Matt was a vice president of a bank in his small home town where everyone knew everyone. He and Kent lived about thirty kilometers or so to the south of the small town where Matt had grown up. Matt had met Kent in college, and the two had fallen in love within a few short months. Kent had completed only two years of college, stating that it was clearly a waste of time and that he could make more money without a degree in tips alone from bartending.

******

“Good morning, Matt.” “Good morning, Linda,” Matt said, smiling instantly. He hurried to his office, hoping that his sweet motherly secretary hadn’t seen the bruise on his face. Matt was early today, as he always was, and began to work on the financial reports that were due in less than a week. Matt had rearranged his office about a month ago so that he could face away from the door and away from the watchful eyes of everyone who came into the bank, and today he was especially glad that he had done that. When he looked at his reflection in the computer monitor, he was shocked. It appeared as if his face might be swollen a little on the side with the bruise. “Shit,” he said, under his breath.

Matt kept as busy as he could for most of the morning, not wanting to talk to anyone today. “Knock, knock,” Linda said. “These are for you, Matt.” Matt made a half turn in his chair. “Thanks, Linda.” The sweet woman left Matt’s office, and once he was sure that she had gone, he turned and looked at the beautiful flowers that had been delivered to him. He opened the card, though he knew who they were from. “I love you. You are my life.” They were signed, “Love, Kent.” Matt knew that the words on the card were true. Kent just feels bad about himself and about his work situation, Matt had told himself often. He knew that Kent felt trapped in a dead-end job, and that Kent’s father had been an abusive alcoholic. Kent had told Matt that he had gotten his bad temper from his father. “I can’t help it, Matt. That’s just the way that I am. It’s in my genes.” “He just needs to know that I love him,” Matt said, trying to convince himself. The flowers made his office smell good, and the aroma was somewhat therapeutic.

******

He and Kent had had quite a fight the night before. Business hadn’t been that good at the bar where Kent worked, and there was talk that Kent’s hours might be cut by one day a week. Matt had assured Kent that he was making enough money for both of them, which had been a hard blow to Kent’s pride. “I don’t need your pity, Matt,” he had said. “I didn’t mean it like that, Kent. I just meant that you don’t have to worry about money, that’s all.” Matt played the conversation of the night before over and over in his mind. When Matt had suggested that Kent go back to college and finish his degree, it had been the ultimate blow to Kent’s bruised ego, which had ultimately caused the bruise on Matt’s face. “You think I’m a fucking failure, is that it?” “No. I didn’t mean that at all, Kent.” Kent had shoved Matt hard against the wall, and had struck his face. Matt had thought that he had passed out for a few seconds after that, because when he looked up Kent was gone. He had stepped outside to cool off a little. “I just need to be more sensitive. I guess I was pretty thoughtless last night,” Matt said, to the bruised face in the mirror.

******

Kent opened the door of the shower and pulled Matt inside. “I love you, Matt,” he said, and kissed his neck. He kissed Matt’s chest and caught the droplets of water that landed on Matt’s nipples. Kent was a damned good lover, and Matt was aroused by his slightest touch. Kent kissed his way down Matt’s flat stomach until he reached Matt’s cock. Matt’s entire body responded to Kent’s touch and to Kent’s lips, and Matt moaned. Kent held the top of Matt’s cock between his lips and held Matt’s balls in his hand. He seductively slid Matt’s shower wetted cock into his mouth, and looked up at Matt. Matt looked at Kent, and then closed his eyes. His body shuddered. “Oh, Kent,” he moaned. Kent opened Matt’s legs and held the cute little butt that had been the first thing that he had noticed about Matt when they had met. Matt thrust his hard cock into his lover’s mouth, and Kent made love to it and to Matt. Matt grabbed onto Kent as his climax began to build and as his climax came full force. Kent continued making love to Matt’s cock until Matt was completely drained. “Oh, Kent, I love you so much.” “Mmm,” Kent moaned in response. Kent wrapped his arms around Matt and looked up at him.

******

Kent was back. His car was there. Matt felt uneasy, but did not know why. He walked into the house and Kent seemed calm. “Oh, Matt, you’re home.” Kent walked over to him and kissed him. “Come here. I have something to show you.” Kent took Matt by the hand and led him into the kitchen. “Kent, it’s beautiful.” “I bought everything this morning. Now everything is color coordinated.” Kent had bought the cutest café curtains in mint green and bright yellow, and had matching dinnerware and candles in the shape of cupcakes. “Do you like it, Matt?” Matt hugged Kent. “I love it, Kent.” It did brighten the room that was rather small and bland. Matt really wasn’t hungry, but Kent had made lunch for them. “You know, I think I will freshen up the walls with a new coat of paint next week while you’re gone. It’s time, don’t you think?” “That would be great, Kent.”

Kent left for work around three that afternoon, and Matt finally exhaled. He never knew how Kent was going to be at any given time, or which Kent was going to walk through the door, but Kent seemed fine, for now.

Matt pulled out the suitcases and began packing for his week away. He had everything ready to go, and had gotten plenty of cash, though his boss had rewarded him with a very generous expense account. Matt then relaxed and watched some late night television.

Matt was asleep when Kent came home a little after one in the morning. “Hey, sleepyhead,” he said, as he nudged him. “Oh, I’m glad you’re home,” Matt said, standing up. “I can see that,” Kent said, sarcastically, as he looked at the suitcases packed and ready to go. “It looks like you’ve been busy,” he added, with even more sarcasm. Matt said nothing. He didn’t want to show up at a banking conference bruised any more than he was already. The last bruise was just now beginning to fade.

******

They went back to Dustin’s house to change their clothes, and Dustin offered to take Matt out to dinner. “I limit my red meat eating to once a week, but I make that once a week treat really count. How about it, Matt? My favorite steak restaurant, my treat.” “Thank you,” Matt said, not knowing what else to say. They did have a nice time together, and Matt found Dustin’s conversation stimulating. He talked about his work, and about the transition from work back to school after being away from the books for awhile. “For the last two years, my life consisted solely of work and school. Tell me about you, Matt.” Matt looked down at his plate. “There really isn’t much to tell. I work at a small town bank.” Matt wanted to talk about Kent, but didn’t want to say too much. “Anyone special in your life, Matt?” Matt just couldn’t go into his situation right now, but he hated to lie. “Not really.” Matt was surprised to hear his own words. “Well, like I said, for the last two years it has been work and school for me, Matt.” Matt smiled, but then stopped suddenly. Smiling made his face hurt. “Well, how about a drink back at the house?” “That sounds great.” Once again, Matt’s words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

Matt felt comfortable at Dustin’s house, and he felt comfortable with Dustin. Dustin sat down beside Matt on the sofa. “So, about that someone special, what does ‘not really’ mean?” “I guess sometimes I just don’t know where I stand.” “I see. Where do you want to stand?” Matt wished he had answers for this nice man who shared his life’s passion. “I don’t know that, either. I’m sorry, Dustin.” “No apology needed. We’ve all been there.” The two of them talked awhile longer, about their work mostly. “Would you like to tour my bank tomorrow, after the morning’s conference?” Matt’s eyes brightened. “I would. Thank you.”

Dustin and Matt set their empty glasses down, and stood up at the same time. They were face to face when they stood up, and Matt felt his heart beat faster. “I should probably get back to the hotel.” Dustin nervously cleared his throat. He would have given anything to kiss Matt, but would never break up a serious couple, if that was what Matt was a part of. “Yes, tomorrow will be here before we know it.” Dustin casually placed his hand lightly on Matt’s back without thinking about it, and Matt stiffened.

******

“You can see that not much has changed since yesterday,” Dustin informed, as they walked into his house. “I doubt if your house ever looks messy, Dustin. It’s beautiful.” Dustin smiled. “At the risk of sounding like an alcoholic, would you care for a glass of wine?” “Love one,” Matt said, with a laugh. “And I don’t think of you as an alcoholic,” he added. “One drink a day is about all I can handle, if that much,” Dustin assured him. “What do you think of Denver, Matt?” “It’s beautiful, Dustin. I love the view of the mountains, but what I have noticed more than anything is how much better I sleep out here than I do at home. It must be the thinner air.” Dustin knew that this was his chance to say what he thought, and that if he didn’t do it now, he never would. “Perhaps there is less stress here,” Dustin said, looking right at Matt. “I do have quite a drive each day, and long work days.” “How much sleep do you get, Matt?” “Depends. Most nights I get enough.” Dustin somehow doubted that. “Why do you ask?” “If you don’t mind my saying, Matt, when I first met you it appeared to me that you had a mark under one eye, perhaps what we like to call ‘bags’ from too little sleep?” Matt carelessly touched his eye. Had Dustin noticed the bruise? Did Dustin suspect? “It seems to be going away the longer you are here.” “Oh,” Matt said, not offering anything further.

Dustin could no longer ignore his own desires. He set Matt’s wine glass down with his own. He gently ran a finger along Matt’s lips, collecting the wine that lingered there. He kissed the wine from his finger, and then pressed his finger to Matt’s lips. Matt closed his eyes. His lips parted automatically. He wanted Dustin to kiss him. He wanted Dustin to take him to places that he had never been before. He felt the heat of Dustin’s breath as it neared his lips. Dustin’s arm around him caused Matt to gasp. Then he felt the gentle touch of Dustin’s lips on his own, and he could not resist. He did not want to resist Dustin.