Mr. Right Now Read online

  An eyebrow lofted curiously. “But you do have the basic theory down, sounds like,” Tommy encouraged. “Even for handymen, there’s book theory, then there’s hands-on experience,” Mark said, turning back to finish inserting the screw into the anchor.

  When Mark turned the screwdriver a final time, Tommy pulled it from his hands and dropped it onto the bed as Mark hung the painting. Lifting Mark’s calloused, tanned fingers, he pressed kisses to the tip of each long digit. “These are capable hands.”

  “Yeah,” Mark agreed, a little cautious. “Capable isn’t the issue,” he murmured, his other hand moving to hover at the back of Tommy’s head.

  Tilting his head back, Tommy leaned into Mark’s touch. “You have the opportunity now,” he whispered. Blinking, Mark’s lips parted as he got the message and all the blood in his body rushed to his cock. Slowly, he lowered his head, his fingers delving into Tommy’s soft hair. Tommy closed his eyes, waiting expectantly for the touch of lips that Mark’s actions promised him. His released a breath, sighing softly in anticipation.

  The quiet sound Tommy made had Mark tied up in knots as he lightly pressed his lips to the other man’s, slowly moving his mouth over them to learn their texture. Tommy fought to remain still, dying to taste Mark again, but willing to let the other man explore at his own leisure. One hand clasped loosely around the hand he’d kissed earlier, and the other hovered somewhere near his midsection, trying to quell the butterflies in his stomach.

  Shifting to drop his hand and curl it about Tommy’s waist, effectively pulling him closer, Mark inhaled and opened his lips, carefully licking along Tommy’s lower lip and kissing the corner of his mouth.

  Tommy’s lips parted on a sigh at the tentative touch of tongue. He dared to open his eyes, glancing shyly up at the man who dwarfed him, both in physical size and sensuality. “Mark,” he whispered, idle hand meeting Mark’s ribcage and drifting higher.

  “Uh huh?” Mark answered quietly, slowly sliding his lips along Tommy’s jaw as he held him close. “If,” Tommy cursed himself for saying what he was about to say. “If this isn’t going to happen tonight, we need to stop now.” He pulled a mere hair’s breadth away. “I don’t think I can stop later.”

  Mark looked down at him seriously. “I don’t want to stop,” he murmured. “If you want me, I want to be here.” Tommy smiled faintly, his lips curving as he pressed them to Mark’s. “Wrong room,” he whispered. He tugged Mark along behind him as they navigated out from behind the bed. He led him to another, larger room. Indicating the bed, he whispered, “King sized.”

  A smile pulled at Mark’s lips. “That’s more like it,” he complimented, pulling Tommy close against him again. “What do you want?” he asked quietly.

  “You,” Tommy whispered hoarsely. “Any way I can get you.” He pulled at his own shirt, tugging it over his head and dropping it over the knob on the footboard of the bed. “You’re a sexy man,” Tommy half-growled, stepping closer and pressing his body to Mark’s. His hand slid from collar to hem of the shirt the tall man wore. “I feel alive right now. More alive than I’ve felt since I moved here.” He unsnapped the button of Mark’s trousers for the second time that night, sliding the zip down smoothly over the protruding bulge.

  Eyes fluttering shut, Mark swallowed hard. “You make me feel sexy,” he admitted, sliding both his hands around Tommy’s back, fingers tracing the muscles.

  Mark’s gentle fingers on his back made him shiver with excitement. He pushed gently at the trousers surrounding Mark’s hips, the fabric whispering to pool around the other man’s long legs.

  “I’ve never blushed harder than when flirting with you,” Mark admitted. “I’ve never been harder than when flirting with you.”

  Fitting his hand around said hardness, Tommy moaned before answering, “I’m so flattered to know that I can cause this,” he squeezed gently, “in a man like you.” He slid his hands inside the boxers Mark wore, cupping firm cheeks.

  Groaning, Mark chuckled. “A man like me? I’m just your average Joe, really,” he said, eyes sparkling as he shifted his hips against Tommy’s hand.

  Testing the length and weight of Mark’s cock in his curious hands, Tommy laughed. “Nothing average about you.” He stroked once or twice, getting a feel for the other man’s pleasure.

  Mark snorted, then laughed, leaning to give Tommy a playful kiss. “You just remember that, now,” he joked, then he purred in pleasure.

  The sounds that rumbled from Mark’s throat made Tommy’s insides clench. He tipped his head up, meeting the playful kiss with an open mouth, teasing Mark into a deeper caress of tongues. His thumbs edged at the elastic waistband of the boxers, wanting to see Mark bare. Pressing closer, his chest encountered the cotton of Mark’s shirt, and he grumbled at the obstacle, pulling his hands away from Mark’s waist and groin long enough to dispose of the shirt.

  Tommy’s intensity and desire were catching and Mark wanted him closer. Once his clothes hit the floor, he swept Tommy up against his body, lifting the other man into his arms and urging his legs to curl about his waist as he went back to kissing him.

  Tommy didn’t require much urging, his legs fitting naturally around Mark’s frame. He gasped into Mark’s mouth as their engorged organs brushed together for the first time, the texture and contrast making him shiver violently in Mark’s arms.

  “You fit great in my arms,” Mark murmured, dropping his mouth to Tommy’s neck, sucking and nipping there, feeling his shyness drop away as he was instead driven by desire.

  Tommy’s neck arched at the intense pleasure Mark’s lips and teeth evoked in him. He tightened his grip on Mark, hips hitching slightly. “Bed,” he breathed.

  Turning, Mark walked the couple of steps and sat on the bed, settling Tommy on his thighs. “Bed,” he murmured, seeking Tommy’s lips again, his hands splayed along the other man’s hips.

  Rising onto his knees, Tommy pushed Mark back onto the large, soft surface, pressing his body fully against the larger man’s as they settled into the pliable mattress. “You make me feel good.”

  “God, I’m glad,” Mark said fervently, sliding his hands to cup Tommy’s rear and savoring the feel of his body against him. Tommy chuckled at Mark’s relief combined with the feel of strong hands on his bare bottom. His legs spread, letting him sink further down over Mark’s body, his full weight pushing Mark deep into the mattress. He nipped at Mark’s chin, tongue teasing in the slight cleft before his teeth scraped gently over the stubbled flesh.

  Groaning, Mark craned his neck, trying to kiss along his neck and learn his flavor. He shifted his hips up without meaning to and gasped as sensation shot through his groin.

  “Do it again,” Tommy breathed, bracing himself above Mark’s frame, “Push…” Trying to remember what he’d done, Mark shifted his hips slowly from side to side, then up, then up again and pressing close and… “Oh, God!” he cried as their cocks rubbed together, sending sparks flying.

  Tommy pushed down, trying to simulate the same feeling again and again. He frowned as it wasn’t quite the same. “I want to feel your weight on me,” he pleaded, hoping Mark would understand what he wanted.

  Brow furrowing, Mark sat halfway up, propping himself on his elbows. “Okay,” he said, tilting his head. “Whatever you want.” Looking up and down Tommy’s lean, muscled frame, Mark smiled appreciatively. “You’re gorgeous,” he complimented as he moved his knees to lie between Tommy’s legs, lowering himself slowly until his weight rested upon the other man.

  A full-body shudder rippled across Tommy’s body. “Yesss….” he hissed through clenched teeth. Mark groaned as he felt Tommy shake under him. He shifted slightly, raising up and lining up their hips before settling down again, pushing against him slightly, moaning when he felt those sparks again. It was pure perfection. Tommy spread his legs wider, encouraging Mark to simply move against him.

  Feeling his hips press down against Tommy’s, Mark sighed and used his arms to shift his body up and down on
Tommy’s, just a couple of inches, creating some friction and pressure between them. Tommy slid his hand between their bodies, grasping both of their cocks. He fisted them loosely, groaning openly at the friction and heat that grew exponentially with each movement Mark made.

  “Oh, whatever you’re doing, don’t stop,” Mark groaned, leaning his weight on his elbows as he started to grind down more against the other man.

  Tommy’s other hand made its way between them, grasping at Mark’s balls as the other man moved above him. Just as Tommy’s hand closed around Mark and he groaned, their weight shifted and the headboard hit the wall. Then there was a clunk, a slide, and a heavy crash.

  Tommy sat up, nearly knocking Mark to the floor. “Holy hell! What was that?” The larger man gasped and groaned as Tommy sat up, ooofing as he caught Tommy’s elbow in his gut. “The picture,” he wheezed, holding his middle. “Sounds like it fell.”

  Tommy turned back, hands going to Mark’s shoulders. “Oh, God, I’m sorry!” Seeing Mark’s face twist in a grimace of pain tickled him, and he started giggling.

  Grimacing, Mark looked up and then chuckled as well. Shaking his head, he shifted his feet off the bed so he could breathe a little better. Standing, he stepped into his trousers, tucking himself in and zipping up. The moment was past, after all. “I think I’ll make it,” he answered.

  Leaning against Mark’s shoulder, Tommy laughed until he cried. “I am so sorry. This has to be the funniest, funnest date I’ve ever been on. Please don’t be offended.”

  Enchanted by Tommy’s openness and smile, Mark couldn’t help but laugh along. “Don’t be sorry, it’s been great,” he said honestly, sliding an arm around Tommy’s shoulders.

  “Maybe we can go out again soon?” Tommy asked hopefully. “And maybe now that our… ahem… heads are on straight, we won’t be so rushed.”

  Looking at Tommy with a smile, Mark nodded. “I’d like that. I like you, Mr. Tommy Griggs.”

  “Good thing. I’m rather fond of you as well, Mr. Mark Baker.” MARK stood at the register, literally watching the clock on the wall. Everything was done and put away except for cashing out the register, and he’d already counted the money once. He just had to wait three minutes and twenty-six seconds longer.

  Stopping just outside the plate glass window in the front of the shop, Tommy pressed his face to the glass, knocking to get Mark’s attention. When the other man turned, he made a face, puffing his cheeks out against the glass.

  Breaking into a laugh, Mark grinned and motioned for Tommy to come inside. Shaking his head, he started cashing out the register. It was close enough to closing time.

  Tommy entered the air-cooled building, leaning on the counter as he watched Mark count money. “Planning on taking me somewhere really expensive tonight?” he joked as Mark handled the money expertly.

  Raising an eyebrow as he bagged the money, Mark made notes on the register tape. “Did you have something particular in mind?” he asked absently, tucking the pencil behind his ear.

  “There’s this lovely little bistro, out on the lake. I hear they serve the best steak this side of the continent.” Tommy reached up, smoothing a lock of hair that was displaced by the pencil behind Mark’s ear. “Or we could just sit on my porch swing and rock the night away.”

  Zipping the bag shut, Mark smiled. “We could see if they do take out,” he suggested. “’Cause I think the porch swing sounds great.” He made eye contact with Tommy. “The rocking, too.”

  Tommy took his hand. “Have you missed me as much as I’ve missed you?” Looking at their entwined fingers, Mark nodded before meeting Tommy’s eyes. “Haven’t been able to think about much else, really,” he admitted. “And stocking the screws was really…” he cleared his throat.

  “Giggle inducing?” Tommy snickered, remembering the experience. “Did any of the customers wonder why you blushed and then started giggling while holding your midsection in remembrance?”

  Mark chuckled. “It was nothing compared to the old Jewish lady who came in asking for WD-40.” Tommy started laughing, fingers tightening around Mark’s. “I can imagine.” He leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to Mark’s lips. “The second hanging of the painting worked. It hasn’t fallen again. Thank you.”

  The taller man flushed a little. “Although I guess there’s not been a headboard thumping against that wall?”

  “I rearranged the room,” Tommy admitted. “The bed is on the opposite side now.”

  Mark relaxed a little. “So… no thumping?” he asked hesitantly. Realizing suddenly what Mark was asking, he kissed the taller man again. “No thumping. Yet. Just thoughts of thumping. Thoughts of you and lots of thumping.”

  Cheeks pinkening, Mark smiled some after Tommy’s kiss. “Good. That there’s no thumping yet, I mean. Real thumping, not thoughts of thumping. Well, unless they’re of me. I mean, yeah. No thumping.” Mark’s face got progressively redder as he babbled.

  “We can remedy that,” Tommy said with a smirk. Mark looked confused. “But there’s already no thumping.”

  “But maybe I want there to be thumping.” Tommy said in blatant invitation. Eyes widening, Mark’s jaw dropped a bit, then snapped shut. “Oh.” Then he blinked in realization. “Oh. Well. I think I could probably help you with that,” he stuttered out.

  Tommy grinned and tugged at Mark’s hand. “Feed me, Baker. I need sustenance to last me through the thumping to come.”

  Grinning like mad, Mark fished his keys out of his pocket, ditched his apron as Tommy pulled him past the cash wrap, and stopped long enough to lock the door. Tommy waited impatiently. Mark was a very attractive man. Tall, dark, handsome in the classic way, but his eyes and mouth were creased with laugh lines. His wide mouth smiled easily. His eyes sparkled constantly. His tall frame lounged easily, whether standing or sitting. Tommy grinned as he realized exactly how lucky he was to have a chance with such a sexy man. And tonight. Oh, yes, there would indeed be much thumping.

  Tucking his keys away, Mark turned to find Tommy looking at him speculatively. He glanced down at his dark slacks and button-up shirt, nicely tucked in. “What?” he asked.

  Tommy grinned and pressed close to steal a kiss before rasping, “Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump, look at Tommy go…”

  Sonja Spencer Sonja Spencer has always enjoyed writing as an escape from her professional life. She spends what spare time she has with her family and friends; and she loves long walks on the beach, jumping in puddles and cuddling puppies. She aspires to be an entertaining writer and a gourmet chef.

  Email Sonja at [email protected]

  Odds Are

  Chrissy Munder

  “I don’t want to go.” Rick Page stood at the open door of his

  closet and shook his head. “I really, really don’t want to go.” Somehow he really didn’t think the garments hanging there so silently in their neat little rows cared.

  “You have to go. You’re on the program.” The female voice came from the direction of his bed, but as it was currently piled high with clothes he’d tried on and then discarded, he really couldn’t see anything but bare feet with their blue painted toenails waggling in his direction. They obviously didn’t care, either.

  “Maybe I can get someone to sub for me.” Rick declared morosely even though he knew that wasn’t really possible. “Right. There’s oh-so-many people on the top of their game when it comes to the intracellular messenger molecule known as C/EBP-alpha as it applies to bronchial smooth muscle cells,” Carol pointed out as she tried to fight her way through the mess of clothing covering her and the bed. “Wow, you know, it sounds really dirty when I say that out loud.”

  “Almost everything you say out loud sounds dirty, and I still don’t want to go,” Rick replied dejectedly. Maybe if he said it often enough…

  “Oh, stop whining and finish packing.” Carol’s head finally managed to lift from the pillows where she reclined and she glared at Rick. “Look, you made me spill my drink.”
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  “Aren’t you supposed to be helping me instead of reclining on my bed and drinking… what are you drinking, anyway?” Rick turned and looked at his oldest friend and the head nurse at the respiratory rehab facility where they both worked.

  “Mimosas. Champagne and OJ. The only damn alcohol I could find in the house. This is a bachelor pad, and my Great Aunt Tina has more booze in her cupboard than you do, and she’s in her sixties.” Carol waved an indignant hand at Rick as he stood in front of his closet dressed only in a disreputable pair of scrub pants that were in danger of falling off his narrow hips.

  “I don’t drink much, you know that.” Rick shrugged and scratched his chest, unmindful of Carol’s critical gaze on his muscular torso. They’d been friends for far too long for that to bother him.

  “You don’t do much of anything else, either. If I know you, this is the most action your bed has seen in ages.” Carol leered at him, the effect only slightly lessened by the T-shirt draped over her head where it must have fallen during his earlier fashion panic. “And watching you strut around half-naked I can only say that’s a damn shame.”

  “I’m not strutting.” Rick ignored the rest of her words, mainly because they were true and he didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of being right. It had been six months since Brian had left him. Six long, lonely, empty months, and that’s why he didn’t want to go the conference that normally was a high point in his professional year. How could he enjoy himself when everything there would remind him of Brian and the fun they had had there the year before?

  “I always forget how damn macho you can look, too.” Carol pulled the T-shirt off her head and tossed it to the foot of the bed as she continued her attempts at confidence boosting. “Especially half-naked. It’s those damn muscles. Sexy.” She mock-growled at him. “If I was a guy and looked like you, do you know how often I could get laid?”

  Carol tilted her head to one side. “Or at least blown?” Rick snorted as he knelt down to fumble for a pair of shoes shoved toward the back of the closet ignoring Carol’s whistle at his upended rear. “Does your husband realize just what a potty mouth you get when you drink?”