Page 36 of Unrequited Sloth

Gabriel couldn’t stop laughing. He’d had such an amazing day with Bobby. They’d gotten all the food shopping, brought it back here, and then gone out for lunch and more shopping. Bobby had bought even more trainers. Gabriel had never known a man of any sexuality, or a woman for that matter, who had so many pairs of shoes.

Gabriel had wanted to show Bobby the local area, given that he’d be staying for a while. Well, Gabriel hoped he would. He’d enjoyed living on his own, but having Bobby here for the last few days had made Gabriel realise he might actually have been lonely. That had been amplified since his best friends had settled into their respective relationships. Dexter had been in other relationships before Simon, but this one was very different, and anyone could see that. How they’d gotten together was a bit messed up, but it had all worked out for them in the end. And Jason? Gabriel hadn’t thought anyone could tame that feisty twink until Patrick had come along. He couldn’t be happier for his friends, but he missed their regular company.

He knew Bobby wouldn’t stay living with him forever. He would find a new girlfriend at some point. That man was not meant to be by himself. For now, Gabriel could enjoy his company and get back to his dating plan once Bobby moved out. He’d only been trying to find a plus-one for the wedding before, and that didn’t matter anymore.

They were home now and doing the usual that happened after you completed a big food shop: eating a takeaway rather than cooking. They’d ordered a Chinese banquet and had a bottle of white wine with it. The combo seemed to work as they were relaxing on the sofa drinking their second bottle, both of them merry.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” asked Bobby.

“Okay,” he replied, unable to keep the apprehension out of his voice.

“How does it fit?”

Gabriel wasn’t sure what Bobby was getting at until the man nodded at his crotch. Gabriel felt his cheeks warm immediately.

“I mean, I’ve done a few girls up the arse. Not your sister,” he added quickly. “And even with loads of lube, that place is tight. I’m just wondering how guys can take all that.”

Gabriel wasn’t sure what to say. This was a weird conversation to be having with a straight guy, but he didn’t want him to think he couldn’t ask questions like this if he was curious. And not curious as in . . . curious, but more in wanting to understand people better. Gabriel was honest.

“That’s not a problem for me.”

“Oh . . . do you have some special moves or something?”

Gabriel snorted. “No, I’m usually the one who . . . I’m a strict bottom.”

Bobby’s eyes widened, and he licked his lips, which made Gabriel flush. He went to say something and stopped himself.

“I’ve had enough guys tell me it’s a waste, so you don’t need to say that.”

“I would not say that. Everyone has their preferences. I tried getting fucked twice, but it wasn’t for me.”

Gabriel almost choked on his wine as he spluttered and launched into a coughing fit. What the fuck?

“A couple of girls wanted to peg me, so I was up for it, but it just hurt like fuck, and I kept feeling like I needed to have a shit.”

Gabriel burst out laughing, which resulted in another coughing fit. He hadn’t been drinking that time, thankfully, but his eyes were streaming with tears.

“Don’t worry. It wasn’t something I did with your sister.”

Gabriel shuddered at the thought, but also couldn’t resist a little quip.

“Sounds like you didn’t do any of the good stuff with my sister.”

Bobby stared at him with his mouth open for a few seconds before he started laughing. Gabriel joined him. Once they calmed down, it looked like Bobby wanted to continue the conversation, and Gabriel was tipsy enough for his filter to be on the blink.

“I’ve never seen you with a boyfriend, so what sort of guys do you go for?” asked Bobby.

You! That’s what he wanted to say, but thankfully he hadn’t passed the point of no return with alcohol, so he could keep it vague. “I like them to be bigger than me.”

“You’re a big guy yourself.”

“Yeah, but it’s easier for a guy to take control if he’s bigger than me.”

“Like a BDSM thing?”

“No, I just like a guy to use his strength to take control. I’m not into pain or anything, but a bit of pressure on the throat always does it for me.”

Bobby flushed and looked away. Gabriel had taken it too far. Fuck! How could he recover this conversation?