For the Love of Luke Read online

  “So you reckon you’re just mates, then?” she asked. “You’re not even goin’ to be fuck buddies?”

  “I don’t know,” replied Rupert, shrugging. “Maybe. And maybe more than that. Anyway. I’m not sure I want a long-term relationship in London at the moment. Maybe I should back away now, especially as he’s so bloody complicated.”

  “You seem to be givin’ in a bit easily,” said Sandra. “You’ve ’ardly given the poor bloke a chance. Anyway, you’re not attached. You’ve got a fabulous apartment. Well, you will ’ave, once you get yer ceilin’ fixed. And you’ve got a great job in London, even if you ’ave got old iron knickers breathin’ down yer neck all the time.”

  “Well….” Rupert paused for a moment before he continued, “I can’t say too much just now. But I might not be staying around London in the future. So it wouldn’t be a good idea to start anything right now.”

  Sandra looked at him suspiciously.

  “Where are you off to, then? Shit, that wasn’t why you went ’ome last weekend, is it? You’re not goin’ back to live with Mummy and Daddy, are yer?”

  Rupert laughed. “That’s the last thing I’d ever do. I don’t think my lifestyle would be to everyone’s taste in Middle Claydon.”

  He looked around the crowd that filled the Royal Vauxhall Tavern that night. He could see Ty standing at the bar, flirting shamelessly with the fit young barman. As if sensing Rupert’s gaze, Ty turned and looked in their direction. He waved and blew Rupert a kiss. He was a very good-looking man, Rupert thought. Just not so good at controlling his alcohol intake. Nevertheless, he might prove to be Rupert’s compensation for the evening.

  Sandra kissed Rupert on the cheek. “Don’t go too far away from London, will yer, love? ’Cause I’ll miss yer like crazy.” She looked across at Donna on the far side of the table and gave her a wave. Then she whispered in Rupert’s ear, “And if you take one of them anchor jobs in Atlanta with CNN that Donna’s been talkin’ about, I’ll kill yer. Now. Go and ’elp Ty carry the drinks. ’E’s gaggin’ to get ’is ’ands on yer again.”

  Rupert stood up and pushed his way through the crowd to the bar where Ty was standing. He wondered how much Sandra’s friend Donna knew about the presenter jobs at CNN. He also wondered if she knew he was being approached about it. So much for Beverly Daniels’s claim that she had a big secret and no one else knew. If it was already common knowledge, maybe he should give Beverly the nod that he was interested in the move to Atlanta. But that depended on whether he wanted to move out of London and try working in the States again. Especially after what had happened last time.

  He reached the bar just as Ty turned and handed him a bottle of Beck’s nonalcoholic beer and a rum and Coke.

  “That’s for you and Sandra,” said Ty. “I’ll bring the rest.”

  Rupert turned to head back for the table, but Ty put an arm around his waist and pulled him back to the bar.

  “Just a second,” said Ty. “I wanna check you’re really okay about what happened at the party. I felt such an ass that night. Seriously.” Ty rested his hand on Rupert’s chest and stared intently into his eyes. “I just want you to know I think you’re a really great guy, and I don’t want to screw up anything between us. You know we’re Sandra’s best gay friends. She’s told me you’re seeing some really cute American guy, and I’m totally cool—”

  “He lives upstairs, and I met him two nights ago,” Rupert interrupted. He was really going to have to have a word with Sandra about her mouth. He looked at Ty’s worried, puppy-dog eyes. He noticed how much the American had got himself into shape in recent months. He was wearing a white ribbed T-shirt, which highlighted his toned figure in all the right places.

  “I’m not seeing him at all,” continued Rupert. “Luke’s just putting me up temporarily while my apartment gets fixed.” He put the bottle of beer and Sandra’s drink down on the bar counter next to him. He leaned forward and kissed Ty on the lips. A pleasant, musky aroma of beard oil wafted in his direction. Their lips parted, and Rupert’s beard enmeshed satisfyingly with the American’s. As Ty’s tongue surged forward to explore, Rupert got a strong taste of dark beer. Ty slipped his hand down from Rupert’s waist and reached around to stroke his thigh.

  “Not at the bar, please.”

  The voice came from behind them. The two men separated reluctantly and looked back. The fit young barman wagged a finger in mock admonishment.

  “I’ve got customers to serve,” he said, by way of explanation.

  Ty leaned across the bar. Before the young man had a chance to avoid him, Ty kissed him full on the lips.

  “And you do it so beautifully, honey,” he said. He picked up his glass of beer and a second glass of rum and Coke from the counter.

  “Come on, Rupert,” said Ty. “Let’s go give the ladies their drinks.”

  Ty headed back to the table. Rupert had started to pick up his bottle of beer and Sandra’s glass of rum and Coke when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and looked to see who was calling. It was Luke.

  Chapter 12

  RUPERT BREATHED deeply and answered the call. Before he could say anything, Luke began to speak.

  “Hey, Rupert, I’m real sorry. Look. Come back now. I’ll tell you everything, I promise.”

  Rupert leaned heavily against the bar and opened his eyes. He saw Ty had returned to their table with the drinks. He turned to look for Rupert, waved, and blew a kiss. Rupert decided his life had a habit of offering tempting forks in the road at completely the wrong moments.

  “Really?” he said into the phone. “That’s what you promised tonight at supper. But you didn’t get very far. You even accused me of spying on you—”

  “I know, I know,” replied Luke. “I was a complete jerk, and you have every reason to be angry with me. You’ve got to understand. I’m a real mess at the moment. I didn’t need to warn you, because it’s so damn obvious. Look, we’ve only just met. But what I said in the kitchen is true. You’re a beautiful man, and I really want us to get to know each other. But only if that’s what you want. I don’t want to frighten you off. So, let me tell you everything I know. Then you can choose to walk away from this head case—”

  “No, no,” interrupted Rupert. “Just. Hang on a minute.” He paused to gather his thoughts. He had followed one golden rule in his adult life. Never take on the waifs and strays of the world. They held him back and threatened to pin him down with emotional baggage. It was Christoph, his first lover, who had taught him that golden rule. Rupert remembered the irony of what happened following the advice. Christoph ended the relationship. Abruptly. After twelve months. Rupert wondered what Christoph was doing now.

  “Hey Rupert? Are you still there?”

  “Yes, I’m here. I’m actually at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern with some friends. They invited me down after you left. They’ve just bought me a drink.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  The two men said nothing. Rupert was frustrated by the way events had gone. But he was surprised to find he felt no anger toward Luke. Instead, he was curious to know more about the man’s mysterious memory loss. Above all, he wanted to spend more time with him.

  “I’ll make my apologies and come back,” he said finally.

  SANDRA WAS not convinced by Rupert’s excuse. She stood next to him and gripped his arm.

  “Why do they need yer to review the second refugee piece tonight?” she asked, looking at him suspiciously. “They’re not usin’ it until next week’s show. You’ve got bags of time.”

  “There’s been a development in Greece,” he replied. “And they may run it sooner on BBC World if I update it tonight.”

  It could easily be true, he thought. There were always developments in the long-running story of the exodus of refugees from continental Africa to Europe.

  “But I thought you wanted to air it first on the national news?” said Sandra. “Oh, wait a minute. Is this ’cause you’re thinkin’ of—”

  Rupert
nudged her hard, and she stopped midsentence before she could blurt out anything indiscreet about the CNN job.

  “Oh, sorry, darlin’,” she said with a wink. “Mum’s the word, eh?”

  “You’re going to miss my starring moment,” said Ty, pouting at Rupert. “I was about to go get my frock on.”

  “Sandra can video it on her phone for me,” replied Rupert. “Can’t you, love?”

  Ty stood and leaned across the table to Rupert.

  “I hope I’m going to see you again soon.” He kissed Rupert on either cheek. “I was looking forward to catching up. I’m off to New York tomorrow.”

  “Give me a call when you’re back,” replied Rupert. “I promise to buy you a drink. Sorry I didn’t have time for the one you bought me tonight.”

  Rupert was about to leave when Sandra tugged hard on his arm. He bent down, and she whispered in his ear. “Beware men pullin’ strings, Rupert love. Don’t let ’em become yer puppet master.”

  RUPERT CLOSED the door of Luke’s apartment behind him and stood in the entrance hall. He pulled his mobile phone out of his pocket, made sure it was switched to silent, and put it on the narrow hall table.

  “Hey, you were quick.”

  Luke stepped out of the kitchen into the hallway. He was stripped to the waist. “I was clearing things away and spilled barbecue sauce all over my T-shirt.” He held up the garment to show a dark stain down its front. “I’m just going to get a new one.”

  Rupert stood for a moment and admired Luke’s partially naked form. The hall lights reflected on his ebony chest. They highlighted a scattered line of curly black hair that extended from between the curves of his pectoral muscles to the waistline of his jeans. Rupert gazed for a moment at the shape of Luke’s toned, well-developed upper body. He felt a swell of desire surge through him. Rupert slipped off his leather jacket and dropped it to the floor.

  “You better soak that T-shirt in water right now,” he said. “Otherwise you may as well throw it away.”

  He walked down the hallway to Luke. “Don’t bother to put on another,” he continued. “You look good just as you are.”

  Luke held out his hands with their palms facing toward Rupert. “I’m real sorry for what happened earlier. I need to finish telling you—”

  Rupert leaned forward and silenced him with a kiss on his lips. “Later.” He stared into the deep brown portals of Luke’s eyes. “Let’s just enjoy the moment together now.”

  Luke started to speak, and Rupert kissed him once more. “And I promise,” he continued, “I won’t turn this into a porn film. You’re right. I have a habit of rushing at people like a bull in a china shop. You set the pace. I’m prepared to wait and take it easy. You know I find you a very attractive man.”

  Luke leaned forward and slid his tongue slowly around the edge of Rupert’s lips. “So are you, beautiful Englishman.” He took Rupert’s hand and intertwined their fingers. “Thank you for coming back tonight. I didn’t think you would.”

  Luke led Rupert down the hallway to his bedroom and stopped by the open doorway. “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to try saving this T-shirt from death by barbecue sauce.”

  Luke gently pushed Rupert across the threshold. He walked back down the corridor, and Rupert heard the water run in the bathroom. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked around him. He had a strange sense of naivety, not dissimilar to his first night with Christoph. His impatient lust for Luke was tempered by an adolescent nervousness.

  Rupert stood up and walked to the tall wooden dresser at the foot of the bed. Luke’s battered old teddy bear, Archibald, caught his attention. Nestled in the bear’s lap was a faded photograph. Rupert picked up the photo. It showed six people, their faces fuzzy, not quite in focus. They were standing in a dramatic cityscape, with mountains in the background. It looked like a family gathering. There were a man and a woman in the middle, hand in hand. Ranged on either side of them were two boys and two girls. The children were of varying ages. The youngest looked about ten. One of the boys could have been almost twenty.

  “I found that in my portfolio case yesterday.”

  Rupert turned to see Luke standing in the doorway. He had removed his jeans and was wearing a simple pair of black briefs.

  “I’ve no idea how it got there,” Luke continued. “It certainly wasn’t in the portfolio case the day before, when I brought it back from the gallery.”

  He walked across the bedroom and stood next to Rupert. “Another mystery for us to solve.” He took the photograph from Rupert’s hand and put it back in Archibald’s lap. “Later.”

  Luke turned and tugged Rupert’s shirt from the waistband of his chinos. Slowly, he teased the shirt upward. Rupert raised his arms, and Luke slipped the shirt off and let it drop to the floor. He paused, his arms resting on Rupert’s shoulders, his eyes fixed on Rupert’s face.

  When the two men embraced, it was explosive. Fierce. Their hands and tongues explored each other’s tense, expectant bodies. Rupert slid his palm up the curve of Luke’s thigh to massage his groin. This time Luke did not pull back. Instead he moaned appreciatively in response. Luke’s hands fumbled with the belt on Rupert’s chinos. The buckle separated, and Luke rapidly unbuttoned his fly. He reached his hand deep into Rupert’s briefs and wrapped his fingers around Rupert’s hardening cock. Rupert groaned with pleasure as Luke gently squeezed and relaxed his grasp.

  Luke ran his tongue down the side of Rupert’s neck and nestled it into the hollow of his shoulder, moistening and caressing it with a rhythmic regularity. He moved back to the depression at the base of Rupert’s neck and began to descend. Rupert’s cock hardened still more. When Luke’s tongue reached his chest, a spasm of pleasure soared through Rupert’s body. He reached down and gently squeezed Luke’s firm black nipples. The American moaned deeply and briefly paused his journey of stimulation. He sighed in ecstasy before his tongue resumed its explorations. On to Rupert’s navel.

  Luke released his grasp of Rupert’s cock and wrapped his fingers around the fabric of Rupert’s briefs. As he tugged firmly, both briefs and chinos dropped to the floor. Luke allowed his tongue to slowly slide down from Rupert’s navel to the base of his cock. At the same time, he brought his hands up Rupert’s thighs, above his waist, over his taut stomach muscles, and finally to his chest, where he grasped Rupert’s nipples between finger and thumb and massaged them firmly.

  Rupert’s body twitched in an uncontrolled shiver of rapture. He leaned back against the wooden dresser and looked down as Luke’s tongue progressed along the shaft of his cock and tenderly caressed its head. Rupert’s breathing became shallow and rapid as waves of involuntary muscles spasms took over his body.

  Luke opened his mouth wide and thrust forward. The head of Rupert’s cock slid over Luke’s sensuous, constantly flexing tongue to press against the back of his throat. At the same time, Luke continued to work on his nipples, sending wave after wave of preorgasmic flexes through Rupert’s body. Just as he grew ready to explode in a burst of erotic ecstasy, Luke pulled back. He looked up at Rupert and tilted his head. There was a flash of mischief in his eyes.

  “Do you want to come now?” whispered Luke. “Or do you want to fuck me, and come inside me?”

  Rupert breathed deeply. Not since Christoph had he experienced such an intense and skilled manipulation of his pleasure.

  “I so want to fuck you,” Rupert replied. “Do you have a condom?”

  Luke leaned back against the foot of the bed. “Shit. No, I haven’t.” He gazed up at Rupert. “You’re the first guy I’ve had in this apartment. At least as far as I know,” he added.

  Rupert laughed. “Well, I’m certain this isn’t the first time you’ve given head. You’re fucking amazing.”

  He bent down and hooked his hands under Luke’s armpits. The American rose to his feet and pressed himself close against Rupert. He rolled his pelvis gently from side to side, rubbing his stiffened cock against Rupert’s.

  “I don’t know
what it was, but you triggered something in me,” said Luke. His chest rose and fell as he breathed deeply. “I have no memory of ever doing that with a man, but it felt instinctive.”

  He looked deep into Rupert’s eyes. His mouth inches away, his hot breath brushed across Rupert’s face.

  “And it felt good.”

  Rupert rested his forehead against Luke’s and placed his hands tenderly on either side of his face.

  “I’ve got condoms downstairs in my place,” he said. “But I don’t want to leave you right now. So I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.”

  Rupert leaned forward and kissed Luke, enjoying the sweet taste of his own precum on the American’s lips.

  “We’re going to go over to the bed. And you’re going to do what you did for me just then. At the same time, I’ll be doing the same for you. And if we happen to come at the same moment, this evening will be anointed with the blessing of perfection.”

  Luke’s broad chest rose and fell. He inhaled and exhaled deeply several times before he finally spoke. “And after that, my perfect Englishman, you can stay in my arms until morning.” He took Rupert’s hand in his and held it against his cheek. “That way, I’ll finally sleep the sleep of contentment.”

  Chapter 13

  RUPERT AWOKE from his doze to find Luke still nestled on his chest, his arm draped across Rupert’s shoulder. The American’s breathing was slow and even. Occasionally, his body twitched as it reacted to the imaginary demons of his sleep. The two men lay on top of the bedclothes, their combined body heat more than sufficient to comfort them in the stillness of the July night.

  Through the window, Rupert could see a faint lightening of the sky, as the night prepared to give way to the inevitable dawn of a new day. At this time of night, there was no sound of traffic, but he could hear the occasional, insistent calls of songbirds in the trees on either side of the street outside. He guessed it was around 4:00 a.m., but he reached to the side table for his mobile phone to check. Only then did he remember he had left it in the hallway on his return to the apartment that night, not wanting a call to trigger another strange disturbance in Luke.