Time for Love

by Lynn Michaels

  He squinted his eyes up tight as if that would make it all go away. When he opened them again, he noticed his skimboard propped up against the wall beside the TV. That’s one sure way to get things off his mind. He changed into board shorts and tank top while he waited for the Uber he’d called.

  The early evening air rushed into Jeremy’s lungs with a touch of salt and a ton of freshness. He made his way to the sand and water as the sun slowly set behind him. He played in the water under a huge sky, streaked with color. Pink, orange, and purple pastels stretched across the bright blue sky more beautiful than any painting could capture. Jeremy stretched out in the water watching nature’s display. He skimmed a few more times before giving up and calling Uber to pick him up as the darkness brought the day to an end.

  Home again and thoughts of Ollie tortured Jeremy. The trip to the beach had only been a brief respite. He jumped in the shower and let his memories come as the hot water poured over his back. He hoped to flush his thoughts along with the water down the drain.

  Everything that had happened in Jacksonville, good and bad, stayed in his head no matter how much he wanted to leave it behind like a bad car wreck or a gory horror movie. What had been seen could not be unseen. Why couldn’t he let it go? What did he want out of his life? Could he jump right back on that path of complacency?

  Life before Ollie hadn’t been all that satisfying, he’d only wanted to think it was so he wouldn’t have to do the work of figuring out what it would take to truly have a happy life.

  Ollie made him happy.

  With his eyes that spoke so much of what Ollie never said, Jeremy wanted to know more about him, wanted to chase that gloom off of his face. When Ollie smiled, Jeremy’s heart twitched, and when they kissed, those lips worked magic wherever they touched. He wasn’t overly tall, but he had broad shoulders and well-defined muscles, and when he wrapped his arms around Jeremy, he felt safe, loved...content. He wanted to be bound to Ollie, blanketed in his love and affection—not for only this one moment, but for always. That was the crux of the matter. That wanting. More wasn’t possible, and he needed to stop wishing for it.

  He stroked his cock since remembering Ollie had made it hard and leaky. He wanted to finish himself off imagining Ollie—on his knees, on his back, behind Jeremy with deft fingers and lube. He remembered the way Ollie nuzzled his hair, under his ears, along his shoulder. Ollie’s hot palms on his ass, stroking his hip as he moved—in and out. Fuck! Jeremy came all over the plastic-fiberglass insert.

  The hot water had turned lukewarm, running off his shoulders and back. He turned the showerhead against the wall to rinse off his mess. So much easier than cleaning up his life. He shut off the water and grabbed a fluffy blue towel from the shelf. Before he could make it back to his room to throw on some clothes, he heard a knock on the door. He jumped, dropped his towel on the floor, and placed his hand over his heart that pounded hard like drums from a heavy metal band.

  He held his breath. For two seconds, he was back in the condo in Jacksonville, and Dano was on the other side of the door. A quick flash of his dreams—nightmares—sent a chill down his spine. He stared at the door, frozen in place.

  The knock came again. Knuckles tapping.

  Jeremy chastised himself for being ridiculous and wrapped his towel around his waist. Dano and Nick had been arrested. They were locked up in Jacksonville, and even if they weren’t, they wouldn’t cross the state searching for Jeremy. He swallowed hard and willed his bare feet to move across the tile floor. It was like trudging through thick sand. He pressed his face to the peephole, and his heart stopped again. This time for a different reason. Ollie.

  When his malfunctioning aorta started pumping out blood again, it must have decided to work double time to make up for the pauses, because it raced inside his chest. He opened the door, expecting Ollie to open his arms and embrace him. A sensual reunion. He came all the way from Jacksonville for him...

  Ollie crossed his arms over his chest and glared with pinched eyebrows and pursed lips turned down in a frown. Jeremy had never seen this Ollie. Angry Ollie. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he snarled.

  “Why are you so pissed?”

  “Have you lost your mind?”

  Jeremy opened the door wider, partially hiding behind it and running his fingers through his wet hair. “Can you come in?”

  Ollie stalked inside the apartment. His gaze darted from Jeremy to the walls to the coffee table, back to Jeremy. “How could you leave like that?”

  “You were busy. Besides, you knew I was leaving.” He sucked the corner of his upper lip between his teeth. Angry Ollie was stunningly sexy, dark and brooding and powerful. Jeremy felt very naked with only a towel on under Ollie’s stormy scrutiny.

  “Not like that. I had work, but that didn’t mean—” He stopped himself with a shake of his head and slid his leather jacket off his shoulders, revealing bare skin, poking out from beneath a tank top that was faded to the softness of a ripe peach. Jeremy couldn’t resist reaching out to touch him. “You were fucking gone. Without a word, gone.”

  “You knew I was leaving.”

  “Not without saying goodbye or anything.” Stepping away from Jeremy’s light touch, he tossed the jacket on the couch. His eyes bounced all around the room, gazing at everything but Jeremy.

  “Fuck you. You didn’t have time for me, and you’ll be back in New York any minute, so don’t act like your feelings are hurt.”

  Ollie put his hands on his hips, his stance wide, and behind his eyes, storm clouds rolled. He opened his mouth to say something, closed it, and tried again. His face morphed from anger to confusion as he struggled to find words. “You. I, uh. Shit...Why are you mad? What the hell? You’re not supposed to get mad. You know, with all that Zen stuff.”

  “Tao.”

  “Whatever. You’re mad.”

  Jeremy put his hands on his hips, mirroring Ollie’s pose. “Yeah, I’m mad. You come storming in here yelling at me like you’re all innocent in this. Like it’s all my fault.”

  “You left. Don’t change the subject.”

  “That was the subject.”

  Ollie let out a huff. “So, why are you mad?”

  “I get mad. I have emotions. Damn it. Following your path doesn't mean you don't get mad, it means you take a minute to think before you act. It means you analyze your feelings.”

  “I know what I feel.” Ollie glanced down Jeremy’s body and back up. When their eyes met, he smirked and stepped closer. The heat of Ollie’s body rolled off in sensual waves, blowing Jeremy’s anger aside, replacing it with lust. The towel rose between them, and Ollie’s little smirk stretched into a huge smile.

  He snuck his finger inside the towel at Jeremy’s waist and tugged him closer, pulling their bodies together. He ground his hips, rubbing their cocks together through the material of towel and jeans. “When you get all riled up like that I feel hard—that's how I feel.”

  Jeremy laughed a little and leaned in, stole a quick spearmint flavored kiss and rolled his hips, liking Ollie pressed against him. “How did you find me, anyway?”

  “Detective work.”

  “You’re not a detective.”

  Ollie grunted and yanked at Jeremy’s towel, pulling it off. “Doesn’t matter.” His kissed Jeremy’s neck and pressed against Jeremy’s skin with open mouth and roaming tongue. His hand slid down his back and cupped his ass in a firm grip. “Missed you,” he said with breathy words between kisses.

  “Okay. Missed you, too.”

  Ollie yanked him in tighter. “I want more.”

  Jeremy’s hand slid under Ollie’s tank top, skimming his hot skin. “Bedroom’s that way.” He nodded his head toward the hall.

  “I mean more for us, not sex. Well, yeah, I want that, too.”

  “So what next, then?”

  “We work it out. We make time together.”

  For a moment, they stared into each other’s eyes like some cheesy romance novel. Then unexpectedl
y, Ollie blurted out, “I love you.”

  At the exact same time, Jeremy said, “I love you.”

  Ollie laughed, and Jeremy leaned in and kissed him hard. This was the moment, and he would always cherish it. His path changed. It became new, wider to accommodate Ollie. It still held the beach, the sand, the surf, but it also included a motorcycle, giant oak trees, and warm caramel eyes.

  He led Ollie to his bedroom where Ollie pushed him on the bed. Jeremy leaned back and watched Ollie pull off his tank top and unbutton his jeans. It only took a moment for them to hit the floor, and then Ollie crawled over him, straddling his thighs.

  “You know...” Jeremy said. “I don’t always have to bottom. I mean. You could take my cock and still be Mr. Macho-in-charge.”

  “Not happening.” Ollie pushed him down and kissed him, sliding that fresh-tasting tongue inside his mouth.

  After a second or two of enjoying the slide of Ollie’s tongue, Jeremy pulled back. “That’s not going to get me to stop arguing.”

  “You’re only arguing to be arguing.” Ollie’s smile was sly again.

  “You’re right. But it’s fun trying to get you riled up for a change.”

  Ollie chuckled. Slid his hands over Jeremy’s sides, tickling his ribs. “Damn, J. Don’t you know by now? All you have to do to get me riled up is walk in the room.”

  “Is that why you’re alway—”

  Ollie’s mouth pressed against his cut off his words again. The kiss went from playful to full-on passion, and all the fight left Jeremy. Nothing mattered but his body pushed against Ollie’s, and that’s what he got. Ollie ground against him, their cocks dueled and rubbed together until Ollie sat up and looked at Jeremy. He tweaked his nipple then bent to kiss away the sting, rubbing it with his tongue.

  He never lost his smirk as he eased down Jeremy’s body, kissing and rubbing his bare skin as he went.

  “Hey, Ollie. You know...”

  “Hm?”

  “Blow jobs are actually Tao inspired.”

  “Uh...how’s that?” He stopped and looked up Jeremy’s body from where his face hovered above Jeremy’s crotch.

  “Well, Tao practice says that the mouth is for harmonizing and bringing peace. What better way to harmonize and bring peace than with a blow job?”

  “I think you’re stretching this Tao thing a little there.”

  “Are you arguing again?”

  “Depends. Am I the one getting the blow job?” He feasted his eyes on Jeremy’s cock, licking his hips as if he were hungry for it.

  “Uh...no. I think you need to practice some harmonizing...”

  Ollie laughed, shaking the bed, but then he stuck out his tongue and flicked it over the head of Jeremy’s cock before sliding his mouth down, sucking it in. He pulled back up, slowly, with more flicks of his tongue that had Jeremy writhing beneath him.

  “Be still,” Ollie breathed out, grabbing Jeremy’s thighs.

  “Feels too good.”

  Ollie’s tongue flicked out again, this time across Jeremy’s balls. He nudged them with his nose, then wiggled his fingers over them, massaging moans and groans from Jeremy. “Don’t know how much I can take of that.”

  “You’ll take what I give you.” Ollie’s voice was smug, but Jeremy wasn’t about to argue this time when Ollie sucked his cock back down his throat, taking all of Jeremy deep.

  “Ah...Ollie...gonna come like that.”

  Ollie pulled off and worked his way back up the mattress. Jeremy spread his legs so Ollie could fit between them.

  “You have stuff?”

  “Uh-huh.” Jeremy pointed to the small dresser against the interior wall. “Top drawer.”

  It only took Ollie a second to find his stash, and he was back between Jeremy’s legs. Jeremy pulled his thighs back, giving Ollie plenty of room to finger the lube inside and stretch him well. He begged and whimpered when Ollie curled his fingers against his spot. Instead of more, Ollie pulled his fingers out. Jeremy huffed at the empty feeling, but Ollie didn’t let disappoint. A heartbeat later, his sheathed cock pushed against Jeremy’s hole.

  With some grunting and patience, Ollie worked his cock in and stilled. “You ready, baby?”

  “Yes, yes, please,” Jeremy sighed out. He’d been waiting his whole life for Ollie. He didn’t want to wait another second. He needed to be filled.

  Ollie rolled his hips, pulling out and pushing in. His thick cock stimulated Jeremy’s prostate and gave him exactly what he needed. He thrummed with excitement and pleasure as if Ollie’s cock pushed an electrical current through him. Jeremy couldn’t stifle his moan if he’d wanted to.

  “Greedy?” Ollie asked with another roll of his hips.

  “Yes. With you.”

  Ollie chuckled a bit, but never stopped moving. His long slow strokes sped up until he was humping furiously inside of Jeremy and grunting with each quick push and pull.

  The tension built until Jeremy thought he would explode. Ollie shuffled, repositioning a bit, pulling back, so Jeremy had room to get a hand on his cock, but he refrained. He would explode as soon as he touched himself. Instead, he pulled his legs back, hoping Ollie would push in deeper, and he did.

  For another moment, Ollie fucked him harder. He leaned in, putting his weight on his arm snaked between Jeremy’s calf and thigh. Ollie’s other hand touched Jeremy’s chest, his stomach, finally flitting fingers on the head of his cock before grabbing it tightly.

  Jeremy groaned. “Gonna come...”

  “Yes. I’m close. Do it. Come for me, J.” Ollie’s fist sheathed Jeremy’s cock, jacking him counter to his hips thrusting hard inside him. The combined stimulation made Jeremy throw his head back, bellowing his pleasure as his cock shot off. Diamonds sparkled behind his eyes, and his body spasmed and tingled.

  Jeremy opened his eyes and stared into Ollie’s. As soon as their eyes met, Ollie’s face tightened, and he grunted, his whole body seizing up as he came. “Ugh. Good. Damn good.” He slowed his strokes, Jeremy’s release making it slick against his softening cock. “You’re messy,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Your fault,” Jeremy answered with a smile he couldn’t contain. “Kiss me.”

  Ollie leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the lips, but Jeremy wanted more. Jeremy let his legs slide down as he pulled Ollie closer. Their kiss deepened. Ollie’s cock slid out, making him jump to grab the condom and clean up.

  Later, they stretched out side by side, holding hands. “Your aunt’s condo was much nicer than this,” Ollie said, breaking the silence.

  “What? Shut up. It’s affordable. You know where I work?”

  “Why? I’m sure you could do something else...”

  “I like this. I like...I don’t know. It’s a simple life.”

  Ollie rolled over to his side and ran his finger across Jeremy’s chest, circling one of his nipples. “I know you love the beach and all this. But...uh, would you? Would you leave it? For me?”

  Jeremy looked at him, but Ollie wouldn’t make eye contact, he stared at his hand, fiddling with that nipple. “Maybe.” Jeremy put his hand over Ollie’s. “Stop that.”

  Ollie looked up and gave him that smug smile.

  “I’m not moving to New York, though.” Jeremy shook his head and closed his eyes against the thought. “I can’t.”

  “No. Not New York. Jacksonville. They asked me to stay in Jax. I’ll have cases throughout Florida, and I’ll have to work with the capital.”

  “The capital? Tallahassee?”

  “Yes, but I’ll be in Jacksonville.” He finally lifted his eyes, meeting Jeremy’s stare.

  “Okay.”

  Ollie’s dark eyebrows scrunched above his confused eyes. “Okay, you’ll come? Or just okay?”

  “We’re selling the condo, so I don’t have anywhere to live, and I won’t have a job.”

  “We can get a place. Near the beach? Stay with me.”

  Jeremy didn’t give him an answer. He turned on his side to face Ollie and touched
his cheek. He leaned forward and kissed the dark expression off Ollie’s face. Their tongues danced between them, speaking their own language, and Jeremy’s body slid against Ollie’s, legs twining together, hearts beating in time, told Ollie what was in Jeremy’s heart. It was past time for Jeremy’s path to move, and as long as Ollie was on it, Jeremy would follow.

  Thirty-Five – Ollie

  They had managed to spend most of the day in bed, but Ollie couldn’t complain. Being with Jeremy gave his heart a new reason to beat. He’d taken the offer to stay in Jacksonville even before he asked Jeremy about it. He had to take the chance, because if Jeremy had said no, Ollie would have kept trying to convince him.

  Too many times in his life, Ollie had let love go. He had a hard time fighting for what he wanted and why? Because sometimes it wasn’t Ollie’s choice. Sometimes things were beyond his control. What could have been, though? So many times, if Ollie would have given it some effort, he could have had more. He could have had love. He couldn’t miss out again. Jeremy had shown him that much.

  He pulled Jeremy closer, slid his leg between Jeremy’s thighs. He kissed along Jeremy’s neck, but he didn’t have his attention. “Jeremy? What are you staring at the clock for? We’ve nowhere to be.”

  “Seeing what time it is.” He shrugged and rolled over. “Why do you look at the clock?”

  “Shut up.”

  Jeremy laughed. Ollie grabbed the pillow he was using and smacked Jeremy on the head with it. He loved Jeremy’s playful, sarcastic side and wanted to see much more of that.

  “Seriously, Ollie. We can’t stay in bed forever. I’m starving.”

  “Yeah...fine.” He scowled a little, but Jeremy was right.

  After showering together and getting dressed, they headed out to a 24-hour breakfast joint. As they walked through the door, the aroma wafted over Ollie. Bacon and fried batter and syrup and coffee, like a good breakfast place should smell.