A Dangerous Game by Rick R. Reed Page A

intended, partly because he wanted to keep on his toes to ward off rape and partly because the constant barrage of suggestive words and touches were wearing him down and ruining his mood, making him feel he had no idea just how large his error had been in throwing in his lot with Devin.
    Wren felt like he was just a thing, a receptacle, and that Devin couldn’t care less about Wren the person. He was simply Wren the ass, Wren the cock, Wren the mouth, Wren the balls.
    It made him feel small and dirty, as though he wasn’t worthy of simple human respect.
    He had thought he’d treat Devin to dinner tonight, but now that seemed out, partly because of Devin’s male whore attire and partly because Wren didn’t know if the man had any appetite, other than libidinous.
    Wren just wanted to go back to the apartment and find a comforter under which he could hide until morning.
    “You want another beer?” Devin asked. “Don’t answer. You’re getting one. You need to loosen up.”
    Wren watched Devin swagger to the bar, gaze roaming over the clientele, desperately trying to engage someone in eye contact.
    Maybe, Wren thought, another drink would help him escape the feeling of being prey.
    Whatever. Wren knew he had a long night ahead.
     
     
    THREE HOURS later the pair staggered home, Devin grabbing at Wren’s ass and crotch and Wren slapping his hands away. “Cut it out, fucker!” Wren would holler, causing heads in the street to turn.
    But Devin would just keep it up with the molestation, laughing. He thought—and quite wrongly too—that this was a game and that Wren was just playing hard to get.
    The truth of the matter was, Wren was growing increasingly alarmed and repelled by Devin’s behavior. Finally, after Devin tried to pull him into an alley where he assured Wren, “It’s safe to fuck there,” Wren lost it.
    He stopped in the middle of Halsted, arms across his chest. Steam should have been rising from his collar. He was furious and doubted very much Devin could see it in his face, especially since his gaze seldom went above crotch level. “Quit it,” Wren said between clenched teeth. “Just. Quit.” He grabbed Devin by the shoulders, wanting to shake him but instead forcing him with the power of his gaze to meet his eyes.
    Devin was drunk half off his ass but not so far gone not to notice the anger in Wren’s voice. “Oh, honey,” he whined. “Don’t be mad.”
    “You have to stop this. I’m grateful for a place to crash, but that doesn’t mean I become part of your personal property.” He let go of Devin’s shoulders and continued south on Halsted without bothering to see if Devin followed.
    From behind him, Devin said, “I thought you liked fucking around with me. It’s what we do, man. It’s who we are .”
    Wren said over his shoulder, “That was before. When we hooked up, it was for sex. But I thought if we were living together, we might do something else besides, you know? Like, don’t you want supper? Isn’t The Voice on tonight?”
    Devin hurried so he stood in front of Wren, blocking his path. What he said next surprised Wren.
    “Look, I’m sorry. I guess I just thought having you staying with me would be a nonstop sex-a-thon. I guess I was wrong.”
    Well, will wonders never cease? Perhaps a brain does actually function in that upper head of his after all. “Thank you. I’m not saying I never want to fool around, but there is more to life than sex, you know.”
    “There is?” Devin asked, and if he was kidding, his face didn’t reveal it.
    Wren ignored the question. “I’m thinking of heading over to that Thai place on Broadway to get some pad thai.” He was about to say “You want to come?” but changed it to “Would you like to join me?”
    “Nah. You got me too horned up, dude. I’m going to check out Hydrate, see if I can find a hot boy to fuck.”
    Wren shook his head and walked away without another word.
     
     
    IT WAS late. That’s all Wren knew. He