My next appointment was at a large studio in an area known as Boys-town, just north of the city. The building’s exterior was modern and stylish, with stone steps flacked by vibrant plants in colorful pots. I rang the doorbell and stepped into the small lobby, where a paper note taped to the mailboxes read, “Ring Landlord for Service.”
I pressed the button and waited patiently. After a few minutes, a tall, sturdy, older man with blond hair appeared—broad shoulders, a chiseled jaw, and the build of a pro wrestler. Soft golden hair covered his arms, and his bright blue eyes met mine briefly before he asked, “You’re Bruce?”
"I am."
"I'm Richard."
"Nice to meet you, Richard. I looked at him too long. Damn, he was goodlooking.
I reached out for a handshake, and he met it with a firm grip. We locked eyes for a moment—maybe a bit too long—before he broke the silence. "C'mon up." We walked side by side. "So, you're new to our beautiful city. Where are you from?"
"Miami, Florida!
"You're doing it all wrong. You're supposed to work in a big city and then retire to Florida."
I smiled as we got to the second-floor Studio door. "One word .... hurricanes. Furthermore, I was born and raised here. After graduation from ISU I got a job in Miami. I've been in too many hurricanes."
Richard nodded. "We only hear about the beaches not the destruction." He unlocked the door and we walked in. He pointed out the bathroom door was on right. Then a walk-in kitchen. At the end of the apartment was closet space. Two huge floor-to-ceiling windows were in the center of the interior wall. I loved it!
As I looked around, he asked me what I thought of it.
"Perfect! May I fill out an application?" As I filled it out, he spoke."
"What do you do? I'm a freelance writer. And my first novel comes out in a month. And I am published playwright."
"I'm impressed. Getting published must be hard."
"Challenging." I finished the application and handed it to him.
"Bruce W. Philips. What's the W stand for?"
I exhaled thinking, been here done that. "Wayne."
"Like Bruce Wayne??
"I was named after the character. Dad's a big Batman fan. And so am I."
"And so am I!" He was elated.
"I want you to live here now. Having Bruce Wayne as a tenant would be amazing. I can already hear it: Bruce Wayne lives in my apartment building." He laughed heartily. "You’ve got the studio apartment. It's yours."
"Oh, thank you." God, he was gorgeous. I knew I’d never have a shot at dating someone like him. Not that I think I’m unattractive or anything, but it was like he was the star quarterback, and I was the lone male cheerleader.
He tossed me three keys to me. "The silver opens your mailbox; gold opens the front and backdoor and the blue key is for the laundry room." He paused
"Getting back to business, Bruce. Rent is 1,200 a month. First, last, and security deposit. Make the check payable to Richard Harrd."
"When can I move in?"
"Tomorrow."
Considering we are in the gay neighborhood; I'd like to ask you off the record. Are you gay?"
"Yes, since Junior year in high school. His name was Drew."
I pulled up my t-shirt sleeve and showed him my tattoo of the gay pride flag."
"Top or bottom? he asked with a sly smile.
"Are you serious?" I laughed.
"No! I'm kidding." He laughed. God what a hunk!
I was laughing too.
"I'm going to my aunt's house to pack. I didn't have too much. And I'm going to buy a sleeper sofa and maybe two nightstands like tables on either side of the sofa."
"Good idea! C'mon I'll walk you down."
When we said our good-byes in the small lobby. I opened the front door then turned back to Richard smiling. He was climbing the stairs. I shouted. "I'm a Bottom." He turned around and winked at me. I felt flushed.
When I returned to my aunt's apartment, I shared my plans with her. She asked her chauffeur, Selvin, to help me pack and move in the morning. Later, I went online to search for a sleeper sofa and found a gorgeous beige one at Macy's that perfectly matched the oak wood flooring.
The next day I loaded up my life with Selvin's help. At the new apartment Selvin, me and surprisingly Richard moved all the boxes up to my new studio. I bought them both lunch from a local deli. After Selvin finished I hugged him. Thanked him for his help and slipped a fifty-dollar bill into his jacket pocket.
I wouldn't have a sleeper sofa for two days. So, I's be sleeping on the floor. Hell, I've sleep on worst things than a beautiful, carpeted floor. Selvan left when the job was done.
Exhaustion seeped into my body. I heard a knock, I opened door ... Smiling Richard stepped in holding a bottle of red wine. "I've ordered a pizza to be delivered in an hour. So, you can breathe a little bit."
"Thank you so much for your help."
"Not a problem. So, the bed didn't come."
I'll be fine. I've slept in worse places when I was in college."
"I have a queen-sized bed. you'll be more comfortable. Sleep at my apartment tonight."
"Thank you. I greatly appreciate all you've done for me."
"My pleasure. "He smiled.
I didn't know what to wear. Half of my clothes were still packed in boxes. I usually sleep in briefs, but I didn't want to appear provocative. In a box I found some underwear, a pair of boxers, and grabbed them. After pizza we watch Batman with Micheal Keaton. We had a nightcap. Afterwards we both climbed into the bed and said goodnight.
I awoke before the morning sun. Richard's hairy arm was wrapped around my waist. His body pressed against mine. I was hard. From what I could tell he was too. His hard cock rested on my butt crack. I was in bed with one of the handsomest men I'd ever met. I began sweating. He stirred. He rolled over. With a groggy voice he broke the silence. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did."
"I apologize for having my arm around you."
"I didn't mind. I haven't had anyone hug me in years."
Without another second passing Richard gave me a soft bear hug. It lasted forever. I got out of bed and so did he. He pointed at my crotch smiling. "You're hard."
I looked at his crotch. "Takes one to know one." Then pointed at his ... very large cock under his briefs.
He laughed. It was clear and sincere. I'm headed for a shower. I'll make breakfast when I'm done. Okay?"
"Shit!" He suddenly spit out. "I haven't turned the water back on yet. I have to call Devon my plumber." He looked at me. "I apologize, please use my shower. There's everything in there that you need." I got naked. He watched. I tried to be sexy, I failed. I went into the shower. I washed my hair getting soap in my eyes. I heard the glass shower open. I still couldn't see. I felt a bar of soap on my back. I got hard instantly.
Richard whispered into my ear. "You are so beautiful."
The soap was out of my eyes. I stared at him. We both were hard. He stared at me. The shower raining over us. At the same time, we looked at each other. No words. Just the noise of water falling. And then we kissed. He wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him. It was a kiss right out of a Disney fairy tale.
"I want you." He whispered.
The second kiss launched me to the moon. My hard-on hurt so good.
Trembling I rested my head on his pecs. He cradled me in his arms. "You realize this is just the beginning."
Don't miss Chapter 2 of The Landlord and the Tenant.
