Jasper
JASPER
I’d never fallen asleep with someone.
I’d never woken up next to someone.
Except that night with Travis . But I pushed that thought away. I mean, I’d been texting him for weeks and he’d not replied to any of them.
I looked down at Finn, who was still curled up against my side. Neither of us had appeared to move at all last night and we were in the same position we were when we fell asleep.
The blinds on the large windows were open, and the sunlight shone in, making Finn’s pale skin practically glow. I couldn’t resist, my fingertips drawn to him like the tide pulled by the moon. I traced the outline of his top lip, loving how his mouth opened a little from the contact. I moved to his bottom lip and repeated the motion before dusting along his chin and up his jaw.
He mumbled in his sleep, so I pulled my hand back, but when he didn’t wake, I reached out for him again, this time running my fingers through his hair, wondering what it would be like to press my lips to his and kiss him awake. Then I froze, questioning what the hell I was doing. I felt like I’d had this awakening and it hadn’t just cracked open a door to a whole new world for me to explore; no, instead, it had shoved me through so I fell in head first, my body suddenly craving everything I’d denied it all these years.
“I know. I’m a thing of beauty in the mornings,” Finn mumbled, his eyes staying closed.
“Sorry,” I whispered, “I’m being so weird.”
He stretched, letting his eyelids flutter open before he offered me a half-smile. “Yes.”
I laughed, slapping his shoulder. “I was just thinking, that’s all.”
“About fish migration?”
“Surprisingly no, although that reminds me, I need to make a plan to go to Australia. But, no, I was just thinking about how I’ll ever work out what I like.”
He edged back a little, putting some space between us, and I didn’t like the cool feeling that replaced his warmth. “Tell me more.”
But I couldn’t. Shame, embarrassment, my inability to put my feelings into words, they all made explaining how I felt impossible. “I don’t even know where to start.”
Finn sat up, clapping his hands. “Well, you don’t have to. Why don’t we go out and have some fun? I have just the place.”
“Oh?”
“Put some clothes on and let’s go, but today, I’m in charge. Deal?”
Nerves bubbled in my stomach as goosebumps scattered over my skin, my body as confused about what it wanted as my brain.
“Am I going to regret this?” I asked Finn, who tilted his head back as he laughed.
“Probably, but I promise, you’ll have fun.”
* * *
Finn stood with his hand on the door handle as he glanced back over his shoulder. “Ready?” he asked. I’d just come out of the bathroom, and seeing him waiting there had left me momentarily speechless. He looked stunning. Hair styled perfectly away from his face, he wore a soft grey top, tucked into his stonewashed jeans that he’d rolled up so they sat above his ankle, showing off his tanned canvas boat shoes and a long stone-coloured cardigan that finished at his knee. He picked up a tan bag and hooked it over his head, so it hung over him in a cross-body style.
“Yeap,” I muttered. “You look really nice. I’m not sure if I’m meant to tell you that, but I’m thinking it, so I wanted to say it.”
He offered me a nod. “Why, thank you, Professor.”
“Can you please call me Jasper?”
He opened the door and held out his arm to tell me to move. “Probably not. Now come on. I’m starving, and it’s too nice a day to stay inside.”
* * *
We stepped out of the cafe we’d eaten breakfast in, and Finn put on his sunglasses, and I cursed for not packing mine. My suitcase had been delivered just like Finn promised last night, and so I had all my things, but it was autumn, and I didn’t think I’d need them.
“Right, stomachs full, now for fun.”
He wrapped his arm through mine so they were linked. I was too shocked by the move, so I started walking next to him, oblivious to the busy streets of the city, my attention fixed on Finn.
“I’m vers,” he said after a few moments, and my shock grew.
“What?”
He turned to look up at me, his dark glasses hiding his expression from me, but I got the impression that Finn found speaking about his sexuality easy.
“Versatile. It means I like to fuck and be fucked.” My mouth fell open, and I glanced around at the people milling around us, but no one appeared to be taking the slightest notice.
“People never really think I’d want to top, but oof, every now and then, I like to be the one in charge.” He did an exaggerated shiver. “You might like someone inside you, you might like to be inside someone, or you might like both. Some people don’t like the penetration stuff at all and just want to play in other ways. Good news is, it’s all hot as hell and you’ll have a whale of a time exploring the possibilities. Lube is your best friend. Don’t let people tell you they’re on PrEP, so you don’t need condoms. Wear them anyway. Douching is a necessity. You want to be clean. And buy some toys. That way, you can play around and see what you like without having to worry about what another person might do to you. Plus, you can start stretching your arse because, as I said when we first met, I’d put money on you being a bottom… a submissive one, probably. And honestly, having someone or something stroking your prostate will be an orgasm you’ll never forget.” He made an explosion motion with the hand not linked through my arm. “Mind blowing. Does that answer some of your questions?”
I swallowed, my mouth suddenly too dry to speak. “I guess.”
He patted my arm, but then he squeezed, leaning in close to me as if he was trying to reassure me. “Good,” he declared. “Because we’re here.”
I didn’t realise that we’d come to a stop, and I looked up, seeing the sign above me.
My laughter was loud as I shook my head. “Finn, did you really bring me to the aquarium?”
He grinned. “I did. You’re missing the water, diving, the little fishies. So, what better place to help you connect with your people? And when we get back to the hotel, we’re watching the Little Mermaid .”