Page 87 of The Way Home

Caleb’s heart skipped a beat. Those bright green eyes had him in an absolute chokehold as they slowly connected with his.

“And I would like to,” Jamie continued, thumbs brushing along his jaw, “I would like things to be different tonight.”

His shaky voice made Caleb’s chest ache. “Yes,” Caleb said immediately. “Yes, J. I want that too. Whatever you want. We can do anything. I’m not holding back anymore.”

He was done waiting. In fact, he didn’t think hecouldhold himself back if he tried. That flicker of fear was still there, whispering that if this went wrong, it would destroy him. But the way Jamie waslooking at him… with longing and focus, like nothing else in the world existed—

The elevator dinged.

The doors slid open, and Jamie grabbed his hand, tugging him down the hall toward their unit. The moment the door shut behind them, Jamie spun on him, palms flat against his chest, until Caleb’s ass hit the kitchen island.

“I’d like to touch you, and I know you said—”

His words were cut off as Caleb surged forward and hauled Jamie flush against his body. Their mouths crashed together in a mess of urgency and pent-up need. Jamie answered immediately, fingers digging into Caleb’s sides as their lips moved hungrily.

“I’m sorry,” Caleb breathed in the single second their mouths parted. Then he was kissing him again, deeper this time.

“I-it’s okay.” Jamie tasted like lime and London rain, and fuck, Caleb had missed this so bad.

His cold hands slid beneath Jamie’s soaked shirt, palms skimming damp skin as he dragged the fabric up and over his head. They broke apart only long enough to pull it free before Caleb was back on him.

Don’t be careful with me tonight.The words landed heavy in Caleb’s chest because… well, he had to be careful with Jamie. He had to besocareful. It always felt like one wrong move, one moment looking away, and he would slip through his fingers…

A low groan escaped Caleb as Jamie fumbled for his shirt, tearing it off and flinging it aside with a wet slap against the floor. The second it was gone, he caught Caleb’s face and dragged him back into a kiss, making raw, desperate noises against his mouth.

Water dripped to the floor, and on any other day, it would’ve bothered Caleb, but tonight, he only had eyes for the man in front of him. Jamie pulled away, his eyes sliding down Caleb’s chest to the waistband of his trousers. His hands moved to Caleb’s belt.

“May I—?”

“God, yes.”

A wicked smile spread across Jamie’s mouth. He loosened the belt, the buckle clinking softly as it slipped free, then let it fall to thefloor. Caleb’s pulse thundered as Jamie opened his fly and pushed his trousers down, stepping back politely to let Caleb step out of them. Left in nothing but his boxers, Caleb straightened and immediately pulled Jamie into his arms.

He spun them, pressing Jamie’s back gently against the counter, and buried his face in his neck.

“I want you so bad, J,” he breathed, lips dragging along the damp skin there. His heart was beating so fast he could hardly think. “I know I’ve made you wait, and I’m sorry. I promise that whatever you want tonight, it’s yours.”

“I—there’s so much I want,” Jamie gasped as Caleb mouthed at his neck and settled on that sensitive spot just behind his ear. His fingers fisted in Caleb’s hair, holding him there. Jamie’s hand slid down, hesitant for only a second before cupping the front of Caleb’s boxers. The pressure pulled a low and helpless whine from Caleb.

“Good thing we’ve got all night,” Caleb murmured, kissing his way down Jamie’s throat and back up again. It was impossible to stop touching him. Jamie’s erection pressed insistently against Caleb’s hip, and the realization of how much Jamie wanted this sent a dizzy rush through him.

“Bedroom,” Jamie managed breathlessly.

Caleb didn’t argue. Keeping most of the weight in his good arm, he lifted Jamie off the floor, hands locked under his thighs. They kissed messily as he walked them to the bedroom. Caleb nudged the bedroom door open with his foot and stumbled inside.

He set Jamie down on the edge of the bed but didn’t let go, his hands sliding to Jamie’s waist, tugging him closer between his knees.

“God, you’re beautiful.” A damn understatement—Jamie looked fucking gorgeous. Cheeks flushed deep pink, eyes bright and a little wild.

Caleb’s fingers went to his waistband, and Jamie lifted his hips in silent permission. Caleb hooked his thumbs into the fabric and slowly pulled his trousers down, giving him a moment to step out of them. Jamie’s chest rose and fell rapidly, skin flushed from throat to collarbones. His erection tented the fabric of his black boxers. Calebbent down and rested his forehead briefly against Jamie’s, hands still anchored at his hips.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

Jamie’s breath hitched. “I—you might need to show me how to, uh, do some things.”

Caleb’s stomach flipped. They really were starting from square one—and that was okay.

A new beginning.