Inside Out Part 7

"It's my turn," Zach said with a slight challenge as he pulled out the cash.

"At least let me leave the tip," Bull said. He knew Zach was trying to make ends meet and didn't have a lot of extra money. Zach agreed, and Bull pulled out some cash and placed it with Zach's. He still appeared uncomfortable. "What is it?"

"Do you see me as the girl?" Zach asked.

Bull was taken aback for a moment. "No. I don't date girls. Never have. Well, not since high school, and then they were only friends. There's nothing wrong with treating the person you're dating with care and respect."

Zach nodded slowly. "Do you always... go out with guys like me?"

"Are you asking me if you're my type?" Bull questioned.

"I guess so," Zach said.

Bull sighed. This was a difficult question for him, because he'd never really given it much thought. "Usually the guys I take home look more like me. They're big and tend to be tough looking. I think mostly because they're the ones who have the courage to actually approach me. Most guys don't." Bull gazed into Zach's eyes, registering his confusion. "You never seemed afraid of me." Bull paused, afraid he wasn't making sense. "To answer your question, yes, you're my type, if only because you had the courage to look past my intimidating exterior," Bull said in what he hoped was a playful way.

Zach must have understood because he giggled slightly. "You hide behind that tough facade, don't you?" Bull didn't answer. That question hit a little too close to home. "I guess we all hide certain parts of ourselves in different ways."

"Yeah, I guess we do," Bull agreed. The server took the folder with the check and money, and they got up from the table. "Would you like to come back to my house? My mother is out and won't be back until sometime this evening." d.a.m.n, that sounded way too high school for someone in his thirties. "What I mean is, we'll have some privacy." Bull was a huge fan of privacy right now.

"That would be nice," Zach agreed, and they left the restaurant. Unfortunately, the initially sunny morning had darkened, with thick clouds building in the west.

"I'd hoped we could sit outside, but I don't think that will happen," Bull said.

As they approached the car, the hair on the back of Bull's neck stood straight up.

"Is something wrong?" Zach asked, picking up on his reaction.

"I feel like we're being watched," Bull said. He walked around to his side of the car and unlocked the door, using the shift in angle to peer around them. Movement at the far side of the parking lot caught his attention. He opened the door and waited for Zach to get inside.

"What's going on?"

"I'm not sure," Bull said as he started the engine and backed out of the parking s.p.a.ce. He paid close attention to the other cars he could see. "Did you notice someone watching us while we were in the restaurant? Someone who might have been trying to blend in, but was doing something out of the ordinary?"

"Like a guy ordering food, but not eating it?" Zach asked.

"Exactly," Bull said, checking his mirror once again but knowing he wouldn't see anything. "What did he look like?"

"Not as tall as you, with really dark hair, cut short. He wasn't really big, but strong-looking." Zach looked around. "Oh, there was a tattoo of something on his arm, but...."

"It's okay," Bull said. He had a pretty good idea who it was. What he really needed to know was what in h.e.l.l he wanted. He slowed down and drove more normally. There would be no tail because the man had no need for one. "You did a great job. Why'd he catch your attention?"

"He looked like someone who would make a great character for my comic," Zach said.

"I'll be sure to tell him that when we see him," Bull said. "His name's Spook-at least that's the name I know him by." He really should have spotted Spook earlier. He hadn't realized he was getting soft.

"If he's a friend, why didn't he stop by the table?" Zach asked.

"He isn't exactly a friend, more of an a.s.sociate from my former life," Bull answered. "I doubt we're in any danger, because if he'd wanted to hurt us, we'd already know it." He reached over and patted Zach's leg. "I know him only by reputation, and he won't show himself again until he's ready."

"But what does he want?" Zach asked.

"I don't know," Bull fibbed. He didn't know the details, but he had a pretty good idea what Spook wanted and what his answer would be. But he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. He was sure Spook meant them no harm, and that was all that mattered for now. "But we're both fine." Bull squeezed Zach's leg again, enjoying the way his leg bounced with pent-up excitement. "Are you up for a gla.s.s of wine? If not, I have some beer," Bull offered as he made the turn down his street and parked just outside his garage. He hadn't seen anyone or anything unusual, but Spook was aptly named and would remain nearly invisible until he was ready to talk.

The first drops of rain hit the windshield as soon as Bull opened his car door-big, fat drops that made both him and Zach hurry toward the door to escape them. Once Bull had the back door open and they'd stepped inside, the sky opened up and sheets of water fell from the sky. Bull led them into the living room, and Zach sat on the sofa. Thunder rumbled around the house as Bull got them something to drink. He'd just returned and set down the gla.s.ses on the coffee table when a crack split the air. Zach threw his arms around Bull's neck and tried to climb him as the house shook and the lights went out.

"I take it you don't like storms," Bull said calmly as he sat down on the sofa. Not that he minded in the least.

"Hate them. Always have," Zach whispered, clutching Bull tighter as another clap of thunder rent the air. Zach shook in Bull's arms. Bull slowly rubbed Zach's back, and Zach closed his eyes, trying to calm as the storm raged on outside. As soon as the thunder dissipated, replaced by rain pelting the roof, Zach loosened his grip around Bull's neck. He tried to move away, but Bull held him in place.

"I like you like this," Bull whispered and then leaned in. The kiss began gently but quickly deepened and intensified. Zach whimpered softly, and Bull settled him on the sofa, cupping his cheeks in his hands and taking charge of the kiss. What surprised him was the way Zach kissed back, battling him for control. He liked it. Few of the guys he'd been with had been fighters. With his size, the guys who approached him were usually submissives who wanted Bull to take charge. It seemed Zach wasn't like those other men. He should have known, because Zach was so different from anyone he'd been with before.

Deciding to press his luck, Bull tugged Zach's shirt out of his pants and slipped his hands underneath, stroking Zach's silky smooth skin. d.a.m.n, he felt amazing-warm and s.e.xy. Zach faltered when Bull stroked up his back. Bull shifted on the sofa, maneuvering Zach until he was on his back. Then he pushed Zach's shirt up his trembling belly before licking and kissing his skin. Zach gasped loudly and vibrated as Bull got his first taste. Bull was instantly addicted, and he pushed Zach's shirt up higher, then licked a small pink nipple. Zach groaned and shook beneath him.

"Bull," Zach said between panting breaths.

"Just tasting," Bull said and then captured Zach's pink lips in a near-bruising kiss that left them both breathless. He wanted to taste a h.e.l.l of a lot more, but he wasn't sure if Zach was ready. Once they broke their kiss, Bull tugged off Zach's shirt and dropped it to the floor. Zach squirmed slightly, like he was trying to hide. "What? You're very handsome," Bull told him with a smile, but he saw a touch of fear in Zach's eyes. He backed away, and Zach stood to retrieve his shirt. "What happened?" Bull asked when he saw the marks on Zach's lower back.

Zach whirled around and held his shirt in front of him. "Parts of my family felt very strongly that sparing the rod spoiled the child."

"Your uncle?" Bull asked between clenched teeth. Zach nodded, and Bull saw red. "If he comes around here again, he'll find out how it feels to have someone whip him. I know people who are very good at it." He realized he was shaking and took a deep breath to try to calm himself. Then he reached out and tugged Zach to him. "Don't be ashamed. You didn't do anything wrong. Your uncle did." Bull kissed him again, and Zach hugged him, dropping his shirt.

"He did that when he found out I was gay," Zach whispered.

Bull held him tighter. He knew it must have hurt like h.e.l.l, in more ways than one, to have been the subject of that kind of blind hatred. "What about your parents? Didn't they stop him?" Bull asked, afraid of the answer.

"They didn't know. While he was. .h.i.tting me, he made it very clear that I was to get the h.e.l.l out, not be seen, and if I told my parents what happened, he'd make sure they felt some pain as well." Zach was near tears. "I can see now that he's deranged and drunk with power, but at the time I was so naive." Zach wiped his eyes. "I got accepted to college, and as soon as I had a place to go, I left."

Bull released him and tugged off his own shirt before pulling Zach close once again-this time skin to skin. Zach wriggled in his embrace, rubbing against him like a cat. "You have nothing to be ashamed of as far as I'm concerned. Wear those scars like a badge of honor; you earned them. You took the worst of what the old b.a.s.t.a.r.d had to offer and came out whole on the other side."

"No, I didn't," Zach said. "I came out scared of my own shadow, living in a strange place with people I didn't know. I went to cla.s.s, did my homework, and hid myself away as best I could."

"But you're not hiding now," Bull said.

"No, I'm not," Zach told him. "And I don't want to talk about my uncle anymore." He smiled. "I think we can think of more pleasant things to talk about. Either that or you got me half naked for nothing." Zach chuckled, and Bull sat stunned. How on earth could Zach be so pleasant after telling him what had happened?

"Don't you ever get angry?" Bull asked. "You tell me about this stuff that happened to you and then act like it doesn't matter. I've had plenty of s.h.i.t happen to me, and sometimes it's all I can think about." He could hardly believe he was telling Zach this. He never talked about feelings and s.h.i.t with anyone. It was a sign of weakness. Doubt, fear, worry-you pushed them all down deep and forgot about them to get the job done. That was what he'd been taught in the service, and Bull had always been a good study when it came to that portion of his life.

"I guess I figured I could either laugh or cry," Zach explained. "No one wanted to be around me when I was angry and sad all the time, so I did my best to let it go. It didn't always work, but I've accepted what happened. My uncle can't hurt me anymore, and my parents are gone, so he can't hurt them either." Zach shrugged. "In a way, I'm free, so why would I want to be miserable?"

Bull shook his head and kissed Zach. "I think you might be the bravest person I've ever met."

"Yeah, right," Zach said playfully.

"I mean it. The men I was in the service with, the ones who could stare down death day after day, would rather die than talk about what they're feeling at any given moment. h.e.l.l, if someone hurt me like that, I'd wait for my revenge and then tear them limb from limb and make sure no one ever found the body."

Zach stared at him. "Sometimes you scare me."

"I don't mean to. All I'm saying is I'd take a much more physical approach to the problem, and then once it was over, I'd bury it away and never talk about it again."

"I'm starting to see a recurring theme here," Zach told him. "But, you know, it's okay to talk about stuff. I told you what happened, and you listened. You didn't judge me or think I was a bad person or that I somehow deserved what I got. You understood, or tried to. So why wouldn't you expect the same treatment from others?"

"Because it doesn't happen," Bull told him and then kissed Zach hard. It was time for this emotional, heart-to-heart stuff to end. So he figured the best way to do that was to distract Zach, and Bull knew exactly how. Zach stood in front of him, and Bull maneuvered him between his legs. They kissed, and then Bull gently sucked down Zach's neck, then continued across his chest before lightly sucking one of his pink nipples. Bull felt Zach's legs begin to shake with what he hoped was excitement.

"Bull," Zach said, thrusting his hips slightly forward. Bull smiled when he saw the obvious tent in Zach's pants, and he slowly opened Zach's belt, and then the catch on his trousers before letting them fall to the floor. "What are you doing?" Bull paused. "I mean, I know what you're doing, but-" Zach gasped, and Bull grinned before stroking him through the fabric of his briefs. "Is it supposed to feel like this?"

"How does it feel?" Bull asked.

"Like my head is going to explode, and I'm not going to be able to stop myself if you keep that up," Zach whimpered through clenched teeth. "I mean, I know what this is supposed to feel like, I have done stuff before, but it's happening so fast, and you feel so good, and...." Zach swallowed. "I like what you're doing, but am I going too fast?" Zach continued his shallow breathing as Bull slowly pulled down the front of his underwear until Zach's c.o.c.k bounced forward. Bull stroked him gently, and Zach's words quickly turned to groans and whimpers.

Zach kept trying to catch his breath, but every time he seemed to, Bull took great delight in stroking him faster or gripping his long c.o.c.k tighter. Within seconds, Zach went quiet and his head lolled back. Bull tightened his grip as Zach began pushing his hips forward. "That's it. Just give it up and let yourself go," Bull whispered. Zach's mouth fell open and he whimpered softly before stiffening as he came all over Bull's hand. Zach shook and continued whimpering, his eyes squeezed shut.

Once Zach had finished coming, Bull waited for him to come down from the endorphin high. "Wow," Zach said softly.

"I think I can agree with that," Bull said. He picked up his shirt and used it to wipe his hand, then tugged Zach down into a kiss. "Let's go to the bedroom," he whispered. Zach nodded and pulled up his pants from around his ankles. Bull took Zach's hand and led him down the hall to his room, then closed the door behind them. When he turned around, Zach stood by the side of the bed, holding his pants up. He looked adorably hot, and Bull couldn't help smiling.

Zach kicked off his shoes and then dropped his pants. He stepped out of them and stood naked except for his socks. Then he tilted his head to the side, obviously waiting for him. Zach was gorgeous, and Bull's mouth went dry. Zach wasn't particularly tall, but slim with a flat belly and chest. He wasn't a gym bunny, but who cared? His smooth skin glowed, and when Zach turned to the side to move his clothes out of the way, the profile of a dimpled b.u.t.t came into view. "Beautiful," Bull whispered, the only word that came to mind.

Zach looked down at himself. "Are you just saying that?" Bull growled. "Okay," Zach held up his hands and smiled. "You never just say anything."

"d.a.m.n straight," Bull stated without taking his eyes off Zach. He toed off his shoes and then pulled off his belt. The buckle hit the floor with a soft ting that neither of them paid much attention to. "And to answer your earlier question, you are most definitely my type." Bull's c.o.c.k had throbbed in his pants for the last half hour, and Bull sighed as he opened his jeans and popped the b.u.t.tons on his fly. Zach's eyes widened as Bull stepped out of them and tossed the pants aside, his boxers tented prodigiously. Then Bull slowly stepped toward Zach. He could see the excitement, tinged with worry, in his eyes.

"I've never...." Zach swallowed.

"We're not going to do anything you're not ready for," Bull soothed and reached to the nightstand for a bottle of lube. He placed it on top and closed the drawer. "All I want you to do is what makes you happy." Bull took Zach into his arms, holding him close and slowly rubbing his back. When they kissed this time, it felt like electricity ripping through him. "Do you feel that too?" Bull asked, his lips right next to Zach's.

"Yeah," he whispered. "Is that zing normal?"

"It's never happened to me before," Bull said, slightly confused.

"That must mean I'm someone special," Zach said. He slid his hands down Bull's back and into his boxers. Bull started slightly when Zach cupped his b.u.t.t. He never let guys do that to him because it might give them ideas, but he wanted Zach to touch him and he didn't care where.

"Sweetheart, I knew you were someone special the first night I frisked you and you giggled and wriggled right there on the sidewalk." Bull kissed Zach again, and Zach pushed Bull's boxers down until they slid on their own down his legs. Bull stepped out of them and then pressed Zach onto the bed. Their lips barely parted as Bull maneuvered Zach up until his head rested on one of the pillows. Then, once he knew Zach was comfortable, all bets were off. The only problem was that he couldn't find a position that wouldn't press all his weight onto Zach. That little dilemma was settled as Zach squirmed from beneath him and pressed Bull onto his back before nearly jumping on top of him.

"Dang, you're...," Zach began, but Bull kissed the words away. Their bodies fit together well despite their differences in height. Zach vibrated on top of him, his long c.o.c.k sliding beside Bull's. The sensation made Bull's eyes roll back into his head more than once. Then Zach pulled his lips away, and Bull opened his mouth to protest. "I want to see you," Zach said, and then he shifted until he sat across Bull's legs.

Bull puffed out his chest, and Zach chuckled. Zach stroked his belly and up across his pecs before lightly tweaking Bull's nipples. "I knew you would be hot. I could tell that from the way your black T-shirts always looked two seconds from ripping, but I guess I expected you to have a tattoo or something."

"I nearly got one when I was in the service," Bull admitted, stopping when Zach wrapped his fingers around his thick c.o.c.k and began stroking. "Jesus, you want me to talk while you're doing that?"

"I could stop," Zach said, pausing the glorious movement. Bull growled. "Okay, then," Zach said and resumed his movements. Bull had been touched plenty in his life by himself, and by other guys. But no one had ever made him feel like this, not even Junior, his first... really his only only... lover.

Bull sat up, reached for Zach, and tugged him down and onto him. They kissed hard, and Bull cupped Zach's b.u.t.t, then pressed their hips firmly together. Zach thrust slowly, and Bull did the same, rubbing and stroking while they kissed each other nearly to oblivion. The intense heat from Zach's body wrapped around Bull like a comforting blanket that he never wanted to crawl out from under. Zach filled the room with small moans and whimpers that quickly worked their way into Bull's heart.

He rolled them on the bed after a few minutes. Zach groaned with mild frustration, and Bull chuckled slightly before kissing his way down Zach's neck and throat before licking long wet trails over his hot skin. Huge bursts of rich musk and a slight sweetness tingled against Bull's tongue. He licked and sucked Zach's nipples, accompanied by moans that increased in intensity the more he sucked. "Bull," Zach whined.

Bull smiled, then kissed and licked down Zach's chest and belly to where his c.o.c.k bounced and throbbed against his belly. Bull opened his mouth and sucked in the head of Zach's c.o.c.k. He jumped slightly, and Bull peered up to make sure everything was okay.

"Jesus!"

Bull sucked Zach deeper as a steady stream of awed moans and whimpers filled the room. "Has anyone ever done this before?" Bull asked. Zach rolled his head back and forth on the pillow. "Then are you in for a treat." Bull sucked Zach deep, letting his flavor burst on his tongue. For a few seconds, Bull thought Zach was about to scream, but he settled into steady groans and whimpers. Soon Zach was moving slightly along with him, lifting his hips off the bed.

Zach was getting close-Bull could tell by his breathing and the intensity of his moans. He pulled away, and Zach sat up, eyes wide open, probably wondering what was going on. Bull kissed him and settled on the bed next to Zach, holding him close. Zach returned his kisses and then pressed him back on the mattress before settling between Bull's tree-trunk legs. Zach stared at him for a few seconds, and Bull sat up and lightly stroked over Zach's shoulders. "You don't have to do anything you aren't ready for," Bull whispered.

"It isn't that," Zach said. "What if I'm not any good?"

Bull chuckled. "With lips like those, you'll be a natural." He brought a finger to Zach's lips and lightly traced over them. "You kiss like a dream. So don't worry about things like that. Simply be yourself and do what makes you happy and what you think I'll like."

Zach kissed him and then slowly licked down his chest. Bull settled back on the mattress and let Zach find his way. He groaned at the warm pleasure that spread through him when Zach licked a nipple. He hissed when he sucked and then bit lightly, because it felt so d.a.m.ned good.

"Where'd you learn to do that?"

"I might not have much real world experience, but we nerds do read... a lot," Zach told him.

"Those must be some good books," Bull said, and Zach hummed his agreement as he licked and sucked a trail down Bull's hairy belly. He seemed fascinated and lightly ran his fingers over Bull's chest and stomach.

"You're really s.e.xy," Zach crooned. "I like hairy men."

"Then we both get what we like." Bull moaned when Zach gripped his c.o.c.k, stroking lightly as he shifted.

Bull watched, fascinated as Zach slid his pink tongue along his length. Bull clamped his eyes closed without even thinking about it, reveling in the gentle sensation. Bull reminded himself he'd promised Zach he could explore on his own. Normally about this time, Bull would take charge and go for what he wanted. He gripped the bedding and held still, willing Zach to suck him. Bull sighed and groaned when he felt Zach's lips slide over the head of his d.i.c.k. Zach went too fast and quickly backed away.

"Take your time and don't go too deep at first. That takes practice," Bull coached, and Zach took him again.

The wet heat that surrounded him nearly took Bull's breath away. Zach wasn't polished or practiced, but d.a.m.n if he wasn't enthusiastic. He used his hand, lips, and tongue all at the same time.

"I like that I can make you do that," Zach said, stopping for a second to breathe.

"What?" Bull asked.

"Make those whiny sounds," Zach said. Bull would have growled, but Zach sucked him again and the thought zipped from his brain. All he wanted was Zach's lips and hands on him. Everything else was immaterial, including whatever sounds he happened to be making. Bull clutched the bedding as his body reacted. It wasn't long before he neared the edge. Bull cupped Zach's cheeks and lightly tugged him upward until their lips met. Bull reached for the lube and squirted a little on his hand. Then he worked his hand between them and coated both their c.o.c.ks. Zach sighed and began pumping his hips, rocking slowly against him.

"That's it," Bull said encouragingly, stroking down Zach's back and cupping his b.u.t.t. He then thrust upward. Within seconds they were moving together, the bed rocking with them.

Zach held his breath, and Bull could tell he was close. He was quickly approaching the edge as well. Zach groaned and stiffened. Bull thrust hard, desperate for the last bit of sensation that sent him plummeting into his release. Zach followed right behind, both of them filling the room with their cries.

Bull closed his eyes and floated, keeping his arms around Zach, carrying him along on his quiet, euphoric fantasy. He didn't want to move, and Zach seemed content to stay where he was too. So they lay there holding each other.

"Is this okay?" Zach asked after a while. "I'm not too heavy?"

"You're perfect," Bull said lazily. He didn't even have the energy it would take to open his eyes.

"Do you have to go to work?"

"No," Bull whispered.

"Good," Zach said as he rested his head on his shoulder. Neither of them made any effort to separate. "Did you ever have a boyfriend?"

"Once," Bull said, "a while ago. His name was Junior."