Stormy Weather

by Adrianna Dane

  It was hard for Drake to believe that last night had not been a dream. But the twinges of pain in his body alerted him otherwise. After the session in the trough, they had retreated to the bedroom to resume their passionate lovemaking.

  Vic handed him a plate. "As I said power just came back on and most of the food is spoiled so this is all I could come up with."

  Drake looked down at the plate and laughed. "Peanut butter and jelly?"

  Vic leaned back against the old headboard and took a bite of his sandwich. "Well, at least the jelly is homemade."

  Drake lifted an eyebrow. "You made it?" He pictured someone giving Vic jars of it to thank him for some masterful car repair that saved their life. Like saving Drake's car from being swept away by a flash flood. Which had certainly merited much more than a jar of preserves.

  "Yup, made it myself. I thought I mentioned I like to cook."

  "Well, yeah, you said you had a job as a cook, but I didn't think...well, I don't know."

  Vic pointed to the plate. "Just eat. It's better than nothing."

  Vic wolfed down the sandwich and then hopped off the bed. "I've had some calls this morning and there's more than a few cars that need rescuing." He pulled open the drawer of a dresser and yanked out a pair of clean blue jeans and tossed them onto the bed. Then he turned to look at Drake. "You look about my size and, let's face it, your clothes were ruined last night. You can wear those. I'm afraid I don't have any underwear." His voice trailed off and he turned to stare down into the dress drawer, rummaging through it as though looking for something he might have missed.

  Drake got off the bed and walked over to him. He placed a hand on Vic's jean-clad ass and squeezed. "I know you don't wear underwear. Thanks for the jeans." He saw Vic's hands tighten on the dresser drawer.

  "Thanks for last night," he mumbled. "It was something I'll always remember."

  "Yeah, me too," Drake said. He squeezed Vic's ass. And what a sweet ass it was. He remembered it very well and sure would like to see it again right now. He kissed Vic's neck just above the line of his T-shirt, then curled his arms around his waist and hugged him close. "I won't forget it."

  "You got what you wanted?"

  "More than I expected."

  Vic turned in his arms. "Your car's not fixed yet."

  Drake smiled. "No?" He had a few days before he was expected back to work. And he was in no big hurry to leave. "Well, I expect you'll get to it as soon as you can."

  "I have to go out, but when I get back, I'll fix you a meal you won't forget either."

  Drake lifted an eyebrow. "So you really can cook, huh?"

  "Yeah, I really can. But I haven't done any for a long time. I haven't wanted to. I didn't have a reason, too."

  Drake stroked Vic's shadowed jaw, looking deeply into his eyes. "And now?"

  A faint smile curled Vic's lips and his expression lightened. "Today I seem to have a reason for a lot of things again."

  Silence settled between them for a long time as Drake's gaze locked with Vic's. There was so much left unspoken between them.

  "Let me come with you today," Drake blurted out.

  He saw the surprise in Vic's expression. "Come with me? It's going to be a long day and not much fun. Are you sure you want to come along? I'm guessing you're not much used to manual labor. You seem to be more the inside type."

  "Well, yeah. But I don't think I'm totally inept. And I'm a fast learner."

  Vic leaned over and kissed him. "I'll say you are," he murmured.

  Drake wrapped his arms around Vic's neck and before he knew it they were back on the bed, Vic's lips wrapped around Drake's cock, driving him into a frenzy of passion.

  The night before hadn't been a fluke, not one bit. In the morning light, after the storm, Drake still wanted this man more than any other he'd known in his life. He wanted him again and again and again.

  It didn't matter that they came from two different worlds. Nothing mattered but being with him, listening to him talk, feeling his touch. Possessing his mouth, tasting his flesh, experiencing his passion.

  Drake came hard and fast, wild with need that he now knew wasn't going to be assuaged for long. Once he recovered from his climax, he pushed Vic onto his back and lowered himself down Vic's body, feasting as he went. He unbuttoned Vic's jeans and his stiff cock sprang free, a jutting tall stalk begging for Drake's attention.

  He consumed the magnificent flesh, licking over the plumed head, beneath the cap, and down the rigid length. He sucked him into his mouth, swirling his tongue over the glans, slurping his way down to Vic's heavy testicles and sucking them into his mouth, bathing them with his tongue.

  Vic bucked beneath Drake's ministrations and finally spurted into Drake's mouth, Vic's triumphant shouts filling the room.

  It was almost an hour later before they were both dressed and out the door heading toward Vic's tow truck.

  Drake had no idea what he was going to do, but if nothing else he wanted to just watch Vic at work. He wanted to be with him every minute, to brand the man into every corner of his brain. Because soon...soon, Drake was going to have to leave and it was something he couldn't change no matter how badly he might want to.

  * * *

  Chapter 10

  * * *

  "Your car's fixed."

  Those words stopped Drake dead in his tracks as he entered Vic's kitchen two days later. It took him by surprise. He'd known it was coming, but he just hadn't... Well, he wasn't ready for it.

  He sank slowly to the chair. As he looked out the window, he noted the sky was blue with just a dash of white clouds feathering it. But it felt like a nasty storm brewing inside his heart.

  Vic set a mug of coffee in front of him. Drake glanced up but could tell nothing from the expression on Vic's face. Drake lifted the cup and took a sip, trying to buy time. He just wasn't ready to answer him. Not yet.

  For two days Drake had lived outside his normal sphere. And he'd loved every minute of it. He'd learned things about himself. Helping Vic with the cars and trucks needing to be towed out of mud and sludge left by the recent deluge of rain. Helping him in the garage, learning about the tools, watching Vic work. Dancing to the tunes on the radio, sharing a meal, discussing the day. Making love. These were all things he'd never shared with Aaron. Not really.

  He now realized exactly how superficial his relationship with Aaron had been. Drake had mourned the dream, not the reality.

  Finally he looked at Vic, who was leaning against the counter, his mug cupped in two hands. Watching Drake.

  "It's time, Drake. You have to go back to your world."

  What could Drake say to that? He knew Vic was right. He had to go back sometime. He just...he just didn't want this to end. Even though he knew it couldn't go on forever.

  He nodded, accepting the truth. He turned away from Vic and gazed out the window. His time with Vic was over, but he still felt a sense of rejuvenation, as though a black cloud had been lifted from around his heart.

  "You're right. I have to go back." He drained the mug and stood up. "I better get packed."

  After that first night, Drake had retrieved his overnight bag from the car and brought it to the house. He didn't have much to pack, but he better get started and get back on the road. He rose and turned toward the doorway to go back upstairs. He had to do it now before he said or did something really stupid.

  "Wait," Vic called.

  Drake turned his head to look at him.

  "Well, you haven't had breakfast yet."

  "Yeah, well, I better get going. I can grab something on the drive back." If he didn't get out of there, he was going to say something he shouldn't. He felt it bubbling up inside him ready to burst.

  "I don't want you to go, but you know it's the way it has to be. I've loved having you here, but I've got this stuff...things going on inside me. I need to sort it out. Having you here, making love, things are changing. I need space now to think about what I'm going to do next."

  A li
fe without Drake in it. But Vic had changed things for Drake as well. And Drake knew when he got back to the city it would all be different for him, too. Thanks to Vic.

  "Believe it or not, I understand. Really, I do. But I can't help wishing it could be different."

  He walked out of the room and headed to the bedroom. He had to do this before he really had time to consider the impact it was going to have on him.

  As he began stuffing his clothing into his bag, Vic strode into the room. Their gazes locked. Memories of the last two, blissful days surged through Drake's mind. Drake turned away from the bag resting on the bed. Vic took several steps into the room. The look in his eyes burned straight through Drake.

  Two long strides and they met at the center of the room. Suddenly the air turned hot and sizzling, crackling with sexual energy. They didn't touch, just stared into each other's eyes as though if the whole world came crashing down around them, it wouldn't matter. All that mattered for Drake was the man standing in front of him.

  And then Vic's big, callused hands cupped Drake's face, drawing him gently forward. Vic's lips pressed against Drake's, at first searching and then demanding. Drake's arms rose up to circle around Vic's torso, gripping his strong back and pressing him close.

  The kiss was a wild storm of so many emotions. Love and pain, renewal and separation, goodbye and don't go. The passion of the kiss was overflowing and, as it deepened, Drake knew this poignant moment, more than any other, would be etched into his mind forever.

  He gripped Vic's ass and pressed him close, groin to groin, steely hot desire twinned, and reflected. Drake broke the kiss and stared into Vic's heated gaze. If they made love again, he knew he would never leave today and it would just make the parting later that much more difficult for both of them.

  Drake unwound his arms from around Vic's body. It was a body he had come to know intimately and well. It wasn't easy, but he forced himself to do it and step away. "I think I better go." God, he was so hot and hungry for the man. He felt the grip of passion trying to possess him and he couldn't let it happen. It would be too hard.

  He swung away and jammed the last pair of underwear into the bag and ripped the zipper closed. His fingers curled around the handles, the flesh whitened as he clung tightly to the handles.

  "I won't ever forget this weekend, Vic. Never. I think you've saved my life."

  "I'll walk out to the car with you," Vic said, a hint of urgency in his voice.

  Drake whirled around to face him. "No. No, I don't want you to do that. I need...I need..." He couldn't finish the sentence. "No."

  Vic nodded, a look of defeat in his eyes. "Your keys are on the kitchen table."

  One last look. One last memory. The taste of him on Drake's lips, his smell embedded inside him. Finally, he tore his gaze away, like severing a limb from his body. He couldn't bring himself to say another word.

  Dragging the bag from the bed, he practically ran out of the room. In the kitchen he snatched up his car keys that he saw lying on the kitchen table and raced out the door.

  He didn't dare look back.

  * * *

  Chapter 11

  * * *

  Drake sat at his desk, staring at the computer screen. As often happened over the last weeks his mind wandered back to the weekend with Vic. They were good memories, passionate memories, filling him with pleasure and yet just a hint of sadness at the loss of something so special. Because Vic was a special person and Drake didn't think he'd ever meet another man quite like him.

  There was something about the man's touch. Drake had come to the conclusion that fate had led him to Vic at a moment in Drake's life when he'd needed him most. He had healed Drake and the storm clouds that had hovered over Drake's head all those months after the breakup with Aaron had dissipated. Drake had left his business card on the desk in Vic's office before he left. He had hoped...

  In the three months Drake had been back in the city he'd been surprised to realize he was actually content. More so than before, even when he was in the relationship with Aaron. Aaron had constantly kept him on an exciting edge, never knowing what would happen next. Like a roller coaster ride. But he realized now, it wasn't a way of life he would have been happy to continue with for much longer.

  In some ways it felt like he had matured beyond needing the flamboyance that had always been associated with his relationship with Aaron. He now saw his ex-lover for what he really was--a beautiful peacock--all color on the outside that would attract his lovers to him, but empty inside. Whereas, Vic had been just the opposite--a simple man with a beautiful soul. Vic had been beautiful, inside and out, but it was a quieter beauty. And thanks to Vic, Drake now knew the kind of relationship he was looking for with another man. And maybe one day he'd find it.

  He wasn't in a hurry. The next time, he wanted it to be right. Right man, right place. Yes, Vic had taught him so much. He yearned for the man, the relationship that might have been, but he also was realistic. Vic had given him a gift beyond measure.

  He looked up at the time and realized it was well after seven. He'd been involved in trying to debug a section of the new game he'd helped designed and then his thoughts had roamed into different territory. He'd finish this part of the project at home. Closing his laptop, he shoved it into his briefcase.

  The other day he'd received an invitation to attend the opening of the newest Allegre Ristorante--a chain of very high-end restaurants--and he thought maybe he'd stop in there before heading home to sample their cuisine. It was Friday and all he had in front of him was a long weekend of work. If he was in the mood he might head out to a bar Saturday night, but right now he just didn't want to go home to an empty apartment.

  After picking up his briefcase, he left the office and headed toward the train. The restaurant was located right on his way home.

  The place was new and looked to be packed as he stepped through the doors and walked up to the hostess's station.

  "Do you have a reservation, sir?"

  To be honest, he hadn't thought about making a reservation. But it being Friday night, it probably would have been a good idea. He guessed he might be disappointed tonight. "No, I'm afraid not."

  She scanned down her list, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I just don't see that we're going to have a table available for you. Since our opening, we've been packed solid every night. I'm so sorry. Maybe another night, Mr...?

  "Lancer," he finished automatically. "No, thanks, I'll--"

  A strange expression crossed her young, pretty face and she glanced at her book again. "You...you're not...Drake Lancer, by any chance?"

  A weird feeling swept over him. How could she know his name? "Well, yes, but--"

  She smiled her brightest smile. "Oh, Mr. Lancer, of course we have a table for you." With efficiency, she picked up a menu from beneath the counter. "Please follow me. There's a table all ready for you."

  What could he do but follow her? Wondering all the time exactly what was going on. How the heck did she know his name?

  She led him to a quiet, secluded table near the back--it was the one lone table that was vacant in the whole place. Once he was seated, she placed the menu in front of him. "Someone will be right with you, Mr. Lancer. I hope you enjoy your meal."

  This was all very strange. He felt like he'd just entered the Twilight Zone or something. Obviously, he'd never been here before and he was totally thrown off guard. He was treated as though he was some important personality, which he knew he wasn't. So what was going on?

  A young male waiter approached his table with a glass of wine on a small silver tray and placed the glass of burgundy in front of him.

  "I didn't order this."

  "No, sir," the waiter responded. "Compliments of the house."

  "Well, thanks. I think."

  The waiter smiled and nodded. "Someone will be along shortly to take your order. In the meantime is there anything else I can get you?"

  "Umm, not right now, I guess."

 
The waiter left and Drake lifted the glass. He swirled the dark liquid and scented the fragrant bouquet of the wine. It wasn't house wine, that much he could tell. It had an elegant and rich taste with hints of cherry and maybe blackberry. It was decidedly unique and quite unusual. He glanced out the window. The sun had just set and he noticed droplets of rain hitting the pane. Rain, no big surprise in the northwest. But now every time it rained, he thought of Vic.

  He focused on the reflection in the glass and saw someone approaching his table. It didn't look like a waiter. He blinked and tried to focus, afraid to turn around. It looked so much like--

  "Hello, Drake. I'm glad you finally decided to stop by."

  Slowly, Drake turned away from the reflection on wet glass and stared up at the man who had become so much a part of his memories and his dreams.

  "Vic," he gasped. "What are you doing here?"

  He started to rise and Vic placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. He then took the seat across from Drake. They stared at each other for long moments. Drake thought he had to be dreaming, it just wasn't possible. He heard the clinking of glasses, the hum of low conversation, the jazzy music piped in for the patrons' listening pleasure.

  Finally, it was Vic who broke the silence. He folded his hands together on the table. Drake's gaze followed the movement, caressing those big, beautiful hands he loved so much.

  "I have a lot to tell you."

  * * *

  Chapter 12

  * * *

  Drake leaned back in his chair and just drank in the image of the man sitting across from him. He was a different Vic than he remembered. His gorgeous hair was neatly trimmed, he was clean-shaven, and he was wearing a dark suit that looked like it had been tailored for him.

  "Why are you here in the city?"

  He saw Vic release a long sigh. He laid his hands down flat on the table. "It's been a long time coming. I wasn't sure I'd ever come back here." He suddenly looked up at Drake. "It was you. You changed everything."