4. Jaxon
When Alex walked into the kitchen last night, fresh out of the shower, wearing my clothes that practically swallowed him whole, it was all I could do not to pop a boner. This living together thing is going to be trickier than I thought. The more time I spend with Alex, the stronger my attraction grows.
It started out as little things, like catching him with a smile on his face, or watching how he gets super animated when he talks about House of Arrows.
One night, Jules, Spencer and Alex all jumped up from the table in the middle of dinner and started dancing. Their favorite song came on and apparently they just couldn’t resist .
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. The way his hips swayed to the music, and his ass shook in all the right places. I started seeing him in a different light, and I’ve been fucked ever since.
Now I lay in bed staring at my phone, wondering how early is too early to get up for the day because if I lay here any longer I’m going to want to jack off to thoughts of him.
Like when he wrapped his lips around his beer bottle last night and I couldn’t help but wonder what those wet, plump lips would feel like around my cock. Fuck! I need to stop.
He's too young for me, and he's got his whole life ahead of him. Alex is going to want to go out and party and I’ve been there, done that. Now I just want a relaxing night at home. And… am I even ready to start dating again? Am I ready to make that shift? I’m not trying to be over dramatic. I know I’m not walking away from Ink Me. But it has been my sole focus. I’ve given too much of myself and worked too hard to let it fail because I took my eye off the ball.
I finally say fuck it and get out of bed. The sun is up and that is good enough for me. My body cracks and pops as I stand. I limp for the first few steps until my muscles loosen enough that I no longer walk like I’m 80. They always say your body will start to feel its age at 40, and that is a big ol’ lie, it's more like 35.
On bare feet I tiptoe down the hall, hoping to lessen the noise of the creaky floorboards before taking a piss and a quick shower. I throw on a shirt and a pair of jeans before heading downstairs. The smell of freshly made coffee hits my nose before I even hit the bottom step.
Turning the corner into the kitchen, I stop in my tracks at the sight of Alex leaning against the counter with a cup of coffee in hand. His toned, bare chest is on full display. My oversized basketball shorts are hanging low on his hips, despite being rolled a bunch of times at the top.
The things I could do to that body.
“I didn’t think you would be up this early,” I say, striding over to the coffeemaker and pouring myself a cup. A moan of gratitude leaves my lips as soon as the steaming hot bitterness hits my tongue.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Alex says, reaching behind me to grab the coffee pot and refilling his cup. I open the fridge and pull out the creamer I have on hand for when Dom comes over for morning coffee, and pour some into his cup. Those big beautiful brown doe eyes look up at me in surprise.
“Ummm, thanks? How did you know?”
“I pay attention,” I say with a flirty wink.
Damn it, stop. I really need to get laid or at least have a good jack-off session to some porn.
His spoon clinks on the side of his mug as he stirs the creamer. He stares at me for a moment before the corner of his mouth ticks up in a smirk.
Fuck! I’m starting to see everything when it comes to Alex, including his tight little ass, as he brushes past me on his way out of the kitchen. “We leave in 20 minutes,” I throw over my shoulder, desperately trying to pry my eyes off his ass.
“Yes, Daddy,” he sing-songs as he heads up the stairs.
Alex fiddles with the car radio as we head out of town.
“Did you talk with your business partners last night?”
He sighs. “Yeah, this will set us back a bit. Thankfully, we built extra time into our build schedule, but it’s going to be tight. Whatever I can’t get in Liberty, I’m going to have to order online. Before I left for my dinner meeting I had set a large file to upload while I was gone. I’ll feel better once I get my new computer set up and make sure everything is saved into the cloud, and that the file didn't get corrupted.”
I look over and see Alex’s brown eyes swimming with worry. His leg is bouncing frantically, and he chews on his nails as he stares out the window. He has so much on his plate right now.
“Do you think maybe we could stop somewhere so I could buy some clothes first?”
He's wearing the dress shirt and slacks he had on the night before and when my eyes catch on the old pair of tennis shoes, I can’t help but laugh.
“Hey, no laughing.”
I struggle to contain myself. “I’m sorry. It was all good until I looked at your shoes. ”
He scoffs, “Excuse me, but I’m pretty sure just the other day you were caught wearing Ugg boots.”
I tisk, “My feet get cold and those fuckers are warm. Plus, they were black. You could hardly tell.”
Alex rears his head back, hand to his chest . “ They… Were… Fuzzy!”
Such dramatics.
We both chuckle. “Leave my fuzzy boots alone. Someday you will understand.”
“Never,” he says with a smile, knowing full well that he has a pair of his own because we all got a pair from Spencer.
We finally reach Liberty and hit up the first department store we see. Alex beelines straight for the shoes, picking out a pair of black canvas sneakers. Then he spends the next hour in the clothing department, trying to color coordinate his outfits. I’m about on my last leg when he emerges from the changing room wearing the tightest pair of white pants I’ve ever seen.
“So what do you think?” he says, doing a little twirl, stopping to check out his perfect round ass in the mirror.
I don’t know what is worse, the way those particular jeans hug his ass or the way they hug his very defined bulge.
“They look just as good as the other four pairs you tried on,” I murmur, the front of my own pants getting tight from the visions replaying in my head.
“So you think I look good in these?” Alex arches his back and turns to the side. I have the desperate urge to palm his ass and squeeze.
“Yes, now are we done here?” If we don't get out of here soon I’m going to self combust.
“I just need to pick out what your generation would call… unmentionables.”
My eyes narrow. “I am not that old.”
“Exactly, remember that. You have a lot of life left in you Jaxon, things just hurt more, or so I’m told.” He winks. “Now, I’ll meet you in the car. I won’t be long,” he says, slapping my ass. I snort at his boldness. It looks good on him .
I roll my eyes with a smirk as I make my way back to the car. I know I’m not that old. But I’m still old enough for 12 years to be a big difference.
Walking through the store, it really hits me how much Alex lost. My heart breaks for him as I watch him starting over from scratch.
I can’t even imagine what that would be like. From the small amount I’ve heard about his upbringing, it sounds like he’s had to rebuild his life more than once. Alex is resilient, strong, and capable. I just wish he didn’t have to be sometimes.
Sitting in the car, I feel like an ass. I should have waited for him and helped carry things. An idea forms in my head, and I make a quick call to Finn and Spencer, asking them to get the gang together. Just as we are finishing up details, Alex walks out of the store carrying at least eight bags. I pop the trunk before hopping out of the car and grabbing the bags from his hands.
“Thank you,” he says.
I simply nod. “Come on, let’s go.”
Once we make it to the computer store, Alex straightens his back and squares his shoulders as he takes on a seriousness that makes my dick perk up and take notice. Alex in business mode is a sight to be seen. But the longer he talks with the sales associate, the more agitated he seems to get.
The guy walks away and Alex hangs his head. He looks two seconds away from banging it on the counter.
“What's wrong? Is everything okay?”
“Umm, yeah. Well, no, not really. They are out of stock on one of the major parts I need.”
“Is it something you can order online?”
“Maybe, If I can find it. I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to.”
“I have good news,” the associate says, walking back over to us. “I called another location and they have one in stock.”
“That's great, where?”
“Seaport, it’s maybe a half hour drive.”
The name Seaport echoes in my head and my heart beats faster with each passing second. I grip the counter, trying to steady myself as memories flood my senses. The sound of twisted metal followed by a deafening silence. My breath quickens until I feel the touch of Alex’s hand on mine, pulling me back from the memory.
It always happens in quick flashes. I don't know why they are starting up again. Maybe my body is still on high alert after seeing the rescue vehicles.
“Jaxon? Are you okay?” The warmth of his skin is calming.
I clear my throat, trying to dampen the building emotions.
“What? Yeah, I’m good,” I finally manage to spit out.
“You already drove me all the way out here. I can ask Trent if he can…”
“Don’t be silly. It’s not that far. Plus, I already told you I’m at your service today. Anything you need.”
Alex breaks from his seriousness and winks. I walked right into that one.
I might as well beat him to the punch, so I lean in. “ Anything… you need,” comes out in a deep, smooth voice. I see his pupils blow wide right before my very eyes. It’s sexier than fuck, and I can’t help but think of all the ways I want to make him do that again.
Seaport is a cute little town, much like Camden except it’s more touristy. During the summer, they have a county fair they put on down by the pier. They have tents filled with vendors much like Camden has at the farmers market, but on a way bigger scale. What drives the families here are the rides. The kind that as an adult you heavily question the safeness of.
I remember the thrill of the old ferris wheel when it stopped at the very top. You could hear the screeching of metal as the car swayed back and forth. But then you would look out over the horizon and see the endless sea moving at its whim.
When we reach the small computer store, they already have the part Alex needs set aside, so we are in and out in a matter of minutes.
Getting back in the car, I hear Alex’s stomach rumble.
“Do you want to stop somewhere for lunch?”
He nods, “I’m starving. I think I saw a little malt shop down by the water’s edge when we came into town.”
I swallow thickly, “Yeah, umm, okay, I know the place. ”
When we enter The Malt Shop—yep that’s its name—I’m instantly flooded with memories. The place has not changed in 15 years. It still has black-and-white checkered floors, red booths, and counter seating. An old jukebox playing Buddy Holly sits in the corner.
“Oh my God! This place is so cute,” Alex says, sliding into a booth. “I need a milkshake, like, stat!”
I chuckle, entering the booth opposite him. “Just wait until you see the paper hats.”
“No!” he gasps.
“Yep.”
We each grab a menu out of the holder before a cute little thing wearing, lo and behold, a paper hat, comes to the table.
“Hi, I’m Billy and I’ll be your server.”
Alex snorts and I kick him in the shins, seeing the glint of mischief in his eyes.
“Can I get you guys something to drink, or are you ready to order?”
“I’m ready to order,” Alex says, and I nod for him to go ahead. “I’ll have a cheeseburger with fries and a strawberry shake, please.”
“I’ll have the same thing, but with a vanilla shake.”
“Sounds good gentlemen, it will be out shortly.”
He walks away and in 3…2…1…
“A paper hat and his name is Billy! It’s like we are in an old black and white sitcom. I’m waiting for the laugh track.”
I chuckle, “My parents used to love this place.”
“This place makes me smile. I can see why they liked it.”
I look around. Yeah, this place makes me smile too.
“You don’t talk about them much, your parents.”
“It's hard sometimes, you know. I want to talk about them, but it brings up so much sadness and heartache.”
“Then tell me about the happy.”
I smile. The look on Alex’s face is filled with kind interest. Not pity, just kindness.
“My parents were so in love,” I say. “They were top tier cheesy. They were always having fun and laughing, always touching. We were a family of huggers.”
I chuckle at a fun memory. “This one time, Dad wanted to do something nice for Mom. He was always doing little things for her… This time, however, he wanted to cook dinner. I was maybe 12, and I got enlisted to help. Oh, God it went so wrong. The night ended with my dad up on a ladder scraping the remnants of a spaghetti dinner off the ceiling and my mom just beaming up at him like he hung the moon.”
“So you’re saying you got the bad cook genes and only cook frozen pizza? Because if that’s the case, you should’ve held off a few more dates before you wowed me with your skills.” His eyes go wide, “Not that last night was a date…or that this is…a date,” he stammers.
Billy appears at the table holding a tray of food. Saved by the bell. Alex sighs in relief as a blush runs up his neck and I have this urge to see how deep it goes.
“Here you are, guys. Let me know if you need anything else. Enjoy,” Billy says before turning and walking away with almost robotic movements.
“Twilight Zone,” Alex whispers across the table, and a full laugh escapes me.
Famished, we dig in, both of us moaning into the first bite.
“OMG! This is so good,” Alex says, throwing his head back in a classic When Harry Met Sally way.
His neck is on full display, and all I can think about is if I suck just right, will I feel his pulse beneath my tongue?
The moans that leave him as we eat don't help matters. Each sound that escapes his beautiful mouth makes my cock twitch.
“So,” Alex says, taking a sip of his strawberry shake, “you used to come here with your parents?”
Okay, stop gawking and focus.
“Yeah, we did. We used to make a day of coming to Seaport.” I take a sip of my plain old vanilla shake, savoring the creamy flavor as it hits my taste buds. “We would go hit up the pier, play carnival games, browse the little shops. The day always ended with us coming here to eat. Mom would always play Elvis on the jukebox,” I smile as another memory makes my heart swell. “Dad and her would always get a vanilla shake with two straws.”
“Aww,” Alex says, “that makes your vanilla shake a little less sad. ”
I laugh. “It’s the only place in my life where I’m vanilla.”
“Oh,” Alex breathes in, and his eyes go wild as he swallows thickly.
“Is there anything else I can get you?”
Damn, Billy, your timing is impeccable.
“No thank you, my insides might explode,” Alex says, patting his stomach.
“Alrighty, here is your bill. Just pay up front when you’re ready.” And with that, he was gone.
“Did he just say alrighty?”
“Billy sure did,” I say with a chuckle.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I slip it out to see the message I’ve been waiting for come through. My secret weapon arrived, and I’ve stalled long enough. It’s time to get this boy home.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Yep, and don’t think I didn’t see you taking the bill. I will let it slide this time, but next time I’m not afraid to cut a bitch for it.”
“Oh, you have a violent streak?”
“Maybe sometimes I like things a little rough,” he says playfully, and my smile widens.
My cock presses tight against my jeans at the thought of my fingerprints bruised on his hips. My mind reels at all the places that could lead. I like this Alex, all confident and flirty.
The more I’m with him, the stronger the pull between us becomes. And I don’t think I really want to fight it anymore.
I see the man sitting across the table from me as strong, confident, like he understands the world around us. He’s been living in it, on his own, for longer than someone his age should. But he has done something magnificent with it. He made something of himself. Yes, he is still young and he is going to have those moments, but they are nothing compared to what he has accomplished.
I almost told Alex what this place is to me, but we were having such a good time and I didn’t want to ruin it by bringing my traumatic past into the fold. It was my first time coming back here since the accident, and I wanted it to be normal. I didn’t want it to be a great big fear anymore. I just wanted it back to being a place with good food and great company and loving memories.
Alex asking me to tell him stories about my parents was like Japanese kintsugi, except instead of putting pottery back together with gold he was healing some of those tiny cracks of my shattered heart. And he didn’t even know he was doing it.
My eyes are open now, and I’m seeing things differently. I’m seeing him differently.
I want him.