Sighing deeply, Luke came awake. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked around. This wasn't his room. His room was much bigger than this. The longer he looked at it though, he knew where he was.
He flopped back on his pillow and rubbed his face. The last thing he remembered was he was at his club with his friends drinking and having a good time. Somewhere between now and then, he'd come here.
Something struck him, and he lifted the duvet to take body inventory. His skin was clear and he was wearing underwear. It was a clear sign there hadn't been any hanky panky while he'd been drunk and foggy. That made him even more relieved.
Luke sat up too fast, and his head swam. He closed his eyes and waited for the nausea to subside. He didn't have a migraine he was used to having after a night of binging. He must have taken something to curb the after effects ahead of time. Only one person knew his drinking habits and how to plan for it.
With the urge to vomit gone, he got up and slowly shuffled to the closet. He grabbed a dark pair of sweatpants and a light blue t-shirt. He changed underwear and dressed before going to the bathroom to use it and brush his teeth.
He stared at his reflection in the mirror as he lazily ran the toothbrush over his teeth. He was paler than usual, but that typically happened when he drank too much. He always turned a pallid shade when he was nauseated. It would disappear when he either ate or his stomach settled down.
He swished water in his mouth then spit it out into the sink. Wiping his lips, he cast one last look before he headed downstairs.
Warm smells wafted up as he descended the wooden, creaky stairs. He was amazed he hadn't woken the other man up long before the shower. Coffee beckoned him, but the eggs were repulsive as his stomach turned violently. He wasn't a big fan of eggs to begin with and even less so when his stomach was unsettled.
He rounded the island and reached for a clear coffee cup with an 'L' etched in white. For him to have a monogrammed cup meant he spent plenty of time here. He really did. When he wasn't super busy, Luke was here. It was his second home, and he liked it much better than his real home most of the time.
He heard the low timber of a voice, and Luke went to investigate. He walked through the living room into the front room that had been converted into an office. A modest mahogany desk took up half the side wall and overlooked the front lawn. The top was clean with everything in its place.
Luke leaned against the bookcase and watched the man speaking softly into his phone. Compared to Luke's straight black hair, a mop of amber curls framed an angular face. Bronzed skin gleamed with health as rays of sun hit and lit up his side. His green-grey eyes shown with the early morning rays, giving them more of a grey tone. His squared jaw moved slowly as he spoke.
Fondness bubbled up in Luke's chest. This man was his favorite person in the world. He always was ready for whatever Luke brought him even if it woke him up in the middle of the night which it usually did. Like last night, he'd just gotten up and made sure he was okay before putting him to bed. He was sleepy and pissed, but he'd done it anyway.
Luke crossed the room and stood behind the chair. He put his mug on the table and ran his hands along the other man's shoulders, kneading his fingers into the thick muscles.
"I won't be in until tonight. Yeah, I'm covering for Alexander on midnights. His wife just had their baby. Yeah, yeah, Borden. Yeah, I got it. I'm not a rookie, and I'm pretty sure I've been doing this longer than you." Luke laughed when he rolled his eyes. "Alright, Borden. I've got to go. Yeah, whatever."
He hung up the phone and dropped it on his desk. Luke rubbed his hands along his shoulders, neck, and back. He felt the tension drain away almost immediately.
"You're working midnights?" he asked.
"Mmm." The man nodded. "Kenneth's wife went into labor early this morning. I'd already said I'd work for him for a few days until the next schedule."
"You should have told me."
"And do what? You were drunk off your ass last night."
Luke nuzzled his face into the side of his neck. "Sorry, Jud."
Jud spun around and wrapped his arms around Luke's waist. He rested his chin on his stomach then looked up. Those green-grey eyes were light with a little mischief and a lot of happiness.
"Luke, The Mixer was raided last night. As far as I know, three of your employees were arrested for distribution of drugs and serving alcohol to under twenty-one with fake IDs," he said.
Luke sighed. The Mixer was his dad's bar that was worse than his. There was bound to be a shit storm after this, and whoever was involved would be the target. Not only that, his dad didn't have the same code of conduct Luke did.
"Luke?" He looked into Jud's face, focusing on his eyes. "I don't want to have to arrest you. So I'm asking you to keep your people on this side of the law."
Luke lifted Jud's face and kissed him. It was a soft, gentle motion to spread warmth through every inch of his being. Jud's arms tightened around his waist as he pressed up. After several years together, Luke knew how to make Jud feel better. As long as he did as he was asked, Jud wouldn't pester him too much.
They'd been together for a little over four years. Jud had been undercover in his bar trying to take down a well-known drug dealer. Luke had sought him out because he'd found him attractive. They'd talked and had a couple of drinks, and Luke had had a good time. He'd gone home and had thought he'd simply met someone sweet.
It hadn't been until he'd gone to work the next morning that he'd found out who the man was. Captain Judkins Payne was a retired army special forces captain and part of Baymont's S.W.A.T. team. He worked narcotics and had set up a sting to get one of Luke's family's closest friends.
They'd had no contact with each other for almost a year before they'd matched on a dating site. Luke had been surprised and unsure if Jud had remembered him. He also hadn't known if he knew who Luke was, so he'd played it safe.
Jud hadn't said anything for a while, and their relationship had steadily progressed. Soon Luke was spending his off nights at Jud's house watching movies and having dinner. It had become second nature after several months, and he had his own section in the closet.
Luke had been in his club when his ex had shown up. He'd begged to come back, to have Luke take him back even though he'd been the one to cheat. Luke had demanded he leave and never come back, but his ex had caused a scene. He'd said he was going to expose Luke to his new lover so he would see he was unloveable.
Jud had shown up and had pulled the guy away from the bar. Once they'd gotten outside, Jud had said he'd known all about Luke Meyers and his family. As long as Luke didn do anything stupid, he'd keep his secret. He hadn't been too lenient on Luke's ex though.
After five months of trying to keep a low profile, his identity was smashed in a matter of seconds. Jud had known all along who Luke was, but he hadn't been his target so he'd left him alone. His heart had hurt worse than his pride because he'd thought Jud was done with him.
"As long as your name doesn't come across my desk, this relationship won't be an issue," he'd said.
That had been four years ago. Luke had managed to keep his nose clean despite his family's various businesses. In these last years, Jud had taken out several influential mob members. Somehow Luke's family had been out of S.W.A.T. 's crosshairs since as far as he knew they only dealt with money, booze and clubs.
"Luke?" He was drawn out of the past by Jud's gentle call. "Do you know anything?"
Luke shook his head. "No one's said anything. As second-in-command, I have full knowledge of all the money and where it goes, as well as the business prospects. But there are others who have businesses not tied tightly with the family."
Jud stood and ran his hands over Luke's face. "I don't want to arrest you. Legally, I wouldn't have to, but no one knows about us as per your wishes."
When Luke found out about Jud's profession, he'd asked not to tell anyone. He would be branded a snitch just for the relationship and would be excommunicated or worse. Jud would have a target on his back. There were plenty of mobsters who would love to kill a cop. So to keep both of them safe, their relationship had been between the two of them only.
But Luke's family wasn't stupid. They knew he had someone. They just hadn't asked. As long as he did his job, no one really cared what he did. Even knowing his preferences, as long as he kept the family safe they would leave him alone.
Luke wrapped his arms around Jud's waist and pulled his body flush against the taller man. He kissed Jud's neck then rested his forehead against the left side.
"You know I can't tell you anything," he whispered. Jud grumbled beneath his ear. "I know, but we promised. If I hear something that will ruin me, I'll coordinate with you to take the person out. But I just can't tell you anything. You have to trust me."
Jud pulled away slightly and looked down at him. "Luke, you're asking a lot of me."
Luke nibbled on his chin. "I know and I'm sorry."
The taller man growled. "Don't start with me. I don't have much time to play with you. I have to meet with my superiors then try to get some sleep."
His hand traveled down the front of the man's sleep pants, cupping him gently. "At least let me get you off."
Jud removed his hand and stepped back. "I really don't have the time. I have to eat then dash."
Luke pouted but followed Jud to the kitchen. He refilled his coffee and sat down to eat. Jud regaled him with his drunken party last night, leaving the younger man somewhat mortified. He had never acted that way before, but it just showed how much he trusted Jud to care for him.
Despite his protests, Jud gave in to Luke after breakfast. The latter followed the former upstairs and jumped him as soon as he took off his shirt. They landed on the bed; Jud flat on his back with Luke straddling him. Luke kissed him, hands roving along the soft skin and firm muscles.
Jud allowed him to play a bit. They hadn't seen each other in several days and hadn't had sex in weeks. They'd been busy and hadn't been able to meet. Jud could go weeks without sex. He'd done it while in the military. Since he'd been with Luke, he hadn't really abstained. He catered to his needs and allowed him to play whenever his heart felt like it.
He propped his head up on his arm and watched Luke mark his skin with multiple hickies. He could do as he pleased as long as Jud could cover them. So far, the other man had kept his word. Even now, he steered clear of Jud's neck and collarbones though those were his favorite places.
Jud wrapped his legs around Luke's thighs and flipped him. Luke's green eyes were wide as a slow smile spread across his face. He let out a little laugh before he pulled Jud atop him.
The kiss was soulsearing. Jud didn't hold back, pouring all his emotions into it. Luke felt the electricity course through his system. He wished they could do more, but Jud had to work. He probably should go as well, but this was heaven and he didn't want to let go. He could feel the weeks of built up tension.
Luke let Jud sit up, pressing soft kisses to his lips and nose. He ran his fingers through the back of his hair as he sat with his forehead pressed against Jud's.
"We need to plan a night," he huffed. He could feel his erection pressing against his underwear. It was aching and painful. "I need to feel you, all of you."
Jud smiled wickedly. "Oh really? Is that all?"
Luke leaned in to whisper, "I need to feel you inside me all night long."
A deeper kiss was laid on him, making him desperate. Luke clung to Jud's shoulders, silently hoping he would throw caution to the wind and have his way with him. He knew the other man wouldn't do it, but he could hope.
Jud pulled away, a smile playing about his lips. He toyed with Luke's hair before he got up.
"I'm off duty on Thursday. We can make tentative plans. With Alexander out, it's liable to change," he said.
"I'm used to your schedule changing. I just needed an hour with you is all."
Jud buttoned up his shirt as he watched Luke. The younger man got up and found some of his clothes in the closet. He kept several changes of clothes here because of how many times he stayed the night.
"What will you do?" he asked.
Luke buttoned up his shirt and picked a cobalt tie. "It's inventory day. I have to count all the alcohol then make an order. Then I have to go back to the main house for Chapel."
He saw the look Jud gave him. "What? You know Chapel is mandatory."
Jud fixed his cuffs. He crossed the room and took the tie from Luke's hands. Luke watched his face as he swiftly looped the tie around his neck and tied it. Jud wasn't prone to showing his emotions. Luke knew how he felt about him by the way he cared for him, but he rarely said it aloud.
He looked at him closely. The officer's face was drawn, and little lines were pulling at his lips and eyes. He was worried.
"Jud?" He put his hands on his chest. "What is it?"
"The Baymont Kings came up in conversation the other day. I think something is going on." Jud's voice was very quiet, but his eyes were stormy.
Luke sighed. "Alright. I'll see what I can find out."
Jud gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Alright. We should get going."
They headed downstairs. Jud put the dishes in the dishwasher and turned it on. They left the house and went their separate ways.
Luke turned and watched Jud's Kawasaki disappear down the street. He didn't want his job to be at risk. He knew being a narcotics officer put him at odds with most of the people Luke knew, and he had to stay out of trouble to keep their relationship quiet.
He took the same path that brought him here the night before and headed to work. He hoped he could get some information as to why the Baymont King's were on the narc's list.