Page 34 of Burned By Love

Jonathan swallowed hard as the weight of the words settled in his chest.He wanted to believe West and to trust him, but the memories of Sal’s betrayal and the pain he’d caused lingered like a shadow.

“Why are you doing this?”Jonathan asked, his voice trembling slightly.“Why take the risk now that you know about Sal?”

West’s eyes softened even further, his thumb gently caressing Jonathan’s jawline.“Because I see you, Jonathan.I see the pain, the struggles, and I know I can’t erase any of it, but I can be here and support you.”

Jonathan’s breath caught in his throat.He wanted to lean into the touch and let go of the fear that had held him captive for so long.He was done letting Sal control him.Taking a deep breath, he made his decision.

“Okay,” Jonathan whispered, closing the distance between him and West.Their foreheads touched, the heat of West’s skin seeping into his own.“Just be gentle.”

West nodded.His grip on Jonathan was firm yet tender.Slowly, they stood, dinner forgotten.

When they settled onto the couch, West pulled Jonathan closer.The weight of West’s arm around Jonathan’s shoulders felt reassuring and electrifying.They both remained silent, but they didn’t need words.

Jonathan’s hands found their way to West’s chest, where he felt the steady thump of West’s heartbeat beneath the fabric of his shirt.He marveled at the sense of safety that radiated from West.It was a stark contrast to the hollow emptiness and fear that Jonathan had felt with Sal.

West’s hand trailed down Jonathan’s back, fingertips tracing the curve of his spine.The touch was slow and deliberate, each stroke sending waves of sensation through Jonathan’s body.He closed his eyes, willing himself to surrender to the moment.Sal had no place here.

“Are you okay?”West asked softly, his breath warm against Jonathan’s ear.

“Yeah,” Jonathan replied, his voice barely above a whisper.“I just needed a moment.”

West nodded, continuing his gentle exploration.His hand moved lower, cupping Jonathan’s ass through the fabric of his jeans.The gesture was possessive but not pushy.West had nailed a delicate balance that made Jonathan’s head spin.

They stayed like that, bodies pressed together, hearts beating in unison.Each second made it easier for Jonathan to relax.

“West,” Jonathan breathed.“I don’t want to let go.”Maybe he should, but he could trust West.He was sure of it.

West tightened his hold, pulling Jonathan even closer.“Then don’t.We’ll figure this out together, one step at a time.”

Jonathan’s fingers dug into West’s shirt, clinging to him.He lifted his head, their lips mere inches apart, and whispered, “Stay with me tonight.”He didn’t know what he was ready for, but he wanted this.He wantedWest.

West’s eyes darkened with desire, his reply a husky murmur against Jonathan’s lips.“Always.”He pressed his lips against Jonathan’s, and Jonathan surrendered.

West’s hands roamed over Jonathan’s back, his touch reassuring and arousing.The kiss deepened, their tongues exploring each other with a hunger that had been building all evening—or maybe since they’d first met.Jonathan’s fingers tangled in West’s hair, and he pulled him closer.

The room was filled with the scent of garlic and warm bread, mingling with the scent of West’s cologne.Jonathan needed more of that scent, so he was glad when West’s hand slid down his spine to press them more tightly together.

“West,” Jonathan murmured against West’s lips, his voice thick and rough.“I want this.”

West pulled back slightly, pressing their foreheads together as they caught their breath.“Are you sure?”

Jonathan nodded, his gaze steady.“I trust you,” he whispered.

West shifted them both so that Jonathan was stretched out on the couch.He pushed up Jonathan’s t-shirt, revealing the tattoos that covered his chest.Each design told a story, some personal, and all of them were there to cover the scars left by Sal’s abuse.

West’s fingers traced one particularly prominent scar.His touch was reverent and soft, nothing like how Sal used to touch Jonathan.“You’re beautiful,” he said softly.

Jonathan shivered at the sincerity in West’s voice.“Touch me,” he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper.

West complied, his hands moving to Jonathan’s waist, then lower, opening his jeans and pushing them and his underwear down just enough to free his erection.Jonathan gasped as West’s hand closed around him, the sensation both thrilling and grounding.He looked up into West’s eyes, not surprised to see care and affection there.

“Like this,” Jonathan urged, guiding West’s hand to move faster.The friction of West’s palm against his cock was exquisite and sent waves of pleasure through his body.He could feel West’s arousal pressing against his thigh, but West didn’t ask for anything.

West leaned in, capturing Jonathan’s nipple between his teeth, biting gently before soothing the sting with his tongue.Jonathan arched his back, overwhelmed.He could hear the rustle of fabric as West fumbled with his own jeans, freeing himself.

Their cocks brushed against each other, and Jonathan groaned.West’s hand moved between them, guiding their cocks together to stroke them in tandem.The pressure built rapidly as both of them thrust into the tight grip of West’s hand.

“Fuck, West,” Jonathan panted, his hips bucking uncontrollably.“It feels so good.”

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