“It didn’t,” Jace confessed. “More freebies from the airlines. They only have the single-serving bottles with the screw top.”
“It’s cool that you get stuff that like for free.”
“Not exactly free.” Jace grimaced. “At least, it’s not supposed to be, but who doesn’t pilfer from their job?”
“Just promise me you have something better in bed than those dinky airline pillows,” Ben said as he accepted his drink.
“Wait and see.” Jace raised his glass. “Here’s to new millenniums and new friendships. Assuming the Y2K bug doesn’t destroy us all, that is.”
Ben clinked glasses and took a sip. For his first champagne, it tasted great. “How much longer until the New Year?”
“About an hour.”
They moved to the couch, which faced a large window. City lights sparkled, the neighborhood Ben had found sinister now tranquil from above. Once Jace was seated, Samson claimed his lap, closing his eyes and purring as Jace scratched his ears. Ben set his glass on the coffee table, pushing paper fortunes out of the way to do so.
“You sure like Chinese food!”
“Not really.” Jace looked embarrassed. “I just really like fortune cookies. There’s a restaurant down the road that sells me full shipping boxes. I know it sounds insane, but they’re my absolute favorite treat.”
Ben laughed and shook his head. Every time Jace opened his mouth, another eccentricity was revealed. Maybe it was this strangeness that scared potential boyfriends away. After all, Jace was attractive, intelligent, and funny, and he had a steady job. What else could anyone want in an eligible bachelor?
“So explain to me how it is that you’re still single?” Ben pried.
“I could ask you the same question.”
“Well, I wasn’t until a week ago.” Ben took a good swig from his champagne.
“Right, right. The burgling boyfriend. Have you heard from him since?”
“Nope, and don’t change the subject. Are you the kind of guy who can’t settle down?”
Jace looked pained. “Quite the opposite. I’ve had my share of boyfriends. It’s just the job that gets in the way.”
“What do you mean?”
“The hours suck. I’m gone for days at a time, and until I have more seniority, my schedule is constantly shifting. So I can’t promise anyone when I’ll be home, or if I’ll even be there at all. Something about sleeping in a hotel every night gives people ideas, so if it isn’t the hours, it’s the jealousy.”
Ben chewed his lip thoughtfully. “I don’t know. It doesn’t sound all that bad to me. Being apart and not seeing each other every day would keep things fresh. I think I could deal with that.”
“That’s what they all say at the beginning. Not that I’m trying to discourage you. I’d love for you to prove me wrong. Speaking of which, I fly to Chicago all the time.”
“What are you suggesting?” Ben smiled.
“That I like you and that I want more than to just sleep with you.” Jace studied Ben’s face as he spoke. “I know we’re moving fast, that we don’t know each other very well, but what I’ve seen so far is a charming, considerate, and surprisingly mature college student who is on his way to becoming someone great.”
“Thanks,” Ben grinned. “I think you’re the bee’s knees too.”
Jace laughed. “What I’d like to know is how serious you and your prince of thieves were. Are you coming out of a relationship of years? How long before things turned sour?”
“Just a few weeks. He was nothing. Really.” Ben paused. None of them had been. Not a single guy had made his heart beat to a funky fresh rhythm, not since his junior year of high school, but Ben thought Jace was the first to have that potential. “What about you? Any emotional baggage I need to know about?”
“There was, but the airline lost it all,” Jace said. “Typical really.”
The silence that followed was heavy. Both of them were done with talking, and Ben couldn’t help but look to the loft bed above, causing Jace to chuckle.
Samson leapt instinctively to the floor before Jace stood. Before Ben knew what was happening, Jace had slid an arm under his back and another under his legs. He scooped Ben up effortlessly and carried him toward the ladder leading up to the bed. Jace paused in puzzlement once he reached it, before tossing Ben over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry.
“Put me down!” Ben said, but Jace had already begun to climb.
“This is like a hot, gay version of King Kong,” Jace gasped as they reached the top. He leaned over, allowing Ben to fall into bed first before climbing the rest of the way up.
“Airline pillows!” Ben complained when he saw the pile of them. He tossed a couple at Jace in protest.
“You won’t be sleeping much tonight,” Jace promised as he climbed on top of him.
Ben fumbled at the buttons of Jace’s shirt, but Jace moved his hands away and kissed him instead. Ben wanted to tear his clothes off, but each time he tried, Jace restrained him. Only after Jace was satisfied with kissing was Ben allowed to proceed.
So far, Ben had only seen Jace in his work uniform and in winter clothes, never gleaning a clear impression of his physique. As he peeled back the dress shirt, a lean but toned torso was revealed. Ben ran his hand along the lightly haired chest and followed the happy trail down to the waist of his pants.
“Nuh-uh,” Jace said, taking control again. He pulled Ben’s shirt off next, and began kissing his neck and touching his nipples. Jace stroked his fingers lightly over Ben’s skin, moving tantalizingly south before pulling his hand away again. Ben felt like he was about to explode and they hadn’t even started!
Jace teased and taunted, but eventually Ben was allowed to seek out his prize. His amusement at Jace’s skimpy Speedos faded when he realized what was making them so tight. He wasn’t as thick as Tim had been, but he was definitely longer.
Finally Jace set him loose to do as he pleased. Ben went wild, but Jace kept his cool. Somehow he managed to control his desire, to rein it in, but Ben could tell he was just as fired up by how hard he was. They took turns, both equally eager to pleasure each other as they were to receive. Several times Jace brought Ben to the brink with little effort, and sensing he had done so, backed down just before the point of no return, until Ben thought he would go insane from the euphoria.
Suddenly Jace’s urgency increased as he finally lost control and brought them both to a climax at the same time. The sensations were so powerful that Ben felt as if his entire body was coming and not just his cock. He saw stars and heard fireworks. The stars cleared, but the sound of explosions didn’t. Flashing lights from the window caught his eye.
“Happy New Year,” Jace said, pulling him in for a kiss.
* * * * *
The morning light cut through the air like a blade, transforming dust particles into tiny glowing suns. Ben stretched and looked over the rail of the loft bed at the apartment below. The unfinished game of Trivial Pursuit still lay on the table, a half-eaten cheesecake in the center of the board like the ultimate playing piece. Ben rolled over to find Jace’s back to him, just like on the previous two mornings. He knew what he would find if he looked over him, but peeked just to be certain. Sure enough, Jace’s arms were curled into a basket for Samson to sleep in.
Ben idly drew a picture on Jace’s back with the tip of his finger. Tomorrow was the day that Ben was supposed to fly back to Chicago. It was also the day that Jace was returning to work and had to bid for his schedule. The process was complicated, but Jace had explained that when and where a flight attendant flew was suggested by each individual and then rewarded by seniority. Ben barely understood the chaotic system, but he hoped it meant that Jace could fly to Austin.
Not that Jace knew he was switching schools. Ben was too scared that Austin would be impossible for Jace, forcing him to choose between going to school with Allison in Texas or heading back to Chicago to be accessible to Jace. Now time had run out, and Ben had to confess
. Otherwise Jace would bid for the wrong schedule.
Jace stirred, smacking his dry mouth. Samson meowed in protest, insisting that Jace stop moving.
“Good morning,” Ben said, not wanting his boyfriend to fall back to sleep. He needed to tell him now, while he was feeling determined. He slid out of bed and climbed down the ladder to fetch a glass of orange juice from the refrigerator. Jace accepted it gratefully when he returned, sitting up and sipping it.
“Do you ever fly to Austin?” Ben asked out of the blue.
“Austin?” Jace shook his head. “No. Why?”
“I’m thinking about changing schools. Well, not thinking, really. I am.”
Ben explained everything to him while searching Jace’s impassive face for reaction.
“It would be strange,” Jace said when Ben had finished. “Arranging my schedule to overnight in Chicago makes sense, but getting a hotel an hour away from my apartment?”
“It’s further than that,” Ben corrected.
“Not by plane it isn’t.”
“So you don’t want to?” Ben asked, trying not to sound as defensive as he was beginning to feel.
“It’s not that,” Jace said, rubbing his eyes sleepily. “I just think the airline will find the hotel expense superfluous.”
“You won’t need a hotel,” he pointed out.
“Look,” Jace said, reaching out to take Ben’s hand, “no matter what, I’ll find a way to see you. I can fly for free and Austin is only an hour away. You go wherever you feel like you need to be. We’ll work something out.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Jace laughed. “Now, is it going to be breakfast or are you getting in the shower with me.”
Ben chose the shower.
Chapter Nineteen
“Our duplex, is a very, very, very fine duplex. With a hmmm-hmm-hmm yard. And a hmm-hmm-hmm-hmmm-hm.”
Allison glowered at Ben over her bowl of cereal. He grinned cheerfully back, forcing her to move the jumbo box of cereal until it blocked him from view. Ben didn’t let this bother him. She was probably still hung over from another night out with Kenneth. Her boyfriend was drop-dead gorgeous but he drank like a fish.
Ben considered singing another line, but decided he better not risk it, especially since he didn’t know the lyrics. Regardless, it really was a very, very, very fine duplex. Living here with Allison was a dream. He originally feared that being together so often would strain their friendship, but instead it had been strengthened. They were even closer now than they had been in high school.
Ben considered making an omelet before opting for much less complicated instant oatmeal. He would probably be eating proper food for dinner when Jace got into town tonight anyway. There was a new Indian restaurant down on Sixth Street that Ben was eager to try.
Living in Austin had been an easy adjustment. The city had its own skyline, waterfront, and culture centers, so it was in effect a smaller, warmer version of Chicago. Well, not exactly, but Ben found it much more vibrant than Houston had ever been. He had also settled nicely into the university. Allison had been there to guide him around all of the usual newbie hiccups, and after eight weeks Ben hardly ever got lost around campus anymore.
The phone rang, making Allison wince and Ben jump to his feet. He knew it would be Jace calling with his flight times. He waited until he was out of the kitchen before allowing himself to shout with excitement.
“Hello?” Ben gasped once he had finally found the phone.
“Hey, bucko,” Jace said in forced jovial tones that Ben had already learned to interpret.
“You aren’t coming.”
Jace sighed heavily into the receiver. “I wanted to call you yesterday but it was the night from hell. I didn’t get in until 3 a.m.”
Ben frowned and plopped down onto the sofa. “So do you have to work this weekend?”
“No,” Jace answered cautiously, “but my sister is out of town and someone has to take care of Samson.”
“Oh, come on! This is the third time you’ve canceled! I haven’t seen you once this month.”
“The other two times were because of work,” Jace replied calmly. “This is the first time because of Samson.”
“He’s a cat! Load up his food bowl and he’ll be fine overnight.”
“I haven’t been home for over a week,” Jace countered. “He needs to see me sometime. Anyway, I can get you on an afternoon flight and we can--”
“Forget it.”
“What?” Jace asked, sounding startled.
“Forget it,” Ben repeated. “You have fun with your cat. I’m going to do my own thing.”
“Ben, I’m not trying to--”
“I just need my space,” Ben interrupted. “I’ll see you next weekend.”
Ben hung up the phone, feeling instantly ashamed. He wasn’t being fair to Jace, he knew that. Part of him also knew that he could get away with acting like this. As difficult as Ben could be, he never managed to ruffle Jace’s feathers. Ben supposed this skill came from dealing with annoying passengers every day.
The phone rang again. Ben wanted to pick it up and be civil, but he also didn’t want to appear insane by letting his mood shift too suddenly. He should probably pretend to really be angry, at least for a little while. He picked up the phone.
“Just let me--”
“I’ll call you later,” Ben said before hanging up again.
All right. So maybe he was being psychotic.
He didn’t really mind that Jace was so crazy about Samson. That proved that he was capable of long-term love and dedication. Sure, he was a little possessive with his cat, but then, Samson was overprotective of Jace. They were cute together, and Ben had just passed up the chance to be curled up in bed with both of them. And for what? Because the plan had changed? Jace had managed to visit Austin five times in two months. Just because schedules were tight in the last three weeks was no reason to punish Jace. Ben was being childish.
Time to admit he was being an idiot. He didn’t know why love made him act so irrational, but he was pretty sure he wasn’t alone in his emotionally induced insanity. Every time he saw Jace the feelings intensified. They got along so well and their relationship had been so harmonious that it was hard not to selfishly want as much as he could get. Instead, his behavior had cheated him out of more of that time. Ben reached for the phone so he could call and apologize. It rang before he could pick it up.
“Hello?” he said tentatively.
“Italy,” Jace said as quickly as possible.
Ben furrowed his brow in confusion. “What?”
“I’m taking you to Italy, you spoiled shit!”
“You are?” Ben asked, feeling like a tool, but a very happy one.
“Yes. I wanted to tell you in person, but--”
“I was being a dick, I know,” Ben said apologetically. “Are you serious?”
“Spring break,” Jace confirmed, sounding friendlier. “You up for it?”
“If you still want me,” Ben chuckled nervously.
“God knows why, but I do.” Jace’s voice took on a seductive tone. “Now get your ass to the airport and come apologize to me properly.”
* * * * *
The world is a very big place. That was obvious enough, but Ben had never known exactly how large until now. Hour after hour passed, and even flying over it at five hundred miles per hour, the ocean below refused to give way to land. The sun set unnaturally soon eight hours into the flight, obscuring with its departure any sign of progress or time. Ben tossed and turned in his tiny seat, immensely uncomfortable but unable to do anything about it.
Jace dozed peacefully beside him, as much at home here as anywhere else. When Ben’s attempts to “accidentally” wake him failed, he turned his attention back to the in-flight movies. The individual monitors on the back of each seat were good, but the program selection was dreadful. Already Ben had drudged through multiple films that he never would have watched on the ground.
Eventually he did manage a sort of fitful sleep until the flight crew began serving breakfast with pursed lips and raised eyebrows. Except when it came to Jace. They were all smiles and courtesy with him, even though he insisted he didn’t know any of them. Maybe they sensed he was one of them.
Ben wanted to weep with joy when the plane finally began its decent, which turned out to be extremely gradual because it took another hour before the airplane was on the runway, and what felt like three eternities before it taxied to a gate and they were allowed to disembark.
“We’re never doing that again,” Ben swore while they stood waiting at the luggage carrousel. “We’ll start new lives here in Rome. Anything but another flight like that.”
“I liked it.” Jace stretched contentedly. “It was really relaxing. Back home you barely get in the air before landing again. I’m thinking about applying for international routes. The pay is certainly better.”
“Wouldn’t you be home less?” Ben asked. He already couldn’t get enough of Jace. Any less time spent with him and he would start developing withdrawal symptoms. He could just see himself clinging desperately to a framed photo of Jace while trembling with the shakes.
“I don’t think it would be so different, really,” Jace answered. “We’ll see.”
Local time was three in the morning. Some careful math in Ben’s head told him it was around dinner time back home.
“Hopefully we can still take a shuttle bus to the main terminal,” Jace said, checking his watch. “After that it’s just a few train connections to the hotel.”
“All right,” Ben said, snatching their luggage off the conveyer belt as it came by. “Let’s do it!”
Jace looked surprised. “Really?”
“Of course,” Ben replied, trumping his puzzled look. “Why not?”
“I was sort of counting on you not being up for it.”
“Public transportation, you mean? Hey, I used to live in Chicago, don’t forget.”
Jace sighed. “Well if you aren’t going to insist that we take a taxi, then it’s up to me.”
“Big baby,” Ben laughed.
They walked out of the relatively small airport and were assaulted with offers as soon as they stepped into the night air. A dozen taxi drivers were competing for their attention, making offers in English and a slew of other languages. Feeling completely overwhelmed, Ben pressed past them to where the actual vehicles were. He was vaguely aware of Jace asking him to wait, but he was eager to get into the solitude and comfort of a car. Not wanting to be in cramped quarters again, he headed for the biggest vehicle, a white minivan.