Love You So Hard

by Tara Lain

  Jesse stirred and flipped over, dragging the sheets under him and leaving one very bouncy cock on full display. Hello, morning woody. Mouthwatering. What would a top do?

  Craig leaned over until the rising erection was right in front of his mouth. One lick. Umm. Salty and delicious. Two licks. That got a very nice murmur from sleeping beauty. Pounce. Craig opened wide and covered as much of Jesse’s cock as he could get in his mouth. Then he closed and sucked—hard.

  “Holy Gandalf! Good morning to you too.” Jesse’s hips were bucking and his eyes were barely open.

  This is so fun. Craig just kept licking and sucking like he’d found candy in his bed. Jesse scooted in a big half circle until he managed to get himself right under Craig’s cock. He reached up, grabbed, and pulled down to give Craig’s hard rod some of the same treatment. Craig collapsed onto his side, Jesse turned likewise, and they sucked like mad. Sixty-nine. He hadn’t done it since he was a young teenager with the kid across the street who grew up to be a Bible-thumping preacher—but he’d sure loved sucking cock when he was young.

  “Umpf, umpf.” They both made wild slurping sounds and competed to see who could swallow the most cock, giggling like kids around their too-full mouths. But things got serious real fast. Craig couldn’t stop his hips from trying to push his dick down Jesse’s throat. Jesse had a little more control, but not much.

  He was toast. His cock was ready to blow, and he wanted company. He wrapped his lips around Jesse’s fat mushroom head, licked hard into the slit, sucked, and then deep-throated that cock so far down he gave up the idea of breathing.

  Pow. Hot cum hit the back of Craig’s throat and almost made him cough, but he held on, sucking gently as he rode out the thrashing orgasm that took over Jesse’s body. The lips left his cock. “Oh, oh!”

  Then Jesse’s mouth came back with a vengeance, and he sucked Craig into oblivion, the pleasure so intense it was almost pain—but so good.

  Craig collapsed in a heap, gasping for breath, and heard Jesse beside him doing that cute chuckle he seemed to express after sex. The sun had definitely taken over outside, and Craig could see Jesse’s blue eyes sparkle with a grin to match. “You know how to make a guy love morning.”

  Craig stretched. “Do you have to be at school soon?”

  “Not for a little while. What about you? Early appointments?”

  “No. I got so upset when the whole promotion thing went kaflooey, I took vacation and didn’t tell them when I was coming back.”

  Jesse bounded up to a sitting position like they hadn’t had sex half the night. “So, what would be your dream job?”

  Good question. Craig shrugged.

  “Come on, this is part of your tutoring. Have you got a résumé?”

  He propped his head on his hand. “Yeah. I had to update mine for some articles I wrote last year.”

  “Good, let me see it.”

  He fell onto his back. “What about breakfast?”

  “Show me your résumé first, then I’ll make you some eggs to die for.”

  “Oh, okay.” He contained his sigh. He’d been having so much fun—résumés were too much like real life. Plus they led straight to graduation. He swung his legs off the bed. “Shower?”

  “Résumé first.”

  “Slave driver.” He grabbed for his boxers and pulled them on. He couldn’t quite manage business in the nude.

  Jesse had no such compunctions. He leaped off the bed and eyed Craig up and down, staring at his hips. “We’ll deal with those things a bit later. No guy who gives a blowjob like that should wear white boxer shorts.”

  Should he feel flattered or embarrassed? At least the underwear was easy to change. The rest of his life—not so easy.

  He walked into the living room, where he’d left the laptop on the table, and fired it up. A couple of minutes later, he got into his documents and tracked down the résumé. “Found it.”

  Jesse walked in wearing his jeans unbuttoned at the waist and showing a few inches of happy trail so enticing, returning to bed sounded like a perfect idea. He scooted Craig off the chair and stared at the screen.

  Craig went into the small kitchen and filled two glasses with OJ.

  “Hey, man, are you telling me you have a master in statistics and market analysis?”

  “Yep.” He came back to the table and handed Jesse his glass.

  “Well, shit. No wonder you didn’t get the fucking promotion.”

  Craig frowned. “Why?”

  “You’re way too good for it. Come on, let’s get you a job you deserve.” Jesse started clicking keys.

  Might as well start breakfast.

  Jesse kept clicking and searching while Craig made eggs. Not to die for, but the best he could. When he set eggs and multigrain toast in front of his cute tutor, Jesse grabbed a slice of toast and nibbled before he finally looked up. “I’ve made a file of jobs I think might be a good fit. This is stuff from Facebook, LinkedIn, and a couple of the fancier job sites. Of course, the really good stuff is a little harder to find.”

  What about that search he’d seen yesterday from ClearWater Tech? Hell, no way he’d qualify. That job was too much for him.

  Jesse ate with one hand and typed with the other. “We need to work on the résumé. Tell me all the cool shit you do in your job.”

  Craig shook his head. “I don’t know if I want to quit.” Hell, he didn’t know if he wanted a better job. Jesse seemed really anxious to get Craig moving on. Sure. Why would he want to tutor Craig forever?

  Jesse speared him with those blue eyes. “Like hell you don’t. Your instincts took you right out that door yesterday. They don’t appreciate you, so they don’t deserve you.”

  Craig shrugged. “It’s mostly my fault. I let them take advantage of me.”

  “I’m glad you see that. But a really good boss wouldn’t be so blind.”

  Craig looked up at Jesse. Wait a second. How would he know? He was a twenty-one-year-old schoolteacher.

  Jesse stared over the top of the laptop and grinned like he’d heard Craig’s thoughts. “Who’s the best admin in your department?”

  “Jessica Heartstone.”

  “Who’s the most effective salesperson?”

  “John Creeger.” That’s right. Not Howard Landrew.

  “Who’s the best art director in your marketing communications department?”

  “There are two.”

  Jesse chewed. “See. You know. Why doesn’t your boss?”

  “She has a lot on her plate.” Still, he had a point.

  “Besides, you need a better résumé even if you decide to stay where you are. Come on, tell me what you do.” Jesse chewed a bite of egg.

  Okay, that makes sense. For a half hour, Craig filled Jesse in on all the details of his job—the customers they’d won as a result of his marketing strategies, the revenue they’d gained. Jesse typed like mad, asked questions, and managed to eat his food at the same time.

  Finally he sat back. “Take a look.”

  Craig walked behind Jesse and leaned over to see the screen. Jesse raised his head and kissed Craig’s neck. Damn, that was nice. “Thank you.” He looked at the résumé. “Holy shit. I sound like some Fortune 500 CMO or something.”

  “Is there a lie on there?”

  Son of a gun. “Nope.”

  “Okay. I have to take a shower and get to school. Look over the list I left you and see which jobs appeal. Write a short introductory letter specific to the ones you like and include your résumé. Hey, it can’t hurt to look. Think of it as market research.” He laughed. “We’re on our way to graduation, baby.”

  Jesse bounded into the bathroom, and Craig sat down in the chair. Graduation. Jesse wanted him to succeed. Be as good as he could be. Damn, Craig wanted that too. But even if he could believe he was good enough for a new job, he’d never be good enough for Jesse.

  Craig sighed and stared at the computer. Might as well get on with it. Jesse had identified some interesting opportunit
ies. He scrolled through them. A couple looked intriguing—and then there was ClearWater. He clicked on the email and looked at the executive search letter again. God, what a great job. He’d get laughed at if he applied.

  He stared at the bathroom and listened to the water splashing. What the fuck? He’d been laughed at plenty. Why not once for reaching too high?

  Chapter SEVEN

  “YOU LOOK gorge.” Jesse bit into the chicken leg and grinned around it.

  Heat seeped across Craig’s cheeks. Of course, he’d become an expert at blushing in the last few hours. Jesse had taken him shopping. Practically everything in his closet or drawers had been replaced, starting with his white boxers. The slim, knit boxer briefs snuggled his balls underneath his sleek new jeans. The jeans that cost more than some of his previous suits were topped by a gauze-thin blue sweater under a taupe leather jacket so delicious he didn’t care if it represented a week’s salary. He’d saved the money. He could spend it. “Thank you.”

  “Love the do too.”

  They’d also visited the hairdresser, who’d taken Craig’s combed-to-the-side dark hair and made it spiky and incredibly cool. He glanced in the mirror behind Jesse on the restaurant wall. Who is that guy? “Hey, would you mind if I took you somewhere after dinner?”

  “Love to, as long as I get fucked at the end of the night.” Jesse sipped some wine.

  Man, imagine Jesse Randall wanting to get fucked by Craig Elson. Amazing. Of course, he was just taking his tutoring responsibilities seriously.

  Jesse leaned back in the booth and folded his hands over his stomach. “Thank you for keeping me fed. I’m a growing boy.” He laughed.

  “My pleasure.”

  “Do you like where you live?”

  Craig chuckled. “Change of topic whiplash.”

  “Sorry. I just know of a great place coming available in Laguna Beach, and I wondered if you’d be interested?”

  Laguna. He loved it. “I’m not nearly cool enough for Laguna.” He grinned.

  “Umm. Have you looked in the mirror?”

  “I try to keep my fixed costs down in case my mom’s expenses go up dramatically.”

  Jesse gazed over his wineglass. “It’s pretty reasonable. It’s the second floor of an older house. It even has an ocean view. A little smaller than your current place, but two bedrooms, so you could have an office or guestroom. Man, I’d take it in a minute if I could afford it.”

  “Sounds amazing.” Too amazing for him.

  “Think about it. It’ll go fast when it actually goes on the market.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  “So, where’s this place you want to take me?”

  Craig pulled out his wallet. “I’ll show you.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Craig guided Jesse across the street toward the Hideaway. Why was he doing this? To show off? Yep, that was the answer. But he only had Jesse for a little while, and he might never get another chance.

  Jesse smiled as they walked toward the door of the bar. “I’ve been here before, but not for a couple of years.”

  “I come in here sometimes.” Okay, that wasn’t true and this wasn’t fair. Craig stopped and pulled Jesse in front of him. “Actually, this is the bar where I was when I got the shiner. I actually brought you here to brag on you, but I don’t want to take advantage of our friendship. I’m sorry.”

  Jesse stretched up and kissed Craig gently on the mouth. “I like that you’re proud of me. I feel the same way. Let’s go get ’em, Tiger.” He slipped his arm through Craig’s and pulled him toward the door. Oh God, how can I keep from falling in love with this man?

  It was after nine, so the bar was crowded. A few lesbian couples, but mostly guys. As they walked in, a man stepped away from his place at the bar, and Jesse slipped into the spot. He climbed onto the barstool and pulled Craig up close behind him. This is fun. Craig wrapped his arms around his favorite tutor. The big bartender walked over and smiled at Jesse. “Hi, what’ll you have?” He looked up at Craig without a flicker of recognition. Then he cocked his head and a slow smile spread across his face. “Hey, I see you’re having a better night.”

  Craig grinned and hugged Jesse tight. “As a matter of fact, I am.”

  “Excellent.” The bartender gave him a thumbs-up. “You still want beer?” Craig nodded. “What about you, cutie?”

  “Beer will be fine.”

  The bartender walked away, and Jesse turned around on the stool to face Craig. Two men standing next to them glanced over and got wide eyes.

  Craig leaned in and kissed his nose. “A lot of guys are staring at you.”

  “I think they’re staring at you, baby. You have no idea how great you look.”

  “Thank you.”

  The bartender set down the beers. Craig handed one to Jesse and took the other. They clinked glasses and sipped. Craig nodded toward the back. “I need the men’s room. Will you be okay without me?”

  “Hell, yeah. I’m a big boy.” Jesse reached up and pecked his lips. “Pee fast.”

  “I will.”

  Craig threaded through the crowd. A couple of guys he barely knew hailed him, and he waved back. Maybe the new look was working? He pushed into the men’s room and used the urinal, washed his hands, and hurried back out.

  HEADS WERE turning toward the front of the bar. He pushed between two guys just in time to see Nick Nederhall grab Jesse’s hair and haul it back as Nick went in for a kiss. For one second, Craig froze. Did Jesse want it? No way. Jesse tried to push Nick off, and another guy Craig had seen with Nick a few times grabbed Jesse and held his wrists.

  No damned way.

  Craig blew out his breath and bunched his hands into fists. He’d never hit a person in his life, but this was it. He pushed between two men who were watching the action, pulled back one arm, and punched as hard as he could to Nick’s lower back. Ow. He shook his hand. Nick bellowed, and Craig grabbed his hands away from Jesse’s hair. “Get the fuck away from him.”

  Nick doubled over with a hand on his back and looked up like Quasimodo. “Who the fuck? What?” He stopped. “Elson?”

  “Yes, Elson. Get your damned hands off of him.”

  Craig saw Jesse push the other guy backward, jump off the barstool, and step toward Nederhall with fists raised. Nick’s pal held up his hands and backed off.

  Nick finally straightened up. “Hey, man, that hurt.”

  “Good. What the hell did you think you were doing to Jesse?”

  “He’s yours?” Nick’s eyes bugged.

  “Well, he’s sure as hell not yours. Keep your filthy hands off of him.”

  The big bartender leaned over. “Nick, I suggest you and your friend get out of here.”

  Jesse walked over and looked up at Craig. “Who is that asshole?”

  “The one who gave me the black eye.”

  “The hell you say.”

  Jesse stepped over until he stood nose-to-nose with Nick. They were about the same height, but Nick was a lot heavier. Jesse planted his hands on his hips. “I just found out that you were the one who came on to Craig. You think you can top Craig Elson? You haven’t got it in you, bitch.”

  Nick looked shell-shocked. “Sorry. I didn’t know he was taken.”

  Jesse pressed in. “It would probably be better if you just stayed away from men. You don’t seem to be able to avoid other people’s partners.”

  Nick just nodded. Jesse turned to Craig. “Come on, honey.” He stalked out the door with Craig right behind him.

  Jesse paused on the sidewalk, still frowning. Craig put his hands on Jesse’s shoulders. “Thank you. You were amazing.” How could he ever get enough of his tutor? “I’m sorry I got you into that mess. That’s what I get for showing off.”

  “Nobody has the right to manhandle you if you don’t want it. Let’s go home, okay?”

  He liked the sound of that so much it almost made him cry. “Yeah.”

  They held hands in the car, and when they got to Craig’s apartment, Je
sse walked straight into the bedroom like he owned the place. After Craig drank some water and turned out the lights, he found Jesse sitting up in bed, and it looked like the bottom half of him was as bare as the top. He flexed an arm behind his head, beautiful biceps popping. “Want to do doggy style?”

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  Craig undressed fast but carefully. He didn’t want to mess up the new clothes. When he turned around nude, Jesse was staring at him. “What?”

  “The only way you look better than in those new jeans is bare-assed. You are one great-looking guy.” He stretched languidly. “Nice cock too.”

  There was the blush. He could feel it. “You’re sure a great antidote for low self-esteem.”

  “It’s ridiculous that you have any issues with self-doubt. Probably just because of your father.”

  Craig nodded and sat on the bed. “He had a way of ripping people down. My mom bounced back, though.”

  “She was an adult. You were a kid.”

  He shrugged. “I was twelve when he left. He called me a fag even then. I barely knew what it meant, but it sure became a bad word to me.”

  “It is a bad word. For all of us.”

  Craig smiled, but it hurt. “I remember a bully in high school hit me and I yelled, ‘Fuck you, fag.’ He beat me so hard I had scabs and bruises all over my face. Nobody punished him since I’d called him such a disgusting name.” He shook his head.

  Jesse scrunched the pillow behind his neck. “But I don’t think you have issues with your sexuality. You just don’t understand how great you are.”

  Craig stared at the bedcover. Thoughts he hadn’t ever acknowledged tiptoed into his mind. “Maybe I accepted being gay because I thought it was something a bad, disgusting kid like me would be?” Hot tears pressed at his eyes. Stupid! He had Jesse Randall in his bed and he was sniveling.

  Jesse scooted forward and grabbed Craig in a hug. His arms squeezed and he rocked a little. “So you see how not being as great as you can be lets the bastard win, right? When you accept your amazingness, you’ll understand that being gay is just as amazing.” He gently kissed Craig’s lips. “Hey, you get to kiss me, right?”