23. Jake
Chapter 23
Jake
W e follow Tim about two hundred yards to the left of Ryan’s garage and see his house. It looks less like a bodyguard’s house and more like an extension of the mansion. I’ve been here a couple times before, but it never ceases to amaze me.
Dylan lets out a whistle and Tim laughs.
“Yeah, Ry and Em know how to take care of their people, that’s for sure. You should see the chef’s house.”
“This is like a neighborhood of estates,” Dylan muses.
“You’re pretty close. Each property sits on five acres and there are only twelve homes in the whole neighborhood. The planning was done very intentionally for clientele needing privacy.”
Tim opens his front door and immediately I notice how cozy it feels. It’s well-kept, clean and has high-end everything…much like my place…. so, I can’t quite explain why it feels more like home than my penthouse ever has.
Tim is single by choice. Not all of the bodyguards are, but Tim has always been singularly focused and he chooses to focus on his job. Plus, his line of work can get dangerous, he’s gone a lot , and he works crazy hours because Ryan doesn’t really go anywhere without him.
The décor is minimal in Tim’s house, but he doesn’t need much since the stone on the exterior of the house covers the large fireplace in the living room and runs from the floor to the vaulted ceiling. Exposed wooden beams hold the loft up and three wooden columns mark out the dining room underneath.
“Just drop your bags wherever. You guys want a beer?”
“That’d be great,” Dylan answers, placing his bag against the wall in the foyer.
Catching up with Tim is nice. I often forget how down-to-earth my older brother actually is and this visit is cultivating a desire to stay in better touch after the weekend comes to an end. We talk for half an hour before he totally catches me off guard and pulls me in for a hug almost knocking me off the kitchen chair.
“I’m proud of you,” he says.
I have to twist my head to look up at him so I’m not talking directly to his Adam’s apple. He towers over me. “For what?”
“I remember the night you told Mom and Dad about Henry, that kid from boarding school.” He gives a humorless laugh. “I’d never seen Dad so pissed and I was afraid if you actually were gay, and it wasn’t just a fad or a joke meant to give Dad a heart attack, that he’d try to break you. Sounds like he’s tried by blackmailing you with your future inheritance, but I’m proud of you for staying true to yourself.”
I chew on my tongue in an effort to prevent the tears from spilling over.
“Thanks.”
Turning to Dylan, Tim says, “And I’m sorry our father is such an elitist piece of shit. As if you being a man and warming my brother’s bed wasn’t enough for him to attack, Steve Ellington will go for your heart. He’ll make comments about your income — unless it’s higher than his.” Tim’s eyes brighten with hope. “Oh my God, please tell me you make more than our father because that would be the greatest thing ever.”
Dylan shakes his head. “I definitely do not make more than your father.”
Tim takes a sip of his beer, looking defeated. “Yeah, not many people do. Anyway, he’ll go after your skin color, you career choice, basically anything that makes him feel like the bigger man. Nothing is off limits for him if he’s trying to win.”
“Yeah, we’ve met,” Dylan says, drily.
Tim drains his beer and leans back in the chair tipping it onto two legs. “Oh, do tell.”
Sharing a drink around Tim’s intimate kitchen table, we start back over at the beginning of Dylan and I’s story and fill Tim in on everything — including Cora’s response to the whole thing, and her and I’s subsequent breakup on the down low — before begrudgingly circling back around to the topic of our father.
“Are you ready for the shitstorm that’s going to happen when he finds out you’re not just friends ?” Tim asks, using air quotes.
“At this point, I don’t care how he reacts as long as he leaves Dylan the hell alone.” I squeeze the back of Dylan’s neck lovingly, needing to touch him every second I can.
“I don’t mean to be crass or to reduce what the two of you have to dollar signs, but that’s a lot of money to walk away from Jacob. And knowing Dad, if this doesn’t work out,” he points between Dylan and I with his beer bottle, “he won’t let you back in the castle.”
“The money’s not worth his bullshit. I can always make more. Besides, you walked away,” I argue defensively.
“Yeah, but you and I both know I wasn’t built for that life. I wasn’t giving anything up. You are. You love your job and you’re damn good at it.”
I smile at his compliment.
“Thank you, but I think the fact that I purposely parked my car behind Dylan so he would back into me and give me a chance to talk to him speaks volumes about how desperate I was for a change.”
Tim’s eyes go wide and he sputters on his beer, dropping is chair so all four legs are back on the floor.
“You didn’t tell me it was on purpose. ”
Dylan hands Tim a napkin, laughing.
“Oh yeah, Mr. Suave over here pulled right into my blind spot. Made me think I was losing my fucking mind because one second my coast was clear and the literal next second, I’m twisting a quarter of a million dollars into a pretzel.” Dylan playfully punches me in the shoulder, but I stop laughing.
With eyes only for him, I answer seriously, “It was the best decision I ever made.”
The air around Dylan and I grows thicker as Tim clears his throat. “Well, that’s sweet…and creepy…and honestly, I’d be a little pissed if I were you, Dylan, but I’m glad it worked out,” he laughs. “We gotta leave in about an hour and it’s going to be a long night because these guys take this bonfire seriously. Why don’t I show y’all around and you can get settled.”
Tim walks across the living room and begins climbing the stairs as he rubs the back of his neck.
“I, uh, set up both guest rooms because I didn’t know you guys were together together, but you can pick whichever one you want.”
He leads Dylan and I to two rooms right across the hall from each other just past the loft. One is the clear winner.
“I like the view from this one,” I declare, looking out over the patio and into the natural area full of trees beyond. “Thanks, Tim.”
“Sure thing. Make yourselves at home. Towels are under the sink if you want to shower.”
As soon as I hear Tim’s footsteps hit the wooden staircase, I grab Dylan by the hips and pull him to me.
He smiles against my mouth, but squirms out of my hold. “Jake!” he whispers. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this here? This is your brother’s house and I just met him and I want him to like me.”
I grab Dylan’s jaw in a punishing grip. “If you think I can survive one more second without your beautiful cock cutting off my air supply, you are sorely mistaken.”
His eyes flash with desire at my words and I swirl my tongue along his neck as we move toward the bed, my hand sliding from his jaw to his throat. It’s an odd moment to have an epiphany, but I’m not sure anyone chooses the timing of these things, and as the back of Dylan’s legs hit the edge of the king-sized bed, mine hits me. Tim’s house feels like home because Dylan and I don’t have to hide here. Tucked away behind Ryan’s gated security, with no one else having this address — including my father — for the first time, we’re totally safe.
And that turns me on.
I keep him standing and kiss him another few seconds before bringing my hands to his belt. In a flash, I’ve unfastened the buckle. Lowering myself to my knees, I pull his jeans and his boxers down with me. Based on his hesitation a moment ago, I thought perhaps I’d have to work to get him to the same level of desperation I am, but when his cock springs free with a bead of pre-cum already coating his tip, I smile.
And then I hold him still while I lick the liquid from him slowly, my smile growing wider as he thrusts his hips forward trying to get deeper inside my mouth.
His hands fly to my hair as he struggles to maintain a whisper. “I swear you give the best blowjobs, but if you don’t stop teasing me, I’m going to fuck your mouth so hard I’ll blow a hole out the back of your head.”
I hum my gratitude for the compliment, bob twice, then take him to the back of my throat where I know he wants to be.
“ Jesus fucking Christ, ” he hisses as his cock twitches in my mouth. Liking his reaction so much, I do it again, but this time, I plant my index and middle fingers between his cheeks and apply pressure, trapping him between sensations both in front of, and behind, him.
I wasn’t sure he’d let me do this, considering his oddly strong heterosexual views on our roles, but he’s either too turned on to care, or fingering his ass isn’t off the table.
“Oh, fuck yes,” Dylan breaths. Rocking his hips back and forth, he lights my insides on fire. I want him inside me so goddamn badly, I pull off his cock before his release. “Please tell me you plan to finish this?” he moans.
“ You’re going to finish this…buried as deeply inside me as you can get.” I pull him by the hand to the en-suite bathroom. Knowing our time is limited — and that I have a hard time staying quiet — I figure we can kill two birds with one stone by fucking in the shower: get clean and have background noise.
Dylan wastes no time grabbing the lube from his toiletry bag and getting us both ready. As he coats his shaft, his voice fills my ears. “If we had more time, I’d sit on this tile shower seat and let you ride me until we both blacked the fuck out. But since we’re in a bit of a time crunch, spread your feet and put your hands on it instead.” Pressing his chest into my back, he whispers directly into my ear, making me shiver. “Oh, and Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re going to want to hold on.”
Five minutes later, with his dick in my ass and his hand pumping my shaft, I come so hard I almost black out anyway. When his cock jerks inside me and I feel the warmth of his release, I want to sag to my knees and catch my breath, but that would mean separating myself from him and I’m not ready to do that quite yet. So somehow, I manage to stay standing with my hands still on the tile bench seat as I feel first his forehead, then his lips, hit my back.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Dylan chuckles, his voice low and sated. It always sounds differently after he comes and I love that I know that about him. “I’m pretty sure it’s me that should be thanking you .”
For all the hell about to come our way, I know he’s wrong. Even if he thinks otherwise.
On the car ride to Noah’s, I have to check and make sure Dylan’s breathing about four hundred times. Apparently, my boyfriend gets extremely star struck. Although, who could blame him? These guys are awesome, and honestly, they’re all hotter than hell. Because of Tim’s job, I’d never say a word to any of them about their looks, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Noah’s caught me staring more than once. My God, the man is an orgasm in a skin suit…and that’s before he opens his blessed mouth which is enough to send me to my knees on its own.
I shake my head to clear the thoughts.
We’re the last to arrive. Once Ryan helps Emma get Jane’s car seat out, we follow him through the front door of Noah Kinkaid’s home. Dylan looks around in disbelief like he can’t process his surroundings fast enough.
Ryan and Emma head for the staircase and Ryan explains, “Em and I are going to get Jane tucked into the nursery with the nanny and the other kids. You guys follow Tim, he’ll take you out back.”
Whispering in my ear, Dylan gives an excited squeal. “How’s my hair? Anything in my teeth?” He runs his tongue along his top teeth before opening his mouth for me to look.
“You look thoroughly fuckable,” I whisper back. “Not that I’ll be letting any of them touch you like that,” I add.
“What? No, I didn’t mean—”
“Relax, I’m teasing. I trust you and them. And I want you to have a good time.”
“Well, I have gotten off to Sloan Alexander’s—”
“ Ooookay, ” I interrupt him again, this time no teasing in my voice.
“Got ya,” he smiles.
And then we’re walking out the back door of the kitchen and heading for a small opening in the woods. The glow of the bonfire just visible through the trees, as are the twinkling fairy lights above.
“Hey Tim,” one of the other bodyguards says, saluting Tim with a drink.
“Where’s Ry?” Noah asks.
“Putting Jane with the other kids,” Tim answers. “Hey guys, you remember my brother, Jacob?”
Everyone says hello and raises their cups.
“And this is his boyfriend, Dylan. Jacob surprised him with tonight and the show tomorrow. He’s a huge fan, but he’s also family.”
The band members make it no secret that their families come first. They’ve canceled shows, album releases, etc… if necessary due to their families’ needs. Tim voicing that Dylan is family is no doubt his way of letting them know Dylan can be trusted. That Tim isn’t bringing an outsider into the band’s inner sanctum. He’s family.
I could kiss my brother for introducing him that way.
Dylan surveys the crowd and I know who he’s looking for. It’s pretty obvious when his eyes land on Sloan because his whole body tenses.
Thank God Sloan has not one, but two spouses here, because otherwise, I might be at risk of losing my boyfriend.
“You want to talk to him?” I ask, nudging Dylan’s shoulder as I pass him, headed for the cooler.
Dylan nods his head, but still can’t seem to find his words, making me smile.
“Come on.” I grab his hand and pull him toward the curly headed guitarist.
Sloan claps me on the shoulder as we approach. “Jacob! How’ve ya been?” Sloan is always smiling. Often considered the class clown, he went through some shit a couple years ago that kept all the bodyguards on high alert. Tim didn’t tell me the details though, because that’s not his place, but whatever it was, Sloan seems to have come out on the other side of it stronger than ever.
“I’ve been good,” I reply to Sloan. “Better than good, actually.” I can’t help but swing my gaze to Dylan as I say it. Perhaps I’m laying it on a little thick, but here, I can claim him as mine with no threats hanging over my head and I plan to take full advantage.
Sloan extends his hand to Dylan. In the glow of the firelight, I see Dylan bite his bottom lip. At first, I think the move is driven by lust, but the light from the nearby flames dances in his blue eyes and is showcasing the buildup of tears about to spill onto his cheeks.
“Nice to meet you, Dylan.”
Dylan clears his throat and swipes at his eyes with his left hand, managing to find his words. “Man, you’re all I listen to. You have no idea how much you’ve helped me over the years.”
At that moment, the man I know to be Luke — although I’ve never met him personally — slides an arm around Sloan’s waist and kisses his cheek.
“Another drink, babe?”
“Yes, please. Get Jen’s too?”
Luke laughs. “I served her first. Our queen is well tended.”
Sloan’s smile is a reflection of pure joy as Luke walks back toward the cooler and Dylan speaks again.
“I just want you to know that when you came out, it helped me so much. I was in a terrible relationship just because I was desperate for a man’s attention. I didn’t think to look outside the box or go after what I truly wanted. But then, not only did you come out, but you took a totally unconventional route and just owned it. It made me realize if there are people out there who can make that work, surely, I could do better too.”
Sloan’s eyes flit to me then back to Dylan before he pulls Dylan to him in an embrace I know Dylan will remember for the rest of his life.
“Looks like you found it,” Sloan says when they pull apart. “I’m happy for you both.”
“Well, it found me ,” Dylan chokes on a sob he’s trying to turn into a laugh. “But there are some pretty high odds stacked against us. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know that I’d have the courage to try.”
I didn’t know all of that.
I tug at the neck of my t-shirt. “Fuck. It sounds like I owe you a huge thank you, Sloan.”
“Nah, you don’t owe me shit, brother. It’s just nice to know my story has helped someone, you know?” he throws an arm over Dylan’s shoulder “Come hang out. Meet the rest of the guys. Can I get you a drink?”
A familiar buzz vibrates against my leg.
“You guys go on ahead, I’ll be right there. I’ll have whatever Dylan has.” They wander closer to the firelight and I fade further into the shadows, pulling my phone from my pocket, praying it’s Cora, Knox, Hudson, or Phoenix.
No dice.
Steve 8:49pm
Why is Cora at the symphony on the arm of another man tonight?
The symphony? She’s supposed to be at the philanthropy panel in the U.K. I’m not sure what she’s doing at the symphony, but I don’t want to blow her cover, get her in trouble, or share the news about our breakup just yet. The night is too perfect.
Jake 8:51pm
You’d have to ask her.
Steve 8:50pm
Where are you?
Jake 8:50pm
Not home.
Steve 8:52pm
Obviously, you sarcastic little shit.
You’re with that mechanic, aren’t you?
Damn it, Jacob.
This better not be what I think it is.
Jake 8:56pm
His name is Dylan.
With trembling hands, I silence my phone and walk back to the fire, suddenly freezing in the cool night air despite the blaze in front of me.
I’m not concerned about the money, but I’d be lying if I said the prospect of changing every aspect of my life all at once didn’t terrify me. My job, my future, my home…hell, my entire daily routine all feel like they’re about to go up in smoke. And without a crystal ball, there’s no way of knowing if the man I’m risking everything for will still be by my side when the dust settles. And that is the scariest part of all.