“Already prepared I see.”
“Wanted to get to the good stuff instead of waiting.” Jade lifted up and sat forward. “Take me.”
Conrad was happy to oblige. He held his shaft and Jade sank backward onto his erection. Conrad moaned at the tight clench around his cock. He shuddered enjoying the sensation of being bare within him. They had recently gotten tested and did away with the condoms. Jade moved in a sensuous rhythm as he took him. Conrad blew out a long breath and held tight to his ass.
“Mine,” Jade said in that deep melodious voice.
Conrad shivered loving the possessive word. “Yours.”
Jade smiled a fierce grin and increased his speed. Conrad countered moving with him. He arched wanting to be deeper as he held onto Jade. Jade motions became more frantic and his cock tip glistened as his pleasure rose. Conrad licked his lips again as he watched where they came together. The clench of Jade around him made his breath catch and his sac tightened and he jerked as he came.
“Jade.”
* * *
Jade increased his speed at the sound of his name on Conrad’s lips. As usual the sound of that rich baritone resonated within him. Conrad shuddered and came and Jade groaned as he too released. He rocked as ribbons of cum splashed across Conrad’s belly. He clenched then dug his fingers into Conrad’s side. Conrad reached up and jerked his head down and took his lips. The firm, deep kiss was a claiming and Jade willingly accepted it. He wanted this man and he was glad he was his. The kiss gentled and lazily he met Conrad’s tongue with his own. Jade pulled away from their kiss and studied Conrad.
His cheeks were flushed and a sated look in his golden eyes. Conrad blinked a slow sweep of those thick curling lashes of a deeper gold. His curly wavy hair framed his face with features that always made Jade want to touch. So he did. He stroked his finger along that golden skin enjoying it. He feathered his fingers over his thick eyebrows that made him seem intense. And stroked the laugh lines around his mouth which he knew were from Conrad’s tendency to laugh and have a good time. Jade gently rubbed his knuckle over the slight ridge on his nose.
Conrad touched his hand then brought it to his lips kissing each finger before resting his hand on his chest. The slightly increased breathing made Jade feel content in a way he didn’t think possible.
“I love you,” Jade said it then scowled.
Conrad laughed. “You know another man would get a complex that you frown whenever you say it.”
“Thankfully I have a man who knows me and knows that my scowls are a form of affection.”
And Conrad did know him. Almost too well. So well he knew something was wrong but Jade wasn’t ready yet to articulate it. Hell he didn’t even know what to say. He was still trying to figure out the logistics of what he wanted to say. He needed to make it special.
“I do.” Conrad lifted Jade off him effortlessly.
Jade squeezed his ass together wanting him to stay inside but knew they needed to sleep. Conrad settled Jade against him in his favorite sleeping spot—on his chest listening to his heart. Although Jade wouldn’t admit it out loud that also soothed him.
“Sleep,” Conrad said.
The thickness in his tone made Jade smile. Conrad would be asleep before he was. In moments he was proven correct when his breathing deepened and Conrad went to sleep. Jade settled in and listened to the steady rise and fall on his chest.
I want this forever. Now I have to figure out how to ask him.
Days later Jade twirled his sticks and then started to tap against his drums again. He was keeping time with the song they were practicing but his thoughts were still on Conrad and how to approach him. Also Conrad had a day off today and he would much rather be spending time with him.
“Jade,” Micah called.
He brought his attention back to the room and realized that they had finished the song. “Yeah.”
“Bro, you are so out of it.” Micah came to stand beside him.
Jade shrugged.
“Did you ask him yet?”
He shrugged again. The rest of his bandmates came over to them forming a semicircle.
“What’s the hold up?” Romy asked.
Jade didn’t have an answer.
“It’s a big step,” Galen said.
“No it’s not. You already said I love you,” Asher said. “That is a big step. This is just another step in the journey. How hard is it that when he comes over for a sleepover—”
“Is that what they are calling it?” Storm asked.
Asher ignored his interjection. “—to say why don’t you stay a while. Come on and move in since you stay here almost every night anyway.”
“Yeah that’s real romantic.” Storm rolled his eyes. “Don’t listen to the unromantic.”
“I too am romantic.” Asher scowled. “Hell I would have asked Conrad already to move in if he was mine.”
“And if you asked him the way you just said for Jade to do it. Of course he would have jumped at the chance to live with you.” Romy shook his head.
“Of course.”
“At least he didn’t mention splitting the bills and utilities,” Micah said.
They all laughed except for Asher.
“What? You should be thinking of the practical things too. Not just letting the emotions lead you,” Asher said.
“I can’t wait for the day when Mister Cool and Collected loses his shit and lets emotions rule.” Galen smiled.
“Never going to happen,” Asher retorted.
“I bet if you asked Jade that a few months ago he’d have said the same thing,” Micah said.
Jade couldn’t dispute it since he was right.
“So when are you going to do it?” Asher asked.
“Do what?” Conrad asked.
Jade looked at him standing in the doorway of the practice room in his house. They had decided to practice at his place today.
“Go get a Christmas tree,” Micah answered. “It’s a tradition. We do it every year. Get our trees together.”
Jade glanced at him in disbelief. He noted the same expression on the other band members faces. Yes it was something they did but every year Micah tried to get out of it. They all knew it was because he didn’t have the patience it took for all of them to pick what tree they wanted. Micah was decisive and knew when he found his. It was the same way he was like with almost everything. Once he had his mind set he went about getting what he wanted. In the case of shopping for Christmas trees by the time they were all done and picked their’s he was promising not to ever do it again. They knew he would cave but usually it took convincing.
“Are you sick?” Romy reached and touched his forehead.
Micah smacked his hand away. “No. Although by the time we’re done I’ll be wishing for a big stiff drink. Come on let’s get this torture over with.” Micah strode toward the door muttering.
The others followed him. They passed Conrad who watched them, a bemused look on his face. Jade came to his side.
“Why am I thinking the conversation I walked in on wasn’t about Christmas trees?”
Jade didn’t answer since he didn’t want to lie to him instead he said, “Let’s go get our first Christmas tree.”
“First of many I hope.” Conrad linked hands with his.
Jade opened his mouth to ask him but he stopped knowing this wasn’t the right moment. You’ve been trying for weeks. And no time has been the right moment. Why can’t I just say the words?
He has no idea but was determined to find a special moment to ask Conrad to move in with him, he needed to do this right.
“Yes, first of many.” He led Conrad out so they could find their Christmas tree.
Chapter Two
“Oh my god. I’m going to need to join Micah for a drink,” Conrad muttered.
Jade laughed. He hugged Conrad and he buried his head into the side of his neck.
“Are they always like this?” Conrad sighed. “Wait don’t answer that. I’ve seen how th
ey act when you all are trying to decide what to get for lunch. I didn’t think that would extend to picking trees too.”
“I’ll tell you a secret,” Jade spoke low. “It doesn’t. They already picked a tree two hours ago. The tree lot owner and them have a signal so he already has their tree and knows which one. They just do this to annoy Micah.”
“Wait…what? This torture of bickering about trees and expounding on all the negative and positives is fake?” Conrad whispered. “Why?”
“Micah claims he is oldest but it’s only by a few minutes earlier than me. But for the rest it’s a few months. So although we are all the same age technically he is oldest. And the bossiest too. Didn’t you notice he is sort of controlling?”
“Pot. Kettle. Black.” Conrad stared at him. “So are you. Hell so are all of you. You all control shit in varying degrees. I’m putting an end to this shit.” Conrad turned to the men. “Stop right now and let’s go. You know what you want so get it. And you not telling me until now. We could have been out of here hours ago.”
He stomped off muttering about crazy people who needed keepers. Jade’s bandmates surrounded him as they watched Conrad walk off.
“Are you sure you want him to move in with you?” Asher shook his head. “He’s a little moody.”
“Yes, I want to move in. He’s moody but who isn’t. This time he had reason to be. I told him about your long-standing tradition of seeing how long before Micah blows when we are picking trees.”
“What does he mean?” Micah demanded.
“Aww.” Galen pouted. “Why’d you have to go ruin our fun, Jade?”
Jade shook his head. And he left them to explain. He went down the aisle and when he eventually came out of the tress he saw Conrad speaking with the owner. They were laughing and Jade touched his hand to his chest as he watched him. Conrad threw his head back and laughed. The sound made Jade shiver as he wanted to have it under his mouth.
“Conrad,” Micah yelled close by his side.
Jade started as he hadn’t heard him approach.
“What?” Conrad glanced toward them.
“Christmas trees are on the Foolish Four. This is for the next twenty years. For as long as I have been putting up with their antics.” Micah pointed at the others as they joined them then jerked his thumb at Jade. “Jade, since he sort of put a stop to it, gets to buy the decorations for any trees you and I pick out for this year only. All of us are going shopping and he’s paying the bill you and I have.”
They all groaned. Micah and shopping were two words you didn’t want to hear together. He didn’t go to stores often so when he did he spent a lot. The stores loved him since he knew what he wanted and didn’t really care about price. He only had to like it.
“Suck it up boys. We’re going shopping.” Micah bared his teeth then went over to join Conrad.
“Maybe we should make them decorate while we have drinks and direct them on what we want.” Conrad teased.
“What a fabulous idea?” Micah smirked. “You heard him. Chop, chop we have things to do.”
“I want a tree for our bedroom. I know which one. That one me and Jade will do ourselves,” Conrad said and hurried off.
“He’s already calling your bedroom his.” Asher slapped him on the shoulder. “Just make it official already. It’s not that hard.”
Jade ignored him and went after Conrad. He went around the corner and walked to him. Conrad was standing before a tree. He joined him and slid his hand along his waist.
“Perfect,” Conrad said decisively.
“Yes.” He lifted his chin then kissed his lips.
Conrad opened. Jade deepened the kiss.
“Come on no time for nookie,” Micah said. “We have shopping to do. Then bossing around.”
Conrad was pulled away and Micah led him away. Jade rolled his eyes at his brother. He went after them but stopped beside the rest of the men.
“Why are you all going along so calmly with this?” Jade asked suspiciously.
“He threatened to tell our mamas.” Storm shook his head. “That’s…”
“Bad,” Galen said.
“Not fair,” Romy added.
“You’re brother fights dirty.” Asher shook his head. “Usually I like that but this time since it affects us. Not so much.”
“You do know he’s going to tell them anyway,” Jade pointed out. He knew Micah well enough to know he would. And he wasn’t looking forward to hearing from his mother about this. She would find her own form of lesson for their shenanigans and his dad would probably just laugh. This would also be the case with the other men and their parents. There was nothing more inventive than mothers when it came to teaching a kid a lesson.
“Yeah but he promised to be vague on how long we’ve actually been messing with him,” Asher said. “So that’s a plus.”
“It is.” Jade sighed. “But we better work on our we’re sorry faces.”
“Yeah,” Romy said morosely then grinned. “All those years of watching him lose it as we bickered about which tree to pick was worth it though.”
“Yes,” they all said together and laughed.
They stopped when Micah glared at them. When he focused back on Conrad they snickered.
“You’re man there is a keeper Jade,” Storm said. “He’s fit right in with our craziness.”
The rest of them all made sounds of agreement. Jade nodded knowing he had.
“Shopping,” Micah said gleefully.
“At least you all get off easy with the trees,” Jade said.
“But you only have to do it for this year.” Asher pointed out.
“Yeah. But when Micah has the gleam in his eye he has now it’s going to cost a lot.” Jade sighed.
They nodded. They joined Micah and Conrad before heading off to shop.
“You’re brother takes shopping really seriously,” Conrad said.
“Yes.” Jade laughed.
“I’ve never seen anything like what I witnessed today.” Conrad rubbed his hand down his sweat-slicked back.
Jade cuddled in listened to Conrad’s breath calm. “And you will again if you stick around.”
Conrad stiffened then gripped his chin making him look at him. “I’m not going anywhere, Jade.”
He believed him. Jade stroked his hand over his and lifted it kissing his fingers. He turned his head and kissed his palm then leaned up and kissed him. Conrad lifted him and then turned. Jade settled on the bed and held him. He stroked along Conrad’s back and cradled him between his legs. They moved against each other. Their revived cocks between their bodies rubbed against each other. Jade arched increasing his motions and holding onto Conrad.
“Please,” Jade whimpered.
Conrad pushed down firmer adding the friction he needed. Jade moaned and wrapped his legs around Conrad. They kissed and moved slowly toward pleasure. Each motion set off another and the need for completion overcame Jade. He rocked and then groaned as he came and the splash of Conrad’s come as he shuddered and joined him made him shake.
I want this. Him with me here always. Say the words, Jade. Ask him. Again he couldn’t get out the words.
“We make a good team,” Conrad said gesturing to the left.
Jade glanced at the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree they had put up earlier in their bedroom then at Conrad.
“We do.” He kissed him.
Conrad held him and Jade settled against him listening to his heart.
Conrad hummed under his breath as he mopped the floor. The shift had thankfully been another slow one and if all held the same in less than an hour he would be off for three days and the time he was spending with Jade. The band was taking a break from practice for the performance. They were ready as far as he could tell. Conrad paused. He couldn’t believe that next week was Christmas.
“Someone is happy.” A familiar voice teased.
“Behave Reuben.” Conrad smiled.
“People tend to tell me that a lot,” Reuben r
etorted, “but I don’t pay any attention.”
“I know.” Conrad leaned against the mop. “I noticed that with you and your siblings.”
“I’m the good one,” Reuben said.
“Wow, I’m impressed you said that without a smile.” Conrad lifted an eyebrow.
“What can I say, I’m awesome that way.”
Conrad chuckled.
“So are you coming to see me perform tonight?” Reuben asked.
“Umm…”
“Stop making excuses,” Reuben said. “I promise I’m a decent musician.”
“I know.” Conrad nodded. “I’ll come. Let me call Jade.”
“Good. Even if my cousin can’t make it you come,” Reuben said as he walked away.
“I will.” He texted Jade.
While he waited he continued to clean the floor. Conrad found he was looking forward to seeing Reuben perform. He’d asked him a few times before but he’d been busy. His cell vibrated and Conrad took it out and read it.
Sure. I’ll bring the rest of the guys too. Bring your friends. We’ll make a night out out of it.
* * *
Conrad hadn’t thought of asking them. But it was a good idea. He quickly finished up and went to find Liam and Ward.
* * *
Later that night as they entered Zeus Rising, Conrad noted the decorations for the holidays.
“Looks nice and festive,” Micah said. “I’m going to get drinks. What does everyone want?”
They all gave him his orders. They headed for the table that Reuben said that was reserved for them. As they went Conrad noticed the guys stopping to greet many people along the way. He still thought it interesting that when they went out although people knew who there were they treated them like normal people. Jade had explained that people knew them from when they moved to Carrington and to them they were just the Blakstone, Knight, Silva, or MacKenzie brood. Them being famous was secondary to most of the people they already knew.
Conrad (Carrington Book 2) Page 2
