Page 11 of Noah
“You want to go with me?” He asks, pleased and beyond relieved at the idea. With Jensen at his side, he won’t think about Johann. And that will feel nice. A few hours to not be consumed with guilt and misery.
“I do. It will give us a chance to get to know each other better. Plus, we’ve got to make sure we get the perfect throw pillow,” he says, with a soft smile. The sort of smile a parent might give to a child who’s had a nightmare. Noah’s stomach twists pleasantly, and he looks down in case Jensen is as observant as Noah thinks he is.
Noah chews his lip. “And we’d both leave our phones here? You too?”
“I would. You give me your undivided attention and I’ll give you mine,” he says.
Noah almost whimpers. The urge to say ‘yes, sir’ is there, but he doesn’t. He hasn’t been invited, and this isn’t kinky. This isn’t like a kind daddy who wants to take his little shopping or something. That probably isn’t something Jensen even knows anything about. This is just a friendly offer, and Noah is so screwed up that he’s putting meaning on it that isn’t there.
And yet.
He is screwed up; his brain has gone there and he isn’t sure how he’ll deal with the excitement of having all of Jensen‘s attention. No distractions. There’s no way Noah can say no to an offer like that. A man this gorgeous wants to go out and spend time with him? Just the two of them? It’s a dream come true and excitement and pleasure are already spilling through him and they haven’t even left yet.
“I should change,” Noah says. And feels a genuine smile break out on his face.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, if I’m gonna have your attention all to myself then a better outfit is required. Make sure you have something worth looking at,” he says.
Jensen doesn’t respond right away. As if he’s being careful and wants to get it right. It’s a reminder that Jensen isn’t in the scene, isn’t built like he is and maybe that wasn’t an appropriate thing to say either.
“I like seeing you happy,” he finally says.
“Then you should give me time to change before we go,” he says, looking at him from under his lashes. It’s instinct.
Jensen blinks, glances down at Noah’s lips, and then away. “The idea of dressing up for me makes you happy?” he asks as if he’s got to make sure.
“Very much so. And it feels like forever since I’ve gotten to dress up for a handsome man. Johann didn’t like looking at me anymore. Not usually. And he spent a lot of time comparing me to people. Said he wanted to keep my ego in check. And he didn’t really like other people looking at me either so you know…it’s been a while since I got to look nice for someone.” Saying all of these things aloud is brutal, and he blinks back more tears. Exactly how beaten down is he that he let himself get used to this?
“What a fucking asshole,” he says, and then winces. “Maybe that was too blunt.”
“No, I like that too.”
“Okay, good. Because I’m likely to keep saying it. He was a fucking asshole who didn’t deserve you. Go change and we’ll head out.”
It doesn’t take him long to get changed. A skin-tight T-shirt and jeans that look painted on, plus just a bit of lip gloss. He puts so much time into his body and working out and it shows. The material of his shirt is so thin that the top ridges of his six-pack are visible. When he comes out into the living room Jensen blinks in surprise.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but wow.”
“You like?” He asks and turns in a circle so Jensen can admire his ass.
“I think anybody would like this outfit. Blind men would like this outfit.”
Which makes Noah laugh. The first time he’s laughed and felt beautiful in months.
Jensen smiles back at him. “Honestly, you look gorgeous,” he says, and Noah thinks he’s saying it to keep Noah smiling, and it works. But he means it too. “In fact, lesbians would like that outfit,” he says, which makes Noah laugh again. “Anybody who has ever thought the human form was a thing of beauty would like that outfit.”
“Now you’re being ridiculous,” Noah says. “But don’t stop.”
“I’m not. You look incredible. Though it’s the smile that really does it. As good as you look in that outfit, you are transformed when you’re happy. And this is the first I’ve seen of it.”
“Well, let’s hope it isn’t the last,” he manages and has to turn away because the sincere, blunt talk is fucking awful. Who is this guy? How dare he say something like that and just expect Noah to not have a mental breakdown? Surely Jensen knows he isn’t used to something so…sweet.
They place their phones on the counter, and even that is exciting. Jensen puts his down first and then taps at the countertop. It’s sort of like Jensen is his dominant and, god, how lucky would anyone be to have this man as their dom? He’s only just met him, but he knows. That dominant energy is there, prickling against his skin, making him curious.
He obeys, and some part of him is waiting, certain that the response of ‘good boy’ is meant to be said.
They leave the apartment and make it down to the street, and Noah is so happy to be with a man who thinks that he is beautiful, who has nothing but nice things to say, who radiates kindness and safety that it’s almost like he feels a little drunk. He leans into him and curls his hands around Jensen’s arm as they walk down the street together.
