Inside Out Part 12

"I can live with that," Zach said, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the warmth of Bull's embrace. "When do you need to go to work? I know you can't stay home tonight. It's busy and not fair to Harry."

"I need to leave in a few hours, but I don't want to leave you alone." Zach opened his mouth to protest, but Bull silenced him with a finger. "I'll spend the entire night worrying about you."

"I could call the guys and see if they want to go to the club?" Zach asked and then yawned. "Maybe that isn't such a good idea." He hadn't slept well, and he needed to get up for work in the morning.

"Call your friends and see if some of them can come over. I know you should be fine, but sometimes people beat the system, and if your uncle is released on bail, I want you safe."

"Okay. I'll call them," Zach said. He sighed and reached for his phone to make the calls. The guys were excited to get together. Jeremy invited everyone over to his place at seven, so Zach had a few hours with Bull before he needed to get ready to leave and Bull had to go to work.

Bull sat on the sofa, and once Zach was done with his calls, he straddled Bull's legs and sat on his lap. Bull tugged Zach's s.h.i.+rt out of his pants and pulled it up and over his head. "I need to see you're okay."

Zach s.h.i.+vered as Bull checked him over using his lips and tongue. "You taste the same," Bull mumbled against his belly. Zach giggled slightly, but that soon morphed into a soft groan. "You really are okay," Bull said.

"Yes, and feeling better all the time." Zach groaned as Bull sucked a nipple. He leaned back, feeling safe cradled in Bull's hands.

"I think we should take this... examination... into the other room," Bull suggested. Zach climbed off his lap, and Bull took his hand and led him to his bedroom. Bull stepped inside, took one look at his small bed, and turned back to him. "I'm afraid we'll break it. Either that or we'll end up on the floor." Bull led him back to the living room. He pulled the curtains and then pressed Zach back onto the cus.h.i.+ons.

He proceeded to strip Zach naked, then tasted and sucked him until Zach could barely see or think. By the time they were done, Zach lay on top of Bull's sprawled body. The coffee table had been pushed to the other side of the room, the old rug on the floor was askew, the entire room smelled of s.e.x, and there were pillows and cus.h.i.+ons strewn everywhere. Zach was sore in the best way possible. He groaned softly, s.h.i.+fting on his warm cus.h.i.+on.

"As much as I want to stay here with you forever, I need to get to the club," Bull whispered.

"And I need to get to Jeremy's or they'll rib me all night." Zach s.h.i.+fted to the floor and slowly got to his feet. "Not that they won't already. It seems my s.e.x life has become quite the topic of conversation." Bull huffed softly. "Yeah, well, they keep wondering if Bull is a nickname or a description." Zach giggled. "I haven't had the heart to tell them it's both. Besides, they'd be jealous and try to steal you away." He chuckled again. "Not that they aren't already jealous." He began picking up his clothes. "Would you care to tell me how my pants made it onto the curtain rod?"

"I got a little energetic," Bull quipped and then smiled. "So sue me."

Zach jumped to grab the leg of his pants. He managed to hook them and pull them down. "Next time, get energetic with your own pants." Zach hurried back to the bathroom and cleaned up quickly. Then he got dressed and joined Bull in the living room.

"I'll stop at home and clean up before I go to work." Bull sniffed slightly. "I smell like you, and while that's a nice thing, I don't need to spend the night at work smelling like s.e.x."

"There are worse things," Zach said as he grabbed his wallet and keys. He followed Bull out and locked the door before happily descending the stairs, watching Bull's b.u.t.t in his jeans. He didn't hide his smile when Bull looked over his shoulder, and he didn't s.h.i.+ft his gaze from Bull's meaty posterior. "You watch mine all the time," Zach said before pus.h.i.+ng through the door.

Before separating to go to their cars, Bull kissed him lightly and extracted a promise that he'd call when he got to Jeremy's and and he'd call when he got home. Zach rolled his eyes, but promised anyway before getting in his car and heading right over to Jeremy's. he'd call when he got home. Zach rolled his eyes, but promised anyway before getting in his car and heading right over to Jeremy's.

"SO WHY WHY is there a bruise on your wrist?" Tristan said as they sat around the living room of the apartment Jeremy and Tristan shared. "Did Bull do that?" is there a bruise on your wrist?" Tristan said as they sat around the living room of the apartment Jeremy and Tristan shared. "Did Bull do that?"

Zach checked both wrists, shocked to see that one was indeed turning purple. It hurt, too, but he hadn't noticed it. "No. My uncle showed up."

"Are you okay?" Kevin asked, shoving away the bowl of Cheetos.

"Yeah," Zach said and gave them the condensed version of what happened. "He grabbed my wrist, and I laid him out." Zach smiled. "Then I kicked his a.s.s."

"Yeah, right," Tristan said.

"I did. He came at me, and I went postal. I beat the c.r.a.p out of him. Bull held me to calm me down. It was awesome." He truly felt free. The ghost of his uncle was gone, put to rest forever. He didn't tell his friends about his parents. He wasn't ready to talk about that yet, but he'd tell them eventually. "So let's celebrate.

"What, you kicking an old guy's a.s.s?" Kevin joked as he reached for his beer.

"No. The fact that the old guy who beat me and lorded over my family and the rest of the people I knew growing up is finally getting his." Zach raised his soda can. He'd already had a beer and he was going to have to drive later. They clinked their cans and beer bottles before drinking.

With that out of the way, the conversation descended to their usual topics: comics, television, and, of course, guys. They talked of going to the club so Bull could let them in, but they all had to work the next day. They ended up watching television and gabbing until it was time to leave. He drove home and walked through his empty apartment. Zach called Bull and left a message when the call went to voice mail. He ended up packing a bag and leaving again, this time driving over to Bull's. He smiled as he used the key Bull had given him and let himself in. He set his bag in the bedroom, then went back to the living room and turned on the television. The club closed early on Sunday nights, and he figured he'd wait up for Bull, but ended up falling asleep.

He started awake when Bull kissed him.

"I wasn't expecting you to be here," Bull whispered.

"I missed you," Zach explained, barely opening his eyes. Bull gathered him into his arms, lifted Zach off the sofa, and carried him through the house and into the bedroom, where he placed him on the bed. Zach pulled off his s.h.i.+rt and scrambled under the covers. He felt Bull remove his shoes and pants. Bull joined him a few minutes later, and Zach snuggled up to him, falling back to sleep almost instantly.

Chapter 9.

BULL WOKE WOKE. The room was still dark, and he glanced at the clock beside the bed. Something was wrong. Instantly he knew someone else was in the house. Bull got up and pulled on jeans, then grabbed his gun from his dresser drawer and tucked it in the back of his jeans. He took a quick look at Zach and quietly left the bedroom. He walked silently through the house, avoiding every place on the floor that made a creak. The room was still dark, and he glanced at the clock beside the bed. Something was wrong. Instantly he knew someone else was in the house. Bull got up and pulled on jeans, then grabbed his gun from his dresser drawer and tucked it in the back of his jeans. He took a quick look at Zach and quietly left the bedroom. He walked silently through the house, avoiding every place on the floor that made a creak.

"What the h.e.l.l is it with you coming in my house?" Bull asked when he got to the kitchen, staring at Spook, who was sitting at his table. He relaxed slightly.

"We have a little unfinished business," Spook said, standing up and pointing a gun at him. Bull groaned at his mistake, set his gun on the floor, and slowly moved to the center of the room. Bull shook his head and glared at the smaller man. "This was supposed to be an easy job. I get you to do the work for my client, and I get paid. It's that simple. Only you're too stubborn to take what was offered. I don't get paid, so I figure you need to pay me."

"Bulls.h.i.+t. I'm not giving you anything," Bull said. "Now get out of my house and don't come back. I've had it with everyone deciding what I'm going to do, and if you were dumb enough to take a job without getting paid up front, then you're the one who's stupid, not me."

"The deal was too good to pa.s.s up, and now I get nothing," Spook said, coming closer. "So just make it easy on both of us and pay up."

"No. Go back to Rashad and get the money from him. He has piles of it." Out of the corner of his eye, Bull saw movement down the hall. s.h.i.+t, Zach was awake. Bull slowly worked his way toward the other side of the room, trying to get Spook's back to Zach. "I'm not going to give you anything. You should know my reputation as well." He continued moving, and Spook turned along with him. "I'm stubborn as h.e.l.l and never do anything I don't want to do. You should have known that before you accepted the job." He kept moving. Bull hoped Zach would see or hear what was going on and hole up in the bedroom until Bull could take care of Spook.

"Yeah, yeah," Spook said. "You think I really care now? All I want is my money, and I'll take what I want out of you or the little piece you have in the bedroom. Either way, I won't be leaving with nothing."

"I'm afraid you will," Bull said. Sirens sounded in the distance.

"Like I said, I don't think so."

Spook raised the gun, and Bull glanced around, trying to figure out his options. Suddenly, Spook went flying, hit the counter, and then crumpled to the floor, Zach a blur of movement from behind him. A shot rang out, and Bull hit the floor as well before lunging toward Spook as he tried to get up. "Kick the gun away," Bull told Zach, who now stood naked in the kitchen doorway. He did as Bull asked and stared at them.

"I called the police," Zach said, breathing hard and shaking a little.

"Good idea. I've got him. I suggest you go put some clothes on," Bull said. Zach looked down, squeaked, and hurried back toward the bedroom.

"What the h.e.l.l happened?" Spook groaned as Bull held his hands behind his back.

"Doesn't matter, dumba.s.s. But it seems Zach laid you out. The police are on their way, and you can explain to them why you were here and what you thought you were doing, or you can get the h.e.l.l out of here and forget about me, because if I ever see you again, I'll speak to all of my contacts. You won't be able to get a job doing anything after that. No one will trust you for anything. I might be out of the game, but you know I can make your life difficult. So make your choice-you've got just a few seconds."

"Fine," Spook said. Bull lifted him to his feet, not really caring if Spook was in pain or not. "Get out and gone." Bull opened the door to the backyard and shoved Spook out into the night. He really didn't want to have to explain to the police about his background or about Spook. It was doubtful they'd see Spook again. He'd been beaten, and that was something Spook wouldn't want to get around.

"Where'd he go?" Zach asked as he approached the kitchen in Bull's robe. It looked huge on him.

"He got away," Bull said.

"Uh-huh," Zach said. "I don't think I want to know. Just tell the police what you need to, and I'll nod and say I didn't see anything."

A knock sounded on the door, and Zach hurried to open it. They spent the next little while with the police explaining that they'd heard a noise in the house and had panicked. Zach kept quiet while Bull handled the police and apologized for any inconvenience.

"You lied to them so easily," Zach said once the police were gone.

"Think of it as sort of the mercenary's code." Bull stroked the top of his own head. "My past is shadowy. I operated under different ident.i.ties, and there are many things I would rather not explain. If they found Spook on my kitchen floor, he and I would both spend a great deal of time trying to avoid questions we can't or shouldn't answer." Bull took Zach's hand. "He won't be back. You scared the c.r.a.p out of him when you knocked his legs from under him. You realize that's twice in twenty-four hours you've used that move?"

"I wasn't about to let him hurt you," Zach said.

"See? You are a superhero," Bull told Zach with a smile.

Zach yawned wide. "I have to be at work in a few hours," he said, placing his hands on his hips. "There aren't going to be other people coming in and having a seat at your kitchen table, are there? We've had a messenger who tried to kill you and a world leader-all we need is a movie star and the menagerie will be complete. Oh, and let's not forget your mother dropping by unannounced."

Bull shuddered. Of all the things Zach had mentioned, his mother's surprise visit had been the biggest shock. "G.o.d, I hope not. But I can't guarantee anything, except that my mother has promised to call from now on." He checked the doors, not that the locks seemed to keep anyone out, and turned out the lights before leading Zach back to the bedroom. Bull sat on the edge of the bed and untied the robe Zach had on. "I like you wearing my robe," Bull whispered. "In fact, I think I like you in anything of mine." He parted the fabric and pushed it off Zach's shoulders, then wrapped his arms around Zach's waist, tugged him close, and rested his cheek against Zach's belly. "I don't know how you did it."

"Did what?"

"I always thought I didn't need anyone and that I could survive just fine on my own. But I can't see myself doing anything without you." Bull lightly stroked down Zach's back, then cupped the smooth skin of his b.u.t.t. "I worry that I'm too old for you and that you'll want someone else once you get tired of me."

Zach stroked over Bull's head and down to his cheeks. "I love you," he whispered. "You're my superhero." He kept going, trailing his hands down Bull's chest and belly before opening his jeans and pus.h.i.+ng them down Bull's hips. Bull shuddered, but didn't let Zach distract his thought.

"But what if I can't be?" Bull asked. "I can't live up to some ideal of what you want. I'm just me."

"I know that," Zach said, leaning down to kiss him. "Being yourself is all I ask." Zach pressed forward, and Bull settled back on the bed. Zach undid the robe, and it fell open. Bull closed his eyes as Zach made long, slow strokes up and down his chest. Bull felt like a cat being petted, and d.a.m.ned if that wasn't amazing. Bull's skin tingled as Zach slowly stroked his chest and belly. He held his breath whenever Zach got close to his c.o.c.k, but Zach seemed intent on teasing him.

Zach stopped and pulled away. The bed s.h.i.+fted, and Bull opened his eyes as Zach climbed on the bed, straddling him. Bull placed his feet on the side rail of the bed, and d.a.m.ned if Zach didn't sit across his hips, rocking his pelvis back and forth, sliding his tight little b.u.t.t along Bull's d.i.c.k.

Bull reached forward and closed his hand around Zach's c.o.c.k, then stroked him as he rocked back and forth. Zach's eyes closed and he moaned softly a few times, especially when Bull tightened his grip. "Bull, this was supposed to be for you."

"When we're together it's always about both of us," Bull countered, gently tugging Zach forward and into a kiss. "I want you for always," Bull whispered. "If you'll have me."

"Duh," Zach responded. "Of course I want you." He lightly tweaked one of Bull's nipples, and Bull arched his back into the sensation. "I want to know everything about you." Zach sat back up and traced the small scar just above Bull's hip. "I want to know where you got this, and the one on your shoulder. I want you to tell me all your stories-good and bad." Bull stroked up Zach's sides and felt him shudder slightly.

Bull s.h.i.+fted back on the bed, taking Zach along with him. Once Bull was comfortable, he sighed slightly. Zach smiled at him and began rolling his hips once again. Bull had no idea how much longer he could take this teasing. Zach was driving him out of his mind. He reached to the nightstand and located a condom by feel. Zach tugged it out of his hand, and Bull watched as he used his teeth to open the package. Zach stilled and moved back, grasping Bull in his hands, then slowly, teasingly, rolled the lubed condom down his length, stroking and playing as he did. Bull throbbed in Zach's hand, trying desperately not to come.

Thankfully, Zach stopped before Bull got to the edge, and Bull blew air out of his lungs, watching Zach as he searched for the lube.

Zach squirted some on his fingers and reached around behind himself. Bull groaned, wanting desperately to watch as Zach's long fingers slid into his tight b.u.t.t. Bull moaned, and Zach arched his back. Then he moved back, took Bull's c.o.c.k, and guided it to his opening.

Bull held his breath and remained still as Zach pressed back, slowly taking him into tight heat that made Bull groan with deep joy. Nothing he had ever experienced compared to the soul-calming warmth and care of entering Zach's body. It was more than s.e.x-it reached to his heart and didn't let go. Zach moaned and Bull held still, denying the near-desperate urge to thrust deep and hard. Zach whimpered softly, and Bull moaned along with him as Zach rested his b.u.t.t on his hips. "d.a.m.n, you're hot," Bull groaned.

Zach s.h.i.+fted slightly and then sat. Bull wanted to grab him by the hips and thrust upward until he couldn't see. But he didn't move. Slowly, Zach lifted himself up and then sliding back down onto him. "Stay still," Zach told him.

"Pushy bottom," Bull chided.

"Yeah," Zach said, lifting himself again until Bull nearly pulled out, and then plunging down onto him. "You better believe it, and from the look on your face, you love it." Zach lifted himself then drove down onto Bull again and again. The movements increased in pace until Zach began bouncing off Bull's hips. When Bull could take no more, he began meeting his movements, thrusting upward. Zach placed his hands on Bull's chest while Bull held Zach's sides.

Within minutes, Zach glistened with sweat, and from the panting and gasping, neither of them seemed able to get enough air. "Jesus," Bull swore, thrusting hard upward as skin slapped against skin. Zach arched his back, head hanging back, mouth open, eyes slightly gla.s.sy. Bull took control, driving upward as he held Zach still. "Stroke yourself," Bull said. "I want to watch you and feel you come on my c.o.c.k. Show me what I'm doing to you."

Zach gasped and reached for his c.o.c.k, then started stroking slowly. "It's too much," he whimpered.

"No, it's not. It's perfect-you're perfect." Bull could barely see straight, and his attention focused solely on Zach. He was in love with the man, completely, totally, world-centered in love with him. Nothing else mattered. Bull felt himself approaching the edge, but he held off. Zach was euphoric, mumbling incoherently, moving on his c.o.c.k, moving his hand so fast Bull could hardly see it. That sight alone should have been decadent enough to make him come, but he held on. "I love you, Zach. Now come for me. I want to see you, want you to fly for me. I have you and nothing bad will happen, so let go and give in to it."

Zach whimpered, arching his back further. Then he stilled, moaning loudly, his already tight body clenching around Bull. Bull sucked hard for air as Zach came, crying out to the rafters. Bull held still for a few seconds until all instinct protested so loudly he could take it no more. Then he thrust upward, bouncing Zach on his hips until he plunged over the precipice of pleasure.

Bull remembered almost nothing for a long time. All he did was float. As he came back to himself, he opened his eyes. Zach stared back at him. Bull tugged him down and held him tight, kissing him gently.

"I love you so much," Zach told him.

Bull opened his mouth to say the special words in return, but Zach kissed them away. Bull held Zach tight, and words paled in comparison to having Zach in his arms. He turned on his side, taking Zach along with him. When their bodies separated, Zach groaned softly. Bull slowly left the bed and went into the bathroom to clean himself before returning with a cloth. Zach was already half asleep, a small smile on his face. By the time Bull returned from taking care of the cloth, Zach was feeling around the bed, sweeping his arm over the covers. Bull climbed back in the bed, and Zach curled right next to him.

"What?" Bull whispered, not sure Zach had said anything.

"My superhero," Zach mumbled, resting his head against Bull's chest.

"You're the superhero," Bull whispered. Zach's eyes were closed, and Bull doubted he'd heard him. But it was still the truth. Zach had saved Bull from a life of loneliness, devoid of camaraderie and love. He'd seen beneath the tough exterior Bull portrayed, and Bull would be forever grateful and vowed in the darkness to always make sure Zach knew just how much he was loved and how much joy he'd brought to his life. Moving slowly, Bull kissed Zach's forehead, and he rolled over. Bull got comfortable, resting his hand on Zach's hip. Within seconds, Zach had clasped it in his own hand and brought it to his chest, placing Bull's hand over his heart.

Epilogue.

Four months later

BULL WAS WAS standing in his mother's guest room with Zach. Before meeting Zach and the now infamous visit from his mother, Bull would never have thought he would be staying in his mother's guest room with his partner. h.e.l.l, he never thought his mother would accept anything but what she was comfortable with. "Boys?" A knock sounded on the door. "You better be decent," his mother said and then pushed the door open. "We need to go in a few minutes if you're going to make it on time." standing in his mother's guest room with Zach. Before meeting Zach and the now infamous visit from his mother, Bull would never have thought he would be staying in his mother's guest room with his partner. h.e.l.l, he never thought his mother would accept anything but what she was comfortable with. "Boys?" A knock sounded on the door. "You better be decent," his mother said and then pushed the door open. "We need to go in a few minutes if you're going to make it on time."

"Thank you," Zach said quietly, and Bull's mother's expression softened.

"Of course, sweetheart," she said. Zach and his mother had not only learned to get along, but now actually liked each other. When she called the house, she often asked to speak to Zach or just talked to whichever of the two of them answered the phone. "Traffic is really heavy today, so the sooner we can go, the better." She left the room.

"I'm so nervous." Zach turned to him. "Do you think I look okay?"

Bull rolled his eyes. "Yes." He rummaged in his bag, pulled out a T-s.h.i.+rt, and handed it to Zach. "I was going to give you this at the shop, but I think you should have it now." Zach took it and unfolded the fabric.

"Oh my G.o.d, it's Bull," Zach squealed and instantly began pulling off his s.h.i.+rt. He shrugged on the T-s.h.i.+rt and threw himself into Bull's arms. "It's perfect."

Bull leaned forward and kissed Zach gently. "I'm glad you like it. I had a dozen made up. I thought you could put them on your table. It will give you something to drive some interest." Bull handed Zach a brown shopping bag. "Now, let's go before we never make it out of this room." He looked longingly at the bed.

Zach giggled and stepped away. "Okay. Go on and make sure your mother is all set. I'll be right out."

Bull grabbed his small canvas bag and found his mother in the living room, getting her purse. Zach joined them a few minutes later, and they left the house. His mother locked the door, and Bull followed her to her car. Zach climbed in the backseat, and Bull rode up front. Once they were buckled in, they began the trek to Mega Comics. Zach had finished his comic book and found a small house to publish it. Bull's mother drove to the freeway, and once she entered the flow of traffic, she turned into a NASCAR driver. She zoomed through traffic, weaving around other cars until she reached her exit. Bull looked over his shoulder and saw Zach hanging on for dear life.