Mike paused, the glass midway to his lips. He sighed and put down his bourbon. “It’s a long story, and talking about it wouldn’t help, but thank you for asking. Let’s just say I have a few things on my mind, and I have to work through them, okay?”
“Okay. I just wanted to help, is all.” Tommy watched as Mike drained the glass and then ran it under the faucet. He turned to face Tommy, such an air of fatigue about him that Tommy’s heart went out to him. He put down his glass of lemonade and grabbed Mike’s hand. “How ’bout we get you into bed, huh?” When Mike arched his eyebrows, the ghost of a smile on his lips, Tommy felt the red flush of heat that crept up his neck and cheeks. “To sleep, okay? Maybe some cuddlin’?” He could still recall how damn good it had felt to have Mike’s strong arms encircling him the previous weekend.
That smile widened. “Cuddling, huh?” It was so good to see that sparkle in Mike’s eyes. “Y’know, that sounds damn near perfect.” He tightened his fingers around Tommy’s. “Let’s go to bed. I’ll have a shower in the morning.” He led Tommy out of the kitchen, flicking off the light as he passed the switch, and across the hall into his bedroom.
Tommy thought a night of snuggling with Mike sounded perfect too.
Mike yawned and stretched, warm and relaxed. That had been the best night’s sleep he’d had in a while. Of course falling asleep with his arms wrapped around Tommy’s lean, warm body might’ve had something to do with it. He’d lain there under the soft cotton sheet, his face buried in Tommy’s neck, inhaling his scent until he’d drifted off into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
Wait a moment….It was only now that he realized something was missing, namely Tommy. Mike raised his head from the pillow and caught the sound of running water, followed by the faintest whiff of freshly brewed coffee.He’s made coffee. The thought brought a smile, and he fell back onto the pillows, feeling absurdly happy.
Tommy’s arrival at Woofs the previous night had brought with it a certain amount of internal conflict. Mike was pleased to see him, that much was certain, but he was in no mood to even contemplate taking the young man home for a night of hot sex, which was undoubtedly what Tommy was expecting.
Mike smiled inwardly.Boy, did I getthatwrong. It had become apparent after a while that Tommy wasn’t there for the sex. Not only that, Patrick had made some comment about Mike being a lucky son of a bitch. Tommy must’ve said or done something pretty impressive to gain that reaction. Patrick was a tough customer, fiercely loyal and supportive.
He bit back a groan.Patrick and Kevin. He owed them big time. Mike knew he’d been a bitch ever since he’d gotten back from the shoot. He’d been unable to shake the incident, and the memory had clung to him like a bad smell. He figured he’d better treat the boys to breakfast soon to make up for being an asshole.
The aroma of coffee grew stronger.
Mike looked up from the bed to see Tommy standing in the doorway, hair damp, wearing nothing but his briefs and carrying two mugs of coffee. “Good mornin’.”
Mike beamed. “Any morning where I wake up to coffee and the sight of a gorgeous young man is a good one.” He sat up and held out his hands for a mug.
“Was it okay for me to take a shower?” Tommy worked his bottom lip. “I tried not to wake you.”
“Of course it was okay.” Mike sipped the coffee and sighed. “Damn, you make good coffee too. Boy, I think you’re a keeper.” He loved the way Tommy blushed. “I don’t know about you, but I’m in a snuggling kinda mood.”
Tommy’s face lit up. “That sounds like my kinda mornin’.”
Mike pulled back the sheets. “Then get back in here.” Tommy moved around to the other side of the bed, and Mike cleared his throat. “I should warn you, there’s an unwritten rule in this house.”
“There is?” Tommy seemed startled, his gaze fixed on Mike.
He nodded, keeping his face straight. “Nudity at all times.” He inclined his head toward Tommy’s briefs. “Lose ’em.” Then he grinned. “Now.”
Tommy’s breathing hitched, but he placed his mug on the nightstand. He eased his briefs down over his hips and firm, muscled thighs, and stepped out of them. Mike gazed up at Tommy’s wide chest and taut belly with appreciation. The young man was beautiful. He lowered his gaze to take in that long, thick cock. Tommy noticed his observation and quickly climbed under the sheets, pulling them up around him. Mike hid his smile. Tommy’s modesty was delightful, a refreshing change from the guys he usually mixed with.
Then it struck him. How many of those guys, when faced with the prospect of sharing Mike’s bed, would be happy to cuddle?
In that instant, Mike’s plans for Sunday morning changed. He wanted nothing more than to spend an hour or so in bed, holding Tommy, kissing him, caressing him, maybe having him touch Mike. And judging from Tommy’s reaction, that was fine by him too.
It was exactly the balm Mike needed.
“Mike, this place is amazing!”
Mike loved hearing the note of genuine awe in Tommy’s voice. He smiled to see Tommy craning his neck to stare up at the curved acrylic tunnel, eyes wide as a manta ray floated serenely above their heads.
“How big is he, d’you reckon?”
Tommy shook his head, difficult as that was to do when he was staring up. “Eight feet across, maybe nine? Lord, justlookat him. Isn’t he beautiful?”
Coming to the aquarium had been a great idea. It had been an idle comment during breakfast when Mike had mentioned the glass tunnel. Tommy’s reaction had been instantaneous. From that point, Mike couldn’t wait to watch Tommy’s face as they walked around the exhibits. All around them were visitors wearing the same expression, small children tugging at their parents’ hands to pull them toward the acrylic wall.
Mike couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this relaxed. There was no pressure, just the simple enjoyment of spending time with Tommy. And after the rage and frustration of that last shoot, this trip to the aquarium was exactly what Mike needed. Space and time to be himself, to leave Scott Masters behind, even for a little while.
When did I last feel so comfortable with a guy?It certainly didn’t feel like it was only their second weekend together. Tommy was easy to be around, made no demands, and seemed free of artifice. What was there not to like about a guy like that?
The most refreshing thing about Tommy was his innocence. This wasn’t some twink playing at being coy; Tommy was the real deal.
