Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 07:16:48 -0800 (PST)
From: dante umbero <danteumbero@yahoo.com>
Subject: Artist's Holiday-Joel 3

Artist's Holiday-Joel 3

WARNING this story contains graphic descriptions of
hot man 2 man sex.  If you are offended or too young
to read it go away.  Otherwise enjoy.
This story is based on real characters and real
events.  While creative license has been used to
enhance the tale, and obviously the names have been
changed, the general storyline is factual.
The characters in this story were living in a place
and time when diseases were not so common.  Be
responsible and don't make love without a "glove".
Ciao
Dante-

I watched as Joel disappeared up the path toward the
bunkhouse, then closing the door I went into the
sitting room and dropped into the wingback chair.

"Shit, damn, fuck, fuck, fuck!"  I thought, "What have
I gotten into.  Here I am 42 years old, nearing the
pinnacle of my career and I've not only encouraged a
kid of 23 to fall in love with me, I've gone and
fallen for him too."  My mind raced to what was facing
us.  My common sense had kicked in full throttle and I
knew that there was every chance that one or both of
us was headed for pain and anguish.  Joel didn't even
know if he was gay or not, let alone told his parents.
 I could just imagine the scene, "Hi Mom, Dad; this is
Dave, he's my new lover, yeah I'm gay and by the way
he's your age!"  "FUCK!"  My face burned with
embarrassment just imagining it.  My natural instinct
at this point was to run, but my heart told me I
couldn't do that to Joel.  Besides, why couldn't I
have this, my life had been spent in the race to fame
and the recognition of my art but had been sadly
lacking in reciprocated love.

I spent quit some time see sawing back and forth
between exuberance over Joel's love and desperation at
the situation.  Finally I settled down to the fact
that I loved him, hopelessly and passionately, it
would work itself out for good or ill.

In my memory I guess the next few days will live as an
interval of love and passion lit with the warm green
light of a bluegrass summer.  During the days I
finished the portrait and when the frame arrived, and
was installed, I decided that just maybe I had
completed one of the masterworks of my career.  Joel
came to me every evening and we made love and snuggled
and laughed at secret jokes and did the things that
new lovers do.  I tried on a couple of occasions to
bring up the future but he always told me he didn't
want to talk about it yet.  We got to know one another
on a less sexual level and to my surprise I found Joel
to be extremely intelligent and didn't doubt that he
would make it into Vet school and be a marvelous Vet.
For his part I shared what my life had been like,
trying to make him understand what had brought me to
the cynical point of view I tended to have.  I found a
new sense of Joi de Vive around him, and the
experience of introducing him to an adult relationship
made my heart swell.  Watching him sleeping, looking
like a little boy, I found myself crying silently at
his beauty and innocence.  It still didn't diminish my
dread of what we would have to face.

I had talked to Ingrid earlier on that Thursday and
confirmed the party arrangements for the next night.
I had rented a Tux as it was black tie and had also
picked up a cheap display easel.  I had entered into a
collusive arrangement with her housekeeper to get the
painting and easel setup in the Library after we went
into dinner.  I would make the presentation over
Champagne that Dale had shipped overnight and the
housekeeper would chill and setup.  I also clued her
into the fact that Joel and I were going into town
that night.  He had already cleared a night off with
C.V.  Ingrid was mildly surprised but didn't read
anything else into it, or if she did she didn't
comment.  I also knew that I had a ticket for a flight
to London on Sunday and I didn't know if I would be on
it.

"Damn."

I was finishing getting dressed when I heard the door
open and Joel's footsteps against the floor.  I was
just slipping my loafers on when he appeared at the
bedroom door.  He looked amazing.  The black jeans
cupped his tight butt and the polo shirt, under his
tan blazer, showed his pecs off the wisp of blond curl
at the open neck made me want to rip it off and bury
my face in his dusky fragrance.  "You look good enough
to eat, lover."  I said huskily.

"Look who's talking, "He said, "I guess we could
postpone dinner for a few minutes."  He ran his hands
lightly over my button down clad chest and then cupped
up my crotch encased in kaki.

"I'd love to Dude, but we have reservations.  I'll
make it up to you later."  I said, pinching one of his
nipples and kissing him.

He drove the old Mercedes into town and talked about
his day, how Carlo was kidding him about having a girl
somewhere he was visiting and how he was afraid Carlo
would follow him one evening.

I stilled his amblings when I said, "Joel, tonight we
need to talk, O.K.?  You know my time here is running
out.  We have to decide how we are going to proceed
from here."  I reached over and gently rubbed his
thigh, "I love you, Joel, more than maybe I've shown.
I need to know about us.  How are we going to go on
after I leave?"

His hand dropped from the steering wheel and covered
my own, "It's O.K. Dave, I've figured it all out.
Trust me."  He said quietly and looked over at me and
grinned.

I sighed and held his hand.

The restaurant was one of the best in town, Joel had
never been there.  "Not in my league, Dave."  He said
blushing as we walked up to the Maitre'd.  I gave my
name to the young man who looked from me to Joel and
raised an eyebrow then led us to a quiet table in a
back corner.

I ordered tonic water with a twist and Joel ordered
beer.  He looked at me very uncomfortably and said,
"I've never been in a place like this before.  I feel
like everyone is looking at me."

I smiled and said quietly, "That's because you're the
most beautiful thing here."  I brushed his knee with
my own under the tablecloth.  "Relax its fine.  Let me
take care of everything."

The waiter returned and I ordered our meal from the
French menu in unaccented French putting the haughty
waiter in his place.  Then smiled at Joel and asked,
"So tell me about these plans that are going to make
everything alright, big boy."

He turned pink and said, "You won't laugh or
anything?"

"No, Joel this is too serious to laugh."  I said and
sighed.

"Ok, well here's what I thought.  I called my advisor
at school and talked to him about UC Davis.  They have
a Vet school and I could probably transfer out there.
It is only about 75 miles from you.  We wouldn't be
next door or anything but we would be a hell of a lot
closer than Kentucky.  I am getting loans now for
school; they spend the same in California as they do
here.  There is also the added bonus that they give
preference to their undergraduates for entry into the
Vet program.  I would probably transfer most of my
credits and not loose more than a semester and a
summer session.  I could set out this coming semester
and move out there and start in the winter term.  My
advisor told me that he might wrangle me a job at
their Vet hospital.  That would also get me a tuition
discount.  It would let us be together at least on
weekends."  He paused and took a long drink from his
beer glass.  "I hate beer from a glass!"  He said
scowling at me.

I was stunned, I had anticipated he would offer to
quit school and move to San Francisco, or something
equally dramatic, but here he was thinking about his
future as well as ours.  I decided it was time to talk
about the wider issues.

"What about your folks, Joel, have you talked to them
about this, are you going to tell them about us?"  I
asked quietly.  "Don't get me wrong, I never told my
parents about Anne, nor am I ready to tell them about
you yet, but it has caused a certain reserve between
us.  I think they guess a lot about me but never ask
directly.  Are you ready for that duality in your
life?  It can be very sad sometimes."  I paused, lost
in thought.

I felt his hand cover mine on the table.  I looked at
him and could see the concern in his eyes.  "I told my
Mom this morning I was thinking about it.  She told me
I was a grown man and while she didn't want me to move
out there, she knew this was what I had dreamed about
all my life.  She said Dad would understand in time.
I didn't tell her about you.  I guess I'm a coward
when it comes to hurting my Mom. But I'm willing to
hold your hand in a restaurant in Lexington."  He said
as he squeezed my hand.


The meal arrived and we ate in a comfortable silence.
I thought about Joel's plan and saw the merits of it.
Of course I'd never be happy with him 75 miles away,
but something might work out.  I could sell or rent
out the studio in the City and find something in the
Sacramento area we could share.  It would mean a
commute into the city for me at least twice a week.
First though I had to decide about next week.

"Listen Joel, I'm supposed to fly to London on Sunday.
 I would love to cancel and stay here for the next
month, but I have meetings in London and Paris.  You
understand that don't you?"  I asked.

"Dave, I've thought about that too.  I decided that it
might be a good thing.  Before I move to California
and you change anything we need to be sure this isn't
a flash in the pan.  I'm sure it's not on my part but
being apart for a month or so will let us be sure.  I
love you and trust you.  I'm already missing you so be
ready when you get back."  He said and laughed.

I was at a loss...no wonder I'd fallen in love.  He was
sexy, smart and methodical.

"I'm supposed to fly directly back to San Francisco
from Venice but I'm thinking I might rearrange some
things.  I can cut the Italian leg off my trip I
haven't any meetings there and could fly back here
from Paris and spend at least a few days before I go
back west.  In the meantime you can double check the
Davis deal and make sure it's what you want to do.
When I get back out there I'll look for you some digs
around Davis and come back to help you move.   It
would be nice to drive out just the two of us, we
could stop in the high Sierras for a few days and I
could do some Plein Aire."  I said, caught up in the
plans.

I gave the waiter a credit card and we left.  Joel was
glad to be out of the stuffy restaurant even if the
food had been good.  The drive over to the bar was
brief and Joel was nervous at the prospect of a "gay"
bar.

"Why are you worried, I'm the one that should be
worried?  Taking a hot stud like you into this meat
market, you'll get asked to dance a lot."  I said then
paused.  "You dance, don't you?"  I asked.

Joel turned red again, "Uh, not really.  I haven't
done much more than sway on a dance floor."  He
muttered.

"Oh well that should be enough for me, I'm no dancer
either, but I do love a good grope while slow
dancing."  I chuckled.

The club was crowded and the music was hot and fast.
The dance floor was packed with all types of men.  I
could see Joel was overwhelmed with the scene, so I
led him over to an area near the dance floor but out
of the main circuit of cruisers and settled in next to
a column.  We picked up two Coronas as we passed the
bar and were sipping them.  I watched as Joel scanned
the crowd, I had long ago lost any interest in the
club scene, but while there I had certainly tasted it
to the full.  In just a few moments a handsome guy
about Joel's age slid up next to him and put his arm
around his waist and whispered something into his ear.
 Joel turned red, shook off the guys arm gently and
said something I couldn't hear.  The young man looked
at me made a face and wandered on.

Joel looked at me smiled and said, "I told him I was
taken."

I leaned down and we kissed slowly.  The music changed
to a slow song and I said, "Hey stud, wanna dance?"

"Sure, if you don't mind me stepping on your feet."
He said and smiled.

The music was a newer love song that I had heard but
couldn't remember the name of.  The black woman could
really sing and her crystal notes seemed to take us
out of time as we held each other and swayed to the
beat.  Joel, like me, wasn't a bad dancer and with
practice would be passable.  I could feel his crotch
rubbing against my thigh and could tell he was getting
aroused, which caused my unruly member to spring into
action and poke him in the waist.

As the song ended Joel tilted his head up and
whispered in my ear, "You ready to get outta here, you
owe me remember?"  I felt his fingers pinch my nipple.

"You sure you don't wanna stay and see if you get a
better offer?"  I asked half seriously.

"I already have the best, why would I want to go
trading you in for a newer model, now?"  He said and
smiled.

The drive back to the guesthouse past quietly, the
moon roof allowed the warm night air to bring us the
scent of the country.  I let us into the house and we
walked back to the bedroom.  Joel flopped down on the
bed and propped himself up on an elbow and watched as
I methodically removed my watch and wallet and belt.
I kicked off my shoes and went into the bathroom.  I
got hard pissing while thinking about what was waiting
for me in the other room.

I did the essentials like brushing my teeth and when I
went back into the bedroom Joel lay naked on the bed.
He had turned on the stereo and some acoustic guitar
music was playing, he had also poured us some white
wine into a couple of glasses and was holding his
glass up to the candle light watching the straw
colored liquid turn gold.  I slowly removed my clothes
as he watched, I could see he was already hard and the
smoldering look in his eyes told me he was more than
ready.  I eased into bed beside him and he wrapped his
arms around me.  Our mouths found each other and my
heart raced with need.  As we explored each others
mouth my hands wandered over his body, feeling his
nipples rise to my touch I pinched one and felt the
moan in his throat.  He reached between us and took
both our hard cocks in his hand and started jacking
them together.  I slipped around until we were in a 69
position and went down on his dripping cock.  He took
me into his warm mouth and I sighed around his shaft.
Slowly we began to be more urgent in our needs and my
tongue slipped behind his balls.  He moaned louder as
I licked the sensitive area there and then went deeper
and touched his pucker.  I moaned as he mirrored my
movements and I felt his tongue touch me there.  His
scent was all around me and I felt his curled dusty
blond hair touching my cheeks.  Slowly I returned to
face him and we kissed.  He pushed me to my back and
rolled on top of me, all the while kissing me deeply I
was drunk on his odor and taste.  I felt his cock
exploring behind my balls.  I reached to the bedside
and got the tube of lube out and handed it to him.

"Dude you forgot the rubber."  He whispered.

"Not this time love, I want to feel you completely,
nothing between us.  There has been no one but you
since Anne, I'm clean."  I said.  He looked at me with
a quiet smile and then stroked the lube onto himself.
He leaned into me and started kissing me again.  I
could feel his fingers sliding from my slick cock to
my balls then reaching behind them.  I felt them
insistently push into my chute and moaned with
pleasure.  I raised my hips and wrapped my legs around
his waist as he replaced his fingers with his cock.

His cock bottomed out and as it rubbed over my nut I
sighed in complete contentment. Joel slowly stroked in
and out kissing me, as he would bottom out I pushed up
with my hips and felt his fuzzy abdomen brush my
balls.  I went into ecstasy as his rhythm sped up.
The pressure of his belly against my hard cock and the
sensation of his dick plunging in and out sent me over
the edge and I moaned as I coated our stomachs in hot
cream.

"Aw shit."  He sighed as I felt the first throbs of
his orgasm.

He slowly sank down beside me and his dick plopped
out.  I could feel a trickle of his juice down there
and felt like we had crossed a line in our
relationship somehow.  I reached down and pulled the
duvet up over us and snuggled in against him.

"I love you."  He whispered in my ear.  "It just gets
better."

"Yeah, kind of scary isn't it."  I said against his
shoulder.  His warmth and strength made me feel very
sheltered and no longer alone.  "I love you more than
I will ever be able to tell you, Joel.  What can I
bring you back from Europe that will prove it to you?"

"A BMW?"  He said.  We both laughed.  "Just be sure
you bring this back dude."  He said as he circled my
cock and balls with his hand.

The next day was spent on the phone to California and
getting ready for the big party that Ingrid was
throwing.  I checked in with the housekeeper and told
her Joel would bring the painting up that evening and
help her set it up.  He came down to the guest house
early, I was taking a shower when I felt the door to
the stall open and Joel stepped in.  He was nude and
circled my waist with his hands and pulled me in for a
kiss.  I could see that he was anticipating another
interlude by the condition of his dick.  It was pulled
up tight against his abdomen and already drooling
snot.  I knelt down and took it into my mouth as the
warm water surrounded me.  I circled his helmet with
my lips and let it slide slowly to the back of my
throat.  I could hear him breathe deeply as it
bottomed out and my nose was buried in his fragrant
pubes.  I loved sucking him off.  Slowly I tightened
my fingers around the base of his shaft and started
jacking and bobbing on his purpling cock.  I felt his
hands resting on my wet hair and his balls gently
slapping my chin.  I heard him sigh and felt the first
volley of cum hit the back of my throat.

I stood up and let the water wash the rest away,
kissing him letting him taste his juice on my tongue.
I was rock hard and my cock was poking him.  Slowly he
turned around and leaned in under the shower head and
braced his hands on the tile.

"Do me, Dave."  He said.

I slowly ran my hands across his shoulders and down
his back, my lips touched his neck and nuzzled his
ear.  My cock slid perfectly between his butt checks
and nudged at his pucker.  He sighed and pushed
backward.  I steadied my dick and pushed into him
letting his velvety warmth surround me.  I paused a
moment letting him relax around me, then pushed in
further until my belly was touching his tight butt.  I
sighed into his ear, "You are so hot.  I could live
like this forever."  I slid out almost until I fell
out of him then pushed in harder. He moaned as I
brushed his prostate.  I reached around and felt his
dick hardening up again.  Slowly I stroked his cock
and his chute stroked mine.  We found a mutually
pleasing rhythm and soon he was moaning in time with
me.  I stroked his dick and felt him start to tremble,
I was caught up in my own orgasm and we rocked through
it together, his cum hitting the tile wall.

We soaped each other up and gently caressed the
bubbles away.  I wrapped a towel around my waist and
went through to the bedroom.  Joel was toweling his
hair dry as he entered.  I was pulling up a pair of
black boxers.

He looked at the simple black tux laid out on the bed
and said, "Bet you look hot in this."  He rubbed the
lapel between his thumb and forefinger.

I slipped on the pants and started inserting the studs
into the shirtfront.  Joel watched as I figured out
the cumber bun, and handed me my jacket as I stood up
from putting the patent leather slippers on.  "Well
black tie isn't very comfortable certainly.  Don't let
anyone see you carrying the painting up to the house
or the surprise will be ruined."  I said turning to
him.

Joel stared in amazement and said, "Dude you
look...fabulous."  He came close and touched the satin
of the bowtie and then his fingers strayed to my cheek
and he leaned in and kissed me softly.  "I got you
something."  He said handing me a square black box.

"What's this?  You didn't have to buy me anything."  I
said quietly.

"Just open it, OK?  Don't go getting all squishy on
me."  He said and laughed.

I hesitated looking at Joel, he was smiling at me but
I could sense the apprehension behind it.  I snapped
the box lid back and lying on the black velvet was a
silver bracelet.  I looked at Joel and lifted it out
of the box.  It was heavy and the silver had a Native
American pattern worked in it.  I slipped it on my
right wrist and looked at Joel and then reached out to
him and pulled him to me.

I kissed him tenderly and sighed into his ear, "I love
you, Joel."  I felt him relax against me.

The party was a surprisingly lively affair.  The
conversation was lively and interesting.  I was
introduced to too many people to keep track of.  It
looked like there were about 50 people there, from a
variety of backgrounds but the horse industry was the
dominate force.  I met the local movers and shakers
from the world of thoroughbred horses.  It began with
cocktails and a trip around the elegant living room
with Ingrid and C.V.   Then Ingrid proposed a toast to
my artistic "legend" and we went into the Federal
Style dinning room and ate a marvelous meal.  While
the salads were being cleared, I noticed the
housekeeper standing at the serving door; she caught
my eye and nodded.  All was ready.

The meal ended with a light desert of fruit and Crème
Brule.  As we were standing to leave, I taped my water
glass with my knife and everyone paused and looked at
me.

"If everyone would join me in the Library, I took the
liberty of having some of champagne sent in."  I said.

The group murmured their appreciation.  C.V. and
Ingrid looked mildly confused but were laughing
telling everyone that I was such a wonderful guest.
The pocket doors of the Library were open and the wait
staff from dinner was passing through the group with
silver trays of champagne flutes.  I put my hand under
Ingrid's arm and led her and C.V. to the front of the
group, the easel was covered with a damask cloth.  I
once again asked for everyone's attention.

"Dear Ingrid, C.V. I have truly enjoyed my stay here
more than you will ever know.  It has allowed me to
find some much needed rest and chance to re-evaluate
my life and art.
In token for your kind hospitality I have arranged a
little thank you.  While here I managed to complete
what, I think, will be considered one of my best
works.  I present it to you in thanks for your kind
friendship.  Ladies and Gentlemen I give you "Ingrid's
Suede"."  I said in my special High Anglican voice and
pulled off the shrouding cloth.

There was a general murmur than gasps of admiration
and then applause.  It is always scary to unveil a
work in front of a crowd, you are always afraid they
might hate it.
My hosts stared at the painting for a long time then
Ingrid with tears in her eyes turned to me and hugged
me.  C.V. thumped me on the back and beamed a happy
smile at me.  I took a deep breath and relaxed.

As I sipped champagne several of the guests asked
about commissions of their own, I gave each of them a
card that had my California number on it and told them
I would be pleased to discuss their needs.  Then an
older man whose name I had forgotten asked if I could
meet with him the following week and talk about a
commission.  I explained I was leaving for Europe on
Sunday but if he would call the California number my
agent could arrange a meeting.  He went on to explain
that he was on the board of the international
thoroughbred racing committee and they were getting
ready to commission an art work to decorate the atrium
of their offices.  I still insisted that I would be
leaving for Europe and didn't see how I could meet
with him next week.

"Sir, I don't think you quite understand.  The
Committee has authorized one million dollars for the
commissioning of this monumental public work.  I think
you are just the artist we want, and I would like to
discuss the specifications of the work with you.  I
will be calling the rest of my committee on Monday to
tell them I have found the Artist for this important
project."  He paused and my face must have registered
shock.  He smiled at me and said, "Surely you can
rebook your flight or I could perhaps loan you the use
of the committee's jet to hop you over the pond, say
Monday evening."

"I think something can be arranged.  I can be at your
disposal on Monday, and the flight on in the evening
will allow me to make my meetings in London.  Would
you like me to have a copy of my portfolio sent
overnight to your committee?"  I said.

"That would be great, but I think if you could just
bring a copy with you Monday.  We will be meeting at
the offices so that you can see the space and hear our
thoughts on what the work should be like."  He said.

"Where exactly are the offices?"  I asked.

He chuckled and said, "C.V. can give you directions,
hell, you probably can ride with him, he's on the
committee also."

The rest of the party was rather anticlimactic, C.V.
said that he would be glad to have me ride along on
Monday and that I could use the guesthouse through
Monday.  Back at the guest house I called Dale it was
early evening their but he was all business when I
told him about the potential commission and he got
Clark on the line also and we discussed the potentials
of such a work.  Clark also told me that the Xcom
specs would be waiting in London for me.  I rang off
telling them that I would call them after the meeting
on Monday.

I was still in shock when Joel walked into the sitting
room and found me staring into the empty hearth.

"So, did they like the painting?"  He said as he
leaned down and nuzzled my ear.

"Joel, sit down I think our plans just got changed
again." I said.

He immediately looked concerned and sat across from
me.  "Whatever it is Dave, we'll get through it
together."  He said.

To be continued...