My Stardust Melody, Chapter 7
Luke dared to glance at Reid and was relieved to see that the doctor didn't seem angry. He needed a moment to gather his thoughts--there was so much to consider. If the weekend didn't go well for the business, all could be lost. The backup plan of marrying Julian would be put at risk, too, if he and Reid were discovered. God, I hate even thinking about that cold proposal. He remembered Maddie's words from earlier in the evening: "No one in your family would expect you to sacrifice like that." Perhaps it was too much to expect…
"You're not married, are you?" Reid asked.
"No!" And thank God for that!
Reid scanned Luke's body with his eyes. "Do you have… some sort of dysfunction below the waist?"
Outraged and shaken from his melancholy thoughts, Luke replied. "Jesus, no."
Luke frowned when Reid sniggered, but was surprised when the doctor softly and simply asked, "What's wrong?"
His deep voice had the effect of making Luke want to confess everything. Luke couldn't believe that anyone would be able to handle all the difficulties in Luke's life without running away. "It's complicated," he muttered. Luke started to turn away, but Reid grabbed his hand and drew him close.
"Are you attracted to me?"
The husky question sent sparks and chills down Luke's back. His eyes fluttered shut in reaction. He liked Reid's directness; he knew he needed more directness in his life. "Yes, but--" He was stopped by Reid rubbing his thumb against Luke's lower lip. The small touch sent Luke's senses into flames, and he desperately tried to tamp them down.
"I'm definitely attracted to you. So, I don't see the complication."
With a sigh, Luke responded, "Trust me, my entire existence is complicated."
This time, Reid was more persuasive. He leaned in and kissed Luke, slowly massaging Luke's tongue with his own. Desperate to find purchase, Luke gripped Reid's shoulders, feeling like he was being kissed within an inch of his life. All he was aware of was Reid's slow, drugging kiss. When Reid finally pulled away, Luke's thoughts were so scattered he was not sure where he even was. All he could do was feel.
"Do you want to do that again?" Reid whispered into Luke's ear, then sucked lightly on its edge. Reid continued as Luke moaned, "Well, let's uncomplicate things, okay? Tonight will be just you, me, and God-willing, some reasonably germ-free sheets."
It took a moment for Luke to collect himself, then he leaned back and nodded slightly. "Okay, Reid. Let's get out of here. Back to my room, okay?"
"Now you're talking!" declared Reid.
Clapping his hands and rubbing his palms together briskly, Reid looked more like he was about to dig into a hearty meal than go have mind-blowing sex. Luke laughed and pulled Reid toward the house. He led Reid inside, using every secondary door and hallway that he could. There was no sense in risking getting caught by Maddie, or worse, his father.
Luke's suite was in the far corner of the house and overlooked the Sound. He unlocked the door and let Reid enter before him. After he closed and looked the door, he turned to watch Reid stroll around the sitting room.
The doctor clearly took in the large glass windows, carved wooden paneling, and the sumptuous sofas and chairs before he turned to Luke and let out a low whistle. "Wow, you must be richer than I thought to score this room. Is there a bottom to those deep pockets of yours?"
Both annoyed and embarrassed, Luke replied, "I don't think that's any of your business." Did the man have no manners at all?
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Richie Rich. It was just an observation," Reid said and shrugged. "Should I expect a harem or a pot of gold in the next room?"
"I wouldn't count on seeing the bedroom at this point," Luke said irritably.
Approaching Luke, Reid asked gravely, "Are you saying I should know when to keep my mouth shut?" A hint of a smile played around his lips.
"Yes," Luke huffed.
"My mouth usually gets me in trouble. But, it's good at some things." He grazed Luke's hand with his own before sliding it up to the back of Luke's neck.
Luke muffled his laugh and, playing along, pretended to doubt Reid. "I may require proof."
Reid raised one eyebrow. "How would that work exactly?"
Luke loved that Reid kept making him laugh. He had done very little of that recently without even realizing it. He exaggerated a frown and said, "I'm sure they explained the mechanics of this to you in medical school."
Snorting, Reid said, "Actually, I'm pretty sure there isn't a 'gay sex' lecture in any medical school in the country. But, don't worry, I think I have it figured out without the lesson."
"Okay, well let me know if you need any tips," Luke offered in mock encouragement.
Reid tipped his head to the side as if he were confused and replied, "From such a callow youth? I doubt it."
"We'll see about that," Luke said in a sinister voice.
Reid smiled right at him, and for a moment, that was enough for Luke. The younger man felt like he was being let into a rarely seen place. From what little he knew of Reid and what his instincts told him, he understood that Reid rarely let his guard down. And for reasons Luke didn't quite comprehend, Reid was letting his defenses down for him. Treasuring the value of this gift, Luke returned Reid's smile full force and then grabbed the sides of Reid's handsome face and kissed him. If Reid could let his guard down, then Luke would return the sentiment full measure.
Reid was stunned by the force and suddenness of Luke's embrace. His senses melted and scrambled under the heat of Luke's kiss. The softness of the blonde's lips contrasted with the power of Luke's body. Without even knowing how, Reid found himself in what was clearly the bedroom. Luke had pulled off Reid's jacket and unbuttoned two of his buttons (out of order in Reid's mind) before Reid could find a thread of sanity with which to pull himself back to the present.
As Luke worked on the third button with frantic fingers, Reid grabbed both of his wrists and stopped him. Luke looked at him inquiringly, and Reid found the startled expression rather endearing. "Let me," Reid said huskily as he reached down and undid the next few buttons in a row. His motions were slower than Luke's, and he enjoyed the tormented sound of frustration that sprang from Luke when the last button was left fastened.
Luke clearly picked up on Reid's amusement as he gave him a little scowl. Then Luke surprised Reid by reaching down and ripping off the remaining offender. "You have your ways; I have mine," Luke stated as he began undoing his shirt.
When did his jacket come off? Reid wondered inanely. As he saw Luke's creamy skin become slowly and torturously exposed, Reid's mouth dried, and he could not think at all.
As Luke's shirt finally fluttered to the floor, Reid was surprised by the sudden gentleness of Luke's touch as the blonde slipped his hands underneath Reid's loose shirt and slipped it off. Will I ever predict what he's going to do? Reid didn't understand why he was so drawn to Luke nor why everything felt so freaking right. The more he spoke to Luke, looked at Luke, touched Luke, the more he felt like he was having some incredibly happy dream. Hell, it would have been less astonishing if he had suddenly woken up this evening in a green meadow with tadpoles and dancing cows than it was at finding this amazingly perfect person tonight.
"Stop thinking, Reid," Luke murmured as he pushed Reid backward to the bed. Once Reid's head was lying on top of the pillow with Luke's trim form resting on top of him, he didn't have another thought for at least an hour. Maybe two.
A/N I apologize for my long absence--I totally underestimated certain time-consuming commitments and haven't had much time to read or write. Anyway, my darling beta finally gave me a kick in the pants to get this story started again. So, many thanks to franchop!