Page 23 of Troy

Grinning broadly, I sit at my desk as I listen to Raff shifting furniture and equipment. He’s mumbling curses and grumbling continuously. I offered to help but got told to leave him alone, so, after a quick kiss, I did exactly that. Shaking my head, I chuckle and get back to work.

An almighty crash sounds and Boss bolts through the open, adjoining door as Raff swears loudly. Jumping up, I rush into his office. “Everything okay, Raff? Is there a problem?”

“Nope, I’m good.” Raff looks at me, his hands on his head, an enormous projection screen in a ripped tangle at his feet. He scowls when he sees me smiling. “It’s not fucking funny, Troy. That is an expensive bit of kit there, and the damn dog has just ripped a massive hole in it.”

“Oh, baby, let me buy you a new one. We’ll take it out of Boss’ treat money.” I walk over and pull his fingers out of his tangled hair and rest them on my hips before grabbing his waist to pull him in for a kiss. My mouth molds around his lips and I swipe the seam with my tongue. Raff relaxes and opens for me. Our tongues dance lazily with each other for a few short moments then Raff pulls back, shaking his head.

“Did you just ‘Oh baby’ me? That’s my line. And you don’t need to buy me one; I can do that.” Raff continues his grumbling.

“Don’t be such a grouch, and it doesn’t matter who pays for it. Just order one and invoice it to our account, it’s all tax deductible anyway.” Pecking his mouth, I let him go. “I’ll keep your dog in with me until you are tidied away in here.”

The remainder of the day goes smoothly. Ben knocks on my door as it’s time to go home. I look up from my computer and smile, gesturing for him to come in. “Hi, Ben, what’s up?”

“Hey, Troy, you know the calendar we talked about? I wonder if, now Raff is here, we could work out a schedule for the shoot. I’ve got a great selection of willing, potential models and a couple of new guys joining, in the next two weeks. Both are still receiving a lot of therapy but the therapist has recommended physical therapy to start, so they will be paired with two of our best men.” Ben is so enthusiastic about his work and uses it as his own therapy; he never mentions his own horror story to us, but he has confided in some of his veterans. It’s how and why he has such amazing results in rehabilitating the men and women reaching out to him.

“Raff is still in his office; why don’t you go through. I’m sure he will be very excited and will make something special.” I nod to the door that is now ajar rather than open.

“Thanks, Troy.” Ben gives me another small smile, “How’s it going with him? The chemistry between you two looks electric.” He laughs and then, with a wink, he knocks on the other door.

“Yeah, you keep away from him. I’ve claimed this one.” I laugh.

“That’s not fair, when do I get my turn?” Ben smirks at me, then Raff speaks out.

“I can hear you, y’know. Hey, Ben, come on through.” Raff hollers and Ben has the decency to blush.

“I’ll see you at home, Raff.” I shout and shut everything down in my office. Finished, I look up to Raff standing in front of me.

“I think I need more from you than that.” Raff’s eyes smolder as he stares at me, my knob gets a wakeup call and throbs gently in my pants.

Walking up to him, I cup his cheeks—the soft hair of his beard rubs against my palms—as I lean in to kiss him, Raff’s hands resting on my waist. The sweet kiss ends quickly, before our desire grows.

Breathlessly, I sigh over his damp, parted lips, “I’ll see you at home, Rafferty.” I love how his eyes dilate when I use his full name, knowing I’m the only one he lets use it.

“Yeah, I won’t be long, lover.” Raff’s husky voice washes over me.

Plodding out of the building, I call out a goodbye to the receptionist and amble over to my car. I brought the Ferrari today; it’s a newer one to the one I first drove back when I first met Franco, but the love of them has kept me owning one when, really, it’s too showy. But fuck, can it go!

I feel so different about being here now Raff is with me. We moved his small bag of possessions into my room on Friday, there was no doubt of him wanting to stay here with me. I suppose we need to sort out getting the remainder of his stuff here, we can arrange for a movers’ company to pack up and deliver it all. Another thing we can talk about this week. Not that we have problems finding things to discuss; I can’t remember the last time I laughed and joked as much with a boyfriend. Apart from Franco.

My dreams have been peaceful and free of him. I miss feeling him around me but more out of habit than need. Rafferty has me in knots, but amazing knots: tangles of excitement, of expectation and lust—so much lust. But there is love there, waiting to be voiced. I love him and it doesn’t feel wrong or too early, it simply feels like the next stage of my life.

Suddenly I think of my life tree, something that has been stunted and neglected these past few years, as I refused to move on from my grief by keeping friends and lovers at arm’s length. But I feel new boughs and foliage, ready to expand my life, letting me take a new direction, to branch out and live again.

Stripping, I head to the shower as my mind wanders back to this morning’s shower and Raff’s body covering mine as he took me. Quickly, but still so gentle and sweet as we climaxed together. My dick decides to wake up as I recall the moans and sighs but I ignore it. I wash up and dry off, leaving my hair towel damp, then dressing in a pair of sweatpants.

Food time. I head for the kitchen and open the refrigerator. Deciding steaks would be good tonight, I step outside to get the grill lit so it’s ready when Raff gets here. I pull out the ingredients for a salad, as well as a couple of potatoes to bake. I love cooking and have let it slide lately, becoming lazy. I learned so much from Franco as we cooked together. Hmm, I wonder if Raff will cook with me.

Drawing a beer from the fridge, I move outside to relax on one of the loungers and let my mind drift away with the possibilities of what my future can hold. I dream of a wedding, perhaps children, and a bright and happy life. I think of moving away from the city. I love the house Nico and Ryan have on the edge of the lake; there is a large enough space for another house if I wanted to build. Franco bought the woods and lakeside land years ago, and I know he would be overjoyed for me to live there. I remember the first time I visited it: the sun high in the sky, we had brought jet skis and spent the day messing around in the water. As the sun started its descent, the colors changed from blue to oranges, pinks and purples, we lit the fire pit and sat on blankets, then we made love. Franco has given me so much more than merely his love; he gave me the strength to start again. As he kept me company in my dreams, he taught me to stand up and live, but I neglected his vision and stayed locked in the pain of his loss. Until now. The moment Raff spoke to me, everything Franco told me suddenly made sense. I can move on. Lying still, I feel I have completed my circle: Franco sent me his wishes and Rafferty, showering me with the same love I received from Franco, has completed me.

My peace and solitude is broken by the clattering of nails on the wooden floor as Boss races to me. Petting his head and back, I greet him. But my eyes search for my man, it’s a few heartbeats before Raff steps through the door.

“Hey, baby, you okay?” Raff bends down and cups my face, gazing deeply into my eyes and I see a worry line crinkle his brow. “What’s got you so worked up?”

I watch him as he comes closer to kiss me and I can’t hold back anymore.

“I love you.” Raff’s eyes widen before darkening—the lush green turning a deep forest green—his tongue darts out to moisten his lips, and he audibly swallows. Then he smiles and everything changes, everything is brighter, louder, the air charged with electricity.

“That’s good to know, baby, because I love you, too.” Raff’s mouth brushes across my own like a feather, barely a whisper, but his touch speaks volumes to me.

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