by Victoria Sue
“Doesn’t matter,” Gael said. “You’re part of the team, and Talon doesn’t have separate rules depending on who you are.”
“And you’re sure you’re okay?”
Gael suddenly realized how close Jake was. He’d taken another step while Gael was desperately trying to rein in his imagination. Gael swallowed, and Jake’s gaze fell to his mouth, staring. Gael’s throat was so dry. For a second he wanted to step back in panic, but he was cold, suddenly, and the heat coming from Jake was so inviting.
“I’m not going to do anything that you wouldn’t welcome,” Jake said bluntly. “I want you to feel safe with me.”
Safe? That wasn’t the word Gael would use. The nerves in his gut tripled, but the tingles in his groin were fiercer. He ached. Just one more step and they would be almost touching.
“You ready to go home?” Jake asked softly, and every nerve, every doubt Gael had just vanished. If the sudden fire in his gut was anything to go by, his butterflies just had their wings smoked.
Home. That one word was guaranteed to push every one of Gael’s buttons. It had always been a place. Somewhere secure. In his head Gael had always imagined a sturdy front door, protecting his space, his heart, strong enough to keep every one of his demons out. But it had always been a thing, a building. Suddenly it seemed like a person.
Jake’s eyebrows lifted in inquiry. No, in invitation.
Had he said something else? Were those lips possibly gonna be used for something as mundane as pushing air in and out and forming words? He took a step forward, and Jake’s gray eyes blackened suddenly to the color of coal that stoked his fire. Smoldering… just there.
Gael nearly groaned, and Jake just took possession of his arm and turned him around to the locker rooms. He might have said something about how fast he could shower.
The guys had gone when they walked in. Jake just pointed to the bench and told him to wait, grabbed a towel, and nearly ran.
GAEL SAT down. He wanted the weight off his shaky legs.
He heard the water pound out. Was he mad? Was he setting himself up to get hurt? Gael lifted a hand and carefully touched his cheek, closing his eyes and letting his fingers trace over the disgusting puckered skin. Jake was stunning, and Gael couldn’t think for one minute why Jake could even stand to look at him, never mind touch him.
Not that he thought Jake was faking for God knew what reason. Ugly didn’t make him blind. He’d seen Jake’s reaction and knew Jake was aroused, knew something about Gael did it for him.
“I was worried you might have left.”
Gael looked up and focused on Jake. He groaned out loud this time, and Jake’s eyes lit up in reaction. “Just get some clothes on.”
Jake had nothing on but a towel. Droplets of water snaked a trail down his chest exactly where Gael wanted his fingers to follow. Gael jumped up, needing to move, and ignored the slamming of Jake’s locker door, the grunts as clothes and sneakers were pulled out. He didn’t look back until he heard the jingle of keys and Jake shutting his locker door. Gael smiled. Jake looked good. Black cargo shorts. Old Chargers T-shirt that fit him like a second skin. Huge, sexy smile that fit him even better.
“Come on,” Jake said and held the door open for Gael to walk through. “I left some of your boxes at Vance’s, but I think we’d better get the rest inside when we get home.” He looked up at the black clouds that were gathering when they got outside.
Gael agreed reluctantly. Rain was practically a given at this time of day in September. Their parking lot was secure, but the back of Jake’s pickup was open. He’d thrown a tarp over the boxes that morning, but it wouldn’t protect for long against the sort of torrential downfall they got here.
Jake turned off the radio, and they talked casually about mundane things to fill the silence. Not that Gael could have recounted any of their conversation if his life had depended on it.
He looked up with interest as they turned onto 17th Street. “I never knew these were here,” he said in astonishment as Jake pulled up along a small row of townhouses. There were five of them, barely a half mile from the Westgate and tucked down a small side street.
Jake grinned. “Colorful anyway.”
They certainly were. They were old, kind of squashed together, and each one was painted a different color.
“I swear it was painted like this when I moved in.”
Gael chuckled as Jake nodded to the end one. Pink. Gael wasn’t sure he’d ever seen a pink house. The one next to it was pale blue. Yellow, green, and orange completed the set.
“Do you rent?”
“Yeah, but it’s not exactly cheap around here.”
“Nowhere is cheap in Ybor. Even the dump I was in.”
“Talon told me he lives in River Heights. Nice old houses. Something with a bit more space.” Jake pulled up to the sidewalk and turned off the engine. They both got out, and then he helped Gael peel back the tarp.
Gael stacked two boxes. “I’ve been looking at Seminole Heights. It’s barely a quarter mile away. Same sort of houses, but they’re interspersed with low-income housing. Some of the area is a little rough, but you can get a real bargain there.”
“Yeah?” Jake unlocked the door and put down Gael’s suitcase. He stepped to one side and gestured for Gael to follow him in. “See what I mean about needing more space?”
Gael was impressed. A tiny kitchen island graced a gleaming black-and-chrome kitchen and dining area. There was a small bathroom about the size of a cupboard, and stairs to the next floor. Gael followed him up.
The next floor was nicer, homier. A wider space with a sectional facing a TV, with a window behind that opened up onto a small balcony area.
“The bedrooms are up again,” Jake said and continued with the suitcase. Gael followed with the boxes. “It’s not huge,” he said apologetically as he nudged the door open.
It was great. Yeah, it would be a tight squeeze with his stuff, but it was clean, warm, and he rather liked the landlord. “You sure I’m not putting you out?” Gael glanced at him when there was no answer, and his lips parted soundlessly as Jake’s warm gaze settled on him.
“There’s room for some of your stuff next door.”
Gael smiled slowly and followed the deliberate path Jake took to his own room and pushed open the door. Jake didn’t say a word, but Gael could feel his eyes on him as he took in the sparse room. “I wasn’t planning on being here long. Too cramped. You can’t get a king-size in here, and even if you could, there’s the stairs.”
He was babbling, nervous, and suddenly Gael was anything but. “A king-size would be good,” Gael agreed softly and took a step closer. Before he thought about it, before he changed his mind, before his courage deserted him, Gael slid a deliberate hand around the back of Jake’s neck and eased him close.
Jake sighed. A small contented sigh, as if his body was saying finally, and he lifted his chin just as Gael lowered his.
It was as good as he remembered. Better. Because this time Gael wanted every taste, every gentle nip of Jake’s teeth, every thrust of his tongue. Jake’s hands roamed, reached under his shirt, and explored his skin as his tongue explored his mouth. A low sound escaped Gael’s chest. Need, want. Simple and oh so complicated at the same time, and he broke off, gasping for oxygen.
Jake trailed a finger down Gael’s cheek. “I—” He stopped and took a breath. “Gael?”
Gael gazed into Jake’s eyes. The gray was nearly black, pupils swollen with desire, heavy lidded. Jake licked his lips, deliberately, slowly. Gael felt the action in his groin.
“Yes.” Whatever the question, that was the answer.
Jake’s mouth curled up at the edges, and he let out a warm puff of air that ghosted Gael’s lips. “I need you to understand something.”
He did? Gael turned his head slightly. Jake’s finger had been replaced with the palm of his hand, and Gael pressed his lips there.
“Gael.” Jake brought his hand up to catch his other cheek, and he gently turned Gael’s head
so he was looking at him. “This has nothing to do with you staying here. Please tell me that you understand the two things are different.”
Gael blinked and tried to focus on the words rather than the man. He was fighting a losing battle.
“I mean, the room is yours anyway. I don’t want you to ever think that one is dependent on the other.”
Gael smiled. He hadn’t, but later his demons might have tried to convince him otherwise.
Jake’s smile softened. “Tell me you understand. Words,” he added.
“I understand,” Gael repeated. Should he cross his heart?
“Good,” Jake said, his voice low and raspy. “Then why do you have so many clothes on?”
Gael stripped his T-shirt off and watched hungrily as Jake did the same. Gael’s jeans took longer, his fingers suddenly clumsy. Jake stepped close, and when his fingers brushed Gael’s crotch to unbutton them, Gael was afraid he was going to make a fool of himself and come right then.
“Wow,” Jake said appreciatively as Gael throbbed against his fingers.
“Get them off,” Gael begged, helpless to do anything except grind against his touch. Jake seemed to understand Gael’s hurry and his… need. Jake wasn’t as big as Gael, slightly shorter, but as his large hands roamed over Gael’s skin, lips mouthed his neck, and whispered, hot words sank into his consciousness, Gael was willing to swear the man was eight feet tall.
Jake nudged him until Gael felt the bed at the back of his knees. “Steady,” Jake cautioned and eased him gently down.
Tears pricked Gael’s eyes, and he shut them quickly lest Jake notice. He wasn’t used to being treated with such care. Jake’s light touch promised so many darker things. Every brush of fingers languid, skin sliding on skin. Jake broke away and reached over to his bedside cabinet drawer. Gael took a few shaky breaths, willing his body to calm the fuck down because at this rate, it would be over before they’d even started. He blinked quickly as Jake’s head was turned, but in an instant, Jake was back.
“I’m gonna go real slow,” Jake promised, sliding his body alongside Gael’s.
Slow? Should he ask? Jake seemed to know what he was doing, but what if he was waiting for Gael to take the lead? Crap. He had before. Every time. Twinks just rolled over and presented their asses like it was a given…. It was just he had hoped… once. He focused on Jake, realizing, as his panicked doubts had been rushing through him, that Jake had gone quiet.
“What is it?”
Gael stared at him. Jake hadn’t even taken his shorts off, and Gael was naked. He blushed and tried to pull the comforter over to him, but he lay on it and it didn’t budge.
Jake moved so they were face-to-face. He cupped Gael’s cheek so Gael looked at him. “Tell me.”
“I—” Gael squirmed inside, but he didn’t move a muscle.
“You can change your mind,” Jake said slowly.
“No,” Gael burst out, then just wanted to die. At least it had the calming effect on his dick he had hoped for a few seconds ago.
“I wouldn’t expect us to do anything without a rubber. I have my medical—”
“No,” Gael interrupted, the desperation loud in his voice.
“Then what is it?” Jake’s face fell, and he sat up. He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry, I should have asked.”
Now Gael was confused. “Asked what?”
“I don’t bottom,” Jake said bluntly. “Well, I never have, anyway.”
“You don’t?” A slow smile broke over Gael’s face, and Jake’s eyes widened.
“That was it?” he asked, and Gael nodded, dropping his gaze. “Let me guess. You’re enhanced. One of the most powerful human beings on the planet,” Jake said dryly, like maybe the jury’s still out on that one. “Twinks are all over you. They’re attracted to the power, and they never realize that the real power is in you giving it to them. Or not them, because I’m willing to bet you only want to bottom for someone who has the strength to make you? Even if that’s an illusion?”
Gael’s face got hotter.
“So you’ve never—”
“Once, twice maybe. I—”
Jake pressed his finger to Gael’s lips to silence him and followed it with a slow, unhurried kiss. Gael felt all his worries start to slide away. Jake trailed his finger down Gael’s chest and brushed a nail over Gael’s nipple. Gael couldn’t stop the sharp inhale and the involuntary arch of his back.
Jake raised his eyebrows. “Like that, huh?”
The sound of agreement from Gael’s throat was unintelligible, but Jake seemed to get the message. His smile was wicked.
“Do you trust me?”
Gael stilled. He hadn’t made that leap. That the thought of bottoming for Jake made him vulnerable. He searched Jake’s eyes and nodded imperceptibly.
“Good,” Jake whispered against his ear, and Gael shivered. “Because we have nowhere to be except here, and I’m planning on taking my time.”
Chapter Eight
“LOOK AT me,” Jake urged, wanting to see the lust in Gael’s eyes. The cobalt blue was deep, with blown pupils. His cheeks and neck were flushed, and the lips Jake had just mauled were wet and swollen. He looked beautiful, and every heaved breath, every shudder, screamed the arousal Jake needed to hear. He knelt up and kept his gaze locked on Gael’s as he slowly unbuttoned and peeled his shorts down. He knew what Gael had seen as soon as his eyes widened. Jake smiled as Gael’s lips parted, and he nearly groaned as he imagined where he would like them to be. He lay down on his back next to Gael. “Wanna take them off?” He wasn’t small, and his briefs hugged everything nicely.
The speed at which Gael sat up and got on his knees was very satisfying.
Gael’s eyes shone, and Jake’s cock pulsed in response. He didn’t once attempt to silence the noises spilling from him—the gasp as Gael’s cool fingers brushed his overheated skin, the whine when gentle fingers brushed his groin, and the moan of sheer relief when Gael pulled his briefs down and his cock sprang free. His balls were already tight just from the heavy kisses and the noises from Gael. Jake couldn’t help the second gasp as Gael smiled in sudden confidence and licked the underside of his dick from root to tip.
Jake fisted his hands. Gael hadn’t been intimidated by kissing his groin or giving a cautious nuzzle. He dove straight in and nearly took Jake’s head off. Suddenly Gael wasn’t the only one who needed to calm down. Or did he? Maybe taking the edge off would be a good idea, make him relaxed.
Jake reached for the lube he had taken out earlier, and Gael watched as he flicked the cap. “You got me too hard, too fast,” Jake whispered, figuring putting it all on Gael was a good move. The slow smile was his answer. “Let’s just get one out of the way, and then we can play. Maybe get a beer. A pizza? There’s no rush.” Gael’s smile fell a little in disappointment, and Jake cupped his cheek. “I just wanna last, and look at what you do to me,” he added, realizing he had put doubt there.
Their lips touched. Gael moaned deliciously and pressed against his body. Jake pushed Gael so he was on his side and then rolled over so they were facing each other. Jake got some slick on his fingers, but with the way they were both leaking, he wasn’t gonna need much. He slid his left arm behind Gael’s neck and pressed his face close, but instead of kissing his lips, he licked and gently bit his jaw. Jake didn’t make a thing of touching his scars because he knew Gael would freak out, even if they didn’t bother him. He brought his right hand between their bodies and shuffled so they were lined up. With one hand he clasped both their dicks together, to be rewarded with a full-body shiver from Gael and an inarticulate sound he took as pleasure. Barely five strokes and they were both as hard as steel and as smooth as silk.
Gael stiffened.
“Relax, baby. Feel good?”
“Oh fuck,” Gael gasped, which Jake guessed meant yes. One of Gael’s arms was trapped between them, and the other tugged his hip as if desperate to close the miniscule gap. Jake attacked Gael’s mouth. He set up a natural rhyt
hm that didn’t have to be perfect, as it was so good now, he doubted if Gael would last a minute. Who was he kidding? He was right there with him. He smoothed his hand up and down, tightening and squeezing until he broke free of Gael’s lips, frightened Gael was shaking so much, he was going to fly apart.
“Jake,” Gael cried, squeezing his eyes shut as he thrust into Jake’s hand, arching and throwing his head back.
Once, twice, and only because Jake was so lost in the most perfect expression he had ever seen etched on Gael’s face did his own orgasm barrel over him out of nowhere and their spunk spurted and mixed, hot and heavy. Jake loosened his grip as a heady daze washed over him. The heat, their smell, satisfying and exhausting all at once. He gasped for air, feeling Gael shaking and doing the same. Another inhale, and he blew it out slowly and opened his eyes. Gael’s fluttered open at the same time, and they lay gazing at each other, sated. Gael’s eyes drooped, and Jake widened his.
“Hey.” He nudged him and moved an inch closer to press a warm kiss on his slack lips. “We need to hit the shower.”
Gael blinked in a complete daze, as if Jake was speaking some foreign language, and Jake eased his left hand out from under Gael and sat up. He could still feel Gael’s stare, and while he wanted to laugh, maybe go eww like a five-year-old at the sticky mess, something told him now wasn’t the time for jokes. Gael didn’t need humor. He needed tenderness, taking care of, and lots of attention. He didn’t think Gael had had a whole lot of any of that in his life, ever.
Jake reached for his T-shirt and quickly wiped his hand and belly. He did the same to Gael, and then bent for another kiss. He loved kissing, touching, hugging. None of the guys he’d dated seemed to be into any of that. But then, maybe he’d just dated the wrong guys.
“I’m just going to run the shower. Then we’ll order pizza and get some beers.” He trailed a hand down Gael’s flushed cheek, deliberately touching his left one this time, but he lifted his finger so quickly Gael didn’t have the chance to flinch or pull away. He groaned theatrically as he stood, and he got rewarded with a smile.