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Pulling Away
by Shawn Lane
Category: Erotica/Romance
Description: Noah and Charlie grew up in the same neighborhood. They'd always been friends, though never close. When Charlie is left alone after the death of his family, however, Noah is the only friend that sticks around after Charlie practically becomes a hermit. Determined to get through to Charlie, Noah invents a fake identity on the computer to talk with him. And while Charlie still keeps Noah at arm's length, he opens up to his new computer buddy. Finally, Noah's dream comes true when his friendship with Charlie changes to include sex, but each time they are together, Charlie pulls away afterward. Every time Noah tries to get through to him, Charlie grows even more distant. Then Charlie tells Noah's disguised internet persona that he doesn't have a boyfriend, merely a neighbor with whom he has sex. Crushed, and in order to protect himself from further heartache, Noah begins to live a life separate from Charlie. But Charlie realizes soon enough that he misses Noah in his life, that he must get past his grief and go after the man he has come to love. But is it already too late? Genres: Gay / Contemporary
eBook Publisher: Amber Quill Press, 2008
eBookwise Release Date: June 2009
 
54 Reader Ratings:
Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [52 KB]
Words: 9623
Reading time: 27-38 min.
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
"...A great story and I enjoyed it immensely. It touched all the subjects I adore, and it did so very well. There was angst and some hot lovin' in this story...An enjoyable ride."--Caen Nymph, Literary Nymphs Reviews
"5 Angels!...Who doesn't love strong characters? This story is about the emotional connection between two people...A firm 5 Angels for me!"--April, Fallen Angel Reviews "...Shawn Lane did a great job...getting me emotionally involved with this story....I had strong feelings while reading..."--Ley, Joyfully Reviewed "4.5 Hearts!...Shawn Lane is quickly becoming one of my favorite Male/Male authors as her characters are strong, yet written in a way that they are also sweet and caring, without appearing feminine. Noah is an average guy, with an average job, living an average life. Whereas, Charlie has money and is sexy as sin. I thoroughly enjoyed this story going along with Charlie as he struggles to deal with the death of his parents, while at the same time trying to find the strength to love again. Noah was my favorite as he was written with so much emotion, humor, and just the right amount of sweetness. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a spicy read with two sexy men."--Sandra, The Romance Studio
Charlie heard the lock being flung back, then the door opened. A toothbrush stuck out of Noah's foaming mouth.
"Charlie?" Noah asked around the toothpaste.
"Yeah. Can I come in?" Without waiting for Noah to respond, Charlie pushed passed him and entered the house. "I thought maybe you'd gone to bed. It's pretty dark in here for you."
Noah stared at him, his hand frozen, clutching the toothbrush.
"Why don't you go take care of that?" Charlie suggested with a grin.
The other man disappeared down the hall and Charlie glanced around the front hall. As usual, the house looked spotless. Noah was a near freakish housekeeper. Unlike himself.
Noah returned sans toothbrush, but he still looked perplexed.
"Listen, I changed my mind. Sorry about before. I guess I was a little grumpy. Is it too late?"
"For?"
Geez, Noah was going to make him spell it out?
Charlie held up the condoms and lube he'd been holding. "What do you suppose?"
"Oh." Noah blinked behind his glasses, then grinned. "Oh."
Charlie laughed. "Yeah. So, is it too late?"
Noah seized the condoms and lube and simply walked down the hallway. Charlie guessed that meant it was not too late. He pulled off his T-shirt as he followed Noah to the bedroom.
He watched Noah pull the quilt, blanket, and sheet off his sleigh bed in one swift motion. Charlie kicked off his deck shoes, all the while noticing Noah had tugged off his jeans. He licked his lips, waiting for Noah to remove his snowy white briefs. Noah made short work of it. Last, but quickly disposed of, was Noah's shirt. Though it was true Noah wasn't all rippled muscles, he had nicely defined pecs. Charlie's mouth went dry.
Noah ripped open a condom package and glanced at Charlie. "Aren't you going to finish undressing?"
Charlie nodded and removed the remainder of his clothes, a strange warmth filling him when he saw the clear admiration in Noah's gaze. He stepped closer to Noah, reached out and took off the man's glasses, then set them on a nearby nightstand. Noah really did have pretty eyes.
He knew Noah would want to do some kissing. He'd been that way during their other times. Charlie didn't object to kissing, but it did seem a bit more intimate than he wanted to be with Noah. So he tried to avoid it as much as possible without cluing in Noah that he was trying to avoid it.
As he'd suspected, Noah tilted up his chin and moved toward Charlie's mouth. Noah was a good kisser at least. Charlie allowed the contact of their lips, a soft, sensual kiss that sent blood rushing to his hard cock. The other man tried to part his lips with his tongue, but Charlie broke the kiss and drew Noah to the bed.
Charlie lay on his back, ignoring the slight frown on Noah's face. After a moment of hesitation, Noah rolled the latex over his erection.
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