Page 33 of Burned By Love

“Whatever,” Christy said as she waved him off.“I don’t want to see you until tomorrow.If I do, I’ll send zombies afteryou.”

Jonathan laughed as he allowed West to drag him toward his workroom so he could pack up his things.He wouldn’t mind an entire day with West, and it seemed that West felt the same way.He was as eager as Jonathan to get out of there.

Jonathan realized he hadn’t thought about Sal once in the past few minutes.It felt good, and once the panic at the thought of Sal seeing him and West together had vanished, he felt it was easier not to obsess over his ex-boyfriend again.It probably wouldn’t last long, but if he and West decided to spend time at one of their apartments, Jonathan would be able to.

“What do you want to do?”he asked because he felt a bit guilty about keeping West inside every time they saw each other.

“Well, I promised no zombies, but that doesn’t mean we can’t watch a movie or something.I’ll even cook for you.”

Could this man be any more perfect?“We could get takeout.”

“Iwantto cook for you.”

Jonathan found himself smiling.“Then I want to eat whatever you’ll cook.”

“That’s what I was hoping you’d say,” West said as he pulled Jonathan closer and kissed him.

It took them a little time to leave the shop, and Christy took one look at them and rolled her eyes at the sight of Jonathan’s messed-up hair, but Jonathan didn’t care.

He didn’t care about anything or anyone who wasn’t West, and he would continue feeling that way for the rest of the day.Reality could wait until tomorrow, dammit.

*

THE SCENT OF GRILLEDchicken and garlic filled Jonathan’s apartment as West moved around the kitchen.He moved as if this was something he did every day, and Jonathan wanted it to be.

The sizzle of vegetables in the pan was interrupted by a soft chime from the oven, signaling that the bread was ready.

“Dinner should be done in ten,” West called out, his voice warm and inviting.It made Jonathan feel like he was home, and not only because they were at his place.

Jonathan’s eyes were drawn to West’s broad shoulders and the way his shirt clung to his back.He couldn’t help but imagine what West would look like without that t-shirt, but thoughts of Sal twisted in his gut like a knife, interrupting his daydreaming.He shook them off, focusing on the here and now.Thinking about Sal wouldn’t help.It never did.

“Need any help?”Jonathan asked, trying to sound casual.Helping would help him not think of Sal and get closer to West.

West glanced over his shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips.“Nah, I’ve got it.Just grab a couple of plates, would you?”

Jonathan nodded, feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment.As he reached for the plates, he couldn’t help but notice that the way West moved was so different from the way Sal did.There was a gentleness in West’s strength, a care that Sal never had.Sal didn’t take care of people.He only cared about himself.

After setting the table, they sat down together.The air between them was thick with tension—the good kind of tension.The silence was broken only by the clink of their silverware.Jonathan didn’t know what to say, and he found himself stealing glances at West, wondering how things had moved so quickly between them.They only met a few weeks ago, yet Jonathan could see them being together for years to come.

“So,” West said, breaking the silence.“I heard Christy say that you’re working on a new tattoo design.Mind showing me?”

Jonathan hesitated, his hand instinctively moving over the scars on his forearm.They were covered—they always were—but he couldn’t help it.“It’s personal.”

West leaned forward, his expression softening.“Hey, no pressure.I just thought it might be something we could talk about, but if you’re not comfortable with it, it’s fine—”

“No, it’s okay,” Jonathan interrupted, feeling a rush of warmth at West’s understanding.“Let me get my sketchbook.”

He returned moments later with his latest sketchbook, flipping through the pages until he found the design he wanted to show West.It was a phoenix rising from ashes with its wings spread wide.

“It’s beautiful,” West murmured, tracing the lines with his finger.“Symbolic, too.Rebirth and all that.”

Jonathan nodded.The intensity of West’s gaze made him feel exposed yet safe.He’d never thought he could have this, not after Sal.“Yeah, it’s about moving on, starting fresh.”

West looked up, and their eyes met.For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the world beyond the apartment fading away.Sal didn’t matter.He never had.

West reached out, his fingers brushing against Jonathan’s cheek, sending shivers down Jonathan’s spine.

“You deserve to feel safe, Jonathan,” West whispered, his voice barely audible over the beating of Jonathan’s heart.“I want to be here for you, whatever that means.”

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