The BL Nook

Chapter 16: Best Birthday Gift

I punched in the code. For the first time in what felt like forever, it felt like I was finally home.

The door creaked open, and Josh’s head popped out from the kitchen.

“Sean? What are you doing here?”

“I heard today was your birthday.”

Before I could say anything else, he launched at me, wrapping me in a bear hug so tight I could barely breathe.

“Welcome home,” he whispered into my neck.

“I’m only here because I had to,” I mumbled, struggling to breathe through his grip.

“You didn’t have to come… I know you need time to think.”

He finally let go, stepping back like he was afraid he might be holding me against my will.

“What kind of person would I be if I didn’t spend your birthday with you?” I said, stepping forward.

Josh moved closer again, burying his face in my shoulder.

“You have no idea how much I missed you,” he whispered, voice trembling.

I hesitated, my pride holding me back, but eventually forced it out between clenched teeth.

“I missed you too.”

“Yeah? How much?” he asked, voice muffled.

“Josh…”

“Please… just tell me,” he pleaded, and when I glanced up, I saw it.

That look.

The soft pout. The sulky brows. Eyes wide and glossy. Damn it. He was too cute. My defenses crumbled.

Before I could respond, he wrapped his arms around my waist and took a long, indulgent sniff of my neck.

“Ha… Sean… I missed your scent,” he breathed.

My knees buckled. My hands trembled, the bag I was holding nearly slipping from my grasp. His cologne, that warm, woody scent, had me dizzy.

I gave up.

I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing tight, and finally let the floodgates open.

“Ugh… I missed you so much, I thought I wouldn’t survive the week without you. I almost called a hundred times just to hear your voice. Sleeping in my bed without you felt wrong. I… I had a terrible week. All I wanted was to come home to you. W-What about you?”

I pulled away just enough to see his face and my heart dropped. Tears were streaming down his cheeks.

“Hey! Why are you crying?!” I panicked.

“Sorry… sniff… I just…”

“Okay, okay! I get it. Please don’t cry!” I fumbled, wiping his tears as fast as they fell. It was no use. They just kept coming.

God, he was beautiful. I’d imagined seeing every expression on that face, but this? This teary, trembling, flushed-cheek expression? I wasn’t prepared.

He missed me that much? Enough to cry?

I shouldn’t feel this way, but… I felt a twisted sort of joy seeing him like this. Like I mattered that much.

“Look, I got you a gift,” I said, trying to distract us both. “Maybe it’ll stop the waterworks before the guys get here. Go ahead and open it.”

I placed the bag on the kitchen counter. I grabbed a paper towel from the kitchen, placed it gently on his nose, and told him to blow. It left his nose adorably red.

“What is it?” he asked, glancing at the gift bag on the counter.

“Just open it.”

He pulled out the whiskey box and stared at it.

“Holy shit!” he gasped, eyes lighting up like a kid on Christmas.

Crisis averted.

“Are you serious?! I’ve been wanting this forever, for my collection!”

“Duh. You wouldn’t shut up about it, so I got it for you,” I teased.

He opened the case, taking a deep sniff of the leather.

“Damn… it’s so freaking sexy.”

“Pffft… Well, I’m glad you like it.”

I grabbed two beers from the fridge and slid one across the counter to him, leaning back casually.

“Like it? I freaking love it! I could literally kiss you right now.”

I took a sip of my beer and smirked. “When?”

“When? What?” He blinked at me.

“When are you going to kiss me?” I laughed.

He froze, then quickly set the whiskey down. In one swift motion, he took my beer and placed it next to his. Then he leaned in, both arms on either side of me, trapping me against the counter.

His face hovered just inches from mine.

“Sean… I’m so sick and tired of this tension between us. I know you said that just to tease me, but… I really want to kiss you right now.”

I couldn’t move. I braced myself to what was about to happen. 

He kissed me. Slow, soft, and tender. His lips were as gentle as I’d imagined. I froze, overwhelmed. Then I felt his mouth open, and he softly licked my lips. It was almost innocent.

Almost.

The heat between us ignited. He kissed me again. Deeper, hungrier, but still careful. His lips were wet, and his tongue traced mine in a slow, tantalizing rhythm. The feeling of his saliva slipping to my chin made my whole body shiver.

Then…

Knock, knock, knock.

They’re here.

Josh paused, glanced at the door, and let out a dramatic “Tsk.” He dropped his head to my shoulder and rubbed against me.

“Fuck… they’re here. Such terrible timing… haha.”

He reluctantly pulled away and started toward the door.

But I stopped him. He was about to leave me all hot and bothered. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had a taste of him already and I wanted more. 

I grabbed the collar of his shirt, shoved him back against the wall, and crashed my lips into his. I opened my mouth slightly, letting my tongue tease his, and he responded in kind. Our tongues met. Something snapped inside me.

I slid my hands up the back of his neck, tangled them in his hair, and pulled him in deeper. He groaned into my mouth. Low and desperate. I swear I could feel that sound shoot straight to my core.

His hands slipped down, grabbing my ass, yanking our bodies flush. Our dicks rubbed through our pants, the friction delicious and maddening. I began to grind against him instinctively. We were lost in it. Kissing like we were starving, breath heavy, lips slick, hands wandering.

The knocking turned to ringing. The doorbell. Voices. But we didn’t stop.

Josh’s hands snuck under my shirt, fingertips grazing my bare back. The idea that his friends were right there, just a few feet away, while we were making out like horny teenagers. God, it turned me on more. His tongue tasted sweet and I never wanted it to end.

I bit his lip. He groaned, “Ugh…” and the sound made my knees weak. I could feel myself getting hard.

I slid my hand up his shirt to feel those perfect abs but we were interrupted again.

Ring, ring, ring.

Josh’s phone.

We stopped, panting, staring toward the sound. I chuckled breathlessly and gave him a soft peck.

He wiped his lips with his thumb, then pulled me in for another deep, desperate kiss. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine and whispered:

“I’m hard, ha…”

“Me too… haha… but answer the phone. They’re probably freaking out.”

He stepped away and grabbed his phone to answer.

“What?!” he barked into it, using his other hand to adjust himself.

I slipped into the bathroom, locking the door. From inside, I could hear the front door open and the chaos of voices spill in.

“Fuck man, what took you so long?”

“Can’t a man take a shit in peace? Fuck!” Josh growled.

“Why are you so angry? You should be happy we’re here!”

“Hey Josh, where can I put the drinks?”

“Oh by the way, happy birthday, bro!”

“Yeah, happy birthday!”

“Thanks, guys… I haven’t seen you all in a while.”

“Wow, did you even comb your hair? It’s all messed up in the back.”

Then I heard Tyler’s voice ask:

“Where’s Sean hiding?”

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