The 25-minute drive to his apartment complex seemed to take forever. Luke's soft, sexy eyes stayed on Noah as he drove; Luke's strange quiet slightly disconcerting.

Was he thinking about Bradley?

Noah had never been the possessive type; but with Luke he felt like he could never share. He'd been up all night thinking about Luke, visualizing him with another man's hand on his waist, another man seeing Luke home. It was unreasonable. Noah had blown Luke off. He'd been the one to call a halt. Everything Noah knew about Luke meant he was playing with fire.

The traffic in the city center was heavy. The light was leaving the sky and the lamp posts made the streets twinkle. Noah weaved the Porsche in and out of the gaps in the traffic, until they were eventually crawling into the garage beneath the majestic LA Towers, one of the city's premiere apartment complexes.

Luke's chest was visibly rising and falling as they descended into the florescent-lit gloom, the darkness making the intimacy between them seem even more tense. Noah remembered the cruel things he'd said to Luke, and yet here Luke was in despite of it all.

"About my car-" Luke said suddenly, his voice low and husky.

"All taken care of."

"I know, but-"

"Don't worry about it," he cut Luke off. "It's nothing."

Noah could sense that Luke wanted to say more, but all of a sudden the blonde subsided, looking down at his hands.

"The flowers were really nice of you," he said.

Noah suspected Luke was trying to tell him something, but he didn't want to hear it just then. This wasn't about being Luke's rescuer and fixing all the troubles in Luke's crazy life. He had no desire to see Luke turn the whole thing into something covered with flowers and romantic gestures. Noah had one purpose and one purpose only; to work through the overpowering desire to have this man. . . anyway he could get him.

All. Night. Long.

They'd deal with where they went from there in the morning. For now, Noah wanted to ignore those other feelings he was experiencing along with the desire; bury them like some troublesome problem, so he could focus on the here and now. For a guy, who liked to plan things out, he was suddenly enjoying making things up as he went along. It was somehow heightening the sexual energy between them.

"This is where you live?" Luke asked a little breathlessly as Noah pulled into a reserved parking space.

"Penthouse."

Luke looked around. "It must be nice living downtown like this."

"It was its benefits, yes."

"At least you always have parking and can avoid having your car towed away." Luke's eyes sparked suddenly at his little joke causing Noah to smile.

Suddenly Luke's hand was on his knee. "Noah?"

For a moment, Noah wondered whether Luke was going to climb over and straddle him in the sports car. But then he realized that was some crazy fantasy and Luke was just looking at him for answers.

Noah didn't want to answer those questions. He quickly opened the door and stepped out. "Come on."

Luke hesitated. It made Noah want to reach in and scoop the man out. But Luke only seemed to need a moment to make up his mind. He slung his legs out, never taking his eyes from Noah's, reminding Noah in every movement that he was a class above the rest. Luke stepped out of the vehicle and right into Noah's arms.

Noah felt the solidness of Luke's form, the smoothness of his arms as they wound themselves around his neck, the scent of honey from Luke's hair. Luke brought his lips to Noah's - confident and sure - before his mouth slanted over Noah's.

The director's plans for a night of "just sex" disintegrated. He had intended to thrust his tongue in deep, to make sure Luke got the message that this was about dealing with a problem of lust - sexual attraction - and overturn any idea this was romantic in any way. They were both adults, familiar with this kind of plan. It wasn't to go beyond the horizontal. Noah was going to make Luke understand...

Until... this moment with Luke in his arms, one hand curled against his cheek, Luke's lips soft and responsive beneath his. This kiss was romantic and deep and emotionally fulfilling on some higher level. Noah found he didn't want to take - to demand. Not when he had this.

He heard Luke sigh his name.

Suddenly Noah's hands were tucked under Luke's bottom, shaping the incredible contours and lifting him up onto the hood of the Porsche. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he needed to get them up to the penthouse, but he needed to kiss Luke more.

He pulled Luke in tight; feeling the warm skin of Luke's waist as his hands delved under the expensive cotton of his shirt. Luke wrapped his arms around Noah's neck, his fingers tangling in Noah's hair as he made soft, satisfied little noises in the back of his throat.

Noah's groin warned him this was quickly going to get out of control, if he didn't get Luke off the car and in the elevator. But it was Luke, who broke the kiss, pulling back, eyes wide, breath coming fast, his whole body quivering. Luke looked about, making sure they were alone.

Noah's hand found Luke's cheek. "There's just us. You and me."

Luke's eyes softened. He touched Noah's hand with his fingertips. It was a small gesture, but he couldn't help entangling his fingers in Luke's, taking that rough palm in his own.

"Inside?" a somewhat anxious Luke asked.

"Inside," Noah agreed.

...

Noah pulled Luke from the hood and, taking his hand, strode to the elevator. He swiped a pass key through the slot; and the doors closed them inside the confined space.

Luke turned into Noah's arms, pressing his face to the hard solidity of Noah's chest. He felt the ground lift beneath them as they were hurled upward toward the penthouse. He breathed in Noah - heady, musky, spicy; all hot male and soap - the plain kind, nothing fancy.

Noah was all kinds of good things, and even as Luke's mind was running fast forward, fantasizing the wild and wonderful, he wanted to prolong this moment. Just him, burrowing into the strength and safety of Noah; and Noah tightening his hold.

Luke was vaguely aware of a slight ping - the doors sliding open - his body being maneuvered forward into the modern interior. Smooth hardwood floors, cream walls and carpeting; floor-to-ceiling windows that gave onto a multimillion-pound view of the star-studded vista of Los Angeles.

Luke had been in several fancy LA homes for parties and receptions, but he'd never made love in one. Faintly, he thought there was something to be said in that.

"Noah?" He brought his palm hesitantly to Noah's cheek.

Noah caught the hand, fiercely kissing Luke's palm. He pulled Luke across the expansive floor and into a room with two dressers and a huge eastern rug anchored by a vast king sized bed. Luke examined the chocolate-brown linens and smiled. There was a neatness and uniformity to everything in the apartment.

But the smile faded as the full height of Noah stood before him; shoulders impossibly wide - projecting a sheer masculine dominance and sexuality.

"Let me see you," was all Noah said, in a voice so soft, it was velvet over the lobe of Luke's ear.

Luke toed off his shoes, but Noah was already enclosing Luke in his arms, as if he couldn't help himself. His hands landed at the base of Luke's throat, tugging at the buttons that held Luke's shirt closed.

Luke let Noah undress him - pushing Luke's jacket from his shoulders so he could follow suit with Luke's white shirt. As it fell away, Noah bent forward to press his mouth to the gentle swells of Luke's chest - tugging gently on a nipple with his teeth.

Luke felt the heat between them spike as Noah viewed the flesh displayed for him; splayed his large hands over Luke's skin; closed his eyes as his thumbs dragged across the tiny nipple buds.

"You're so beautiful," he told Luke.

Luke opened his eyes to find Noah's expression intent on his before dropping down. Luke followed the gaze, drinking in the intensely intimate sight of Noah's hands exploring his body; making the nerve endings under his skin tingle.

"I want to see all of you," he told Luke in a roughened voice.

Obediently, Luke unzipped his trousers and Noah's hands took over once more - sliding the pants over Luke's hips to peel them down; helping Luke to step out of them. Noah was clearly drinking in the vision as Luke stood facing him, naked except for his white briefs.

"God, you are more than beautiful," Noah whispered, almost reverently.

Luke was used to getting praised for his looks. This wasn't the first time some guy had called him beautiful. But, somehow, from Noah's lips it sounded true, more than just a line. Luke believed him.

He stepped closer against Noah and began to push up his T-shirt, baring an abdomen packed with muscle, a wide, hard chest. The feel of Noah's skin under Luke's hands was smooth and hot; his body like a generator for heat. Luke ran his hands up over Noah's deltoids as Noah lifted his arms to pull the cotton off, and Luke had his first proper full look at what had been filling out those clothes.

Noah had a magnificent body - all height and large frame, which on some level also made him cutely ungainly.

Noah dipped his head and began kissing Luke again, pressing against him until Luke found himself being pushed backward toward the bed. But before they reached it, Noah released Luke slowly, dropping to his knees on the rug; placing his hands on Luke's hips. Luke swayed in against him, shivering as Noah placed a hot kiss on his belly, and another lower down - then even lower.

Suddenly Noah was touching Luke there, electric through the cotton of his underwear. Then the briefs were sliding down Luke's legs and there was just Noah's mouth.

And God damn!

Luke slammed his hands down on the back of Noah's head, tangling his fingers through the dark silky hair, clutching as the muscles in his thighs convulsed. He expected Noah to stop, but he didn't. An almost painfully sensitive pitch rose up in Luke, until pleasure began streaking through him.

His soft cries came unbidden as the dam burst and the waves of pleasure went on and on. When he was weak and clutching at Noah's shoulders, swaying on his feet, Noah rose up with an expression of satisfied victory. He gathered Luke in his arms with wild eyes, tongue swiping his lower lip; and smiling with a face full of sexual promise.

Before he could catch his breath, Noah was lowering Luke onto the smooth sheets; and Luke's skin was pricking with anticipation as Noah stood over him. Slowly the man began to unbutton his jeans with one hand, the other palming a square foil wrapper.

"Such a boy scout," Luke teased.

"Always." His eyes never left Luke's and Luke watched as the denim parted, revealing Noah's taut pelvic cradle, the deep grooves alongside his lean hips.

The director shoved down his jeans and briefs in a single movement giving Luke a slow smile as he saw the look on his face. Luke watched as Noah rolled on the latex. He knew he ought to be taking the initiative, climbing into Noah's arms. At least, he should setting the pace of things. But somehow he felt frozen in place.

Noah came over him, all big and dominant. Luke shivered. He liked this feeling. Maybe even...

"Are you going to kiss me, Luke?" Noahs voice teased, interupting Luke's thoughts.

"Yes." Luke put a hand to Noah's chest. But instead of giving Noah a kiss, he reached up and stroked Noah's jaw with his fingers, wanting to stay in that moment.

Noah stilled. The blue of his eyes darkened to almost black as he brought his mouth down to Luke's. It was a hot, passionate stamp of possession and Luke felt how much he was wanted.

Everything Luke had decided about Noah took a complete U-turn. Everything he'd been holding up to protect himself fell away. He wanted Noah from the moment he first saw him, which was a first for him. But he wanted something else too - only he wasn't yet sure what that was...

As Noah's mouth roamed over Luke's skin, his throat, his shoulders, Luke splayed his fingers in the thick dark hair and reached lower, spreading his hands over Noah's broad back.

"Noah," he said, perturbed by a sudden feeling of vulnerability he could hear in his own voice. "What are we doing here?"

Noah smiled - a slow, unbelievably beautiful smile. His skin was so warm, his body so solid and affirming. Luke felt as if he could be anything - do anything - if only he had Noah's solidity behind him. He relaxed, allowed himself to float in the feeling, even bathed as it was in a risk it was all a stupid fantasy.

In the morning, he would have to face cold reality if it appeared, but for the moment - he had this...

"We're about to make love," Noah unexpectedly said in that deep, rich voice.

"Noah..." Luke said his name as he placed kisses along Noah's jaw, nuzzling him. He wanted him so bad. He reached down and stroked Noah's erection. Noah's face, so close to Luke's, grew heavy with sensual pleasure. He looked gorgeous and Luke couldn't take his eyes off of him.

Noah's hand joined Luke's, and together, they guided Noah's body until he was moving into Luke in one long, slow thrust.

Luke moaned, trying to accustom himself to the instant feeling of fullness.

"How is it?" Noah's eyes glittered so close to Luke's as he brought their temples together.

"Incredible," Luke whispered, believing in Noah when the man said they were making love.

Filled by him, Luke wrapped his legs around him, taking him deeper. The passionate kissing, Noah's mouth riding against his as he surged inside Luke, the careful way he held Luke even as the pressure built for him - all rose into an intense emotional experience as Luke began a steady climb toward a blissful fall.