A Rhythm Like You (8/?)
Chapter 1: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/32142.html
Chapter 2: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/32417.html
Chapter 3: dpracket.livejournal.com/33801.html
Chapter 4: dpracket.livejournal.com/34221.html
Chapter 5: dpracket.livejournal.com/34761.html
Chapter 6: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/34958.html
Chapter 7: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/35388.html
"The beating of my heart is a drum, and it's lost, and it's looking for a rhythm like you."
CURRENT CHAPTER:
http://dpracket.livejournal.com/36032.html
"Grandmother, we're here!" Luke called, as he and Reid entered Lucinda's house.
"What, no butler?" Reid teased.
"Oh, I'm sure Alfred's around here somewhere, but since I have a key..."
Reid looked at the sweeping staircase in front of him. "So, you wanna be Rhett Butler or Scarlett O'Hara?" He pulled Luke to him and nipped at his neck.
"God," Luke said, running a hand into Reid's hair. "A Gone With the Wind reference? How did I not know you were gay?"
"I'll show you gay," Reid threatened, sliding a hand over Luke's ass.
"Yeah, whatever...you keep promising..."
Lucinda walked into the room, cleared her throat, and Reid jumped back a good three feet from Luke.
Luke laughed at Reid's jumpiness. "Hi, Grandmother," he said, giving her a hug and a kiss.
"Ah, my Luciano," said Lucinda.
"Hello, Ms. Walsh," Reid said. He stuck out his hand, but Lucinda pulled him to her and hugged him.
"What's with this handshaking stuff?" she asked, kissing his cheek.
"Wait, wait, wait," Reid said, standing back a bit. "Luciano?" He looked at Luke and raised his eyebrows. "Luciano?" he repeated slowly.
"That's my real name. Luke for short." He shrugged.
"That's gotta be the sexiest name ever," Reid said in all seriousness.
"Um...excuse me, that's my grandson you're talking about," Lucinda said with a laugh in her voice, holding Reid at arm's length and examining him. Her eyes fell to his bathing suit and bare, pale legs. "You don't get out in the sun much, do you, doctor?"
"No. I don't really like nature."
"The Vitamin D is good for you...And that's quite a bathing suit," she teased, running her fingers across her forehead.
Reid looked down at the green board shorts he was wearing, which had a huge Oscar the Grouch face across one side.
Reid rolled his eyes. "Luke picked it for me. I didn't have one, and I would have just worn some old athletic shorts, but he presented me with this today when I picked him up. It's awful, isn't it? I wore it so that I wouldn't hurt his feelings." He smiled at Luke.
Lucinda laughed.
"Actually, I think it's quite fitting," Luke joked. "And Ethan helped me pick it out. It was either that or Cookie Monster. It was a tough call."
Reid sighed and shook his head.
"Well, listen, gentlemen...I have a few international calls to make before it gets too late. There are towels and sunblock in the cabana. It's absolutely private." Lucinda nudged Luke. "Your young man is very fair, Luke sweetheart. I think he needs lots of lotion to protect his skin."
"Grandmother..."
"The water was heated slightly in anticpation of your arrival, as the pool is still a little chilly, even though the air is warm. I'll have Alfred come out with some lemonade and sandwiches and leave them on the lanai for you. Dr. Oliver, what do you like on your sandwich?"
"Oh...um...everything."
"Everything?"
"Yeah, whatever you've got." He smiled and felt his mouth water.
"Hot peppers?"
"Absolutely."
"Fabulous. Everything it is," Lucinda declared with a snap of her fingers and walked off toward her office, her heels clicking on the marble floor. "After lunch you can tour the grounds and the stables," Lucinda called over her shoulder.
Luke turned to Reid. "Ready for that swim?"
"Yes. Did you hear that? I'm your 'young man.' And I'm pretty sure your grandmother just gave you permission to slather me in lotion in the very private cabana, by the way. Did you catch her subtleness?"
Luke laughed. "Yeah...she's as subtle as a Mack truck."
********************************
Luke's shirt was off before they were even fully in the door of the luxuriously furnished cabana. Reid laughed against Luke's mouth as Luke stumbled backwards, pulling Reid with him.
"This needs to come off," Luke said, barely breaking contact with Reid's lips and tugging at the bottom of Reid's shirt. Reid stepped back and pulled the t-shirt over his head. Luke immediately dropped to his knees and pulled Reid to him by his hips. He kissed Reid's toned stomach and licked at his belly button before standing up and kissing him again. He watched his own hands feather over Reid's shoulders, arms, and chest. He thumbed over the small tattoo just over Reid's left pec.
He'd noticed it the first night when their shirts had come off during that exploratory makeout session at the cottage, but he hadn't stopped kissing Reid long enough to ask him about it. Now, he dropped his head a bit to get a better look at it, and he felt Reid stiffen. He ran his hands down Reid's arms as he studied the black and red tattoo. It was a heart with wings on either side, and inside the heart was the name Rhys.
"Rise?" Luke asked.
"It's pronounced Reese," Reid answered softly.
"Who is he?" Luke asked, curiously. Reid shook his head and pulled Luke's mouth to his, intent on stopping any further questions. He walked Luke over to the couch and gently pushed him down on it. He then knelt between his legs, running his hands over Luke's thighs. He leaned forward and kissed Luke's neck before making his way down Luke's body with his mouth. Luke's hand was in his hair as he tongued and kissed and sucked Luke's skin. All the while, a warmness filled his chest, and waves of emotion he didn't recognize rolled over him, almost making him nauseas. He eventually stilled, his hands holding Luke's sides, his forehead resting against Luke's taut stomach. Luke felt the warmth of Reid's breath against his torso.
"Reid? You okay?"
Reid sat back on his heels, avoiding Luke's eyes. "Um...yeah. I'm, uh..." He suddenly pushed up on Luke's knees and stood up. "I, uh..." Luke watched Reid look around the room, until his eyes landed on his shirt on the floor. He walked over to it, picked it up, and quickly put it on. "I've gotta go."
"What? Now? We just got here."
"Yeah, I..."
"Reid?"
"Please, tell your grandmother I'm sorry."
Luke watched Reid leave the cabana, trying to figure out what had happened. After a few moments, he picked up his own shirt, put it on, and went after him. He went out the back gate and ran around the side of the house to the front, where he found Reid approaching his car. As Reid reached for the door handle, Luke's arms came around him, and Luke put his hand over Reid's. He hugged Reid back against him and put his mouth by his ear. "Reid..."
"Luke, please, let me go."
"No. Talk to me. Is it me? What did I do wrong?"
Reid turned around slowly in Luke's arms. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"I'm sorry I asked about the tattoo."
Reid shook his head. "That's not it, Luke...really...you didn't do anything wrong," Reid repeated, wanting Luke to believe him. He reached out and cupped Luke's cheek. "You're great, Luke. So fucking great..."
Luke's brow furrowed. "Then what's wrong? Because things seemed to be going pretty good back there, and then you put the brakes on and want to leave? What happened?"
"It's not you..."
"Oh, this isn't going to be a it's-not-you-it's-me thing, is it? I've been down that road; don't want to go back down it again. If you don't want to see me anymore, that's fine, but you've got to be honest about why." Luke started to feel angry.
Reid pulled out of Luke's embrace, his breath coming out in short puffs. He reminded Luke of a spooked horse. His face was ashen. Luke stepped back so that Reid could get to the car door easily because he realized that if Reid wanted to go, he needed to let him go.
"Do you really want to go?" Luke asked.
"I have to." Reid reached back and put his hand on the car handle. Luke didn't stop him.
"Reid, why can't you look at me?"
Reid rubbed a hand over his face. He looked up at Luke briefly before looking away. "I'm sorry, Luke." He opened the door and got in the car. Luke watched him close the door and then drive away.
"Luke?" Lucinda's voice came from behind him. "I heard the car door. Did Dr. Oliver get a page?"
"Yeah, something like that. He said to tell you he's sorry he had to leave so abruptly."
"You're tugging on your ear, Luciano. You always do that when you're upset or nervous. What happened?"
"I honestly don't know. We were um...we were kissing and stuff...sorry, grandmother." Luke rolled his eyes, and Lucinda waved his concerns away. "And then he suddenly wanted to leave...like he couldn't get away from me fast enough."
"Ah, no worries, darling. He's just in love with you, that's all."
"In love?! No, grandmother. I'm pretty sure that's not it."
"He's a very independent man, the doctor...yes?"
"Yes," said Luke.
"And now he finds himself in love with you, my gorgeous grandson, and he's...to use your young people language...he's 'freaking out.'"
Luke chuckled. "No, I'm sorry to disagree, but I think you're wrong, Grandmother. I don't think Reid freaks out about anything. He's always cool as a cucumber. He probably has ice in his veins."
"On the contrary...I think your beautiful doctor has fire in his veins right now. And it's all because of you. Mark my words. He's in love with you, and he's running scared. I know men, darling. Be patient with him."
Luke shook his head. "He's not in love with me. How could he be? We've only been seeing each other for a little over six weeks, and we haven't even...well, you know."
"Really?" Lucinda said, astonished. "You're both young and healthy and attractive; how do you keep your hands off each other?"
"We don't. But we're taking it slow...getting to know each other...not that it matters because apparently, we're done. Oh my God...why am I telling you this?"
"Because you know I won't judge you," Lucinda answered with a smile. "Come. Let's go inside and see where Alfred is with those sandwiches. I will eat your doctor's 'everything' sandwich, and you can tell me what you've been up to the past few weeks."
"Actually, there is something I need to talk to you about, Grandmother..."
Chapter 2: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/32417.html
Chapter 3: dpracket.livejournal.com/33801.html
Chapter 4: dpracket.livejournal.com/34221.html
Chapter 5: dpracket.livejournal.com/34761.html
Chapter 6: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/34958.html
Chapter 7: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/35388.html
"The beating of my heart is a drum, and it's lost, and it's looking for a rhythm like you."
CURRENT CHAPTER:
http://dpracket.livejournal.com/36032.html
"Grandmother, we're here!" Luke called, as he and Reid entered Lucinda's house.
"What, no butler?" Reid teased.
"Oh, I'm sure Alfred's around here somewhere, but since I have a key..."
Reid looked at the sweeping staircase in front of him. "So, you wanna be Rhett Butler or Scarlett O'Hara?" He pulled Luke to him and nipped at his neck.
"God," Luke said, running a hand into Reid's hair. "A Gone With the Wind reference? How did I not know you were gay?"
"I'll show you gay," Reid threatened, sliding a hand over Luke's ass.
"Yeah, whatever...you keep promising..."
Lucinda walked into the room, cleared her throat, and Reid jumped back a good three feet from Luke.
Luke laughed at Reid's jumpiness. "Hi, Grandmother," he said, giving her a hug and a kiss.
"Ah, my Luciano," said Lucinda.
"Hello, Ms. Walsh," Reid said. He stuck out his hand, but Lucinda pulled him to her and hugged him.
"What's with this handshaking stuff?" she asked, kissing his cheek.
"Wait, wait, wait," Reid said, standing back a bit. "Luciano?" He looked at Luke and raised his eyebrows. "Luciano?" he repeated slowly.
"That's my real name. Luke for short." He shrugged.
"That's gotta be the sexiest name ever," Reid said in all seriousness.
"Um...excuse me, that's my grandson you're talking about," Lucinda said with a laugh in her voice, holding Reid at arm's length and examining him. Her eyes fell to his bathing suit and bare, pale legs. "You don't get out in the sun much, do you, doctor?"
"No. I don't really like nature."
"The Vitamin D is good for you...And that's quite a bathing suit," she teased, running her fingers across her forehead.
Reid looked down at the green board shorts he was wearing, which had a huge Oscar the Grouch face across one side.
Reid rolled his eyes. "Luke picked it for me. I didn't have one, and I would have just worn some old athletic shorts, but he presented me with this today when I picked him up. It's awful, isn't it? I wore it so that I wouldn't hurt his feelings." He smiled at Luke.
Lucinda laughed.
"Actually, I think it's quite fitting," Luke joked. "And Ethan helped me pick it out. It was either that or Cookie Monster. It was a tough call."
Reid sighed and shook his head.
"Well, listen, gentlemen...I have a few international calls to make before it gets too late. There are towels and sunblock in the cabana. It's absolutely private." Lucinda nudged Luke. "Your young man is very fair, Luke sweetheart. I think he needs lots of lotion to protect his skin."
"Grandmother..."
"The water was heated slightly in anticpation of your arrival, as the pool is still a little chilly, even though the air is warm. I'll have Alfred come out with some lemonade and sandwiches and leave them on the lanai for you. Dr. Oliver, what do you like on your sandwich?"
"Oh...um...everything."
"Everything?"
"Yeah, whatever you've got." He smiled and felt his mouth water.
"Hot peppers?"
"Absolutely."
"Fabulous. Everything it is," Lucinda declared with a snap of her fingers and walked off toward her office, her heels clicking on the marble floor. "After lunch you can tour the grounds and the stables," Lucinda called over her shoulder.
Luke turned to Reid. "Ready for that swim?"
"Yes. Did you hear that? I'm your 'young man.' And I'm pretty sure your grandmother just gave you permission to slather me in lotion in the very private cabana, by the way. Did you catch her subtleness?"
Luke laughed. "Yeah...she's as subtle as a Mack truck."
********************************
Luke's shirt was off before they were even fully in the door of the luxuriously furnished cabana. Reid laughed against Luke's mouth as Luke stumbled backwards, pulling Reid with him.
"This needs to come off," Luke said, barely breaking contact with Reid's lips and tugging at the bottom of Reid's shirt. Reid stepped back and pulled the t-shirt over his head. Luke immediately dropped to his knees and pulled Reid to him by his hips. He kissed Reid's toned stomach and licked at his belly button before standing up and kissing him again. He watched his own hands feather over Reid's shoulders, arms, and chest. He thumbed over the small tattoo just over Reid's left pec.
He'd noticed it the first night when their shirts had come off during that exploratory makeout session at the cottage, but he hadn't stopped kissing Reid long enough to ask him about it. Now, he dropped his head a bit to get a better look at it, and he felt Reid stiffen. He ran his hands down Reid's arms as he studied the black and red tattoo. It was a heart with wings on either side, and inside the heart was the name Rhys.
"Rise?" Luke asked.
"It's pronounced Reese," Reid answered softly.
"Who is he?" Luke asked, curiously. Reid shook his head and pulled Luke's mouth to his, intent on stopping any further questions. He walked Luke over to the couch and gently pushed him down on it. He then knelt between his legs, running his hands over Luke's thighs. He leaned forward and kissed Luke's neck before making his way down Luke's body with his mouth. Luke's hand was in his hair as he tongued and kissed and sucked Luke's skin. All the while, a warmness filled his chest, and waves of emotion he didn't recognize rolled over him, almost making him nauseas. He eventually stilled, his hands holding Luke's sides, his forehead resting against Luke's taut stomach. Luke felt the warmth of Reid's breath against his torso.
"Reid? You okay?"
Reid sat back on his heels, avoiding Luke's eyes. "Um...yeah. I'm, uh..." He suddenly pushed up on Luke's knees and stood up. "I, uh..." Luke watched Reid look around the room, until his eyes landed on his shirt on the floor. He walked over to it, picked it up, and quickly put it on. "I've gotta go."
"What? Now? We just got here."
"Yeah, I..."
"Reid?"
"Please, tell your grandmother I'm sorry."
Luke watched Reid leave the cabana, trying to figure out what had happened. After a few moments, he picked up his own shirt, put it on, and went after him. He went out the back gate and ran around the side of the house to the front, where he found Reid approaching his car. As Reid reached for the door handle, Luke's arms came around him, and Luke put his hand over Reid's. He hugged Reid back against him and put his mouth by his ear. "Reid..."
"Luke, please, let me go."
"No. Talk to me. Is it me? What did I do wrong?"
Reid turned around slowly in Luke's arms. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"I'm sorry I asked about the tattoo."
Reid shook his head. "That's not it, Luke...really...you didn't do anything wrong," Reid repeated, wanting Luke to believe him. He reached out and cupped Luke's cheek. "You're great, Luke. So fucking great..."
Luke's brow furrowed. "Then what's wrong? Because things seemed to be going pretty good back there, and then you put the brakes on and want to leave? What happened?"
"It's not you..."
"Oh, this isn't going to be a it's-not-you-it's-me thing, is it? I've been down that road; don't want to go back down it again. If you don't want to see me anymore, that's fine, but you've got to be honest about why." Luke started to feel angry.
Reid pulled out of Luke's embrace, his breath coming out in short puffs. He reminded Luke of a spooked horse. His face was ashen. Luke stepped back so that Reid could get to the car door easily because he realized that if Reid wanted to go, he needed to let him go.
"Do you really want to go?" Luke asked.
"I have to." Reid reached back and put his hand on the car handle. Luke didn't stop him.
"Reid, why can't you look at me?"
Reid rubbed a hand over his face. He looked up at Luke briefly before looking away. "I'm sorry, Luke." He opened the door and got in the car. Luke watched him close the door and then drive away.
"Luke?" Lucinda's voice came from behind him. "I heard the car door. Did Dr. Oliver get a page?"
"Yeah, something like that. He said to tell you he's sorry he had to leave so abruptly."
"You're tugging on your ear, Luciano. You always do that when you're upset or nervous. What happened?"
"I honestly don't know. We were um...we were kissing and stuff...sorry, grandmother." Luke rolled his eyes, and Lucinda waved his concerns away. "And then he suddenly wanted to leave...like he couldn't get away from me fast enough."
"Ah, no worries, darling. He's just in love with you, that's all."
"In love?! No, grandmother. I'm pretty sure that's not it."
"He's a very independent man, the doctor...yes?"
"Yes," said Luke.
"And now he finds himself in love with you, my gorgeous grandson, and he's...to use your young people language...he's 'freaking out.'"
Luke chuckled. "No, I'm sorry to disagree, but I think you're wrong, Grandmother. I don't think Reid freaks out about anything. He's always cool as a cucumber. He probably has ice in his veins."
"On the contrary...I think your beautiful doctor has fire in his veins right now. And it's all because of you. Mark my words. He's in love with you, and he's running scared. I know men, darling. Be patient with him."
Luke shook his head. "He's not in love with me. How could he be? We've only been seeing each other for a little over six weeks, and we haven't even...well, you know."
"Really?" Lucinda said, astonished. "You're both young and healthy and attractive; how do you keep your hands off each other?"
"We don't. But we're taking it slow...getting to know each other...not that it matters because apparently, we're done. Oh my God...why am I telling you this?"
"Because you know I won't judge you," Lucinda answered with a smile. "Come. Let's go inside and see where Alfred is with those sandwiches. I will eat your doctor's 'everything' sandwich, and you can tell me what you've been up to the past few weeks."
"Actually, there is something I need to talk to you about, Grandmother..."