Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

really did, but he also didn't want to have to move again when things didn't work out and Lucas left him. They didn't live in a small town, but to see Lucas moving on with his life while he sat at home all alone wasn't acceptable in his eyes. It would hurt too much.
    What the fuck is wrong with me? I need to get out of here before I do something I regret.
    "Gabe, you okay?" Lucas put the last plate in the dishwasher. "You look like you spaced out on me for a minute there."
    He shook his head and stood up. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's getting late. I better be taking off."
    Lucas dried his hands on the towel he was holding. "How about one more drink first?"
    The overhead light caused Lucas's eyes to sparkle and shine and once again he was caught in the spell that was Lucas Jacques. "Sure."
    Lucas grabbed two beers out of the refrigerator and led him to the living room. Gabe sat down and took a long pull on his bottle. Lucas wandered around the room, shutting the blinds, closing them off from the rest of the world. Once he was done, he took a seat right next to him on the couch.
    Gabe fidgeted with the label on his bottle. The low lighting and closeness to Lucas had his nerves running crazy. The setting had become intimate and he just didn't know if he was ready for that.
    "Why do you keep all your windows open like that?" He gesture to the bay windows. "I could see you perfectly from the street, walking around in here. That's not very safe." He had to change the subject before he did something crazy—like let Lucas kiss him.
    Lucas stretched his arm out alongside the top of the couch. His fingertips resting against Gabe's neck. "You just can't shut it off, can you?"
    "Excuse me?" He looked at Lucas like he was crazy. "Shut what off?"
    "This whole need to protect the world twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year." Lucas's eyes bore into his.
    "It's my job. It's who I am." He was getting angry. Why should he have to defend himself for worrying about people's safety?
    "I get that, but who's watching out for you? Who's taking care of you? When is it your turn to just relax?"
    Gabe took a shaky breath as he felt Lucas's fingers sink into his neck, lightly rubbing the knotted muscles. He could feel Lucas's eyes on him, but he couldn't meet his gaze. If he looked up, Lucas would see the longing in his eyes to have just that. To have someone be there for him.
    "Gabe, look at me." When he didn't, Lucas tightened his hand around his neck until he looked up. "Don't ignore me."
    "What do you want me to say?" His voice sounded rough to his own ears.
    "Don't say anything." He moved until he was just an inch away from Gabe's mouth. "Just let me in."
    He shook his head. "I don't know if I can." Looking into Lucas's bright green eyes, he saw a hunger there that matched his own. He wanted to let him in, but he didn't know if he could survive it if he did.
    "Come with me." Lucas stood up and held his hand out for him to take. With courage he didn't know he had, Gabe grabbed Lucas's hand and let the man pull him to his feet.
    The hallway was dark, but he allowed Lucas to lead the way. Lucas pushed open a door and didn't bother to turn on the light. He tugged on Gabe's hand until he stood next to the bed. He shivered as Lucas ran his hands up and down his arms. Lucas's touch was soft and gentle in contrast to his hard stare.
    "I don't know what happened in your past and I don't expect you to just turn over all your control to me. But I want you to try." He held a finger to Gabe's lips when he tried to speak. "You need to let go, let someone else see to your needs." Lucas brushed a kiss against his jaw. "Let me take over for a while, let me be in charge of your pleasure." Another kiss to his cheek.
    Gabe's skin itched with raw need to let Lucas have the power he wanted. Coming back to Lucas's bedroom had been a mistake; between the moonlit room, soft bed, and the sexual being in front of him, he was lost to do anything else. He nodded his head.
    Gabe was held captive by Lucas's gaze as the younger man started to undo his buttons. He sucked in a breath when Lucas pushed the shirt up and off his shoulders. Lucas's touch sent shock waves directly to Gabe's cock. He jerked when he felt Lucas's hands at the waistband of his jeans. Lucas flipped the button free and pulled the zipper down slowly. The ping of each of the teeth breaking free sounded loud in the quiet room. Lucas took a step closer, invading Gabe's personal