by Kelex
“And we’ll talk about you doing more in the future.”
Amanda turned to smile at him over her shoulder before returning to her desk.
Golden spied the envelope on his desk, marked Urgent. He opened it with reluctance and fished out a flyer. An open house. Tonight. He frowned, confused. Why would someone send him an urgent flyer for a house for sale? He was about to trash it when his gaze caught the address.
His grandmother’s house.
He looked at the picture again, shocked by the transformation. It had been completely renovated. Only the outside was pictured, not the interior, and his curiosity got the better of him. He opened his laptop and searched the address, looking for the MLS listing for the property, hoping interior shots had been taken.
He found no listing. Was the house for sale or not?
Golden glanced at the flyer again. It said For Sale. Curiosity built in him. Sellers weren’t usually in a property during an open house, just the realtor. Yet they might be watching from next door and see him come to spy the new digs.
And the major question was who had sent the flyer? Could it have been the realtor or broker he’d sold the house through? That seemed unlikely. Once the property was no longer his, then they wouldn’t feel compelled to let him know it was back on the market, would they?
Had Jax sent it?
That thought had him spiraling. What if his little bear had sent it, an olive branch, asking him to come see the potential Jax had known was in the house?
That would mean Jax would be there, waiting for him to come. Could he face his one-night stand?
You didn’t face your grandmother and look what happened? Don’t live with more regret.
He glanced back at the flyer. The open house started in two hours. Amanda had said the commute was terrible if she didn’t rush out. Golden stood up and shoved as many files into his briefcase as he could. “Amanda—I’ve got an errand to run. I won’t be back today.”
Amanda glanced up from a file open on her desk as he breezed by. “Okay, be safe and see you Monday.”
Chapter Nine
“He’s not coming. I’m sorry I wasted your evening.” Jax stood at the upstairs windows, facing the empty street. Golden hadn’t come. It was time to move on.
“There’s still five more minutes,” Chance said. “And traffic could be bad. It is Friday.”
Jax looked at the realtor they’d been using for their flips. Chance had always taken care of them in the past, and had been more than willing to play a little part in Jax’s meager attempt at romance.
What did Jax know about romance? He’d had a long string of one-nighters and brief flings. He was at a loss when it came to wooing a man.
“Thanks for trying to soften the blow, but I think this is a lost cause.”
Chance smiled. “He didn’t know what he had. You’re a catch, Jax.”
Jax smiled at Chance, knowing the comment wasn’t in any way a flirtation. Their handsome realtor only had eyes for Linc, who seemed completely oblivious to Chance’s growing attention. The more Jax got to know Chance, he was fairly sure Linc was missing out, too.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence. You can go on and get out of here.”
Chance walked across the room, stopping as he approached the door. “Is Linc home?”
Jax smiled. “Yeah, he should be.”
“I have another property I think might be good for you guys now that this one is done. I think I might run it past Linc and let you have some privacy.”
“Sounds good. Thanks again.”
Chance left him just as a set of headlights came down the street. Jax felt his gut clench, but knew there was no reason to get excited. The open house was over.
And Jax needed to get his head on straight again and stop thinking about a certain golden-haired man who wouldn’t get off his mind.
The car stopped before the house and parked. Jax struggled to see who it was in the dark, but his heartbeat sped up at the off-chance he was getting a second chance.
* * * *
Golden rushed from the car as he saw the realtor leaving the front door. Damned gridlock. Now I might’ve missed my chance.
“Excuse me, is the open house over?”
The realtor stopped at the edge of the walkway, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Ah, no, not quite. I was just wrapping up. Go on inside and have a look around. I’ve got to take some paperwork next door, so take your time.”
Golden sighed in relief and glanced at Jax’s house briefly before heading up to the front door. In the dark it was hard to see all the work on the outside, but if the picture had hinted at anything, it was lovely. He walked to the previously scarred and crumbling front door. It had been replaced with a door exactly like it, preserving the charm of the house. Golden wasn’t sure why he’d felt such a relief in seeing that, but he did.
He walked in and was thunderstruck.
The house had been updated completely. Yet somehow, it retained the same vibe of charm and comfort his grandmother’s house had. The floors had been replaced, the walls fixed and painted, and the fixtures updated, but Golden was almost positive the layout of the furniture was almost like it had been. The closer he looked, the more he was sure it was his grandmother’s old tattered furniture, recovered and updated with new fabrics and cushions.
He walked from room to room, his grandmother’s touch still clear through the house she loved. Jax had shown her respect in bringing it back to life, better than it had ever been.
Golden walked upstairs, curious if the renovations had continued through the house. He knew they did. Attention to detail was something he’d seen next door. Something told Golden Jax wouldn’t leave something undone.
Not like Golden. Loose ends and Golden were synonymous.
He headed straight for the bedroom he’d slept in as a boy, for some reason. He passed the master bedroom and went there instead, the need to see it now stifling him. Golden swept into the room and saw it was no longer a bedroom, but an enlargement to the master suite.
Golden looked to the left and saw he wasn’t alone in the bedroom, either.
Jax.
Golden opened his mouth to speak, but didn’t know what to say. “Hi.” The word sounded idiotic at best and pathetic at worst.
“Hi,” Jax responded, his deep voice making the hairs on the back of Golden’s neck stand up straight.
“Did you… send me the flyer?”
“Maybe.”
Golden stared at Jax, not sure what to say next. Apparently Jax had wanted him here. For what purpose?
“You wanted to show off what the house could be?”
“Partially,” Jax said, stepping closer.
Jax had regrown his beard. It was full now, not just stubble. It was neat and close to his face, making him infinitely handsomer. Golden tried not to stare, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself.
“What was the other reason?” Golden asked breathlessly.
Jax took another couple of steps closer. “I wanted to see you.”
Golden’s body began to throb with need. His cock thickened some, excitement filling him. But it was more than just need for sex. He wanted to be in Jax’s arms, to feel Jax’s strong body against his. “I’ve been wanting to see you, too.”
“What stopped you?”
“I messed up. And I wasn’t sure how you’d feel seeing me again.”
Jax bridged the gap, stopping inches from Golden’s body. “Why did you run?”
Golden took a deep breath. He needed to be upfront and honest if he wanted a chance, slim as it might be. “Being shared. It was a bit overwhelming. I’ve never been with more than one man, and what I was feeling… well, my head got in the way.”
Jax reached out and grasped the side of Golden’s cheek. “What were you feeling?”
Golden looked into Jax’s eyes. “A connection.”
Jax nodded. “I felt one, too.”
“Then why did you share me?”
&nb
sp; Jax released a breath. “You didn’t like being shared. That’s why you left. I knew I scared you off with that.”
“I liked it just fine, but it was confusing. I felt like we’d connected and then you let your friends into the mix, so I figured what I felt was one-sided. And before I let feelings get in the way, I bolted, especially if they wouldn’t be reciprocated.”
“We’ve shared everything for years. It’s just a part of who we’ve become. But that’s over now.”
Golden frowned. “Over? You guys didn’t ruin a friendship, did you?”
“Nope. We’re still friends and still in business, but it was time to stop acting like frat brothers. I live here now.”
“Here?” Golden asked, confused. “I thought it was for sale?”
Jax smiled. “Nope. Just an open house for one.”
Golden smiled. “You set all this up, just to get me here, knowing my curiosity wouldn’t let me not come look.”
“Exactly. And while you were here, I’d hoped to clear the air.”
“Is it clear?”
“Partially,” Jax said before lowering his head to capture Golden’s lips. “We’ve got a lot to talk about still. But before we talk, we have some unfinished business to deal with. Follow me.”
Golden let Jax take his hand and move back into the hallway. He was heading for another of the bedrooms at the end. Once they walked in, Golden saw it was a full-scale sex playroom, with a leather covered bed in one corner and various pieces of furniture and toys scattered about.
“Is this for me?” Golden asked semi-sarcastically.
“Indeed,” Jax said, pressing his front to Golden’s back. His hands scurried up Golden’s chest and began to attack the buttons on Golden’s dress shirt.
Golden chuckled and began to undo his tie more and shimmied out of his jacket. Piles of fabric hit the door around him until Golden was naked and ready for whatever Jax had in mind. He spun in Jax’s arms and kissed his lover, grateful for the second chance.
“I don’t deserve this,” Golden said lowly.
“Oh, you deserve the punishment I have for you, trust me. I think a spanking is definitely in order considering you ran on me.”
Golden attempted to look as indifferent as possible. The one thing he’d truly liked during their last encounter had been the spanking. It wasn’t going to be much of a punishment at all. But if Jax knew how much Golden liked it, he might choose another punishment.
“If you think it’s best.”
Jax’s gaze moved over Golden’s face, as if he sought something. Finally he began to remove his dress shirt and tossed it on the same pile on the floor. Golden helped with the belt and snap at Jax’s waist, ready to see his lover nude once more. “You look nice dressed up, with actual clothes on. I wasn’t sure you owned a shirt.”
“Would you like me to leave them on while I punish you?” Jax asked playfully.
“Nope,” Golden said, tugging the pants down Jax’s waist. “I want you naked.”
The hints of humor vanished from Jax’s face, lust replacing the jesting. “Get on the bed.”
Golden saw that it was no longer a time for comedy and clamped down on the smartass remark on his tongue. He’d just somehow gotten back into Jax’s good graces. He wasn’t going to screw things up now. Obeying his dominant lover, he backed up to the bed and scurried into the middle, watching as the rest of Jax’s clothes disappeared.
As soon as Jax was naked, he walked over to the bed. He removed a cuff and attached it to one of Golden’s wrists. “Now you can’t leave unless I let you. I never should’ve taken the last cuffs off for you to sleep.”
Golden knew he wouldn’t live his mistake down for a bit and took his lumps, for now. Rehashing the past too much wouldn’t serve them in the future. Golden allowed his other hand to be bound to the other corner of the bed, yielding to his lover’s needs.
When Golden’s wrists were bound, Jax pulled out a long black bar, with cuffs on either end. Golden had never seen one before and watched closely as Jax attached one of the wide cuffs around the top of his knee. The other cuff went on the other knee, forcing his legs wide open. Golden wouldn’t be able to deny Jax anything with the bar between his legs.
“What is this?”
“A spreader bar,” Jax said. “It gives me full access.”
Golden squirmed some on the bed, his cock already rock hard and throbbing. He’d never felt this excitement with another lover, and this second try only proved how much it had to do with Jax.
There was a hook in the middle of the bar, which Jax attached to a chain coming from the middle of the headboard. It pulled Golden’s legs up, displaying his bare ass for punishment. Jax scrambled off the bed and looked over a table that appeared to have a variety of paddles and crops. Those Golden had seen and experienced before. He squirmed all the more knowing he was getting the spanking he’d been dreaming of for three months.
Jax finally picked one from the top and tested it with his hand. He spun to face Golden. “Now’s a good time to talk.”
“Talk?” Golden pulled on the bonds some. “Talk now?”
“I have your undivided attention.”
The first strike of the paddle hit Golden’s ass, surprising him. Golden let out a cry of pleasure.
“You can’t do that!”
“Can’t do what?” Jax asked while delivering another swat to Golden’s ass.
“Catch me off guard. You said you wanted to talk.”
“Oh I do. How’s that tender spot feeling?” Jax asked as he caressed the spot he’d just paddled.
“Fine,” Golden said.
“Just fine?” Jax paddled the spot three more times, making it sting gloriously. “How about now?”
“Good,” Golden hissed.
“You like the way I make you feel. Don’t you?”
Golden’s eyes flew open. They’d come back to the admission Golden refused to give three months ago. He stared at Jax, shocked.
“Do you like what I do to you or not?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” Golden finally admitted.
“That’s not a full admission, Golden.” Another blow hit him on the other side of his ass. “Do you like what I do to you?”
“I do,” Golden said, his eyes fluttering closed. “I like this.”
“I’m the dominant, you’re the submissive, correct?”
Golden’s eyes flashed back open. “I never said that.”
“We both know who the master is and who the sub is. I just want to hear you say it. To know you understand what it means to be in a relationship with me. To know you understand what I expect of you.”
Golden wanted to deny it, but the last three months had only proven what Jax said. He’d craved Jax’s mastery since he’d left. He’d wanted to return, submit to Jax’s will, but had been too stubborn to do it. Would he continue to be too stubborn and ruin his chance at something special?
He glared at Jax a moment before calming. “You’re the master. I’m your… submissive.”
Jax leaned down and caressed his hand down Golden’s cheek, a smile on his face. “Was that so hard?”
No, but Golden sure was. He needed release. “Just finish this, please. I’ve waited too long to have you again.”
“Now you want to rush me?” Jax swatted Golden again. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
Golden glanced at Jax’s hard cock, knowing the man couldn’t wait too long, either. Jax’s shaft was angry and red, the tip almost purple with need. Drops of pre-cum shined on the head. Golden’s mouth watered to taste him.
“We’ve also got the distance between us to discuss.”
Golden frowned. “Then get over here. There won’t be any distance between us.”
“You know what I mean. I built an office on the back of the house. So you could maybe… work from here… on occasion… if and when you stayed over… you know, once we got to know one another more.”
Golden paused, touched by the
offer. An office here, where he could relax and work on his own terms. Remembering the chaos at his current office, an office here sounded like a dream. “After all the work I’ve put in to open an office in the city, I shouldn’t want that.”
Jax’s face softened. “Yet it sounds appealing?”
“I’d be willing to consider it. Once we got to know one another better.”
Jax swatted Golden’s ass again. “Good answer. I’d say talking has commenced.”
Yesss. Golden closed his eyes as the paddle struck out and bit his skin once more. Jax knew exactly what pressure to use, the right spots to hit, and always soothed the skin with caresses and kisses between.
Golden was rock hard, his body pushed to the edge, by the time Jax finally put the paddle down. His body was covered in a fine sheen of sweat. He’d been exercised hard, driven, and he breathed hard from all the exertion.
As did Jax.
His lover was gorgeous. Eyes bright from lust, Jax was close as well, Golden was sure of it. He palmed his cock, eyeing Golden’s assuredly pink ass.
“You’re spectacular,” Jax said, his voice oddly deep.
“Finish me, lover.”
Jax climbed onto the bed and smeared a fingerful of lube along Golden’s ass. As soon as Golden was prepped, Jax pressed the tip of his cock against Golden’s anus. He sunk in slowly, bonding the two of them as one. The link was reforged, the connection Golden had felt from the first moments new again.
Golden stared into Jax’s eyes as he fucked Golden. The wild drilling from their previous encounter was softened some, but still rough enough to sate Golden’s lusts. Jax drove into Golden, growing wilder by the second. Jax paused a moment to remove the bar, seeming to need to be closer to Golden. Jax leaned down and kissed Golden as he sank into his lover.
Both of them were too close to the edge for it to last long.
They came together, both shooting their seed with abandon, writhing together on the sex bed.
When they were done, Jax released the bonds from Golden’s hands and pulled him back into the main bedroom. After a quick shower, Jax drew Golden into bed.
Golden hadn’t slept in bed beside another in years. It felt good to have a rock to hold on to. He snuggled into Jax’s arms and fell fast asleep, happier than he could ever remember being.