The Rose Man Page 8

  “Can’t go wrong with that.” Dad grabbed a drumstick.

  Ben almost grinned, but the tension resumed even as he set the table.

  “So far the fresh eyes haven’t found anything new on the investigation. This guy…I agree he’s gay and has some chip on his shoulder. But he must’ve been planning this for a long time.” Ross grabbed the pitcher of iced tea from the fridge, found glasses and poured.

  “Beer,” Dad said.

  “No, Dad.” Ben put the pill container on the table. “Pills with iced tea or water.”

  “I’m all wound up. Won’t sleep. A beer will help.” Dad opened the pills and downed them.

  “Beer isn’t the answer to that. The doctor gave you some sleeping pills for when you really can’t get any rest. Wait and see. A good meal will help. It was nice of Ross, right?” Ben asked.

  Dad looked at Ross. “Thanks. You angling for a blessing or something? Is Ben the girl in your little whatever you do?”

  Ross sat. “It doesn’t work that way. Just guys.”

  “I liked hanging with my guy friends more than my old lady most of the time, but I wouldn’t suck their dick for all the beer in America.” Ben’s dad shrugged.

  “Fair enough. Now, if you’re handing out blessings, I’ll take what I can get,” Ross said.

  Ben frowned at him. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Pushing his luck.” Dad focused on eating. Ben sat and he and Ross ate.

  “Ben and I are a thing. If I’m a target, he could be too,” Ross explained.

  “We haven’t found a thing around here. Larry is being overly cautious,” Ben said.

  Dad sat back. “Quit screwing around and they’ll have no reason to come after you.”

  Ross chuckled. “We’d still be gay. That’s pretty much all this guy needs.”

  “You two should get some girlfriends.” The old man chewed on a biscuit.

  “I can’t do that,” Ross admitted.

  “You’re not bad looking. Got a job. It’s not that hard. Ben could have a dozen girlfriends if he just acted like he liked girls a bit.”

  “I like women just fine, but I’m not dating one,” Ben corrected his dad.

  “Fine. What’s for dessert?” Ben’s dad asked.

  Ben pacified his dad with an ice cream bar as Ross helped clean up.

  “Thanks for dinner. You didn’t have to,” Ben washed his hands after packing away the leftovers.

  “No problem. I felt redundant at the station. They need a break, a lead—let them spin their wheels with fresh eyes. We need a break without the guilt.” Ross leaned on the fridge.

  “You’re sure you’re guilt-free?” Ben asked.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my car. I was shocked. We were searching around the station. It’s a pretty ballsy move.” Ross sighed. “Irene knows what she’s doing. That group is good. People are working this case nonstop even when we’re sleeping.”

  “I’m going to my room. Where are the sleeping pills?” he asked.

  “On your nightstand.” Ben went back in the room to help his dad.

  Ross was surprised Ben’s dad didn’t threaten Ross and tell him to leave. Ross wanted to stay and be sure they were all safe, but he’d expected more pushback. Ben’s dad had to be worried too. He covered it up well, but Ross knew how much fear must be eating up Ben’s dad to overcome the hate…

  At least the old man loved his son enough to want backup in the house.

  Chapter Nine

  Finally, behind a locked bedroom door, Ben pulled condoms and lube packets from the nightstand. The pent-up frustration filled Ben. He suspected Ross felt the same but hid it better. He’d been worried, annoyed and itching to be alone with Ross all day.

  “And I thought I was here for added safety,” Ross teased.

  Ben blushed. “I know you’re in town for work and we have to keep our priorities straight. We won’t get many chances. I don’t want anyone else to fuck me.”

  “First,” Ross added.

  Ben nodded, but deep in his heart he wanted it to be forever. The romantic side of him always nagged about more. Sex was great, but with any other guy he felt self-conscious and awkward.

  Ross undressed like he was changing for bed, but put nothing on. Staring with lust, Ben was hard without having removed a single garment or even touching Ross.

  When Ben started to get up from the bed, Ross pushed him down to stay seated, no words needed. Ross unbuckled Ben’s belt. freed his cock and began sucking on it. Ben tried to push his pants down. Finally,

  Ross gave in and tugged the slacks lower to the floor, but his mouth never paused. It was a game, all teasing. Ross gave head like no one else.

  From Ross’ deep throating to tiny tongue flicks, Ben closed his eyes and gave himself over to pleasure. Ross sucked his balls next and Ben tensed for a split second when Ross slid his fingers between his ass cheeks.

  “I ask you to fuck me and you want to torture me with oral,” Ben laughed.

  “Torture?” Ross smiled then swallowed all of Ben’s cock, moaning as he took his time. Ben couldn’t stop himself—he fucked Ross’ face as best he could.

  “Ross, fuck me!”

  Ross swallowing made Ben twitch as pleasure rolled through him. He reached for his shirt and unbuttoned it then tried to kick off his shoes. He needed to be naked with Ross, head-to-toe.

  “Easy.” Ross reached down and helped removed his shoes, socks and pants.

  Ben stared at Ross’ erection. “Maybe we should wait. I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”

  “If you’re on all fours, you won’t see it.” Ross nudged Ben.

  Rolling over, Ben wasn’t convinced. “It’ll still hurt.”

  “I swear, it won’t hurt unless you ask for it.” Ross kissed the back of his neck. “Trust me?”

  Ben nodded and closed his eyes. He felt the lube, then Ross’ fingers. Moaning, he wanted more, but Ross smacked his ass when he tried to back up.

  “I’m in charge. You have to let me work you up for it. Like in the shower,” Ross coached.

  “I know. I’ve been practicing. That sounds weird,” Ben confessed.

  “Weird? It’s good. It means you want it. Don’t do it for me. I’m just as happy fucking your face or jerking off on you.” Ross nipped Ben’s ear.

  “Liar.”

  “Really? You think your virgin ass is magic?” Ross taunted.

  “You want it. Virgin or not. If I’m a terrible lay or not, you want me,” Ben bragged.

  Ross nodded his head next to Ben’s. “You know me too well.” He added another finger to Ben’s hole.

  “Your cock is so long, how…fingers can’t prep for that,” Ben gasped when Ross quickened the pace.

  “You want a toy first?” Ross kissed Ben’s shoulders. “A thin anal probe?”

  “No! I want you inside me. You’re making me crazy.” Ben’s cock hardened as his hips pressed back.

  “One more.” Ross slid a third finger slowly.

  “Shit.” Ben held his breath for a second.

  “You can squeeze down on me. You won’t hurt me,” Ross reassured him.

  Ben nodded and tried to control his body, but the invasion had him in a state of bliss he didn’t want to ruin. As Ross finger-fucked him, Ben found he could breathe again, but his dick throbbed.

  “Like it?” Ross asked.

  “I love it.” Ben nodded.

  “Enough for now?” Ross asked.

  Ben shook his head. “Fuck me. Slowly. I might blow the second you’re inside me, but please.”

  “Come as many times as you want,” Ross replied.

  Ben heard the condom package tear. Freezing as more lube was applied, Ben understood now why Ross had wanted to be face-to-face. Still, if he turned over, he’d come in seconds. Next time he’d ride, or whatever position felt right. This was vulnerable enough.

  When the tip of Ross’ cock pressed to his ass, Ben tensed and felt like an idiot. He’d gotten used to fing
ers, but that big cock? “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Just relax, take a deep breath and enjoy.” Ross reached around and toyed with Ben’s erection.

  Moaning, Ben shut off his brain and handed his body over to Ross. Ben closed his eyes and relaxed. Slowly, Ross advanced and pulled back, teasing and testing. Ben wanted to rock back at first, but then Ross hit a spot and Ben held still.

  “Too much?” Ross asked.

  Ben wasn’t sure, but he held his breath for a second and tightened on Ross’ dick. “More.”

  Before obliging, Ross gently stroked Ben’s cock a bit harder—adding pleasure and distraction as he inched forward.

  “Shit, I’ve never—I can’t—” Ben couldn’t finish his sentences as he pressed back and tightened.

  Ross froze. “You want me to stop?”

  “No, I need more. I can’t believe I never had this.” Ben moaned again and gasped.

  “I can’t believe you waited for me.” Ross thrust gently.

  Ben nodded. “I can’t give this up.”

  “We’re only halfway there.” Ross gripped Ben by the balls and slid a bit deeper.

  “Oh, shit. Ross.” Ben held still as Ross rolled his hips and teased before advancing again.

  “Almost,” Ross assured him.

  “All of it, please,” Ben begged.

  Ross kissed Ben’s shoulder. “I won’t hurt you.”

  “Remember the baseball locker room? You spanked me while blowing me.” Ben had lived on memories for too long.

  “That’s different. When I can pound your ass without fingering you and with only a bit of lube, then you can ask me to make it hurt. Spank you or make it rough.” Ross nipped at Ben’s neck.

  “I love you,” Ben blurted.

  Ross pulled out and slowly reentered. Ben groaned but stayed open. When Ross jerked Ben’s cock as he fucked his asshole, Ben pressed his hips to maximize the pleasure.

  “Ross, please,” Ben shouted.

  “Good. Come on my dick.” Ross kept the pressure on Ben’s cock as well.

  Ben had no idea how to control anything, but when Ross held still, it all made sense. Rocking back, Ben wanted every inch of Ross inside of him. He ground on that dick as Ross jerked him off.

  Reaching his arm around, Ben pulled Ross’s head to his. The awkward kiss was everything he needed, and the flush of climax took him. Deep spasms squeezed the cock in his ass as his own dick came all over the sheets. Gasping for air, Ben tried to ease back.

  “You’re still hard,” Ben said.

  “I didn’t want to hurt you.” Ross pulled free and ditched the used condom.

  Ben felt like a failure. “No, I need you to come inside me.”

  Rounding the bed, Ross leaned down and kissed Ben hard. “I think your ass took enough tonight.”

  Ben flexed those muscles, and the tenderness was undeniable. “But I want it.”

  “You want me to come in or on your ass, fine. But I remember you being more into swallowing cum.” Ross tapped the tip of his dick on Ben’s lips.

  How could one person want so many sexual experiences at once? Ben felt like a slut—but the reality was that Ross brought it out in him.

  “You don’t want to come in my ass?” Ben teased.

  Ross laughed. “I do and I will. You’ll be begging me to spank you while I do it. But now I want that deep eye contact blow job and I’ll come wherever you want. Scouts’ honor.”

  “You’ve got to be close.” Ben jerked Ross’ cock.

  “No, not a rough jerk job.” Ross grabbed Ben’s arm. “I won’t last a minute in your mouth. Fucking swallow it.”

  Ben smiled and sucked Ross to the back of his throat. The moans and grunts coming from Ross, mixed with the pulsing tenderness of Ben’s asshole, were too good to be true. Somehow he felt vulnerable, powerful, dirty and loved all at once.

  Groaning on Ross’ cock, Ben knew it was a matter of moments.

  “Don’t choke on it, Ben,” Ross muttered.

  Backing off so he didn’t gag, Ben savored the familiar flavor. It was an acquired taste overall, but he swallowed it fast and sucked that dick clean. It’d all started with not wanting evidence for his parents to find in his room—now it just made everything hotter.

  * * * *

  Waking up with Ross in his bed felt like heaven for Ben. Especially since there was no need to sneak him out before school or fear of getting in trouble. Ross liked being the big spoon, but by morning they were curled up any which way.

  He really needed a king-size bed to accommodate two grown men. Ben nuzzled Ross’ neck, gently starting to put his hickey on that gorgeous throat, which was already showing sexy morning stubble. Ross shifted and rolled until Ben was on his back and Ross was on top.

  “Marking your territory?” Ross teased.

  “I know it’s just one night, but let’s enjoy it before they call, or something happens. A break in the case would be great, but so far it’s one frustration and missed lead.” Ben tried to focus on something other than feeling like a failure.

  “This case is more complex than anyone thought at first. It’s a web and the spider is really good at hiding. Even that clue we thought, Jason Pierce? We had agents spot check every guy with that name in the city and investigate them. Nothing. We’re not giving up, but we can’t chase down every lead—that’s probably what the killer wants,” Ross replied.

  “Two dead. It’s just weird they’re both addicts. No one else from those missing was reported to be stuck on drugs. Does that mean he’s keeping the others alive and he didn’t have the drugs to keep those two from getting dope sick?” Ben asked.

  “Probably. He killed them rather than risk letting them go. People desperate for drugs will do insane things that others would never consider.” Ross looked over at the clock. “No texts or calls yet?”

  “Don’t jinx it,” Ben hushed him.

  Ross grinned and reached down between them, grabbing both dicks in his hand, working them slowly. Moaning, Ben closed his eyes for a moment—the feel of Ross’ hard cock pulsing against his own, plus the hand job, had him on the edge of coming fast.

  “Come on, come for me before they drag us back to reality,” Ross teased.

  “Drag.” Ben’s mind and cock blew at the same time. He pulled his hips back and came all over Ross, and Ross’ load landed on his stomach.

  “I expected more. Moaning my name or something, but whatever. Clean it up.” Ross pulled Ben’s head in for a kiss.

  Ben couldn’t resist the mini-make-out session, but when Ross nudged Ben’s head down to clean up the fun, his brain clicked back into gear. He knew what Ross tasted like, but the mix of them together was enough to get Ben hard again.

  But that word…drag.

  “What’s on your mind?” Ross asked.

  Ben smiled. He wanted this. Someone who knew him. Who he could talk to and fuck like they were still needy teenagers madly in love.

  “Drag,” Ben repeated.

  “I need more clues…is this a fantasy or some role-playing?” Ross coaxed.

  Ben licked his way up Ross’ hairy chest and kissed him. “No. Wednesday night is drag night at the club. Some of those performers come from the city, some don’t. I’ve never seen any of them out of drag. Some of the guys make fun of them, some grope them…it’s a weird night that doesn’t draw the biggest crowd of gay men. It’s a mix of people.”

  Smiling, Ross kissed his way to Ben’s ear. “We should check out those queens to be sure.”

  “I agree, but we don’t have their names. Not their real ones. Roadblock.” Ben nipped Ross’ shoulder.

  “Don’t start or we’ll be late for something. Or we’ll wake up your dad,” Ross said.

  “Dad sleeps until noon on those pills. We need to talk to Charlie about who the queens are. Maybe some of the victims are…but we’d have found evidence of the clothes.” Ben really hated the dead ends.

  “Maybe not. Maybe they were hidden? Or maybe some of them kept their clothes
at Charlie’s? We were never searching for wigs or dresses.” Ross shrugged.

  “What if it’s another wild-goose chase?” Ben asked.

  “One of them will pay off. That’s the way it works. If you don’t investigate, you never know. I don’t want this case to go cold and we find a bunch of dead bodies out there in the woods at some point.” Ross slowly sat up in bed. “We’ll figure out how to pursue this. First we need to shower.”

  Ben’s phone beeped and both men groaned. Grabbing his phone, Ben checked the text. “Two more men reported missing. We need to get moving.”

  An hour later, they were showered, dressed and fed.

  “We should swing by Charlie’s and get the info first,” Ross suggested.

  Ben walked out to his county car and stopped short.

  “What?” Ross looked. “What the hell?”

  Ben snatched the rose from his windshield.

  Ross stormed over to the car that was supposed to be watching the house. The men inside were asleep. The cursing and yelling from Ross were enough to wake the dead and all the neighbors for a block.

  Ben looked around and tried to feel out the bad guy. Was it someone he knew? Was it just a challenge because Ben was on the case, or was it personal? Ben took a picture of the rose and sent it to the sheriff before calling for backup.

  * * * *

  Ross paced the conference room in a rage. They weren’t finding a break and this perp was getting away with basically mocking the local sheriff’s department and the FBI.

  “We’re putting our own car on the house,” Irene offered.

  That made Ross feel better about Ben’s dad. “We need to go get info on the drag queens. That might be part of why we’re having some trouble identifying people.”

  “You and Ben alone?” Irene asked.

  “It’s not a date. We know the bar owner,” Ross argued.

  “Of course, but we’ll send a backup unit with you to collect any evidence or to simply back you up. We need to find these men alive,” she said.

  “If they’re still alive. I’m worried about a Valentine’s Day show out at that dance. He might be holding them for a mass event. Check the employees at the community center. If our guy is one of them, he could set up a bomb and move the men into the basement…set them free as the bombs go off. This guy might want to kill all the lovebirds at the dance as well as his hostages. I feel like this guy can’t find love, so he’s turned to murder,” Ross said.