Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

it turned out, Nate did take over Ben's lab, just not in the way Ben initially feared. What began as a harmless luncheon conversation quickly deepened into a serious discussion of time relativity, in particular Ben's work in special relativistic time dilation, which is the elapsed time between events as measured by two or more different observers. The theory holds that the time can pass differently, yet equally accurately, for each observer. Nate believed the theory might hold the key to the possibility— theoretically, of course— of time travel.
    Ben came to realize Nate did not plan to take Ben's job, but instead was genuinely interested in his research, quick to provide insights and offer suggestions, and was funny, generous, and sincere, he began to see past Nate's outward appearance to the man beneath the beauty. Incredulously, he found that he liked Nate. Oh, he still lusted after Nate, that hadn't changed an iota, but he thoroughly enjoyed being in Nate's company even with all their clothes on. One luncheon became two, then three, then an everyday occurrence when Nate indefinitely extended his trip. He found himself relaxing with Nate, looking forward to their meetings and oft times heated discussions.
    One morning Ben unlocked the office door only to find Nate already inside, sound asleep, his head resting on the desktop. Ben's three computers were all up and running some sort of data programs, columns of numbers streaming vertically across the screens. Complex equations covered the two large dry erase boards as well.
    Frowning, Ben's gaze flicked over the numbers, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. He absently tapped Nate's shoulder. "Nate? Nate, wake up. What are you doing here?"
    "Huh? Oh, is it morning already? I must've fallen asleep." Nate sat up, rubbing his face. His black hair stood up in messy spikes, badly in need of a combing.
    "How did you get in here? What is all this?"
    Nate waved his hand toward the computers and dry erase boards. "I had an idea, and couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd come here to work it out."
    "I can see that, but how did you get in here?"
    "I picked the lock."
    "You...picked... That's breaking and entering! You could go to jail, Nate."
    Nate cocked his head. "Sorry. You plan on having me arrested?"
    "Well, no, but I should! What if somebody saw you? I could lose my job." Ben shook his head. "Please tell me you understand what you did wrong here. You broke into my office! That's illegal." He glanced at the equations on the dry erase boards. "What are you working on that couldn't wait until I came in today? This looks like...no, it can't be. Nate, you're wasting your time and talent. We've been through this. It's impossible."
    Nate jumped up, suddenly animated. "But that's just it— it isn't impossible! I figured it out last night. I told you your work held the key to the solution, and I was right! Look, let me explain..."
    Ben's frown deepened as Nate walked him through the equations, trying to concentrate and follow what Nate was telling him. To his shock, it actually made sense, once Nate explained it. His heart began thumping, excitement surging through his veins. "Nate, do you realize that if you're right, if your calculations are correct, you're looking at the Nobel Prize? This could be the greatest discovery of the century! Hell, of any century!"
    Nate was grinning, bouncing on his toes, his eyes bright with excitement. "Not me...us! We're looking at the Nobel Prize. I would never have thought of it without your work on special relativistic time dilation. It was the key piece of the puzzle I was missing."
    Without warning, Ben found himself with Nate's strong arms surrounding him, pulled into a crushing embrace. Soft and supple lips mashed his own in a hungry kiss. The bristles on Nate's unshaven cheeks scratched Ben's skin, sending shivers down his spine. When Nate's tongue swiped his lower lip, Ben opened his mouth, eagerly accepting it. The kiss went on and on with neither of them seeming to breathe; it was as if time stopped when their lips met.
    Ben wrapped his arms around Nate's waist, sliding his hands lower to cup Nate's firm backside. Between them, their cocks filled and pushed against the fabric of their pants as if straining to meet flesh-to-flesh. He rocked his hips forward, already aching for more friction.
    A moan escaped him and he fumbled for Nate's belt buckle. At the moment, he found he couldn't care less about the science, the project, or