"Hello, Annie, this is Murdoch McDonald. Ryan asked me to stop by this morning and pickup a few things for him. Did he get in touch with you yet? Good ... Can you give me directions on how to get to the house? I've never been out to Oakdale Farms before ... no, he didn't give me the code. Would that be the little opener that's attached to his visor? Good ... I'll drive his convertible out there, I should be heading out in a few minutes. Goodbye."
Oakdale Farms was out in the country about five miles off the parkway. Murdoch had never been out in this area before. The countryside was really beautiful. Murdoch spotted the large white sign that read Oakdale Farms, next exit to the left. According to the instructions, he was to take the second road on the left, Winding Woods Lane. The lane dead-ended at the gate marked Templeton Manor. He pushed the opener on the visor and the gate swung open. After driving through the gates he followed the winding road. A few minutes later, he spotted the huge three story mansion that stood on a knoll, and followed the circular driveway around to the front entrance. It was an antebellum style home that was absolutely spectacular. The setting was ideal and the grounds were beautifully landscaped. There were several smaller buildings off to the back. Murdoch stepped out of the car and walked up to the front entrance and rang the doorbell.
"Welcome to Templeton Manor, Mr. McDonald, I'm Annie Gilchrist, the housekeeper."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Annie"
"Ryan called me this morning and asked me to pack a few things for him. How is he doing?"
"He is doing well, under the circumstances. Have you been able to get a message off to his parents?"
"Yes, but they probably won't get it for some time. Ryan will be home by then. I saw the nice story they did on Ryan on the TV last night. The telephone never stopped ringing after the six o'clock news was over. The same thing this morning, I've made a list of all the people that called with their return number. You can take it to Ryan if you like. Tell him I'm keeping cards from the flowers and plants that have been arriving. I'm sure he doesn't want the cards at the hospital."
"You're right, Annie, Ryan is not in the mood to write thank-you notes. He was not a happy camper when I talked to him this morning. They had him out of bed and sitting in a chair."
"My poor baby," Annie said. "They said his football career was over, so what. Ryan never really liked the game anyway. What do they know? He only played football to keep his daddy happy. I helped raise that boy, and I love him, he's my baby. You must be a close friend of Ryan's?
Why do you say that, Annie?"
"You're the first person that has ever set foot on this estate since I've been here. He always uses his apartment in town to entertain his college friends. This is Ryan's home and he's the only one in the family that still lives here. His father and his stepmother, and their children live in Atlanta. Ryan loves this place and comes here every chance he gets. He is a fine young man, a little headstrong at time, but a real sweetheart. He is a Templeton, just like his mother and grandparents. Would you like to see the portrait if his mother?"
"Yes, I would. Ryan has always been somewhat of a mystery to me."
Annie led him into the drawing room and pointed to the large portrait that hung over the mantle. "There is Annabel Templeton Spencer, Ryan's mother."
"She was a very beautiful lady," Murdoch said, "Ryan has inherited his mother's good looks."
"Mr. Spencer, Ryan's daddy, is a handsome man also. They were a very happy family until cancer took Annabel from us 10 years ago. Mr. Spencer and Ryan were both devastated by her death. Here I am, chattering away with my sad tales about the Spencer's," Annie said. "I'm sure you're anxious to be on your way?"
Murdoch smiled, "That quite okay, Annie, I find it interesting to learn a facet of Ryan's background I never knew before. Thank you for sharing that with me."
"Don't tell Ryan I told you about his family, he'd be cross with me. He is a very private person."
"Your secret is safe with me," Murdoch said. "Well, I'll be running along now. Thanks for everything."
Ryan was not discharged from the hospital as planned. Dr. Haslet decided that Ryan needed a longer stay with the rehab group to make sure he was able to walk before he could be released. The doctor was right in Ryan's case. Ole Ryan was kind of a bull in a china shop. He tended to charge ahead without thinking. A knee replacement takes a long time to heal.
Murdoch had finally set up a daily schedule that worked out pretty well. After recording the daily lecture tapes and dropping them by the hospital for Ryan, he'd stop by the supermarket do the daily shopping and then hit the books. After dinner, and once mother was in bed for the evening, he would head back to the hospital to spend time studying with Ryan. It was during those weeks that he discovered the real Ryan.
Ryan was not the braggart football jock he always portrayed to everyone. He was a decent, down to earth guy, and a lonely one at that. He did finally receive an email from his dad expressing his regrets and sorrow that Ryan would not finish the season with the team. But not a word about his injury, or any mention of flying back to be with him.
Murdoch didn't understand Ryan's father. Here was his son in the hospital after major surgery and he made no effort to fly back for a visit. It's not as if his father was on an important business trip for God's sake. This was a vacation and he should have come home, or at the least made the effort to comfort Ryan. He did wish him a speedy recovery, and hoped he would be able to join them after graduation.
"Hi, Ryan, how goes the battle?" Murdoch asked, as he walked into Ryan's room.
"Good news," Ryan said. "Doctor Haslett was in to see me today and told me I could go home on Saturday. Will you drive me home?"
"Of course, what time will they discharge you?"
"Any time after ten," Ryan said. "You were right about the telephone calls. I had all the calls switched to this room this past Monday and guess what? I only received three calls all week. It just shows you how quickly people forget."
"I'm sorry, Ryan, I hope you're not going to let this get you down?"
"It won't; I thought the calls would last for at least two weeks."
"Ryan, I guessed your folks were comfortable, money wise, by the way you lived, but after visiting your Plantation, I never realized how well off your family is."
"I like to keep my personal life private, you're the only person that has visited Templeton Manor. I hope you will keep that to yourself."
"You have my word on that, you're probably going to laugh at me, but I want you to come and live with me, and my mother, until you're ready to get around on your own. The doctor told me that it would be at least six weeks before you can get in and out of a car, and three months before you can drive again. I realize you have Annie and a large staff at Templeton to take care of you, but I don't think I can make that long drive to your place every day to help you with your class work. Anyway my house is equipped for handicapped people."
"What's wrong with your mother?"
"She is paralyzed from the waist down, and is confined to a wheelchair. She was the only survivor of the accident that killed my father, my brother and sister nine years ago. I was at camp at the time of the accident. My family was on their way back home after dropping me off at summer camp. The car they were riding in was plowed into by a logging truck loaded with pine trees. They don't know how my mother survived. Mom has been in poor health ever since the accident. To make matters worse, she suffered a minor stroke two years ago, which didn't help her condition at all."
"I'm sorry for your loss; I never knew. Why didn't you say something before now? I feel terribly taking up so much of your time. Wouldn't I be an additional burden?"
"Not really, in fact it would be a lot easier for me. It is just as easy to cook for three as it is for two. Anyway I have a LPN that takes care of my mom seven days a week. So there will always be someone around to keep an eye on you should you need anything during the day. Plus the fact, I'll be there to help you with your class work. You'll have to share a bedroom with me, but other than that I don't see any problems." Murdoch smiled, "Anyway, I've gotten used to your company and I would like to have you for a friend."
"I'll accept, only under the condition that you allow me to pay for my share of the expenses.?"
"That's fine with me, in fact you can even come and help me shop, that's the one thing I hate to do."
"We'll have Annie pack the clothes you'll need, and I'll pick them up next week. Will you need anything from your apartment?"
"Only my books and a few other things; the rest can stay where it is until I'm ready to move to Atlanta. I'll have to clean the place out anyway before I put it on the market."
"You own that apartment?"
Ryan smiled, "I own the building. When I was looking for a decent place to live, I had a hard time finding a place that would rent to college students. So, I told the realtor to look for an apartment in an upscale neighborhood. She found me the ideal apartment with underground parking and 24-hour security. After I signed the lease the agent called me back to tell me that the owners refused to rent to college students. It seems they had some bad experiences in the past. I asked the agent to see if the building was for sale. The rest is history. My lawyers handled the deal and I took over the owner's penthouse."
"My god, you're something else again," Murdoch said. "Would you mind answering a question?"
"That depends on the question".
"You said my lawyers, not your father's lawyers," Murdoch said.
"It's a long story, and one day I'll give it to you from the top. My full name is Ryan Templeton Spencer. Templeton was my mother's maiden name. I'm the only surviving heir to the Templeton fortune. Oakdale Farms and the Templeton Plantation are mine. I inherited that part of my mother's estate on her death. The balance of the estate comes to me on my twenty-fifth birthday. My father is wealthy in his own right. Dad remarried not long after my mother's death and he has three children from his second marriage. I also own twenty-five percent of my father's company. These shares were given to me by my grandfather as a birthday present. That is one of the reasons I was able to buy that apartment building."
"Are you sure you wouldn't be more content moving back to your penthouse and hiring a staff to take care of you?" Murdoch asked.
Ryan said with a grin, "Does this mean you are having second thoughts about your offer?"
"Of course not, it's just that my home may be a step down from what you are used to. If you stay with me, you'll have to share my bedroom."
"Murdoch, before I accept your offer, there is something I need to get off my chest. It has to do with a remark Mark made about me a while back. He was wrong when he accused me of giving you a hard time because I disliked you. I want you to know I never disliked you. The truth is I was pissed that the professor insisted that you tutor me in math. I felt that you hated my guts. You've always acted aloof and indifferent towards me. Yet, after working with you, I realized that you were a decent guy, and a good tutor as well. I tried hard to make friends with you, yet you still rejected my overtures of friendship. Naturally, my feelings were hurt and I may have tried to goad you a little to get your attention, no one has ever rejected me like that before. That's why I appeared to give you a hard time."
"Mark is a good friend and he means well," Murdoch replied. "He doesn't like you because of the way you put me down in front of your friends. I knew the only way to stop you was to take you out, and I couldn't afford to get in trouble. I happen to be a black belt and could have taken you and your wise ass friends out without any trouble. My mom, and my career come first, and I can't afford any screw ups. Another reason I didn't want to hang out with you is because of the morons you hang out with. Plus the fact, it takes money to become a part of that scene, something of which I have very little. My chief priority is to land a high paying job when I graduate. The only way that is possible is to maintain a high GPA, and stay out of trouble. My mom requires professional care twenty-four hours a day. My trust fund and Mom's insurance settlement cover all her medical and our living expenses."
"Look, Ryan, I'm going to level with you, the reason I don't party, or date, is because I'm gay. It wouldn't have taken long for you, or your friends, to have figured that out. I didn't want word to get out and spoil my chances of landing a good job with one of the more conservative consulting firms in Atlanta."
"You're kidding"
"No, I'm dead serious."
Ryan smiled and shook his head, "You're something else. Why are you telling me this now? You could have kept your secrets and I would never have been the wiser?"
"Friends don't lie to each other, and I want us to remain friends. I don't want to deal with a lot questions about my private life while you are living with me. I know that you're not homophobic, and I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me. You're really a nice guy under all the blustering and that holier than thou crap." Murdoch smiled, "Don't worry, Tiger, you're safe around me. I promise not to hit on you, even though you're one hot looking dude."
Ryan laughed, "You really think so? I'm sorry you didn't tell me all this before. This may sound crazy, but I'm glad this accident happened. If not we would never have the opportunity to become friends. I never was happy with my life on this campus anyway. I'm tired of the game playing. You're right, my friends are a bunch of morons. It was fun for a while, but it wore thin after a while. I have only myself to blame. Anyway, it wasn't me they liked; it was the 'star quarterback' with the deep pockets."
"Is Mark gay?" Ryan asked.
"I don't think so. He is a good friend, nothing more. My mother, and you, are the only ones that know I'm gay, and I would like to keep it that way."
Ryan shut down his computer and turned on the TV to watch the late night news. Four months have passed since moving in with the McDonald's. Murdoch turned out to be a pleasant and compatible roommate. Ryan's knee joint was taking longer to heal than anticipated. But, gradually the healing process was showing progress. He was off crutches and was now using a cane. Ryan's problem was that he kept forgetting to start off with his right leg.
Murdoch was in their bedroom printing an envelope for the last resume cover letter, when he heard the crash followed by Ryan's cry from the den. He ran into the den and found Ryan sprawled out on the floor holding his injured knee and crying. "What happened, Ryan? Are you alright?"
He bent down and helped him up off the floor. "Put your arm over my shoulder, Babe," Murdoch said, as lifted Ryan into his arms and carried him into their bedroom. He sat him on the bed. "Can you move your knee at all?"
Ryan was able to move it without too much pain. "I don't think I damaged it too much, but, it hurts like hell."
"I'm calling Dr. Haslett's emergency number," Murdoch said. Dr. Haslett's assistant answered. Murdoch handed the phone to Ryan. After he finished his conversation he handed the phone back to Murdoch. "The doctor said that I'm to put an ice pack on the knee for a half hour and take one of my pain killers. He also wants me to come by the office tomorrow morning for an x-ray."
"Good, you relax for a minute while I get you a glass of water and an ice pack." Murdoch returned with the ice pack in hand and helped Ryan remove his sweat suit and got him settled in bed. He took a hand towel and wrapped it around the ice pack and placed it on Ryan's knee. Murdoch sat on the bed facing Ryan and brushed the locks of hair back from his forehead. "Are you feeling better now, Babe?" He leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead.
"Murdoch, do you realize that's the second time you called me, Babe?"
"I'm sorry, I'll watch it in the future," Murdoch said. "I was afraid you had damaged something."
"Murdoch, level with me, do you have a thing for me?"
"Yes, but that's my problem, don't let that bother you."
"It doesn't." Ryan took Murdoch's hand and held it, "Living here with you for these past four months has been the happiest time I've known in a long while. You're a gentle and considerate guy, and I enjoy being with you. You say that your deep feelings for me are your problem, but that is no longer the case. Those feelings have become our problem. This is something that we both need to talk about openly. I too, have developed very strong feelings for you, and to be honest, it's scares me. I've been suppressing these feeling because of what those feelings mean. Yet, I cannot deny the strong feelings I have for you. I've never felt this way before with anyone else. Right now, I honestly feel that I'm at a crossroads in my life and I don't want to lose you. I need to sort these feelings out. Other than kid stuff in grade school, I've never had any sexual experiences with another male. All of my experiences have been with the opposite sex. I think I know where this path will lead, and I'm willing to accept those consequences. If you are willing, and we can take this one step at a time. I need to know the truth about myself. On the other hand, I don't want to hurt you in case it doesn't work out, but I want to try. Maybe I'm not expressing myself in the right way, but it's the only explanation I can give you. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
Murdoch leaned forward and kissed Ryan on the lips. He stood up and took the pillows from his bed and put them against the headboard. He striped to his shorts and slipped into bed next to Ryan. He put his arm around him and pulled him close to him. Ryan nested his head on Murdoch's shoulder. "I've had a crush on you from the moment I laid eyes on you," Murdoch said. "Don't be afraid of your feelings and try not to put a label on it either. Instead, listen to your heart. Open your heart and try to express your true feelings for me. I am willing to wait until you are certain of your feelings for me. Only then will I make love to you. Unfortunately, your leg cannot take that kind of exertion yet, but, there are other ways we can make love together. For now I'm content to hold you and kiss and touch that beautiful body of yours." He reached over turned off the light. They fell asleep in each others arms.
Murdoch awoke at five the next morning. Ryan was still asleep in his arms. He slipped out of bed without waking him and taking the ice pack, he walked down the hall to check on his mother. She was still asleep. He picked up Ryan's cane and returned to the bedroom after bushing his teeth. He closed his bedroom door, stripped completely and slipped back into bed with Ryan. He removed Ryan shorts and turned him over on his back. He carefully spread his legs and admired Ryan's beautiful muscular body. He took Ryan's half erect penis in his mouth and sucked it, as he fondled his testicles. He felt Ryan's hands on his face pushing him down further on his penis. Ryan was moaning with pleasure and thrusting his penis into Murdoch's mouth. Murdoch could feel Ryan's testicles drawing up and knew he was close to an orgasm. He lubricated his finger and inserted it into Ryan's rectum and began massaging his prostate. Ryan arched his back and erupted into Murdoch's waiting mouth. After the spasms stopped,, Murdoch licked the last drop of sperm from his lover, and licked and kissed his way up Ryan's body. He lay next to him and took him in his arms and kissed him on the lips, forcing his tongue into his lover's mouth. Murdoch was so turned on that he shot his load between their bodies. They fell asleep again until the alarm went off an hour later.
Murdoch untangled himself from Ryan and turned the alarm off. He walked back to Ryan and kissed him until he woke up. "I love you, baby." Ryan pulled his head down and kissed him for a long time before releasing him. "God, you are so hot; I'm falling in love with you, Murdoch. That was fantastic this morning. I was so overwhelmed I couldn't speak. You must teach me how to do that to you. My god, Murdoch, your penis is enormous; please let me kiss it."
Murdoch smiled and he moved closer to Ryan. "It's all yours, my love, it's never been touched by anyone before. One day, you're going to ride that sucker and love every inch of it."
Ryan grinned from ear to ear as he licked Murdoch penis from tip to base. He stretched his mouth and was able to swallow five inches before he started to gag. He backed off and began masturbating Murdoch as he took the head of his cock in his mouth. Murdoch was moaning as Ryan brought him close to climaxing. "Oh, Ryan, that feel so good, Babe, I'm coming, Babe."
Ryan keeps swallowing until he drained Murdoch. Murdoch was breathing hard. He lay down next to his lover and held him. When his breathing returned to normal, he said, "That was great. Are you sure you've never done this before?"
"You're my first; you taste different, much better than my own."
Murdoch stood up, and carried Ryan into the shower. Ryan sat in his chair as Murdoch washed him. Then Ryan washed Murdoch front and back. He spent a lot of time washing his buns. By the time Murdoch turned to face Ryan, he was fully erect. Murdoch knelt down in front of Ryan and took his penis in his mouth. He soaped his finger and worked it into Ryan's rectum, massaging his prostrate. With his other hand he massaged his lover's testicles. After a few minutes, Ryan was moaning softly. "Oh, babe, I'm ready," with that he erupted into his lover's mouth. His orgasm was so intense he almost fell off the chair. He reached over and held onto Murdoch's shoulders to support himself. Murdoch rinsed him off and lifted him into his strong arms and kissed him passionately. He carried him out of the shower and sat him on the vanity while he dried him.
"I'm waiting to explore every inch of your beautiful body, my love," Ryan said. "I never knew that making love could be so wonderful."
"Only with you, handsome; come on, let's finish up and shave. I have to feed you and take you for the x-ray." He walked Ryan into the bedroom and helped him dress. Murdoch quickly dressed and removed the sheets from the bed. "You take your time, I'll start preparing breakfast."
He checked on his mother again, she was awake. "Morning, Mom; how are you feeling this morning?"
"Just fine, Dear. You seem to be in a good mood this morning."
"I am, Mom, very happy." He helped his mother on with her robe and lifted her into her wheelchair. "I'll have breakfast ready in a jiffy."
She steered her chair into the bathroom.
Ryan walked into the kitchen and kissed Murdoch on the cheek, "Everything smells good. I'll set the table, Baby."
"Thanks. Mom, come and get it," Murdoch said.
His mother steered her chair to her place at the table. They joined hands as she said grace. "Mom, I have to take Ryan in for an x-ray this morning. He fell in the den last night and I want to make sure everything is okay."
She turned to Ryan, "How does your knee feel this morning, Sweetheart?"
"A little sore, but okay. Murdoch put an ice pack on it last night; I think it helped to keep the swelling down."
"Murdoch, you're going to have to take better care of your boyfriend." Ryan turned beet red. Mrs. McDonald smiled and patted his hand, "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, Sweetheart, but you two have been mooning over each other for the last month. I may be handicapped, but my brain is still pretty sharp. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that you two have it bad. I can see by your happy faces this morning that you finally figured it out."
They both smiled, "Yes, Mom, we did," Murdoch said. "Everything is going to be just fine between us from now on."
"Well, it's about time; I want you both to be happy. You're two fine young men and you'll be good for each other. You're two of the most delightful and intelligent young men I know, you'll work things out. Just be truthful with you feelings and take care of each other."
"Thank you, Mrs. McDonald," Ryan said. "I know we'll be happy together."
"I'm really happy for you both, don't worry about Cathy, she's already figured it out a month ago. But, I'm going to win the bet we had. She bet me that you wouldn't make a move until after Graduation; I said it would happen before then."
"Now you two get a move on, time's a wasting. Ryan, why don't you boys spend the weekend at Templeton Manor where you'll have more privacy? If you can't use the stairs, Murdoch can carry you."
Ryan smiled, "That's a great idea, but we have an elevator. What about you?"
"Don't worry about me, Sweetheart; Cathy can spend the weekend with me."
"It's up to you, Murdoch."
"I'll pack a few of our things in a bag, we can leave after you see Dr. Haslett," Murdoch said.
"Welcome home, Ryan," Annie said. "It's nice to see you again, Mr. McDonald."
"It's good to be home again."
"And you can forget the Mister McDonald, Annie, please call me Murdoch."
"I don't suppose you've heard from my Dad?"
"No, sir, not a word."
"I really didn't expect to hear from him. Murdoch will be spending the weekend with me. We'll be heading back to his house after dinner Sunday evening. Don't plan any fancy meals while we're here, and we'll fix our own breakfast every morning."
"Yes, sir, then I can plan on the usual times for lunch and dinner?"
"That will be fine, Annie. I can't do to much walking today. If you would, please show Murdoch to my bedroom suite so he can hang up our clothes. Murdoch will be sleeping with me for now, doctor's orders. I had an accident last night and injured my knee again. Now the doctor wants me to be careful and take it really easy for the next few weeks."
"Oh my, does it hurt?"
"It's a little swollen today, Doc want's me to keep ice packs on it until the swelling goes down. Murdoch has some already made up. Now all he has to do is pop them in the freezer."
"Why don't I show Murdoch around while you make yourself comfortable in the family room?"
"Good idea, thanks," Ryan said. "I'll see you later, Murdoch."
Murdoch returned to the family room after his grand tour. "You could put my whole house in this family room and still have room left over for a car. This place is enormous and absolutely beautiful. Annie told me this manor house predates the civil war and that the furniture and paintings are original," Murdoch said as he sat on the sofa next to Ryan.
"I'm glad you like it. This estate has been in my mother's family for generations."
"You're kidding! Don't you have to share it with the rest of the family?"
"No, it's a long story."
Murdoch looked around to see if anyone was nearby and kissed Ryan, "Sweetheart, I've wanted to hold you in my arms and make out since this morning. I would very much like to take you up to that king-size bed of yours and make love to you. We have three hours before dinner and I want to feast on that beautiful body of yours."
Ryan smiled and kissed him on the cheek, "You don't have to ask me twice, Baby, I'm ready!"
"Would you like me to carry you to the elevator?"
"No, I don't want you to tire yourself; I'll walk to the elevator."
"I told Annie that we were going to have a lay down and would be back down for dinner." Murdoch pulled him up into his arms. He kissed him tenderly and had Ryan hold on to him as he removed Ryan's clothes. Then Ryan helped Murdoch out of his clothes. When they were both naked, Murdoch asked, "Do you have to use the toilet before we lay down?"
"No, I'm fine."
Murdoch pulled the covers back and helped Ryan into bed. He crawled next to him and pulled him into his arms and held him. They both rubbed their hands over each other's body. "I've fallen in love with you," Murdoch said. "It's really a wonderful feeling, but it couldn't happen at a worse time for us. I'm worried about what the future holds. Our living arrangements are ideal for now, but that's all going to change shortly. I want us to be together all the time, like any other couple. Yet, I know that's not possible right now; there is too much going on in our lives at the moment. What with graduation and trying to find a job, I'm a little overwhelmed. I shudder to think about the problems of moving my mother to Atlanta. I'll need to find the right people to care for her."
"Ryan, you're the only man I could ever love. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would ever be holding you in my arms like this. It's going to be difficult for us for the next few years, but in my heart I know that we have a future together. I'm willing to sacrifice being separated a little longer until we can be live together as a couple."
"God, I can't believe this is happening to me," Ryan said. "I'm just as overwhelmed by everything that has happened in the last four months. You're the most beautiful person, Murdoch, and I have no reservations about living together as a couple. I feel the same way about our future together, and I know we will be happy. You are mature, and the most intelligent man I have ever met. I intend to become your spouse. It's true, we are going have to keep our relationship secret, at least until I graduate from college and take control of my inherence. But it will be worth the wait. Now, my love, make love to me, make me yours. I want to feel you deep inside me."
"Are you sure you want this, Babe? I'm afraid I might hurt you."
"I've never had anal intercourse before. I'm a little frightened, because you're so damn big."
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you," Murdoch said. I would never hurt you, my love."