A tear slid down Vik’s cheek and Temple couldn’t help himself. He cupped the back of the other man’s head and dragged him close, hugging him. “Ssh.” He pressed his lips to the top of Vik’s head. “You’re okay.”
Vik nodded, snuggling into him. Temple positioned himself so that he was lying lengthways on the couch, bringing Vik next to him. He didn’t release the other man and Vik didn’t pull away. They stayed on the couch, Vik in his arms, until he heard the soft snores.
That was the only time Temple allowed his hold on Vik to ease.
He extricated himself carefully so as not to wake Vik. Standing up, Temple took him in his arms, carrying Vik to the bedroom, where he put him in bed and pulled the covers up over him. He took a moment to stand there and watch Vik sleep, expression so relaxed. In sleep, he looked younger, maybe because all of what he’d been through wasn’t written on his face then. As Temple watched, Vik rolled onto his left side, left hand under his head on the pillow, lips parted.
He was the most beautiful man and Temple’s entire body ached just looking at him. He had to force himself to move, to leave the bedroom and close the door softly behind him. He went back to the couch, turning the TV off, and he laid back, arms behind his head, and stared up at the ceiling.
There was no denying his attraction to Vik. He did that easily when Henry was alive, but now he couldn’t. He knew Vik didn’t hate him the way Temple could’ve sworn he did. But did he feel anything else? And what did it matter if he did? Vik loved Henry. To wonder or hope for anything with Vik was the worst kind of betrayal.
But Temple couldn’t stop. Everything in him wanted to know if Vik felt the same. He fit so perfectly in Temple’s arms. Felt as if he belonged there. The way he’d buried himself in Temple’s embrace as if Temple alone could protect him from anything bad.
He wanted to be that. He wanted to be that person for Vik.
He had no business wanting it. None at all.
His eyes burned when he imagined Henry’s reaction. He would feel so betrayed, wouldn’t he? Knowing his best friend had those kinds of thoughts about the man Henry had loved so completely. He’d been jealous of both Henry and Vik. Henry got to have the love they’d talked about and hoped for while struggling to fit in when they were younger. He got to have Vik. Temple had ached to know how it would feel to love and be loved the way those two did.
He’d known it would never happen for him. So he’d never bothered to look, to hope for it. Sex was sex. But more?
He wanted more. He wanted what he had with Vik tonight. Watching movies and holding the other man in his arms. Temple had never had that. A place to go and just be. He’d always kept busy, always moving, especially the past few years.
But he was changing.
He fell asleep to the memory of Vik in his arms, so warm and solid… only to wake up to a muttered curse.
He jerked upright, making out Vik’s figure, bent over in the darkness, struggling to put on his shoes. “Vik?” Temple grabbed his phone, checking the time. Just after midnight. He got up and turned on the lights, meeting Vik’s wide eyes.
“Um. Sorry. I-I didn’t mean to wake you.” He wore his jacket and scarf. The gloves were hanging out of his coat pocket but he hadn’t managed to put on his boots.
“You don’t have to leave.”
Vik didn’t meet his gaze. “I think I should go.”
Temple frowned as he glanced out the large windows that made up his living room. “Look outside.”
Vik did, gasping when he saw the snow. Vehicles were covered under all that white. It would be difficult to navigate that at such a late hour and they both knew it.
“You can leave, but I wouldn’t advise it. Why can’t you stay until morning?” He positioned himself at Vik’s back as the other man continued to stare down at the street below.
“It’s not a good idea.” Vik didn’t look at him.
“Why?” When Vik didn’t turn around or answer, Temple put a hand on his shoulder. “Vik. Tell me why. Please.” Was he afraid of Temple? Had he somehow figured out what Temple felt and was uncomfortable because he didn’t feel the same?
Vik turned around slowly.
“Please.” Temple almost cupped Vik’s chin but stopped himself at the last minute. “Talk to me.”
Vik finally met his eyes and his gaze… What—It couldn’t be true what Temple saw. The same thing he felt stared back at him. Confusion and attraction.
“Vik?” He meant to ask more but the words wouldn’t come.
“I want to stay.” Vik licked his lips. “That’s why I can’t.”
Temple shook his head to clear it. That was… He touched Vik then. Just a thumb on his chin, stroking him. But it was as if Vik had been waiting for his touch because he was suddenly in Temple’s arms.
And their mouths were connected. Temple didn’t have to wait for Vik to open for him. He found the other man eager, ready and willing, fingers grappling to hold on to Temple’s t-shirt as they came together.
Doing this thing they shouldn’t.
For a moment, Temple silenced the doubts. The voices whispering that he shouldn’t do this. For a moment, he listened only to Vik’s little whimpers when their lips touched and their bodies moved. In sync. Tongues gliding over each other. Teeth clashing. The kiss was everything hungry and desperate. Two men who hadn’t been fed in years finally indulging in the most forbidden thing.
Vik tasted as beautiful as he looked. There was nothing hesitant about the way he kissed Temple. Only urgency. Desire. Lust so blinding Temple lost his hearing. Until he pictured Henry’s face.
He broke the kiss and stepped back, ignoring the way Vik whimpered at the loss. The way it took him long long seconds to lift his lashes and look at Temple. He wanted more. That need was stamped all over his features and shone in his eyes. Temple wanted more, but this…
This had the potential to be the worst mistake they’d ever make.
“You should go back to the bedroom,” he managed to speak. “Get some rest.” He stepped aside, allowing Vik to walk past him. He had questions, Temple knew. Hell, he had questions of his own. But that had to wait. At least until he didn’t have Vik’s taste on his tongue. He despaired of swallowing at all, otherwise, he’d lose that flavor and if this was all he’d get, he wanted to keep it for as long as possible.
He didn’t move until the bedroom door closed behind Vik. Then he turned out the lights and dropped back onto the couch.
Fuck.
Fuck.
He didn’t sleep. Not a wink. So he was fully awake when Vik tiptoed out of the bedroom just as dawn broke gray and chilly through the windows. Temple was awake, but this time…
This time he didn’t stop Vik from leaving.
Five
Vik couldn’t stop touching his lips. He sat in a meeting with the three managers he’d hired for the new Java Bean location and he couldn’t focus. Around him, conversations droned on, but they were only background noise.
He couldn’t stop touching his lips.
A day later and he still felt Temple there, hard and insistent. Kissing Vik as if he’d die if he didn’t get the chance. Vik flushed when he remembered creeping out of Temple’s apartment at dawn as if doing the walk of shame. Which in a way he was. Temple had been Henry’s best friend. How could Vik even think about kissing him, let alone wanting more?