Chapter Eight
After taking July home, JJ drove in silence.
He marveled at his new ability to hold Leary’s hand while he drove.
JJ still couldn’t believe Leary had said he loved him.
Over the past six months, he had almost said those three little words too many times to count.
Each time, he choked. He never stopped being aware of how Leary deserved someone better than him.
JJ was basically a highly paid thug. He was amazed Leary wasn’t ashamed to be seen with him.
With that said, he still hadn’t met Leary’s parents.
He told himself Leary only waited for JJ to not be his patient any longer.
At least not so regularly anyhow. That theory was easier on his mental health than all the alternatives.
They were both quieter than usual as they came through the door.
Unfortunately, it was his most hated time of the day.
He had to put his hand on charge. JJ decided to make a positive out of taking off his hand.
“Bath time.”
Leary giggled and ran for the bathroom inside the bedroom.
JJ moved a little slower. He removed the hand from its socket and put it on charge.
Since JJ had the latest version, he could technically submerge his hand in three feet of water for up to thirty minutes.
JJ was too paranoid for that. He was hyperaware of the cost of the device and how quickly he had gotten accustomed to having it.
His therapist said since it hadn’t been that long since JJ lost his hand, he would likely feel more comfortable with the prosthetic.
He wasn’t wrong. Even unable to fully operate his fine motor skills, he felt naked without his hand.
JJ imagined the feeling was akin to walking around without glasses when you’re damn near blind without them. He didn’t feel right.
By the time he made it to the bathroom, Leary already had the tub filling with water and bubbles. JJ reached over his shoulder, snagged the back of his shirt, and whipped it over his head. He tossed it into the hamper. Leary practically danced in place while waiting for him to undress.
JJ ate Leary alive with his gaze. He loved everything about Leary’s body, especially the way Leary had gotten more confident in his nudity with JJ.
“So beautiful.”
Leary smiled and didn’t blush. He made JJ so fucking proud. Leary’s gaze swept JJ’s unclothed body. “Yes, you are.”
JJ shook his head and stepped into the tub. The moment he was settled, Leary followed him. He settled between JJ’s thighs and leaned back against his chest.
JJ kissed his shoulder and didn’t move. His lips moved closer to Leary’s neck. He skimmed kisses across Leary’s skin until he reached the spot beneath Leary’s ear. Chill bumps formed beneath his lips. JJ smiled against his skin.
“July talked so much, I never got to ask about your day.”
Leary made a humming noise. “It was okay. Honestly, I’m ready for a vacation. I’m getting kind of burnt out.”
JJ could see that. New wars meant an influx of new patients. “What can I do to help?”
Leary stroked the arms JJ had around him.
“You’re doing it. There’s no way you can understand what coming home to you each night does for me.
As soon as I come through the door and set eyes on you, everything else disappears.
For the longest time, my life was empty.
Now, I walk through the door and this beautiful man—inside and out—greets me at the door, and I’ve never been so addicted to anything in my life. ”
JJ heard the smile in Leary’s voice. Meanwhile, JJ had a lump in his throat. He tried clearing his throat, but his voice broke the moment he spoke. “I’ve never had anyone happy to see me.”
Leary turned his head and met JJ’s gaze over his shoulder. “You can’t say that anymore.”
JJ kissed Leary’s cheek and then grabbed the body wash.
He scrubbed Leary from head to toe, making sure he inappropriately touched Leary as much as possible.
Then Leary took over, tormenting JJ just as much.
With Leary straddling his lap by the end, JJ took full advantage.
He kissed Leary, making sure he got a sneak peek at what JJ had in store for him.
They looked equally dazed and aroused by the time they dried each other’s bodies.
For a moment, they stopped and held each other’s stare.
A smile exploded across Leary’s face, and he made a run for it.
JJ dropped the towel and stalked Leary as if he were prey.
There was a lump under the covers, giggling.
A huge grin stretched across his lips as he sat one knee on the mattress.
His phone buzzed, pulling JJ’s attention toward the lit-up device on his nightstand.
He didn’t have to touch it. The full message was shown in the preview on the device’s face.
Henry: Meeting with Beau. 9:30 a.m. sharp.
Anxiety hit him like a truck. There was no more avoiding it. He had to get back to work. His gaze moved toward the moving hump under the blankets. Tonight, he had a man to please. Nothing mattered more. Tomorrow could wait.
Leary hid, but he couldn’t stop laughing. Happiness owned every inch of him. When the covers whipped back, JJ looked like the devil, with the bathroom light highlighting his wicked expression. Leary’s gaze raked JJ’s body. He was already suited up.
“Fuck, you look so sexy just waiting here for me to find you.”
Wow. Leary was so in love with his life. He was so in love with JJ.
“Come here.” JJ grabbed Leary’s leg and spun him sideways, leaving himself perfectly between Leary’s thighs. He popped open the lube and teased Leary’s body.
Leary couldn’t do anything except feel. JJ hit the exact spot Leary craved. Leary knew JJ was stretching him, getting him ready. But JJ also knew exactly how to play his body. Pre-cum leaked onto his stomach.
JJ dropped his head and licked the cum from Leary’s crown.
Leary moaned.
Apparently, JJ liked the sound because he swallowed Leary’s cock.
“Holy shit.”
JJ chuckled at Leary’s whispered curse. The sound vibrated around Leary’s erection, making his lust double. Then JJ pulled away and pressed his way inside Leary’s hole.
Leary practically shook with need. “I love you so much. You make me want to live forever so I can spend my life with you even longer.”
“I love you too, baby. You’ll see. One day, I’ll be here with all my belongings. I don’t know how, but I swear I’ll make it happen.”
Leary loved the idea of hanging on to the beautiful life they currently shared together. He wished JJ could quit and just let Leary support him.
JJ rolled his hips and pounded that magic button.
His thoughts dried up. Leary’s entire focus was on the ecstasy.
It felt like JJ kept on the edge forever.
JJ kissed, bit, and pumped while Leary was just a mess.
His body tensed. Leary held his breath and focused everything he had on the sensation of JJ fucking him.
When he finally snapped and his orgasm hit, Leary cried out and babbled things he forgot the moment they left his lips.
JJ picked up the pace. He thrust hard and fast inside him.
Leary savored every second.
“Fuck.” JJ drew out the curse on a guttural groan.
Goosebumps skirted Leary’s skin. Every second he spent with JJ made him crave three more. He hadn’t known he could be loved like this. Now Leary resented every day he had ever spent without JJ.