Part 10
Henry wants me to enter into an alliance with him and Maddie. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Even though I've made a promise to Henry, to take him to the final three, I've also made that same promise to Reid. Just because Maddie is Henry's sister doesn't mean I should change my game plan.
This game is tough. Both emotionally and physically. I don't know what to do.
~Katie, Radio Host
That night a storm keeps all seven of them up. A harsh gust of wind rips part of the roof off their shelter, and most of their clothes, blankets and bodies are soaked. The fire won't start the next morning because every piece of wood is equally drenched. Casey silently takes the machete and whacks the top off coconut after coconut.
When fourteen lay at his feet, Luke clears his throat and says, "I think that's enough Case." He would have let the man continue, but they're not going to be able to eat more than two each. To cut more would be a waste. Wasting is a Survivor no-no.
"At least it's turned out to be a pretty day," Katie says.
Luke does appreciate her optimism, even if it doesn't make him feel any less drowned or tired. And it is a pretty day, possibly the nicest they've had so far. The sun is shining high in the blue, cloudless sky. The rays feel warm, but not overly hot, and the humidity is down. Being able to breathe easily is nice for a change, Luke thinks mockingly.
They've got most of the roof patched up, despite their growling stomachs, by the time Maddie and Noah come back from their walk, bearing tree mail.
"Time for a reward challenge," Henry says between stretching his fingers and cracking his knuckles. Reid looks at the chatty man with great distaste at the sound.
"I hope it's food," Maddie says.
"I hope it's money," Henry replies.
It turns out to be neither.
"And that is what you're playing for," Probst says pointing out to the medium sized yacht a few hundred yards off the coast line.
"A boat?" Noah whispers to Luke's left. He doesn't sound too impressed.
"A night on this yacht, where you will be served a feast. You will be able to take a shower and sleep in a comfortable bed." The excitement level jumps quite noticeably. Luke can hear shuffling all around him and he knows his competitors are suddenly just as eager to win this as he is. "And it will be the first two, not one, to finish this challenge who wins. Worth playing for?" The host is smiling, completely sure of the fact that this reward is undeniably tempting. "Let's get started."
It's a straight forward challenge. There are four obstacles to complete, beginning with a jungle crawl under a crisscross maze of ropes and ending with a quarter mile swim to a floating platform in the water. They also have to dig in the sand for the three pieces to a triangular puzzle and roll a pillow sized ball through a knee-high maze.
Luke only glances around once, after he pulls his body from a crawl at the end of the ropes. Reid, Casey and Maddie are ahead of him. Noah, Katie and Henry behind. Then Luke tunnel visions on the task at hand, and before he blinks he's in the water, front-crawling towards the finish line. He slips trying to yank his body upwards onto the platform. The strength in his arms is waning, but he gets up on the second try and rolls onto his back.
His breaths are in his ears when Probst shouts, "Luke wins!" which why it takes a minute for the words to process. Then, he eases up onto his elbows and looks over at the host. The man is smiling at him and Luke smiles back in response.
Holy shit I won, Luke thinks. Then, I get to spend the night on a yacht. He throws his head back and laughs.
"Who's going to join him?" Probst shouts. Luke twists until he's sitting and looks out at the other contestants. "Will it be Maddie or Reid?"
It's a valid question. Noah and Katie are both hitting the water. Casey and Henry are still stuck at the ball maze. The true competition comes from Reid and Maddie. Reid is a few feet ahead of Maddie in the water, almost at the platform, but from past experience Luke knows Maddie is a great swimmer. A few feet aren't much of a challenge for her.
God, I hope Reid wins, Luke thinks in a sudden fit of worry. It's not just because he wants to spend time with Reid. After their last kiss, Luke doesn't know how he feels about the other man. If they were in the real world, Luke would be spending the day alone, gathering his thoughts and feelings. However, since he's in this crazy reality game show, Luke doesn't have that luxury and everything is condensed into a can. Time. Thoughts. Feelings. If Maddie wins, I'm going to have to spend the night on the boat with her. It's not that Luke doesn't like Maddie. In fact, he thinks she's pretty funny. It's just that here, in this situation, with Noah and Henry and everything in between, the idea of having to spend time alone with her doesn't sound the least bit appealing.
In hind sight, Luke shouldn't have worried. Maddie never catches up. Reid splashes against the platform and heaves himself aboard in one quick motion. Luke is momentarily mesmerized by the droplets of water gliding down Reid's lean back. Then Jeff Probst is shouting, "Reid wins! He'll be joining Luke on the luxurious yacht!" Maddie's on the platform as the host finished his declaration. She looks disappointed, but not overly upset.
A small motor boat, possibly the same one that used to take them to Exile Island, putters to the platform and takes everyone but Reid and Luke back to shore. Then it comes back for them, bags in toe, and takes them to the yacht.
"This is awesome," Luke says the moment he sets foot on deck.
Reid looks around. "It's better than Exile Island."
That's an understatement. The yacht is easily fifty feet from stern to bow. The captain's cabin is near the back, enclosed in clear reinforced plastic. Luke can see two deckhands and a Survivor cameraman through the window.
The captain greets them in an Australian accent. "Hello fellas." He's a burly man with wide shoulders and a neatly trimmed beard. "Welcome aboard Beauty Rides." He waves his hand to encompass the yacht. "To celebrate your win today, we've got a hearty supper planned for you." He motions to a square table that's been set on deck. A simple white tent provides shade.
Luke and Reid follow the man to the table and take seats opposite of each other. There's already a basket of bread and butter, as well as a pitcher of iced tea and an unopened bottle of wine laid out on the table.
"Tonight's menu consists of a bowl of tomato Florentine soup, followed by grilled fish with a lemon-butter sauce served atop a bed of saffron rice and fresh vegetables. Desert will be chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream."
"Sounds wonderful," Luke says, grinning hard enough to make his cheek ache. Reid's got a distant look on his face, like he's already fantasizing about the meal.
The captain claps his hands at the men's obvious pleasure and says, "While you're eating your meal, I'll be taking the yacht around the islands. When your meal is finished, you'll be taken down to the cabins below where you can rest and relax."
"Thank you." Luke's never meant the words more. Reid nods his thanks.
"Enjoy, fellas."
As soon as the captain walks away, both Reid and Luke are reaching for the bread basket. Luke laughs. "I guess we're hungry."
"Can't imagine why," Reid response. He picks up a roll and spreads a healthy dose of butter over the top.
Luke takes a bite of his own. "Oh god," he moans. "I think this is the best piece of bread I've ever eaten." Reid's already on his second piece.
Their eating doesn't slow down until they've polished off the bread and soups. The sun has begun to set by the time the main course is brought out. The edge of Luke's hunger has been curved, so he's finally able to truly enjoy the meal and their surroundings.
The coming night looks to be just as pleasant as the day. Pink and orange shade the horizon, giving the sky a mellow, peaceful feeling. The almost full moon is already visible and Luke knows that the stars will twinkly brightly as soon as the sun disappears. Waves lap gently at the boat, but the yacht is big enough that the rock of the ocean is barely noticeable.
The intimacy and romance of this moment hits Luke as he's taking his first bite of grilled fish.
"What?" Reid asks, as if he's been watching Luke's every action.
Luke sets down his fork. He briefly meets Reid's eyes them stares out at the ocean. "It's just…" he begins, then stops to gather his words. He meets Reid's eyes again and smiles. "I'm really glad I'm sharing this evening with you."
The corners of Reid's mouth poke upwards. "Better than Maddie, huh?"
"Definitely better than Maddie," Luke says with a chuckle.
Reid gives another small smile but says nothing. His eyes flicker to the bottle of wine then back to Luke. He swallows and taps his fingers along the tablecloth. "I'm sorry about the merging feast. About overreacting."
It's the last thing Luke expected him to say. Reid doesn't strike him as the type to ever apologize. "Thank you," Luke says. Their eyes stay locked for a long moment. Luke doesn't know what do, or say next.
Reid moves first. Eyes burning into him, Reid reaches across the table and takes Luke's hand. A soft gasp escapes Luke's mouth as Reid brushes his lips against his fingertips. "I'm glad I'm spending the evening with you too." The words whisper across Luke's fingers. Luke doesn't respond. He can't. Reid moves his mouth to Luke's palm and presses another kiss into his skin. Lust and affection and something that feels suspiciously like love swirl at the base of Luke's throat. Reid moves lower and turns a kiss against his wrist into a gentle suck over his pulse.
"Reid," Luke groans.
Reid pulls back, taking his mouth but leaving his fingers. "Really glad."
Luke manages a weak smile, "Yeah."
One of their servers comes by and asks, "Are your meals alright?" Luke tries to pull away from the neurosurgeon, but the other man gives his wrist a squeeze then tangles their fingers together over the tabletop. The server eyes their locked hands but says nothing.
Reid glances up at the man and says, "They're fine. Thanks for asking." There is a clear dismissal in his voice. The guy gets the hint and scuttles away.
"Reid, I'm not sure…" Luke begins, but Reid cuts him off.
"Tell me about your past boyfriends."
Luke blinks and stares. Reid says nothing else. "Uh, boyfriend," Luke corrects.
He's not sure Reid understands, but he really should give the other man more credit. After all, he is a genius. Reid tilts his head and says, "Ah, that makes a lot of sense."
"It does?" Luke asks.
"It does," Reid replies and eats a large piece of fish. "Let me guess, he wasn't the nicest guy."
Luke shakes his head. "No, Kevin was a nice guy. He was also a confused guy. We were friends in high school until I came out. After that, he was cold to me. Then one night, after swim practice, we ended up making out. We dated for three years. He never really came out."
Reid rubs circles over Luke's knuckles. "That must have been difficult for you."
"Yeah, not being able to hold hands or give each other pecks out in public really killed me."
"He was really unfair to you."
The words evoke old feelings of shame and disappointment. "The world's an unfair place." Luke can't help the bitterness that slides into his voice.
Reid's fingers press down harder and the man says, "I've been out since I was nine."
That makes Luke laugh. "Since you were nine? I don't think I even knew what sexuality was when I was nine."
"My mother was, still is, a professor at Harvard. I grew up around horny college students. I knew what sexuality was at nine," Reid says with a careless shrug.
For a moment, Luke feels bad for the other man. How sad, he had to grow up so fast. But Reid wouldn't be Reid without those experiences. "It must have been nice always knowing who you are."
Reid flashes a sideways smile. "Well, I don't count it as a bad thing, but knowing I was gay never made high school any easier." He pauses and takes a sip of his iced tea. "Truthfully, this whole thing has made me feel like I am back in high school."
Luke snorts at that. "Yeah, people can act a bit insane in extreme circumstances. Especially when money's involved."
"That's not what I meant."
Luke eyes narrow in confusion.
"Let me clarify," Reid says. "You make me feel like I'm back in high school."
Luke pulls his hand from Reid's. He doesn't like the comparison. "What do you mean?"
"Does he like me as much as I like him? Will he punch me if I kiss him? Will he kiss me back?" Reid lists.
Luke doesn't know if he should response sarcastically or truthfully. He decides on, "Let me be clear, I like you Reid."
Reid smiles then turns serious. "If you like me, why don't you give this thing between us a chance?"
Luke sighs and fluffs the rice in front of him. "This whole situation is crazy, Reid. We're in a box where everything seems more vivid and colorful. Money- a lot of money- is at stake as well as pride and few other sinful emotions. How can I trust what I'm feeling to be real?" He lowers his eyes and quietly adds, "What if you're just playing me?"
Anger reddens Reid's face. "You think I'm just playing you?" His voice is tight and deadly.
Frustration, mostly at himself but a little at Reid for not seeing his position, thickens in his chest. "I don't know. No. I really don't think that." Luke's eyes feel heavy but he pushes away the emotion. If I cry on television I'll never forgive myself. He looks up and meets Reid's eyes. Anger and confusion are as clear as day in the ocean blue irises. This time it's Luke who reaches out for the other man's hand. "Reid, I don't think that," he says again. "I like you. I really like you. But what happens when this game is over? I can't start something, invest my feelings, and then have you go away, never to be seen or heard from again in a week."
Reid leans into the table as if he wants Luke to hear his every word. "But that's life Luke. Yes, this game is something out of the ordinary. Yes, we're in a box. But in the real world, in life, you don't ever know what's going to happen. You don't know how relationships will turn out, whether they will last. You have to take a risk to find out."
Luke swallows down the lump in his throat. "What if I'm not ready to take that risk?"
Reid settles back into his seat and crosses his arms. "Then I guess nothing."
"You guys ready for desert?" Neither Reid nor Luke noticed their server returning.
Reid looks from his half eaten plate to Luke's then says, "I think we're both pretty full. Is there any way we can save it for later?"
The server blinks, like he wasn't prepared for Reid to ask that, but he recovers quickly and says, "Sure thing. I'll have the cake boxed up and sent to your rooms. You'll have to forgo the ice cream though."
"That's okay," Luke replies.
They're given a quick tour of the yacht and then are taken to their neighboring rooms.
"I'll leave you gentleman to have pleasant evening," their tour guide says. Then they're alone in the short hall.
"Well," Luke's gazes flutters from Reid to the wall. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night."
Reid puts his hand on around the doorknob and twists the door open. He starts to turn into the room, but then stops. He focuses his gaze on Luke. "Do you want to come in?"
It's an innocent enough question. Luke knows he can take it to mean two friends hanging out. He also knows that's not what Reid's asking. The question hangs in the air, pressing down on Luke's shoulders. Finally, Luke nods.
"Yeah, I do."
Reid reaches and takes Luke's hand. "Well, come on then."
Luke lets himself be guided inside. The room is moderately fancy, with a swirling blue boarder over off-white walls. A queen sized bed sits against the far wall and two wicker nightstands stand on either side of the bed. There's a small counter and sink to the right and a door that leads into a bathroom on the left. A long dresser sits parallel to the bed, near the door.
A piece of Ceram-wrapped chocolate cake sits on the counter.
Reid shuts and quietly leads Luke to the bed. He turns them around so Luke's knees hit first and he's forced to sit down. The bed dips softly beneath his weight. It's the most comfortable thing Luke can ever remember feeling.
He stares up at Reid while the other man eases his worn shirt over his head. The cloth gets momentarily caught under Luke's chin, but a tug has it up and over his head shortly after. Reid's eyes rake over him.
"You are so…" Reid's voice is harsh with lust. Luke doesn't let him finish his sentence. He grips the neurosurgeon's shirt and pulls until the man is pressing against him and together, they fall to the bed.
Reid's weight feels amazing. He presses Luke into the covers. Their touching chests, groins and legs send waves of happiness and arousal through Luke. "Kiss me," he says.
Reid obeys. He inches up until their lips are aligned and traps Luke's head between his forearms. Their lips meet. It a kiss unlike Luke's ever experienced. It better than cake and horseback riding. It's better than air conditioning. Suddenly, Luke wonders if Reid's feeling what he's feeling. Afraid that if he's not good enough the other man will leave, Luke kisses back with everything he's got.
He runs his hands up and down Reid's back, occasionally dipping lower to squeeze the man's perfectly formed ass. They kiss and kiss, tongues chasing from mouth to mouth until Luke needs more. "Take off your clothes," he pleads.
Heaving, Reid rocks back until he's on his knees, straddling Luke's body. His shirt flies off and in one fast motion he's kicking off his shoes and sliding off his shorts and underwear. He's long and hard, and the tip of his arousal is gleaming wet.
Luke's mouth goes dry. As if he were possessed, Luke rises up, pulling his knees under him, and braces his hands on Reid's jutting hips. He wants nothing more than take the other man in his mouth.
"Hold on," Reid demands, as if he's privy to Luke's thoughts. He pushes against Luke's shoulder until he's lying flat again and dips his fingers beneath Luke's waistband. "Fair's fair, after all." Luke has no argument for that and then, they're both naked.
Reid presses his body over Luke's again and brings their mouths back together. Reid's erection slides against Luke's stomach and Luke groans at the sensation. Reid's mouth moves from his lips to Luke's throat, and his hand travels between their bodies. He captures their arousals and slowly strokes them together.
Luke trembles and everything but Reid leaves his mind. He brings up his hand and grabs onto Reid's head, encouraging the bruises the man is sucking into his skin. When the slow stroking becomes too much Luke rolls them over so he's on top. Reid's eyes burn holes into his flesh, leaving Luke feeling shivery all over.
He bends forward and presses a line of kisses down Reid's chest. When he gets to the swirl of red-brown hair at the man's groin, Luke can't help inhaling Reid's scent. It makes his mouth water, and grinning wickedly up at the neurosurgeon, Luke descends. He licks a stripe from base to tip, stopping to run his tongue over Reid's circumcised head.
"God," Reid moans and shifts so he's sitting up, making it easier to spread his legs.
Luke takes that as the invitation it is and goes to work. He does the head first. Hand wrapped around the base, Luke alternates between light licks and hard sucks.
"You are fucking made for this," Reid growls out after a particularly hard suck. The words send a shiver of aroused pride through Luke's spine.
Saliva and precome begin to overflow from Luke's mouth, but he doesn't care. It's only when Reid says, "Hold on, stop," and grabs at his head does Luke slow down. "I want to come fucking you."
God, yes, Luke thinks and shudders. He lets himself be maneuvered upwards until he's sitting above Reid's groin. The man's erection nestles between Luke's cheeks and Reid gives a tentative thrust.
"Oh," Luke stutters out. He falls forward until he's resting his forehead along the crook of Reid's neck.
Reid takes himself in hand and nudges Luke's opening.
Something intelligent sparks in Luke's brain. "Condom," he sputters out.
Reid closes his eyes then nods. "Check the bedside drawer?"
Luke leans over, praying the whole time. He wants this so bad he doesn't know what he'll do if they're no condoms. The drawer opens easily, and there sitting nicely are a bottle of lube and a box of condoms. Luke laughs as he shows his finds.
"Guess they were expecting something," Reid says as Luke dumps the box out over the comforter. Reid reaches over and grabs one of the tiny squares. He tears it open with his teeth and reaches around Luke to slide it on. Luke follows the action by squirting lube into his hand then wrapping it around Reid's erection.
Reid leans forward and nips at his collar. Luke presses his mouth to Reid' throat and smiles into the other man's skin. "Hurry," Luke whispers. If Reid doesn't hurry, he feels like he'll exploded.
Reid obliges. He teases Luke's hole with the tip of his erection while he nips at his jaw. Luke pants heavy breaths into Reid's ear. Reid's hands slide down Luke's sides and he squeezes at the blonde man's ass. Then he uses one hand to hold his erection and the other to brush over Luke's opening.
First, using his index finger and his thumb, Reid teases him. His thumb rubs his hole over and over until Luke feels crazy. "Please," he begs. "Please." Reid pushes his thumb inside. Luke bucks backwards at the sensation. Reid shudders beneath him and slips out. Luke only has a moment of disappointment before Reid is slipping in more fingers and stretching him wide. It seems like forever before Reid is lining up his arousal and pushing inside.
He feels big. He stretches Luke until pleasure almost fades into pain, but once he's all the way in and gives a tentative thrust, there's nothing left but mind-numbing pleasure. Luke moans and Reid thrusts again and hits that little bundle of nerves deep inside him. Fireworks ricochet across Luke's brain. Reid does it again and again until Luke is a quivering, writhing mass above him.
Luke collapses against Reid's chest. He has no strength to hold himself up, and Reid flips them over. He slides out of Luke for one, too long second before heaving Luke's leg over his shoulder and hitting home again. Luke doesn't think it could get any better.
He's wrong. The angle gives Reid better leverage, and his thrusts go deeper and become faster. Luke doesn't know how long they've been fucking. Time loses all meaning. Reality loses meaning. There's nothing but touch and taste and scent and Reid. Nothing but pleasure.
And it builds. Peak after peak, the pleasure rises. Luke's moans hitch, Reid crashes their mouths together, Luke wraps a hand around himself and spurts all over their stomachs.
Reid groans above him, gives two more harsh thrusts and comes. He collapses on top of Luke then rolls to his side, pulling Luke after him. They kiss until their breathing evens out. Reid asks, "Are you alright?"
Luke nods then says, "Yeah." Reid slides off the condom, ties it and throws into the trashcan on the floor.
Three points, Luke thinks, and then laughs at himself.
"What?" Reid asks. The lines of his face are sleepy and relaxed. Luke can't help but lean forward and give him another kiss.
"That was amazing."
Reid kisses him. "It was."
Luke yawns.
"So you're one of those," Reid says with a smile.
"What?"
"One of those who sleeps after sex."
Luke laughs. "Not usually, but you wore me out." He kisses Reid again to show how much he appreciates his lover's hard work.
Reid brushes back an errant lock of hair off Luke's face and says. "Spend the night?"
Leaving never crossed Luke's mind. "Where else would I be?"
Reid reaches across the bed and flips off the light. "You're amazing, Blondie" he whispers.
I think I'm falling in love with you, Luke thinks. He moves closer and lets his head fall against Reid's arm. "You're amazing Doctor Jerkface."
Reid's laugher follows Luke into his dreams.