by K. Sterling
“I’m so close, Aiden.” Lane whispered shakily as his balls tightened and the pressure built in the base of his cock. Warmth and pleasure coiled in Lane’s groin as Aiden stroked harder and faster.
“I’m about to come, Lane. I want to feel your come on my cock.” He urged.
That was it. Lane gasped and threw his arms around Aiden’s shoulders as his head jerked back. Pressure, pleasure and heat surged up Lane’s shaft and he clenched his teeth as he screamed. He felt Aiden’s hand lock around his ass as his nerves exploded. A hoarse sob tore from Aiden’s throat and he arched and froze against Lane’s chest. Lane’s eyes rolled as come burst from the head of his cock and his body convulsed with Aiden’s as more liquid heat erupted between them. For several moments, they were locked together and panting and Aiden’s hand slowed as the last of their tremors rolled through them. Lane looked down and watched as Aiden’s hand slid around their erections, smearing their come together. Aiden tilted his head back and smiled at Lane as he raised his hand to his mouth. His tongue slipped from between his lips and slid across his palm.
“Mmmm…” Aiden hummed as he sat back on his heels and grinned at Lane. “We taste good together.” He said.
“Yeah?” Lane asked as he reached for Aiden’s chest. He ran his finger through two ribbons of come and stuck it in his mouth and sucked it clean. “Nice.” He said as he winked. Lane was about to lean forward and kiss him when Aiden tilted and slid off the bed, his right hand high in the air.
“I need to clean this off.” He announced as he went into Lane’s bathroom. Lane heard water a moment before Aiden leaned out the door. “Here.” He said as he tossed a warm, damp washcloth at Lane.
“Thanks.” Lane mumbled as he wiped himself down. He dropped the washcloth on the floor and fell on his back. “Come back to bed.” Lane commanded as he threw his arm over his eyes. A moment later the bed dipped.
“I can’t go back to sleep.” Aiden said as he flopped onto his back. Lane looked over at him.
“It’s 5:00. I don’t usually get up for another hour to get ready for work.” He raised his head and looked out the window. It didn’t look too bad out. “We could go for a run.” He said. Aiden shrugged.
“I guess we could each do half an hour and take turns.” He said as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. Lane laughed as he got up.
“Not on the treadmill, genius. We’ll run outside.” Lane started to laugh but paused when he saw Aiden’s eyes grow wide and his face become pale. He shook his head wildly.
“I can’t run outside.” Aiden said as he started to back toward the door. Lane’s brows pulled together and his head tilted.
“Sure you can. There’s a great trail that runs through the woods.” He said as he opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of compression shorts. When he looked at Aiden his eyes were huge and terrified. Lane crossed the room and grabbed Aiden by the shoulders and ducked his head so he could see his eyes. “It’ll be great, I promise.” Lane said. Aiden frowned and swallowed hard before he nodded. Lane turned him toward the door. “Go get dressed.” He commanded as he slapped Aiden on the ass.
The run was not great for Lane. Aiden ran like the devil was on his heels. He tore through the woods, oblivious to the branches that slashed at his arms and legs as he ran the over four miles at a full fucking sprint. Lane barely kept up. Every time he called for Aiden to wait or change direction, his head darted around wildly like a cornered animal. By the time they got back to the house, Lane’s lungs were on fire and his legs were numb.
“Ok. You win, no more running outside.” Lane huffed as he shut the door and collapsed against it. Aiden nodded as he stumbled into the kitchen and got a glass of water. Lane leaned forward and rested his hands on his knees. “I might actually throw up, you crazy asshole.” He complained.
“I don’t like running outside.” Aiden mumbled and Lane turned his head and watched Aiden drag himself up the stairs.
At least it’s not just me, Lane thought as he swayed toward the stairs.
“Hey! You better be in my shower when I get up there.” Lane yelled.
Chapter 7
There was a faint buzzing and Aiden pulled his phone out of the pocket of his hoodie and frowned as he read something. He replaced it and stared out the window. Lane reached over and rubbed Aiden’s shoulder.
“Hey, I said we didn’t have to run outside anymore.” He said gently. Aiden looked at Lane and nodded weakly.
“I know.” He said softly. Lane’s brow’s pulled together.
“What’s wrong?” Lane asked and Aiden shook his head.
“Nothing. I’m fine.” He lied. Lane stopped at the light and reached for Aiden’s chin and turned him so he could see his eyes.
“You’re not fine. You’ve been weird since the run.” Lane argued and Aiden snorted as he looked back out the window.
“I’m always weird, Lane.” He mumbled. Lane shook his head.
“Right. But this is bad weird.” He said and Aiden’s head swung back around.
“Bad weird? You’re implying that there’s a good weird.” He said cautiously. Lane smiled and shrugged.
“I’ve gotten used to your other weird, it’s grown on me. Its good weird. But now, you’re withdrawn and… tense.” Lane explained. He heard Aiden whisper “Good weird” and he smiled. It made Lane feel better. Aiden’s phone buzzed again and Lane saw him freeze and his jaw clench. “Is that it? Is something wrong in D.C.?” Lane asked. Aiden shook his head quickly.
“Not in D.C..” He whispered. Lane reached for Aiden and slid his hand around his neck.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Lane asked as he watched the road. He felt Aiden shake his head.
“Are we almost there?” His voice was an urgent whisper. Lane nodded and resisted the voice in his head that told him to stop the car and make Aiden tell him what was wrong.
“It’s just up there.” He said as pointed at the next intersection. Aiden’s eyes started scanning the street frantically. Lane pulled his lips tight and put a lid on his temper.
When Lane parked, Aiden practically ran for the station door. Lane jogged to catch up and grabbed Aiden by the arm.
“Aiden!” Lane yelled as he tried to turn him. Aiden looked over his shoulder as he attempted to tug his arm free. His eyes were wild and bounced restlessly around Lane’s shoulders.
“Can we just get inside?” He pleaded. Lane nodded and released Aiden.
As soon as they passed through the door, Aiden relaxed. It was like someone had flipped a switch on the back of his head. He smiled at Lane and followed him to his desk. When Lane asked him what had happened, Aiden shrugged and said it was nothing. Lane decided to let it go until after work.
Introducing Aiden to Chief was only mildly humiliating. Chief kept winking at Lane and dropped a few less than clever innuendos that Aiden was oblivious to. Aiden was back to his mildly aloof yet relaxed demeanor until Clark showed up. Lane almost expected them to start circling each other after the way they glared and eyed each other up. Chief was thoroughly confused as he stood next to Lane and watched Clark with Aiden on the other side of the glass in the briefing room. It looked like a two-way hostile interrogation.
“Did I miss something?” Chief asked. Lane sucked his lips in and shook his head quickly. Chief looked at him out of the corner of his eye. “Are you sure? Friday evening, Cabbot was about to piss himself, he was so excited about this guy getting here. Now, he looks like he wants to put his fist down his throat. And the feeling is mutual, as far as I can tell.” He looked at Lane expectantly.
“It does look like that.” Lane kept his eyes on the briefing room, avoiding Chief’s.
“You were with Sharp from the moment he got off the plane. You must have seen something.” He accused. Lane shrugged.
“They met briefly Sunday morning.” He admitted. Chief crossed his arms over his chest.
“And?” It was loaded with a threat. Lane cring
ed.
“They didn’t hit it off.” Lane offered. Chief snorted.
“No shit, Sherlock! I can see that. What happened?” He asked loudly. Lane cringed as he looked around.
“You know how Cabbot is. He doesn’t like anyone that’s smarter than him.” Lane suggested and Chief shook his head.
“Come on, that’s the point of an expert witness. That can’t be it.” Chief argued.
“Aiden isn’t exactly what he was expecting, I think.” Lane said as he watched Clark slam a piece of paper on the table and slide it toward Aiden. Chief grimaced.
“No, Aiden definitely isn’t what you’d expect.” Chief said as he nudged Lane with his elbow. Lane rolled his eyes.
“He tells everyone to call him Aiden. He doesn’t like being called Dr. Sharp. Cabbot keeps doing it and it’s winding Aiden up.” Lane pressed his hand to the glass and leaned. If Clark didn’t back off, Lane was going to drag him out of the station and kick his teeth in.
“It seems like the two of you hit it off.” Chief said under his breath. Lane shrugged.
“He’s a really good guy.” Lane said vaguely and Chief laughed. Lane glared at him out of the corner of his eye. Chief put his arm around Lane’s neck.
“I’m not gay but even I can see that he’s a hot piece of ass.” He whispered loudly and Lane looked at him like a swarm of bees had just flown out of his mouth. Chief laughed even louder. “The two of you look like underwear models, I’d be mad at you if you didn’t hit that.” He teased. Lane groaned as he squeezed his temples.
“Promise me you’ll never say ‘hot piece of ass’ or ‘hit that’ again.” Lane begged. Chief straightened and became tense.
“Is that Cabbot’s problem? He’s always been a little weird around you. Do you think he has a problem with Aiden because he’s gay and he’s bothered by the idea of two men being together?” He all but growled and Lane gestured for him to settle down as he shook his head.
“I don’t think Cabbot has a problem with gay men.” Lane stated and Chief relaxed.
It didn’t last. Chief and Lane both tensed as Aiden snatched a piece of paper from Clark and pulled everything on the table into a pile and jumped to his feet. The chair he was sitting in flipped on it’s back and half the station looked over as Aiden hit Clark in the chest with the papers in his hand and advanced on him until their noses almost touched. Clark’s face turned red and just when Lane moved toward the door, Clark stepped back and gestured for Aiden to get out. Lane’s jaw dropped. He never would have expected Clark to back down. Aiden pulled the door open.
“Just make sure you have your shit together Wednesday morning.” Clark yelled. Aiden sneered and looked over his shoulder.
“Don’t tell me how to do my job. Act like a real fucking attorney and you should be able to pull this out of your ass. You’re a joke, Cabbot.” Aiden said and slammed the door behind him before he stormed off toward Lane’s desk.
The entire station was silent. Lane was pretty sure it would echo through the room if anyone blinked. Lane and Chief jumped when Clark pulled the door open. Clark turned to Lane and pointed.
“Go fuck yourself, West!” He yelled before he charged out of the station.
When Lane got to his desk Aiden was sitting in Lane’s seat, leaning on his elbows, reading a witness statement.
“What the hell happened?” Lane asked as he leaned across the desk and waited for Aiden to look up. He didn’t.
“He’s a massive prick. That’s what happened.” He mumbled as he sifted through the pile before he found a photo and his eyes scanned it.
“He’s always been a prick but I’ve never seen him purposely piss off someone that he needed something from. He’ll do anything to win a case.” Lane explained and Aiden shook his head.
“If you say so. I wouldn’t trust him to get me out of a parking ticket.” Aiden opened Lane’s desk and found a Sharpie and began marking the photo with hashmarks. Lane frowned as he tried to make sense of what he’d seen and what Aiden was telling him.
“He’s a shit human being but he’s a good D.A., he’s usually more professional.” He said and Aiden snorted in disbelief. “What did he say?” Lane asked. Aiden flipped through papers until he found a a copy of a medical report.
“He said that I was just an easy piece of rebound ass. I’m just a worthless slut and you’d forget me and be fucking him again as soon as my ass hit a plane seat.” Aiden murmured as he continued to stare at the photo. Lane cringed and rubbed the back of his neck.
“That’s… not at all true.” Lane was shocked. And pissed. What was Clark doing? He was always so careful when it came to keeping their relationship away from work. Aiden nodded as he went back to the statement.
“I told him it was possible that you could become that bored but you’d probably cut your dick off first.” He said and Lane rubbed his hand across his lips and forbid himself to laugh.
“I’ll tell him to back off. This has nothing to do with you and he needs to focus on the trial.” Lane was caught off guard when Aiden finally looked up. His eyes were narrowed and hard when they met his.
“I don’t need you to protect me from him, Lane. I can handle Cabbot.” Aiden sat back and stared out the window. “I’m not scared of him.” His voice faded as he clicked the cap of the Sharpie absently. Lane sat on the edge of the desk.
“Hey.” He waited until Aiden shook his head faintly and looked up at him. “I know you don’t need my protection but this isn’t your fight. Clark’s lashing out because he’s not in control and you’re bearing the brunt of it. I’m not going to let that happen.” He promised. Aiden shook his head as he got up.
“If you say something now, it’ll just make him act like a bigger bitch. Wait until I’m gone.” Aiden pulled everything into a pile and came around the desk, stopping next to Lane. He leaned close. “And I do need your protection, just not from Cabbot.” He murmured as his head lowered and his lips hovered next to Lane’s ear. “And we need protection. Do we have to stay all day? Tell Chief that Cabbot's crazy witness can’t handle being here anymore and you have to do what he says. Let’s stop at a drugstore and McDonald’s on the way back to your place.” His hand brushed against Lane’s thigh discreetly, causing heat to pool in Lane’s groin. Lane shook his head and grinned.
“You’re out of your mind if you think I’m taking you to McDonald’s.” Lane said as he hopped off the desk.
Chapter 8
Chief didn’t buy Lane’s excuse but he played along. Aiden was a mess when they left the station and in the Walgreen’s parking lot and stuck to Lane as he moved through the store. Lane was reaching for a box of Durex when Aiden’s hand shot past his.
“These.” He said as he grabbed a box of Skyn condoms. Lane’s brows shot up as he looked at the box.
“Twenty-four? That’s optimistic.” He murmured as he read the box. Aiden grabbed a bottle of lubricant and nudged Lane out of the aisle.
“Better to have and not want.” He said. “Can we hurry, please?” Aiden asked as he watched the door. Lane shrugged as he handed the items to the cashier, a bored twenty-something punk waif with large gauges in her ears. She gave Lane a very knowing look and he stared back. She smiled as she scanned the lubricant.
“That’s so hot.” She said as she chewed her gum loudly. Lane saw her eyes drop to the badge clipped to his belt. “Seriously hot, dude.” She winked as she dropped the condoms in a bag. Aiden tossed a pack of Twizzlers on the counter.
“And these.” He said as he smiled at the cashier.
“Wow.” She gasped as her eyes drifted back and forth between Aiden and Lane. Lane shook his head as he slid his card in the reader. He took the receipt and pushed Aiden toward the door as the cashier leaned on the counter. “Have a nice day!” She called after them.
Lane waved over his shoulder and jogged after Aiden. As soon as they were safely on the road, Aiden relaxed and opened his Twizzlers. He offered one but Lane shook
his head. Aiden stuffed it in his mouth and sighed happily as he chewed. Once again, Lane was struck by how boyish Aiden could be. It was such a contrast to the paranoid, restless Aiden from the run and parking lots and the sensual, teasing Aiden from the living room window and Lane’s desk.
“What’s up with you panicking when we’re outside?” Lane asked carefully as he set his hand on Aiden’s thigh. He felt Aiden tense and glanced at him quickly. Aiden turned toward the window and shook his head.
“It’s nothing.” He insisted and Lane clenched his jaw as he tried to decide if he should push the matter. His instincts told him he should but after everything he’d read, he didn’t trust them. Aiden didn’t react in ways Lane expected and he was learning that Aiden had complex reasons for the things he did. He bit his tongue and hoped that Aiden would explain in time. Will there be time? Lane frowned as he glanced at Aiden again.
“Fine. Why won’t you kiss me?” Lane asked and Aiden’s head swung around to face him. His lips twisted as he considered.
“I’ve kissed you.” He said as his eyes fell into Lane’s lap. Lane shifted in his seat as he started to get hard.