Without Borders 8
Mar. 18th, 2011 12:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Title: Without Borders
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind and abandons Luke. Luke leaves Oakdale and moves the foundation to Rome. When he gtes a phone call from an old firend, he travels to Miami . But can he make the doctor there a media star?
Warning: some sexually explicit parts
rating: nc-17
Chapter Eight
The instructor for the swim met Luke and Reid and a small group of other people. She led them over to a table area. They all got into wet suits and signed waivers, then she lectured them about the dolphins. They were doing the free swim. The other choice had been to swim with the dolphins and have them perform tricks. But a free swim had sounded more authentic to Luke and Reid. In that swim , the dolphins might come to you or not. It was up to them. During the speech, Reid’s phone rang. He mouthed to Luke that it was Jessica and went to take the call. Luke tried to focus on the lecture, but his mind kept drifting to Reid. It still amazed him to be with a man so comfortable with his sexuality. Reid held his hand, kissed him…Luke only now realized just how starved for that affection he’d been.
“Okay, so now that I explained the way the dolphins work and the safety rules – to the water!”, the instructor said. Luke was startled; he’d missed the whole talk.
Reid came up. “Jessica set up another PR appointment for us with some friend of hers,” he told Luke. “Did I miss anything important?”
“Uh- nope.”
“Well, let’s go.”
He and Reid approached the salt water area with the other people. There were several dolphins swimming around.
“Just climb right in,” The instructor said cheerfully.
Reid went down the ladder first, then Luke. As the first dolphin passed him, Luke nearly jumped back. They were much, much bigger in the water than they looked at Sea World shows. A dolphin swam close to him and Luke tentatively reached out his finger. As the dolphin glided by him, he felt its flesh.
“The skin is like wet rubber,” he said to Reid in delight.
“There’s an image,“ Reid laughed.
“Okay, what does it feel like to you?” Luke grinned and flipped some water out of his hair.
” Hmm, like an egg white. That’s what it feels like to me.”
They smiled at each other, and moved deeper into the center of the water, away from the ladders.
A massive dolphin went by them. It splashed at them with its tail. Reid reached out and grabbed on. To Luke’s amazement, the dolphin let him ride on it. Reid looked like he was hugging the dolphin gently. Luke must have missed that part of the lecture because he saw a few other people riding with the dolphins, too.
As Reid went away from him, Luke treaded the water. Suddenly, he was aware of a few dolphins around his body. They began to circle him. He felt the power of their bodies pushing the water. It sprayed up in his face, chilling him a little. He wiped the spray away, and Luke could feel himself sweating underneath his wet suit. His heart was racing. He tried to call out, and barely made a sound.
Luke tried to break away from them, a little intimidated. But more dolphins swam over now. The circle around him was tight. He couldn’t find a way to break it. His skin felt clammy now, despite the warm day. He kicked his feet a few times in the water. He was so tired of treading . He could feel his body just wanting to rest. Just go under. Panicked, Luke looked to Reid.
Reid saw him. He released his dolphin and started over to Luke.
A dolphin bumped Luke with its nose and Luke yelped. It didn’t hurt and he was sure the dolphin could easily hurt him, but it made him nervous just the same. Luke flailed his arms around. The circle of dolphins didn’t budge. They just kept going around and around.
“Stay calm,” Reid called, trying to find a way into the circle of dolphins. They were not allowing him to cross.
“Hey!” The instructor called from the dock, “Hold on a moment.”
Luke treaded the water, his legs tired, his heart pounding.
“It’s okay,” Reid was saying to him in a very firm, level voice. “Just breathe.”
Luke realized he was panicking and tried to listen to Reid. He met Reid’s eyes and was reminded of the way Reid had been with Maya in the hospital.
“You’re okay,” Reid said. “I’m here.”
Luke breathed out.
“Here,” the instructor said and threw small fish near the dock. She banged the dock with her hand in the water, signaling to the dolphins. For a second, they didn’t respond to her or the treat. Then they slowly went away from Luke. Reid immediately went to him and half pulled him back to the ladder. They climbed out.
“They weren’t trying to hurt you, “ the instructor rushed up. “They were protecting you.”
“Protecting me? “ Luke asked, dazed. “From what?”
The instructor frowned, “Didn’t you hear my lecture?”, she asked crossly.
“Didn’t you see those dolphins coming at him?” Reid interrupted, “it took you long enough to help him!”
Luke shook his head, “No, it was my fault. She’s right; I wasn’t listening. I’m so sorry –“
“Explain to us now what just happened,” Reid said to the instructor, ignoring that.
“Well,“ the instructor said, “ I know you’re not pregnant, but –“
“Pregnant-?” Luke looked at her in confusion.
“Dolphins have x-ray abilities,” the instructor said. “I did cover all this before. They instantly can scan your body like an x-ray machine.” She frowned. “They know if a woman is pregnant or a child is handicapped. Or,” she said slowly, “If your body has experienced trauma. “
Luke flushed. “I have some scars,” he stated to say. He glanced at Reid. “I had a kidney transplant, “ Luke said quietly.
“Maybe that would do it,” the instructor shrugged. “They are protective of injured people. “ She looked at the others. “I need to go back into the water. You shouldn’t; they’d just come at you again, “ she told Luke. “ So are you guys okay changing out of your suits and all?”
She turned to Reid. “Unless you want to get back in alone?”
“That’s just what I want to do,” Reid said. “Forget him and swim by myself.” He gave the instructor a look that said she was a moron.
“Thanks for the help. “ Luke told her swiftly.
He and Reid stood up.
“I thought those scars were old. “ Reid said slowly, “but it must be new trauma for those dolphins to act like that. When did you get the transplant?”
“I had it long ago,” Luke said softly, “but then I needed a second operation just a few years back.”
“Let me guess now,” Reid said. “Metal sutures?”
“I-I think so.” He caught his lip between his teeth. “Sorry for all this.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“I should have listened to the lecture. I mean we signed all these waivers and –“
“Let’s just change, okay?”
They walked into the men’s room.
Luke eyed him, “You seemed kind of upset out there – “
“I wasn’t upset, “ Reid denied. He opened up his locker. “ I just didn’t want any bad PR here,” Reid protested. “I don’t want my supposed boyfriend taken out by Flipper.”
Reid stripped off his wet suit and stood in his trunks. Luke did the same.
A silence filled the room.
“I should tell you,” Luke said awkwardly, “full disclosure and all. I had the first transplant as a teenager, after an unfortunate trip to Mexico. But later –my second the kidney problem was because I drank. A lot. Like twelve steps a lot.”
Reid nodded, ”I figured.”
Luke was quiet again. He didn’t know what to say next or how to act. He’d expected Reid to ask pointed questions about his sobriety or demand his whole history with alcohol. Luke’s eyes fell away as he waited.
“Are you okay? “ Reid asked abruptly.
Luke nodded. He couldn’t speak yet. He was stunned that Reid just accepted all the rest- no judgments.
“Sorry I ruined our adventure,” Luke said in a shy voice.
Momentarily frowning , Reid closed his locker and studied Luke. His eyes were hooded, making it impossible for Luke to guess at his thoughts.
Then as Reid slowly approached him, Luke kept his body still.
Reid gently touched his cheek. “We can have other adventures,” he said softly.
A whoosh of relief swept through Luke.
Luke opened his mouth for a kiss. Reid’s naked chest rubbed against his own. Reid’s skin was wet, his mouth hot. He wrapped his hands at Luke’s waist.
“We can’t here- “ Luke whispered, “in a public place. “
“Another first?”
Reid pushed him toward a door. Luke glanced up at the sign for the steam room.
“Wait, we don’t have any –“
“I do. In my wallet. Be right back-“ Reid dashed off to his locker. Luke went into the steam room. It was a simple, dark room with a hard brown bench. Luke placed his towel on the bench and then walked over to the dial on the wall. He turned it and immediately steam sizzled out.
The humid air made Luke’s skin flush with sweat. The door opened and Reid came into the room waving the condom like a victory flag.
“What about- you know?” Luke mumbled.
“There are ways around that.” Reid said. “Come here.”
Luke went to him, a painful affection pounding in his heart. He gently touched the nape of Reid’s neck. Luke could hear the strong exhale of Reid’s breath near his own. Luke embraced him slowly, placing his head on Reid’s chest.
Luke began to place soft kisses up and down his body, the steam already making him feel languid and dreamy. There was no sense of time in the small, hot room. Luke forgot about the people outside still swimming with the dolphins, he forgot about everything but the need for this man.
Luke was on his knees now, yanking off Reid’s swimming suit. Taking the hard cock into his hands. Working his fingers up and down Reid’s shaft. He kissed Reid’s thighs and then circled the cock with his mouth, his lips glided over it in a gently caress.
Reid cried out harshly, bucking his body at Luke. A surge of desire flooded Luke’s body. He trembled as he opened his mouth wider and took Reid inside. Luke let his teeth and tongue move over the head. Then he relaxed the muscles of his throat and took him all the way down.
Reid began to groan and Luke felt him getting close. The steam room had them both slick by now, the air was thick to breathe.
Luke gave another hard suck.
Reid burst into his mouth, spasms of pleasure rocking his body. Luke’s mouth filled with his cum. He swallowed and swallowed, the taste so good and right.
Then he moved up Reid’s body and held him a moment. He cradled a still shaking Reid in his arms.
Reid turned his head and began to nibble Luke’s earlobe. Reid’s hand grabbed at his ass and kneaded it. Luke shuddered, already desperate with want. His cock throbbed.
Luke panted like he was running now. Reid took off his trunks and then led him to the bench. Luke was face down on it. Reid palms were on his buttocks. He opened him up. Luke felt dizzy with anticipation.
Reid licked Luke’s crack up and down. He bit the mound of Luke’s cheek and then tasted the area where Luke’s thigh met his ass. He bit again at the crease there and Luke’s whole body tightened in response. His toes curled. His fingers clenched. He made a low guttural cry.
Reid returned to his hole, his tongue teasing a moment. Then he penetrated Luke, his mouth covering the center, his tongue dominating.
Luke lifted his ass up in offering. He placed his head down on the bench.
Reid wasn’t done yet. He continued to torture him with his mouth, making Luke half-crazy. He’d never experienced foreplay like this. He was leaking and aching. Reid stretched him with a finger. Then two.
He could hear himself begging Reid to take him.
“You’re so tight and hot,” Reid groaned as he entered Luke slowly. He rode Luke in a rocking rhythm. Luke couldn’t think. He hardly cared anymore if he was exposed or caught or anything. He felt mad with need, the last of his self-restraint gone. Luke pushed his ass back against Reid, wanting all of him inside. The physical hunger was beyond anything else.
They came at the same moment, in a kind of sweet agony. Reid was making deep, animal sounds.
Luke’s own breath seemed to just stop, caught on the impact of his release. Then his lungs filled with air again.
Afterwards, Luke felt like he was swimming again, but this time his body was floating in ecstasy, in a thick pool of exhausted lust.
Reid was the first one to move. He turned off the steam and picked up two clean towels.
“Here.” Reid held the towel open for him.
Luke looked down bashfully. Why was being naked so different after sex? He could feel
Reid’s eyes on him as he walked over.
Luke started to take the towel from Reid, but he didn’t release it. Luke glanced up and saw Reid’s focus was on his scars.
“What?” Luke whispered.
“Just thinking about those dolphins again,” Reid admitted gruffly. “The way they circled you.”
“It was kind of neat, I guess, in retrospect.”
Reid looked at him. “It was terrifying, actually.”
“I thought you said it was no big deal.” Luke titled his head questioningly.
Reid averted his eyes. He looked at Luke’s scars again. Then he reached out to touch them.
The touch was feather-light, consoling. He ran his fingers over the raised, red skin.
“It might have been a bigger deal to me than I said,” Reid’s voice was low.
Luke was amazed to realize that Reid’s fingers, so skilled in the operating room, were actually trembling as he touched the scars.
Never had Luke felt so deeply connected to another person. In an odd way, Luke valued his scars. They were the only permanent reminder of all he’d gone through, the only evidence. And now Reid’s hand was resting there. He could feel the gentle warmth of his fingers.
Luke didn’t know what to do or say.
But Reid was moving already, wrapping the thick towel around him.
“Wanna get out of here?” Reid asked, a small smile on his lips.
Luke didn’t smile back. He stared at Reid, the air between them feeling electric, not with just sexual feelings, but with a deeper urgency.
Luke took Reid’s hand in his and held it tightly.
“Want to come back to my hotel?” Luke said. “ We could hang out. I mean, unless you need a little alone time.”
“Alone time?” Reid replied. “You just satisfied any alone time I’d need.” Reid led him out of the steam room. “I do have one request,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“We stop at a store for bedding.”
“Bedding?” Luke asked, puzzled.
“Hotel sheets,” Reid shuddered, “I’m not a fan.”
A little while later, Luke waited for Reid in the car. He was in at Bed , Bath and Beyond buying some sheets. It amused Luke that the thought of new sheets seemed to excite Reid. As he waited, Luke scrolled through his missed messages, stopping at the one from Damian.
Luciano, I have frozen the funds from the foundation. I’m not sure you’re thinking clearly. We need to discuss it. Call me back soon. Perhaps I should come to Miami? I need to handle a few matters here. I will book a flight for tomorrow
Damian had never disapproved of any foundation project Luke had put together. The foundation money was Grimaldi money, but usually Damian gave him free reign. Luke chewed his lip.
What would Reid say if the money for his wing was frozen? Reid was doing all of the PR. He expected those funds. Any image of Reid happily shopping on his laptop this morning came to Luke. He swallowed nervously, feeling sick .
Reid opened up the car and tossed in a set of silk sheets.
“Fancy,” Luke said. He knew he should tell Reid about the text, but he also knew it would make things immediately uncomfortable between them. Uncertain, Luke stayed silent.
a/n: The dolphin/x-ray thing is factual (I’m not sure they’d care about a kidney scar , but they do protect pregnant ladies/handicapped people).
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind and abandons Luke. Luke leaves Oakdale and moves the foundation to Rome. When he gtes a phone call from an old firend, he travels to Miami . But can he make the doctor there a media star?
Warning: some sexually explicit parts
rating: nc-17
Chapter Eight
The instructor for the swim met Luke and Reid and a small group of other people. She led them over to a table area. They all got into wet suits and signed waivers, then she lectured them about the dolphins. They were doing the free swim. The other choice had been to swim with the dolphins and have them perform tricks. But a free swim had sounded more authentic to Luke and Reid. In that swim , the dolphins might come to you or not. It was up to them. During the speech, Reid’s phone rang. He mouthed to Luke that it was Jessica and went to take the call. Luke tried to focus on the lecture, but his mind kept drifting to Reid. It still amazed him to be with a man so comfortable with his sexuality. Reid held his hand, kissed him…Luke only now realized just how starved for that affection he’d been.
“Okay, so now that I explained the way the dolphins work and the safety rules – to the water!”, the instructor said. Luke was startled; he’d missed the whole talk.
Reid came up. “Jessica set up another PR appointment for us with some friend of hers,” he told Luke. “Did I miss anything important?”
“Uh- nope.”
“Well, let’s go.”
He and Reid approached the salt water area with the other people. There were several dolphins swimming around.
“Just climb right in,” The instructor said cheerfully.
Reid went down the ladder first, then Luke. As the first dolphin passed him, Luke nearly jumped back. They were much, much bigger in the water than they looked at Sea World shows. A dolphin swam close to him and Luke tentatively reached out his finger. As the dolphin glided by him, he felt its flesh.
“The skin is like wet rubber,” he said to Reid in delight.
“There’s an image,“ Reid laughed.
“Okay, what does it feel like to you?” Luke grinned and flipped some water out of his hair.
” Hmm, like an egg white. That’s what it feels like to me.”
They smiled at each other, and moved deeper into the center of the water, away from the ladders.
A massive dolphin went by them. It splashed at them with its tail. Reid reached out and grabbed on. To Luke’s amazement, the dolphin let him ride on it. Reid looked like he was hugging the dolphin gently. Luke must have missed that part of the lecture because he saw a few other people riding with the dolphins, too.
As Reid went away from him, Luke treaded the water. Suddenly, he was aware of a few dolphins around his body. They began to circle him. He felt the power of their bodies pushing the water. It sprayed up in his face, chilling him a little. He wiped the spray away, and Luke could feel himself sweating underneath his wet suit. His heart was racing. He tried to call out, and barely made a sound.
Luke tried to break away from them, a little intimidated. But more dolphins swam over now. The circle around him was tight. He couldn’t find a way to break it. His skin felt clammy now, despite the warm day. He kicked his feet a few times in the water. He was so tired of treading . He could feel his body just wanting to rest. Just go under. Panicked, Luke looked to Reid.
Reid saw him. He released his dolphin and started over to Luke.
A dolphin bumped Luke with its nose and Luke yelped. It didn’t hurt and he was sure the dolphin could easily hurt him, but it made him nervous just the same. Luke flailed his arms around. The circle of dolphins didn’t budge. They just kept going around and around.
“Stay calm,” Reid called, trying to find a way into the circle of dolphins. They were not allowing him to cross.
“Hey!” The instructor called from the dock, “Hold on a moment.”
Luke treaded the water, his legs tired, his heart pounding.
“It’s okay,” Reid was saying to him in a very firm, level voice. “Just breathe.”
Luke realized he was panicking and tried to listen to Reid. He met Reid’s eyes and was reminded of the way Reid had been with Maya in the hospital.
“You’re okay,” Reid said. “I’m here.”
Luke breathed out.
“Here,” the instructor said and threw small fish near the dock. She banged the dock with her hand in the water, signaling to the dolphins. For a second, they didn’t respond to her or the treat. Then they slowly went away from Luke. Reid immediately went to him and half pulled him back to the ladder. They climbed out.
“They weren’t trying to hurt you, “ the instructor rushed up. “They were protecting you.”
“Protecting me? “ Luke asked, dazed. “From what?”
The instructor frowned, “Didn’t you hear my lecture?”, she asked crossly.
“Didn’t you see those dolphins coming at him?” Reid interrupted, “it took you long enough to help him!”
Luke shook his head, “No, it was my fault. She’s right; I wasn’t listening. I’m so sorry –“
“Explain to us now what just happened,” Reid said to the instructor, ignoring that.
“Well,“ the instructor said, “ I know you’re not pregnant, but –“
“Pregnant-?” Luke looked at her in confusion.
“Dolphins have x-ray abilities,” the instructor said. “I did cover all this before. They instantly can scan your body like an x-ray machine.” She frowned. “They know if a woman is pregnant or a child is handicapped. Or,” she said slowly, “If your body has experienced trauma. “
Luke flushed. “I have some scars,” he stated to say. He glanced at Reid. “I had a kidney transplant, “ Luke said quietly.
“Maybe that would do it,” the instructor shrugged. “They are protective of injured people. “ She looked at the others. “I need to go back into the water. You shouldn’t; they’d just come at you again, “ she told Luke. “ So are you guys okay changing out of your suits and all?”
She turned to Reid. “Unless you want to get back in alone?”
“That’s just what I want to do,” Reid said. “Forget him and swim by myself.” He gave the instructor a look that said she was a moron.
“Thanks for the help. “ Luke told her swiftly.
He and Reid stood up.
“I thought those scars were old. “ Reid said slowly, “but it must be new trauma for those dolphins to act like that. When did you get the transplant?”
“I had it long ago,” Luke said softly, “but then I needed a second operation just a few years back.”
“Let me guess now,” Reid said. “Metal sutures?”
“I-I think so.” He caught his lip between his teeth. “Sorry for all this.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“I should have listened to the lecture. I mean we signed all these waivers and –“
“Let’s just change, okay?”
They walked into the men’s room.
Luke eyed him, “You seemed kind of upset out there – “
“I wasn’t upset, “ Reid denied. He opened up his locker. “ I just didn’t want any bad PR here,” Reid protested. “I don’t want my supposed boyfriend taken out by Flipper.”
Reid stripped off his wet suit and stood in his trunks. Luke did the same.
A silence filled the room.
“I should tell you,” Luke said awkwardly, “full disclosure and all. I had the first transplant as a teenager, after an unfortunate trip to Mexico. But later –my second the kidney problem was because I drank. A lot. Like twelve steps a lot.”
Reid nodded, ”I figured.”
Luke was quiet again. He didn’t know what to say next or how to act. He’d expected Reid to ask pointed questions about his sobriety or demand his whole history with alcohol. Luke’s eyes fell away as he waited.
“Are you okay? “ Reid asked abruptly.
Luke nodded. He couldn’t speak yet. He was stunned that Reid just accepted all the rest- no judgments.
“Sorry I ruined our adventure,” Luke said in a shy voice.
Momentarily frowning , Reid closed his locker and studied Luke. His eyes were hooded, making it impossible for Luke to guess at his thoughts.
Then as Reid slowly approached him, Luke kept his body still.
Reid gently touched his cheek. “We can have other adventures,” he said softly.
A whoosh of relief swept through Luke.
Luke opened his mouth for a kiss. Reid’s naked chest rubbed against his own. Reid’s skin was wet, his mouth hot. He wrapped his hands at Luke’s waist.
“We can’t here- “ Luke whispered, “in a public place. “
“Another first?”
Reid pushed him toward a door. Luke glanced up at the sign for the steam room.
“Wait, we don’t have any –“
“I do. In my wallet. Be right back-“ Reid dashed off to his locker. Luke went into the steam room. It was a simple, dark room with a hard brown bench. Luke placed his towel on the bench and then walked over to the dial on the wall. He turned it and immediately steam sizzled out.
The humid air made Luke’s skin flush with sweat. The door opened and Reid came into the room waving the condom like a victory flag.
“What about- you know?” Luke mumbled.
“There are ways around that.” Reid said. “Come here.”
Luke went to him, a painful affection pounding in his heart. He gently touched the nape of Reid’s neck. Luke could hear the strong exhale of Reid’s breath near his own. Luke embraced him slowly, placing his head on Reid’s chest.
Luke began to place soft kisses up and down his body, the steam already making him feel languid and dreamy. There was no sense of time in the small, hot room. Luke forgot about the people outside still swimming with the dolphins, he forgot about everything but the need for this man.
Luke was on his knees now, yanking off Reid’s swimming suit. Taking the hard cock into his hands. Working his fingers up and down Reid’s shaft. He kissed Reid’s thighs and then circled the cock with his mouth, his lips glided over it in a gently caress.
Reid cried out harshly, bucking his body at Luke. A surge of desire flooded Luke’s body. He trembled as he opened his mouth wider and took Reid inside. Luke let his teeth and tongue move over the head. Then he relaxed the muscles of his throat and took him all the way down.
Reid began to groan and Luke felt him getting close. The steam room had them both slick by now, the air was thick to breathe.
Luke gave another hard suck.
Reid burst into his mouth, spasms of pleasure rocking his body. Luke’s mouth filled with his cum. He swallowed and swallowed, the taste so good and right.
Then he moved up Reid’s body and held him a moment. He cradled a still shaking Reid in his arms.
Reid turned his head and began to nibble Luke’s earlobe. Reid’s hand grabbed at his ass and kneaded it. Luke shuddered, already desperate with want. His cock throbbed.
Luke panted like he was running now. Reid took off his trunks and then led him to the bench. Luke was face down on it. Reid palms were on his buttocks. He opened him up. Luke felt dizzy with anticipation.
Reid licked Luke’s crack up and down. He bit the mound of Luke’s cheek and then tasted the area where Luke’s thigh met his ass. He bit again at the crease there and Luke’s whole body tightened in response. His toes curled. His fingers clenched. He made a low guttural cry.
Reid returned to his hole, his tongue teasing a moment. Then he penetrated Luke, his mouth covering the center, his tongue dominating.
Luke lifted his ass up in offering. He placed his head down on the bench.
Reid wasn’t done yet. He continued to torture him with his mouth, making Luke half-crazy. He’d never experienced foreplay like this. He was leaking and aching. Reid stretched him with a finger. Then two.
He could hear himself begging Reid to take him.
“You’re so tight and hot,” Reid groaned as he entered Luke slowly. He rode Luke in a rocking rhythm. Luke couldn’t think. He hardly cared anymore if he was exposed or caught or anything. He felt mad with need, the last of his self-restraint gone. Luke pushed his ass back against Reid, wanting all of him inside. The physical hunger was beyond anything else.
They came at the same moment, in a kind of sweet agony. Reid was making deep, animal sounds.
Luke’s own breath seemed to just stop, caught on the impact of his release. Then his lungs filled with air again.
Afterwards, Luke felt like he was swimming again, but this time his body was floating in ecstasy, in a thick pool of exhausted lust.
Reid was the first one to move. He turned off the steam and picked up two clean towels.
“Here.” Reid held the towel open for him.
Luke looked down bashfully. Why was being naked so different after sex? He could feel
Reid’s eyes on him as he walked over.
Luke started to take the towel from Reid, but he didn’t release it. Luke glanced up and saw Reid’s focus was on his scars.
“What?” Luke whispered.
“Just thinking about those dolphins again,” Reid admitted gruffly. “The way they circled you.”
“It was kind of neat, I guess, in retrospect.”
Reid looked at him. “It was terrifying, actually.”
“I thought you said it was no big deal.” Luke titled his head questioningly.
Reid averted his eyes. He looked at Luke’s scars again. Then he reached out to touch them.
The touch was feather-light, consoling. He ran his fingers over the raised, red skin.
“It might have been a bigger deal to me than I said,” Reid’s voice was low.
Luke was amazed to realize that Reid’s fingers, so skilled in the operating room, were actually trembling as he touched the scars.
Never had Luke felt so deeply connected to another person. In an odd way, Luke valued his scars. They were the only permanent reminder of all he’d gone through, the only evidence. And now Reid’s hand was resting there. He could feel the gentle warmth of his fingers.
Luke didn’t know what to do or say.
But Reid was moving already, wrapping the thick towel around him.
“Wanna get out of here?” Reid asked, a small smile on his lips.
Luke didn’t smile back. He stared at Reid, the air between them feeling electric, not with just sexual feelings, but with a deeper urgency.
Luke took Reid’s hand in his and held it tightly.
“Want to come back to my hotel?” Luke said. “ We could hang out. I mean, unless you need a little alone time.”
“Alone time?” Reid replied. “You just satisfied any alone time I’d need.” Reid led him out of the steam room. “I do have one request,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“We stop at a store for bedding.”
“Bedding?” Luke asked, puzzled.
“Hotel sheets,” Reid shuddered, “I’m not a fan.”
A little while later, Luke waited for Reid in the car. He was in at Bed , Bath and Beyond buying some sheets. It amused Luke that the thought of new sheets seemed to excite Reid. As he waited, Luke scrolled through his missed messages, stopping at the one from Damian.
Luciano, I have frozen the funds from the foundation. I’m not sure you’re thinking clearly. We need to discuss it. Call me back soon. Perhaps I should come to Miami? I need to handle a few matters here. I will book a flight for tomorrow
Damian had never disapproved of any foundation project Luke had put together. The foundation money was Grimaldi money, but usually Damian gave him free reign. Luke chewed his lip.
What would Reid say if the money for his wing was frozen? Reid was doing all of the PR. He expected those funds. Any image of Reid happily shopping on his laptop this morning came to Luke. He swallowed nervously, feeling sick .
Reid opened up the car and tossed in a set of silk sheets.
“Fancy,” Luke said. He knew he should tell Reid about the text, but he also knew it would make things immediately uncomfortable between them. Uncertain, Luke stayed silent.
a/n: The dolphin/x-ray thing is factual (I’m not sure they’d care about a kidney scar , but they do protect pregnant ladies/handicapped people).