Chapter Thirteen
J ost screamed as he threw himself off the ledge and flew along the zip line to where he knew Apollo stood waiting. The wind whipped past him and Jost couldn’t stop himself from laughing as he flew through the air. Trees rushed past him as he slid toward the other platform, and when he reached it, he laughed and grinned at Apollo, who returned his smile. Once he was free, he jumped into Apollo’s arms. “This is so much fun! What can we do next?”
“I vote for a drink to hold so I can warm my hands up, then we can go on the big one.” Apollo waggled his eyebrows and Jost impulsively leaned up and kissed him. “More of those would help too.”
Laughing, Jost kissed him again, then grabbed Apollo’s hand and pulled him out of the hut. “Can’t have you getting cold, and I would love a hot chocolate.”
Apollo threaded their fingers together and smiled down at Jost. “With cream and marshmallows?”
Jost pretended to be shocked and put his hand on his chest. “Of course. What other way is there to have hot chocolate? You need to have it with all the goodies.”
Apollo chuckled. “With all the goodies?”
Jost caught the sexual innuendo and hit Apollo’s arm. “I wouldn’t know.”
“You never used sauce, or shouldn’t I ask?”
Jost stared at the ground, nibbling his bottom lip. “He was a one position shifter,” he murmured.
Apollo pulled him to a stop and stared at him, his eyes growing wide. “One position?” he whispered.
Nodding, Jost licked his lips and glanced away. “Yeah. When I wanted to try something else… we didn’t.” Jost shrugged. He’d learned early on that Jenrick was in charge.
Apollo leaned close, his lips brushing Jost’s ear. “I’m not a one position shifter and I can’t wait for you to ride me, plus you’ll be in complete control.”
Jost’s lips parted, and he stared into those beautiful dark green eyes of Apollo. “I’d be in control?”
“Oh yeah. Nothing better than lying back and letting your partner go at the pace they want to.” Leaning close again, he whispered, “You could even cuff me if you want to.”
Jost gasped and tugged his hand free, then walked toward the shop. The image in his mind of a naked Apollo cuffed to his bed had him hard, and he needed some control because he knew Apollo would scent him and he would be embarrassed. When Apollo jogged up to him, Jost mumbled, “I like that.”
“Hmm. Me too, plus I’d be naked, and you could explore every inch of me.”
“You wouldn’t mind that??” Jost glanced at Apollo from under his eyelashes, seeing the wide grin on Apollo’s face. “You like that idea?”
“I’m older than you, and I’ve had a few partners. I’ve explored…” Apollo leaned closer, murmuring, “sex. When you’re ready, I get to explore with you. Find out what you like. Positions. Acts. Dominance. You might prefer to be in charge.” Apollo shrugged and took hold of Jost’s hand. “We learn together.”
They reached the shop before Jost could comment, and while Apollo bought their drinks, Jost found a table to sit at and considered what Apollo had said about sex. Him on top of Apollo, being in control. He liked that idea a lot, especially if Apollo was cuffed and couldn’t move in to dominate. Ugh, he had issues with sex, and he hated what Jenrick had done to him, but Jost was beginning to trust Apollo, and he wanted to have more than a few kisses. He wanted to touch Apollo, but he wasn’t sure if he should. He knew Apollo would let him, but what if he started something but couldn’t finish it? That wouldn’t be fair to Apollo.
“Hey? You okay?”
Jost looked up, realizing Apollo had come back with their drinks, and nodded. “I’m okay. Just thinking.”
“Good thoughts, I hope.” Apollo pulled a chair out next to Jost and sat, then picked up his drink and took a sip.
“About what we talked… you know.” Jost shrugged. “Positions,” he mumbled.
“I take it he was always on top?” Apollo asked quietly. Jost nodded. He hadn’t minded at first. He was an omega, so he never thought about it until he wanted to try something else. “I like variation.” Apollo leaned closer. “I can see you now. Sliding up and down on me, my hands on your hips, holding you, your head thrown back as you moan my name.”
“Shit, Apollo. You can’t say that.” Jost could feel his body heating up. The things Apollo said had him aching in need, and he shuffled in his seat. He bit his lip, then gasped when Apollo’s hand touched his thigh. He glanced up at him, wetting his lips, and Apollo ducked his head, kissing him softly. “Apollo,” he moaned.
“Later, mate.” He squeezed Jost’s thigh and Jost had to resist the urge to move Apollo’s hand higher. “What?” Jost knew Apollo would pick up on it and when he squeezed his thigh again, Jost whimpered and dropped his hand to cover Apollo’s. “Tell me.”
“I can’t…” Jost whined. He couldn’t say the words out loud, so he moved Apollo’s hand higher, glanced at Apollo, then back down at his drink. Apollo’s small finger stroked over Jost’s cock, causing Jost to gasp and his dick to jerk.
“I want to touch you, Jost. I want to taste you on my tongue.”
Jost looked up, his eyes growing wide. “You’d do that?”
Apollo frowned, then sighed. “Of course I would. There’s nothing better than pleasuring my partner.”
“I was told alphas didn’t do that.”
Apollo’s face hardened. “He lied, but are you surprised by that?” Jost shook his head. “When you’re ready, I want to do everything with you.”
“You do?” Jost’s wide eyes looked into Apollo’s as he nodded. “It wouldn’t just be me?”
“No, and I’m pissed someone used you that way. I love giving and receiving, and I can’t wait to feel you in my mouth. I could be kneeling on the floor while you sink in deep, stretching my lips around your hard cock.”
Whimpering, Jost pressed Apollo’s hand to his hard dick. Apollo rubbed him and Jost moaned. “Apollo.”
“Want me to suck you off later? Want me to sink to my knees in front of you and let you use my mouth? I want you to. It gets me all hot and hard thinking about you doing that to me.”
“You need to stop before I lose control.” Jost panted, his chest rising and falling quickly, but that didn’t stop him from rubbing Apollo’s hand on his dick. He didn’t want to stop, but they were in public, so he let go of Apollo’s hand and whispered, “Later?”
“When you’re ready.” Apollo moved his hand away, and Jost could tell he was adjusting himself. “How’s your drink?”
“I’ve not really tried it yet. Someone was distracting me.”
“That would be me.” Apollo grinned and Jost smiled back at him. “I like distracting you.”
“I think I like it too.” Jost sipped his hot chocolate but couldn’t resist looking at Apollo. God, his mate was gorgeous and Jost wondered if he was good enough for him, but fate wouldn’t have made them mates if she didn’t think so. Who was he to argue when Apollo looked the way he did and seemed to be a nice shifter? The beginning of their relationship was so different from his and Jenrick’s. Jenrick had been good-looking and attentive, but there had been something off, and Jost had ignored that inner voice telling him to go slow.
Sighing, he sipped his drink. The past was the past and he couldn’t change it, but he could learn from it. “You okay?”
“It’s nothing.” Jost shrugged, then murmured, “I’m comparing. I’m sorry.”
“It’s going to happen. Your first relationship was abysmal, and you don’t want to be hurt again. It’s only natural to compare us.”
“It doesn’t make you angry?”
“No.” Apollo frowned. “A little. Maybe? But I understand why, so not angry as such. More sad that you went through that, and it makes me want to show to you how it should be.” Apollo paused and rubbed his lips with his fingers. “You know we will argue, but I want you to know I would never hit you. I would never say anything to belittle you. If you have to resort to that, then you’re not a man.”
“I know we’ll argue. We’re two different people and I hear my parents argue and they adore each other. Too much some nights.” Jost pulled a face. God, he needed to do something, so he didn’t hear them having sex.
“Nothing like thinking about the parents having sex to put you off it.” Apollo grinned and sipped his drink. “Do you want kids?”
“It’s kind of my destiny.” Jost smiled at him. “Being omega and all.”
“Not really. Just because you’re an omega doesn’t mean you have to have kids. I never liked the whole ‘because you’re born this, you have to be that’. You can be whatever you want to be.”
“Do you want kids?” Jost tilted his head, watching the slow smiled curve Apollo’s lips. “Is that a yes?”
“It is. I love kids. It’s why I chose to be a teacher. I love watching them figure a problem out and find the solution. The look on their face when it clicks. It’s great seeing them progress.”
“I like the little ones. The way their faces light up when they see their fave toys or when their parents come to pick them up. I get lots of cuddles too.”
“Bonus, then.” Apollo reached over and tucked a strand of Jost’s blond hair behind his ear. “I don’t get the hugs.”
“Sucks to be you,” Jost murmured with a soft smile gracing his lips. Apollo arched an eyebrow, then leaned closer, causing Jost’s breath to catch.
“Will you give me the hugs I miss out on?”
“Yes,” he answered breathlessly. He had a feeling he could end up giving this shifter anything he wanted, and it scared him a little, but the way Apollo looked at him had him feeling hot and hard but also cherished. “I will.”
“Let’s finish our drinks, then go on the huge climbing frame I saw. Bet I could race you to the top and win.”
Jost rolled his eyes. “Well duh. You’re like a foot taller and wider than me and an alpha to boot. I’d still be at the bottom, and you’d be at the top waving down at me.”
Apollo burst out laughing and it made Jost feel light and happy inside, knowing he’d made this shifter laugh like that. “I’ll give you a head start.”
“Is that so you can look at my ass?” Where did that come from?
“Why yes, Jost. It is.” Apollo flicked his nose, then finished his drink. “Ready?”
“Ready to be destroyed? No.” Jost finished his hot chocolate and stood. Apollo took his hand and pulled him outside. “I’m so looking forward to this.”
“Would it help if I went slow for you?”
“I think I’m insulted.” Jost snorted and lifted his nose in the air, but all that did was make Apollo laugh again. “I’m really insulted—ow!”
Apollo grinned, then pinched his ass again. “Feels nice.” He wriggled his eyebrows, making Jost grin.
“You’re so bad.” He ducked his head, then looked at Apollo. “I think I like it.”
“Yeah? I can be worse if you want?”
“No!” Jost glanced around then dropped Apollo’s hand when he laughed. “That’s not funny.”
“The look on your face is.” Apollo pecked his lips, then took hold of his hand again. Pointing, he said, “there it is.” He looked Jost over, then licked his lips and leaned close. “The winner gives the loser a blow job.”
Jost slowed, his mouth falling open. Licking his lips, he looked around then whispered, “I’m cheering you on.”
“Are you now?” Apollo glanced down, then groaned. “I’m going to win now.” His eyes snagged Jost’s in a heated stare. “I can’t wait to taste you.”
“I’ve never… yes. I want you to.” Jost bit his lip. “Is that too much? It is, isn’t it? I shouldn’t—” Apollo’s lips on his stopped his words and Jost melted into their kiss, sighing when Apollo held him. “Apollo,” he sighed.
“Let’s go. I have a race to win and a mate to please.”