Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

with Jean Paul.
    CHAPTER 6: Measuring Six Inches or More
    Ryan Merphies arrived at Black Tie Affair at nine o'clock exactly. Matt Hunter was, as usual, fifteen minutes late. The two were supposed to be trying on tuxedos for Zach and Ann's wedding. After the initial introductions were done, Matt unbuttoned his white shirt, slipped off his pants, and threw both the shirt and his khakis on a chair. Ryan quickly followed suit with his shirt and jeans. With both men stripped down to their boxers, they stood there quietly and waited. As Bill Loosely, the owner, slid back and forth between the two of them, trying various designs and lengths of coats, and measurements of pants, the two stood there growing more and more aware of their near nakedness.
    This was not an uncomfortable situation for Matt, twenty four and in the best shape of his life. He loved showing off his meticulously worked out body and his every other week tanning salon skin. As Bill pulled this off, or tried this on, Matt stood, glancing in the mirror, checking himself out, and more importantly this "boy" who stood blushing to his right.
    Ryan, however, had never been comfortable in his own skin in all of his twenty-two years. He had always seen himself as too skinny, his muscles tightly wrapping around his bones, and leaving no room for growth and because of his red hair, which no one else in his family had, he couldn't tan without burning. So, inevitably he had ended up with freckles that dotted all over his body.
    He crossed his arms to cover his nipples that were hard due to the slight breeze that appeared from nowhere. As Bill tried one thing after another, Ryan tried to stretch each piece of clothing to cover as much of his body as possible. Standing there in just his boxers and socks, he felt on display with or without Matt watching him and it certainly didn't help that Matt was so comfortable with his nakedness.
    Matt, trying to alleviate the tension, started talking to Ryan.
    "So, how do you know Zach and Ann?" he asked, while putting on a tight white shirt.
    Ryan glanced at him, blushed once again, and looked away. "Zach is my . . . uh . . . brother."
    "Really? I didn't know he had any family this close?" Matt said, grinning slightly at Ryan's reaction to his body.
    "We don't really, uhm, talk . . . a lot. We have different mothers, so . . . we. . ." and Ryan almost whispers this part. "We don't really get along very well."
    "How many years difference between you two?" Matt asked, pulling the shirt back off.
    "Thirteen years." Ryan answered, just above a whisper.
    "Wow. Is that weird? Having a brother that much older than you?"
    "Not really. We've never really known each other." Ryan looked up from the floor as he answered. Then asked Matt, "How long have you guys known each other?"
    Matt thought a moment, and said "A few years. I think I met him when I was volunteering for Pride or something."
    "All right, boys. I got a few more jackets I want to try on you in the back, but I have to dig them out, so let's break. And I'll be back shortly, okay." Bill said, breaking his silence only to leave the room.
    Ryan quickly slipped his t-shirt over his head and slouched to the nearest chair.
    " Why do you do that? " Matt asked, crossing the room and sitting beside Ryan.
    "Do what?" Ryan asked, looking deeply into Matt's eyes for the first time.
    "I don't know. You look so uncomfortable with yourself. And I don't understand why."
    "What do you mean?" Ryan asked, still staring into Matt's eyes.
    "Come here" Matt said, while he stood and pulled Ryan to his feet.
    He started to pull off Ryan's shirt, but Ryan held it in place.
    "Trust me, please." There was something in his eyes that made Ryan do so.
    Matt pulled off Ryan's shirt and stood him in front of the mirror. Ryan refused to look up from the floor.
    "Look at yourself. Look at your body. It's beautiful." Ryan glanced up, not to look at his own body, but to look into Matt's eyes again.
    As Matt stood behind him, Ryan felt dizzy with his closeness. "I've never . . . thought. . ."
    Ryan started to crumble, but Matt caught him in his arms and as he did, he kissed him slightly on the neck. "Is this ok?" He whispered in Ryan's ear.
    Ryan nodded and leaned into Matt, letting him have all control. Matt's hands roamed Ryan's body, pinching his nipples playfully. Ryan hissed in pleasure. Matt scratched his nails down Ryan's stomach and was delighted to see the marks on his skin.
    Ryan had never let someone touch