Mr. Right Now Page 10

  Jonah tried to keep his hold gentle, his voice soothing, but he was angry inside in a way that surprised him. Somebody had messed with the Doc, hurt him, even. And that wasn’t sitting too well with Jonah. He barely knew the man he held in his arms, but something about him had gotten under his skin.

  Even in their teasing encounters Jonah had sensed the deep vulnerability of the other man. It had brought out all kinds of protective instincts Jonah didn’t expect. He’d stepped back this evening when the Doc’s friends had come up and pulled him away, but he wasn’t stepping back now.

  If might have been minutes, it might have been hours. Rick didn’t know how long he struggled until his senses returned and he was left embarrassed at his outburst and still panicked at the elevator’s stopping. The man who held him so gently just let him agitate, one hand patting his back softly until Rick stopped and let himself be held closer. Rick was amazed this man, so caring and gentle, was the same confident aggressor he had flirted with earlier.

  “Just take a deep breath. Everything’ll be okay.” The voice was almost crooning in Rick’s ear, and all he could think about was that movie about a guy that could calm down horses with simply a whisper. Rick finally gave up and gave in, burying his face in the broad shoulder of Mr. Flannel Shirt.

  Exactly where he wanted to be. “You breathing?” Jonah was surprised at how much he enjoyed it when the Doc settled down and nestled closer against him.

  Rick could hear amusement now in that voice, but he didn’t want to look up and acknowledge the real world. Nope, he just wanted to stay right where he was. There was something awfully comforting about being held closely against a muscular chest and a bristly cheek rubbing against his hair.

  It had been so damn long, and right now Rick needed all the comfort he could get.

  “We might be here for a while. Let’s take it easy.” It took a little adjusting since Rick was never released from the protective circle of those arms, but soon they were both sitting on the floor of the elevator. Those long, jean clad legs were stretched out, boots crossed at the ankle, and Rick was cuddled close, almost sitting on the other man’s lap.

  Rick managed a deep breath, catching a hint of fragrance, a mix of sage and wind that he knew didn’t come out of any bottle. Slowly he began to relax, the tension leaving his shoulders and his grip growing less desperate once he realized the other man wasn’t letting go.

  “I told you, Doc. You just need someone to take care of you.” Jonah kept his voice soft, but he was eager to be the one to do just that.

  “The elevator’s stopped,” Rick mumbled against the broad shoulder.

  “Yeah, it sure has.” There was that damn amusement again. “Just got to have a little faith they’re working on it.” “I really don’t like elevators.” There was really something nice about a large hand resting firmly on the back of his neck, Rick mused. “It’s not like I have a phobia or anything.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “This hasn’t been my best night.”

  “I get that impression.” Jonah tightened his arms around the doc for a minute. “I’m really embarrassed.” Rick tried to draw back from the shoulder that pillowed him, but was simply held tighter. Deciding to enjoy the moment, Rick let himself relax again.

  “That’s better, Doc.” There was that hand again, rubbing soothing circles into his back.

  “You came to my speech,” Rick said quietly, soothed by the magic those hands were making. “Why?”

  “I was interested, and it was a good speech.” A soft kiss was pressed against Rick’s neck. “What’s your name?” Rick gave up on trying to understand what was happening and decided to give into his curiosity and find out just whose arms he was enjoying being in without questioning the reasons why.

  Rick was released, and he sat back slowly. He wiped his hand across his face and pushed his hair back with one shaking hand before letting his hesitant blue eyes meet the darker ones in front of him.

  “Jonah Lavierge.” A large hand took his in a quick shake. “Pleased to meet you, Doc.”

  “Rick.” Rick looked down shyly. “Rick Page.” Reality crept back in, and Rick looked around the small space they were sitting in. The frozen feeling was gone and even his embarrassment seemed to have disappeared. There was something about Jonah that simply refused to leave any room for those emotions.

  “Sorry about that.” Rick took another deep breath as he turned and settled against Jonah’s side, his head against the wall. “I’m not usually so… so…” He gave up on words and just shrugged.

  “S’alright. As my grandmother always says, every creek will run a banker when the storm’s bad enough.” Jonah smiled gently and continued, “From the looks of things, it’s been a doozy. You want to talk about it?”

  Rick was amazed at how everything associated with such a large man was so soft, so gentle. He shook his head. “No, actually. I’d like to forget it for now.” Rick took another breath of sage and wind. Elevators weren’t really so bad.

  “You know why I’m here. What are you here for?” Jonah smiled and gracefully accepted Rick’s change of subject. If the doc wanted to forget whatever had upset him, Jonah was willing to help. Hell, if he were honest, Jonah wanted to drive everything out the doc’s head except how it felt to have Jonah inside him. “I’m here with family. My sisters and I brought my grandmother up for the weekend. She loves to gamble. We come with her to make sure she doesn’t end up spending everything she has.”

  Rick tried to prevent the laugh that bubbled up. This man was here with his grandmother? “You’re kidding, right?” He looked up at Jonah again. “Oh, man, you’re not. God, I’m sorry.”

  Jonah just laughed at him. “It’s fine. She’s ninety-seven. She raised me and my sisters, never had the easiest life. If she wants to spend her last years gambling, I’m not going to interfere.”

  “I guess I understand.” Rick could only smile at the thought of a ninety-seven-year-old woman playing the slots for all she was worth. “I hope I’m that determined at her age.”

  “Don’t we all,” Jonah agreed. “You sure you’re okay?” Before Rick could reply, the elevator gave a jerk and they were moving upward again.

  “See, Doc.” Jonah winked at him. “Everything’s fine.” Jonah helped Rick stand up, brushed off his suit coat, and straightened its hang off his shoulders. “You’re as good as new.” With those dark eyes on his, it was suddenly easy for Rick to be brave. “I’m even better. Let me say thank you. Come to my room and have a drink with me.”

  IT was surprisingly effortless. The ”it” in question being the deliberate act of bringing a man back to his hotel room with every conscious intention of being intimate with him. There was none of the awkwardness Rick would have expected to feel, none of the tension or the nervousness.

  Without hesitation, Rick took out a couple of beers from the room’s minibar and he and Jonah settled down on the bed to make comfortable and quiet conversation. At first, Rick thought they would jump into a furious coupling as a way to purge Brian from his flesh and memories forever. It would be the ultimate way to release the anger and humiliation he felt after the final proof of Brian’s infidelity.

  It would have been payback to a man who wasn’t even around other than in Rick’s head. But that wasn’t the case anymore. The past’s hold on him had broken in the elevator where Jonah had simply held him close. Now Rick was filled with peace in the calm aftermath, filled with quiet anticipation as he let his gaze linger hungrily on the lean form reclined on the bed beside him.

  Jonah didn’t seem to be in any rush to fuck and run, and Rick had found his desire for Jonah had less to do with getting back at Brian and everything now to do with the exciting man beside him.

  “So what do you do when you aren’t rescuing distraught doctors in disabled elevators?” Rick couldn’t help but smile at the alliteration that escaped him. He snuggled a bit closer to Jonah, enjoying the warm that poured off that hard body.

  Jonah shrugge
d and took a large drink from the bottle, his head tilting back and letting Rick watch the movement of his throat as he swallowed. “Nothing much. Same as anyone else. Work a job. Help support my family. It’s not like I’m saving lives or anything,” he grinned at Rick.

  “What kind of job?” Rick grinned back and pressed a little harder, interested in learning all he could about the man beside him, letting the tangible desire between them simmer and build.

  “I help my sisters and their husbands run the farm my grandparents started years ago. We grow a variety of grains for use as livestock feed. I also own a feed store that specializes in custom mixes at the buyer’s request.”

  “You’re not talking about the corner pet food store, are you?” Rick couldn’t imagine Jonah doing anything on a small scale.

  “Not hardly!” Jonah laughed. “We don’t usually do a custom mix for orders under a couple of tons. There’s a whole science behind the blend of protein and other nutrients depending on what goal the buyer is working toward with their stock.”

  “So really you’re a chemist.” Rick nodded and took another swallow off his beer. Jonah might try to play down his accomplishments, but Rick could see the sharp intelligence behind the dark eyes.

  “No, Doc, I’m just a farm boy come to town.” Jonah put his beer down on the nightstand. “And I probably should get my boots off the bed.” He shifted, moving toward the end of the bed and sitting upright with a groan as his back cracked with the movement.

  “Just take them off.” Rick enjoyed watching the movement of those muscles beneath Jonah’s clothing. Then suddenly, the watching wasn’t enough. Rick scooted down behind Jonah, kneeling behind him and looking at their reflection in the mirror over the room’s desk as his thighs closed around Jonah’s hips, trapping and holding Jonah tight against him.

  They stared at each other for a silent moment, and then Rick undid the clasp at the back of Jonah’s neck and let the cloud of dark hair fall freely to Jonah’s shoulders, burying his face in the long strands just as he’d dreamed of doing.

  “Why?” Rick spoke quietly, inhaling the tantalizing scent of sage and knowing he would always associate it with this compelling man.

  Jonah didn’t pretend to not understand. “I have responsibilities at home. There’s no time for commitments. Weekends like this are all I have to give.”

  “So I could have been anyone?” Rick let his fingers comb through the dark hair, watching as his gentle touch brought goose bumps to Jonah’s neck and then closing his eyes to better enjoy the feel of the coarse satin under his hands.

  “Oh no, Doc. Definitely not anyone.” Jonah leaned further back between Rick’s legs, letting Rick support his weight. “You’re special. The first time I saw you, I thought you were beautiful and intelligent, and you looked as lonely as I felt. I just wanted to see you smile.”

  “Your skin looks like dark honey,” Rick whispered, touched by Jonah’s words. “Is it okay if I taste it?” Rick didn’t know where this sudden aggression came from, this need he had to consume the other man. But he didn’t fight it, either. Instead he leaned down, letting his lips touch the soft skin under Jonah’s ear and enjoying the groaning reaction to his boldness.

  Rick trembled, feeling released from his normally restrained behavior, and moved his hands slowly over Jonah’s shoulders. He took the dark shirt by the collar, spreading it open over the broad chest and then lowering it down, pulling it off Jonah’s wrists and tossing it onto the bed behind them.

  Rick opened his eyes, his gaze meeting the dark eyes in the mirror. They drifted over his reflection slowly, lazily with open, carnal delight. Rick felt an unexpected warmth flood his body at the undisguised desire. He found it a welcome balm against his injured feelings of self worth.

  He pulled Jonah back even tighter against him, grinding his erection into Jonah’s back as he stared at the picture they made, the two of them together in the mirror. Rick’s hair was tousled, his breathing ragged, his eyes wide and dark with desire.

  He lifted one hand to Jonah’s throat, gently but firmly holding the other man still and feeling his pulse under his fingers. The other hand he splayed out against Jonah’s belly, feeling the hard muscle and the slow inhalations from deep within.

  Rick knew the physical mechanics involved in the process of breathing. The way oxygen from the air, once inhaled, would diffuse into the red blood cells to oxygenate the tissues and organs of the body. The way carbon dioxide and other toxins were expelled from the lungs and body when a breath was released. He’d spent his life studying it, quantifying it.

  Now he felt it.

  Now he became one with it.

  They each looked at their mirror image in silence, unmoving. Feeling the sync as their inhalations and exhalations met and matched, becoming one breath shared between the two of them. Finally, Rick moved his hands to the bottom of Jonah’s Tshirt and lifted it over his head, exposing the warm skin beneath.

  Jonah had been passive to this point, letting Rick’s confidence grow as he explored. But now he swiftly turned, easily pushing Rick off balance and down onto the bed while Jonah straddled him. Jonah rubbed against Rick, letting Rick feel how hard the simple touches had left him.

  “Everyone has a dream, a desire so deep that sometimes they can’t even share it with themselves. Let me be yours tonight. Please?”

  It was the final word that was Rick’s undoing, uttered so softly he almost didn’t hear it. Whatever else drove this man, Rick couldn’t doubt his sincerity, his desire for him. Not with it pressed up against him so tightly, throbbing between them.

  Jonah could see Rick’s unspoken acceptance in his blue eyes, the pupils huge and dark with lust, and he let his fingers tighten on Rick’s shoulders as he leaned close. He paused, his lips a breath’s distance away from Rick.

  Rick wasn’t sure if Jonah was giving him time to protest or just time to drown in the sensual wave that the other man had become. He looked up into Jonah’s eyes, unable to do anything else other than plead with him soundlessly, his lips parted. Rick groaned his need.

  Finally, Jonah covered Rick’s mouth with his own. His lips were firm and gentle, seeking and receiving permission to continue. It was Jonah’s turn to moan, the sound vibrating in the back of his throat as he pressed down even harder against Rick’s willing body.

  Rick gasped as the kiss changed. No longer the seeker, Jonah became the conqueror. He delved deeply into Rick’s mouth, tasting the sweetness that was Rick as it mixed with the sourness of the beer.

  Rick let his tongue wrap gently around Jonah’s, sucking and teasing as he tried to move against the bulk of Jonah’s weight. Jonah responded by pressing him even harder against the bed, using his tongue to simulate the sex act until the kiss itself became an act of penetration.

  Fucking perfect. JONAH was breathing heavily as he pulled back up, supporting himself with one arm by Rick’s head while he traced the outline of Rick’s lips. “I knew they’d look like this,” he whispered, slowly inserting his finger into Rick’s mouth and pulling it out.

  The implied innuendo was obvious, and Rick groaned again as he sucked on Jonah’s finger before biting down. He knew he was being needy and greedy and it felt good.

  “You have way too many clothes on,” Jonah breathed again, and Rick smiled up at him. “Let me up,” Rick panted as he eagerly sat up and fumbled with the buttons of his shirt. Jonah reached over to help, tracing a path down the muscles of Rick’s arms before letting his fingers travel over Rick’s stomach to the waistband of his pants and pressing the heel of his hand against the hard bulge between Rick’s thighs.

  “You’re one hell of a man, Doc.” Jonah gave Rick another one of the drugging, soul-stealing kisses and Rick dropped back against the bed like a stone.

  “Oh, man.” Jonah just winked before his head moved downward, breath hot on Rick’s flesh as he licked Rick’s navel with a pointed tongue. When he pulled the zipper of Rick’s pants down, the sound was unbearably loud in the quiet
room. Rick lay there waiting.

  Hoping.

  He wasn’t disappointed. Jonah wasted no time pulling Rick’s pants and boxers off and then gave Rick’s cock a lick from base to tip that had Rick stuttering even before Jonah wrapped his lips around the hard length and swallowed him whole.

  “Please…” Rick vibrated beneath Jonah, his breath hitching as his hips thrust helplessly upward. Rick reached down and grabbed hold of Jonah’s hair, using it as leverage as he tried not to mindlessly force himself into Jonah’s mouth.

  Jonah opened his throat, letting Rick set the pace and loving the way Rick responded so effortlessly to every swirl of his tongue or suction of his mouth. There wasn’t any hesitation, no holding back. Nothing except the intensity that threatened to overwhelm them both just like Jonah had imagined. It was easy to use his shoulders to push Rick’s legs wider apart, one hand rolling the delicate skin of Rick’s balls, loving the moans Rick gave in response.

  He looked up into Rick’s face, silently waiting until Rick’s eyes opened and dazedly watched while Jonah raised his hand to Rick’s mouth once again. Rick moaned again and then wrapped his lips around Jonah’s extended fingers making sure to get them good and wet. Rick knew what was next and God, did he want it.

  Jonah continued to work his mouth over Rick’s cock, imitating Rick’s actions before he removed his fingers and reached down between Rick’s legs. The doc’s hips were jerking, but it was easy to find the small whorl of puckered skin. Jonah tapped at it briefly, teasing and taunting until Rick whimpered and pushed back at his hand.

  Rick knew he was whimpering, but right then he didn’t give a good goddamn. Jonah’s mouth was hot and wet and so willing to let Rick abuse it anyway he could. There was a calloused finger at his body’s entrance and as Rick thrust back against the pressure, Jonah inserted it almost roughly inside him.

  “Fuck… God…” Rick’s hips moved upward now in an attempt to evade the touch, thrusting himself deeper down Jonah’s throat in the process. His skin felt hot and swollen, the thickness of the finger inside him almost a shock.