Page 110 of A Hard Sell

Thomas called the movers on their way in and explained that he would in fact not be moving to Mansfield today. They were confused, but, fortunately, hadn’t even made it out of the city yet. He held the phone away from his mouth and whispered to Luka. “Where should they take it? I can’t go back to where I was—it’s already been rented.”

“Uh…” Luka thought quickly. “Here? I have room for some stuff, and my storage area in the basement is almost empty.”

“Thanks.” Thomas gave them Luka’s address then hung up.

They stared at each other in Luka’s hallway, pools of water gathering on the tile floor beneath them.

“Shall we get you out of these wet clothes?” Luka asked with a grin.

Thomas smirked.

Luka slid his hands under Thomas’ sweater and T-shirt, then peeled them off, discarding them in a sopping heap. Goosebumps sprang up on Thomas’ bare skin, and Luka let his eyes roam greedily over the muscles, mouth watering. Then he lifted his hands and placed them on Thomas’ shoulders, sliding them down his arms. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.” He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his collarbone.

Thomas wrapped his hands around Luka’s waist and pulled him close. He kissed him again, his tongue gently probing.

Luka let out a muffled groan then forced himself to take a step back. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but…the movers will be here soon. You’d better get dressed.”

“Hmm.” Thomas gave him a disapproving look.

“I’m not happy about it either. Believe me.” Luka found some baggy clothes in his closet that he figured Thomas would be able to stuff himself into, then eyed him hungrily when he came out of the bathroom. “The way that T-shirt is clinging to you…”

“Hold that thought,” Thomas muttered, eyes hot on Luka’s skin as his phone buzzed.

* * * *

Thomas’ sparse furnishings and other small pieces fit into Luka’s storage space. They stacked his boxes and suitcases in the spare room.

When the door closed behind the movers, they lunged for each other at the same time. Thomas pressed Luka against a wall, his lips traveling from his mouth, over his jaw and onto his neck, teeth scraping.

“Oh God,” Luka moaned, his voice shaking. “Is this really happening?”

“Yes,” Thomas muttered, sliding his hands around Luka’s hips to grab his ass, pulling them together. Thomas’ hardness pressed against his, leaving no doubt. “I’m right here.”

They gripped each other frantically, their kisses desperate, until Luka had the presence of mind to tow Thomas toward his bedroom. He pulled Thomas’ too-tight T-shirt off then slid his hands into the waistband of the borrowed sweatpants. He gasped when he realized there was no underwear underneath.

“I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time…” Luka breathed, heart racing as he pushed them down and took in the sight of Thomas in all his glory. He gulped. His poor, sad imagination had done Thomas a disservice.

“Your turn,” Thomas whispered. He removed Luka’s clothes with steady hands like he had done it a million times before.

Thomas lay him back on the bed as he climbed over him strands of long, chocolate-brown hair tickling his face. He took Luka’s lips again, slow and sure, until Luka was gasping, overwhelmed with the raw desire behind the kiss. Then Thomas slid his mouth down to Luka’s neck and lower, traveling the length of the quivering body beneath him. He explored every hard line, kissed every tender spot, licked places that made Luka shiver. Made him writhe and moan, his skin tingling, fire kindling inside him.

Finally, he could take it no more. “Please, Thomas,” he whispered. “I need you.”

Luka had had many dreams about this moment. There had been five in particular that were so passionate, so realistic, he had woken up dizzy and spent. The real thing left them all behind.

A while later, when they were soft and sleepy, curled up in bed, Luka laced their fingers together. “Do you think you can stay at the office?” he murmured into the hard plane of Thomas’ chest.

“I think so. Ilona hinted a few times they could make things work if I wanted to.”

“She did? So why didn’t you?” Luka popped his head up and met Thomas’ eyes. His stomach jumped at the intensity of his gaze.

“Luka…I’ve been alone for a long time, on the move. I was scared. Scared that if I stayed, you might not want me here anymore, and then I’d end up alone again, but now with a broken heart.”

“Fuck. I’m gonna cry again.” Luka wiped at one eye then leveled a firm look at Thomas. “Listen to me, Thomas Badgley. I love you. I love you so much it hurts. I am never letting you leave.”

Thomas pressed a kiss to Luka’s knuckles, blinking. “Good. I never will.”

Luka wiggled even closer, breathing in as deep as he could, filling his lungs with the scent that had sent his stomach spinning from day one. “So when was the moment you knew you loved me?” he asked. “You know, once I had wiped off the toothpaste and changed my shirt.”

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