Page 42 of First Snow
“I’m looking forward to the weekend,” Jareth says. “It’s customary to dress up at such an event, and I’m going to love seeing you all made up just for me.”
Arttu gasps. The idea of wearing something naughty for Jareth has him squirming on the sheets. Shit, he hadn’t expected to be turned on by the idea.
“You like that, do you, sweetheart? You’ll look so gorgeous. So pretty for me.”
“Fuck,” Arttu groans. Jareth’s words, mixed with the pleasure of Arttu’s own hand on his cock, punch breathless little sounds out of him.
Jareth hums contentedly. “You’re so hot when you’re desperate. I’d love to drag this out, make you work for your release.”
Arttu utters a soft sound of protest. He can’t hold on for much longer.
“But it’s late, and you’re tired, so I’ll have to wait until the weekend for that. You’re allowed to come.”
An undignified whine echoes through the room, and it takes Arttu a moment to realize that it’s him making that sound.
“Come for me, darling,” Jareth commands.
Arttu can hear the obscene slapping of Jareth’s hand on his cock, Jareth’s deep breaths. He comes with a strangled moan, the orgasm leaving him floaty and content.
Jareth grunts on the other side of the line. “Hmm, what I wouldn’t give to lick you clean and hold you in my arms afterward.”
“Vittu,” Arttu hisses. If he hadn’t come already, the image of Jareth licking him all over, cleaning up the mess he made, would’ve pushed him over the edge. Arttu feels as if his brain has short-circuited, no longer able to form a coherent sentence or even a proper thought.
Jareth laughs. It’s a warm, soothing melody Arttu can’t get enough of. “I want you to tuck yourself in now. Make sure you’re warm, and drink a little water.”
Arttu yawns, too tired to defy Jareth. “Okay. It—It was nice that you called.” Shit, that’s all he can come up with? His job is to seduce Jareth, not to scare him off with his awkwardness.
“Wanted to hear your voice,” Jareth says. “It was a nice surprise to hear you moan in pleasure tonight.”
“Fuck off,” Arttu mumbles. He’s sleepy and warm, grateful that Jareth doesn’t comment on his clumsy flirting. And Arttu can’t wait to see him again.
“Sleep well, darling. Only two more days.”
“You too. Looking forward to seeing you.”
Arttu can’t remember hanging up. He must’ve fallen asleep to Jareth’s even breathing.
Chapter 15
Arttu
Jarethisholdinghishand as they step out of the airport in Kuusamo into the cold autumn air. Taking deep breaths, Arttu tries to calm his nerves. Only a few days ago he couldn’t wait to see Jareth again, but now unease about the upcoming party has spread through every fiber of his being.
A fancy jeep is waiting for them in the parking lot, and Jareth gallantly puts Arttu’s travel bag in the trunk. Attending an exclusive party at the Briar hunting resort could be Arttu’s lucky break, the opportunity he has been waiting for to hunt down the killer. But if Jareth turns out to be innocent, ifBriaris the real culprit, Arttu is putting Jareth in danger without him even knowing what is happening around him. Arttu feels like an absolute asshole for tricking Jareth into taking him along.
“I can drive,” he offers to soothe his guilty conscience.
It’s dark already, and the first heavy snowflakes are falling from the gray sky. They settle on Jareth’s coat and sit like little glowing dots in his dark hair.Ensilumi.First Snow. Arttu deeply inhales the fresh scent.
“No, it’s okay. You must be tired from work,” Jareth says, smiling softly at him.
Arttu sighs and allows Jareth to open the passenger door for him. Heistired. Work has been crazy this week. Disregard the incident with the cell phone, he hasn’t been home most nights, napping at his desk instead. Arttu tries not to think about that too closely. However, on Thursday there was a breakthrough with one of his cases, and Arttu was able to send his detectives out Friday morning to arrest their suspect. Now there’s only two open cases left. Viljanen still yelled at him when Arttu told her that he wanted to keep his free weekend, but in the end there wasn’t much she could do to stop him. Whatever Viljanen said, Arttu just couldn’t pass up on the chance to accompany Jareth tonight.
He slips into the passenger seat and tries to breathe through the sudden fluttering of nerves. It was one thing to seek Jareth out in London; London was anonymous. But here, in Finland, Arttu feels he’s just one poorly timed incident away from being exposed.
Jareth catches Arttu’s hand, squeezing gently. Arttu hadn’t realized that he was fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
“Nervous?”