Joseph’s irises concealed no pretense.
Doubt drifted away and out the window. Wonder stymied Tory’s senses. Only smell seemed to linger. Joseph’s lavender cologne wrapped around him in a gentle mist. Tory closed his eyes, allowed the pull of Joseph’s breath to bait him.
Their lips touched.
Electric shocks rendered Tory both rigid and elastic. For what seemed an eternity, they kissed. When they drew apart, a string of saliva connected their lips. A tear trickled down Joseph’s flushed cheek. He stood before Tory, mouth agape, his eyes wide and crazed.
“I’m sorry,” he said, shaking. “I… I don’t know what came over me. Please… please, forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Tory whispered.
Below Joseph’s button-fly, there was no denying his wanting.
Tory reached for him. “Please,” he said, “I don’t mind, really.”
In an instant, Joseph leaned into Tory to exchange more kisses. They melded their lips onto each other’s more firmly. Tongues pried into their watering mouths. Arms wrapped tightly around their waists.
They disrobed each other, fumbling to unfasten shirts, climb out of breeches, nearly tearing off undergarments, all the while wanting to keep their lips locked. Tory trembled; he worried he might faint. Joseph steadied him. Explosions erupted inside Tory’s burning chest.
Joseph pushed Tory back onto the bed, where they explored each other’s bodies with hands and tongues, wrapping themselves in each other. With mounting need, Tory positioned himself on the edge of the bed with his legs spread and gestured for Joseph to stand before him. Joseph seemed to need few words to understand the gesture. His face aflame, Joseph let a stream of drool fall into his palm, and he lubricated himself. Eyes shut, he pressed into Tory. A moan escaped from between Tory’s wet lips. He relaxed and Joseph leaned in harder, gazing deep into Tory’s eyes. His mustache, smelling of pomade, brushed the side of Tory’s swiveling head. Their hands clasped. Tory clenched down, encouraging Joseph to move faster, to lower his weight on him.
Joseph took Tory’s lopping tongue into his mouth. Sensations Tory had never experienced with a man—with anyone—filled him with blinding desire, love, fear.
Swallowing back a groan, Joseph collapsed on top of him. He lay still for several minutes. Only his heavy breath evinced life burned within him. Tory clutched him to make sure he stayed in place. Slowly, Joseph lifted his head off Tory’s shoulder. A smile grew along Joseph’s lips, turning into a full grin under his mustache. Joseph’s grin vibrated into laughter. Tory, too, began to laugh. And with Tory’s rising and quaking chest, Joseph laughed all the harder.
“Shhh,” Joseph said. “We don’t want anyone to hear us.”
“I know how to keep you quiet.” Tory pushed Joseph’s head down, and Joseph’s mouth instinctively engulfed him like a warm bath. A minute later, Tory jerked up. A yelp like the cluck of a dying bird broke from his lips.
Joseph wiped his mouth and smiled at him. “I have never done that before,” he said.
“I just wanted to be closer to you.”
Joseph replied with many light kisses on Tory’s mouth.
Still naked, Joseph went to the window and stared out. From the bed, Tory admired his new lover’s body. Tall, lean, firm. The light of the blue moon, no longer visible as it settled to the west, highlighted his pointy shoulders and enshrouded him in a surreal glow. Affection surged in Tory’s veins. He actually had found love. Like his sisters.
Rattling in the hallway startled them. They remained frozen. Someone was using the water closet down the hall. From the floundering footsteps, Tory deduced they belonged to Clair Schuster. She often used the water closet at the first hint of morning twilight, before anyone arose.
Joseph tiptoed to the door and pressed his ear against it. Backing away, he gestured that whoever it was had returned to his or