CHAPTER 1: STRANGERS IN A BAR
There I was at this upscale gay bar that had opened up a few months prior, doing something I hadn't done in a couple of years. I was on the prowl in search of a man for the night. I told myself if I hadn't met anyone within the first hour, I'd call it a night and go back home. John Legend's "Save Room" played overhead. It helped create the mature, grown, and sexy vibe the bar was going for.
It was nearly time for me to head out when I saw him. He was this chocolate drop of a man. He had a low cut with wavy salt and pepper hair. His chocolate skin had a glow to it. His chin was long, but his salt and pepper goatee rounded him out. Those lips were dark with traces of pink. The man looked like he was out of his element.
There was something vaguely familiar about him from a distance. I decided to introduce myself. As I approached him, I could see that he had a body on him. Though he was sitting down, his arms were swollen with muscle. His button-down shirt hugged every inch of his upper body. At first glance, he looked well-groomed. Upon further inspection, I could confirm he was immaculate.
"Is this seat taken," I asked as I sat next to him.
He let out a low chuckle as he stared at me. The second I was firmly in the seat, he turned his head and focused on the drink in front of him. My gaydar was pretty good, and I wasn't picking up any signs of him being gay. Disappointment set in just as curiosity arose. I had to know why he was there.
"I'm sorry," I said; I turned and faced him, "but I just have to ask. What is a straight guy doing in a gay bar?"
"And how do you know I'm straight," he asked. His voice was deep and smooth. His words came out slow and steady. He had such a sexy voice.
"Please," I said as I rolled my eyes, "I know a straight guy when I see one. There's nothing wrong with you being here. I think it's noble of you to expand your horizons."
He let out a hearty laugh, "You think it's noble. I'll drink to that. Bartender, get the gentleman next to me a drink."
"I'll take a Don Julio neat," I added. "So, does the straight guy have a name?"
"I do. I'm Sterling," he said as he extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you; I'm Kevin," I told him as I shook his hand. He had a firm grasp.
My mind wondered what else he could do with such strong hands.
"Are you gay," he asked as he took a sip of his drink.
"Very much so," I answered. "What brings you here?"
"Searching for understanding," he paused and mused his drink over, "my son came out some years back, and I didn't handle it well. I've missed him. He cut me out of his life. I want to understand so I can be there. I figured I'd come here."
"You have a son? You don't look old enough to have a son. I think what you're attempting to do is amazing, but you don't have to go to a gay bar to understand. You could just talk to your son to understand."
"I could, but then I wouldn't have met you tonight," he said with a flirty smile.
"Careful now," I warned. " I just might take that as flirting and be tempted to take you home."
"I can't help it; I'm flirtatious by nature," he said.
We looked at one another for a second. Then he smiled at me, flashing his pearly white teeth. His smile was beautiful, and I could see a sparkle in his brown eyes behind his eyeglasses. He was a beautiful and sexy man. I partially envied the woman who got to lay with him every night.
"Are you married," I asked.
"No. Never found that connection. What about you?"
"Just a boyfriend," I answered.
"And he let an attractive man such as yourself out of the house all alone. I don't think I could do that," he said.
"Oh!" I was taken aback by his comment. "You think I'm attractive?" I was enjoying his flirty side. It felt good to be complimented by a straight guy.
"I may be straight, but I'm not blind," he said, pointing to his glasses.
"You're smooth," I giggled. "I'm here because I have a hall pass. My boyfriend doesn't like to be penetrated. I like it all, and so he's given me his blessing to..." I didn't want to be crass.
"You get to fuck someone?"
"Yes. I was trying not to be crass," I laughed.
He laughed, "Well, baby, we're all adults. Just say it. Be crass. Wait, were you trying to fuck me when you walked over here?"
"Initially, yes."
He narrowed his gaze and said, "You know I would have had to fuck you back."
Silence fell on us. Sterling was saying some things that made me want to test him out, but I was nervous about making him feel uncomfortable. I figured the best course of action was to just play the long game with him. A man as fine as him could flirt and tease me all day long.
"I would have let you, but seeing as you're straight, we don't have to worry about that." I swallowed my drink and placed the empty glass on the bar.
He lowered his voice and said, "I've only ever known women, but I'd be lying if I said I've never been curious or that I never touched myself back there. Maybe that's why I reacted so poorly when my son came out. I was angry that he had more courage than me. Maybe it's the liquor talking. Who the fuck knows."
I whispered, "Sterling, would you like for me to touch you back there?"
"What if it's all in my head, and I'm not at all into the idea of a man touching me," he asked.
I stood up and held out my hand, "Come dance with me."
He took my hand, and I pulled him to the dance floor as Taylor Swift's "Maroon" played. We started off with a little distance and space between us. Gradually, he became more comfortable, and before long, our bodies were pressed together.
Sterling wrapped his strong arms around my back. I place my head on his chest. I could feel the muscles in his chest. They were firm, but when he breathed, they felt relaxed. His hand dropped from the middle of my back to the top part of my ass.
