Swish by E. Davies

He spoke carefully, not sure what Thomas was trying to coax out of him. His heart thrummed with nervous anticipation. “I just...” he trailed off.
    No, don't say it.
    If Thomas gave him an answer on whether he wanted a relationship again, Alex would tell him the gods-honest truth. He missed Thomas like hell and hookups with others weren't doing anything for him.
    But he didn't want to push Thomas's comfort, and Thomas did seem uncomfortable. Alex wasn't sure if it was strictly at the idea of dating him, or men in general, but he was being awfully distant.
    “Hm?”
    “Nothing,” Alex brightly answered. “I just saw a bird, I think.”
    “Oh, congratulations. You're a bird-spotter now?”
    Alex laughed. “Smart-ass. It was a blue jay. It was cute. I'm not pointing out any more birds if you're just gonna make fun of me.”
    “No, point out the birds, please,” Thomas groaned. “I'm sorry.”
    “Fine.”
    The mood was light between them as Thomas glanced at him. Those eyes were always perceptive. “If you were about to talk about us, I'm ready for that.”
    Alex's lips parted in a quick, small “O” shape – he knew his mouth was hanging open, and not just from exertion. His ski nearly slipped sideways as he lost concentration. He pulled it back towards his body and smoothly glided. “Oh. Right. Um, I was just gonna say I really liked what we did the other night.”
    “Me, too,” Thomas answered. “I thought it was one last fling, but it might be... the opposite.”
    Yes! Alex didn't even know why he was so excited at this admission. It wasn't like Thomas wanted to be his boyfriend instantly or anything. He didn't even know for sure he wanted Thomas to be!
    But this was progress: for the first time, they were discussing their relationship like mature adults. And to Alex's surprise, it felt good.
    ***
    There was nobody else in the main cabin – just the employees outside taking back the ski rentals. Once they ditched the skis and Thomas paid extra for his broken pole, they headed inside. They stripped off their ski jackets and pants to warm up for a few minutes before driving back home.
    There were saunas and one outdoor hot tub, too. Alex was hardly prepared for Thomas in a swimsuit though – or even naked. He wasn't sure he wouldn't channel Darren and Anna's recklessness.
    That last bit of evidence – video of them – was all he needed. Lexy would have her suspicions confirmed. Anna was more than a one-time fling. Darren wouldn't be able to talk his way out of it with the usual excuses.
    Alex had to write up his report, but that could wait. Someone more important was here, sitting next to him on the bench in front of the wood stove.
    Their knees grazed as Thomas stretched out, then placed a hand gently on Alex's knee.
    A smile tugged at Alex's lips, and he turned his head to watch Thomas. He stretched his arm along the bench behind Thomas's back, then loosely wrapped it around his shoulders.
    Logs crackled inside the glass-fronted fireplace as they watched the sparks fly and embers glow. The warmth was intense – almost unbearable – but Alex was hardly going to move.
    “Would you drive back with me?” Thomas asked. “In convoy, of course. I want to talk somewhere private.”
    “Okay. Want to come over to my place?”
    Thomas nodded. “Yeah. You'll have to lead, though. I don't know where it is.”
    “No problem.” Alex couldn't look away from Thomas now. His cheeks were still flushed adorably red, his lips parted and wet and kissable.
    Thomas's eyes had wandered down to his lips, too. He checked out around them, which Alex knew meant he was thinking about it.
    “C'mon,” Alex murmured. He leaned in to peck Thomas's lips and Thomas tilted his head so their lips perfectly met. After one sweet kiss, Alex pulled back. He rose, then offered a hand to Thomas to pull him to his feet for the second time that day.
    Thomas took his hand and didn't let go as they walked down to the parking lot