Page 35 of Finally
Eyes narrowed, Jack dipped down and swiped his tongue from Gray’s clavicle to his lips. “There. I licked it so now it's mine. I’ll make sure to let Jeffrey know.”
“You do that. As a matter of fact, expand your audience.” Gray arched up and gave him a quick peck. “I’ve been trying to tell everyone I’m yours for a very long time. Maybe if they hear it from you, they’ll believe it.”
He laughed, but from the look on Gray’s face, he wasn’t sure they were joking around anymore.
Gazing at him, still smiling, but now in a way that looked more fond than amused, Gray said, “Jack?”
“Yes?”
“Doyoubelieve it?” His tone had shifted from teasing to serious.
Definitely not joking around.
“Yes, I believe you care about me.”
Fingers gently running through Jack’s hair, Gray searched his eyes. “Anything else?”
Heart galloping, Jack genuinely considered the question and his feelings. “I believe…” He licked his lips. “I believe you’re attracted to me.” That was a small miracle, one that Jack knew he’d likely obsess over when Gray went back to his own house and he was alone with his thoughts.
“I'm glad you finally realize that.” He smoothed his hand over Jack’s hair. “Is that all?”
Gray wasn’t one to talk in order to hear the sound of his own voice. If he asked a question, it was because he wanted to know the answer or he was making a point. But try as he might, Jack wasn’t sure what he wanted to hear. They stared at each other in silence.
“Jack?”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to tell you something and I don’t want you to say anything.” He brushed the back of his hand down Jack’s cheek. “Listen. Take some time to absorb. But don’t respond yet. Sit with it for a while. Can you do that?”
The air felt heavy between them. “Of course,” Jack whispered.
Gray cupped both of his cheeks and watched him carefully, his expression warm and tender. “I’m in love with you. Always have been. Always will be. Only you. Believe that.”
Chapter 10
“That guy’s staring at you,” Thom said. “He’s pretty cute. Maybe too young though.”
With a grunt, Gray racked his barbell and looked up at Thom, who was standing above him. “Are you spotting me or checking out men?”
“I’m not checking anyone out, but the way he’s eye fucking you is impossible to miss. I can’t not notice.”
“Try harder.” Gray arched off the bench, unracked the barbell, and went back to his set.
“Incoming,” Thom said under his breath.
“Hi! Gray, right?”
“For fuck’s sake,” he muttered. “Busy,” he said more loudly.
“Oh, right, sorry. I’ll wait.”
He finished his set, but he was distracted by Thom’s chuckles and the stranger’s hovering. Once he was done, he sat up and wiped his forehead with the bottom of his T-shirt.
“What’s up?” he asked as he rose from the weight bench and finally looked at the man beside Thom. He was licking his lips and focusing on Gray’s stomach. Or maybe it was his shorts. Either way, that answered Gray’s question. “I’m not interested.”
He turned and started walking away when the stranger grabbed his arm. “Wait.” He came closer and looked up at him. “I’ve seen you here before and I’ve been meaning to talk to you but I haven’t worked up the courage.” He smiled shyly. “Until now.”
Damn it. Thom was right, he looked pretty young and he seemed like a decent person. Gray hadn’t ever been accused of being sensitive, but he wasn’t looking to humiliate someone either. He shook off his frustration at his interrupted workout and extricated himself from the stranger’s hold.
