by K. Sterling
“Found it!” He said before the sound of running water filled the bathroom. Lane shook his head in disbelief when he stepped into the bathroom and found Aiden naked and casually leaning against the sink. “Why are you still dressed?” His smile was cocky and his eyes were heavy as he pushed away from the sink and went to Lane.
Lane put his gun on the edge of the tub, close to the shower door before he slid off his holster and let Aiden tear at his clothes. Aiden literally tore his clothes. Lane lost several buttons on his shirt and the zipper was ripped from his trousers. Aiden dropped to the floor as he pushed Lane’s boxers down and pressed his nose against Lane’s sack and inhaled deeply.
“I love the way you smell at the end of the day.” Aiden gasped. Lane jerked when he felt Aiden suck one of his balls into his mouth.
“Shower sex?” Lane reminded Aiden hoarsely. Aiden raised his head and grinned sheepishly.
“Right! Got carried away.” He admitted as he jumped to his feet. Aiden nipped at Lane’s lips as he backed him toward the shower. “You always taste so good.” Aiden murmured as Lane pulled the glass door open and steam surrounded them. “I need to taste you.” Aiden whispered as he leaned against the wall and slid his hands up Lane’s back.
Aiden kissed Lane thoroughly, hungrily before he slid down the wall. His hands trailed down Lane’s body as he sunk to the shower floor. He wrapped his hands around Lane’s ass and guided the head of Lane’s cock to his mouth. Aiden moaned in delight as he wrapped his lips around Lane’s throbbing erection and began to suck greedily. Lane groaned as he pressed his forearms to the marble wall and leaned forward. He gently thrust into Aiden’s mouth and began to pant as Aiden’s finger found his hole. Gasps, moans, grunts, sighs and curses echoed in the glass chamber as Aiden took Lane deep into his throat as he gently fingered Lane's ass. Suspended deliriously between the hot, wet perfection of Aiden’s lips, tongue and mouth and the flaring pleasure caused by Aiden’s fingers, twirling and probing deep in his ass, Lane surrendered. He shuddered and sobbed Aiden’s name as he flew apart and filled Aiden's mouth with his release. As soon as Aiden let Lane’s cock slide from between his lips, he was pulled to his feet and Lane pinned him to the wall and quickly stroked Aiden's hard length with lube. Aiden spun Lane and grabbed his hips as he pushed Lane forward.
“Oh, God, yes!” Lane moaned as his hands and chest pressed against the wall. “Fuck me hard, Aiden.” He begged. Lane bit his lip as he felt Aiden’s cock nudge at his hole then slowly push in. Lane pushed back and Aiden smoothly thrust forward, filling Lane to the hilt before he rocked his hips, causing Lane to rise on the balls of his feet. “Chriiiist.” Lane breathed as electricity shot through his legs and up his spine. Aiden’s fingers clawed and dug into Lane’s shoulders as he drove hard and deep.
“Nothing should feel this good.” Aiden growled against the back of Lane’s neck, his lips spreading goosebumps over Lane’s flesh despite the stinging heat of the water falling on them. “How can you feel this fucking good?” Aiden hissed as Lane clenched around him and dug his teeth into Lane’s skin. Lane’s eyes rolled into his head as pain merged with thick, pulsing pleasure as Aiden ground against his prostate. As usual, all traces of the cerebral, cautious Aiden fell away as he pressed his hands to the marble outside of Lane’s shoulders. He angled his hips and thrust with enough force to bring Lane’s feet off the tile. Lane’s fingertips scratched at the marble, trying to hang on, in some way as Aiden pushed him up the wall. Lane threw his head back and gasped frantically as searing heat suddenly shot through his erection and his nerves exploded.
“Aiden, Jesus!” Lane screamed as his world was flooded with light and heat. Aiden roared as he slammed into Lane, crushing him against the wall before he froze. Lane felt Aiden’s cock swell and pulse within him and he was filled with molten heat. Aiden arched and shook violently as he continued to spill deep inside of Lane. Air hissed in and out of Aiden’s clenched teeth as the last of his tremors rippled though him and Lane smiled drunkenly into the wall.
“I really love shower sex.” Aiden mumbled weakly against Lane’s shoulder blade. He sighed as he rubbed his cheek against Lane’s skin. Lane laughed as he slid his hand back and around Aiden’s thigh. He patted it as he groaned.
“Me too. Now, let me up.” Lane said as he pushed off the wall. Aiden stepped back and turned Lane as he reached for a bottle of shower gel.
They took turns bathing each other before they dried off and collapsed on the bed. Both went boneless with relief at the feel of cool, crisp sheets. It was only mid afternoon but they were exhausted. They woke up long before the sun to make it to the airport for their early flight. Rushing to the F.B.I. headquarters, getting Aiden to the parole hearing and then to the hotel while coping with the D.C. traffic had taken just about everything out of them. What little was left had been obliterated in the shower. The last coherent thing Lane did was set the alarm on his phone so they wouldn’t sleep past their dinner reservations.
“I don’t understand why we can’t just order room service. I don’t want to put on clothes.” Aiden’s grumbling was muffled by the pillow he refused to pry his face from. Lane slapped Aiden hard on the ass and he yelped as Lane rolled from the bed. Lane grabbed a bag of clothes he’d purchased for Aiden to wear to dinner and tossed it on the bed.
“We’re going on a date. We have to make it official.” He teased as he opened his suitcase. Aiden mumbled something under his breath as he flopped onto his back.
“Why did I say that?” Aiden complained as he drug his hands down his face. “Are you sure it’s a good idea? I doubt he knows I’m here but what if he does and he finds us?” Aiden asked as he sat up. Lane shook his head.
“I was careful this morning, we weren’t followed to the airport. Neither of us knew we were coming to D.C. until the day before yesterday and we kept it quiet. He’s probably just now putting it together. We’ll be back on a plane early tomorrow morning and home before he finds out you’ve left again.” Lane pulled on a shirt and winked at Aiden. “We gave him the slip. Let’s go celebrate.” He said as he nodded at the bag. Aiden sighed as he reached in and pulled out a silver blue dress shirt and dark grey trousers. He looked at Lane dubiously.
“And I have to dress up?” He complained. Lane laughed as he nodded.
“We're just going downstairs, to Plume. It’s small and quiet and they promised me a table in a secluded spot. No one can surprise us, in a bad way.” Lane said as he zipped his pants. “But you can’t go in there in jeans and sneakers, so get those clothes on.” He smiled as he turned to the mirror and put on a tie.
“Shit. I have to wear a tie too?” Aiden mumbled to himself as he got up. He elbowed Lane in the back as he passed him. “They’re not going to have anything I can eat.” He said from the bathroom. Lane grinned as he straightened his tie.
“I’ve already taken care of that. Hurry, I’m starving.” Lane ordered as he sat and pulled on his socks.
Half an hour later, they were led to a table and Lane thanked the hostess as he surveyed the room around them. They were in an alcove and he could see most of the traffic in the small restaurant. He pulled his chair closer to Aiden’s and relaxed as he looked over the menu. He felt Aiden becoming anxious next to him.
“I told you, I already took care of it. You’re not eating anything off of the menu.” Lane said softly as his eyes scanned the menu and his hand rubbed Aiden’s thigh soothingly under the table. He felt Aiden relax as he sat back in his seat. Their waitress came and Lane informed her that he’d already placed a special order for Aiden and she nodded, a soft smile tugged at her lips as she glanced at Aiden before looking back at Lane. “I’d like the foie gras terrine and the lobster gratin. And a bottle of the 2011 Kosta Browne pinot, please.” Lane handed her the menu, trying not to smile as Aiden stared in confusion and horror.
“Can I have a Sprite, please?” He asked tensely. She nodded before she left. Lane took Aiden’s hand in his as he leaned clo
se.
“I called this afternoon and explained that my date has a very specific diet. One of the benefit's of dining someplace like this is that they are willing to accommodate even the most difficult customers.” Lane winked as he raised Aiden’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles. It didn’t hurt that Lane implied that his date was mildly disabled and a renowned psychologist. Aiden grinned as he leaned closer.
“I’ve never been on a date before. This is nice.” He said as he squeezed Lane’s hand gently.
Lane was nearly lost in Aiden’s eyes and the magnetic pull of his lips when the wine arrived. He tasted it and nodded in approval and debated asking Aiden if he wanted a glass. He decided not to. Lane didn't want memories of the last time Aiden drank surfacing. When the first course came, Aiden frowned as Lane’s plate arrived. He visibly sagged in relief when a plain salad with extra cucumbers was set in front of him. When Lane’s gratin arrived, served in a lobster shell, Aiden almost bolted. Lane shook his head and laughed out loud.
“You can look at crime scene photos almost every day and this bothers you?” He asked incredulously. Aiden nodded as he stared at Lane’s dinner.
“That’s not food, that’s science fiction. Or something from the Temple of Doom.” Aiden mumbled. He was ecstatic when his plate was set down. Aiden’s smile was incandescent when he looked at Lane and then up at their waitress. “A grilled cheese! This is amazing!” He laughed. The waitress winked at Lane as she set another Sprite on the table.
“I’m glad you’re happy.” Lane said as he dug into his lobster.
The entire meal was phenomenal. The conversation was relaxed and Lane’s body started to feel loose from the wine. He stopped just before it could feel heavy and slow. Lane was certain the risk of Burgess finding them was low but he wouldn’t allow himself to get drunk. For dessert, Lane ordered the chocolate everything and a plate of tiny pancakes made Aiden giggle like a five year old.
God, I’m so in love! The breath caught in Lane’s chest at the thought and he coughed softly as he became absorbed in the elegant smear of chocolate across his plate. Don’t do this to yourself. He barely thinks you’re dating and he’s in a different city almost every week. Except when a psychopath is trying to kill him. Lane’s appetite vanished and he swallowed hard, trying to force down the wave pain that crested within him.
“Lane?” Aiden’s voice was soft and low, stabbing Lane where he was already bleeding. He drew in an unsteady breath as he looked up at Aiden and forced a smile. Aiden’s eyes searched his and he frowned as he tried to read Lane. “Is something wrong?” Aiden asked gently. Lane shook his head as he raised his fork to him lips.
“Of course not!” He insisted and winked. Aiden’s grin was weak and unsure as he turned his attention to his pancakes.
Chapter 18
Aiden had never felt so frustrated with his spotty brain. He was certain something changed. Lane changed. He was quiet for the rest of the meal and Aiden watched him very carefully, trying to find some signal he could read, some flash of proof that there was a turn in the evening. Lane had been laughing and focused until dessert, then he was… tentative and almost withdrawn. He still touched Aiden every chance he could. Aiden felt like Lane wanted to keep them connected but he didn’t want their eyes to meet and he’d run out of things to talk about.
Why couldn’t people, in real time, be as easy to understand as crime scene photos or reports? It was so easy for Aiden to understand what drove people, how they did things when he saw their actions on photos or in written words. Stabs wounds and bruises lit up for him and told Aiden everything about a person’s rage or fear. How often they smoked or the hours they spent at the gym or the number of sexual partners filled in the spaces and made people whole to Aiden. Yet when he spoke to people, he lagged and got so turned around. If they were sarcastic or used unfamiliar idioms, they may as well have been speaking in French. Hell, Aiden spoke some French. If they were more direct, in French, he would have an easier time deciphering conversations.
“Are you sure that nothing is wrong?” Aiden asked as they were leaving the restaurant.
Lane nodded and his hand was warm and comforting against Aiden’s lower back. It rubbed in soothing circles as they waited for the elevator but Lane stared at his shoes instead of looking at Aiden. You didn’t thank him. He did so much and you did complain a lot. Maybe he thinks you aren't happy with the way the date went.
“Lane.” Aiden felt a whiff of relief when Lane’s face turned to his and their eyes touched. The elevator doors opened and Lane’s hand pressed gently at Aiden’s back as they entered. The doors closed and Aiden smiled as his hand brushed over Lane’s stomach. “Thank you for tonight.” He kept his eyes locked with Lane’s and tried to make them somehow grateful and sincere. The corner of Lane’s mouth tilted and he nodded.
“You’re welcome.” He covered Aiden’s hand with his and pressed it more firmly against him.
“I’m sorry if I was difficult about going and about the food.” He whispered. Lane waved dismissively.
“Don’t worry about it, I expected all of that. And you’re cute when you’re afraid of lobsters.” He murmured as he leaned close and pressed a quick kiss to Aiden’s brow. Aiden tilted his head back and searched Lane’s face and posture for any indication that he was returning to the mood he’d been in before dessert. Not yet.
“Lane!” Aiden cringed inwardly when Lane’s name burst urgently from his lips and Lane’s brow rose in question. “Everything was perfect. I love…” Aiden paused as he searched for a way to describe what Lane had done. He saw Lane’s eyes shimmer as he held his breath. Aiden’s brows pulled together. Am I making it worse? Aiden started to feel a little dizzy. “I love everything you did. I know you put a lot of thought into this evening and I appreciate all of it.” Aiden tried to see all of Lane’s face at once, despite being so close, hoping he’d said something right. Lane looked at the doors just before they opened and Aiden wanted to scream and keep them where they were until he knew if Lane was better or what he’d done wrong.
But the doors opened and Lane’s smile was weak and didn’t touch the rest of his face as he gestured for Aiden to step out. Aiden’s chest felt too tight and his legs were heavy as he moved into the hall and toward their room. Lane’s eyes looked as if he was trying to find something miles away as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket and removed the room key. As soon as they were in their room and the door was bolted, Aiden pulled Lane into his arms and held him tight. Lane’s hands pressed against Aiden’s back and he heard Lane inhale deeply as he let his head fall onto Aiden’s shoulder.
“Lane?” Aiden whispered. He was out of ideas and he still didn’t understand what had happened, he just knew that something had happened.
“Hmm?” Lane hummed as he rubbed his chin against Aiden’s neck.
“I know something isn't right and I don’t know what to do.” His voice shook and he hated it. He felt Lane shake his head.
“Everything’s fine.” Lane insisted. Aiden felt the words against his skin and his body became warmer.
“How about we get out of these clothes and take a long bath? Then, we’ll get in that bed and I’ll show you how much I enjoyed our date.” Aiden said hopefully as his body started to tighten. He felt Lane shake his head again and everything seized. Lane sighed as he raised his head.
“Would it be ok if we just went to sleep? I think that between the wine and the long day… I’m just really drowsy and it’s all catching up with me.” Lane explained.
Aiden nodded quickly. Why didn’t he think of the wine? He remembered how slow and numb he’d felt the one time he tried drinking wine. And it had been a long day, even with a nap. Relief tempered Aiden's disappointment at not getting to thank Lane for their date but he promised himself he would rectify that as soon as possible.
The sky was fading from black to deep blue by the time Aiden felt sleep pulling him under. He hadn’t been able to run or use Lane�
��s body to purge the restless itch in his muscles and his brain. The hours were syrupy slow heavy for Aiden as his body ignored the pleading of his brain and craved Lane. The bed became a small hell.
The way Lane fell asleep began Aiden’s descent into the inferno. Lane pulled Aiden on top of him and settled Aiden’s head into the corner of his neck. Despite being tired, Lane’s hands glided across Aiden’s skin for over an hour. His touch was gentle and almost worshipful. Aiden remained still, one hand buried in Lane’s hair and the other between Lane’s body and the mattress, curved around the cheek of Lane’s ass. Lane’s hands traveled over Aiden’s flesh, slow and penetrating, as if he was trying to memorize every slope and hollow, every angle and sweep. Eventually, Lane’s hands stilled, one wrapped around the back of Aiden’s neck and the other splayed against his lower back.
Aiden hadn’t moved except to turn his head so he could see out the window. For some reason, his mind kept analyzing every moment from the time Lane woke him up to get ready for dinner to when they returned to the room. Was he content with the wine explanation? Aiden argued that it was because he wanted to have sex. If they’d had sex, he would have been relaxed and he would have fallen asleep instead of over analyzing.
When Aiden did finally fall asleep, it wasn’t for very long. Lane’s tongue lapping and probing between the cheeks of his ass rescued Aiden from a mirky dream about a bathtub full of lobsters and giant glasses of wine. Aiden smiled into the pillow as Lane licked and nibbled his way up his back before he spread Aiden’s thighs wide and slid into his body in one smooth, slow stroke. Aiden bit his lip to keep from screaming as Lane rode him fast and hard, pushing Aiden into the mattress as he panted words filled with need into Aiden’s ear. Aiden had to brace his hands against the headboard as Lane wrapped his hands around the edge of the mattress and used it pull his body forward as he thrust deep into Aiden’s clenching heat. Aiden gave up and howled into the mattress as his body shattered and his come flooded the bed beneath him.