Friends and Lovers Page 9

  “You say something, Jack?”

  “Nope.” Jack grinned at him and pulled off his shirt without bothering with the buttons.

  Tom grinned back at him, clearly enjoying the impromptu strip tease. “I thought you said something about leaving right away.”

  “Well, as I see it, another five minutes won’t hurt.”

  “Five minutes? Oh, Jack, don’t y’all love me any more?”

  Suddenly serious, Jack framed his lover’s face. “You know I do, babe.” He kissed him, and his cock went from half-hard to all-the-way-there in nothing flat. He’d never thought kissing another man could be like this. When he and Tom had originally hooked up, one of his conditions had been no lip locks. He tightened his grip on Tom.

  “Jack? What’s wrong?”

  He couldn’t tell him that he’d been swamped by the thought of what he’d nearly missed out on. He chuckled. “Just thinking that kissing you is one of the wonders of the world, babe. I pity all the guys who won’t get to kiss you, who’ll never get to know what an experience kissing you can be.”

  “Really?” Tom was actually blushing.

  “Really.” Although he didn’t add that while he might pity those nameless, faceless men, he wasn’t about to give any of them a chance to learn what Tom’s kisses were like. He let him go and stepped back. “Now get in the shower.”

  Tom paused in the doorway and gave him a sultry wink. “Are you going to join me?”

  Around the beginning of the year, Tom had been required to attend a seminar hosted by his alma mater, Florida State U. Jack had taken that opportunity to do a little remodeling. He’d installed a Jacuzzi tub, but the piece de résistance was the stand-alone shower. It had dual shower heads, detachable spray, and adjustable full body massage, and best of all, it was comfortable enough to hold two men, even if one of them was as big as he was.

  Jack waggled his eyebrows. “I’m going to join you.”

  A couple of hours later than he’d anticipated – although he considered the delay well worth it – Jack drove across the bridge onto…

  “Amelia Island, Jack?”

  “Yeah. Is that okay with you?” He turned onto the road that would take them to Clinch House Inn, the beach-front hotel he’d selected for them.

  “Oh, yeah! I came here with my friend Joshua, and we had a blast!”

  “Joshua?” Tom had never mentioned him when he’d talked about this island. Jack began to wonder if he’d made a mistake choosing to come here.

  “Yeah. I met him after I graduated from FSU. We came here together a couple of times. He had a hog as badass as mine – he still might, but he moved to North Carolina just before I came home – and we used to take them out on the weekends. Didn’t I ever tell you about Joshua?”

  “No,” Jack said shortly. His hands were tight on the steering wheel. He could feel Tom’s eyes on him. “Did you share a bed when you came here?”

  “Jack, Joshua was my friend, not my lover. I needed a friend. You’d told me…”

  “All right, I get it.” Jack turned his head briefly and glared at him. “It was my fault.”

  “Don’t be such an asshole. It didn’t have anything to do with you. I was looking for a place to stay in Tallahassee, and he helped me find one. We hit it off and became friends, and that’s all there is to it. I did. Not. Sleep. With. Him. Is that clear?”

  “Yeah.” Jack winced at how sullen that sounded.

  “If you believe me...” He poked Jack’s shoulder. “Why are you getting so bent out of shape about him then?”

  “Because I know you, Tom,” he burst out. “You’ve had plenty of lovers…” Tom looked surprised, which pissed Jack off. Did Tom think he was unaware of how he’d lived his life? “… and they didn’t mean a thing to you. But a friend…” Jack risked another glance at him. “I’m sorry. You’ve never talked much about your time in Florida, except to talk about your granddaddy. I guess it… well, it’s thrown me.”

  “You’re my lover, Jack, and my best friend.” A warm hand rested on Jack’s thigh, kneading the muscle. “You’re the only one who’s ever been both things to me, and that means a hell of a lot to me. You mean a hell of a lot to me.”

  “Thank you.” Those two words came out gruffly, and he cleared his throat. It meant a great deal to him too, more than he thought Tom realized.

  “Asshole. Now, if you’ve got that out of your system… You have got that out of your system, haven’t you?”

  Jack laughed and nodded.

  “Okay, then tell me about where we’ll be staying.”

  “Clinch House Inn.” He waited for Tom to comment on it.

  “It doesn’t ring a bell. It must be fairly new.”

  “It’s a few years old.” Jack blew out a sigh of relief. He’d have hated it if Tom had been here with someone else, even if the guy was just a friend. “It’s on the southern tip of the island, and according to its website, it’s not only got a breathtaking view, but it’s gay-friendly as well. I… I wanted our first vacation as a couple to be perfect.”

  “Ah, Jack. That’s so sweet. Thank you.” Tom leaned over and kissed his cheek.

  “Hold that thought. We’re here. When I get you up to our room…”

  “Oh, yes? Think you’re going to top me?”

  Jack grinned. “Oh, I know I will.” Since Tom had shown him the wonders of being a bottom boy, Jack had actually found he preferred it, although sometimes he still liked to be on top. “Your ass is gonna be mine this weekend, Tommy Boy, and you’re gonna love every minute of it!”

  “Yeah. I will.” There was heat in Tom’s voice, and Jack felt his cock twitch. Tom liked those times too. This was going to be such a great weekend.

  He turned his pickup into the circular drive that fronted the hotel and parked. They got out, and he took a suitcase from the passenger compartment of his pickup. He had actually packed clothes for them, in case they decided to see the sights or have dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, although Clinch House Inn’s website boasted of amazing room service.

  A valet parking attendant approached them. He was dressed in a muscle tee that bared his tanned, six-pack abs, and denim shorts that hung low and snug on his hips, so snug it was evident he wore nothing under them.

  “Welcome to Clinch House Inn.” He gave Jack a sunny smile and a chit in exchange for the truck’s key.

  “Close your mouth, buddy,” Tom said in a soft undertone. The attendant got in the truck and started the engine. “You’ll catch flies.”

  Jack didn’t want his lover to think he was interested in another man – he really wasn’t – but wasn’t Tom jealous at all?

  “He does fill out those shorts well, doesn’t he?” He caught Jack’s hand and led him toward the Inn.

  Jack gave him a concerned look. Was Tom interested?

  “Jack? What’s up?” Of course Tom had noticed.

  “He’s young. And cute. And he’s got a hot body.”

  “He’s not you, buddy.”

  “And he isn’t you.” Would Tom understand what he was trying to say, or would he have to spell it out?

  “I know, Jack. I know you. You may look, but you don’t cheat. You didn’t when you were married; I don’t think you will now.”

  He should have known Tom would get it. Jack was grinning as they entered the Inn.

  “Good morning, gentlemen.” The desk clerk smiled as they approached the front desk. A striped bowtie was around his neck, and his torso was bare. His chest was smooth and tanned, and the muscles were well-defined.

  “Good morning.” Jack kept his eyes on the clerk’s face. If he wore anything else, it was concealed behind the counter, and Jack wasn’t going to peek. “You have a reservation for us. Jack Sweet and Tom Hansom.”

  “Welcome, Mr. Sweet. Mr. Hansom. Check-in isn’t until 3…” Well, that put paid to any plans of taking Tom up to their room and making love to him. “… but you can leave your luggage with the bell captain. The Seaside Grill, our restaurant, will
be opening for lunch in about an hour. In the meantime, if you’d like to go out on our beach, you can leave your clothes with the bell captain also.”

  “Uh… leave our clothes?”

  “Yes. Clinch House is in a very secluded cove. Our beach is clothing optional.”

  Jack gulped and felt his face redden. Why hadn’t he noticed that on the Inn’s website?

  “I think we’ll save that for another time.” Tom laughed. “Do you rent motor scooters?”

  “Yes, sir, but for our guests, the first four hours for each night they stay with us are free.”

  Tom turned to grin at Jack. “Feeling adventurous, buddy?” He had that big old Harley in his garage at home, but Jack had never had the opportunity to ride along with him.

  “Adventurous enough for that.”

  “Let’s take them out, then. I know a nice little place up on Fernandina Beach. We can have lunch, do a tour of the island, and then come back and check in, go up to our room and unpack…”

  And maybe… shower… before dinner? “Sounds like a plan to me.”

  “Great.”

  “And we can hit the beach tomorrow. Once we’ve unpacked our suits.” He wasn’t sure how comfortable he’d feel walking around naked in front of people he didn’t know.

  Tom gave him a smile – fond and caring and protective – that went right to his cock. “Sure thing.”

  “Our scooters are just out back. I’ll give you a receipt so Jeff will know you’re with us.” The clerk printed out a slip of paper and handed it to him. “Enjoy your afternoon, Mr. Sweet.” He smiled at Tom. “Mr. Hansom.”

  Was it his imagination, or was the desk clerk giving his lover a come hither look?

  Tom didn’t seem to notice. “Come on, buddy. Time’s a-wastin’.” He grabbed Jack’s arm and headed toward the door that led to the back of the Inn.

  The door opened onto a courtyard whose white pavers reflected the brilliant sunlight. It was skirted by a miniature jungle of flowering plants.

  A number of red, blue, and green motor scooters, propped on their kickstands, stood in a row.

  The attendant was lounging on a chaise, wearing Ray Bans and navy blue swim trunks with white stars embroidered with gold trim. Clipped to his waistband was a nametag that read ‘Jeff.’

  “Here you are, Jeff.” Jack showed him their receipt.

  “Cool.” He lowered his shades and gave Jack a slow, interested once-over. “What’s your pleasure?”

  Jack felt himself blush.

  “I like that one.” Tom, oblivious, chose a shiny red scooter. “How about you, Jack?”

  “I’ll ride behind you. If you don’t mind?”

  Tom smiled at him. “I don’t mind.”

  Jack took the helmet he handed him, waited until Tom was settled on the scooter, then mounted up behind him.

  “All set, Jack?”

  Jack rested his hands lightly on his lover’s waist. “Yep.”

  Tom turned on the ignition, kicked up the kickstand, and they took off.

  The feel of the motor scooter’s engine vibrating between his legs, the soft, scented breeze in his face, his lover’s waist under his hands – Jack leaned forward and ran his tongue over the back of Tom’s neck.

  Tom growled and turned his head enough to kiss the corner of Jack’s mouth without taking his eyes off the road. He gunned the engine, and Jack shivered.

  “This is gonna be a great weekend, babe!” Tom shouted above the wind.

  Yeah, it was.

  After a leisurely lunch, they got back on the scooter and explored the small island.

  They were windblown and sunburned by the time the afternoon drew to a close.

  Tom smiled at Jack over his shoulder. “Time to head back to Clinch House?”

  Jack leaned against Tom’s back, slid his hands from Tom’s waist onto his thighs, and rubbed his thumbs under the edge of Tom’s shorts. “Yep.”

  As they walked across the lobby to the front desk, numerous eyes seemed to follow his lover. Jack scowled and curled his fingers around Tom’s arm possessively.

  “Jack?”

  “I don’t like the way they’re all staring at you.”

  “Who?”

  “All these…” He wouldn’t be so blatant as to point, but he gave a discreet nod. “… guys.”

  “Jack, if they’re looking at anyone, it’s you. You’re such eye candy, don’t you know that?” Tom smiled at him.

  “Oh…” Jack suddenly felt like a teenager who realized he was going to get lucky for the very first time. A little flustered, he turned to the clerk. A different one was on duty. He was more clothed – he wore a vest as well as a bowtie. “We’re checking in. Sweet and Hansom.”

  The desk clerk’s eyes widened. “Ex-excuse me?”

  “I’m Jack Sweet, and he’s Tom Hansom.”

  The clerk coughed. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry.” He took Jack’s credit card and had him fill out the paperwork.

  They retrieved the suitcase from the bell captain, and once they were in the elevator, Tom continued. “I’m serious, Jack. You’re very easy on the eyes.”

  “I’m just a redneck construction worker.”

  “And being a construction worker has given you a body that most of them would kill to have.”

  “And you don’t mind that they’re… they’re checking me out?”

  “Jack, I don’t…” For a second Tom looked sad, and Jack wondered what was going through his mind. “I don’t expect you not to look back.”

  Jack had a feeling that wasn’t what Tom was originally going to say. “You think I’ll leave you for another guy, don’t you?”

  He shrugged. “Or maybe you’ll decide you prefer seafood after all and go back to women.” The elevator opened on the third floor, and they got out. He looked around. “I think our room should be this way.”

  It was obvious Tom considered the conversation over, and Jack was too stunned to say another word.

  His lover – his best friend – was expecting him to leave him? Damn Tom for being so insecure.

  And damn him for being the reason why, even after all these years, Tom was so insecure.

  Tom swiped their keycard through the lock on the door and pushed it open. He turned and grinned at Jack. “Carry me?” He batted his eyelashes at him.

  Tom was kidding, but Jack wasn’t. He tossed the suitcase into the room, scooped him up, and carried him over the threshold. When he put him down, he bent him over his arm and kissed him deeply.

  “Wow!” Tom’s eyes were dazed when Jack finally straightened.

  Jack nodded to himself in some satisfaction. He picked up the suitcase, placed it on a chair, and unzipped it.

  “Can Ah interest you in a… shower, Mistah Sweet?” Tom’s voice was husky.

  “Why don’t you start the shower? I’ll unpack.”

  “Babe?”

  “It won’t take me long. I’ll join you before you have a chance to miss me.”

  Tom gave him a puzzled glance, but took their shaving kits and went into the bathroom. He left the door open, and Jack heard a low whistle. “Oh, Jack, you have to come see this!”

  “Be right there.”

  His mind working furiously, Jack put underwear into a drawer, hung up shirts and trousers, placed shoes neatly side by side.

  He loved Tom. He’d loved him almost from the time they’d met, although it had taken him all these years to realize it wasn’t just platonic.

  He knew Tom loved him, probably more than platonically from the start, although he’d kept his dick in his pants for the sake of their friendship.

  Okay, he was just going to have to show Tom that he wasn’t going anywhere. Ever. One good thing about having your best friend as your lover, Jack thought smugly, you know what lights his fire.

  That kiss was only the start. Tom had no idea what he was in for.

  Jack pulled the covers off the bed in readiness of what was to come, stripped off his clothes, and went into the bathroom
. He mimicked Tom’s whistle, and Tom looked around, grinning.

  “Is this unbelievable or what?”

  “Unbelievable!”

  There was a marble-topped vanity with double vessel sinks. In front of a mirrored wall was a whirlpool tub big enough to party in, and in an alcove shielded by glass blocks was a walk-in shower.

  “Hmm.”

  “Jack, are you planning on remodeling your bathroom?”

  Jack gave him an innocent look.

  “You can’t be thinking about remodeling mine. You just did it!”

  Jack just smiled and said, “Let’s try the shower, buddy.”

  Tom already had the water running, and he nodded, and they got in. The temperature was perfect.

  A shelf contained body sponges and a variety of bottles of bath wash and shampoo.

  Jack washed quickly.

  “What’s the rush, buddy?” Tom looked disappointed.

  Jack didn’t say anything, just kissed him and turned him to face the spray, letting it hit Tom’s torso. He poured a dollop of shampoo into his hand, worked it through the thick strands of Tom’s hair, and massaged it into a rich lather.

  “Mmm.” In obvious bliss, Tom let his head tip back, allowing Jack’s fingertips to work their magic. “Who would have thought?”

  “What, babe?”

  “That my scalp could be an erogenous zone.” He brought Jack’s hand to his groin. “You do intend to take care of this, don’t you?”

  Jack took a moment to rub his palm over Tom’s erection and cup his balls. “Did you doubt it?”

  “Just making sure.”

  Jack gave a soft laugh and turned him around so he could rinse the shampoo out of his hair.

  Once he was rinsed off as well, Jack turned off the water, stepped around the wall, and grabbed a couple of towels off the warming bar. He wrapped one around his waist and used the other to dry off his lover.

  “Thanks.” Tom arched into the warmth of the towel as Jack moved it over his body, and he sighed with pleasure. “This is very nice.”

  “It’s more than very nice.” Jack dried Tom’s hair, and his lover closed his eyes, the smile on his face telling Jack all he needed to know how much he was enjoying this. He kissed Tom’s ear and nipped the lobe. “One day I want to have a warming bar in our bathroom.”