Gareth Hartley stood in the dimly lit kitchen of the five-star restaurant, his heart pounding in his chest as he wiped down the gleaming countertops. It was late, well past closing time, and the restaurant was empty except for him and his colleague, Scott Kwon. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words and desires. Gareth’s mind raced as he tried to make sense of the unfamiliar feelings stirring within him.
Gareth, 31, was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, along with his younger brother Callum, a seasoned equestrian. Gareth and Callum grew up considerably well-off, and the family owned several horses and lots of land to ride. Their mother was from England and gave both of her sons names that were common there but rather rare in America. Their father was American, also from Lexington. While Callum had followed in his parents’ footsteps and become a professional equestrian, Gareth had taken a different path and chosen to become a chef—something his parents never once discouraged him from. He was a graduate of a prestigious culinary school in New York and had worked in several restaurants before starting at his current workplace a year ago. Gareth also had a knack for languages speaking fluent French and Italian, as well as conversational Greek, a language he had decided to learn due to his frequent travels to Greece and his love for Greek cuisine.
Scott was a year younger than Gareth and was also from Lexington. As the only child of Korean immigrant parents, Scott fell in love with food early on, often helping out in his parents’ restaurant. Like Gareth, Scott also had a knack for languages; he spoke fluent Korean due to growing up bilingual, and he was also proficient in French and Spanish. Scott had actually gone to the same culinary school Gareth had, but they’d never really interacted—until Gareth started working here. Over the past year, Gareth and Scott had become thick as thieves, forming a steadfast friendship.
Scott was a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen. His athletic build and sharp features exuded confidence and discipline, traits that Gareth had always admired. Scott’s culinary skills were renowned, and his ability to blend traditional Korean flavors with modern techniques had earned him a reputation as one of the most talented chefs in the city. But it wasn’t just Scott’s professional prowess that caught Gareth’s attention; it was the way he carried himself with such ease and charm.
Gareth had always prided himself on being dedicated to his beautiful wife, Naomi, and their adorable twin daughters. To be sure, his marriage was an open one, a decision they had made together, allowing each other the freedom to explore their desires with other partners, but Gareth had only occasionally done so. He had always considered himself straight, but tonight, as he found himself alone with Scott, a man he had always considered a friend and colleague, he felt a strange pull, a curiosity that both excited and confused him.
As Gareth finished cleaning the last of the workstations, he couldn’t help but glance over at Scott, who was meticulously organizing the pantry. Scott’s movements were graceful, each action precise and intentional. His dark hair, casually styled, fell across his forehead, and he paused to brush it aside, and Gareth started watching him intently. It was in that moment that Gareth realized his attraction to Scott was more than just a passing curiosity.
“Oh, Gareth, you’re still here,” Scott said, his voice deep and smooth as he turned to face him. “I thought you’d be heading home to the missus by now.”
Gareth cleared his throat, feeling a sudden dryness in his mouth. “Yeah, well, I wanted to make sure everything was in order before I left. You know, with the new menu launch tomorrow, I wanted to be extra prepared.”
Scott chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Always the perfectionist, huh? But I admire your dedication. It’s one of the reasons you’re so damn good at what you do.”
Gareth felt his cheeks warm at the compliment. He was used to receiving praise for his culinary skills, but coming from Scott, it felt different, more intimate somehow. “Thanks, man. That means a lot coming from you.”
As they stood there, the tension between them thickening with each passing second, Scott took a step closer to Gareth, his eyes never leaving his face. “You know, Gareth, I’ve always admired your work. But lately, I’ve found myself admiring you, too.”
Gareth’s breath caught in his throat. He knew Scott was openly gay, and the fact that he was expressing interest in him was both thrilling and terrifying. “I... I don’t know what to say, Scott. I mean, I’ve always thought of you as a friend, a colleague...”
“And I’ve always thought of you as more,” Scott confessed, his voice low and husky. “I’ve seen the way you look at me, Gareth. The way your eyes linger when you think I’m not looking. I’ve felt the electricity between us whenever we’re close.”
Gareth’s heart was pounding so hard he was afraid Scott might hear it. He had never considered the possibility of being attracted to a man, but here he was, feeling drawn to Scott in a way he couldn’t deny. “I... I guess I’ve been questioning things lately. My feelings, my desires...”
Scott nodded, his eyes softening. “It’s okay to explore, Gareth. And I’d like to explore with you. If you’re willing, of course.”
Without waiting for a response, Scott closed the distance between them, his lips gently brushing against Gareth’s. The kiss was soft, tentative, as if Scott was giving Gareth a chance to pull away. But Gareth found himself leaning into the kiss, his hands reaching up to cup Scott’s face, feeling the warmth of his skin.
The kiss deepened, and Gareth felt a surge of desire unlike anything he had ever experienced. Scott’s lips were soft and pliant, and he tasted of the mint tea they had shared earlier. Their tongues danced, exploring each other’s mouths, and Gareth moaned softly, his hands moving to Scott’s shoulders, pulling him closer.
Scott’s hands slid down Gareth’s back, cupping his ass through his chef’s pants, squeezing gently. Gareth gasped, his body responding to the touch, his cock hardening against Scott’s thigh. He had never felt this level of passion with anyone other than Naomi, and the realization that he was experiencing it with a man both excited and scared him.
Breaking the kiss, Scott gently pulled away, his breath mingling with Gareth’s. “Are you okay with this, Gareth? I don’t want to push you into something you’re not ready for.”
Gareth took a moment to gather his thoughts, his mind racing with a million questions and doubts. But one thing was clear—he wanted this, he wanted Scott. “I’m okay,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with desire. “I want this, Scott. I... I want you.”
Scott’s eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and desire. “Good, because I want you, too. And I want to take things slow, make sure we do this right.”
Gareth nodded, his heart still racing. He had never felt so vulnerable and exposed, but there was something incredibly liberating about it. “I trust you, Scott. And I want to explore this... whatever this is.”
Scott smiled, his hand reaching up to caress Gareth’s cheek. “It’s called desire, Gareth. And I think we’ve both been feeling it for a while now.”
Gareth laughed softly, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. “Desire, huh? Well, I guess I’ve been feeling it since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Scott’s eyes darkened with a hunger that mirrored Gareth’s own. “Then let’s not waste any more time, shall we?”
They moved towards the office, a small room off the kitchen that was used for staff meetings and paperwork. It had a lock on the door, ensuring their privacy. As they entered, Scott kicked the door shut behind them, and Gareth’s heart was pounding with anticipation.
Scott turned to face Gareth, his eyes smoldering with unspoken promises. “I want to make this special for you. I want to show you just how good it can be.”
Gareth’s mouth went dry as he watched Scott approach him, his movements slow and deliberate. He could feel his own desire building, his cock straining against his pants. “I... I don’t know what to expect. I’ve never been with a man before.”
Scott’s smile was gentle, full of understanding. “That’s okay. I’ll guide you. Just let yourself feel.”
Gareth nodded, his heart racing as Scott reached for the buttons of his shirt, deftly undoing them one by one. The cool air of the air-conditioned room brushed against Gareth’s skin as his shirt was opened, exposing his chest. Scott’s fingers traced the contours of his muscles, sending shivers down his spine.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Gareth,” Scott whispered, his lips brushing against Gareth’s neck, sending tingles down his spine. “So strong and masculine.”
Gareth’s breath hitched as Scott’s hands moved to his belt, unbuckling it with practiced ease. He felt his pants being unzipped, and then Scott’s hands were inside, wrapping around his hard cock, stroking it gently. Gareth moaned, his head falling back as he surrendered to the pleasure.
“You like that, don’t you?” Scott whispered, his breath hot against Gareth’s ear. “You like having a man touch you like this.”
Gareth could only nod, his body on fire with desire. Scott’s hand worked his cock, stroking it in a slow, steady rhythm, his thumb brushing over the sensitive head with each pass. Gareth’s hips moved in time with Scott’s hand, his own hands gripping Scott’s shoulders, pulling him closer.
“That’s it, Gareth,” Scott murmured, his lips finding Gareth’s again, their tongues tangling in a passionate kiss. “Let go, let me make you feel good.”
Gareth’s body was on the verge of exploding as Scott’s hand worked its magic. He could feel his orgasm building, a pressure coiling deep within him. “I... I’m close, Scott,” he gasped between kisses.
“I know, baby,” Scott whispered, his hand moving faster, his thumb pressing against Gareth’s sweet spot. “Let it go, cum for me.”
Gareth’s body tensed, every muscle tightening as he felt the climax rushing towards him.
“Fuck!” he cried out as he came, his release hot and intense, spurting into Scott’s hand. Wave after wave of pleasure washed over him, leaving him trembling and breathless.
Scott held him close, his lips pressed to Gareth’s neck, whispering words of encouragement and praise. “That’s it, Gareth. Let it all out. Feel it, embrace it.”
Gareth’s eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry as he looked into Scott’s warm, understanding gaze. “I... I never expected this,” he managed to say, his voice raspy.
Scott smiled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I know, but I’m glad you’re here, Gareth. And I’m glad you’re willing to explore this with me.”
Gareth’s heart was still racing, his body buzzing with the aftermath of his orgasm. He had never experienced anything like this, and he knew his life had just taken a turn he never saw coming. “I... I think I’m ready to explore more, Scott. With you.”
Scott’s eyes lit up, and he leaned in to capture Gareth’s lips in a tender kiss. “I’m ready too, Gareth. And I promise, this is just the beginning.”
As they stood there, locked in an embrace, Gareth knew that his life had just become infinitely more complicated and exciting. He had questions, doubts, and fears, but he also had Scott, a man who was showing him a whole new world of desire and pleasure. And for now, that was enough to keep him going, to make him want to explore this unexpected path and see where it would lead.
