Page 62 of In the Stars

Since I’ve gotten out of rehab, sex hasn’t been on my mind. It’s hard enough trying to get through the day without using, but adding the stress of sexual performance was nearly impossible. But kissing and touching Jaxon has me wondering if I can make him come apart because of my hands. My mouth. My cock.

I have to adjust myself as I’m driving home, the thought of him moaning for me makes my dick painfully hard in my pants. The heaviness of my balls has my mind going down the rabbit hole of all the ways I can have Jaxon coming undone for me.

Since he’s on my mind, I call him to see what he’s up to.

He answers on the third ring, speaking quickly. “Hey, I’m due in court in five minutes. You okay?”

“I’m good. I was wondering if you wanted to do something this weekend.”

“Like tomorrow?”

Shit, I didn’t realize it was Thursday. Well, since I already asked. “Yeah, tomorrow.”

“Sure. I usually use Fridays as my admin day, but I’m the boss. I’ll have Mrs. Judy rearrange my schedule. What time should we meet?”

“Noon.” I’m not sure what we’re doing, but I’ll arrange it so the time is accurate.

I probably should have thought this through, but sometimes, Jaxon fuzzes my mind in a good way. And wanting him alone so I can touch him and kiss him and taste him made me ask before I had any concrete plans for us.

Sure, I could do all that at my house, but Jaxon deserves to be wined and dined. He deserves the world, so for a weekend, I’ll give him that. I have more than enough money to spoil him.

I can hear the smile in his tone, even though he’s in a rush. “Noon, it is. See you tomorrow. Love you.”

“Love you back,” I say, the words causing a cascade of butterflies to dance in my belly.

I never thought I’d love anyone the way I love Jaxon. He’s my soulmate, the only person in the world I want to spend my life with.

Now I have to get home so I can plan a date he’ll never forget.

TWENTY-THREE

JAXON

My hands shakeas I stuff clothes in a bag for my weekend trip away. All Wesley told me is to pack for an overnight trip and hiking and to bring my passport. Maybe we’re driving into Canada?

I don’t ask questions. I just do what he asks me to do.

Dad stands in my doorway, his arms crossed over his chest when I zip up my overnight bag. “Things are getting pretty serious between you two, I see.”

“I think so,” I say, trying and failing to wipe the smile off my face.

He nods. “Be careful, son.”

“Dad, he’s better now.”

“I know. I don’t mean the drugs. Wesley is decent, and I can tell he’s trying. I mean with your heart. Being in love and giving your everything to someone may come at a cost. Protect yourself, okay?”

With a sad smile, I turn to him. “It’s too late, Dad. I’ve been in love with Wes since I was fourteen. Since the moment we met.” I flop on my bed, and he comes in and sits beside me. “He was just…so broken, but he was beautiful. I remember it like it was yesterday. He looked helpless, like he wanted to disappear into the floor. But when our eyes locked? It was like my world stopped. My heart has always been lost to him.”

“I know what you mean. And it’s a recipe for disaster, but we’re unable to do anything about it. Lana made my world stop when we met. Now that she’s gone, there’s a crater-sized hole in my heart that will never be filled.” His eyes brim with tears, but he smiles. “But loving her was the best part of my life.”

He pats my thigh and leaves.

I don’t want to think about losing Wesley. Not twice in one lifetime.

Pushing the thoughts of him not being in my life away, I shoulder my bag just as Wesley knocks on my window. I know it’s him because no one else would do that.

Grinning, I open the window and tick up an eyebrow at him. “You’re aware my front door works, right?”

---