If It Drives (Market Garden, #7)(20)

As Cal took over and gently urged James’s lips apart, he had his answer. It hadn’t just been a one-time impulsive thing. The nearest warm body and hard cock.

Yeah, he had an answer to that question. But why the hell did it feel like things had just gotten more complicated?

“As far as other prospects go, none,” Cal said softly. “I don’t have much time for relationships . . . of any kind.”

“Do you need more time off?”

“I’m good. You’re probably . . . sore.”

James took his hand and pulled him back again. “If you want me, I’d . . . no I’m not.”

Tough decision. It depended on what James needed, or maybe they shouldn’t rush headlong into sex again, pretending everything was fine now. There was so much he didn’t understand, but on the other hand, he did want James. Touching him, kissing him—he felt more at ease than he’d been all that time since that first crazy night.

“About the money.”

“I was a fool. I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m just . . .” James shrugged. “I wanted to give you something in return.”

“Like a three hundred quid tip?”

“Yeah, I guess. Sounds stupid now, doesn’t it?”

Finance mogul admitting to doing something stupid? Not that they never did stupid things, of course. His uncle had told him about some of the crazy spending some other high-flying clients did—the rich Chinese and Russians who took a limo to blow fifty grand on an afternoon’s shopping—but so far it hadn’t happened to Cal. “It’s the thought that counts, I guess.”

James nodded. “Anything else I can do for you?” A slight smirk around his lips hinted at what he had in mind. This wasn’t the time to ask him for details of his sex life. Or maybe it was. He wanted a Dom, right? Just how weird would that get? And, did Cal really want to find out?

Cal trailed a fingertip along James’s unshaven jaw. “I suppose we both made some mistakes before. I walked out kind of abruptly that night.”

“Probably just as well,” James said, softly and maybe a little sadly. “Maybe we moved too quickly.”

“So what do we do now?”

James’s eyes flicked up to meet Cal’s. “You tell me.”

But you’re the boss.

Except you said I’m off the clock.

And you seem to want . . .

Cal slid his hand around the back of James’s neck and pulled him in for another kiss. He wasn’t so gentle this time, pushing James’s lips apart and deepening the kiss, and he swore the man’s body melted against his. James wrapped his arms around him, and his mouth surrendered completely to Cal’s.

Cal’s head spun. He tasted coffee, and he tasted James, and he hadn’t anticipated any of this when he’d come up here, but now that it was happening, he wanted it. His cock was already painfully hard inside his snug jeans. He grabbed James’s wrist and guided his hand down. When James’s palm pressed against Cal’s erection, both of them groaned. Cal kissed him even harder, gripping his wrist and demanding James’s hand stay right where it was.

Panting, Cal broke the kiss. “You’re sure you’re not too sore?”

James shuddered. “No. Definitely not.” He pressed the heel of his hand against Cal’s cock, the pressure making Cal gasp. “I want you to f*ck me. Just like you did last time.”

Cal couldn’t help whimpering. He kissed James again, and reached down to get his trousers undone. Why the f*ck had he worn a belt? That was just one more thing to fiddle with and undo before he could—

I want you to f*ck me. Just like you did last time.

—have what he wanted.

“I should . . . I should get undressed.” He was tempted to move in for another kiss, but much more of this and he’d come before he had his clothes off. “Get me a condom.”

James didn’t hesitate. While Cal stood and peeled off his shirt, James opened the bedside table drawer. He pulled out a condom, and their eyes met as Cal stripped off his jeans and boxers.

“Should I put it on you?” James raised his eyebrows, and Cal thought he saw an unspoken “Please?” in his eyes.

Cal licked his lips. “Yes.”

James threw back the covers and got out of bed. He dropped to his knees in front of Cal, and their eyes met again. Damn, but Cal liked the way James looked like this. Kneeling. Subservient. Hands trembling as he tore open the condom wrapper. When he steadied Cal’s dick with one hand, Cal gasped; he hadn’t realised until right then just how much foreplay they’d skipped. This first contact with his cock was to put a condom on so he could f*ck James. And he couldn’t wait. Couldn’t wait another second.

“Hurry up,” he said through gritted teeth.

In spite of his shaking hands, James moved faster. He was a little clumsy, but managed to roll the condom on properly. Then he took the bottle of lube from the same drawer.

“Wait.”

James froze. “What?”

Cal grinned and reached for James’s face. James pressed against his hand, stubble hissing against Cal’s skin.

“We’ll get to the lube in a minute. For now, I think you have”—he traced his thumb across James’s lower lip—“other ways of making sure my cock’s not too dry for you.”