Page 34 of Finally
“Thank you.”
“I have an active morning planned. I don’t want you to get dehydrated.”
He chuckled. “I really didn’t drink all that much last night.” He took the glass from Gray and finished the water. “I’m fine.”
“We’re not as young as we used to be.” He took the empty glass from Jack, set it on the nightstand, and gave him the kombucha. “Bottom’s up.”
“Another pun?” Jack drank it and set the empty glass down.
“Another offer.” Gray crawled into the bed, lay on his side, and smoothed his hand over Jack’s chest. “Do you really feel okay?”
“I really do.” Jack turned onto his side, mirroring Gray’s position so they were face to face. “Thank you for last night.”
“Why are you thanking me? I had no part in planning that party. If I had, we’d have been the only two people there.”
Amused by Gray’s likely accurate joke, he smiled. “I was struggling with Jeffrey.” That would have been embarrassing to admit, but Gray knew him too well to have missed it. “I’m sure you noticed.”
“I did.” Gray brushed his palm down Jack’s cheek and curled his hand around the side of his neck. “I’m sorry I put you in that position.”
“It’s not your fault.” Jack swallowed down the thickness in his throat. “You were so sweet to me.” Gray had hyperfocused on him the entire night. He hadn’t left his side, always maintained some level of physical contact, and kept up a steady stream of funny comments for his ears only. “I was being childish.”
“No, you weren’t.” His palm still on Jack’s neck, Gray moved his thumb up his jaw and over his lips. “I told you that, when it comes to you, the jealousy thing does it for me but hurting you absolutely doesn’t.” He leaned forward and gave Jack a gentle kiss. “I’m sorry. I genuinely barely remember him.”
“You don’t have to apologize. You didn't hurt me.” Gray had always been straightforward and honest with him. Jack trusted him more than anyone he knew, which was why he felt comfortable enough to share his insecurities. “I don’t know where this is coming from. I don’t normally get jealous.”
“It’s probably wrong for me to take that as a compliment, right?” Gray’s lips tilted up. “Kidding.” He traced Jack’s earlobe, his touch feather light. “What can I do to make you feel better?”
He laid his hand on Gray’s chest, enjoying the warm skin and firm muscles. “You already did.”
“Are you sure?”
He did feel better about Jeffrey. “Yes.” He moved forward and took Gray’s bottom lip between both of his. “Thank you,” he whispered as he tilted his head and then he pressed his mouth against Gray’s more firmly. “This okay?”
“Kiss me anytime, anywhere.” Gray returned his kisses and opened his mouth, giving Jack space to press his tongue inside. “Mmm, Jack.”
The taste of him, the sound of his moans, the heat of his body, ramped up Jack’s arousal in record speed. “Jesus.” He dragged his lips across Gray’s jaw, down to his neck, and then gently sucked on his skin. “We were having a conversation, and two minutes later, you have me ready to burst.”
“Go ahead,” Gray rasped. He pressed his hips against Jack’s, rubbing their underwear-clad erections together.
“I haven’t done this a lot,” Jack warned, his anxiety spiking. They’d talked about his limited experience the previous day, buthe wanted to make sure Gray understood. He didn’t want to disappoint him.
“Don’t worry.” Gray looked into his eyes and smirked. “I have.”
The comment took Jack off guard and distracted him from his impending panic. That wasn’t an accident. Gray was a master at reading his emotions and finding a way to make him feel better, however unexpectedly.
“Too soon after the jealousy conversation to joke about that?” Gray asked, eyes twinkling.
“You think you’re funny?”
“IknowI’m funny.”
“Apparently, I'm a possessive monster now. Be careful taunting me, Mr. McClellan.”
Arching his eyebrows, Gray said, “Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it, Mr. Storm?”
Jack pushed into Gray’s chest, shoved him onto his back, and lay on top of him. Gray didn’t resist; instead, he grasped Jack’s hips and tugged him closer.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
