The O'Brien Way Read online

  They left Jilly sleeping in her bed beside the heating vent and drove to the local Walmart. Moby couldn’t get over the number of cars in the parking lot. It had been a few years since he’d cared enough about someone to brave the crowds to buy a gift. He pulled up in front and let his mom out of the car before finding a parking spot towards the back of the lot.

  By the time he reached the automatic sliding doors, his mom already had a cart with her large purse nestled safely in the front of the basket. They slowly worked their way through the crowd. Moby stopped at the jewellery section and picked up a pair of fun but inexpensive earrings for Kitty.

  “I don’t suppose you’re buying these for a girl you’re sweet on, are you?” Virginia asked.

  “Nope,” Moby answered. “I think we both know that’ll never happen. Kitty’s just a friend.”

  “Do I have the right to ask who you spent the night with?”

  Moby hadn’t brought it up because he didn’t want to make his mom uncomfortable, but since she’d asked. “Sean O’Brien.”

  “O’Brien?” Virginia’s head tilted to the side. “Does he own the pub?”

  “Yep. And, yes, before you ask, he’s Irish through and through.” He waited for his mom to respond. Bigotry had run rampant in his house growing up.

  “Well I would assume so with a name like that,” Virginia said. She glanced around. “I want you to look at some sweaters.”

  “I don’t wear sweaters,” Moby reminded her.

  “Well of course not. You don’t have any.” Without another word, she pushed the cart towards the men’s section.

  By the time Moby caught up to her, she had a bulky, cable-knit sweater in her hand. Just looking at it made Moby sweat. It was obvious he wouldn’t be able to sway her in her decision of a Christmas gift, so Moby quickly looked around for a suitable alternative.

  He found a dark green V-neck in a soft material. “I like this one,” he announced.

  Virginia glanced over her shoulder before eventually turning around. “It doesn’t look very warm.”

  “Yeah, but it’ll be thin enough for me to wear to work.” He held the sweater in front of his chest. “Besides, it’ll bring out the colour in my eyes.”

  Virginia smiled. “Yes, it does do that.”

  Moby placed the sweater into the cart. “I love it, Mom.” He kissed her cheek, surprised by the blush that crept up her neck.

  “I think Jilly could use some kind of coat.” As soon as she said it, his mom tried to hide her caring for the large pet. “I can’t have her ruining my house with wet hair when she comes inside.”

  Trying to cover a grin, Moby nodded. “Okay. But first there are a couple of things I need to pick up.” After their shared shower, Moby had given Sean a hard time about not having a bathrobe. Sean had explained he didn’t have time to linger in a robe after showering so he’d never had one.

  It was important to him to teach Sean there was more to life than work. He wanted to experience a lazy Sunday with the man who had given him so much without even knowing it. He headed towards the sleepwear section with a smile on his face. No matter what, he was determined to make sure Sean had the kind of Christmas he’d always deserved.

  * * * *

  Sean studied the near-empty room and shook his head. Thursday evening and only a handful of people had dared to brave the storm raging outside. The three tables with customers were almost finished with their food and would soon head out. Although he didn’t have Jay’s culinary skills, Sean had flipped a hamburger or two in his life.

  He pushed through the swinging door to find Jay wiping down the grill. “Why don’t you go on home?”

  “It’s only seven-thirty. What if someone else comes in?”

  “Only a fool would venture out into this kind of weather. Have you seen it outside in the last hour?”

  Jay glanced around the kitchen. “Nope. My boss isn’t nice enough to provide me with a window office.”

  With a chuckle, Sean turned to head back to the bar. “Get your smart ass home before the doors are blocked with snow and you’re here until the Spring thaw.”

  Entering the pub, Sean noticed only one table of patrons remained. He motioned to Kitty and waited.

  “What’s up?” Kitty asked.

  “Go on home. I’ll bus the tables.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” Kitty said, rushing in the direction of the time clock.

  Once the pub cleared, Sean retrieved a large plastic tub from the kitchen and began clearing the tables. He turned off the stereo that piped in cheerful Christmas music, and carried the dirty dishes to the kitchen.

  As he loaded the dishwasher, his thoughts strayed to Moby. He couldn’t help but smile. It had been a long time since he felt the excitement of a new lover. Unlike his relationship with Ryan, being with Moby was easy, almost too easy. Although Ryan was incredibly sweet, keeping him happy had been a lot of work.

  It was different with Moby. The man was gorgeous, there was absolutely no disputing that fact, but Moby seemed so appreciative of each gentle touch Sean bestowed. It made showing affection even more fulfilling when you were with such a willing recipient.

  Sean closed the dishwasher and turned it on before pulling the phone out of his pocket. He walked towards the sheet of paper tacked up beside the time clock and found Moby’s number. With only one day off a week, would Moby resent the call? Only one way to find out.

  The phone rang three times before being picked up.

  “Hey,” Moby answered, his voice sounded warm and interested which was a good sign.

  “Enough snow for you?” Sean asked.

  “More than enough. I tried to head your way, but got as far as the highway and had to turn back.”

  Sean laughed. “I told Jay earlier that only a fool would venture out in this weather, guess I was right.”

  Moby returned the laugh. “Yeah, well that’s what happens when I let my dick take the lead. Too bad though because I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

  “Yeah?” Sean liked the sound of that.

  “Oh, yeah. See, if you had a snowcat you could come and take me back to your bed for the night. We could ride out the storm together.”

  Sean pressed the heel of his hand against the hardening cock trapped by his jeans. “If I knew where to buy one this time of night, I might just spend a shitload of money doing just that.”

  “Horny?” Moby asked.

  “Gettin’ there,” Sean answered honestly. “I’m standing in an empty bar, wishing you were here.”

  “I could always try again?”

  Sean wondered if it was his horniness that drew Moby to risk life and limb or his desire to be needed. He’d given a lot of thought to the tenderness Moby had reacted so strongly to the previous night. Throughout the day, Sean had become more convinced he wanted to be the one to show Moby the attention he’d obviously never experienced.

  “As hard as I am, I wouldn’t risk your safety for anything,” Sean admitted. “It’s become pretty damn important to me that you’re still around tomorrow.”

  “Oh, no worries there. I plan on sticking around until you’re tired of me.”

  Sean bit his tongue. His immediate reaction was to assure Moby that wouldn’t happen, but it was still too early to show his hand. With his luck, he’d scare Moby away if he started talking about the future. Jumping into a new relationship with gusto had always been a problem. It didn’t take a psychologist to tell Sean why. Affection of any kind had been a rarity in his youth. Although he’d never been mistreated by his father, he’d been kept at arm’s length.

  Moby cleared his throat. “You still there?”

  Shit. Play it cool. “I think I’m gonna go ahead and close up for the night. I’ve got some bookkeeping to do anyway.”

  “All right. You sure everything’s okay?” Moby asked.

  “Yeah.” Sean wondered how honest he could be. “I tend to attach myself pretty early on in a relationship. So far my track reco
rd with that way of doing things is shit. Guess I just want this one to be different.”

  “So, what’re you trying to say? You want to cool things between us?”

  “No,” Sean was quick to answer. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I just want this one to work. I wanna do it right.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ve been thinking about asking Smitty if he wants to work a couple nights a week for me. I’d really like a chance to spend quality time with you.” Sean hadn’t realised he’d made a final decision until the words were out of his mouth.

  “I’d love that. My mom asked about you earlier. I think she might even be ready to have you over for dinner one evening.”

  Spending time with Moby’s mother scared him to death, but he’d learned his lesson with Ryan’s mom. It was important to make nice. Like a lovesick teenager, he’d already committed Moby’s schedule to memory. “Sunday? I can call Smitty in the morning and ask if he’s available. I know you work a half-shift, but you should be out of here by four.”

  “Sunday would be perfect.”

  “Great,” Sean agreed, trying to sound positive. “Hopefully the crap outside will stop, and they’ll get the roads cleared by tomorrow evening.”

  Moby chuckled. “Maybe you can spend the rest of the evening looking into that snowcat idea.”

  “Right after I pay all the bills. I’m sure I’ll have plenty left over for a snowcat.”

  Moby laughed harder. “A man can dream.”

  * * * *

  Moby hung up the phone and stared out of the kitchen window to the yard beyond. God, I miss the desert. It wouldn’t be as bad if he lived in CattleValley. Not solely because of Sean either. The best thing about working in an all-male revue was being surrounded by quite a few like-minded men.

  He heard his mom come out of the bathroom and sighed. She was trying, Moby had to give her credit, but would she ever be self-sufficient enough to live on her own?

  “Did I hear the phone?” Virginia asked.

  Moby glanced over his shoulder to find his mom dressed for bed in her nightgown and robe. “Sean called.” He didn’t want to tell his mom about his conversation. Sean had opened up to him, and Moby took that trust to heart. “Evidently the snow in CattleValley is as bad as it is here.”

  “Well of course it is.” Virginia filled the glass she kept beside the sink with water and took her pills.

  “Would you mind if Sean came to dinner on Sunday?” He held his breath, hoping for a positive response.

  “I guess I could make my fried chicken you like so much. Your friend does eat meat, doesn’t he?” she asked, one greying eyebrow raised.

  “Yes, Mom, Sean’s a meat eater.” Moby walked over and kissed her cheek. “Thanks. I’m sure he’d love your fried chicken.”

  Virginia stepped away from him, but Moby could tell she was pleased at the loving gesture. “I’m going to bed,” she proclaimed without looking back.

  Moby glanced at the clock and shook his head. It was only eight. No wonder his mom got up at the crack of dawn. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a beer before turning off the kitchen light.

  Entering the living room he smiled at the picture Jilly made. Curled up on the couch, Jilly’s head rested on the large down doggy-coat his mom had insisted on buying. Instead of waiting for Christmas morning, Moby’s mom had given the gift to the Rottweiler as soon as they’d returned home. She’d argued that a dog didn’t know what Christmas was so it didn’t make sense to keep Jilly from being warm leading up to a day she wouldn’t understand anyway. Moby had eventually given in. Looking at his beloved dog, he was glad he had. Jilly loved her new coat.

  Moby pushed Jilly over enough to make a spot for himself on the couch. “You’re so damn spoiled,” he teased and scratched Jilly behind the ears.

  Jilly lifted her head and yawned before settling back down on her coat.

  Moby took a drink of his beer and turned on the television. Although it wasn’t the way he’d hoped to spend his evening, he felt better after talking to Sean. He settled in for some quality time with his DVR and his best friend.

  * * * *

  Moby shook the snow from his hair as he stepped through the door of O’Brien’s. It had been a slow drive, but the road had been cleared enough to make it possible. He glanced towards the bar and Sean’s eyebrows drew together.

  “Can I speak to you before you clock in?” Sean asked, scowling. “Jay? Can you keep an eye on the front for me? I’ll just be a second.”

  “Sure thing, boss,” Jay answered with a big grin on his face.

  Moby followed Sean to the back of the kitchen. He was surprised when Sean stopped at the door leading to his apartment. “Is there something wrong?”

  “Yeah, follow me,” Sean said, taking the steps two at a time.

  Moby did as instructed, wondering what had changed since their phone conversation the previous evening. Before he had a chance to ask, Sean turned and pulled him into his arms.

  “I can’t get you off my mind,” Sean moaned, kissing Moby’s neck. Sean’s hard cock rubbed against Moby’s, setting Moby’s body on fire.

  “Ah, hell,” Moby groaned. He reached down and unfastened Sean’s jeans. “Fuck me,” he growled.

  Sean reached into his pocket before holding up a condom. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  “Lube,” Moby cautioned. He wasn’t opposed to having Sean’s cock buried inside him. As a matter of fact, he yearned for it, but a dry fuck had never appealed to him.

  With a chuckle, Sean dug back into his pocket and produced a packet of lube. Moby recognised the brand from the vending machine in the men’s restroom. “Good thinking,” he said, unzipping and ridding himself of his jeans as fast as he could.

  Moby started towards the bedroom but was stopped and swung around to face Sean. With a feral look in his eyes, Sean pushed Moby against the wall.

  “Where are you going?” Sean asked, reaching behind Moby’s balls to brush over his hole.

  Moby’s eyes closed as Sean plunged one long finger deep into his body. “I’m fucking you right here, right now,” Sean informed Moby. He removed his finger and spun Moby to face the wall. “Spread ’em.”

  With his feet apart and his hands braced solidly against the wall, Moby stuck his ass out as far as it would go. “Well, what’re you waiting for?”

  Sean handed the packet of lube to Moby. “Hold this for me, sweetheart.”

  Moby took the offered slick and waited for Sean to sheath himself.

  “Okay,” Sean said, holding up three fingers.

  After squeezing the contents of the packet onto Sean’s fingers, he tossed the trash to the floor and braced himself once again. It was obvious their coupling would be a quick one. Not only were both of them incredibly horny, but they needed to get back downstairs. Sean’s willingness to take time out of their work schedule spoke volumes as far as Moby was concerned.

  Sean fingered Moby’s hole for a few short moments before pressing the head of his cock to the opening. “Tell me if it’s too much too soon.”

  “Just do it already,” Moby answered impatiently.

  Despite his taunt, Sean took his time easing his way inside Moby. “Christ!” Moby howled at the burn of intrusion. When Sean paused and started to pull out, Moby slammed his hand against the wall. “Don’t you dare. Just fuck me.”

  In one powerful thrust, Sean buried his cock as deep as it would go. “I don’t take orders well,” Sean said, slapping Moby’s ass.

  Moby moaned at the sting. “And I don’t like to be teased,” he fired back.

  “Fine, then you’d better hold on.” Sean grabbed Moby’s hips. He withdrew his cock before slamming it back in to the hilt. “Fuck, you feel good.”

  “Uh huh,” Moby managed to get out as Sean repeated the action, harder than before.

  “I dreamt of you. In my mind, you slept with me, showered with me and shared your life with me.” Sean babbled as he continued to fuck Moby harder and fast
er than ever before.

  Moby wondered if Sean realised what he was divulging. He kept his mouth shut and willed his shaking legs to hold him. When one of Sean’s hands wrapped around Moby’s cock, he knew he was lost.

  “This is mine,” Sean growled, pumping Moby’s dick. “As long as you agree to be with me, no sharing, not even a little.”

  “No,” Moby agreed, wiping his forehead on his arm. “Nobody else,” he panted. Soon his mind shut down and his body’s needs took over. Moby began pushing back, impaling himself on Sean’s thick cock.

  It was Sean’s thumb pressing against the slit on Moby’s cockhead that hurled him over the edge. There was no thought, no apprehension, just pure animal instinct as he shot his seed onto the floor at his feet.

  The intensity of his release threatened to turn his legs to jelly. Thankfully Sean’s strong forearm was there to curl around Moby’s waist and hold him up.

  “Stay with me,” Sean gasped as he delivered a quick succession of thrusts. The final jerk of Sean’s hips lifted Moby’s feet from the ground.

  Afraid of meeting the wall with his face, Moby leant back against Sean and grabbed his lover behind the neck. The two men crumpled to the floor with Sean still buried inside Moby.

  Moby was the first to recover, his gaze seeking out the watch on Sean’s wrist. He was surprised to find only seventeen minutes had elapsed since arriving at O’Brien’s. It seemed even a quickie with Sean left a lasting impression.

  * * * *

  On break, Moby ducked into the kitchen for a word with Jay. “So, you and Erico are for sure coming to Sean’s party, right?”

  Jay closed the walk-in freezer and locked the door. “Wouldn’t miss it, although Erico made a good suggestion. He thinks you should have it at The Canoe. That way, not only will Sean be completely surprised, but he won’t feel obligated to clean up the mess afterwards.”

  It only took a second for Moby to mull over the offer. “I’d appreciate that. Should I call Erico and officially ask him?”

  “Naw. I’ll seal the deal when I get home tonight,” Jay said with a wink.