Ernie Boudine -- early thirties, still lives at home with mom -- has never had sex, hasn’t even been kissed. In his mind the only guys who get in on the action are the muscled-up bodybuilders he worships on his computer. But Ernie knows to attract such a god He’ll need to transform his current blob of soft muscles covered with an ample layer of fat into body beautiful. Personal trainer Butch Noonan discovers his boyfriend has been cheating on him. Troy is the last straw. Butch decides he’s done dating bodybuilders with their self-centered and egotistical attitudes. Butch longs for a relationship with someone who believes in romance, togetherness, and fidelity. Joining a gym, Ernie feels like a kid in a candy store. So many beautiful men working out, so much hard muscle to ogle. Ernie is disappointed when Butch is assigned as his personal trainer. Despite the man’s name, the other trainers have bigger and buffer bodies. Soon, however, Ernie begins to appreciate Butch’s sexy, compact body and what’s more, the man genuinely seems to care for and about Ernie. Much to both men’s surprise, a tentative relationship begins to blossom, but then into the gym strolls Butch’s former college roommate. Bill is a serious bodybuilder and Ernie is immediately captivated by the man’s huge muscles and confident swagger. Can Butch stand idly by and watch Ernie make the same mistakes he has? Or will Ernie wise up in time and realize true relationships are about more than muscle?

More Than Muscle

Ernie stood in the shower letting the warm water cascade over his body. He distractedly lathered his chest and arms as he stared at the tile in front of him, oblivious to the other patrons who were showering close by.


He asked me to go out for coffee. He asked me to go out for coffee! he repeated over and over as if trying to convince himself he’d actually heard Butch correctly. Why would he do that? He can’t be interested in me. But why else would he ask?


Ernie realized he’d been standing in the shower for some time and that he had a hard-on from contemplating the intent of Butch’s invite. He looked around, embarrassed by what his fellow showerers might think. But by this time the guys who had been in the room had departed, leaving him by himself. Ernie breathed a sigh of relief, turned off the water, and walked to the doorway. He wrapped his towel around his waist to hide his state of arousal.


Chapter 14