Page 86 of The Way Home

Caleb leaned back just enough to study his face, searching for any crack in his resolve. His hand slid to the back of Jamie’s neck and squeezed.

Kiss me. For God’s sake, kiss me.

Caleb’s lips parted. Then, like something inside him finally gave way, he surged forward and captured Jamie’s mouth. At first, it wasn’t soft or sweet, but desperate and hungry. A claim staked in the middle of a crowded dancefloor.

Caleb kissed him like he’d been starving, like his restraint had finally snapped. Jamie’s brain went blissfully blank as his body sang that he had found his way home…finally.

He gasped into Caleb’s mouth, barely keeping hold of his drink as Caleb’s fingers threaded into his hair and tipped his head back, opening him up for more. This was every touch they’d denied themselves, every almost that had ended with them pulling apart.

His knees nearly gave out, and Caleb’s hand slid to his back to keep him upright. Jamie’s cock stirred to life, apparently not understanding that the middle of a dancefloor wasnotthe place for that.

Caleb’s chest vibrated with a low chuckle. “You okay there, J?”

A soft, helpless sound slipped out of Jamie as Caleb eased back. A cheeky grin tugged at his mouth.

“I—that—” His brain was foggy with arousal, words hopelessly out of reach.

Caleb’s thumb brushed over his lower lip, his eyes darkening as he watched the movement.

“Do you have anything else planned for us tonight?” he asked, still a little breathless.

“No, I—that was it,” Jamie managed.

“Good.” Caleb’s lips twitched. “Because I think I’d like to take you home now.”

Chapter 22

The cab ridehome was torture for Caleb. And judging by the way Jamie’s knee bounced on the other side of the bench seat, hell for him, too.

The second Jamie had saidyes, take me home,Caleb got them the hell out of there, flipping off that tall fucker for good measure.

Fuck that guy. If it had been Jamie he’d grabbed, the bastard would be in the hospital with a broken face, and Caleb would be in jail.

“Caleb?” A soft hand reached across the seat and settled over Caleb’s clenched fist. Jamie gently pried his fingers open.

“What are you thinking about?” Jamie frowned, leg still bouncing. Rain hammered against the windshield as the driver turned into their neighborhood.

Caleb forced his face to relax. “Nothing.” He threaded their fingers together, rubbing his thumb over Jamie’s knuckles. “Just anxious to get home.”

The air in the cab seemed to spike by about a million degrees. Jamie’s tongue slipped out to trace his lower lip, leaving it pink and slightly swollen. When his eyes flicked up to Caleb’s—dark and heavy-lidded—Caleb’s pulse slammed against his ribs.

He couldn’t wait to kiss him again, taste the lime in his mouth, and then… hell, tonight Jamie could do whatever he wanted. Caleb would give him anything. And by the look in those soft, wanting eyes, Jamie wanted a lot.

“Don’t be careful with me tonight, Caleb.” Heat shot up Caleb’s spine, lighting up every nerve ending.

Fuck.

The cab splashed to a stop in front of their building. Before Jamie could even attempt to pay, Caleb slammed a wad of pounds on the console and hauled Jamie out into the rain. The short dash inside left them both soaked.

“It wasn’t supposed to rain,” Jamie groaned, tugging his damp shirt away from his skin before letting it snap back.

Caleb stared. “I certainly don’t mind.” Jamie was a sight—curls dripping down his forehead and neck, shirt plastered to his chest, every line of lean muscle on display. Before Caleb could stop himself, he crowded Jamie into the corner of the elevator, hands gripping his hips.

“God, Jamie,” he rasped as Jamie’s back hit the wall. “You… thank you for tonight. Everything you did for me—” His thumbs dug into Jamie’s hip bones. “You’re incredible.”

Jamie’s fingertips pressed against Caleb’s chest, then traced upward until they cupped his jaw.

“You’re welcome,” he said sweetly, rivulets of water flowing from his curls, down the side of his pretty face. “I wanted to… erm—” He swallowed, gaze flicking to Caleb’s mouth. “I wanted to show you how important you are to me. And I want to take care of you the way you’re always taking care of me.”