Love Match (Love Match 1)

Luke snorted. “You’re kidding, right? Jesse, if you think I’d have the endorsements I do if the world knew I was queer, you’re out of your mind. Arnie Lachance wouldn’t be my agent and I wouldn’t have ever had my face on a cereal box.”

“But you’re an amazing player. If you win Slams, it’s not like anyone can take that away from you.”

Luke snorted. “Yeah, but they can make my life hell. Yours too. Think it would be fun in the locker room if the guys on tour knew the truth? Those macho assholes wouldn’t let us off easy.”

“Not everyone’s like that, Luke.”

“God, sometimes you really are young.”

Jesse pulled away and stared at Luke. “Fuck you.” He turned on his heel and walked back down the bridge, taking the stairs quickly.

Luke cursed under his breath and followed, tearing the mask off his face. He caught up to Jesse on a small street and pulled him into an alleyway. Jesse’s mask was gone, too, and his eyes blazed.

“Careful, Luke. Someone might see us together and figure out the horrible truth.”

“Damn it, would you stop? You know I’m right. We have to keep this a secret for the sake of our careers. Don’t you think I wish things were different?”

“Things can be different. It would be hard, but it’s not impossible.”

“Jesse …” Luke took him by the shoulders gently, rubbed his hand up the back of his neck. “We’d be living under a microscope. We’d barely be able to concentrate on the game, let alone each other. I really do wish things were different. That I could shout it from the rooftops how wonderful you are. But I can’t.”

Jesse relaxed in his arms finally and leaned his forehead against Luke’s. “You’re right. I know that.” He kissed him softly and smiled. “So, you think I’m wonderful, huh?”

“Yeah, I might,” Luke chuckled. “But your ego’s getting a bit big these days.”

“Almost as big as yours.”

They laughed and kissed and soon Luke had Jesse pressed up against the wall in the narrow alleyway. He sank to his knees and undid Jesse’s jeans, taking his hardening cock into his mouth. Jesse moaned and his fingers ran through Luke’s hair, holding his head lightly as Luke started moving up and down.

He sucked Jesse deep into his throat, humming softly at the same time. Jesse gasped and tightened his fingers in Luke’s hair. By the time Jesse came, Luke was sure he’d lost quite a few hairs and his knees creaked when he lifted himself from the stone road. However, he couldn’t stop smiling as he kissed Jesse and they refastened their masks. With another kiss, they headed off to Piazza San Marco, hand in hand.

Hours later, Luke woke in the wee hours of the night. He rubbed his face blearily, not sure what had disturbed his slumber. He reached out for Jesse, but the bed was cold. Suddenly he was wide awake as he heard a low groan coming from the bathroom.

“Jess?” Luke padded over to the bathroom door and knocked softly.

“I’m fine, go back to sleep,” Jesse croaked.

He didn’t sound fine, and Luke opened the door, blinking into the harsh light. Curled on the bathroom floor in his track pants, Jesse was pale and shivering. “Jesus! What happened? What’s wrong?” He knelt down, his palm moving to Jesse’s forehead. “You’re burning up.”

“This is what I get for lying about having food poisoning,” Jesse groaned. “Karma in action. It’s a good thing I’m a quiet puker. Or maybe you’re just a heavy sleeper.”

“You’re babbling.” Luke put his arm under Jesse’s shoulders and hauled him into a sitting position. He reached up to the sink and filled a glass with water, keeping one hand on Jesse’s shoulder so he didn’t slide back down to the floor again. “Drink this.”

Jesse coughed and moaned but managed to keep some of the water down. But not for long. “Oh, god,” he muttered as he turned to the toilet. He heaved repeatedly as Luke rubbed his back. When he was finished, he collapsed and laid his head in Luke’s lap.

“Maybe I should call the hotel doctor.” Luke stroked Jesse’s hair gently.

“No, I’ll be fine. Just a stomach bug or something.” His eyes fluttered closed.

He was weak and small in Luke’s arms and Luke’s heart beat double time in his chest. “I don’t want to take the chance; this could be serious.”

A faint smile tugged at Jesse’s lips, but his eyes remained closed. “You’re worried about me.”

“Of course I am!” Christ, Jesse looked like death warmed over. Maybe it was more than just a bug. Luke’s mind whirled with the possibilities.

“It’s just…nice.” Jesse snuggled closer and pressed his lips to Luke’s stomach. “Stop worrying, I’ll be fine.”

“Well, you’re not sleeping in the bathroom.” Luke scooped him up into his arms and took him back into the bedroom, lowering him to the mattress. Then he took the trashcan from the desk and brought it over to Jesse’s side of the bed. “If you need to be sick again you don’t have to get up.”