Page 17

Chapter Thirteen

Jax

J ax’s legs shook as the car pulled into his neighborhood.

He’d driven hard all day, eager to get back.

Ever since Niall had told him what happened at the pool a few evenings ago, he’d been desperate to come home and hold his man in his arms. His understanding bosses had given him four days off in a row, a long weekend.

Thank goodness the Hampson Towers job would be over in four months.

The walk from his designated parking spot to their front door seemed endless. He’d texted Niall this morning that he’d be home late, but Jax wasn’t surprised to find his boyfriend waiting for him—with a delicious-looking lasagna in the middle of the table—when he hurried through the front door.

Niall immediately jumped into Jax’s arms. “I kept dinner warm for you,” he said, nipping at the sensitive place between Jax’s neck and shoulders, “but I can also put it in the oven on warm if you’d rather go straight to the bedroom.”

Jax set his boyfriend down and glanced at the lasagna. It looked amazing, cookbook-worthy.

“Put it in the oven,” he said throatily.

Two minutes later, they were on top of their bedspread, naked and rolling around. Jax ran his meaty hands over Niall’s lean, smooth sides, causing visible goosebumps. “What do you want?” Jax asked.

“Mmm, dealer’s choice,” Niall purred, trailing a finger over the tattoos on Jax’s chest. “Fuck me, suck me, or stick your dick in my mouth. I just want you.”

Jax sat back and eyed the delectable beta spread out before him.

Niall grinned and changed his position to spread-eagle, cradling Jax between his knees.

It truly was criminal that this man didn’t get fucked and sucked as often as possible.

Jax needed to be firm with his bosses—no more long-distance jobs after Hampson Towers.

“Get the lube,” Jax commanded, smiling when Niall pulled it out from underneath the pillow.

Niall peered slyly up at him. “I put it there as soon as you texted. There’s another in the couch cushions because I wasn’t sure how far we’d make it.”

Jax’s cock hardened into stone. “Come ‘ere,” he rumbled, grabbing Niall by his right leg and flipping him over. In seconds, Jax had his tongue buried in Niall’s tight little ass, licking into his crease and tongue-fucking him like it was his last meal.

Niall gripped the sheet. “Oooooh. Oh, babe. Oh my stars. Fuuuuuuck.”

Grinning around Niall’s pink hole, Jax continued his relentless assault, circling the rim with his tongue before inserting it into Niall’s entrance. Over and over, he stabbed at Niall’s ass while his boyfriend cried and pleaded into the pillow.

Jax’s own cock was desperate for attention, but he left it untouched for the moment, not wanting to blow too soon.

He propped Niall’s knees up slightly, pulling his cheeks apart to open him wider.

Hammering Niall’s hole with his tongue, he then ran it down to his sac, pausing to suck the balls into his mouth.

He hummed, lapping at one before giving the same attention to the other.

“Please,” Niall begged. “I need you.”

“You have me,” Jax replied, reaching for the lube.

He slicked Niall’s hole before slipping in one finger.

It went in easily, as did the second one.

Once three fingers were in, he twisted his wrist in a way he knew drove his boyfriend crazy, tapping a rhythm on the spot deep inside Niall that made him groan.

“Damn, Jax. Get the fuck in me right now.” Niall spoke on a moan, sounding half-drunk as he writhed against Jax’s hand.

Jax settled behind Niall. He reached for the lube again and coated his aching shaft, giving the base a squeeze to slow down his orgasm, which already felt imminent. Pressing the crown of his dick to Niall’s glistening hole, he pushed in slowly, both men savoring the stretch of his entry.

Neither spoke as Jax gained a steady pace, pumping his cock in and out of Niall.

Jax circled his arm around Niall's torso, pressing them firmly together. Niall looked over his shoulder, and they kissed solemnly.

Jax loved Niall so much, loved the life they shared.

As he continued moving, listening to Niall’s familiar grunts of pleasure, he knew he’d never find another man like this.

Never feel this way about anyone else. He’d had other boyfriends.

Even a few long-term ones. But none of them were Niall.

None of them had his infectious energy or easy smile.

None of them loved as freely or as fiercely as Niall did.

Jax’s cock remained buried deep as both men reached for Niall’s leaking erection.

They stroked Niall together, breathing in unison.

Finally, a soft cry left Niall's lips. Jax kissed his shoulder blades as he milked his cock, cum jetting onto the small towel Niall had also pulled from beneath the pillow.

Niall whispered, “Come inside me.”

Jax needed no further encouragement. It was a miracle he hadn’t come already. Rising to his knees, he pulled Niall up against his chest and began pistoning his hips in earnest. Less than a minute later, he orgasmed with a groan, his hot seed filling Niall.

Still connected, they fell to their sides on the bed. Jax stayed inside his boyfriend until his dick softened and slipped free. He watched his cum trickle down Niall’s crease. Using his pointer finger to scoop up the pearly liquid, he returned it to Niall’s ass and stuck his finger in, plugging it.

Niall chuffed. “Feeling possessive?”

“Is that what it is? I just like knowing my cum is in you.”

“Me too.”

Jax kissed Niall’s neck below his hairline. “I’m going to love you forever, you know.” Saying the words settled him because he knew they were true. He’d never felt as close to anyone as he did to Niall. And with that thought, Jax finally understood the implications of loving Niall unconditionally.

That he loved all the parts of him.

All. The. Parts.

Jax’s eyes popped open. Suddenly, he had perfect clarity on what he needed to do. “There’s something we should talk about,” he said, eager to share his epiphany.

But Niall’s lazy “hmm” signaled that his boyfriend was fucked out and half-asleep.

“That’s okay.” Jax gave Niall another kiss on the shoulder as he kept his finger inside him. “We can talk tomorrow. I hear lasagna makes great breakfast.”

***

The next morning, Jax smiled as he fidgeted with the dozens of settings on the coffeemaker. Niall had brought the fancy machine over the day he’d moved in, insisting he couldn’t exist without it.

In the two months they’d shared the apartment, Niall had made the space feel more lived-in. There were decorative pillows on the couch, novelty mugs in the cupboards, and potted plants in every room.

Yet even with the aesthetic improvements, this apartment wouldn’t function for them long-term.

Niall’s old place had been comfortable, but old and run-down.

Living in Jax’s more modern rental worked okay for the time being, but it wasn’t exactly their vibe either.

The lease would go month-to-month soon, and they’d already decided to find a new apartment that would suit them better.

They weren’t sure what exactly they were looking for, but figured they’d know it when they saw it.

The only thing Jax felt certain of was that he never wanted to live without Niall again.

Even though he’d spent long stretches at the Hampson Towers site since they’d moved in together, they’d made the most of their weekends, finding new recipes to cook, and hiking and swimming at the nearby park.

Every night Jax was away, they video chatted.

Sometimes those calls got naughty, but mostly they just talked about their days while Niall lay in the bed they shared, reminding Jax how much he loved him.

Jax’s unease over finding out Niall had been Ronan and Teal’s lover seemed far away.

Niall had spoken the truth. His past had no bearing on his ability to love Jax with his whole heart.

On the contrary, their connection had grown deeper because Niall had shared his full self with Jax.

They now understood each other better and accepted one another more honestly.

Jax knew he and Niall were truly making a home together, in this now-properly-decorated apartment, and in their hearts.

That knowledge solidified the conclusion he’d come to last night.

When Niall walked into the kitchen, gratefully accepting the espresso Jax wrangled from the machine, Jax was eager to discuss it with him.

“Morning, Nigh…Hey…so I wanted to talk to you last night, but you passed out on me.”

Niall pffted. “I think you mispronounced, ‘Sorry, I fucked your brains out so hard it put you in a coma.’”

Jax laughed and looped his colorful arms around his boyfriend from behind, careful not to disturb his mug. “Couldn’t help it. You know I can’t resist you.”

“I’m thankful you were able to get away early this week. As much as I like the video calls, it’s nice to feel your chest against my back.”

Jax tipped his face forward into the crook of Niall’s shoulder. “Can we talk now, though?”

Niall took a sip. “Yeah, coffee should kick in soon. Everything okay?”

“Everything’s good. Promise. But there’s something important I want to say. I'm just worried it might come as a bit of a shock.”

Niall put his espresso down on the counter and turned in Jax’s arms to face him. “Alright, I’m intrigued.”

Jax nodded. “You know I meant what I said last night. I’m going to love you forever.”

The expression on Niall’s face grew puzzled. “Is that what you wanted to talk about? I know how much you love me. I feel it every day.”

Jax registered Niall’s confusion. He needed to get these words right. “No. That’s not what I meant.” He paused, taking a step back. “Sorry, this is coming out wrong. What I meant is that I’m going to love you forever, no matter what .”

“O-kay?” Niall stretched out the word, clearly still bemused.