Earth and Sky

looks from time to time but not daring to feast his eyes. “Listen, I better let you run upstairs so you can get dressed, otherwise I’ll be responsible for you getting a cold as well.”

    Grant smiled, so Hunter turned around to leave.

    “I had the feeling you didn’t mind seeing me naked,” Grant added just before Hunter rounded the door.

    Hunter stopped. He had to prevent himself from turning around and shouting something about Grant being an insolent prick, so instead, he started walking again. With every step he took away from the crew house, he walked faster. Every step away made him realize that it was good that he hadn’t shouted at Grant, because he knew that the words would have only served to push Grant away; he hoped that, if his resolve not to kiss the man faltered, Grant would move away from him, preventing the inevitable from happening.

    There it was. He’d admitted to himself that he wanted to kiss the man, push his body against Grant’s, and feel those hard muscles under his hands.

    It was still raining when Hunter reached the mudroom at the side of the main house, but he didn’t walk in. Instead, he smashed his fist against the worn wood. There was no reason to think that Grant would push him away if he returned to the crew quarters. He’d seen the way Grant had looked at him. He’d seen the unashamed lust in the man’s eyes, felt the stolen touches, the way Grant always sought him out, despite the fact Hunter hadn’t been very welcoming toward him. He’d only now allowed himself to understand them. The adrenaline of rescuing Danny was just ebbing away, but his heart was still beating fast. He was tired and wet to the bone, but all he could think of was that he needed to release the tension, and his own hand wasn’t going to do. Not anymore.

    Hunter turned around and paced back to the crew house. He had to get it out of his system, had to taste the forbidden fruit, just this once, and then maybe he would never again wonder, “What if?”

    Hunter entered the house through the same door he’d left it earlier and almost ran up the stairs. Then he realized he had no idea which room was Grant’s. He had no other course of action than to call out his name. He hoped the other guys would either not recognize his voice or simply think that the boss was here to give Grant a hard time.

    At the end of the corridor, a door opened and Grant stuck his head out. As soon as he saw Hunter, he gestured for him to come inside his room.

    “You’re back quick,” Grant said as soon as he closed the door behind Hunter. His voice was subdued, as if he knew noises carried too far through the house.

    Hunter didn’t answer. What could he say?

    “Guess I don’t have to ask you if it’s still raining.”

    Hunter looked up and gazed straight into Grant’s dark eyes. Grant’s smile was teasing and seductive and, coupled with the fact that the towel that had only barely clung to Grant’s hips had been replaced by a pair of boxer briefs and nothing else, made Hunter avert his eyes again.

    “Why don’t you take your coat off?” Grant suggested. “You’re dripping all over my floor.”

    Hunter hesitated, but Grant moved away, opening a closet and taking out a bottle of whiskey.

    “Drink?” Grant offered.

    Hunter nodded and placed his duster over the chair standing next to the near wall while Grant took out two glasses and added about an inch of amber liquid to both of them.

    “Here,” he said, offering one of the tumblers to Hunter. “It’ll help warm you up, because you must be cold by now, and we can’t have the boss catching a cold, being as understaffed as we are.”

    Hunter accepted the glass and downed the entire contents in one swallow. The liquid burned, but Hunter welcomed the feeling. He gave Grant just enough time to take one sip and then took a step toward him.

    Grant noticed the overture and put his glass down on the table. He was still smiling as he reached for Hunter’s glass, and just managed to bring that to safety before Hunter launched himself forward. Grant was roughly pushed against the window, and as he spread his legs slightly, Hunter pushed even closer. Hunter’s kiss was rough and aggressive, but Grant could easily hold his own, even when his ass was pushed onto the windowsill. He scooted back as far as he could and pulled Hunter to him. Hunter didn’t resist. In fact, he pushed his groin against Grant’s and Grant felt Hunter’s arousal, which