Chapter 19
Pete
Hot… fucking… damn…
Jackson had taken my virginity. He’d made love to me. There was no other word for it. His eyes had held so much emotion; it was hard for me to believe this was real. I felt like crying, and then I realized, I was. Quiet tears were trailing down my cheeks as I watched Jackson catch his breath.
“Was I too rough?” Jackson asked, wiping away stray tears with a worried expression.
I shook my head. “I’ve never… That was… Thank you.” How could I ever explain just how perfect our first time together had been? My first time.
“I know,” he said, kissing my cheek. “I’ll clean you up, then we can order some pizza and relax here a bit. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.”
I closed my eyes, reliving every second of what had just happened.
The way his abs had moved as he took me.
Fuck, how could anyone look so hot? His tattoos had moved with him, showing me just how many muscles he’d used.
Was it weird that it made it hotter somehow?
To know he moved so sensually on top of me, that his body had to make that much effort to bring me pleasure?
It could very well just be a me thing, but I found it extremely attractive.
I was the luckiest guy in the world. Yes, I’d wanted Jackson since the first time I saw him.
But sixteen-year-old me, would’ve never even dared to imagine how fucking hot Jackson was when he made love.
“You awake, baby?”
Oh, that nickname again. I was like melted butter on the bed, just one liquid puddle waiting to be wiped up by Jackson. I hummed, the only response I was able to come up with. Yes, I was awake, but my body wasn’t. It was all mellow and liquid. I rather liked getting buttered by Jackson.
“Butter?” he asked, his tone amused. I waved him off, making another sound that sounded like a mix between a groan and a growl.
He laughed. “So precious.” I wasn’t about to disagree on that, no, I would just lay here and bask in his praise.
A warm wet cloth was wiped over my stomach, and I let myself enjoy his care.
Everything was just so unbelievably wonderful.
When he reached my ass, I winced, clearly feeling just how well fucked I was.
I loved it. “I’ll order the pizza; you just relax here.
” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead, then tucked me under the covers.
My last thought before I succumbed to sleep was how utterly in love I was with him.
“You look fucking hot,” Jackson said, admiring my appearance.
We’d spent the day in my bed, watching movies and cuddling.
It had been just what we’d both needed. This need to be close to him was only growing, and I didn’t want to be away from him this much ever again.
I knew my job was never truly done with, but I’d purposely left Jackson alone this month so he could take care of Mike.
He’d needed his best friend, and I knew Jackson would feel torn if he'd had to pick between boyfriend and best friend, so I’d made the decision for him.
Besides, I’d missed my own bestie, and Dylan had been so happy to spend time with me again.
I’d never had to make time for Dylan before, and now I knew it was something I had to learn to do.
I could easily get lost in Jackson and not realize months had passed, too content to be in his company, but it wouldn’t work forever, and I would hate to lose my friendship with Dylan over it.
Not that he’d complained that I’d been spending less time with him, quite the opposite, actually.
Dylan had been so happy to hear how well it was going between Jackson and me.
Best. Friend. Ever.
Now, Jackson and I were headed out to dinner.
We’d both showered and were ready to have our first date.
It should’ve happened at lunch, but the sex had been the right choice, since I feared the plug and my growing need for Jackson would’ve made the date hard to get through.
Now we were both sated and could just enjoy each other’s company.
Maybe with another fun ending after? Not anal, because honestly my ass needed a break, but I had so many other things I was dying to try out with him.
“You always look hot,” I countered with what I hoped was a flirty smile. I really should practice more in front of the mirror. I wasn’t born naturally seductive like Jackson had undoubtedly been. I couldn’t imagine him ever having to practice his moves, no, he was born with it.
He kissed me, and what he’d likely planned to just be a quick peck, turned into much more as I leaned into him. When I was satisfied and had gotten my fill, I finally let him go, both of us catching our breath.
“Still want Chinese?”
I shrugged. “I know it’s not exactly considered romantic, but I love Chinese. And I would pick that place over those expensive restaurants that serve plates with food so tiny you can barely taste it before it’s gone.”
He chuckled, “Noted. I myself love Chinese food, so it appears we’re a good match there too.
” I smiled at that. Everything had just been going great between us.
Yes, we still hadn’t discussed much about the BDSM stuff, but I had to admit I wasn’t as worried about it as I’d been at first. We also hadn’t quite figured out how to be together around Mike, but that would change eventually too.
I’d given them time together and stayed away from their apartment, but there was no way I was coming home after our date.
I needed to snuggle up with Jackson the entire night.
I longed to wake up in his arms. To be the first thing he saw when he woke up.
We drove Jackson’s car to the familiar restaurant, which was a family favorite, so I knew just where to sit.
I liked to people watch as I ate, but since this restaurant had a buffet, I also had to sit far enough away from the food as possible to enjoy the meal without having people walk past constantly.
It was a true balance, and since I’d made the booking, I knew just how to ask for the perfect table.
We were led to my table and quickly told the waitress what we wanted for drinks and were soon left to ourselves. “I like it here,” he said, glancing around with appreciation. “It’s so warm and comforting.”
“I know, right? And the music is just loud enough to hear, but not so overpowering you won’t be able to talk.”
“It’s rather calming, the music, like we’re in China.”
I laughed at that. “I feel the same, like a mini vacation. It’s relaxing, and the food is amazing here as well.”
“Well, then let’s get to it.” He stood and offered me his hand.
Together we neared the buffet with plates and quickly parted ways to each grab what we wanted, crossing paths as we each moved around the long tables with the steaming food.
I loved showing Jackson this place, loved having him here with me.
When I was satisfied with my first plate, I walked back to our table.
Our drinks had been placed, so I sat down and sipped the cold lemonade.
Jackson was still moving around, so I took him in, not even bothering to hide it.
He was my man. I saw several people eyeing him up, and it felt amazing knowing I was here with him.
He walked back to our table with a soft smile on his face, and I returned it. “Like it here so far?”
“Very much. It’s easy to see just how much you love this place. I mean, your whole being is so content.”
I blushed at that. Was it lame being this excited about a restaurant?
No matter, this was Jackson, he’d had his dick inside me just hours ago, I could admit a restaurant offered me some kind of calm.
I couldn’t exactly explain to him that it was the lack of ghosts that calmed me.
With places like these, there were too many people for the ghosts to notice if I looked their way, and this particular place had zero ghosts, making it a safe haven for me.
No work. No interruptions. Not like that old Greek restaurant that was haunted by the owner’s grandma.
She wasn’t thrilled with his cooking, and it ruined the experience for me.
Hearing her yell, “No more, No more!” wasn’t pleasant.
“This place is… a retreat for me. Like you said, I feel like I’m on vacation, and with my job, a quick sense of being away, even for a few hours, means everything.” There, I’d said the closest thing to the truth I could.
His expression warmed, his eyes gleaming. “I love that. I hope this place will mean the same to me too. Now, let me try the food.”
We began eating, my heart beating away happily inside me. I bumped his foot with my own, wanting to touch him, but needing both hands to eat with. He returned the touch, leaning his leg against mine.
“Pete?” a familiar voice pulled me from my Jackson trance. I looked up and smiled.
“Kyle!” I quickly stood up and hugged him. We had trained together to work as mediums for a year, and this was the first time I’d seen him since. “How have you been?”
He gave me his beaming smile. Kyle was always smiling. “I’m great! I just got back a week ago. Big case, but thankfully over now. You?”
“I’m doing good! Just finished a big case myself, nowhere near as long as yours, but still tiring.”
“I bet. I heard you had to call in Rino.” He shuddered for effect and I giggled.
“He’s not so bad!” I defended the man, knowing Kyle wasn’t truly serious.
“I heard he’s hot as fuck.”
“You’ve never seen him?! How is that possible?”
He shrugged. “Just me being unlucky. I do have a meeting with him tomorrow for my next case. I got promoted, by the way.”
“Seriously? I’m under him now too! Maybe we’ll work together on cases again.” A warm hand snaked around my waist and I blushed. I’d forgotten to introduce Jackson. The man I was currently on a date with. I mentally slapped myself. But I hadn’t seen Kyle in over a year!
I turned my head and gave him an embarrassed smile.
“Sorry,” I whispered, then pecked his lips.
Turning my attention back on Kyle, I said, “This is Jackson, my boyfriend. And this is Kyle, one of my coworkers.” They shook hands and Kyle promised to call me after his meeting with Rino.
Maybe Daisy and I could persuade Rino to let us be a three-person team? I could always hope.
We sat down again as I waved goodbye to Kyle. “Sorry about that. I haven’t seen him in over a year,” I explained.
“He’s a good friend then?” he asked, his tone suggestive, which I ignored.
“Very good friend. We trained together when we were both sixteen. Just after he turned seventeen, he got a chance to work on a big case in Europe, and he couldn’t pass that opportunity up.”
“Did you two ever…?”
“Nope. He’s gay too, but we’re simply too much alike. He’s gorgeous and kind but I struggled with containing my anger at his sunshiny mood 24/7. It’s cute and endearing in small doses, but man did I want to kill him after a week of nonstop smiles and optimism.”
That had Jackson laughing. “Am I not a happy sunshine-y person, then?”
“You are, but not on his level. I think no one is truly at Kyle’s level of endless optimism. It’s rather scary. And besides, I was already hooked on a certain blonde with tattoos, remember?”
He just shook his head at me and continued eating. I eyed him with a warm smile. The next step would be dessert and I was definitely offering myself up for him.