Puzzle by Nora Phoenix

37

Living with Ryder was so easy it felt like he’d been there for months. Branson had expected to experience the occasional irritation, but one week in, he hadn’t. In fact, they’d found a perfect rhythm, the two of them on the same page with keeping the apartment tidy. With Ryder preferring to shower in the evening and Branson in the morning, sharing a bathroom had been a breeze too.

They’d had sex twice more, both times as spectacular as before. The first time had been a quick fuck—in the hallway, of all places—and they’d both cleaned up and had gone back to whatever documentary they’d been watching. The second occasion had been the night before, and after a double orgasm, Ryder had crashed hard in Branson’s bed…where he still was this Sunday morning, snoring in the most adorable way.

Branson turned on his side, then rested his head on his arm and watched Ryder sleep. He needed a haircut, his dark hair even messier than usual. His skin was like a perfect white peach, so satiny and unblemished except for his stubble. Funny, Branson missed seeing Ryder’s eyes. He had the opposite of a poker face, his eyes betraying everything he felt. His face was so much more closed off now that he was asleep…though he was still beautiful. He was always beautiful.

Branson’s heart contracted painfully. How had he grown this attached to Ryder this quickly? If he wasn’t careful, he’d fall head over heels for him. Oh, who was he kidding? He was already in love with him. He had been for a while, maybe even before he’d been aware…before they’d slept together, which told him all he needed to know about the depth of his feelings. Sexual attraction played a role, but it wasn’t the base. At the core, he just…loved him.

He loved Ryder. He loved his geekiness, his kind heart, his dry sense of humor, and how smart he was. He loved that Ryder was honest, that he’d told Branson the truth before anyone else had, and that he’d given him a second and maybe even a third chance. He loved how uninhibited he was in bed, how genuinely attracted to Branson’s body…but what about the rest of Branson? Could Ryder grow to love him as well?

There had been moments when he’d been convinced the attraction on Ryder’s side ran deeper than pure sex, but as open as Ryder was about most things, he kept that part of himself firmly hidden. Or maybe he didn’t want to acknowledge his feelings to himself, which would make sense after the way his ex had treated him. He’d gotten hurt, so of course he would protect himself.

In the past, Branson might have forced the issue, kind of like he’d done with Seth—only to get rejected. But he wouldn’t with Ryder. He’d learned from his mistakes, and besides, he was smart enough to know that attempting to force Ryder to do anything would backfire. No, he’d have to be patient and wait for Ryder to see how good they already were together…and how much more perfect they could be if they were boyfriends.

Ryder stirred, making smacking noises as he opened his eyes. He blinked twice, and then a sweet smile spread across his lips that had Branson’s heart dancing in his chest and his belly fluttering with the force of his feelings. “Bonjour, chéri.”

“Bonjour, monsieur,” Ryder replied after a short hesitation, then turned on his side, facing Branson.

Ryder replying in French? That was new. Branson rewarded him with a big smile. “Look at you, speaking French.”

Ryder’s eyes lit up. “I looked it up for the next time you’d greet me in French.”

“Cool. Your pronunciation was good. What did you use, Google Translate?”

“At first, yes, but then I saw an ad for an app called Duolingo? It helps you learn the basics of a language, and it’s both reading and writing and speaking and listening, so I figured I’d try it. I did the first two lessons yesterday.”

“I’ve used Duolingo myself in an attempt to learn Dutch. I’d met this guy from The Netherlands, and he was really hot, so I thought I’d impress him by learning some seductive phrases in Dutch.”

“How did that work out?”

Branson grinned. “It’s an impossible language to learn, and the sounds are insane, so I gave up after ten lessons. Besides, Duolingo teaches you basics like how to introduce yourself or ask where the train station is, not how to say someone has a spectacular ass or can I fuck you pretty please.”

“A missed opportunity,” Ryder said dryly. “I’ll be sure to mention that in my review.”

“Please do. Every gay man in the world will thank you.”

Ryder yawned as he stretched. “I slept like a baby.”

“I guess you were pretty worn out.”

Ryder laughed. “Yeah, no shit. You went to town on my ass.”

“Not too rough, was I?” Branson was worried for a second.

“Fuck, no. It was perfect.”

“Ah, good. We’re a good match…sexually.”

“We are.” Ryder scooted a little closer. “In fact…”

Branson lifted an eyebrow. “You up for another round?”

Ryder froze. “That not okay? Am I too demanding? Too forward?”

Branson curled his hand around Ryder’s neck, preventing him from moving back. “It’s more than okay, chéri. I like it when you’re eager and confident, showing me you want me.”

Ryder searched his eyes, then breathed out, tension leaving his body. “Okay. I’m s—”

Branson cut him off with a finger on his lips. “Don’t apologize. I understand. Just know that I don’t feel that way, okay? I love it when you show me what you crave. It turns me on.”

He took Ryder’s hand and brought it to his dick, which had peaked at the idea of morning sex. He didn’t put Ryder’s hand on it but let go when they were close, so the choice to touch or not was Ryder’s. Ryder’s eyes darkened as he circled his hand around it. “I love your dick.”

He sounded hoarse, and the sigh he let out made Branson’s cock throb.

“Thank you.”

“Can I…?”

Branson nodded.

“Sit on the edge of the bed.”

He obeyed Ryder’s soft instruction, and Ryder slid out on the other side of the bed, then walked up to him. Branson’s eyes narrowed. Were those…? “Did I bruise you?”

Ryder looked down at his hip, where four bruises showed, matching where Branson’s fingers had been. “I guess so.” He checked the other side, then turned it toward Branson. “They’re on this side as well, though less pronounced.”

“Ryder…” Branson had to swallow before he could continue. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Ryder gazed back up at him with a puzzled expression. “Were you under the impression that I’m upset about this?”

“I don’t know, but shouldn’t you be?”

“Why? I loved every second of it. A few bruises won’t kill me. Besides, I always bruise easily.”

Branson caressed the spot on Ryder’s right hip with his fingertips. “I’ll be more careful next time.”

Ryder put a finger under his chin and forced eye contact. “Did you not hear me? I love it when you pin me down like that and fuck me rough. That second orgasm damn near took me out, it was so intense. You did that with the way you held me, so please don’t say you’ll be more careful. I don’t want you to be.”

Ryder’s face was open as always, showing every word he’d spoken was the truth. “Okay. But if that ever changes, or if I do anything you don’t like or want, please tell me.”

“Of course. I promise. Now, can we move on to the good part?”

Branson’s mouth curled up in a smile. “What part would that be?”

“The part where it’s my turn to get some morning protein in…”

Ryder sank to his knees between Branson’s legs, but not in submission. Not that Branson wanted him to, but he’d never mistake Ryder’s honest expression of what he wanted for submission. Ryder didn’t want Branson to dominate him. He wanted his cock. His desire was raw and pure, and Branson reacted with his whole body.

He threaded his fingers through Ryder’s hair even as the man leaned in and pressed his lips against Branson’s throbbing cock. Branson pulled Ryder’s head forward, rubbing himself against those soft lips that would feel so amazing wrapped around him. “You want this, chéri?”

“Mmm.”

He wouldn’t beg. And funnily enough, Branson didn’t want him to. They were on equal footing in every way, and that was how it should be for them. He offered Ryder his cock, moaning when Ryder attacked it with his mouth. He lapped and licked, kissed and nibbled, then created a wet trail from the base to the tip. Branson spread his legs, his body tense with the fight against the urge to slam his cock into Ryder’s mouth. He’d have to let Ryder set the pace.

Ryder nuzzled Branson’s balls, inhaling deeply as if he loved the scent. His tongue kept darting out, his lips so warm and wet as they explored his nuts, licking and sucking gently. Branson gasped with pleasure, the tension inside him building up rapidly. And god, when Ryder finally sucked the tip of Branson’s cock into his mouth, Branson thought he’d fucking lose it. Ryder let go with a plop, then worked his way down again, giving Branson’s balls another round of loving attention before he wrapped his lips around his cock again and sucked him in.

“Oh, fuuuuck,” Branson moaned. “Oh, that feels good, chéri… So fucking good.”

His fingers tightened on Ryder’s hair as Ryder took him in as deep as he could, fondling Branson’s balls with his right hand. Jesus, he was so eager, so desperate for his cock. Branson couldn’t think of a stronger aphrodisiac than that. And dammit, Ryder knew how Branson liked it by now, handling his balls with just that touch of roughness, that edge of discomfort and pain that got him so fucking hard he could pound nails.

Ryder bobbed his head, his left hand around the base of Branson’s cock as he sucked him. He didn’t hold back, slurping noises filling the room as he worked that wet, hot mouth until Branson shook with need. “Can I fuck your mouth?” he rasped.

“No, I need you inside me.”

“Then you’d better move on to that part because I’m about to blow my wad.”

Ryder grinned, then pulled off. “Moving on.”

They both climbed back onto the bed, Ryder installing himself on his back with his legs pulled up and spread wide. Branson made a show of sucking on his own fingers, licking around them, wetting them thoroughly. Ryder watched him with hooded eyes, his cheeks flushed. They both knew where those fingers would end up. When Branson retracted them with a pop, Ryder swallowed. Branson trailed his thumb over Ryder’s ass, but as soon as he’d reached his pretty little hole, he sank those two fingers right in, aided by the lube that was still present from the night before.

“Oh fuck, oh god, oh please…” Ryder babbled, tensing, then letting Branson’s fingers in. Branson opened him roughly, stretching him without mercy—not that he thought Ryder wanted any. He kept pushing back on Branson’s fingers, eager for more. The lube was still on the nightstand, and two pumps were enough to slick up his cock. Ryder rolled onto his stomach, spreading his legs. He liked that position, and so did Branson. He could sink so deep inside him, then use all his power to fuck him into the mattress. Mmm, yes, he would.

He pressed the slippery head of his cock against Ryder’s hole, then halted, allowing the tension and anticipation to build. “You want this, chéri?”

Ryder wiggled against him. “Please. Need your cock, Bran. Need it so bad.”

How could he wait any longer after that? He sank into him, inch by inch, until he was halfway, then waited for a second to let Ryder catch his breath. “Don’t stop. Don’t need you to stop. Need you. All of you,” Ryder whimpered.

He slammed home, Ryder crying out. “You have me, chéri. You have all of me.”