Chapter 32
Jordan
They returned to Alex's house that night after Stephanie left. Alex went to grab some laundry. They stayed the night to enjoy the sunset in the hot tub. The location of Alex's backyard afforded them a great deal of privacy, so Jordan was okay with entering the hot tub without a swimsuit. He marveled at how comfortable his caveman was running around naked all the time.
Jordan laid back, relaxed, and waited for Alex. When Alex entered the hot tub naked, he was fully erect and handed Jordan a bottle of lube. Jordan looked at him quizzically.
"Are you sure about this?" Jordan asked as he took the bottle.
Alex replied, "Yep, tonight is the night. Pop my cherry, stud!"
Jordan rolled his eyes. "Really, when you're about to drop one of those zingers, do you give yourself a mental high-five? Do they crack you up in there?" He taps his temple, a smirk dancing on his lips.
"Oh, absolutely," Alex replied with a straight face. "In my platoon, I was a legend. They called me 'the Chaplin of the Barracks' –- you know, for my unparalleled comedic genius."
Jordan raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Is that so?" he asked, the amusement clear in his voice.
"Brian and I used to drive everyone crazy. Our practical jokes usually got us in trouble because we sucked at not taking credit for it. We did the work. We wanted the credit. I wish he could have met you, Jordan. He told me that one day I was going to meet you. He said that he had a dream about you once. That you had a big, goofy smile and innocent eyes. He also said you would hate wearing shirts and had yellow Crocs. It took me three months to figure out he was describing Mickey Mouse." Alex looked serene for a moment. "I was his best friend. He would have loved you."
Jordan mocked, "He sounds amazing. What you’re saying is that he was the funny one?" Alex laughed.
Alex grabbed Jordan, dunked him under the water, and jumped over him. They both rose, laughing and enjoying being with each other in the moment. The world was lighter tonight. Alex now officially owned Shadow. They helped Stephanie so that she could get back on her feet. It had been a very emotional week—now, they were the happiest they had been in a long time.
Jordan grabbed the lube floating in the water. "This is a big deal, babe. No pressure if you need more time."
Alex replied, "No fucking way!"
Alex stood out of the water so that his erection was at Jordan's eye level. "This will not go away because I keep thinking about it. I'm ready."
The previous Sunday, Jordan thought he could never love Alex more than he did that day. The day before, he felt like his heart would burst out of his chest because his love grew even more. Today, his love for him was even more potent than yesterday. This man was powerful, sexy, and ready to give himself to Jordan like he never had to anyone else. Jordan was so grateful to him.
Preparing Alex for this special moment was intoxicating. Every time he hit one of Alex's secret pleasure spots, Alex moaned loudly. He knew his moans would get even louder as the evening progressed.
Jordan convinced him to move inside. The goal was to prevent Linda's boss from getting a noise complaint. Jordan didn't mind scaring the wildlife around the cabin with their lovemaking noises.However, Mrs. Timmerson, a client at the clinic, lived next door, and her patio light was on. Jordan didn’t want to upset her or her Pomeranian, Miss Fifi LeJuer.
Alex laid naked on the bed, face up. His arms stretched out to his sides as he gripped the mattress edges in anticipation. He was fully exposed .
In the dim bedroom light, Jordan stood silently over him. Gazing down at Alex, he stopped to savor the moment. The gentle rise and fall of Alex's hairy chest with each breath was a comforting rhythm in the quiet room. Jordan's eyes traced the contours of Alex's body in anticipation. He noted the scars that marked his skin, subtle reminders of his battles.
The sight of Alex so relaxed and unguarded stirred a deep emotion in Jordan. He felt a surge of protectiveness and an overwhelming sense of love. Alex, with all his complexities and layers, had become the most important person in his life. He was a blessing, a source of light in Jordan's world.
As he watched, Alex reached down and massaged his abdomen. His hands went to his thighs and back up to his chest. He looked into Jordan's eyes and gave a low moan of anticipation.
His love for Alex was a living, breathing entity in the room. Jordan's eyes lingered over Alex's movements, memorizing every detail. He was committing this moment to memory, this moment of peaceful simplicity.
Jordan climbed onto the bed. He put his hand on Alex's inner thigh. Alex spread his legs as soon as he did, inviting Jordan into his space. Jordan made a silent promise always to protect, cherish, and love this man with all he had. Jordan's gentle hands glided over Alex's skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps.
In the quiet sanctity of Alex's bedroom, Jordan made love to Alex for the first time. Jordan felt as if their souls were gently entwining.
As they drew closer, Jordan was acutely aware of every sensation. He noticed every shared breath and every beat of Alex's heart against his. There was a sense of awe in Jordan, a reverence for the trust and love that had brought them to this moment.
In Alex's embrace, Jordan found a haven. There, the noise of the world fell away, leaving only the purity of their connection. Jordan felt anchored, yet free—it was a paradox that only made sense in the gravity of Alex's presence. Jordan felt a sense of completeness as he found his missing piece in Alex. It was the perfect convergence of two hearts and souls. And as they moved in harmony, Jordan realized that this was just the beginning .
In the quiet afterglow, he laid there with Alex. Jordan was intensely aware of Alex lying next to him. Both were dripping in sweat, both spent from having climaxed at the same time. The room was silent. Jordan turned, and they stared into each other's eyes, saying nothing. Alex rolled to his side and placed his head on top of Jordan's chest. Jordan moved his arms and embraced him, kissing the top if his head.
Alex gently massaged Jordan's stomach. He was the first to break the silence.
"I don't know how to describe my feelings right now. Over the last few weeks, I have built this up in my mind. I thought it would be painful. It was gentle. I thought it would be primal. It was spiritual. I thought we were going to make love. It was... more."
Physically, the experience manifested in ways Jordan hadn't expected. Alex's body was usually tense and on alert. It relaxed completely, each muscle releasing its hold. He felt a warmth of energy spreading from the center of his chest, radiating outward like a gentle wave. Jordan laid there with a smile on his face, holding Alex tightly as they both drifted into slumber.
Jordan awoke in the morning to the soft sound of the ocean waves in the distance. Alex still had his head on Jordan's chest. They hadn't moved or shifted since Alex spoke those fantastic words. He’d slept with his hearing aids in. Never having done that before, he realized that he woke up to the sound of the waves. His eyes swelled with unshed tears, and he realized how beautiful this moment was. He took a moment to appreciate the morning's peace after such a fantastic night.
Kissing the top of Alex's head and massaging his shoulders made Alex stir. His large, muscular frame enveloped Jordan in the bed. Alex's natural body temperature ran hot. That morning, he felt terrific in Jordan's arms.
"Good morning, Sunshine!" Jordan said.
Alex turned to look up at Jordan so that he could see his lips. "Good morning."
"How did you sleep? "
"The best I have in years. I dreamt of us." Looking perplexed, he continued. "You slept with your hearing aids in?"
Jordan nodded. "Yeah, once we got done, we passed out. I forgot to take them out. When I woke up, I heard the ocean. It's the first time that has ever happened to me before. It was beautiful."
Alex squeezed his hold on Jordan in a gentle embrace.
"I think we have begun a journey where there will be many firsts from now on." His hardness poked Jordan in the leg. "Last night was incredible. I’m still trying to process it all. My ass hurts like crazy right now."
Jordan smiled and rubbed his shoulder. "You were incredible. I knew it would be good, but I didn’t know it would be so damn incredible and natural. Does that make sense?"
"You're telling me!” Alex said. “As we walked back to the bed, I felt a little insecure about being able to do this. I worried I couldn't take you inside of me and that, with my stitches still in, it would be awkward. But you were so gentle, and we just fit. I've let no one do that to me before, and you are so damn endowed. But when you were inside me, it was like a missing piece that fit perfectly. I've never had a prostate orgasm before either, and holy shit, was that an amazing first."
“When I noticed you were not even touching yourself and shot all over us, everything went still for a moment, like I had an out-of-body experience," Jordan said humorously.
"I felt you come inside of me. It was the weirdest sensation. The best part was laying there with you afterward, and you didn't pull out. You just stayed in me as we caught our breaths, talked, and kissed. When you started getting hard again. You started growing inside me before round two—that feeling was intense. I'm never going to forget that.”
They continued to lie there, laughing and enjoying each other emotionally and physically. Alex was so light, so funny. He went into very graphic detail, recapping all that they had done. It was like he was sitting in a room bragging to his buddies that he got fucked last night. Jordan kept smiling as he thought, I know I was there , but he didn't have the heart to make him stop recounting the tale. It was an excitement and happiness that he relished. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life making Alex that happy.
Stephanie had departed five days before. Since then, their days had settled into a comfortable and fulfilling routine. They had made love every night since their first night. Each time, they left each other in complete awe.
Alex continued his weekly sessions with Dr. Martin and seemed more at ease. He began sharing insights from his therapy with Jordan. He opened up about his thoughts and feelings, which he had never done before.
Alex’s hip had healed up. Dr. McDaniel removed the stitches. His personal interest in giving Alex his rabies shots himself was not annoying to Jordan at all. Seriously, not annoying at all!
After the third injection, Alex had some muscle aches and headaches for a few days. But he recovered quickly.
One quiet Saturday morning, Alex woke up with a gentle nudge. They dressed and got ready for their morning run. As they ran, Jordan felt a sense of contentment. He started wearing his hearing aids most of the day now. He found peace in the sounds that once overwhelmed him. The waves crashed against the shore. Alex breathed steadily beside him. Every noise contributed to a newfound appreciation for the world around him.
The last few weeks had been transformative for both of them. Where Jordan used to be more of a recluse, he now enjoyed the company of others. Alex had brought out a side of him he hadn't known existed. Together, they had built a life filled with friends, laughter, and love.
Even the nightmares, which used to plague Alex, had become less frequent. Jordan recalled the last time Alex had one. Shadow had been by his side instantly, his presence a calming force.
Sitting on the cabin porch with a cup of coffee, Jordan watched the sunrise, with Shadow lying at his feet. Alex joined him on the porch, naked after his shower. He wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and Jordan leaned into the embrace.
"I love our new life," he said, feeling Alex squeeze him in agreement .
A fresh coffee aroma filled the air, along with the quiet contentment of a peaceful morning. Alex sat down in his favorite chair and glanced at Jordan.
"So, what do you have planned for today?" he asked.
Jordan took a sip of his coffee before replying. "I'm heading over to Rebecca's place to meet her son. He's visiting for the weekend," he explained. The corners of his mouth turned slightly into a smile at the thought. "I'll hang out there for a few hours and then swing by the clinic to pick up my laptop. I left it in my office yesterday."
Alex nodded. "Sounds like fun. And I guess I'm on painting duty at Aunt Lynn's, huh?" he said with a playful groan. "You're lucky you got out of painting. Although, I’ve never heard of a paint allergy before. Should I Google it?"
Jordan laughed, a light sound that filled the deck. "Trust no medical advice for dogs or humans from Dr. Google," he joked. "Besides, you need some alone time with Linda. I’ve been hogging you all to myself lately, and I think she's getting jealous."
Alex stood up, gathering the empty coffee mugs. "Sounds like a plan. And how about we go out for dinner tonight? Sushi sound good?" he proposed.
Jordan's eyes lit up at the mention of sushi. "Sushi sounds perfect. Let's do it," he agreed.
Alex finished getting ready and grabbed his keys. He headed to the door, followed by Shadow, turning to give Jordan a quick, affectionate kiss. "See you tonight. Enjoy your time with Rebecca."
Jordan smiled. "You, too. And try not to inhale too much paint," he teased, his eyes sparkling with humor.
Later that afternoon, Jordan sat on Rebecca's deck. He had just finished an inspiring conversation with her son, Peter. Peter was in his first year of college. They had talked about a career in veterinary medicine. Peter's enthusiasm and curiosity reminded Jordan of his early days.
Sitting across from him, Rebecca sipped her tea, a contented smile on her face .
"Peter looks up to you, you know,” she said. “He’s loved animals since he was a kid. He hasn’t stopped talking about wanting to be a vet since he helped us open the clinic."
"He's a great kid, Becs. He’s got a bright future ahead of him."
He paused, feeling the sudden urge to share with Rebecca.
"You know, ever since I was a kid, I hated being different," he confessed. "I've been angry, Becs. Angry at the world, myself, and even my hearing aids. I always thought they made me weak," he continued, his gaze drifting into the distance.
He smiled faintly. "Ever since I met Alex, I’ve started seeing things differently. With his PTSD, I’ve seen how strong I am—both mentally and physically. And he’s brought out a strength I never knew I had. I hold him down during his episodes to keep him from getting hurt. I’ve learned that listening is a strength and is just as important when helping someone. He’s taught me a lot about myself in such a short time.”
He paused again, collecting his thoughts. "I like who I am with him, Becs. I used to be okay just being in my head, tuning out the world. But with Alex, I want to keep my 'ear plungers' in all the time. I want to hear his voice, his laughter, his moans, and even those damn farts."
Rebecca reached across, placing a comforting hand on his. "Jordan, you've never been weak. You're one of the strongest people I know. You just never realized how strong you were until you needed to be strong for someone else."
"And it's not just about hearing Alex," Jordan added. "It's about hearing the world around me –- the wind, the birds, the waves crashing against the rocks. Did you know waves sound different at low tide than high tide? I just learned that. Hearing all these different things makes me happy. I realized none of this before Alex. He gifted the noises of the world to me. I realized my hearing isn’t a disability, it’s a part of me. A part that makes me special, a better listener.”
Rebecca nodded, her eyes glistening with tears. "I'm so proud of you, Jordan. You’ve come such a long way."
Jordan looked at her, a deep sense of gratitude in his heart. "And I have you to thank for that. You gave me the courage to realize and accept everything that I am."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment.
"Thank you, Becs," Jordan said softly. "For everything. "
Rebecca squeezed his hand gently. "You're always welcome, Jordan. You’re family to me. I just needed to help you get your head out of your ass so that you can see what I see. If you could see yourself through my eyes, you’d see how amazing you are."
She paused for a moment, then asked, "Where’s Buttercream today?"
Jordan laughed out loud at the nickname. It was what Rebecca called Alex at the clinic, referring to his nice butt. “He’s over at Linda’s painting the guest room. My ‘paint allergy’ got me out of it.”
Jordan returned home after the meaningful afternoon at Rebecca's. He found Alex waiting, naked as usual. After dropping several hints that he wanted a blowjob, Jordan obliged. They freshened up and headed out for a relaxed dinner at their favorite sushi spot. They enjoyed the meal with light conversation and laughter, a perfect way to unwind.
Back home, they settled into their living room for a chess game, a hobby they had recently taken up. The chessboard was set on a small table between them, the pieces arranged for battle. Sometimes, they could hear Shadow contentedly sighing from his nearby bed.
As they played, it was clear they were evenly matched. They deliberated each move. Jordan was the first to break the silence.
"Your turn." he prompted, his eyes not leaving the board.
At that comment, Alex lunged at Jordan and pulled his shorts down. He gave Jordan an incredible release with a blowjob that made his toes curl. Jordan, lying back, spent, smiled at Alex.
Alex said, "Oh, you meant my turn with chess?"
"No fair, I’m too relaxed now for battle. You tricked me,” Jordan replied.
The game continued with playful banter. Laughter and light-hearted arguments over the rules interspersed each move.
Shadow stirred from his bed as the game neared its end, signaling it was time for his evening walk.
"Looks like our referee is calling time," Alex said, gesturing toward Shadow with a smile .
They paused the game. They ventured outside for a leisurely walk around the property under the starry sky. Shadow trotted alongside them, his injured paw much stronger now. The cool night air was refreshing.
Returning to the cabin, they felt relaxed and content. They left the chess game unfinished, silently promising a rematch.
"You know, I think we might need a chess rulebook to settle our future disputes," Jordan said with a chuckle as they prepared for bed.
Alex, already half under the covers, laughed. “Our relationship thrives on the fact that I’m always right.”
They settled into bed laughing, Shadow curling up at their feet. As they drifted to sleep, Jordan felt deeply grateful for his shared life with Alex.
The following morning, Jordan stirred. His eyes slowly focused on Alex. Alex was lying in the bed, propped up on pillows with his laptop. Shadow was sleeping peacefully at his side. Deep in concentration with his glasses on, Alex looked handsome. Jordan always thought there was something irresistibly attractive about Alex in his glasses.
"What are you doing up so early on our day off?" Jordan groaned playfully, still groggy from sleep.
Alex turned to Jordan. "Can I talk to you a moment?"
"Of course," Jordan replied, reaching over to grab his hearing aids from the nightstand. He sat up, propping a pillow behind his back to give Alex his attention.
A brief pause occurred before Alex blurted out excitedly, "I want to train service dogs!"
Jordan's eyes widened in surprise, but he couldn't help but smile at the joy radiating from Alex's face. "Shadow helped Sgt. Miller. He helps me. I want to make a difference to other people with PTSD, Jordan. If I can train service dogs to help them..."
Alex continued, outlining his plan with growing confidence. "My bachelor's degree is in kinesiology, so I understand movement. I can take some animal science and biology courses for physical training. There’s a specialized program I found with online and hands-on training. It means I’d have to travel, and we'd be apart for a month, but I know we can make it work. And I can work under other trainers as a mentorship."
He finished, looking at Jordan with a hopeful gaze. "What do you think?"
Jordan took a moment to process everything Alex had said.
"Alex," Jordan began, his voice warm and supportive. "I think it’s a fantastic idea. Shadow has made an incredible difference in our lives. Training service dogs to help others, especially those with PTSD, is something I know you’ll excel at."
Jordan reached for Alex’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "And as for the traveling and time apart, don’t worry about that. We're strong, and our relationship can handle it. I'll be here to support you every step of the way, however I can. Whether it's helping you study, taking care of things at home, or just being your sounding board, I’m all in."
Alex’s face lit up with relief and happiness.
Jordan continued, "You’re going to make such a positive impact. And I’m proud of you for pursuing this. Shadow’s story is just the beginning. You’re going to help write many more like it."