Sorry but I Love You

“Brad’s gonna find out about you,” Danny Starling began, jumping up like a Roman gladiator getting ready for a race. “I’ve got to wash these sheets before I go tonight, but he’s still going to find out about you. I don’t know how.” Tim let the words float and leave the room, still savoring the afterglow of their love. He was at ease with Danny. His body was satisfied. Thankful, he didn’t want their time to end. “Well, you have time to wash and dry them. You’ve got an hour plus before you leave, right? You’re meeting Brad at eight?” “Yeah, but Timmy, I have to be careful. He’s gonna know. He’s going to smell sex on me or something! Do I smell like sex?” Danny wore only the square-cut black zebra print underwear he’d just thrown on. Tim’s senses were alive as the sun-kissed virile man was again close enough to inspect. He’d oblige! Tim loved all five feet nine of Danny, from head to toe. He wanted nothing but to kiss the handsome tan face, nuzzle the hard slab pecs, lose himself and never come back. Danny’s voice was honey on his weary soul. He kissed Danny on the check – a long caress. Enraptured, he felt himself come alive. He forgot all the world as he gave in to those warm, soft lips. Their only purpose was to be together. He knew only Danny, and being right here with him. Danny’s eyes were closed, as well. Now they opened, expectantly. Danny had asked him a question. What was it? Oh, yeah- the words “smell” and “sex” came floating through his bliss. So did a little mischief. He knew he shouldn’t have done it. Couldn’t help himself. “Smell like sex? Oh yeah! You make me hungry! Come here, you stud, you!” He grabbed Danny by the waist, both arms, and pulled him toward his chest. It started out in jest, but turned for real. How did Danny always intoxicate him? Danny squirmed away, flustered. “But Timmy, I’m meeting Brad later. I’ve got to be OK. I took a shower!” He was a beehive of activity, gathering sheets. “Kidding. I’m kidding! Man, I thought I was the only gullible one anymore. Danny, come here.” Tim smiled kindly. He’d be a good boy now. “Let me check. I’m sure there’s nothing.” “You can joke about it, but it’s serious to me,” Danny’s words were firm. Tim gazed at Danny with full eyes, slight smile showing his love. Danny struggled, like a child fighting sleep. “Tim! You better stop that!” He smiled back. “I just gotta be, I have to be clean.” He relaxed in Tim’s arms, his right cheek nuzzling Tim’s hard chest. “Baby,” Tim breathed, and obligingly took a whiff, closing his eyes as he silently breathed the man into his very soul. There was just a hint of the heady aroma he loved, and it made him smile. It was Danny. Even so, the guy would be okay. He smelled like Summer Meadow or whatever was the scent of the body wash in the shower. Tim gently took hold of Danny’s wrists, kissed him once on the cheek and looked him straight in the eyes. Softly, he said the words. “You’re fine, Danny. I can’t tell anything.” He fought the urge to pull Dan close again, to taste again those red lips. For probably the fifth time this afternoon, he wanted to tell Dan he loved him, whisper it or shout it in the air. He’d said the words, when they were in the middle of things. That was fifteen minutes back. Had Danny heard him? Danny had said them back as well. Tim could’ve sworn it. Danny had the face of an angel. “Thanks,” he said earnestly, calm for a moment. Tim could read both pain and happiness in those blue eyes. He wanted to take away anything that hurt Dan. If he only could.