Page 86 of The Finding Series: Vol. 1

“Yeah, maybe,” Gray said and he watched as Luke swapped out the plates. Gray didn’t put anything on the toast and was grateful it stayed down when he finally managed to swallow it. He and Luke ate in silence for several moments and when Luke finished the last of his food, he got up and pulled a bottle of water from the fridge. Gray wasn’t surprised when Luke put it down in front of him instead of keeping it for himself.

“I didn’t hurt anyone,” Luke suddenly blurted out and Gray stopped mid-chew to stare at him. “And I only pointed the gun at you because I was confused – I guess the heat made me pass out…that’s how I ended up in that ditch. And then you were grabbing me. I just reacted.”

Gray swallowed down the rest of the food in his mouth and then took a drag on the water. “Someone’s after you?”

Luke nodded. His lack of any additional explanation had Gray scrapping his instinct to ask who. “How did you end up here?”

“I thought a friend of mine lived out here but he doesn’t anymore.”

Gray could tell that wasn’t the entire story but instead of calling Luke on it, he asked, “Don’t you have any family? Other friends? Wife or girlfriend?”

A shake of the head. “I grew up in group homes mostly. A couple foster homes too. And being deployed almost non-stop for ten years isn’t exactly a selling point when it comes to women who are looking to settle down and start a family.” A shadow passed over Luke’s features when he said, “My only friends were the guys in my unit.”

Which meant those guys were either gone or they were the reason he was on the run.

“Gray, I have no idea who you are other than you wrote a book. I thought about Googling you last night but I didn’t. Maybe you’re not on the run like me but I’m guessing you’re running from something.”

The truth of Luke’s statement hit Gray hard. He hadn’t considered his escape from his life in L.A. in that way but in a sense, it was true.

“If the offer to stay here for a bit still stands, I’d like to take you up on it. I don’t think the people looking for me will be able to track me here but if things get too hot, I’ll go. I won’t put you in danger.”

A strange, warm sensation built in Gray’s stomach at Luke’s adamant declaration but he shook it off and focused on forcing another piece of toast into his system. “The offer stands. For as long as you need it.”

“One more thing,” Luke said as he leaned forward. “I need to carry my own weight around here. I’m pretty good with my hands so if there’s something you need done…”

Gray’s eyes shifted to Luke’s big hands and he felt his mouth go dry. He had to suck down more water to get the bread to go down.

“Um, yeah, I was actually thinking about doing some remodeling. I was going to hire somebody…”

“Great,” Luke said with a wide smile that had Gray’s insides knotting up. Fuck, this was so incredibly bad.

* * *

“Oh God, I think I’m going to be sick,” Luke heard Gray mutter but a quick glance showed that the man’s round eyes were still focused on the television screen. His expression was a mix of horror and awe.

“I know, it’s awesome, right?” Luke said as he watched the alien rip its way from the man’s stomach. “Alienin high def is definitely the way to go,” he said with a chuckle.

“How did I not see this movie?” Gray asked hoarsely when the gruesome scene ended. He dropped his hand to rest on the dog that was laying stretched out between them on the couch. Luke had been surprised when Gray had invited Ripley up onto the expensive looking piece of furniture but as he watched Gray’s hand gently drag back and forth over the animal’s fur, he actually felt a twinge of jealousy.

Jesus, three days in the man’s company and Luke was a fucking mess. He was nearly thirty years old, had been with his fair share of women and had spent the better part of his life around strong, confident, and what even he as a straight man would deem good looking men. Not once had he even felt a hint of attraction towards any of them. Hell, even his openly gay foster brother whom he’d first met at the age of sixteen had failed to elicit even the slightest stirring of anything but friendship. But the pull Gray had on him was slowly driving him insane. Every time he looked at Gray or even just heard the silky, smooth way Gray said his name, his cock swelled to life and images of him sliding into Gray’s welcoming heat had Luke retreating outside or to another room. On several occasions, he’d even resorted to jacking off just so he could be in the man’s presence long enough to talk about some of the remodeling ideas he had.

“Luke.”

It took Luke a moment to realize Gray was talking to him and it took everything in him to drag his eyes from the long, thick fingers still sifting through Ripley’s fur. What would they feel like wrapped around his cock? Would his grip be stronger than a woman’s? Rougher? Would he know exactly how much pressure to exert to drive Luke insane with pleasure?

“Luke!”

“What?” he said as he snapped his eyes up.

Gray laughed. “Would you pause it for a second?” he asked as he motioned to the movie and then to the remote in Luke’s hand. The remote he’d been stroking with his thumb as an image of Gray’s lips hovering just over his had assailed him.

“Yeah,” Luke bit out as he tried to shift his weight to give himself some much needed room in his pants. Unfortunately, Ripley’s big head was resting on his gut and while the dog’s position hid his growing erection from Gray, it did nothing to help ease the discomfort Luke was feeling.

“You want something to drink?” Gray asked as he pulled himself to his feet. Although the man finally seemed to be on the mend, he continued to move slowly as if he were in constant pain and Luke had caught him nodding off more than once during lulls in conversation or when he’d sat down on the couch to take a breather.

“No, thanks,” he said as he used his hand to ease Ripley’s head off his body. But before he could do much, the dog suddenly tensed and then growled. Luke was already reaching for the gun he’d put on the coffee table as Ripley flew off the couch and began barking at the front door.

“Get to your room,” Luke snapped at Gray. “Lock the door!”

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