Disclaimer : I don't know Jake Gyllenhaal and this is a work of fiction. I know nothing about his private life and don't mean to suggest anything regarding his sexuality either.
The Important Things in Life - chapter 2
I hastily walked to the baggage area and retrieved my leather carry case. I packed light, so it wasn't too much trouble. I wasted no time in getting out of the airport. I was walking on unfound energy, every step numb but rapid. I stilled my trembling hands by carrying my laptop and not lugging it on my shoulder. It was a true out of body experience. I could feel my feet guiding me to my car, and my other senses preventing me from being hit by a passing taxi or bus, yet I might as well have been on another planet. The air around me seemed to resonate and it felt heavy, almost as if it was pressing down on every inch of my skin. My temples throbbed, and I could feel a potent nausea developing in the pit of my stomach.
God, how could I have been so reckless? It wasn't logical to give your number to someone you had only known for a few hours. I was angry. Angry that I had let myself fall into a potential trap. I couldn't read Jake. Was there more to him that met the eye, or was I being paranoid... and stupid? No. I had to pull myself together if I wanted to kindle anything between us, even if it was just friendship. If I gave nothing a chance then what was the point? How far I had fallen if I couldn't trust anyone, even a great guy who I had met on the plane last night. Yet ...the risk. Would you seriously take your number back?, I thought to myself. Of course not - the best thing I've ever done, even if delirium could explain my impulsive actions. I had never felt anything like this before. I thought I would expend myself dwelling on the possibility of touching his face, or caressing it, but at the same time I feared that if it ever came to it, I would go mad from the sheer exhilaration of doing so. I exhaled roughly and shook my head in desperation. Jake had stemmed a fever in me, and I was burning up quickly. I was a person who based my life on logic and due process, and for irrationality and intuition to have ridden in so aggressively, was a serious issue for me. It didn't make sense to leap in Jake's direction, and illogical acts always had severe repercussions in the business world. Was it wrong to apply my business life to this troubling situation? I had no experience in any other area of life, so perhaps I wasn't being totally foolish in trying to use my developed skills. Yet business was utterly dispassionate, and here, emotion was everything. Fuck. I was an explorer who had wondered into uncharted territory. Exploration might lead to my destruction, but to turn back was absolutely out of the question.
I walked to my car, still deeply engrossed in my thoughts. Smiling weakly at my dark blue two-seater convertible, I threw my bag in the trunk and placed my laptop next to me on the passenger seat. I could have been driven to my apartment, but feeling the wind in my face was one of my favourite parts of driving home. I sped off from the terminal and headed to my apartment. It usually took me an hour to drive home from the airport, depending on the traffic. Luckily I had missed the brunt of the congestion and I pulled into my underground garage just before eleven in the morning. Gathering my luggage, I inserted the key card which took me to the eighteenth floor. As the door opened I sighed with relief. Despite everything, it always felt good to be home. My penthouse apartment was one of the most exclusive in the city, and luckily my money wasn't wasted in maintaining it while I was away. I threw my bags down and walked to the kitchen. Staring at the skyline from the large glass window in front of me, I bit down on an apple and enjoyed my first nutrition since the previous day. I savoured the sweet taste and murmured with pleasure but after two bites, I was overcome by a wave of profound exhaustion. Looking at the apple, I shook my head in disappointment. Not only had I not eaten for almost a full day, I also had barely slept since that nasty surprise last night on the plane.
"Sorry, my friend," I said to the apple, and promptly threw it in the trash. Walking out of the kitchen I strode to my room and pressed the button which closed the curtains. I was so tired I could barely move. Taking off my socks and shoes turned out to be a great effort, and I yawned repeatedly as my eyes opened and closed with extra weight. Taking off my silk shirt I threw it across the room and watched it land indifferently. I threw myself onto the middle of the large bed. If I could just remove my pants and boxers, I could finally settle down to some quality sleep. Touching my belt buckle, I fumbled with it clumsily. "Shit," I mumbled angrily, and fell asleep before I could get any further.
I woke up in the same position hours later. My head was clouded, but I felt rested. Straining, I got up from the bed and stretched vigorously. I looked down at my pants and shook my head disappointedly. The sleep had won, and so much for mental power. My cheek was itchy and I scratched it, only to find almost two days stubble greeting my hand. I must have really looked like a real beauty in my dishevelled state.
My phone rang, and my breath caught. I swung round to face it and stared at it as if it was a coiled adder. Lifting the handset, I answered softly. "Hello?" I said tentatively.
"Mr Sanderson, it's George Torman here. Am I calling at a bad time?"
I sighed, half with relief and half with disappointment. He was the MD of my company in the United States. He was obsessed with money like the rest of the board, but overall he wasn't a bad guy. "Not at all," I said impassively. "What can I do for you, George?" I really didn't feel like this at the moment, but if I had to get it over with, now was as good a time as any. I walked over to the fruit bowl and picked up a pear which I had no intention to eat. I needed something to play with to prevent any chances I might actually die from boredom during this conversation.
"I'm pleased to report that the deal you sealed in the United Kingdom was even more fruitful than we initially foresaw," he continued cheerfully.
"Fruitful?" I asked, looking at the pear.
"Indeed sir. The rise in stock peaked at 9.6%, far higher than we could ever estimate. Clearly your product has lost none of its effect on the general public. Already the Japanese are following suite, and we expect the French to join them before the week is done. Wonderful news, wouldn't you agree?" He sounded very pleased.
"Wonderful news," I said flatly. "Anything else George?"
"No sir. Just couldn't wait to pass on the news. The board are delighted." He laughed richly.
"I'm glad," I said staring out at the city which assumed a golden light as the sun set below the horizon once again. My face was a mask, and this phone call had done nothing for me emotionally.
"Uh... I'm glad I could be of service, sir," he said, his tone slipping for the first time since we started talking. "Good evening to you, Mr Sanderson."
I made no reply, and I heard him hang up the phone. My gaze shifted from the horizon to the pear, and I shook my head in dismay. Walking to the bathroom, I lobbed the victimised item of fruit back into the bowl. Finally managing to pull off the drawn out process of stripping down, I climbed into the shower and stood with my head beneath the torrent of water, feeling the warm water washing over my body. I leaned forward and stood with my forehead against the wall, my hands pressed against the walls and my eyes closed. My breathing was rough and despaired. I was so tired of it all. So tired of being tired.
Eventually I climbed out of the shower and towelled myself off. Wrapping it around myself I leaned on the basin and looked at myself in the mirror for some time before standing again. At least I had a good body, I thought as I glanced at my abs. I was glad to finally have a shave, but stared at my own eyes for most of the process feeling almost overwhelmed with distraction. I finished and quickly sculpted an acceptable hairstyle. I walked back into my room and tapped the panel which electronically opened my massive walk in closet. Throwing the towel on the bed I walked naked into the huge room decorated with a hundred varieties of every piece of clothing, from shirts to shoes to watches. I casually chose a dark blue short-sleeved silk shirt and some long black pants, but no shoes considering I was planning to confine myself to my apartment tonight. After watching the doors close on my wardrobe, I walked over to the centre table and dialled the nearest pizza delivery.
"Luini's pizza, Jennifer speaking, how may I help you?" she said in a high and overly loud voice.
"Hi, this is Thomas Hedding phoning. I'm a regular customer and you have my details." Using a pseudonym became apparent after the first time I called led to my name being recognised, and I was harassed for a job interview for ten minutes before I could place an order.
"Yes, Mr Hedding. What would you like to order?"
"A medium Hawaiian with extra ham please. You still guarantee 30-minutes delivery?"
"Yes sir. We'll deliver it immediately." She said rapidly.
"Thanks," I said and hung up. Walking over to the television, I switched it on and started watching some Olympic events. They always fascinated me, and would make for good viewing until the pizza arrived. My phone rang again, and I got up and walked to the phone, irritated that I had been interrupted. A foot from the phone I froze, suddenly aware of who the potential caller might be. Stop being such a coward, I thought. Picking up he phone, I tried to answer confidently. "Hello?"
"Hello sir, it's Jennifer again. I'm sorry to bother you, but I forgot to inform you that we are offering an extra topping for free to celebrate our tenth birthday."
All the tension fled from my chest, but at the same time I was irritated for being interrupted by such a foolish call. "Sir?" she said curiously.
"Yeah, just add some pineapple then," I added neutrally. I hung up before she could finish her greeting, and felt bad afterwards. Too bad for her that she had chosen such a vulnerable time in my life to bug me. I was on the way back to the sofa when the phone rang again.
"Fuck!" I roared, and raced to the phone eager to put this woman in her place once and for all.
"Don't tell me, I get a free coke too!" I said hotly.
"Hey Kevin. I've heard some weird greetings in my time, but that takes the cake!" I heard some crazy laughter from the other side of the phone. No please. I don't believe it. No! It is not possible that I embarrassed myself in front of him twice in one day. My mouth was hanging wide open mouthing empty words, and I was clearly in shock. I looked down and saw that I had dropped the phone. Clambering to the floor I desperately picked up the phone and put it to my ear.
"Jake!" I said wildly. "Don't hang up, I'm here! I just dropped the phone by mistake. Hello?"
"Don't worry, Kev, I'm still around. I wondered what that silence meant followed by the loud crashing sound. So what's with that goofy opening line?" He was still chuckling openly. I couldn't help but smile. He was so awesome.
"I thought you were a pizza girl. No wait, don't even say anything. I know how ridiculous it sounds, but I'll explain it all to you when I have an hour... or five." I finished with a sigh, and I realised for the first time that a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. The worst thing was that before this moment, I wasn't even aware that such an underlying tension was gripping me.
"It's cool, man. I'm glad you answered. You have a good day?" He asked.
"I suppose I did. I came home and fell asleep while trying to undress myself. So I slept for almost the whole day half clothed on my bed. You?" I blushed as I said it, but strangely I felt comfortable degrading myself even further when talking to him. He never struck me as a person who looked for weaknesses to exploit, but rather someone who found fascination in every one of my errors.
I was sure I heard him groan softly while I was speaking, but I couldn't be sure over the phone. He did laugh again, however, as I finished my short recollection of the day's events. "Nah, I went for a short meeting with my agent and her staff, and I spent the rest of the day shopping for some things I needed. Before I knew it, the day was gone. I hope I gave you enough time to sleep before I phoned?"
No amount of time could have prepared me for the call, but it had arrived under amusing circumstances. At least, they seemed amusing now. "Sure. I've been awake for over an hour already. I just ordered pizza."
"Now THAT is the worst news I have heard all day. I suppose you won't join me for dinner then?" He was clearly pouting, but I thought my refusal would utterly spoil the rest of his evening.
"Don't be ridiculous, Jake. Of course I'll join you. When? Where?" I said, trying not to sound too eager. I felt strongly compelled to meet him today and at least show that I was enthusiastic to pursue something. As if a pizza could stand in my way. Even if I couldn't call off the fast food, I would have made him come over and join me, or found some sort of plan. Anything short of overturning the entire city would be acceptable in seeing my goals fulfilled.
"Great!" He blurted into the phone. "I know this great place. It's not the best restaurant ever, as I'm sure you're used to. I'm not calling you a snob or anything. I mean, you are refined and all. But don't worry, it's not a bad place to eat. I mean it's good, but not exceptional. I mean ... ugh... it's called Paradis. You want to meet there at eight?" I was smiling widely and finally laughing behind a closed hand by the time he'd finished. It was the first time that he had let nerves get the better of him, and for once, I wasn't the clown of the situation. It was adorable, and I found it intensely erotic to hear him so unsure of himself.
"Eight sounds perfect. I know where it is. I ate at a place alongside it once. Look forward to seeing you," I said honestly.
"Me too. See ya." He finished politely and hung up. Flinging the phone down I shouted to the room with victory, the absent masses not present to acknowledge my primal decree. I ran off to my wardrobe and half way there I ran back and launched my hand at the phone and dialled.
"Luini's pizza, Jennifer speaking, how may I help you?" came the familiar voice again, practiced and a little tired.
"This is Mr Hedding. Please cancel my order. Sorry for the inconvenience." I said almost incoherently while panting into the phone.
"Whatever man," she said rudely and then hung up. My head recoiled as she slammed the phone down, and I made a point of planning to follow up this rude behaviour at a later stage, but definitely not now. I had less than an hour to get my shit together. I ran back to the wardrobe and selected a better quality blue silk shirt, and a grey jacket to accompany it. This time I added some quality black shoes, a decent watch, and some aftershave in moderation. I rushed out of my flat and headed to the lobby. I decided to take a taxi rather than drive. It wasn't too far, anyway. Hailing a taxi wasn't too tough and very soon I was on my way to my anticipated meeting with Jake. My heart was beating in my chest, but I was still happy just to be caught in that situation. It took very little time to get there, and I arrived with almost five minutes to spare. Climbing from the taxi, I immediately spotted him. He was facing the restaurant and examining it from the sidewalk. No disguise this time. He probably thought the darkness would aid his anonymity, but I recognised that lithe figure and sexy hairstyle from the outset. He wore a dark jacket, and I could see hints of a white collar hinting at the shirt he wore beneath. I walked towards the entrance of the restaurant, but more importantly, towards Jake. I approached him from the right but stood slightly behind him.
"Excuse me, sir," I said in a fake accent, "do you know that harassing food connoisseurs is an offence in this state?"
As soon as I started speaking I could see the corner of his mouth spread into a smile. He turned slowly and looked at me, his face beaming, and matching mine. He looked so good it seemed almost uncanny. "Hey buddy!" he said pulling me into a hug. "Glad you haven't lost your opening lines," he added. "You're one of the funniest guys I've ever met."
"You need to raise your standards, Jake," I retorted with a sly smile. He just laughed. We walked into the restaurant and we were seated in a corner table, with wooden walls providing each table with privacy. I immediately realised why Jake liked this place. I could barely make out anyone in the restaurant, except flickers of motion where the wooden panels met. We both took off our jackets, and set them beside us. His shirt was indeed white, and I could see his toned body straining to advertise itself to me. The waitress took our order for drinks, Jake opting for a rum and coke, whereas I chose vodka, lime and lemonade. Jake took a sip of his rum and pursed his lips in approval.
"So how have you been, Kevin?" he asked enthusiastically.
"Good thanks, Jake. Thanks for asking. It's only been one day and all, but it did feel long." I said.
"Tell me about it. You know..." he tapered off and looked to his right. The waitress had returned.
"Are you ready to order, sir?" she asked Jake.
"You trust me with your order?" Jake asked me anxiously.
"Sure man. As long as it's interesting." I said.
"Great. I'll have this, and he'll have this ... but try not to overspice it like last time." He was pointing at items on the menu, and suddenly I felt anxious. All I needed was for him to order me a stuffed sheep's head as my main course. He would do something like just to see the look on my face when it arrived. The waitress left and Jake smiled at me again.
"You'll enjoy it, don't worry." He winked at me. "So tell me what happened while you were sleeping today. You said you would."
I rolled my eyes in fake exasperation, and he smiled. I couldn't believe that I had such a positive effect on the guy, but then, I couldn't believe that anyone had such a wonderful effect on me. I told him the entire story starting from the fact that I couldn't finish one apple, and ending with my inability to undo my belt buckle. As I expected, he thought it was the best story ever, and I could see his eyes drinking my words in, and possibly more than that. There were long periods when he would stare at my eyes without blinking, something carnal radiating from those blue gems. Then he would shift his stare to my talking lips and I could see hunger painted across his face. It was all very unsettling, and I almost hashed the story up twice when my mind started to wander. I finally finished, although Jake was clearly up for any excuse to stare at my face.
"I would have liked to have seen you on your bed wearing long pants only. It would have been hot," he said abruptly while staring at me. I was shocked and my mouth fell open. Granted, I had a suspicion that he was gay (not many straight guys would whisper erotically in my ear at forty thousand feet), but there were no vague undertones in that statement. Maybe it was for the best. Honesty was probably the advisable route in this complex situation.
"So, you are gay," I said, not really asking a question at all.
"Yeah," he said, his eyes falling to his drink, which he hastily picked up and downed in a torrential gulp. "You're probably one of only a few people in the world who knows, Kevin. But there's something about you which loosens my tongue, and my wits." He spoke meekly, and seemed almost afraid. Perhaps he really was scared that this situation could suddenly go wrong causing me to walk out.
I leaned forward and summoned his lowered eyes to meet mine. "Don't feel bad, Jake. I'm glad you just said that. Much more than glad, in fact."
"Really?" he said, stark incredulity etched across his face.
"Really," I said smiling.
I thought he would laugh again, and raise my spirits to greater levels, but he let out a very loud and rough sigh and rubbed his closed eyes with the palms of his hands. "Thank god," he said with obvious relief. I considered the fact that he might be crying, or close, but when he opened his eyes they were calm and relieved. "You don't know how scared I was to take that step, Kevin," he said breathlessly, and trying to gain his former momentum again.
"I know, Jake. I'm just really glad you did. At least now we can stop all the bullshit probing and get on with our lives." I was also relieved, and for the first time I felt some sort of solid ground forming beneath my feet since Jake had spoken to me on that flight.
He picked up his drink and looked a second time before he could convince himself that he really had drunk almost the whole thing in one try. He must have been seriously vexed to have not noticed that.
"You know," he said staring at the ice in the empty glass, "after I overcame my absurd fear of flying and actually looked at you, I knew immediately that I wanted you. I watched you for about an hour while you slept. I thought you were the best goddamn looking specimen I had ever seen. Then when I finally got you to speak, I realised how stupid I would be not to see this through. Did you feel the same?" he asked anxiously. I was surprised to hear about his behaviour on the plane, and I thought he was mad to speak of me so. Wasn't it ironic that I thought the same?
"When I finally woke up I literally gasped when I saw your face. I thought I had never seen such beauty. I knew who you were immediately, and I thought it was a cruel twist of fate to place a lonely fool such as myself next to someone like you. It pretty much explains all my avoidant behaviour which followed, which I am still ashamed about, by the way." I couldn't help but blush. My heart pained whenever I thought about lashing out at him on the plane and then turning my back on him for the rest of the flight.
"Don't be sorry. I'm glad you turned around. I was seriously worried about what I would do if I carried on speaking to you." He was trying to feign embarrassment, but his eyes revealed the thoughts which he had contemplated on the flight, and I knew how much we both still wanted them to occur.
"That makes two of us. If there's ever been a bigger hard-on in first class, I would certainly like to find that guy." I said chuckling.
He laughed, and I felt his leg touch mine. "You already have," he said winking at me.
I growled like a rabid animal, and we both started laughing in hysterics. Our food arrived a few minutes later, and we ate and then chatted for the good part of two hours. It had nothing to do with previous events, but rather our interests, hopes and aspirations. There was something final about our conversations, and if we were merely settling up information which should have been there already. It wasn't a courting dance, it was a relationship which should have been established long ago and hungrily caught up where it had missed out. I invited Jake back to my house to chat. I really had no interest in any sort of physical moment yet. I was afraid that it would take very little effort for him to unlock my passions, and when that happened, I thought I would go on and on until both of us were too tired to breathe.
We took a taxi back to my apartment and Jake complimented me on my great taste in furniture. I closed the door to my apartment and locked it, and was about to turn around and offer him some sort of beverage, when I was thrown against the wall hard enough to make me grunt. Jake had me pinned against the wall, his strength far greater than it appeared at first glance. His eyes were blue fire and I could sense passion coming off him in waves. He stared into my eyes deeply and he was breathing heavily, but no heavier than I was myself. This close I could make out his features clearly and I could feel the desire in me leap up like a white hot fire. I could feel the heat coming off his body, and I felt dizzy with emotion.
Without warning Jake pressed his lips against mine, and I groaned immediately. His lips were soft but powerful, and my skin seemed to scorch with ecstasy as soon as our lips made contact. I opened my lips and I felt his tongue find its way into my mouth. We were both breathing very heavily and I could feel his hard cock pressing against my own. "Oh fuck, Kevin. I've wanted to do that since I met you," he said panting. Before I could reply he kissed me again. We couldn't get enough of one another. It was crazy.
Every now and again a whimper of pleasure escaped his own lips. His hands lifted my shirt and felt up and down my back. At one stage he brought his hands forward and felt my chest and abs, almost causing me to lose it. I lifted his shirt and examined his flawless body. His toned body accentuated every muscle, and the dark hair lightly coating his chest and stomach aroused me to near impossible levels. Somehow we found our way to my bed and there we felt every inch of our exposed bodies, our tongues fighting to pleasure one another, while our hands roamed wildly. Between our sighs of pleasure, an almost incoherent word would sometimes pop-up before our tongues found one another again. I had never been so turned on in my life. Jake's hand decided to explore my pants, but before too much happened, I broke off the kiss and stayed his hand.
"Not yet, Jake. I'm not ready for more yet." I said with open honesty, but insistence. I admit I felt embarrassed too.
"No problem, Kev." He said smiling at me, that ravishing smile never losing any of its masterful effect on me. "Just lying next to you is reward enough."
We were off to a good start. This guy inspired feelings in me that I didn't think existed. With him I was truly happy, without him I was never fully complete. Pulling him into an embrace, I ran my hand up his neck and through his dark hair before kissing him deeply again. There we lay in our half naked states where we slept until morning. His head rested on my chest and his hand on my abs. Before I fell asleep I thought of a neat idea for the next day. I smiled weakly when I thought about it, and then checked Jake's perfect face. Sleeping, the smile never seemed to leave his face.
End of chapter 2
Thanks for the comments guys. I really appreciate any feedback. I write when I can, but I've got a busy career and it doesn't leave me much time for my hobbies. But I'll gladly make time for Jake. Chapter 3 will follow at some stage.