by Liv Rider
Their apartment, Thomas told himself firmly. They didn’t have a lair, they had an apartment.
Either way, it had a king-size bed that Joel would probably like very much.
“Uh, I guess we could still go to that bar,” Joel said, “or we could back to your place. Not that I don’t want to take you back to my place, but it’s a bit of a mess and I did laundry, so…”
While he would definitely like to see Joel’s home, the thought of bringing Joel back with him was much more appealing. His instincts had been telling him to keep Joel close, to keep Joel safe ever since they had met. Now, he’d finally be able to. “My place is fine. My place is perfect.”
9
Joel
When Joel had left his apartment that evening, he hadn’t planned on staying the night with Thomas. His plan had been to see a movie, have fun, go for a drink after, and then go home. But being around Thomas made it difficult to stick to that sensible plan.
The almost-constant touching in the cinema had made him want more. He had had his doubts about Thomas, but Thomas had done nothing but disprove them. Thomas was genuinely interested in him. The kiss had made that very clear.
The moment their mouths met had been like being struck by lightning. Really awesome lightning that made him excited and filled with joy.
Okay, not like lightning at all, but the feeling had been so sudden. Maybe it was more like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds that warmed him throughout and made everything seem lighter and better, somehow.
He hadn’t wanted it to stop, but even through the fog of desire he’d realized that they couldn’t do what he wanted to do outside against a wall.
He tried not to feel too impatient when Thomas took several seconds sorting through his keys to open the front door to his apartment.
Thomas took his shoes off before hanging up his coat in the hallway, and Joel followed his example before following him through the door.
He wasn’t surprised when Thomas’ living room was about the size of his entire apartment. “This view is amazing.” He walked around the dining table to his left to get a better look out the window. “Wow.” The only light in the apartment was what came streaming in from the hallway, and Joel found himself looking for familiar buildings and areas. He’d never seen Lewiston like this, not at night.
Thomas joined him, his shoulder brushing against Joel’s. “It’s even better during the day. You can see for miles if the sky is clear.”
“Mm, so you’re saying I can stay the night?”
“You can stay as long as you like.”
Joel ducked his head, knowing that Thomas meant it. “I think Charlie and Claire’ll have something to say if I start missing my shifts, though.”
“Yes, and the council will probably complain if I don’t turn up for tomorrow’s morning meeting. At eleven, so there’s no need to rush.”
“How convenient.” Joel turned away from the view to look at Thomas, who was still looking out at the city. “You still love this view, don’t you? Even after living here for a while now.”
“Three years.” Thomas’ smile was soft as he looked out the window. “Do you want a tour?”
He shook his head. “But I’d like some lights on.”
Thomas let out a frustrated noise. “I’m sorry, I should’ve realized your night vision isn’t as good mine. I should’ve turned on the lights immediately.”
“Hey, this way I could enjoy the view a lot better.” Joel stayed where he was while Thomas went back to the door to the hallway to close it. He flicked a light switch next to the closed door. The ceiling lamp over the coffee table bathed the room in a warm glow, and Joel walked over to the dark gray three-seater.
“Do you want something to drink?” Thomas called out.
Joel turned and saw Thomas had gone through another door and into his kitchen. He didn’t want a drink. He wanted Thomas. “No, but I would like your company.” He sat down, patting the seat next to him.
Thomas laughed as he sat down next to Joel. “Just being a good host.”
“You’ve got a great place here.” He looked around. There were two large bookcases behind the couch, and both were filled from top to bottom with books. There were also a few picture frames on the shelves, presumably of Thomas’ family. His heart ached for a moment. He’d never have family photos casually standing around like that.
“I’m sure your place is great too.”
Joel laughed, shaking his head. “Oh please, my entire apartment could fit in your living room.”
Thomas shrugged, then moved his arm to rest it behind Joel’s head. “Then I’m sure it’s very cozy.”
“Oh, you could call it that!” Joel leaned against Thomas. It wasn’t close enough. He had had the same thought running through his head when they’d kissed. It had been amazing, but it hadn’t been enough.
And now he was sitting on Thomas’ couch, talking nonsense about his own apartment rather than kiss him. It wasn’t that he was having second thoughts, because he definitely wanted to have sex with Thomas.
It was how much he wanted it that worried him.
Kissing him had been so intense. It had made him hot all over in an instant and just thinking about it made desire pool in his stomach.
“You okay?”
Of course Thomas was concerned. Joel smiled, pressing closer. “Very okay.”
“Mmm, good.” Thomas’ hand dropped to his arm, stroking him up and down through the fabric of his t-shirt, then further down so he could run his fingers across Joel’s bare skin.
Joel felt the hairs stand on end, and he watched as Thomas trailed his fingers back up, underneath the sleeve of his t-shirt so his thumb could draw circles.
It was ridiculous. It was such a simple touch, so why did it feel like the nerves in his arm were directly connected to his cock? His breathing was growing more shallow already.
He was going to explode if he didn’t kiss Thomas right now. He moved his head to do so and wrapped one arm around Thomas’ torso as they kissed, pulling at his shirt. He wanted to touch him.
Desire surged through him immediately as Thomas deepened the kiss. He needed this. He wanted this. He turned towards Thomas more so the angle wasn’t as awkward, then tried to press even closer. It still wasn’t enough. He broke the kiss for a moment so he could change position.
“Joel?” Thomas murmured, his voice close to Joel’s ear.
“Yeah.” He moved so he could straddle Thomas. “Just trying to get more comfortable.”
Thomas gulped when Joel settled in his lap. “You, uh, succeeded?” He had let go of Joel while he had moved, and now his hands settled on Joel’s waist.
Joel smiled at him, enjoying Thomas’ wide eyes and flushed cheeks. “I think so.” He kissed Thomas again. Thomas’ grip on his t-shirt tightened, pulling him closer. Joel pressed his hands against Thomas’ chest, feeling the warmth and wishing they had removed their t-shirts before kissing again.
Thomas seemed to have the same idea, since both his hands slid up under Joel’s t-shirt to stroke his bare skin.
Joel moaned into the kiss, arching his back and wanting more. One of his hands slid up to wrap around the back of Thomas’ neck, then moving to slide his fingers through Thomas’ hair. He could feel a bulge press against him and he ground against it. Thomas shuddered and moaned underneath him, his hands pressing more firmly against Joel’s back. His arms moved to slide his t-shirt up.
It seemed unfair that Thomas was the only one trying to get rid of t-shirts, so Joel pointedly tugged on Thomas’ shirt before breaking the kiss again.
Thomas’ eyes were darker now and Joel could see the hunger in there, something wild and primal. He wondered if the same look was in his own eyes. “T-shirt.” He pulled at Thomas’ clothes.
“Yes.” Thomas’ voice was firm when he continued to pull up Joel’s t-shirt.
Joel raised his arms, helping Thomas along and letting him pull the shirt over his head. Thomas dropped the t-shirt o
n the floor, smiling as he pulled Joel into a kiss again. His hands roamed up and down Joel’s back, coming up to his shoulders then running down his arms.
As good as it felt to have Thomas’ hands on him, there was something missing here. Joel squirmed in Thomas’ lap, pulling his head away again. “Your turn.”
Thomas sat up, his breathing hard as Joel’s hands fumbled to get a good grip on his t-shirt. “That’s fair.”
Joel was a little distracted by the abs and broad chest being revealed before his eyes, and he let go of the shirt while it was over Thomas’ head to touch the bare skin in front of him.
Thomas’ laugh was muffled by his shirt, but he finished taking it off. He was grinning at Joel. “Some priorities you have.”
Joel felt his cheeks redden further. “You seemed to have everything in hand.”
“Mmm, I’d rather have something else in hand.” Thomas leaned forward to nuzzle Joel’s neck while his hands came to rest at the top of Joel’s ass, fingers sliding underneath the waistband of his jeans, and slipping inside his boxers.
“Uh huh.” Joel tipped his head back while Thomas kissed his neck. He wanted more of this, more of the kisses, more of the brush of Thomas’ fingers across his ass and lower back. His own hands were on Thomas’ shoulders, running up and down his arms, reveling in the warmth and strength of them.
Thomas’ teeth grazed the skin of his neck and Joel whimpered when Thomas began to suck on a very sensitive patch of skin. His cock was achingly hard now and from what he could feel, Thomas was too. His hips were grinding down, making Thomas hiss against his neck and hold him even tighter.
Thomas raised his head, then gave Joel a quick kiss. “Okay, we have a choice to make. One, we stay here on the couch and enjoy ourselves. Two, we move to the bedroom and enjoy ourselves even more.”
“Bedroom,” Joel said immediately. “Even if it means getting up and moving.”
“I know.” Thomas gave him another quick kiss.
“I am definitely appreciating my apartment more, by the way, since my bed is way closer to my couch.” Joel pushed himself up.
“It’s not that far!” Thomas grabbed his hand, leading him back to the hallway and through one of the other doors.
“We’d have been in my bed five seconds ago,” Joel told him, still smiling when Thomas let go of his hand to flick on the light on his nightstand. There was a paperback lying next to the standing lamp, and a digital alarm clock declaring it 11:14.
Thomas turned to him and smiled as he took both of Joel’s hands. “Fine, your apartment is clearly better than mine. Happy?”
Joel leaned up to kiss him. “I am now.” He wanted to bask in this happy glow forever.
Thomas gestured at the king-size bed behind him. It hadn’t been made, and the duvet was a rolled-up mess at the foot of the bed. One of the light blue pillows looked like it hadn’t been touched in a while. The other one, which was on the side closest to the night stand, was a little scrunched up from having been slept on. “I swear I’m usually tidier than this.”
“I really don’t care.” Joel kissed him again. Did Thomas think Joel would tut over his unmade bed?
Thomas smiled as they pulled apart. “Then now’s also a good time to mention that I don’t have much to offer for breakfast either. I hope you like cereal.”
“Cereal is fine.” Joel frowned when Thomas looked visibly relieved. “Wait, you weren’t actually worried, were you?”
“I just… I wasn’t expecting you to want to come home with me tonight, or I’d have been better prepared.”
Joel laughed. “Hey, so long as you have condoms and lube, we have everything we need.”
Thomas’ smile was gentle and he raised his hand to caress Joel’s cheek before stroking his hair. “I guess you’re right. All we need is each other.” His kiss was gentler too. “I just wanted things to be perfect.” They kissed again, and it quickly turned more heated.
Joel pushed himself against Thomas and they tumbled onto the bed together. The sudden move made them break apart again.
“You still in one piece?” Joel reached out for Thomas.
Thomas laughed. “I think so.” He moved so he could lie on top of Joel and go back to kissing him.
Oh yes, this was much better. He ran his hands down Thomas’ back, wriggling to get more comfortable. His legs fell open, giving Thomas more space to get comfortable too.
Thomas was leaning on one elbow, his other hand on Joel’s cheek as they kissed. He was grinding his hips against Joel’s, letting him feel how hard he was.
They really needed to get their jeans off, but Joel also didn’t want to stop kissing and touching Thomas. Every touch of his hand made Joel’s skin light up with desire, filling him with pleasure and warmth.
Thomas traced a path with his mouth from Joel’s lips down to his neck, finding the same sensitive spot again that made Joel whimper. He rocked his hips and dug his fingers into Thomas’ lower back, wanting more. “We’re gonna—jeans.”
Thomas nuzzled his neck. “Mmm?”
“Jeans,” Joel insisted. “Off. All of it. Off.”
Once Thomas had rolled to the side, Joel wasted no time unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his jeans. The shimmy necessary to get his jeans and boxers off probably wasn’t very graceful, but it got the job done. He had his clothes on the bedroom floor while Thomas still had his jeans around his knees. “You’ve done that before,” Thomas told him, smiling as Joel sat up in bed to help him along.
“What, taking off my clothes? Every night.”
Thomas lay back on his elbows as Joel pulled his jeans further down. “Mm, it’s more fun when you do it.”
Joel dropped Thomas’ jeans on the floor. “I’ll do your socks as well then, shall I?” That reminded him that he was still wearing his own socks. Time to get rid of those too. “Anything else you want while I’m here? A foot rub?” he joked.
“I’ve got some ideas.” Thomas grinned, then sat up as well so he could pull Joel into a kiss. Thomas’ hands roamed down Joel’s body, stroking his thighs, then his fingers lightly brushed against Joel’s cock.
Joel moaned, moving closer to Thomas. Those light touches were driving him crazy. They lay back down, Thomas moving them so Joel was on his back again. “You’ve still got your boxers on,” Joel pointed out, his arms around Thomas’ neck. The fabric rubbed against his own cock and he could feel the heat and hardness of Thomas’ cock pressed against his own. He wanted to feel it without clothing in the way.
“I know.” Thomas kissed his jaw. “Like I said, I’ve got some ideas.”
Joel closed his eyes, enjoying the way Thomas kissed his neck. “Those ideas better involve you getting naked.”
“Eventually.” Thomas kissed his shoulder, then made his way down Joel’s chest and stomach.
Joel held his breath when Thomas settled between his thighs. His own cock was achingly hard now. He wanted, needed Thomas to touch it.
Thomas kissed his right inner thigh. His other hand was wrapped around Joel’s left leg, fingers stroking the skin. He kissed up Joel’s thigh slowly, making Joel squirm in anticipation.
“Come on!” He couldn’t take it much longer.
Thomas laughed, but did wrap his free hand around Joel’s cock. “Better?”
“Yes.” Joel let his head fall back on the pillow. He rocked into Thomas’ tight grip, moaning when Thomas moved his fist up and down. “Oh, yes.” He gasped when Thomas’ wet mouth closed around the tip of his cock, then whimpered when his cock slid deeper and deeper into Thomas’ mouth. It was so good. It was too much.
His hand released Joel’s cock as he started moving his head up and down slowly. Joel kept as still as possible. He didn’t want to be that asshole who’d thrust up suddenly, but it was difficult not to rock his hips. The way Thomas’ tongue pressed against the over-sensitive skin of his cock was amazing, somehow finding all the right spots, or maybe everywhere Thomas touched him became the right spot.
His finger
s curled into the sheet underneath him as he arched his back. “Thomas,” he managed, letting out another moan as Thomas moved faster and took him deeper. “Oh fuck, this is, fuck.”
He raised his head and opened his eyes to look at Thomas bobbing up and down. His hands were still curled around Joel’s thighs. Maybe it was the angle, but Joel thought he was smiling.
Thomas let Joel’s cock slide out of his mouth for a moment. He glanced up at Joel, and yes, he was definitely smiling. Beaming, in fact. “You like my idea?”
“Very much.” Joel shuddered when Thomas licked his cock from base to tip. “But I have to warn you, it’s such a great idea that I’m gonna be coming soon.”
Thomas kissed Joel’s inner left thigh. “Mm, what do you want? Keep going with this? Get the lube so I can prepare you? Stop so we can play cards?”
Joel laughed. “I’ll pick option two.”
“Excellent choice. Bottom drawer of the night stand. Do me a favor and grab a condom too.”
Joel rolled onto his side and opened the bottom drawer. He found both items pretty quickly and tossed them over to Thomas.
Thomas put the condom next to him on the bed and opened the bottle of lube. “Good. Then let’s continue.”
“Let’s.” Joel let out a deep breath, relaxing into the mattress and waiting for the first touch of Thomas’ finger. He spread his thighs further, tilting his hips and trying not to feel too impatient. His cock ached with the need to be touched, but he reminded himself to be patient. Soon, it would feel a lot better. He watched Thomas, who was looking down with a slight frown on his forehead. “You know, you should relax too while you do this.”
“Huh?” Thomas glanced at him for a moment.
“It’s important for me to relax, but so should you.” He gave Thomas’ leg a friendly nudge with his foot. “You looked so serious.”
“I’m just trying to get it right.” Thomas’ finger was sliding up and down his hole now, getting it slicker.
“Mmm, so far, so good.” Joel closed his eyes again. “Keep going.” The stroking turned into circling, and Joel gasped when a finger pushed inside.
