Page 31 of The Long Way Found

Luke brushed his hand over Jack's wet crew cut. He traced the rope of muscle from Jack’s shoulder down to his elbow.

"You are seriously tight," Luke said. "No flexibility."

"I can be flexible."

"Yeah?" Luke stepped back and grinned. "Show me."

Jack got out of the hot tub and tried to touch his toes, looking a bit comical, naked and dripping wet. He got about halfway down.

Luke laughed. "Jesus, Colonel. When was the last time you stretched?"

"I stretch."

"Clearly not enough." He stood, also naked and dripping wet, and dropped into a perfect split—legs straight, chest up, hands on the floor.

Jack stared. "You've got to be kidding me."

Luke rose smoothly and did it again, this time facing the other direction. "Yoga three times a week." He stood and grinned. "Among other benefits, it's great for—" He waggled his eyebrows.

"Show-off."

"You jealous?"

"Maybe a little." Jack pulled Luke to him. "You gonna teach me?"

Luke smiled. "I could teach you a lot of things."

He moved closer as they both toweled off.

Jack pulled him in, kissing him hard. "Show me.”

Jack carried Luke into the bedroom, and they tumbled into bed together, lightheaded from exertion and comfortable with each other in a way that felt both new and familiar. This time, they were gentler than before, their hands lingering, their movements less athletic. When they finished, they stayed tangled together in the fading afternoon light.

Jack was standing by the bed, almost fully dressed, when he saw Luke wake up and look around the room, dazed.

“Hey,” Jack said. “You fell asleep.”

Luke blinked slowly a couple of times. His hair was flattened on one side, his face creased from the pillow. He looked younger, like this, vulnerable and adorable.

“You’re leaving," Luke said.

"Yeah," Jack said, grabbing his jacket. "I've got a meeting at 0800 tomorrow. Need to go through the binders and prep."

Luke sat up slowly and said, "You can stay."

Jack felt the words land square on his back, and he thought he understood what Luke was really asking.

Stay. Not just tonight. Stay in this with me. Stay.

"I need to prep for the morning." Jack was already halfway to the door. "I like to get ahead of things."

Luke's face changed, like something closed.

"Right," he said. "Of course."

Luke looked like he wanted to say more, but was holding back. "Drive safe."

Jack returned to the bed and gave Luke a quick, firm kiss on the forehead. Efficient. Done. "Thanks for today. It was great spending so much time together. And … this,” he said, indicating the bed. “I'll text you."