“I have found your dream job.” Rachel’s excitement carried all the way from LA, making Bailey smile as he held his phone. He was on his lunch break at Lloyd’s Center, the mall where he worked at a chain photo studio to pay his daily expenses while chasing his real passion of artistic, gallery-worthy portraits.

“You need to get off this kick of trying to get me to move back.” Bailey lounged against a column, looking down at the ice rink in the center of the mall.

“Oh come on, you know you’re tempted.”

“I do miss you.” Bailey carefully didn’t mention other things he was missing about LA, like Landon—two weeks of gaming and late-night chats had him eager for his next visit. Whether they’d kiss more or take things further was still an unknown, but that was okay. He was excited to get to hang with the guy again.

“And just let me tell you about the job.” Rachel sounded like she was bouncing up and down. While mainly moving back to the LA area to help her mom, she’d found a part-time receptionist job at a talent agency in Burbank. “The agency’s photographer just announced that they’re adopting and he won’t be back after they get a placement. This opening is perfect for you—flexible hours, interesting people, and great portfolio opportunities. Much more so than the chain place. I really think you should submit an application.”

“I’m not sure…” Below him, a lone skater twirled in messy circles on the ice. That was exactly how his life had felt the past few years—circling the big goals, never really getting the breakthrough to the next level.

“You miss your folks. And the sun. And you complain about your roommates all the time. This pays well enough that you could probably afford your own place or at least a better selection of roommates. And it would look fabulous on your resumé.”

“Well…” All those things were good points. The skater on the ice faltered, landing in a heap. And that was what he wanted to avoid. Holding in place was better than falling, right? “Maybe.”

“What’s the reluctance?” Rachel’s voice got sharper, and he could almost see her eyes narrowing. She was too perceptive. “This has to do with Landon, doesn’t it?”

“Well, I don’t want him thinking I’m moving back because of him. That would be kind of stalker-ish. But I also don’t want to tank our friendship either. Things are…delicate.”

“Delicate?” Rachel laughed. “Oh, sweetie, you’ve got it bad.”

“Yeah, I kind of do.” Bailey couldn’t deny it. “But I’m not sure it’s entirely mutual, so I don’t want to kill my chances.”

“By not applying for a job I know you want—and that you’d be perfect for? Come on, Bailey. You can’t rearrange your priorities for a guy you’ve known only a few weeks. And if you’re local, all the more chance for things to work out long term. You’ll see.”

“I guess I could submit a portfolio, see what happens,” Bailey allowed.

“Yes. That’s the spirit!”

“You’re a horrible influence.” Decades worth of affection seeped into his voice. “But I love you, Rach. I’ll try, okay? But don’t get your hopes too high—I’m sure they’ll get tons of applicants.”

“But none as good as you.” Loyalty was one of things that Bailey liked most about her.

“Thanks.” His break was almost over, so he ended the call with a promise to text later. Scrolling through his other messages, he couldn’t help but grin when he saw one from Landon.

Thor is ready to game tonight. What time are you off? Landon had attached a picture of the cat sprawling on the couch, head on the game controller.

Bailey dashed off a quick reply. Done at seven. Give me till eight to get home and get fed. I’ll message you when I’m ready.

Landon must have been on a break between classes because he replied right away. Sounds great. I’ll get my grading out of the way first.

But when Bailey finally got home with Thai takeout, he couldn’t get his laptop to connect to the Space Villager server. Hell. He really wanted his Landon time. Finally, he gave up and messaged Landon in the messenger app as he dug into his mango curry.

It won’t let me on. Fuck. I really wanted to play tonight.

The icon immediately showed that Landon was typing. Me either. What are we going to do now?

Bailey really liked that “we” and the implication that Landon wasn’t going to blow him off just because the technology wasn’t cooperating. Dunno, he typed between bites. What do you usually do on nights you don’t game?

Landon replied with a laughing emoji. Work. The research stuff doesn’t exactly keep regular hours. Or if work’s not cooperating, porn. LOL.

You can’t work all the time. Makes a dull Landon. Bailey laughed to his empty bedroom. But I’m here for the porn. Wasn’t sure if you were into that, actually.

They’d talked about lots in the past two weeks—Landon’s research, Bailey’s family, living in Portland, old TV shows they both liked—but they’d stayed on friendly topics, no venturing into sexy talk even though some of their flirting skirted the line. More even than wanting to test of their conversational boundaries, Bailey had to confess to being incredibly curious about Landon’s thoughts on sex.

Why wouldn’t I be? Landon added an eye rolling emoji. I mean, I know I’ve got certain hang-ups. But give me a good, clearly consensual, kinky, amateur scene and I’m as horny as the next guy.

Kinky? *ears perk up* Do tell! Bailey hoped his flirtatious tone came through. He did want to hear more about Landon’s hang-ups, but he figured they could work up to Landon being comfortable to share his limits.

Oh, I’m not sure you want to hear about my weird fetishes. We should try the server again.

Bailey wasn’t letting him out of this topic so easily, and he hit the call button before Landon could report that the server was back up.

“You’re far more interesting than the game,” Bailey said when Landon picked up. “Now spill.”

“I should not have typed that,” Landon groaned. “I’m pretty sure I’ve got things to do—cat box to clean, more papers to grade…”

“I’ll tell you my kinks if you tell me yours,” Bailey offered as he scraped up the last of the curry. “I’m not sure if I’ve got any fetishes exactly, but I’ve been known to watch—and do—some not-so-vanilla stuff.”

“You don’t look kinky,” Landon grumbled.

“Oh? There’s a look? A secret handshake?” Now it was Bailey’s turn to roll his eyes. “And what I am is easy to please. I’ve been with guys into different things, and I generally find a way to give them what they want. Doesn’t put me out if they want to sniff my pits or tie me up or whatever.”

“You’ve been tied up?” Landon sounded incredulous. “No offense, but I would have pegged you as a total top.”

“No offense, but clearly your powers of observation need some work. I don’t always top.” People did always seem to assume that since Bailey was a big guy he loved to fuck, but the truth was that he liked sex in all its various iterations. For him, the big thing was always getting his partner off, whatever it took to make that happen. “And yes, I’ve been tied up. Liked it some.” A thought occurred to him, one that slipped out before he could properly mull it over. “Would…would you be into that? I mean, would it help your panic if the guy was restrained—”

“No.” Landon’s denial was emphatic. “Definitely not into tying people up. Nothing wrong with it, but not something that gets me off.”

“Then what does?” Food finished, Bailey stretched out on his bed with the laptop. His room was the smallest in the house, with a view of the neighbor’s trashcans, and despite his best efforts, the space always smelled faintly of mildew. Yeah, a return to LA wasn’t sounding too bad right now. Rolling over, he made himself a fast note on his phone to get that application in for the job Rachel told him about.

“I love clips of foreplay in all flavors of porn. Hang on.” There was the sound of typing, then a link flashed on Bailey’s screen.

“You sent me porn?” If he grinned any wider, his facial muscles might be in danger.

“Hey, you asked. And you’re the artist. I figured you’d probably like some of my artsy foreplay and frot gif collection.”

“Oh trust me, I am most definitely appreciative.” The link was a short clip of two dark-haired guys making out. The smaller of the two bent and sucked one of the other dude’s nipples. Bailey’s cock took immediate notice of that. “This is hot as fuck. Not seeing the kink or fetish though.”

“I have this…thing for nipples. On all genders. Love nipple play vids.”

“Me too,” Bailey admitted. “More playing with my own than someone else’s. I do this thing where I like to see how close I can get without touching my cock. Make myself wait.”

“Oh fuck. Do not tell me that,” Landon groaned. “This whole conversation should not be happening. I’ve been turned on all day, and you are not helping.”

“You should really do something about that.” Bailey kept his voice light and playful. The temptation to touch his cock was strong, but he resisted, fiddling with his blue paisley bedspread instead. A crashing sound came from the front of the house. The roommates were painting again, and he had zero desire to go out there and investigate. Staying here and flirting with Landon was far more fun.

“We are not having cyber.” Landon’s tone was far from firm. “I mean, I’d like to see your nipples and what you do to them… But we probably shouldn’t go there, right?”

“Why not? I’m a fifteen-hour drive away. You’re horny. I’m horny. Don’t tell you’ve never flipped on your cam before.”

“Not gonna lie—I have. In a lot of ways, cyber is easier than face-to-face stuff. No panic attacks to ruin everything. But I don’t want you thinking that…you know…”

“Ah.” Bailey got him now. He stretched, making sure to keep his voice light and casual. “No, I’m not going to think you want to have real-life sex next time we hang out. I’ve told you that I’d be cool with more kissing, but I’m also totally fine if that’s not what you’re up for. And for what it’s worth, a panic attack would not ruin everything. We’d deal, okay?”

“You’re a good guy, you know that? I’m not sure what you get out of this…friendship.”

“Are you kidding? Most nights I get great gaming and conversation. Tonight I get free porn. It’s pretty cool to be me. But if you want to help a guy out, you can agree to be my plus one for Dad’s retirement thing. No kissing required.”

“Is your mom going to be telling everyone about the calendar thing?” Landon didn’t say no right away, which Bailey was counting as a huge win.

“I can tell her not to.”

“Please. Text me the time and stuff. And maybe we can hang out after. I have been wanting to see you again. I just… Sex…” Landon let out a frustrated sigh. “I wish I could guarantee I wouldn’t have another panic attack.”

“You can’t. And that’s okay. If it helps, I can bring my laptop. We’ve had so much fun chatting these last few weeks. And if nothing else you can send me more super-hot clips and we can chat in the same room.”

“That would be sexy to you?”

“You are sexy to me. You enjoying yourself—however that happens—would be more than sexy to me. It’s all about what turns you on. That turns me on, knowing that you’re into things, whatever form that might end up taking. Cam. Chat. Watching each other. Kissing. Touching.”

“I like how you slid cam back in there.” Landon’s laugh had a low rumble to it that was new. “I think you like my nipple kink thing. You sure as hell were eager to show off.”

“I’m hardly an exhibitionist. But you got me turned on. And I can’t say that someone’s ever really wanted to watch me play with my nipples before. I’m game for trying.”

“You can really get close from nipple play?” Landon’s voice had taken on a seductive tone that Bailey really liked.

“Yup. Makes me leak precum like crazy.” Bailey undid the first three buttons on his black dress shirt. “You wanna see?”

“Yes.” Landon groaned his answer. “I shouldn’t. But I really do.”

“Hitting the camera button.” Bailey laughed as he did just that. With any luck, this was going to be way more fun than even a night of gaming would have been. And he hadn’t been lying—to him the most important thing was Landon enjoyed himself. And Bailey would do whatever it took to make that happen.

* * *

Landon took a second before hitting the camera button on his end. Despite all their chatting, they hadn’t turned on the cameras, and this was his first glimpse of Bailey since they’d said goodnight at the movies. His hair was still shaggy, escaping whatever attempt Bailey had made earlier in the day to tame it, and Landon kind of dug the rumpled look. He was more than a little relieved that Bailey was clothed—in what looked to be a nice black dress shirt, first couple of buttons undone. He was lying on a bed, propped up on an elbow in front of his laptop. Behind him was a row of framed prints, and Landon wished the view were better so he could see if they were Bailey’s work.

“Hey,” Bailey said as Landon finally hit the camera button for his side. He was on the couch, both cats on the other end, a rare moment of sibling harmony between them. Dragging the coffee table closer, he propped the laptop up on a textbook and set it at a good angle for Bailey to see his face. He minimized his camera to a small window—he didn’t need to see his nervous smile or his wrinkled tan shirt.

“Hey,” Landon said back. He’d done this before, but generally it was with a stranger on an app where they both knew the score. This was Bailey. Whom he liked. A lot. And he really didn’t have a clue how to start.

“So, you’ve been turned on all day?” Bailey’s tone was sympathetic. He also didn’t seem to be any rush, which was nice and made Landon’s back muscles release some of their tension.

“Woke up that way but had already hit snooze too many times to do anything about it.” Landon blamed the low thrum of arousal that had plagued his day for why he’d brought up sex with Bailey in the first place. He didn’t really remember his dreams, but he thought kissing Bailey had been wrapped up somewhere in there. Weirdly too, he’d been more turned on as soon as Bailey came online. Somehow his body was starting to associate conversations with him with good feelings.

“Oh, how I have been there,” Bailey groaned. “Sexy dreams with no payoff are the worst.”

“Yeah? Tell me what you usually fantasize about.” Landon was equal parts apprehensive and curious—didn’t matter what Bailey had said about not always topping, guys like him always seemed to obsess about fucking, even in fantasy land.

“I’m kind of boring. I love solo porn, particularly when the guy shows his face or is really vocal. I like watching guys get off. And when there’s no porn, that’s usually what I fantasize about, getting someone else off, their sounds and stuff.”

Oh, that was a good answer, and Landon’s pulse sped up.

“I like that too.” Landon’s cock twitched in his pants. “Of course, I’ve got my…things, so I look for solo videos with lots of nipple play or unusual positions like pillow humping. I like frot clips too, but those can be really hard to find. Ditto thigh sex. I wish there was more of that in porn.”

“Hell yes to all of that.” Bailey stroked a hand down his chest, almost like he didn’t realize what he was doing, and Landon found that unaware touching really sexy. “I love frot. Both in porn and in real life.”

“Undo some more buttons,” Landon suggested.

“Okay.” Bailey’s cheeks went an adorable shade of pink. His fingers hesitated above his buttons.

“What? This was your idea,” he reminded him.

“I know. Doesn’t mean I’m not nervous. I don’t exactly have a cam boy body.”

“I’m cool with that. Don’t need a cam boy.” Landon had to laugh. Knowing they were both off-kilter made the whole thing less strange. Bailey self-conscious was strangely appealing. He hadn’t expected it from someone as social and outwardly confident as Bailey.

“I know. But you like small guys…”

“That’s more about not tripping the panic attack meter. In porn, I watch a variety of body types as I don’t have to worry about getting freaked out by things like crowding. And like I said, I’m into you. You turn me on. I can’t help the fact that it also makes me nervous, but I’m working hard on sorting my head out. And my body’s totally on board with yours.”

“Good.” Bailey gave him a small smile before undoing more of his shirt buttons. “Because you turn me on like crazy too. Hell, I haven’t even touched anything yet, and I’m hard.”

“Touch something,” Landon urged. Getting to direct this was more than fun, and he liked how pliable Bailey seemed. “Lose the shirt. Touch your chest for me.”

“Okay.” Still blushing, Bailey slipped out of his shirt. His chest was fuzzy, something Landon really liked, and he had large rosy nipples, which made Landon’s cock throb. He wasn’t sure exactly why he was so into nipples. He just was—nipples of all genders got him all worked up. But he especially liked ones like Bailey’s—on the bigger side for a guy with a dark color that contrasted with his peachy skin with enough hair to make things interesting.

“Fuck, you’re hot. Touch one for me.” Landon’s cock strained against his zipper, but his attention was riveted to Bailey, who complied by rubbing his nipples with his thumbs.

“Mmm.” Bailey stifled a moan, biting his lower lip.

“Don’t hold back. I want to hear you if it feels good.” Landon leaned forward, like that might bring Bailey closer.

“My roommates are home, so I can’t get terribly loud, but usually I’m a pretty vocal guy. I like talking in bed.”

“Out of it too.” Landon laughed. He really did love how talky Bailey was and was more than a little curious how that might translate into sex. “And I love that. Talk all you want.”

“I usually rub them for a while like this before I start pinching or flicking, but it’s the pinching that gets me really turned on.”

“Show me.”

“How about you give me some visual inspiration?” Bailey countered. “Take off your shirt?”

Landon liked that Bailey wasn’t demanding a cock shot right away, so he complied, pulling off his shirt and the T-shirt underneath too. Unlike Bailey, he was fairly smooth, freckled shoulders giving way to nearly-bare pecs.

“Much better.” Bailey grinned at the camera. “Want me to keep going?”

“Yes, please. Pinch them.” Landon enjoyed being bossy and liked how fast Bailey complied, tugging on his nipples, rhythmic action saying he knew exactly what he liked, what felt good. He moaned softly, a low sound that Landon felt all the way to his balls. God, he wanted to be the one making Bailey make those sounds.

“Fuck, it feels good. My cock’s aching.” Bailey’s breath came in little pants.

“Good. Make it wait.”

“Uh-huh.” Bailey’s eyes drifted closed as his head fell back. Fuck, but he was a gorgeous sight, lying there fiddling with his nipples. This was something Landon couldn’t get enough of in porn, and Bailey right here, doing it for him because he’d asked, was a rush, like finding the missing part of an equation.

“Fuck. I wish I could kiss you right now. Touch you like that.”

“Kissing plus nipple play?” Bailey moaned. “I can’t promise not to come from it. I love the way you kiss.”

“Oh yeah. I want that.” Landon finally gave into temptation and palmed his cock through his pants. He hadn’t been this hard in ages. “You’re turning me on like crazy.”

“You stroking yet?” The hopefulness in Bailey’s voice made Landon laugh. “Because if you are, I want to do that too.”

“Okay, okay. You can unzip because I need to do that here before I need some sort of surgical intervention.”

“Mmm. I love knowing you’re touching your cock.” Baily undid his fly, but didn’t pull out his cock, seeming to be waiting for Landon’s next whim.

Landon didn’t have that kind of restraint, so he withdrew his aching cock. “Did you want to see? I’m not sure I can get the cam to show both my face and me stroking. I’m on the couch and the angle is weird.”

“I’d rather watch your face. So sexy.” Bailey’s admission had Landon working hard not to blush. “And I love it when you tell me what you want to see, but please let me touch my cock.”

“I like the begging. Get it out, but no stroking. I want to see you do what you said—make yourself leak hands-free.”

“Fuck. You talking like that’s going to do it.” Bailey pulled out his cock—like the rest of him, it was long and thick. The head was almost obscenely plump, making Landon’s mouth water.

“Go back to your nipples,” he urged. Bailey did this flicking motion with his fingers against the tips of his nipples that had him moaning and Landon wishing he was taking notes for next time they were in person.

“Fuck. That’s it.” On the screen, Bailey’s cock visibly twitched, straining toward his stomach. Stretching a hand down his torso, he swiped a thumb across his cockhead before showing the slick to the camera.

“Damn. I want to taste that.” Landon’s voice was little more than a gasp, and he had to touch his cock before he passed out from anticipation.

“Mmm. You can taste whatever you want.” Bailey’s voice was low and hoarse now.

“I want to suck your nipples while jerking you off.” Landon loved how his dirty confession had Bailey moaning and tugging at his nipples frantically.

“Wanna come. Please. Please.”

“Stroke it,” Landon ordered. “Fuck. Watching you is going to get me there too.”

“Yeah? Tell me.” Bailey took his cock in hand, firm strokes while his free hand continued to pluck at his nipple.

“Close. Oh God, I’m close.” Landon forgot that he was supposed to be in charge of this thing, instead losing himself in watching Bailey. “Fuck, you are so hot. Bailey.”

The camera jumped as Bailey’s back arched and his muscles tensed. “Gonna come.”

“Yeah. Do it. Me too.” Landon sped up his strokes, letting Bailey’s sounds set his rhythm, the quick breaths and low moans telling him that Bailey was on the edge. “Come for me.”

That seemed to be the green light Bailey had been waiting for, as his body bowed and ropes of creamy fluid coated his stomach and chest. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

Bailey’s low chant sent Landon over, and the orgasm rattled through his body, made his thighs and ass vibrate from holding the position on the couch, so much tension he hadn’t even realized he had releasing in a glorious whoosh of energy.

“Oh my God,” Bailey laughed as he struggled to sit up. Usually this was when the other guy would shut the camera off and mutter something about needing to clean up, but Bailey just grinned at the screen, a dopey smile that Landon seriously wouldn’t mind seeing more of. “I needed that.”

“Me too.” And despite being horny all day, Landon hadn’t realized how much he needed this with Bailey, specifically, needing this connection, however fleeting.

“Think the server is back up now or you need to sleep?” Bailey’s unrepentant grin kept up. He must be one of those guys who got all happy and upbeat and awake after sex, whereas Landon usually turned more inward.

“You seriously still want to game after all that?” Landon had to laugh too. Damn. Keeping up with Bailey was fun.

“It’s that or go for my leftover Thai food. But, yeah, much as I don’t mind you using me to get off, I still want to game.”

The tight ache in Landon’s chest eased. This was going to be okay. They could still be friends. Friends who gamed together and who talked about everything under the sun and who kinda probably planned on trying kissing again and who apparently had mind-blowing cyber together. That kind of friend. Bailey wasn’t going to get weird on him. Which was a relief, but Landon’s insides still wobbled. He didn’t know where this thing was headed, only that he wasn’t ready for it to end.