Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

It had been a shit morning, and it wasn’t even ten o’clock. After his conversation with Ford, he’d spent a sleepless night, wrestling with himself. He had every right to feel hurt that Ford had immediately dismissed his suggestion without taking a second to think about it, but maybe he was being too sensitive and not seeing it from Ford’s point of view.

He fell asleep at about four, and of course, slept through his alarm. Then his coffeemaker leaked all over the counter and the train was delayed, forcing him to stand the entire trip to the city for his morning tour shift. He had no time to buy a coffee and winced as a throbbing headache began to pound behind his temples.

“You look rough, man,” Dave said around a bite of muffin. Nico told his morning story of woe, Dave rummaged in the paper bag at his side and handed him a cup. “Here. I bought two because I didn’t have a chance to have any before I left. You’re welcome to it.”

“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.” He took a hefty gulp and sighed as the hot liquid flowed through him. “Damn, that’s good. I can’t wait to finish up today and go home and get into bed.”

“Me neither.” At the familiar voice, he turned and saw Ford’s smiling face. Nico almost dropped the cup.

“Wha-what’re you doing here?” All his hurt melted away, and he wanted nothing more than to hug him and kiss those hesitantly smiling lips.

Golden eyes twinkling, Ford held up his ticket. “I’m here to take a tour.”

Nico took it from him. “Sit up front,” he murmured in Ford’s ear as he mounted the steps of the bus. “That way I can look at you all throughout the tour.”

“Your wish is my command.” Ford grinned and did as told, taking the seat directly behind the bus stairs.

“How long are you here for?” Nico asked as the people entered the bus. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I didn’t know until after we spoke last night.” Ford’s smile vanished, and he hung his head. “I hated how our conversation ended, and I couldn’t stand thinking you were hurt and angry with me. I wanted to make sure you were okay and talk with you about my next steps. I realized I wasn’t being fair to you. I barely slept last night.”

Nico’s heart tumbled. “Me neither,” he admitted.

Ford’s expression turned hopeful. “I took the earliest flight in this morning, and I’m booked on the latest one out I could find tomorrow night. Can we talk later?”

Warmth unfurled in his chest. He knew Ford loved him, but Nico wouldn’t have asked him to drop everything and come to New York to see him. Hearing that Ford went to such lengths to make sure he was okay left Nico no doubt that they’d work out their differences.

“Yeah, of course, but I gotta work at the restaurant.”

“Funny, but suddenly I’m dying for lasagna.”

**

Ford insisted on a car to Brooklyn, and Nico didn’t say no. Ford held his hand, his thumb tracing along the skin, causing goose bumps up and down his arms. For once he cursed the fact that there was little traffic and they were moving quickly over the Brooklyn Bridge. The car turned a corner, and he slid into Ford.

“Hi, there.” Ford darted a glance at the driver, whose gaze remained intent on the road. It had begun to drizzle, and the air had turned foggy. He wrapped an arm around Nico, pulling him close.

“Hi, yourself.” Nico’s words hung on a smile, and he pressed a kiss to the sweet curve of Ford’s cheek. Ford turned so his lips rested on the edge of Nico’s mouth, and Nico sighed with contentment.

“Touching you has been the best part of my day. Do you know how hard it was to sit so close to you all day and keep my hands off you?” Ford nuzzled his ear. “It’s been less than a week, but it feels like a year.”

“Yeah. It sucked.”

Ford caught his eye, and winked. This intimacy, so new and fresh, flowed so easily between them, it scared Nico. Could this really be his life? Was he finally the lucky one to have won a prize like Ford? He kept waiting to be disappointed, but Ford continued to smash his negativity and replace it with pure joy. And yet tomorrow he’d have to watch Ford leave, taking another piece of happiness with him.

Ducking the raindrops, they walked into La Dolce Vita, and Nico watched as Joey and Teresa rushed to hug him.

“Dude, we didn’t know you were comin’. Someone didn’t bother to tell us.” Joey glared at Nico, who grinned.

“Don’t blame him,” Ford hastened to correct Joey. “He didn’t know either. I have some things I need to talk to him about, and I didn’t want to do it over the phone or text.”

Teresa kissed him. “Find yourself a man who hops on a plane just to talk. Nico, you dog, your man is the best.”

“Don’t I know it.” He took Ford’s hand. “Let’s go say hi to my mom and Justine.”

With Ford at his side, he approached their table. “Ma, look who surprised me today.”

“Joanne, it’s great to see you. And Justine as well. Both looking gorgeous as always.” Ford kissed her first, then Justine, and Nico didn’t know whose smile beamed brighter, his aunt’s or his mother’s.

Her brown eyes filled with light, she held out her arms. “Now that’s a good boyfriend, am I right, Justine? I was just tellin’ her an’ Frank, I haveta ask Nico when Ford is comin’ to visit again, and here you are. How long are you stayin’?”

“Only until tomorrow night, I’m afraid. And thank you again for the biscotti. They were delicious.”

“You could have this all the time if you lived here, ya know.”

“Mom,” Nico warned. “Please.”

Ford took it in stride with his natural warmth. “I’d probably gain a hundred pounds. And I’m glad to hear Frank is doing well. How is he feeling?”

“He’s good. Thanks you every day for your help in making sure he got diagnosed and payin’ for his treatment. It’s a gift from God, I swear.” She wiped her eyes. “You and that doctor both are lifesavers. Praise Jesus, we’re lucky it hadn’t spread to his lymph nodes, but he’s gotta be checked for the rest of his life.”

“I’m very glad we were able to help him. Dr. Sandler is an excellent doctor. Tell Frank I said hi next time you see him.”

“I’m gonna go bring him his dinner in a little while, so I will. He’s dying to get back to Maxie’s, but the doctor said not to for a few more weeks, since he’s still recuperating from the surgery. It took a lot outta him.”

The rain started up in earnest, and several customers came in, soaking wet even with umbrellas. Teresa got them seated, and Bobby brought them bread and water.

“I gotta get to work,” Nico said, not without some regret. “Have a seat, and we’ll bring you out somethin’ to eat.”

“Thanks.” Ford’s smile held a promise of what was to come.

Nico left him and went straight into the kitchen to wash up and see what was going on. Joey was there, joking with the cooks. “Yo, Nico, you really didn’t know Ford was comin’?”

Nico swiped a breadstick. “Not a clue.” He debated whether to tell Joey and decided an abbreviated version would probably be best, leaving out the issue of Jose and his fake medical degree. “See, he and his ex are closing their practice, so he needs a new space. I told him he should move up here. We sorta had a disagreement.”

“A fight, you mean? Was that your first? And he got worried and flew up here to make sure you weren’t mad at him, huh?”

“Whoa. You got all that from me saying we had a disagreement?” Nico laughed, but Joey was no fool.

“It’s the truth, isn’t it? I bet he’s afraid you’ll break it off if he doesn’t.”

Nico thought about Joey’s words. “I dunno. I mean, he asked me to move down there, and I said I couldn’t because of my mother and my jobs. He knows the score.”

Joey’s sharp eyes met his. “Listen. Maybe he’s afraid you’re at—whaddya call it—a standoff, and it’s a choice he’s gotta make: move here, or you break up with him. ’Cause you’ve said you won’t go to him.”

“Can’t,” Nico pointed out. “There’s a difference.”

“Whateva.” Joey waved him off. “Just make sure he knows you ain’t going nowhere.”

“He knows.” At least Nico hoped he did.

“Haven’t you been sayin’ he’s a little, you know, antsy about your age difference? Make sure he knows you’ll work it out, ’cause I’m tellin’ you, he’s the one. I know it, Tre knows it, and most importantly, you know it. Now go take table four’s dinners to them.”

“Who are you, my boss?” Nico joked and flipped him off but took the plates. “Make yourself useful. Go bring Ford somethin’ to eat.”

Maybe Joey was right and he needed to reassure Ford that nothing, not even distance, would keep them apart.

**

In Ford’s hotel room later that evening, Nico, already naked, lay on the bed, watching Ford undress. The rain hadn’t let up, and even in the quick dash from the car to the hotel, they’d gotten pretty drenched. “Do you think the hotel wonders why you’re back here every few weeks?”

Ford hung his wet jeans over the chair and faced him wearing only a pair of tight black briefs. “Not anymore. When I checked in, they said it was nice to see me again, and I said I was here to visit my boyfriend.” He crawled onto the bed, and Nico curled his hand around his neck. “My very sexy, delicious, hotter-than-hell boyfriend.”

“Yeah? I like hearing that.” He was an achy mess of conflicts and emotions, eager to hold Ford yet wanting to clear the air between them first.

Ford leaned over and licked his nipples into stiff points. “I like you. I love you.”

As much as Nico wanted to make love, he knew they needed to talk, so he rolled up to a sitting position. “Before we get into it, I wanna say something.”

Turning serious, Ford dipped his head. “Okay. I’m listening.”

“I don’t wanna break up. Even if we have to live in separate states for now, I’m not going to give up the best guy I’ve ever met. That would be pretty damn stupid of me. But I hated how our last phone call ended.” He leaned in close and kissed Ford. “I’m sorry I acted like a dick and brushed you off.”

Ford’s smile was sad. “I didn’t know what to think, and the worst part was, with all the shit going on in the office, I couldn’t give you my full attention. I’m sorry I made it sound like I don’t want to be with you full-time. I want to be with you forever. You walked into my heart and made it your home.”

So this was love. The stripped-to-the-bare-bones feeling where you couldn’t hide, no matter how badly you’d been hurt in the past, because none of it mattered anymore. Only this man and his words that calmed all the hurt and drove out the demons of his loneliness.

“I want you forever too. We might not have the easiest road, but you’re who I want walking by my side, every step of the way.”

“Then we’ll keep on doing what we have been. Together.”

Ford dived in for a kiss, and Nico pushed his tongue past his lips and met Ford’s. They playfully teased and danced as Ford’s hands roamed over him, tweaking his nipples to red points, stroking his stiff cock until it throbbed, cupping his aching balls.

“I need you in me,” Ford whispered.

“I need that too.”

Ford stopped kissing him and gazed at him so intently, so seriously, that Nico’s heart drummed double time. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Ford brushed their lips together. “It’s never been more right than in this moment.” His beautiful eyes glowed with passion. “Can we…would you want to make love without a condom?”

Nico shivered at the thought. “Go bare?” he asked hoarsely, imagining being fully skin-to-skin with Ford. Nothing between them. “I—yeah. I want that.” His fingers clutched Ford’s shoulders. “I’ve never done it without a condom.”

Ford’s eyes grew soft. “It’d be my first time as well. I didn’t with Lenny, and after him, I didn’t think I’d ever trust another person. Until you.”

Lust curled deep in his belly, and he slanted his mouth over Ford’s for a harsh, demanding kiss. He swallowed Ford’s breath to his lungs, felt his pounding heart as if it beat in his own chest.

“Nico, please.”

Hearing Ford’s whispered cry, Nico’s passion rose hot and bright, and he spread Ford wide, his avid, hungry gaze sweeping over his fit body. He loved the curls of hair on his chest leading down to the thick brown patch where his perfect cock lay swollen and heavy. Nico’s mouth watered, and he took the entire length to the back of his throat.

“Mmm,” he hummed, smiling around the rigid shaft at the strangled moan of desire escaping Ford. His hips thrust, and Nico swirled and licked the girth while picking up the saliva escaping to wet Ford’s rim. He teased the opening while Ford squirmed under him, mouth open and gasping, eyes blazing hot.

“Fuck, oh God.” Ford’s ass lifted off the bed, and Nico pressed in farther with his fingers, curling them as he probed. “Nicooo, please.” Ford thrashed on the bed, his hands reaching and grabbing Nico. “Fuck me already, goddammit.”

He released Ford’s dick with a juicy plop, and slicked himself up, lined the head of his cock with Ford’s hole, and sank slowly. “Oh, Jesus. Oh, God.” Ford’s velvety, hot passage clasped him tight as he pushed. “So hot, so fucking perfect.” Nico’s head spun, and he struggled not to blow apart immediately.

“Move,” Ford demanded, pulling at his arm, but Nico kept a slow slide until he was fully buried inside Ford’s body.

“Ford,” he breathed. “I didn’t know.”

Their eyes locked, and Nico swore he felt his heart shift, making room for half of Ford’s.

“Me neither. It was never…I never…” Ford’s long fingers ghosted along his cheek. “Nothing’s ever come close to this. To us.”

He eased out of Ford only to drive back in, the friction on his unsheathed dick a miracle he’d never believed possible. Ford’s hand flashed on his erection, and the rising cries of his need spurred Nico on. The bed squeaked in protest as he thrust hard, and he crushed his mouth over Ford’s, sucking his tongue. Slick with sweat, their bodies slammed into each other, each demanding power, neither ceding control.

“Ti senti così bene sul mio cazzo, amore mio,” he crooned, switching to Italian, and Ford clawed him and rose to sink his teeth into his shoulder, but Nico barely felt the sting. He lost himself in the friction on his dick and the beautiful sight of Ford writhing beneath him, caught up in his orgasm.

Ford’s ass clamped on to Nico’s dick, pulsing in rhythm as his release spread between them, and Nico continued to pump into him, riding out wave after wave of pleasure. Lashes fluttering, Ford squeezed his ass, and his fingers trailed down the crease.

It was more than he could handle, and his teeth bared in a snarl. He emptied into Ford, his cock aching from the squeeze holding him tight. “Ti amo.” He kissed Ford’s neck. “Amore mio.”

“I cherish you. My love.”

He rested on Ford’s chest, listening to the rapid pounding of his heart, the slide of Ford’s fingers through his hair calming his still-shaky nerves. Rain lashed the windows, and he jumped slightly at a boom of thunder. “What the hell was that?”

Ford yawned and stretched, then held on to him. “Who cares?”

“Mmm, you’re right.” Nico lifted off of Ford. “That was incredible. Do you know how wild it feels to be inside you with nothing between us? It’s like a silk glove clamped on my dick, making me part of you.”

“You’re always a part of me, wherever I am.”

Nico kissed him. “Let’s take a shower.”

**

A buzzing sounded in his ear, and he cracked one eye open. Eight a.m. The noise continued, and when his brain cells finally fired, he slapped the bed for his phone and hit the screen.

“Yeah?” he grunted.

“Nico, tours are canceled today.”

He yawned and rubbed his face with his free hand. “Huh? Why?”

“You’re kiddin’, right? Have you looked outside?”

“No, I literally woke up because you called.” He swung his legs off the bed, careful not to wake a still-sleeping Ford, and padded over to the window. “Damn. It’s really raining out there.”

Sheets of rain poured from a sky mottled as gray as a pigeon’s wing. An ugly sky of unending clouds and low visibility. Few vehicles were out on the street and even less people. Nico watched as one poor soul had his umbrella whipped out of his hand by the howling wind. It sailed down Broadway, and he raised his hands to the sky in defeat. He’d been that guy and felt sorry for the soaked commuter.

“Rain ain’t the word. Try monsoon. So it’s all canceled. Ain’t no one gonna be looking for a tour.” Carlos chuckled.

It had been over a month since he’d applied for the management job, and he hadn’t heard anything. “Hey, you wouldn’t happen to know if they started hiring for those management jobs, would ya?”

“Nah, bro. You gotta talk to the office.”

What he’d expected. “Okay, thanks.”

He ended the call and smiled as Ford slipped his arms around him from behind and kissed under his ear.

“Good morning.”

That smooth, deep voice played havoc with his insides, and he turned into Ford’s embrace.

“Sure as hell is.”

“Did I hear that you’re not working today?”

“You did.” He settled his mouth over Ford’s, enjoying the pleasure of a leisurely kiss. “What time is your flight?”

“Late.”

Nico cupped his ass. “What should we do to pass the time?”

Ford dragged him over to the bed and pushed him onto the mattress. “I think we’ll figure something out. Let’s have breakfast. I think we’ll both need our strength.”

Nico understood these were moments they’d draw upon. They’d drench themselves in the honey of their love, creating a time capsule of every touch, kiss, and heated glance to be opened when the nights grew long and lonely.

He watched as Ford placed their order for eggs and bacon and waffles, and he pulled on his jeans while Ford put on sweat pants. Nico scrolled through his phone, checking his messages, while Ford checked his.

“Dammit,” Ford said, looking at his phone.

“What’s wrong?”

“My flight’s been canceled because of the weather. I’d better rebook, and then I’ll have to log into the office calendar and contact my patients to reschedule. Hopefully I can get a flight out in the morning.”

Nico sat and watched him, wishing he wasn’t so happy over Ford’s misfortune. It gave them one more night before he had to leave, which was one more night they’d spend together.

Nico would take what he could get.