Chapter Twenty-Three
Theo
We’d come home to Appleton Falls, and Jaxon stayed with me.
It was like the dream I’d had since I was a lonely teenager—waking up with a boyfriend, making love, and having breakfast together.
I kissed him at the door and watched as he got into the car to go home and change before he went to his office.
I’d spent the morning doing laundry in between staring off dreamily into space. I created a photo album of our trip and also went to Marvin’s General Market to do food shopping. Then I swung around Dolly’s Bakery and picked up half a dozen corn muffins for Jaxon.
I walked across the street to Sweeny’s early to check on things, but I needn’t have given it a second thought.
The place was immaculate—Tony and the rest of the staff had done a great job of running it while I was gone.
I was setting up the lemons, limes, and oranges to cut when Tony walked in.
He hung up his coat and joined me behind the bar.
“Welcome back, Boss.”
“Cut that out,” I said good-naturedly. “The bar looks wonderful. Thank you so much for taking over.”
“Thank everyone. Freddy was terrific, and Ashley came in to help too.” He snickered. “As soon as she heard you went away with the boyfriend, she was more than happy to.”
I rolled my eyes, but my face grew warm, and of course Tony jumped on it.
“Soooo, you had a good time?”
I allowed a smile. “Yeah.”
“That face tells me it was more than good.” He elbowed me. “C’mon. It was great, right? I mean you didn’t say he’s not your boyfriend so…”
I relented. “It was the best. Look.” I set aside the knife I was using and pulled out my phone to show him the pictures.
“This one is my favorite.” I scrolled until I found it but continued to tell my story.
“I mentioned once that I’d always wanted to go to an amusement park, so Jaxon extended our stay. It was my Valentine’s Day present.”
“That’s pretty cool.”
“It was wonderful.” Inadequate words for how I felt, strolling through the park with Jaxon, holding hands, sharing cotton candy and screaming our heads off on the rides. It was as magical as I’d dreamed.
I gave him the phone to show him. “Jaxon insisted we get the ear hats with our names on them, then asked someone to take our picture.”
We stood in front of the castle. Jaxon’s arm was slung around my neck, and he was mugging for the camera while I was pretending to ignore him. It was the happiest day of my life.
“Dude. Your man is in love with a capital L. It’s so fucking obvious to me.
He can’t stop looking at you.” When I opened my mouth, Tony pointed a finger in my face.
“And you’re in love with him too. I know you’re no liar, so tell me to my face it’s not true.
” He folded his arms and leaned a hip against the bar. “I’ll wait.”
As much as I liked Tony, I wanted to keep my relationship with Jaxon as private as possible.
“I’m happy, and so is Jaxon, and that’s as much as you’re gonna get from me.”
“No worries, dude. I can read between the lines. Just invite me to the wedding.” He winked and picked up his knife.
I waved him off. “You’re ridiculous. Let’s get this done and fill up the snack bowls.”
“Aye, aye, captain.” He gave me a salute and began slicing.
At seven that evening, Jet and Harte walked in, followed by Emerson and Dominic.
“Look who’s back,” Jet called out, and I waved.
“Hi, guys. Yeah, we came home last night.” They crowded by the bar. “Everyone want draft? I can do a pitcher if you’d rather.”
They all agreed, and I poured them one, then set each up with a mug. “First one’s on the house.”
“My man!” Harte exclaimed and raised his drink. “To Theo. Welcome home.”
The group toasted me, and although I knew my cheeks were on fire, it wasn’t from embarrassment. I finally had that group of friends I’d always hoped for. I felt included and noticed.
“Thanks.”
“So,” Emerson said as he and Dominic swung themselves into the seats directly in front of me, while Jet and Harte sat to their right. “Tell us everything. Florida’s great, isn’t it?”
“It’s beautiful. I loved the beach, especially at night.”
“Yeah, it’s so nice to be by the ocean. My mom lives on the West Coast. Emmy and I went to visit her for the weekend last month.” Dominic sounded pensive. “I miss it.”
“It’s okay, babe. We’ll see her soon.” Emerson rubbed his shoulders, and I wasn’t sure if Dominic meant the location or his mom.
“You went to a legal conference? Sounds like it might have been boring for you,” Harte remarked, but I shook my head.
“They had activities planned for the wives and partners—I went on a cruise, took a baking and pasta-making class, and went to the zoo. I loved it,” I confessed. “It was my first time on a plane and at the beach.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” Jet finished his beer. “And you and Jaxon took a couple of extra days for yourselves? How’d that work out?”
“Great,” Tony interjected, passing by with a tray of food. “Ask to see his pictures.”
“Oh, yeah?” Jet’s brows raised high.
“Tony’s got a big mouth,” I grumbled.
“Pics or it didn’t happen,” Emerson teased, holding out his hand. “It’s not fair to hold out on your friends.”
Those words hit me hard. This group of men were all my friends. A word I’d yearned to hear since I was a boy. Emerson and the others had no idea how much it meant to me, and luckily they didn’t expect me to speak. My throat was too tight to even swallow.
“Yeah, show us. I’ve never been to Florida,” Jet added. “Got any pictures of you on the ship? That sounds cool.”
My phone was by the computer, so I picked it up, and soon the guys were huddled around me to see the photos.
“This was me on the boat with the judge’s wife, Alison. She’s the nicest person—she became, like, my best friend on the trip.”
“Smart move, getting the judge’s wife in your corner.”
I straightened up and fixed my most withering glare on George Winston, even though inside my heart was pounding double time. “Excuse me?”
His smirk grew wider. “Your boyfriend is going to have some explaining to do as to why he attempted to break up a happy home.”
The four men grew quiet, and I grew hot with anger but made sure to keep my composure.
“If you’re referring to Jaxon and an incident that occurred over fifteen years ago when he was a student, it was the professor who chose to cheat, not only with Jaxon but with other students, which is despicable.
If that’s the person you choose to make your hero, I think that speaks more to your character than anything else. ”
“Let me clue you in, young man. Your boyfriend comes from a long line of scammers and degenerates. His mother—”
“Just stop,” I snapped. “You want to be a judge and represent all the people? Start acting like it.”
“You’re na?ve and a fool.”
I lifted my chin. “I’d rather be either or both than someone like you, who only looks for scandal and ugliness in people. Jaxon’s going to win the election because he cares about the people of this state and wants to make sure everyone’s rights are protected.”
I heard clapping and spotted Jaxon standing at the door. He sauntered in, coming directly to us.
“Hi, everyone.”
“Your ears must be burning,” Jet said, making room for him.
“What’s going on? George. Are you here for Theo’s excellent burger? Or can I interest you in some humble pie?” Jaxon grinned at me. “How’s the first night back?”
I made him his drink. “Busy, but it’s all good.”
“Theo was just showing us pictures of your trip,” Emerson said. “Looks like fun.”
“It was work, but we had some good times.”
Fuming, Winston stood by Jaxon. “Do you think this is going to go away because your friend McCourt is trying to bury it? The people have a right to know.”
“About my work record? Yes, absolutely, and I’d proudly stand up and defend what I’ve accomplished.
But no one has a right to my personal life.
And bringing my mother into it? What do you hope to accomplish?
She left when I was seven. Are you going to somehow tie me to whatever trouble she got herself into? Sins of the father and all that?”
“I agree with Jaxon,” Dominic rasped, pale-faced and agitated, then cleared his throat. “Parents’ mistakes and bad acts shouldn’t be laid on the shoulders of their children. They’re innocent.”
Emerson slipped his arms around Dominic’s waist and murmured something in his ear. Dominic nodded and visibly relaxed, but the two held hands, fingers laced tight. After all he’d been through the past year, Dominic Starr was an expert on being the recipient of bad parenting.
Winston wouldn’t retreat, though. “I guess we’ll have to let the voters decide. Our constituency reaches further than this little hamlet of yours, as charming as it may be.” His gaze rested on me. “Birds of a feather, as the saying goes. You two belong together. His mother and your father.”
Jaxon rose from his seat, but Jet put a hand on his shoulder. “Not worth it.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Yet Jaxon refused to back down and drop it. “I don’t care what you say about me, but if you start in on Theo, that’s entirely different. Don’t even think about my boyfriend, understand? He should be off-limits, like your wife and kids.”
After our time in Florida together, Jaxon’s words held more meaning. We were truly together now. A unit. This life I’d always yearned for no longer out of reach but captured and held forever in my heart.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked Winston. “Get elected on your merit. Not for whatever dirt you dig up to fling at us. Don’t make this personal.”
Winston grimaced but didn’t respond and walked out of Sweeny’s. I had to take care of some customers, but upon my return, everyone was still talking about it.
“He’s not going to get anyone’s vote here, that’s for sure,” Emerson stated firmly. “The guys at the station house appreciate your fairness and know your work.”
Jaxon’s smile was brief and tight. “Thanks. I’ll have to do some campaigning in his district. The party is going to set me up with a campaign manager who can hopefully get out statements to the press. I just hope it doesn’t get too ugly.”
The guys finished their beers, paid their bill, and left. Jaxon drained his glass and slid it over to me.
“Do you want another one?”
“No. It wouldn’t look right for me to be seen hanging out at a bar drinking every night.”
I understood, but a chill ran through me. “Does that mean you’re going to stay away from here?” Much as it hurt me to say it, I didn’t want to be the cause of bad publicity for him.
“Here? Maybe,” he admitted, and my hopes sank. “But stay away from you? Not a chance.”
I’d never been the impulsive type, but this felt right, and I didn’t need to wrestle with my thoughts. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my house key.
“Here. I want you to have this.”
Our fingers brushed as he took it and closed his hand around it. “Your house?”
I nodded, biting my lip. “I figured maybe you’d want to wait for me there? I can have one made for you…” Seeing Jaxon’s brows raise high, I rushed to finish. “Or not, if you think it’s too soon. I mean—”
“I’ll do it myself tomorrow. First thing in the morning.”
We shared a smile.
**
Jaxon rolled on top of me. “Good morning.” He began to kiss my neck and quickly moved to my lips.
His mouth tasted warm and sweet, and we lay together, touching and kissing, knowing we had the luxury of the predawn hours affording us this time.
I sucked his tongue, and he pinned my hands above my head.
I wriggled against him, feeling him grow stiffer.
“Mmm. I thought you said you were going to get a key made first thing.”
“I will. But first I need to fit my personal key in your lock.”
Jaxon’s kisses trailed down my chest, and I groaned at the touch of his tongue to the leaking tip of my cock.
“That was such a bad joke…ahhhh,” I cried out as he engulfed my full length in his mouth and sucked. I slapped the bed, then held his head lightly as he teased and licked me. He looked up at me, cheeks fired pink under his dark stubble, blue eyes hazy with lust.
“This is no joke, though.”
“I know. I know.”
He pulled off and reached for the condoms and lube by the nightstand. I hooked my legs over his shoulders and waited as he rolled on the condom and slicked his shaft with lube.
“Hurry,” I urged, my need for him increasing with each passing second, but he slid the tip in and waited. “Jaxon,” I insisted. “Please. Fuck me. Oh, God,” I choked out when he settled in fully.
“Theo,” he breathed, and we stared at each other. I was sucked into the intensity of his gaze. “I love you so damn much.”
He lowered his forehead to mine, and I kissed his cheek.
“I love you too. So much it doesn’t seem real.”
“Nothing’s ever been more real than this.”
Tenderly yet deliberately, he began to move. I matched his movements, and we rocked together slow and sweet. Jaxon picked up the pace and pushed in deep.
I tore at the sheets, grabbing his shoulders, writhing on his cock.
I couldn’t get enough of him inside me. I needed more.
Sweat blinded me. Our bodies slapped together, the bed creaked, and my cock, swollen to the point of pain, lay trapped between us.
A surge of something powerful and primitive crashed through me, and I raked my nails down Jaxon’s back and bit his shoulder.
“Oh fuck,” I cried out and came, my come spurting over my belly and Jaxon’s.
He thrust into me several more times before he climaxed, filling the condom. Wet and shaking, we clung to each other. Jaxon kissed the tip of my nose and smiled against my mouth.
“I’ll go make that key now. And I’ll also make one for you for my place. Although…can I tell you something?”
He slid out of me, got rid of the condom and cleaned us up but instead of getting dressed, burrowed under the covers again.
“Mmm, what?” Deliciously achy, I stretched. Morning sex with Jaxon was amazing. Then so was sex with him any hour of the day or night. When he didn’t answer immediately, I rolled to my side to face him. “What’s wrong? Are you upset about something?”
“No. Not at all. I’ve never been happier than I have been here with you.
I-I know my condo is new and has all the bells and whistles, but I’ve never been happier than being with you here, in your house.
I love lying with you in front of the fire and toasting marshmallows and cuddling with you in your bed. Can I…can I stay?”
My heart swelled, and I kissed his hesitancy away.
“As long as you want.”