Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

soon."
    Burke reached toward his cock and felt Staff's hand close over his own. It only took about two strokes and he hit it out of the park. Staff caught most of the creamy spurts in his hand. A moment later Staff gave up any pretense of control and with a loud grunt he came, too, hands tightly gripping Burke's hips. Burke lay back and enjoyed the feeling of Staff's cock spasming inside, imagining he could feel each pulse of come filling up the condom. The warmth and tingle of his own orgasm lingered as he saw pleasure spread across Staff's face.
    He watched as Staff licked come from his hand. Burke was shocked he'd had anything left to spurt. They'd been pretty active, even if this was the first time they'd had full-on— or in— sex. He liked knowing Staff enjoyed his taste, given that he was a chef and pretty picky about what he ate.
    Staff pulled out slowly and lay down next to Burke. "Next time, I want to watch your face when you come."
    Next time . Burke liked how that sounded. He still wasn't one hundred percent sure, but he wouldn't consider what they'd just done "fucking." He hoped Staff felt the same way.
    After they cleaned up, Staff snuggled up behind Burke, who settled against Staff's chest. It had been just about perfect, their first time. They'd waited just long enough to know each other's bodies and how to please each other, so there hadn't been any of that awkwardness and insecurity that accompanied so many of Burke's past random couplings, or even a first time with someone who became a longer-term lover. There had been mutual affection and friendship and desire to please the other, and maybe a hint of something more.
    Burke felt warm and happy in Staff's arms and traced a fingertip along the slightly raised ridges of the old scars on Staff's fingers.
    They were in nearly the same position when Burke woke the next morning. Staff's gentle snores sounded more like purring, but inside Burke felt a deep dark dread building. Despite the warmth of Staff's body, Burke began to shiver.
    "Burke, you okay?" Staff's sleep-filled voice rasped in his throat.
    "I guess."
    "What's wrong?"
    "I'm leaving in a few days."
    "Me, too. Did you want to stay here longer?" Staff leaned over and Burke saw the confusion creasing his brow.
    Burke shuddered even more at the thought. "No. No way. But... you never told me where you're from. Where you live..."
    Staff propped himself up on one elbow and pulled Burke around so they were face to face. "Didn't I?"
    Burke shook his head.
    "In Sonoma, wine country."
    Burke's heart raced. "That's not far from me. I live in San Francisco."
    "I know."
    "Did I tell you? You didn't want to talk about this before. You said no more details, no specifics."
    "Well, I wasn't too worried. I saw you at the airport, SFO. I mean, that suitcase stands out. So I figured you were pretty close to home for me. Then I kinda cheated. I snooped a little too, when you were in the shower the other day. I looked at your luggage tag. Just to make sure I'd be able to find you again."
    Burke felt warm and gooey in all the right places. He pressed himself up against Staff and felt the answering hardness against his hip.
    "Any interest in some casual fucking this morning?"
    "Nope." Staff kissed Burke, rolled him onto his back and nibbled at his neck and one nipple for a few moments, until he had Burke squirming beneath him, thrusting his hips up, seeking more friction.
    Staff slid the nightstand drawer open. "But I will help you use up all these condoms your sister bought."
    "Did you have to mention my sister?" Burke groaned, but the next thing Staff did with his mouth had nothing to do with words.
    And they never did fuck. Not in the strict sense of the word.
    THE END
    Author bio: EM Lynley has worked in finance, the wine industry, and high-tech, though she'd rather be writing sexy man-on-man romance. She spent ten years as an economist and financial analyst, including a year as a White House Staff Economist, but only because all the intern positions were filled. Tired of boring herself and others with dry business reports and articles, her creative muse is back and naughtier than ever.
    Sex, Lies & Wedding Bells was EM's first published novel. Since then she has published with Dreamspinner Press, Silver Publishing, Torquere Press, Ravenous Romance, Phaze and Cobblestone Press. In addition to her m/m writing, she has edited three anthologies of short stories including Wicked Good (M/M Angels and Demons) and