Page 43 of Mouth to Mouth

Usually, Luca had to push himself to regress and was always on the verge of being yanked out of the mindset. Last night had been wonderful, relaxing, and everything that Luca had always wanted. Even when it had been over and Luca was being driven home.

He’d ended up in the back with Brad since Josh had already placed a drowsy Dawson into the passenger seat. Luca had opened his mouth half a dozen times, wanting to ask the questions that filled his head. He just hadn’t been ready to spoil the memories of the night. Couldn’t Luca hold on to the pleasant fluffy feelings for one day? Was that wrong?

He jerked, letting out a loud yelp at the pounding on his bedroom door.

“Wake up, Luca! We’re going to be late.”

Luca scowled at the door. “I’m awake,” he yelled.

“Get out of bed!” Dawson hollered back.

“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.” Luca shoved the blankets down his legs. Why did Dawson sound so awake? That was just yucky. And unfair.

“Don’t make me get some cold water,” Dawson threatened.

Luca dragged himself out of bed, nearly tripping over the clothes he’d pulled off just a few hours before. “Damn it.” Luca kicked them out of the way.

Dawson pounded on the door again. “You’re not jerking off in there, are you?”

Luca snorted as he yanked open the door.

Dawson laughed before closing his eyes. “Why are you naked?”

“Because I was sleeping, dude,” Luca responded. “And you wouldn’t stop banging on the door.”

“We overslept,” Dawson said. “I’m going to open the shop. Hurry and get down there.”

Luca watched his friend walk down the hall. How long had his alarm been going off? Luca hadn’t even checked the time when he’d smacked the alarm off. He groaned. And again, why did Dawson look…okay? Better than okay.

“Shower and get dressed!” Dawson shouted before the front door slammed closed.

“Fine.” Luca headed toward the shower.

He might have stayed under the hot spray a little too long and had to dress in a hurry once he checked the time on his phone. Almost an hour late. Luca stepped out of the apartment and locked it behind him. Then came to a screeching stop to keep from bowling over the man sitting at the top of the stairs.

Why? Luca wanted to whine. “What’s up?” he asked Brad.

Brad rose and brushed off the back of his pants before turning toward Luca.

There might not be anything on the back of Brad’s pants but Luca still wanted to offer to help. His fingers twitched so Luca shoved his hands into his pockets. Nope, no, bad fingers. Oh hell, there might be some residual little still at the surface.

“Hey,” Brad said.

“Hey,” Luca returned. Well, this wasn’t awkward at all.

“I…” Brad rubbed the back of his neck.

And Luca knew why Brad was there. It was time for the talk. Or the words that always came after Brad gave in to his desire for Luca. Except this time Luca didn’t want to hear them. He never wanted to hear the words anytime yet especially not this morning. Luca was still a little floaty on the feelings from last night. “Can we not do this?”

“This?” Brad asked.

Luca waved a hand from himself toward Brad. “The customary regret talk.”

“I wasn’t,” Brad started.

“I need to get to work,” Luca interrupted.

“Sorry.” Brad took a step down. His fingers tightened on the rail. “I just wanted to ask if I could take you to dinner tonight.”