| Mike did a lot of thinking Saturday morning during his run. Some of it was about the possibility of taking that job of bailiff here, but most of it was about Ben. The lawyer was usually very precise in his choice of words. �Off the market in any case,� had been what he said. He hadn�t denied that he was gay. Just not interested? The looks he�d given Mike yesterday certainly seemed interested. The investigator in Mike was determined to get to the bottom of this � Back at the house, he found Ben in the kitchen, just getting his coffee. �Hey sleepyhead, was wondering when you were going to get up!� Ben smiled at Mike�s gentle teasing. They had already settled into the roles of �morning person� and �weekend sleeper.� �When you�re my age, we�ll see if you still have so much energy to waste every morning!� Mike laughed. Despite the overtones of their conversation last night, they still had that comfort level together. �So what�s on the agenda for today?� Ben gazed at him over his coffee mug, trying not to be too obviously interested in the sculptured chest. �Well, I was thinking that if you�re thinking about staying, we should probably clean out the other half of the garage so your car has half a chance of surviving winter here. And even if you don�t, it�s something I should have done a long time ago � a lot of the mess was left by the previous owner.� Mike nodded, noticing Ben trying to not notice him. This could be fun � �Sounds like a plan. I�m gonna go up and take a shower then we can start.� Mike reappeared half an hour later dressed in knee-length khaki shorts and an old t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off. It wasn�t much different from what Ben was wearing in theory. �Work� clothes, but he knew he looked damned good in them. And he was going to make sure Ben noticed that today. Ben watched him coming down the stairs. Mike moved with the grace of a big cat, stalking its prey. Ben knew a door had been unlocked last night; he had left it closed, but there was no way to lock it again. And part of him was glad. Maybe this time �? �Going to be a hot one today.� Mike laughed. �What�s that � all of 85 degrees?� �Well, yes.� �Ben, that�s a NICE day in New York right about now.� They teased back and forth as they wandered out to the garage. Mike was more than a little dismayed when Ben opened the garage door; it really was a mess. Rusted out yard equipment mingled with boxes of who knew what. Abandoned children�s toys. An ancient rusty old bicycle. They spent several hours just hauling the stuff out and determining that 90% of it was trash. But Mike didn�t mind the hard work because he knew he was driving Ben crazy. He kept catching the attorney trying not to look as he carried a heavy box, the muscles on his arms bulging. Or at his ass as he bent over to pick one up. Mike was having a blast, posing and strutting, showing off his body to an appreciative audience, even if Ben tried his damndest to hide that appreciation. Somewhere along the way, Mike realized something. This game they were playing was getting him very turned on. He hadn�t felt like this since the early days with Lennie. After that relationship ended, he had tried a couple of times to go out cruising, sample the market as it were. But he�d never enjoyed it. Never let himself connect with anybody. There really hadn�t been anybody but Lennie for him, ever. Until now. This was the first time the thought of being with another man really, seriously turned him on. It felt good � Mike was almost afraid it was going to vanish. After lunch, Ben made a phone call and Frank Miller showed up a little later with his pickup truck; they loaded it up and Mike went with Frank to the dump to offload the mess. Ben went inside to take a cool shower. He was overheated in more ways than one. He wondered if Mike had been playing him, or if the man was just that unselfconscious? Either way, it had hit Ben hard. He couldn�t remember the last time he�d been this aroused. As the cool water soothed his skin, he let himself soothe the other heat wracking his body, imagining Mike here in the shower beside him, touching him, bringing him release. He sagged against the cool tile wall, realizing that he had it bad. And yet the fear of rejection still haunted him. What if it had been just Mike�s natural gregarious nature today? Last night he�d clearly placed himself out of reach. He had no reason to think he�d get another chance � Even so, as he dressed he subconsciously decided to give it one more try. In thanks for the day�s work, he had promised Mike a lobster dinner at the Weathervane, a local institution. Good seafood was actually more common around here than beef, but the Weathervane was where you went when it was something special. He chose a pair of soft gray dress slacks and a bright blue rayon shirt. The soft fabric draped his body beautifully, the color really bringing out the blue in his eyes. He wouldn�t have admitted to making the choices consciously, however � The house was quiet when Mike got back from the dump, so he went up to shower and change for dinner. He could hear Ben moving around down the hall in his bedroom, probably already showered and getting dressed. He thought about relieving some of the building tension while he was in the shower, but he decided he was enjoying the slow burn. Besides, he had a feeling he�d need his strength for later. Back in his room, he dug through the suitcase looking for something in particular. He wasn�t really sure why he had packed it in the �easy access� suitcase; he guessed some part of him had been thinking he might actually go on a date at some point. Right now he was just glad he didn�t have to try to find the right container stuffed into the trunk of his car which he had never unloaded. After all, this was just a starting point, he hadn�t intended to stay here. // Not then, no � but now � ? // Ben was sitting in the study reading with Max curled up at his feet when Mike came downstairs. Mike was impressed; the soft short sleeved shirt was a very different look from his usuall �button down� style. // seems I�m not the only one dressing to impress! // When he looked up at the sound, Mike could see how it intensified the blue of his eyes. Those blue eyes got wide as he looked up to see Mike coming down the stairs. Black jeans, very form fitting, topped by a shirt that was somewhere between green and blue, and almost looked painted on. Very short sleeves hugged the broad shoulders and biceps. And that infamous Logan grin topped off the whole irresistible package. Mike stifled a laugh as Ben tried to nonchalantly look away, hiding behind Max. �So you ready for this lobster dinner I�ve been promised?� �Uh, absolutely. Shall we go?� The restaurant was on the outskirts of town, just off the highway, so they got into Ben�s car. Mike just sat back and enjoyed the ride with the windows down; most people around here didn�t use air conditioning until much later in the summer. Ben seemed unusually preoccupied with driving, but Mike didn�t push the issue. �Judge Stone! Welcome, we haven�t seen you here in a long time!� The Maitre�D greeted them, his eyes taking in both men and adding things up and coming up with the answer �date.� He made sure they were seated in the quietest section, the one with the more romantic decorations. Bobbie Jo was already seated there with her current beau. It was a running joke at the courthouse that no man would ever tie her down since she had so much fun playing the field. Ben felt his face getting warm as she winked at him with a quick �thumbs up� gesture. Mike chuckled softly as they were seated on the opposite side of the room. �Ben? You ok?� �Ah, yes, Mike. Fine.� Their waiter appeared and took their order for two glasses of wine, and Ben hid behind the menu while he could. Mike was astonished at the prices. Seafood here really was a LOT cheaper than in New York. He could get used to this. Something on the appetizer menu caught his eye and he grinned mischievously. Ben finally put down his menu so the waiter would actually come over, and noticed that grin. He wondered what Mike was up to. The waiter had just been waiting for that signal, and was at their table almost immediately. �Gentlemen?� �I�ll start off with a plate of oysters. And I guess the lobster with drawn butter.� Mike enjoyed the look on Ben�s face as he ordered the oysters. The waiter had to get his attention. �And you sir?� �Ah, the same. Thank you.� As the waiter left, their eyes met over the table, then Ben looked suddenly away. Mike raised his glass of wine. �A toast then. To the future.� Ben nervously lifted his glass. �The future.� He took a sip, then managed to look at Mike again. �Does that mean you�ve made a decision?� Mike smiled. �Yeah. I like this town, Ben. The job sounds perfect for me. And now I know for sure that I can go out on a date and not feel like a pariah.� His eyes drilled into Ben�s. This time Ben couldn�t look away. �Is that what this is, Mike? A date?� Mike raised his glass again. �You tell me. But I�ll tell you this. Bobbie Jo thinks so. And so do the waiter and Maitre�D.� �Ah. Yes. Well, that would be enough to prove your point then.� Ben was really confused now. Was Mike doing this just as an experiment? Knowing that everyone thought they were a couple anyway, was Mike playing into it just to gauge reactions? Once again, Ben�s fear of rejection reared its ugly head. Mike watched him, aware that something had just happened inside his head, but not having a clue what. But before he could ask, the waiter appeared with the oysters. Mike grinned and winked at Ben as he reached out to pick one up. He tipped it into his mouth, the meat sliding off the shell and down his throat. There was just something sensual about eating the things, no wonder they had a reputation as aphrodisiacs. Ben watched him, fascinated. Mike had an amazingly expressive face. The look he gave Ben after he swallowed was a challenge, pure and simple. Ben took it, reaching for an oyster of his own, swallowing it as sensually as he could, returning the challenge. They worked their way through the two plates of oysters, matching each other one for one, eyes locked. From across the room, Bobbie Jo could see the intensity building despite the fact than neither man had said a word for ten minutes. Finally, Ben swallowed the last oyster. Eyes still locked, Mike was about to reach across the table and take Ben�s hand when the waiter appeared with their main course. Both of them shook themselves back to the real world as lobster bibs were draped over their beautiful shirts. The huge crustacean, still in its shell, was placed in front of him. Mike took a trick from Lennie�s bag to change the mood. �What, I thought you said this was a high class place, Ben! Can�t they even clean off the bones?� The wisecrack worked. Ben laughed. �I take it you�ve never had real lobster before?� Mike shrugged. �Not on a cop�s salary in New York, I haven�t!� �Ah, then you�re in for a real treat. The bibs are traditional because this can get messy � you wouldn�t want to get this butter on that nice shirt, now would you?� Mike grinned, giving himself one point for getting Ben to admit he looked good. �I guess not.� �Well, then, let me show you how this is done.� It was more than a little work to crack the shell and dig out the tender meat, but Mike decided it was more than worth it. The earlier intensity had disseminated, leaving a comfortable relaxed atmosphere. By the end of the meal, Mike was stuffed and happy. They passed on dessert, being far too full to even consider it. It was still broad daylight out as they drove home; up this far north, the days lasted longer. As they walked into the study, Mike set his plan into motion. �Thanks, Ben, that was really nice.� Ben smiled. He was still uncertain exactly what was happening, but for the moment he�d follow Mike�s lead. �You are quite welcome, Mike.� �So � how about a game of �Ricochet?�� // ah. That�s it then. Back to business as usual. It was just a test. // Ben hid his disappointment at the return to their normal routine. �Fine.� He busied himself setting up the board as Mike disappeared into the kitchen. Mike returned, settling into the chair opposite Ben. Once the board was set up, he brought out his secret weapon. He had picked it up at Governor�s earlier this week, just out of nostalgia, having no idea how he�d end up using it tonight. It was a candy stick, about 8 inches long, quarter of an inch thick. He remembered them as �penny candy� when he was a kid, now they cost a buck. But still, he hadn�t been able to resist grabbing a few of his favorite, red-hot cinnamon. Ben drew the first chit with the colored symbol for this round. Mike�s eyes roamed the board looking for his move while his hands peeled open the candy stick. He slipped the candy into his mouth slowly, savoring the sharp flavor. Ben looked up at the sound. Mike was sucking on a piece of penny candy, and it was anything but innocent. He kept sliding it in and out of his mouth, sometimes stopping to lick it instead. Ben started paying more attention to the candy than to the board. After the first 5 rounds, Mike was noticeably winning, despite the way the rules tried to even the odds. To make matters worse, halfway through the game Mike�s leg shifted. The sneakers were gone, and his toes traced a line up Ben�s ankle. Ben blinked and looked up. �Mike? What are you doing?� Mike grinned. �Whopping your ass for once, it looks like.� Ben was getting flustered. �Uh, yes, but I think you�re cheating.� That got a chuckle. �Oh, you finally noticed that?� Their eyes locked. Mike reached across the table and took Ben�s hand. �You never answered me earlier, Ben. Was it a date tonight? Or are you really �off the market?�� Ben realized that this was the moment of truth. His choice, now and forever. Take a chance, or let it go. �I � I thought you were just testing the waters �� �I was. In more ways than one, though.� �Oh. I �� Before he could finish, Mike had stood up and come around beside him, bending over him, kissing him. Ben felt himself responding, opening his lips, letting in the hungry, cinnamon-coated tongue. He could taste the remnants of the spicy candy along with something that was uniquely Mike. By the time Mike let go and stood up, his entire body was trembling. Mike smiled, gently caressing his face. �I thought so.� He realized Ben was shaking, and his face suddenly shifted to an expression of concern. �Ben? You ok?� Ben took a deep breath and looked up at him. �Mike, please understand � I � I�ve never done this before �� Mike was suddenly overwhelmed by the realization of what Lennie must have felt two years ago. It was suddenly his responsibility to make this as good as possible for Ben. He shook himself back to the present. �Do you want to?� He looked deep into Ben�s eyes, not sure what to expect. Ben gazed up into those soft gray-green orbs and saw tenderness there, not rejection. �Oh, lord, yes!� �Then come on.� Mike offered him a hand up and led him over to the sofa. They sat side by side; Ben was very nervous. Remembering that long ago night with Lennie, Mike gently gathered the trembling body into his arms, placing soft kisses around Ben�s face before coming to rest again on the soft lips. Ben responded, his arms wrapping around Mike�s waist, his mouth again opening. This time the kiss lasted longer, both sides exploring, tasting. Ben would forevermore associate the taste of cinnamon with Mike and sex � Finally Mike let go, sitting up to smile at Ben. �You still ok in there?� Ben smiled shyly back at him. �I think so.� Mike reached out and let his fingers slip through the soft, baby-fine hair. Another kiss as Mike�s fingers found the buttons of Ben�s shirt, opening them and pushing the soft fabric aside. This time when Mike let go, he could hear the heaviness of Ben�s breathing. He leaned Ben back into the corner of the couch, softly murmuring �Here, relax,� as one hand trailed through the soft silky chest hair. Ben sighed as Mike�s lips moved to his chest, tracing the collarbone before moving on. A gasp announced their arrival at a nipple. It became a moan as Mike licked and sucked, feeling the nub harden before moving to its mate. Ben couldn�t believe the sensations he was feeling. His whole body tingled, as if charged with electricity. Mike�s mouth and hands were sending out the shocks. He could still taste the cinnamon in his mouth. Mike�s tongue plunged into his navel, sending another shock of unfamiliar sensation. It was wonderful � it was all wonderful. Mike�s hands finally worked their way down to the package hidden inside the light summer slacks. He was rewarded with a deep groan as Ben twitched under him. Ben�s hands found his head, fingers wrapping in the thick black hair. �Oh, Mike �� It sounded almost like a sob. He moved back up to give Ben a reassuring kiss. �Shh. It�s all right, babe. I�ll take care of you. Don�t be afraid.� Blue eyes met green. Ben nodded and Mike smiled, kissed him again, then turned his attention to the belt that was in his way. He gently unzipped Ben�s pants, letting his fingers caress the hard bulge in the standard-issue white briefs. Ben moaned softly as Mike stroked him through the cotton. Mike bent down and kissed the soft stomach. �OK, babe. Let�s get rid of these, shall we?� Ben nodded, lifting his hips as Mike pulled down his clothes. �There we go! Oh, yes. Beautiful �� Mike�s fingers gently caressed the twitching cock, catching the liquid on a fingertip and spreading it around. He looked into Ben�s eyes as his fingers explored their new playground. Again he leaned forward, his lips claiming Ben�s mouth as his hand wrapped around his dick. Ben was whimpering into his throat, his arms wrapping around Mike as if he�d never let go. A line of kisses trailed down his body as Mike worked his way toward his ultimate goal. By the time Mike�s mouth wrapped around him, Ben was already a quivering mass of jello. Mike�s long, slow strokes were driving him mad with desire. His hips began moving, thrusting up to meet each stroke of that warm, wet mouth. Mike�s hands cupped his balls, caressed his thighs, adding to the mix. �Oh!!!!� He cried out as the long-overdue climax finally took him. Mike held him in his mouth, gently sucking the last drops away as it softened. Only then did he move, now coming to sit beside the still trembling body, taking it into his arms, holding Ben close. �Shh. It�s all right, babe. You were so good. You taste so good �� Ben felt Mike�s lips pressing against his, opened his mouth to find a strange taste, a mixture of his own essence with Mike�s cinnamon. It was ambrosia to him. He lost himself in that kiss, not really sure where he ended and Mike began. All he knew for sure was that he never wanted this to end � Continue to Chapter 5 Return to the Story Index Send me some feedback Disclaimer: These characters belong to Dick Wolf and NBC. I'm just borrowing them for fun, not profit. |
| Corner of the Sky |
| Chapter 4 |
| Mike 'investigates' and things get interesting ... |