The silence that followed was heavy. Both of them were done with talking, and Ben couldn’t help but look to the loft bed above, causing Jace to chuckle.

Samson leapt instinctively to the floor before Jace stood. Before Ben knew what was happening, Jace had slid an arm under his back and another under his legs. He scooped Ben up effortlessly and carried him toward the ladder leading up to the bed. Jace paused in puzzlement once he reached it, before tossing Ben over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry.

“Put me down!” Ben said, but Jace had already begun to climb.

“This is like a hot, gay version of King Kong,” Jace gasped as they reached the top. He leaned over, allowing Ben to fall into bed first before climbing the rest of the way up.

“Airline pillows!” Ben complained when he saw the pile of them. He tossed a couple at Jace in protest.

“You won’t be sleeping much tonight,” Jace promised as he climbed on top of him.

Ben fumbled at the buttons of Jace’s shirt, but Jace moved his hands away and kissed him instead. Ben wanted to tear his clothes off, but each time he tried, Jace restrained him. Only after Jace was satisfied with kissing was Ben allowed to proceed.

So far, Ben had only seen Jace in his work uniform and in winter clothes, never gleaning a clear impression of his physique. As he peeled back the dress shirt, a lean but toned torso was revealed. Ben ran his hand along the lightly haired chest and followed the happy trail down to the waist of his pants.

“Nuh-uh,” Jace said, taking control again. He pulled Ben’s shirt off next, and began kissing his neck and touching his nipples. Jace stroked his fingers lightly over Ben’s skin, moving tantalizingly south before pulling his hand away again. Ben felt like he was about to explode and they hadn’t even started!

Jace teased and taunted, but eventually Ben was allowed to seek out his prize. His amusement at Jace’s skimpy Speedos faded when he realized what was making them so tight. He wasn’t as thick as Tim had been, but he was definitely longer.

Finally Jace set him loose to do as he pleased. Ben went wild, but Jace kept his cool. Somehow he managed to control his desire, to rein it in, but Ben could tell he was just as fired up by how hard he was. They took turns, both equally eager to pleasure each other as they were to receive. Several times Jace brought Ben to the brink with little effort, and sensing he had done so, backed down just before the point of no return, until Ben thought he would go insane from the euphoria.

Suddenly Jace’s urgency increased as he finally lost control and brought them both to a climax at the same time. The sensations were so powerful that Ben felt as if his entire body was coming and not just his cock. He saw stars and heard fireworks. The stars cleared, but the sound of explosions didn’t. Flashing lights from the window caught his eye.

“Happy New Year,” Jace said, pulling him in for a kiss.

* * * * *

The morning light cut through the air like a blade, transforming dust particles into tiny glowing suns. Ben stretched and looked over the rail of the loft bed at the apartment below. The unfinished game of Trivial Pursuit still lay on the table, a half-eaten cheesecake in the center of the board like the ultimate playing piece. Ben rolled over to find Jace’s back to him, just like on the previous two mornings. He knew what he would find if he looked over him, but peeked just to be certain. Sure enough, Jace’s arms were curled into a basket for Samson to sleep in.

Ben idly drew a picture on Jace’s back with the tip of his finger. Tomorrow was the day that Ben was supposed to fly back to Chicago. It was also the day that Jace was returning to work and had to bid for his schedule. The process was complicated, but Jace had explained that when and where a flight attendant flew was suggested by each individual and then rewarded by seniority. Ben barely understood the chaotic system, but he hoped it meant that Jace could fly to Austin.

Not that Jace knew he was switching schools. Ben was too scared that Austin would be impossible for Jace, forcing him to choose between going to school with Allison in Texas or heading back to Chicago to be accessible to Jace. Now time had run out, and Ben had to confess. Otherwise Jace would bid for the wrong schedule.

Jace stirred, smacking his dry mouth. Samson meowed in protest, insisting that Jace stop moving.

“Good morning,” Ben said, not wanting his boyfriend to fall back to sleep. He needed to tell him now, while he was feeling determined. He slid out of bed and climbed down the ladder to fetch a glass of orange juice from the refrigerator. Jace accepted it gratefully when he returned, sitting up and sipping it.

“Do you ever fly to Austin?” Ben asked out of the blue.

“Austin?” Jace shook his head. “No. Why?”

“I’m thinking about changing schools. Well, not thinking, really. I am.”

Ben explained everything to him while searching Jace’s impassive face for reaction.

“It would be strange,” Jace said when Ben had finished. “Arranging my schedule to overnight in Chicago makes sense, but getting a hotel an hour away from my apartment?”

“It’s further than that,” Ben corrected.

“Not by plane it isn’t.”

“So you don’t want to?” Ben asked, trying not to sound as defensive as he was beginning to feel.

“It’s not that,” Jace said, rubbing his eyes sleepily. “I just think the airline will find the hotel expense superfluous.”

“You won’t need a hotel,” he pointed out.

“Look,” Jace said, reaching out to take Ben’s hand, “no matter what, I’ll find a way to see you. I can fly for free and Austin is only an hour away. You go wherever you feel like you need to be. We’ll work something out.”

“Really?”

“Really,” Jace laughed. “Now, is it going to be breakfast or are you getting in the shower with me.”

Ben chose the shower.

__________

Chapter 19

“Our duplex, is a very, very, very fine duplex. With a hmmm-hmm-hmm yard. And a hmm-hmm-hmm-hmmm-hm.”

Allison glowered at Ben over her bowl of cereal. He grinned cheerfully back, forcing her to move the jumbo box of cereal until it blocked him from view. Ben didn’t let this bother him. She was probably still hung over from another night out with Kenneth. Her boyfriend was drop-dead gorgeous but he drank like a fish.

Ben considered singing another line, but decided he better not risk it, especially since he didn’t know the lyrics. Regardless, it really was a very, very, very fine duplex. Living here with Allison was a dream. He originally feared that being together so often would strain their friendship, but instead it had been strengthened. They were even closer now than they had been in high school.

Ben considered making an omelet before opting for much less complicated instant oatmeal. He would probably be eating proper food for dinner when Jace got into town tonight anyway. There was a new Indian restaurant down on Sixth Street that Ben was eager to try.

Living in Austin had been an easy adjustment. The city had its own skyline, waterfront, and culture centers, so it was in effect a smaller, warmer version of Chicago. Well, not exactly, but Ben found it much more vibrant than Houston had ever been. He had also settled nicely into the university. Allison had been there to guide him around all of the usual newbie hiccups, and after eight weeks Ben hardly ever got lost around campus anymore.

The phone rang, making Allison wince and Ben jump to his feet. He knew it would be Jace calling with his flight times. He waited until he was out of the kitchen before allowing himself to shout with excitement.

“Hello?” Ben gasped once he had finally found the phone.