***
Shane wasn’t fooled for a second. Flipping onto that channel hadn’t been deliberate but he did watch that competition often. He never played but never passed on an opportunity to watch a good game of dominos. After all, it had been the very first classy game he’d learnt…and owned, even if it had been for a short while. Shane stood up and went to the bar to pour a stiff drink, which he gave to Chris. Chris murmured his thanks and took a sip, willing his shaking hands to stop shaking. Shane took his seat and turned back to the screen where another set of players were taking their turn.
For the next three hours, Shane and Chris watched the boys play. And as they watched, the years slipped away as both men got engrossed in the game. At a point, Shane went for a bottle of Scotch, which was almost finished by the time the game ended. It had almost felt like when they were kids again. The only difference being the alcohol that was being consumed and the fact that they were watching and not playing themselves.
“Have you been playing?” Chris asked as he stood up to stretch at the end of the game.
“No,” Shane said quietly, draining his glass. “I’ve never played since…” He trailed off.
And just like that, the mood changed again, going right back to how both men had felt the moment Shane had first flipped onto that channel. Chris’ heart lurched and raced “Shit.” He swore. “I’m sorry, Shane.” He breathed automatically. Saying sorry to Shane felt extremely inadequate but Chris didn’t know what else he could do or say, besides sorry.
Without acknowledging Chris’ plea, Shane stood up and went to the fireplace, and clicked on a knob on the wall. The fireplace lit up but he didn’t leave where he stood. He was lost in thought as he stared into the fire. Maybe he shouldn’t have made them watch the game, Shane thought. Now they were back to being awkward around each other. But who was he kidding? Immediately he’d flipped onto that channel, their easy mood had ended. Yes, they had enjoyed the game, but something had shifted back to that tense mood…reminding both men of how much they had meant to each other and what Chris had done.
When Shane felt Chris’s presence behind him, a tingle went through him, slithered down his neck, and then spread out over his body, drawing goosebumps in its wake. He turned around so fast he lost his footing. Chris’ arms shot out reflexively to hold him study and just like that, the world tilted on its axis. The bolt of irrepressible lust that shot through Shane, overriding his feeling of guilt for spoiling their carefree mood was so unexpected, his eyes widened as he stared into Chris’ guilt-ridden eyes.
Chris stared back at Shane, his hands remaining around Shane even after he’d studied him because he just couldn’t bring himself to let go of Shane. Despite his feeling of remorse, Chris couldn’t help but enjoy the feel of Shane against him. Having Shane so close to him felt so fucking good.
“I’m so sorry, Shane,” Chris whispered, his voice tinged with regret and entreaty. “I know this is difficult but please…” His soft words rippled over Shane’s nerve endings, sending a shiver through Shane. “Forgive me.” Chris sighed, his fingers innocently going to rest on the sensitive spot between Shane’s butt and lower back…
“Fuck…” Shane couldn’t suppress the gasp that tore out of his throat. A shock of pure awareness that could not be masked flashed through Shane at the feel of Chris’ touch to that spot. Though he was being touched through his t-shirt, the intensity of need that whirled through him was still overwhelming.
Shane had found out some years back that a touch to that spot drove him crazy with lust. One lady had told him that that spot was an erogenous zone for him. Well, whatever the fuck that meant, Shane didn’t have a clue. He’d just never understood why the simplest stimulation of that spot never ceased to produce intense arousal in him. This time was not any different.
As if the touch driving him nuts wasn’t enough, Shane had to contend with the feel of Chris’ big powerfully elegant body with its rock-hard tautly defined muscle, against his. Shane knew he was in serious trouble. He panicked, hoping Chris wouldn’t notice the predicament he was in. He knew he had to get away from Chris. He couldn’t let Chris know just how agonizingly arousing his touch was. But Shane couldn’t bring himself to pull out of Chris’s arms. Chris made his body weak…pliant.
“Don’t… don’t worry about it.” Shane sounded as though he was being strangled, almost as though he was in pain.
Chris felt his chest tighten in response to Shane’s tone. God, he would give anything to take away Shane’s pain, he thought unhappily. Chris gave a helpless groan and tightened his hold on Shane, in effect, pressing harder against that spot. Shane went rock hard. Fuck!
Shane took deep breaths, trying to keep his rioting hormones under control. This was it, Shane thought determinedly. Time to prove to himself that he could control his sexually charged senses and body around Chris. Shane fought the overriding need pulsing through his body. He tried to think ordinary thoughts, anything that had nothing to do with the man driving him crazy that very instant. He could control this, Shane told himself. He took a deep breath, reining in the madness that threatened to whip through him.
Self-control was all it took. But just as Shane gained a semblance of control over his raging body, he felt it…Chris’ fingers lightly rubbing against that spot…causing a delicious shiver to pass through Shane. The uncontrollable moan that tore out from Shane’s throat took both men by surprise. That erotic sound went directly to Chris’ brain and then short-circuited down to his cock, which hardened against Shane’s. What happened next absolutely shocked and blew Chris’ mind.