Looking At Forever (The Rock Gods Book 4) (12 page)

“Actually, I would have guessed you’d been with lots of men,” Rooster said. “Not to stroke your ego, but you’re good...
really
good.”

“You can stroke any part of me you want,” Wheland said. He leaned over and bumped his shoulder to Rooster’s. “In case you’re wondering, I’d be happy to bottom for you, if that’s something you’d want.”

Rooster’s smile was wide. “I’ve topped a couple of times, but typically I bottom.”

“If I were to be brutally honest, you’re a lot thicker than Cooper and sometime down the road I’d like to feel you stretch me with that monster.”

“Down the road?” Rooster asked. Rooster couldn’t stop smiling. Hearing Wheland say he’d trust him enough to bottom for him, meant a lot. It made things between them feel more intimate and it suggested there’d be a “down the road,” too.

Wheland nodded and eliminated the last few inches that separated them and kissed Rooster. “We’ll get there in time, but right now I want to fully enjoy fucking the hell out of you.”

It was late by the time Wheland and Rooster carried their plates into the kitchen. They’d spent hours sitting on the couch continuing their discussion about Cooper, covering a multitude of topics and Wheland felt renewed and at peace with the way things were playing out with Rooster. He’d never spent that much time talking about himself and the biggest surprise of all, it didn’t give him the panic attack he thought it might. Of course, Wheland had done a professional job of skirting around the one subject he still wasn’t comfortable discussing: his fucked up family. That was a subject for another day for sure. Wheland set their dishes into the sink and turned around in time to see Rooster yawning.

“Tired?” Wheland asked.

“Yeah, I’m beat,” Rooster said. “You wore me out with all that screwing.”

Wheland gave Rooster a playful shove. “Fucking amateur,” Wheland said, and started walking toward the stairs leading to the bedrooms. When they got to the top, Wheland stepped to the door of his bedroom and Rooster stopped in hallway leading toward the guest rooms.

“See you tomorrow,” Rooster said. He offered Wheland a slight wave, then turned to walk away.
“Why does it hurt to walk away right now,”
Rooster thought. They’d made no promises to share a bed; they’d spent a couple of hours in bed, and Wheland sure as hell didn’t owe Rooster anything. It was enough the guy was willing to share his house with him, so Rooster did what he felt was right and turned toward the guest room.

Wheland pressed his forehead to the doorjamb of his room. He didn’t like watching Rooster walk away and it sure as hell didn’t feel right to have him sleeping in the guest room, either. He cursed under his breath for what he was about to do, but Wheland couldn’t stop himself.

“Hey, Sonny?” Wheland called.

“Yeah, Mick?” Rooster asked, looking over his shoulder at Wheland.

“Stay with me. Please?”

Rooster smiled and glanced back at the door to the guest room. “Are you sure about that? Because I’m not expecting it, if that’s what you’re thinking and you sure as hell don’t owe me anything. You’ve been nice enough to let me stay here. That’s enough.”

“I’d like you to join me,” Wheland said. “I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t sure about that.”

Rooster swallowed hard and his throat suddenly felt like the desert. The enormity of what Wheland was asking him to do draped around his shoulders, but instead of feeling heavy like a wool coat, it seemed to lighten things knowing Wheland wanted to share beyond the structure of his home.

Wheland watched Rooster hover outside the door to the guestroom, as if questioning his answer to Wheland’s invitation. Every second that passed, Wheland’s own concerns began to grow. He’d only spent the night with a lover a few times in the past and that was usually because he was too intoxicated to make it back to his own place. And he’d never once shared his own bed at home – over night with anyone – ever. What he was asking Rooster to do was something he’d never done. Was this a line he really wanted to cross with Rooster? Wheland was about to rescind his request when Rooster finally responded.

“My toothbrush...”

“Get it and join me,” Wheland said, and stepped into his room.

Wheland walked to the end of his massive king-sized bed and undressed. The sheets were still rumpled from their afternoon of fucking and Wheland’s dick began to plump at the memory. He slid off his boxer briefs, went into his bathroom to wash up, and caught his reflection in the mirror above the sink. He rubbed his face and studied the tiny laugh lines at the corners of his eyes. Had they always been there or was the constant smiling he’d been doing since Rooster moved in making the lines more pronounced? Wheland didn’t think it mattered what caused the lines. What did matter was how good he felt right now with his life and the person about to share his bed.

Rooster was making him feel things he’d never felt and he liked the rush it gave him; the not knowing what was coming next and the intensity of it all, it was an adrenaline overload. Wheland slipped beneath the cool cotton sheets when Rooster walked in to the bedroom carrying his toothbrush.

“I packed light in case you change your mind,” Rooster teased.

“I’m not changing my mind,” Wheland said.

Technically that was the truth, but Wheland did have a tiny bit of trepidation regarding Rooster being here with him; in his bed and in his life. How could he not? This was unlike anything he’d ever done, but rather than put on the brakes, he was doing his best to push through his fears and going with his gut. Those instincts hadn’t failed him yet and he was counting on them working this time, too.

“Just follow your heart,”
Wheland kept telling himself, and he flipped back the sheets on what was becoming Rooster’s side of the bed.

Chapter Nine

Another week passed and Rooster had occupied Wheland’s bed every single night. Waking up that first morning with Rooster’s back pressed to Wheland’s chest was surreal. The zing of panic at feeling Rooster there with him was thankfully brief and then replaced with a complete sense of joy. Now he couldn’t imagine
not
waking up beside the man.

They fell into a nice, relaxed day-to-day pace together, working in the music studio after breakfast, followed by laps in the pool and then a late lunch. It was a full week before Wheland realized they hadn’t left the house once, not even to go to a club at night to party. Wheland couldn’t remember the last time that had happened for him. Sheer boredom would typically bring him downtown at least once or twice a week, but with Rooster there was no boredom. Their conversations never waned and even the silences that did occur were comfortable; much like long-term companions might experience.

Toward the end of the week Cooper’s text messages began again. Some messages were asking if Wheland was okay, some invited him to dinner or out for drinks, and Wheland ignored them all. He was too distracted with Rooster to give a fuck about spending time with Cooper and Jayson. This was a total shift in their lives and it was obvious Cooper suddenly had a problem with Wheland pulling away. Wheland shrugged it all off because he was simply too happy to worry about Cooper’s feelings right now. Cooper had Jayson and it was sure as hell looking like Wheland had Rooster. At the rate they were going, Wheland was hoping Alex took another six months off for his honeymoon because the idea of going back to work and being away from Rooster did not sit well at all.

It was Saturday afternoon and Wheland and Rooster were sharing a lounge chair by the pool; enjoying the afterglow from another round of blowjobs. Wheland grabbed Rooster’s face and pulled him in for a deep kiss. The tangy taste of himself remained on Rooster’s tongue and made him moan. Never could he have imagined the taste of his own come inside another man’s mouth would be such a huge turn-on, but it was. Everything with Rooster was nicer, even something as mundane as having breakfast was a happy event with Rooster sitting beside him. They were together nearly non-stop for days and days on end and it was only getting better. There was no way in hell Wheland would give this up without a fight. That was for sure.

“You taste so good,” Wheland said, slipping his tongue deeper into Rooster’s throat.

“That’s all you,” Rooster said.

“It’s partly me and partly you,” Wheland said, licking at Rooster’s lips. “The perfect combination. Don’t you think?”

“Mmmm. It is perfect,” Rooster said.

Rooster couldn’t believe how quickly he was falling for Wheland. Everything with them clicked. They were even starting to finish each other’s sentences. It all made Rooster feel so completely content and that was a first. He hadn’t been able to achieve that with his ex-wife, nor with the few men he’d hooked-up with over the five years since his divorce. Then, suddenly out of the blue a man Rooster had known for years crosses his path and it all came in to focus for him. Wheland was exactly what Rooster had been looking for his entire adult life.

Wheland smiled and squeezed Rooster’s butt cheek. “I’ll go get us something to eat,” he said, and reluctantly rolled away from Rooster.

“I’m gonna take a quick shower and wash off the mess you left on my chest,” Rooster said, and turned the opposite way.

“That wasn’t completely my fault,” Wheland smirked. “And I did warn you.”

“I know,” Rooster said. “I wasn’t expecting there to be so... much.”

Wheland watched Rooster stand up and walk toward the pool house at the far end of the patio area. The structure housed a large bathroom with shower and steam room, and also a bedroom and small living room. Watching Rooster’s finely sculpted ass as the man walked away had Wheland entertaining the idea of following him into the pool house and fucking him senseless on that big bed. Instead, he closed his eyes and growled under his breath; deciding he needed to practice some self-control before he killed them both from exhaustion. Before he changed his mind about the fucking, Wheland moved toward the door leading into his house. He returned a short time later carrying two beer bottles and a tray of sliced fruit. He didn’t see Rooster stretched on the lounge chair and assumed he must still be showering, and then he heard the voices.

“Roostarelli? What the fuck?” a male voice asked.

Wheland froze. It was Cooper’s voice he heard and that could only mean one thing. He set the tray and beer bottles down on a side table and was about to run over to the pool house, when Cooper and Rooster emerged from it.

“This is why you’ve been so distracted for the last fucking month?” Cooper asked.

Wheland was naked, as was Rooster, but unlike Rooster, Wheland chose not to cover himself up by wrapping a towel around his hips like Rooster was now doing. Instead, Wheland stood his ground with hands on hips and his cock on full display.

“It’s been three weeks,” Wheland said.

“You’re fucking Roostarelli,” Cooper said. “I can’t believe it.”

“Who I fuck is of no concern to you,” Wheland said. “And, right now, I’m not liking your tone. Since when do you give a shit about what I do with my down time?”

Cooper shook his head and started walking toward the gate to leave. “You’re my best fucking friend, dickhead. I came over here concerned you were in a bad head space or something and wanted to see if I could help.”

Wheland followed Cooper and stopped when Cooper turned to face him.

“I was worried. That’s all,” Cooper said in a lowered voice. “I don’t care who you’re fucking, but as your best friend I thought you might have wanted to share that bit of news with me.”

Wheland looked at the gate behind Cooper. “I wasn’t ready to share,” Wheland said. “This is good, Coop, and I don’t want to jinx it by sharing too soon. All Right?”

Cooper smiled and nodded. “There. That wasn’t so difficult, was it?”

“Fuck you,” Wheland laughed. As was typical with Wheland and Cooper. They could never stay angry at one another for very long.

“I’d give you a hug, but I don’t know what’s smeared all over your chest,” Cooper said, his eyes doing a quick downward glance at Wheland’s chest and manhood.

“Nothing you haven’t already had smeared on you,” Wheland said.

Cooper chuckled and then his eyes darted to where Rooster was sitting on the lounge chair sipping his beer. “Is he living here with you?” Cooper asked.

“Yeah, he needed a place to stay and I’ve got plenty of room,” Wheland said. “It’s good.”

“You already mentioned that,” Cooper smiled.

“Give me a little more time to adjust and then I’ll tell you about it,” Wheland said.

“I’m just busting your balls,” Cooper said. “You’re under no obligation to share anything with me.” Cooper spun toward the gate and reached for the latch to open the door. “Oh, I almost forgot the other reason I came over here.”

“What’s that?” Wheland asked.

“Alex wants a band meeting tomorrow afternoon downtown at four-thirty,” Cooper said.

“What the hell for?” Wheland asked. “He’s still on his honeymoon, for fuck’s sake!”

“He’s skyping from their honeymoon location,” Cooper said. “It sounds important so you better be there. Personally, I think this has something to do with a tour.”

Hearing the word “tour” had Wheland’s heart nearly bursting from his chest.
Fuck! How can I be expected to leave Rooster behind now?
And, he seriously doubted Rooster would want to come with him, since the rigors of touring were partly the reason he decided to slip in to semi-retirement. Not to mention, if he came with Wheland were they ready to be seen as a couple? Were they even a couple at all?

Shit. Shit. Shit.

What the fuck are you doing?

Wheland gave Cooper a weak wave and walked back to sit beside Rooster. He reached for the beer on the side table and drank half of it in one long gulp.

“Everything cool?” Rooster asked, and lightly ran the backs of his fingers across Wheland’s bare thigh. Watching the heated exchange between Cooper and Wheland had a knot forming in his stomach. Men typically didn’t get that pissed off at each other, unless there were feelings involved. Wheland had already dismissed that on his end, but what if Cooper really hadn’t let go of Wheland emotionally?

Wheland felt the spark of heat from Rooster’s simple touch, but nothing in life was really that simple, was it? At least in his life nothing was simple.

“I have a band meeting tomorrow afternoon,” Wheland said.

Wheland saw the look of concern wash over Rooster’s face. It was obvious the man had questions, but right now Wheland didn’t want to deal with it. He reached for Rooster and pulled him against his side; the exact spot he wanted this man to stay. He leaned in and brushed his lips to Rooster. They were staring at each other until Wheland let his eyes drop as arousal began to sweep him away. This was perfect, Wheland thought, exactly the way he imagined it could be if he were to find the right person.

He pulled back from the kiss and studied Rooster’s expression; clear, fluid eyes with a richness that seemed to change with every one of his emotions. Wheland’s fingers traced a path over Rooster’s eyebrow, then down the length of his straight nose. Everything about Rooster felt right to Wheland, but was it good enough to build a future? Did he want a future with Rooster? Did Rooster want that with him?

He couldn’t answer any of those questions with full certainty because it was too early to tell. They’d known each other for a few short weeks and there was a high probability Wheland would soon be leaving on tour, so did it matter how good it was between them if they’d soon be saying good-bye?

Wheland’s hand dropped from Rooster’s face and Rooster missed the touch. He reached for Wheland’s hand and twined their fingers. Somehow Cooper’s visit and news of the band meeting unsettled things between him and Wheland and once again, Rooster felt like he was on shaky ground. Maybe this thing with Wheland was over before it fully started, but if Wheland wanted to pull away there was no sense in prolonging the outcome.

“I don’t know what Cooper said to make you so tense, Mick, but I’m okay with whatever you decide.”

“Decide about what?” Wheland asked.

“If you’re feeling the need to back off,” Rooster said. “I’m okay with it.”

“Is that what
you
want?” Wheland asked.

“Not at all,” Rooster said. “But I understand more than most about the dynamics of being in a touring band. I know the work involved in keeping the band unit strong. If you need to back off with me to focus on your band, then I’d fully understand.”

Wheland gripped Rooster’s whiskered chin and tugged him in for another demanding kiss. “I want you with me... on and off the road,” Wheland said. “Is that something you think you could handle? If not, tell me now before we go too far with this.”

Rooster moved all the way back to rest against the lounge chair. He was quiet for several long and agonizing seconds, until Wheland was wishing he hadn’t blurted out the question as he did. Maybe this was moving too fast? Maybe Rooster was thinking they
should
take a step back?

Fuck.

“Never mind, Roost,” Wheland said. “You don’t have to answer. I didn’t mean to put pressure on you like that.”

“Mick, you know the grueling tour schedule is what pulled me away from my own band and I think it would be even worse to be a bystander at your shows. I’m not sure where I’d fit in to it all and I know what happens on a tour,” Rooster said. “There is an endless amount of time where you don’t see anyone except the guys in your band. How would I fit in to that? Or would I be off doing my own thing, too?”

“That’s not how I see it,” Wheland said.

“Oh? Then, what’s your vision?” Rooster asked.

“Definitely not that,” Wheland said. “We collaborated on music. I’d want you with me.”

“We wrote some music together,” Rooster said with a shrug. “But, I’m not part of your band and I’m not even sure how excited Alex would be to hear we collaborated. Do you see what I’m getting at, Mick? I don’t want to be the distraction that pulls you away from your band because your work has to come first.”

Wheland’s head fell back on the cushion. He knew some of what Rooster said was true and the feeling of defeat that came with that hurt. He stared at the wispy thin puffs of clouds in the sky and the casual bend to the trees surrounding his property with each new breeze that rolled in from the valley. Rooster was right. There was no way a relationship between them would survive with Wheland on the road. If they were lucky, they’d have a few hours a day to spend together and the rest of the time Wheland would be working. Wheland wouldn’t disrespect Rooster by leaving him waiting around for him in a hotel room, nor would he expect Rooster to remain faithful while he was away. The man deserved more, someone that could give him their all, and Wheland wasn’t sure that “someone” could be him.

Fuck!

Rooster wasn’t crazy about playing the role of devil’s advocate, but someone had to talk realistically. He was also sure Wheland didn’t like hearing the reason behind what Rooster had said. It didn’t matter. These things needed to be discussed sooner or later. Rooster figured there’d be more conversations after the band meeting, but at least for now Rooster felt he’d thrown the issues out on the table.