Chapter Ten
Zach stretched beneath the sheets, warm and content. Through the gap in the curtains, the first light of dawn edged its way into the darkened room. Then Zach remembered.
He had company.
Zach rolled over to gaze at Nick sleeping beside him, only the top of his head poking out from under the sheets. It was kind of cute.
The previous evening had been anything but cute.
Of course, Nick turning up with a couple of packets of condoms might have had something to do with that.
Heat trickled through Zach at the memory of the hours they’d spent in exploration, and every flat surface in their room utilized, some not-so-flat ones too.
It’s a miracle the sheets aren’t scorched.
They were too far apart for Zach’s liking. He closed the gap between them, curving his body around Nick’s, breathing him in. Zach snaked his hand over Nick’s waist to end up on his chest.
“I know what you’re up to,” Nick murmured. “You’re just stealing my warmth.”
Zach chuckled. “Damn. Busted.” He kissed Nick’s shoulder, and Nick shivered as Zach moved up his neck. “I think I found a sweet spot.”
“I think you found every one of them last night.” Nick rolled onto his back. “Good morning.”
Zach kissed his forehead. “It will be, once I’ve gotten rid of my morning breath.”
Nick’s drowsy smile was beautiful to behold. “Are we expected for breakfast?”
“Nope. I’m about to text my mom. We’re having breakfast in bed.”
Nick grimaced. “Toast crumbs.”
He laughed. “If I make any, I promise to either brush or lick them off.”
Nick’s eyes sparkled. “Ooh, I like the sound of that, especially if I get crumbs anywhere… delicate. You have a talented tongue.”
I could really grow to love waking up next to you. Except Zach knew it was a pipe dream.
He pushed Nick’s hair back from his forehead. “Listen… I know you said last night that you’d find a way for us to be together, but I think we both know the truth. Maybe we need to accept the inevitable.” Just saying the words made him ache inside.
I don’t want to lose this. Not when his heart was telling him they could be amazing together, given the chance.
“Do you want to accept it?” Nick’s brown eyes locked on his.
“No.”
“Well, neither do I.” Nick’s hand was warm on Zach’s nape. “I’m not making any promises, but… I’ve put things in motion. All we can do right now is hope.”
“And when we get back to work? What then?” Because seeing Nick and having to hide his feelings sounded like torture.
Nick sighed. “It’s not like we’ll have all that long.”
Zach stilled. “What are you telling me?”
There was a pause before Nick answered. “I already know exactly how long I’ve got left in the branch. I knew before this weekend.”
Zach’s breathing hitched. “How long?” Nick’s pained stare made his chest tighten. “Tell me, Nick.”
“I finish on Christmas Eve,” Nick admitted. “The branch closes until New Year’s as usual, and then the new manager starts.”
Zach swallowed. “Will they move you before Christmas?”
“No. I’ll have Christmas in Brooklyn. And before you ask, yes, I’d like to spend some of it with you.”
At least that was something.
Nick tugged him until he was lying on top of him, then cupped Zach’s face in both hands. “I’m going to be honest. This whole thing is scary as hell.”
“What’s the scary part?” Nick’s warmth surrounded him, and Zach fought to concentrate. All he wanted was to slide into Nick and lose himself in a slow tide of passion, leaving the world locked outside.
Nick shuddered. “I’m used to being in control of my life.
Sure, I go where I’m sent, but that’s my job.
As for my personal life, no one gets in, okay?
At least, they didn’t… until you. I have no idea where this is going, and that’s the scary part.
I only know if I don’t see this through, I’m going to regret it.
” He stroked Zach’s cheek. “You mess up my head, you turn my life upside-down, and the shocker is… I like it.”
Despite his anxiety, Zach smiled. “Damn, I’m good.”
Nick laughed. “You’re amazing.” He glanced toward the window. “I take it all the snow hasn’t magically disappeared overnight?”
Zach chuckled. “No such luck. I reckon we’re here until tomorrow at least.” Not that he’d peeked through the curtains. “Welcome to the shortest, whitest day of the year.”
“Oh yeah. The shortest day. Then how about we hang up the Do Not Disturb sign, and spend it in bed?”
Zach bit his lip. “I hung that up last night. And much as I love your plan…”
Nick nodded. “I know. There’s a certain pair of newlyweds who might want to spend a little time with us.”
“You just said it. They’re newlyweds. And though it might pain both of us to think about our parents in that way, I think we both know what they’ll be doing.”
Nick stared at him. “You’re right. I do not want to think of them that way.” His eyes twinkled. “But I’m pretty sure you’ve nailed it. So let’s arrange to meet them for dinner.”
“It works both ways, you know.”
Nick frowned. “What do you mean?”
“They probably have a very good idea what we’re doing.”
Nick’s slow smile was all kinds of sexy. “Then by all means, let’s prove them right.”
Nick drank in the sight of Zach riding him, leaning back, his weight on his arms as he gave a slow roll of his hips. Jesus, talk about a view…
“Love the way you take my dick,” Nick moaned, his gaze locked on his glistening shaft as it slid in and out of Zach’s body, before looking up to Zach’s lean torso, transfixed by the way his abs tightened and relaxed in a sinuous ballet.
“Love the way your dick feels inside me,” Zach gasped, rocking back and forth as he picked up a little speed, his cock encased in latex, bobbing stiffly. “Is it time to change over? Because I want back in.”
Nick had never flipped so many times in his life. When it became obvious they were both vers, a sensual battle had ensued over who fucked whom.
It was without doubt the only battle Nick had ever enjoyed losing.
Zach lifted himself up and off Nick’s dick, then grabbed Nick’s knees, pushing them firmly toward his chest. He scooped more hand lotion and smeared it onto his cock, aimed it at Nick’s hole and then slid back inside him with a sigh. “Getting close.”
Nick wrapped his legs around Zach, pinning him to Nick’s body.
“Me too.” Zach’s lips met his, and Nick lost himself in a world where nothing existed except Zach’s kisses, his caresses, and his dick thrusting deep into Nick’s ass.
He opened for Zach, exulting in an intimacy he’d never experienced before as Zach propelled him closer to the orgasm Nick knew awaited him.
And when it came, Nick clung to Zach, his heart pounding, their bodies slick with perspiration.
Zach stilled inside him, kissing him as Nick rode out the waves of pleasure, shaking from the force that had overtaken him.
“My turn,” Zach whispered as Nick’s heartbeat returned to its normal rhythm.
He moved with deliberation, his hips undulating as he rocked in and out, his breathing becoming harsher and more labored, until finally he gave a violent shudder, and Nick felt that delicious throb inside him.
He held onto Zach, kissing his cheeks and mouth as Zach trembled in his arms. Once Zach had eased out of him and removed both condoms, he returned to Nick’s embrace, and they lay together in a comfortable silence, kissing and touching, both apparently content to stay there.
Zach spoke at last. “‘Just a cuddle’, you said. ‘We’ve got plenty of time before dinner’, you said.” He lifted his head from Nick’s chest and gave him a mock glare. “‘Two packets will be more than enough’, you said.”
Nick gaped at him. “Hey, I didn’t know we’d both want to play Hide the Salami. And there were three condoms in each packet. We still have some left. Well, two.”
“Yeah? And how long are they gonna last us?” Zach’s eyes glittered. “We might be staying here until checkout tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll buy more.” Nick grinned. “The girl in the shop won’t know where to look. She blushed when I bought two packets.”
“She’d have blushed even more if you’d asked her why they didn’t stock lube,” Zach remarked. He let out a wry chuckle. “Thank God the hotel provides hand lotion.”
Nick’s phone vibrated on the nightstand, and he stretched to reach it. He peered at the text and laughed. “It’s from Dad. ‘Put on some clothes and come to dinner.’ Then three laughing emojis.”
Zach sighed as his phone burst into life with a loud ping. “And what’s the betting that’s Mom sending me the same message?”
Nick kissed the top of his head. “We need to shower first.”
Zach grinned. “I like that idea.”
Nick was about to tell him that showering together was not a good idea, when he reconsidered. Fuck it. “Good thinking. You got me all dirty, so you can clean me up.”
Zach widened his eyes. “I got you dirty?”
He bit back a grin. “Hey, at least I tried to keep you clean.”
That earned him an eye-roll. “Is that what you were doing? Gee, and there was I, thinking you were eating my ass.” He climbed off Nick and headed for the bathroom, wiggling that same ass provocatively
One look at those firm cheeks, and Nick was after him in a heartbeat.
“You look like you’re in a better mood,” Mom said quietly as they walked out of the restaurant. Nick and Lee were heading toward the bar to order drinks.
“I’m taking acting classes from Nick,” Zach joked. Then he sighed. “He leaves Tuesday.”
“Christmas Eve? So soon?” She came to a halt. “Leaves Brooklyn?”
“No, just the branch. He says we can spend some of the holidays together.” Zach wasn’t sure how much time that would amount to, however.
Mom slipped her arm around his. “Listen. How much vacation time will you have this Christmas?”
“Two weeks, although I’ll only be using a couple of days.” He smiled. “That’s the best part about vacation at this time of the year. You use a few days and you get lots of time off.”
“Then spend some of it with us. Lee would love to have you stay at the house. Lord knows, there’s plenty of room.”