Chapter Fifteen
Luke woke up in a bed that wasn't his own. He turned his head into the pillow and inhaled, taking the scent deep into his lungs. Krish, it smelled like him. Luke blinked his eyes a few times, and rolled over onto his back, glancing around the room. He looked over to find the other side of the bed empty and moved his arm over finding the area cold. Krish was up already and had been for some time. He moved his legs slightly, remembering that he only had on his boxers. The bed was warm and inviting. Comfortable, and it reminded him of Krish. Every time he moved, he caught Krish's scent.
He sighed and closed his eyes. Even now, the morning after, he wasn't certain why he'd agreed to spend the night. He was glad that he had. Krish was funny and had made him feel safe. The only place he'd felt safe was at Tom and Seb's house, his home. But being with Krish was like being at home. They'd snuggled up in bed the previous night and watched TV, enjoying a drink. There had been no pressure and at no point had Luke felt that the situation between them needed to progress, that they needed to have sex. It seemed Krish was more than happy to lie there holding him and kissing him and watching TV. Just enjoying their time together.
It was nice. It was easy to lie there and enjoy the evening together. Luke wasn't even certain when he'd fallen asleep. One minute he been awake, his head resting on Krish's chest, laughing at something he was watching on TV, and the next thing, he was waking up in the morning.
Luke glanced over at the desk, seeing books and papers scattered on it. He knew Krish was doing his master's degree, and as a TA, he would have to do his portion of marking their assignments. Luke bit his lip, his stomach turning slightly. What if Krish had marked some of his assignments and didn't like the work that he produced? Luke shook his head. Of course, he'd marked his assignments. He'd been aware that his marks had been falling and had approached him about it.
The door opened, and Krish came in, holding a plate and two cups. "Hi, how you feeling this morning?"
Luke pushed up so that he was sitting, leaning back on the headboard. He smiled as he answered. "Okay, thanks. Sorry about last night. I didn't mean to fall asleep."
"No need to apologise. You needed the sleep, and it was late." Krish smiled, putting the cups on the bedside cabinet and then sat on the bed next to Luke. "Tea and toast alright with you?"
Luke smiled. "It's perfect, thank you."
They both sat quietly as they ate, and every time Luke looked up at Krish, he found him watching him. He could feel his face heat up, but Luke felt safe. He liked the fact that Krish watched him.
Once they'd finished eating, Luke brushed the crumbs off the bed, smiling apologetically at Krish. "Sorry," he muttered.
Krish chuckled, shaking his head. "That's the one downside to eating toast in bed. The crumbs." Krish took the plate and placed it on the cabinet, picking up his cup of tea. "I've got some marking to do today, but we can go out later if you want to? A meal maybe?"
Even with his darker skin tone, Luke could see the blush on Krish's cheeks. He smiled, liking the effect he had on him. "Yeah, I'd like that. I've got some work that I need to do as well, but we can go out later."
"Do you want a shower? I've got a spare towel."
"No, but thanks. I'll get one when I'm at home."
"Okay, I'll take this downstairs, and then I'll drop you off."
Krish stood, grabbed the plates and cups, and left the room, giving Luke the opportunity to get out of bed and dress. Once dressed, he walked downstairs and met Krish in the living room.
"Are you ready?" Krish asked.
Luke nodded.
"Come on then. Let's get going."
Luke followed Krish out of the house and got in his car. They talked a little on the ride over to Luke's, and eventually, Krish pulled up outside.
Luke turned in the seat and smiled at Krish. "Thanks for the lift."
"You're welcome." Krish leaned forward, and Luke met him halfway. Their lips touched briefly before Krish moved back, smiling at him. "See you tonight," he muttered, his thumb moving across Luke's lips.
Luke nodded. Krish's thumb rubbed across his lips, and Luke wanted to taste. He slipped his tongue out and licked across his thumb. He heard Krish gasp and his thumb stopped moving. Keeping his eyes on Krish's, Luke opened his mouth and sucked Krish's thumb in, closing his lips around it. His tongue circled Krish's thumb, and he sucked on it gently, wanting it to be something other than his thumb. Fuck, he wanted to taste Krish.
He could feel his dick harden in his jeans, and he moaned, his body flooded with heat. His eyelids fluttered closed as Krish started pulling his thumb out of his mouth, then pushing it slowly back in.
"Shit, Luke. I wish we weren't in this car right now." Luke's eyes shot open when he realised exactly where they were. He leaned back, Krish's thumb popping out of his mouth, and he glanced around the street, seeing if anybody had been watching them. When he noticed there was no one around, he looked quickly over at Krish who had a smile on his face.
"Later?"
Luke's face heated up, and he closed his eyes, dropping his head down so that Krish couldn't see him. When Krish's hand touched his chin and pushed his face back up, Luke opened his eyes, seeing Krish's cheeks were stained red, his pupils wide.
"Later," Krish said in a hard tone, leaving Luke with no doubt as to what would happen later.
Luke nodded, reaching blindly for the door handle. When he found it, he opened the door and slowly slid from the seat, his eyes still on Krish's. His body hummed, his dick pulsed in his pants.
"Later," he whispered. He shut the door and took a couple of steps back, his eyes still on Krish. He watched Krish take a shaky breath before starting the car, and with one last wave, Krish pulled away.
Luke stood at the kerb watching Krish until he turned the corner, and then glanced over at the house. He needed a shower and not just to get clean.
❊❊❊
Later that day, Luke walked downstairs and made his way into the living room. He dropped into a chair and sighed. His head pounded from the work he'd been doing. He loved the written word, but spending hours reading and researching could take its toll. He was glad he'd agreed to go out with Krish.
He slumped back in the chair and closed his eyes, sighing as he relaxed, the tension easing from his muscles. He rolled his shoulders backwards and forwards trying to loosen the knots he could still feel there. He listened to the sound of the TV and felt his body relax. If he was going to have a relationship with Krish, he needed to rethink his no blowjob rule. It wasn't fair to Krish to expect him to give one to Luke and not return it. Sighing, Luke rolled his head to the side. He needed to overcome this.
He was dozing lightly when a hand gently touched his shoulder, shaking him awake.
Opening his eyes, Luke looked up and saw Seb stood over him smiling down at him. "Cup of tea?" Seb held a cup in his hand, and Luke sat up, taking it from him.
"Man, I could do with this. Thank you." Luke took a grateful sip and closed his eyes as the wonderful taste swept over his tongue. There was nothing like a cup of tea to help you through the day. He did like coffee, but he was a typical English man and preferred tea.
"Going out tonight?"
Luke glanced over at Tom where he sat on the sofa and smiled. "Yeah, Krish has asked me out."
"Krish?"
Luke hadn't really spoken about Krish. He'd mentioned he was a TA for his course and had been helping him with this situation was Sarah. He bit his lip, glancing at Tom, who had his brow arched.
"Yeah, Krish. Remember I told you he was the TA for my course?" Luke waited until Tom nodded. "Well, he asked me out on a date, and I agreed."
"So, you like him then?" Luke nodded. "Okay, you know if he doesn't treat you right, I'll punch him in the face." Typical Tom, always looking after them.
Luke chuckled. "He knows, Tom. When the situation with Sarah came to a head, I ended up telling Krish the truth."
"He's a good man, then," Seb muttered, sitting down next to Tom on the sofa.
Luke nodded again, glancing between the two of them. "Yeah. He said he knew students who were escorts because of the money. He said they were nice people." Luke shrugged. "He wasn't bothered about it at all. Sad, I guess that I'd been in that position."
"Do you know where he's taking you tonight?" Seb glanced over at Tom. "The Italian's nice, isn't it?"
Tom nodded. "Yeah. We've been there a few times now, haven't we?"
"We have." Seb reached over and held Tom's hand as they looked at each other.
Luke wanted a relationship like theirs. The love was clear between the two of them, and they weren't afraid to show it. At first, Tom had been hesitant, given his experience. But Luke had witnessed how time had changed that. Everyone appeared to be finding that special person and was settling down. Tom and Seb. Ben and Geoff. Matt and Josh.
Would this be his turn? Was this his chance of finding happiness? Did he deserve it?
Luke glanced down at the cup in his hands and watched the liquid move within it. He was only twenty-two, but some days he felt so much older. He would look around at the other students, those who were younger than him and those older, and wonder what had happened in their lives. Some of the other students seemed so innocent, and at times, Luke was envious. His innocence had been taken away a long time ago.
But it was those events in his past that had led him to where he was now. So, even though those years in foster care and the two years he'd spent on the streets with Matt selling his body had been painful, they had all led to something good and positive in his life. Luke was doing a degree he never expected he'd be able to do. He had great friends, a family, and now it looked like he might be dating a man, something he never thought he would do.
He'd sworn off men. He was never letting one near him again, but Krish had somehow managed to break down his barriers. He'd even taken on the fact that Luke had told him that he might never be able to suck him off.
Luke chuckled quietly to himself. It seemed that Krish wanted to be dominated and Luke was more than happy to do that for him.
"Are you okay?" Seb asked, frowning over at him.
Luke smiled again. "I was just thinking about Krish."
"Are we going to meet him, then?"
Luke groaned glancing over at Tom. "Don't do the Dad act on him, please. He's a nice guy, and he's not bothered about my past. That has to mean something, doesn't it?"
"Course it does. Doesn't mean I can't ask any questions, though." Tom grunted.
The doorbell rang, and Luke stood. "Please," he begged. "Be nice to him."
Tom grunted again. "As long as he treats you right, I'll be nice."
Luke rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks, Dad."
As he walked out the room, he heard Seb laughing behind him, and he smiled to himself. He stopped by the front door and wiped his clammy hands on his jeans. His stomach felt like butterflies lived in it, and he bit his lip, bouncing on the soles of his feet.
Taking a few deep breaths, he reached forward and opened the door.