One last scream echoes through the woods. It chills me to the bone. I snap my head toward the direction of the cave and rush to the battle zone.

  It’s dark inside as I make my way through the gaping maw of the rock.

  “Hello?” I whisper into the nothingness. I don’t know why I’m keeping my voice low. Sometimes when you’re afraid, speaking louder feels even more terrifying.

  “Ahhh!!!” is the response. A loud, desperate cry from deep within the cave.

  The ground underneath me feels unsteady, a pathway formed from loose stones and wet debris. I scamper through it, guided by the lantern which swings back and forth in my hand.

  I can’t tell where I’m going, but only know that I’m getting further inside the cave, and the ceiling seems to come lower and lower until I find myself crouching down to walk.

  “Jarrod, are you in here?” I call out to the shadows.

  Just then, something grabs me by both arms and swings me around. My lantern crashes against the wall and shatters.

  Something has a hold of me. It’s squeezing me tight, holding me in place. And I can’t see anything in front of me. All that’s left to do is thrash and kick, trying to break free as I’m forced into this impossibly tight spot.

  My mind races. Did I enter the tunnel without realizing it? Did I walk right into the space where that man died in Jarrod’s story? Maybe it wasn’t made up. Maybe this is how I die too. But I’m not going down without a fight.

  I kick backwards, catching what feels like a leg behind me, and I pull it forward with my foot. The grip on my shoulders releases and whatever has a hold of me stumbles and falls to the ground.

  “Alright, Ian, enough,” a voice calls out breathlessly. “We’re just messing with you.”

  A light appears, the flashlight of a cell phone. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust, and then I recognize the guy on the ground, covered in wet leaves and mud. “Chad?”

  The prankster tries to laugh, but it comes out as a cough. “Fuck. Yeah, it’s me. You really knocked the shit out of me.”

  The sound of hands clapping echoes from somewhere in the darkness. I spin around to see another cell phone flashlight floating near me. It’s Jarrod, a satisfied grin filling his face.

  I help Chad up from the ground. He wipes himself off and then pats me on the back.

  “No one’s ever come to the cave,” he says.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Beta Gamma Zeta has been pulling this prank for almost twenty years. It’s a longstanding tradition. Every single recruit has gone running up the hill toward the highway. You’re the first one who’s run to the cave trying to be a hero.”

  “You must have a brave heart,” Jarrod adds, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and giving me a squeeze.

  “You knew about this?”

  He shrugs impishly. “I mean, yeah. Like I said earlier, I’ve been hanging out with these guys since tenth grade.” Then he turns to Chad with a glare. “What I didn’t know about was the unlined sleeping bags.”

  Chad laughs. “That’s a new twist on the tradition. I thought of it myself.”

  “It was brutal.” I know I should be more upset, but I can’t stop smiling. “Please tell me we’ve passed the test. I don’t want to go back to that cold tent.”

  “You can sleep here in the cave instead,” Chad offers.

  “Forget that.” Jarrod takes me by the arm and leads me out of the cave. “We’ve more than proven our worth to join the fraternity. And Ian here has proven he’s got bigger balls than any one of us.” He leans close to whisper in my ear, “And I should know.”

  His warm breath on my neck makes me shudder, thinking about our secret sex.

  Chad follows behind us. “Alright, boys, let’s head home.”

  “I can’t wait to get back to a warm bed,” I say with relief.

  Jarrod nudges me as we walk. Just knowing he’ll be sleeping on the other side of our room sends me reeling with filthy fantasies.

  I look over at him and catch his eyes gleaming under the moonlight. From the way he’s looking at me, all hot and bothered with lust in his stare, I think it’s safe to say I’m not the only one imagining the next time we hook up.

  He winks at me, and then I know for sure. This is the beginning of something wonderful.

  SEDUCED BY THE NEIGHBOR

  Synopsis: College freshman Lance has never been attracted to other guys. All that changes on a scorching summer day when he meets Edward, his next door neighbor. Edward is a rugged, handsome older man who makes Lance feel strange new desires. Curiosity leads to compulsion, and when Lance gets caught snooping around his neighbor’s house, a sizzling encounter forces all the juicy secrets to come spilling out.

  CHAPTER 1

  It’s early morning and I’m lost in a dream, somewhere in the realm where consciousness and unconsciousness blend.

  A stranger touches me with velvet hands. A mystery, a blur, someone I can’t identify, but I feel their touch as they caress my thigh. I shudder. My cock is rock hard and throbbing.

  “Let’s go higher,” they murmur.

  I don’t know what that means, but I’ll follow them anywhere.

  We move through the air. Are we climbing? Floating? Suddenly we’re on a cliff, peering down at the world below.

  This dream lover claims me with their lips. A shadow in the light. I can’t see their face, but I feel their mouth as our kiss deepens. It’s like every touch is hardwired to the ache between my legs. The slightest brush of their hand could make me cum.

  I feel myself closer to the edge. There’s a stirring in my balls. I’m so close to the feeling. So close, but then I fall...

  Flying.

  No, dropping.

  Crashing.

  Hurling into the dark abyss.

  I’m startled awake.

  The sweetest dream turned into a nightmare in an instant. I’m covered in sweat and my chest is heaving. My bedroom is sweltering.

  Damn it, the air conditioner must be on the fritz again. The thing is ancient and barely cools my room on the second floor. I always have weird dreams when I get too hot.

  I try to shake it off, this strange groggy feeling somewhere between horny and horrified. I check my phone. It’s 8:35 AM. For me, that’s sleeping in. I usually get up around 6:30. It’s nice to be a little lazy.

  This is the first day of summer break and I have no plans for anything except relaxation. I’ve just survived my freshman year of college. Final exams kicked my ass hard. Thankfully I finished strong. Now I need some time to unwind.

  Most of my housemates left town last night. They have family within driving distance. Mine is eight hundred miles away. The cost of travel right now is outrageous and I couldn’t swing a ticket, so I told my parents I’d check for deals closer to autumn.

  I scroll through my phone. There’s a package delivery notification. My new Nintendo Switch Pro game controller was dropped off a few minutes ago. Hell yeah.

  I fling off the covers and rush downstairs wearing just my boxer briefs. I still have half a chub and it’s swinging like mad, but I’ll be back to my room in a flash.

  Sunlight is bursting through the windows that frame the door. It’s a little too bright for first thing in the morning. I shield my face as I open the door, and I’m startled to find a man standing at the doormat, his hands on his hips and a deep crease between his eyebrows. He towers over me like a mountain of muscle. His baby blue button-up hugs his shoulders like it’s painted on.

  I gasp and step back. "Shit, you scared me."

  His eyes flick across my exposed torso, and I’m sure he can see the outline of my cock. Now I really regret not getting dressed.

  “Where’s John?” the man asks. There’s an edge to his voice.

  “John Davis or John Miller?” I ask.

  The man sighs. “I don’t know. The blond one."

  “They both have blond hair.”

  “Okay, well which one is home?”

  “They’re both gone.”

  “Great. I don’t have time for this. I should have been on the road fifteen minutes ago.”

  I look down at the padded envelope. It’s only inches from the guy’s feet. I’m seriously contemplating swiping the package and slamming the door shut. This isn’t my problem. All I want to do is dump a box of Cocoa Krispies into a mixing bowl and chow down while playing Nintendo.

  “Can you do me a favor and try calling both of them?” The man’s eyes soften. “Please? Maybe they’ll answer if you call. Then we can sort this out.”

  I close the door halfway and lean against the back of it. “Look, mister, I don’t even know what this is about.”

  The man’s face flushes pink. He pinches the bridge in his nose and exhales loudly. “I’m going to the beach for the weekend. John’s supposed to housesit while I’m gone. He said it was no problem.”

  Then something clicks into place and I remember where I’ve seen this guy. “Oh, right, you’re the dude who lives behind us.”

  The man nods. “Yeah, I’m that ’dude.’”

  “Then you must be talking about John Miller. John Davis would never agree to help someone.”

  “Good, okay, now we’re getting somewhere. Can you call John Miller from your phone? He’s not picking up when I call.”

  I suck in air through my teeth. “Look, that wouldn’t do any good. John went to the beach for the weekend with his girlfriend.”

  “What?!” A vein pulses in the man’s forehead.

  “Yeah, um, that’s John for you. He means well, but he spaces out like all the time. He probably just forgot.”

  The man shakes his head. “Great. Just great. So John gets to enjoy the beach and I have to cancel on my friends and stay home.”

  I choke back a laugh and say, “A guy your age still goes to the beach with his friends?”

  The man’s blue eyes turn to ice. “Yes, a guy my age still goes to the beach with his friends. I’m 42, not 92.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I hold my hands up defensively. “I just woke up and came out here to grab that package by your feet. I haven’t had any coffee yet and I’m not thinking straight.”

  The man picks up the envelope and hands it to me. “No, I’m sorry. This isn’t your fault. I shouldn’t be taking it out on you. Thanks for letting me know about John.”

  As I watch my neighbor stomp away, my hazy brain finally puts two and two together. “Hey, wait. Were you paying John to housesit?”

  The man turns around and nods. “Yeah. Fifty bucks a day to feed my cat and water my plants.”

  “How many days?”

  “Three. Are you interested?”

  “I think so.” I step out from the door, forgetting I’m half naked until the man’s eyes wash over my bare skin again.

  “You’re not going to run off with your girlfriend, are you?”

  I laugh and wave away the thought. “Not a chance.”

  “Alright,” the man says, “that would be great. Wanna get dressed and meet me over at my house?”

  I feel the heat crawl up my cheeks as I cover my protruding cock with the envelope. “Yeah, I’ll be over there in five minutes.”

  He nods. “See you soon.”

  I rush back into the house and up the stairs to grab a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt from my bed. On the way out, I stop in the kitchen to turn on the coffee machine so I’ll have a fresh cup waiting for me. Two of my housemates, Cole and David, are sitting at the table.

  “Hey, Lance,” Cole says to me. “What was that all about?”

  “Apparently John Miller skipped town after promising to housesit for the neighbor behind us. I offered to do the job instead.”

  “Are you talking about our neighbor Edward?”

  I shrug, suddenly feeling dumb for not asking the guy’s name. “I guess. The house right there.” I nod toward the window at the partial view of a small Craftsman-style home.

  Cole and David exchange glances. David snickers. “You know that guy’s gay, right?”

  Something stirs deep inside me. “No, um... I didn’t. But who cares? A job’s a job.”

  “Yeah, well be careful over there. He’ll probably offer you a different kind of job.”

  I shake my head. “You guys are being stupid. It’s none of our business. All I’m doing is feeding his cat and watering the plants.”

  “Alright, whatever, man,” David concedes. “Just don’t bend over in front of him. He might pop your butt cherry.”

  I feel my cock start to plump. Something is definitely going on with me today. Maybe I’m still worked up about the dream I had.

  “I’ll be back soon,” I say, ignoring their jokes. “I just got the new Switch Pro controller if you want to play Mario Kart with me.”

  “Sorry, can’t,” Cole says. “While you’re over there hanging out with that old homo we’re meeting up with some friends for lunch. And then tonight we’re going to a big summer bash. You should join us.”

  I shake my head. “Maybe another time. You guys have fun.”

  As I head out the back door to cut through our yard, my heart races. Suddenly I’m nervous. I don’t know why. Who cares if our neighbor is into dudes? It’s not like I’m gay.

  CHAPTER 2

  The front door swings open before I knock, sending cool air against my face. “Come in,” Edward says.

  “Nice place,” I say, checking out the entryway foyer. The walls are painted a warm brown tone with a finish that resembles aged leather. As I step inside, my nose is filled with something fresh and spicy. “God, it smells good in here. Is that air freshener?”

  “No, it’s my cologne.” A smile spreads on my neighbor’s face. “Probably smells a lot different over here than in your frat house.”

  “Stale beer and sweaty jockstraps,” I agree with a nod.

  Edward shrugs his round shoulder. “Jockstraps aren’t so bad,” he says with a curl in his lip.

  I laugh nervously, uncertain why I’m feeling a strange tingle in my stomach. “I guess not.”

  The house feels so refreshing. It’s nice to be in a place with real air conditioning to wick away the humid summer heat from my skin.

  My eyes are drawn to a large framed painting on display above a half-moon shaped console table. I move closer to examine it.

  “Are you a fan of George Quaintance’s work?” Edward asks.

  The art features two men with glistening muscles, facing one another beside a pool. On the left is a man who’s nearly nude. His dense thatch of black pubic hair plays peek-a-boo behind his towel, offering only a hint of what’s hidden beneath. Beside him is a blond, also nude, turned inward. The blond seems to be revealing himself, but I, the voyeuristic audience, am left with only my imagination.

  I suddenly realize Edward asked me a question and it’s taken me waaay too long to respond. My cheeks flush hot. “Are these guys gay?” I ask.

  There’s a glimmer in Edward’s eyes. “Does it matter?”

  Everything the man says is a mystery. He hints at something dirty, something secret, but he never comes out with it.

  “No.” I shake my head. “Just curious.”

  “Nothing wrong with curious.” Edward flashes me another sly grin. “Anyway, I was saying George Quaintance is the artist. The piece is called ‘Spartan Soldiers Bathing.’ Now if you don’t mind, I really do need to get going.”

  “Oh, right.” I chuckle and run my hand across the back of my neck. “So, where’s your cat?”

  “Hiding. You probably won’t see him.” Edward nods toward the main living area. I follow behind him, sneaking a quick peek at the furniture. Everything is decorated in dark earth tones and silver accents. His sleek couch is brown leather, probably real leather, I imagine. His home feels so masculine and mature, refined.

  We breeze through the kitchen and stop in the connected laundry room. A single window with drawn blinds allows the sun to bathe the space in natural light.

  “Do you know how to scoop litter?” Edward nods at the box in the corner by the dryer.

  “Yep,” I nod. “I grew up with several pet cats.”

  “Good. Once a day is fine.” We drift back into the kitchen and walk to the other side where two bowls sit by the breakfast bar. One is filled with water, the other with dry kibble. “Please refill his food bowl in the morning. He won’t finish it, but that’s okay. I like food to be available just in case. Refill his water bowl with fresh water, too.”

  “That’s easy enough,” I remark.

  Edward raises his eyebrow. “You’d think so, right? I really didn’t ask John for much.”

  I snort. “How did you and John ever get mixed up anyway? He’s like the least responsible person I know.”

  “Clearly.” Edward sighs. “I caught him lounging in my hammock a few nights ago. He had his feet up, a joint between his fingers, acting like he owned the place. When I first smelled it, I thought I had a skunk in my backyard. With a frat house next door, I never know for sure.”

  I stifle a laugh. “Ah, I see.”

  “I honestly don’t care what you boys do,” Edward says, sounding very fatherly all of a sudden. “But I don’t appreciate people trespassing on my property.”

  “Of course not,” I say agreeably.

  “At first John gave me a lot of attitude, saying I was overreacting. But then he changed his tune when I told him I was calling the cops. He said he’d do anything to make it up to me. I was already in a bind because my regular house sitter injured her ankle and is on bed rest for the next few days. So I figured having a neighbor help out would be the perfect arrangement. John and I exchanged numbers. I texted him last night to confirm we were still on, and he wrote back yes.”

  I shake my head. “John was already at the beach last night.”

  “That little punk.”

  “Yeah, that’s John.” I chuckle. “If you don’t mind my asking, why’d you buy a place next to a frat house anyway? Our house can get pretty noisy, and uh, kinda skunky.”

  “I didn’t buy a place next to a frat house,” Edward says pointedly. “This is one of the original houses on the block, built in 1943. It’s been in my family for five generations. The university bought your place and converted it into a frat house in the ‘90s. It’s been a nuisance ever since. I could probably make half a million selling my place today, but nobody wants to buy a house next to a fraternity.”

 

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