Page 12 of The Bathhouse
Only a stone’s throw from Intramuros, the seaside promenade overlooking Manila Bay was alive with locals and tourists enjoying the cafes, live music, and street performers.
Joseph hailed a kalesa and they rode along the strip, watching the other horse-drawn carriages and the passing boats.Reed had never done anything remotely like this.He kept his personal life well under wraps.Right now he felt uncomfortable and out of his element, like a cliché in a cheap romance novel.What if his employees saw him with Joseph?The only thing keeping him in the carriage was his desire to fuck this man.
Nervous and tense, Reed tried to loosen the kink in his neck.He twisted his head one way and then the other.Suddenly, Joseph reached over and caressed the tendons in the back of his neck.Reed flinched and pulled away.“What if someone sees us?”
Joseph seemed taken aback.“But we are enclosed by the canopy.”
“Still --”
“Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
“No, it has nothing to do with you personally, but it’s not a good look.I’m your boss, after all.I can’t show favoritism.”
“So, it’s not about being gay?”
Reed sighed.“Well, that too.Look, I’m a very private person.My family doesn’t know I’m gay.And as far as business, well, it’s not a good idea for a man in my position to go around shouting,I’m gayfrom the rooftops.”
“Of course not, but if someone found out would it be the end of the world?”
Reed found himself getting irritated.“It could be the end of my business.Some of my associates are very conservative.”
“So you’re never able to be yourself?Living a hidden life is toxic.Believe me, I know.”
“It’s better this way.My sexual preferences are nobody’s business.”
There was a long pause as the two men looked warily at one another.
Joseph attempted to break the silence.“This is your choice.I accept it.Can we enjoy the sunset now?I know a private spot.”
Shaking his head, Reed recovered himself with an effort.“We’re here.We might as well.”
Joseph directed the kalesa driver to a secluded spot and looked to Reed for approval.Reed looked around the deserted area and nodded.Finally, he allowed himself to enjoy the sunset.Reddish-gold hues filled the sky and he found himself responding to the beauty.“Thanks for this.I don’t often get a chance to appreciate a sunset.”
Joseph stared at Reed with his irresistible chocolate eyes.“You can travel the world, but sunsets in Manila are the most beautiful.”
“Maybe so, but I think it might be the company.”
Joseph licked his bottom lip with the tip of his tongue.“I think you’re right, Reed.As beautiful as it is, I can’t stop looking at you.”
Heat curled in Reed’s belly.He wanted to fuck this man, he wanted it bad, and they had yet to share a kiss.This was his opportunity, but he was still reluctant to take it.
Joseph made the first move.Leaning in close, he took Reed’s face between his hands and brushed his lips over Reed’s in a gentle kiss.
Reed shuddered, his senses seduced.He felt lightheaded and euphoric.The world disappeared around him.Forty years old and he’d never before been kissed like this.His previous lovers never lasted more than a night or two, and they were always anxious to get down to business.
The sun sank toward the horizon until it disappeared.Now they were cloaked in shadows and Reed forgot everything but the man next to him.He slipped his hand between Joseph’s legs and cupped the bulge in his slacks.He wanted to feel that hot, hard shaft in the flesh, but Joseph’s moan brought him back to his senses.“We can’t do this here.”
Joseph groaned.“I know.”
“We’ll go to my hotel.I’ll go up first.Wait ten minutes, then come up.”
* * *
Reed left the door open for Joseph and he appeared exactly ten minutes later.Finally, they were truly alone.The feel-good chemicals that made a man hot and horny pulsed through Reed’s body.
Joseph might be older, but he was still hotter than any man had a right to be.His soft lips just begged to be kissed.Reed’s gaze slid south and settled on the bulge straining the thin material of Joseph’s pants.He ached to hold Joseph’s prick in his hand and taste the precum leaking from the tip…
He looked up and caught Joseph watching him.The lust in Joseph’s eyes turned his insides to mush.Reed took a step closer.Joseph strode into his arms and Reed let out a moan as they embraced.Their swollen cocks rubbed and heat flared at Reed’s groin.He held Joseph tighter against his body and kissed him passionately.
