Second Chance(30)

“And if all else fails, we could go halves on a hotel one night maybe?”

“Maybe.” Jack didn’t really want to spend money on a hotel if he could help it. His finances were pretty shaky at the moment. But being alone with Nate somewhere with a bed, lights, and a shower was definitely appealing. He shivered; being somewhere warm would be good too. “Car sex is pretty chilly at this time of year.”

“Bollocks.” Nate leaned forward, feeling around on the floor of the car for something.

“What have you lost?” Jack asked.

“My dick. Not the one that’s attached, but the bigger one I wear to make a bulge, and to pee through. Ah, there it is!” Nate leaned back and stuffed something down the front of his trousers. “I don’t want to accidentally leave it on the floor of the car or Jess will probably end up using it as a chew toy.”

“Ouch.” Jack chuckled.

There was the sound of Nate’s zip. “Okay. I’m decent now. Want to head back? Or we could go for a drink somewhere?”

“I’d rather not go to a pub.” Jack hated to cut their evening short, but alcohol was still a temptation for him, and being in a pub wasn’t very relaxing.

“Of course. Sorry.”

Jack put his hand on Nate’s knee. “It’s okay.”

Nate leaned closer and Jack met him halfway for a kiss. Sweet and soft, the exchange was lazy and sated, the urgency of before was gone. This was the part where they’d cuddle up if they were in bed, and pull the covers over to shut the world out for a little longer.

Suddenly Nate stiffened and pushed Jack away. “Headlights!”

A car was approaching from behind, lights visible in the rear-view mirror, and already starting to light up the interior of the car.

Jack whipped his head around but the car windows were so steamed up, it was hard to judge exactly how far away the other vehicle was. Given the brightness they were close already, and getting closer. It was too late for them to get into the front, but hopefully it was just a passing car and they’d be ignored.

Luck wasn’t on their side. The car slowed and crawled past them, and Jack’s heart nearly beat out of his chest when it pulled over in front of them.

“Fuck,” Nate muttered. The red brake lights cast a glow on his face as Jack glanced nervously at him. Nate’s expression matched Jack’s anxiety.

“It might be someone else here for the same reason as us,” Jack suggested hopefully.

“If it was they wouldn’t have parked so close.”

There was the movement of torchlight outside, and the knock on the car window made them both jump even though they were expecting it. It was on Nate’s side, so he wound down the window.

“Good evening, sir—” The dry tone of the male police officer outside made Jack’s toes curl with embarrassment. He winced at the brightness as the torch beam passed over his face. “—or gentlemen, should I say. Can you step out of the vehicle please? Keep your hands where I can see them.”

Jack and Nate complied. Jack’s breath made a plume of vapour, but he was too nervous to feel the cold.

“Can I ask why you’re parked here?” the officer asked.

“We were just out for a drive and stopped for a chat,” Nate said blithely. Jack admired his composure.

“A chat. Of course.” The officer’s tone suggested that pigs might also fly. “Well might I suggest that you move on and find somewhere else to carry on your conversation?”

“Yes of course, Officer. We were about to leave anyway,” Nate replied.

“Good, good. And who is the registered owner of this vehicle?”

“My mother.”

“What’s her name?”

“Susan Harris.”

“And you have her permission to use it?”

“Yes.” Nate’s tone was sharp now. Jack wanted to take Nate’s hand and squeeze it as a reminder to stay calm, but he didn’t want to make matters worse.

“Very well,” the officer said. “Get back in the vehicle and be on your way. But perhaps you can find other places to chat in future. Being parked here at night with no lights on creates a hazard for other vehicles.”

“Yes, of course.” Nate seemed to have regained his composure. “I’m sorry, Officer. It won’t happen again.”

Nate opened the driver door while Jack hurried around to the passenger side. Hands shaking, Jack fastened his seatbelt while Nate turned the engine on. He put the fan on full, blasting air onto the windscreen. It took a minute or two to clear enough so Nate could see to drive, and the police officer watched them the whole time with a death glare.

Finally, Nate pulled away with a courteous wave.

“Jesus fucking Christ on a bike.” Jack collapsed back into his seat as the tension left his body in a rush. “Thank God he didn’t turn up ten minutes earlier. Can you imagine?”

“Yes,” Nate said grimly. “And that was quite embarrassing enough. He knew exactly why we were there. Shit. Do you think he’ll check with my mum?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’d better tell her just in case. I’d rather she hears it from me.”

“What are you going to tell her?”

“I can tell her we were talking.” Nate’s gaze was on the road ahead, but he grinned. “It’s not a total lie after all. We did talk as well.”