Winter's Gamble Read online

  Carl slightly squeezed his balls harder than he had been, but not bringing Devyn pain, only an intense pleasure that made his lungs draw up a breath.

  The rhythm, the mix of the music combined with Carl’s motions, to make a waving ride of desire deep within Devyn. One more move down, and the crescendo rolled across Devyn with a smashing brilliance.

  He shot a load of come into Carl’s sucking mouth.

  Carl moved away and dropped a kiss on the tip of Devyn’s now flaccid dick, making him jump and exhale.

  Devyn opened his eyes. “Tonight, you’ll get yours.”

  Carl’s smile was quick and knowing. “I know.”

  A tentative knock sounded. “Rose? Everything okay? You’ve been in there awhile.”

  And he’d stay in even longer if he could. “Fine. We’ll be out to the bar to discuss in a second.”

  “I also wanted to talk to you about performing at a gay marriage rally. As Rose, of course. But we can talk when you come out.”

  Carl’s face pinched up. He would never approve of that, but as Devyn had been advocating for a while now for them to get married, he would do the rally. They just wouldn’t talk about it, or it would lead to an argument. “Let’s finish up.”

  Carl got to his feet. “No rest for the wicked.”

  “So that’s why I’m always tired.” Devyn reached around and took off the evening dress. Time to finish turning back into him.

  Chapter Two

  Carl chopped up celery, taking care to make the pieces even. They didn’t cook well if they were different sizes. Something that Devyn had never been able to grasp. He couldn’t help a chuckle, thinking about some of Devyn’s more memorable kitchen disasters. Granted, sometimes after playing chef all day, the last thing Carl wanted to do was cook. Devyn knew that and tried to do the cooking when he could. It didn’t always go that well. Devyn didn’t have the attention span or the orderliness to be successful at food preparation. He had the creativity, but it tended to come out in ways that made no sense with the science of making a dish. Gray pancakes had been one such disaster. He’d tried to mix colors, and it hadn’t gone well.

  Devyn walked into the tiny kitchen with a towel draped around his neck. His smooth body shone with wetness from his shower. His body was a work of art. His abs trailed down to underneath the faded jeans he’d put on. His bare feet made scuff sounds on the floor. He was more lickable than anything in the kitchen, causing Carl to harden and his stomach muscles to clench. He’d wanted so much today in the dressing room, but they’d pushed things further than they should as it was. “How’s it coming?”

  Carl had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.

  “Dinner, pervert.” Devyn scooped up a piece of celery and munched it. He always liked to steal whenever Carl cut vegetables.

  “I’m about ready to put in the dressing.” Even though they were tired, they’d decided on a turkey breast and a few trimmings. Thanksgiving wasn’t for another six months, and they both loved turkey. After a stressful weekend, they’d gone the comfort-food route.

  “Gotta cook for a while?”

  “Yeah, at least an hour. Same with the breast. I guess maybe it wasn’t a good idea.” But it had sure sounded good.

  “Breast never is.” Devyn waggled his brows. “Not for us anyway.”

  Carl shrugged. He’d tried being hetero. But it had never worked. He was what he was. And thankfully he’d accepted that before he met Ms. Rose Winter. Because Devyn would have accepted nothing less, and Carl couldn’t imagine not being with him. They’d only had one issue. Despite the fact it wasn’t and never would be legal in the state where they lived, Devyn wanted to get married. If it wasn’t legal, Carl didn’t see the point. Nor did he want to go about the hassle. And yes, he still believed marriage was a heterosexual convention that wasn’t for him. Maybe that made him strange. But it was the way he felt.

  “So why don’t we have some red wine in the living room?” Devyn went to the wine cooler and pulled out a bottle.

  “Did you put that—”

  “When we got home.”

  He was good, except… “Shouldn’t red wines be served room temperature?” Carl reached above his head and took down two wine goblets.

  “This is a fruitier one than we usually get. Should be slightly chilled.” Devyn uncorked the bottle and headed for the living room.

  “Ah.” Carl followed behind him and let his gaze drift down to Devyn’s ass. His ass was wonderful. His low-slung jeans showed off his butt admirably. The globes of his sculpted muscles strained under the denim.

  Devyn sat on the couch and patted the cushion next to him. “Join me.” He gazed up at Carl with a look inside his hazel irises that took Carl’s breath away.

  Devyn had something in mind. Something mischievous. Something that Carl would like. He usually did.

  He sat down and set one of the goblets on the wooden coffee table. He held the other one out to Devyn, who poured the wine without sloshing or spilling it.

  Better than Carl would have done. He might be a whiz in the kitchen, but in social situations he was often awkward. Something Devyn never was. Maybe that was another reason he didn’t want to do a wedding. He’d probably fuck it up. Make Devyn mad at him. He didn’t understand why their private commitment wasn’t enough for Devyn. But it didn’t seem to be. Devyn had become more and more vocal on the subject. Maybe because Devyn and he were getting older. Carl only hoped it didn’t come to a showdown over that issue.

  Could he lose Devyn over this?

  Pushing aside his thoughts, he set down the full glass on a coaster and picked up the other one, proffering it to Devyn to fill. No spill a second time.

  Devyn set the bottle down on the coffee table and picked up one of the goblets. “Tonight we celebrate. Rose, that bitch, did it again.”

  Carl smiled and held out his glass to tink against Devyn’s. “Yes, she did.”

  Vic had wanted to book Rose for several engagements, including the gay marriage rally. That rally would probably wind up in the papers. That wouldn’t look good for Carl, because he’d be mentioned, and he tried to keep his love life on the down low, but he wouldn’t say anything. Those bookings combined with the ones he already had would make Devyn one busy Rose.

  “I’m thinking Rose can do anything.”

  Carl nodded. “Yes, she can. Because you can.” It was what had attracted Carl to Devyn in the first place nine years ago. What he wanted, he went for and determinedly got. It was a wonder Carl hadn’t given in on marrying him. What was his problem with it, anyway? Oh right, that they were gay, and weddings should involve a man and woman. Call him a traditionalist, but he couldn’t get past that. If you don’t want to lose Devyn, you may have to concede on marriage one day. That was a reality. But one he didn’t have to face now. He’d work harder on his hang-ups.

  Devyn’s eyes shimmered over the glass he held up to his nose. “So you wanna do me? While dinner’s cooking?”

  Carl sipped the wine again. “You know the answer to that.”

  “Do I?” Devyn tried to look innocent and failed miserably. “Do I know what you want?”

  “Yes.” Always.

  “Tell me. Tell me what you want to do to me.” Devyn’s voice dipped low and coarse. He took a sip of his wine and waited, bringing his foot out from under him to tap impatiently.

  “I…I want to fuck you.”

  “Your wish is my command.” Devyn set the glass down by the bottle and slowly maneuvered toward Carl with moves like a slippery snake. He leaned over to draw in his lover’s scent.

  Carl couldn’t help but shiver. It was a reaction he’d had ever since he’d met the man, after all.

  “I love I can still make you do that. With just an inhale.” Devyn moved his hand over Carl’s cheekbone, causing a similar acknowledgment. He had high cheekbones. Devyn had asked if he was Native American when they’d first met. He’d laughed and said, “What part of this fair skin looks Native?”

  “What
are you then? Svedish?” Devyn had bitten his lip between his teeth, and Carl had shivered, like he had a moment ago.

  “Yeah, the Svedish chef,” Carl had responded, which had caused Devyn to break out in gales of laughter that had been contagious. That had cemented the attraction like nothing else could have. “Actually, I’m Norwegian.”

  “Like the Vikings.” Devyn had stopped laughing and looked serious. “Do you like to pillage and plunder? Bet you could plunder me in a heartbeat.”

  It had been that moment that Carl had decided he wanted to be with this man. For the night. He hadn’t known what the morning would bring. As it turned out, that next morning had brought on many others.

  Carl looked up into Devyn’s beautiful eyes and reached out to caress Devyn’s jawline.

  “Put the glass down.”

  Carl complied, setting the glass on a coaster on the coffee table.

  “I’m screwing up.”

  He blinked at the man as Devyn came close enough for their bodies to touch. “What?”

  “You hit the coaster. Obviously, you aren’t horny enough.” Devyn’s r’s were accentuated by his half growl.

  “Then make me.” Carl opened his mouth in anticipation of Devyn’s kiss and lay back against the soft pillows.

  “Gladly.” Devyn ravaged his mouth over Carl’s with all the fire and brimstone that hell must be full of. Because hell couldn’t get hotter than that kiss.

  Their tongues met in a duel that wouldn’t be won, that would last as long as they wanted it to.

  Becoming more and more frenzied, they pleasured each other with their lips, tasting and playing. They didn’t act like they had all the time in the world. No, they each acted like this was their last exploit, and they might die from the loving.

  Carl’s breathing was erratic and labored. His chest heaved as he rubbed down Devyn’s naked back.

  Devyn moved and pulled at the buttons on Carl’s shirt. His usually nimble fingers fumbled.

  Carl sat up and without a word, swooped in to help. He made quick work of the buttons that Devyn hadn’t gotten to.

  He shrugged the shirt from his shoulders, the cool air soothing against his hot skin. Devyn always made him hot.

  Devyn ran a hand down Carl’s chest, swirling around the hair. Due to his drag obligations, Devyn never had body hair, and his hands were smooth. Much silkier than Carl’s.

  Devyn reached a nipple and tweaked it. He slipped a thumb up under and circled it roughly before pinching it between two fingers.

  Carl let out a breath. His nerves felt strained, like a guitar string about to break in two.

  Devyn paused before sliding his hand down Carl’s stomach muscles as they clenched in response. “Horny now?”

  “Yeah.” Carl cocked an eyebrow. “But I’d be more horny if that hand went a little bit south.”

  “Would you now?” Devyn’s teeth shone white against his lips.

  “Yeah.”

  Every time they were together, Carl thought he couldn’t possibly want Devyn more or that nothing could turn him on any further. Yet the next time they were together, something would happen, and Carl’s levels would rise. Exponentially. He might never find out how far his love and lust for Devyn would go.

  Devyn inched his hand down that much farther and arched it under Carl’s khaki pants. He slid slowly around to cup Carl.

  Carl parted his legs, trying to give Devyn as much access as possible. Devyn shifted his hand around and moved from tip to base of Carl’s cock.

  Devyn rearranged so he was sitting by Carl on the large couch. Yeah, this was why they needed such a big one. And why they always put down blankets. He relocated his other hand to the top of Devyn’s pants. He flicked open the button of Carl’s bottoms and slid down the zipper.

  “Tighty whities?”

  Carl nodded. He sank back against the couch.

  “Like you didn’t know this was going to happen? After what you did to me at the bar?” Devyn should have been a drill instructor. He had a tone of voice that left no prisoners.

  Carl didn’t say anything. But he reached up to press a hand against Devyn’s curved ass. Yep, commando.

  Devyn groused. “Now we gotta take both layers off.” He shook his head as he lifted Carl up slightly to pull both his pants and underwear from his hips. He carefully slipped them over Carl’s feet and tossed them in the corner.

  “Easy peasy,” Carl said with false arrogance and leaned back against the pillow with his hands behind his head.

  “No, easy peasy would be if I had a back door on my pants and you could lean me over whenever you wanted. And you carried lube and condoms everywhere.”

  Carl nodded. “True.”

  Devyn skimmed fingernails across the exposed skin of Carl’s thighs toward his erect cock. “Damn straight.” His hands moved away. “On that note…” He went to a special drawer in the end table and pulled out lube and condoms. “We best be getting ready.”

  Weren’t they always? Devyn moved back and scraped his nails across the skin where he’d just been. They always seemed to be ready to do things, like today in the bar. In Carl’s office. Everywhere. The motion of the nails set Carl’s teeth on edge. His entire body tingled.

  And Devyn knew it.

  “You need to get nakeder.” Carl sat up a little and yanked at the button on Devyn’s jeans.

  Devyn’s hands left him, and he shrugged down his denims in two seconds flat. He’d gone commando. The exposed skin took Carl’s breath away as it always did. The man was too rough to be beautiful in the classic sense, but there was a beauty that defied conventions there. His body was sort of like an Ansel Adams picture. Raw nature in all its glory.

  Devyn wiggled his ass back and forth, making his cock jiggle. “Like?”

  Carl didn’t have words to answer. Instead he grabbed Devyn and pulled him against his body. He ferociously ravaged Devyn’s mouth with his. He caressed Devyn’s smooth skin. It had been different to be with someone without body hair. Now he couldn’t imagine touching skin that wasn’t mostly hairless. He rubbed the rough hair on Devyn’s head.

  Fireworks exploded behind his closed eyes as they continued to kiss. Carl pulled his mouth away, opened his eyes, and surveyed the lube and condoms. “Turn around. Put your knees on the cushions and your front on the back of the couch.”

  “So specific.” Devyn lazily put down his eyelids as he looked at Carl from the slits. “So bossy.”

  “And you love it.” Carl pulled at his lover’s hip. While Devyn had come earlier in the dressing room, Carl hadn’t. This had been building ever since brunch, as he watched him perform. He needed to be with Devyn now and ease his battered libido.

  “Yeah.” Devyn didn’t sound guilty. He never did. He allowed Carl to turn him around. He placed his knees on the couch and his front on the back as Carl had ordered.

  His ass was now in full view.

  Carl ran his hands over the curve of the fine rump in front of him.

  “I think my ass is your favorite part of me.”

  “Nah. Just one of them. I also like your mouth.” He leaned over Devyn’s shoulder and gave him a kiss. “Your shoulders.” He nipped one of Devyn’s shoulders. Not hard enough to hurt but enough to make Devyn jump. “Your cock.” He slid his hand over Devyn’s hip bone to find his hard cock and run across it from stem to stern. “Your asshole.” Carl reached for the lube with one hand and uncorked it with experienced fingers. He dribbled some on the ass in front of him, aiming for the hole before taking one finger and swirling the oily substance around.

  Devyn’s breathing was clipped as he leaned more forward, being careful not to bump his hand against the curtains that flowed between the sofa and the bay window. “I see.”

  Carl slipped that one finger into Devyn’s asshole, finding him puckered and willing. “Oh, do I love your sweet ass.”

  “So have my sweet ass meet your sweet dick.” Devyn let out a growl after the words as Carl pressed his finger in deeper.


  Carl continued pressing and then added another finger, making circles around the sensitive flesh. He contorted his body, bringing his other hand to clasp Devyn’s cock and seize him before a gentle rub.

  “Any day now.”

  Devyn had always been impatient when it came to fucking. Carl would try to make it last, but Devyn could never stand it. He always wanted it right now. And Devyn usually won. “Fine.” He removed his fingers and slipped up tight against Devyn. He dripped on a little more lube, shrugged on a condom, and pressed his tip against Devyn’s hole. He moved slowly, sliding it in a little at a time. “Happy now?”

  “Ecstatic.” Devyn’s voice came through gritted teeth. He pivoted his hips against Carl’s hand, which continued to fondle Devyn’s cock.

  Carl steeled himself, trying not to let his reactions overtake him, making himself stand still, cock partially in Devyn, hand pleasuring Devyn. He counted patterns in the curtains.

  “You could move!” Devyn sounded almost desperate.

  The way Carl liked him. “You told me to meet your sweet ass and my sweet dick. You never said to move.” His heart pounded his chest. Beads of sweat pooled to the surface on his skin.

  “Bastard.”

  “Takes one to know one.”

  “Fucking move!”

  Carl moved forward with all his speed, taking his cock from only a quarter of the way in to fully seated. He continued to move, back and forth and back and forth, slipping in and out of the tight sheath.

  “Yes.” Devyn seemed to almost strangle on the word. “Bastard, yes.”

  Carl felt Devyn’s cock jerk, and soon it sputtered come all over Carl’s hand, all the while as Devyn cursed him and encouraged him.

  He had pressed Devyn all the way into the couch cushions. He continued to move, almost pounding the other man.

  So good. So tight.

  The lube warmed to an almost intense heat. It was the kind that heated and made the skin it touched fire up to an almost uncomfortable level but not quite. It definitely stimulated.

  Devyn keened as Carl’s pace grew even faster.

  The wave passed over Carl like a tsunami. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think beyond the pressing of his hips against Devyn’s. He arched his back, making his head go up in the air.