Chapter 54
CHAPTER 54
Steam clung to every surface in the small bathroom, the damp air wrapping Ethan’s bare skin as he stood at the sink. Toothbrush in hand, white foam bubbled against the pink of his mouth.
His reflection in the fogged-up mirror was distorted into a softer version of himself, but what drew his gaze was the faint bruise shadowing his face.
A flicker of anger? Regret? Something darker—passed through Ethan’s thoughts before he pushed it aside and focused on the present.
Movement snagged his attention, and he paused mid-brush, glancing up. “Are you just gonna stand there?” He mumbled around the toothbrush, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Logan leaned casually against the frame of the door—still shirtless, his cotton shorts hanging low on his hips, one hand curled possessively around a mug.
He didn’t answer as he ran his tongue along the rim, licking away a bead of coffee. It wasn’t subtle—it wasn’t meant to be—and Ethan felt a jolt low in his belly at how deliberate it was.
“Can’t say I’m in any hurry to move.” His grin spread, lazy and wicked, as if he knew exactly what he was doing. “I like the view.”
Ethan’s pulse kicked as he spat into the sink and quickly rinsed, eyes cutting back to Logan’s reflection. “I thought you were joining me in the shower,” he said, straightening to wipe his mouth with the towel before turning around. “Or is standing there ogling me part of your plan?”
Logan took another slow sip from his mug before setting it down on the counter, his gaze flicking lazily over Ethan’s almost naked form—over the taut lines of his chest and stomach, down to where a towel clung to his hips, holding on tight.
“Haven’t decided yet,” he said with a smirk. “You’re pretty damn distracting.” His gaze roved over Ethan like he was memorizing every inch of him—the sharp cut of his jawline still damp from the heat, broad shoulders tapering down into lean muscle, legs braced apart with quiet confidence. “But I guess I could use a shower.” He trailed off, closing the gap until there was barely a breath separating them. “Dirty doesn’t cover it,” he murmured against Ethan’s ear, his hands settling on his waist.
Their mouths were so close Ethan could feel Logan’s breath ghosting his lips. “Oh, I definitely want you to join me,” he said with unmistakable conviction.
Logan exhaled with a sound somewhere between a sigh and a growl. He let one hand wander lower, sliding it over Ethan’s hip, before cupping the curve of his ass. “You’re something else,” he whispered, fingers kneading his flesh slowly and deliberately.
Ethan wanted nothing more than to taste Logan’s mouth, but Logan stopped him. “Don’t move,” he commanded firmly. “You drive me fucking insane.”
Logan trailed kisses down Ethan’s neck, soft at first, but building into something more urgent, and as stubble scraped against sensitive skin, Ethan let out an involuntary gasp that turned into something closer to a moan.
Desire pooled hot and insistent inside him and his hands gripped the edge of the sink for support. Hardness pressed against hardness, grinding against each other enough to tease without giving everything away all at once.
Every inch of him belonged entirely to Logan.
“You’re playing dirty,” he managed through gritted teeth as heat roared through him like fire in summer.
“Dirty?” Logan chuckled then kissed along one shoulder before pulling back. He let one hand trail dangerously low, hovering just above where heat pulsed hottest between them. “Baby,” he murmured softly but full of promise, “I haven’t even gotten started with you yet.”
Without a word, he delivered a sharp smack to Ethan’s ass. The sound echoed through the room—hard, crisp, and unapologetic.
“Fuck!” Ethan yelped, the sting blossoming across his skin as he shot Logan a frown—though it was more playful than angry. His lips twitched as if fighting a smile. “What’s stopping you?”
Logan raised a brow, tilting his head as though considering. It was like a furnace between them now, and Ethan groaned, his arousal pressing insistently against Logan’s shorts.
“You really do want it, don’t you?” The words were a taunt, but his tone was laced with affection.
“And what about you?” Ethan shot back, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “You want it as much as I do.”
Logan silenced him with a kiss, their lips crashing together in a frenzy of need. The tang of coffee and minty toothpaste lingered as Logan slid his tongue against Ethan’s in a battle for dominance.
For a moment, there was only heat, friction, and the intoxicating taste of each other.
Ethan’s chest heaved. A sly grin tugging the corners of his mouth as he pressed his forehead against Logan’s. “Are you taking advantage of me, Master Chief?” he teased, with an edge of challenge. “Pretty sure the UCMJ has something to say about that sort of thing.”
“Vulnerable?” Logan laughed, shaking his head, his fingers digging into Ethan’s hips just enough to leave an impression. “Well, I’m completely powerless.” He punctuated the statement with another kiss, this one slower but no less intense.
Ethan headed for the shower and Logan watched, captivated by the sway of his hips, as he disappeared into the stall.
The sound of water filled the air and he leaned against the frame, savoring the sight like a man admiring a masterpiece.
Large droplets clung to every curve of Ethan’s body, streaming down his chest and shoulder as he reached for the scented wash and squeezed it into his palm.
Methodically, he began lathering up, his hands gliding over skin in smooth motions that seemed almost hypnotic.
Logan’s throat went dry as he took it all in—the way the suds bubbled, then traced patterns down Ethan’s toned torso before dripping onto the cubicle floor.
He quickly snapped out of his trance, shrugging off his boxer shorts and allowing his cock to spring free as he stepped into the shower. The heat from the water enveloped him instantly, but it was nothing compared to the fire coursing through him as he pressed himself against Ethan from behind.
“I can’t resist you when you’re naked like this,” he admitted, one hand sliding over Ethan’s chest while the other gripped his waist tightly.
Ethan leaned in close so their lips could meet, a kiss that was messy and wet but no less passionate.
When they broke apart to catch a breath, Ethan wasted no time in dropping to his knees. The sight of him in that position, droplets of water clinging to his lashes, steam curling around them both, nearly undid Logan right there and then.
“Fuck,” he groaned as pleasure exploded inside him. His fingers instinctively tangled in Ethan’s damp curls, gripping tight as waves of ecstasy threatened to consume him entirely.
Ethan guided Logan’s length into his mouth and swirled his tongue almost expertly along the tip before sliding down and taking him deeper.
He picked up speed, holding Logan firmly and steadying himself. “Holy shit… Ethan, I’m gonna—“ His words dissolved into an incoherent rambling as release overtook him.
When it was over, Ethan gave an exaggerated swipe of his tongue across his lips, a smug grin on his face as he stood up and stepped back triumphantly. “Fastest finish yet,” he teased, leaning in for another kiss.
But Logan wasn’t done. His breathing still ragged, he steadied himself against the wall. After a moment to recover, his eyes darkened with renewed purpose.
“You think you won?” He slid to his knees, trailing his tongue down Ethan’s chest then along his length.
The warmth of Logan’s lips sent waves of sensation rocketing through Ethan. He gasped for breath and resting his head against the tiled wall, closed his eyes.
His chest heaved, muscles tensing with every stroke. “Oh fuuuucckkkk…” The strangled moan spilled out as his grip on Logan’s head tightened. His body trembled, and control slipped through his fingers. He couldn’t hold back any longer; the pleasure was too much, too fast, too overwhelming, and his knees buckled beneath him.
“Fuck… I’m sorry,” Ethan stammered between breaths, his legs like jelly, barely holding him up. “I… I wasn’t expecting that…”
Logan pulled back with a satisfied smirk, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “You don’t have to apologize.” His voice remained steady.
“Thank you,” Ethan murmured, his hands drifting down Logan’s back in slow strokes. His fingers tracing the ridges of muscle, marveling at how solid he felt.
Logan didn’t say anything as he stepped from the shower and grabbed a towel from the rack. He began drying off with quick efficiency while Ethan lingered under the spray for a moment longer.
The water beat against his skin like the soothing beat of a drum, but already he wanted more—more of Logan’s touch, more of his closeness.
He reluctantly turned off the water and reached for a towel.
Wrapping it around his waist, he followed Logan into the bedroom, where clothes were still scattered haphazardly across the floor. The bed was unmade—a testament to their passion—but neither seemed to care as they moved around each other with an easy familiarity.
Ethan rummaged through a pile of clean clothes until he found a pair of boxers and slipped them on, while Logan pulled on his jeans from the night before.
The casualness between them was comforting—like they’d done this a hundred times before.
“So,” Ethan began, then hesitated as he picked up his phone. The screen was filled with a list of missed calls from Brick. “Am I seeing you again this week?” He kept his tone light, but there was an underlying note of hopefulness that he couldn’t quite hide.
Logan busied himself pulling on his T-shirt before finally looking at Ethan. His expression was almost unreadable, but before he could say anything more, both phones buzzed—a sharp interruption that shattered whatever had been building between them.
“Damn it,” Ethan mumbled as a different alert flashed—this one marked from base. His stomach sank. This wasn’t Brick being annoying, it was work calling, and not in a way that could be ignored.
Logan lifted his phone from the dresser, frowning at the message that awaited him. “Shit,” he sighed as he then shoved it into his pocket and reached for his boots. “Looks like we gotta go.”
Ethan tossed his phone onto the bed in frustration.
For one brief moment, they’d had something perfect between them. But now reality came crashing in with all its weight and urgency.
“Guess that’s it then,” he said, the disappointment thick in his tone.
Logan reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll get another chance,” he said quietly, before turning toward the door.
Ethan watched him go with a mix of longing and resignation before finally following suit.
The bubble they’d been living in had burst, but maybe… just maybe… they’d find their way back into it again soon.