Chapter 25 #3
Jesse nodded his understanding as Cal sat up to pull his trousers the rest of the way off, freeing his legs.
It was a good thing, because Jesse felt the overwhelming urge to squirm, adjusting his hips as he pulled one leg up at the knee and crossed the other leg underneath the arch it created.
He was unaccustomed to feeling so vulnerable.
Even on the infrequent occasion when he found pleasure alone, it was beneath the safety of his bed sheets.
He relaxed some as Cal leaned over him again for more kisses, nipping playfully at his bottom lip and making him smile with whispered compliments about how beautiful he was.
But soon, Cal’s hand returned to where it’d been before, petting the inside of his thighs, and Jesse was torn.
The teasing had his skin hot as a skillet, but when Cal cupped him through the front of his underwear, it was too much.
Jesse’s bent leg came down to press his thighs together, preventing Cal’s hand from going any farther.
“Sorry,” Jesse whispered, brows dipped in confusion at himself. “It feels strange having someone else do it.”
Cal pulled his hand away and stroked his upper arm instead, which felt much nicer.
“Do you want to try something else?” Cal asked. “You could show me what you enjoy instead.”
That sounded like a better idea. Jesse told him as much. Cal settled onto his back, open and willing. Almost immediately, Jesse’s exploring touches had Cal moaning softly, his eyes sliding shut as he arched into the way Jesse’s fingers teased his chest. It was the most curious thing.
Jesse continued lower with great interest, gaze darting to the front of Cal’s shorts several times.
“You can take them off, if you’d like,” Cal said.
Jesse took it as a request as much as an invitation. His eyes grew as he pulled them down enough to expose Cal entirely, not only at the novelty of it, but at the idea that he was so aroused by what Jesse had been doing. It didn’t seem possible.
“What are you thinking about?” Jesse asked as he pulled the shorts the rest of the way down and dropped them on the floor.
Cal chuckled. “Not much, to be honest.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever stood that proud.”
Even then, Jesse had gone soft between his thighs.
Cal’s laugh was bigger the second time.
“I’ve been imagining this for several weeks now,” he said, his voice gravelly. “I hope that doesn’t bother you.”
Jesse gave his answer by wrapping his fingers around Cal’s impressive erection and giving it a few strokes.
Cal let out a sound he’d never heard the man make before.
It was oddly satisfying. Jesse went on, building up the courage to admit his own feelings over the situation.
How was he supposed to confess his unfaltering affection to someone he’d known for so long, but only just met?
“I dreamed about kissing you,” he finally said after settling into a steady rhythm that Cal seemed to like. “The night I went to see If the Telephone Rings at the theater, and you kissed Billy Kern so deeply that his hat fell off, I dreamed it was me instead.”
It was a story of estranged-childhood-friends-turned-lovers, unique among Cal’s usual overnight romance plotlines. He’d played the part with such believable pining that it stirred real-life romance rumors between Billy and Cal for weeks. It felt real, even on screen.
“That movie premiered nearly five years ago,” Cal managed.
Jesse blushed. “I know.”
“Jesse,” Cal whispered. “Look at me.”
Jesse did, cheeks burning.
“Did you feel that way this whole time?”
“I told you I only watch Cal Campbell movies,” Jesse said with a choked laugh, suddenly emotional. He blinked against the prickling behind his eyes. Cal sat up and wrapped Jesse in his arms, holding him close.
“I didn’t know,” he said softly, pressing a kiss to Jesse’s shoulder.
“I was afraid it was obvious. I didn’t want you to think I was just some nobody with a celebrity crush, especially when we had to film a whole movie together. This job is all I’ve got.”
“You’re not nobody.” Cal pulled back and cradled Jesse’s face in his hands. “You’re so much more than all of that.”
The subsequent press of their lips was so tender that Jesse feared he might cry anyway, despite his best efforts not to.
“I’m sorry I ruined the mood,” he said when they finally paused to catch their breath. “I can still—”
“No.” Cal shook his head. He reached for the corner of the bed and pulled the covers free. “We’re going to get under these sheets, and you’re going to tell me every dream you’ve ever had so that I can know exactly what makes you feel like you’re the most important person in Cal Campbell’s life.”
Jesse’s blush returned in full force.
“You were playing different characters,” he reasoned.
They shifted around on the bed until they were both securely bundled under Cal’s many layers of sheets and blankets.
It would’ve been too much, if not for the cool breeze coming in from the open balcony doors.
“I could never expect you to be all of those things at once.”
Cal stroked Jesse’s cheek with a thumb, searching his eyes before he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
“Then give me somewhere to begin.”