The Wrong Man (25 page)

Jake yelled at someone to get ice, and then he was guiding me back to the house. He pressed a soft kiss to my temple and a second later replaced it with a cold compress. I flinched and pulled back, but he held me around my shoulders and wouldn’t let me go.

“Jake, only my pride is hurt. I’m fine.”

“Then humor me,” he pleaded, kissing me again. “What happened? You were set and looked ready to pounce one second, and the next you were on the ground.”

I shrugged weakly. No way was I telling him the truth. The aftermath of my folly was bad enough.

Nate held up a water bottle and pulled up a patio chair facing us. “Here. Brandon, I’m really sorry. I had no ide—”

I held up a hand. “I wasn’t paying attention, and let’s be honest, my ball-handling skills are suspect at best. Unless they’re between a man’s legs, that is,” I added with a wink. “It was bound to happen. I’m fine.”

“If you insist. You’re a good sport, man.” He squeezed my shoulder before heading back to the game.

“Go on, Jake. Go play with your friends. I’m good.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

He kissed my mouth hard and grinned down at me before running back to join the action. I watched him slap high fives with
his friends in greeting, then look up to wave at me and give me a thumbs-up sign. Maybe I was finally getting what I wanted all those years ago. Acknowledgment. The boy I’d loved as a teenager had grown into a man I knew I was falling hard for. I set the ice pack aside and picked up the water bottle as someone took the chair next to me.

“You okay?” Derek asked.

“I’m fine,” I replied weakly.

I turned to see his gaze fixed on Jake. Heat that had nothing to do with my earlier embarrassment flooded my cheeks. We sat side by side, watching him for a long moment. It was horribly awkward.
There was nothing companionable or easygoing about it, and frankly, being smacked upside the head had robbed me of my innate ability to make innocuous chitchat. I didn’t have it in me to pretend I wasn’t itching to be anywhere but next to the extraordinarily good-looking man who’d shared a life with Jake. And now wanted him back.

Mack meandered toward us, sitting directly between Derek and me. Derek bent down to pet Mack’s head and massage the space between his soulful brown eyes. It was a gesture Mack loved, but Derek’s tender touch bespoke a personal relationship with this dog. This was a greeting between old friends. I felt another sharp twinge of ridiculous jealousy as Mack moved between Derek’s open thighs. Insult and injury.

Derek gave Mack a gentle push and stood up. He smiled slightly and looked toward the nearby game.

“Are you going to play?” I heard myself ask.

“No. I’m… I can’t stay.” His smile was weak and went nowhere near his eyes. “Bye, Brandon. Nice to see you again.”

He waved briefly at his friends playing on the sand before bending to pet Mack one more time. Then he was gone. Mack stood at attention as Derek walked away. He didn’t go after him like he sometimes did with Jake. And he didn’t whine. He simply observed. I gulped and called him, petting him absently as I willed myself to stay in the moment and not overthink. Derek was gone, and I was the one here with Jake.

I chatted with others on the terrace with Mack at my feet while the game went on. They didn’t stop playing until twilight took over. Then someone turned up the music and reminded everyone there was plenty of food and even more tequila.

“Hi,” I grinned at Jake when he made his way toward me, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

“Hey.” He leaned over my chair, caging me between his arms. I whimpered when he kissed my forehead. “Want to go for a walk?”

“It’s dark.”

“I’m the birthday boy. We went over this already. You have to grant my wishes for the next, let’s say, twenty-four hours.”

“Twenty-four hours?” I asked in mock outrage. A man with a sense of humor was definitely my Achilles’ heel.

“Yep. I say blow job, and you say, ‘Sure, honey, on my knees or on my stomach?’”

I chuckled and sprang to my feet. “Later, when there aren’t so many eyes around, birthday boy. Lead the way. Are we taking Mack?”

“No. He’s fine here with everyone. Just me and you.” He straightened and offered me his hand. “This way.”

T
HE
INDIGO
sky was clear. The brilliant moon’s reflection looked like diamonds strewn liberally across the dark water. Jake held my hand and led me toward the ocean.

“Do you want to walk on the wet sand?”

I made a squeaky noise in protest, but Jake ignored me.

“I shouldn’t have asked. Just follow me.”

“Hmph. Fine. I can’t wait to boss you around on my birthday,” I groused, tightening my hold on his fingers.

“I’m sure. It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

“It is. Do you miss it? I mean, living here.”

“I miss some things, I suppose, but I like where I am now. And before you ask, I didn’t know Derek would come by tonight. I’m sorry if it was awkward.”

I shrugged. “I survived. Well, not counting the blow to the head with the volleyball.”

“Nate felt bad about that.”

“Yeah right. Nate doesn’t like me. I’m sure he took one look at me and called Derek, hoping he’d rescue you from my evil clutches.”

“I don’t need rescuing, and I kinda like your brand of evil.” Jake gave his best impression of a devilish chuckle.

“Your friend doesn’t.”

Jake sighed. “I love my friends, but it’s my life. Derek is a good guy, but he’s the wrong guy for me.”

“Hmm.”

“Look, when he called us quits a year ago, our friends were probably more bummed than me. They were used to us. Hell, I was too. But Derek was right. We’d become a habit.”

“A habit he wants to take up again.”

“I don’t know what he’s thinking honestly. We’re over. Something was missing. Time and distance work wonders. I love my friends, and I know Nate means well, but I know what makes me happy. And right here, right now, I’m happy. How about you?”

Jake stopped and pulled me into his arms, kissing my forehead sweetly.

“Well, I’m a little cold and—”

“No complaining. I’m king for the day, remember?”

“King?” I rolled my eyes, making him chuckle as he rubbed his hands up and down my arms.

I let deeper thought go as Jake nuzzled my chin with his nose and drew me closer. He licked along my jawline and whispered in my ear seductively, “Let’s head back to the house. You mentioned a birthday blowjob earlier, didn’t you?”

I sputtered indignantly but ruined the effect by bursting into silly laughter. Jake shook his head mournfully before taking my hand. He kissed my fingers as he attempted yet again to explain the seriousness of the birthday respect he was due. It was whimsical banter in perfect rhythm with the dreamy romantic spell of the moonlit night. Right here, right now, it was good.

W
HEN
THE
morning light streaked in through the blinds the next day, I stretched my arms over my head and glanced around the pristine guestroom. We’d been given a suite on the second floor with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. The room was well appointed but sparsely furnished with an upholstered ottoman at the foot of the king-sized bed and one nightstand on either side. The décor was a study in light and dark. White linens and a black wrought iron bedframe that was pure fantasy material. The moment we’d set our bags down the day before, I’d eyed the intricate twist of the headboard lustfully. I couldn’t help the kinky thoughts racing through my head.

Except now that the alcohol haze had cleared, a vague sense of propriety returned. I barely knew Nate. I wasn’t sure I was comfortable messing up the guestroom sheets. Although the man sleeping next to me could easily change my mind. Jake was so beautifully masculine. I admired his dark lashes and the way his longish hair flopped over his forehead. I reached out to brush it back but stopped myself. I didn’t want to wake him. We’d been up late the night before, and we had a long drive back to Los Angeles today.

“Mornin’,” he mumbled.

“Morning.”

“Why are you staring at me?”

“I just wanna know what thirty looks like in the daylight.”

Jake smirked, grabbing me playfully by the neck in a faux stranglehold. He laughed when I collapsed on the pillow with my tongue sticking out. Then he climbed over me and lifted my hands over my head, pushing them toward the rungs of the wrought iron headboard. My eyes widened as he shifted his hips so his impressively thick morning erection brushed against mine.

“How about if I show you instead?”

I gulped. “Wait. What about Nate?”

“He’s not invited,” Jake deadpanned. “And before you ask, neither is Mack.”

I giggled in spite of the fact I was uncomfortably hard. “I wasn’t inviting man or dog, but I’m not exactly known for being quie—”

Jake stopped me with a searing kiss, undulating his hips rhythmically into me. I groaned and spread my thighs wide to accommodate my lover.

“That is an understatement, but this house is enormous. Nate’s room is on the other side with thick walls in between. Mack is downstairs sleeping and”—he moved his right hand down to cover my throbbing cock—“it’s actually my birthday today. I don’t need to explain the rules again, do I?”

I busted up laughing. “No! Please don’t. So you’re looking for your present?” I met his thrust and wrapped my legs around his torso.

Jake eased his hand between us and gripped both our cocks, sliding his right hand over the smooth skin in a languid motion. He looked up at me with a fiery gaze and nodded. “Yeah. And feel free to be as vocal as you want. It really fucking turns me on.”

I heard myself moan indignantly with need as I slung my arms around his neck.

“No. Keep your hands on the bars where I can see them. Can you do that or do I have to tie you up?” he asked as he licked my neck. Between his talented hands, mouth, and the command to do as I was told, I really didn’t care who heard. I was simmering with energy and the need to get as close to him as possible, as soon as possible. I didn’t want to wait or waste time.

“You can do whatever you want to me.” I tilted my head back as he bit my shoulder and licked my collarbone. My dick was so hard it hurt.

Jake pulled himself up on his arms, caging my head as he looked down on me. I could feel his dick leaking precum on my belly, and the fever went a little hotter inside me. I was boiling over with need as I bucked my hips upward, hoping for contact.

“Hey. Slow down. There’s no hurry.”

“But I—”

“No. We’re doing this my way. And we’re going to take our time.”

He kissed my lips tenderly before moving up my body. He didn’t stop until his cock was inches from my mouth. Then he covered my hands on the bars of the headboard and gave me a devilish grin. His unruly hair fell into his eyes, making him look much younger than thirty. I smiled slightly before sticking out my tongue to lick the tip of his penis. Jake groaned but didn’t pull back. He held my wrists captive with one hand and fed me his cock with the other. The primal look in his eye, coupled with his hold, elevated the morning blowjob to another realm. He was in complete control. His hips rocked gently and then stilled. He pulled back to squeeze the head of his cock. I saw the clear precum pooling at his slit and knew his intention before he placed his thumb on my bottom lip. I shook my head in mock defiance. Jake’s eyes lit with humor as he bent to coax my lips open by licking them over and over. When I moaned, he stuck his tongue in my mouth, plundering and sucking until we were breathless. Then he deftly placed his thumb on my tongue. I sucked it madly as I reached for my cock. He made a tsking sound and shook his head when I tried to break his hold.

“Please,” I begged, lifting my ass off the bed.

Jake made a strangled sound at the back of his throat as he released my hands and moved lower to fuse our bodies together. His mouth crashed over mine fiercely as we clawed at each other, grinding and humping until he finally stilled and looked in my eyes. He was hard and hungry for me, and yeah, I loved that in spite of his best intentions to go slow he was equally as strung-out as me.

He kissed my lips softly but didn’t linger. He moved lower, licking, kissing, and nibbling his way down my throat to my chest. I nearly shot off the bed when he sucked hard on one nipple before giving his attention to the other. He kept moving south, tickling my stomach with catlike licks. I pulled my hands from his grasp and ran my fingers through his thick hair when his stubbled chin brushed against the head of my cock. And when his tongue traced my slit, I went a little crazier.

“Fuck!” I writhed from side to side. “Stop teasing.”

Jake chuckled softly as he spread my thighs wide and held my pulsing member at the base before moving on to suck my balls into his mouth. First one, then the other. Then back again. He began stroking my dick in a firm but languid motion. I covered his hand to help. No more going slow. He was making me nuts.

“No. I’ll do it. Grab the lube in the drawer.”

I rolled to my side to obey. There wasn’t a bottle of lube and a condom on the bedside table, so I moved onto my stomach and crawled toward the drawer. Jake pulled me back by the legs and slapped my ass once hard.

“Ow!” I shot him an angry glare over my shoulder, though in truth the stinging sensation traveled straight to my impossibly hard cock, making me feel lightheaded.

“Where you going? Hmm. Stay there. No. On your knees and hold on to the bedpost.”

I let out another undignified whimper at his sexy command as I knelt and clutched hold of the wrought iron bars of the headboard in front of me. The mattress shifted as he leaned over to get to the supplies in the drawer and then resettle himself behind me. Cool lubed fingers lightly grazed my entrance. I pushed back and groaned.

“So impatient.” His words were teasing, but his tone was strained. He tapped his fingers against my sensitive hole with his right hand and caressed my lower back soothingly with his left. I gritted my teeth, willing myself not to beg. When he repeated the gesture, I lost it. I pushed my hips so far back my ass was in his lap as I turned with one hand on the bar.