Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
“We've begun our final descent into New York City; the captain has turned on the seatbelt sign. Please stay seated.”
Luka couldn’t believe he’d said yes.
Well, it had actually been August who finally grabbed his phone from him while he was waffling over the pros and cons and accepted Reno’s invitation. He hated them so much, but he was eternally grateful to them.
He wasn’t sure if he would have agreed if August hadn’t intervened.
Wulf in his DMs was also up his ass, telling him if he didn’t go, he would regret it, and that Luka had done more risky things in the past, such as flying out to Michigan to meet Wulf when he was only eighteen.
That had turned out all right, so maybe this would too—was Wulf’s reasoning.
Luka didn’t fully agree. He and Wulf gamed together; there had never been any sexual or romantic intention between them. Agreeing to meet Reno in New York City wasn’t just putting Luka’s safety on the line; it was putting his heart out there, too.
The plane bounced on the runway, jolting everyone awake before it settled smoothly on the ground.
Luka heard several people click their seatbelts off and internally chastised them, since they hadn’t stopped at the gate yet.
When they finally did ten minutes later and the seatbelt sign went off, Luka stood and hunched over, trying to stretch without getting into his seat neighbor’s space.
In the end, he had settled on only staying the same amount of time as Reno, instead of the whole week like he’d offered.
Yes, it was a short trip, and it was hard to justify the environmental impact of flying across the country for a booty call, but he felt more excited than anxious as they filed off the plane.
He gave a shy wave to the flight attendant at the door as he said goodbye, then was happy to feel the fresh air on the gate bridge, leaking in through the gaps between the plane and the tunnel.
He shouldered his bag higher and bypassed the baggage claim to find a man, somewhat familiar, in a suit and holding a sign bearing his name.
“Good to see you," the man said and Luka gave him a long look before he stuck out his hand. “Cane. I do security for Volt. We met in Columbia.”
“Oh, right.” Luka remembered, now. He’d been so anxious before at the show that he’d forgotten the tall man’s face.
He had heavy-set brows and looked ridiculously built under his suit.
There was an earring hanging from each lobe, but Luka didn’t spot any other visible tattoos or piercings.
Luka shook Cane’s offered hand. “Thank you for reminding me. I was kind of nervous.”
“Understandable. Glad to see you look more ready this time.” Cane dropped Luka’s hand and turned to go outside. “He’s got this effect on people sometimes. Makes ‘em skittish. I like it when his company holds their head high.”
Was Luka doing that? He checked himself and found his posture more comfortable than he felt and then hurried to catch up to Cane. Wait, what company?
“Car’s right out this way.”
Luka caught up, stepping into line with Cane, needing to widen each stride to keep up with the taller man. He looked where Cane pointed and found an unmarked black car that wasn’t very flashy but still looked comfortable. Cane held the door open for him.
“Hi.”
The breathless greeting surprised Luka as he bent down to get into the car. He didn’t have time to process anything before Reno’s hands were on his cheeks, pushing hair away from his face and saying, “Let me see you.”
Luka flushed immediately, stammering, “H-hi," back to Reno and couldn’t help but lean his face into Reno’s hand. Cane got into the driver’s seat and gave them a glance through the mirror.
“Seatbelts on.”
“Yes, sir.” Reno smiled, not looking away from Luka as he reached over to grab Luka’s seat belt and pull it over his chest and lap. He clicked it into place and Luka could feel heat radiating off of Reno’s body before Reno pulled away to put his own on.
He was dressed immaculately, clearly in his clothes for the concert.
His lips were so full, pink and glossy, and when he blinked, his eyeshadow glittered.
His hair was curled at the bottom, but his fringe spiked out every which way.
Luka knew on stage the style was impressive, making Reno appear bigger than he was.
“Sorry, I couldn’t come out and greet you. Kandi’s been on my ass about being in public when I’m dressed up. I guess I’ve been making her life hard.”
Luka didn’t know what to say but let Reno slide a hand over to him and link their fingers together.
“Have you decided if you’ll come tonight?”
Luka choked on a sudden cough and Reno clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh.
“I didn’t mean that. I mean, are you going to come watch the show?” Reno was pink-cheeked; it showed even through the layers of stage makeup.
“I want to, but I think I need to rest. You won’t be upset if I go to the hotel and sleep, right?” Luka couldn’t look at him. He could feel his palm growing sweaty against Reno’s and wondered if what they were doing was okay.
“Of course,” Reno replied, like it was easy to accept Luka’s wants. “When do you want to see me?”
Luka tried not to fidget and lost, twirling the ends of his hair between his fingers with the hand that wasn’t wrapped up in Reno’s.
“When is the show done?”
“Not until one.” Reno pouted. “I can’t leave early either since it’s our last show of the tour. Hearts wants us to come out for the encore to debut our new collab.”
“Tomorrow then?” Luka sounded more upset than he wanted to let on but the knowing look Reno gave him soothed his fears of being too much. “Early?”
“How early is early?” Reno squeezed his hand. “Nothing before ten, please?”
“Okay. Just text me when you’re up then?”
Reno slowly peeled his hand away and his fingers traced over Luka’s arm up to his neck. “Anything you want,” he said, then leaned forward to place a feather-light kiss to Luka’s jaw.
It felt like fire.
“Oh." Luka felt his brain struggle to catch up again. “Okay.”
Reno’s breath was hot against his cheek, and before pulling away, he made this delighted, small laugh and ran a finger, almost too light to feel, over Luka’s lower lip.
Luka took in a long breath when Reno settled back against his side of the seat and peeked out the window as the car stopped in front of a large hotel in the circle drive.
Reno reached for his bag and rifled around in it before pulling out a hotel key.
“This is yours. I don’t have one, so you don’t have to worry about me intruding.
Unless you want me to. You are all checked in already, I’ve texted you the room number, and the hotel expect you, so no one will give you trouble.
If you need food, or anything at all, just order it to the room. ”
“I can’t afford—”
“Shh, sweet boy.” Reno put the card in his hand. “You’re taken care of.”
Luka swallowed. The card in his hand was thick and heavy, unlike any hotel room key he’d felt before.
“If you say so,” he finally mumbled and put the card in his back pocket.
Cane got out of the car and went around to the trunk, and Luka put his hand on the door right as Reno said, “Wait.”
Luka turned to look at him and he could swear Reno almost looked nervous. His eyes were so wide, his usual easy smile replaced with a small frown.
“Can…" Reno looked down at where his hand rested on Luka’s. “Please?”
They locked eyes and after a moment, Reno’s flicked down to Luka’s lips.
He waited until Luka gave a slight nod, and he let go of Luka’s hand in favor of winding his fingers into Luka’s hair and pulling him forward.
When their lips met, Luka felt something in him crack and fall open.
He let Reno have him, chasing him with his lips with a low groan for only for a moment before Reno pulled away with a sigh.
“Oh," Reno said, his eyes searching Luka’s face. “Sorry.” He swiped a finger against Luka’s lips and it came away pink and glossy. He smirked, a devious look in his eyes. “Makeup artist’s gonna kill me.”
“Good," Luka whispered, “you might deserve it.”
Reno laughed, sudden and bright, before gently pushing Luka away. “Go, go. I have a show to play and you have a comfortable bed to sleep in. I will see you tomorrow?”
“Yes.” Luka finally tore himself away and opened the door to get out, the chilly spring air shockingly sobering.
He leaned down and looked at Reno for a moment, his slightly mussed hair, his smeared lip gloss, his pink cheeks.
Luka just smiled at him, then made a low, appreciative hum in his throat before gently closing the door.
He thanked Cane, who had the decency to act like he had no idea what was going on in the back of the car. Luka took his bag from him and walked into the hotel.
The door opened for him and beyond it were tall, curved ceilings littered with an excessive amount of warm, glowing chandeliers.
The bellman welcomed him by name and asked if he needed help with his bag.
Luka refused the offer, only having his backpack with him, so the bellman pointed the way to the elevators and stepped out of Luka’s way.
The concierge counter was extremely long, designed to accommodate dozens of guests at the same time.
It was presently almost empty, and no one minded as Luka walked across the lobby timidly, feet sinking into the plush, deep blue carpet.
The walls were made of marble, and Luka wondered how old the hotel was.
It was in the heart of Manhattan, but as soon as he left the lobby, the sound of the busy streets outside disappeared.
The elevator pinged its arrival and Luka scrambled to find his phone.
Reno
You're 831 – I will send a driver for you tomorrow when you are ready, is that okay?
Yes, thank you
I don't know how you look so handsome coming off an airplane. You should see me after a flight lol :) i'm a mess