Better Than Friends (4 page)

“That was hot.”

I nodded weakly, wondering what to do now.

“Hey. Why don’t y—” Jack was interrupted by Matt’s untimely arrival.

“There you are! You coming with us? We’re leaving soon and you need a ride. No driving for you. Jack, you’re welcome too. We’re heading to our place for a small after party.”

“Uh….” The truth was I wanted to see what, if anything, more would happen with Jack and me tonight. I didn’t want to be reminded of my real life, though of course my friends were the best part of it. For once, I wanted to go with this reckless abandon being around him seem to inspire.

“Thanks. That sounds cool. I’ll drive Curtis for you. What’s your address?” Jack spoke up. I heard Matt give him the Dupont-area address to his and Aaron’s condo, but I kept quiet. It was as though the combination of the gin and Jack’s intoxicating company rendered me speechless. I felt like I was floating outside my body, watching their exchange, content with letting them make plans for me. So unlike me. A glance at Matt’s shit-eating grin told me he’d figured it out without a word from me. Great. I’d never hear the end of it. I watched Matt retreat to the ballroom. The festivities were coming to a close inside, but outside, it felt like that new beginning Jack had spoken of earlier.

“Um….” I looked up at Jack, who gave me a wide, generous grin.

“A lawyer who can’t speak. That has got to be a first.”

“Shut up.” I ducked my head, embarrassed.

“Hmm. I like you, Curt. I wouldn’t mind having you to myself for a while longer if you’re game. Your friends live near me. I’ll drop you off on my way home.”

I had to clear my throat before I could answer and decided it didn’t matter anyway, so I nodded in agreement. Jack smiled indulgently. I noticed one side of his mouth turned up more than the other. I reached out and touched his lip curiously. My sudden motion surprised him, but he didn’t move a muscle. He let me trace his soft, full lips as though I were a blind man. After a minute, he brought his hand up and gently grasped my fingers, licking them into his mouth in a move worthy of a porn star. Then he kissed my palm sweetly before lowering my hand away from his face. His eyes never left mine. I gulped and tried to refocus. Fuck, that was sexy.

“So… where were we?” Jack closed the short distance between us and lifted my chin with his thumb before swooping down to cover his mouth over mine.

We made out like a couple of teenagers in the semidark of the grand garden as the wedding reception came to an end around us. I was aware of fading voices, lowered music, and finally a gentle quiet broken only occasionally by someone who’d had a few too many. But I was content to remain exactly where I was—trapped between Jack’s wall of a body and the brick of the mansion’s façade as we kissed, licked, and sucked on each other’s tongues, mouths, and necks in our effort to get better acquainted.

Jack kissed me roughly, running his fingers through my hair and holding my head in place as he ravaged my mouth. Then he would pull away and soften the connection until I was whimpering for more. More contact, more Jack. I circled my arms around his large frame and pulled him into me, bringing our chests flush. Jack tilted his hips into mine, and I could have sworn I saw stars. The first touch of our erections, even through our suit pants, was enough to take my breath away. It had been too long since I’d been with a man, I mused, and fleetingly hoped I didn’t come in my pants just from a little friction. Geez, it would be like high school all over again.

When the overhead lights from the ballroom spilled brightly into our little garden oasis, the magic was diffused. Obviously the cleaning crew was trying to get a handle on the mess from the reception, thinking the entire party had long since gone. We both went still, waiting for someone to come outside and reprimand us as though we were a couple of naughty schoolboys.

Jack stepped back and shot a guilty look toward the action indoors. He took a deep breath and brushed one hand through his wavy hair. He didn’t seem like the type of guy to regret making out with a stranger in the dark, even at his ex’s wedding. Maybe he needed me to steer for now.

“You still okay to take me to Matt and Aaron’s?”

Jack inclined his head and leaned down to press one last kiss on my swollen lips.

“Yeah. Come on, Curtis.”

I wanted to reprimand him for calling me by my full name—the name I only used for official documents. And the name my parents called me. But when he grabbed my hand in his larger one and drew me back into the shadow of the night, I didn’t give a fuck what he called me. Being with him was exhilarating, I thought, as I laced my fingers with his. I happily floated on a breezy cloud of contentment as I matched his stride through the garden and out to the parking area beyond. I felt lighthearted and starry-eyed just being near him, sharing the same space.

And then he had to go and ruin everything.

Jack stopped at a motorcycle, which if I’d paid any attention to my surroundings in the empty lot, I would have realized was the only damn vehicle still there.

“Ah… no. Where is your car? Don’t you have a car? You couldn’t have ridden this in your tux, right?” I folded my arms across my chest decisively. No way was I getting on that death trap.

Jack paid no attention to me as he unlocked a helmet attached somewhere to the bike. He gave me a sideways glance and then turned to hand it to me. I stared at it, then at him and shook my head. Not happening. Fuck. I took a taxi to the wedding and I guess I’d take one home. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket, intending to dial up a ride with four wheels instead of taking my chances with the two-wheeled variety, when I felt the helmet being drawn over my head. Jack batted my cell away, shoving it back in my pocket before fastening the helmet properly.

“What are you doing? No. I’ll call a taxi. Besides, what would you wear? This is entirely unsafe!” My voice had risen an octave as I warmed up with self-righteous indignation. Who did he think I was? I didn’t do motorcycles. Ever.

“Hey, look at me.”

I rolled my eyes and bit the inside of my cheek. Jack looked larger than life in the moonlight. He seemed powerful too and in charge. Whatever. I wasn’t budging. I knew the bubble would burst. I had just misjudged the timing. Badly. Back to reality. I was pissed at myself for letting my inhibitions go. I’d had too much to drink and was now in a situation I didn’t care to be in. Fuck! I was an idiot!

“Curtis. Look at me.” His tone was low and commanding. I snuck a peek from the corner of my eye, not willing to comply completely.

“Hey.” Jack gently took my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to focus on him. “Remember what we said earlier? Tonight is a beginning. Tonight anything is possible. Try something you never thought you would. I know you don’t know me, but will you trust me? Just for tonight. I’ll take it slow and easy. You’ll just sit back and enjoy the ride. What do you say, honey?”

I gulped, mesmerized by his speech. Whether he meant for it to sound sexy or not, he seemed to be asking me to do more than hop on the back of his Harley and shut the fuck up.

“You won’t have a helmet, though. It’s not safe,” I heard myself protest weakly.

“I’ll go slow. Promise. Scout’s honor.” His eyes were twinkling again.

I snorted, smacked his arm lightly, and rolled my eyes for good measure.

“Puh-leeze. You don’t look like Boy Scout material.”

Jack threw his head back, laughing at my undoubtedly astute estimation.

“What makes you think I wasn’t a Boy Scout? I think you’re making judgments based on superficial observation. Tsk tsk.”

“Well, were you?”

Jack didn’t answer. He shot me a grin that turned the corners of his mouth up devilishly as he moved back to his big bike, making a show of straddling the monster before starting it. I jumped back at the harsh noise of the powerful motor. Jack laughed above the startling sound and revved the engine.

“Hop on, Curtis. Time to ride.” His gloved hands were affixed to the handlebars. He inclined his head, this time in exasperation.

Fuck. I felt a bead of sweat on my upper lip form in the cool night, and a flash of heat made my skin feel suddenly clammy all over. I was scared. Shitless. What did he say earlier? Something about tonight being about new beginnings. I needed one of those, I mused. I needed to try something new, take a chance on the unknown. Riding, even as a passenger on a motorcycle, was a new one for me. I took a deep, cleansing breath and reached for the straps of the helmet, making certain it really was secure on my head before I moved gingerly toward Jack, who was perched on his Harley. I was aware of his watchful gaze but I needed to concentrate on working through my fear. I bit my lip and cheek as I reached out to touch the seat behind him, feeling the purr of the engine radiate through my body.

“Hey, honey… it’s okay. Get behind me and hold on tight. You’ll be just fine.” His voice was low and kind, as though he were addressing a skittish child. Well, I was skittish, that was a given.

I took another deep breath, wiped my sweaty palms on my pants, and lifted the fabric on my right leg as I attempted to mount the bike. The seat was broader than I realized, so I ended up misjudging the momentum required and hopped backward on my left foot, trying to avoid falling on my ass. Jack caught my flailing right arm and held me steady. Now my right Prada-covered foot was stuck on the seat, which may have been a graceful move for a dancer, but not a six-foot-tall dork like me.

“Easy there. I got you.”

“Jack. I’m stuck.” I was torn between embarrassed and pissed.

Jack chuckled softly and turned to look at my predicament. He turned the engine off and effortlessly dismounted, giving me room to remove my leg from the seat. We stared at each other in the dark. I probably looked like a mutinous overgrown child with my arms crossed angrily and that damn biker helmet on my head. Oh and let’s not forget I was still wearing an Armani suit and a bow tie. Fucking ridiculous. Jack’s smile grew as he took in the silly sight I made. He shook his head in disbelief or maybe in disappointment—who knew? Perhaps I’d get my taxi ride after all. I waited anxiously to hear his verdict. He looked like a guy who had something to say.

“We’re gonna try this again. You hop on first. I’ll lend you a hand if you need it. Then I’ll get in front of you.” His eyes were sparkling with humor, and his speech was slow and deliberate.

I stared at him a moment longer. Jack raised his eyebrows in response and waited for me to move back toward his Harley. This time around the fear was gone, and I was fueled by angry determination. I wasn’t about to look like a bigger schmuck than I already did. With more room to get on the bike and Jack’s arm nearby for purchase if I needed it, I was on the back end of his motorcycle in seconds flat. Jack took his place in front and restarted the engine, revving it to life.

My thighs were splayed open, resting on the sides of Jack’s legs, the motor humming beneath us suggestively. I studied his massively wide shoulders and wondered at his sheer size and apparent strength. I couldn’t believe I was this close to him. We’d had our tongues down each other’s throats, but somehow this feeling, this kind of touching… it was sexy as hell.

“Curt!”

I blinked and refocused, realizing we were still parked.

“Yeah?”

“Hold on now. No daydreamin’, got it?” I heard the smirk in his voice and delivered a light smack to his back before I cautiously snaked my arms around his middle. “Tighter, honey. I don’t wanna have to go back and retrace my path to find pieces of you.”

“Fuck! Jack, let me off. I’m not doing this. I changed my mi—”

And he was off. I felt his laughter through the fine fabric of his tuxedo jacket. I wanted to be angry or scared but honestly, I was neither. The immediate sensation of flying and yet being tethered was thrilling. Holding on to a hunky, muscular man while I felt the cool wind on my face and the engine under my ass was another kind of thrill.

Jack set a hand over mine when we reached a red light at the bottom of the hill and asked if I was doing okay. I nodded briefly as he revved the engine, and we were off again. To his credit, he kept his word and maneuvered the Harley with caution and care, which I knew was for my sake. We navigated the quiet streets of Georgetown and traveled down M Street across the bridge leading to the more lively area in and around Dupont Circle. I loved this neighborhood, or gayborhood as Jay and Aaron called it. It was colorful and vibrant. There were world-class art galleries, restaurants, and of course, great bars and clubs, both gay and straight. I smiled and held on a little tighter around Jack’s middle as I took in the rainbow scenery.

We passed Jack’s bar on R Street. I noticed he slowed down as we approached—to check out the crowd, I guessed. It definitely looked like business was good if the gathering of muscle-bound men near the entrance was any indication. I started to ask Jack a question about the bar, but the traffic noise combined with the revelers on the street made it difficult to be heard. Jack made a left down New Hampshire Avenue, backtracking to Dupont Circle proper, coming to a slow stop on a sidewalk path leading to the famous fountain in the middle.

Jack dismounted with ease and gave me a heart-stopping grin. I couldn’t help returning it and chuckled. I didn’t necessarily want to go buy a Harley now, but yeah… that was fun.

“See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Jack took his gloves off before reaching out to help me remove the helmet.

“No. My life only flashed before my eyes once.”

“Yeah, and that was when we were still parked.”

“You’re fucking hysterical.” I tried to give him a dirty look but ended up laughing instead, because he was right. It had seemed so much scarier than it was.

“C’mon. Take a seat on a park bench in the moonlight with me for a few minutes. Then I’ll take you to your friends’ place.”

“Hmm. That’s kind of romantic.”

“That’s me. Mr. Romance.”

“You aren’t coming to Matt and Aaron’s, are you?” It didn’t make sense that he’d stopped here.

“No. My phone has been vibrating nonstop. We were short-staffed tonight at the bar, and I need to make sure—”