Contractual Obligation

Chapter Ten

Doug’s first week went relatively well despite feeling he’d jumped in way over his head. Gorden assured him he was doing fine, and his few brief meetings with Harper went well.

Unfortunately, come Friday afternoon, he knew he had unfinished business to take care of. He’d only spoken to Tate a few times throughout the week. He dreaded the drive up to Gainesville. He knew how it would end—how it had to end—and why.

It didn’t make it any easier to do. He didn’t want to hurt Tate.

He didn’t want to say good-bye to Tate.

The fact that Tate had received the promotion was, ironically, an out for him. Not a final good-bye, just a break for a while so he could get his career off the ground and save his parents’ home, and an opportunity for Tate to settle into his new job responsibilities. Long-distance relationships were a bitch and a half to maintain.

This was an opportunity neither of them could pass up.

He’d even take every bit of anger or abuse Tate wanted to deal out. He deserved it and he knew it. He just wished he could tell Tate the full truth. Ask him to wait.

He also knew that was even more selfish than taking this job for the money.

Tate was watching TV in the living room when Doug let himself in late Friday night. Without a word, Tate jumped up and kissed him.

Everything Doug had planned to say and do flew out of his mind. Tate was dressed in nothing but running shorts. Doug ran his hands over his body, hooking his fingers in the waistband of Tate’s shorts and yanking them down the man’s hips.

Tate dropped to his knees and unzipped Doug’s slacks. He pulled out his cock and sucked it into his mouth, reaching around Doug and digging his fingers into his ass, holding him tightly.

Not that Doug would escape if he wanted to. There wasn’t much better than the feel of Tate’s blow jobs.

Before he could come, Tate released him, stood, and grabbed his hand. Doug followed him to their bedroom and kicked off his shoes and socks before pulling off the rest of his clothes and joining Tate in their bed.

Somewhere in his brain, a little voice screamed at Doug that this was wrong, this was callous, that it was horrible to use Tate like this.

His cock and balls told that little voice to take a hike when Tate rolled onto his hands and knees and wiggled his cute ass at Doug.

“Fuck me, baby. I need you.”

Doug grabbed the bottle of lube off the bedside table, slathered his cock and Tate’s ass with it, and buried himself balls-deep inside his lover’s tight, hot channel.

He held still a moment, enjoying the sensation and knowing it might be the very last time he ever felt it. When he started moving, he knew it wouldn’t take long for him to blow his load. He reached around and grabbed Tate’s cock, which was already leaking long ropes of pre-cum all over the sheets.

“Come for me,” he hoarsely said. He wanted this one last time to feel Tate’s ass squeezing his cock as he came. Tate’s hips bucked against him as he fucked himself back and forth between Doug’s cock and hand. Doug used his free hand to smack Tate on the ass. “That’s it, show me how good it feels,” he said.

Tate’s back arched as he let out a loud moan. At the same time, Doug felt Tate’s cock explode in his hand as his ass went wild around his cock. He let go and grabbed Tate’s hips, fucking him deep and hard, driving him up the bed as his own climax washed through him. They ended up in a sweaty tangle in the sheets.

Doug was afraid to break the silence. After a while, Tate finally spoke. “You’re moving to Tampa, aren’t you?”

Doug swallowed hard. “Yeah. I’m sorry.”

In the dim light, Doug couldn’t see Tate’s expression. “I had a feeling,” he softly said.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to, but this job—”

“It’s okay.” In the darkness, Tate found and squeezed his hand. “You need to do what you need to do for your folks. I understand.”

Doug felt even worse, if it was possible. “I don’t want you to lose this opportunity, either.”

“I know.” Tate went silent for so long, Doug thought maybe he’d fallen asleep. “Just tell me the truth. Is there anyone else now?”

“No,” Doug said, his voice nearly breaking up as he choked back tears. “I love you.”

Tate let out a sad sigh. “Okay.” He patted Doug’s arm. “Friends with bennies then, for now?”

Doug kissed the back of his neck. “Okay.”

Tate had suspected this was coming. If it hadn’t been for Doug’s family’s problems, he knew it would have gone differently. Tate couldn’t blame him. Put in the same position, he might have made the same choice.

He couldn’t fault Doug for wanting to help them, even if it broke his heart in the process.

They made love again before falling asleep. The next morning, after their shower and breakfast, Tate helped Doug pack and load his car. Before Doug left, they hugged.

“I’m always going to love you,” Tate softly said. “And if there’s ever a chance, I want it.”

He heard the sorrow in Doug’s voice. “Me too, babe.”

They kissed one last time before Doug finally climbed into his car and left. Tate watched him until he pulled out of their apartment complex.

One day, he thought. One day, I’m going to come after you.

He just hoped that day would be sooner rather than later.