by Wells, K. C.
Ben spoke soothingly. “I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.” He stroked a warm hand down Blake’s back, but Blake shook him off.
“For God’s sake, leave me alone. I have to find Will.” His heartbeat raced and his mouth dried up. His gaze darted rapidly around the room. He got off the bed, ignoring the entreaties of the couple to calm down, and ran into the hallway, pulling up his briefs as he did so.
“Whoa, slow down, Blake.” Stephen stopped him with a firm hand to his chest. “You need to calm down. You’re shaking like a leaf.” He lead Blake back into the playroom. “Let’s get your clothes.”
Clothes. Blake’s fevered brain latched onto the word and he nodded, following Stephen. He grabbed his clothing and pulled them on, fingers refusing to cooperate. Stephen stood by his side, watching him. Blake picked up his jacket, feeling in his pocket for his car keys. “Got to find Will.”
“Blake, he left, about ten minutes ago.”
Blake stared at him. There was a painful tightness in his throat. “He left? Will wouldn’t just leave! Besides, how will he get home? I drove us here!” He ran his fingers through his hair, making it stand up crazily. He had to find Will.
“Then he’ll probably be heading for the station. It’s a good twenty minutes walk from here, so if you hurry, you’ll catch him up.” Stephen clasped his shoulder and squeezed. “Go find the boy.”
Blake nodded absently and headed out the front door, the cold night air a shock after the warmth of the house. He climbed into the car and switched the engine on, tires crunching over the gravel as he turned in a tight circle and drove back along the driveway. He scanned the pavements anxiously, peering out into the darkness. Where the hell are you, Will?
Suddenly he spied him, shoulders hunched, chin tucked against his chest, walking briskly along the road. Blake pulled up next to him, braked and rolled down his window.
“Will!” He watched Will jerk his head in surprise as he saw Blake. “What’s going on? Please, get in the car.”
Will waved a hand at him and didn’t slow his steps. “Go back to the party, Blake.” His voice was flat. He kept his eyes on the road ahead.
“Please, Will,” Blake insisted, keeping an eye on any traffic, “Just get in the car so we can talk about this.”
Will’s gaze flickered briefly toward him. “What are you doing out here? Go back to the party and have a good time. That’s what you came for.” That lifeless tone tore at Blake’s heart.
“I didn’t want to go to the party, all I wanted was to be with you.” Will came to a dead stop, eyes fixed on Blake. “Please, Will, just get into the car.”
Will stared at him for a moment of two, and then Blake heaved a huge sigh of utter relief as he walked around the front of the car and got in the passenger side. He twisted in the seat to look at Blake, his eyes large and round. Blake noted his cheeks which bore the tracks of recent tears, picked out by the nearby streetlight. For several long seconds, neither of them spoke, the only sound the purring of the engine in neutral.
“We can’t sit here all night,” Will said at last. “And I think we need to talk.”
“Agreed. But before we decide where that conversation will take place, I need to pop by the office. I left my hard drive there and there’s stuff on it that I’ll need to look over before tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Blake drove them through the quiet streets, which grew steadily busier as they neared the city center.
“I thought it was what you wanted,” Will said at last as they drove along.
Blake shook his head. “No, babe. I was only going to the party because I thought you really wanted it.”
Will let out a shaky laugh. “God, what a right pair we are.”
“What a right pair we are? Yeah, you’re right, we do need to talk.”
Blake pulled up in front of the building. “I won’t be long, okay?” He got out of the car and dashed up to the main door where he fumbled with the keys.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Will leaned back against the head rest. He still couldn’t believe Blake had come after him. His head was buzzing. What am I going to say to him?
Well, that would all depend on what Blake had to say, too.
The car door opened and Blake got in. Rather than fastening his seatbelt, he looked at Will keenly for a moment before holding out a familiar looking white envelope.
“Gonna tell me what this is?” He wasn’t smiling.
Will’s heart skipped a beat. Oh God— the resignation letter. He’d forgotten all about it.
Blake’s voice was hard. “You were just going to leave? Without saying goodbye to my face?”
“The party was my farewell gift to you. The chance to live out your fantasy.” Will’s voice quavered. “I thought it would be easier on both of us if I just walked away, got out of your life.”
He bowed his head for a moment. Blake reached for him with trembling hands and cupped his cheek. Will could feel the tremors that rippled through him. Blake tilted Will’s head upward.
“Oh, Will.” Blake’s voice shook with emotion. And then he kissed him.
Will’s heart leaped as Blake’s lips met his, claiming him in a fierce kiss unlike any other they’d shared. No tongues, just lips pressed together, unwilling to be parted, until Will was dizzy from it. And yet he moved closer, leaning into Blake, seeking more.
How long they kissed, Will had no idea. He only knew he was lost in it. He nuzzled his face into Blake’s palm, deepening the contact between them.
At last they parted, their breathing slower, synchronized.
“I only wanted to make you happy,” he murmured, fingers combing through Blake’s short hair.
Blake gazed at him, a look of puzzlement etched across his face. “Why did you leave me there?”
Will dropped his gaze. “I couldn’t watch you be with someone else.” He was surprised to hear Blake laugh.
“Oh, babe.” Blake smiled. “I felt the same way. When you first mentioned going to the party, all I could think about was having to watch someone else touch you.”
Will felt almost giddy. It was more than he could have hoped for. He closed his eyes as Blake moved in for another kiss, this time running his tongue lightly along the seam of Will’s lips, the movement sensual. He moaned softly, wanting more, but logic prevailed. Will broke the kiss and leaned back, opening his eyes to gaze at Blake.
“Blake… take me home?”
“Your home?” Will nodded. “Okay.”
“And then…” Will hesitated, unsure of giving voice to his thoughts.
“Then?” Blake echoed. He was watching Will, his eyes never leaving him.
“Stay with me tonight?” Will held his breath, waiting.
Blake’s face creased into a beautiful smile. “Oh yes. I’d love that.”
Will was filled with a lightness of being that seemed to spread throughout his body, filling every part of him.
“Let’s go home.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blake looked around Will’s tiny flat. It was on the top floor of a three storey house and was built into the roof space. Sloping ceilings with large windows set into them gave an impression of cramped space. Blake wondered briefly how Will put up with it, but then he remembered with a guilty pang that Will was trying to pay off his debts. It was probably all he could afford. Heaven knows, rented accommodation in London wasn’t cheap.
Will face palmed. “What was I thinking? How can I ask you to stay the night?” Blake tilted his head in confusion. By way of explanation, Will led him by the hand into his bedroom and Blake understood immediately. A single bed stood against the wall, strewn with pillows and cushions.
Blake chuckled. “We’re going to be very cozy, that’s all.” He winked. The flat contained a small living room with a comfy-looking sofa, a rug in shades of red and brown, and a TV, a wet room which consisted of a shower, basin and toilet, and a galley kitchen. His though
ts went to the wet room. “There is something I’d like to do, if you don’t mind.”
Will lifted his eyebrows. “Name it.”
“Can I take a shower?” Blake couldn’t explain it, but he wanted to wash off any trace of the party. When Will’s eyes met his, there was a look in them that told him Will understood exactly what was going through his mind.
“Yes, on one condition.” Now it was Blake’s turn to arch his eyebrows. Will grinned. “That you share it with me. That’s the one room in this place where there’s definitely space for two.”
Blake could live with that. They undressed in the bedroom, piling the small wicker chair high with clothes, and then Will led him into the wet room. He flipped on the shower and in less than a minute hot water poured out of the shower head. Will backed into the shower, pulling Blake with him, wrapping his arms around him and kissing him, gently at first, but becoming more sensual as they stood under the deluge, water cascading down, steam puffing out into the room. Will poured liquid soap into his palms and proceeded to wash Blake, his movements always slow and sensuous. He took Blake’s mouth once more in a passionate kiss, Blake gasping as Will slid his hand down Blake’s crease to rub over his hole.
Blake moaned and grabbed Will, flipping them until Will’s back was pressed up against the wet tiles, water pouring off him and spraying over Blake. He seized Will’s wrists and pinned them above his head, Will moaning into his mouth as they kissed, Blake writhing his soapy body against Will, their cocks sliding together in delicious friction. Faster and faster he slid, Will’s moans increasing in volume and quantity, until Will was panting breathlessly.
Blake released his wrists and knelt before him, gazing up at Will, his eyelashes beaded with water drops as he slowly took Will into his mouth, licking along his length with a slow, deliberate tongue. He reached up with his hands to caress Will’s abs while he moved lower to take his balls into his hot mouth.
“Oh, God, don’t stop,” Will said weakly.
Blake grinned, his mouth full, and then released them, only to suck Will’s rigid shaft into his mouth. Will gave a low cry and thrust his hips forward, propelling his cock deeper. Blake dropped his hands to grab Will’s arse, pulling at him, sinking his shaft deeper as he swallowed. Will’s hips began to pump, and Blake reached down to pull at his own cock, knowing he was close. He tightened his lips around Will’s dick, conscious of the change in Will’s breathing.
“Close, babe,” Will panted out. “Going to come.”
Blake worked his cock faster, exulting in the knowledge that they were going to come together. Water cascaded off Will’s chest, raining down over Blake in a torrent. He slid a finger into Will’s crease and pushed the tip into his hole—pushing Will over the edge.
“Oh fuck!” Hot come pulsed down his throat, and Blake drank him down eagerly, the smell and the sight of Will in the throes of orgasm giving Blake a final push toward his climax. He moaned around Will’s half-hard shaft, his own cock jetting come over his hand, the water washing away all evidence.
Will grabbed him by the arms and hauled him up, claiming his lips in an eager kiss, murmuring into his mouth. They clung to each other, their hands moving slowly over each other’s bodies until it felt to Blake that they were memorizing every curve, every muscle, every facet of each other. Their kisses slowed, until at last they parted, Will breathing more evenly, in time with Blake. Will stepped to one side to grab two large towels, and handed one to Blake, but rather than dry themselves, they elected to dry each other with care, rubbing hair until it was merely damp.
“Come to bed.”
Blake nodded eagerly. Will led him into the bedroom and drew back the covers, getting in first and pressing his back up against the wall. Blake climbed in and pulled the sheets over them both, before dragging Will into the center of the bed.
“You’re not sleeping cramped up like that. I want you in my arms tonight.” Will caught his breath, his eyes shining. Blake took Will in his arms, hooking his leg over Will’s hip, anchoring them together.
“We can’t fall asleep like this,” Will protested weakly.
Blake leaned close to murmur into his ear. “But think of the fun we’ll have trying.” Will chuckled.
Blake stretched back and switched off the lamp, throwing the room into semi darkness. The glow of streetlights could still be seen through the windows. He tightened his arms around Will. It felt so right, lying like this.
How can you even think of giving this up?
The answer to that was easy. He couldn’t, not now.
The hard part would be to work out how to keep him.
Chapter Eleven
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” Dave slipped in the question at the end of their weekly catch-up chat.
Blake leaned back into his chair and thought hard. “Wednesday. Nothing at the moment. Except wrapping presents for this lot.” Thursday was Christmas Eve and although the office would be open, it was only a half day. Traditionally there was a final team meeting, followed by a small party where the team exchanged gifts, nothing too extravagant. Everyone drew a name in secret and could only spend a maximum of twenty pounds on that person’s gift. Blake had drawn Karen this year, and her present was causing him some concern. Lately she was snapping at everyone, Will in particular. Rick had hinted there might be troubles at home with her boyfriend, a bricklayer who reportedly kept Karen on a short leash.
Blake’s gift to Will was already sorted. He’d got together with Beth and given her Will’s book, asking for her discretion once she’d read it. She’d carried out the edits in one night, and had passed it back to him the following day, her eyes shining. She’d clearly found it as moving an experience as Blake had. Strictly speaking, it should have gone to Will to accept or reject the edits, but Blake had a plan. He’d had run up a one-off copy, together with a cover designed by Peter. He wanted to give Will a taste of how it would be to have his own book in his hands. After New Year, they’d go through the whole process properly, but Blake wanted to surprise him.
“How would you like to come to dinner tomorrow night? My treat.”
Blake whistled. “Oh wow. Better write this one in the diary.” He grinned, waiting for Dave to react. He didn’t wait long.
“You cheeky sod. I paid last time, if you remember.”
Blake chuckled. “Yeah, I do, actually, so you must be after something. Out with it.”
“Well…” Dave hesitated. “The offer is for both you and Will.” Blake was stunned. He’d taken Dave out for a pint last Thursday night and told him about Melissa’s ultimatum. Dave’s reaction had been almost explosive. He demanded to know why Blake would even contemplate giving in to her demands. Then his mood changed. He’d asked quietly how Blake felt about Will.
Now there was a question.
Blake could no longer deny he had feelings for his PA. And the depth of those feelings continued to surprise him. As New Year came closer, the thought of giving up Will filled him with sorrow. He wasn’t sure he could do it. Not now. It had only been a week since the party, but already the difference in their relationship was apparent. The most noticeable thing was that Will had spent every night in Blake’s bed. In fact, in the last few days, he’d taken to leaving a change of clothes at Blake’s apartment so he didn’t have to crawl out of bed at stupid o’clock in order to go home and get ready for work. Blake had to admit he liked it. At work he knew he was walking around with a huge grin on his face, but he didn’t give a damn. And of course, everyone noticed. He could see his team dying to ask what had turned him into Mr. Happy all of a sudden, but typical of them, no one had broached the subject, not even Ed.
And as long as neither Blake nor Will mentioned Melissa, Blake could ignore the elephant in the room for a little longer.
Dave had been delighted to learn about Will. And as for asking them both to dinner, it would be their first outing as a couple.
A couple. Why are you deluding yourself like this? You know it can’t go anywhere.
Yeah, Blake knew. They both did. Oh, it had been a blissful week—that much was true. Long nights together, lying in each other’s arms, enjoying each other’s bodies. Waking up each morning to see Will beside him, curled up in his arms. Putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it together. But yes, they were deluding themselves. They tried to pretend it was bliss. Tried to make it anything other than what it was—their final moments together. Ticking away, one by one. The two men snatched bits of time wherever they could. Furtive kisses in Blake’s office when they were sure no one was around. Eating together. Every glance was memorized, every touch cherished. Every kiss filed away to keep them warm on the lonely nights that lay ahead.
Blake snapped out of his internal wanderings. “Dave, I think that’s a lovely idea. Eating out or your place?” Dave had an apartment above his studio.
“My place. And I’ll order in. You know what my cooking is like.”
Blake snorted. He and Dave had shared accommodation at university, and he still had vivid memories of Dave’s first cookery ‘experiments’.
“Ooh, now you’ve definitely sold me. I’ll be sure to bring the Gaviscon tablets. Just in case.” He chuckled as Dave gave out a low growl. “What time?”
“Seven? Think you two can manage to tear yourselves away from that hive of industry you slave away in?”
Blake chortled. “Yeah, I think we can manage that. This assumes, of course, that Will says yes.”
“Do your best. I need to see you both.”
Now Blake was really intrigued.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“Mind if I use your bathroom?” Will asked.
“It’s along the corridor on the right,” Dave directed him. “I’ll have coffee ready by the time you come back.” Will smiled warmly as he exited the kitchen. Dave sidled over to where Blake was stuffing the Chinese takeout boxes into the trash. “I like him, Blake,” Dave said quietly. “Seriously. He’s intelligent, thoughtful, and sexy as hell, even to a straight like me.” He locked eyes with Blake. “You can’t let this guy get away.”