Page 38 of Comforting the Grump

“I’m going to wash you, Marnin, not propose marriage. Relax.”

I stood helpless as he put some on his hands and started on my chest, rubbing the gel into foam as he spread it all over my skin. He was methodical and efficient, not lingering anywhere, yet it felt more intimate than the sex we’d just shared.

“You never came,” he said casually as he knelt in front of me and let his hands slide down my legs.

“I wasn’t in the mood anymore.”

“Because you accidentally asked for a repeat.”

“I thought we’d agreed to pretend I never said that.”

“No, you suggested, but I never agreed.”

“I’m not talking about this. I’m not…” I had to swallow. “I can’t do this with you. You’re too…close. You’re my best friend’s little brother, and this should’ve never happened.”

He was quiet as he took my cock between his soapy hands and cleaned me thoroughly. I grew hard within seconds. How typical, another betrayal by my own body.

“I’m not underage, you know,” Ennio said softly.

“Huh? Of course not.”

“And I am a consenting adult, as are you.”

“What’s your point?”

He’d washed my balls and now helped me rinse off. “I’m not Auden’s little brother anymore, Marnin. I haven’t been for a long time. That was valid fifteen years ago when I had a little crush on you, even though you treated me like a child…which I was. But I’m not anymore. Auden has no say in who I sleep with…not even when it’s his best friend.”

“What are you saying?” I asked hoarsely.

He rose to his feet, standing in front of me, his eyes meeting mine with a quiet challenge in them. “I’m saying that I would love a repeat. No strings attached, just two consenting adults having great sex.”

“I can’t.”

“You won’t. At least be honest about it. Of course you can. You want to, or you wouldn’t have suggested it. But you won’t.”

“Okay, I won’t.”

“Because I’m Auden’s little brother.”

I clenched my teeth. “Yes.”

He put his hands on his hips, and dammit, he was beautiful like that, all fired up. “Be honest, Marnin. I deserve that much. Is that really why?”

No, it wasn’t. Him being Auden’s little brother was the easy way out, the most convenient excuse, but of course, Ennio wouldn’t let me get away with it. “I can’t be what you need. You want a relationship, the whole white picket fence, maybe kids and a golden retriever thing…and I can’t. I’m not that man and never will be, and sooner or later, you’ll end up hurt.”

“So you’re deciding for me that I shouldn’t have fun in the meantime? That I can’t have a Mr. Right Now to have great sex with until I find the Mr. Right I want to spend the rest of my life with?”

When he put it like that, it sounded awfully controlling and patronizing. But when I wanted to refute it, nothing came out of my mouth. “I don’t want you to get hurt,” I finally said lamely.

“So you’ve told me before. I’m a big boy, Marnin. Let me make my own decisions.”

What argument could I possibly bring against that? Nothing, so I surrendered. “Okay.”

“Good. Now, let’s see what we can do about your current state.” He turned off the shower and sank to his knees again, looking up at me. “Feed me your cock.”

Oh, Jesus, take the wheel. How was I supposed to turn down that offer? Even if my cock hadn’t jumped in eagerness, I wouldn’t have been able to. Not when Ennio opened his mouth,stuck out his tongue, and looked at me as if he wanted to devour me.

I grabbed my base and stepped forward to lightly tap my tip against his tongue. “You want this?”

---