Out in the Field (Out in College 4)

“That’s different. You had a boyfriend,” he said softly.

“Yeah, but…”

“And you’re not out now, so you can’t exercise your instincts freely. It doesn’t matter what you want if it’s more important to keep a secret.”

I frowned. “I want to be mad at you, but you’re right. And I can’t do anything about it till I graduate next year.”

Phoenix smiled wanly. “You could, you just choose not to.”

I squinted at him. “Are you asking me to come out or—”

“No. I wouldn’t do that. And we’re temporary, Max. It’s part of our agreement. You might not want me around for long if we were actual boyfriends. I’m kind of high-maintenance,” Phoenix assured me as he leaned over to grab another piece of brownie.

I plucked the brownie from his fingers and popped it into my mouth. “Define high-maintenance.”

“Well, I like going to restaurants, concerts, plays, parties…leaving the apartment.”

His flippant delivery and playful wink took any sting from his words. I should have let it go, but I couldn’t. I tugged at his lobe and then stuck my finger in his ear to bug him, chuckling lightly when he swatted me away.

“I’m gonna plan a date for us,” I announced.

Phoenix made a funny face. “You weren’t listening. We’re not boyfriends, Max. I don’t want you to—”

“I want to. My instincts tell me I’m on the right track too. I’m going to teach you how to play baseball.”

He fixed me with a blank stare. “Dates are supposed to be fun.”

“Baseball is fun.”

“Baseball is boring,” he countered.

I gasped in mock outrage before launching myself at him. I pushed him flat on the sofa and tickled him until he called “Uncle.” Then I gathered him close and rained kisses all over his face before giving him an admonishing once-over.

“You only think baseball is boring because you’ve never played it.”

“Not true. I played T-ball.”

“I thought you said you never played any sports.”

“Well, I was five. I didn’t think it counted.”

“Aww. It doesn’t. It’s cute, but it’s not real baseball. I didn’t like it when I was a kid either. I thought it was for babies. The best thing about T-ball was snack time.”

“I agree. The rest was torture. I had a hard time hitting the ball off that stick thing and when I finally did, I could never remember which way to run…or when to stop. One time, I ran clear across the park before I realized something was wrong. When I got back to the bench, everyone made fun of me.”

“Poor baby.” I kissed his temple. “Don’t let those old bullies get you down. I bet if you tried it now, you’d like it.”

“Hmph. I just don’t understand what’s so fun about standing around on a field waiting for something to happen.”

“The problem is that you don’t know the rules. The best way to learn is to play. I’ll teach you.”

“Huh?”

“You heard me. We’ll start with basics. How to hit, how to catch the ball, and—”

“Kiss me, Max.” Phoenix sat forward and hooked his right arm around my shoulder, then brushed his nose against my cheek before covering my mouth.

I pulled back and smiled. “Are you trying to distract me? ’Cause it’s not gonna work.”

“Hmm. No. I was just…overcome with butterflies. It happens sometimes.”

“Sounds like a potentially serious condition,” I joked, reaching for his belt loop before cupping his crotch. “Do you feel it…here?”

Phoenix rocked his hips wantonly and let out a sexy moan. “Yeah, right there.”

“I better check it out.”

I flipped him on his back and made quick work of undressing him, haphazardly shoving his briefs and jeans down his legs. Then I straddled his torso and watched through hooded eyes as he lowered the elastic of my sweat pants over my rigid cock. He held my gaze and stroked me languidly. Up and down, up and down.

“Mmm. It’s happening again,” he purred.

I leaned sideways to grab lube and a condom from the coffee-table drawer. I gave him the latex to unwrap while I uncapped the bottle. I poured a small amount on my fingers and eased a single digit into his hole before gripping his dick.

“Does it feel better now?”

“No, it’s worse. Gimme more,” he commanded.

I obeyed, then bent to kiss him, nibbling on his bottom lip. “Can you feel it now?”

“Fuck, yes.”

“Me too. How often do you feel this way?”

Phoenix stared at me for a moment before closing his eyes. “Only when I’m with you.”

I couldn’t tell if that was a throwaway line, and I certainly wasn’t going to ask or confess that it was the same for me. So I kissed him instead.

Soft kisses gave way to passionate ones. We sucked and licked at tongues and lips as we grinded against each other. I sat up to pull off my T-shirt and pushed the fabric under him to use as a makeshift towel before rolling the condom over my thick cock. Phoenix raised his right leg over the back of the sofa, and I held his gaze as I entered him slowly.