Splintered Hearts

Twenty Four

Noah

My ass hits the counter. Jamie deepens the kiss and I fucking melt. He licks into my mouth and I purr at the contact. Jamie kisses like it’s his sole purpose on this earth.

I’m happy to help him fulfill his destiny.

Something spicy, masculine yet sweet like vanilla, surrounds me. Fuck, he smells so damn good. Like, really fucking good.

Not that he normally doesn’t, but whatever this is, it’s erotic perfection. “Sorry about that asshole.” Jamie grins against my lips. Fucker isn’t sorry at all, and honestly, neither am I. While Josh’s words had hurt a lot, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t want him anyway.

Jamie presses those gorgeous lips down my neck. I’d sobered long ago, but hell, I feel drunk—or high. “I feel bad for his boyfriend, though.”

Jamie laces his big hands around the back of my neck, his thumbs easing along my jaw. “I know. It’s terrible. I hope Mark figures out a way to warn him.” I lose his hands and instantly crave them back. “If you want to stop, that’s okay. Tonight was a lot.”

“No!” Clearing my throat and finding some fucking dignity, I smile. “I mean, in a less desperate tone, no thanks. I’m okay. I just hate cheaters.”

“I can keep touching you?”

How do I get this man to never stop? “Please.” I run my hands down the front of his shirt, and Jamie sucks in a breath when my thumb catches his nipple.

“Tug them.”

Oh, hell yeah.

My hands slip inside, running up his sculpted chest before brushing both nubs with my thumbs. I experiment with a gentle tug, and Jamie moans, burying his face into my neck. I do it again. Harder. A guttural groan leaves his lips, making me shiver. His hands brace my hips, before cupping my thighs and lifting me onto the counter. “We better shower this paint off”

Something vulnerable shows on Jamie’s face. “Did you like the clothes I wore?” My brows pinch. “You never said anything about them.”

Did he... did he dress like that for me?

It seems silly, but Jamie looks serious. “You looked so fucking hot.” Thinking a moment, I take the hem of his T-shirt, lifting it over his head and exposing his mouthwatering body. “I always like the way you look, though. And smell. You look so sexy tonight, but you look and smell so fucking good every day.”

“How . . . how do I usually smell?”

“I don’t know. Like clean laundry and your soap. Like a rainstorm. Sometimes, like clean sweat if you’ve been painting a while. I like it.”

“You like when I smell sweaty?” The confusion on his face is too cute. “And the ratty sweats and shirts.”

“That was nice. I could see your body more, and those jeans... they hugged your ass. I like it when you’re just you, though. This is what you’re comfortable in, right? I’d rather you be comfortable. I like the way you look.”

“So . . . this was a waste of time?”

That’s not how I want him to feel, at all. “I like you both ways. I just like you .” My fingers dig into the band of his sweats, his stomach muscles contracting at the contact.

Our eyes meet, permission and want so hot in those obsidian eyes. “Do it,” he breathes. My hand slips inside and I freeze.

“What?” I look down then my eyes snap back up. “Hair cut?” His ears pinken. Jamie’s eyes fix on where my hand disappears and he nods. Okay, what the fuck is up with him today? The clothes, cologne... the pubes! Or lack there of, I should say. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine!” he snaps. His dick softens against my hand.

“Liar.”

He pulls my hand away.

“Wait. Wait. Sorry. I’m just teasing you, okay?” Grabbing his hips, I tug him roughly to me. “What’s going on with you today?”

“Nothing.”

“Lies.”

“Stop it.”

“Just talk to me. Don’t be embarrassed.” The war in his eyes breaks my heart. I’m not going to let this go. I brace my fingers on either side of him, and he rolls his eyes.

“You give a fuck, Noah. I wanted you to know I give a fuck too.”

“What?”

“You... you’re so...” Jamie’s jaw clenches. I just want to know which person in this man’s life made it hell for him to express how he’s feeling. Probably his birth mother and the devastating list of homes he lived in growing up. “You care about the way you look. I wanted to try that.”

For me?

To impress me?

Why?

Maybe I’m going about this all wrong. If Jamie cares about how he looks, that has to mean something. He wouldn’t have gone through all this if he didn’t feel anything, right?

So I smile, because if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s praise. I want to praise the shit out of him. Make him feel good. Shut out all the noise he grew up with and deals with. “Jamie, look at me.” Slowly, he meets my eyes, looking like a kicked puppy. “I’m going to cradle your balls when I say this.” Grabbing my hands, he laughs a little. “You are one handsome motherfucker.” His cheeks flush. “Your efforts today are seen and appreciated.” I press a kiss to the scar on his chest. I need to get this gorgeous man in the bedroom, right now. Jamie leans over, slanting his mouth on mine.

Sensual and soft. I feel it down to my toes, caressing my neck, a chill down my spine. This isn’t nothing. Jamie can’t just feel nothing. “Don’t be afraid to be you. I’m a come as you are type of guy, okay? You are effortlessly sexy.” His face brightens, and I want to commit that look to memory. “Can I see?”

Wordlessly, Jamie steps back a bit, his face a little flushed. Thumbing the band of his sweats, he pulls them down, letting his gorgeous cock spring free.

Oh.

Oh, wow.

The neatly trimmed pubes make him look even bigger. I really don’t give a shit, but damn. Just damn. “That. That you can keep.” Slipping off the counter, I drop to my knees before him.

“What are you doing?”

“This is where I pray.” I bow to the floor, worshiping the gorgeous man in front of me. Laughing, he grabs me under the armpits, hauling me up.

“Stop.”

“It’s quite possibly the greatest dick of all time.”

“Made of rainbows and glitter, apparently?”

“I was talking about Hunter.” I grin.

“Mm.” Lust swirls heavily in those eyes. “No you weren’t, little fox.” My muscles turn to liquid. “Come on. Let’s shower.”

“And what happens after?”

Jamie’s eyes turn heavy on me, lust swirling in them. “What do you want to happen?”

Thinking a moment, I smile. “Never have I ever done bondage?”

He laughs and it’s like a balm to my heart. “You want to try bondage?”

“I mean, I’ve never... you’ve never. Two plus two equals—” Jamie kisses me. Hard.

“I’m going to tie you up and make you beg to come,” Jamie growls, and this heat—this intensity—is new and exciting. I need it. We don’t have a label, and that’s okay. Right? We don’t need it, and maybe we’re beyond that.

Or maybe I’m just falling into the same old trap I’ve always caught myself in.

Either way, this is happening.

“Bondage.” He nods. “Now get your gorgeous ass in the shower.”

Towel slung low on his hips, Jamie walks behind me. The shower was simple—clean off the paint, let the fun happen after. Unlike the first shower we shared, this time Jamie was gloriously and totally naked, and I can safely say this man looks gorgeous in nothing but water. I made sure to soap him up extra slow. “Who’s being tied up?” His pierced brow arches. “Good, I was hoping that would be the case.”

“How do you want to do this?” he asks.

“I have supplies, don’t you worry your gorgeous butt. I’ve been treating myself to toys here and there. I’ve got some.”

Jamie peers over at me while I grab my pink lock box. “Toys?”

“A few.” I look up, smiling. “Just depends on what you want to do with me—or to me.” Reaching in, I grab lube and my pink handcuffs. “Use at your own risk.”

“You’ve never used these?”

“No. I meant what I said. No bondage. Is this bondage? I don’t know, but no, I have never let a person restrain me in bed.”

“Why not?”

Thinking a moment, I turn to Jamie, laying my palms on his chest. “I’ve never trusted anyone I slept with to restrain me. I trust you not to leave me chained to the bed or hurt me. Go ahead. Pick your poison.”

I watch his Adam’s apple bob, his eyes far off. I’m about to ask what’s wrong but he turns, looking into the drawer. “Is there anything you don’t want me to use right now?”

“Uh. No. No. Pick whatever you’d like.”

Jamie sifts through some of the things in there. Every other week I’ve been steadily getting fun things to play with. I never dared when I lived back home, but I wanted this bad. Sex is fun, and I want to make it as fun as possible. “What’s this?”

Jamie holds up a slender oblong object. “A good time.” Jamie inspects it sceptically. “It’s a prostate massager, and yes, you can use it on me.”

Jamie tosses it onto the bed. Okay, damn. Yes. Jamie pulls out my shimmery purple dildo. “Really?”

“What?” I snatch the dildo from his hand. “This is Veronica and she will be treated with respect.”

“Veronica?”

“I am all for women’s rights.”

“To peg you, apparently.”

“I have never dabbled, but boobs fascinate me.”

“Okay . . .”

“Balls of the chest.”

“Not even a little close.” Putting Veronica back, he closes the box. I take off my towel and Jamie’s eyes eat me alive. My skin hums with each place his eyes land as they do a slow crawl up the length of me. I grab an extra sheet from my plastic bin, putting it on the bed and taking off my comforter.

Laying the sheet down, I get on the bed, lying back with my knees spread out, open for him. “Jesus,” Jamie hisses.

Jamie’s towel drops along with my jaw. Miles of tan skin to put my lips on. Jamie’s arms are defined, his body muscled but not as defined as mine. His stomach is a little soft, with a happy trail I want to bury my face in. Eying him, I nearly drool. Most of the scars are deep purple now, and the one on his chest always gets my attention first. It’s big, rough, and puckered, taking up most of his pec right above his nipple. Another scar runs from under his left pec, down his stomach in an angry slash.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” The little whispered voice makes me look up. His dark eyes glitter, nearly black.

“Like you’re quite possibly the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen? Because you are.”

Jamie’s face twists a bit, his lips pursing as he gets on the bed between my thighs. “I’ve never had someone talk about me like that.” The confession steals my breath. “I like it.”

“To get compliments?”

“To feel worthy, I guess.” His voice is so quiet.

It’s way more than his looks and I want to tell him that. Jamie is prickly, and yes he has a bit of an attitude that makes me want to tear my hair out. He’s also sweet and kind in ways that are subtle. If you aren’t paying attention you’ll miss them.

Shit, do I pay attention.

Jamie cares deeply about his friends and family. He just has a hard time voicing his feelings out loud. He cares a lot. Ever since I started working, Jamie does my laundry, claiming he doesn’t mind because he’s doing it anyway. Which may be true, but he also folds it, and after getting my permission, he even puts my clothes away. I help him clean the house, but I’d mentioned how much I hate folding clothes, so Jamie does them for me.

When Hunter complained that his knee was bothering him, Jamie researched online one night about natural ways to ease pain, then got Hunter some things to try, claiming they were things he’d had left over. I’d been here when he received the brand new package in the mail.

Bri had come over one day, upset because she was stiffed by a client, and Jamie made extra trays of food her and Xavi so they wouldn’t have to worry about eating that week. He’d claimed he just made too much so she and Xavi didn’t feel embarrassed about the situation.

There were things he did and then shrugged, like it was no big deal. “What if I suck at this?”

“Well, you are great at sucking. You’ll be fine. Oh! And licking. So fucking good at licking.” That makes him laugh. “Do you want me like this or on my stomach?”

“Yes.” He laughs. “No, I want to see your face.” He grabs the handcuffs as his eyes roam over my skin. “Can I lock them around the bars?”

I nod, looking up as Jamie leans over and cuffs me in place. His eyes meet mine as he hovers over me. I lift up, placing a kiss to his chest, and his hungry mouth slants over mine, kissing me with everything he has.

Fuck.

Moving back down my body, he sits between my thighs. I pull my legs up, spreading them wide for him, and Jamie’s face twists with anger I don’t expect. He places his hands on the tops of his thighs, looking up at the ceiling. “Fuck!”

“What?” What’s wrong?

His eyes land on mine with a playful glint. “I’m going to have to apologize to fuckwad Josh.”

“What! Why?”

Jamie grins, leaning down, looking like a predator as his eyes run over the length of me. Mark was right, he’s dangerous, just in all the right ways. When he kisses my throat I swallow against his lips before he nips my jaw.

“That asshole was right. You do look good with your wrists bound.”

I laugh. Hard. “Play with me Jamie.”