“Don’t leave,” he gasped.
“Oh, babe, I won’t.”
Shattered, Pike cried out. Zack didn’t lie, didn’t break promises, but he was speaking a different language this time. Because he was leaving, was pulling away, wasn’t going to stay.
Zack captured his mouth, tongue delving deeply as his hand and cock sped up. Pike could taste regret, could taste the longing coursing through Zack, the same bittersweet pleasure thrumming in his own veins.
“Oh fuck. Can’t hold back.” Zack’s voice was ragged. “Come with me.”
Even now, Pike could deny him nothing, couldn’t hold back, could only give him everything. His orgasm. His heart. His life. Nothing he wouldn’t offer this man. And for a brief shining instant, Zack took it all, held him though it, met him thrust for thrust, cry for cry, shudder for shudder as they both came. Zack pressed kiss after kiss on Pike’s neck, shoulders and face. Moisture stung his cheeks and he wasn’t sure whether it was Zack or him, and it didn’t really fucking matter. They were both in this thing, both lost.
* * *
The call came early in the morning, when Zack was still getting his uniform on and his stuff together for the day. Pike had an early class that day and was in the shower. Fuck. He had to get to base now, but he wasn’t ready. There was still so much left unsaid between them—he’d slept all night in Pike’s bed, but that morning, it was like Pike had put a wall up, like he was already pulling away. He’d shared the news that Nectarine was resting comfortably and asked if Zack needed the first shower, all considerate roommate and nothing like the guy Zack had held in his arms in the dark of night.
Zack struggled with his boots, pulling his phone out, sending Pike a fast text. Going wheels up. Will text when I can, but might be days. Don’t worry. Grabbing his gear, he headed to the truck. Fuck. He hated this. Hated knowing that Pike would come out of his shower to the fucking text. Knowing it wasn’t enough. Knowing he was blowing this. Best thing Zack had ever had, and he wasn’t able to save it—
Fucking hell. He tripped on the way to the truck.
Wait. He was a motherfucking navy SEAL. He’d survived BUD/S, survived everything they’d thrown at them. No way was he letting Pike slip away.
He tossed his gear in the truck then double-timed it back to the house, crashing through the hallway, wrenching open the door to the bathroom.
“The fuck?” Pike called from the shower, water still running.
“Call came. We’re headed out of the country. Don’t know when I’ll be back.”
Pike turned the color of the pale shower curtain but nodded curtly. “Thanks for telling me.”
Not caring about water droplets raining down on him, Zack stuck his head in the shower, grabbed Pike for a fierce kiss. “Wait for me?”
He meant more than just while he was gone, and Pike’s serious eyes said he knew what Zack meant. “I’m trying,” Pike said at last.
“Don’t give up on us.” Zack’s voice broke. “Please. I’m going to solve this. I am. Just don’t give up on us.”
“I won’t.” Pike’s eyes were sad, but his voice was firm. “Go. Don’t want you late.”
“I mean it.” Zack gave him one last kiss that tried to say everything he couldn’t say aloud. I think I’m falling in love with you. You mean everything to me. When you look at me, I feel invincible. Don’t give up. Whatever you do, don’t give up. Believe that I can make this right.
Then Pike was pushing him away, and he was racing back to the truck, shaking the water out of his hair as he went. He made it to base just behind Morrison and the senior chief, going through the prep with the rest of the team, then took his seat on the transport plane, still breathing hard.
The lieutenant had announced that they were headed to an island for training exercises, so they had a long flight ahead of them. Several guys fell asleep almost as soon as they took off, lulled off by the drone of the huge engines. But of course not Cobb.
“What’s the deal with your hair, Nelson? Did you seriously stop to shower before heading out?” It was hard to hear over the engines, but somehow Cobb managed.
“Was already in there,” Zack lied. “Made it on time, didn’t I?”
“You’re as bad as my brother,” Harper joined in. “That kid spends more time in front of the mirror. Jeez, he owns more hair products than our sister. Gotta look pretty though, right?”
“That’s so gay.” Cobb snorted. “Not gonna catch me with any of that girlie shit.”
“Hey, guys, maybe you could can it with the gay jokes,” Morrison called. He was talking to Cobb, but his eyes were on Zack. “Really. It’s getting old.”