Chapter Nine #2
Crisp’s eyes shot around the room. He spotted a bottle of baby oil on a shelf right outside the shower. Crisp nodded toward it. “Grab that baby oil.”
Jay moved, carrying Crisp with him until Crisp found himself braced against a different wall. This one had a bit of a cold breeze. Goosebumps rose on his skin. Jay froze and eyed him. He moved back to their original spot.
“I won’t let you be cold.”
Crisp’s heart did a little happy dance inside his chest. He didn’t understand why he never tired of the sweet words and loving presence.
Maybe it was because Jay’s soft side was for him alone.
They were together twenty-four hours a day.
Crisp had come to accept that getting bored with Jay was impossible. He had found too much happiness here.
Jay lowered Crisp onto his dick, bringing his focus back to Jay.
Once he rocked inside Crisp, Crisp couldn’t see anything else.
He held Jay’s stare while Jay lifted and lowered in the perfect rhythm.
Crisp watched the flush rise on Jay’s cheeks.
He noted the exact moment Jay’s lips parted in a struggle for breath as he used Crisp’s body to pleasure himself.
He didn’t look away even as he moved faster toward rapture.
Crisp longed for every single memory of them he could create.
He wanted to know he could pull out an image of Jay just like this anytime he wanted.
Crisp lost the battle. The back of his head hit the wall as his focus switched to savoring the way Jay played with his body.
Each thrust brought him closer. Crisp sucked air and moaned as Jay took him toward the cliff.
The gratification that burst through him as Jay pulled an earth-shaking orgasm from Crisp was enormous.
He saw their entire future unfold while his body screamed for more. This really was forever.
Jay watched Crisp sleep. His mind wouldn't stop jumping all over the place. Sometimes, he wondered if he held Crisp back or stood in his way. Then Crisp would look at him, and all the love they shared dulled everything else. He couldn’t see his shortcomings anymore.
Crisp would snuggle in his arms the way he did now, and Jay felt like his hero and not the reason Crisp didn’t spend much time with his family.
Maybe he was both. Jay would do his best to encourage Crisp to hang on to the people who loved him.
Jay loved him too much to isolate him. He wanted his beautiful boy to shine.
A loud knock on the door sent Crisp shooting upright.
He blinked at his surroundings. “Damn. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.
That’s probably Foster.” He glanced Jay’s way.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up. Go back to sleep.
” He kissed Jay. The sweetness of the gesture warmed Jay’s chest. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. ”
Jay stroked Crisp’s side because he couldn’t resist. “Take your time, baby. You see me all the time. I’ll still be here when you get done.”
Crisp climbed out of the bed and pulled on a shirt. “I love you. If you get bored or anything, text me. I’ll convince Foster to go somewhere else with me.”
“Okay. I love you too.”
With a final kiss, Crisp left him alone, closing the door behind him.
Jay rolled toward the door and stared at the wooden surface.
The sound of Crisp answering the door was muffled.
Then the voices got louder as they moved toward the couch.
Considering the couch wasn’t that far from him, Jay could hear every word.
“Okay. Tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s dumb.”
At Foster’s response, Jay rolled his eyes. The guy had gotten on a plane and came straight here to talk to Crisp, and now he wanted Crisp to drag the problem from him.
Since Crisp didn’t respond, Jay assumed he simply waited Foster out. The technique worked.
“Um, so. I met someone. It’s probably not what you think, but then again, it probably is exactly what you think and I just don’t know.”
He had Jay’s attention. Jay had never felt nosier. There was something about Foster’s tone and rambling. He had to know.
Apparently, that statement caught Crisp too. “Go on.”
Foster cleared his throat. It was an uncomfortable sound.
“So,” he cleared his throat again. “A little while before Tracker and Zeus got married, I was hanging out with Zeus before the club opened for the night. This guy strolled in. Zeus didn’t seem concerned, so I wasn’t either, but then the guy beat the shit out of Zeus.
I was confused as fuck, but obviously, I jumped to help him, and this motherfucker took me down. ”
“What? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone beat you.”
Foster chuckled—like it was funny he got his ass handed to him.
The laughter still clung to Foster’s voice when he responded.
“He was like a Kung Fu ninja, or some shit. I can’t even explain.
Dude broke my nose and then fussed at me for getting blood on his shirt.
Turned out he had been sticking up for Tracker.
Zeus had accused Tracker of cheating with him.
His name is Atticus, by the way. Anyhow, I got put on my ass for nothing because I definitely would’ve been on Tracker’s side on that one. ”
“Wait. Wait. Are you telling me Tracker went through all this, and no one said anything to me?” Crisp didn’t sound hurt. He sounded resigned.
“The whole thing was over in under two hours. Zeus realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness. All was well, obviously, since they’re married now. Anyhow, the moment I was alone with Atticus, he propositioned me.”
Crisp’s laughter cut through the air. “You’re joking.”
This was one time when English failed Jay. He didn’t know what the proposition was.
Foster laughed. “Nope. I was sitting there, bleeding. He was sitting there drinking the rest of Zeus’ beer. I’m accusing him of being insane. He was basically like, yeah. We should fuck. Or something to that effect.”
Oh. That type of proposition. Even to Jay, that seemed insane.
“Did you agree?”
Jay fought not to scoot closer to the door. He wanted that answer too.
“No.”
Pussy. It was a good thing he wasn’t part of this conversation.
“Why not?”
Yeah. Why not? Crisp had his back on these questions.
A nervous laugh that had to have come from Foster cut through the silence. “Have you been listening? The guy had the training to put Zeus and me on our asses. I mean, that seems like something you should look into before going to bed with someone.”
“All right. I’ll give you that. What did you find when you looked into it?” Crisp paused. “Why are you blushing? For fuck’s sake, Foster. You’ve got to get the point on this one. I’ve never seen you blush so much—like, seriously.”
“Because my dumb ass never considered going to Tracker for info. I kind of decided to stalk him instead.”
Crisp burst out laughing. It sounded like he immediately tried muffling the sound.
Jay couldn’t stop smiling. He loved the sound of Crisp’s laughter.
“Sorry.” Crisp chuckled. “No, seriously. I’m sorry. I swear I’m not laughing at you. This entire story is wild as hell. What did you learn by stalking him? Goddamn, another blush.”
“Damn, Crispy, do you want to hear this story or not? You’re supposed to be on my side.”
Crisp’s voice turned serious. “Awww, sweetie, I am on your side. You’re just not a blusher and this guy has you frazzled. It’s honestly a little nice to see. You need a little shaking up in your life.”
“He basically wants to fuck and never look back.” Foster said the words fast and sad.
Crisp groaned. “Oh, babe. That sucks. I know you’re not that guy. You deserve better than that shit.” Crisp’s tone turned angry. “How dare this guy be like that with you? You’re worth way more than that. If he can’t see that, then he’s a fucking loser.”
“Actually, this is him.”
The room went silent.
Jay strained to hear any hint of sound.
“Yeah,” Foster said after a moment. “I know. He’s fucking beautiful.”
“No doubt he knows it too.” Crisp sounded full of spite.
Foster laughed. “Yeah. He’s not one to pretend to be oblivious. I just feel kind of dumb, you know? Even though I was the one stalking him, he was the one pursuing the hell out of me. Why am I like this? Any other guy in the world would jump for joy at this situation.”
Crisp didn’t miss a beat. “You’re a good man who deserves an equally amazing partner. It’s frustrating and hurtful to know your worth and have your effort and kindness overlooked time and time again.”
“Are we still talking about me?”
Jay had a bad feeling they weren’t. There was too much hurt in Crisp’s voice.
They had been together long enough for Jay to see how little effort his brothers put into him.
Foster had been the only one who really called and showed up, Tidy withstanding, of course.
Tidy was the one closest to Crisp, but they were so close, they didn’t need to constantly seek each other.
They were beyond only brothers. They were best friends.
Hell, in the time he had been with Crisp, Fabrice had shown more care for Crisp than his so-called brothers.
Jay rubbed his chest. None of this was happening directly to Jay, and it still broke his heart.
He wondered if things had always been this way.
Had Crisp always been the one who had to hang on to them?
Was there ever a time when they had met him more than halfway?
Jay would likely never know the answers, but he knew what he saw now.
Maybe it was time for Jay to insert himself into this.
If he saw any more neglect, then it was time for Crisp to be done with this. Jay was his real family now.