“Did you drive or take the train?” Luke asked his brother.
“I drove,” Peter replied. He looked cheerful and energized in his gray button-down shirt. “I stopped by your place to park the truck and say hi to the cat and left the keys upstairs. You need it over the weekend?”
“Oh, no, I was just curious.” Luke sipped his beer. “I figured you’d have it this week since Ella said you have some day trips planned.”
“What’s happening this week?” Simon asked. “I mean, besides you and Mick voluntarily running twenty-six miles like a pair of idiots?”
Mick choked on his drink and the others broke up laughing. Luke narrowed his eyes at his friend. “It’s Spring Break for Massachusetts schools. Pete took some time off to spend with Ella.”
“We made a bunch of plans for after Marathon Monday,” Ella said. “We have tickets to a baseball game and a whale watching thing.” She beamed at her father. “Oh, and a chocolate brunch on Saturday!”
“What on earth is a chocolate brunch?” Finn asked. His eager tone made Luke smile—he’d rarely met an adult with a sweet tooth like Finn’s.
“It’s a dessert buffet at one of the hotels at Post Office Square,” Luke replied. “And by buffet, I mean a whole room full of desserts with a theme like the five senses or Fifties retro. There’s even a cotton candy station and a chocolate fountain.” He bit back another laugh at the way Finn’s eyes gleamed.
Ella leaned past Luke to speak to Finn. “You sure you can’t come with us?”
Finn actually appeared pained. “I’d really, really love to, El, but Luke and I are flying out of town after dinner next Friday night. Maybe we could all go another time?”
Ella cheered and clapped her hands and Peter snorted out a laugh. “Yeah, like a second chocolate brunch is a hard sell. Where are you guys going anyway?”
“I have no idea because Finn won’t tell me.” Luke nodded at his brother’s wide eyes. “I know, right? The suspense is killing me!”
Simon laid a hand over his heart as if in shock. “I can’t believe you of all people agreed to a plan you know nothing about, Pickle. Did you hit your head again before Finn asked and forget to tell anyone?”
“Finn asked him to go away last weekend,” Ella replied before anyone else could respond. She shrugged at Simon’s raised eyebrows. “I was sitting right there when they were talking about it, Simon. We were eating pizza and talking about vacation week.”
Luke practically pounced. “Wait, so you know where we’re going?”
Ella shook her head. “Nope.” She grinned at Luke’s exasperated sigh, but any further discussion of the mystery trip paused as their server, Skylar, stopped by the table.
Skylar handed Peter a menu and set a glass of water down in front of him. “I’ll give you a minute, hon, but I can start with the rest of the table.” She cast a smile around the table. “Everyone else know what they want?”
* * * *
Luke groaned loudly as Finn pinned him against the front door of the Beacon Hill apartment and kissed him. Finn pressed his cock hard against Luke’s hip, and they grappled with each other, their movements hungry.
Finn gasped when Luke palmed him through his jeans. “Oh, fuck.”
The need in his voice made Luke’s dick throb.
After dinner, they’d walked Ella and Peter to Back Bay and picked up Daisy and promised to see each other Sunday for a pre-Marathon dinner at Brad and Joanna’s. Neither Luke nor Finn had said much as they headed for Finn’s, but Finn had wound his fingers tightly with Luke’s and a smile laced with mischief had played about his lips. He’d been on Luke the moment they’d let Daisy out of her carrier and kissed him until Luke thought his bones would melt.
They staggered toward the bedroom, fumbling with each other’s clothes and leaving a trail of discarded garments and shoes along the way. Luke slid a hand under Finn’s shirt and teased the taut muscles of his stomach, but Finn turned the tables in a flash. He walked Luke backward toward the bed and wrestled him down onto the mattress, each movement sending fire coursing under Luke’s skin. He loved bossy Finn.
Finn finally pulled back, and Luke reached up and ran his fingers over Finn’s lips, needing that connection. The world around them slowed and a sharp, sweet pain cut through Luke. His heart thundered in his ears.
“Need you,” he murmured.
Finn moved his head and pressed a kiss to Luke’s palm, then opened his lips to lick Luke’s skin. The hot, wet sweep made Luke moan.
“God, Finn.”
Finn turned toward the nightstand for lube but kept a hand on Luke, as if reluctant to let go. He only did so to wet his fingers, then tossed the bottle down on the mattress. He reached down and wrapped his fingers around Luke’s cock, his eyes burning gray fire.
He ghosted his lips over Luke’s. “Love you,” he whispered. The intensity in his voice sent a shiver through Luke.
“Love you, too.”
Luke wrapped his arms around Finn’s neck while Finn jacked him and used his free hand to tease circles against Luke’s balls. He reached lower and slipped a finger inside Luke.
Luke shuddered. “Fuck.”
“I know. Let me hear you.”
Finn squeezed and stroked Luke as he worked him open, and Luke kissed him desperately, lust rushing through him. He fought not to beg when Finn pulled his fingers free only to turn his attention on Luke’s chest. He kissed and licked, and each motion drove the fire inside Luke higher. He cried out when Finn’s mouth closed over his nipple.
“Finn, please.”
Finn shifted back. He pushed Luke’s knees toward his chest and ran his hands over Luke’s ass, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. Luke hooked his arms under his thighs, but had the presence of mind to notice he wasn’t the only one trembling with arousal.
Finn lined their bodies up and pressed into Luke. He slid forward, and Luke’s body throbbed with razor-edged pleasure. Luke clutched at Finn as the burn mellowed into a delicious pressure.
Finn rocked in and out, pressing kisses against Luke’s face while he fucked him. He pushed deep, his gaze locked with Luke’s, and the coil inside Luke tightened. He reached to take himself in hand, but the coil snapped without warning and he came so hard he could scarcely breathe. Luke’s world went out of focus in a bright roar, and when he came back down, shaking and gasping, he was clutching Finn so tightly his fingers ached.
Finn stared at Luke with awe. “Fuck,” he ground out a second before he came too.
Finn’s back arched as he hit his peak and his strangled noise pulled at every tender, loving notion Luke had inside him. Luke gathered Finn up as he fell apart, murmuring soothing nonsense against his cheek, and didn’t let go until Finn had calmed.
* * * *
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going, or do I have to wait until we check in at the airport? I don’t even know what to pack.”
Luke popped a strawberry into his mouth at Finn’s smirk. They were standing at the kitchen counter sharing containers of fruit while Finn dressed the occasional berry with squirts of whipped cream from a can.
“I’ll help you pack. But do you really want to know?” he asked. He fed Luke more fruit. “Because I’ll tell you if that’s what you want.”
Luke studied the warmth in Finn’s face. Not long ago, he’d have needed to know where they were going so he could figure out a plan and make sure nothing went forgotten if he turned his back for even one minute. Now, though, Luke didn’t need to plan anything at all beyond spending time with Finn and getting through his race on Monday. A little added mystery didn’t seem like a big deal at all. Especially if it made Finn happy.
“Nah.” Luke shrugged. “I don’t mind waiting to find out. I trust you.”
The smile that lit Finn’s face put stars in his eyes. Without a word, he set the whipped cream can and the fruit on the counter and pulled Luke into a scorching kiss yet still managed to hold Luke up when his knees turned to jelly.
“I’m taking you to Chicago,” Finn said after he drew back. “I thought you’d like to meet my family in person since you chat with my mom on the phone more than I do.”
For several moments, Luke couldn’t speak. Sure, he talked to Finn’s parents all the time—they were great and so understanding and supportive of Luke and Finn’s life in Boston. To meet them, though… Luke hadn’t been sure Finn was ready for something like that.
Finn didn’t press when Luke stayed silent, though a soft look of understanding filtered over his face. Luke laid a hand on Finn’s chest, fingers spread wide over his heart.
This man.
“I would love to meet your family,” he said at last. And Luke kissed Finn again because his heart was overflowing with more love than he knew what to do with and just because he could.
Want to see more from this author? Here’s a taster for you to enjoy!
The Speakeasy: With a Twist
K. Evan Coles & Brigham Vaughn
Excerpt
Will Martin set down his empty mug and flipped to the next page of the New York Times. A familiar profile caught his attention and, despite his better judgment, he read the caption below the photo of two smiling and laughing men in tuxedos.
The year’s hottest gay couple cut a fine figure at the Met premiere last night. Riley Porter-Wright and Carter Hamilton are still going strong. The couple appeared oblivious to those around them as they talked during intermission. They were joined by the former Mrs. Hamilton, who seems to have forgiven Mr. Porter-Wright for stepping into her place. Also there was her new paramour, Robert… The ex-Mrs. Porter-Wright was nowhere to be seen. The couple have been spotted at—
Annoyed, Will threw the newspaper on the coffee table. Everywhere he turned there were reminders of his ex-boyfriend Riley’s happiness with his new love. Well, long-time love, really. Will had competed with Riley’s best friend, Carter, the entire time they’d been together.
But how could Will have competed with a man Riley had loved since college? Riley had left his wife to explore his bisexuality and Carter had ultimately done the same. Will had been foolish for thinking he could offer Riley more than a man who had known him for a decade and a half could.
Will scrubbed a hand through his hair and stood. I need a change of scenery right now, he thought and glanced around the living room of his stylish Manhattan condo.
His laptop screen glowed at him from his desk by the windows. He’d planned to take the morning off and enjoy the gorgeous early June weather, but with edits looming over him and reminders of Riley lurking around the edges of his consciousness, relaxation seemed out of the question.
“Fine, fine,” Will muttered under his breath. “Work it is.”
He filled his cup with coffee, doctored it with cream and sugar and took a seat at his desk. He pulled up his manuscript and scrolled to the place he’d left off—Bernard Schwartz’s appointment as Chief Counsel of the House Legislative Oversight Subcommittee.
Half an hour later, Will’s phone trilled on the desk and he blinked to clear the haze from his brain. Riley flashed across the screen. Speak of the devil, he thought, then immediately chastised himself. Riley wasn’t the problem. Riley loving Carter instead of Will wasn’t even the major issue. Will’s habit of falling for emotionally unavailable men then struggling to get over them was something he desperately needed to change.
Not wanting his ex to sense the turmoil in his head, Will made sure to keep his tone pleasant. “Hey, Riley.”
“Hey, Will. How have you been?”
“Good. Making solid progress on my book.” Will sat back in his chair.
“Oh, that’s right, you’re not teaching during the summer semester, are you?”
“No, I decided to focus on my writing. I’m in the midst of edits, so I’ll be spending the summer cursing at a computer screen while I try not to tear my hair out.”
“What a rewarding career,” Riley said teasingly.
Will chuckled and relaxed a little. He’d always enjoyed Riley’s sense of humor. “I must be a masochist for voluntarily subjecting myself to college students and editors.” Will taught legal history at New York University and had published a handful of well-regarded books on the topic. He suspected Riley hadn’t called to ask about his writing, however. “How’s work? Is your father still pretending you don’t exist at the office?”
“I think he’s hoping I’ll leave Porter-Wright Publishing, to be honest. He and Geneva were polite when Carter and I took the kids to the company picnic but I’m sure it’s only because they were afraid of looking bad.”
“Appearances above all else,” Will muttered. He and Riley had always had that in common. Although at least Will spoke to his mother occasionally and kept in contact with his sister, Olivia. Riley’s relationship with his parents was far worse. “How are things with you and Carter? And the little Hamiltons?”
“Really good.” Will could hear the smile in Riley’s voice. “We all spent last weekend in Southampton at the beach house.”
Riley sounded so happy every time they talked about Carter and his kids. Will’s heart ached, knowing he could never have made Riley that happy, but on the whole he was glad Riley had found the contentment he’d searched for.
“Anyway,” Riley interrupted his thoughts, “I called for a reason. You know Jesse Murtagh and Kyle McKee, right?”
“Vaguely. I met them at Carter’s birthday and Jesse again at your holiday party last winter.”
“Right. Well, they’re opening a speakeasy in a week or so.”
Will laughed. “A speakeasy? That’s intriguing.”
“It’s basically ready to go, and they’ve been inviting friends in to see it and try the cocktails. I called to see if you would like to meet me there tonight. I thought we could grab some drinks and catch up.”
“Just you?”
Riley hesitated. “No. Carter will be there with Jesse and Kyle. Along with six or eight of our friends.”
Will stifled a sigh. “Riley…”
“Hey, I know it’s going to be awkward. But it’s been six months. You and I are doing pretty well with our friendship. So, stop being a fucker and come.”
Will couldn’t prevent the laugh that escaped him. “Well, when you word it that way, how can I possibly resist?”
“No, I don’t mean to be glib. I know this isn’t easy for you, but I don’t want to lose you as a friend.” Riley sounded earnest. “I’m asking a lot, but I’d like for you to be able to hang out with all of us. And hey, maybe you’ll meet the perfect guy there.”
Will snorted. “I’m definitely not looking for the last part, but sure, I’ll come. What time and where am I meeting you?”
* * * *
Later that evening, Will glanced around Lock & Key, a pub on the edge of the upper West Side in Morningside Heights, where Riley had arranged for them to meet. The floors were scuffed and slightly gritty under his feet and the tables and chairs had seen better days. The pub was entirely ordinary and not at all what Will had expected.
“Have dive bars become your thing?” he asked, mystified.
Riley laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “This is not our destination for the night. Someone Kyle used to work with owns Lock & Key. The speakeasy is underneath.”
Will raised an eyebrow. “Under Lock & Key? Clever.”
“What can I say, my friends are punny.” Riley grinned. “Come on, follow me.” He strode to the end of the bar and opened an unmarked door. Will followed more slowly. At the end of a hallway was an old-fashioned phone mounted on the wall.
Riley picked it up and spoke. “Let me in, you fucker.” He fell silent for a moment then tipped his head back and laughed. “That is the passphrase, you jackass!”
Riley hung up the handset and turned to Will, merriment clearly written across his face. “Jesse,” he said, as if that was explanation enough.
In truth, it probably was. Jesse Murtagh was one of a kind. Part of a powerful media family in Manhattan, h
e was also pansexual and the biggest flirt Will had ever encountered. Not to mention charming and incredibly handsome—no wonder Carter had been attracted to him. Like Will, Jesse had been left in Riley and Carter’s wake once they’d decided to get together, but Will suspected Jesse had been far less affected.
“Are you coming down or what?” A door opened at the end of the hall and Jesse appeared, a smile lighting his face and making his bright blue eyes twinkle. He glanced over at Will and gave him an appreciative grin.
“Glad you could join us tonight, Will. You’re looking good.”
Will chuckled and stepped forward to offer Jesse his hand. “It’s good to see you too.” Irrepressible flirt notwithstanding, Jesse had a compelling presence. Broad shoulders capped off a tall, lean body and the closely-cropped beard he sported framed full lips. Not Will’s type, but easy on the eyes.
“Think you can manage to not storm off this time?” Jesse asked, raking a hand through his dark-blond hair.
Riley groaned. “Jes…”
Will smiled, despite his stab of discomfort at the reminder of the dramatic ending to his and Riley’s relationship six months prior at a Christmas party. Will had finally realized the futility of his feelings for Riley that night and caused a scene in front of a small group of their combined friends, including Jesse and Carter. Ugh. It hadn’t been one of his finer moments.
“I think I can behave tonight,” he said aloud. “So, a speakeasy, huh? What made you decide to open that?”
Jesse held open the door and allowed Riley and Will to precede him down another long, narrow hallway. “Why not? Kyle wanted to open a bar. We looked at a ton of locations and were bored by all of them, but when our friend Matt mentioned the space under Lock & Key, it all fell into place. Who doesn’t want to own an underground, secret bar?”
“I can’t say it’s ever crossed my mind,” Will admitted. They reached the end of the hall and Riley pushed open another unmarked door to reveal a stairwell. Although well-lit, the walls were painted black and totally bare.
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