, once we get our rocks off." Dave turned Rex to face him. "You're better than that. You're not just some guy. You're . . . special," he said, trying not to fidget. "I'd like you to be more special. I don't want our first time together, even if all we do is hug, to be like that. You deserve better." He tenderly traced a line over Rex's jaw with his fingertips. "I'd like you to become more special to me than you already are. Somehow, the two of us jumping into bed, at the first opportunity, doesn't seem like the right thing to do." Rex reached for, and held, Dave's hand. 'So strong,' he thought. When Dave linked fingers, Rex paused a long moment. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what all this means. Your words make me feel all warm and . . . cozy inside. No one's ever made me feel like that before, but," he shrugged. "I don't know." He grinned, crookedly. "Normally, I'm thinking, I'd make a joke, or something, but this doesn't seem like the time for that." "All this really is new to you, isn't it? This whole relationship-thing, I mean." Dave's question was answered with a sheepish smile, and a helpless gesture. "Yeah. My nuts are telling me to do one thing; yet that doesn't seem to be what you're wanting. I . . . I don't know. I feel like a kid, and I don't like that. Normally, I sort'a feel kind'a in control of things . . . some. Now . . ." Rex shook his head in a helpless admission. "I don't have a clue what t'do or say." "When you said you didn't have much experience, you were telling the truth, weren't you?" Dave murmured, stepping closer and holding Rex in a loose embrace, pleased they were the same height. 'Rex is so much like Jak,' he thought. 'It's difficult to not think of him as a younger version of his brother. He isn't Jak, though. He doesn't have Jak's experience. And, even if he did, he still wouldn't be Jak. I have to remember that. They are so similar, it'd be easy to forget." Rex interrupted Dave's thoughts. "As far as having much sex-type experience . . . no, not much. Um . . . I fooled around with a neighborhood guy, once. We didn't do much other than show each other our thing." Rex grinned. "I was bigger than him, so I'm thinking he felt size-challenged, or something. I told him I thought his was awesome, and that was true. I thought it was great. We sort'a felt one another's. He got all quiet, and we never mentioned being naked with one another again. Pretty soon, he began hanging out with a new group of guys, pretty much ignoring me completely. Other than that guy, and seeing some guys in gym class, or Dad, and Jak, I don't have a lot of experience comparing myself with real, live, guys. I've seen plenty of dicks on the Web, but they've prob'ly been Photoshopped, or something. "Jak and I . . ." He made a face. "I'm not accustomed to calling him by another name. S'okay, if I call him his real name, when no one else is around?" Dave smiled, and gestured for him to continue. "Well . . . he and I are the same size, when we're hard . . . y'know? I'm pretty much like him in all ways, 'cept he's more muscley than me. I don't shave the hair on my chest, like he does, yet." Rex pointed to his forehead. "Inside . . . up here, there are more differences. Jak's quieter. He takes things more slowly. I've always thought that things have come a little easier for me than him. Y'know . . . school stuff n'all. He's way smart, it just takes him a while to get where he wants to go. The thing is, he won't ever quit until he's gotten something perfect. He has real high expectations for himself. Not that I don't have the same things, it's just . . ." Rex shrugged. "I don't get down on myself as much. He's . . . bothered . . . by things, more'n me, I guess." Rex made a face. "Well, sometimes, he is. Other times . . ." he shrugged. "So, size-wise, I'm pretty much the same as all your model-guys, except for Boyd and Daniel. Now those are trophy dicks! Hand 'em a blue ribbon or something!" He shook his head in amazement. "And, t'think Jak's sat on those!" Dave laughed, as Rex shuddered at the thought, then rested his head on Dave's shoulder, took an uneven breath, and slowly melted into an embrace. "Hmmmm, you smell good," the younger man murmured, as he nuzzled Dave's neck. "This was so much better than any hug I've ever been given. You're so strong. I like it that you're treating me like a man, not a kid. "You're not a kid, Rex," Dave murmured, as his stomach churned with anticipation, and he did his best to steady his breathing. "I like that we're the same height." He looked Dave in the eyes, the corners of his lips twitching. "What are you thinking?" Dave looked away, then back. "I don't know. There are too many things going on. My insides are all . . . fluttery. I'm feeling . . . rushed. This isn't the way I imagined . . . meeting . . . someone like you, would be. It's like I don't have any control." Rex loosely held the older man, as they faced one another. "Is that a bad thing . . . not having any control?" "T'me it is, especially tonight . . . with you." Dave tilted his head back and inhaled deeply, as Rex nuzzled his neck, teasing his earlobe with his nose. "This . . . is our first time together . . . It's only going to happen once, and I would like it to be special, somehow." Rex looked puzzled. "I get the feeling you don't want to get skin-to--skin, right away. What are we supposed t'do? Is what you're suggesting mean that we can't shoot a load today?" He pulled Dave close and thrust his groin against the older man's. "I'm about ready to burst, I'm so wanting to pop." He smiled broadly. "Feels like you're 'bout ready, too." "Oh, I'm definitely ready to . . . pop," Dave grinned, "but I'd like at least a little romance to go with it." "Y'mean, you've got to take me to dinner and a movie first? Or give me candy and flowers? Or go to a dance? That sort of thing?" he asked, doing his best to not make a face. "You should know, in advance, that I don't eat a whole lot, especially candy. I sneeze when I'm around flowers, and I can't dance. Y'have any other romantic ideas for me to shoot down?" he asked, with a grin. "Actually, I do eat a lot, but . . . for the sake of argument . . ." Dave laughed. "I wasn't thinking about any of those things. Um . . ." his eyes lit. "Let's change to a swimsuit, then take a walk along the beach. It's great, as the sun's going down. We can hold hands, get to know one another some more, and . . . I won't feel as if we're in a race to get into bed. We'll see where things go from there." "Oh . . . okay. First, though, I'm needing t'do this." Tentatively, Rex touched his lips to Dave's. When Dave whimpered, Rex pressed more firmly, and when Dave's lips parted, and the two men discovered one another's tongue, it was Rex's turn to whimper. "So . . . you say you've never kissed before?" Dave prompted, after taking a steadying breath. "That was not a first-timer's kiss!" he murmured, as he continued to hold Rex in a loose embrace, and run his fingers through the hair on the back of the younger man's head. Rex softly chuckled, as he kissed Dave's ear and neck. "I never said I'd never kissed anyone. Jak taught me . . . back before he met Keith. We only kissed a couple times, but he told me I was a fast learner." He thrust himself against Dave's crotch. "So . . . are you gonna teach me stuff?" "Mmmmm, maybe. First, though, we've got t'change." "Change?" "For the beach! We can change in here." Dave gestured to an adjoining room, containing some lockers against one wall, an adjacent, well equipped weight lifting area, and another opening leading to a set of gang showers. "I'm sure we can find a suit to fit you. You can wear your brother's, if you like." Rex's eyes lit. "We get t'be nekkid first . . . before putting on a swimsuit?" he asked, wiggling his brows. "Sorry, this romance stuff sounds cool, but so does being naked. Besides," he said, as Dave searched through one of the lockers. "Thinking about the vids I've watched, which were filmed in these rooms, is not the way to make me go soft. "You know, of course," he said, a few minutes later, as he held Jak's very brief swimsuit up to examine. He buried his nose in the bunched fabric and inhaled deeply. "I'm not gonna be able to wear this if I'm hard." "Exert yourself," Dave laughed, as he stripped, intensely aware of being watched. When he was naked, he stood straight, turning one way, then the other, as if for inspection. "So . . . am I okay?" "Oh . . . wow!" Rex said, on an exhaled breath. "Mega okay! Damn! In deciding whether a guy's cock is in a grower or shower category, you are definitely a shower . . . at least, I hope you are. Whew! Another blue ribbon needed, here!" he shouted over his shoulder. "Y'sure you're not getting hard?" Rex shook his head, tried to look away, but snuck another glance. "Awesome head, by the way. I mean, I saw your pics n'stuff, back in your office, but geez, the real thing is way better. Um . . . how are you staying soft?" Dave laughed. "I'm exerting myself. Believe me, with you in the room, it's not an easy thing to do. I'm also not touching myself, which is something I really want." At his side, his hands flexed, opening and closing. "Well, damn," Rex murmured, studying Dave's nearly-hairless body. "You trim your pubes?" Dave jerked a silent nod, as Rex leaned close and examined the dark patch above his penis. His skin was . . . flawless, and, where Dave had earlier complained about not being able to get a tan, was very lightly tanned . . . all over. "Mega awesome," Rex murmured, as he stood, absently adjusting his own erection, in his shorts. When Dave held up his arms, displaying his pits, which were trimmed, just like his pubes. Rex couldn't help himself. As Dave wore an enigmatic smile, he first sniffed, then licked over one of the pits, savoring the smell . . . and taste. Rex stepped back and grinned. "I've always thought I'd love pits," he explained. "On you, though, I love everything!" He reached out and ran a forefinger from Dave's neck, then down his chest and belly. "Are you a good teacher?" he grinned mischievously. "I'm thinking I'm going to need lots and lots of instruction." He slipped out of his shorts and underwear, allowing his erection to spring free. "Sorry, I haven't started exerting myself yet," he grinned. "Just wanted you to see what everything looks like. See," he said, twisting from side to side. "Looks just like Jak's. Now . . ." he frowned in concentration,"I'm going to . . . exert myself." Soon, his erection softened, until it limply hung over his nut sac. He grinned, amused by Dave's disbelieving expression, at the same time he pulled on his brother's swimsuit and adjusted himself in the pouch of the small piece of nylon. "It's easy," he said, answering Dave's unasked question. "I just thought about my sister. Does it to me every time. You never wanna meet the girl." He shook his head. "Ugh." He ran his hands over his belly, and brightly colored swimsuit. "Y'sure wearing something this skimpy in public is gonna be okay?" He looked down at himself. "Everyone can see the top of my pubes, and if I thicken up any, there's no hope. I'm not afraid of people seeing my junk. I just don't want either of us t'get into some sort of trouble, just 'cause we're turned on. "I mean, Dad wouldn't like it. His son's in Florida less than twenty-four hours, and he's in the slammer, charged with indecent exposure!" "Don't worry. I'll share your jail cell," Dave laughed, as he adjusted himself in his own suit, then tossed Rex a towel, and held the door open. "The beach is calling. If we don't head out quick, the sun will have set." Rex followed Dave, bouncing with excitement, like a puppy, attracting Hector's attention, who sensed the possibility of playing a game. The large dog grabbed his toy Frisbee and ran toward the two men, who waved to the men who were watching, from the patio. Dave glanced from Rex to the dog, then knelt. "Sorry, Hector," he said, burying his face in the dog's fur, and scratching its head. "We'll play later, but tonight, I need to be with my boyfriend. Okay?" he asked, staring into the dog's dark eyes. Hector looked at Rex, then made some sort of dog-noise, and walked away, returning to his cushion and plopping down. A few moments later, he pushed himself to his feet, picked up the toy, and stood, as if trying to decide whether the men might change their mind, and play instead of talk. "I'm your boyfriend?" Rex asked, pleased beyond words. "You don't really know me yet. I may like broccoli, or limp vegetables, or peeing in the shower, or something." He paused. "You don't like those things d'you? I mean, peeing in the shower, I can handle, but limp vegetables?" He shook. "Gives me the creeps." "Do you always talk this much?" Dave murmured, as he snuck an arm around Rex's waist and guided him to the steps leading to the beach. "I'm not complaining, but . . ." "Oops, I'll shut up!" Without pausing, Rex continued. "Yeah, I talk a lot; but, right now, I'm massively nervous, and when I'm . . . nervous, I mean, I talk more. Dark's good, though. I could feel you up, or something. Oh . . . oops, that's not very romantic, huh? "Oh . . . wait!" he said, as he stooped and unceremoniously yanked a flower from a nearby bush. "Here," he said, thrusting the bloom in Dave's direction. "Don't say I'm not a romantic." Rex glanced back over his shoulder. "I guess I'm lucky that flower bush didn't have thorns, huh?" Dave laughed and shook his head, as he took Rex's hand and they descended the few steps from Levi's yard, to the beach, leaving Hector standing at the top of the stairs, with a Frisbee in his mouth, ready to play. "Whoa, this is awesome!" Rex shouted, the moment they reached the beach. He turned to Dave. "I've never seen an ocean before! Is it okay to get wet? I'm not going to be eaten by a shark right away, or anything, am I?" They raced one another to the water's edge, and into the swell, laughing and splashing as they chased one another, until Rex brought Dave down with a flying tackle. "Thank you," he laughed, as he lay on top of Dave, in the shallow water. "This is way better than candy and flowers. You gave me a whole ocean!" His smile faded, as he leaned forward until their lips met in a tender kiss. When they parted, Rex propped himself up and glanced at Dave, who was breathing heavily. "Was it okay to do that? I mean, someone prob'ly could'a seen, if they were looking." Dave groaned and pulled Rex to him, mashing his open mouth against the young man's, their tongues doing battle, until a wave from the incoming tide washed over them, causing them to part, spitting and sputtering. Rex rolled off Dave, who got to his feet and reached to help the young man stand. The sun hovered on the horizon, sending long shadows of the two men, as they walked hand-in-hand at the water's edge. "Being here with you, like this, is so cool. It's like the stuff I've dreamt of happening," Rex said, turning to the man next to him. "In my dreams, though, anyone I was with wasn't nearly as awesome as you. Holding your hand, n'stuff, is so great." He tightened his fingers. "I'm thinking I like someone strong . . . like you." "Or you," Dave murmured, stopping for another kiss, as the water splashed about their ankles. 'This is the first time I've ever felt like this,' he thought. "I was just thinking about a conversation Dad and I had, a couple months ago," Rex said, as he put his arm around Dave's waist. "I was asking him why Keith and Jak were happy just holding hands, and dancing in the dark, to some sort'a music no one ever listens to. He told me that someday I would understand." Rex leaned close and kissed Dave's cheek. "I think I do. We don't have any clunky music, but, we have the ocean, and holding you, like I am, is way better than awesome." "Way better," Dave murmured, as he held Rex in a tight embrace, while they kissed, and the small waves continued to at their ankles. * * * "Your thoughts?" Levi asked Steve, as Keith and Jak excused themselves, and headed for their bedroom, saying something about . . . sleeping. Steve ran his fingers through his short hair. "I'm thinking how ninety-five percent of the world's population, or more, would call agreeing to let an older man . . . have sex with my underage son, criminal, and, in the eyes of the law, they'd be right." "Isn't knowing that Rex is with someone who really cares about him, a better thing than you wondering who he's with and what he's doing, every moment he's out of your sight? Steve . . . you faced the reality of your son's needs. He honored his word by coming to you and introducing someone to whom he's attracted. If he didn't trust you to make something other than a knee jerk judgment, he would never have promised to ask your opinion. "The only way for you to have controlled him, would have been to lock him up, for the next three years. That's an unreasonable solution. This way, you, Rex, and Dave are all winners. No one's sneaking around behind anyone's back, and, anyone looking at Rex would never know he isn't eighteen, or older. "And, what about you, Levi?" Steve asked, turning to the man sitting across the table. "Is Rex breaking up your relationship with Dave? If so, you're mighty cool about it. I know what you've said, but, is what you said the truth, or are you just showing a strong side for Dave's and Rex's benefit?" Levi grinned, crookedly. "You've heard about Pete leaving?" Steve nodded once. "Yes, Jak told me. I'm sorry." Levi absently traced a pattern on the tabletop with a finger tip. "Don't be. I love Pete dearly, but he was destined for bigger things than running an outfit like this. He's where he needs to be, and both he and I know it. If he felt going back home was the wrong thing to do, he wouldn't have done it. He knew it was the right thing, as did I." "But, you and Dave?" "Dave came to Pete's and my relationship, late. He became a partner almost by accident. When Pete left," Levi shrugged, "there was nothing really holding Dave and me together, other than strong . . . affection. We talked, and rather than try to make something work, which we both knew would be destined to failure, we assured one another we would be happy for the other, should either of us find a relationship. I don't know if Dave and Rex will eventually develop serious feelings for one another, but Dave knows I will not stand in his way, just as I know he would not stand in mine. On some level, we love one another, Steve, but we're not lovers. Does that make sense? What I told those two was the truth." "If things don't work out between them, I'm never going to forgive myself for giving tacit approval to them being together," Steve said, glancing toward the steps leading to the beach. "Nonsense! If things don't work out, Rex will come to you to talk about whatever it is that went wrong. Personally, I don't believe such a conversation will ever happen. Both of those men have waited for one another. They're not going to let the other get away. "Rex will mature into the relationship, just as Dave will. Just because he's older, chronologically, doesn't mean Rex can't teach him many things. If Jak's right, about his brother being able to know what a person is made of, I imagine Dave will feel the edge of your son's wit, just as Jak, and, no doubt, you have. "Dave sometimes comes across as someone who would rather go with the flow than think for himself. That's not true. He sees things, much as I imagine your son does. He's gotten Jak to loosen up, on a couple of occasions, you know. He is a confidant to many of my models. He's a listener . . . a peacemaker, and," Levi grinned, "a passionate lover. I believe he and Rex will be a good match." Steve nodded. "Yes, Jak told me how helpful he's been. Each time Jak's down here, he'll call almost every evening, just to chat. It's amazing how often Dave's and your name comes up. Much more often than most of the men Jak works with. You are both greatly admired." Steve glanced toward the steps leading to the beach. "I'm thinking Rex is going to get a few first-hand lessons in the subject of intimacy being more than just getting your rocks off." "That may be," Levi softly grinned. "It's not going to do you any good, though, to worry about him." Levi hesitated. "There's a large park nearby. Why don't you and I go for a walk? I'd suggest the beach, but I don't want anyone to feel as if we're eavesdropping." When Steve's glance flicked toward the beach, Levi sighed, in exasperation, then stood, and reached for Steve's hand, urging him to his feet. "There's no need for you to sit around worrying about him. It won't do you or him any good, and I don't want to watch you beat yourself up for making the only reasonable decision possible. If he needs to talk, he can come to you . . . after we get back. I'm thinking we may not see either of them until hunger overcomes them . . . sometime tomorrow, around noon." He laughed. "Now, lets you and I go for a walk. There's a great coffee shop on the far side of the park where we can stop for some refreshment. We're both on vacation. Let's enjoy ourselves." With a last look over his shoulder, Steve finally gave in and allowed Levi to hustle him away from the house, across the broadly curving brick driveway, past the lush greenery, accented by night time lighting, and onto the sidewalk. "I've mentioned to Jak that he might be interested in purchasing the house next door," Levi said, gesturing toward the Florida-modern building . . . broad expanses of glass and stucco, with large overhangs, and artistically placed lighting illuminating many of the surrounding palms. 'Damn!' Steve thought, recalling the modest home in which Jak and Rex had grown up. He couldn't help but smile. 'I wonder what his sister would think. Hell, I wonder what his mother will think!' "Can he afford someplace like that?" Steve asked, pausing to look at the low-slung house, in admiration. "Do you know the owner?" Levi laughed. "That's my old house. I moved when the one I'm in now came available. I've been renting the other one out, and my tenants have just moved. I don't want to be a landlord any longer, and am willing to give Jak a very good deal, if he and Keith will agree to become neighbors. "I've made them the offer. They're thinking about it." The widely spaced streetlights rounded a gentle curving lawn filled with trees. 'A jungle,' Steve thought. 'So very different from home.' From time to time, he and Levi passed other people, either jogging, or walking a dog. "Everyone's so friendly," he said, looking over his shoulder to the people who'd just passed. I can see why Jak likes it, down here, so much." In stark contrast to the quiet, and dark, park, the two men crossed the street, and seemingly stepped into a . . . street fair, full of laughter, twinkling lights, and lots of people. "So . . . this is where all the beautiful of the world go to live," Steve said, in a low voice, as he and Levi were seated at a small outdoor table. Levi laughed. "No . . . This is where all the people who would like to think they're beautiful, go . . . to pose for one another." He lowered his voice. "I think I'll remind Dave to keep Rex, a truly beautiful person, away from here. Either that, or make him wear a frumpy outfit. If he doesn't, he's going to attract plenty of attention. I know Jak did, the first time he and a couple of the models headed over, for a meal. "It was during Jak's first visit," Levi explained. "He was seeing everything through wide eyes, and wasn't prepared for . . . this, or the attention he received. Levi looked up, and smiled, as a group of young ladies sitting at a nearby table squealed, then leaned close to one another and began whispering and gesturing as they pointed to a young man who strutted past. The boy paused, and oh-so-casually, flexed his muscles, causing another tittering outburst, then moved on, to attract further admirers. Steve smiled, and shook his head. "Interestingly, the young man didn't do his little posing routine here, in front of the young ladies," Steve observed, "but, down the way, in front of a couple tables of guys." "Did Jak ever tell you of his first visit to this coffee shop? I wasn't there," Levi added, "but, Ron and Boyd, a couple of my models were, and had a field day describing to Pete, Dave, and me, what happened." Steve could only imagine what his oldest son would do when faced with the sort of attention he'd just witnessed. "This sort of place has never been Jak's style," he told Levi. "He's more comfortable in a salad bar restaurant instead of one serving designer coffee and pastries. So," he grinned, anxious to have his mind taken off his youngest son, who, most likely, was in the process of losing his virginity and analyzing Dave's life, in between thrusts. "What happened?" Levi smiled, unaware of the cause of Steve's smile. "The guys came down here during Jak's first visit to Miami. Ron and another of the models convinced him to come to the coffee shop with them, promising he'd find something boring enough drink . . . or eat. "Now," Levi continued, "you have to realize that Ron is stunning. Six feet, of blond, come hither, good looks, with bedroom eyes, long eyelashes, a voice which melts the hearts of both men and women, and is about as sex obsessed an individual as I've ever met." He paused and smiled. "You've probably seen him on the Site, so you understand what I'm talking about." Steve nodded, vividly recalling the video in which his son and Ron starred. It was one of Jak's first. "Rex and I watched that one sitting side-by-side with spread legs, and resting the heels of our feet on the edge of the desk while we played the vid on the big screen." Steve hated to admit to himself how much he enjoyed jerking off with Rex. He didn't enjoy the feelings of guilt, afterward, but . . . 'damn, he's a sexy guy,' Steve thought, unable to keep from grinning. Instead of telling Levi of his thoughts, he merely nodded. Levi continued. "Boyd was with Ron and Jak, and . . . well, you saw Boyd, in the flesh, today . . . tall, dark haired, swimmer's body, and an infectious laugh. "And a dick which makes everyone who sees it, green with envy." Steve muttered, smiling thinly. "Until, they're faced with sitting on it. I've heard about that experience . . . in graphic detail." He smiled, lowering his voice. "I don't believe Jak's spoken so vividly about his experiences with any other model, except maybe Daniel." "Yes . . . well . . ." Levi chuckled. "Apparently the three guys, Jak, Boyd, and Ron, showing up at the coffee shop en masse, caused quite a stir. You saw what just happened when one handsome boy comes into view. Ron and Boyd had both been with me long enough to already be accustomed to being the center of attention. Jak, bless his heart, didn't know what hit him. From what Ron said, after they'd come back to the house, a few of the young ladies even abandoned their dates and flocked to his side, each vying for his attention. "As chance would have it, he was looking extraordinary, even for Jak. He was dressed in a bright floral Polo shirt which, Ron half-heartedly complained, clung to him like a second skin. Ron," Levi said, in an aside, "is to accustomed to playing the leading role in the looks department, so he wasn't quite sure if he appreciated Jak unwittingly stealing the show, so-to-speak. "But, I digress. Jak's shorts, when compared with Ron's and Boyd's, were . . . well . . . short, displaying his long legs . . . as well as his other attributes . . . to perfection." Levi paused, his mouth twisting into a crooked smile. "I'd do almost anything to have those calves of his." Steve merely smiled, knowing exactly how Levi felt. He'd seen both Jak and Rex, naked, many times, but, it wasn't until he watched Jak's first vid that he'd ever seen his son in full sexual glory. The sight of his oldest son, naked, aroused, and performing, was breathtaking. "According to Ron, Jak was totally unaware of the reaction his presence was causing among the coffee shop clientele. One minute he was minding his own business, ordering a meal, and the next, he was swamped with giggling, young . . . ladies, each intent on touching him. "'It was only going to be a matter of minutes before they started ripping the clothes off his back,' Boyd laughed, as he described what happened. 'The poor guy looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming . . . tank! The trouble was, there was nowhere to run. He was surrounded!' "Finally, when one of the . . . ladies, tried to sit on Jak's lap, he'd had enough. According to Boyd, who was laughing so hard he was barely able to tell us what had happened, Jak shot to his feet, nearly dumping the poor thing on the sidewalk, and, with that wonderful voice of his, told his admirers to . . . back off . . . loud enough, I understand, to be heard over the giggling and squealing." Levi nodded his thanks to the waiter, who delivered his meal, and continued speaking, becoming more animated as he warmed to his story. "Of course, that macho voice only threw the girls into a feeding frenzy. "'They were grabbing at me!' Jak cried, interrupting Boyd's description of the event, and shivering in recollection. "Boyd laughed as he told Dave, Pete, and me, how surprised Jak was when his order to back off was ignored. 'So . . . you know what he did?' Boyd crowed. We shook our heads. Boyd was having a great time, describing what happened. Boyd's a great storyteller, and loves an audience, so, he reenacted the event." "Ol' Soren had had enough," Boyd told us. So . . . he pushed a couple . . . girls aside, grabbed Ron, yanked him to his feet, and shouted to all the giggling girls that he wasn't interested in them, because, 'I'M GAY!' He pulled Ron close and gave him, what Boyd called, an enthusiastic . . . kiss." "Well, Jak's voice, plus the . . . volume . . . his announcement, oh, and the kiss, finally, got everyone's attention . . . including that of a few guys, who suddenly seemed very interested." "No!" Steve couldn't help but feel sorry for Jak. "You'd think that, being a porn star would mean that he loves to be surrounded by admirers. That's not so. "I've not been able to understand why he's worked out so well for you, Levi. "He's basically a loner, unlike his brother, who thrives on attention. Jak also wants to be perfect. That's always been his biggest fault," Steve told Levi. "Most people are afraid to try something for fear they won't be any good at it. Not Jak. He figures he's able to be good at almost anything. What he wants to be is perfect . . . the best there is. That desire's caused him some difficulties throughout the years. I'm surprised it hasn't caused more here . . . working for you." "That's because he's as close to perfect as is humanly possible," Levi said. Steve merely shrugged, recalling the times, when, as a child, Jak retreated to his bedroom and cried himself to sleep because he wasn't "good enough," for . . . whatever. 'I'd sit by his side and hold him as he cried,' Steve recalled. 'The next morning, he'd go off to do whatever he'd felt defeated by the night before, with an I'll-show-them attitude.' "Well," Levi resumed the story. "Ron loudly protested, interrupting Boyd's description of the kiss he'd been given. 'He friggin' tried to swallow my tongue!' Ron protested, turning a halfhearted frown in Boyd's and Jak's direction. 'I was very nearly ravished! "'And you,' Ron scowled, turning to Boyd, who assumed a look of innocence, 'You made sure he wouldn't grab you, by scooting your chair out of his reach!' "'Yep,' Boyd agreed, turning a pleased expression in Dave's, Pete's, and my direction, and nodding. "I was sort'a hoping Soren'd strip you off and . . . ravish . . . you, right there on the table. Boy, now that would have caused a stir. Yee-ha! "'You should'a seen the look Soren gave Ron!' Boyd laughed, taking up the story where Ron left off. 'I about gagged! He did everything but batt his friggin' eyelashes!" "'For the rest of the evening he treated me as if I was the Alpha Male of this end of Miami!' Ron complained, raising his voice to be heard over whatever Boyd intended to say. 'Imagine . . . me . . . an Alpha Male! I mean, sexy and blond, f'sure, but . . . stud?" "During the course of the story, Jak was sitting back, with his arms crossed, appearing very pleased with himself. 'That'll teach you, t'mess with me,' he grinned." Levi set down his fork, as his smile faded. "He's changed since then." Jak's father grimly nodded. "I've felt it too. He met Keith, that first time he came back home. Meeting him complicated . . . everything. There's more to the change though. "Whenever he's down here, he calls me almost every night, just to visit. Lately, the calls have changed. At times, it's as if I'm talking to two different people." Levi absently pushed the crumbs of his meal around his plate, with his fork, giving himself a chance to organize his thoughts. "He can't seem to comprehend that Jak and Soren are the opposite sides of the same coin. He's told me he's only Soren, whenever he's down here, in Florida. When he's home, he tells me he's . . . different." "He is, at least from what I've seen. Jak isn't meek. He's a romantic. When he's at home, with Keith, there's no need for him to play the uber-macho Soren role. From what I've seen, Keith is the more dominant of the two, something you'd never imagine, if you only knew Jak from his vids." "'They feel so different!' Jak told me, recently," Levi told Steve. "'When I'm playing Soren, it feels so real . . . so right. It's like Jak is nothing but an act. Soren is real, and each time I let him out, it becomes more difficult to return to the real me. "'I'm afraid of Soren, Levi,' he told me. 'He may be strong, and all that, but, his ego needs to be fed. It needs attention . . . lots of it! Soren loves the attention he's getting by being one of your models. I love showing off for people. I love being recognized, or being asked for my autograph. In fact, those are the important things to me, more even than relationships, or friendships.'" Levi paused. "From the look on your face, I can see that you caught the significance of what he said, too." Steve grimly nodded, his meal turning to lead, in his belly, as Levi continued. "He slipped into the Soren persona, while speaking to you." Levi grimly nodded. Steve asked. "He always speaks of Soren as if he's someone else?" "Not always, but . . . increasingly so. He knows, intellectually, that Jak and Soren are one-in-the-same, but, at the same time, he . . . doesn't. It's not like he has two separate personalities. It's like he has two different sets of expectations for himself. What I'm afraid of," Levi continued, in a worried tone, "is that I may have inadvertently done something which set this entire thing up." 'What can I do . . . for either Jak or Rex?' Steve asked himself. He glanced around the other diners, all of them behaving as if no cares weighed on them. They took their cues from the restaurant's festive decorations, and the palm trees strung together with small, twinkling lights. For them, it was party time. "Don't feel bad about telling me of your concerns," Steve said, looking across the table. "You did the right thing, and I can't imagine what you could have done or said, which would cause this problem. I believe it's something in Jak's makeup. The only thing which comes to mind is his . . . need . . . to be the best there is, and I don't see how that would tie in to what's going on. Levi's lips twitched, as if he wanted to smile, but wasn't sure if doing so was the correct response. "I could have waited to say something." "You could have, but that wouldn't have changed anything." He heaved a sigh. "And, before you say it, you are not responsible. There is nothing either of us can do, either about Rex, or Jak . . . at least tonight. It may sound crass, but I'm going to do my damnedest to not think about the boys, or any . . . potential . . . problems." Steve smiled. "After all, you and I are on vacation! Problems are something which can be discussed . . . tomorrow . . . at the earliest. I'm not ignoring anything you've said . . . There's nothing I wouldn't do for my boys, but right now, there is also nothing I can do." He laid a comforting hand on top of Levi's, where it rested on the table. "Otherwise, let's you and I, enjoy ourselves."
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