Page 74 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

“Good. Will you jerk off thinking about me tonight?”

Christopher grinned. “If you do for me.”

“Ever sexted?”

“No. Have you?”

“No. Well, not unless you count some dirty chats on Grindr.”

“Oh, I’ve done those too. When I’ve been really horny anddidn’t want to actually hook-up with anyone.”

Jesse put the car in park, and turned to Christopher,suddenly very interested. “What kinds of guys did you chat up on Grindr? Whydidn’t I see you on there?”

“My pic was sort of lame. I didn’t want to put up a torsobecause, well, you’ve seen it. And my face was out for work reasons. So, uh, Iput a picture of my feet. Got a lot of foot fetish guys that way, which kind ofsucked because it isn’t my thing. Like at all.”

Jesse started laughing and couldn’t seem to stop. He rubbedhis thumb under his eye to catch a tear forming there, and Christopher laugheda little too, but it didn’t seem all that funny.

“Chris, man, dude—”

“Dude?”

“Dude. Your torso is just fine.No—it’s hot. Might not be ripped, but some guys, like me? We’d be looking forguys like you. Because we like that kind of guy. And damn, I’ve really neverheard a worse Grindr fail story. Which probably just says I haven’t talked toenough people about Grindr, but…well, if you want me to take some hot picturesof you, sans face, so you can have a good one for your profile—”

“Do you want me to have a good one for my profile?” Hisheart skipped a beat.

Jesse sputtered, his mouth opening and closing. “Uh, nowthat I think about it? No, not really. At all. So forget it. Keep the feet picup. I think that’s what you need to do. Absolutely.”

“Wait—did you putyourface onGrindr?”

“No. Just my dick.”

Christopher’s jaw dropped. “No joke? Holy shit. Well, it’s areally fucking amazing dick, so I can see why you’d be willing to share.”

“I was never looking for companionship on that thing. Justan orgasm. And with you it’s more. Orgasms plus. And I’d really like if neitherof us went on Grindr anymore.” Jesse swallowed. “What I’m saying is I’d like tobe exclusive.”

Christopher knew he was grinning like an idiot, but he didn’tcare. “That’s what I want too.”

“Okay. Cool.”

Jesse leaned over the gear shift and kissed him, passionateand long, until he hit the horn with his elbow and they both jumped.

“Fuck. It’s past seven. I’ve got to go spend some time withthe kids before bed. Especially Brigid. I need to…I need to focus on her alittle more.”

“I know. I get that.”

Jesse frowned and took Christopher’s chin in his hand. “Butyou—this—it’s so good and feels so right. I won’tneglect it or you. You won’t feel like second, okay? I don’t want you to feellike that.”

Christopher ducked his head to kiss Jesse’s fingertips anddidn’t respond. Second was his place in this and that was okay. Jesse wouldsee. Christopher could handle it, and this thing, whatever it was, would have areal chance to grow into something amazing. He could feel it.

“When can I see you?” Jesse asked.

“Sext me tonight,” Christopher said, smirking. “And we’llfigure it out after we come.”

He heard Jesse’s groan as he shut the car door, and hisheart did a strange clenching thing when he realized that Jesse didn’t pullaway until Christopher had unlocked his house and gone safely inside.

Chapter Fifteen

BEFOREHIS LUNCH SHOW, CHRISTOPHER WENTto Up the Crick for a free breakfast.Darla wasn’t working and he had to wait while a new guy took his time figuringout what keys to press in order to put in his employee code. He settled down atthe same table he’d shared with Jesse, his mind replaying the conversation he’dhad with Holly when he’d stopped by her hat stand that morning to tell her thegood news about dating Jesse. She hadn’t been as happy about it as he’dexpected.