Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

realized that the other man wanted to see his reaction—that he needed Ted's approval.
    How could he even think I wouldn't want him? And yet it was there in Len's eyes.
    Len's cock was long and graceful. Cut. Of course it would be , Ted thought with a smile. No self-respecting Long Island Jewish boy would be uncircumcised.
    The reminder of his past made Ted hesitate, his insecurities resurfacing now that the warm glow of the wine had begun to wear off. He felt so inadequate, faced with the beauty of this man.
    "Everything okay?"
    Len's voice brought Ted back to the present with a jolt and he realized that his silence might be misconstrued.
    "Everything's wonderful," he said through his fear. "You… it's… you're beautiful."
    With these words, Len's face relaxed. "Thanks," was all he said.
    "Lube?"
    Len reached beneath the pillow and grinned. He pulled out a condom and a bottle, holding them up to Ted. "I was lonely," he explained in a husky voice, "and I hoped that maybe the next time, you'd be here with me."
    With these words, Ted grinned outright and all of his remaining insecurities evaporated. He took the lube and condom and set them down, stepping off the bed.
    "Where are you go—?" Len began, stopping short as Ted let his shirt drop to the floor.
    You can do this , Ted reminded himself as he reached down to unbutton his jeans. Len propped himself up on the pillows and watched in eager anticipation as Ted unzipped the fly and pushed the jeans over his hips.
    "You're beautiful, Teddy." The words took Ted by surprise. Lenny Golden thought he was beautiful? "I mean it."
    Ted took a deep breath and pulled his boxers down. He heard Len's sharp intake of breath, but before Ted could melt into a huge puddle of embarrassment, Len was there, standing in front of him.
    "God," Len said as his hands explored Ted's naked body, "you have no idea how much you turn me on, do you?"
    Ted was speechless as Len continued to walk around him, his fingertips lovingly caressing his skin. Ted was dizzy with the touch.
    "Your skin's so soft," Len continued, undaunted. "I love how pale it is." His hands continued to explore Ted's body, moving upward to thread their way through Ted's hair. "I love how your hair is so soft. The way it falls into your eyes when you're working."
    Ted could barely breathe. Was Len saying these things about him ?
    "I know you don't believe me, Teddy. So let me show you." Len took his hands and backed up until his thighs touched the edge of the bed, then pulled Ted on top of him. He reached for the condom and rolled it over his cock.
    Silently, Ted poured the lube onto his hands and warmed it between his palms, then slicked Len up. He didn't look away this time. He fisted Len as he pressed a slippery finger inside of himself, watching Len's eyes widen with pleasure.
    "Oh, fuck. You're making me crazy. I want to be inside of you. I want to see your face when you come."
    Ted eased himself onto Len. He took his time and just savored the look of bliss on the other man's face as he rode him, one hand pressed against the muscled chest as he moved up and down. Len took Ted's erection in his slicked hand, mimicking Ted's movements with deliberation, running his thumb over the tip of Ted's cock until he cried out his release. Len followed a minute later, his face as serene as Ted had imagined it might be.
    "Yes. Oh, hell yes!" Len drew Ted against him, engulfing him, kissing his hair and his face. Ted had never felt anything quite like it before, and it frightened him. He felt small in Len's grasp, but he felt safe there as well. He didn't need to think much to know that he was falling for Len. Or maybe he had already fallen.
    ****
    Later, Ted lay in the semi-darkness with his head on Len's chest.
    "Tired?" Len asked.
    "Yes. But I'm not sleepy." It was hard to think about sleep with Len this close.
    "Would you stay the night?"
    Ted leaned up on an elbow and gazed down at the handsome man. "You want me to?"
    Len kissed him. "I've wanted this for a long time."
    "You've only known me a few weeks," Ted quipped with a sly grin.
    "That's not true. We met a long time ago. In New York."
    "You… You remember that?"
    Len grabbed Ted and pulled him back down against him. "You didn't think I remembered?"
    "I… well… I… no."
    Ted could feel the vibrations of warm laughter running through Len's chest. "I knew who you were the minute I saw you at the studio."
    "Really? I didn't think you'd ever noticed me back then."
    "I