GENRE: Gay Interracial Spicy Romance
LENGTH: 6,001 words
RATING:

Theodore Mennington has been best friends with Henry, the superintendent of the apartment building where they both live, since childhood. He's also been in love with the man for almost as long, knowing his feelings will never be returned, especially since Henry is happily anti-monogamy.

Sheldon Wickens is one of Theodore's copier service clients who's been asking him out on a date for years. Theodore thinks he's hot but always blows him off, thinking there's no way Sheldon would be interested in a blue-collar guy who's a little overweight. Plus, he's tired of one-night stands.

But things take an interesting turn when Sheldon signs a lease in the same apartment complex where Theodore lives. When Henry sees the simmering attraction between them, he decides to play Cupid at the end of summer lounge party.

Will Theodore take a chance on something new, despite the bumbling efforts of his best friend, or remain unrequited forever?

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

“Sheldon! What the fuck, man? You’re in this building now?” I guess his name was on the lease that Henry had finished earlier before he went out on a maintenance call.

He turned around and laughed. “Theodore Mennington. Wow, small world! Yeah, I'm about to sign a one-year lease. You live here?”

“Yup, fifth floor.”

Henry looked up in surprise. “You two know each other?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I replied. “His company is on my client list.”

Sheldon came over and sat on the edge of my desk, one leg crossed over the other as he leaned back on his hands. That pose was very appealing. “So you work here and at the copier place?” he purred.

“Not even. I just help Henry out when he’s desperate. I've told him over and over again to hire a full time manager, but nooooo. He’d rather bat his eyes at me and get me to do it.”

Henry laughed and said, “Works every time.”

With a sultry smile, Sheldon leaned toward me and said, “Well, you know I’d bat my eyes at you whenever you want. Don’t even have to ask.” Such a flirt.

I chuckled at that. “Yeah, Sheldon, and the way you swish your ass when I’m around leaves me in no doubt as to your intentions.”

Hand on his chest, Sheldon pretended to swoon. “Be still my beating heart. Honey, if you’d just say yes to me, I’d show you what my ass can do.”

I winked at him and replied, “And a very nice ass it is, too. Maybe someday.” I smiled and looked over at Henry, who watched our interaction with an unreadable expression on his face.

"I'll be waiting," he cooed. Sheldon stood up and walked his perky ass back over to Henry’s desk. It really was very nice to look at, especially in those snug black slacks. “Alright, Mr. Manager Man, what’s next?” When I didn’t hear a response right away, I looked up to see Henry staring at me like he’d never seen me before. I was caught in his gaze like a fish in a net. What was he thinking?

Sheldon looked back and forth between us, eyes narrowed. “Everything alright, guys?” he asked, voice sounding a little tense. The question broke our connection and Henry cleared his throat as he shuffled some papers around on his desk.

“Yeah, uh sorry about that, man. Here, initial these three spots, then sign your name on this line, please.” Thoughtful, Sheldon glanced between the two of us one last time, then did as requested.

“Great! Welcome to your new home. Here are the keys to your room and the mailbox, and a card for the parking deck. You just happen to be on the same floor as Teddy over there, so you’ll be even closer to the object of your heart’s desire. But please, keep the sex inside the rooms, okay? Wouldn’t want to have an orgy in the hallways.” Henry grinned and Sheldon seemed to relax a little bit. I wonder why he'd gotten so tense?

Henry continued, “Speaking of orgies, we have our end of summer party tomorrow night in the lounge. Make sure you come, alright? It’s always a good time, plenty of music and horny tenants, and someone always spikes the punch, meaning me, of course. Starts at seven.”

Sheldon turned to me. “Will you be there, Teddy bear?”

“God, please don’t call me that! I hate that nickname, and Henry knows it. Yes, I’ll be there.”

“Fabulous! I can’t wait to see you let loose a little bit, preferably with your crotch rubbing hard against mine.” He gave me a flirty little wave as he left.

“No promises,” I yelled after him, though he probably didn’t hear me. I laughed to myself as I finished up the lease and printed it out for the last new tenant of the day.

“Here ya go,” I said and placed the document on Henry's desk.

Ignoring it, he leaned back in his chair and looked at me pensively. “You know, I’ve never seen this side of you before -- flirty, playful, completely at ease with another guy. I mean, sure, we joke around with each other all the time and poke fun, but that’s best friend stuff. You've never let loose like that around me, or even any of the other guys I've seen you with in the past. You've always held something back.”

Okay, this conversation was a little strange. I shrugged. “It's no big deal. Sheldon’s really extroverted, and he doesn't hide who he is. He's cute and funny. I’ve known him for years, so maybe he brings that side out in me. He’s been trying to get into my pants forever. I’m used to it.”

Henry looked at me like a bug under a microscope. “Yeah, maybe, but I think there's more going on there, and you don't want to let yourself see it. And the way he looked at us when we had our 'moment' just now, I think he was jealous. He has deeper feelings for you than he lets on. The flirting is just a cover, man. Maybe deep down, you know that because you act differently around him, too."