This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the
author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales,
organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the
author or the publisher.

Personal Best 3: A Going for the Gold Novel
TOP SHELF
Copyright © 2007 Sean Michael
An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers
PO Box 2545
Round Rock, TX 78680
Cover illustration by Pluto
Published with permission
ISBN: 978-1-60370-291-1, 1-60370-291-1
www.torquerepress.com
All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form
whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. For information address Torquere
Press. Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680.
First Torquere Press Printing: February 2008
Printed in the USA

Chapter One

Jessy filled a couple of glasses with juice and headed for the deck. He frowned at himself in the
mirror. His hair was getting long and showing the grey. Time for a cut. He didn't want people
thinking he was Mike's father. Chuckling at himself, he put their juice on the patio table and
went and sat in his deck chair, watching Mike swim laps.

Mike was looking good, pulling strong through the water. Jessy could see it was getting close to
time to rein Mike in, though. The kid's form was just a little sloppy, Mike getting just a little
tired.

He went and turned down the music Mike swam to, crouching near one end of the pool.

Just like clockwork, Mike's head popped up when he hit the wall, dark eyes blinking up. "Yeah,
Coach?"

"That's enough for today, Mike. Come have a juice and sit a spell."

"But..." Mike pulled himself up. "What kind of juice?"

He chuckled. "Orange." He wrapped Mike in a towel and led the kid over to the patio table.

Mike drank deeply, throat working as he drained the glass. "Oh. Good."

"Speaking of good, you're looking great out there. You're going to be at the top of your game for
the National Qualifier."

Truth was, Mike swam like a dream on an off day, when he was happy and working hard and
concentrating, Jessy didn't believe anyone anywhere in the world right now could beat his
swimmer.

"Yeah? Cool. I haven't had pizza in days." Mike grinned, plopped down into a chair. "What's on
tonight's agenda?'

"Not pizza," Jessy teased. He leaned over and spiked up Mike's blond-tipped hair. "I was
thinking we could watch a movie or two. See what came up."

Mike leaned into the touch, humming softly. They'd been lovers so long, and Mike was still
eager for each touch. "No. I took the stuff out for chicken sandwiches earlier."

"Sounds good. I've got some sponsor agreements to go over with you as well, but it can wait
until tomorrow if you want to relax for the rest of the day."

"Does that mean I have to eat weird stuff or hawk cell phones?"

"Not this time. I told Sunkist you drink orange juice by the crateful and they were immediately
interested. And there's a camera company and Speedo wants to see you."

"Oh, cool." Mike grinned over, eyes twinkling.

"They said something about making a Mike Gauliet line."

"They did not..." Mike, his sweet 'just let me swim' lover, just had no clue. None.

"They did too. They wanted to talk to you, though, about what you like, your favorite colors and
stuff. Something about getting you together with a designer." Sponsors were sometimes a pain,
but that's what let them live where they did, paid his salary, took care of Mike's needs.

"Weird." Mike grinned, shook his head. "Like anyone wants swim trunks with my name on
them."

"Just you wait. All the kids are going to want to be you when they grow up." Christ, Mike was
cute. Adorable really. "We've got a bit of time before we make supper. Unless you're really
hungry."

One eyebrow raised and Mike smiled wide. "Yeah? You wanting to play, Jessy?"

He shrugged casually. "If you do, baby."

God, he loved that laugh, husky and happy and full of life. "Always. Forever."

"Excellent." Grinning, he leaned in and licked at Mike's lips. "Let’s go in."

One long hand slid into his, Mike grabbing some juice with the other. "Yeah. I'm right behind
you."

"Enjoying the view?" he teased, leading the way back inside.

"You know it." Mike goosed him, as they headed up the stairs.

He gasped and whipped around, eyes wide. "Somebody wants to play."

Mike looked wicked, eyes shining, cheeks flushed. Little bastard. "Who? Me?"

"No, the other guy I fuck every night until he screams. Brat." He tugged Mike into the bedroom
they'd converted into a playroom. "I'm gonna tie you down and make you crazy."

"I don't scream. Moan? Maybe. When you're really good..." Mike's hands slid down along his
spine, warm and stroking.

"You moan... When I'm really good..." He narrowed his eyes; it was hard to look seriously
annoyed when Mike was doing that, making him feel good. "Is that a challenge, kid?"

"I don't know, old man... Are you up to it?"

"I'll show you up." He tugged on Mike's hand, pulling his baby in for a hard kiss.

Mike opened easily, tongue pushing against his, that smile tasting sweet. His hands slid over
Mike's body, fingers wrapping around the waist band of Mike's swimming trunks and tugging
them down. Mike was already half-hard as he stepped out of the trunks, pushed their bodies
together.

He purred into Mike's mouth, his own prick pushing at the zipper of his jeans. They were
opened, Mike's fingers sliding in as the zipper went down.

Groaning, he pushed his hips toward Mike's touch. "Baby... oh."

Mike nodded. "Yeah. Oh."

Those fingers started rubbing, stroking. He nodded, whimpering, working with Mike. He bent
and started to lick at Mike's neck, breathing in the sweat and chlorine scent.

"Mmm... love." Mike lifted his chin, head falling back.

"Uh-huh." He wrapped his own hand around Mike's cock, mouth still working the warm skin of
Mike's neck. There was nothing like his baby. Nothing.

Mike moaned, pushing into his touch, rocking nice and slow.

"Gonna take off the edge?" he asked, matching Mike's movements.

"Yeah. Make the second time better." Mike kissed him, tongue fucking his lips in time with their
hands.

Jessy just purred in answer, beginning to move faster. It felt so good; loving Mike was the best
thing he'd ever done. They moved together, in sync, panting together. His free hand slid around
to grab Mike's ass, fingers playing with Mike's hole.

"Oh..." Mike spread a little, kept stroking him.

"That's my baby," he murmured, sliding one finger into the tight heat of Mike's body.

"Y...yours. Yours." Mike arched, moan sweet.

"You got that right." He worked Mike's cock and ass, moaning into his baby's mouth.

Mike's thumb pressed into the tip of his cock, sending sparks through him.

"Baby!" He squeezed harder on Mike's cock, wanting Mike to tumble first.

"Yeah." Mike bucked, heat splashing over his fingers.

That's all he needed to go falling over himself, and with a cry, he came as well. "Oh.... yeah,
that's the good stuff."

"Uh-huh." Mike nodded, panted, eyes just rolling.

He took the few steps they needed to get to the bed and laid Mike down on it, smiling down. "So
what do you want tonight?"

"Everything." Mike grinned, winked.

Jessy chuckled and went to the wardrobe that held their toys. "Whatever you want, Mike."

He started pulling out stuff. A pair of nipple clamps, a collar, a heavy plug, cock ring.

"Am I missing anything?"

"Cuffs."

"Oh, I do like the way you think, baby." He pulled out the thick, padded cuffs. "Wrists and
ankles?"

Mike moaned, shifting in the sheets. "Uh-huh."

Jessy's cock throbbed and he shivered, tossing everything on the bed and stripping properly out
of his clothes. Mike's hand was working his cock, pumping nice and slow, watching.

"Christ, baby, you look amazing."

"For you." Mike arched, moving faster.

"Always for me. And you can stop now." That was his cock Mike was pumping

"Hmm?" Little tease, daring him, pushing him.

"Brat."

"Yep." Mike stuck his tongue out.

He pounced his baby, straddling the warm thighs, taking Mike's wrists in his hands and holding
them up above Mike's head. Mike's muscles, lean and strong, tensed, pulled, tested him. He
growled a little, squeezing his hands, holding Mike tight.

"Oh. Fuck. Jess..." Those dark eyes flared, Mike's cock jerking. Yeah, his baby liked that, liked
being held down.

He put both of Mike's wrists into one hand and got the cuffs on. Mike tugged, moaned for him,
fingers clenching. "So pretty, baby." He hooked the cuffs up to the headboard.

"You make me want so bad."

"Gonna make you wait for it, too." He bent and kissed Mike hard before sliding down along the
long body to cuff Mike's ankles, too.

Mike's thighs, strong and smooth, pulled, stretched that bare, beautiful body for him. Groaning,
he started to explore, mouth and fingers sliding on Mike's skin. Mike's cock was hard, wet-
tipped, bobbing, balls drawn up tight.

"You need the ring?" he asked, nosing Mike's balls.

"Uhn..." Mike's toes curled, chains rattling.

"That's a yes if I've ever heard one." He wrapped the leather around Mike's balls, making them
nice and snug before wrapping the long cock. "So beautiful."

"Want. Oh, Jess. I want so much."

"I know, baby. Gonna give it to you." He tilted Mike's hips as far as he could and bent to lick at
Mike's hole.

Mike's thighs shuddered, shook, body rippling. He hummed and purred, tongue sliding along
Mike's crease, pushing into that beautiful heat. He loved the way the chains rattled, the way Mike
panted for him.

"Tell me how much you need it, baby."

"Oh. Oh. I..." Mike's head rolled, tongue wetting the red lips.

"That much, yeah?" He chuckled and shifted, moving up Mike's body to suck on one nipple,
making it pebble up for him.

Mike jerked, those eyes blazing, almost black. He let Mike's nipple go, teasing it with his tongue
and blowing on it, before setting the clamp on it.

"Oh! Oh, fuck!" Mike panted, rocking and sliding, tugging the chains.

"You're something else, baby. Amazing." He teased the other nipple with the edge of the clamp,
watching it come up.

"I. I. Fuck, Jessy. Need."

"You'll get it." He grinned at Mike. "Eventually."

"Bitch." Mike moaned, mock-glared. "Always mean to me."

He laughed. "You love it."

"I love you."

Jessy stopped, looking into those dark brown eyes. "I know, baby." He got a smile, warm and
happy, beautiful. His. "Gonna make you fly, baby." Leaning in, he kissed Mike softly.

"Yeah. Yeah, Jess. Please."

"You want the collar, too, baby?"

Mike blushed a deep red, but he nodded, cock throbbing.

"That's my baby."

He dragged the leather collar over Mike's skin, letting Mike know it was coming, letting the
anticipation build. Mike closed his eyes, cheeks blazing, body tight. He finally wrapped the
collar around Mike's neck, making it snug, but not cutting off Mike's air. Yet.

"Mmm... Jess." Oh, he could smell Mike's need, Mike's heat.

"I've got this plug, baby, but I think I want to fuck you myself." Yeah, feel that desperate heat
around his cock.

Mike nodded, panting. "You can use it, after."

"Oh yeah, lock my seed inside you." He nodded and slicked up his prick.

The moan he got was low, desperate.

He slid between Mike's legs, nudging his cock against that sweet hole a few times.

"Please. Jess." Mike arched, rubbing up against him.

"Anything, baby." He pushed slowly in, watching Mike move beneath him.

"Yes..." Mike's body tugged him in, pulled at his cock.

His eyes rolled in his head. Christ, that was good. He started thrusting, slowly building speed.
Mike rocked, moving against him, moving beneath him. Mike's skin broke out in a sweat, skin
starting to shine. He shuddered and kept thrusting, kept moving, loving the way Mike looked.

Mike's throat worked, eyes huge and dark, liquid dripping from the bound prick.

"You enjoying yourself, baby?" he asked, practically purring.

"Mmm..." Mike was non-verbal, panting, flying for him.

He kept thrusting, flying himself, high on how beautiful his baby was, skin shining, eyes rolling,
body bound, clamped.

"Jess..." Mike jerked, eyes rolling, body riding him.

"That's it, baby, feel me."

"I. I do. I do. Love. Oh..." So beautiful.

He thrust harder, hands hard on Mike's skin.

"Need. Jess. Please."

"Tell me what you want, baby."

"Need to come, love. Need to."

He hummed and bent to kiss Mike, fingers sliding on the leather holding Mike's cock. He got the
knot undone and whispered "come" as he pulled the leather away. Mike arched, clenching him
like a fist, the deep cry echoing in the room as spunk sprayed. His own climax almost caught him
by surprise as he watched Mike come. Gasping, he jerked, come pushing from him.

"Love you. Love. Oh, sweet fuck. Jessy..." Mike was still moving, moaning low.

He slipped out of Mike's body and reached for the plug, slicking it up quickly and then sliding it
into Mike's body just like that.

"Uhn..." Mike's eyes rolled, throat working.

"So fucking perfect," he murmured, leaning down to lick the come from Mike's belly and cock.

Mike purred for him, rocking nice and slow. Once Mike was clean, he licked his way up to the
clamped nipples, mouth teasing the swollen skin.

"Stings. So much, Jess."

"Is it good, baby?" he asked.

"Yeah. So good. Flying..."

He purred again, licking his way up to Mike's neck, to that perfect spot where warmth and taste
and scent came together.

"Oh." That sound? Perfect.

He slid his hand down between Mike's legs, gently tapping on the plug.

"Jessy..." Mike's hips rolled, eyes wide.

"You gonna come for me again, baby? Before we nap?"

Mike moaned, eyes holding his. "I... Jess."

He chuckled. "I thought so." He took off both nipple clamps at the same time. The reaction was
sweet, Mike arching, chains pulled taut.

"Oh, baby..." His own cock was throbbing, but he wasn't going to make it a third time. But that
didn't mean Mike couldn't. Leaning in, he licked at Mike's nipple, took it into his mouth and
sucked.

"Jessy!" Mike bucked, rocked.

He hummed around the hot flesh in his mouth, hand reaching down to stroke Mike's cock. Mike's
body was on fire, throat working beneath the leather collar, cock leaking. He tightened the collar
a little, moving to the other nipple.

"Yes..." Mike groaned, nipple hot and hard, swollen.

A little tighter; if Mike could speak, could groan, he could breathe too easily. Jessy loved the
way Mike trusted, the way Mike let him push and touch, the control Mike gave him. He raised
his head a little, watching Mike's face as he blew on Mike's nipple, hand working his cock hard.

Mike's lips were open, his baby gasping, eyes unfocused. Moaning, he traced Mike's lips with his
tongue, thumb working the tip of Mike's cock.

Those beautiful, dark eyes met his, almost glowing, lips just moving. "Please."

He tightened Mike's collar just a touch more, tugging harder, faster on Mike's cock. Then he
reached down to jostle the plug again. Mike arched beneath him, heat spraying over his fingers.

Purring, he gave Mike a long, slow kiss before undoing the collar. Mike just melted into the
mattress -- after the full day of practice and the sex, his lover was already almost asleep.

He pulled up the covers and curled around his baby. He'd leave the plug in. It was a sign that he
didn't get questioned on it, either, Mike just snuggling right in with a sweet, happy sound.

Yeah, things were good.

He let his eyes close and relaxed, holding everything he needed in his arms.

Chapter Two

Jessy woke up slowly, Mike snuggled up against him, warm and heavy.

Huh. His swimmer was still in bed. Sleeping. He couldn't help but preen a bit. Looked like he'd
tired Mike out enough to actually sleep for longer than a couple of hours.

Either that or something was wrong.

Sliding his arm around Mike, he touched his finger to the base of the plug. Mike moaned, hips
rolling easily, even in his sleep. Mmm. Nothing wrong with his baby.

He lay there for awhile, just holding Mike. And then he couldn't help himself, he had to jostle the
plug again. Mike murmured, humming softly, lips on his shoulder. He could feel the heat of
Mike's morning erection. It matched his own.

He slid his finger along Mike's crease.

"Jess..." Mike groaned and stretched, pulling away from him.

"You a little sensitive, baby?" he asked, hand wrapping around Mike's ass and tugging him back
in.

"Mmmhmm. Full. Full for you."

"Yeah. I could take you right now and you'd be ready for me."

"Yes." Mike started vibrating a bit, moaning low for him. Sweet baby. Horny man.

He reached with his free hand and tweaked Mike's nipple.

Mike's eyes popped open, staring at him. "I'm awake."

Chuckling, he leaned in for a kiss, pinching the nipple just as their lips met. Mike's gasp was
sweet as hell. He pushed his tongue between Mike's open lips, sweeping in and fucking Mike's
mouth. He played with the plug some more, his prick jerking. As Mike woke up, the lean body
jerked and shuddered, riding the pleasure, riding the plug.

Fuck, he wanted. He didn't just take, though. He held out, finger just pressing against the plug
now, letting Mike's undulations move the plug inside his baby's body.

"Jess." Mike stretched up, hands grabbing the headboard as that pretty ass rolled up toward his
touch.

Christ, that was sexy.

He shifted so he could start kissing his way down Mike's body, stopping to torture the left nipple.
Meanwhile, his fingers were still busy working that plug. Mike's nipples were hot, pink, showing
signs of his attention. It made him hot and his hips shifted, sliding against the cotton sheets.
Groaning, he wrapped his lips around Mike’s nipple and sucked hard.

Mike fed him one groan after another, just rippling and sobbing for him. He moved to the other
nipple, licked it, blew on it, but otherwise let it be.

"Jess. Tease. Damn." Mike stared at him, eyes hungry.

"I’ll get where you want me. Eventually." He gave Mike a wink and started licking his way
down Mike amazing belly, the abs rolling for him.

"A...almost better than swimming."

"Almost?" He tugged the plug out to its widest point, twisted it and shoved it back in again.

"Oh!" Mike's shoulders left the bed, eyes going wide.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Chuckling, he nibbled at the tip of Mike's cock, taking in the clear
drops beaded there.

"Smug bastard." The words would've been more impressive if Mike hadn't been gasping.

He let his lips rub against the tip of Mike's cock as he grinned. "Your smug bastard."

"Yeah. Yeah, mine." And didn't someone sound just smug about that himself?

Jessy took the tip of Mike's cock in his mouth and sucked hard, his tongue playing with the slit
as his fingers slid, very slowly, back beyond Mike's balls, heading for the plug again. He could
feel Mike's muscles go tight, feel Mike shuddering and shaking, waiting for him. He drew it out,
fingers moving back up to roll Mike's balls before once again sliding them toward Mike's
plugged hole.

He tapped the base of the plug once.

"Jess!" Mike jerked, humping the air for a second.

"Want you." He tugged the plug out and surged up, pushing into Mike's heat, just like that.

"Yeah. Yeah, yours." Right off the mark. Boom.

"Mine," he agreed, mouth covering Mike's, taking the kiss.

Mike rocked between his mouth and his cock, moving hard and fast like there was some music
Jess couldn't quite hear. Groaning, he moved with Mike, the lean body tugging him in. Mike
started sucking on his tongue, pulling good and hard on him. Groaning, he moved faster, fingers
finding one of Mike's nipples and pinching.

That long body squeezed tight around him, rippling at the pinch. He twisted the nipple again, ass
humping hard, plunging his prick into Mike over and over. Fuck, he could feel every fucking
touch all around his cock. Jess gave one last pinch and then slid his hand down, finding Mike's
cock and wrapping around it. He squeezed hard and let each plunge of his cock slide Mike's
prick through his fingers. Mike threw his head back, throat working, heart pounding furiously.

"Come for me, baby." He scraped his thumbnail across the tip of Mike's cock.

"Yeah. Yeah..." Mike's belly went bright red, heat sprayed over his fingers. Mike's body
squeezed tight around his prick, milking his own orgasm from him. Making him shout.

"Love." Mike's eyes rolled a little bit. "Damn."

"Uh-huh." He let Mike take his weight, enjoying Mike's hot, slick skin.

"Mmm. Time for breakfast? Laps?"

"If you're up to laps right away without something to eat or a nap, I've done something wrong."

Mike's laugh filled the fucking room. "Have you now?" The little shit. The fucking sexy
wonderful little shit.

He went for Mike's ribs, keeping the laughter going. Every laugh vibrated all along his cock,
Mike's wiggling driving him crazy. Christ, there was no way he was getting it up again. Still, it
felt fucking amazing. Bending, he wrapping his lips around Mike's throat and added a raspberry
to his assault.

"B...bastard!" Mike was cackling, making him chuckle.

He just nodded and kept tickling, easing off when the laughter started to take on that edge that
meant Mike had had enough. Cuddling back into the covers, Mike held on, eyelids going heavy
again. Oh, he'd worn his swimmer out again. Go him. He pressed a kiss to each eyelid, his prick
slipping out of Mike's body. Moving to the side, he settled next to Mike, arm across the trim
waist.

"Mmm. You feel good, Jess."

"Yeah, so do you." He kissed Mike again and let his own eyes close. "A short nap and then we'll
get the day started, 'k?"

"'Kay." Mike nodded, chuckled, already asleep.

He breathed Mike in, enjoying the early morning cuddle. He woke up on his own often enough it
was a novelty.

Chapter Three

Mike ran down the front porch to grab the mail, the late October wind getting chilly. There was a
parcel waiting and it gave him pause, made him sort of stop and look for a minute.

He'd gotten four letters in the last two weeks -- nothing serious, pranks and shit. The first one
was a Halloween card that said, 'I hope you die." The second blank with a razor blade inside. The
third one was a letter that just said, 'Die, fag,' with a big lipstick kiss on the bottom, which looked
bloody and gross. Yesterday's was a birthday card.

He hadn't told Jess. He wasn't sure why, really, because he should, but it just felt so nasty, so
creepy, and Jess would get all puffy and growly and everything else was real good. Still, Mike
didn't relax and pick up the package until he saw Aunt Kathy's return address. He grabbed the
package and the rest of the mail, hurrying into the kitchen, the rain beginning to fall.

"Oh, a package. That from your aunt? First birthday gift of the year, isn't it?"

Jessy was at the counter, reading the morning paper, wearing his sweats with no top, drinking his
coffee.

"Yep and yep." He sorted through the mail real quick, swallowing hard at two more cards with
printed labels. "I'm going to go get a sweater on."

"Leave the mail and I'll go through it as soon as I've done with this article."

"'Kay." He took the two cards, left the rest and the package.

"You getting love letters or something?" Jessy asked, looking at him over the top of the paper.

"Huh?" He felt his cheeks start to heat. Stupid. "Nah." He turned and headed toward the
bedroom.

He could hear Jessy's steps on the stairs behind him. "You've got me curious now, baby."

"It's nothing. Just mail." He didn't know what to do. If he hurried, Jessy'd know something was
up. If he didn't, Jessy'd catch him and...

Well.

Know something was up.

"Mail that makes you blush when I ask about it? That's not 'just mail'. It's not like you to hide
things from me, Mike."

He stopped on the top stair, looked back. "What if... I..." He took a deep breath, found a half-
smile. "I don't want to worry you, Coach. Jess. It's just mail, yeah?"

Jess frowned and he could see the battle in those blue eyes, trust warring with worry, warring
with the dominant aspect that made Jess such a good coach. "You'd tell me if there was
something wrong, right?"

He nodded, stepping down to be closer. "If it was something serious, yeah."

Jess' frown remained in place a moment and then he was tugged close, a soft kiss placed on his
lips. "All right."

Mike relaxed, cuddling in for a long kiss and then rubbed their noses together. "Let me grab my
sweater."

He went up and sat at Jess' little desk, opening the first card. It was pretty innocuous, as
innocuous as 'Die, fag. Watch out' could be. He opened the second, a piece of photo paper falling
out onto the desk. There was a man, naked, dismembered, his own face pasted onto it.

Oh.

Oh, God.

"Jess! Jessy! I need you."

Chapter Four

Jessy took the stairs two at a time, some small part of him relieved to find Mike on his own, in
one piece, even if he was pale. "Mike!"

There were papers on the desk, Mike pointing. "They've been coming and I didn't want to worry
you, but they're getting worse."

Jessy picked up a gory picture of a man with Mike's face pasted on and immediately turned it
over, anger filling him. There was a card with, 'Die, fag. Watch out,' on it. The other two
envelopes weren't open yet. He was almost shaking he was so pissed off.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Two weeks." Mike stood up, went to drawer and pulled out more. "I thought it was a stupid
prank."

"Well, it was borderline until this one. I'm not sure the police can do anything even with this, but
we're calling them. Right now." He found out who was doing this, he was going to tear them
limb from fucking limb.

"Should we? Am I going to get in trouble for not doing it sooner?"

"I'm not going to kick your ass for not telling me sooner, no. Wish you had, though -- you didn't
have to go through this alone." He put aside his anger for a moment and wrapped Mike in a hug,
just holding on. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, baby."

"I didn't want you to think I was a weenie. They're just words. Except the razor blade, I mean. I.
Creepy, Jess. Real creepy." Mike pushed close, cuddling.

"Yeah. Very." He petted Mike's back, fingers soothing not just Mike, but himself as well. Creepy
was the fucking word all right.

He was going to call up the company that did their security system, see about getting some extra
features put in. At the moment the thing was really only on when they were away.

"Yeah. Who do you think it is?"

"Well you know who immediately leaps to mind. Lee Anderson. I hate to think that someone
would stoop so low as to try to spook the competition into doing badly, but it’s not like he hasn’t
pulled stuff in the past."

"I." Mike shook his head. "It won't work. Assholes."

"I know. I know." He stroked Mike's back. His worry was how things were going to escalate
when they realized it. "You done your morning laps yet?"

"Define morning."

He rolled his eyes; damn kid always getting up in the middle of the night to swim. That was
maybe going to have to stop. "Go get them done. I'll call the police and see what we can get
done, though I'm a little concerned it's going to be not much at this point. They can’t do anything
until someone gets hurt and then it's too late."

"'Kay, Coach." He got a sweet, soft kiss, and then Mike headed down, already moving easier.
Silly kid. Mike couldn't keep a secret without it stressing the hell out of him.

He called the cops, managing to speak to a detective and getting a promise that someone would
come down to document the letters, talk to him and Mike, but he'd been right, there was precious
little they could do. So then he called up an old friend who was doing security now and spoke to
the guy for awhile about private detectives and bodyguards and what he should keep his eyes
open for, how he'd be able to predict when things might escalate from the letters.

Ken, his old buddy, figured if it was another swimmer things wouldn't escalate until their next
meet, and if Mike won again the scare tactics would either stop or escalate.

"Of course it could be a psycho who thinks Mike's spurned her or made her promises and didn't
follow through or something."

"Ken, he's gay."

"I'm talking about someone who many not have ever met him, Jessy. Sometimes fans who aren't
balanced get these ideas in their heads and become quite dangerous."

"You're not reassuring me here, bud."

"Well better to know all your possible suspects than to focus in on one and get caught by
surprise."

Jessy sighed. "Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. I appreciate it."

"I'll fax you a list of guys I'd trust to look after my own life. That way if you need someone you
don't have to wait on me to get back to you."

"Okay, thanks, man."

"No problem. Good luck and take care of that kid. He's going to be the next Olympic champion."

He grinned. "Yeah, I know."

Everyone was starting to know Mike, certainly everyone in Texas -- local boy doing good.
Which opened their pool of suspects even further, it seemed. Funny how he was almost wishing
it was Anderson again; at least then they knew the enemy.

He didn't want to bring a bodyguard in, not yet, not unless he had to. Mike didn't need that kind
of disruption. Jessy headed out back to watch Mike finish up the morning’s laps, finding himself
noticing every single noise the house made as he walked through it. He got outside, watching
Mike move, knowing that Mike wasn't focused, wasn't hitting the wall, was worrying. He turned
the music off, waiting for Mike to stop, to tread water and turn toward him.

"The wall, Mike. Remember? Nothing else matters."

"Yeah. I know." Mike nodded, sighed. "I know."

"Go on, finish up and then we'll go upstairs." If the water and the wall couldn't get Mike's mind
off the situation, he was pretty sure he could find something that would.

"I'm sorry, Coach. I'm trying."

"I know, Mike, but you've got to do more than try. You know better than to let things rattle you.
These mind games just mean they know you're unbeatable." Sometimes it wasn't easy being the
fucking hardass, but a hug and a cuddle wasn't going to get Mike through this. "Go on. Finish
those laps and focus on that damned wall."

Mike nodded, back to the water, body moving instinctively, slicing through the water.

Jessy paced along the side with Mike under the pretence of watching his strokes. Truth was, he
wasn't focusing much better than the kid and he needed to pull it together before Mike got out of
the water and looked to him for guidance.

Of course, Mike had been dealing with it for two weeks. He grinned suddenly, remembering the
shoulder injury. Apparently two weeks was Mike's solo coping limit.

He went and sat, relaxing as he concentrated on Mike. He could see it, when Mike stopped
thinking, stopped worrying, just focused on the water and the wall, the rhythm of the music not
even affecting his swimmer now.

Christ, he could watch Mike swim in that groove forever. It was a beautiful thing. For him, a
necessary thing. Mike moved for the better part of an hour and then headed for the ladder,
reached for a towel.

"Nice job. You found your flow and hit that wall right on."

He went over and rubbed the towel along Mike's arms, drying the kid off. "You cold? Want a
shower first? Some food?"

"I could eat and, yeah, I'm cold. Oatmeal and toast?" Mike pressed close.

"Yeah, baby, sounds good."

He got Mike inside, turning the heat on as they came in and quietly locking the door to the deck.
Mike looked, shook his head a little, then started getting out the pan and oats, the milk and jar of
peaches.

He came up behind Mike, hands sliding around him to rub the trim belly, dropping a kiss on
Mike's shoulder. "Just being safe, yeah? It doesn't mean a thing."

"Yeah. Maybe it'll stop on Halloween. Maybe it's a prank."

He nodded. They weren't going to be there on Halloween, though. He'd take Mike out to
something fun for his birthday. Just in case.

Mike put the oatmeal on the stove, adding honey and wheat germ and cinnamon to the mix,
putting nuts and wheat germ in their bowls. The movements were easy and familiar, routine.
They made him smile, remembering Mike's initial grumping about his diet. Mike fixed both their
bowls and he mixed Mike up a glass of milk with a little protein powder mixed in, to balance out
the carbs. Yeah, this was what they needed. Act normal and don't let it ruin their lives.

They sat and ate together, him stealing peaches off Mike's plate now and then.

Mike grinned. "You know what I want?"

Jessy waited, trying to guess -- coffee? Dr. Pepper? Hot chocolate? Pizza?

"I want to put Mr. Bubble in the hot tub and soak."

He laughed. "Gonna gum up the works if we're not careful."

"We don't have to put much."

He nodded. "I wasn't vetoing the idea. Just reminding."

Mike grinned, his lover's natural mischief appearing. "Cool. Mmm. Hottubbing."

He couldn't help grinning back, Mike's easy smile infectious. "Gonna ride me?"

"Ride 'em, cowboy?" Mike pinked, bit his bottom lip.

He purred. "Yeah. Yeah, that's right." He could feel his cock pushing at his jeans. Damn, Mike
had his ticket, even if the kid didn't always know it.

"Uh-huh. Sounds perfect." Those dark eyes met his. "Love when you're inside me."

He nodded. "Was made for you, baby. Made to mold you and make you and send you flying."

Mike stood, moved over to straddle his lap. "Yeah. Yeah."

He reached around for Mike's ass, squeezing, making a face at the cold swim trunks. "These need
to come off before you catch cold."

Mike rose up, let him pull the trunks away. There were still too many layers between them, but at
least now he had direct access to Mike's skin and he took full advantage.

Mike wiggled, pushed into his hands. "Mmm... warm."

"I've got something for you that'll make my hands feel cold."

"Promise?"

"Christ yes, baby." He pushed up against Mike, letting his trapped erection drag along Mike's
skin.

"Oh. Oh, yeah." Mike rubbed against him, hips just rocking.

He groaned, feeling the zipper digging into his cock, needing skin on skin. Mike reached down,
unzipped him, fingers wrapping around his cock. "Yes. Baby. Oh." He pushed up into Mike's
hand, eyes locked with Mike's dark ones.

"Love you. So hot." Mike started pumping.

"You, too, baby." He took Mike's cock and pushed it into Mike's hand with his own, encouraged
more pumping. "Together."

"Uh-huh." Mike nodded, leaned down to kiss him hard, hand working them.

He opened his mouth, letting Mike in, hands back on that sweet ass, just holding on as Mike sent
them flying. They jerked and slid together, kitchen chair holding them up. It was fucking good,
to just lose himself in Mike, in how they felt and moved together, to drown in something
essential and necessary.

Mike's tongue was hot and mobile, setting his mouth on fire, setting his passion on fire. Mike's
hand was on the back of his head, tongue fucking him, hand driving him higher and higher. His

hands tightened on Mike's hips, his body bucking up into that hard hand. He was fucking close.
Mike sucked his tongue in, pulling hard, heat pouring over his cock.

Jessy moaned loudly, jerking as his own come shot out of his cock, his pleasure like a bullet
through his body.

"Oh, baby." He wrapped his hands around Mike's waist, holding.

"Mmm. Yeah. Yeah, Jess." Mike cuddled, nodded.

He slid his hands up and down Mike's back, the skin smooth and warm beneath his fingertips.
Who needed the hot tub? Hell, who needed the bed, they did just fine in a kitchen chair.
Grinning, he bent and licked at Mike's neck, breathing in chlorine and come and his Mike.

"Love you." Mike hummed, fingers stroking his head.

He nodded. Yeah. He nuzzled into Mike's touch. "You too, baby."

"Oh, good." Mike smiled, purring.

"You've got one more meet before the Nationals. Only a few more weeks before we're cut off 'til
that meet." Though they might have to rescind that rule. Nothing refocused Mike and reset him
back to good better than being sent flying. "You gonna blow them away, baby?"

"Uh-huh. We gonna spend a lot of time in bed over the next few weeks?" Like they needed the
excuse.

"Except for practice, yeah." He groaned as he realized the chair was digging into him. Seemed he
could find a reason for the hot tub after all.

"Sounds perfect..."Mike jumped as a car backfired out on their street.

He soothed Mike with his hands on that warm skin, petting gently. "I was thinking we could get
the security system upgraded."

"Yeah? I don't want to be a weenie."

"You think I'm doing this for you? I'm thinking we need protection for all those gold medals
you're going to win."

The chuckle let him know he'd said the right thing, Mike leaning into him.

"You wanna bother with the hot tub or just head upstairs? Either way I need to get out of this
chair before it's permanently imprinted on my ass.

"Upstairs works. It's looking cold and miserable out there."

He nodded. It was. The kind of day that lent itself to wandering around moping about things like
crank mail and creepy. Good thing they had other plans.

Chapter Five

It was cold and dark when he headed downstairs to the pool. A cold front had moved in, bringing
wind and rain and ick. It was about time to move it to the UT water, which so sucked.

They were going out today. Twenty-one. Damn. He took a deep breath and dove in, frowning as
something bumped against his leg, something else on his arm. He pulled away, crying out when
something sharp hit his face.

He had on a full body suit, water shoes, the whole works, but he was suddenly scared to move,
the water black. He never turned the lights on. Never.

"Coach! Jessy!" Everywhere he moved there seemed to be something. "Jessy!"

It felt like forever before the floodlights came up on deck, Jessy butt naked. "Mike. What the--"

"Don't. There's... there's something in the water." His cheek was bleeding, the drops splashing in
the pool and he wasn't going to completely freak. He wasn't. Not. No.

"Fucking shit, it's glass." Jess got the bottom cleaner on its long pole and cleared him a path back
to the edge of the pool, hand right there to help him out.

"Christ. I'm calling the cops. You okay? Hurt anywhere else?" Jessy's fingers slid across his
cheek, examining the cut. "It doesn't look too bad."

"I'm okay. I'm going to take a shower." He moved away, shaking more than a little. "I'm going
inside."

Jessy nodded and stopped him, pulling him into a tight hug. "It's okay, baby. You're okay."

Mike nodded. No. He wasn't. Not even a little.

He waited for Jessy to let go and then ran upstairs and stripped, turning the hot water on full-
blast, let it pound him, burn his skin. He had no idea how long it had been when Jessy climbed in
behind him, strong arms wrapping around him, Jessy's body pressing up against his.

"Did the police come?"

"Yeah. They're still down there, waiting on the crime scene people. They're going to sweep the
whole deck area, the fence. At least we know they didn't get in through the house." They'd put

the new alarm system in yesterday and the doors and windows were all wired, no way anyone
could have gotten in through the house, not without tripping the alarms. "They're going to want
to talk to you, Mike. Before they go."

He shook his head. "I didn't see anything. I just dove in. I didn't see anything at all."

"I know, baby, but they're going to need to hear that from you. They're going to want to ask who
you think did it, if anyone has a grudge against you, stuff like that."

"Okay." He wasn't going to fight. It was early, late, something.

"They're expecting us in twenty minutes." Jessy's mouth dropped to his shoulder, licked the
water from his skin. "A lot can happen in twenty minutes."

Mike nodded, head ducked.

"Why don't you tell me what's going on in your head?" Jessy's hands slid over his shoulders,
massaging.

"It's my birthday."

"Shit, baby, so it is." Jessy's hands squeezed. "Happy birthday, Mike."

"Yeah." He nodded again. "Thanks."

"Once we get rid of the cops, we can start the day the way I had planned. It's still pretty damned
early."

"Real early. I'll drive the bike down to UT to do my laps."

"No, I'll drive you. I have the whole day planned. We can start from UT instead of from here."
Jessy started dropping kisses on his shoulders. "But first I want to love you."

"Okay." He kept bobbing his damned head like one of those stupid dolls, just nodding and
nodding.

Jessy growled a little, turning him and pushing him up against the back of the shower. His mouth
was taken in a hard, hot kiss.

Oh. His eyes popped open and he stopped nodding. Jessy's body pressed up against his, all hot
and solid and rubbing him. He rubbed back, heart pounding, hands sliding up Jessy's wet arms to
tug him closer. Jessy growled softly, knee spreading his legs, one hand on his head, tilting it to
deepen their kiss, the other playing with his nipples.

Yes. Please. He arched, rubbing furiously. Jessy's cock was hot and hard, sliding against his,
against his belly, leaving his skin burning. Crying out into Jess' mouth, he bucked, pushing

harder, faster, insisting. Jess' hand dropped to their cocks, wrapping them together and tugging
vigorously.

He met Jess' eyes, groaning, needing so bad.

"Love you, baby," Jess told him, free arm coming up and settling across his throat, pressing
slowly as those blue eyes stared into him.

Oh. He shook, gasping, leaning in, adding to the pressure. Jess growled, the sound low beneath
the noise of the shower as his breath was slowly cut off. The hand on their pricks kept working,
kept tugging, the pleasure making sparks fly behind his eyes. His hands fastened on Jess' arms,
eyes wide, hips jerking violently.

"That's it, baby, just you and me, not even air matters..."

His eyes rolled and he shot, heart trip-hammering in his chest. Yes. Yes.

Jess' hand kept moving on his cock, making him shudder, making him shake as his lungs tried to
pull in air that wasn't there and then suddenly the pressure started to ease, Jess' arm moving to
slide around him. Mike melted into Jessy's arms, letting his lover, his rock hold him up.

Jess' chest vibrated with a growl, Jess holding him close. "Happy birthday, baby."

"Love you, Jess."

"I know. And I love you, too, yeah?" He was kissed, hard and deep and then Jessy turned off the
shower and got out, tugging him with and wrapping a towel around his shoulders. "We should go
down before they come up looking for you to answer their questions."

"'Kay. You'll come with me?" He twined their fingers together, held on.

Jess squeezed his hand. "Just try and stop me."

"'Kay." He smiled. "I'm a little wigged, Coach."

"I'd be worried if you weren't, kid. This is wiggy stuff. I'm not going to let anything bad happen
to you, though, okay?"

"Okay. I... How are we going to keep them away? That... the pool... that's ours."

"I know. We'll find a way." Jess was growling again. "We'll find a way."

"'Kay." He found them both warm sweaters, jeans, socks. The cut on his cheek wasn't bleeding
anymore, just stung.

Jessy got dressed quickly and then gave him a hard hug. "We're going to talk to the cops and
then we're going to go to UT and then to celebrate your birthday. I want you to let everything
else go, okay? You don't need to worry about any of this. I will take care of it. All you need to
care about is that wall."

Mike met Jessy's eyes, nodded. "I'll try. I will. Promise."

He didn't know how, but he'd try.

Chapter Six

Despite how it had started, Jess thought that so far, Mike's birthday had been a good day.

After talking to the cops for close to an hour, he'd arranged for one of the men Ken had
recommended to come and watch over things as the cops wrapped up.

Diesel, who'd been aptly named, given he was built like a Mac truck, was going to arrange to
have their alarm system entirely overhauled to include the deck area and pool. The man was also
arranging for twenty-four hour surveillance on the place. Two men at all times, ready to run in if
they were needed.

Jess hadn't told Mike about that part, there was no reason for the kid to know, to sweat it.

They'd spent most of the day playing lasertag with the members of the UT swim team, followed
by a big rowdy meal at Poppa Pizza.

Diesel had welcomed them home when they'd pulled in, explained how the new system worked
and then left, nodding to the car where the detectives watched. Now it was time for a little
loving. Okay, a lot of loving. After all, it was Mike's birthday.

And there was the new toy upstairs, waiting. A sling to hang from the ceiling. He'd put the hooks
in himself yesterday while Mike swam laps, and the sling was in a big box in bright paper with a
huge bow.

He locked the door, set the alarm and headed upstairs, Mike's hand in his.

Mike grinned, squeezed his fingers. "Thanks for today, Jess. It's been fun, and we kicked Jase
and Alex's ass at lasertag."

He laughed. "We did indeed. Sometimes it pays to be with the old man." He gave Mike a wink.

"No one else I'd rather be with." Mike leaned.

"Thanks, baby." He gave Mike a kiss and then led him to the playroom. "Come on, you have one
more gift."

"One more?" Mike grinned when he saw the box. "Oh, cool! What's in it?"

"Speedos." He winked and chuckled. "Open it and find out."

Mike was as eager as a kid, ripping the paper away, pulling the sling out and looking it over.
"Okay. It's strappy and buckly and cool. What is it?"

He pointed up to the hook in the ceiling. "It hangs up there."

"Oh." Mike blinked, working it out and then grinning wide. "You sure those hooks'll hold you?"

He laughed and caught Mike up around the middle, swinging the kid around. "Goofball. Yes, I'm
sure they'll hold you."

Mike laughed for him, arms around his neck, eyes happy.

"So shall we try it out? Get you all trussed up and set you swinging? I hear it's close to flying."

"Oh, yeah. Yeah. I want to try." Mike nodded, reaching to unbutton his shirt, strip him.

"Mmm. Right answer." He returned the stripping favor, tugging at Mike's clothes to reveal that
long body.

Mike was hard for him, eager, playing along and relaxing.

"What do you think, baby? Clamps and a cock ring? Maybe that thick leather collar that
tightens? And then we set you swinging." He was hard, too, and eager. Christ, Mike still made
him feel like a teenager.

"Oh. Oh, man..." Mike nodded, hands sliding down his body.

Jessy loved that expression, the one that said he'd looked right into Mike's heart and pulled out
exactly what his lover wanted, needed. He brought their mouths together, kissing Mike hard.
Mike opened right up, body rubbing against him, sweet sounds filling his lips. He slid his hand to
Mike's cock, fingers wrapping around it, pumping lightly, spreading the drops that leaked from
the tip. Mike responded, hips pushing into his touch, eager as always, pushing for the wall.

He purred. "Gonna give me one to take the edge off, baby?"

"Oh!" Those brown eyes shone, tickled. "Uh-huh."

"Right answer," he murmured, chuckling.

Mike groaned, tongue fucking his lips. He slid his free hand to Mike's nipple, twisting the small
bit of flesh between his fingers as his other hand kept stroking.

"Soon, Jess." Mike's thighs parted, balls swinging as he thrust.

"Yeah, baby, come for me. Show me how much you want me."

"More than. More than anything." Mike arched, groaning, seed shooting into his hand.

Moaning himself, he brought his hand up to his mouth, licking Mike's come from it.

"Jessy..." Mike swayed, licking his own lips, eyes burning.

"Right here, baby. Wanting you so damned bad that I ache."

Mike dropped to his knees, looking up. "You want your edge off, too?"

He shuddered, cock sliding along Mike's cheek. "Oh, yeah, baby. Please."

"Mmm... yeah." Mike nodded, took his cock in with a happy purr, hungry for him. Loving him.

Eyes rolling, he let Mike suck him in, his cock surrounded by perfect, wet heat. Mike's hands
wrapped around his hips, pulling him deeper. Jessy purred, hands dropping to Mike's head, hips
starting to move. He tried not to thrust too hard, too fast, but damn, Mike was just pulling all
sense out of him through his cock. One hand cupped his balls, rolled them.

"Yeah, baby. Oh, it's good." He moved faster now, couldn't stop himself, just pushed into Mike's
throat over and over again.

Mike hummed, pulling harder, groaning low, vibrations sliding through his cock.

"That's it. Fuck." So close.

Mike's fingers tapped the sensitive skin behind his balls. He called out, hips jerking, cock hitting
the back of Mike's throat as he came. Mike groaned, swallowing convulsively, throat working.

He gazed down into those dark eyes, seeing himself reflected back. He reached out and stroked
Mike's cheek, and Mike nuzzled into his touch, kissing his cock, his belly.

"Love you, baby. So damned much." It was huge, this thing he felt for Mike. All encompassing.

Mike nodded. "Yours, yeah?"

"Always." He slid his hands through Mike's hair and bent to kiss his lover. "Come on now, time
to play."

Mike nodded, stood. "Yeah. Yeah, make me fly."

"You know I will." He took Mike's hand and tugged him over to the wardrobe. He handed over
the big tube of lube, a pair of nipple clamps, the leather collar and one of Mike's favorite cock
rings, one made of leather that held his balls and cock separate from each other, that was really
snug without the edges cutting into his skin. "We'll start with these."

"Mmm..." Mike purred, fingers warming the leather of the ring. "This is my favorite."

"I know." His own fingers slid over Mike's. Such a hedonist, his baby.

Mike gave him a long, sweet kiss, tongue sliding in his lips.

He turned Mike to the wardrobe. "Choose a plug, baby. Something to keep you filled while we
get everything else set up."

Mike whimpered, moaned low, opening the wardrobe doors and finding a wide, supple plug.

"Mmm... one of the big ones." His hedonist size queen.

He got a look, a dark blush, but Mike didn't put it away, just handed it over.

Jessy chuckled and kissed Mike's nose. "Bed, baby. Let's get you stuffed and trussed."

"I'm not a turkey, Jess."

He felt up Mike's ass. "Nope, not a turkey. I'm still stuffing and trussing you." Jessy winked. He
was still in love with that laugh, sweet and low and happy and all his. Only his.

They got Mike settled on the bed, his hands sliding over all that skin. He encouraged Mike to
spread his legs, slicking up his fingers and teasing Mike's hot little hole. Mike moved under his
hands like an angel, or a demon, or something. Just gave it all up for him.

He slicked the plug up, replacing his fingers with it, sliding just the tip of it into Mike, in and out,
playing.

"Oh. Oh, Jess. So good." Mike moved, pushing toward the plug.

"Yeah, there's nothing like watching you take a plug. Well." He chuckled. "I can actually think
of quite a few things. Like you taking my cock, but you get the idea." He kept the plug moving,
never sliding that deep.

Mike chuckled, hips moving, rocking. "I do. Feels so good, Jessy."

"That's the idea." He started letting the plug slide in a little farther each time it went in and it
wasn't long at all before he was having to really tug to get it to come out again, Mike's body just
swallowing it up and holding it tight.

Mike's cock was leaking, throbbing, balls drawn up tight. Mike was completely into it.

"Good thing I got the cock ring out, you're going to need it." He slid the fingers of his free hand
across the tip of Mike's cock, collecting the hot liquid that gathered there, then brought his
fingers to his mouth, moaning at the taste.

"Jess..." Mike arched, hips fucking the air.

"Christ, you're sexy." He let Mike's body take the whole plug and settled it, tapping the bottom.

"Oh. Oh, Jess. Gonna. Don't. Fuck."

He could take care of that, so he did, wrapping the ring around Mike's cock, making sure it was
pretty tight before lifting and separating Mike's balls, snapping everything closed. "Better?"

Mike was panting, eyes rolling. "Better. I. Oh."

He bent and sucked at the tip of Mike's cock, loving the flavor. Reaching up, he teased Mike's
nipples, getting them ready.

"Jess. Oh. Love. Please. I need it. Need you." Impatient. Beautiful impatient boy.

He chuckled around Mike's cock and then reluctantly let it go. Picking up the clamps, he shifted
his focus to those sweet little nipples, pinching them to make sure they were hard enough to get
the clamps on. Mike shifted away, gasped, groaned. He got one clamp on, fingers dipping down
into Mike's navel before coming up to pinch the other nipple. Little cries were filling the air,
Mike's muscles rippling, pushing. Sexiest thing ever, his Mike. He rubbed his aching cock
against Mike's hip as he put on the other clamp.

"Oh..." He could see the aborted orgasm, the flush pouring under Mike's skin.

He shuddered, rubbing harder. Christ, he was horny, needing. He'd bet he could get it up again if
he came now.

"So fucking fine, Jessy. Love you."

"I know. Me, too."

He reached for the collar, sliding it across Mike's neck, the black leather dark against Mike's
skin. Mike swallowed, eyes wide, arching like he had that very first time. He hummed, helping
Mike to raise his head, closing the straps around Mike's neck, leaving it snug, but not
constricting Mike's breathing. For now.

"Oh. Jess. Love." Those hands traced the collar, fingers trembling.

"You're so sexy, baby. Such a sensualist. Make me want, so badly." He started rubbing against
Mike again, the thick collar around Mike's neck ratcheting up the stakes, making him hungrier.

"Oh, my Jess." Mike's hands reached for him, drew him close, sliding over his skin, his cock.

"Yeah, baby. Yours." He pumped his hips, pushing into Mike's hand.

"Mmm..." Mike nodded, pulling, tugging, driving him higher.

He nuzzled Mike's neck, licking at Mike's skin where it met the collar.

"Oh, fuck, you make me need it."

"That's the idea," he murmured, pushing hard into Mike's hand.

Mike laughed, licking and nuzzling his neck, teeth threatening.

He purred, head tilting back to let Mike have more room. "Feels good." Shivers went up his
spine and his balls ached.

Mike groaned, biting deep, marking him. "Mine." He shuddered, coming just like that. Mike
rolled, snuggling into him, rubbing. "Yeah. Yeah, Jessy."

"Fuck, you're something else, baby."

He bent and kissed Mike, hands wandering, working Mike up. Mike plastered them together,
fingers slipping over his head, his shoulders. He moaned and hummed happily, hand reaching
down to tease the thick plug inside Mike. At this rate they were never going to get to the sling,
his lover clinging to him.

"You want to try out your birthday toy?" he asked, hands sliding, loving Mike's smooth, warm
skin.

"Uh-huh." Mike's mouth slid over his shoulder.

He purred and then pushed Mike away, standing and holding a hand out for his lover. "All right
then, lets see if we can figure this contraption out."

"You're sure it'll hold me?"

"You think I'd let anything happen to my star? Not to mention my number one lay."

Mike laughed, nodded. "Okay. Looks like we hang it first and I climb up?"

"Hang it, tilt it up and strap you in standing, and then ease you back from what I can see." He
grinned and grabbed the sling, started attaching it to the hooks in the ceiling.

Mike's fingers slid over his ass, tickled the small of his back. "You're distracting me," he noted,
given Mike a heated look.

"Am I?" Mike leaned down, licked the small of his back.

He shivered, cock jerking, taking a definite interest in getting hard sooner over later. "Oh, yeah.
You are."

"Good." Mike nuzzled. "Love you."

"Yeah, baby. I love you, too." He put in the last clip and tugged, making sure it was holding
firm.

Mike moved into place, hands reaching up toward the cuffs. He purred, his baby so eager for the
full package. He kissed Mike's wrist and then put it into its cuff, then the other. Mike tested the
bonds, pulling carefully. "Strong."

He nodded, bending to one knee and attaching the ankle cuffs. He looked up Mike's body, leaned
forward to nuzzle the soft sacs.

"Mmm..." Those dark eyes were huge. "So soft."

"You ready to fly, baby?" he asked, licking at one ball and then the other, growing more eager by
the moment.

"Yeah. Yeah, Jess. Please."

He attached the thigh cuffs, made sure the body of the sling was behind Mike's shoulders and
ass. "Trust me," he murmured, going behind Mike and tugging him to lean back.

It was a testament to Mike's faith in him that those long, lean muscles never even tensed. He
adjusted this rope and that one, settled one of Mike's legs a little differently in the sling and then
stood back and just moaned.

Christ, Mike looked amazing. Mike was spread-eagled in the sling, just at the perfect angle for
him to fuck. The sling was black, matching the cock ring and collar.

"Oh, wow. Wow, Jess. This is... comfy."

He chuckled, set the sling swinging gently. "Not what you were expecting?"

"No..." Mike purred, body rippling. "Sweet..."

He walked around Mike, touching here and there as the sling continued to rock. "You look
amazing. Spread out, tied up, just glowing."

"It's like floating, Jess. Oh. I love you." If he didn't know better, he'd say his baby was drunk.

He chuckled, more pleased than he could say. He reached over and tugged on the strap on Mike's
collar, tightening it just a bit, just enough to start constricting Mike's airway. Mike blinked over,
swallowing, breathing deep. He went to stand between Mike's legs, his cock eager, sliding
against Mike's balls, nudging the plug.

"Mmm... gonna fuck me, Jess? You remember the first time?"

"This is the first time I've fucked you in a sling, baby." He winked, fingers teasing around the
edges of the plug.

"Tur...turkey." Mike's toes curled. "It won't be the last."

"No," he murmured, grabbing the end of the plug and tugging it out in one smooth motion. "I'm
sure it won't be."

"Uhn..." Mike arched, muscles straining, hole open, slick.

Growling out his need, he pushed right in, that slick hole just waiting for him.

"Yes!" Mike's body held him tight, pulled him in, hot and his.

"Christ, you're hot. Tight. Mine." He grabbed Mike's waist and started moving the sling.

"Yes. Yours. Oh, love..."

Groaning, he kept moving into Mike's body, the swing doing all the work. He reached up and
tightened the collar just a touch, just enough for Mike to start to feel out of breath now.

"Oh. Jess." Mike gasped, body squeezing him so tight.

"Is it good, baby?" He could tell it was from the way Mike's eyes shone, the glow on Mike’s
skin, the way his cock was being gripped, but he wanted to hear it.

"Uh-huh. Yeah. D...don't stop. Please."

"Stoping's not in the plans."

He could definitely see the advantages of this swing. He was really pounding into Mike now, but
the swing was doing all the work, all he had to do was focus on Mike and the pleasure.

Jessy slid his fingers along Mike's bound cock, played with the clamps, opening and closing
them, flicking them. He tightened the collar another notch, keeping an eye on Mike's color,
Mike's breathing. Mike whimpered, squeezed, hands wrapped around the straps. Need was just
pouring off his lover, hot and addictive and necessary.

Even though it felt like he could do this forever, like it wasn't any effort at all, Jessy could feel
the sweat building up on his skin, breath coming in gasps the longer they went. Finally, he
couldn't hold back any longer and he undid the clips holding Mike's balls and cock, tightened the
collar again, all but cutting off Mike's air.

Wrapping his hand around Mike's prick, he went wild, fucking Mike with everything he had.
Mike went stiff, eyes huge, muscles tense and drawn. Fuck. Fuck, yes. He squeezed Mike's cock
hard as the sight made him lose it, his hips jerking as he shot deep inside his lover's body. Mike
shot, heat spraying over his hand, Mike's belly. His lover went limp, dangling in the bonds.

Jessy hit the quick release on the collar, making sure it was loose and Mike was breathing before
grabbing onto the wires to keep himself up. He panted, shivering as the sling moved a little,
making him shift inside Mike. Mike's body squeezed him, rippled around him.

He groaned, shuddering. "Oh, baby. You're something else."

Mike moaned, head rolling. "Love..."

"Right here, baby." He slid out of Mike and rested one hand on the smooth belly, the other taking
the clamps off Mike's nipples, shivering at Mike’s hiss.

Mike's eyes were closed, breath slowing, half-hard cock resting on those black curls. Bending, he
kissed each nipple, Mike's throat and then his mouth, licking at the soft, swollen lips.

"You want to just swing awhile, baby? Or come out?"

"I... I want to be with you."

He nodded. It was what he wanted, too. "That's the one drawback to the sling. I've got to get you
out of it before we can cuddle. He set Mike onto his feet and started undoing the cuffs.

Mike swayed, leaning toward him. "Yeah. Love cuddling."

"Yeah, baby, I've noticed." He grinned, rubbing Mike's wrists. "Okay, steady on your feet for a
minute while I get your ankles."

"'Kay." Mike's hands landed on his shoulders.

He bent slowly, making sure not to go to fast and unbalance Mike. The cuffs came off easily,
well-designed, everything fitting everything else smoothly. Then he was taking Mike into his
arms, shuffling them toward the bed, his mouth covering Mike's, the kiss soft and lazy and
heartfelt. Mike purred, melting into him, eyes closing.

They hit the bed, and he got them tucked in after throwing the lube that was digging into his ass
off the bed. "Happy birthday, baby."

"Mmm..." Mike was already almost asleep, purring. "Happy birthday, love."

He chuckled. "Your birthday, Mike. Yours." He stroked Mike's skin, staring into the night for a
long time before falling asleep himself.

Chapter Seven

Mike didn't get up and swim in the middle of the night anymore.

He got up and ran.

He wasn't as good, nowhere near. But it was something. It was moving. It was exhausting. It was
also fucking cold. He headed up the hill, fighting the wind, cursing low as the rain started. A car
came up from behind him, slowing down to pace him. It was Jessy's car.

The window opened. "It's starting to rain, Mike. Let me drive you home."

Mike looked over, nodded. "'Kay." He jogged over, slid into the passenger's seat.

Jessy had the heat on, the hot air blasting Mike as he sat. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Miss my pool."

"I know, baby. Too cold, yeah? By the time it isn't we'll have found a place in Padre or
somewhere along the coast. Let you play in the ocean in between laps."

Jessy's hand was warm on his leg as they pulled into the garage. Once the car was parked, those
blue eyes turned to him. "We've got a meet in two weeks, Mike. And the Nationals a couple
weeks after that. Tell me what you need to keep you focused on that wall."

"Can we go now? Today? Go and swim there and not be here?"

Jessy nodded. "Yeah. We sure as hell can. And we can go straight to Seattle from there if you
want. That'll give you a chance to learn the pools you'll be swimming your heats in anyway."

"Oh. Yeah?" He reached out, held on. "I'm sorry. I just don't want to be here right now."

"Yeah, I can't say it's feeling a lot like home right now myself." Jessy held him, arms strong and
sure, solid around him. "I'll check out flights while you pack."

He leaned up, took a kiss. "Thank you, Jess."

"Anything, baby."

He cupped Jess' jaw, leaning close, not looking for sex or anything, just wanting to be close. Jess
gave him a soft kiss, holding him, hand stroking his back and through his spiky hair. "You're
going to show them, Mike. Gonna show them that you were born to be in the water, to swim."

"Yeah. Yeah, Jess. I will. I promise."

"Do it for yourself first, baby. That it'll make me happy too is just gravy, yeah?"

"I do it because it's what I do, Coach. I swim."

Jessy nodded. "Yeah. Something those assholes don't understand. They never have gotten it. I
don't suppose they ever will as long as swimming is something they have to work at."

He nodded. "It's my heart. Swimming and you."

Jessy's hand cupped his face. "I love you, too, baby."

Nuzzling in, he nodded. "I know. I'll pack our bags."

"Good. We can sightsee after we settle in and you've done your laps." Jessy seemed content for
now to just hold him though, despite the awkwardness of being in the car.

"Yeah. Sightsee. Eat. Maybe watch a movie." He nodded, hand on Jessy's thigh.

"We'll turn the next few weeks into a busman's holiday, yeah? Follow the meets, swim, visit the
cities, relax."

"Oh. Oh, that sounds perfect." He hadn't known how tense being here had made him, not until
the offer of not being here was made.

"Of course it sounds perfect -- it was my suggestion." Jess gave him a wink and chuckled, hands
warm and good on him.

"Yeah. You take such good care of me."

"It's my job. And my pleasure." He got a kiss to the top of his head. "All right. Inside. You need
to shower first, get warmed up and then you can pack. We'll be out of here in a couple hours."

"Cool. I..." He looked at the front porch, frowning. "Jess? Why's there a box by the door?"

Jess growled. "I don't know." Jess picked up his phone. "Yeah, it's Jess Turner. There's a box on
my doorstep. Thanks."

His lover turned to him. "One of the guys in the car's going to check it out for us." Jess nodded
toward the front walk where a big guy was walking up to the front door.

"The guys..." He frowned, shook his head. "Who the hell is that, Coach?"

"I hired a protection service. Just a couple of guys who sit out in their car up the road. I'd like to
know why they didn't already know about the package."

"Oh." He just sat there, watching, blinking. "I want to go, Coach."

Jess nodded and pushed him back into his seat, did up his seat belt and started the car back up.
"We don't need to see whatever it is. We can go to the airport, make our ticket arrangements and
I'll get you settled there, hop back and get our stuff."

"Okay." He nodded, feeling fragile as fuck. "Okay."

Jess drove them away from the house without looking back.

Chapter Eight

Jessy stored their carry on luggage in the overhead and sat next to Mike.

He'd gotten them on the next flight to Boston and then gone back and picked up their gear. A few
toys, clothes for the next few weeks. He figured anything they didn't have they could just buy.

The box had turned out to contain a pig’s head, freshly slaughtered and pretty fucking bloody.
The security team was dealing with the police and clean up and he and Mike weren't going back
until the cops had arrested whoever the fuck was doing this.

He still believed it was Anderson or one of his cronies, but he had no proof. He was going to
watch Hank's UCLA boys carefully at the meet. See if any of them were surprised to see Mike
swimming and in top form.

"You okay?" he asked as he slipped on his seatbelt.

"No, but I will be." Mike smiled, leaned against him a little. "Which races am I swimming this
time?"

"Shorter list would be the races you aren't swimming." He put his hand on Mike's thigh,
squeezing, breathing a sigh of relief as the plane started taxiing out to the runway.

"Is everything okay at the house?"

"Yeah. The security team was going to lock everything up, keep an eye on the place. I'm thinking
we should put it on the market. Look more seriously for a place near the ocean. We could get
movers to pack the place up for us." He wasn't advocating running away, but the place wasn't
theirs anymore. It had been violated.

"I like the ocean. I could handle that." Mike was shivering, just barely, just enough that he
noticed.

Jessy put an arm around Mike's shoulders, tugging him in close, rubbing his arms. "I'm not going
to let anything happen to you, baby."

"I know. I know. They're just trying to fuck with me."

"Yeah, they're not doing a bad job of it either." And he didn't know what to do except keep Mike
safe and distracted.

"Hey! I held it together!"

He chuckled. "Yeah, baby, I guess you did. You gonna show them at the meet? Blow them the
fuck away and then own the Nationals?"

"You know it. Going for the wall. Then? Where to before Worlds? For Thanksgiving?
Christmas?"

"What'll make you happy, Mike?"

"I... I don't know. I don't want to have to worry, you know? I just want to swim."

"I know, baby. I know." He tilted his head. "Let's go to Australia."

"Australia?" Mike's eyes went wide, huge. "Can we do that?"

"We've got time after the Nationals. A couple months. They got ocean down there, too, you
know?" And he knew some of the coaches, he bet he could arrange a little pool time, maybe even
a place near the beach with a good sized pool. It would get them away, let them breathe. They
could come back a couple weeks before Worlds, set up in a hotel and work the meet pool.

"I know. It's summer there, yeah? Hot? Beach season?"

"So they claim." He leaned back a little, smiling. It had been awhile since he'd seen that
eagerness for anything other than the water and sex.

"I'd like that. We could have Christmas there. We could play in the water. We could be forever
away."

He nodded. "Yep. Leave everything behind and just go."

"Cool. Sounds fun, Coach. Exciting. Have you ever been?"

"Nope. Nearly made it one year, but my swimmer found a new coach. Something about me being
too much of a hardass."

"You?" Those dark eyes were shining, bright. "No..."

"Yeah, I was surprised myself." He winked.

Mike's laugh was sweet, real.

"There's my baby," he murmured, feeling a real, deep smile of his own.

Mike's fingers twined with his, warm and relaxed. Easy. He brought them to his mouth, kissing
Mike's knuckles.

Mike grinned, whispered, "Love you."

"I know." He smiled over, squeezed Mike's hand.

Mike nodded, leaned his head back and, thank God, just fell asleep. Sound. Not moving, not
dreaming, not fretting.

He relaxed himself, making plans as they made their way to Boston.

Chapter Nine

Jessy got them signed in and had a quiet word with the front desk person, making sure she put a
note on their file -- their information wasn't to be give to anyone under any circumstances. Not
their names, their room numbers, nothing.

He took their keys and grabbed their bags. "Come on, baby. We're on the eighteenth floor."

"You sure? You sure this is cool?" Mike was vibrating - vibrating with dark circles under his
eyes and a look of pure panic.

"It's cool, baby. Nobody knows we're here and expensive hotels like this have great security." He
grabbed Mike's hand as soon as they were in the elevator. "It's going to be just fine."

"Okay. Okay, sure. Right. Yeah. Okay. Is there a pool?"

"Mike. I'm your coach. Of course there's a pool."

"'Kay." Mike bounced on his toes, skin pale as milk. "I... I need a shower."

"Yeah, we both could use a little wet." He squeezed Mike's hand. "The water's just the start,
yeah?"

"The start of what?"

"Our evening, baby. I've got plans for you." Plans that involved loving Mike into relaxation and
sleep.

"Good plans, huh? Please?"

"Great plans. The best." He leaned in to give Mike a kiss when the elevator made its soft ding
and the door slid open. "Damn. Okay, baby. We're in eighteen twelve. Looks like it's to the
right."

Mike nodded, but just stood there, almost vaporlocked.

He put one of the bags into Mike's hand and grabbed his swimmer's t-shirt, dragging Mike along.
"Come on, baby. No one knows we're here."

"Coach." Those eyes held his. "For real, huh?"

Jessy tugged Mike in close and kissed him hard. "For real."

"Okay. Okay, Jess. I believe you." Mike nodded, headed down the hall.

He swiped his keycard in the door and let them both in.

The place was your typical hotel suite. Small front room and a bedroom with a queen size bed.
Jessy pushed the door closed behind him and nodded toward the bedroom. "We can drop our
bags in there and go straight for the shower, baby."

He wanted to get Mike clean, relaxed and then knocked out. Mike needed a good night's sleep.
Christ, they both did.

"Okay. Lock the door, Coach. Lock both locks."

"Both locks. And we'll lock the door to the bathroom while we're in the shower." Whatever made
his swimmer feel safe.

He went over and shot the bolt on the door, put the chain on. "Okay?"

"Okay." Mike relaxed a little - he could see it in the line of those shoulders. "Shower?"

"You bet." He went through his bag on the way, grabbing a pair of cuffs and a plug and casually
followed Mike into the bathroom.

Mike had the water blasting, the steam already billowing out. He stripped quickly, setting the
dildo down on the edge of the tub, but holding onto the cuffs as he climbed in behind Mike.

"Hey, Jess." Mike's eyes were closed, face lifted to the spray.

"Mmm... hey, baby." He leaned in and licked the water from Mike's collarbone and then slid his
fingers across the water-slick belly.

"We're safe, yeah?"

"We're safe, baby." He ran his hand up Mike's side, along the thin arm, stretching it up over
Mike's head. "Hold onto the showerhead. Both hands."

Mike stretched up, belly flat and rippling, cock still flaccid.

"Mmm..." He hummed and clicked the cuffs around Mike's wrists.

Mike's eyes flew open, searching his eyes. "I. It's okay, right? Tell me it's cool."

"I wouldn't do it if it wasn't. We're safe. Safe."

"Safe. Okay, Jessy. We're safe." Mike nodded, closing his eyes, leaning into the cuffs a little.

"Yeah, that's it, baby. Just let it all go..." He slid his hands over Mike's body, fingertips scraping
now and then, letting Mike really feel it.

"Jess." Mike's moan made him smile, let him know that he was fucking doing his job.

"Right here, baby. I know you feel me." He caught one nipple under his thumb, nail digging in.

"Yeah. Yeah. Need you."

"Got me." He grabbed Mike's balls, tugging on them.

Mike groaned, going up on tiptoe. "Jesse. Jesse, more. Help me."

"More of this?" He scraped his fingernail along Mike's perineum. "Or this?" Bending, he bit at
Mike's other nipple.

"Yes. Please. Yes." Those eyes opened, staring at him. Focused on him.

He bit harder, finger pushing back farther, tip pushing into Mike's hole. Mike went up on tiptoe,
rocking back and forth. "Yeah, that's it, baby." He switched to the other nipple, added a finger,
knowing the stretch would burn a little.

"Mmmhmm." Mike was right there with him, moaning, grunting, riding him.

He nipped his way down Mike's body, leaving bruises here and there along the sleek abdomen.
Mike's sounds were deep and low, driving him crazy, driving him higher and higher. They
echoed around the tile, making everything seem that much more. He went to his knees and
covered his teeth, nipping at Mike's prick.

"Yours. Yours, Jess." Mike nodded, staring at him, gasping.

"Mmmhmm." He hummed around Mike's prick and slowly drew it deeper into his mouth. At the
same time, he pushed his fingers in, twisting sharply.

Mike's cry rang out, legs thrumming on the tub. Yeah, that was it. He wanted Mike flying high,
nothing on his mind but how good Jessy could make him feel. He looked up, watched Mike
whose face was turned up toward the spray, holding his breath.

It was fucking beautiful.

He hit Mike's gland over and over with his fingers, and sucked the long prick as hard as he could.
Wanting Mike to have every sensation possible, he slid his free hand up over Mike's belly, and

pinched a nipple. Mike convulsed, gasped, cock throbbing hard in his lips. Oh. Right there. He
went down all the way, lips pulling hard

Seed filled his lips, Mike's hips jerking restlessly, pumping into his lips. He swallowed Mike
down, easing his pinching, his finger-fucking, letting it all slow together.

"Oh. Jess. Yeah." Mike nodded, head bobbing on his neck.

He pulled off slowly, sliding up along Mike's body, dropping sucking kisses on belly, chest and
neck until they were face to face and he took Mike's mouth. Mike's kiss was soft, almost lazy,
tongue pushing in to fuck his lips.

Jessy rubbed his hard-on against Mike's belly, the water making the sweet abs slick. It was easy
to move like this - rocking and sliding, Mike's kiss stealing his breath. His hands slid around
Mike's back, rubbing, feeling. Mike arched, one leg around his waist, Mike trusting in his
strength.

Humming, he reached down and spread Mike's ass, the water running over his fingers and along
Mike's crack. He got a nod, a smile -- his baby eager and ready for him. Wanting him. He
reached up to unhook Mike's hands, and then turned him, putting the cuffs back over the shower
head. He rubbed his prick along that crack, groaning.

That tight ass rubbed right back, crack sliding up and down his prick.

"Baby. Fuck." He waited until he was rubbing against Mike's hole, and then he pushed right in.

"Yeah. Jess..." Mike's hands clenched, going up on tiptoe.

"Yeah. I've got you." He grabbed Mike's hip with one hand, and wrapped his other hand around
Mike's neck, pulling him back.

Mike stilled, panting a little. "Jess."

He nuzzled the back of Mike's neck. "Right here, baby."

"Okay. Yeah. You got me."

"I do." He thrust, cock sliding out and pushing back into Mike, all the way in.

Mike pushed into his touch, throat working hard. He tightened his hold, finding a rhythm as he
thrust.

"Fuck. Fuck." Mike started gasping, nodding, begging for it.

He moved faster, harder, slowly gripping harder, arm pressing against Mike's throat. "I have
you."

"H...have. Pl...pl...please." The words were barely whispered.

He kissed Mike's neck again, skin hot and wet beneath his lips. Faster, harder, he gave Mike
exactly what his lover needed. He could feel Mike losing it, feel the violent shudders, the way
that ass squeezed around him.

"That's it, baby. Fuck, you feel so good." Mike was close, again, flying for him, focusing only on
him. "Ride it, Mike. Feel it."

Everything went tight-tight, Mike's gasp only a breath in the spray. Groaning, he jerked a few
times, pushing deeper and circling his hips. Heat sprayed out of Mike, the long body going limp
for him. His own orgasm washed over him, his hips still pumping as he held Mike up.

The water poured over them, hot and steamy, throbbing all around them.

He spread soft kisses across Mike's shoulders. "Love you, baby."

"Love." Mike was limp, tired, exhausted.

He let the water wash over them for awhile and then helped Mike out of the shower, dried his
baby off, keeping it slow and easy. Mike followed easily, humming low, almost asleep already.
He tucked Mike in, giving his swimmer a kiss.

Then he got their bags from where they'd been dumped and unpacked them, making sure
everything was in order before he joined Mike in bed.

Chapter Ten

He was on his fourth set of his laps, burning through the water, shoulders and lungs screaming.

Better.

So much better.

Mike turned, the music booming in his ears for only a second.

Yeah.

More.

Someone sliced through the water next to him and he felt Jessy's hand slide across his back for a
moment, Coach keeping up with him for nearly the whole lap before dropping behind. He
smiled, and then got back to business, pulling harder. On his next lap the touch was harder,
definitely trying to get his attention.

He stopped at the wall, waiting for Coach to catch up.

Jessy did, treading water lazily. "You been keeping track of your laps?"

"Uh-huh. Mostly." Sort of.

Jessy snorted. "That mean you know you're way over?"

"Uh... Know is a strong word..."

Jessy rolled his eyes. "Out of the pool, baby. I'm taking you to lunch."

"Yeah?" Was he hungry?

"I may even relax the rules a little. No pizza, mind you, but maybe more than a chicken salad."
Jessy grinned suddenly. "Race you to the other end." And then Jessy was gone, the cheater.

He grinned, then pushed off, passing his coach easily, zooming through the water.

Jessy pulled himself up out of the pool, chuckling. "Damn. You're fast." Giving him a wink,
Jessy tossed a towel at him.

"Does that mean I get pizza?"

"Nope. You don't get a Dr. Pepper, either." Jessy wrapped his own towel around his shoulders
and sauntered toward the elevators.

"Damn it." He grinned, knowing Jesse couldn't see him, following behind.

"I know, I know. I'm a hardass."

"Yep." He actually copped a feel before backing off.

"Mmm..." Jessy wriggled his ass and then turned to grin at him. "You want something?"

"I want all sorts of things - pizza, gold medal, caffeine, you."

"Well you've got me. That'll have to do." The elevator doors slid open, Jessy stepping on.

"It'll more than do, man." He slid in behind Jess, punching the button. "What do you want for
lunch?"

"We missed supper last night -- I could eat a horse."

"No horsemeat. How about steaks?" Oh. Steaks. He could eat a huge salad, too.

"Yeah, I could go for a steak. It's on your diet, too. In moderation." Jessy gave him a wink just as
the elevator doors slid open.

"Jesus. You always act like I'm going to get fat. Protein is good for me."

"Not fat, logy. You really want to have this argument again?"

"We haven't had it in days. I kind of miss it."

Laughing, Jessy opened the door to their room, holding it open for him and smacking his ass as
he went by.

"Butthead." He pulled his suit off, heading for the dresser with his jeans. "Really, though, I'm
craving salad and steak and oranges, believe it or not."

"We can pick up a bunch of oranges or some orange juice while we're out." He could feel Jessy's
eyes on his ass.

He spread a little, bent over to 'search' for his jeans. "Cool." Look here, Jess.

A soft groan echoed. "Mike..."

"Uh-huh?" He looked from between his legs, balls swinging.

"I thought you wanted steak." He could see Jessy slowly come for him, swimsuit tented out.

"I do. Steak and salad." He bent farther, spreading a little more. More than anything, he wanted
Jess.

"You're going to have to wait for it," growled Jessy, hands landing on his ass, cupping and
massaging.

"I am?" He pushed right back, tongue flicking out to wet his lips.

"Uh-huh." Jessy's hands slid up along his back, groin pushing up against his ass, wet suit cold on
his skin.

Mike braced himself against the dresser, eyes rolling. "I'm a patient guy, Jess."

"You mean you can wait for this?" Jessy asked, fingers wrapping around his shoulders, body
humming against him.

"No. I can wait for food." He grinned at Jessy in the mirror.

Jessy grinned right back, one hand sliding away, the cold, wet shorts pushed down and kicked
away.

"Sexy baby." Jessy ground against him again, hard prick sliding along his crack.

"Yours." That was easy. Straightforward.

"Yes." A finger slipped into his ass, fingers of the other hand sliding down along his spine.

It was a little weird, looking at himself in the mirror, so he ducked his head, closed his eyes.

"You should look," Jessy murmured. "And see what I see."

"It's weird, Jess. Looking at myself."

"I love watching you. Swimming, sleeping, working out. Making love..." Jessy sucked the
fingers of his free hand and pushed two in along with the one from his other hand.

"Oh." He went up on tiptoe, rocking on those fingers, over and over.

"Yeah, yeah. Just look at you."

His eyes opened, and there he was, lips parted, cheeks dark red.

"So fucking sexy, baby." Jessy's fingers slid away, the thick head of his prick pushing in their
place.

His lips opened and closed, but he didn't have any words. He just needed. That prick slid deep,
Jessy's hands sliding over his belly and up, fingertips dancing against his nipples. He pushed
back, body jerking, riding that thick cock.

"So sexy. Look at yourself. Look how fucking hot you are."

"Jess." His cheeks went red, dark. God, so intimate.

"That's you, baby. That's what I see every time we make love." The words were punctuated by
thrusts, Jessy pushing in hard.

"Love you." Fuck. Fuck, he was going to. He was. Oh.

"You, too, baby." One of Jessy's hands reached up and pressed against his neck, the other slid to
wrap around his cock, both holding tight.

"I." Oh. Oh, fuck him. Oh, please, Jess. More.

"I know." Jessy kept fucking him, hand on his cock stroking, the one on his throat slowly
pressing harder, slowing his air supply.

Mike shook, so fucking turned on. So excited. Needing this so fucking bad.

"Look at you. Look at how you respond to every touch, every squeeze and thrust. God, baby.
Just... God." Jessy stopped talking, mouth biting at the back of his neck as that hand on his throat
tightened even more.

He shot so hard his teeth rattled, head slamming back as he gasped.

"Yeah. Yeah!" Jessy repeated the word, hands sliding to grab his hips and pull him back into
each new thrust. That hard cock kept hitting his gland, making his orgasm just last.

And then Jessy was shouting his name and coming deep inside him. His elbows buckled, Jessy
holding him up, keeping him upright. Soft kisses pressed along his spine, Jessy humming softly,
fingertips stroking his belly.

"L...love." Oh, fuck. So good.

"Mmm... yeah, baby. Big time."

Groaning, Jessy slipped out of him. He could feel Jessy's come on his thighs, and then Jessy's
hand was there, rubbing it into his skin.

His eyes rolled a little bit, knees wanting to give out on him. "Damn."

Jessy dragged him over to the bed, sitting and pulling him down onto Jessy's warm lap. "I bet
you're hungry now, baby."

"Uh-huh. Steak. Salad. Oranges." He rested his forehead on Jessy's shoulder.

"Yeah. Hell, I'm feeling pretty mellow. We might even share a dessert."

"Mmm. Dessert's good. Chocolate pecan pie."

"Whatever you want, baby." Jessy hugged him tight, kissed his spine and then pushed him up,
popping his ass. "Come on, quit stalling and get your jeans on."

"Damn, a guy closes his eyes half a second after a great orgasm and he's suddenly stalling."

"Either that or he's so sexy that his lover knows if we dawdle we're never leaving this room."
Jessy gave him a wink and stood, stretched, muscles rippling.

"Mmm." He stood, heading in for a quick shower and shave. Yeah. If he did, they'd never leave.

Jessy grabbed his wrist, tugging him to a halt. "Where are you going? Your jeans are that way."

"Shower? Shave? I smell like sex and chlorine." The rest of the world might not appreciate that.

"Now you are stalling. We have to leave the hotel room sooner or later, baby."

He stopped, blinked a second. "You don't think... I'm not."

"I think you need to get dressed and we need to go out and have a meal together."

"I just need a shower."

Jessy stared at him for a long moment. "Ten minutes. You take a quick shower and get dressed
and be ready to go in ten minutes."

Like they were in a hurry. Jesus. He slammed the door behind him, trying to figure out why he
was so pissed.

The door opened, Jessy popping in, eyebrows climbing up his forehead. "Baby?"

"Yeah?" He knew he had to look fucking confused. He felt fucking confused.

"What's wrong, huh?" Jess came in, leaned against the counter.

"I don't know." He headed over, one hand sliding down Jessy's chest, belly.

"You still worried about the asshole sending shit in the mail?" Jessy's hands slid around his
waist.

"Aren't you? I mean, fuck. Aren't you scared, Coach?"

Jessy shook his head. "We're safe here, baby. No one knows where we are."

"But. I know that. I know and it still..." It still worried him.

"It still worries you. That's why we need to go out. The only way you're going to believe it deep
inside is if we go and do and be and nothing happens."

"I'm not a coward." He needed Jessy to know that.

"Shit, baby, I don’t think you're a coward!"

"No? Because I'm fucking scared."

"Yeah, well I think that's pretty normal under the circumstances, baby. That's why we need to go
out, hmm? Get used to the city, start to feel safe again." Jessy pulled him close.

"Okay. I just." He cuddled in, letting Jessy hold him up. "You know."

"Yeah, I know, baby." Jessy stroked his back. "What do you say we skip the shower and just go
to the hotel restaurant today?"

"No. No, I want good steak." He tried on a grin and it felt easier. "And oranges."

"Yeah. Fresh squeezed, huh?" Jessy gave him a wink, squeezing his ass.

"Yeah." He nodded, grinned. "Ten minutes."

"All right. Ten minutes." Jessy kissed him hard, and then smacked his ass.

"Come with me. Keep me focused." He winked. "I'll let you watch me shave."

Jessy snorted and then straightened and tugged him toward the shower. "Sure. We can always
skip lunch and go straight for dinner."

"I'll starve. You wouldn't want me to starve..."

"Baby, we go in that shower and you start shaving, I'm going to have to have you all over again."

They looked at each other, started laughing.

"God, I love you," murmured Jessy against his lips.

"Good." He grabbed a couple of washcloths so they could clean up. He could shower later.

They each cleaned themselves up rather than each other, which would have no doubt led to more
delays. The look in Jessy's eyes was passionate and happy, Jessy's focus all on him.

It made everything worth it.

Everything.

Jessy tossed his cloth at the tub and quickly brushed his teeth before bumping hips with Mike. "I
packed your aquamarine shirt with the pearl buttons. Wear that with your good jeans."

"Okay. You wear the nice white one. I like how that makes your throat look."

Jessy grinned and leaned his head back, hand sliding along his throat. "And how exactly does it
make my throat look?"

"Dark. Tanned. Sexy."

"Baby..." The words was drawn out, husky, Jessy's eyes suddenly hot. "Come on, we need to get
dressed and get out of here."

"Uh-huh. I'm hungry." He reached out, cupped Jessy's cock and squeezed a little.

"Me, too. For food even." Jessy winked, hips pushing into his hand.

"Uh-huh." He stepped away, finally, and headed in to get dressed. At this rate he was going to
miss his afternoon laps.

Jessy didn't say anything as they got dressed, Coach looking handsome in black jeans with that
white shirt he liked.

When they were done Jessy whistled. "Looking good."

"Looking like a starving man." He grabbed his wallet, his watch, Jessy's hand. "Come on, man.
Feed me."

Jessy laughed as they went out and headed for the elevator. "How come I've been saying that for
ages to no effect and now all of a sudden you're dragging me?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Steak."

Coach snorted, but Jessy's hand stayed in his as they got into the elevator and headed for the
lobby. "Steak and salad and dessert. Oh, and oranges, though I'm guessing we won't get those at
the restaurant. According to the girl I talked to at the front desk this morning, we won't have to
wander far for either."

"Cool." The sun was bright, shining, and Mike found himself grinning up into it.

They passed a couple other hotels and some tourist shops, and then turned a corner to find
several restaurants within the space of a couple of blocks.

"There," said Jessy, pointing to a restaurant called 'The Double D Brand'.

"Cool." If they were lucky, there'd be a table by the big window in the front.

The streets were moderately crowded, but they managed to dash across the street during a lull in
traffic, and the restaurant wasn't busy at all, the hostess asking them where they wanted to sit.

"It's up to you, baby."

"In the sunlight, please."

"Follow me, please." The hostess went ahead of them, a little wiggle in her walk that had Coach
grinning.

"That's for you," Jessy whispered.

"No. Quit it." His cheeks went red-hot and he shook his head.

Jessy chuckled. "Well, she's certainly not doing it for this old man."

"She might be." He whispered right back. "You have that neck thing going on."

Jessy didn't say anything as they arrived at their table, but he could see the laughter in those
pretty eyes.

"Your waitress'll be along shortly." She gave him a flirtatious smile and headed back the way
she'd come.

"There, see? She barely noticed I was here."

"Bullshit." He opened the menu. "I want fried cheese and a rib eye and two baked potatoes." Oh,
man. They had an oriental salad with mandarin oranges.

One of Jessy's eyebrows went up. "No baked potatoes, baby, they make you logy."

"You let me have potatoes. You're just being weird." Maybe not two loaded with sour cream and
bacon.

"I'm letting you have the fried cheese, baby. And dessert. Pick a salad instead of the potatoes."
The push and shove of this particular debate was familiar and easy. It felt good.

"I'd rather have one potato than the cheese, really..." Hell, he really wanted the big salad and a
steak.

"You'd have to give up the dessert if you're having the potato. Come on, baby -- steak and salad -
- you know that's what you want." Jessy knew him too well.

"Yeah." He grinned, nodded. "Can we try the lettuce wraps? They look good."

"Yeah, sure. Did you see the oriental salad they've got? Salad and oranges." Jessy winked.

"I know. Dude. It has almonds, too. I'm going to get that and the sirloin."

"I'm going to have the T-bone and the Caesar." Jessy signaled to the waitress and placed their
orders.

The lettuce wraps came and they attacked them, both starving. Crispy, spicy, perfect.

Jessy caught his hand as he started licking his fingers, bringing them over to Jessy's mouth. That
pink tongue came out, swiping at his fingertips.

"Jess." His eyes went wide, breath caught in his throat. "Someone will see."

Jessy pulled one finger in and then let it go with a pop, giving him his hand back. "Sorry." Only
Jessy didn't look or sound the least bit sorry. His cock wasn't sorry either, heavy and full, tapping
against his zipper. Jessy gave Mike a shit-eating grin, and licked his own fingers clear.

"You are evil." He drank his milk, drained it.

"I do try, baby." Jessy winked at him and then smiled up as the waitress came with their meals.
"Mmm... excellent. I'm still starving."

"Yeah. Could I have another glass of milk, please?"

"Of course. Can I get you boys anything else?"

"We're good, thank you." Jessy gave her a smile and a nod, but he could tell Coach barely saw
her.

The smile that was turned on him was far brighter.

"What are you grinning about, Coach?"

"Steaks, salad, sunshine. You. It's a good day."

"You know it, Jessy." He dug in, the little orange segments sweet and tart in his mouth.

Chapter Eleven

The days had flown by, Mike working hard at his laps, keeping in shape.

They'd had no contact with any other coaches or swimmers, and there'd been no incidents. No
threats, no threatening cards, nothing. It made Jessy more suspicious than ever that the cards and
stuff had come from a competitor. He kept his suspicions to himself, though, not wanting to
freak Mike out. His swimmer was on track, and they'd found a peace here that had been missing
the last few weeks at home.

He glanced at his watch. Mike should be up from his last laps of the day any minute now. He
was keeping an eye on the time and taking bets with himself as to whether he'd have to go get
Mike or not.

Ten minutes passed and Mike still wasn't up, so he went to the door, smacking right into his
swimmer. Chuckling, he grabbed onto Mike's arms, steadying the kid. "I was beginning to think
you'd lost track of your laps."

"Nope. I was being good. I stopped to get a Sprite from the vending machine. I was a little
queasy." Mike held up a green can, kissed the corner of his mouth.

"Queasy?" He rubbed Mike's belly gently as he closed the door. "When did that start?"

"I think the chlorine balance in the pool's a little off is all. It's not bad. Just enough that I wanted
some bubbles." Mike's eyes went all heavy-lidded at his touch.

"You let me know if it gets worse instead of better, okay?" He slid his arm around Mike's
shoulders, still feeling up those stomach muscles as he led his swimmer toward the shower.

"Mmmhmm." Mike followed easily, muscles a little tight, but not bad.

"Shower time. Shaving time. I might have to give you a massage while we're at it."

"Oh, man. That sounds good. We haven't had a massage in a while."

"Then we have our plan for the evening." He gave Mike a kiss and went to start the shower,
making it hot enough to steam.

Mike slipped out of his Speedos, stepping into the water. Jessy spent a moment watching. Mike
looked good enough to eat. Groaning, he stripped his own clothes off, tossing the jeans and t-

shirt into a corner. Then he climbed in with Mike, grabbing the soap and rubbing it between his
hands.

His swimmer smiled and turned toward him, a smile on that face. He stroked over Mike's skin,
soaping his swimmer up. Feeling him up at the same time.

"Mmm. You're in a good mood, Jess." Mike's fingers ran through his hair, thumbs rubbing his
temples.

"Yeah, I am." He nuzzled into the touches, eyes half closing.

"Cool." Mike stole a soft kiss, grinning against his lips. "Feel good?"

"Feels great, baby. Maybe it should be you giving me a massage later."

"You feeling okay?" The hands fell around his shoulders, rubbing nice and easy.

Jessy groaned. "I'm fine. That just feels really, amazingly good."

He let himself lean into it a bit longer and then he stepped back, grinning and working the soap
over Mike's skin. Mike stretched for him, the little hairs catching his fingers. It was time to wax
the swimmer - one of his favorite jobs.

As soon as the chlorine was washed away, he reached out of the shower and grabbed the shaving
gel and a couple of brand new disposable razors he'd set out earlier.

"What are you up to?" Mike's fingers slipped over his nipple, pinching a little.

He gasped softly at the touch, hips jerking in response. "Just getting the shaving equipment."

"You need a shave?" Mike's fingers teased his chin. Someone was in a playful mood. It was cute
as hell.

"I could probably use one, but that's not who's getting shaved." He rubbed up against Mike.

"I'm just getting a manly stubble!" Look at that grin. Mike had been bare so long it was the
natural state of being.

"Manly stubble..." He could hardly even say it without laughing. "Oh, baby." Grinning, he
tugged Mike in for a hard kiss.

Mike was still laughing as their lips met, that slick, wet body sliding against him. He opened his
mouth wide, tongue pushing between Mike's lips. Mike's cock was filling, sliding against his
belly, trying to get his attention. He ignored it for now, licking through Mike's mouth one last
time before breaking the kiss. "What do you want shaved first, baby?"

Mike chuckled, arms up in the air. "Pick something, man. No cutting, though."

He snorted. "This is shaving, baby. And I'm good at it."

"You are and it's way hotter when you do it."

"Most things are hotter when we do them together." He started slicking Mike's arms up with the
shaving cream.

"Yep." Mike relaxed back against the tiles, easy and long.

"Mmm..." He hummed, admiring his swimmer: the long lines, the wiry muscles, those amazing
abs. He worked on Mike's arms, careful not to knick his swimmer anywhere.

"The butterfly felt good today. I think you should come watch next time. Make sure I'm right."

He grinned. He'd been down there partway through Mike's laps, he'd seen. "It was good. It was
awesome." He tugged Mike back into the spray, hands sliding along the shaved skin to make
sure he hadn't missed a spot.

"You... Oh. Oh, hot. I didn't see you. Jess. Damn."

Stroking Mike's skin, he grinned. "No, you didn't. You were really in the zone, Mike. I was
impressed."

Oh, that was a great grin he got in return. "I was feeling good."

"It's a perfect time to be in the groove, babe." He went to his knees and spread the shaving gel
along Mike's legs, fingers enjoying the sensation of those muscles.

He'd save around that pretty cock and balls and the dark, dark line of hairs running up Mike's flat
belly for last. The razor slid over Mike's thighs and down. Again, careful and quick, he removed
the stubble.

"I keep looking for ways to get faster. Did you know there's all sorts of tricks on the Internet.
Take this vitamin, starve yourself before a meet. Wrap yourself in banana leaves."

He looked up at Mike. "Most of those tricks are a piece of crap, baby. You see something you
honestly think'll help, you bring it to me and we'll discuss it, okay?"

"I know. You know me, Jess. I bring everything to you."

"Never hurts to remind you, though." He slid his hands up along Mike's legs, once again
checking to make sure he hadn't missed a spot. And if his fingers lingered on the inside of Mike's
thighs, well, he didn't hear Mike complaining.

In fact, what he did hear was a deep, soft moan.

"I know, baby," he murmured. "We'll do your face next."

He didn't always do Mike's face -- Mike was just going to have to shave tomorrow morning
anyway, but he liked the intimacy of it.

Mike smiled. "That always feels so... close. You know? I'd never let anyone else shave me
there."

He nodded. "Yeah. I've never shaved anyone else's face but yours and my own."

"That's damn cool, you know?" He got a pleased look, a grin.

Jessy stroked Mike's face, looking into his lover's eyes. "I know. You're special."

"Yup. I'm yours." Mike didn't have a doubt. Not one single fucking doubt.

"Yeah, head to toe and all the good bits in between." He gave Mike a wink and then sprayed gel
out onto his hands.

Mike's laugh rang out and those hips rocked, shaking the 'good bits'. He gave Mike a kiss, loving
the taste of his baby's laughter in his mouth.

Then he lathered the gel over Mike's cheeks and chin, fingers stroking, feeling the contours of
his lover's face. Mike relaxed for him, eyes closed, smiling. Jesus, this was his. He shaved Mike's
face so slowly, letting them both enjoy it, their breathing slow, synched together.

Once those cheeks were smooth and cleaned off, Mike leaned to kiss him, the connection almost
sweet. Rich. Moaning gently into the kiss, he slid his fingers over Mike's cheeks. Mike's fingers
were on the small of his back, the top of his ass, massaging and rubbing. It woke up every nerve
in his body, made his skin sing.

Groaning, he dragged his lips away from Mike's and took a step back. "I need to finish." His
voice was thick, raspy.

"O...okay. Okay. Finish so we can... You know."

"Make love." He went back to his knees, groaning again as he was faced with Mike's cock, eager
and full.

"Yeah. Nice and slow, all evening long."

He looked up the long body and nodded as he met Mike's eyes. "Whatever you want, baby."

"Want you, Jess. Just like you want me."

Leaning forward, he kissed the side of Mike's cock. "Yeah. This first, hmm?" He found the bottle
of shaving gel and poured some out onto his fingers.

"Uh-huh. You're like a wet dream, man." Mike's cock was starting to leak.

"I'm no dream, baby," he teased, fingers stroking over Mike's pubic area, over the sweet belly.

"Nope. No..." Mike moaned and arched each time he hit a sweet spot.

He grabbed a fresh razor and began shaving. Very carefully. It wasn't easy, making sure he didn't
cut or knick anything important while he was so damn turned on. But there was no way in hell he
was going to hurt Mike.

The balls were the hardest, that skin so delicate and fine, but he managed, the thin skin bare for
him. When he was done he rinsed Mike off and then leaned in, taking one of those sweet balls
into his mouth and sucking.

Mike spread for him, one foot propped on the edge of the tub. "Fuck."

He muttered an agreement. Yeah, now they could do what they wanted. He tossed the razor over
the side of the tub and took Mike's other ball into his mouth.

"Jessy. Jessy, I need you."

Groaning, he slowly let go of Mike's ball, nuzzled it with his nose and then stood. "Bed, baby."

"Uh-huh. We're gonna run the whole place out of hot water..."

"We're paying enough for the privilege. Still, I want you horizontal." He leaned over and turned
off the shower, shivering at the sudden lack of water.

Mike reached out, grabbed two towels and handed one over. "Don't get cold, now."

"You're starting to sound like me." He dried himself off quickly, grinning at Mike.

"You rub off on me." Mike waggled his eyebrows and winked.

"Oh, God, that was bad." He laughed and tugged Mike close, taking a kiss.

Mike let him in for a second, then backed off with a laugh, drawing him toward the bedroom.

He followed, watching that ass move. Fucking stunning. He waited until Mike reached the bed
and then pounced. They bounced together, Mike's hand wrapping around his hip, dragging him
closer. Mike's mouth was right there, and he pressed their lips together, tongue pushing in lazily.

Their cocks slid together, moving side-by-side. Mike was so smooth and he rocked harder. His
baby was right with him, holding on, both of them connected. Together. Needing it. His tongue
tangled with Mike's, his moan filling Mike's mouth. Those pretty eyes shone for him, open,
happy, warm.

As long as those eyes were happy, then so was he.

Sliding his hand between them, the teased the tip of Mike's prick. Mike rippled, then those warm
fingers tickled his hole.

He gasped, pushing his prick along Mike's hip. 'Baby."

"Yeah." That touch came again, nice and sweet.

He rubbed the tip of Mike's cock again, finger lingering at Mike's slit.

"Jess. Harder."

"That's my baby." He pressed his finger in harder, fingernail scraping.

"Yes." Mike blushed, stared at him. "I need this."

"I know." He took Mike's lower lip between his teeth, worrying it gently, just enough to sting,
not to leave a mark.

"Used to scare me, that I liked it."

"And now?" He knew Mike loved it, thrived on it.

"I'm not scared. You got me."

"I do, Mike. That's how it works between us, yeah? I have you and it's good." He squeezed the
head of Mike's prick hard.

"Uh..." Mike's head fell back, throat working a little.

He licked his way down, teased one little bud of a nipple and then the other, his fingers pinching
and rubbing and sliding on Mike's flesh. Mike's hands squeezed his ass in response, gripping
him. Groaning, he ground his own prick hard against Mike.

"Yeah. Yeah, there." Mike caught his bottom lip between sharp teeth, tugged.

Groaning, he bucked harder, working without thought to bring them both over the edge. Mike
was right with him, panting, groaning, hips rolling.

"Like this, baby and then we can take all evening to come again.

"Uh-huh. Sounds perfect."

It did. He pushed harder, fingers playing with Mike's cock, playing hard.

Didn't take any time -- their bodies knew what they needed and soon they were clinging, jerking,
coming together. As heat spread between their bellies, he took Mike's mouth, losing himself in
the flavor as his body went lax.

Mike's hand cupped his head, holding him, tongue moving lazily in his lips. He hummed into the
kiss and let Mike take his weight, knowing his baby loved it. Holding on tight, Mike's hand slid
down, thumb rubbing slowly.

"You're going to melt me even more than I already am, baby."

"That's cool, Jess. Melt away."

He chuckled, but relaxed all over his baby. "I was supposed to give you a massage."

"Uh-huh. You can. After."

"Okay." He didn't take much convincing. "Shall we roll over so you can do it properly?"

"Whatever turns you on, man." Their laughter sounded again as they rolled over, Mike's fingers
working his skin.

Mike's weighed nothing, felt good sitting on his ass as those hands massaged him, making him
groan and melt into the mattress.

"That's good." Mike hummed for him, hands moving up and down, up and down.

"God, you're good at that, baby. You been taking lessons?"

"Yep. Massage and blowjobs, Tuesdays and Thursdays, two to three-thirty pm."

He chuckled. "Am I your homework? And does that mean I should expect a blowjob before this
is over?" His prick sure liked the sound of that.

"That's it. My senior thesis." Mike was snorting.

God, they'd both lost their minds.

He'd just enjoy this for a moment or two more, and then it was all about Mike.

Chapter Twelve

Okay.

Music.

Wall.

Right.

No thinking.

None.

Wall.

Music.

Relax.

No thinking.

Mike turned the music up, bouncing along with the grinding bass.

Jessy walked through the groups of other swimmers, nodding to people, smiling. Watching,
searching. Then Coach was behind him, hands on his shoulders, rubbing. "You're looking good,
kid."

"Yeah. The wall, huh?" He was feeling good, relaxed, eager. "How long now?"

"They should be calling you up any minute now. You just reach for that wall and it'll all fall into
place."

He nodded. "It'll happen. I feel good. Real good."

"You look good. The wall." Coach squeezed his shoulders as they announced the race.

"Yeah. Wall one of five." He gave Coach his CD-player, his jacket, heading over. Lane five. He
loved lucky lane five.

Mike got in position, waiting for the buzz. Yeah.

Just before the buzz went off a whisper sounded. "Die fag."

He arched into the water, body knowing exactly what to do, brain just screaming, panicking as
he stroked. He hit the wall hard, flipping and swimming hard.

"Come on, baby." The words whispered in his head.

Yeah. Yeah. The fucking wall. He hit it hard, pulling himself out of the pool, looking from one
side to the other. Who said it?

The crowd went wild, but all he saw was Anderson, checking the board and slamming his fist
against the water in anger.

He waited until Anderson's eyes met his. "Be careful. I know what you've done."

Anderson's eyes narrowed. "Fuck you, Gauliet."

"Not a chance, you coward." He was furious, buzzing, vibrating.

"Who the fuck are you calling a coward?" Anderson came toward him, but before he could take a
step, Coach was in front of him, blocking his view of the other swimmer.

"Gold! That's the way, Mike!"

He blinked, looking at Coach with a frown. "Huh? Coach, he..."

"Hasn't done anything you can prove, kid, and a fight here is going to get you in trouble with the
governing body. Turn around and accept the congratulations of the other swimmers and then go
back into the dressing room."

"But, Coach..."

Jessy's eyes were serious, pissed.

Mike nodded, shook the hand of the swimmer beside him and took off. Jess didn't let him get too
far ahead, tailing him closely.

He got into one of the showers, turned the water on hot.

"Something happen out there, Mike? Something other than the little shouting match you and
Anderson were getting into?"

Mike nodded, face in the spray. "When the buzzer went off."

He could hear Jess' growl beneath the sound of the water. "What?"

"Somebody said, 'Die fag.'"

Jessy's fist was loud as it slammed against tile. "Fuck. That's exactly what was on those cards."

He nodded. "I'm going to... Uh..." Oh, Hell, he didn't know.

"You're going to finish your shower and get dressed; I'm going to go talk to Hank." Jess growled,
hand sliding for a moment on Mike’s arm before he strode off.

Mike nodded, rinsed off and threw on his clothes, jumping every time footsteps sounded.

Jess came back a few minutes later, looking thunderous. "Let's get the fuck out of here. You've
got more races tomorrow."

He shook his head, then nodded, then just started to move.

Fuck.

Jess got him into the car and started driving them to their hotel.

"Hank claims it wasn't any of his boys. He actually looked a little green around the gills when I
told him some of the stuff going on. I don't think he sanctioned it, but I think he's got a pretty
fucking good idea who's responsible. Like we don't all know it's fucking Anderson."

Jess' knuckles were white against the steering wheel.

"I. I don't understand. I don't get it."

"Mike. Who takes silver every time you take gold?"

"But... I." He shook his head, just sick. "Oh, Coach. I'm gonna puke."

Jess looked at him and swore softly and then pulled around a corner and stopped the car. Coach
jumped out and opened the door, tugging him out. He stumbled a few steps from the car,
vomiting again and again until he was just swaying, muscles tight and cramping. Jess' hands
were solid on his back, drawing slow circles against him.

"N...no. No pizza today."

"No. Not today." He was tugged against Jess' body. "Come on. Let's get you to the hotel."

"Uh-huh." He nodded, let Jess put him in the car, let Jess take care of him.

Jess drove quickly, getting them to the hotel and helping him out, arm around his waist as they
headed for the elevator.

"I need something to drink. I want to... It's not supposed to be like this, Jessy." Not supposed to
be like this at all.

"I know, Mike. I know. I'll get them to send up some ginger ale, maybe some fruit." Jessy's hand
stroked along his side.

He nodded, leaned against Jessy's touch. "Something easy."

"Yeah, baby." Jess growled a little as they went to their room, seeing him in and sitting him
down on the bed.

He curled up, eyes closing, head just pounding. He could hear Jessy pick up the phone and call
down for their drinks, food. Then he dialed again, talking low and quick. He scooted closer to
Jess, head settling on the warm lap, hand wrapping around Jessy's knee.

Jessy's hand dropped to his head, fingers sliding through his hair. "Yeah, I'd appreciate it if you
could take care of that. Yes, we'll be here. Of course we'll cooperate, we want this taken care of
before they escalate this. The National Championship is in just over two weeks and that's the first
really big one. Thank you."

Jessy hung up the phone.

"Who were you talking to?"

"Police in Austin. They'll notify the police here and send someone to talk to us, talk to the other
swimmers. They're going to keep it casual, keep from scaring a lot of innocent kids." Jessy shook
his head, hand still moving on him. "This is one disturbed kid, I'm sure of it. He just can't take it
that someone out there might be better than him."

"Is he going to hurt us?"

"No, baby. I'm not going to let that happen." Jessy lay down behind him, curling around him.

"'Kay." He stroked Jess' wrists, upper arms, cuddling back. A kiss dropped onto the back of his
neck, Jess' tongue soft, gentle. "Oh. That's good." He leaned his head forward.

Jessy hummed. "This?" His neck was licked again, Jessy's tongue sliding on his skin.

"Yes. It makes me warm all through." He nodded, hummed.

"Gonna love you, baby."

"Oh, promise?" He nodded. He knew it was breaking the rules, but he was scared. Scared.

"Yeah, baby. I promise."

Jessy's mouth went back to moving along the skin of his neck, tasting him, seducing him.

"Thank you." He drew Jess' hand up to his mouth, kissing the knuckles, humming low.

Jess purred, free hand going to his buttons, undoing them slowly. He nibbled at Jess' knuckles,
licking and nuzzling, the heat between them sweet and low. Jess undressed him slowly, as if they
had all the time in the world, just the two of them. Mike closed his eyes, focused on feeling and
touching, on loving. Jess' mouth slid along his spine, moving slowly down, leaving a path of fire
in its wake.

"Oh. Oh, Jess. That's. That's sweet."

Jess' purr vibrated along his spine. He was melted, needing, the dull sickness fading. Down and
down, Jess slid, licking, kissing, making him shiver. He ended up on his stomach, legs spread,
hips rolling.

"So sexy," murmured Jess. That warm tongue slid along his crease, teasing his hole.

"H...hot. Make me s...so hot." He spread wider, moaning.

"Gonna make you burn right up." Jess stopped teasing, tongue pushing into him.

"Y... oh!" He arched up, knees drawing up beneath him.

Jess hummed, hands sliding along his thighs. Oh, so hot. So good. He started rocking, purring.
Jessy fucked his ass, tongue working him, wetting him, making him crazy.

"Love. Love you. Please." He moved faster, pushed back, panting.

One of Jessy's hands slid beneath him, circling his cock, thumb sliding across his slit, taking the
liquid leaking there and spreading it over his heat.

"Oh..." Mike lifted his head, blinking. "In me. Oh, Jess. Please. Deep inside. I need you."

Jess growled and suddenly his tongue and hand were gone. His lover didn't make him wait long,
though, in no time at all the blunt, hot head of Jessy's cock was pushing into him.

"Yes!" He nodded, pushed back with a cry, the pressure just perfect.

"Baby." The word was little more than a groan, Jess' hands hard on his hips, tugging him back
against the hard body.

"Yours." He pushed himself up and back, nodding, moaning low. Needed it.

Jessy started to thrust, hot length pushing into him again and again. It eased him, always had, the
steady pressure, the heat, the way Jess filled him. Jess' arm went around his middle, the other one
around his chest, tugging him up so his back was plastered against Jess' chest. Mike leaned his
head back, riding hard, panting.

One of Jess' hands slid around his cock, the other one around his throat. "I love you, baby."

"Love you. Please. Make me fly." He met Jess' eyes. "Yours."

"Mine." Jess nodded, both hands tightening, cock thrusting hard.

He arched, eyes rolling, throat working. Yes. Yes. More. Love.

The hand at his cock matched the thrusts of Jessy's body, pumping him hard, while the hand at
his throat kept pressing, squeezing, giving him exactly what he needed. Sparkles started flashing
in his eyes, balls drawing tight, ass tight. He heard Jessy growl, heard "mine" and "love" and
"come".

His entire fucking world went bright white, then black and calm.

He slowly became aware of the softness of the sheets beneath him, the warmth of Jessy wrapped
around him, his lover's fingers sliding on his skin. Mike smiled, humming low, melted all
through. Jessy was back to licking his neck, tongue and lips tasting and teasing.

"L...love you." He twined their fingers together, held on.

"Yeah, baby. Me, too. Forever." Jess leaned around and kissed him hard and then settled behind
him again.

Mike relaxed, floated, let the world spin.

Chapter Thirteen

It was the last day of swimming. The final heat was the four by four men's relay and Mike was
anchoring for the UT team this time out. Mike had swept all his races and had a handful of gold
medals.

No personal bests, but he'd won each race handily, not one squeaker, which meant he was
swimming ahead of the pack even under the pressure and stress.

The National was where there'd be international press and interest, though. It was the first big
event on the way to Worlds. And Mike was going to have to step it up.

If they could have just caught the little fucker in the act here, it would have been all cleared up
and without the stress, and there wouldn't be a single worry as long as his swimmer didn't get
sick. That hadn't happened, though. The cops had come and questioned all the swimmers,
checked the place out thoroughly and in the end -- nothing. Not one fucking glimmer.

It made his nerves raw, like sandpaper on skin and he'd been overprotective and growly the
whole meet. More than usual even. He was hoping most people would put it down to Mike
having been sick.

He shadowed Mike into the locker room, standing against the wall across from Mike's locker,
eyes on the group from UCLA at the other end of the changing room.

Mike opened his locker to put his gear in and then shut it with a click, face grey as the tile. "I
want you to hold my stuff."

He went over to Mike immediately. "Something wrong with your locker?"

Mike handed him the bags, throat working. "I want you to hold my stuff."

He pulled his sleeve down and opened the door of the locker, shutting it quick after seeing the
animal parts, the blood. Jesus fuck.

He was feeling a little grey himself. "Yeah, I'll hold your stuff, Mike."

He pulled out his phone and dialed the cops. Mike put his earphones on, towel on his neck and
went to sit, silent, still. His swimmer was withdrawing, hiding, having trouble keeping food
down, sleeping. Still, Mike was coping.

Mostly.

Basically this had to fucking stop. And now. Sooner if possible.

Jessy told the cops what they'd found in the locker and was told they were sending a forensics
team down.

He hung up his phone and went over to Mike, crouching next to him, hand working Mike's
shoulders. "One more race, baby and we're out of here. Hell, you don't want to race it, and I'll
square it up with Coach Daniels."

"I'll race." Shit, Mike sounded old.

"You sure? You don't have to. No one would blame you after this." He was going to kill the
bastard.

Mike nodded. "I'll race, and then we'll go." Mike stood up, stepped past him and headed toward
the pool.

"Stay off the coping. Stay near Coach Daniels and the other boys from UT. I'll be out just as soon
as the police show. I want to make sure no one tampers with the evidence. Okay?"

"Yeah, Coach."

Mike headed up and he waited. It took more than thirty minutes for the cops to show, but when
they did? They did in force, taping off the locker room, bustling around and asking questions. He
answered everything he could, made sure they had his cell phone number and explained that
once the race was over, he was taking his swimmer and getting the fuck out of Dodge.

They weren't happy with it until he explained very clearly that he needed his boy safe and he
wasn't hanging around for the sicko doing this to take a whack at Mike himself. By the time
everyone was done and he was up the stairs, Mike was already out of the pool, UT on its way to
another gold.

Jessy gave Jeff a tight smile, managed a slightly better one for Mike. "Good job, baby. Let's get
out of here."

He handed over Mike's sweats -- he could change at the airport and it wouldn't kill the rental to
get a little wet in the seat. Mike nodded, tugged the sweats on, headphones back on.

He didn't give a shit who was watching, he put his arm around Mike's shoulder and walked out,
glowering at anyone who looked too close. Nobody was going to fucking mess with his
swimmer. No one.

Mike didn't say a word, just walked, head down. "Where are we going?"

"Airport. We're flying to Seattle and renting a car. There's a spa just outside of Seattle. We're
going to stay there until a couple days before the meet. It's private, exclusive, and they've got a
pool. You can relax, get pampered and focus on the damned wall."

"'Kay." Mike watched the ground. "I hate this, Coach."

"I know."

He fucking knew. The worst thing about it was there wasn't a fucking thing he could do about it.

Except maybe beat that fucker to death.

And if the police didn't make an arrest soon that was exactly what he was going to do.

Mike slowed as they got to the car. "Is it okay?"

He went over to the car and bumped it with his hip, setting off the alarm. Nodding, he hit the
button to turn the alarm off. "Yeah. It hasn't been touched." Christ, this had to end.

Mike threw his bag in and then slid in the front seat, laid the seat down.

He got in and pulled out, moving fast, eager to get space between them and the pool, them and
the sick bastard who thought it was okay to win through intimidation and scare tactics.

"How did the water feel out there?" he asked.

"Huh?" Mike looked over, curling on his left side. "I... I don't know. I wasn't thinking."

He took a deep breath and reached over to touch Mike. His boy who just wanted to swim, who
loved the water more than breathing, and Mike hadn't even noticed today. It made him fucking
angry. It made him fight his damned tears. Mike's fingers brushed his, loving on him, comforting
him, too.

His hand turning, Jessy joined their fingers together. As long as they had each other. "It's going
to be okay."

"It is." Mike held on, squeezed.

"I got us onto an earlier flight while you were winning. We'll leave almost as soon as we get
there."

"Yeah? Good. The place we're going has a pool, huh? It's quiet there?"

"Nice and quiet. Rich old ladies getting their youth back, yeah?"

"Oh, people to flirt with you, then..." Oh, he almost got a smile. Good, Mike. That's right. Fight
them.

"Brat."

He squeezed Mike's hand.

"Yours." Mike nodded. "Old man."

He chuckled. "Yeah. And don't you forget it."

"I won't, Jess. Promise."

He slid his hand along Mike's cheek. "Yeah, baby. I know."

Mike turned, kissed his palm, lips soft, warm.

"Almost there, baby." Just a short plane ride and they could get some peace. No one knew where
they were going.

"I love you, Jessy. I'm sorry about all this shit."

"You've got nothing to be sorry about, Mike. You didn't cause any of this."

"I'm the reason they're doing it."

"So you're sorry you're fast? That you're so good no one can beat you? Because I'm not. I
wouldn't give up a second of my time with you, baby. Not any of it. Not for anything." He was
growling, rumbling.

Mike's hand landed on his thigh. "Easy, Coach. You still owe me pizza."

He forced himself to calm down and found a grin for Mike. "You think they'll let us get one
delivered at the fancy-dancy health spa?"

"They'd better. I get a lot of them." Mike grinned and he chuckled, nodded. Mike just hadn’t
been feeling like them. "Oh, I bet they've got cool juices, too."

"Yeah, I bet they do. And all sorts of interesting healthy foods for me to get ideas from, like
wheatgrass shakes and pine cone salad." He pulled the car into the rental agency parking lot.

"Pine cone salad? You're gross, Jess." Still, Mike was laughing, wasn't he?

"I bet if I ask for it, they'll come up with something." He got out and grabbed their bags out of
the trunk, snagging a cart for them.

"You wouldn't dare... I'm not eating pinecones." Mike helped, a real smile for him. "I want Dr.
Pepper, damn it."

He snorted. "Nice try, kid." Oh, the familiar teasing felt good, right, so missed.

"Not a kid. Old man."

"Yeah, but if I call you old man, that would make me ancient."

Mike's laugh rang out. "Crotchety."

"Oh, you're in trouble now. Calling me crotchety. I may be grumpy and old and a hardass and...
well, damn. Maybe I am crotchety." He winked, heading into the airport, dropping their key at
the rental company counter.

Mike nodded. "You know it. Crotchety and old and mine."

"You got that right."

And as long as he could keep Mike in the water and focused on that he was pretty damned sure
they were going to make it through this with flying colors.

Chapter Fourteen

They flew into Seattle, the air damp and colder than he was used to, but the spa was warm and
quiet, the room they got was easy on his nerves, on his psyche.

Mike unpacked his suitcase and then started exploring. Hot tub big enough for two. Massage
table. Big-assed bed.

Cool.

Jessy finished up on the phone and grinned at him. "It'll do, yeah?"

Mike nodded, sat on the bed. "Yeah, it's good. Can we go see the pool?"

"Yeah, let me just get my swim trunks on and I'll join you for a few laps."

He blinked over. Jessy didn't swim with him often, but it was always a pleasure, always good to
feel Jess beside him. "Cool."

Jess gave him a smile and then a wink. "No making out though."

"No? But..." He stripped his shirt off, grabbed his suit and his sweats.

"Maybe on the last night -- we don't want to scandalize the blue-hair’ds until we're ready to go."
Jess watched him change, eyes warm on his skin.

"Well, the tub's big enough to make love in." If Jess didn't stop it, he was going to get hard.

Jess chuckled. "You can't swim laps in the tub, baby." Oh, Jess' voice was all low and husky,
those blue eyes gone dark. Jess sure wasn't thinking about swimming laps.

"No. But I'll get exercise..." His cock jerked, started to fill.

"And you did do a lot of swimming today already..." Jess was still watching him, gaze growing
more heated by the second.

"Uh-huh... Won my race..." His hand dropped to his cock, started rubbing.

"You'll have to double up tomorrow. I'd hate anyone to think I was going soft on you. Especially
you." Jess was undoing the strings on his swimming trunks.

"I don't think you look soft..."

Jess shot him a look and then started to laugh, face going bright with it. He grinned, nodded. Oh,
it felt good to laugh, to relax.

Jess got naked and nodded at him. "You're wearing too many clothes, baby."

"Uh-huh." He rubbed faster, watching Jess' body. "Want you."

"Take your clothes off, Mike and you can have me."

He nodded, stripping off. His cock was leaking, balls tight as anything. Jess purred and advanced
on him, going to his knees in front of the bed and just swallowing him down without any fanfare
or warning. He arched, crying out, pushing deep into Jessy's throat. "Oh!"

Jessy hummed around his cock, hands landing on his hips and encouraging him to fuck that hot
mouth. He did, too, pushed hard and deep, hips jerking, close and needy. Jess increased the
suction and it was like having a Hoover attached to his cock, trying to pull the pleasure right out
of him.

Mike came with a cry, hips pumping, heat flooding him. Jess swallowed him down and then let
him slide out, a kiss dropped onto his belly before he was pushed down onto the bed, Jessy's
body covering him.

"Mmm... hi. Hi, Jess." He wrapped his legs around Jess' body, held his lover tight. Jess purred,
rocking against him, cock hot like a fire against his belly. "Oh. Hot." He grabbed Jess' ass,
tugging them closer together.

"Uh-huh." Jess groaned, rubbing against him, mouth finding his and latching on, devouring him.

He opened up wide, letting Jess in, giving Jess everything. Jess took it all and asked for more,
hands sliding on his skin, searching out his nipples and teasing them. His fingers found Jess',
pushing them tighter, wanting more. Jess chuckled, nipped at his lips and pinched. Hard. Mike
bucked, groaning low. Yeah. Oh. Damn.

"I could go find the clamps," murmured Jess, sliding down his body to bite at his nipples.

He held Jess' head, entire body rocking, moving. Jess growled and purred, heat sliding against
him, mouth working his nipples hard.

"Yeah. Yeah, Jess. Need..." The want inside him was huge, burning.

Jess' fingers slid along his lips and pushed into his mouth. "Suck, baby."

"Uh-huh." He pulled hard, head bobbing as he sucked.

Jessy's fingers slid out of his mouth with a pop and there was no teasing, instead they pushed
right into his ass, spreading him, stretching him.

"Yes." He spread wide, thighs burning. "More."

Jessy pushed in another finger, the burn increasing. Mike pulled his knees up and back, the offer
blatant and needy. Growling, Jessy's fingers disappeared, that blunt, hard heat pushing into him.
He sobbed, bearing down, body needing Jessy inside, in deep. Jessy responded to his need,
pushing all the way in and then starting quick, short thrusts. Mike just kept nodding, over and
over, breath whooshing out of him. Jessy's mouth stayed at his nipples, biting and nipping.

"Oh. Close. Can't. Can't hold it, Jess."

"You wait for me, baby."

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Jess. Jess." He arched, eyes just rolling.

"Wait," growled Jessy, cock slamming into him, teeth sharp against his nipple.

He keened, the sound raw and desperate, filling the air.

"Yeah, baby, I know what you like." Harder and harder, Jessy pounded him, mouth moving
between his nipples, making him fly.

"Please. Please. Oh, shit, Jess. Anything. Let me come."

"Anything?" Jess grinned against his skin.

"Anything." He arched, stretched, thighs trembling.

"Come then," murmured Jessy, voice rough, sounding almost as desperate as he felt. "Let me feel
you."

Thank God. A man could die needing. He jerked and came, eyes rolling. Jessy pushed into him a
few more times and heat flooded inside him. He moaned, body still rocking. Jess' groan was low,
solid weight dropping down onto him.

"L...love." He was melted.

Jess' mouth slid along his neck, open and hot, tongue tasting. "Love you, baby."

"Uh-huh." Oh. Oh, yeah. Good."

Jess nodded. "I unpacked the cuffs."

"Uh-huh?" He blinked, moved slowly.

"Yeah. And the rest of the toys. They're in the top drawer."

"Cool."

Jess chuckled. "If I send you to pick you're going to ooze all over the expensive carpet, aren't
you?"

"Uh-huh." He squeezed Jess' cock. "You're keeping me from oozing."

Jess groaned. "Maybe we can improvise so neither of us has to go anywhere."

"Improvising is good."

"Yeah? Well I've already got the plug in then." Jessy's eyes twinkled down at him.

"Huh?" He reached up, stroked Jess' cheeks. God, he was getting stupid in his old age.

Jess' cock pushed in deeper. "See? Plug." He got a wink and then his hands were taken in one of
Jessy's, pulled up over his head and held there. "And now we've got cuffs, too. I'm improvising,
baby."

"Oh..." He caught up, squeezing Jess again, tugging at the strong grip.

Jess' eyes rolled just a bit and he groaned, free hand starting to roam. Oh, Jess liked that. He
squeezed again and again, making his body grip Jess.

"Christ, baby, you're going to make me shoot again if you're not careful."

"Do you want me to be careful?"

"Fuck no." Jessy's grin was a little wild.

"Oh, good. We haven't played hard in so long." He squeezed again, riding Jessy's cock.

"It'll be hard, baby. I promise."

He laughed, threw his head back with the pleasure, the sheer joy.

Jessy moaned. "That's an amazing look on you. Just fucked and happy."

"In love, Jess. Yours."

That had Jess moaning again and then his lover was thrusting, long and deep, pushing into him.

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Yes." He groaned as his cock tried to fill.

"That's right, Mike -- can't put anything past you." Jessy was chuckling, teasing, but Jessy's cock
was hard and sure as it drove into him, his lover breathless.

"Bitch. P...pushy old man."

"Me? Pushy?" Jessy laughed, fucking him harder.

"Y...you know it." Oh. Fuck. Yes.

Jessy growled, letting go of his hands to push his legs back further, hooking them over Jessy's
shoulders. Then Jess really started pounding him, blue eyes hot on his face.

"Oh." His eyes rolled, heart just pounding.

"Mine," muttered Jess. "My baby."

"Yours. Yours." He kept whispering the word, not even really paying attention.

Jess' hand wrapped around his cock, tugging, squeezing. His eyes closed, focus on his cock, his
ass.

"Gonna come on my cock again, baby? Gonna show me how much you like it?"

"Need it. N...need." The image of Jess in their playroom, pushing that strong hand inside him,
stretching him, flashed across his mind and he shot, room spinning.

Jess roared, pouring heat into him. He moaned, whispered Jess' name, and Jess slipped from him
this time, curling around him, holding him. Mike just cuddled in, snuggling.

"Love you, baby."

"Love you." He nodded, moaned.

"Rest, baby. I have plans for later."

"Mmm..." That sounded perfect and kinky and...

Well, perfect.

Chapter Fifteen

The spa was amazing.

The old, blue haired ladies turned out to be young, bored, rich housewives for the most part.
Some of them flirted shamelessly with him and Mike, but after it was clear neither he nor Mike
were interested, they were more or less left alone.

After three days of swimming and lying by the pool, they were both relaxed and easy, Mike
swimming hard, fast laps, hitting the wall like a pro.

His cell phone shattered that, the fucking cops calling to let him know they hadn't found anything
conclusive. There would be no arrests. Whoever had done this, they were still out there. He hung
up the phone and started pacing.

Mike picked up on it, laps going faster, the rhythm lost, Mike focused on him now. Damn it. He
hadn't wanted to spook Mike out about this, but they were so attuned to each other. He crouched
at one end of the pool, watching for Mike to hit the wall and come to a stop.

"It's bad. Have they done something to the house? To Aunt Kathy?"

He reached out to stroke Mike's cheek. "Christ no, nothing like that. They just haven't been
caught. I was really hoping to have this wrapped up soon so you could concentrate on
swimming."

"Oh." Mike leaned into his touch. "Oh, good. I mean, not good, but yeah, good."

He nodded. "They don't know we're here, baby. Let’s not let this ruin the rest of our time."

"Yeah. Yeah, it's been good here, huh?" He got a grin, a nod. Mike was looking good, relaxed
and healthy.

He grinned back, his own worries fading. They could pick back up when they moved to a hotel
closer to the venue.

"You done your laps yet? We still haven't used those cuffs. I'd hate to have brought them along
for nothing."

"Oh." Mike nodded, eyes going hot and horny.

"Come on then, baby. Time to make you scream." He stood up and headed toward their room,
leaving Mike to follow. Damn, he was hard and wanting already.

Mike was a bit behind him, heading for the shower to rinse the chlorine away. He stopped and
leaned against the wall, watching for a moment, admiring the long, lean lines of his swimmer.
Mike soaped up, eyes closed, hands sliding over his hairless body. Christ, it was like a porn
movie, only Mike wasn't trying to be provocative, just get himself clean. And that just made it all
the more sexy.

Mike arched into the spray, face tilted up, humming, enjoying the water, cock slowly filling.

His own cock matched Mike's and he growled softly. "Our room, baby."

Mike's eyes opened and he got a warm, wanton smile, a nod. "Yeah. Yeah, Jess."

"Now."

The water went off and Mike pulled on his sweats, not even bothering with a towel.

Purring, he turned again and headed for their room, already making a mental list from the toys
he'd brought along. The blindfold. The cuffs. The vibrating plug. Nipple clamps. The leather
cock rings. He was going to get Mike filled and cock bound and then he was going to stretch him
out and play with the controls on the vibrating plug.

Mike was close behind, teasing, touching.

He chuckled and sped, closing the door hard and locking it as soon as they were both in. "We
don't want to be disturbed," he growled before pushing Mike up against the wall and taking his
mouth.

Mike moaned, opened wide, gave it all up for him. He tugged Mike's sweatpants away and
pushed against him, rubbing. There was something sexy about being fully clothed while Mike
was naked.

"Good. Jess. Love." Mike was hard, needing.

"Yeah, baby." He dropped to his knees, sucking in Mike's cock, pulling hard and demanding
Mike's orgasm.

"Fuck!" Mike arched, fucking his mouth, pushing deep.

He grabbed Mike's hips, holding them against the wall. He was in control today. Of everything.
His head bobbed, taking Mike's cock with his mouth.

"Jess. Love. Oh. Yours. Yes." Mike went stiff, cock throbbing.

Yes, his. Mike was his. He growled softly, sucking hard, head moving on Mike's cock, hands
holding his lover still. It didn't take any time before Mike arched, shot, shifting beneath his
hands. He swallowed, drinking Mike down, taking his lover's pleasure into himself.

Then he let Mike's cock go and looked up into dazed brown eyes. "That was your edge off. Now
we play."

Mike nodded, lips open. "Yeah."

Jess grinned and stood, giving Mike a hard kiss before taking his hand and leading him to the
bed. He went to the drawer and started pulling stuff out. Mike sat, still swaying a little, eyes
watching him. He brought over the cuffs for Mike's ankles and wrists, special attachments
included so they could be attached to the hotel bed. He also had nipple clamps and the throat
collar, a cock ring and the vibrating plug. And a big tube of lube.

Mike's hand was on his cock again, rubbing slowly, encouraging that pretty prick to fill.

"Getting it up again for me, baby?" He grinned and tossed Mike the cock ring. It was just a
simple one that went around the base of Mike's cock and held him hard.

"Uh-huh." Mike spread a little, hips rocking.

"No more coming," he warned, warming the nipple clamps up in his hands.

"No?" Mike gave him a wicked little grin.

He growled a little. "No."

Mike shuddered, eyes going hot. "Oh..."

"You get yourself good and hard and then put that ring on, and then I'll get the rest."

"Kiss me?" Mike kept pumping, lips turned up toward him.

"Pushy bottom." Despite his words, he bent and brought their mouths together, tongue tracing
Mike's lips and slowly opening them up before slipping in to taste. Mike purred for him, both
hands reaching to curl around his neck. "You're supposed to be getting that pretty prick all ready
for me, Mike."

"Hmm? Oh. Yeah. You distracted me..."

"I distracted you? You're the one who demanded a kiss!" He backed away, winking to let Mike
know he was teasing.

"You're the one who tastes good."

"Well my mouth is full of you -- so that would make you the one who tastes good." He grinned.
God, it was good when it was like this, relaxed and eager at the same time, pleasure already
coloring their voices.

Mike laughed, fastening the cock ring on, spreading so he could see. He purred, his own cock
hard, wanting. He'd let Mike suck him once his lover was bound and filled.

"Mmm... love you, Jess." Those lean hips shifted.

"I know you do, baby. Goes both ways." He knelt between Mike's spread legs, bending to lick
the hot drops of liquid from the tip of Mike's cock. Then he leaned in and took one of the
sensitive little nipples into his mouth.

"Oh..." Mike arched, low cry filling the air.

He scraped the tiny nub of flesh with his teeth, making it harden, rise up under his tongue. He
sucked it a moment longer and then pinched it and put the clamp on.

"Shit." Mike twisted, cock rubbing against him.

"No, baby. Fuck." He winked at Mike and then treated the other nipple to the same process.

"Evil bastard," Mike chuckled and gasped all at once.

"You love it." He licked at the tip of Mike's cock again and then flicked each clamp with his
fingertip, just to make sure they were well-seated.

His swimmer jerked, eyes just rolling. "Jess..."

"Yeah, baby, right here." He looked into those brown eyes and smiled. "I've only just started
playing."

Mike moaned for him, nodded, and then reached for him.

"Greedy," he murmured, pushing Mike's hands away. "On your hands and knees. I want to put in
the plug before I tie you down."

"Oh. Oh. 'Kay." Mike turned, moaning as the clamps tugged.

He groaned. Christ, his baby was something else, something special. Those long limbs were
flushed, glowing. That sweet ass just calling to him. He climbed onto the bed and put one hand
on each cheek, spreading Mike to reveal that sweet little hole. Oh, yeah. Bending, he started
licking.

"Jess. Love. Need. Fuck." The tight ring of muscles clenched, squeezed.

"I know exactly what you need, baby." He kept licking, keeping it slow, easy, teasing. Mike
spread, head down, panting and rocking toward his tongue. "So sexy, baby." He pushed his
tongue in harder, starting to fuck Mike's hole with it.

Mike's noises filled the air, hole gripping his tongue. He kept it up until Mike's thighs were
trembling and then he used his fingers, spreading lube around. Mike started bucking, riding his
fingers, so needy, so hungry for him. He got the plug slicked up and pushed it against Mike's
hole, letting those bucking motions draw it right in.

"Oh. Oh. Fuck. Jess." Mike sat up, hips rolling.

He pushed up against Mike's back, hands sliding, teasing the clamps into tiny movements, free
hand wrapping around Mike's cock and tugging. Mike leaned his head back, eyes wide, hungry,
begging to come again. He shook his head. "Not yet, baby. I'm not done playing."

Jessy leaned away long enough to snag the controller on the vibrator and the collar. He slipped
the leather around Mike's neck, making it snug, but not actually restricting the airway and then
he turned on the plug, just to the lowest setting.

"Oh..." Mike rippled, purring softly. "Good..."

He chuckled and rubbed his cock against Mike's back, turning the plug's vibrations just a touch
higher. Mike turned to kiss his jaw, his cheek, eyes closed, just feeling. He purred, watching the
pleasure on Mike's face, thrusting against Mike's back, his cock sliding along the warm skin.
Soon. Oh, it wasn't going to take him much longer.

"Love you. So fucking much, Jess." Mike nuzzled against him, rocking, moving.

"Love you, too, baby." More than was reasonable.

With a groan he came, shooting come over Mike's back. Mike moaned, their bodies sliding
together, so hot, so slick. Purring again, he bent to lick Mike clean, the taste of his own come on
that familiar skin was enough to have his prick struggling back to life.

"Oh. Oh, fuck. That's. Oh. So sexy." Mike stretched, ass clenching around the plug.

"You're sexy," he murmured, licking the base of the plug, pressing it in and then circling the skin
around the base. It made his nose tickle, the vibrations of it.

"Jess..." Mike went back down to hands and knees, offering him that fine ass.

He chuckled, gnawing on one ass cheek and then the other before licking around the plug again.
"On your back now, baby. Time to tie you down and really get the plug going."

"Really... It's going, Jess." Mike turned over for him, skin flushed and warm.

Laughing, he blew against the skin of Mike's belly. "It's only just pretending. Trust me."

Mike chuckled, shifted, moving under his lips. He stretched Mike out, getting on the cuffs,
attaching them to the ends of the bed. Then he licked his way from the tips of Mike's fingers to
the bottoms of his feet, playing with the controller for the plug all the while, turning it on full,
making it pulse, making it stop, mixing it up.

His baby whimpered, moaned, body thrumming with pleasure, with heat. Christ, the kid looked
amazing. Turned him on so fucking much. Made him need.

"Love you. Shit." Mike arched, pulling against the bonds.

"You had enough yet, baby?" he asked. He hoped not. He was just getting warmed up.

"Enough?" Mike grinned. "I can take anything."

"Oh, is that a challenge?"

Those eyes flashed at him. "You know it."

Jessy kissed Mike hard before straddling the lovely face and feeding in his cock. Mike moaned,
sucked him in, humming the entire time, those eyes warm.

"Sexy, baby. Real sexy." He pushed the button on the controller, making the plug vibrate hard.

Those dark eyes went wide, suction going fierce and desperate. He backed it down a little, hips
moving, pushing his cock into Mike's mouth over and over as he slowly moved the speed back
up. He could fucking feel it, feel as Mike's need grew.

He fucked his lover's mouth, wanting to come first, to get past his own need so he could make
Mike fly higher than ever. That tongue moved, pushing hard.

"That's it, baby." He groaned, eyes holding Mike's as he came.

Mike swallowed, moaning around his cock. He eased off, bending to taste himself in that hot
mouth. Mike opened easy, tongue sliding, pushing, sharing his flavor. He purred, rubbing against
Mike, fingers sliding over hot skin.

"Oh. Love. More." Mike's ass rubbed against the sheets.

"Sure thing, baby." He turned the vibrator back up to full.

The clink of the cuffs was loud, Mike pulling hard. He moved down to take the tip of Mike's
cock into his mouth, sucking as his fingers played with the clamps. Hot and salty, Mike's cock
was throbbing, burning, flushed with blood. He pushed his tongue into the slit, thinking maybe
he needed to invest in a sound. Something new to blow Mike's mind with.

Mike whimpered, muscles going taut.

He pulled off Mike's cock. "Christ, you taste good, baby."

"Oh. Love you so much. Need it."

"What do you need, baby?" He licked idly at Mike's cock, teasing.

Mike purred. "Everything you can give me."

"Mmm, that's what I like to hear, baby." He tightened the collar around Mike's throat and went
back to sucking, changing the speed on the plug.

Mike started rocking, muscles working, fighting the bonds. Growling, he pulled out the plug and
rammed inside. Fuck! Mike was hot. Tight.

"Jess! Fuck yes!" Mike arched, ass squeezing him.

"Yeah, baby." Having so recently come, he knew he could keep it up for awhile, fuck Mike until
they were both melted.

Mike nodded, panting, dark eyes rolling. He bent and kissed Mike hard and then went back to
fucking. Finally he was ready, knew Mike was more than ready and he popped open the snap on
the cock ring, whispering "come."

Groaning, teeth sinking into that bottom lip, Mike clenched down on his cock. He roared,
coming hard, the pleasure shaking him. Mike groaned, panting, lips sliding over whatever skin
Mike could reach.

All he wanted to do was collapse, but he had to take care of his Mike. He pulled out, dropping a
kiss on Mike's belly before removing the cuffs, hands sliding over Mike's skin, making sure his
circulation was okay.

"Love you." Mike's lips brushed his cheek, voice low. "Put a plug in, Jess? Keep you in me?"

He growled, nodded. Jessy found a nice sized plug and slid it gently into Mike. "There you go,
baby." He curled up around Mike, hand hovering over those nipples. "Deep breath, baby, this is
probably going to hurt."

Those dark eyes fastened onto his, a deep groan sounding as the clamps came off, the blood
rushing back into those poor nipples.

"Oh, baby." He bent and licked them, first one and then the other.

The groan eased, Mike's nipples hard and so hot.

"You sleep now, baby."

"'Kay. Love you, Jess. All of me."

"I know." He kissed Mike softly, holding him.

Mike's fingers twined with his, his swimmer sleeping, quiet, peaceful.

He would do everything in his power to make sure it stayed this way.

Chapter Sixteen

The reporters were in the lobby of the hotel when they got there, asking questions about the meet
and the attacks and his accident and why he stopped bleaching his hair and everything else. The
first reporters had started showing up at the spa, someone in the police or the meet leaking the
story.

It was weird.

It was creepy.

Jess said it was normal and he needed to learn to smile and be famous. Mike just wanted to
fucking swim.

He stuck close to Coach's side, trying not to be flat-out scared.

"Let us through. Mike's gotta focus, he's gotta train and be ready for the meet this week. Give us
a break and take the distraction away." Jess was using his growly coach voice, shooing the
reporters away.

"Do you have a statement, Mike, about the attacks?"

"Yeah, he does," growled Jess. "No comment. Now move."

They got to the elevators and headed up, hotel security keeping the vultures downstairs.

"Man. Are you sure I'm worth all this?"

Jess chuckled. "Baby, wait until you've won the Worlds and are on the Olympic team. The whole
world wants a piece of you then -- this is just the tip of the iceberg."

He looked over, knowing his eyes were wide. "Ew."

"Yeah, I know. I'll protect you from it as much as I can, Mike, but it's a part of your job. You'll
be representing yourself, me, UT, and your country at these events. I'll write up a bunch of
questions we can expect under normal circumstances. Stuff like the attacks? 'I have no comment
at this time' is a good answer. You just keep saying it until they get out of your face about it."
Jess' hand landed on his shoulder, massaging. "Relax, Mike. Just focus on the wall."

"Right. The wall. Smiling. Representing. No comment."

"There you go -- a natural." Jess gave him a wink and led him to their room, piling their bags by
the dresser.

He rolled his eyes and headed to look out the window. For the first time ever, he was ready for
the season to be over. Jess prowled around the suite, checking all the rooms and picking up the
phone, making sure it worked. It was new, this need to check everything out. Then Jess' warmth
wrapped around him from behind.

"One more meet, baby, and we can go to Australia. They won't know you from Adam down
there and you can swim and play in the ocean. Relax until the season starts up again in February.
Hell maybe we'll race a few in Down Under and not come back until April."

He nodded, leaned back against Jess. "Yeah. Yeah. One more meet, and then we can have a
summertime Christmas."

"Looking forward to it, baby?" Jess asked, voice low and intimate, hand finding his belly beneath
his t-shirt and stroking.

"Yeah. We need some time away. The spa was good, but I miss being somewhere more settled. I
miss the ocean."

"We'll go to Australia and when we get back all this crap'll be out of the way and we'll put the
place in Austin up on the market. Buy ourselves something nice on the beach to make home
base."

He couldn't help but notice Jess didn't call the house in Austin home. "I'm sorry, Jess. I'm sorry
all this shit happened."

"Shh. Stop that, baby. It's not your fault. All you do is swim, yeah? You never asked for any of
this."

Mike nodded. "I just want to race." He just wanted to swim.

"I know, baby. And that's all you have to do. You leave the rest of the shit to me." Jess left a kiss
on the back of his neck.

He purred, just relaxing against that strength.

"People forget, you know? They get caught up in standings and medals and they forget why they
got into this game, why they're here to start with. They forget how much they love the water, but
you never do, do you, baby?"

"I was born in the water, Jess. My folks died in it. It's... it's what I'm about."

"I know, baby. I know that about you."

"You know everything about me, Jessy." He smiled, leaned.

"I do my best." One of Jess' hands slid up beneath his shirt and started to tease his nipple.

"Mmm... feels good." It did. Good and hot and right.

"Hedonist."

"Your hedonist."

"And don't you forget it." Oh, there was that little growl, the one that said that he was Jessy's and
anyone who argued had better watch out.

Mike grinned, stretched a little. "That mean you won't share me?"

Jessy growled again, lower, louder. "I don't share."

"No. No, I'm yours." He turned, lifted his face for a kiss. "All of me."

"Every last solitary inch," Jess agreed, mouth closing over his, tongue invading, even as he was
tugged in close. He loved how they fit together, how Jess' fingers cradled his head. How Jess
loved him. "Mine," murmured Jess, mouth leaving his to trail kisses along his jaw, cheek, neck.

"Yes. Like you're mine." He stroked Jessy's neck.

Jess nodded, those blue eyes looking seriously into his own. "I am, Mike. Nobody else's."

He nodded. What they had was bigger even than swimming.

Jess nodded again, too and then brought their mouths back together again. "Come to bed, baby.
Make love to me."

"Anytime, Jessy." He took that strong hand and led his lover to bed.

Jessy stopped him before he could climb into the bed. "I mean I want you to make love to me -- I
want to feel you inside me, baby."

"Are you sure?" Jess wanted that so rarely that it always was a little different.

"Have I ever asked for something I wasn't sure of?" Those blue eyes were steady, dark with
need.

"Never." He started stripping Jessy down, loving each and every inch of bared skin with his
hands and his lips.

Moaning, Jessy's hands dropped to his head, his neck and shoulders, touching and holding on.

"I love you." He bent down, worked Jessy's pants open and down, kissing the flat belly, working
to make Jessy feel good.

"Love you, baby." The words drifted down to him, Jessy's hand in his hair, petting.

He didn't linger at Jess' cock, just focused on stripping his lover then turning Jess around, mouth
working up the strong legs. Groaning, Jess spread his legs a little, giving him a little more access.

"Bend over the bed, love? I want to taste you."

Groaning, Jess bent, hands on the mattress, legs spreading wide.

"Yeah..." He spread Jess' cheeks, tongue sliding to wet the tight little hole, breathing in the heavy
musk. Oh, his Jess was... Yeah.

Jess jerked and pushed back toward him with a moan. He kept the touch light, licking and
wetting for a long time before pushing in and fucking that hole with his tongue. The best sounds
came from Jess, all wanton and hoarse. Finally he couldn't wait anymore and he knew Jess was
wet and slick and...

Oh.

Love.

He stood, covering Jess' body and sliding in deep.

"Oh, fuck!" Jess moaned, hands fisting in the sheets, body pushing back, sending him deeper.

"Good. So good." He wrapped his hands around Jess' hips, tugged.

"Uh-huh." Jess groaned, body rippling around his cock, tight and hot.

"Going to love you forever." He whispered the words against Jess' spine. "Always."

"Yes." Jess hissed the word, pushing, moving him harder, faster.

"Want. Want to feel you come. Need to." He shifted, cock pushing until Jess groaned. Yeah.
There.

"Fuck. Don't stop."

"Not. Not gonna. Not gonna stop." He'd fucking die first. He needed to make Jess come.

Jess made a sound and pushed back harder, meeting each thrust. "Baby. Oh." Jess squeezed Mike
tight as he shot.

Mike almost sobbed, it felt so good, so sweet, but that would mean he had some breath, which he
didn't, so he just pushed deep and came.

Jess kind of collapsed onto the bed, bringing them both down with a moan. "Oh, Christ."

"Uh-huh." He reached up, petted Jess' head.

Jess moaned again, body going tight around his cock for a moment.

"Love you." He gasped, moaned.

"Love you, baby."

He nodded, held on tight. He knew.

Jess reached back, hand patting whatever skin Jess could reach. "Yours, baby."

He leaned in, mouth brushed Jess' shoulder. "Yeah. Mine."

"And you're mine," murmured Jess. "Now get over here and kiss me."

"Pushy old man." He moaned, slid over Jess' body to face him.

"I have to be to keep up with you, kid." Jess gave him a wink, mouth pressing against his.

He smiled against the kiss, tongue sliding into Jess' mouth. Jess opened up to him, hands hot as
they slid on his skin. He moaned, cuddling in, just melted inside. Jess' mouth gentled on his,
tongue lapping at his lips.

One more meet. One more and then they could go to the ocean.

Chapter Seventeen

Security was much tighter at the National Championship than any of the meets they'd been to
before. Jessy knew part of it was normal. The Championship was a big meet, huge. He also knew
it was tighter this year than in the past because of the attacks on Mike. And he knew that the
security wasn't going to matter. Mike's attacker was one of the people on the inside, only the
police hadn't found any evidence and nobody would believe it. No one wanted to believe it. Hell,
he didn't want to believe it.

He didn't let on to Mike, but he was more tense than the kid, fucking worried about what was in
store next.

The first day passed without a hitch, but instead of relaxing, it made Jess more tense. Waiting for
the other shoe to drop.

Day two of qualifying races was another story.

Mike opened his locker, grabbed his bag and a dull explosion sounded, a pop, and Mike dropped
the bag. The locker room went quiet, then the giggles started, Mike's face and hair and chest
dripping with pink dye.

He was there in seconds, hands moving on Mike, checking for injuries. "Are you hurt?" he
growled.

Mike just stood there. "Take me home."

"No." No fucking way. They'd worked too fucking hard. Mike had worked too fucking hard and
he deserved this. He deserved his day in the sun.

The security guards finally showed up and he rounded on them. "I want the event director in here
now. I want a personal body guard for my swimmer. Right now! We are not going to be
intimidated out of this race."

Mike went for the showers, scrubbing hard. Jeff came over, a bottle of rubbing alcohol in one
hand, spare trunks in the other. "Hey, Mike. Here. This'll help. The guys are here for you. We've
got your back."

He went over and nodded to Jeff. "Thanks. You keep your eye on Hank's boys. Anderson
especially." Enough was enough. He didn't give a shit what the cops said, the people who would

get Mike's back needed to know who the trouble was going to come from. "Can you get me and
Mike fifteen minutes of privacy?"

"Absolutely." Jeff looked. "Okay, boys. Out. Now. Move. I mean it."

He waited until they were alone and then turned Mike and looked into the dark eyes, ignoring the
pink that covered his face. "You can't give up now, baby."

Tears. Real scared tears. "Jess. I..."

He wrapped his arms around Mike, holding the kid tight. "Shh. Shh. Baby, this is the Nationals.
The first big step on the way to the Olympics. Just think about it."

"Yeah. I'll be the pink swimmer."

"That may be why they notice you before you get into the water, baby, but once you take that
plunge all they're going to be able to say is look at that pink swimmer swim, wow, he's lengths
ahead of the rest of the field."

"I'll do it, but I don't want to. I'm done. I'm tired of this shit. I just want to swim."

"I know, baby, but trust me. If you go home now, you're going to question that decision for the
rest of your life. Two more days of qualifying rounds and three days of races and you're done for
the season, having overcome adversity, persevered despite the odds. You'll be a swimming
legend, baby." What he hated most about this was the way it was hurting Mike, taking the joy out
of the competitions.

Mike nodded. "I'll race. You keep the reporters and the other swimmers away from me."

He nodded. "Jeff and the UT boys are going to run interference." He took Mike's face in his
hands, looked into those eyes. "Baby, if I truly believed this asshole was going to escalate this
into actually hurting you I'd have you out of here so fast your head would spin."

"Okay." Mike nodded, sighed. "Help me get this shit off me."

He took the rubbing alcohol Jeff had brought and started carefully cleaning Mike's face. It didn't
take the paint off completely, but it did get rid of the worst of it. Mike kept his eyes closed, kept
quiet, kept holding him.

"I'm sorry you got targeted like this," he said, talking softly, giving Mike something else to hold
onto. "And if we can ever prove that Anderson is behind this I promise you I will fight for it to
be made very public, so everyone knows this kind of behavior goes against everything the
national governing body of swimming stands for. Fair and friendly competition my ass."

"Did you know my dad? Did you know someone -- a fan -- stalked him? My Aunt Kathy told me
about it."

"I heard rumors, I never knew the truth. They tried to keep it pretty quiet." He shook his head.
"That's not what this is."

"I know." Mike nodded. "I just think it's weird."

Jessy nodded. "The thing is you're a lot like your Dad. He had that innate love of the water, too.
He made swimming look easy, effortless. Christ, I was so damned jealous of him. I worked my
fucking ass off and often didn't even qualify for the final heats. I never would have dreamed of
hurting him as a way to get my shot, though. You see, this is where Hank's willingness to bend
the rules on doping comes in to play -- how the hell are his kids supposed to understand what's
right and what's wrong?"

Mike shrugged. "I... All I want is to swim. Just that."

Jeff came down, tapped on the wall. "Is he competing, Jessy?"

He looked into Mike's eyes and nodded. "Yeah, Jeff. He's going to do what he came here to do."

"Good to hear it. I'll let the proctor know."

"Thanks, Jeff. We'll be out in five."

He turned back to Mike, hand stroking a pink cheek. "I know you just want to swim, baby. So
just go out there and swim. You let it all go, you forget about everything and focus on that wall.
The UT team and I have your back."

Mike nodded. "I'll try, Coach. I'll try."

He took a kiss, hard and quick. "All I want is your best, Mike. That's all I ever ask."

Dark eyes met his. "That's what you always get."

"I know, baby." He stroked Mike's cheek again and then leaned in to turn off the shower and
tossed Mike's towel at him. "Come on. Let's go show them what you're made of."

Mike dried off, nodded. "Pink dye and orange swim trunks. No one would ever believe I'm gay,
clashing like this."

He chuckled. "As long as I believe it."

"Yeah. I bet I can convince you."

"I'll bet you can, too. You can have a go at it after the day's heats."

"Yeah? Breaking the no sex rule again?"

"Yeah, well it doesn't seem to have slowed you down any, so I suppose I'm rethinking it."
Besides, they both needed to know Mike was alive and fine. Even if he was pink. Hell, they’d
pretty much plowed through the no sex rule a lot the last month or so.

"Oh. Well. That's an incentive." Mike smiled, winked. "A good one."

Damn if the kid wasn't there pumping up his ego and making him feel good, despite everything
that was going on. "Then go out there and hit that wall so I can drag you back to our hotel room
and we can break the no sex rule again and again."

Mike dried off, dressed. "Keep the reporters away from me, Coach. I won't deal with them
today."

He nodded. "You won't deal with anyone, baby. Strictly off limits."

He stuck close to Mike as they went out. There were three qualifying heats that Mike was
swimming today and aside from Mike's time in the water he was sticking to his swimmer like
glue.

There was giggling and pointing, Mike just turning the music up louder and louder, eyes on the
ground. Jessy glared at everyone, making most of the gawkers look away. Nobody was fucking
messing with his boy today. "The wall, Mike. Just focus on the wall."

Mike's eyes were closed, music blaring, his swimmer quiet, so still, hiding in himself. He rubbed
Mike's shoulders, offering quiet support. Jeff and the UT boys ran interference, Jeff stopping
Hank from coming over, from interrupting them. He aimed a glower at Hank, his eyes saying
thank you to Jeff, his hands not communicating any of it to his swimmer.

It seemed like forever before Mike's races were up. Forever and no time at all, all at once.
Finally, though, Mike was on the blocks, skin dyed pink, eyes on the water.

Jessy watched Anderson like a hawk, standing as close as he was allowed. The buzzer sounded,
Mike slicing into the water, pushing furiously, water just churning, all that anger pushed into the
strokes, into the water.

As soon as Mike hit the wall and headed back, Jessy nodded. Kid was on his game, was going to
win his heat and move onto the finals for this race.

One race. Two. Three. Mike didn't speak, didn't smile, just swam and won and won and won.

As soon as the last one was over they were headed out. Once again he just handed Mike his
sweats and they headed for the car.

"Good job."

Mike shrugged. "Yeah."

One of the security guards stopped them and he growled. "You already know our opinion on
who's doing this -- we haven't got anything else to say." Taking Mike's arm, he headed straight
for the car.

He heard a motor roar, heard tires squeal. Mike went tight and still beside him.

"Get in the car," he growled, pushing Mike, turning to look behind him.

"Jess! Love!" Mike's scream was sharp, scared.

The car was barreling toward him and Christ, if it hit Mike he was going to kill the kid. "Get in
the car!"

It just kept coming and then there was a sickening crunch and he turned his head, looking for
Mike, making sure his baby was okay as the world went dark.

Chapter Eighteen

Fuck.

Fuckfuckfuckfuck.

He'd held it together for the whole thing.

The cops.

The ambulance.

The cops.

The doctors.

The reporters.

Anderson was in police custody, the bastard bloody and screaming, the little rental car...

Mike chewed on his bottom lip and paced, growling anytime anyone came near.

He needed to know Jessy was okay.

He needed to know.

Right now.

A group of doctors and nurses came out of the operating theater, a gurney wheeled out and down
the hall.

One of the doctors came into the waiting room with a chart. "Next of kin for Mr. Turner?"

"Me. Me. That's me." He ran over. "Is he okay? Can I see him?" Now.

"You can see him in a minute, I'd like to tell you what to expect, what we've done to fix his
injuries.

Oh, God.

OhGodohGodohGod.

"What? What is it? Is he? Is it bad?"

"It could have been, but he was brought in quickly enough that we were able to stop the internal
bleeding. That's what the surgery was for. We also had to put some pins into his right leg; he's
got three bones broken. Luckily Mr. Turner was in good shape. He pulled through the surgery
like a trooper." The doctor checked his chart. "He's going to look pretty bad until the swelling
and bruising fades, but all in all he's a lucky guy."

"He's gonna be okay? Honest? Can I see him? Now?" He was going to scream if they didn't let
him in.

"Yes, you can see him. Your father's been taken to recovery. You listen to the nurses and leave
when they ask you to. Once he's in his room you can stay."

"My. Okay. Okay. Fine." Whatever. Father. Lover. World. Whatever, asshole. He needed to see
Jessy.

"Room 309. Just down the hall to the right. Listen to the nurses or they boot you out."

"I will. Promise." He hurried down the hall, heart pounding in his chest as he opened the door.
Jessy had to be okay. Had to. "Jess? Coach?"

A nurse came over. "Are you here for Jessy Turner? He's just over here, honey. You be nice and
quiet and stay out of my way and I'll probably not notice the clock."

"'Kay. I'll be good. Promise." Mike swallowed hard, stomach burning, eyes searching for Jess.

"Second bed from the end, hon." She gave a nod toward the bed and went back to her desk.

He walked over, standing at the end of the bed, Jess swimmy and blurred with the tears in his
eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Jess. This is all my fault."

"Baby?"

"Jessy. I'm here. I'm right here. I'm sorry." He scooted over, tears spilling.

Jessy's fingers wiped clumsily at his cheek. "Are you hurt?"

"No. No. You are. I'm gonna take care of you, Jess. I promise."

"You're okay? Thank god." Jess' hand fell away, a deep sigh sounding. "Thank god."

"I'm okay. Gonna take care of you." Forever. He stroked Jessy's head, so careful, then sat in the
little chair, trying to stay under the radar.

Jessy turned his head, blue eyes blinking over, one badly swollen, the other with a cut over it.
"Am I okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. The doctor said you were bleeding inside and they fixed that. Your leg is broke,
too. You're going to be fine. I'm going to be right here. I'll make sure you're okay." He didn't
have the slightest idea what to do, how long before Jessy could go home, but he'd just figure it
out.

God, he was going to hurl.

"Competition over? Where's your medals?"

"I'm not swimming." He shook his head, just petting. "You just think about getting better."

"Not swimming? Baby, you hurt?" Jess started struggling, trying to get up.

"No. No. I'm fine." He shook his head, whispered. "Please. Please, Jessy. You can't. You'll hurt
yourself. They'll make me go. Please. Be still."

"You're really okay?" At his reassurance, Jessy lay back again, hand reaching for his. "Then why
aren't you swimming?"

He twined their fingers together, held on. "Shh. Please. It's early. Or late. Or something. Jeff
went back to the hotel last night. It was Anderson. The police have him."

"Little shit. I should have killed him when I had the chance."

"The police have him. You rest." He leaned down toward the mattress, rested his head a second.
He needed something to drink, something to eat. A nap. Jessy home.

Jessy's fingers found his hair, stroking. "I want my gold medals, baby. This one's a big deal."

He shook his head. "I can't leave you here. I won't. There'll be others." He couldn't do it. Not
when it was his swimming that ruined everything.

Jessy growled at him. "The wall, baby."

"Shh. Next year. I don't want to swim right now. I just want to take you home. Be a normal guy."

Those blue eyes met his, pinned him. "Not a normal guy, Mike. This is your time; don't let this
old man hold you back."

"Not old. Mine." He shook his head. "You could have died, Jessy."

"Too hardass to die."

"I love you." He stroked Jessy's forehead. "You need to sleep."

"You swim, I'll sleep."

"I don't want to leave you."

"What're you gonna do, baby? Watch me sleep. Go. Swim. Make me proud."

He shook his head, held on. "Please, Jess. I just want to stay."

"C'mon, help me out of bed. I'll come watch."

"No! You have pins and tubes and needles and stitches and shit. You can't."

The nurse came over. "Mr. Turner? You're a little agitated."

"He's okay. He is. He'll be fine." Please. He didn't want to go.

"I'm okay. Mike has finals to swim."

"I'm not going." Mike shook his head. "He's tired."

"He is. He needs to sleep. I'm just going to top his IV up. And then you should try and get some
sleep, too." She patted his arm, eyes sympathetic, but firm.

Mike nodded. "Can I sleep here? With him?"

"No, son. You can't. He's going to be moved in a few hours. Why don't you go home, sleep and
come back in the morning?"

"Has to swim in morning," muttered Jessy.

"I don't live here. We're here for a meet."

"Mike?" Jeff's voice sounded. "I came to take you to the hotel. You have to rest."

"Make him swim," ordered Jessy, gruff voice beginning to slur.

"Always coaching, huh, Jessy?"

"When I stop, know 'm dead." Jessy's eyes were staying closed longer and longer. "Want Mike
race. Show 'm."

"Shh. Sleep, Jessy. You sleep. I love you, you know that, right? More than anything."

He was going to puke.

Or cry.

Or something.

"Mm... love... baby." Those blue eyes finally stayed closed.

Coach Samuels' hand landed on his shoulder. "Come on, Mike. Let me drive you back to the
hotel. You can sleep in with Jason and Rick if you don't want to be on your own. Then I'll drive
you all down to the pool tomorrow."

"I'm not swimming." He stood up, swayed a little.

Coach Samuels' arm went around his waist, supporting him and guiding him out. "I'm not the
hardass your coach is, Mike, so I'm not going to force you to do it. But he's not going to be out of
commission long and I'd hate to be the one who didn't race when he specifically asked me to."

He chuckled, the sound surprising him, leaning against the UT coach. "I don't want to talk to any
reporters, Coach Samuels. Please."

"I'm parked on a side street. We can avoid the front and back way altogether and just duck out. I
wasn't interested in talking to them anymore either. It's all over the damned news. I heard the
UCLA boys were laying odds you wouldn't show tomorrow. I've put in a request to have the
whole team suspended from the Championships, but I don't imagine the governing board'll have
the balls to do that."

Mike nodded, rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It's not supposed to be like this." It was supposed
to be about speed.

"I know. The coaching system needs an overhaul if kids are going through thinking this is the
way to get ahead." Coach Samuels gave him a squeeze and helped him into the car. "You want to
go back to your hotel or the venue hotel and stay with the UT team?"

"I want to stay with you." He didn't want to be by himself.

Coach nodded. "I'd feel more comfortable to have you with the team."

The car started up and Coach took a left at the main street. They passed by the front of the
hospital, the front had a mess of reporters hanging around the doors.

Mike rested his cheek on the headrest, watching the street lights go by in a blur. Tired. So tired.

His poor Jessy.

He closed his eyes against the worry and fury and pain that filled him.

Man, this... This just sucked.

Chapter Nineteen

Jessy was not happy. He hurt. He was in the damned hospital and he had no clue where Mike
was. He finally got the time out of a nurse. One pm. Okay. So Mike was probably swimming.
There were finals today, if it was Friday, and tomorrow.

Christ, it hurt to think. He felt like he'd been run over by a truck. Truth was, if he could trust his
memory, it had only been a small car.

He tried to get out of bed. Then he tried to reach for the phone. He could call Samuels' cell
phone, find out what the hell was going on. He was hurting pretty good by the time he gave up
and the nurse came to put something in his drip for the pain and then he was kind of floating,
sleeping in a haze.

When he woke again, Mike was curled in the chair beside him, sleeping. He reached out
automatically, swearing softly when he couldn't reach. Mike was okay. Not even a scratch. Just a
faint pink.

Thank God.

Mike's eyes flew open, looking him over. "Hey. You okay?"

"Baby. Better now. You look tired."

"Yeah. You hurting? I can get the nurse." He got a smile, Mike moving the chair over so they
could hold hands.

"It's not so bad right now. Did you win?"

Mike shook his head. "Second in the two hundred freestyle and butterfly, third in the relay."

"I'm sorry, Mike. If I'd done something about Anderson before it came to this you wouldn't have
been distracted." Damn it all. He should have been there, reminding Mike to focus on the wall.

"My fault. Everybody's wigged out." Mike leaned down, kissed his knuckles.

He turned his hand, stroking Mike's cheek. "You okay, baby?"

Mike nodded, leaned into his touch. "You don't worry about me. I get to worry about you now."

"You don't have to worry about me, baby. I'm too much of a hardass to kill." Fuck, he wanted to
be home. Of course the house in Austin wasn't even that anymore, but he still wanted to be home
and holding Mike.

"The doctors say I can drive you home in a week. We'll rent one of those huge SUVs and be
tourists."

"We were supposed to go to Australia. Fuck. I've got to cancel the tickets."

"Shh. I did it. I called after the meet and got everything taken care of." Mike kissed his palm. "I
got your book from the hotel room and started down the list of stuff. Moved over to the little
hotel here by the hospital, too."

"Oh, now keep this up and you won't need me anymore, baby." He tried not to feel sorry for
himself, but he was hurting and couldn't take care of his swimmer like he was supposed to.

Mike snorted, shook his head. "I'll always need you."

"I hope so, baby." Because the day Mike didn't need him anymore, was the day he could just lay
down and die. He swallowed hard. "You think you can ring the nurse, Mike? I could use a hit of
the good stuff."

Mike nodded. "I'll go get her. You just relax."

Then Mike was gone. Moving quick, taking care of him.

It didn't sit easily on his shoulders, admitting he needed help, getting it from the person he was
supposed to be taking care of in the first place. He shifted awkwardly, wincing at the pain.

When the nurse came in to give him a shot, Mike wasn't with her, Jeff Samuels was. "Hey, old
man. I sent Mike to the snack bar to eat something. How're you feeling?"

"Like I got run over with something a hell of a lot bigger than that rinky dink little car."

Jeff laughed, sat down. "You look like shit, man."

"Yeah, I'll bet." He got serious, looking Jeff in the eyes. "How's Mike handling things?"

"Better than I'd have guessed, really. He's a little shocky, but he's functioning." Jeff shrugged. "
Mike's already got a spot on the team at Worlds, whether he swims tomorrow or not. He doesn't
need to work himself into a fury."

"He wants to swim it. Well, maybe he doesn't want to today, but when Worlds roll around he'll
be happier with a berth on merit, not on pity."

"It wouldn't be pity, Jessy. The kid's been through hell and just keeps winning." Jeff shook his
head. "You push him too hard and he'll break."

"I've never had to push him when it comes to the swimming, Jeff. And I'll be damned if I'm the
reason he doesn't go out there and do his best this time."

"Anderson is the reason."

Jeff sighed, stretched out. "Hank's in a damned tizzy. Anderson's folks are big money -- which is
why he’s on the team -- raising a big stink."

"I hope he's in a hell of a lot more than a tizzy. You know damned well that man either
sanctioned what Anderson did or turned a blind eye to it. And I'll bet his biggest worry is that his
team's going to come under too much scrutiny for his doping program to continue." He winced as
his vehemence made him pull something and he relaxed back into the bed, waiting for the
fucking drugs to kick in properly.

Jeff nodded. "UT's lawyers are going to handle Mike's case, yours, so that'll be something, yeah?
Y'all can get back to normal sooner."

He nodded. "We were going to go to Australia after the Nationals, Jeff. Get away from it all,
swim, play in the ocean. Mike was so excited about it."

"Yeah, I heard him canceling all of it this morning." Jeff's face was sympathetic. "The reporters
are dogging him pretty bad. You two are national news."

"He hates reporters. Can you kind of shield him from that as much as possible, Jeff?" He hated
this, hated not being able to do for Mike himself.

"I'm doing my best, Jessy. He's managing okay. He'll crash at some point, sleep for a week, but
he's managing.

He nodded, sighing as the drugs started making everything fuzzy. "He shouldn't have to, but it’s
good he can."

Jeff chuckled. "He can't swim forever, Jessy. Eventually he'll move on and have to have a real
life."

"He's only just started competing with the big dogs. He's got another ten years in him easy."

"Mike. I... It's probably just the worry, but he told the team he's retiring."

"What?" Fuck, whatever they'd given him had him hearing things.

"I don't know. It's just what Jason told me."

He shook his head. "I think I'm hallucinating, Jeff. I could have sworn you said Mike's retiring."

"I am." Mike stood in the doorway, pale as a ghost. "I'm done. I don't want to do it anymore. I
don't want to do this anymore."

"Baby..." He shook his head, the words thick in his mouth, the fuzzy getting harder to think
through. "We'll talk."

Mike nodded. "Out of my chair, Coach. I'm going to stay here with Jessy tonight."

Jeff chuckled, stood. "You want me to come get you for the meet?"

"The rental company gave me a car. I'm good."

"Gotta go swim though, baby." He nodded and the world kind of spun and he decided just lying
there was probably a good idea.

"Shh. Sleep, Jessy. You need your rest."

"Love you, baby." He reached out, holding onto Mike's hand. Yeah, he could sleep.

Mike kissed his forehead, his eyelids. "Love you."

"Mmmm... love you, baby," he said as he squeezed Mike's hand. "Gonna stay for a bit, yeah?"

"Not going anywhere, Jess. I promise."

"Know. Love."

He could feel everything getting farther and farther away and he let himself be pulled under.

All the while, Mike's hand held his.

Chapter Twenty

Mike sat all night long, just holding Jessy's hand, tears streaming down his face. God, he was
tired.

And sick.

He was coping, though, wasn't he? Yes. Yes, he was. Coping.

He had an SUV rented to get Jessy home. He had withdrawn from the meet. He had canceled all
the Australia stuff, called Aunt Kathy, called their doctor in Austin, called the rest estate agent.
He moved motels, he hollered at doctors, he flirted with nurses.

He?

Was Mr. Cope.

Which explained the tears at three in the morning when everything was dark.

Jess made a noise, hand jerking in his.

"Shh. Shh, love. I'm here." He brushed his cheeks, murmuring softly.

"Baby?" Jessy's eyes blinked open, the blue slightly glazed.

"Yeah. Yeah, it's me. You hurting?"

"A little. Not as bad as I was." Jessy frowned. "You've been crying."

"I'm good." He found a smile, kissing Jessy's forehead. "You should sleep. It's late. Early.
Whatever."

"Been sleeping." Jessy rubbed his cheek. "You win, baby?"

"I withdrew from the meet, Jessy. I told you that this afternoon." He kissed Jessy's palm. "I
couldn't leave you here."

"Oh, baby..." Jess shook his head. "No. Not because of me."

"Shh. No. Because of the asshole who hurt you."

"Then he won, baby. He kept you from swimming." Jess tried to sit up.

"Please. Be still. You'll hurt something. Please, Jessy." He helped Jess back down. "Easy."

"I hate this. It's not right."

"No, but we're dealing." He kissed Jessy's forehead. "We're dealing."

"When did you get so tough?"

"When I almost lost everything important to me."

"Oh, baby. Told you -- I'm too much of a hardass to die."

"You got hurt saving me." He hung his head, shook it. "I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you. I
promise."

"What? This isn't your fault, baby. There's nothing to make up." Jess was trying to sit again, hand
on his arm. "What do I always say? The wall. Just focus on the wall."

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Jessy. What does the wall have to do with anything important?" He sniffled,
petting Jess' hand.

Jess frowned. "It's what we've been working so hard toward, Mike. Every day for the last... long
time."

"I just... I'm tired, Jessy. I'm tired. Someone tried to kill you because of the damned swimming.
It's not worth it anymore." He sighed. "I'll get a job, work to pay my part of the rent; you'll get
another swimmer. It'll be okay."

Jess shook his head. "Don't worry about the rent, baby. Don't... don't make any final decisions
while you're upset."

He nodded. It was good advice, solid advice, and he didn't want to argue anymore. "Okay. Okay.
I will. You have to relax, though."

"I'm stuck in bed, baby. How much more relaxed do you want me?"

He giggled. "Melty, snoring, healing at the speed of light."

"Only get melty when I fuck you, baby."

"Not for a while, Jessy. You need to save your energy." He reached over, petting Jess gently.

"Spoilsport." Jess gave him a wink.

"Just taking care of you, Jessy."

"Not used to being on this end of the taking care of."

"Well, you need to get used to it." He could be the strong one. He could.

"I'll do my best, baby." Jess gave him a wink. "Long as you don't cut off my caffeine."

"No way. Coffee for all. Coffee is good." He grinned, leaned over for a soft kiss.

Jess hummed softly. "Thank God you're not a hardass like that Turner fellow."

"No shit." He stroked Jess' face, eyes filling again. "I love you."

"Shh. Shh. No crying, baby. I'm not gonna die."

"No. No, you're not. You're going to get better and live forever."

"Oh, I don't know about forever, but I promise to haunt you."

"Not good enough, Jess." He fluffed Jess' pillow. "You need to sleep."

"I'd rather stay awake and be with you."

"Yeah?" He moved the chair around so he could sit and look and talk, relaxing. "I've been
worried about you."

"No worrying. It'll give you wrinkles."

"We can't have that. Where would we be without my youthful good looks?"

Jess giggled. "Lost."

"You know it." He smiled, squeezed Jess' hand.

"Christ, baby, I love you."

"I love you, Jessy. I do." Mike leaned over, head on the hospital bed. "I've been busy. The house
in Austin's been rented and we have a little one story condo off the beach until we decide what
next. I have an SUV to drive you home. I've talked to the UT lawyers; they're suing the whole
world."

"Wow, you have been busy. And the beach sounds wonderful, baby. A good place to recover,
play in the water." Jessy's hand slid along his head. "There a pool at this condo?"

He nodded. "The agent found one with a full-sized pool, a hot tub, even a weight room. She was
going off the list of things we needed before the whole car-thing happened. I just made sure there
weren't stairs for you."

"And we need it early as we were supposed to go to Australia. I'm really sorry, Mike. I knew you
were looking forward to that. Hell, so was I."

"Not your fault." None of this was Jessy's fault. It was his. He put Jessy in harm's way.

"So UT's lawyers are suing everyone on our behalf? Did they suggest we consult our own
lawyer? Just to make sure all our interests are being covered?"

"Coach Samuels said to let them handle everything until you were feeling better. The guy on the
phone said nothing can really happen until the police part's done."

Jessy nodded. "I just want to make sure UT's looking out for your interests, not just their own."

Mike nodded. "I'll talk to them tomorrow, if you want. Jeff and the team are going home in the
afternoon."

"Yeah? When do we get to go home, baby? I just want you to take me home. Nobody gets better
in a hospital."

"They said if you were still doing as well as now, you could go home day after tomorrow. I'll
drive us back. It'll take four or five days, but we can sightsee."

"That's a long time to go without swimming. You okay with that?"

He smiled, shook his head. "I told you, I'm retiring. I haven't been in the pool for almost two
days. Another couple weeks won't hurt me."

"Mike Gauliet stop swimming?" Jessy shook his head. "I don't believe it."

"No?" He chuckled. "We're not discussing it until things calm down, remember?"

Jessy nodded. "That's right. You're going to wait until I've got my strength back so I can be the
hardass."

"Then I'm safe tonight."

Jess laughed and then winced. "Yeah, baby. I guess you are."

"Be careful, Jessy. You have to heal." He lifted his hand, smoothed Jess' sheets. "You thirsty?"

"Now that you mention it, I could use something to drink." Jessy gave him a wink. "Coke?"

"I can go get you one from the little fridge in the nurses' station. They showed me where the
snacks and stuff were." Hell, he could use a Dr. Pepper in the worst way.

"I don't think my stomach'll take the Coke, baby. Water's fine."

"There's ginger ale with ice chips..." He tempted easily, knowing Jess could probably use the
calories.

"I can try, baby." Jess was looking tired again, mouth tight.

"I'll get the nurse to bring you meds, too. Let you get some rest." He stood, gave Jess a smile.
"I'll take care of you, Jess. Don't worry."

He would. He could do this.

He could.

Chapter Twenty One

Jessy growled at the nurse. He was ready to go home. Now. Hell, yesterday.

They'd forced Mike to go home overnight the last couple nights and he missed his baby. He was
bored and tired of lying in bed and everything aching and he just wanted to be on the beach,
lying in the sun, watching his baby play in the waves.

Mike had called the UT lawyers and then their lawyer and he at least was confident that Mike's
needs were going to be met. He didn't figure UT was going to screw them on this as they didn't
want to lose Mike as member of the team, but it didn't hurt to be careful.

And thank God he'd been the one to be hit and not Mike.

It all went around and around in his head, nothing but the pain to distract him from it. If they
didn't discharge him today, the nurses were going to smother him with his pillow.

Mike wandered in, huge dark circles under his eyes, but a real, happy smile. "Talked to your
doctor. They're going to let me take you home after lunch."

"Thank God." He smiled at Mike, mood lighter just from seeing his baby, let alone the get out of
jail card. "You up to driving?"

"Yeah. I didn't know if you wanted to spend another night here in a hotel or just drive and stop
later, so I checked myself out of the hotel so we could figure it out."

"If you're up to it, I'd like to get the hell out of town. Hell, even if we stop at the first little town
on the way home." He just wanted out of here.

"Yeah, I have the car packed. I bought a ton of pillows for the back seat of the car. Hell, you
have a TV and a DVD player back there." Mike grinned. "So you don't get bored."

"Does the front seat recline? I want to sit near you."

"Yeah, but the back seat's bigger. I figure you'll need to spend some time there, just to rest."
Mike held up a plastic bag. "Sweats, slide on shoes, a razor. All the good stuff."

He smiled at Mike, warm inside. "Damn, baby. You're really good at this taking care of me
thing."

"It's part of the whole madly in love thing, yeah?" Mike chuckled. "I bought a map, too. Thought
we should decide how to get home."

"As long as you remember I can't navigate worth shit, baby -- if you go off the beaten, well-
signed path you're on your own." Christ, they both needed to get out of the hospital, get out of
the city and just be them.

"Yeah. I think we'll go down along the coast and over. It'll take longer, but I've never driven in
snow, so it'll be safer."

"Sounds good, baby. Maybe we can find hotels along the beach to stop at."

He needed to see Mike in the water again, see Mike taking joy from swimming whether or not it
was a racing situation.

Mike nodded, sat beside him. "Man, I'm so ready to get moving. The little condo is furnished,
when we decide on a permanent place, I'll have the stuff brought from storage."

"Sounds good, baby." If Mike wasn't careful, he was going to get used to this being pampered
thing.

Mike nodded, scooting so they could touch. He reached out immediately, fingers sliding on
Mike's cheek. Mike's eyes closed, nuzzling in. "Oh. Oh."

"Christ, baby, I've missed this so much." His thumb slid along Mike's lower lip.

Mike nodded, kissing his thumb. "I was scared that... I don't want to lose you."

"Shh. Shh. I'm not going anywhere, baby." He slid his hand back to cup Mike's head, tugging
softly to bring their mouths together.

Mike's kiss was slow and careful, sweet, almost painfully gentle.

"Not going to break, baby." He pushed his mouth harder against Mike's.

Mike moaned, shivered. "Don't want to hurt you."

"You won't." He slid his free hand along Mike's belly and then down, pressing against Mike's
cock. The sound he got was almost a sob, Mike's hips jerking toward his hand, those eyes huge
and dark. "Oh, baby..." He pushed his hand into Mike's sweats, fingers wrapping around his
baby's heat.

"Jess, Jess, you can't. What if someone comes in?"

"If you hit the nurse call button we're guaranteed twenty minutes of privacy." He winked at Mike
and kept tugging.

"You'll... Oh." Mike's eyes rolled. "Y...y...you'll hurt yourself. Oh, Jessy. Love."

"I'm not doing anything to hurt myself, baby."

Mike arched, lips parted, flushed. "I. Oh. Oh. So good."

"Christ, you're beautiful." He watched Mike's face, the pleasure there perfect.

"I missed you, in the bed. I missed this."

He nodded. "I need you. Need to touch and to play."

Mike whimpered. "Yeah. Yeah. I need you. You're my home, Jessy."

He nodded and licked at Mike's lips, hand stroking faster. Mike pushed hard, sobbing as that
cock jerked, heat splashing over his fingers. Groaning, he tugged a couple more times, hand
sliding on Mike's wet flesh, and then he brought his hand to his mouth, almost whimpered as he
licked the come from his fingers.

Mike shivered, watching him with wide eyes. "Oh. Jessy."

He purred, feeling better now than he had in days. "Oh, baby, I had forgotten what you tasted
like."

Mike smiled, eyes just shining. "Oh. Oh, I missed that sound."

He smiled back, not stopping licking until he'd cleaned his hand.

"Jess..." Mike sat on the chair, grinning. "I can't believe we just did this."

"I can't believe we didn't do it sooner." He winked, chuckling a little as a nurse came in.

"And how are we this morning, Mr. Turner?"

"I don't know about you, ma'am, but I'm ready to run the marathon."

Mike turned bright red, the nurse arched an eyebrow. "You must have heard you get to go
home."

"I did hear that." Jess grinned at Mike, winked at him again.

Mike ducked his head, nodded. "I brought him clothes and stuff."

"And stuff," he agreed, nodding enthusiastically, managing not to laugh.

They got another look, the nurse shaking her head. "Oh, it's definitely time for you to go home,
Mr. Turner."

"I've been saying that for two days." Hell, if he'd known all it would take for them to be pushing
him out was a little nookie, he'd have jacked Mike off sooner.

"We're doing the paperwork now. Once you have your orders and the IV removed? You can get
dressed."

"I've never been this excited about putting clothes on before."

Mike rolled his eyes. "Be good, Coach."

"I'm just excited... to be going home." He winked again, making the nurse chuckle.

"Well, it'll probably be an hour at least, so just relax." The nurse smiled, took his vitals one more
time, and noted them on the chart.

"Hurry up and wait." Just like the last couple of days. It was harder too now that he knew he was
being sprung.

Mike grinned, moved out of reach. "Just focus on the wall, Coach."

He laughed. "Brat."

Mike nodded, wincing as the nurse checked the incisions, cleaned them. "Yes. Hey, I'm going to
run to the machine and grab breakfast. I'll be back."

"You okay, baby?" he asked.

"Yeah. I just hate that you're hurt."

"I'm gonna need help changing the dressings, baby. You going to be able to do that?" He really
wished Mike wouldn't blame himself for this.

Mike nodded. "I will. The nurses showed me what to do, how to do it."

"Cool. And I'm getting better, yeah? That's why they're letting me out."

"Yep. You want some coffee? Juice?"

"Coffee and a Danish or something, please." He'd kill for real food.

"'Kay. I'll be right back."

The nurse chuckled, shook her head. "He's a bundle of energy."

"Yeah, it's got to be killing him to just sit around and watch me lie here."

"Oh, he's been entertaining us, playing fetch and carry. He's a good one."

"He is. Really good." And his.

She nodded, got his IV removed, his leg eased down from the traction. "You have a wheelchair
and crutches. I'd start with the crutches slowly and wean yourself off the chair."

He made a face. "I'm not going to be mobile?"

"Well, it's all up to you. You won't hurt the leg; it's casted. If you feel up to walking on the
crutches? Feel free. In fact? Let's give it a try now, get you used to it."

He nodded. "All right."

She grabbed a big orderly from the hallway and a pair of crutches. He got himself upright,
amazed at how much effort that seemed to take. He was actually puffing.

The leg wasn't really painful, what ached was the incision in his belly, the weight of the cast
pulling it. "You okay? Can you make it?"

"Yep. Just gotta focus on the wall." Which in this case was being better, being with Mike. Jess
hobbled a few steps, grimacing hard.

"Let the crutches support you, now." They walked him toward the bathroom. "Bet you'd like to
stop there on your own power, huh?"

"Hell, yeah." He nodded, just sweating like a pig but determined to do this.

"Good for you. You pull the cord if you get into trouble."

"Thanks."

He waited until they left him on his own and then braced himself against the wall with one hand,
the other pulling up his gown so he could aim at the toilet. Damn -- who knew going to the
bathroom could be this hard.

"Is he okay?" Mike's voice was worried, tense. "Is he hurting?"

"He'll be fine. He's in good shape."

Damn, he was hoping he'd be back in bed before Mike got back. He had his pride. He finished up
and opened the door, pasting a grin on his face as he started heading back for the bed.

Mike smiled, coffee in hand. "Oh, you're up!"

That smile was definitely worth the effort and his grin got real as he nodded. "For a minute or
two. I need to rest up before the trek out to the car."

"You'll be wheeling out to the car, I think." Mike nodded to the nurse. "I even have a wheelchair
in the SUV."

He frowned. "I don't--" His words were cut off as he started to slide over, just out of reach of the
bed.

Mike and the orderly and the nurse all moved in unison, made sure he didn't fall.

"Christ." He let them get him settled back onto the bed and stared out at the window. Damn it. A
little trip to the bathroom and he was falling all over himself.

"That was damned impressive, for a first time." The orderly smiled. "When the cast is off? I
recommend swimming. It'll build the muscle up."

He looked over at Mike and laughed. Mike's eyes just danced, almost really happy.

"I think I can get him in a pool."

"I think you might manage it at that." He gave Mike a wink.

"Maybe." Mike gave him his coffee, his Danish, and grinned.

He took a sip of the coffee and made a face. "Damn, baby, this sucks."

"It's not Starbucks, Coach. It's a hospital."

"Yeah, but do they have to make sure that every little thing makes you want to get the hell out?"
He tried a corner of the Danish. Well at least that didn't taste like it was designed to kill him. He
tried another bite.

"Yep. You don't need to get comfy here. You need to want to come home."

"Trust me, I do. I did even before this poor excuse for coffee." He reached out for Mike.

Mike came to him, hand sliding in his. "You about ready to get dressed, Coach. Put on real
clothes."

He nodded, wondering how much this was going to take out of him. Christ, he hated being sick.

"Do you two need help?"

Mike shook his head, moving to grab the clothes. "I can do it."

"Yeah, we'll be fine." He gave Mike a long, slow smile.

"Okay. Press the button if you need me."

The room emptied out and Mike relaxed. "Come on, let's get you dressed."

"Gotta get undressed first." He waggled his eyebrows.

"Well, that's easy. You're held together by strings."

"Yeah. But are you going to be able to resist my bod once I'm naked?"

"Resist your bod? Me? Never." Mike laughed, reaching around him to untie his gown.

He leaned in, burying his face in Mike's shoulder. "Oh, baby... you smell so good."

Mike sighed, the sound happy, sweet. "Feels good."

He nodded. "You do."

"You'll heal faster out of here, in a real bed, where I can touch you."

"I will." He had no doubt about it.

"It can't come soon enough."

He kissed Mike's neck and sat back, letting Mike pull off his gown.

Mike was gentle, careful around his leg, his belly. "I brought sweatpants, I think they'll stretch."

He nodded, reaching out to touch Mike again. "Sounds good."

Mike's hand stroked over his body, warm and soft, making him feel easy in his skin for the first
time in days.

"Oh, baby." His breath caught in his throat, almost a sob.

"Yeah. Yeah, Jessy. Gonna make it all better. I swear it."

He wrapped his arms around Mike's waist, just holding on for a long moment, resting against
Mike.

"I love you. More than anything." A soft kiss brushed his temple.

"I know." He squeezed tight. "I love you, too, baby. You're my world."

Mike leaned against him, and then shook himself, straightening up. "Come on. Shirt, briefs,
pants, shoes."

"Yes, boss." He grinned, winked and held out his arms for Mike to dress him.

The clothes were soft, warm, just so welcome after the flimsy hospital gowns. Mike managed to
make dressing him something pleasant, something sensual and good. By the time they were done
his discharge papers were ready to be signed. He put his John Hancock wherever they wanted
him to and then got himself into the wheelchair, grumbling about how the only reason he wasn't
leaving under his own steam was because they wouldn't let him.

Mike's arms were full of papers and supplies and crutches and instructions. "I'll go get the car."

"Thanks, baby."

He watched Mike go and nodded to the orderly. "Let's go. I'm ready to be sprung."

Ready to get back to life as he knew it.

Chapter Twenty Two

Mike drove and drove, heading south, listening to Jessy snore as soon as the pain pills kicked in.
It felt good to get moving, to be leaving Seattle, to be getting toward home. It was late when
Jessy started waking up again -- maybe eleven at night, but he just wasn't tired yet.

Jessy snorted and jerked, sitting up and blinking. "Wow, it's dark."

"Yeah, it's late. We've been going about ten hours. You hungry?"

"Ten hours? We should stop, baby. Let you get some rest."

"I'm not tired. I've been listening to my CDs. How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Which sucks as I've done nothing but sleep."

"You'll feel better soon, Jessy. Just need to give it a little time." He smiled over. "Consider it a
vacation."

Jessy snorted. "If this were a vacation I'd be fucking your brains out right now."

He chuckled. "The doctor said none of that until your belly muscles are healed. Too bad."

Groaning, Jessy reached out to stroke his thigh. "I was hoping I hadn't heard that right."

"Nope. No sex until you're better. We'll just have to be good." He took Jessy's hand and
squeezed. He bet Jess felt bad enough that wouldn't be too hard.

"Damn, baby, that's even more hardass than my no sex for a week before meets was."

"I know! I'll just have to keep you well-fed and dopey."

Jess snorted and then winced. "Oh, damn, don't make me laugh too hard." Jess gave him a wry
grin and sighed. "We should stop soon, let you sleep."

"Yeah. Are you hungry? I could drive through somewhere first."

Jess made a face and shook his head. "No."

"Are you okay?" The little voice that had been worrying for days just got a little louder. "Are you
feeling sick?"

"Just tired, baby. I want to hold you." Jess stroked his thigh.

"Okay. Okay, I'll find us a place." He'd grab some chips from the vending machine where they
stopped after he got Jessy settled and comfortable.

"You should eat, though, baby. Gotta keep your strength up if you're taking care of me. Chicken
breast with a nice big salad. Milk or water to drink."

"I'm cool, Jessy. Oh, you have a choice -- Clarion or Ramada. Which one looks best?"

"I heard the Clarion put in hot tubs."

He chuckled. "Cast, Jessy. You don't get to hot tub."

"No, but I could watch you in one..."

He drove into the Clarion anyway, pulling up near the door. "You sit here. I'll get us a room."

"Show them your university card and make sure they give you the special rate."

"Okay. I will." He headed in, got a handicapped accessible room, a coupon for a free breakfast at
Denny's, and a wake up call at eight.

Jessy had dozed off again by the time he got back to the car.

He drove around and parked, then got the wheelchair out and next to the door. "Okay, let's get
you in and then I'll come get the stuff."

Jess blinked and sat up. "I can try the crutches, baby."

"No. In the chair. You're already exhausted and it's been raining." He wouldn't have Jess falling.

Jess bristled a little. "I might be injured, but I'm not an invalid."

"I didn't say you were. I said it was slick." He looked up into the night sky. "And starting to rain
again."

Jess grumbled and hauled himself out of the car and into the chair, looking pale by the time he
was settled.

"Thank you." He wheeled Jess into the room without much trouble. "You want in the bathroom
first or the bed?"

"Bathroom. Then I can settle in for the night."

"Sounds good." He helped Jess in and then over to the toilet, helping with the sweats, too. "I'm
going to get the sheets pulled down and stuff. Holler when you're ready for me to come back."

"'Kay."

He puttered around the room, waiting for Jess to call for him.

Which Jess didn't. His stubborn lover suddenly appearing at the door to the bathroom, leaning
heavily against the doorjamb. "Shit, the bed's far away."

"Jess!" He hurried over, grabbed the chair and helped Jessy into it. "I don't have the crutches up
here."

Jess sighed as he landed in the chair. "I thought I could make it."

"You have to give yourself time, love." Mike kissed the top of Jess' head.

"I hate being sick. I don't do sick."

"You're not sick, you're hurt. You'll be better soon. More and more everyday."

"I will. Gonna be back to my old self in no time."

Jessy let him help get the long body into bed, settling with a groan.

Mike got Jessy naked and medicated, covered up and relaxed, remote in hand. "Going to get the
suitcases and the crutches."

He stepped out, grabbed peanut butter crackers and diet soda out of the vending machine. He
finished them both before he got back upstairs, locking the door behind him.

Jess was still awake, flipping channels and just blinking at the television.

"Hey. You want anything?" He smiled, suddenly tired.

Jess turned off the television. "Yeah, I do."

"What? Ginger ale? Massage?" He moved over to the bed.

Jess patted the bed next to him. "You, baby."

He pulled off his sweater, his shoes, sliding close with his jeans still on. "Me?"

Jess' arm went around him, tugged him in closer. "Yeah. You."

Mike leaned against Jess' shoulder, just breathing Jess in.

Jess purred. "Oh. Oh, that's better. Much better." He nodded, breath hitching. Jessy's hand slid
along his side, fingers stroking his arm, his ribs, a long shuddering sigh coming from his lover.
"There was a moment I didn't think I'd ever get to do this again."

He whimpered softly, cuddling. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you got hurt."

"I wish you'd stop apologizing for it, baby. You didn't do this to me."

"Not directly, but it was my fault."

"Bullshit." Jessy's arm tightened around him. "Utter bullshit."

Mike pressed closer. "Don't let me hurt you."

"You won't, baby." Jessy's voice was rough, that arm still holding him tight. Mike relaxed, let
himself stroke and pet Jessy's belly. The muscles rippled beneath his fingers. "Oh, that feels
good."

"Yeah..." He closed his eyes, just touching, loving.

"Baby... Oh... Yeah. Now it's real, now I'm really out of the hospital."

"Yeah. You're finally heading home."

"Nope. All I need to be home is you." Jessy turned his head and kissed him softly. "So I'd say
we're already there."

Mike nodded, settling for the first time in days. "Yeah, Jess. Yeah."

Already there.

Chapter Twenty Three

It took them four days to drive down the coast and Jessy was growing increasingly growly. He
felt a little stronger every day, but that just seemed to be the cue for his injuries to ache a little
harder, to keep him from doing more than sitting there next to Mike, sleeping and watching the
scenery go by.

And the damned cast was still making it next to impossible for him to manage on his own on the
crutches.

And Mike was treating him like a damned invalid.

They stopped at the beach one last night before the road turned back into the interior and he
waited until Mike went in to get them their rooms and then started to get out of the car. He wasn't
using the fucking chair this time.

He managed to hit the cast against the side of the car as he tried to get it out, the sudden flare of
pain making him swear. By the time he was out, leaning against the hood, he was sweating from
the effort and hurting more than he had been in days.

Gritting his teeth, he braced himself on the car and sort of hop-dragged his bad leg over to the
rear door so he could get the fucking crutches.

"What the hell are you doing? Christ, Jess! Be careful!" Mike came running.

"I just need the goddamned crutches." Damn it, he didn't want Mike to see him this weak.

"Okay. I'll grab them." Mike got them, settled them under his arms.

"You got our room?" he asked, growling and unable to stop. He knew it wasn't Mike's fault he
was hurt, that it was taking so long to heal, but Mike was treating him like a child.

"Yeah. Right there by the pool." Mike pointed across the way. "Come on, I'll get you settled and
then go find you some food."

"I'm not hungry." Kid was always looking for an excuse to get away from him. He supposed he
couldn't blame Mike. He really was turning into a grumpy bear. "Sorry I growled."

"It's okay." Mike didn't look at him, though, just hurried. "You sure you're not hungry? There's a
Denny's; I could get you pancakes..."

"You that desperate to get away from me?" he asked. "Because they have room service you
know."

Hurt, dark eyes glanced over at him. "I don't want to get away from you, Jess."

"No? You're sure desperate to take off and find me food. I know I've been a bit bear-with-sore-
paw-ish."

"I'm just worried about you eating, Jessy. I didn't even think about the room service thing."

He sighed and stopped, giving Mike an awkward hug. "I'm sorry. I'm just not hungry."

Mike hugged him gently. "I know. I just... I worry."

He shook his head. "Now see? Worrying is my job, baby." This whole thing was fucked up.

"Not right now. Right now, your job is healing." Mike grinned over. "Did you miss the memo?"

"I think I might have gotten it, I just didn't believe it." He gave Mike a wink, trying really hard to
ignore the twinges and aches and the way he was just dragging his ass.

Finally they were at the door to their room and, damn, he was happy to see it. Mike got him in
and settled, helping him off with his shoes. He closed his eyes, resting his head against the back
of the couch -- it made him feel less of an invalid, sitting on the couch instead of going straight
for the bed. It would help when the cast came off, too, and he'd be able to get around a little
better, go into the water.

He reached out and touched Mike's cheek. Mike nuzzled into his hand, humming.

"I'll start pulling my weight soon, baby. Promise."

"You're good, Jess. I just want you better."

"Me, too. Me, too." He sighed. "My leg itches. I'm gonna claw the fucking cast off if it doesn't
stop."

"Oh, man." Mike stood up, went to the closet and pulled out a plastic clothes hanger. "Scratch
with this."

"Baby, you're a genius." He got the end of the clothes hanger down the edge of the cast and
groaned as he started scratching that itch. "Oh God. This is amazing."

Mike beamed, almost bouncing. "Oh, too cool."

He chuckled. "This is almost better than sex, baby."

"So long as it's almost, we're gold," Mike said with a laugh in return.

Jessy suddenly felt a hell of a lot lighter. "Well, I'll tell you this much, it's better than some sex
I've had, but nothing comes close to the sex I've had in the last couple years."

Mike grinned, blushed for him. "Yeah? Cool."

"Yeah, baby. There isn't anything like you." He stared into Mike's eyes, letting his baby know he
was serious.

"I love you." Mike squeezed his hand, smiled.

He nodded. "I know. Feeling's mutual." Jess leaned in, ignoring the twinge as he shifted, and
brought their mouths together. Mike kissed him eagerly, tongue pushing into his lips, hungry. He
purred, the taste of Mike exploding in his mouth, warming him through.

"Oh. Oh." Mike moaned, little noises filling his mouth.

He reached out, hands sliding along Mike's shoulders, moving on down to tug Mike's t-shirt out
of his jeans.

Mike leaned back, eyes rolling. "Oh. Jess. Jess, I..."

"Want you, baby. So badly."

"If... if I suck you, will you promise to be still?"

He nodded, cock going hard at the thought. "I'll promise you anything, baby."

"You can't move." Those eyes were so serious. "Just let me taste you."

"Please, baby. I won't move. I promise."

Mike smiled, eased his sweats down, moaning low. "Oh. Want you. So bad."

"I know. I know. Please. I need you." Christ, he was desperate for Mike's touch, almost crying
with need.

"I'm yours." Mike shifted, lips sliding down over his cock, hot, sweet, so right. His hips jerked.
He couldn't help it. Mike lifted his head. "No moving."

"Sorry, baby. It was just so good. So fucking good."

"Then sit still." Mike leaned down, tongue so soft. "I'll give you what you need."

He groaned, reaching out to slide his fingers through Mike's hair. "You always do, baby."

"Good." Oh. Oh, yeah. Those lips took him again, sucking nice and easy, pulling on him.

He curled his fingers into fists, pressing them into the couch beside his thighs as he fought to
keep still. Christ, it felt like heaven. Mike sucked him like a starving man, pulling strong and
steady.

"Not going to be long, baby." Not long at all. It had been too long, it felt too good. Mike
hummed, head bobbing faster, giving him what he needed. "Baby!" He shouted, coming hard.

Oh, those dark eyes watched him, took him apart and put him back together. His hand was
shaking as he reached out and petted Mike's head. "Love you, baby."

"Love you. Better?"

He didn't even have to stop and think, just nodded. "Yeah, I am."

Mike kissed the tip of his cock. "Good."

He purred, relaxing back onto the couch. Instead of growly and out of sorts he felt relaxed,
maybe even a bit hungry.

Mike just rested against him for a minute, eyes closed.

"You needing? Because there's nothing wrong with my mouth." He licked his lips. He could
almost taste that long cock.

"You shouldn't. You'll wear yourself out." Mike flushed, shivered.

"Hey, I'm planning on just sitting here, letting you do all the work." He patted the couch on
either side of him. "You could stand up here..."

"Jessy..." Mike moaned, leaned in for a kiss.

He invaded Mike's mouth with his tongue, tasting himself there, which only fueled his need to
taste his baby. Mike whimpered, hips jerking, hand dropping to open those jeans. He moaned,
hand reaching, fingers sliding over the hot flesh.

"Love. Love you." Mike groaned into his lips, shaking.

"Love you, baby. Come on. Come fuck my mouth."

"I want to..."

"Me, too, baby. I'll be still, I promise." He tugged on Mike's arm. Mike carefully moved to kneel
on either side of him, cock dark and heavy, tip leaking.

Groaning, he licked the drops from Mike's cock, a shudder going through him at the taste and the
feeling of heat beneath his tongue. "Oh, baby..."

"Please, Jessy. Please."

Jessy tugged on Mike's ass and pulled that long cock right into his mouth, sucking happily. The
cry Mike gave was deep and sweet and broken and needy. He whimpered around the heat in his
mouth, hands still on Mike's ass, encouraging his baby to move, to fuck his mouth.

"C...careful. Don't hurt you. Don't... Oh..." Mike bucked, pushing in deep, sobbing. "Don't stop."

He sucked harder, careful not to move more than his mouth and his hands, swallowing around
the tip of Mike's cock whenever it pushed into his throat. Mike's hips rolled, fucking him,
pushing and pulling, so hot. He hummed around Mike's cock and took it all, took everything his
lover had for him and demanded more. So good. He got another cry and then Mike was coming,
fucking his lips, filling his mouth. He swallowed Mike down, the taste of his baby exactly what
he needed.

Mike pulled away, panting, settling on the floor beside him.

He reached over to pat Mike's head. "Now that's better."

Mike nodded, chuckled. "Yeah. Yeah, way better."

He purred, eyes sliding closed, body heavy with the need to sleep.

"You want me to help you to the bed, Jess?"

When he was about to say no, he'd just nap here, he thought about being in bed, and Mike,
napping with him. "Okay, baby."

Mike nodded, helped him hobble to the bed, tucked him in.

"Gonna join me, baby?" he asked, making happy noises.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'll unload later." Mike stripped, cuddled in next to him.

Purring, he breathed deeply, enjoying the scent of them together, letting it soothe him into sleep.

Chapter Twenty Four

Padre. Padre. Padre.

Mike pulled into the condos, key from the real estate agent in hand. It wasn't home, but it was
somewhere. It was here. It was a place to stop. Jess was looking gaunt and drawn and didn't even
try to get out on his own, waiting for Mike to bring the chair around and help him out of the
SUV.

"Come on, we'll settle, relax. Watch the ocean." Mike was tired in his bones. Dead tired and
wanting to run.

"Sounds good. We got anyone we need to check in with?"

"Nope. I have a key. We're good."

"Damn, Mike. You really don't need me anymore." He got a tired smile.

He rolled his eyes, stuck out his tongue. "Right. Self-sufficient me. Get in the chair, Coach."

Jessy got into the chair, patting his hand. "You've done great, baby."

"Thanks. Come on. In the condo." The place was right on the beach, the wind cold. "Can you
believe it's only ten days 'til Christmas?"

"Shit, really? Damn it, I haven't even considered presents."

"Yeah. I figure we'll manage, though. I'll come up with decorations. Later." Maybe a tree or just
some lights.

"We could just fuck each other blind."

"Not for another two weeks, maybe longer." Mike unlocked the door, let them into a simple, nice
condo.

Jessy sighed. "You know that was just guidelines. I'm feeling good."

He snorted. "Right. You're grey as smoke and exhausted. Don't bullshit me, Jessy. You start
eating? Start moving better? We'll fuck."

"Oh, I'm never letting you call me a hardass again, baby."

"Hardass." He winked, grinned, and leaned down for a kiss.

Jessy opened up for him and then pinched his butt. "Not as hard as yours, baby."

He grinned, squeaked. "Evil man. Love you."

Jess chuckled. "I know. I count on it."

"Yeah?" He cupped Jessy's cheek. "Good. Do you want to go sit on the back porch?"

Jess nodded. "Yeah. I like the ocean."

"I know. Me, too." Mike got Jess settled, then started working, unpacking and wandering.

"Baby? You gonna join me?"

"Yep. Just getting the car cleaned up and empty." Man, Jess really didn't do hurt well.

"That can keep; come sit a moment."

"Okay." He wandered out, hands landing on Jessy's shoulders, looking out.

Jess reached up for his hands, connecting them. "I think I can settle here for awhile."

"Yeah. Yeah, we'll be good here. Look at all that water."

"I can't wait to go play in the waves with you, Mike. I want that almost as much as I want to be
able to walk under my own power and make love to you."

"Oh, me, too. Soon, huh? The cast comes off in three weeks." He started rubbing Jessy's
shoulder, petting.

Jess nodded and nuzzled back against his hand. "I'd like to fast forward time, please. Because
this sucks."

"The holidays always go fast, yeah?"

Jessy shrugged. "I guess. I'm usually not out of action for them, though."

Mike nodded. "Hopefully this will be the only one." Ever.

"Christ, baby, I never want to be laid up like this again, let alone over the holidays."

He nodded, guilt wracking him. "I'll do everything in my power to make it that way."

Jess glanced up at him. "You're not still going on about how this is your fault, are you, baby?"

"Huh?" He blinked, looked out to the water. Jess always knew everything.

"It's not your fault, Mike. You didn't ask anyone to stalk you. You didn't ask them to try to run
you the fuck down in their car. This is not your fault. I'm just glad they got me instead of you."

"I wish it had been me."

"No. Don't you say that." Jessy glared at him.

"Okay." He didn't have to say it for it to be true.

Jess tugged on his arm. "Come sit by me, Mike."

He moved around, settling in the other lounge chair, scooting close enough that they could hold
hands.

Jess looked at him, eyes serious. "I'd rather be hurt than see you hurt, baby. And this isn't your
fault, none of it. It's the fault of that fucker and his coaches who let him think winning at any cost
was the right approach. We need to call Jim back. I want Hank sued for emotional distress."

"I thought I'd lost you. I thought... you pushed me out of the way. You should have gotten out of
the way." He reached out, held on. "I was scared." He still was, but it was easing.

Jess squeezed his hand, just held on. "I would have gotten out of the way if there was time, but
all I was focused on was making sure you were okay. And better scared than dead." Those blue
eyes held his, full of sympathy and love.

"Well, duh." Mike grinned over. "But I'd give anything if you didn't have to hurt."

"And I'd give anything if you didn't have to, so I'm more than happy I took the hit." Jess gave
him a rueful smile. "Even if I'm a bear most of the time."

"My bear." Mike squeezed, smiled. "I love you, Jessy."

"I love you, too, Mike. And thank goodness we're here. Next time we go across country? We're
flying."

He chuckled. "I don't know, it was sort of neat, seeing the stuff as we drove. Eating different
places."

"Yeah? Well I'll consider it. As long as I'm not laid up." Jessy gave him a wink and relaxed back
into his chair, eyes closing.

Mike just stared out at the ocean. The fact was, if Jessy found another swimmer to coach, Mike
wouldn't be the one traveling with him. He wasn't sure exactly how to feel about that.

When Jessy started snoring, Mike found a quilt to cover him in and then went back to organizing
things for them.

He'd think about it later.

Chapter Twenty Five

Jessy had to admit, he might be hurting and tired, but he was damn happy to be out of the damn
SUV for a couple of days. He wasn't sleeping great, but he was sleeping a hell of a lot better in a
proper bed and at least his tossing and turning was being done in style. He ached, though, even
just sitting on the porch under a blanket like a little old man, looking out at the ocean, he ached.

He'd maybe pushed it a bit today, though he'd never admit that, and he needed his pain pills.
They were in the fucking bedroom, though, on the dresser. He could picture them in his mind's
eye, the little bottle of pills right there on the edge next to his comb and his wallet. Right where
he'd left them.

Crap.

Looked like he'd just have to suffer until Mike got back with supper because he didn't think he
had it in him to move.

His eyelids grew heavy, the sound of the waves soothing his head...

"Here's your supper, Coach. Your pills and stuff." Mike's hand brushed his elbow, the scent of
coffee strong, before Mike disappeared again.

Jessy blinked awake, looking over at the stuff on the little table next to him. "Mike? Mike?"
Damn it, he'd hardly seen Mike over the last two days. Granted, he'd been trying to sleep for a lot
of them, but still.

"I got to do laundry, Coach. You need anything?" Mike looked... miserable. Absolutely fucking
miserable.

"I need you to sit with me for a minute, is what I need." He pointed to the chair next to him,
wishing like hell he could have Mike on his lap. He grabbed his pills and tried to pry the cap off,
swearing when it wouldn't cooperate.

"Here. I'll help." Mike popped the top, handed him two. "There. They'll help."

He nodded. "Yeah." He nodded at the chair next to him. "Sit."

"'Kay. How're you feeling?" Mike plopped down, knees up under the pointed chin.

"Like shit." He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "I'll be fine as soon as the pills kick in.
What about you -- fed up taking care of this old man yet?"

"No. I'll never get tired of you."

That put a smile on his face. He'd needed to hear it. He hated having to have Mike take care of
him -- that was his job. "Aside from that, how are you doing? You eating right?"

"I'm good. Just wandering some. I went to the grocery store already. I'm keeping up."

He reached out, groaning as his fingers slid over Mike's arm. Christ, he wanted things back to
normal.

"Love you, Jess." Mike reached for him, their fingers twining together.

"Yeah, me, too." He squeezed Mike's fingers and for a moment they just sat there, holding hands
as the ocean kept crashing against the beach. "I want to make love to you, baby."

"When you're better, huh? Then we can, over and over."

"Uh-huh." He slid his finger up along Mike's arm. "That doesn't mean you can't still feel good,
though." Hell, the pills were starting to kick in -- he could probably even manage a massage. Sort
of.

"I don't want to, not with you hurting, not when it's my fault."

"Stop that. It's not your fault." Man, he needed to get a recording. "Come on, help me get back
inside. I don't want to use the chair -- just the crutches."

"Aren't you going to eat? It's steak."

"Yeah? I suppose I could manage a bite or two if it's steak. You can eat with me."

"There's a potato and everything. I cooked."

"I must have slept through that -- you'll have to wake me next time," he managed to tease.
Reaching for the plate, he groaned a little.

Mike came around behind him, fingers on his back, rubbing his shoulders. "Easy. Easy. Should I
call the doctor?"

"No, I just overdid it a little today." He'd walked here and there on the damn crutches, trying to
get the hang of them so he could get rid of the chair. He was not going to ask to be fed. He could
manage.

"I bet your arms are sore, huh?" Those fingers started working his upper arms.

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Baby." He groaned, his eyes closing at how good that felt.

"Yeah." Mike kissed his temple, touching him harder.

He moaned at the kiss, at the touches. Yes, they eased his muscles, but they also made him feel
better deep inside. Mike's hands slid all the way down his arms, then back up, fingers warm.
"Mmm... you been practicing that while I haven't been looking?"

"Yep. Along with underwater basket weaving. Do you think I should go back to school? I could
be a massage therapist."

"You'd rather do that than major in the underwater basket weaving?" Mike could go back to
school when he'd won his golds.

"I don't know what I want." Now that was the truth.

"You've got plenty of time, baby." He moaned as Mike hit a particularly sore spot, the sound
easing as Mike focused on it.

"I know." Mike's cheek was on his shoulder, warm, solid.

Oh yeah, this was what they both needed -- time to touch and to be close.

"You're going to feel better, real soon. I promise."

"I already do, baby. You've got the healing touch." He slid his hand over Mike's, patting it.

"Mmmhmm." Their fingers twined together and they held on, watching the waves.

Chapter Twenty Six

Mike flushed the toilet, washed his face, forehead resting on the mirror. God, his head hurt.

Jess was growly and hurting, was sick and tired, everything was fucked up and he wanted... Hell,
Mike didn't know what the fuck he wanted. It didn't matter right now, anyway. Right now he just
needed to avoid the press and take care of Jess and that poor leg.

"Mike? Baby?" Jessy called him from the bedroom. You coming out of there anytime soon?"

"Yeah. Yeah. Let me brush my teeth." He didn't need any shit about puking.

"Everything okay? You've been in there forever."

"What's the matter, Jess? You bored?"

"Shit, yes." The words were growled, and then Jessy whined. "Bed's lonely without you, baby."

"I'm coming." He just couldn't keep Jessy entertained. He wasn't good at it. He wasn't
entertaining.

Still, Jessy's face lit up as he came out of the bathroom. "Come lie by me, baby. Need to touch
you."

He couldn't help his smile, couldn't help the way that Jessy's words lit him up. "I can do that."

"Good." Jessy watched him the entire way, blue gaze almost heavy on him.

He slid into the bed, pressing close. "How're you feeling, Jess?"

"Better now." Jessy leaned in and nuzzled his neck. "God, I miss making you scream."

Oh, God. Him, too. He missed having Jessy be strong, having Jessy lead him and help.

Jessy's fingers stroked over his belly, circled his navel. "I was worried I'd forgotten what your
skin feels like."

"Jessy. Jessy, I'll..." He was going to get hard, going to just explode.

"What, baby?" Jessy's mouth slid up his neck, lips closing over his chin and sucking.

"I'm supposed to..." His eyes rolled and he moaned, scooting closer.

"You're supposed to lie back and let me make you feel good." Jessy's voice was thick, just
rasping over his skin.

"I am?" His cock hurt, it was so hard.

"Yes. I'm sure of it." Jessy's mouth closed over his, tongue pushing in. It wasn't aggressive, full-
out Jessy, but it was close.

He tried to let the worry, the stress, the ball of hurt in his belly go. Tried to let everything ease up
and let Jessy love him. Jessy groaned into his mouth, fingers sliding up toward his nipple. They
moved so slowly, Mike thought they'd never get there. A growl bubbled up inside him --
impatience and need and frustration right there under the surface. They finally reached his right
nipple, but only ghosted over it before doing the same to his left. Before the growl found voice,
though, Jessy grabbed his right nipple between thumb and forefinger, giving it a good, hard
pinch.

The growl turned into a cry. Oh. Oh, he needed. "More."

"I know what you need." Jessy pinched again, and then grabbed his other nipple, twisting it. "Just
can't fuck you." He could hear the frustration in Jessy's voice.

Mike groaned, pulled away. "This is just going to tease you. We oughta wait." He was going to
drown himself in the fucking bathtub.

"No. Just because I can't fuck you through the mattress doesn't mean you don't get to come. I can
still do this." Jessy's free hand wrapped around his cock, began to stroke roughly.

"I. Oh. Oh, fuck..." Mike arched, eyes rolling back in his head. "Jessy."

"Yeah, I've got you." Jessy's thumb pushed into his slit.

"Please. Hard." He wasn't too proud to beg, to need it.

"I know, baby." Jessy's blue eyes stared into his as that thumb pressed harder, the burn zinging
through him.

He stared back, shaking, needing so bad it hurt.

Jessy's hand slid up and down his prick with rough strokes, thumb hitting the head every time it
went by. At the same time the fingers on his nipple pulled and twisted. Finally Mike just let go,
moving and pushing into Jessy's hand, desperate sounds tearing out of him.

"So fucking beautiful, Mike." Jessy groaned, bending and biting at his nipple.

"Please." He reached down, fingers working his hole.

Jessy grunted and then shifted until his head was at Mike's hip. Two of Jessy's fingers slid in
along with his as Jessy took the tip of his cock in that hot mouth, teeth hard on his flesh.

"Don't... don't hurt yourself." Don't stop. Please.

"Just feel, baby." Jessy's tongue pushed into his slit, fingers pushing deep, twisting.

"Need." He spread wider, almost sobbing.

Jessy's teeth dragged along his cock, the long fingers finally finding his gland.

The room went white-hot and bright, his hips jerking frantically. "There. There. Again. Fuck."
Just one more time.

Just like always, Jessy gave him what he needed, fingers twisting again, pushing hard and
making sparkles fly behind his eyes. He shot hard, his balls aching, body screaming with it.

Jessy swallowed him down and then collapsed back against the bed, hand petting his thigh.

He just stayed for a minute, shaking, gasping. The soft touches slid from his thigh to his hip, to
his belly, Jessy bringing him down slowly.

"Love you, huh?" He knew Jess knew; he just wanted to say it.

"Mmm... baby, I love you, too."

He knew that, too.

Mike just hoped it was going to keep being enough.

Chapter Twenty Seven

They'd been at the condo in Padre for almost two weeks before Jessy realized that Mike was
dead serious about retirement. Mike still swam laps, but he spent most of his time in the ocean,
playing. Anytime Jessy brought up swimming, the subject was deflected.

Well, enough was enough, Jess wasn't letting Mike give up his dream, wasn't letting Anderson
fucking win. He hobbled his way down to the chairs Mike had set up on the beach and kept
going past them to the edge of the water to get Mike's attention, waving one of his crutches.

"Jessy? You okay?" Mike pulled himself to the shore, worry written all over his baby's face.

"I'm fine, but we need to talk. Let's go sit." He gimped his way back to the chairs, trusting Mike
would be following.

Mike plopped down in the chair beside him about the time he got settled. "What's up, Jess?"

"We need to talk about this retirement stuff." Look at him be diplomatic.

Mike's lips went stubborn and tight. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Yes, there is. You can't just retire because of this. You were made to swim, baby! You were
headed for the Worlds, the Olympics! It was our dream, baby."

"It got you hurt. You lost your house in Austin. You could have died. It's not worth all that."
Mike looked away. "You'll find someone else to coach and I'll find a job."

"I don't want to coach anyone else, Mike. I want to coach you. I want to see you fly through the
water and go down in history as the most amazing swimmer out there." Jessy shook his head.
"Don't let this guy win, baby."

"I... I don't think I can do it anymore, Jessy."

"What are you talking about?" He couldn't believe this, couldn't believe that Mike was just going
to give it all away, just like that. "This was a freak thing -- it's not going to happen again."

"I don't want to talk about this." Mike stood, shook his head.

"I can't chase you down with my leg in the cast, Mike, so do me the courtesy of sitting down and
talking to me about it. You can't just up and quit. There's commitments to sponsors, to the team.
Hell, to yourself!" He was pissed off and he wanted to pace, needed to in the worst way.

Mike did his pacing for him. "I don't want to have this happen. I don't want you hurt. I don't want
reporters and stress and people hating me. I just wanted to swim. I didn't want it to be a fucking
business. I didn't."

"It is, though, at the level you're swimming at. Now, I shield you from as much of that as
possible, baby. That's my job. Making sure you're in form and taking care of everything but the
swimming. But I can't believe you want to give the swimming part up."

"Someone almost killed you, Jess. Because of the way I swim. Because of me." Mike's pacing
got longer and longer.

"That's because they had a problem, Mike. That's not normal. And it could have happened no
matter what you did." He wasn't letting Mike give this up without a fight.

Mike sat out on the sand, the air growing chilly, chin on his knees.

Jessy sighed, watching the waves, watching Mike. "Give me a year, baby?"

"What?" Mike looked back at him, eyes wide.

"Swim for another year. Participate in the Worlds. You still want to retire when that year is over,
you can do it with my blessing." Because if Mike truly didn't want to keep swimming when this
whole thing was well and truly behind them, he wasn't going to force it.

Mike made a soft, broken little sound. "I can't. I still miss it. If I start again... "

"You miss it." He shook his head. "Explain to me again then why you want to retire?"

"I did retire. I retired because you got hurt and it was my swimming, my racing, that caused it."

"No, it wasn't. Anderson did it, not you. It isn't your fault at all." Jessy shook his head.

Mike sighed. "I don't... It doesn't matter right now, does it? Do we have to deal with it now? It's
almost Christmas..."

"Are you going to be able to enjoy Christmas with it hanging over us?"

"Do you always have to push? Can't you just let me be fucked up and sick and unhappy?"

"No." No, he couldn't. And he didn't see what was wrong with wanting the best for his baby.

"I'm going to go get groceries. Everything's going to close soon."

"This isn't just going to go away, Mike." He was growling now, frustrated, upset and with no
outlet for it.

"I know. I know it isn't." Mike sighed, cheeks red. "I just want... I just want things right. I'm so
tired, Coach."

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm supposed to be the one taking care of you and instead... it's all a mess."

Mike gave him a smile. "I'm trying, Jessy. So hard. I'm trying to take care of everything."

"And you're doing a fantastic job, but what you should be doing is swimming and having fun."
He hated this, hated the way this whole thing was hurting his baby.

Mike nodded and sighed. "Things aren't always like we want them."

"You got that right." He sighed and looked out at the waves. "I'll be better soon, Mike, things'll
ease then."

Mike nodded. "It will. It will all be okay."

"Yeah, baby, I sure hope so."

He sure did. Christ, he couldn't coach a winner anymore than he could swim one. Mike had
been... his touch with greatness, his ticket to the Olympics. A true Champion. Only Mike was so
much more than that and it wasn't fair to expect Mike to do something he didn't want to.

Jessy closed his eyes and focused on the waves. They were kind of like the wall.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Christmas had been quiet, simple. He'd gotten a sinus infection on Christmas Eve and spent the
holiday sniffling and moving slow. He'd had a Christmas dinner delivered that no one ate, and
then they'd gone to bed.

For three days.

It was depressing as fuck.

Not as depressing as New Year's Eve, though, where Jessy fell asleep at ten fifteen and Mike
drank a bottle of champagne on his own and threw up all the next day while Jess snarled.

Mike had hope, though.

Hope.

"Come on, Jess. Get in the car. Move. We're going to be late. They're going to take the cast off."

"Thank the Lord, if they weren't doing it soon I was going to gnaw my own leg off."

"That would give you gas." He winked, opened the door.

Jessy shot him a look and then grinned, laughter soft, almost not there. He helped Jess in, and
then drove them both toward the hospital and the little health care building in Corpus Christi.

"I can't wait to get this off. Can't wait to bury myself in your body."

"Jess!" His cock just woke up and came straight to attention. "I'll have to wait in the car, if you
make me hard."

"Nope. I need you to help me in." He could feel those blue eyes on him, heated.

"Bull. You move on those crutches like a master." Hell, they'd turned the chair back in over a
week ago.

"Doesn't mean I won't need you to hold my hand."

He grinned. "I bet your leg is skinny and hairy and gross."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Kind of like my third leg, lately."

"Jessy!" He started laughing, pulling off the Causeway and into the parking lot, dropping Jess off
at the door. "I'll park and be right back, dork."

Jess gave him a wink and got slowly out, hobbling his way to the door.

He parked and then stopped at the vending machine before heading up. If this went like taking
out the stitches, then Jess would just want to go to bed and there wouldn't be lunch, so chocolate,
baby. He scarfed it down and ran upstairs.

Jess was still in the waiting room, flipping through a magazine too quickly to be actually reading
it.

He smiled, sat. "They on time?"

"I guess. I think I'm next."

"Yeah? Cool." He bounced a little. "You're going to feel thirty pounds lighter."

"I'm ready to lose it. So ready." Jess' hand landed on his thigh, squeezed gently.

"I bet." He gave Jess a smile. "You can get in the hot tub now."

"I was thinking of something a little hotter I wanted to get into."

Mike felt himself blush again. "Yeah?"

"Yeah, baby."

The nurse broke the moment, calling Jessy's name.

"You want me to come in or wait?"

"I guess you might as well come with me."

Man, the enthusiasm was fucking overwhelming. "'Kay."

He stood up, helped Jess with the crutches. "I'm right behind you."

"That's one of my best sides."

"Just one." He swatted Jess' ass.

"Save that thought."

They went into the doctor's office, Jessy settling in the only chair. "I hope this doesn't go long. I
have plans."

The doctor bustled in, chart in his hand. "Okay, Mr. Turner, let's get that cast off. The x-ray from
last week looked perfect."

"Thank the Lord." Jessy's eyes turned to meet his.

Mike couldn't stop smiling. Oh. Oh, cool. Jessy smiled back, all heat and need.

The doctor got Jessy on the table, the cast saw whirring as it cut the hard cast away, exposing
Jessy's pale, thin leg.

"Is it ugly, Mike?"

"Not as bad as I'd thought. More pale." He smiled. "How does it feel?"

"Wow, air. It's itchy. Lighter." Jessy chuckled -- actually chuckled. Something in Mike relaxed.
Wow. A real smile. Wow. "Can I try it out, Doc?"

The doctor nodded. "It'll feel weak, but it's healed. You use the crutches, just for a few more
weeks, for support."

Jessy nodded. "I don't actually plan on doing that much walking."

"No?" The doctor looked surprised. "You need to exercise it."

Jessy gave him a smile and a wink and turned back to the doctor. "I'll exercise it, I promise."

"Good." The doctor helped Jessy up, helped him balance.

"How does it feel, Coach?"

"Like I could skip down the hall. Seriously, it's light." Jessy chuckled and took a few steps.

"No pain?" The doctor watched, nodded.

"No, actually. It's weak, feels strange, but no pain."

"Excellent. You shouldn't go run a marathon for a week or two, but you, my dear sir? Are
officially okay. Congratulations." The doctor shook Jessy's hand. "So, is your swimmer here
really retired?"

Jessy looked over at him.

He ducked his head. "I'm thinking about it."

"There's a berth on the Worlds team if he wants it, but this whole thing has been hard. We'll see."

"Well, we're rooting for you, Mike. We want you to win."

He blushed, looked down. "I have to get my coach all better before I think about that."

"Then you'll be thinking in no time." Jessy shook the doctor's hand again. "Nothing personal,
Doc, but I hope not to see you again."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed."

Mike grinned, watched Jessy walk to the door. Oh, that? Looked good.

Jessy turned to look at him, eyes smiling. "Coming, baby?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I am." He grabbed the crutches. "You want me to bring the car around?"

Jessy shook his head. "I can walk, baby." Jessy looked all puffed up and happy.

"Cool." He was bouncing, for real, feeling right for the first time in months.

Jess was limping, some, muscles in his leg weak from disuse. "Wow, I can see how swimming is
going to help build that back up without stressing it." Jessy looked relieved to arrive at the car.

"How're you feeling?" He opened the car door, helped Jessy up. "Look! You fit now!"

"Brat!" Jessy laughed, the lines around his eyes easing.

"Yep. Your brat." He walked around, hopping in. He reached over, touched Jessy's leg. "Yay."

Jessy nodded, hand moving down to slide along his. "Yeah. Yay."

"Are you hungry, Jess? You just want to head to the house? What?"

"Oh, I'm hungry, baby. Hungry like the wolf." Oh, that was a purr in Jessy's voice.

He shivered, glanced over, wanting so bad. Oh, he'd missed that. "You... You don't want to be
careful?"

"Baby, I've been careful for six weeks. I want you. I want you now."

He nodded, swallowed hard. "Home. Bed." Mike pulled out onto the Causeway, pushing the
speed limit.

"Get us there quick. Just don't get caught." Jessy was grinning, the temperature in the car heating
up.

"I won't." Hell, they were almost there, passing the tourist traps and bait shops before pulling
into the parking lot.

Jessy purred as they got to the door. "Your ass is mine, baby."

"Is it?" God, he was shaking, he wanted so bad.

"Uh-huh."

Jessy let him unlock the door and then his lover took over, grabbing his hand and dragging him
back to the bedroom. He laughed, following along, free hand squeezing Jessy's ass. They fell
onto the bed together, laughing, teeth clicking as their mouths met.

"Missed this." God, he had. He missed not being careful.

Jessy nodded, rolling with him, putting him beneath Jessy's weight. "Yeah, baby."

Then his mouth was being plundered, Jessy's hands raking through his hair. Mike couldn't catch
his breath, heart pounding. He needed. Now.

"Naked," muttered Jessy, body pushing against his, humping him.

"Are not." He tugged Jessy's sweatshirt off.

"That's my point, baby." Strong fingers tugged at his sweater.

He arched, hips rubbing against Jessy's. "Love you. Fuck, want this so bad."

"Yes." Jessy tugged one more time and then ripped open his sweater and the t-shirt beneath.

"Jess!" He would have bitched longer, but he was pressing up against Jess, rocking.

"Get your pants off or they suffer the same fate," growled Jessy, pushing his own shorts off.

"Pushy bastard." He didn't think Jess could rip his jeans, but he wasn't taking a chance.

"Needy bastard," Jess corrected.

"Yeah." He got his shoes and jeans off, pushed into Jessy's arms. "Oh. Oh, Jessy. Love you."

"Yeah, baby. Where's the lube?"

"Uh... bedside table." He hoped.

Jessy fumbled, grunted and grinned, waving the tube. "Got it."

Mike chuckled, tickled down deep. "Go you."

"I'm gonna go all over you, baby." Then Jessy was kissing him again, legs sliding between his,
pushing him open.

"In me. Been weeks, Jess."

"Gotta get you ready first, baby. It has been weeks." One of Jess' fingers, hot and slick, pushed
into him.

Mike arched, moaning low, nodding. "Yes..."

"Yeah, baby." Jess groaned and quickly pushed in another finger, fucking him hard with them.

He just spread, rocking fast, the most perverse sounds escaping him. Jess didn't work him too
long, just slicked him up and stretched him a little and then it was that long, hot cock pushing
into him, the look on Jessy's face pure bliss.

"Oh..." His eyes rolled. "Love..."

"Baby. Oh." Jess moaned and starting thrusting, hard and fast, eager.

"Mmm..." He kept watching, just flying with it.

Jess' hand wrapped around his cock, tugging in time with the eager thrusts.

"I... Gonna... Fuck!" His eyes rolled, clenching down hard, shooting.

"Mike!" Jessy's shout rang in his ears, cock jerking inside him, filling him deep.

He reached up, held on tight, almost sobbing. "Jessy..."

Jessy collapsed against him, breathing hard. "Oh, baby. Yes. Love you."

"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Love." So much.

Jess nuzzled into his neck, breathing deeply, licking. Just like old times. It felt so right. His eyes
burned and he closed them against the tears, just held on. Good. This was good.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Jessy woke up, sticky and smelling of sex and still mostly boneless and happier than he'd been in
ages. He was curled properly around Mike, able to again sleep the way they usually did, the cast
gone now. Soon he'd be back to his old self, back to taking care of his swimmer.

Purring, he rubbed against Mike, hands petting.

"Mmm..." Mike cuddled closer, smiling, even in his sleep.

Oh yeah, this was the good stuff. He nuzzled Mike's neck, licking the salt from Mike's skin.

Mike moaned, chin lifting. "Oh. Jess."

"Yeah, baby." He hummed, licking and kissing, sucking gently on the warm skin.

"So good. Don't stop." The long, lean body beneath him shuddered, shivered.

"I'm not going to stop, baby. Love touching you, tasting you, feeling you."

"Missed this, so bad." Mike's hands brushed over his head, petting him.

He nodded. Fuck yes. It wasn't like they hadn't been able to jack and suck each other off, but it
wasn't the same. And they hadn't been able to play. Mike arched up, easy and wanton and his. He
slid down a little, finding one nipple and wrapping his lips around it, tugging.

"Oh. Oh. Jess. More." Mike's leg slid along his, almost petting.

He hummed, nipping at Mike's nipples with his teeth. God, he loved those sounds, raw and
hungry, pure need, pure want. He moved to Mike's other nipple, finding more sounds. He
rubbed, sliding their cocks together.

"How... how's your leg? This doesn't hurt it?"

"Not enough to stop." His leg was fine, the muscles just unused. He rubbed harder, teeth and
tongue working the hard little point of flesh.

"Oh. Oh. Oh." Mike shivered, arched, cock leaving wet kisses on his belly.

"Christ, baby, never gonna get tired of this." He pushed faster, harder, torn between wanting to
make it last, wanting to fuck Mike again, and needing to come.

"Never. More, love. Please." Mike spread for him, hips tilted.

Purring, he pushed two fingers into Mike's mouth. The lube was... somewhere. Possibly the
floor. Mike sucked his fingers in, pulling hard, those dark eyes shining. He growled, hips jerking,
his cock pressing against Mike's hole. "Damn, baby. I want you."

"Yours. All yours."

His fingers popped free, and he nodded and pushed them into Mike's body. "Mine, baby."

Mike groaned, taking him deep, almost desperate. Mike was still a bit loose from last night, so
Jessy didn't finesse it, didn't take his time, he just pushed and stretched and a minute later he
pulled his fingers away so he could push in his cock. Hot and tight and made for him. Fuck.
Mike smiled, the expression relaxed, easy.

Yeah, that was his baby, always wanting, always ready. Humming, he brought their lips together
for a kiss as he started to move. Mike opened easily, tongue sliding against his own. Purring, he
began to thrust, fucking Mike.

It was so good -- heat and pleasure and need, all together. "Jessy. I... I can almost believe... that
it's all going to be right..."

"That's because it is," he growled, fucking Mike harder, pushing faster.

"Promise me." Mike arched, bucked.

"I promise, baby." As long as they were together, they could get through anything.

Mike groaned, eyes huge, watching him, body squeezing him tight. Christ, he could get lost in
those eyes, was lost in them, pushing in over and over again. Mike's cry was enough to live for,
the clench of the tight body as Mike came, amazing. His own eyes rolled as the tight heat of
Mike's body sent him spinning over the edge.

"Baby," he whispered, coming hard.

"Love you." Mike was panting, flushed.

He nodded, head buried in Mike's neck, breathing in the salty musk. He needed this smell,
needed this. Mike. His.

Mike wrapped those long arms around him. "Mmm... home. We're home."

"Sure are, baby." He licked and nuzzled, touched, stayed buried deep inside Mike.

Mike's fingers stroked him, drew lazy circles. "You hungry?"

At the thought of food his stomach growled and Jessy chuckled. "You can take that as a yes,
baby."

Mike chuckled. "We can go have burgers, pancakes, anything you want."

"You're not going to make me something yourself?"

"Sure. What do you want?"

He grabbed one of Mike's hands and nibbled at Mike's fingertips. "Are you on the menu?"

"I don't fit on a plate..." Mike's laugh was sweet, husky.

"I can see that. But I could eat you with my fingers."

"You eat with your mouth, Jess."

He stuck his tongue out at Mike. "Brat. I was going for the play on words. You know, eating
with your fingers as opposed to utensils."

Mike leaned up, captured his tongue and sucked.

"Ngguh." He moaned and shivered, cock throbbing inside Mike's body.

Those dark eyes were gleaming. His fingers started wandering, sliding over Mike's skin. Mike
moaned, shivering beneath him.

"Love you, baby," he whispered, fingers finding and tweaking Mike's nipple.

"We can't possibly still be horny."

He laughed and rubbed his nose with Mike's. "You bring it out in me, baby."

Mike's laughter made that sweet body squeeze his cock.

"Christ, so does that!"

Mike started laughing harder, eyes shining. He would have smiled down, but he was busy
moaning, enjoying the squeeze of Mike around his prick. Christ, his baby looked good happy.
Real good. Mike met his eyes, so warm, so good. "Love you, Mike." He started moving again,
cock sliding within the heat and tightness of Mike's body.

"Oh. Oh, Jess..." Mike's head rolled, throat working.

Purring, he put his arm across Mike's neck, pressing.

Mike's eyes went wide, body stilling for a second. "Oh. Please."

Jess nodded, watching the dark eyes. It had been far too long since they'd last done this. He was
moaning as he pressed harder, hips working. Mike kept watching him, cheeks flushed dark. He
could see so much in those dark eyes. So much. He thrust harder, pressed harder with his arm.

Mike squeezed him like a fist, hips jerking wildly.

"Show me, baby. Give it to me."

Heat sprayed between them, Mike just flying.

Groaning, he thrust harder, really pounding into that tight heat, and then he was coming, too, arm
sliding away from Mike's throat as he collapsed hard down onto his baby.

Mike cuddled in, holding on so tight.

He purred, panted, trying to get his breath back, just exhausted. But happy. Oh, Christ, he was
happy.

"Love you. So much."

"Yeah, baby. Love."

He nodded, breathing deeply, breathing Mike in.

Mike's hands stroked his arms, his shoulder. "I'm so glad you're better."

"Me, too. Christ, I hate being sick. I hated letting you down, being dependant on you instead of
taking care of you."

"You didn't let me down. You didn't."

He nuzzled Mike, fingers stroking. If he hadn't let Mike down, how come his swimmer was
quitting? He wasn't willing to get into it, though. Not right now, not while he was still glowing.

"We're going to have testify in court about him, you know? And Hank keeps calling Jeff in
Austin, trying to apologize."

"Hank's hoping not to get sued. He's hoping in vain." He pulled out of Mike and shifted over,
gathering Mike into his arms. "My biggest concern is that Anderson is going to plead temporary
insanity and get away with it."

"He's been doing it for a year, Jess. That's not temporary."

"Oh, I know that Mike. And you know that. And Jeff and Hank and the ISO know it." He
nuzzled Mike. "I don't think that's how it will go down; I just worry that's how it will.

Mike nodded. "Yeah. I worry, too."

"Now see if you were still swimming? I could tell you to just focus on the wall and leave the
worrying to me." He gave his boy a wink.

"Yeah? I wish it worked like that, still."

"It could, baby." All Mike needed to do was say the word and they'd pick the training back up
again.

"I'm... I'm scared." Mike's eyes met his. "What if... what if it happens again?"

He shook his head. "You can't live life like that, baby."

"What if it's never good again?"

"Baby, it only won't be if you let it. You have to own your life. The guy that did this? He's going
to be locked up. The ISO is going to toughen up security. We're going to find a place out here to
live and if we get so much as a letter we don't like the looks of the cops are going to take us
seriously. In fact..."

He bit his lip and looked at Mike. "I've been thinking. About moving to Australia. Sort of
starting over. I even called Carlisle, and he said they'd be interested in having you train with their
national team."

Mike blinked, the look seriously stunned. "Can I do that?"

"Yep. They're willing to facilitate our getting there and getting the paperwork taken care of. You
can name your country, Mike -- everyone wants you working with their team. We can live and
train there and still represent the US. It would mean a lot of travel coming back for meets here,
though."

"Oh." Mike tilted his head. "Can I think about it?"

Well, that was the closest they'd come to discussing going back to swimming in weeks. He
nodded. "Of course. It's a big decision. I only just started thinking about it, called Carlisle a
couple days ago, just to see what was possible."

Mike nodded. "Do they know I haven't been training?"

"The rumor going around everywhere is that you've retired."

"I... I know." Mike sighed. "It's all screwy."

He kissed Mike's forehead. "So we'll unscrew it, baby." Things didn't have to be complicated.

Mike nodded. "One way or the other, yeah?"

Jessy nodded. He really wanted Mike to swim, had a pretty strong hunch that Mike would
eventually regret it if he really retired now. "Yeah, baby."

"I love you." Mike gave him a quiet little smile.

He purred. "Oh, that's what I like to hear, baby." He smiled back. "I love you, too."

"Oh, good. So. Food?" Mike winked. "I'm craving burgers and fries."

"Sure. You can take me out to a greasy burger joint. One last meal before you're back on your
swimming diet."

"Who said I was going back on the diet?" Mike leaned forward, kissed him.

"You aren't?" He went for innocent.

"Nope. Soda and greasy burgers and bacon at every meal."

He shook his head. "Swimming or not, you don't want to make yourself sick, baby."

"Man, I am so not being good if I'm not swimming..."

"Does that mean if I feed you the right food you'll swim?" He gave Mike a wink.

"May... maybe. Yeah. Maybe." Mike almost smiled. "Although, I might have forgotten how."

"Oh, don't say that! I need you to help me with my therapy in the water."

"Oh, yeah. I bet the pool will feel amazing, Coach."

"Almost as good as being inside you, baby." He leaned in and kissed Mike softly, still so in love
it hurt.

"So long as it's only almost." Those dark eyes shone. "Only almost."

"Yeah, baby. Only almost."

"Cool. Let's take a shower and go eat French fries."

"Anything you want, baby." He gave Mike another kiss and then rolled to get out of bed, limping
a little as he made his way to the shower. He'd be back to his old self in no time and they'd get
this whole thing sorted out. Find their focus again.

Chapter Thirty

The sand was sliding through his toes, the water too cold to swim in, so he walked the edge,
whistling under his breath. He needed to make a plan. It was almost February. He couldn't just
spin in circles.

"Hey, baby." Jessy called out, waving at him from the condo porch.

"Hey." He waved back, heading back up to the house, shrugging his jacket against the wind.

"You wanna give me a hand with my physio, baby?"

"Sure, Jessy. What do you need?" He was getting better at this whole helping thing.

"You think we'll freeze our asses off if we do it in the pool?"

"No. It's cool, but the condos keep the wind off and keep things warmer." He grabbed Jessy's
arms, dragged his lover up.

Jessy chuckled and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. The limping was almost gone. "It's
easier in the water, yeah?"

"Everything is."

"I know. The water, you and the wall. No complications, no problems."

He chuckled, leaned against Jessy a little. "It's not that easy anymore."

Jessy's hand slid along his arm. "Sure it is. It's as complicated or easy as you make it, baby."

"I don't think anything's going to be easy again." Growing up sucked.

"Hey. I'm not going to be a gimp forever. Hell, I'm almost back to normal. And then the team'll
be back and watch out world." Those blue eyes looked right into him.

"I'm retired, Jessy." He hated this. Hated it.

"I thought we'd agreed you were going to consider swimming again?"

"You know I didn't do that."

They hit the deck of the pool and Jessy tugged off his shirt, leaving just his swimming shorts.
"You're at least thinking about it, right?"

"How could I not?" He slipped in the water, reached up for Jessy.

Jessy slid into the water with him, coming right into his arms. "Okay, baby. As long as you're
thinking about it."

"I am. Come on. Stretch." He relaxed, the water swirling around him.

Jessy went through his stretches, loosening his muscles. "I think I've almost got full mobility
back. And the stretching doesn't hurt anymore."

"Good. The doctor said you would heal well."

"I have to. Can't take care of my baby if I'm not well."

He turned toward Jessy, heart aching a little. "I miss our life, Jessy."

Jessy tugged him in, holding him close. "Me, too. I'm almost there, though. We can have it back,
Mike. We just need to want it enough."

"I don't... I can't deal with all that right now. I just want you well."

"Shh. Shh." Jessy's mouth covered his, lips warm, tongue hot.

Oh. He pushed close, both of them hiding in the shadow at the edge of the pool. Jessy's hands
were hot compared to the water, sliding over his back.

"Hey." Mike cuddled in, fingers sliding over Jessy's belly.

A low groan sounded, Jessy's hand landing on his ass beneath the water, massaging. "Shit, we
haven't made love in the water in forever."

"I know." His cock was so hard it hurt.

"You think that nosy old biddy in one twenty can see us?" Jessy's hand pushed into his shorts,
fingers hot on his ass, one sliding along his crack, pressing against his hole.

"Probably. I hope not."

"I hope not, too." Jessy didn’t' seem to be inclined to stop, either way.

The tip of the finger at his crack pushed into his hole, wiggled there as Jessy's other hand cupped
his prick. He moaned and moved, sliding in the water, just about as happy as he could be. Jessy's

tongue split his lips open, pushing into his mouth. This wasn't therapy for Jessy's leg, but it sure
felt good, didn't it?

"I want you to blow me," Jessy told him.

"Fuck, yes." He nodded, heart starting to pound viciously. Yes. Yes, here in the water. He took a
deep breath and tugged the front of Jessy's shorts down.

Jessy's fingers slid over his head, guided him down to the hard prick bobbing under the surface.
He opened up, sucking hard, his lungs burning almost immediately. Jessy's hands slid over his
head, over his shoulders, hips pushing the thick cock in deeper. Yes. His own cock was
throbbing as he swallowed around Jessy.

His lover. The water. So good.

So hot, so wide, Jessy's prick split his lips, nearly choked him as it pushed deep. He bobbed up
for the barest gasp of air, then went back down, sucking and jacking himself off furiously, the
water moving all around him. Jessy's hands landed on his head, hips thrusting, cock fucking his
mouth hard.

Fuck. Fuck. Yes. Things got distant, sparkly, wildly erotic. Prick growing even harder, Jessy
pushed deep and shot, spunk shooting down his throat. Everything went gray and he bobbed to
the top, throat working.

Jessy's arms slid beneath his arms, holding him up. One hand slid down and grabbed his prick,
jacking him.

"Jessy. Jessy, please." He gasped, jerked, muscles going tight.

"Take a breath," growled Jessy, and as soon as he had, Jessy pushed him back under, going down
with him to work his prick.

His lungs were screaming, his cock hard as nails as he shot, eyes rolling back in his head. Jessy
brought him back up, tugging his swimming suit up so they were decent as they floated in the
water.

He reached out, fingers twining with Jessy's.

Hand squeezing his, Jessy tugged them so their shoulders bumped. "That felt amazing, baby."

"Uh-huh." His heart was pounding, nerves just thrumming and he wanted to swim.

"Better than therapy." The grin was right there in Jessy's voice.

"Yeah? Feeling stretched?" He started moving in the water, body needing to work.

"Something like that." Jessy chuckled. "Go ahead, baby. I'll just do some lengths on my back,
work the muscles."

"'Kay. Take it easy." Mike turned, striking out, letting himself just go. He passed Jessy over and
over, Coach taking it easy, just working his leg, strengthening the muscles.

He missed his music.

He missed his life.

He fucking missed everything.

Damn it.

Chapter Thirty One

Jessy thought maybe he was wearing Mike down.

He wasn't lecturing or hassling or otherwise haranguing Mike about going back to swimming.
Instead he was slipping it into conversations, mentioning it whenever he had an opening. He got
Mike into the water. He was slowly weaning Mike off the caffeine and back to something
resembling his swimming diet.

And they were making love.

Okay, so that had nothing to do with swimming, but it meant they were getting back to normal,
back to how things were supposed to be.

He was feeling stronger every day.

Jessy went through his drawers, looking for where Mike had hid the toys. They'd only brought a
few to the hotel with them all those months ago, but he assumed they'd been brought along. He
finally found them in one of their bags in the back of the closet. He took them all out and slid
them into the bedside table drawer along with the new supply of lube and condoms.

There.

Now all he was missing was Mike. And he had a hunch he'd be able to find him out at the pool.
He went out, heading straight there.

Sure enough, Mike was in the pool, moving easily, not thinking, not counting. And that was fine.
That's how he was going to talk his baby into ditching this whole stupid retirement thing. Mike
had just been stressed. Things were better now that he was almost back to his old self and he
knew Mike was beginning to itch to be back in the thick of things. Or at least he would be soon.

He knelt by the end of the pool and whistled, waiting for Mike to come down to him.

Mike popped up, not even breathing hard. "Hey, Coach. Jessy. You okay? I was just fucking
around."

"I know. I thought maybe you'd like to come back inside and fuck around with me." He waggled
his eyebrows.

Mike's laugh sounded good, relaxed. His baby needed to be in the water. Needed to swim.
Grinning, he held out his hand to Mike to haul his baby out of the water. His jeans were getting
tight, Mike so damn sexy it was impossible not to be turned on.

"You look happy. Feeling good?"

"I'm feeling great." He bumped their hips together once Mike was out of the pool, his arm around
Mike's waist guiding his baby back to their condo. "You're looking good. Feeling happy?"

"Yeah. Not bad at all." Look at that smile.

"Good. You hungry? You need anything?" He was planning on occupying a good portion of
Mike's evening.

"Huh? You don't have to take care of me, Jessy. I'm supposed to be helping you."

"Hey, I'm almost back to rights." He couldn't imagine not taking care of Mike, whether or not
Mike went back to swimming. It was just who he was.

"Yeah." Mike's eyes trailed all along his body. "You look good."

He stood a little straighter, his cock pushing even harder at his jeans from Mike's appraisal.
"Yeah? This old man still do it for you, baby?"

"God, yes. I need you like nothing else."

"Good."

He got them inside before tugging Mike in to kiss him, mouth sliding over the pool-cooled lips.
Mike responded eagerly, arms wrapping around him and dragging him close. He spread Mike's
lips, tongue slipping between them to plunge into the hot mouth. His hands slid down Mike's
back, warming his skin all the way down, and then pushing the cold, wet swimsuit from Mike's
hips. Stepping out of the suit, Mike pressed close, cock hard, body shivering.

"One of us is wearing too many clothes." Although there was something to be said for being
fully dressed while Mike was buck naked. Something sexy. He started walking backward,
bringing Mike with him.

"That would be you." Mike tugged at his shirt, laughing softly.

"Very observant, baby." Grinning, he kept them moving until they were in the bedroom, the
covers turned down on the bed.

"Focused." Mike's grin was wicked as hell.

"Oh, ho! I think I like that."

"Yeah?" Mike worked his t-shirt off, jeans open.

"Oh, yeah." It was good, having Mike so hungry and being able to do something about it.

He brought their mouths back together, tongue pushing in. His baby gave it up, so easy, loving
on him, tongue sliding and stroking against his. He wiggled, stepping out of his jeans as they
kept kissing. Mike's skin was still cooler, but warming quickly against his.

"Mmm. Jessy. Taste good, huh?"

"Yeah, you do, baby." He grinned, dragging Mike over to the bed.

Mike's ass bounced and his baby stretched out, cock bobbing.

"Mmm... Just look at you." He slid his hands down his own body, wrapping his fingers around
his prick as he watched Mike.

"Rather touch you..." Mike arched a little, cock thumping madly.

"Yeah? So you'd be disappointed if I found something to tie your hands to the headboard with?"

"You..." Mike's cock bounced, slapped that flat belly.

He grinned, and opened the side table, pulling out the only tie they had in the place and pooling
it on Mike's chest. "Me what?"

"You are. I mean. Uh. Wait. What?"

He loved it when Mike got incoherent. "I'm going to tie your hands to the headboard now, baby."

"Oh, fuck." Mike's hands were shaking, offered right up to him.

He kneeled on the bed, taking Mike's hands and wrapping the tie around them. Then he pushed
Mike's hands up and looped the free end around the headboard, tying it off.

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Jessy. Are you sure?"

"Baby, I wouldn't do it if I wasn't sure." He tugged a little, making sure the knot was tight, and
then he bent, tongue tracing Mike's lips. "I know what you need."

Mike fed him a sound that was almost a sob, sounded a lot like 'thank God'.

He let the kiss go on for awhile, but then pulled back. They both needed this so badly. He went
to the side table again, pulling out the plug. Mike's eyes were just burning, staring at him.
Begging him.

He lubed up his fingers. "Spread for me, baby." Those long, muscled thighs spread like butter for
a hot knife. "Yeah, just like that." Holding Mike's eyes, he touched the skin behind Mike's balls.

"What are you going to do?" Mike's hips rolled, moving against his fingers.

"I'm going to make you fly, baby." He slid his fingers over the wrinkled flesh that surrounded
Mike's hole. Hot, soft, it felt so good against his fingertips. "You don't need to worry about the
details, just ride the sensations. I've got you." As he said the last words, he pushed a single finger
into Mike's body, the tight hole stretching to let him in.

That earned him a long, soft moan, Mike's hands twisting in the bonds.

His prick throbbed, his balls drawing up against his body. "So beautiful, baby. You make me
ache."

He settled comfortably between Mike's legs, finger-fucking his baby with just the one finger,
knowing it felt good, but wasn't enough for Mike. He was going to take his time, though, He was
going to make it last as long as he could. Mike rocked and moved, riding his touch, eyes closed
and lips open. The lean muscles flexed and twisted. Jessy groaned, totally turned on by the sight.
He nudged Mike's opening with a second finger, but didn't push it in alongside the first. Not yet.

"Jessy." Mike wiggled, trying to get more.

"Yeah, baby. I know exactly what you want." He stroked the wrinkled flesh. "I know exactly
what you need." He pushed his finger in beside the first.

"Always. Always have." Mike's cock bobbed, stomach tight.

"Yeah." He pushed his fingers in and out of Mike's ass. He spread them, stretching Mike wide.
He twisted them as he pushed in, searching for and finding that little bump of flesh that would
drive Mike crazy.

When he found it, Mike groaned and bucked, a sharp cry just ringing out.

"Mmm... right there, baby." He worked the spot, loving every sound and movement he coaxed
out of Mike.

"Uh. Uh-huh. Again. More." Demanding boy. God, he loved the brat.

Bending, he mouthed the skin around Mike's prick. It was strange to have hair there. He'd have
to do something about that. Just as soon as Mike said the magic words and rescinded his
retirement. Jessy hit Mike's gland again, lips closing over the wiry curls and tugging on them.

"Jessy!" Mike's legs drew up, wrapped around him and dragged him closer.

He chuckled, his prick hitting his hand, pushing his fingers in deeper. "Pushy, baby."

"Just need you. So bad."

"I know, baby." He tugged Mike's hairs again, and then bypassed the hard, needy cock, nibbling
on Mike's abs.

"Getting all soft, being able to eat what I want." Right. Soft. Mike was losing weight, eating like
an idiot.

"You'll have to go back on my diet when you start training again." He grinned up at Mike.

"Retired."

Uh-huh. Not his baby. "Sure you are." He bit down on one of Mike's nipples.

"I... I am." Mike moaned, whimpering.

"I don't believe you." He moved over and bit the other one. "Not now that I'm better."

"You have to. I said it."

"You were stressed out -- your Coach had just been hit by a car. No one will be surprised when
you announce your come-back." He pushed his fingers in deep, hitting Mike's gland again.

"I can't. I can't let them hurt you. God, Coach. Jessy. Jessy, I need to."

He stopped moving, stopped everything and looked up into Mike's eyes. "Oh, no, baby.
Worrying is my job, remember? There will be security and a bodyguard and no one will touch
one hair on your head. Or mine. It'll be different when you go back. You'll see."

Mike wanted to believe him. He knew it. Mike needed to believe in this.

"I always know, remember? I'm Coach." He looked Mike in the eye, and then, having said his
piece, he pushed a third finger in with the first two, fingers fucking that sweet, tight heat.

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Yes. Yes, please." Mike started moving, rocking, humping his fingers.

"Pretty, baby." Groaning, he worked some lube onto the plug with his free hand. Then he leaned
down and took the head of Mike's prick into his mouth, sucking hard as he replaced his fingers
with the plug, slowly, surely pushing it in.

"Jessy. Jessy." Oh, somebody fucking loved that, loved being full.

Jessy pulled the plug partway out, and then pushed it back in again, moving slowly, timing each
thrust with his sucking around Mike's cock. Mike babbled, moving on the sheets like he was
swimming. He pointed his tongue, pushing the tip into Mike's slit.

"Please." He knew what Mike needed. He knew. Mike needed to come back to the living.

He pulled off Mike's cock, looking up into his baby's face, still fucking Mike with the plug, the
heavy base pushing in over and over. "I know what you need, baby. Say it."

"You. Need you to help me."

That would do. "I'm right here, baby. I'm not going anywhere."

He leaned down again and wrapped his lips around Mike's cock, taking it in as far as he could
and sucking strongly. Mike bucked up, fucking himself on the plug now, almost screaming with
it. He reached up with his free hand, sliding it up Mike's chest, stopping only long enough to
tweak one nipple. Then he found Mike's throat, fingers pressing against it. Just enough for Mike
to feel

Mike's motions slowed, those eyes going wide. He sucked Mike's prick just as hard as he could,
hand lying across Mike's throat now.

"Yes. Yes, please. Jessy." Mike went tight as a board, throat pushing up against his touch.

Yeah, he knew what Mike needed. In bed and out of it. He was Mike's partner, Mike's coach.
Mike's. He pressed harder against Mike's throat and began slamming the plug into Mike's ass.
The cries got quieter, even as they got more desperate.

He finally slid off Mike's prick, teeth scraping the entire way. "Come, Mike."

Heat sprayed over his fingers, splashing across Mike's belly and hitting his chin.

"That's my baby."

He let the plug seat itself in Mike's ass and he began to clean the smooth skin, licking the come
from Mike's abs. Mike moaned for him, just relaxing, enjoying.

"Mmm... now I get to take my time." He glanced up at Mike and smiled before going back to
licking and cleaning. He was going to taste every part of Mike.

"Whatever. Whatever you want."

"I want it all." He wrapped his tongue around one nipple, tugging on it. Then he kissed his way
over to the other one. This time he bit, letting Mike feel his teeth.

"All. All of. Oh. Fuck, yes."

He nosed his way up to Mike's pit, licking and tugging at the hair, pulling hard enough to make
Mike jerk and gasp. Then he moved up, mouth on the solid arm muscles that were straining
against their bindings.

"You... you're dangerous when I have hair."

"Just another reason to get back into racing shape." He winked at Mike, though he was deadly
serious.

Sliding his tongue up along Mike's arm, he nipped at the tender flesh along the inside of Mike's
wrist.

"Everything is just raw, huh? Weird. Everything but this."

"This is necessary, baby. It's like breathing." So was swimming to Mike. It was why he was so
good. It was why he couldn't just retire.

"Yeah. Yeah, Jessy. Better than breathing."

Chuckling, he brought their mouths together, taking a nice, long kiss. Mike was relaxing for him,
was responding and coming back. It was all going to be okay, he knew it. He stayed there for a
long, long time, kissing Mike, laughing and nibbling and just loving on his baby.

"It's good." Mike was holding onto his hip, leg draped around him.

"It's fucking awesome." He met Mike's eyes, fingers sliding down over the fine skin.

"Mmmhmm." Mike smiled at him, like the sun was fucking coming out.

Then he twisted Mike's nipple. Hard.

"Fuck!" Mike jerked, tugging at the bonds, almost dumping him off the bed.

He chuckled, pinching the same nipple again and then walking his fingertips over to the other
one, waiting until he had Mike's complete and absolute undivided attention before twisting it.

"Stings. Stings, Jessy. Fuck."

"I could stop," he teased, feathering his fingertip across the hard little nub of flesh.

"No. Please." No, Mike needed this.

Now.

Needed him.

"I'm not going to stop, baby. Not ever." That was a promise, a vow.

He ran his fingers down Mike's body again, fingernails dragging as he went. He didn't break the
skin, but he'd bet the sensation was shooting straight to Mike's balls. Mike's body was working
the plug, balls drawn up tight, cock filling again.

"You want me to fuck you." It wasn't a question. "You want me to pull the plug out and fuck you
as hard as I can. Until you scream."

"Yes. I need you." Mike nodded, held his eyes.

"I know you do. Because you're in my blood, Mike. You're mine." He worked the plug out
slowly, letting Mike feel it.

"Yes. Yes, fuck. So good."

"Can't wait to be inside you, baby. To feel you so hot and tight around my cock." He settled
between Mike's legs, hips rocking slightly, bumping his cock against Mike's hole over and over.

"Fuck me." Mike stretched, trying to reach him, trying to get him in.

"All night long, baby." He pushed in, one long stroke, Mike's body closing around him, feeling
so fucking good.

"Yeah." Those long legs wrapped around him, tugging him in, body rippling and working around
him.

Groaning, he leaned in to take a kiss, propping himself up on one arm, his other hand sliding,
pinching and twisting and pushing against Mike's skin. Mike fucked his lips, needing him like no
one else did. Ever.

He eased into Mike's body, pushing their pleasure higher.

"Untie me. Let me touch you."

"After, baby." Right now, Mike needed to be driven over the edge again, have all that restless
energy focused.

"I..." Mike moaned, heels digging into his legs.

"You feel. Just feel, Mike." He bit at Mike's lower lip, his hips pushing harder, really thudding
into Mike's body.

"Feel." Mike's skin slapped against his, sharp, loud, hard.

"That's right, baby. It's like the wall, only with sex." He pinched Mike's nipple, and then pushed
his hand between them, wrapping it around the long cock.

"Al...always about the water."

"No, baby, it's always about you. And you're about the water." He stroked Mike roughly, hand
and hips working together, pushing Mike hard.

"I. I. Coach..." He grinned wildly, nodded. Yes. Yes, baby.

Jessy drove in harder, his thumb rubbing across the tip of Mike's cock as it flew by. Spunk
sprayed over his thumb, over his palm, Mike giving it up to him.

He shouted out "Yes!" as Mike's ass went tight around his cock, squeezing him, milking the
pleasure right out of him. Mike nodded, watched him as he came.

"Oh, baby." Panting, shuddering, he rode through his orgasm and the aftershocks, and then he
collapsed down hard. He reached up, fingers fumbling with the tie.

As soon as Mike's fingers got free, he was grabbed, held tight.

"Mmm... I'm right here, baby. With you. Like always." He stroked gently now, soothing and
loving softly.

"Yeah. I worried, Jessy. I was scared."

"I know, baby, but that's over. In the past. Let it go." Mike just needed to let it go and come back
to what he knew, what he was made for.

"Is that an order, Coach?"

"It is."

Mike took a deep breath, sighed and melted under him. "'Kay."

"Yeah, just like that, baby." Christ, about fucking time. "Just like that."

Chapter Thirty Two

Coach gave him another solid week before the nagging started.

"Wanna do some laps, Mike?"

"How about some juice, Mike?"

"That shit's bad for you, baby."

It was aggravating.

Familiar and weirdly comforting, but aggravating.

He was sitting in a chair, looking at the ocean, trying not to think when Jessy came along, limp
barely noticeable. "Hey, baby, gonna come help me with my therapy?"

"You know it." He smiled up. Jessy's leg wasn't strong enough to swim in the Gulf. Well, that
and it was cold.

"Come on then. Maybe you'll do some laps after you help me."

He grinned; stubborn old man. "Maybe."

They got changed and into the warm pool, the water delicious in contrast to the air.

"What first?"

"The hard stuff." Jess liked to hit things head on.

"Warm ups, Coach." He held onto the wall, waiting for Jess to start kicking.

Jessy sighed. "And you call me a hardass."

"Yep." He put his head down, body moving instinctively, these movements more familiar than
breathing.

Jessy followed suit, he could feel that sweet body in the water, familiar and right. They moved
and kicked, pushing, exercising. For all his grousing, Jessy worked hard every day, pushing
himself, focusing on getting better.

They moved into doing laps, Mike pacing Jessy for a while, before his body took over and he
started moving. He lapped Jessy every now and then before Jessy hauled himself up out of the
pool, sitting and watching. He just moved and moved, heart pounding, the rhythm of his strokes
hypnotizing.

Mike almost missed it when his music came on.

His strokes lengthened, sped, the bass beat echoing through the water. He went three or four laps
before he stopped, lifting his head. "That's cheating."

"I'm just listening to some music, baby."

He shook his head. "You don't fool me."

Jessy shrugged, grinned. "You're liking it, though, aren't you, Mike? The way the music moves
through you, the way it sounds as you slide through the water like you were born to."

"I'm not going back on the diet." He pushed off the wall, eyes closed, swimming, reaching for
the wall.

He could feel Jessy's eyes on him, feel the push, the support. He did lap after lap, muscles
burning, just flying. He would have kept going and going, but the music stopped, Jessy's familiar
shadow at the edge of the pool.

He stopped, looked up, panting hard. "Yeah?"

"Time to come out, baby. You can get back in this afternoon after some food and rest."

He reached up, let Jess help him up and out, actually getting the towel around him before he
glared at Jess. "You're cheating."

"What?"

He looked at Jessy, shook his head. "Still not going back on the diet."

Jessy's fingers slid along his belly. "Caffeine's no good for your stomach, Mike."

"I only throw up every so of..." His eyes closed, the touch sweet.

"Once is too often, baby." Jess moved closer, breath ghosting over his face.

"Mmmm..." God, he felt good. Warm. Happy.

Jessy licked at his lips, fingers still working their magic along his abdomen. He leaned into the
touch, just melting. Humming, Jessy's mouth licked at his own. He opened right up, heat burning
in his belly.

"Oh, baby." Jessy's moan was sweet, wanton.

"Love..." He reached up, arms wrapping around Jessy's neck.

Jessy's hands slid around his back, tugging him in closer as his mouth was invaded. Fuck, yes.
He arched, rubbing, wanting. Jess started walking him back toward the condo, mouth never
leaving his, tongue plundering. He whimpered, lips open, eyes wide. More, Jess. Please. His
back hit the wall of the condo, Jessy pressing against his front.

"I... Oh. Jess..." They needed to go in.

Jessy's hand slid down and cupped his cock, the towel pushed away as he was dragged inside.

"Want." They stumbled into the front room, landing on the couch. "Love."

"Yes." Jessy grabbed his wrists and held them up over his head, kissing him hard.

His breath caught and he tugged against Jess' grip, testing. Jess squeezed, just not hurting, eyes
on his as their kiss went on. Oh, he needed this. He always needed this so bad. Every time they
did it he could feel them come back to right.

Jess transferred his wrists to a single hand, Jessy's other hand sliding down along his body,
fingers pressing firmly. Mike arched, wiggling, body just begging. Jessy pulled off his own
swimming trunks and then pushed Mike's legs apart, fingers searching out his center.

"Need you. Fuck. Jessy..." They smelled like chlorine and water and passion and, fuck, he was
hard.

"Got me," growled Jessy, cock hard and hot against his inner thigh. Then at last Jessy found his
hole, fingers pushing in, spreading him.

His cry was sharp, harsh. "Yes. More. More."

Jessy nodded, fingers fucking him hard. "More, baby."

He nodded, gasped. He'd missed this. So much. Missed Jess. Missed letting go. Missed their life.
Jessy worked him far longer than he wanted, fingers pushing and stretching, opening him up.

"I need more. Jessy. Jessy, please. I need."

"I know what you need, baby." Jessy's fingers disappeared, blunt heat pushing at him, Jessy's
cock insistent.

He bore down, took Jess in, nodding desperately. Yes. Jess knew. Always. Whimpering, Jessy
pushed in deep, taking him fully. They slammed together, so needy, so hard, so good. Jessy
stared down at him, eyes intense, filling him as surely as Jessy's hard prick did. His hands were
still held over his head, holding him captive.

"Love you." He couldn't think of anything else to say.

Not a thing.

Jessy nodded and started to fuck him, thrusts hard, slow, good. He arched into each thrust,
tugging on Jess' hand, rocking. Jessy groaned. "So good, baby."

"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Don't stop."

"Not gonna. Ever." Harder and harder, Jessy pushed into him, fucking him deep. They shifted
and Jess pushed deeper, forcing a cry of pure pleasure from him. "Oh, right there, baby." Jess
kept nailing him, pushing into him over and over.

Everything inside him when white hot and tight, balls drawing up, body clenching.

"Baby!" Jess roared, filling him with unbelievable heat.

Come poured from him, so hot, so good.

Jessy collapsed onto him, hand slowly releasing his wrists and sliding down his arms.

"Oh... Oh, that... So good." He was babbling.

"Christ, baby. Love you. Needed that." Jessy's face found its usual place at his neck, Jessy's
breath warm and soft against his skin.

"Oh, me, too." All of it. More than breathing.

Jessy licked at his skin, tongue soft and hot, leaving a damp trail behind it. "So we're back in
training?"

"I..." He found himself nodding, almost without his permission.

Jessy nodded and nuzzled a bit more before relaxing against him. "So, all that's left is to choose
where. You name the place, Mike. I'll make it happen."

"Can we go and see, first? See if we like training in Australia?"

"That's a good idea, baby. It sounds really good on paper, though, doesn't it? Relatively warm
year 'round, the ocean, less media..."

Mike nodded. "Somewhere different. Somewhere new."

"Yeah. Someplace we can build a home together. There's a future there for us, too, you know?"

He met Jessy's eyes, so serious. "I just want to love you and swim, Jessy. For as long as I can."

"That works in perfectly with my plans, baby," Jessy said with a nod. "Love you and coach you.
And the loving part? That's forever, baby. Even if you never swim again."

"Yeah. Yeah, I know." He felt easy inside, like a weight had fallen away.

Jessy purred. "You're happy now. I can feel it in your body."

"You always know." Mike blushed dark, shook his head. "I never can hide from you."

Jessy nodded. "Yep." Strong hands stroked his skin. "That's because you're my baby, my Mike.
Mine."

"Yeah." He smiled up. "I need you, Jessy."

"I know. And it's absolutely mutual."

Jessy kissed him, long and slow. He moaned, snuggling in, the kiss going on and on until his
stomach growled, demanding lunch. Now. They both laughed, smiling together.

"Come on, baby. I'll treat you to a salad at Denny's and then we'll go grocery shopping."

"Why do I get the feeling you're going to go through the cabinets and get rid of all the yummy
stuff?"

Jessy laughed and rubbed their noses together. "Because you're a smart kid."

"Not a kid, hardass."

"That's right. Old man." Jessy laughed and rolled away, hightailing it toward the shower, barely a
limp to be seen.

He watched for a second, smiling. Yeah. His hardass. His coach. His lover.

Epilogue

Jessy and Mike decided to stay in Padre at least until Worlds were over. Mike had been given a
berth on the World team despite the fact that he hadn't finished out the Championship races and
it had been easier to just stay in the condo they were renting and focus on training.

And now they were here.

They'd been working toward this for so long, had overcome obstacles and troubles and here they
were, Mike swimming in his first final against the best swimmers the world had to offer.

So far, Mike had just flown through his heats, qualifying easily for the two finals he'd race today.
Jessy's swimmer was relaxed and in control, owning the water.

Smiling, Jessy walked over to Mike, hands dropping onto the relaxed shoulders, touching
because he wanted to, not because Mike needed it.

Mike smiled up, music blaring. "The coach from Sydney's looking for you."

He smiled back, feeling happy and right. "Yeah? What should I tell him?"

"Tell him to make us an offer, Coach. Somewhere where we can be near the ocean, with a good
pool."

He grinned. "Excellent."

Mike was really coming into his own, making more decisions, things like reporters weren't
freaking him out as much, though he still just wanted to swim. The rest was all a necessary
distraction from the main event.

"So what are you thinking about?" he asked, winking.

"My hardassed coach." Mike laughed.

Jessy grinned and shook his head. "The wall, Mike. You can focus on me after you hit that wall."

Mike nodded. "I got it down, Coach. Me and the wall, we're friends."

"I know." He squeezed Mike's shoulders. "I'm really proud of you, Mike. You've really come
into your own."

"Be proud when you're buying me pizza tonight."

He shook his head. "You've still got four races coming up. I'll buy you pizza at the end of the
week."

"No way. I want pizza for each win." He got a grin, a wink.

"Not until after all your races." He kept his tone light, but he was serious.

"Hardass bastard."

"Hey, I haven't reinstituted the no sex before and during a meet rule."

"That's because I swim better relaxed."

He chuckled and gave Mike a wink. "It would be nice if you let the old man get the last word
once in awhile."

"Maybe next time." Mike heard the race called, stood and handed Jess his earphones. "I'm up."

He nodded and smiled. "See you on the other side of the wall."

End.