9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Over the course of the next month, Jack worked Henry into the schedule more and had him help on Saturdays.
When Henry wasn’t at the restaurant, he spent most nights at Jack’s house.
He’d invited Jack to come with him to the support group meetings and on one of his assignments for the paper.
He enjoyed his time with Henry and loved being less stressed.
If he could just manage to tell Henry he loved him, he’d be set.
Jack turned the open sign to closed then locked the front door. “Another successful Saturday in the books. How’d we do?”
“Well enough I had to thin out the register twice,” Henry said. “It’s all in the two money bags.”
“Well enough that I’m worn out,” Anna said. “You know…we make a good team. Henry, you’re the closer this shop needed. Thanks.” She winked at Jack. “Better keep him.”
“Thanks, Anna. See you.” He waved as she left, then relocked the door behind her. A sigh bubbled in him. He grinned. “She’s a great worker, but she’s pushy.”
“She’s good people.” Henry rounded the counter. “Want me to help clean up?”
“I did most of it already.” He gasped Henry’s hand. “Come over tonight. Again.”
“I’d planned on it. My bag’s in my trunk.” Henry smoothed the wrinkles in Jack’s shirt.
Jack’s hands trembled. He needed to tell Henry so many things, but first he had to ask him something important.
Christ. He hated being nervous. “Next Saturday is the Chamber of Commerce Dinner. It’s formal and I have two tickets.
You wouldn’t want to come along, would you?
” God, he was the east coast distributor of smooth.
“Go black tie with you? Count me in.” Henry kissed him. “I haven’t gone black tie in forever.”
“Not just as my boyfriend, but as my partner.” Jack’s stomach lurched. He needed to be sure Henry wanted to go.
“Jack?” Henry’s eyes sparkled.
“We should’ve defined this all along,” Jack said. “I like you. You like me. No dating anyone else and I love the sex. That sounds like partners to me.”
“Partners.” Henry rested his forehead against Jack’s and brushed his nose along Jack’s. “I’ve got to say it. You do control so well and you keep yourself together, but I love when you’re flustered. You blush, your words get jumbled and it’s adorable.”
“I love seeing you at the end of the counter. You’re the first guy to see the importance of the shop and to not expect me to put it aside for you.” Shit. He’d said that wrong.
“You want someone who respects your life and livelihood.” Henry kissed him. “I get it.”
“Thank you.” God, he loved Henry. Totally loved him. He’d fallen quick but hard, and he knew his heart. Besides, he didn’t have to say the words out loud to show his feelings.
“I’ll help you, then we go home,” Henry said. “Yours, right?”
“Yours. The bed’s bigger and you drove into work. I biked.” Jack let go. “Plus, I need to take the deposit to the bank tomorrow. I’d rather take it via car than bike.”
Henry helped him clean up and close the shop down for the night. “Want me to bring the car up so you’re not crossing the parking lot with cash?”
“Yes.” He checked the front door and set the alarm system, then gathered his things in his bag and locked the office.
He headed to the back door. By the time he reached the rear entrance of the restaurant, Henry had parked next to the door.
Jack turned off the lights, checked his bag and closed the door.
He locked up and checked the handle, then joined Henry in the car.
Once in the vehicle, he relaxed. “I hate bringing out the deposit.”
“I bet.” Henry drove away from the shop. “Need anything at your place?”
“Everything I need is at yours. I have stuff stashed there.” He craved a shower, then sex and food with Henry. Then they’d count the take.
Henry drove, and Jack palmed Henry’s thigh. He said nothing until they were at the condo and parked in the garage. Jack followed him into the kitchen and abandoned his satchel on the counter.
Henry kicked out of his shoes. Instead of letting Henry speak, Jack directed him to the bathroom. He was all for sweaty after-work sex, but not today.
Jack couldn’t wait any longer. He needed Henry more than his next breath. He tugged Henry through the condo to the bathroom.
“Needy?” Henry asked. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes, you are.” He shoved Henry’s shirt up. “You’re going to get naked.”
Henry moved his arms above his head, allowing Jack to remove his shirt. His nipples beaded and his eyes widened with hunger. “I’m yours.”
He almost replied, I know it, but hesitated. He craved Henry. Jack pressed kisses to Henry’s chest and focused on his lover’s nipples. He sucked hard on one tight peak.
A moan vibrated in Henry. He palmed the back of Jack’s head. “Feels good.”
Jack switched nipples and hooked his fingers in Henry’s jeans. He opened the denim. Another rumble vibrated in Henry. Jack pushed Henry’s trousers down his legs, revealing his erection.
“Jack.” Henry ground into Jack’s hand.
Jack stroked with one hand and reached into the shower with the other. He turned on the water. Within moments, steam filled the room.
Henry slapped the wall, turning on the exhaust fan. He rocked into Jack’s fingers. “You’re blowing my mind.”
“Good.” He nibbled up to Henry’s throat. “Get into the shower.” He liked the open floorplan of Henry’s bathroom. Whoever had designed it must’ve planned for the occupants to need plenty of room.
Henry kicked out of his clothes, then stepped under the spray. He braced his hand on the wall. Water sluiced down his face. He reminded Jack of a model. Christ. Jack wanted to take photos of Henry this way. His cock hardened. With each breath, he showcased his abs.
“Do you know you’re sexy?” Jack undressed in record time, leaving his clothes in a heap.
“I’m just me.” Henry grinned, albeit sheepishly and moved away from the shower head. “I’m not that exciting. But you.” He reached for Jack. “You’re the pretty one.”
“Sure.” He joined Henry in the stall. “We’re pretty hot together.” He wasn’t about to keep arguing with Henry about who was better looking.
Henry laughed. “I guess.”
He’d lessened the tension. He kissed Henry, pressing his body to Henry’s. He rubbed the blunt head of his cock against Henry’s dick in a delicious friction.
Henry groaned. “Jack.”
He lived for the scrape of Henry’s day-old whiskers on his cheeks, the taste of Henry and the caress of Henry’s hands on his chest. He roved his palms over Henry’s body and need overwhelmed him. He wanted to be with Henry in every way and everywhere.
He wrapped his hand around his own dick and gathered Henry’s into the mix. He masturbated them while he kissed his lover. Sizzles shot through his body. His thoughts were a blur. He swept his free hand over Henry’s chest.
“Jack.” Henry braced his shoulder on the wall. “Feels good.”
No kidding. Electricity filled Jack’s veins.
Henry panted. “Jack.” He pushed himself against Jack’s hand. “Oh my God, it’s good.”
He was about to make this so much better. Jack withdrew his cock and sank to his knees. If he didn’t stop stroking himself, he’d come and didn’t want to—not yet.
His knees skidded on the hard tiles. He brushed his mouth across the head of Henry’s dick. He wanted to make this last. Every time he and Henry got together, the sex ended up happening so fast. They didn’t need to rush because they had all night, but once they got going, they couldn’t go slow.
Henry widened his stance and caressed the top of Jack’s head. He touched him in such a reverential way. The water slid down his face and he parted his lips. Hunger shimmered in Henry’s eyes.
Jack fondled Henry’s balls and glanced up at him he lived for this moment, too.
He swallowed Henry. What a mouthful. He buried his nose in Henry’s curls.
When Henry groaned, Jack massaged Henry’s abs and stroked him while bobbing his head.
Within moments, he built into a steady rhythm.
He sank deep, then pulled back. Jack caressed the ripples of Henry’s belly. God, the man was so strong.
Henry moaned again. “Suck that dick. Fuck.”
The dirty talk spurred him on. Jack moved with gusto. He flattened his tongue, laving all over the thick vein on the underside, then rubbing the blunt head.
Henry ground his hips and pushed his dick into Jack, matching Jack’s rhythm. His groans overpowered the sound of the falling water.
The excitement in Henry’s voice pleased Jack. He bobbed his head faster and pinched one of Henry’s nipples. The sheer power of loving Henry filled him. He wanted to please this man.
“Jack.” Henry arched his body, shoving his cock deeper into Jack. “So good.”
Jack eased his hands around Henry’s body to cup Henry’s ass. He allowed Henry to set the pace now and control him. He craved a lover who could push him.
“That’s good.” Henry murmured. “Love it.”
Jack opened wide and took Henry as deep as he could. He hummed around him. Right now, Jack needed Henry to come apart.
“Can’t. Last.” Henry’s movements turned feral. He growled and held tight to Jack’s head. “Oh. God.” He jammed his dick into Jack’s mouth. When he came, he shivered hard.
Jack swallowed everything Henry gave him. Perfection. He hadn’t noticed the water on his back and forgot all about the hardness of the tiles under his knees. The only thing he saw was Henry.
Henry groaned again and let go of Jack’s hair. “Your poor back is all red.” He helped Jack to his feet. “You’ll be sore.”
“Nah.” He kissed Henry. “I don’t care.” He lathered the washcloth and scrubbed Henry down. He wanted Henry clean. Henry was already hard again and Jack’s erection pointed to him like a beacon. Before he took care of himself, Jack had to care for Henry. “Rinse.”
Henry ducked under the spray. His hair plastered to his forehead. “Here.” He took the washcloth from Jack and scrubbed him. He spent extra time on Jack’s dick.
A shiver ran the length of Jack’s spine. He wanted to be masturbated, but he’d rather be in Henry. Now. He rinsed and turned off the water.