Page 89 of Point of Contact

Holy shit, I could fall in love with him.

The thought came out of nowhere, accompanied by a paralyzing jolt of fear. No. He wouldn’t let himself love anyone again, especially not this young, vibrant, incredible man who had so much to offer the world, so much to give the right person.

That person could never be him, a broken-down wreck who sometimes felt like he was clinging to sanity by his very fingertips. Trevor shook his head, clenching his hands together in his lap. What he should do was end this now, shouldn’t indulge himself anymore at the expense of Jesse’s precious heart.

A burst of laughter from the audience, and Trevor glanced up onstage to see the luau dancers had fastened grass skirts around the volunteers’ waists in preparation for the grand finale. Jesse adjusted his and looked directly into Trevor’s eyes. He winked before striking a ridiculous pose, one hand on his hip and the other behind his head.

The woman helping him giggled, but Jesse never took his gaze off Trevor. The flames from the tiki torches surrounding the stage lit up his face, and Trevor could see him clearly when he mouthed, “You like?”

Trevor couldn’t help grinning back, which turned into a guffaw when Jesse swiveled his hips, making the grass skirt twirl. Soon it was time for the volunteers to line up, and the drummers launched into the rhythm of the hula as the dancers went to work.

Jesse threw himself into it with enthusiasm, trying his best, and Trevor joined in with the audience, clapping and hooting encouragement. Jesse’d done this before, he said, at the luau with Riley. Riley had sat where Trevor sat now, laughing as he watched his best friend make a fool of himself with as much dignity and grace as he could muster.

Suddenly Trevor sensed a presence, a warmth that surrounded him, an almost tangible glow of love and approval that made every hair on his body stand on end. He froze, catching his breath, in that moment utterly convinced that if he turned around, he’d see Riley standing behind him.

He didn’t turn. Trevor sat as still as possible, hoping to prolong the feeling, afraid if he moved a muscle it would disappear. There was no ghostly voice in his head, or hand on his shoulder, just a bone-deep certainty that Riley was here revisiting a time and place where he’d been happy, where two of his favorite people were now together enjoying themselves like he once had.

“Hey, bud,” Trevor whispered under cover of all the noise that surrounded him. “I miss you.”

The very air seemed to shimmer, a sense of serenity and peace washing over him. Trevor stayed motionless until the presence faded, his lips trembling.

“Trev?”

Trevor looked up to see Jesse standing next to him, concern in his eyes. He pushed to his feet and grabbed Jesse’s hand. “Let’s just get out of here, okay?”

Without a word, Jesse nodded and they hurried out of the venue, waving distractedly at the “Aloha” the gift shop attendant called after them. When they got to the motorcycle, Trevor reached out and snagged the front of Jesse’s T-shirt, yanking him close.

Jesse staggered against him, and Trevor wrapped his arms around his neck, pulling his head down to kiss him passionately. After a moment’s surprise, Jesse threaded his fingers through Trevor’s hair to hold him still, slanting his mouth across his, tongue plunging deep.

They strained together, Jesse sliding the palm of his free hand down over the curve of Trevor’s ass and gripping him tightly. At last he tore free, panting, his lips swollen. “Trevor?” he croaked, and Trevor could feel his erection digging into his abdomen. He rocked against it, reveling in Jesse’s hoarse gasp.

Cupping Jesse’s cheeks in his hands, Trevor smoothed his thumbs over the corners of his mouth. “Take me home. Make love to me.”

Jesse’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Oh fuck yes.”

With a growl Jesse hauled him close again, nipping at Trevor’s lips and soothing the sting with his tongue. Trevor clutched onto his shoulders, arching against him, and when he broke the kiss again, dragged his open mouth along his throat, loving Jesse’s breathless moan. He murmured a protest when Jesse pulled away and tossed Trevor his helmet and jacket.

“Get on the bike.”

The motorcycle engine roared in the night, and soon Trevor and Jesse were speeding along the road toward Kaneohe. They were quiet, Jesse concentrating on driving and Trevor doing his utmost to keep his hands to himself. The last thing he wanted to do was distract him, but Trevor ached to feel him come apart under his touch.

It seemed like hours until they screeched to a stop in front of their cabin, Jesse cutting the motor. They sat for a moment, both of them breathing hard, until Jesse climbed off the bike and held his hand out for Trevor. He took it, feeling Jesse’s rough, callused palm, the faint tremble in his fingers. Helmets and leathers were dropped to the ground before Jesse took Trevor’s face in his hands and leaned down to kiss him, slowly, deeply, his mouth hot and eager. Every inch of Trevor’s body was throbbing with need, and he clung to him, unwilling to let go, as Jesse moved them up the stairs to the front door.

“I need the key, Trev,” Jesse groaned, trying to reach into his front pocket, Trevor not allowing an inch of space between them. “C’mon, inside is where the bed is.” His voice was rough with yearning.

Trevor cupped him through his pants. “Fuck me right here,” he breathed, giving him a squeeze. “Bend me over the railing.”

Giving up the struggle for the key, Jesse pushed him against the door. “Not tonight,” he growled. “Tonight I want you in a nice, soft bed.”

Finally Trevor let Jesse get the door key out of his front pocket, and before he knew it they were standing in the middle of Trevor’s bedroom, no lights on except for the moonlight streaming in through the open windows. Trevor suffered an unexpected pang of self-consciousness as he shed his clothes, unable to help comparing himself to Jesse. Average height, average looks, teetering on the edge of middle age—shit, he’d be forty in a few months.

Before his doubts could overwhelm him, Jesse came and stood in front of him, letting his eyes sweep from Trevor’s head to his toes and back again. “So beautiful,” he said, sliding his hands onto Trevor’s bare hips. “You have no idea how I’ve dreamed of this, of watching you undress for me, your body showing me how much you want me.” He wrapped one hand around Trevor’s straining cock and gave him a few slow strokes.

Trevor tipped his head back with a groan of pleasure, in the next instant yelping in shock as Jesse grabbed him around the waist, lifted him up and tossed him unceremoniously onto the bed. Laughing at him, Jesse put one knee on the mattress in preparation for climbing on, letting out a gasp of his own when Trevor took his hand and yanked him down on top of him.

They rolled around in a tangle of limbs, kissing, touching, until Jesse at last settled between Trevor’s widespread legs. Trevor raked his blunt nails along Jesse’s back, encouraging him, as Jesse circled his hips against him, his breathing fast and ragged.