Chapter Twenty
Jaxon
We couldn’t simply run out—I had obligations, and from the knowing smiles on people’s faces as we passed them on our return from the beach, it was pretty obvious they’d seen us by the water.
“Don’t worry,” I whispered to Theo. “There’s nothing wrong with being affectionate in public.”
“I know, but—”
“But you’re uncomfortable with it.”
He dipped his head. “I’m not used to it. I’ve never…I mean, you know I haven’t had a boyfriend before.”
“I understand.” Immediately protective, I put my arm around him. “But a little bit isn’t bad. Like this?”
“Yeah, of course.” He turned to me. “I’m not saying never.”
“We don’t have to jump into anything. It’s okay.” I soothed him with a gentle squeeze.
“Thank you.” The tentative uptick of his lips sent another rush of something unfamiliar to my chest, and I dropped a kiss to his temple.
“I have to go talk to Sandy and some of the others from my district for a few. Will you be okay?”
“Even though George Winston’s there too?” He made a face, and I laughed.
“I love that you’re looking out for me. I can deal with him.”
Alison approached us. “Jaxon, did Theo tell you what a good time we had on the boat? It was so much fun, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, we had a great time.” He caught my eye. “I didn’t get a chance to give you the gift I bought.”
I grinned. “I’m looking forward to my present later tonight. I’d better go join the others. Be back soon.” I pressed a kiss to his cheek and left Theo with Alison and another woman who joined them as I walked away.
There were at least four judges, three district attorneys, and five defense attorneys in the group. We all knew each other from either the courtroom, lectures, or conferences like this one. We traded war stories for a while; then I got myself a drink at the bar.
“How’s it been going, Jaxon?” Paul Mulroney, a DA from a county up near the Canadian border, asked as we waited to be served.
We’d met at several state LGBTQ+ bar association meetings, and I liked him and his husband, a high school math teacher.
“Any pushback on the upcoming election because you’re gay? ”
“None that I’ve heard. Any gossip on your end about it?”
“With my people, you’re in good shape. Your work on the Starr trial and the inroads your office is making on the upstate drug trade have put you in great standing even with the more conservative faction, while my younger constituents love the fact that you’re gay.
” He chuckled. “I’ve also seen you referred to as the ‘hot’ DA. I guess I don’t rate anymore.”
I laughed out loud. “Well, that’s nice to know.” I searched for and found Theo, who was sitting at a table with the partners of attendees. He appeared happy, and at that moment, he found me watching him and smiled. “But I’m not looking for anyone.”
“So I’ve noticed. Eddie was on the boat this afternoon.” He tipped his head in Theo’s direction. “He told me your boyfriend is adorable.”
My lips curved. “He is.”
“Jaxon, Paul. So nice to see you both,” George Winston said as he approached with another man. The piercing blue eyes that had once held me enthralled during lectures—and in bed—met mine. “I think you know Lawrence Gunther, Jaxon.” Winston’s smirk was pure malice.
My heart skipped a beat, and a sour taste rose in my mouth. Close to twenty years had passed since I’d last seen Lawrence, but I’d never forgotten his words to me or the scorn in his eyes. I’d been so wrapped up with the campaign and Theo, it hadn’t crossed my mind to check the guest list.
“Yes, I do. He was my criminal law professor. Hello, sir.”
Unflinching, I held his gaze. He’d grown thin, his face gaunt and pale, and lines scored his brow and the skin around his mouth. His once thick, black hair had turned gray and thin.
“Jaxon. You seem well.”
“Lawrence told me you were his star pupil and that you worked closely on the book he was writing on the incarceration of juveniles.” George was as smooth as a slippery eel. I understood where this conversation was headed.
“Yes.” My clipped answer drew a curious look from Paul, but the less said, the better.
“I’m sure it was a coup to get to work under such a prestigious name.”
God, he was like a rabid dog with a bone with his insinuations.
Had they spoken? What did he know? I doubted Lawrence would say anything—he had more to lose if our affair came out.
But George was doing what any good lawyer would: bluffing his way through and pretending to know the answers on the road to finding out the truth.
“Professor Gunther is a legend in criminal law, so yes, it was, for any of his students.”
“Paul,” Lawrence spoke for the first time. “I wonder if you and George would excuse us. Jaxon and I haven’t seen one another in many years, and I’d like a chance to catch up.”
“I’m sorry, Professor.” I had no intention of talking to him about anything. “I can’t stay. I have someone waiting for me. But it was nice to see you again. Good night.” I gave them all a wave, and with my heart pounding, hustled over to where Theo sat with Alison and several other people.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I sat beside him and greeted the rest of the table. “Hello. I’m Jaxon Polaris.”
“Oh, they know,” Alison informed me with a sunny smile that faded as the blond woman I noticed earlier approached the table, slightly unsteady on her feet. She looked familiar, and I tried to recall where I’d seen her before when she called out to a passing waiter.
“Excuse me, sweetie. Can I get another double vodka on the rocks?”
“Debra. Please,” Alison implored. “You’ve had enough.”
“Do you see him over there flirting? He has no shame.”
Several people rose from the table, murmuring excuses, then hurried away. Eddie, Paul’s husband, remained, as did Alison, Theo, and I.
“Come with me, honey. Let’s take a walk on the beach. Look at the moon.” Alison led her away as Theo leaned into me.
“Alison’s right, Debra’s had two doubles. And she was drunk on the boat this afternoon.”
Debra.
I trembled, and a chill crept down my spine.
It had to be Lawrence’s wife. I carded my fingers through Theo’s waves.
I had so much regret in my life, none bigger than knowing how disappointed Theo would be with me if he discovered what I’d done.
I held him tighter, as if I could already feel him slipping away.
I noticed Lawrence across the restaurant, and my skin crawled. I leaned in and kissed Theo’s cheek.
“Let’s get out of here. Go up to the room. Is that okay?”
I felt his smile against my lips. “Yeah.”
With our fingers laced, we got to our feet. “Night, everyone,” I said to the remaining people, and we left. Once we were inside the room, I couldn’t hold back any longer and caged Theo between my arms.
“Thank God we’re alone. I was dying out there.” I nudged his nose with mine. “All I wanted was to kiss you.”
Those green eyes sparkled at me. “Yet you’re busy talking here, and we’re alone.”
I liked this banter—a side I hadn’t seen from Theo before. I skimmed my fingers over his cheek and held his chin.
“How’s this?” I settled my mouth on his, and he whimpered as my tongue explored his mouth. Our kisses grew more heated—messy, wet, and deep—and I rolled my hips, feeling the heavy thrust of Theo’s erection.
“Yeah. Please, Jaxon.” He bit and nibbled my lips and slid his hands from my shoulders to cup my ass. I was enjoying this freer side of Theo, and I wanted to encourage him.
“Tell me what you like. What you want.”
He reached under my shirt to trace each vertebra of my spine, then moved to the front to stroke my chest and tweak my nipples. “I just like touching you.”
“Come with me.” I pulled him to the bed, tossing off my shirt and pants, devouring him as he did the same. We lay together, and I took his fingers in mine. “Where were we?” I swirled the strawberry-blond fuzz on his torso. “Ohh, right. You were going to touch me.”
Surprising me, Theo tugged at my briefs. “I’d rather do this.”
Released, my dick sprang free to rise full and thick between us. Theo’s warm breath hit my skin, and I sighed as he took my cock into his mouth. He began to move fast, his tongue teasing and tickling the sensitive crown, lapping up the sticky precome while he fondled my sac.
“Oh, baby…God, you’re incredible. The best.”
Theo’s hum of pleasure sent vibrations along my shaft, and my hips rolled, sending my cock into the tight vise of his throat. I could feel my balls draw up, but I didn’t want to come. Not yet. I grabbed his shoulder.
“Stop, please.”
He released me, and his red and swollen lips were a picture indelibly burned in my brain.
“What’s wrong?” he gasped and sat on his heels, his briefs bulging with delicious promise.
“I need to be inside you before I lose my mind.”
And when Theo turned pink, his smile shy and sweet, I knew what I’d been avoiding since that terrible day in the parking lot with Lawrence.
The re-emergence of my heart. I’d fallen in love with Theo.
No one else could ever taste his sweet kisses or see those pretty eyes filled with hazy desire. Only me.
“I-I want that too,” Theo confessed. “Please, Jaxon. I need you.”
There was nothing else I wanted to hear. My bag sat on the chair by the bed, and I dug through it to grab condoms and lube. Theo kicked off his briefs, and I pushed his legs to his chest.
“The most beautiful vision,” I said, and he put an arm over his face. “Don’t hide from me, love. I want to watch you fall apart.”
He bit his lip and nodded, green eyes wide. I touched his hole with my tongue.
“Oh…oh,” he squeaked, lashes fluttering; then all I heard were moans.
As he stroked his dick, I sank farther inside, loving how he was rendered a babbling, incoherent mess.
I’d gathered Theo had never fully let go during sex, and I wanted to be the one to set him free.
“Jax, Jax,” he cried out, which only spurred me on.
I licked and sucked, working the tiny space until he nearly lifted off the bed.
“You like it?”