The moment seemed surreal. Dylan stood across from Ray, shrouded in the foliage of the woods, illuminated only by a small, battery powered lamp, a distant street light, and the light of the moon; his muscular, six-foot-three body completely exposed to the summer air. The only thing covering his impressive physique was shadows. Ray eyed him hungrily, fully clothed and completely transfixed. Dylan's workouts generally focused on olympic weight-lifting and functional strength. They included heavy, compound movements that required a great deal of hip-hinging motion. It showed. His thighs and ass were amazing. There had been mornings where Ray would wake up and trace curvature of muscles from the sleeping giant's lower back dipping down to his glutes, admiring and waiting for his chance to bury himself inside. The time was now. The realization of what was about happen ignited the dominant side of him. The side that had faded into a fulfilled submissiveness to his boyfriend's indomitable hold over him. But now, in a sexy, commanding, and controlled tone Ray spoke.
"Get on your knees."
*******
The night had started out with Ray going to meet Dylan's closest friend. It was at a bar. Not the type of place Ray would normally spend an evening but this one was owned said friend. Their schedules had synced for the first time in of couple of weeks and both had the next day off. Dylan asked Ray to drive.
"I might have a few," he said with a little bit of uncustomary mischief. "Don't worry, I'll make it worth your while."
"Yeah, I'll bet," was all Ray replied.
They arrived early in the evening, as the August sun was just starting to recede. Upon walking in, the ever-vigilant cop took a look around. It was a dive but not in a sketchy way. The place had character. A string of lights lit up the bar and the floor was populated with an array of booths, standalone tables, and chairs.
"So, this is where you like to hang out?" Ray asked.
"Yup, it's homey," Dylan replied.
Two men stood working the bar. One - a dark-haired, decently attractive Italian guy- took one look at the couple and immediately turned away. He looked at the hand on the clock as if counting down the seconds and the moment the clock struck 8; he was gone.
"That your ex?" Ray asked.
"Yeah," Dylan replied with a lack of emotion that heartened Ray.
The other was a black guy who looked to be in his late thirties to early forties. He was average height or maybe a little less but wide as tank and just as solid. Maybe a power lifter. His arms were huge and he carried an aura of confidence. He acknowledged them both with a nod and a wave. The look that passed between him and Dylan was one of begrudging respect.
"And that's his boyfriend?"
"Yup,"
At that point Ray's only thought was that this was a lot gay guys for an establishment that was not a gay bar. From there he was led to an office in the back. At the desk sat a white-haired older man with a neat white goatee.
"Hey Charlie," Dylan said genially.
The man looked up from the notepad he had been scribbling into.
"Hey there Dylly," he said with a smile in his voice.
"This is Ray."
Charlie fixed Ray with a quick discerning gaze that caused the younger man to go nervous for a bit. But when their eyes met, Ray was greeted with a warm smile from kind eyes.
"So, you're the guy Dylan hasn't been able to shut up about. I can see why. Nice to meet you," Charlie said, extending a hand in welcome.
Ray shook it firmly and noticed a weathered anchor tattoo on the man's forearm with a rope leading up to a compass rose.
"Navy?" Ray asked.
Their white-haired patron nodded in the affirmative. "Oh, about eleven years. Why don't you two go get yourselves a table and I'll come on out after I finish up some work."
With that they made their way to an open table and settled in. At one point, while Dylan was off getting drinks and chatting with various familiar faces, the sturdy fellow previously working the bar swaggered up to the table. Charlie fixed him with a slightly wary look.
"Don't you look at me like that, Charlie," the man said, chidingly.
"SARGE," Charlie said in a warning tone to the which their new addition responded by holding up his hands in surrender.
"I know, I know. This one's off limits. I'm just being friendly. Sarge," he said extending a large hand to Ray, who shook it firmly but with hidden caution.
"This one?" he asked, pointedly. The question was born out of curiosity and nothing else. Ray trusted Dylan. But he also wanted to get a feel for the group.
Charlie explained. "Yeah, Dyl's brought his friend John by and his other friend Leo's showed up a few times too." He continued excitedly. "Leo even brought a few young people. They actually thought this little dive was cool."
Ray grunted in satisfaction with the answer. "Hard to imagine John in a place like this."
"Yeah," Sarge concurred, pulling up a chair. "Seems like a real nice guy. Shy, preppy, accountant type. A real boy scout... until you get a few drinks in him."
Ray knew THAT from experience and kept a cool demeanor. But he was actually dying to know what this forward newcomer was alluding to. "You speaking from experience?"
