Page 49 of Unwanted

Heat unfurls beneath my skin, swimming in my veins, making its way down to my hardening cock. It’s been a long time since my body has reacted to another person.

I don’t know whether I’d trained my body into a vegetative state or whether the appeal of being with anybody but Frankie just didn’t exist.

Sex and lust have just been thoughts in the back of my mind, but I’ve never felt the need to put the thoughts into action.

Porn and my hand have suited me just fine.

Until now.

Now, around Frankie, it was a raging fire I couldn’t extinguish.

“I guess I lied before,” I say. “You have changed.”

Frankie strides over to me, and my eyes follow as he turns, resting his ass on my desk and facing me. “How so?”

“I don’t remember you being this much of a flirt.”

Frankie’s tongue darts out to wet his bottom lip. “I didn’t really have to try before.” He looks at me sheepishly. “And I’ve had a lot of practice since.”

I bite on the inside of my cheek to hide my shock and jealousy at the admission. I’m not an idiot to think he’s been celibate for the last four years, but I didn’t really expect this to be a conversation between us.

Trying to formulate a response, I right my t-shirt and place it over my head. “I guess you’re going to have to tell me all about that.”

He chuckles. “So out of all the things there is for us to talk about, you’ve chosen my sex life?”

“It wouldn’t have been my first choice,” I say honestly, grabbing my cell and keys and slipping them into my gym shorts pockets. “But I do want to know things about you.”

Frankie pushes himself off the desk as I lead us out of my office. “You know everything about me,” he says, but even as the words leave his mouth, I can see the split second Frankie realizes that’s a lie and we’re not those people anymore. “Well, you know everything about me that matters,” he amends.

“I find it hard to believe that nothing in the last four years has mattered to you.”

The silence between us stretches and I focus on my feet as they move one in front of the other. The repetitive sound of shoes pounding on the treadmills gets louder as we reach the main floor of the gym. And a familiar voice calls out my name just before we reach the exit.

“Arlo.” I turn to see a sweaty Rhys jogging to meet me.

“Hey, man.”

He tips his chin up at Frankie and looks back at me. “Are you coming back? I was hoping to catch a workout with you.”

In the short time I’ve known Rhys I’ve noticed he does his best thinking when he trains, and whether he realizes it or not, we only train when he’s in desperate need of a sounding board.

Knowing he needs to talk and the gym gives him the ability to do that instead of finding solace in drugs or alcohol, gives me confidence that what I’ve built here is worth its weight in gold.

“Yeah, man, of course.” I glance over at Frankie. “Maybe Frankie can join us?”

Frankie looks down at his t-shirt and jeans and back up at me. “I don’t think I’m really dressed for the occasion.”

“Maybe another time, then?” I challenge, hoping he sees through my offer and knows at this point it’s more a coward’s way of asking him to spend time alone with me.

He nods. “Another time sounds really good to me.”

“Okay, thanks,” Rhys says, cutting the exchange between Frankie and me short. He extends his arm out to Frankie. “Thanks so much for the ride earlier, man.” And then he looks at me. “Come find me when you get back.”

Nodding, I push the door open as Rhys gives one last wave and Frankie and I amble outside.

“The only thing that has mattered to me in the last four years is that you were alive and healthy,” he blurts out.

I stumble over my own feet, and Frankie reaches for my arm, stopping me from tumbling to the ground.

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