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Lake sniffed. “That’s the problem!”

Jesse ached for upsetting the boy. “What’s the problem? I can cover the tattoos if you hate them that much.” Although getting naked would be a definite problem.

Lake shook his head frantically. “Not the tattoos!” he sobbed. “I don’t know you!”

“Baby, you know me,” Jesse said gently.

“No, I don’t! That’s why I wanted to do this for you! To get to know you. To show you that I’m…I’m interested in you too.”

Jesse didn’t understand. “Come here, please.” He drew Lake across the room to the balcony door after grabbing the basket and blanket. He slid the door open to the amazing intimate spot for the penthouse. There was a private pool, a lounge area, and even a grassy lawn that would be perfect for a picnic. The lights and view of the Las Vegas Strip were magnificent up this high.

Jesse brought Lake to the grass and squeezed his fingers before releasing him. He set the basket down then grabbedthe blanket and snapped it open. He smoothed out the blanket before urging Lake down with him.

Lake had stopped crying, but his eyes were now red, and he looked miserable.

“You know me, Lake,” Jesse told him kindly. He grabbed Lake’s hand and placed it over his own chest. “You know me inside here. The tattoos are something different but isn’t it fun to be able to learn more about me as we become closer?”

Lake nodded. “Yes, I guess.”

“Can you tell me what brought this on?” Jesse requested.

“I was thinking about you earlier,” Lake said.

Well, that made Jesse happy. “What were you thinking about?”

“That I’m really happy that we are…dating?”

That sounded like a question. “I’d like to think we are dating,” Jesse assured him. “And how I hope for more in the future.”

“I want that too. I realized though that you have been showing me your interest and going out of your way to make me happy, but I haven’t been doing the same. I want you to know that I’m in this. I want to be with you.”

Jesse was beyond thrilled. This might be the best night of his life. “Thank you, baby. For telling me that.”

“I wanted to do something special for you and that was when I realized that I don’t know you.”

Jesse opened his mouth to argue.

Lake shook his head. “I know the boss you, the club owner you, and the friend you. I know that you’re protective, kind, and that you care about everyone around you. But I want more than that. I want to know what makes you smile. Do you like watching TV or movies? Are you a reader?” He swallowed hard. “I want to know you better than anyone else.”

Jesse was struck speechless. No one had ever said those words to him.

“Is that okay?” Lake asked softly.

It was at that moment that Jesse realized that he was in love with Lake. He’d been attracted to him. Of course he was. Lake was beautiful, sweet, just a wonderful human being, but Jesse loved him. “It’s more than okay.”

Lake leaned in.

Jesse reached back and threaded his fingers in Lake’s hair as their lips brushed. Then Lake opened for him and Jesse slipped his tongue inside the boy’s mouth. Lake moaned into his mouth as Jesse coaxed Lake’s tongue to move with his.

With his free hand he grabbed the back of Lake’s shirt, holding the boy close.

They kissed slowly, exploring, and testing.

It was sweet and hot.

Jesse leaned over, urging Lake back.

He hovered over Lake’s body as he continued to kiss him.