Matt & Charlie from Runner celebrate their six-month anniversary with a bang…

Laura McShea asked me if I would consider writing a short for Matt and Charlie from Runner, where Matt bottoms for Charlie, as he said he would at some point. I did. 🙂

I’d just wished Matt a happy anniversary. Six months ago, we’d stood at the courthouse in front of friends and family and pledged our love. Today that wasn’t really on display as he tore through the house and stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Of course, I went after him right away.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed, glaring at the floor.

“Matt, talk to me. Tell me why you’re so angry. I can’t make it better if you won’t talk to me.”

He turned and snarled at me. I’d never seen such an expression of anger from him.

“What if I don’t need you to make it better? Have you ever thought maybe you being so damned perfect all the time is what upsets me?”

He had to have seen the confusion on my face, because he started in again with barely enough time to draw a breath.

“I’ve been talking with Dr. Rob about you. I told him what an amazing guy you were, how you never got angry, how you did whatever you could to make things better for me.”

“Right. I always will, you know that.”

“That’s not what I need, Charlie. Okay, maybe when we got together I did. I don’t know for sure. You helped me to face a lot of my issues because you were so understanding. I always thought that if anyone got to know me, they’d run as soon as they realized what they were getting themselves into. You stuck it out, put up with everything I did and said, but never once complained. Tell me why.”

Why? The question was easy, and so was the answer. I wanted to protect him. I needed him to see he wasn’t broken. The attempted rape by his teacher had left Matt a shell of the man he could have—should have—been. When Clay told me about Matt, I was intrigued to meet him. It was why I started running on his road. And when I did meet him, I wanted him. So much that I smiled and nodded every time he corrected my behavior.

“Why wouldn’t I? Would you rather I scream and shout, tell you that there was something wrong with you? I couldn’t do that, because there wasn’t. Not one damned thing. Did I get frustrated? Yes, absolutely. But how should I have expressed that?”

“There’s nothing wrong with arguing.”

Matt was adamant. The set of his jaw, the clenched hands. Everything told me he was spoiling for a fight, but I wouldn’t give it to him. I didn’t want to.

“You’re right. There’s nothing wrong with it, but the thing is, I’ve never been angry with you. Your circumstances? Yes. The teacher? Yes. You? No. You’re a kind and giving person, and I wanted to fit in your world, and if that meant changing how I did things, then so be it.”

“But you shouldn’t have to change. We should have been able to discuss it, and come up with a solution.”

The annoyance drained out of him slowly.

“Did you want to fight? Because if I’m honest, I’m not very good at it. I’d rather take out my frustrations on paper. Killing some bad guys is good therapy.”

He snorted. “Is that why you’re writing again?”

I had started the next book in my murder mystery series. Entitled Why the Willow Weeps, it tells the story of Lucien and Donald’s return from their insanely romantic wedding cruise—a nod to Matt—and the dead bodies that were in their house as they walked in.

“No. I’m writing because Donald is talking to me. It’s been a while, so I’m happy to hear from him.”

Matt’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry.”

He took a half-step toward me, my cue to ride to the rescue. I pulled him into a hug and he put his head on my shoulder.

“Do you want to tell me where this is coming from?”

“No one can be so perfect.”

I stepped back so he could see my face. “Didn’t I tell you not to put me on a pedestal? I’m not perfect. Do I get angry? Yeah, of course. But even with Mitch, I didn’t argue. I don’t like it, and would rather just solve the problem through talking. Then turn around and murder someone. On page only, of course.”

He chuckled. “My parents argued. Sometimes they would slam doors and scream at one another. The other day, Clay called and told me he and Trish were arguing about what to name the baby. He wanted to name it after my father, she wanted to name it after hers. Both of them are so stubborn.”

“So did they settle on something?”

“They used both and agreed on Kevin James. Our moms had a lot to say about it, and told them they were being stupid, and that the baby’s name wasn’t important, it was the love they were going to give him.”

And they weren’t wrong. My parents were over the moon when they heard Clay was going to have a baby. Then they started in on me, wanting to know if Matt and I had considered it.

“Did you ever want children?”

He smiled at me. “I thought about talking to you after our wedding. Clay said something about gay couples and kids, and I never thought about whether it was something you wanted.”

Yeah, I had thought about it. And dismissed the idea almost as quickly. Mitch had been too selfish to ever share with anyone. Why I couldn’t have seen there wasn’t any way it would have worked out between us, I don’t know. I’m glad it didn’t, though. Matt was everything Mitch wasn’t. Where Mitch was self-centered, Matt tried to think of others. He’d been doing some volunteer work with Mr. Gianetti, and he’d been making new friends.

“I’ve thought about it. I used to think maybe I’d make a good father.”

“Not anymore?”

“What about you? Did you ever think about kids?”

“Until Clay mentioned it, no. I never believed I could be a good father, what with my issues.”

“But those are manageable now. So what do you think?”

“I’d like to discuss it. I mean, if you’re interested.”

“I am. I’d love a family with you. It’s very high on my wish list.”

He grinned and leaned in for a kiss. I was more than happy to give him one.

“So, do you want to tell me why you were talking to Dr. Rob about me?”

Matt rarely talked about his appointments. The last month, things had gotten more than a little tense with him. He’d come home, agitated, and go work out in the greenhouse. If I offered to talk, he shut me down quickly.

“It’s our anniversary.”

“I know that.” I smiled. “I wished you a happy one before you got angry with me.”

He dropped his gaze again. I hated when he got like this, because there was no way for me to help him. And now I wasn’t even sure he wanted my help.

“I told Dr. Rob I wanted to give you something special for our anniversary.”

“You don’t have to give me anything, you know that.”

“No, I do, but… I want to give this to you.”

“You don’t sound very sure about it.”

He gave a small shake of his head. “I’m nervous is all.”

“Why? Have I done or said something to make you nervous?”

“No, you’ve been great. Better than. Kind and patient and…” He sighed and wrapped his arms around his waist. “I want us to go to bed together.”

“Sure. We can do that.”

“I mean, I want us to… have sex.”

He was so cute when he got shy. He was getting a lot better at letting me know what he wanted, but he’d still blush most of the time.

“All right.”

Finally he huffed a breath. “No, I want you to… To be on top.”

Oh. Shit. This was big. I mean we’re talking enormous. Each time we’d had sex, Matt had been the one to top. And he was fucking awesome at it. He never left me feeling unsatisfied.

“Can I ask why?”

He glared at me again. “Seriously? You’re going to ask why I want you to…” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Fuck me.”

Before he could devolve into the snit I knew was coming, I grabbed him and pulled him in for a hug.

“No, Matt. I want to make sure you’re not doing something because you think I want it. This has to be something both of us want.”

“You don’t want to?”

Hell, yes I wanted to. I’d rimmed him, I’d stroked the pucker with my finger, but not once had I penetrated him. And, if I’m honest, I was okay with that. Matt seemed to think that if he didn’t bottom for me, it would be unfair. I wished I had never told him about Mitch refusing to bottom, because I couldn’t make him understand it wasn’t a competition, or something he needed to do to win my love.

“You’re seriously asking me that? I have always wanted you, and if this is something you want, I promise to do my best to make it good for you.”

He took a few short, shallow breaths. “Yes, I want this. Dr. Rob told me that when I was ready, I’d know. I’m ready.”

Reaching out, I took hold of the hem of his shirt and tugged it until it came off. Matt’s skin was a sight to behold. He’d gotten a nice tan working out in the garden, and it extended down to about a quarter of his ass. I loved running my fingers over it, the split between tan and milky white skin too enticing not to.

“Charlie.” His voice quivered.

I bent down and kissed his neck. I could smell his soap, tangy and citrusy. He’d prepared for this, I could tell. In order for this to work though, Matt had to be relaxed. I didn’t want him to experience anything that would make him flashback to bad memories. I wanted to make new ones with him, of something that only the two of us would ever share.

“Shh. I’ve got you.”

I dropped to my knees and tugged his shoes and socks off, then pulled down his pants and underwear. Clothed he was gorgeous, but naked? A sight to behold. His cock jutted out, proud and happy. I leaned in and licked the head, delighting in the sweetness of his precum.

“Charlie…”

He seemed unsure what to do with his hands, so I took them and placed them on my head. It only took a moment for him to get the idea, and he started thrusting into my mouth. Little by little he fed me his cock, until I felt his balls smacking on my chin.

I let him fuck my face for a bit, then pulled off. His confused gaze had me asking the question I didn’t want to, but I had to know.

“Are you sure about this?”

He nodded, bit his lip, then nodded again. He reached down to the bed and came up with a tube of lube. All the while he was angry, he was still planning for this. That, more than anything, told me he wanted it. Didn’t mean I would rush, though.

I went back to my task of unraveling Matt. It wasn’t a chore at all. He tasted sublime, his length was perfect for my mouth, and now we were about to add another dimension to our repertoire. I picked up the tube and put a light coating on my fingers. When I reached behind him again, Matt tensed. I held still, waiting for him to relax. Slowly, his muscles lost their strain and it was my cue to continue. But I had a promise I needed to keep.

“Matt?”

“Don’t stop.”

The pleading voice thrilled me. He’d gotten into the headspace I needed him in, one where he was loose and ready to explore.

“Okay, I know you’re aware of how to loosen me up. Well, this time I’m going to be the one doing that. I’ll go slow, I promise. No more than what I think you can handle. If I go too fast, you have to tell me. Promise me that.”

“I will.”

I gave him a dubious look. Matt could be stubborn when he thought I was treating him too gently. He may not like it, but I always would. Not that I thought he was weak, far from it. But he was precious to me, and it wasn’t in my nature to hurt someone I love.

“Just like you do with me, I’m going to start with one finger. Just one. If it feels—”

“Shut up. You’re ruining the moment.”

I chuckled and went back to sucking. As he relaxed again, I touched his hole with my lube-stained fingers. He tensed again, and I paused, but didn’t move my hand away. As the tension seeped from him, I pressed gently against the pucker. The more he relaxed, the deeper I pushed. When I had my finger up to the knuckle, I hooked it and stroked his insides. It was so warm, so tight. Fuck, at this rate I was probably going to shoot my load before we ever got down to it. I had to keep up the litany in my head not to rush things.

I started sliding off again, wanting to let him know what I was about to do next. He surprised me by grabbing my head and holding me on his cock.

“Don’t stop. Don’t tell me what you’re doing. I already know exactly what’s going to happen, and I don’t need you making me think about it. Just… let me have this, Charlie. Let me feel it like it should be.”

Fuck. I was so damned proud of him. With his doctor’s help, Matt had come such a long way, and if he was confident enough to want this—want me—then I’d do my best for him.

One finger became two. I was still hesitant to move too quickly, but I did pick up the pace a little. He sucked in a breath as the second finger breached him, but I kept going, giving him what he asked for. All the while, I kept on sucking, wanting him to focus on the pleasure he was receiving from both ends.

“S-s-so cl-o-ose.”

I backed off, not wanting him to fall over the edge. Instead I put my hands on his legs and urged him down onto the bed. He didn’t resist at all. In fact, as soon as he lay flat, he spread his legs for me. I took that as a good sign. I lifted them slightly and speared him with my tongue, which caused him to cry out. As I licked, I pushed my finger in again, enjoying the groan from Matt. When there was no longer any resistance, I reached up, looking for the condom. It wasn’t there.

“No condom.”

This stopped me cold. Since our first time, Matt had always asked for a rubber. The fact he was willing to bottom was one thing, but this was a fundamental change, and I wasn’t sure it was wise for him to try too many new things at once. His OCD was more under control, but he still has moments.

“Matt?”

“No condom.”

His teeth were gritted, his posture tense.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

His head popped up from the bed and he pierced me with a steely gaze.

“No goddamn condom. I’ve wanted to go without since our first time.”

“Yes, but—”

His eyes were wild, his expression hard. “Shut the fuck up. I don’t want to think about it. I’m tired of thinking about it—about him. He doesn’t exist anymore. It’s only you, and I know you’re never going to hurt me. I know you love me.”

Now more than ever. “I do. You know I do.”

“Then get on with it. I’m not going to break or fall apart, I promise.”

Uncertainty warred with lust. I’d dreamed of the two of us going bareback, but I always assumed it would be Matt on top. I would take him at his word, though, because I trusted him. I retrieved the lube and put a thin layer over my cock. I stood, bringing Matt’s legs up with me.

“This might hurt a little.”

“I know.”

“I promise I’ll go slow.”

“Can you possibly go any slower?”

A snarky comeback wasn’t a good idea, so I ignored him. I couldn’t help but notice the smile he was giving me, though. I held both ankles with one hand, then reached down to give his dick a couple of strokes, bringing it back to full hardness. Then I positioned myself against his opening, swallowed hard, and pressed gently. He gasped as the head popped through, and I stopped dead. He lay there, panting, his eyes squeezed shut.

“Matt?”

“Just… need a minute.”

His erection wilted, and my stomach churned.

“We can stop. I promise it’s fine.”

“No! Just stay still and for God’s sake, shut up.”

I liked the cheeky side of Matt. That didn’t mean I wasn’t worried about him.

Matt controlled his breathing, like Dr. Rob had taught him when the anxiety welled up. Soon, he bit his lip and gave a terse nod. “More.”

The thought I might be hurting him kept me still. He opened his eyes and stared at me.

“I know you’re bigger than that.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

He sighed. “Did it hurt the first time for you?”

He had me there. “Yes.”

“And do you hate it now?”

Hell, no. “No, I love it when you’re inside me.”

“You know, you holding back like this is what’s making me nervous. I don’t want you to jam it in, but you can move. It doesn’t hurt much now.”

I slipped in a little more, keeping an eye on Matt’s expression. He didn’t seem like he was hurting too much, so I kept going.

He arched his back. “Yes. Just like that.”

Moments later, I was seated inside him. Matt was at the end of my cock, and we were going bare. It was fucking perfect.

“You okay?”

The pinched expression had melted off his face, leaving one of bliss. His mouth was open, his eyes glassy, and a low moan uttered from somewhere deep inside.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Never knew. Never thought it would be so good.”

I stroked a hand over his stomach and down to his cock, which once again stood tall, dribbling precum. He had never looked more amazing than he did at that moment.

I no longer questioned whether he was okay. He would tell me if there was a problem, of this I was certain. Instead, I started short, sharp jabs, which Matt answered with the most adorable squeaks.

Everything about this man did it for me. His body, which had started to transform as he ran with me, was lean and muscular, but not overly so. His chest had broadened a bit, his nipples dark, even against the tanned skin. He made me feel wanted in a way no one ever had.

I drew back, sliding almost all the way out, then thrust in hard.

“Oh my God!”

“Matt?”

“More! Do it more.”

I grinned. I didn’t have a lot of experience topping, but I was going to make this as good for him as I possibly could. I repeated my move, pushing in deep. When he cried out, it scared the shit out of me.

“What?”

“What the fuck was that? It was like you hit a buzzer in my ass.”

“That’s your prostate, babe. Feels fucking amazing, doesn’t it? Why do you think you can make me howl like that?”

“Again!” From hesitant to demanding in two seconds flat.

I lost all rhythm, instead angling my thrusts, doing my best to peg his gland as often as possible. He grabbed his cock and started jacking for all he was worth. I kept up the pace as best I could, now hitting it more often than not, and Matt fucking loved it.

“Gonna come.”

“Do it. Show me how much you’re enjoying this.” Two more thrusts. “Fuck!”

The cum splattered onto his chest and stomach, some even reaching his cheek. He was quaking and his ass clenched around my cock, making my orgasm inevitable. My cry of joy joined with his, filling the house with the sounds of our release.

My arms lost all their strength, my legs were rubber. I toppled forward onto him, and he smiled up at me as my cock softened and slipped out.

“Holy shit. Tell me we can do that again.”

“If you give me a few minutes. Right now, I think you’ve broken me.”

I licked the streak off his chin. He wrapped his arms around me, turning us onto our sides. He gazed into my eyes, and all I could see there was love. Not one shred of fear or remorse.

“I need to go to the bathroom and get cleaned up. Want to join me?”

He stood and held out a hand. I took it, loving how he pulled me next to him. He turned and sauntered toward the bathroom, the evidence of our lovemaking dripping onto his leg. It was the fucking hottest thing I’d ever seen in my life.

And I wanted more.

 

As we lay in bed that night, Matt snuggled in close.

“Happy anniversary.”

We kissed, lazy smooches that weren’t a prelude to sex, but just a connection between us. This man, this home, this life we were building was perfect for me.

“What do you think we should do for our one year?”

Normally I would have hesitated before answering, being uncertain how Matt would react, but tonight, in his arms, I had confidence it was what he would want.

“What do you think about taking a trip with me? I’d like to take you to New York. We can go visit my parents. And, if you think we’re ready, we can discuss expanding our family.”

His eyes grew damp. “Do you mean it?”

“I want a family with you, Matt. I want our house to be filled with love, and we have so much to give. So, what do you think?”

“I think yes. I’d love to go with you.” He kissed my chest. “And I have to tell you, the thought that we could have a family of our own? You’ve given me my dream.”

I stroked my fingers through his hair. “It’s only fair. All those days I was a runner on your road? I always hoped it might lead to home. And now, it has.”

We pulled the blanket up around us, and wrapped in each other’s arms, we fell asleep, content in the knowledge that our journey would continue, our family would grow, and we would be happy.

Forever.

 

*****

If you haven’t met Matt and Charlie, and want to know more, here’s the blurb and sales links!

Runner

Matt Bowers’s life ended at sixteen, when a vicious betrayal by someone who he should have been able to trust left him a shell of himself, fighting OCD and PTSD, living in constant fear and always running. When he buys a remote tract of land, he thinks he’s found the perfect place to hide from the world and attempt to establish some peace. For ten years he believes he’s found a measure of comfort, until the day a stranger begins to run on Matt’s road.

He returns every day, an unwelcome intrusion into Matt’s carefully structured life. Matt appeals to the local sheriff, who cannot help him since the jogger is doing nothing wrong. Gradually, after tentatively breaking the ice, Matt begins to accept the man’s presence—

But when the runner doesn’t show up one day, it throws Matt’s world into chaos and he must make the hardest decision of his life.

 

Runner Sales Links

 

Dreamspinner: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/runner-by-parker-williams-8706-b

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Runner-Parker-Williams-ebook/dp/B073R2JF17/ref=sr_1_1

 

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/runner/id1249699003?mt=11