12. Chapter 12 #2
“Yes, but not much higher.” Jax seemed hesitant, as if Tristan wouldn’t bow to his every whim right now.
“It’s more than enough to work with,” Tristan promised, holding the leg still as he tilted his hips back, prodding Jax’s entrance with the tip of his cock. This time, Tristan slid home easily, and he gritted his teeth while Jax let out a short cry that echoed through the room.
The hot squeeze of Jax’s ass had Tristan seeing double, and he pressed his nose into the top of Jax’s head, grounding himself in that minty scent. “You’re so tight.”
The tunnel clenched and Tristan jolted, barking out a soft laugh.
“ Jax …” But Jax did it a few more times, and Tristan decided that turnabout was fair play. Pulling almost all the way out, he sank back in at a faster pace, starting a pattern of thrusts that had Jax falling apart within seconds.
At this angle, Tristan was able to go deeper than last time, and he could feel his cock hitting a place inside that made Jax choke. Sliding his free arm under Jax’s neck, Tristan clasped him across the collarbone, and Jax’s hands instantly locked onto Tristan’s forearm.
Bending his head, Tristan licked behind Jax’s ear and anything else he could reach. Even though he was inside Jax, it didn’t feel like enough. He wanted to merge with Jax, live in his skin, and have them become permanently one.
All coherent thought flew from Tristan’s mind as his orgasm approached like a freight train. Even though he tried every trick in the book to hold out, he wasn’t going to last much longer with the way Jax was squeezing him.
“Touch yourself.” It was a request, not an order, but Jax followed it nonetheless. Leaving the death grip on Tristan’s arm, his hand went south, grasping and pumping, and Tristan watched with avid interest.
It didn’t take long before Jax let out another cry, and the walls around Tristan’s cock began to pulse. Pressing back, Jax froze, squeezing Tristan as he came.
Tristan wanted to see the rest, but lost control, his vision going white as he soared like a bird. By the time he landed, he’d slipped out of Jax, who moaned and shifted.
“I think…” It came out garbled, and Jax cleared his throat, trying again. “I think four times is a record.”
Tristan rolled to the foot of the bed, getting up on shaky legs. They both needed a shower, but Jax’s eyelids were fluttering shut.
Getting several bottles of water, he dropped them off on the nightstand before quickly cleaning up in the adjoining bathroom.
After pulling on some pajama pants, Tristan attended to Jax, wiping him down gently.
Although Jax was somewhere in post-sex dreamland, the permanent half-grin on his face had Tristan grinning too.
This had been the best date of his life. The best sex of his life. The best orgasm of his life. Leaving Eve had been the smartest thing he’d ever done, because he’d had the adventure of a lifetime, and now he’d found an amazing man.
Fingers brushed through his beard.
“Your aftercare made this eleven stars,” Jax rasped in a wrecked voice.
“You were awake? Sneaky.” Packing up the towels, Tristan tossed them into the hamper.
“I wouldn’t say awake . You fucked me into oblivion. You’re a dangerous man, Tristan Maddock. And I like it.” Jax pulled him down for a short but sweet kiss.
Sitting back up, Tristan uncapped a water bottle and handed it to Jax. “Drink this before you go to sleep.”
“You read my mind. Thank you. For this and, uh, everything .” His eyes didn’t hold any pain; in fact, his face was relaxed and open, his smile peaceful, and Tristan’s heart spun in his chest.
This far exceeded like . Maybe it wasn’t too soon.
Stepping out of the hallway shower, Tristan dried off and immediately checked on Jax, who was still fast asleep.
He seemed downright Lilliputian in Tristan’s huge bed, and the morning sun painted yellow stripes across his skin, making it glow.
A flat pillow that he’d brought from home still sat between his knees, and he hugged a fluffier one, not wanting to curl too much in his sleep.
Once again, Tristan climbed to a new level of understanding. Good health was a privilege, underappreciated until it vanished.
That’s why he wanted to treat Jax well. Not because he thought that Jax was incapable or fragile, but because Jax was strong and precious. He fought hard every day to do what he loved, and he deserved some pampering, especially after that spectacular dinner and dessert.
Grabbing his glasses and clothes, Tristan went to the kitchen and got dressed, quietly taking out a pan and ingredients. Although he wasn’t a chef, his cheesy scrambled eggs were always a hit, and this was his moment to shine.
A few moments later, Tristan heard footsteps padding down the hall.
“Whatever that is? It smells amazi- you wear glasses?” Jax strolled into the kitchen still deliciously naked, looking up at Tristan with wide eyes.
“Yes, I usually wear contacts.” Tristan had to force that out since his brain was short-circuiting from all that skin in close proximity.
“You do?” Jax ran his hands through his hair, which stuck out cutely in all directions, and Tristan felt like he’d won the lottery. He could get very used to having this man in his place and in his life.
“I’m almost forty.” It was cute how Jax kept forgetting their age gap. “I haven’t been able to see for five years. How do you feel after last night?”
“My back is a little cranky but it’s nothing a shower won’t fix. And everything else? Buzzing.” Jax stood on his toes, peering over Tristan’s shoulder. “Are those cheese eggs?”
“ Cheesy eggs. With a y, ” Tristan corrected, stirring the concoction, which was coming together.
The trick was to cook it on low heat and melt the cheese into the eggs while they were still liquid.
Wrapping an arm around Jax, he kissed his temple.
“Why don’t you grab that shower, and I will have tea and breakfast ready for you when you’re done. ”
“I am so into that,” Standing on his toes again, Jax pecked him on the lips before walking away, and Tristan’s eyes stayed glued to Jax’s ass until the smell of almost-burned eggs grabbed his attention.
Moving the pan off the stove, he went to work prepping the tea, taking the bacon out of the air fryer, and toasting far too much bread. Every once in a while, he’d stop, lost in thought, his mind still blown from last night, and then he’d jolt back to reality to keep breakfast on track.
A knock on the door made him jump, and he stared across the apartment, jumping again when the toaster finished and bread flew into the air.
Tristan checked his watch. Who would knock on his door at eleven in the morning? His heart thumped in his chest, thinking the worst, but he had to reassure himself that Eve didn’t know where he lived, and Rain would text if he wanted to come over.
Tristan was halfway to the door when he realized that he hadn’t checked his phone. Scrambling to the bedroom, he frowned at the screen.
“Oh no…” There were five texts from Rain. By the time Tristan made it to the living room, the doorknob was turning, and Tristan froze, glancing toward the hallway as he heard the shower turn off.
“I’m glad I still have my key!” Rain barged in, wearing a clear plastic backpack that had his fluffy, black kitten inside it, and Mason was right behind him.
“Is he home.” Mason’s monotone made it sound like a statement.
“Tristan? Oh, there you are! And you made breakfast?” Rain took off the backpack, unzipping it and letting Mouse run free. She immediately curled up at Tristan’s feet, but the adrenaline made him too stupid to react. “Are those cheesy eggs? Nice!”
Mason stopped next to Tristan, his strange blue-green gaze flicking between him and the counter.
“Let’s go,” he said, strangely aware.
“What?” Already in the kitchen, Rain snatched a piece of bacon, nibbling, but it fell from his hand as the bathroom door opened and Jax strode out.
Drops of water dripped from Jax’s hair, streaming down his damp body until they hit the towel around his waist, which didn’t cover much.
“Tristan, that shower gets super hot. We have to take one togeth-” Eyes going wide, Jax froze, noticing all three men and the cat. Mason let out a breath, and Mouse darted from Tristan’s feet to the kitchen floor, where she nabbed the fallen bacon. “What the fuck is this?”
Rain started laughing. “Finally, Tristan, finally ! I’ve been waiting for you two to bang forever!” Mouse added a perfectly timed meow, although it was probably for more bacon.
“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t realize they were going to stop by,” Tristan forced out, but Jax didn’t seem embarrassed or angry, only surprised.
“I’m, um, gonna get dressed. And then I want some of those eggs.” Turning, he walked to the bedroom, closing the door behind him, and Rain whistled low .
“That is a crazy tattoo.” Rushing over to Tristan, Rain lightly punched his shoulder. “Good for you! You deserve to be happy with someone who isn’t her .”
“We should leave.” Mason tried to lure Mouse out from under the couch with a piece of bacon, but she must’ve known his intentions and refused to fall for it.
Finally finding his feet, Tristan cleared his throat.
“Give me a minute.” He darted into the bedroom to find Jax putting product in his hair, and he greeted Tristan with a wry smirk.
“I really am sorry.” Tristan sat on the bed, adjusting his glasses. “Rain has a key, and he just texts and stops by. I don’t usually have someone special over.”
“I’m someone special?” That smirk turned into one of those soft smiles, which reflected in the closet mirror.
“Yes. Very much so.” Tristan stood as Jax turned, and they were suddenly inches apart, staring into each other’s eyes, their lips about to meet.
“Off the table, Mousy-girl!” echoed through the apartment, and both of them froze.
“Don’t worry, they’re going to leave.” Tristan hoped that Jax wouldn’t leave with them.
“Why?” Jax blinked. “They should stay. I like Mason. Did you make enough food?”
“I think so.” Tristan tilted his head, relieved but confused. “You don’t mind having breakfast with them?”
“No.” Jax shrugged as if Tristan had asked something silly. “I didn’t get to talk to Rain enough before he left The Pointe. He’s funny.”
Ten minutes later, all of them had settled around the bar with full plates. Tristan poked at his food, awkwardly waiting for the chaos to begin, but Jax seemed to be enjoying himself, humming over Tristan’s cheesy eggs while giving him sultry glances.
“Jax, if you’re gonna eyefuck my stepdad, then can you wait until we finish eating?” Rain asked around a mouthful of toast. Beside him, Mason coughed, his eyebrows twitching, which meant that he was almost in shock.
“I’m not the one who barged in on day two of a date.” Jax smeared butter on a piece of toast, acting like this was a normal conversation.
“Okay, okay, you have a point.” Rain held up a hand as if he were offering peace, but his grin wasn’t. “Day two. So, does that mean you and Tristan are a thing now?”
“I don’t know.” Jax winked at Tristan, who chewed his bacon carefully. “After what we did last night? I hope we’re something because I want a repeat.”
Despite his best efforts, Tristan choked a little, clearing his throat. Mason probably would’ve done the same, but he was smart enough to refrain from eating.
“I knew I liked you.” Rain laughed, and then he pointed at Tristan. “You have my blessing.”
“Thanks?” Fell from Tristan’s mouth as a warbly meow drew everyone’s attention.
“You’ve had too much bacon,” Mason shook his head at Mouse as she begged by his feet, swishing her black, fluffy tail.
“Is this the kitty from the exhibition photos?” Jax peeked around the breakfast bar, delight washing across his face.
“Yes! This is Mouse.” Rain picked her up, bringing her over, and she blinked her large, golden eyes at Jax. “She used to be the diva of this place, but now she works full-time at our house.”
“Can I pet her?” At Rain’s nod, Jax gently stroked her head. She leaned into it, making his gaze sparkle, and Tristan’s heart swelled in a new way, filling him with wonder. “Where did you find this cutie?” Jax moved his fingers under her chin, and she seemed to enjoy that even more.
“In a dumpster,” Rain stated simply. “The Cat Distribution System was working hard that day.”
“Why was she in a dumpster?” Jax’s voice had an edge of fury, and Mouse pulled back to stare at him.
“Someone put her in there.” Kissing her head, Rain quickly snatched some bacon from the table, giving her another small piece while Mason huffed, frowning.
“Do you know who did it?” Jax growled, his accent sliding in. “’Cause I could put them in the dumpster if you need me to.”
“Wow, Ollie said you had mobster vibes and I see it now.” Rain pushed the cat toward Jax. “Would you like to hold her?”
“Is she okay with that?” The eager expression on Jax’s face had Tristan grinning.
“Of course,” Rain snorted. “She loves being the center of attention.”
“Just like her dad.” Tristan joined them, chucking Rain under the chin. “She’s a fluffy princess.” Taking her from Rain’s arms, he also kissed her on the head before transferring her to Jax’s hold.
Cat and human stared at each other, as if Jax couldn’t believe she was in his arms, and she clearly waited for some worship. After a few seconds, Jax relaxed, cradling her, and the sheer joy he radiated was something Tristan wished he could capture and store.
Right now, Jax was happy, and Tristan would do anything to keep him that way. In fact, Tristan no longer wanted to escape to the trail as soon as possible. He wanted to stay.
Because for the first time in his life, he was truly in love.