After being robbed by a black assailant, white Chicago dentist Mark Cross is hesitant to go out at night, let alone get involved in an interracial relationship, but that’s exactly what happens after he meets Darren Nichols, a black high school teacher and basketball coach. When Mark and Darren are introduced at a party, their attraction to each other is immediate and intense, and they soon begin dating. As their relationship progresses, Mark realizes he loves Darren. But he’s hesitant to ask Darren to move in with him because Darren’s last relationship ended poorly and Darren is scared to get involved with another man so quickly after that experience. Mark also worries he doesn’t live up to Darren’s expectations and fears Darren ultimately longs for a man who isn’t white. And Mark is still haunted by the man who mugged him and harbors fears about black men in general. Despite his worries and insecurities, Mark asks Darren to move in with him and Darren agrees. Though they both bring baggage to their bond, Mark and Darren work hard to build a life together. But when Darren invites over some of the guys he plays basketball with, Mark suspects one of the players, Terrance, is the same man who assaulted him. Mark shares his suspicions with Darren, but Darren isn’t convinced his friend could do something so terrible. Mark is determined to uncover the truth, but will he jeopardize his relationship with Darren in the process?

Pivot

“Five minutes ago you wanted to fight with me and now you want to fuck me?” he asked.


“Yes,” I said before kissing him again. I slid my tongue into his mouth and he undid his pants. Our clothes came off pretty fast after that and we moved to the bed.


I rode him slow, taking time to enjoy every moment. His ass clenched my cock like a vise. I loved feeling him beneath me, having his hands on my shoulders, hearing him moan for me. Darren was a very sensual and attentive lover. He was welcoming in a way that some men I’d been with simply weren’t. He enjoyed the intimacy of sex, the touching, the kissing, and closeness, not just the fucking, and I loved that about him.


As much as I enjoyed making love to Darren that night, I was still a little angry with him for accusing me of being controlling. I failed to see how my concern for him translated into wanting to run his life. I wasn’t trying to stop him from seeing his friends or change him…was I?


Chapter 23