Xavier counted ten ambulances, with people milling about with blankets. He quickly scanned to see if Jake was in any of them. As he walked to one ambulance closest to the station, he noticed camera crew from two local stations. Jake stood ten feet away from one. He cleared his throat and slowed his walking pace. There were two other DC police officers nearby. Instinctively, he straightened his back, adjusted his tie, and brushed his jacket collars to make sure they were flat. Jake and he had addressed how they would act in public since Xavier wasn’t completely out. When he got closer to Jake, Jake saw him and smiled. Xavier wanted to push the people that blocked his path. Instead he nodded as he approached then patted Jake on the shoulder, careful not to jostle Jake too hard because Jake was sipping coffee.

Shit, I want to hug him, kiss him.

He cleared his throat. “Glad you’re okay, Jake.”

Jake narrowed his eyes, as if to say something. Instead he saw Jake take a deep breath, then bit his bottom lip. “Thank you.” Jake glanced around, behind Xavier.

Dammit, I hate acting like we’re just friends.

“I drove and parked at a garage not too far from here so I can drive you home, if you want.”

Jake did a slight nod, raised his eyebrows, and said matter of fact, “Thanks.”

Xavier observed Jake nod to the camera crew. “Thanks for the coffee!” Jake shouted as they walked away, past the barricades.

“Where’d you park?”

“It’s a couple of blocks from here.” Xavier didn’t say another word to Jake, who remained silent, his head looking at the ground most of the time, until they reached the garage. “I think I’m on the third floor. Can you take the steps?”

“I think so.”

As they reached the third level, Xavier and Jake made a beeline to Xavier’s grey Chevy sedan. As soon as they sat in the vehicle, Xavier locked the doors and moved closer to Jake, their eyes level, he grabbed Jake’s neck and pulled him in, without any words. Their lips touched and Xavier kissed Jake, hard. He smelled of smoke, but didn’t care. The warmth of Jake’s lips and face close to him made his heart race fast. Xavier grabbed Jake’s face and held it until Jake pulled away.

“You had me worried.”

“I told you everything was okay,” Jake whispered.

Xavier brushed some of the brown hair that covered Jake’s left eye.

Ah! Those beautiful blues!

“I know but I wanted to get you.”

“Thanks for getting me, love. Can we go home now? I hope we still have some Chinese leftover in the fridge because I’m starving.”

“I’ll order some delivery on the way over and I’ll draw you a hot bath when we get home.”

“Aw. That’s sweet.”

“I know. It is. But you also smell like smoke.”

Jake lifted his jacket and smelled it. “I can’t smell anything.”

“Trust me, you do.”

Jake smiled. “Oh, I believe you. I just can’t smell it.”

As the Chevy exited the garage, Jake grabbed and held Xavier’s hand. “Thanks for getting me again.”

“Nothing would have stopped me from coming after you.” Xavier gripped Jake’s hand. “By the way, were you talking to a reporter or something? I saw you thank them for coffee.”

“Yes, one of them stopped me to ask me questions.”

“On camera? Or off? Did you give your name?”

Jake faced his window. “On camera, I think. And yeah, I gave them my name.”

Xavier groaned. “I wish you hadn’t done that.”

* * * *

An hour later, Jake pushed his shoulders down below the water level, letting the heat warm him. He reveled in the bath that Xavier drew as he blew the soapsuds from the lavender salts. He heard the doorbell ring, then muffled voices. He waited to see if Xavier wanted him out of the tub as he smelled the Chinese takeout, a mixture of cooking oil, egg noodles, and vegetables gave an unmistakable odor. Minutes before Xavier lit several candles on the dual vanity counter; the only other illumination came from the wall mounted, circular double-sided makeup mirror. It provided the best low-level lighting in this Victorian styled bathroom. Jake inhaled, closed his mouth, and dunked underneath the water, forcing his knees to be exposed. Xavier loved baths and only recently had Jake realized how enjoyable they were.

The door opened, Jake poked his head out of the water. Xavier walked in barefoot, shirtless only wearing his slacks from earlier. His defined abs in display, the expansive, muscular chest, and bulging biceps also impressed. The V-torso pointed to the gift between his legs.

God. He still takes my breath away.

Xavier smiled and stood, towering over him in the bathtub one arm length away, gazing down Jake’s naked body that was partially hidden by suds. “Dinner’s ready. Shall I bring it to you here and I sit on the toilet while you eat from the bathtub or do you want to get out of the bath and eat on the kitchen bar stools?”

Jake sat up in the bath, exposing his torso. His next comments guided by his awakened protuberance. “We’ve never eaten in the bathtub. How about here?”

Xavier smiled. “That’s going to be a little tough. I can barely fit my body in there by myself, and with two of us, that’s going to be a tight fit. And the water has to be hot for me.”

“The water’s hot enough. Here, come and check.”

Xavier moved forward, put his right hand in the water. As he did so, Jake grabbed his wrist and guided Xavier’s hand between his legs.