CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Luke had moved into his apartment the weekend after Thanksgiving, and started his new job at Greene’s Java a few days later. He was able to pick up a lot of hours since most of the employees were students who needed extra time to study for exams. Many were also heading out of town for the long holiday break. He’d gone out a few times with some of his fellow baristas. But the places they liked weren’t really his scene. For the last few weeks, he’d spent most nights pining for Jack and telling himself he’d meet more people once classes started.
Every year, his aunt Jennifer and uncle Martin, Lucy and Dale’s parents, hosted a huge party the Saturday before Christmas. Luke was fairly sure he’d never missed the extravaganza, but he wanted to skip that year. Christmas was going to be strange enough, considering how tense things were between him and his family. He didn’t need the added pressure of socializing with most of Ames Bridge, but his mom insisted Jennifer would be devastated if he didn’t show up. He’d disappointed so many people already, so he gave in and agreed to go.
When he stepped through the door, he was assaulted by bright lights, Dolly Parton loudly singing “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” and what seemed like hundreds of people all wearing tacky Christmas sweaters. Aunt Jennifer had decided to give this year’s festivities a sweater theme. Even his dad had been guilted into a snowman sweater by his mom, but a plain red sweater was as far as Luke would go.
As quickly as he could, Luke left his parents behind, hoping to find Cal and Beck, or Lucy, or someone equally friendly to latch on to. At the best of times, big parties weren’t his thing. But when he turned the corner into the living room, Jack was there, talking to Brad and Pax. Just like in some damn cheesy movie, their eyes met and time stopped. Luke may have even heard music.
He turned and walked out of the room, somehow knowing Jack would follow. All he could think of in that moment was that he needed Jack as badly as he needed air to breathe. His aunt and uncle had a number of guests staying the weekend, so finding anywhere private was a challenge. He knocked on the door of the guest bathroom and was relieved to find it unoccupied.
Jack followed him inside and turned the lock. When Luke faced Jack, they stared at each other for several seconds. Luke’s heart beat wildly. His cock swelled, pressing against his jeans.
His skin tingled.
He could barely breathe.
Then Jack grabbed him, and they kissed like it was the only thing keeping them alive. Jack backed him against the wall, and they ground their hips together, nibbling, sucking, and biting at each other. They were both panting by the time Jack had pushed Luke’s jeans and briefs down and spun him to face the wall.
Jack sucked on a few of his fingers and then worked them into Luke’s ass.
“Fuck, that feels good.” Luke pushed back, trying to take the digits deeper.
“You ready for my cock up there?”
Luke groaned. He’d missed this so much, missed Jack’s voice, his heat, the way he always knew what Luke needed.
Jack slapped Luke’s ass. “Answer me, boy.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I’ve got a lubricated condom. Will that be enough?”
Luke nodded frantically. “Anything. I don’t care. Just fuck me.”
Jack slapped his ass again. “Keep your voice down. We cannot get caught.”
The idea of someone discovering them should’ve terrified Luke, but all he cared about was having as much time with Jack as he could.
Jack rolled the condom on, pushed into him, and then they fucked like wild animals. Jack wrapped an arm around his waist, holding him so he wouldn’t slam into the wall. When Luke was about to come, Jack laid a hand over his mouth, muffling his shout. He had no idea how Jack managed to stay quiet himself.
When they’d both wrung themselves dry, Jack pulled out, making Luke gasp. He looked down and realized he’d come all over his aunt’s bathroom tile. He was fucking depraved, but at least it would wipe off easily.
JACK TRIED TO slow his breath. Had he really just fucked Luke in the bathroom at the town’s biggest Christmas party? Apparently. And he’d also come so hard, he’d literally seen stars, and Luke’s orgasm seemed just as intense. So much for worrying Luke’s feelings might’ve cooled.
“Well, that’s still there,” he whispered against Luke’s ear.
Luke laughed as he rested his head against the wall. “I think it always will be.”
Jack hoped so, but Luke had only been away a few weeks. He needed more time.
As Jack cleaned himself up, Luke pulled up his pants, grabbed some toilet paper, and wiped down the wall—thank God the tile went two-thirds of the way up, or he’d have left a nasty stain.
After flushing the evidence down the toilet, Luke turned around, his expression serious now. “Jack, I—”
Jack laid a finger over his lips, knowing how easily Luke could convince him to forget all about taking time apart. “It’s too soon.”
“You followed me in here.”
Heat rushed to Jack’s cheeks. He was supposed to be the Dom, but he’d been powerless to stop himself. “I couldn’t resist you.”
“Good.” Luke’s impish grin was too fucking adorable.
Jack glanced toward the door. “We’ve got to go back out there before anyone misses us.”
“Shit! I didn’t really think this through. What if someone sees us coming out?” Luke chewed his lower lip, and Jack’s dick gave a thought to rising again.
“I don’t think either of us did.” Jack pushed Luke’s hair off his forehead and tried to make it lie flat. “I wouldn’t have come if I thought you’d be here. I figured you’d spend the weekend in Greensboro.”
“I didn’t feel like having any more arguments with my parents, but I assumed you wouldn’t be invited.”
“The invite surprised me too. We can leave one at a time. I’ll go first, find Brad, and let him know I’m leaving. Then you can carry on as you were.”
Luke sighed. “I’d rather go home with you.”
Jack shook his head.
“I know. I promised. But all semester? Really?”
No. Yes. Fuck. This was so hard. “You need time to build a life there.”
“I… Yeah, you’re right. I haven’t even started classes yet, but… I miss you.”
“I miss you too.” Jack left then, trying to ease the ache in his chest by telling himself he was doing the right thing.