Fic: Neither Rhyme Nor Reason (6/9)
Title: Neither Rhyme Nor Reason (6/9)
Author: gradgirl (aka Ali)
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Luke/Reid eventually
Summary: When it comes to love, neither rhyme nor reason need apply.
Warnings: Based upon this prompt.
Author’s Notes: Written for a prompt by gypsieheart. Hope you enjoy it. And a huge thank you to cherimola for beta work and listening to my whining. Comments are appreciated and loved. Thank you ~Ali
Previous Chapters: { One} { Two} { Three} { Four} { Five}
Note: Due to posting size, broken into two chapters.
Chapter Six
Reid tried to get comfortable. Flying in a private jet certainly had it’s perks, he didn’t want to acknowledge that one of them was his traveling companion. However, the plane seemed so much smaller then the last time he was on it-due to the man he didn’t want to think about.
Do not have a panic attack! he yelled at himself. He never showed weakness, and he couldn’t do so in front of Luke Snyder.
It didn’t help that there was a perky stewardess running around, offering Reid whatever he wanted. He opened his mouth to tell her what he would love for her to do when heard Luke say, “Thank you, Chloe. You’ve been great, but we’re fine. I’ll let you know if we need anything.”
“Of course, Mr. Snyder.” And she actually giggled before leaving the two men alone.
Reid was ready to throw something. “Is there any woman who doesn’t fall at your feet?” he demanded to know.
Luke jumped slightly and shook his head. “I’m sorry, but what are you talking about now?”
“The perky cheerleader.” He gestured to the partition in which the stewardess just walked through.
“Chloe,” Luke prompted.
“Whatever. Between her and the crying nurse, and worst of all, Katie, you have women falling at your feet. It’s disgusting.” It really wasn’t but Reid was annoyed. He felt sweat breaking out at the back of his neck and his heart rate was elevated. He wasn’t sure if his panic was building or his general reaction to everything Luke Snyder.
“Dr. Oliver…” The blonde felt a smile tugging at his lips. He liked to annoy the doctor, but this was getting out of hand. “Why do you care? It’s not like you want any of these women to…” his voice trailed off. It’s not possible. He’s not jealous because he wants me, Luke tried to tell himself. He wasn’t certain if he was attempting assurance or simple denial.
“What, Mr. Snyder?” Reid asked; his voice was soft, but he wasn’t able to hide his annoyance. He never could when it came to the other man.
“She wasn’t flirting; she was being helpful.”
The doctor snorted.
“You know,” Luke noted, crossing his arms over his chest. “People are nice to you if you’re nice back.”
“Ha!” Reid couldn’t help himself. He’d been told the same thing from his mother when he was eight. He didn’t believe her then any more than he believed Luke now.
“Besides, she makes more than enough money. She’s being paid to be a ‘perky cheerleader.’”
Despite himself, Reid smiled.
“Oh, and I got you some magazines,” Luke said. They had been in the air about ten minutes and still had a couple of hours to get through. The blonde generally enjoyed their sparring matches, but there was work to be done as well.
“What?” the doctor asked. The quick turn of their conversation was a surprise. And he still couldn’t figure out why Luke was being nice to him.
“Magazines?” Luke reached into this satchel and pulled out his purchase. He tossed them to the doctor. “I, uh, wasn’t sure what you’d like. Katie mentioned you eat…a lot…” The younger man’s gaze wandered over Reid’s slim form. “I’m not sure where you put it,” he mumbled, his eyes lingering on the redhead.
Reid was gingerly looking through the pile, but he stopped when he heard Luke. His head slowly shifted up, a stuttering movement, drawn once again to the blonde’s neck, seeing the nervous bob of his Adam’s apple. He tried to look away, force himself not to be drawn to Luke, but the doctor’s gaze continued on its trek, and he found himself staring at the younger man’s mouth.
Luke’s tongue darted out, trying to wet his dry lips. “I, uh, wasn’t sure what you’d like.”
“You said that already,” Reid murmured.
“Do you want to talk about the case?” Luke offered with a brief shrug of his shoulders.
“No,” the doctor replied quickly and went back to looking at the magazines. “People in Español, three cooking magazines, Popular Mechanics, a tabloid, GQ, and a gay lifestyle magazine. Interesting choices, Mr. Snyder.”
“Well, it’s not like you can pick up medical journals in the corner bookstore,” Luke countered defensively. “Besides your work and food, I don’t know what you like.”
It was on the tip of Reid’s tongue to say, you. And while he was certain that wasn’t exactly a secret with Luke, this trip was going to be difficult enough without making young Mr. Snyder uncomfortable. “That’s not entirely true, Mr. Snyder,” Reid found himself admitting.
The blonde smiled a nervous, shy grin. His dimples weren’t on full view, but Reid knew that Luke had liked what he’d said. And how do I know that? he wondered.
“I know your smiles,” Luke offered. He had crossed arms over his chest after tossing Reid the magazines and now was slowly opening himself up to the doctor.
“What?” Reid’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Whenever I see you, the first look you give me, a death glare or a grin, I know what you’ve been through. I know what you’re thinking about… In regards to your patients,” he was quick to add. “I know what kind of day you’d had or the last patient you saw. I don’t know their names, but I know how they’ve affected you in some way.”
It was unnerving to hear, and Reid briefly thought about testing Luke’s theory, but he wouldn’t, because he knew the blonde was right. Reid’s life revolved around his patients.
Luke leaned backed slightly and opened his arms. “And I’m an open book you know.”
“You do have a way over-sharing, and if you don’t, then Katie is more than likely to fill me in. Is it the small-town life? Do you all feel the need to share every detail of your lives?”
A smile tugged at Luke’s lips. “Yes, we have known each other forever. It’s a way to keep you up to date. And you don’t exactly reciprocate.”
“I don’t like people,” Reid countered and reached for one of the magazines.
Luke gave in to his desire and actually smiled. “And yet, you chose a profession in which you’re surrounded by people. You’re not off in a cabin in the woods.”
“I do my best work with my patients are unconscious.” He started to flip through the magazine, hoping and dreading that Luke would get the hint.
The blonde snickered. “Of course. Well, I hope you enjoy the magazines.”
Reid glanced up and saw Luke pull a book out of his bag. “What’s that?” He nodded to the book in Luke’s hands.
“A book,” the blonde said slowly.
“I know it’s a book. Why did you get me this magazine menagerie and you got that?”
“Do you want to trade?” Luke offered.
Reid glanced down his magazine. He’d picked up the Popular Mechanics, and he was torn about what to do. He didn’t want to read the magazine, but he also didn’t want to admit defeat. He knew the ridiculousness of that thought, but he couldn’t back down.
Luke made the choice for him. He quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and moved toward the doctor. The plane hit an unexpected pocket of turbulence and Luke was propelled forward. The book fell out of the younger man’s hands and Reid instinctively reached up. The blonde fell and half-landed on Reid’s lap. Luke’s hands were on either side of Reid’s head, bracing against the chair, and his breath came out in hot pants against the doctor’s face. Reid’s hands had come up, trying to break Luke’s fall, but instead, they had moved and wrapped around Luke’s back, cupping his sides. The redhead winced, feeling Luke’s knee dig into him and the blonde shifted, his thighs rested gently on either side of Reid’s. Luke’s arms had locked but they started to shake and he was pushed forward, mere inches separating them. Reid’s hands slid down Luke’s sides and the younger man felt his heart stop and then stutter on.
“You okay?” the doctor checked.
Luke’s mouth was open, but he quickly closed it. He almost didn’t trust himself to speak. He nodded his head with a shaky jerk.
“Good. So could you get up now?” Reid questioned. “You’re not exactly a lightweight.” His voice was a little harsh and heavy. Reid didn’t want Luke to realize the effect he was having on him. Although, the doctor was beginning to doubt that he could keep that part of himself hidden.
Luke stumbled a little in his quest to get up. His hands slid closer around Reid’s head, and his arms briefly grazed the doctor’s ears. Luke shifted again, and his thighs closed around the doctor’s.
“Mr. Snyder…” Reid tried to be stern but his voice was a little breathless.
With a shake, Luke pushed himself back, sliding down Reid’s legs, his hands blindly pressing into the doctor’s chest. He stilled for a moment, his gaze locking with Reid’s. Luke’s palm opened and closed, gripping the doctor’s coat between his palm and fingers. The blonde saw Reid’s eyes turn to sapphire and he wanted to look away, but he couldn’t. Reid’s heart was pounding and he tried to keep his mouth closed, the air demanding a release from his chest. The doctor’s hands started to grip Luke’s hips; they briefly dug into his waist and pushed Luke the final way off his lap.
“S-sorry,” Luke stuttered. He bent down to pick up the book he dropped and Reid’s eyes were locked and the blonde’s ass.
He has to know what he’s doing to me, Reid realized.
When Luke straightened, his gaze caught the doctor’s. Reid jerked slightly, the seatbelt digging into his hips.
“Uh, here.” Luke reached out, offering the book.
Reid had forgotten about it and he glanced at the item, almost as though he had no idea what it was. Blindly reaching for the book, his hand covered Luke’s for a moment. He knew what that would feel like: a shot of desire that was as instantaneous now as when he first laid eyes on the young man. Reid had a careful control over his life, and he hated that Luke could blow it apart with one touch. Pulling the book out of Luke’s hands, he settled back in his seat. He opened the book and started to read. It took him a full three minutes to realize he had the book upside down.
*
Reid watched in amusement as Luke tried to argue with the young woman behind the check-in desk at their hotel. For once, there wasn’t a woman falling at his feet, which was a relief to Reid, but more than that, Luke’s assistant had screwed up the room reservations. Luke was trying to flirt, cajole, buy, and finally threaten the young woman for an extra room. Some conference in town had the place booked, and it appeared doubtful that they’d find another hotel quickly. Reid’s amusement had disappeared once the threats started. His attraction to Luke was a secret kept only from the blonde himself. A constant simmering companion for Reid, but this side of Luke was something Reid hadn't gotten to experience. He saw it sometimes during the investor meetings, but seeing the Golden Boy of Oakdale threaten a poor hotel clerk was a bit of a turn on.
“Mm-hmm,” Reid cleared his throat loudly. “Mr. Snyder.” His hand came up and he started to reach for the younger man, but he hesitated, and his hand was left hovering in the air.
Somehow, Luke heard him, and when he turned around Reid’s hand landed on the younger man’s chest. Luke looked down at it for a moment, wishing he could be surprised as the terrifyingly familiar jolt of electricity worked its way through his body, radiating from where the doctor touched him.
For once, they were still, looking at each other, trying to catch the other’s gaze, but not sure of what to do if it actually happened. Reid swallowed and Luke was drawn to the bob of his Adam’s apple.
“Mr. Snyder, I am sorry for any inconvenience,” the young woman began. She thought she might be able to try and assuage the situation, seeing as Luke was finally quiet. After what she saw between the two men, she wondered what the complaint was about regarding their room.
Shaking himself, the blonde turned back to the counter. “Yes, of course. We’ll need two room keys.”
Reid grimaced slightly, hating that he wasn’t able to control himself again. And he couldn’t see it, but he knew that Luke was smiling. The young woman immediately smiled in return, and she started to tuck her hair behind her ear. Rolling his eyes, Reid reached around Luke, grabbed the room keys, and headed for the elevator. The soft click of Luke’s shoes was the only indication the young man was following him. Reid smacked the button to call the elevator to the lobby.
“I’m sorry,” Luke whispered.
Reid glanced over his shoulder at the younger man. “What for?”
“My assistant, I should have…” He shrugged. “I don’t know. It wasn’t Nicole’s fault.”
“Who the hell is Nicole?” Reid questioned.
The elevator arrived and both men got on. The doctor was reminded of the first time they met. He tried to move as far away from Luke as possible, and yet he was still consciously aware of each breath the blonde took.
“Nicole was the woman who checked us in.”
“Checked you out, you mean,” Reid replied dryly.
Luke chuckled and briefly shook his head. “Why is it that you think every woman we encounter is flirting with me?”
Because in any other circumstance, Reid would have been doing the same thing. “Please. You turn on the Snyder charm and the women are ready to drop their pants. Although, you weren’t exactly charming there.”
Luke sighed. “I know. I’m sorry. I-”
“Why? You were trying to get what you want. What’s wrong with that?” Reid questioned. He was sick of the constant apologies.
The younger man’s mouth opened and closed for a moment. He knew the doctor didn’t know everything about Damian and the fear that Luke kept with him, that he would become like his biological father. The blonde wasn’t sure if he could tell Reid, but he wanted to.
They arrived at their floor, and Luke had to move quickly to keep up. Reid tried the door a few times.
“God, I rue the day they got rid of hotel room keys.”
Luke chuckled and slipped his hand around Reid’s body, pulling the key out of the doctor’s hand. “It’s been years, get over it.” And as with everything in Reid’s life, Luke’s touch did the trick.
They walked into the darkened room and both men hesitated for a moment. It was one thing to be forced to share a room. Reid was quite particular about his bathroom. He made Katie read a full set of rules before he agreed to move in. But there was only one bed. King sized to be sure, but when the two men looked at it, it didn’t appear to be larger than an ottoman.
“Well…um… This is… You know…” Luke choked out.
“You’re babbling, Mr. Snyder,” the doctor noted dryly. Granted he’d had more than a few fantasies about a bed and Luke, but it didn’t involve germ invested hotel rooms.
“Right.” Luke quickly moved past him and put his bag on the bed. “So we should start prepping for your hearing. Grandmother emailed me some questions you could be asked.” He unzipped the bag and pulled out some of his clothing. The more he spoke, the quicker his clothes came out. Luke’s hands were fluttering, a shaky need not to be still.
Reid was affected as well, but watching the young man almost induce a panic attack seemed to have a calming effect on Reid. Maybe it was his antagonistic nature or maybe it was hope, but Reid found himself asking, “Does being here remind you of that hotel room in Branson?”
Luke had been tugging on one of the hangers, before remembering they didn’t actually leave the hook, and he turned to Reid. “Wh-what?” he sputtered.
“Maggie wasn’t that her name?” Reid questioned but it was another dig. He remembered exactly what Luke’s ex-girlfriend was called. And a rather long discussion about the girl with Katie helped his memory.
“Maddie,” Luke ground out. With an impatient tug, he practically broke the hanger.
“There should be a slot,” the doctor noted. His voice was deceptively casual, but his left hand twitched.
“What?”
Reid slowly, almost predatorily closed the distance between them. His hand came up, closing over Luke’s, his chest leaning into the blonde’s. He moved and the hanger came lose. “Here.”
The blonde looked anywhere but at Reid. “No,” he whispered.
“No what, Mr. Snyder?” Reid questioned his voice soft and a little husky. They were standing so close; there was no need for raised voices. Or maybe the doctor didn’t want to scare Luke.
The younger man’s gaze met Reid’s for a moment and he leaned back slightly. The air between them thick and made it difficult for Luke to breathe, and then his gaze tracked down, looking at the doctor’s lips. Reid’s mouth opened and his tongue darted out, touching the tip of his tongue to his top lip.
“No, I’m not thinking about Maddie.” Luke tried to move. The air was too heavy and he had trouble thinking about anything, but… He couldn’t be distracted. They weren’t there for… He shook his head, stumbling out of the door of the closet and Reid’s proximity. He blindly turned and was faced with the bed.
“What are you thinking about?” Reid questioned.
“Nothing,” Luke sputtered.
“Mr. Snyder…” There was a warning in the doctor’s voice.
“You want to talk about sex, and you won’t call me Luke?” He tried to snort, but the sound was strangled. “My time with Maddie was…” Luke still couldn’t look at Reid and eyeing the bed made him uncomfortable.
“What, Mr. Snyder?” the doctor’s voice was calm, almost encouraging Luke to open up, but it had the exact opposite effect.
“Nice!” Luke finally answered. “My time with Maddie was nice.”
The laugh was loud and echoed around Luke’s skull for a few moments. “Nice?” Reid questioned. He didn’t make any move to get closer to the younger man, but he did cross his arms over his chest. “Sex isn’t supposed to be nice. It’s supposed to be so good you forget your name and your partner can’t walk for a week.”
Luke’s heart thudded around his chest cavity and beads of sweat were forming everywhere. He’d never experienced that, but sometimes when he would allow himself, he thought about Reid, the way the man made him feel and he wondered….
He sat down heavily, trying not to think about the fact that he would be sharing that bed with Dr. Oliver in a few hours.
It wouldn’t be nice, he realized. Nothing about Dr. Oliver is nice. Luke couldn’t meet Reid’s gaze, but looking ahead, he was eye-level with the doctor’s legs. He saw the telltale twitch to his hand. Does he feel it too?
*
Onto part two...