Page 31 of Burned By Love

Jonathan’s cheeks flushed.“I wasn’t sure how you’d react.I’ve been building it up in my mind since I first met you, so I decided to get it out of the way.”

“That’s not how I want you to feel about us kissing, but I get it.”It wasn’t something to get out of the way, but considering Jonathan’s history, it made sense that he’d been nervous.Hopefully, he wouldn’t be anymore.West hoped this would be the first of thousands of kisses, and he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.

Ethan stepped out of the hallway, too, and West could hear the buzzing of the tattoo machine, so he knew Daniela was working.She didn’t join them, but he noticed that Ethan put some food away for her.These four were like a family, and it was good to see.It felt a bit like the relationship West had with Austin and the other people on his team.

He couldn’t help but notice that Jonathan kept glancing at the door and out the window as if he expected to see something or someone there.If West had to guess, it involved Sal, and he didn’t like it.

Jonathan deserved to live a life without Sal’s presence hovering over his head.Instead, he was still looking over his shoulder, and West couldn’t blame him for it.Sal had made it clear that he wasn’t willing to let go of Jonathan, which meant that Jonathan needed to be careful.

West wished he could take all of that away, but the only thing he could do was distract his boyfriend.He tried doing just that, telling the three friends about some calls he and his team had gone on over the past few days.There was nothing outrageous, but it was enough to keep them relaxed and entertained until they were done eating.

Ethan vanished with his coffee and Daniela’s food after saying goodbye, but Christy looked like she was there to stay.She’d gone back to drawing, maybe to give Jonathan and West some semblance of privacy.West decided to take advantage of it and wrapped an arm around Jonathan’s shoulders to pull him close, but the way Jonathan tensed gave him pause.“Everything all right?”he asked.

Jonathan gave him a forced smile.“Yeah.I just didn’t expect you to come over today.”

“Should I have called?I didn’t think it would be a problem.”

“It’s not.”Jonathan glanced out the window again.“I’m glad you’re here.”

West believed him, but he could tell something was wrong.He couldn’t force Jonathan to tell him, but he glanced at Christy, hoping she might tell him what was happening.

She seemed to have been waiting for that because she was eager to give West answers.“Sal was here yesterday.”

“Christy!”Jonathan scolded.“There was no need for you to tell him.”

“Yeah, there was.I’m not sure you would’ve told him if I hadn’t, and he needs to know.”

“She’s right,” West agreed.“What happened?What did he want?”

Jonathan shook his head.“The usual.He told me I shouldn’t date you.”

West snorted.“That’s not gonna happen.”

“And that’s why you should’ve told him right away,” Christy murmured.

When Jonathan glared at her, she mimed locking her lips and throwing away the key.She grabbed her drawing pad and waved at West before disappearing into the hallway leading to the workrooms.She’d probably have to come back soon, but she was giving Jonathan and West some privacy.

West turned to Jonathan.“You should have told me, but I understand why you didn’t.I’m sorry about all of this.”

Jonathan’s shoulders slumped.“And I’m sorry for dragging you into it.”

“There wasn’t any dragging.I came willingly, and I don’t regret it.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

West kissed Jonathan’s forehead.“Well, I hope that eventually, you’ll be able to believe it.I know about Sal.I know what he’s capable of.None of that’s going to be enough to push me away from you, so I’d like you to stop expecting me to leave.”It would take time, but West would show Jonathan that he could trust him.

He’d probably have to deal with Sal at some point, though.West didn’t care how many times Sal threatened him, but he needed to leave Jonathan alone, and it looked like he wasn’t planning to.West wasn’t sure what he could do about any of this, but he wasn’t letting Jonathan face Sal on his own.He was in this, for better or worse, and he’d protect Jonathan through whatever Sal forced them to deal with.

It was clear that the man wouldn’t let it go.It worried West, but he decided to focus on Jonathan.Sal would do whatever Sal wanted to do, and the only thing West could do was wait and see what happened.Once Sal made his move, so would West.

In the meantime, he’d do his best to make sure Jonathan was safe and happy.

* * * *

JONATHAN HATED SAL.Even though Sal wasn’t really in his life anymore, he still managed to torture him.

Ever since Sal had visited yesterday—hell, even before then—Jonathan saw him everywhere.He was at the corner down Jonathan’s street when Jonathan stopped to get coffee this morning.He was in the grocery store parking lot yesterday afternoon.He was hiding behind a tree when Jonathan walked down the street after parking his car.

---