Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

nothing was happening. Instead he raised his head and peered over the back of the sofa before giving Len another quick kiss and then boosting himself up and onto his feet. “I’ll be right there.” Before going to Geoff, he extended his hand and helped Len to his feet.
    “You need to see to Geoff. I’ll let myself out and see you in the morning.”
“Daddy.” They could only see Geoff’s legs and feet on the top stair.
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    Cliff nodded and gave Len one final kiss. “Thank you.” Then he walked up the stairs to where Geoff was standing. Len watched as Cliff climbed the stairs, waiting for him to disappear from sight before walking to the mud room to get his things.
    Rain dripped from his hair and dribbled down his back as he settled in the car and shut the door. Len could hardly believe what had just happened. Cliff had kissed him—and not just some soft peck; he’d ravished him. Len could still feel Cliff’s heat and taste the salty sweetness of his skin on his tongue. “Wow.” Breaking out of his daydreams, he pulled out his keys and started the car, pulling out of the drive and pointing the car toward home.
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“HI, MOM.” Len closed the door, blocking out the sound of the rain.
    She looked away from the television to smile at him. “How was work?” She didn’t look worried, but Len noticed that she checked the clock. “You’re home late.”
    “Cliff invited me for dinner.” Len slipped off his jacket and hung it to dry.
“So I take it the two of you talked.”
Len smiled sheepishly. “You could say that, yeah.” He really didn’t want to get into details with his mother.
    “So things are okay between you?” When Len didn’t answer, she turned around in her chair. Len watched as she looked him over and then smiled before turning back to the television without another word.
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    “I’ll see you in the morning.” Len went to his room, closing out everything else as the door clicked shut. Len sat on the edge of the bed, pulling off his shoes before leaning back on the mattress and closing his eyes.
    Cliff was there again. He could feel his weight on his body, Cliff’s lips pulling gently, Cliff’s excitement against his hip.
“Damn….” Len’s pants had gotten tight, painfully tight. Without thinking, Len popped the catch on his jeans and the painful pressure gave way to relief. Sliding his hand down his stomach, he slid his fingers along his length and exposed his arousal to the air. His mind played the scene in Cliff’s living room, embellishing it, enhancing it. This time there was no Geoff, just him and Cliff. Their clothes disappeared by magic, and he could feel Cliff’s body, stroke his hardness, slide his hands along the curve of his back and over his firm butt. He’d done this so many times before, but now it was so much richer, so real. “Cliff….” Len moaned softly as his climax overpowered him.
    Breathing heavily, he collapsed back on the bed, his chest heaving. Pulling his shirt over his head, he wiped himself and basked in the glow of his fantasy before sitting up and undressing the rest of the way. Putting on his robe, he padded to the bathroom and started the shower.
    The heated water felt good on his aching muscles as his hands scrubbed his tingling skin. He couldn’t stop himself from wondering what Cliff’s hands would feel like against his skin. “Len,” He heard his mother’s voice through the door. “Janelle’s on the phone.” Len’s fantasy popped like a soap bubble. “I’ll be right out.” Rinsing himself quickly, he shut off the water and wrapped a towel around his waist before opening the bathroom door and padding to the phone. “Hi, Janelle.”
    “Hi, Len. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
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“No, I was just cleaning up.” He heard the other side of the line go quiet, and he shivered slightly even though the room was warm.
    “I was wondering if you’d like to go to the play at the high school on Friday. They’re doing Camelot, and I thought it might be fun. The show starts at eight.” Her voice had definitely deepened.

    He hesitated initially. “Sure. I have to work until late, so I’ll meet you there.” He was dripping all over the floor. “I need to go, but I’ll see you Friday at about seven-forty-five.”

    “Okay, see you then.” She hung up the phone, and Len padded back to the bathroom. After drying himself off, he finished his evening routine