by Carol Lynne
Kade climbed into the backseat still holding Sam. “Lark?” Sam asked.
“Right here,” his friend said, getting in the other side of the car.
“You’re nice.”
“Keep telling yourself that. I don’t really want a fat lip in the morning when you remember I called in reinforcements.”
Sam felt a rumble against his cheek as Kade growled. “I won’t let him touch you,” Kade said to Lark.
Sam smiled. “Isn’t Lark hot, Kade?”
“You’re drunk,” Kade replied. “You’d better shut up before you say something you regret.”
Sam felt the car pull out of the lot. “You taking me home?”
“Yeah,” Tony said from the driver’s seat.
“I wish Jace’s house was my home,” he mumbled. “He doesn’t want me anymore.” Sam felt himself starting to drift again. “He already replaced me.”
After they got Sam to bed, they sat around the living room. Tony looked at the clock. “I think we should call Jace.”
Lark shook his head. “Sam would kill us.”
“I’ve already told you, no one’s going to touch you,” Kade grumbled.
Tony couldn’t help but notice the looks flying between Lark and Kade. Interesting. “Have you talked to him since he’s been gone?” he asked Kade.
“I tried once. He told me to stay out of his personal life. It’s the push I needed to start working again, though. I’ve got to get a place of my own before he comes back to town.”
“Wow, so you’re working again?” Tony couldn’t believe it.
“Not yet, but I’ll find something.”
“So you’re staying in Idaho?” Lark asked. Tony could see the hope in the small man’s eyes.
“For a while, I guess.”
Tony cleared his throat. “Back to Jace and Sam. The problem as I see it is neither of them trusts the other. Jace’s been hurt before and doesn’t want to go down that same road, and Sam thinks Jace cheated on him in London.”
He looked around the room to make sure everyone was following him so far. “The first thing we need to do is ask Jace if he slept with someone else. If the answer is yes, then we band together and get Sam through this.”
“It doesn’t sound like Jace. Even if he had given up on a relationship with Sam, I don’t think he’d be jumping into the fire so soon,” Kade remarked.
Tony pulled out his cell phone. “There’s only one way to find out. Are we all in agreement?”
“He may never speak to us again,” Daniel replied.
“You’re right. That’s why I’m asking.” The four of them looked at each other before nodding their agreement.
Chapter Eleven
Sam carefully stepped into the kitchen, making sure not to make any noise. He raised a hand to Jack and put his fingers to his lips.
Jack chuckled as Sam sat at the island. Turning his back on him, Jack pulled several items out of the fridge and cupboards. Within minutes a red concoction was set in front of him. “Drink it,” Jack ordered.
The smell alone was enough to make Sam’s stomach roll. He made a face and pushed the glass away. “Can I just have some aspirin?”
“That’ll do you more good than aspirin. That remedy has kept more than one marine from missing drills. Now drink.”
Sam picked up the glass more to shut Jack up than anything. Holding his nose, he took his first sip and grimaced.
“Don’t taste it, swallow it.” He was once again ordered.
Taking a deep breath, Sam chugged the rest of the nasty drink. When he was finished, he ran to the sink afraid it wouldn’t stay down. He heard Jack start to chuckle again.
After several minutes, Sam turned away from the sink. “Can I have some aspirin now?”
Jack pointed towards the cupboard. “Help yourself. By the way, some guy named Christian called for you earlier.”
“Christian?” Sam searched his memory as he shook out three tablets.
“He said he met you at Lucky’s and you mentioned where you lived. Probably not a smart idea if you’re going to get so shit faced.”
Sam gave Jack a slight wave. “Thanks for the remedy. I’m gonna go die now.” He made his way back to his room and shed his clothes once more. He wasn’t sure who’d undressed him the previous night. Hell, he wasn’t even sure how he’d made it home. He’d yet to see Lark.
Remembering the transformation he’d done on Lark brought a smile to his face. Who knew his roommate was such a sexy little thing. He wondered if Lark had gotten any action.
Covering his head with the sheet, Sam let himself fall back into the land of dreams. Maybe if he was lucky, he’d have another one about Jace.
Sam ran passed Margaret the following Monday afternoon. “Can’t talk, I’m late.”
Margaret giggled and waived.
Quickly punching in his pass code, Sam opened the door to his small makeshift office. He grabbed his chest as he was greeted by the man sitting in his chair.
“Hello, Sam.”
“Jace. What are you doing back?” Sam felt frozen to the spot. He could tell Jace had picked up some sun wherever he’d spent the past several days.
“I arrived last night. I thought you might let me take you to dinner this evening.” Jace narrowed his eyes. “Unless of course you have other plans."
“No. I mean I don’t have plans, but I’m not sure about dinner.” Sam crossed his arms. “How’s Dave?”
Jace glanced at his watch. “He should be just finishing up dinner with his wife and children.” He looked back at Sam. “When you called my hotel, several of us were playing poker. That’s all.”
“Really,” Sam replied. He wasn’t sure if he believed Jace. He wanted to, oh god he wanted to, but too much had happened since Jace had left for London.
Jace stood and slowly walked towards him. “Yes, really.” Jace ran his long slender finger down the bridge of Sam’s nose. “Almost healed,” he whispered.
“Yeah, a couple of weeks will do that.” Sam pulled back, away from Jace’s electrifying touch.
“I need to tell you something. I went out and got wasted a couple of days ago. Nothing happened, but I danced with some guy. I wouldn’t let him kiss me though.”
“Yes, I know. You danced with Christian Foster. He’s a grade A prick. He used to have my job and a spot in Tony’s bed until he fucked them both up.”
Sam just stood there unsure of what to say.
“Have dinner with me. I need to explain a few things.”
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Sam felt angry. He’d suffered for the past two weeks and Jace waltzes in and expects to just explain his way out of it. With his hands balling into fists he turned his back. “I don’t think I need to hear your explanation. I lied to you to keep two old friends from fighting. I know about your past with Kade and what he did, but if you can’t tell the difference between him and me, I’ve nothing to say to you.”
Jace put his hand on Sam’s shoulder, and he whirled around. “Don’t. You’ve put me through pure hell. You didn’t call, you wouldn’t take mine. Goddamit, Jace. I loved you. I would’ve done absolutely anything for you.”
Jace looked stunned. “You love me?”
“I said loved. I’m not sure what I feel anymore.” Sam shook his head and opened the door. “I gave you my heart once, and you didn’t take very good care of it. I’m not sure I can do it again.”
Without waiting for a reply, Sam walked out. He was almost to the bus stop when he heard Jace shouting his name. He glanced over his shoulder at Jace’s sleek Jaguar.
“Please, get in,” Jace pleaded.
Sam stopped and put his hands on his hips. He knew what would happen if he got in Jace’s car. Despite everything, he knew he still loved the bastard. It was clear they both had trust issues that needed work if they were ever going to make a relationship work.
With a sigh, Sam walked towards the driver’s window and bent down. “I don’t want to fight with you.” Sam looked around the par
king lot. “I’m so tired of feeling like a walking corpse.”
“Get in, baby. Let me take care of you,” Jace whispered.
“I don’t need you to take care of me. I just need you to love me.” Sam felt the sting of tears and quickly blinked them away.
“Lucky for us, I want to do both.” Jace leaned over the console and opened the passenger door, looking back at Sam, imploring him to take another chance.
Going around, Sam got in. The feel of warm leather felt somehow comforting as he shut the door. “Where are we going?”
“I don’t care as long as we’re together. We could go back to my place.”
Sam shook his head. “Maybe the lake would be a good idea.”
Jace cupped Sam’s cheek. “I have a blanket in the trunk. Should we get stuff for a picnic lunch?”
Sam nodded. “I haven’t eaten much lately.”
“I can tell.” Jace traced the dark circles under Sam’s eyes. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on Sam’s forehead. “I’m sorry.”
Sam stretched as the warm afternoon sun bathed his skin. He opened his eyes and yawned. “Sorry, how long have I been asleep?”
Jace grinned. He was on his side with his head propped on his hand looking down at Sam. “A little over an hour.” He ran a hand over Sam’s bare chest. “You’re starting to get a little pink though.”
Sam revelled in the touch. They’d spent a great deal of time talking while they ate and relaxed beside the crystal clear water. He wasn’t sure when he’d fallen asleep, but Jace didn’t appear to be upset with him.
He’d promised to never lie to Jace again. Even if he thought it would spare Jace’s feelings from getting hurt. Jace promised to work on his trust issues, and that was enough for Sam, at least for now.
Jace’s thumb circled Sam’s light brown nipple. “I’ve missed you,” Jace said as he descended. A warm tongue traced a path from under Sam’s arm to the pebbled nub. Teeth scraped across the sensitive skin as Jace groaned.
Hard and wanting, Sam thrust his hips against Jace’s thigh. Pulling off his nipple, Jace looked around. They still appeared to be the only ones playing hooky. “What do you want, baby?”
“Your mouth. Oh god I want to feel your mouth on me,” Sam moaned, threading his fingers through Jace’s dark hair.
Repositioning himself, Jace licked his way down Sam’s torso. Sam quickly unzipped his jeans and pushed them and his underwear down as far as he could in his present position.
Bypassing his cock, Jace nuzzled his nose against Sam’s heavy sac. Short teasing licks were given but no relief was in sight. “Please,” Sam begged.
Looking around once more, Jace pulled Sam’s clothes completely off and flung them to the side. Straddling Sam’s legs, Jace leaned forward and took the head of Sam’s cock into his mouth. “Yessss,” Sam hissed.
Jace pumped up and down on Sam’s cock a few times before releasing it. Sam groaned in frustration, but Jace merely chuckled, “Patience, baby.”
Sliding his body down Sam’s legs, Jace repositioned them. With his legs bent and open wide, Sam was fully exposed to Jace’s lustful gaze. “I don’t know where to begin,” Jace said.
“Anywhere,” Sam groaned, “just somewhere.”
Grinning, Jace licked his way around Sam’s balls, sucking one and then the next into his mouth. Sam gripped the blanket on either side of him and drew his knees to his chest. “More,” he croaked.
“Mmm hmm.” Jace moved down to bury his face in the crack of Sam’s ass, inhaling deeply. The slick tongue working around his hole had Sam on edge in no time.
Jace introduced a finger, lubing the pucker with spit as he pushed another in. “Need you,” Jace murmured.
“Yes.” Sam turned over and got on his hands and knees.
Jace knelt behind him and unzipped his dress slacks, allowing his cock to spring free. He spit several times into his hands and lubed his cock. “It’s gonna be down and dirty, baby.”
“Sounds good to me,” Sam said, grabbing his own cock.
The blunt head of Jace’s cock pressed against his hole, finally pushing passed the first ring of muscles. They rocked back and forth in unison until Jace was buried to the hilt.
“Missed you,” Jace growled as he slowly pulled out and slammed back in. The faster the pace, the more Jace babbled. “Missed your smile, your laugh, and this ass. Never had an ass like yours, never. It hurt, hurt when you lied. I thought I’d lost you forever.”
“Never,” Sam answered back. “Never gonna lose me.”
Jace bent and bit Sam’s back, soothing it with his tongue. “Come for me. Come with my cock buried inside of you.”
The next bite was even more intense, and Sam grunted as he spilled his seed on the blanket below. Who knew he liked to be bit? He hoped they explored this new development further in the future.
Jace bit Sam one last time on the shoulder as he pumped him full of cum. His teeth were still firmly embedded in Sam’s flesh as he shook with the aftershocks.
They both collapsed on the blanket and Jace began soothing the mark with his tongue. “Did I hurt you?” Jace panted.
Sam was a little embarrassed to admit that he liked it, but he promised to be truthful. “It was hotter than fuck. You can bite me anytime.”
Jace rolled off Sam’s back and turned him over. “Really?”
“God yes.”
“I can see a lot of bruises in your future.” Jace replied, nipping at Sam’s nipple.
Sam squirmed, feeling his cock begin to harden. “Take me to dinner and then I’ll let you feast on me all you want.”
Jace grinned and sat up. “Where would you like to dine, Mr. Howard?”
Sam watched as Jace tucked his half-hard cock back into the charcoal grey dress slacks. “I don’t care as long as it’s on the way.”
“The Grog and Galley is just down the road.” Jace ran a finger down Sam’s bare chest. “You’ll need protein to keep up with me.”
“Mmm, I guess you’ll need to fill me with plenty of it.” Sam winked.
Jace chuckled and stood. “Come on, tease, let’s get out of here.”
They were in the middle of thick juicy filets when Sam caught him staring. “What?”
Jace shook his head, and took another bite. “You amaze me.”
“Me? I’m nothing special.” Sam wiped his mouth and took a drink of his water.
Jace ran his foot up the inside of Sam’s calf. “I beg to differ.”
Sam blushed. “Is this about the whole biting thing? Because until you did it, I never knew what a turn-on it was.”
“I’ve always had a thing for biting, even as a child. I’ve just never had a lover who enjoyed it. Usually complaints follow a fuck like the one we had.” Jace took a sip of wine. “It’s not just that though, it’s everything. We really are suited for one another.”
Sam looked at him with such heat in his eyes Jace felt it in his groin. “Eat up. We’ve got a lot of making up to do.”
“Sam?” A smooth voice said from behind Jace.
The hair on the back of Jace’s neck prickled. He knew that voice. Standing, Jace turned around to face Christian. “Get lost.”
Christian had the nerve to grin. “I don’t believe I was talking to you. I’ve been trying to get this young man on the phone for several days now. I guess its fate we’re both here.”
“Listen, Christian…”
Jace cut Sam off. “If you ever try to contact Sam again, I’ll kill you. Better yet, I’ll sic Kade on you.”
“I’m not afraid of you or that tattooed freak.”
“I’m not interested, Christian,” Sam said, coming to wrap an arm around Jace’s waist. “We danced, that’s all. I don’t want anything you have to offer.”
“You will,” Christian smirked. “Jace will be playing the field before you know it and you’ll be left alone, again.”
Jace started to lunge for the big asshole, but Sam tightened his grip. “Don’t, Jace. He’s not worth it.�
�
Christian chuckled and turned away. “Call me, Sam.”
If he didn’t know Christian as well as he did, he would’ve taken him seriously. Despite his bluster, Jace knew Kade scared the crap out of Christian, he always had.
“Let’s go home,” Sam whispered. “We’ve had a wonderful day. Don’t let that scum ruin it.”
Jace turned back to Sam and kissed his forehead. “Okay, baby.”
Chapter Twelve
Kade was stretched out on the couch when they arrived at Jace’s house. It was the first time Sam had seen the big man without a shirt. Damn. He’d never seen so many tattoos. He grinned at the gold hoops through Kade’s nipples. They were big, but not nearly as big as Lark’s.
Jace caught Sam staring and growled. Sam looked up at Jace and grinned. He turned back to Kade. “Have you ever seen Lark’s piercings?”
Kade’s eyes rounded like a deer caught in the headlights. “Why would I have seen Lark’s? Well, okay, I take that back. I did see the pretty one in his belly button when you dressed him up the other night, but that’s it.”
Deciding to push, Sam took a step forward. “And what did you think of the way he was dressed?”
A far away look passed over Kade’s face for a moment. “I think he’ll get himself in trouble if he goes out like that again.”
“From you or someone else?” Sam chuckled.
Kade grunted and left the room. Jace kissed the top of Sam’s head. “You seem to have hit a sore spot.”
“Good.”
“Just remember what I told you about Kade. He’s very adamant about never having sex again. I guess it’s his way of paying for his sins.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “He needs to get back into the land of the living. All I know is after the night Kade rescued me from the bar, Lark’s been different. He stares off into space all the time and I’ve actually heard him jacking off during the night. Not good.”
Jace lifted Sam’s hand to his mouth. Sam thought he was about to bestow a kiss, but instead, Jace bit the fleshy part under his thumb. Sam felt his cock twitch.
