Open Seating (4 page)

“Did you see any bacon?”

“Yeah, although their version is more like ham.”

“That’s interesting,” Seth said. “I wonder if they’ll crisp mine if I ask.”

“It doesn’t even look like our bacon,” Bryce said, spearing a piece on his plate and showing it to Seth. “See?”

“Does it taste good?”

“It’s all right,” Bryce said, shoving said piece in his mouth and chewing contemplatively. “Not as salty or smoky,” he proclaimed after he swallowed. “I’d never trade it for ours.”

“It doesn’t look very appealing,” Seth commented. “Would you mind keeping an eye on my carry-on while I see if I can find something edible?”

“No problem.”

The buffet was spread out on three tables, and Seth wasn’t sure if he should go for a full-blown breakfast or something lighter to tide him over until later. He wasn’t that hungry but could probably use some protein if he was going to try to outlast the damn jet lag. It didn’t look like he was going to get any sleep until that night, so he decided to go for the scrambled eggs and sausage with french toast on the side. A tall glass of orange juice would provide the vitamin C, and another cup of coffee should boost his energy level.

Today was a free day, which meant they could explore London on their own. Tomorrow they’d join the tour and follow a fixed itinerary. If he was going to see Harrods, a shoppers’ paradise according to the brochures, today would be his only chance. Seth had heard the store was one of a kind and shouldn’t be missed. He was looking forward to hobnobbing with the rich and famous, who supposedly spent hours at the store. The experience might even spark an idea for a new novel.

IT WAS
half past ten by the time breakfast was over, and on the off chance that a minor miracle had occurred while they were eating, Seth paused at the front desk to inquire about the room.

“I was just informed that it’s ready,” the concierge replied. “Would you like to check in now?” His tone and manner continued to be frosty, but Seth overlooked the attitude in light of the positive reply.

“Yes, please.” Seth wasn’t sure if it was the sausage or the scrambled eggs wreaking havoc on his stomach, but he was starting to cramp, and the need to use the toilet became paramount.

The concierge passed him a form requiring his signature, and then handed over two key cards. “Your luggage will follow shortly.”

“Thank you.” Seth turned to Bryce, who’d been silently watching. “Ready?”

“Lead the way.”

They headed toward the bank of elevators, and Seth felt a twinge of alarm as the pain in his lower abdomen got worse instead of better. He hoped he wouldn’t have to sprint downstairs to the public facility, but his stomach was churning alarmingly, and he was worried he might have an accident by waiting. The elevator dinged its arrival, forcing a decision. He stepped inside and prayed it would take them directly to their floor without stopping at each level. Fortunately, it did, and when the doors swooshed open on eight, he dashed out like he was being chased by a pack of bloodhounds. Actually, it felt like they’d already taken chunks out of his guts, he was hurting so badly.

“Which way?” he asked Bryce, sounding panicked.

“I thought you had this on lockdown?”

“Please,” Seth implored. “Find our room.”

Seeming to recognize the urgency in Seth’s voice, Bryce looked at the sign on the wall with two arrows pointing in opposite directions with room numbers underneath and turned to the left without saying a word. Seth was right on his heels. Beads of sweat were dotting his forehead and saliva was pooling in his mouth, a horrible precursor to vomiting.

The minute Bryce swiped his key card, Seth pushed past him and commandeered the bathroom. He shoved down his pants and boxers, sat on the toilet, and hunched over as his bowels emptied out, accompanied by explosive acoustics, more than likely audible to anyone in the vicinity. He thought he would die of embarrassment if the cramps didn’t kill him first. God only knew what Bryce was thinking, but Seth had passed the point where shame trumped need. To make matters worse, hot bile soared up from his gullet before he had a chance to change position and projected out of him like a horror flick, soaking his shirt and bunched-up pants, laying waste to his shoes and the tiled floor. Seth started to shake, and tears streamed down his face with the force of his vomiting. His distress must have carried through the walls because Bryce soon knocked on the door.

“Seth, are you okay?”

He moaned loudly.

“I’m coming in.”

“Don’t!”

“Too late,” Bryce said, standing at the threshold.

Seth lifted his tear-stained face. “Please, leave me alone. I’m so ashamed.”

“There’s no time for that,” Bryce said. “You need help. Do you think you’re done unloading?”

“I hope so.”

“Let’s get you in the shower.”

Seth flushed the toilet before getting up. He covered his groin with his hands and made a moue of disgust as he tried to step out of his pants.

“You’ve got to take off your shoes first,” Bryce reminded him.

Seth moaned and sank back down onto the toilet seat. To his horror, a fresh wave of cramping gripped his innards, unleashing another round of foul-smelling liquid. Whatever was coming out of him had long passed any resemblance to solid food.

“Oh God,” Seth groaned. “I must have food poisoning.”

“You’ve obviously got something going on,” Bryce said sympathetically.

“How come you’re okay?” Seth asked.

“I had the bacon, remember? No sausage for me, and I passed on the eggs. Plus I’m in construction and eat off roach coaches all the time. My gut is lined with lead.”

“Good thing.”

“Let’s give it a few more minutes before we try the shower again.”

“This is beyond disgusting,” Seth said. “How can you stand the smell?”

“I’m not a royal,” Bryce said. “What’s a little stink between friends?”

Seth was touched and very grateful Bryce was so pragmatic. The only person who’d ever seen him at such a low moment was Mark, and even he would grumble whenever Seth got sick. Not that he made a habit of it, but he did have a weak stomach and usually paid the price when his food selections were wrong. Thinking about Mark was the last straw, and tears began rolling down his cheeks faster than he could wipe them up with the back of his hand.

Bryce stepped away and got a washcloth off the towel rack. He stuck it under some warm running water, then squeezed it dry. He painstakingly wiped away Seth’s tears and the bits of vomit still clinging to his mouth.

“Are you crying from the pain or the shame?” he asked gently.

Seth snorted. “Both.”

“There’s no shame in accepting help when it’s offered. As for the pain, we’ll see if that wooden soldier at the front desk can’t rustle up a doctor or some medicine. It’s the least he can do since it was their food that made you sick.”

“I have some pills,” Seth said. “Mark always kept our medicine supply up-to-date.”

“Good to know,” Bryce said. “Shall I get you something?”

“Why don’t I clean up first? I must look like that kid who fell into the latrine in
Slumdog Millionaire
.”

“Is that a movie?”

“Yeah, haven’t you seen it?”

“No.”

“We can probably rent it on Netflix and watch it on my laptop.”

Bryce was slowly untying Seth’s brand-new Nikes—which Seth planned to trash—while they were talking, ignoring the puke that coated the shoestrings. Once again, Seth was brought up short as he realized that Bryce was engaging in a conversation about a movie he probably had no intentions of watching so Seth wouldn’t spaz out over this next step. Seth was about to get naked with someone other than his partner for the first time in twenty years. The fact that Bryce wasn’t exactly hard on the eyes only added to Seth’s dilemma. What if he got a boner all of a sudden? He wasn’t feeling particularly sexy at the moment, but if Bryce was planning on actually wiping him down, his body might react, which would double the shame factor.

“You know what?” Seth said, hoping to forestall the inevitable. “I’m feeling a lot better. I can handle the rest by myself.”

“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Seth. If you want, I’ll take off my clothes so you won’t be alone in a birthday suit. I could use a shower myself.”

“What?” Seth squeaked in alarm.

“You’re freaking out because I’m going to see you without clothes, but if we’re both naked, it shouldn’t matter.”

“I… feel so vulnerable,” Seth admitted. “I’m not used to being this casual about nudity.”

Bryce barked out a laugh. “We’ve already had the worst show-and-tell possible, and you’re worried about getting naked? At least you’ll be clean and smell a whole lot better.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Seth said. “Let’s get this over with.”

He stepped away from the pile of ruined clothes, turned on the shower, and watched from inside the stall as Bryce stripped. It would have been decent if he looked away, but Seth was riveted by the unfolding landscape of sculpted flesh. Holy mother of God. No wonder the man had to beat them off with a stick. His chest was covered with a light layer of dark hair ending in a trimmed bush above his cock, which was cut and larger than Seth’s (or Mark’s), even in its flaccid state.

Seth had to force himself to look away, but it was too late. By the time Bryce stepped underneath the spray, Seth was half-hard. Thank goodness the hot water had steamed up the room, so he didn’t have to endure any knowing looks. He turned his back to Bryce instead.

“Pass the shampoo,” Bryce said against Seth’s ear. They were practically touching, as the enclosure wasn’t built for two, but an unspoken agreement made them keep their distance. He smelled the almond scent of the shampoo seconds before Bryce began to work it through his hair. It was soothing, and Seth allowed himself to relax and enjoy the feel of strong fingers massaging his scalp. It would have been much more pleasant if the lingering stench of his illness didn’t hang over them, but he was able to get past it, and soon it was just an unpleasant odor that almost faded into the background given everything else going on.

“Tip your head back,” Bryce commanded as he moved Seth directly underneath the warm spray to rinse out the shampoo.

“Feels good,” Seth murmured.

“Smells even better,” Bryce joked.

“Do you want me to do your hair?” Seth asked.

“Sure.” Bryce turned, giving Seth his back.

It was a good thing, too, since Seth’s cock had a mind of its own and was forgetting that Bryce was off-limits; this moment was a friendly wash down, not an anonymous bathhouse experience. He applied himself to the task of giving Bryce as good a shampoo as he’d given Seth, and soon his inconvenient half boner was forgotten. After rinsing out his hair, Bryce ordered Seth to turn around.

“Why?”

“So I can scrub your body,” Bryce said.

“Oh.”

“Unless you want to do me first?”

“Why don’t I?” Seth said. “You’re already in position.”

“Thanks,” Bryce replied. “Feels nice to be pampered.”

Seth poured a generous amount of the body wash, which was also almond-scented, on a fresh washcloth. He started on Bryce’s back, leaving big swirls of soapy tracks on the broad and muscular frame, a result of hours of hard work. His shoulders were covered with tiny brown freckles, and Seth wondered if they were natural or caused by too much time in the sun.

“Do you wear sunblock?”

“Should I?”

“Of course,” Seth replied. “You’re under the sun for hours at your job and could easily get skin cancer if you’re not careful.”

“I don’t take my shirt off at construction sites.”

“The rays go right through your shirt.”

“Seriously?”

“For real.”

“Huh, who knew? I guess I’ll start using sunblock.”

“Good,” Seth said, pleased that his words hadn’t fallen on deaf ears. “Um… how far down should I go?” he asked, pausing as his hands rested on the dip right above Bryce’s ass.

“As far as you want.”

Oh, that wasn’t a fair answer. Seth wanted to explore every nook and cranny now that he’d gotten past his initial shyness.

“Okay.” He got down on his knees and began to scrub the rounded globes that were as hard as the rest of Bryce’s body. It felt like he was cleaning a marble statue. Seth’s body was going to feel like pudding compared to what Bryce was used to.

“You sure are fit for someone your age.”

“I’m fit because I work at it,” Bryce said. “It wouldn’t hurt to see you at the gym occasionally. You’re lucky you have good metabolism and stayed lean through the years, but you start losing muscle as time goes by and that’s not good. Lifting weights will help to keep your bones strong and prevent you from turning into a blob.”

“I guess if you’re open to my advice about the damaging rays of the sun, I should take your suggestions into consideration. Perhaps I’ll start going to the gym when we get back.”

“Why not start on this trip? They’ll have a gym on board the ship, right?”

“They do.”

“No excuses, then.”

“We’ll see,” Seth said, unsure of committing. Lazing around on the deck and doing nothing but reading and writing was much more appealing.

When he was done with Bryce’s legs and feet, he got up and passed him the washcloth. “You can do your front,” he said.

Bryce didn’t answer but began cleaning up his privates and beyond. After finishing, he said, “Now it’s your turn. About-face.”

Seth gave Bryce his back. “Ready.”

Once again, the wonderful feeling of being cared for with such a firm but knowing hand infused Seth with a sense of well-being. He couldn’t remember the last time he and Mark had showered together. They’d done it on and off through the years but not in recent times. He shoved that negative thought out of his brain and concentrated on the present.

Following his lead, Bryce worked his shoulders, back, buttocks, and legs. Seth wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, but Bryce was lingering a little too long on his ass, which he didn’t mind, but his cock was starting to wake up again, and he wanted to avoid that at all costs.