Thanks for all the feedback! As I wrote, this is a slow build, but we do get to some good sex here. As always, I welcome the feedback. Thanks!
The next morning, Tom woke up more rested than he'd felt in years. He took Muffin—the eager Golden Doodle that Jeremy convinced him to get when Jeremy knew his brain terminal was fatal in an effort to make sure Tom wouldn't be alone and would have a reason to get up in the morning—out for a walk. His steps felt lighter. For the first time in nearly five years, he walked the dog and drank his coffee without wanting to burst into tears.
Ben spent the night dreaming and tossing and turning with giddiness. Had he really met Tom at the Eagle? Did they really spend hours talking? He woke up with a start—he'd had such an erotic dream about Tom, he came in his sleep! Cleaning up the mess, he took a piss in the shower, dried off and looked at his phone. Tom had texted a few minutes before. "Thanks a great conversation and walk last night, B. Dinner? Tom."
The radiance from Ben's smile could have solved the energy crisis. He walked into the kitchen of his Uncle Doug's Condo. Doug was reading the paper. He looked up and smiled. "What's got you smiling this morning, Ben?"
Ben poured himself a cup of coffee and turned to his face his uncle. "I met some last night," he began softly, running his forefinger over the rim of the coffee cup. As he said those words, he felt the memory of the heat of Tom's chest on his face and he shuddered, almost imperceptibly.
His Uncle put down the paper and looked at Ben. He smiled. "So? Tell me! Details!" he demanded as he swatted his nephew lovingly with the newspaper.
Ben swallowed and looked at his uncle. "Ok. I'll tell you. But I need you not to freak out on me or tell my mom and dad. This guy is..." Ben searched for the words. He was an engineer by training; parts needed to fit together for a larger purpose. Systems made sense to him. He liked structure and things that were neat and had their place. But his feelings for Tom were bigger than any structure or system he could conjure up. So he'd just be honest.
"I met a very special man. And you know him. He was at the party last night."
Doug recalled the party, the drinks, some dancing. He figured Ben had left before him and came home on his own. So while surprised Ben had met someone, he wasn't overly concerned.
"Nice! So tell me about him. What's his name? What did you talk about? And buddy—you're a college graduate and an adult. I won't tell your parents your business. That's between you and them," Doug said emphatically.
Ben smiled and breathed deeply. "The thing is, Uncle Doug, you know him. He was at your party. You introduced us." Ben stopped to gauge Doug's reaction.
Doug immediately recalled introducing Ben to Tom. But surely that's not who his nephew meant. It couldn't be... could it?
Ben proceeded tenderly. "It's your friend, Tom. He's smartest, kindness, most amazing man I've ever met. I know—he's older than me. But we talked and talked and talked—until 3:30am this morning. We walked across the Stone Arch Bridge and watched the stars. He was a perfect gentleman and drove me home. And all we did was hug goodnight." Ben was glowing.
Doug was taking this in. His friend and colleague Jeremy's widow was interested in... his nephew? It seemed so odd! What could they have in common? He felt himself starting to get judgmental and protective of his nephew.
Then he looked at the radiant joy on Ben's face. And he realized that he had a choice: He could be a jerk about this. Or he could be supportive of Ben and offer him advice that would be helpful and supportive.
"I'm happy for you buddy," Doug began. "Tom is a really good man. He was married to my friend Jeremy who died about four years ago. He's had a bit of tough time. But he's a good man. Did he ask to see you again?" Doug inquired, wondering if his 22 year old nephew misread the signs.
"Thanks Uncle Doug," Ben responded, relieved and grateful. "Yes. We're going to an art fair later this afternoon and then out for dinner to a place called Café Larcet..or Larmet. I don't remember," Ben stammered, excited for the date.
"Café Lurcat," Doug corrected. "That's a really nice restaurant. I'm sure you'll have a great time."
"Thanks! I'm going to kayak on the lake this morning and then I need to get ready," Ben offered before kissing his uncle on his head and rinsing his coffee mug in the sink.
Tom arrived to their meeting spot—the bench on the bridge—a few minutes early and was pleasantly surprised to see Ben was there waiting. He smiled. The young man was unconsciously sexy—which made him even hotter to Tom. Standing there, on the bridge, his wavy hair in his aviator sunglasses, Tom wanted to ravage him!
"Get ahold of yourself," Tom thought to himself as he approached Ben.
Ben smiled with equal measure nervousness and excitement. Tom was so handsome he thought he might cum on the spot. Ben had little experience in the dating department, less when it came to sex, and none with older men. But he was smitten and eager to please. While he may not be certain what to do, he was clear that his every desire was to please Tom.
"Wow," Tom said as he reached Ben. "You're even more handsome in the daylight."
Ben's face radiate heat. His mouth opened and he wanted to say something but he couldn't find the words. Acting instinct, he pulled a slightly surprised Tom into a full hug and started to tremble. Tom held Ben and kissed the top of his head. God the boy smelled incredible!
"It's good to see you," Tom whispered.
Ben nodded against Tom's chest but still couldn't speak. The wave of emotion was overwhelming for the engineer; he had no words to describe the intensity of his mixed emotions: joy, longing, desire... and a little fear. He gripped Tom harder.
"You ok?" Tom asked.
Ben let out a contented sigh and looked into the dark eyes of the man he'd only met the night before.
"I can't," Ben started and choked out what sounded like a mangled sob. "I'm just so happy to see you," he said as he fought the tears that begged for release.
Tom smiled and almost—though he wouldn't quite permit himself—giggled. He bent over to rub his nose with Ben's. "I'm really happy to see you, too," he replied. "You smell so damn good. You're all I've thought about today." And the last word he breathed huskily into Ben's ear, "Boy," causing Ben to shiver and get immediately hard.
Remembering the conversation they'd had the night before about Ben needing to say what he wanted and needed, Ben took some initiative. "Sir," he said quietly but with confidence. "Will you please kiss me?"
Tom shuddered. Kissing for him was the ballgame. He had a simple rule—if he can't kiss, he can't fuck. So a kiss meant something.
He nodded and leaned forward, pressing his lips to Ben's, who responded with a beautiful combination of tenderness and hunger. Their first kiss started tentatively, but their lips fit—Tom's full and experienced, Ben's younger and hungry for contact. The kiss grew deeper, their tongues soon entwined, exploring, probing, searching for the breath inside the other. At one point, Tom couldn't tell where his breathing ended and Ben's started and the desire he felt to protect and take care of this younger, strong, brilliant, sexy man startled him.
They pulled apart and both gulped the warm spring air. Tom's eyes were glassy with desire. Ben was flush and his neck had splotches of red with the heat of desire.
"Damn boy," Tom laughed. "You almost gave me a heart attack! Where did you learn to kiss like that?"
Ben blushed with pride and then embarrassment set in. He choked down a sob. What the hell was wrong with him? He was a damn engineer! He did systems and logic and structure! Why the hell was he tearing up over this?
"That was the first time," he said, feeling the humiliation start to overwhelm him.
Holy shit! Realized Tom. He knew Ben was inexperienced, but didn't realize that was his first kiss! As an experienced man of 42, he instinctively knew what to do.
"Ben," he said, cupping the young man's face in his strong hands. "That was one of the most fucking unbelievable kisses I have ever had in my life! If you can do that, I can only imagine what kind of tiger you're going to be in bed later!"
Ben smiled. Tom was utterly sincere. And much of his insecurity melted away. In that moment he knew—his great pleasure in life was going to be to try to make Tom feel as good he made him feel about himself. He couldn't wait to please the man!
Another peck on the lips, Tom took Ben's hand and said, "C'mon, let's walk." They spent the afternoon looking at the art, discussing their families and childhood, debating politics—Tom was a progressive Obama Democrat, Ben focused more on AOC and the Green New Deal along with Black Lives Matter and was willing to shake things up a bit more—and eating various food sold by the vendors at the fair. They shared a beer, a lemonade, ice cream, and Ben's absolute favorite—mini donuts. Tom couldn't stop laughing watching Ben literally devour almost the entire bag of donuts himself, then smile bashfully, "I'll get us another one to share."
As they admired the art, Tom was impressed by Ben's understanding of various artists and art forms, his analysis as an engineer, and his appreciation for bold colors. They had similar taste and Tom found himself wanting to buy Ben something to remember the day. As Ben waited in line to refill their lemonade, Tom went to one of the artists stalls they had seen earlier and bought Ben a simple leather bracelet with a sturdy greenish agate stone in it. He paid and quietly slipped it in his pocket to give Ben later.
