Page 30 of Always You (Guardian Hall #1)

Chapter Thirty

Alex

Jazz sat cross-legged on my bed; a bowl of popcorn balanced precariously between us. The soft glow of the laptop screen cast shadows across his face, highlighting the relaxed curve of his mouth as he crunched popcorn. He shifted so his knee brushed mine and the casual contact sent a warm ripple through me, one I tried to ignore as I focused on the movie. Or at least pretended to.

The plan was simple: a low-key night with a movie and snacks, but sitting this close to him, his presence filling the small space of my room, made my heart race in a way that had nothing to do with the action playing out on the screen.

Jazz stretched his arm along the back of the bed, his fingers lightly brushing my shoulder. It wasn’t intentional—or maybe it was—but the touch made it even harder to focus.

“Are you even watching this?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

“Of course,” I lied, avoiding his gaze.

“Oh yeah? What just happened?”

I opened my mouth to respond but faltered. “Uh, they… you know, the thing with the car chase…”

Jazz’s laughter was warm and rich, filling the room. “Nice try.”

I groaned; his voice softened, and his smile became almost shy. “I really enjoy this—being here with you.”

“Me too,” I admitted, my cheeks warming.

We sat in silence for a moment, the movie forgotten. Jazz’s hand slid from the back of the bed to rest on my shoulder, his thumb brushing my collarbone. The small, tender gesture made my chest tighten.

“You know,” he said after a pause, “we’ve got all night for movies.”

My breath caught at the implication, but how he looked at me—patient, waiting—put me at ease. I turned toward him, our knees bumping awkwardly, and let myself lean into the warmth of his touch.

“Popcorn might get cold,” I reminded him, my lips quirking in a nervous smile.

“Then, we’ll eat it later,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. And when he leaned in, closing the space between us, I didn’t hesitate to meet him halfway.

The kiss made my head spin. Jazz’s hand slid up to cup my jaw, his touch grounding me even as my heart raced. The movie droned on in the background, forgotten, as we sank deeper into the moment.

Popcorn and movies were great, but being here with Jazz—this close and this connected—was everything.

“Will you make love to me,” I whispered, my voice husky with need. “I need you inside me.”

Jazz's eyes darkened with lust. He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs caressing my cheeks. “Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded, unable to form words. My whole body was on fire. Jazz leaned down and captured my lips in a searing kiss. I melted against him, parting my lips to deepen the kiss.

His touch roamed down my body, and I shivered as he slipped his fingers under the hem of my shirt.

“God, Alex,” he breathed against my neck. “You have no idea how long I've wanted this.”

I tilted my head back, offering more access as he trailed hot kisses down my throat. “Show me,” I gasped.

Jazz's fingers trembled as he began unbuttoning my shirt. He took his time, and I shuddered as the cool air hit my chest, my nipples hardening instantly. Jazz's eyes raked over me hungrily.

“You're so beautiful,” he murmured, bending to kiss my collarbone.

I reached for him, tugging at the hem of his T-shirt. “Your turn,” I said breathlessly.

Jazz obliged, pulling the shirt over his head in one fluid motion. I drank in the sight of him, my fingers itching to explore, and our lips met again as Jazz's hands moved to my belt. I gasped as he undid my buckle. Jazz paused at the waistband of my jeans, and I lifted my hips to help as he slid the denim down my legs.

My breath hitched as Jazz's gaze roamed over my nearly naked form. I felt exposed and vulnerable, but the hunger in his eyes made me feel wanted. Jazz's hands skimmed up my thighs, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“You're sure about this?” Jazz asked again, his voice rough with desire. “What if I mess this up, what if?—”

“Yes,” I breathed out. “I want you, Jazz. All of you.”

That seemed to counter the last of Jazz's fears, and I arched into him, desperate for more contact.

Jazz's lips trailed down my neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin. I moaned, tangling my fingers in his hair. His mouth continued its journey south, pausing to lavish attention on my chest. When his tongue flicked across my nipple, I gasped and tugged at his hair.

“Jazz, please,” I whimpered. “I need you.”

He looked up at me, his eyes dark with desire. “I love you,” he murmured.

“I love you!” I wanted to cry, but he kissed from my lips to my chest, and I writhed beneath him as he continued his torturously slow exploration of my body. By the time he reached the waistband of my boxers, I was trembling with need, and I carded my fingers through his hair.

He grasped my wrists, gently but firmly guiding them above my head, and I craved more. His erection pressing against my thigh was a hot brand, and I rocked against him, desperate for relief.

Jazz's teeth grazed my collarbone as he teased his way down my chest. He reached my nipple and flicked it with his tongue, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through me. The slight sting of pain was followed by white-hot arousal as he sucked the sensitive peak into his mouth. I gasped as pleasure pooled between my legs. He trailed kisses back to my lips.

“Jazz,” I panted, my voice thick with need. “Please.”

A groan escaped Jazz as he pressed his forehead to mine. “What if I can't… what if…”

“Please,” I begged, and he closed his eyes.

“God, Alex, you have no idea what you do to me,” he murmured.

“Only what you do to me,” I reassured.

His hands slid down my sides, hooking into the waistband of my boxers. I lifted my hips, allowing him to slide them off. The cool air on my exposed skin made me shiver, but Jazz's warm hands chased away the chill as he trailed up my inner thighs, teasing and exploring. I spread my legs wider, inviting him closer as he stripped. When his hand wrapped around my cock, I let out a strangled moan.

“Is this what you want?” Jazz murmured, stroking me slowly.

“More,” I gasped. “I need more.”

Jazz released me, reaching for the bedside drawer. I whimpered at the loss of contact but felt a thrill of anticipation as I heard the snap of a bottle cap. Moments later, I felt Jazz's slick finger circling my entrance.

“Relax for me, Alex,” he whispered, placing soft kisses on my inner thigh.

I took a deep breath, willing my body to relax, as Jazz pressed a finger inside me and worked me open. I gasped as he added a second finger, stretching me further. The slight burn mixed with waves of pleasure as he curled his fingers, searching for that spot inside me. When he found it, I cried out, my hips bucking off the bed.

“There,” I panted. “Right there, Jazz.”

He continued to stroke that spot, sending sparks of ecstasy through my body. I writhed beneath him, lost in sensation, and I knew I wouldn't last much longer.

“Jazz, please,” I begged. “I'm ready. I need you now.”

Jazz withdrew his fingers, leaving me feeling empty. I heard the crinkle of a condom wrapper.

“Are you sure?” he asked one last time.

“Yes,” I breathed. “I've never been more sure of anything.”

Jazz nodded, his eyes dark with desire. But instead of pushing forward, he surprised me by rolling us over so that I was straddling his hips. My breath caught as I realized what he wanted.

“Like this,” Jazz murmured, his hands settling on my waist. “I'm not strong enough to… Jesus, Alex… I want to see you, Alex. I want you to take what you need.”

My heart raced at his words. I braced my hands on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath my palms. Slowly, I lifted my hips, positioning myself over him. Jazz steadied me as I began to sink onto his length.

I gasped at the stretch, the fullness and Jazz's fingers tightened on my hips. Inch by inch, I took him in until I was fully seated on his lap. I paused, adjusting to the sensation of being so filled. Jazz's gaze locked on mine, his expression a mix of awe and desire.

“You feel incredible,” he said on a breath, his thumbs tracing circles on my skin.

I rolled my hips experimentally, drawing a low groan from Jazz. The movement sent sparks of pleasure through me, and I did it again, more deliberately this time. Jazz's hands guided me as I moved, lifting myself before sinking back onto him.

I established a steady rhythm at first, savoring every sensation, and Jazz met my movements with shallow thrusts, hitting that spot inside me that made me see stars.

“So beautiful,” Jazz encouraged, his voice rough.

I shuddered at his touch, increasing my pace. The friction was exquisite, sending waves of pleasure coursing through me with each movement. Jazz's hips rose to meet mine, driving himself deeper.

“Jazz,” I gasped, my fingers digging into his chest. “Oh god, Jazz…”

He sat up, wrapping an arm around my waist to pull me flush against him. The change in angle had me crying out, my head falling back. Jazz's lips found my throat, sucking and nipping at the sensitive skin.

“That's it, baby,” he murmured against my neck. “Let me hear you.”

I was beyond words at this point, only able to produce desperate moans and gasps as Jazz and I moved together. The new position allowed him to thrust even deeper, hitting that sweet spot with every stroke. I clung to his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin as the pleasure built to an almost unbearable intensity.

Jazz's hand slipped between our bodies, wrapping around my neglected cock. I cried out at the dual stimulation, my hips jerking as I chased my release.

“Come for me, Alex,” Jazz growled, his voice rough with desire. “I want to feel you come apart.”

His words pushed me over the edge. My back arched as ecstasy crashed over me in waves, my vision whiting out as I cried Jazz's name. I clenched around him, drawing a deep groan from his throat as he followed me over the edge. Jazz's hips jerked upward as he came, his face buried in my neck as he pulsed inside me.

We clung to each other as the aftershocks rolled through us, trembling and slick with sweat and our breathing began to even out. Jazz peppered soft kisses along my shoulder and neck, his arms tightening around me.

“That was…” I trailed off, unable to find words to describe what we'd just shared.

“Incredible,” Jazz finished for me, pulling back to meet my eyes. His expression was tender, full of affection.

I nodded, feeling shy.

Jazz cupped my face in his hands, drawing me in for a sweet, lingering kiss. “You're amazing, Alex,” he murmured against my lips. “I love you.”

My heart swelled at his words. “I love you too,” I whispered, resting my forehead against his.

Eventually, Jazz lifted me off him, both of us wincing at the separation. He disposed of the condom, then pulled me back into his arms, arranging us so that I was nestled against his chest.

His fingers traced lazy patterns on my back as we lay in comfortable silence. I felt boneless, sated, and more content than I could remember.

“Was that… okay?” Jazz asked softly, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

Surprised by the question, I propped myself up on one elbow to look at him. “It was perfect,” I assured him with a kiss. “It was more than perfect,” I added, my voice filled with sincerity. “It was everything I've always wanted.”

Jazz's eyes softened, a smile tugging at his lips. “I've missed you all this time.”

“Likewise,” I said.

“Likewise?” Jazz chuckled. “Who even says that.”

“People who’ve just had their brains destroyed by an orgasm.”

He laughed, and we lay wrapped in each other’s arms as I traced patterns on his thigh, over scars and smooth skin.

“That one was shrapnel,” he murmured.

I stopped touching. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”

“No. I want to tell you what I can, and that one was from my second tour,” Jazz said softly. “It's okay to touch them. They're a part of me now.”

I hesitated before running my fingers over the scar again. Jazz shivered, but didn't pull away.

“What happened?” I whispered.

Jazz was quiet for a long moment, and I worried I'd pushed too far.

“An IED killed two of my friends.” His arms tightened around me as if anchoring himself in the present. “I was the lucky one.”

I pressed a soft kiss right over his heart. “I'm so sorry,” I murmured.

Jazz inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling under my cheek. “Sometimes, it feels like yesterday,” he said softly, and he stroked my hair. “I want to share everything with you, Alex. The good and the bad.”

We lay in silence for a while, the weight of his words settling between us. I traced my fingers over his skin, mapping the contours of his body, both smooth planes and raised scars. Each mark told a story, and I wanted to know them all.

But today, I was happy to lie in his arms and think about a future with the man I loved.

One that I never thought I would have.