Page 44 of A Hard Sell

“One more time.”

They got it perfect the next time, and the time after that. Thomas touched his hand again, and again. And again.

Luka was crushed when Yuan called, “Cut! We got it.”

* * * *

“Well, that was quite a day,” Luka announced as they got into his car close to ten o’clock. He knew he should be tired, but he still felt like the tingles he got when Thomas had touched him could launch him into space.

“Mmm,” Thomas agreed.

He wasn’t ready for the day to end. The words ‘Do you want to pick up some food?’ were on Luka’s tongue when Thomas yawned, his head thunking back onto the headrest.

“And we have to do it all again tomorrow. Can’t wait to crawl into bed,” he mumbled.

Right. It was late. “Totally,” Luka agreed. “So tired.” They drove straight back to Thomas’ place. Luka consoled himself with the fact that he would be back here picking up Thomas in less than seven hours.

The next day went much more according to plan. No surprises, no no-shows, no need to be in front of the camera again, and they were out of there by eight this time.

They were almost back at Thomas’ condo when an impulse hit. Luka turned into a drive-through.

Thomas looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

“You said I can make your food decisions, and I need some ice cream.” Luka grinned as he pulled up to wait for the car ahead of them. “We’re celebrating finishing the shoot. What can I get you?”

“Hmm.” Thomas strained to look at the menu board, but he didn’t have a clear view. “I hardly ever have ice cream. Just…a vanilla cone, please.”

“A vanilla cone?” Luka made a face as they pulled up to the speaker. “We’ll need a minute, please!” he announced to the invisible employee. He turned back to Thomas. “Okay, I feel like you should take your time. If you want a vanilla cone, by all means, but”—he waved a hand at the menu—“take a look.” They had at least twenty flavors to choose from, and would mix them with just about any topping imaginable.

Thomas blinked. “Yeah, okay. I do need a minute.”

Five minutes later they pulled away, bowls of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream swirled with peanut butter cups for both of them.

Thomas dug in right away. “Oh my God.” He groaned.

Luka felt a twitch in his nether regions. “Good?” he squeaked, gripping the steering wheel as they pulled back into traffic.

“This is…” Thomas swallowed another spoonful, groaning again.

“You’re making me hungry.”And thirsty.

“Oh, sorry, it’s rude that I’m eating mine.” He licked his spoon clean.

“No, please. Don’t stop. Eat.” A sweat broke out along his hairline. Listening to the sounds of Thomas enjoying ice cream was a whole new experience. Luka shifted in his seat, thankful for the darkness.

As soon as they pulled up in front of Thomas’ condo, he tore the lid off his own ice cream. He let out a groan himself when he had his first taste. “Excellent choice,” he told Thomas, sucking on his spoon. “This is orgasmic.”

Thomas made a strangled noise on the spoonful he was swallowing.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Luka stuck his spoon back in the ice cream and reached to pat Thomas on the back.

Thomas coughed and nodded. “Yeah, just swallowed wrong.” He cleared his throat and took another bite.

“Well, be careful. I’m not driving you to the hospital till I finish this.” Luka grinned and shoveled in a huge scoop.

Thomas swallowed another spoonful. “This is the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Not skipping my run tomorrow, though.”

Luka side-eyed him. “I think you can afford to miss a day.”

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