Chapter 9 #2
Jason chuckled. “You’re inviting yourself to my apartment for another meal, that’s what it is, isn’t it? First Thanksgiving… ” When David finished laughing, Jason nodded. “Of course you can spend Christmas Eve with me.” He loved the idea.
David paused, his glass in hand. “Speaking of changes… ” He gazed around at Jason’s apartment.
“What?” Jason frowned. “What changes?”
David tut-tutted. “Oh come on, this place has about as much Christmas spirit as… Well, let’s face facts. This place would make Ebenezer Scrooge jealous.”
Jason gaped at him. “Hey!”
David widened his eyes. “Just being truthful.” He smiled. “But it is fixable.”
“And what exactly did you have in mind?” Jason squinted at him. “I draw the line at turning my apartment into a fairy grotto.”
“Oh, nothing so over the top, I promise.”
Jason didn’t trust that would-be innocent expression for a second. “Keep talking.”
“Well,” David began, drawing out the word, “how about you and I go shopping next weekend for a Christmas tree? We really only have that weekend left, right? That’s if they’re still selling trees so late in the run-up to Christmas.”
Jason shook his head. “Fine. A tree. Is that it?” He had a feeling it wasn’t, not by a long shot.
David’s eyes sparkled. “Maybe a few other little nick-nacks here, some candles there… ” He gazed beseechingly at Jason. “You’re just going to have to trust me.”
Jason huffed. “I’m not going to win on this, am I?” When David beamed at him, he sighed. “I’m going to regret this, I can tell.”
* * * * * *
The fire was burning brightly, the only light in the living room, and it spread a warm glow into all the corners. The dishes were washed, dried and put away, and two glasses of wine stood unfinished on the coffee table.
And David’s kisses were slowly driving Jason out of his mind.
They’d begun innocently enough, with the sweet, gentle kisses Jason had come to expect from him, but when David’s lips pressed against his neck, the game changed.
It was like David had found a secret switch, one that made all the nerves light up along the length of Jason’s spine, sending shivers coursing through him.
And when David sucked at the skin there, tracing it with his tongue, Jason’s hips bucked, raw, urgent desire pulsing through him.
“Oh, fuck.” Jason pushed his head back into the seat cushion, his eyes closed, barely aware of David’s fingers seeking the warm flesh beneath his sweater, making all the muscles in his belly jump as they caressed and stroked him there.
David’s breath warmed his ear. “Do you want me to stop?”
Jason didn’t know how to answer. The word No was right there, ready to force its way past his lips, but at the same time, something deep inside him tugged and pulled at him, and he couldn’t ignore it.
“Would… would you mind if we did? Stop, I mean?” He held his breath, almost fearful of David’s response.
Just like that, David stopped. Those sensual fingers withdrew and David’s hand caressed his cheek. “Jason, look at me,” he whispered.
Slowly, Jason opened his eyes to look into deepest blue. David smiled.
“It’s okay to want to take things slow, all right?
I do get it.” David’s eyes were kind. “You think you’re nervous?
Well, I am too. It’s been a while since I…
” A breath shuddered through him and he gave a shaky laugh.
“I haven’t made out with a guy in a long time.
And I’m guessing you haven’t done this since way before the divorce, right? ”
Jason shook his head, regretting his decision as David put a little distance between them on the couch.
“Years. It’s been years.” He breathed in deeply.
“I know they say it’s like riding a bike—you never forget how—but it’s another thing when you change vehicles entirely.
” He peered at David. “So there hasn’t been anyone special in your life for a while? ”
David bit his lip. “If I’m being totally honest here? There’s never been anyone special.” That gentle hand was back on his cheek. “Maybe that’s why I’m nervous too. I don’t want to screw this up either.”
Jason growled quietly. “For God’s sake, it’s just sex, right? What’s there to be nervous about?” He sat up, fighting to regain his composure.
David did the same, pulling his hand away. He drew up his legs onto the couch and faced Jason. “Perhaps because… it’s not just sex?” he suggested.
Jason heard the unspoken words. It’s more than that. This is us, and it means something.
David clasped Jason’s hands in his. “Not that I’m doubting for one minute that the day will come when neither of us wants to hold back.
And when that day does come?” He grinned.
“I get the feeling that nothing short of a firetruck hosing us down is gonna put out that fire.” His voice grew hoarse. “You know I’m right.”
Oh God. Yeah, Jason knew.
David’s breathing evened out. “But seeing as we both have to be up early for work, maybe this is a good time to call it a night.”
Jason could run with that. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I’ll see you in the morning, same as always.” Then David’s face lit up. “And we have the weekend to look forward to. Buying a tree… ”
The idea of the two of them buying a Christmas tree together made Jason warm inside. For that, he could even put up with whatever changes David had planned to unleash on his unsuspecting apartment.
Well, maybe.