Love is Always Write Anthology Bonus Volume

shirt.
    Finally Daniel nodded at a place on their left. "Here."
    Jacob looked at it. The small run-down motel could have fit on the outskirts of a New Jersey town. The sign promised private baths and low rates. The lit bulbs that ran around the outside of the sign were marred by a dozen dark ones, like a gap-toothed smile. Maybe it just wasn't worth replacing the bulbs, since it would be shut off at night for blackout. The door to the motel office was ajar, and a yellow bug-light burned above it, barely visible in the sunset glow.
    "Okay?" Daniel asked.
    "Yes. Fine."
    "You wait here. I'll go get a key."
    Jacob nodded silently. Daniel walked down the path, pulled the dusty door open and stepped inside out of view. Jacob fidgeted, staring around, trying not to look like a man waiting for his male lover to come out with a room key.  Jesus.
    Daniel reappeared and turned left, walking along the row of units. He gave Jacob just a tilt of his head in invitation. Jacob followed slowly. At the very end, Daniel fit the key into the lock. He turned it and then gradually opened the door, so that he was just stepping inside as Jacob caught up to him. Jacob followed him two steps into the room, and Daniel reached past to push the door shut. Jacob's hand brushed Daniel's as they both reached to turn the lock, and he made a sound that was supposed to be a laugh, but lost breath somewhere in the middle. They moved away from the door.
    The room was tiny, with one double bed, a dresser, and a narrow door that presumably was the promised private bath. The furnishings were cheap, and the carpet was worn but not too dirty. The single window was covered by black drapes. The fading sun came through in filtered dimness, a single finger of light visible along one edge. Jacob went over and fussed with them, straightening the folds, lining them up well past the limits of the window. The single bright sunbeam disappeared. He turned to Daniel.
    In the darkened room, Daniel was just a moving shadow, lean and mysterious. Jacob laced his fingers behind his back and rocked on his heels, staring uncertainly. Then Daniel stepped toward the bed and snapped on the lamp. "Come here," he said softly.
    Jacob went to him obediently. Close, and then closer, moving into Daniel's space as he would not have with any other man. He paused with only inches between them. Over those few remaining inches he could feel Daniel's heat, and smell his skin. The light from the lamp cast odd shadows along Daniel's cheekbones and lit his hazel eyes to amber. Jacob stood still, waiting, frozen.
    Daniel reached out slowly and slid warm hands up his arms. Jacob shivered at his touch. As Daniel leaned in to kiss him, Jacob turned his head and leaned back. "What do you think?" His voice was high and breathless. "You figure there are other fellows from the Gageway doing this? We can't be the only two on that ship who were waiting for shore leave."
    Daniel hesitated. He stopped moving forward but his fingers clasped Jacob's biceps. "You really want to talk about his now?"
    "I'm just curious." Jacob shrugged free and turned away to glance at the door. "You know, about whether there are other queers on board. Seems like there must be."
    "Well sure. A few I know of, and probably a bunch I don't."
    Jacob turned back to him in surprise. "You mean you know some of them? For certain?"
    "Jacob, they don't call that last table port-side on the mess deck the fruit basket for nothing. If you can't name at least three of the guys, you haven't been paying attention."
    "Do they know you?" Jacob swallowed. "Do you think they know about me?"
    "Probably. And probably not. It's kind of recognition, the way a man looks in your eyes or smiles that tells the tale. You don't look anyone in the eyes half the time, so you're likely safe." Daniel took a step to close the distance between them again. "Trip, it's okay if you don't want to do this."
    "No. I want to." He'd been hard for the last hour, thinking about it. He tried for a casual laugh. "I just don't know what the hell I'm doing."
    "Nor do I. Not really. But we're a couple of smart guys. I'm guessing we can figure it out."
    "You think so?" He meant it to be a joke but it came out breathless.
    "I'm betting on it. We could start with this." Daniel leaned forward and this time Jacob met the kiss halfway.
    It was better than he remembered. Here in this quiet room, with the door locked and time suspended, Daniel's mouth filled his senses. He heard