Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

blushing and holding a roll of duct tape. Eli wasn't sure what that meant. He'd been pretty sure the guy didn't have a serial killer vibe, but hell, he could barely tell who was gay these days. Maybe he was just kinky? Eli could work with that. He raised an eye brow.
    James blushed. "For the pants." He waved the duct tape in the direction of the pants, which were an inch or two long on Eli. "It's faster than hemming. Okay, actually I can't hem. But you know." He broke off looking embarrassed again.
    "Sure. That works." Eli shook his head. James was really acting oddly.
    As he knelt beside Eli, James gritted his teeth. This was totally unfair. He shouldn't have to have to be kneeling in front of the hottest guy he's seen in forever and resist. He still wasn't sure why he was resisting making a move on the man. Eli would go for it, but James wanted it to be a date.
    James focused on flipping up the pants and tearing off the tape to fasten them. If he didn't think about it, he could get it finished and be done. As he tried to stand up, he knelt on his own pant leg and lost his balance, falling forward. He put out his hand to catch himself; his palm landed on Eli's thigh and his face smooshed into Eli's crotch as he tried to regain his balance.
    Instinctively, he inhaled sharply and caught Eli's scent. Oh fuck. He was so screwed. Eli's hand came down and smoothed over his hair. "James? Are you okay?"
    James needed to move, he really did. He needed to pull his face away from Eli's crotch. Yes, he would, shortly, as soon as he memorized that scent. When he felt Eli's cock start to harden under his cheek, he moaned and pulled back with a jerk. James leapt to his feet, his face scarlet. "Oh, God. I'm so sorry."
    As James went to turn away, Eli caught his wrist. "James? What's going on?"
    "Nothing. I'm fine."
    "Oh, don't give me the fine bullshit. If I can't, you can't." Eli jerked on James' wrist, pulling him closer. "Have you changed your mind about tonight?"
    James' eyes went wide. "No! Of course not." He looked down and swallowed. "I just... this is supposed to be a fun night out for you to get you away from the stress of work, and I'm practically throwing you down and having my wicked way you before we even get to the party."
    Eli chuckled and James snapped his head up to look at him. "I wouldn't turn you down, you know." James just nodded. "But we don't have to do anything, I, well, I appreciate you even thought of this for me." Eli looked away. "Nate, my ex, well, he wasn't too tolerant of my Star Trek interest, so I've kind of steered clear. Then you, a total stranger – more or less – invited me to this because you knew I'd like it." Eli shrugged. "I just want you to know that it means a lot to me."
    James stared into Eli's blue eyes. Those gorgeous sky blue eyes - no longer cold and remote as they'd been the night he met Eli - his pupils growing wide as he stared at James. Without really even thinking about it, James leaned in closer and his lips oh so gently touched Eli's. Eli blinked quickly several times, then his hand released James' wrist to slide around his waist to draw him closer until their hips were flush. His other hand slid up James' arm to wrap his fingers around the back of James' head, tipping it slightly before he pulled James's head down until their lips touched again.
    Eli gently sucked at James' bottom lip as James wrapped his arms around Eli's back; Eli pulled him in even tighter when he felt James respond. When Eli's tongue licked at James' lips, James opened his mouth to the invader with a groan, tightening his own arms around Eli. James could taste the faint underlying flavor of cigarettes, but over that was mint and Eli. Oddly James didn't find the cigarette flavor off-putting… or maybe it was just Eli's skill with his tongue that made James completely forget about anything but the smooth slick wetness in his mouth and the rub of Eli's hard cock against his own.
    James seriously considered rubbing off on Eli. It would feel so good and only take a few minutes considering how hard he was. Then he remembered the day he'd invited Eli - seeing him stressed out, leaning against the hospital wall, upset about the dead kids - and he knew the man needed more than a quick BJ or hand-job. James was going to take Eli to the party and let him wallow in the Trekkiness, even if it wasn't really James' thing.
    As James started to pull back, he had to pry Eli's hand off his head. He smiled down at Eli,