In Dreams He Came

by Trina Lane

  Greg laughed so loud some of the officials looked in their direction. “That is an image I did not need in my head. Although, you have a point because my wife has a pair of those and they get me every time as well.”

  “Mr. Jackson? Are you ready for the award ceremony?”

  Nick looked over at the official and nodded. He still hadn’t gotten a chance to congratulate Gabe, but he couldn’t hold up the meet. There were several events left in the day.

  Chapter 8

  THE ceremony went smoothly, and after Nick left the podium, he handed his medal to Greg. “There you go. Add it to your collection.”

  Greg shook his head. “Why don’t you like to keep these?”

  “I want to focus on what’s next. Train harder, race better. There’s always room for improvement, but if I’m constantly looking at medals and awards, then I’m liable to get complacent.”

  They left the pool deck and made their way up to the breezeway above the pool. From there they could reach the stands and watch the remaining events. Maybe Nick could find Gabe. Phil had one race left, and it was the fifty yard freestyle, his specialty. Two blistering lengths of the pool, with the winner coming in under twenty seconds. Phil had a really tough field, including at least three Olympic medal winners.

  Nick spotted Gabe leaning against the rail overlooking the pool. Well, he recognized Gabe’s luscious ass bent over and all but waiting for him. Nick couldn’t believe that Gabe had said he was ready for them to have sex. Really have sex. Full penetration. He couldn’t hold back the low moan at the thought of sinking into Gabe’s tight, hot ass. It was too damn bad he and Greg had to be at the airport at nine in the morning to catch their flight. Nick would have given anything to have a couple days to luxuriate in taking that final step, but he was glad they would get to Dubai with several days to recover before the championships. He also knew that Gabe had to get back home and prepare for his final exams.

  Maybe Nick could do some Internet searching and find a nice little hideaway for them near Gabe’s hometown for when he returned. The thought of making love to Gabe in front of a warm fire with snow falling outside did hold a certain romantic appeal.

  Nick jogged down the steps and came to stand beside his boyfriend. “Hey, sweetheart,” he said softly.

  Gabe looked up at Nick. “Hi! Congratulations, that was a fantastic swim.”

  “Thank you. You were pretty magnificent yourself. Seeded eighth and finished fifth? I’m not the only one who’s noticed what a great meet you’ve had.” Nick looked over his shoulder and saw Greg sitting on the bleachers a couple feet away. “Gabe, I’d like to introduce you to my coach Greg d’Angelo.”

  Gabe held out his hand. “Hi. It’s an honor, sir.”

  Greg shook Gabe’s offered hand. “Fantastic showing, Gabriel. Nick was telling me a little bit about you. Shame this is your last season. You seem to really be peaking.”

  “Well, I’m trying to go out with a bang. I know my limitations, sir. Professional athlete I’m not, but I work hard, and I’ve set goals that should be within reach.”

  “I hear you also have some aspirations outside swimming.”

  Gabe smiled, and Nick saw Greg get a little sucked under the spell. Greg, who was as straight as they came.

  “Yes. I’ve been accepted to the doctoral program at CAL next fall. My first field of study will be on Medieval Europe and my second on ancient Rome and Greece. I’ll have to choose a third discipline not related to history at the end of my first year. Right now I’m leaning toward maybe classical civilizations. I know that sounds the same, but history generally refers to the events, and the classical civilization program focuses more on cultural aspects, for example, philosophy, archeology, ancient writing, currency, literature, and traditions, to name a few. Not to mention the graduate program will give me a chance to really strengthen my language skills. I can read a little bit of Latin, German, Ancient Greek, and French, but not enough to be fluent. I can’t wait to get started!”

  Gabe always came alive when he talked about his love for history. His rate of speech almost tripled, and excitement bubbled forth with every word. It was a pleasure to watch, and it made Nick happy seeing the sparkle in Gabe’s eyes.

  Nick looked over at Greg and saw his eyes were a little wide and glassy. “Told you he was smart,” he teased.

  “Umm, yeah.”

  Nick watched as Gabe blushed and scooted back into his metaphorical shell. He wanted to wrap his arms around his prince and say, “Oh no you don’t,” but it wasn’t the time or place. The announcer came over the speaker and called out the swimmers for Phil’s final race of the meet. The three of them turned back toward the pool and cheered as they called out Phil’s name.

  “You think he has a chance?” Gabe asked.

  “It’ll be tough, but he has the potential,” Nick responded.

  The race was over almost as fast as it started. Phil ended up coming in fifth place. The field was just too deep for him to pull off a medal-worthy performance.

  “He did good. The top four were all household names,” Gabe said as they made their way up the stands back toward the main lobby area.

  “Absolutely. Several of those swimmers all competed in Beijing with Nick,” Greg said.

  “So, Flipper. You have a team dinner tonight, right?”

  Nick used his nickname for Gabe that he reserved for when they were around the pool. It was still special, but not nearly as reveling as calling Gabe his prince or sweetheart.

  Gabe frowned. “Yeah.” He looked around. There was nobody close enough to overhear them. “I’d rather spend it with you, though.”

  Greg cleared his throat. “I think I’m going to make myself scarce. Nick, I’ll meet you at the car, say twenty minutes?”

  Nick nodded. He looked around and spotted the men’s restroom not far away. Nick walked in that direction and hoped Gabe would take the hint. He pushed open the door and made sure the area was clear. Nick gathered Gabe close, securing them in a stall. He took the smaller man in his arms and held him tight.

  “I wish we could spend the night together too, sweetheart. I’ve missed having the opportunity to nap beside you since I’ve been gone. I love holding your naked body in my arms and hearing your soft little breaths as you sleep. As soon as I get back, we’ll take that weekend getaway. I’m going to love you till we both feel as though we’ve just completed the sixteen-fifty in world record time.”

  Nick’s hand gripped the short strands on top of Gabe’s head and pulled back, encouraging him to tilt till their mouths met perfectly. Nick’s tongue traced the line of Gabe’s lips, nudging against the seam, insisting Gabe part and let him in.

  Gabe whimpered when Nick’s tongue explored his mouth. Gabe’s hands stayed on Nick’s hips. Those elegant fingers dug into Nick’s rear. He loved it when Gabe touched and held onto his ass. Nick was a top all the way, but he still loved the sensation of someone gripping his ass cheeks hard.

  Nick broke the kiss and became mesmerized at the sight of Gabe licking his red swollen lips. He wished there was some way he could bottle Gabe’s taste and take it with him on his journeys. Nick hadn’t realized until he went away for those three weeks how much he’d come to crave Gabe’s presence in his life. The two days between Minneapolis and Colorado Springs were mostly spent unpacking, repacking, sleeping, and sneaking a few kisses to hold him over till now. In the morning he’d hop on a plane for a twenty-five-hour flight and be away for another two weeks. Nick was looking forward to the holidays, simply for the chance to rest. Greg had promised him a training break after Dubai until the first of the year. Nick planned on spending every livable second with Gabe.

  Gabe’s finger stroked down Nick’s neck. Leaning forward, Gabe placed a kiss on the throbbing pulse point, lapping at it to capture the taste of Nick’s skin.

  “Sweetheart, I’m really on the edge, and your first time will not be in a men’s room.”

  “We could just jack each other off. Or I could blow
you,” Gabe said against Nick’s ear.

  “Ah fuck,” Nick groaned in agony. He was about to cave when the swooshing sound of the door opening broke the spell surrounding them. Gabe tucked himself in closer to Nick, and they remained silent. Nick hoped the new comer would quickly do his business and leave. A short while later the urinal flushed, and the sound of water running from the faucet could be heard.

  Nick’s cock had deflated, and as close as they were pressed together he knew Gabe’s had as well. The door opened and then closed. Nick finally took a measured breath.

  “As inopportune as our mystery man’s timing was, I think he saved us from what potentially could have been an embarrassing and even possibly detrimental lapse in our judgment due to my inability to say no to those beguiling eyes of yours.”

  Gabe chuckled. “And you say I speak fancy.”

  “Hey, I did attend the same university as you. I done got me some edumacation while I twas there.”

  Gabe’s head tilted to the side a little. “What was your major?”

  “Biochemical engineering.”

  Gabe’s mouth dropped open, and Nick sputtered, unable to hold the laughter in for another second. “You should see your face!” Gabe slapped Nick on the arm, and Nick rubbed the sting. “Okay, okay. Don’t dent the goods.”

  Nick opened the stall door, and Gabe stepped out. They furtively left the restroom, heading for the main lobby area. It was surprising to find that the aquatic center, which had been filled with noisy spectators only a little while ago had become almost abandoned.

  “I majored in architecture. I have to finish my master’s degree before I can get licensed. After Beijing I decided to take a sabbatical if you will, to focus on swimming. Once I retire I’ll go back and finish, and then get a real job.”

  “I’m pretty sure that what you do is a real job. Hell, you have more working hours in a day than the average nine to fiver.”

  “It’s worth it. I love what I do, and I get to travel the world doing it.”

  They stopped before the set of doors leading to the bitter outside world. Nick loosely looped his arms around Gabe’s waist and leaned their foreheads together.

  “I’ll see you in two weeks. As soon as I’m stateside I’ll get a flight out of San Francisco. I doubt I can change my return flight’s destination at this point.”

  “That’s fine. Let me know, and I’ll pick you up. You want me to find us a hotel?”

  “No, leave everything to me. I want to surprise you.”

  Gabe smiled, and Nick soaked up the light. He captured Gabe in a quick hard kiss and then left before he could irreparably alter the course of his future.

  GABE stood against the wall outside security at the Spokane airport. He checked his phone for Nick’s flight status. It showed that the plane would be landing on time and was scheduled to arrive in twenty minutes. Gabe and Nick had the next three days to themselves before they had to be back at Gabe’s parents’ house for Christmas Eve. Gabe didn’t know where they were staying, but Nick had sent an e-mail that said their hideaway would be as special as the one in Gabe’s dreams. The sea of faces coming through security turned hazy as Gabe’s mind left the busy pre-holiday airport and transported him to another time.

  Gabe pressed against the railing of a ship. His black cutaway coat hugged his frame, encased in a tailored waistcoat. The high collar of his shirt was cinched tight around his throat by the tie currently trying to cut off his air circulation. A pair of dove gray gloves protected his hands from the cold air and colder metal of the railing that he placed his patent-leather buttoned boot on, forgoing the proper posture of a gentleman to lean over and look down the side of the ocean liner.

  Gabe’s bowler hat caught a gust of wind and flew off his head onto the promenade deck of the ship. With a soft cry he spun around to chase after the wayward accessory. He couldn’t lose the hat to the seas. The hat skipped and tumbled down the golden decking. A man came out of the first class lounge.

  Forgoing any sense of decorum Gabe yelled, “Stop that hat!”

  Two women gasped and twittered behind their gloves at Gabe’s outburst. Gabe really didn’t care if his chasing and yelling were considered scandalous behaviors by society’s standards. The tall man stuck his cane out and fished Gabe’s hat from the air, rescuing the runaway article. Gabe slowed down his frantic pace. The heels of his boots no longer slapped against the newly stained wood, and as Gabe reached the stranger, his chest heaved with exertion.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “’Twas nothing. It would be a shame to lose such a fine design.”

  Gabe replaced the topper upon his head and took his first good look at the stranger who’d saved the day. Tall with an athletic build. Dark brown hair showed beneath the edges of the man’s top hat. Eyes bluer than the sea churning on either side of the hull.

  Gabe inclined his head at the attractive man’s slight bow. “Gabriel Mason.”

  “Pleasure. Walk with me?”

  Gabe nodded. The two of them turned and then headed in the direction of the bridge. They passed a few strolling passengers, but for the most part, the air only hummed with the call of seagulls and steam billowing from the massive stacks rising from the bowels of the ship.

  “Tell me, what takes you to America, Gabriel?”

  “I’m going home. I’ve spent the last year abroad but now my family requires that I return to take over the family business. And yourself?”

  “Alas I’m running away from home. My father saw fit to disown me after an unfortunate incident. I’ve heard America is the land of the self-made man, and I’m crossing the pond to seek my fortune.”

  It was peculiar that the man’s honesty at his disownment did not dissuade Gabe from continuing their association. But despite coming from the right family, Gabe never did have much care for the hypocritical nature of his peers. The very men that turned their back on those of lesser fortunes or others who committed some fabled faux pas were just as likely to diddle with their mistresses or strike business deals with their cronies when other options that would benefit a majority of the common man were sounder.

  “I am sorry to hear of your misfortune. What skills do you intend to use to make your mark on the world?”

  “I appreciate the sentiment. However, I’m better off out from underneath the old blighter’s thumb. I guess you could say I’m a businessman. I’ve managed my family’s coffers for several years, even managed to increase the holdings threefold. I’m fascinated by the shipping industry, and when we dock in San Francisco I plan on pursuing a position with an established company to get my foot in the door. I was able to obtain several references from my peers before leaving my former homeland’s shores.”

  “Well then, I believe our meeting was extremely fortuitous. My family is in the shipping business. And as you did rescue my topper, I believe it would only be honorable of me to grant you an interview. I have several positions in mind that I believe would be suitable for you.”

  Gabe watched the other man’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second before they turned smoky. Was it possible that the gentleman had picked up on the attraction boiling beneath the strictures of their societal banter? Would such attractions be welcome? Gabe decided to test the waters so to speak.

  “Do you have a betrothed or wife you will be sending for once you’ve established yourself?”

  “Neither.” He stopped as they crossed into the shadows beneath an overhang. “I don’t have much use for the fairer sex,” he said softly.

  Gabe smiled. “Then I believe we shall get along famously.” Gabe’s gloved hand slowly slid down the length of the gentleman’s forearm, clearly broadcasting his intentions. “Would you care to accompany me back to my stateroom to discuss this further?”

  “Far be it from me to decline such an attractive offer.”

  Gabe wished they could stroll arm in arm down the deck as other courtiers and couples, but the times hardly allowed for such vulgar displays. Maybe one day. />
  They arrived at Gabe’s suite of rooms. The moment the door sealed them from prying eyes traversing the corridors, Gabe found himself pressed up against the wall. Gabe opened and welcomed the taller man’s assault. They dropped their canes beside their legs. Hats flew, and buttons popped as the two wrenched away the layers of material concealing their bodies. Gabe’s dove gray trousers and shorts dropped to his ankles. The cuffed ends got stuck on Gabe’s boots, and he groaned.

  Gabe’s soon-to-be lover picked him up and carried him over to the chaise in the sitting room. They managed to divest themselves of their remaining articles of clothing. Gabe gasped as his lover’s weight pressed him into the silky fabric. Their bodies collided, hips thrust against one another and mouths fused. Gabe arched up into his lover’s thrusts, reveling in the pleasure roaring through his body. His lover’s mouth wrenched away from Gabe’s lips and moved down his neck. The fingers of one hand pinched his left nipple, and Gabe keened at the spike of fire that flared beneath his skin.

  Gabe’s legs spread and wrapped around his lover’s waist. Their cocks slid together, slick with desire. Gabe’s sack drew taut. He knew his climax approached.

  “Soon,” he gasped.

  “Yes, my prince, soon you’ll be mine.”

  Gabe narrowed his eyes. “What did you call me?”

  “My prince, and I am your knight in shining amour.”

  The vision dissipated, and Gabe was catapulted back to the present day. “Nick?”

  His boyfriend stood directly in front of him, and Gabe was struck by the masculine beauty of the man before him. Nick’s essence surrounded him, and Gabe wanted nothing more than to leap into Nick’s arms.