Unbreakable Stories

by Jocelynn Drake

  “I’m not so sure about this setup,” she muttered, letting go of his hand and wandering ahead.

  The house was set up strange—with the bedrooms at the front and the living room and kitchen in the back. The realtor babysitting the open house followed them, droning on and on about the positive selling factors, but Snow didn’t listen. He was too busy paying attention to Jude’s expressions, wondering if this was what he wanted. Why hadn’t they talked more about this? Anna disappeared down another hall and he met Jude’s gaze in the small master bedroom. Jude wrinkled his nose—much like his mother had earlier—and shook his head.

  “Good,” Snow said, curling his lip. “There’s nothing I like here.” He stalked through the house to find Anna.

  She’d already reached the kitchen and she stood in its center, turned a full circle, and huffed. “This won’t do at all. You can’t cook a proper meal in here and the family certainly won’t fit.” With that, she turned on her heel and left the house.

  He couldn’t stop a laugh. Okay, then. He caught Jude’s gaze, unable to keep his amusement from showing. Jude just shook his head and followed his mother.

  Feeling overwhelmed and unsure about the whole process, Snow followed them, deciding he’d better tell Jude that fitting his family into a home was not a first on his priority list.

  Jude turned down the next place and Snow didn’t even want to go inside the third because the houses were so crowded he’d be able to watch the neighbor’s television from his own living room. But they filed through it anyway.

  At the fourth, he kind of liked the open floor plan, but the master bath would never do. He asked to see the stack of printouts, looked at the price range, and decided they did have to talk before this went any further.

  “Excuse us a moment, Anna.” Snow snagged Jude’s leather jacket and tugged him back to the master bath. He shut the door, turned and crossed his arms. “Look around.”

  One black eyebrow rose. “It’s too small. Thought we’d agreed on that when we went through.”

  “There are certain perks I’ve worked damn hard to earn.” Snow waved one hand at the shower. “One is that big-ass shower I talked about. I get that we’re going to have arguments over money. Probably lots of them. But I also understand how much you help your family.” He stepped closer and frowned. “We just jumped into this idea without any preparation and this thing with you and me is…is…like a minute old. We’re not ready.”

  Jude nodded, gaze locked on his. “It’s too early for us to be house hunting.”

  The hint of hurt, of worry, in those dark, brown eyes made Snow’s chest ache. He shook his head fast. “No, that’s not what I meant. And that’s just it. It should be too early. But it’s not. This may not work in the long run—you and me—but it’s what I want right now. More than anything else in a damn long time. I want to give us a shot. And I want us to live together in a place that’s ours. Not Lucas’s and not that ridiculous apartment.”

  The corner of Jude’s mouth lifted. “Oh General, it’s gonna last.” He closed the last of the space between them, pressing Snow into the bathroom door. “I have no doubts.”

  Snow placed his hands on Jude’s hips, anchoring his body against his. “Then let’s put a stop to today’s tours, take your mother to lunch at Rialto to thank her, then go back to your place. We’ll sit down and figure out exactly what we want. What we both want.”

  Jude bit Snow’s lower lip, then let it go and grinned. “After sex.”

  Snow nodded. “And a nap. I’m fucking exhausted. Your mother is like a mini-tornado.”

  “She likes you.”

  “Yeah, well she hasn’t gotten to know me that well yet.”

  “We’ll figure this out,” Jude murmured, kissing him again. “Come on. I was ready for the tours to be over at the last house. Don’t tell my mother.”

  They walked back through the house, Snow’s heart feeling lighter. He appreciated the trouble Anna had gone through to help them, but this had been all wrong. They found her explaining the symbolism of the pink tank on her shirt—some kind of bullshit about having strength of character. Something tugged at his chest. She was really kind of adorable. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

  Anna turned and held up her hand. She stared at each of them for long, uncomfortable moments before obvious relief softened her expression. She came up and patted Jude’s cheek, then his. “Finally! Are you boys ready to start communicating about what you both want now?” She rolled her eyes and headed for the front door. “I thought you’d never pull your heads out of your asses. Let’s eat!”

  Tequila Adventure

  He had those damn jeans on again.

  Jude watched Snow stride into the crowded club, wearing the same low-riding jeans he’d worn months ago—the night they’d first had sex. This time, his T-shirt was black and it fit tight, showing all those lean muscles Jude spent most of his free time tracing with his hands and tongue. Why had he suggested they go out again? Right then, with the loud beat pumping and Snow looking edible, Jude just wanted to take him home so they could christen another wall in his apartment.

  They’d slowed down on the house hunting because their shifts had made getting personal time together hard, but they had this whole weekend. Jude grinned because he couldn’t wait to get it started. They’d decided to go out tonight and then not leave the bed for the next two days. Mostly to celebrate them receiving their blood tests back this week. Condom-free would be a first for them both. Jude couldn’t wait to feel his general wrapped around his dick with nothing between them.

  He suddenly wished he hadn’t worn a long-sleeved shirt as he grew hot.

  Snow spotted him, gaze zeroing in on his smile and the answering one that stretched across his handsome face sent butterflies into Jude’s stomach. Holy shit, tonight was going to be fun.

  “Jude?”

  Startled, he turned at the loud voice to his right, his eyebrows going up in surprise to see his friend, Shane Stephens. Real pleasure filled him—he hadn’t seen Shane in nearly a year. He got up to meet the man’s enthusiastic hug.

  “Wow, you look great!” he yelled over the music. “How have you been?” Jude leaned back and took in the new, black goatee on his friend’s face. He tugged on it. “Like the beard.”

  “Same to you. I can’t believe how long it’s been!”

  Shane pulled him in for a longer, tighter hug and over his shoulder, Jude caught Snow’s raised eyebrow as he still waded through the packed room. Jude winked at him, then pulled back to invite his friend to sit next to him. Shane settled on the high stool, his long legs bending as he propped cowboy boots onto a rung of the chair.

  Like Snow, Shane wore jeans and a black T-shirt and it struck Jude how similar they were in body form as well. Both lengthy and broad-shouldered with sleek, toned muscles. Seemed he had a type. Shane didn’t have a strand of gray showing up in his thick, curly black hair, though. He was wearing it shorter than he used to—he looked great.

  Snow made it to the table, stepped close so he could talk into Jude’s ear. “Sorry I’m late.” He kissed Jude’s jaw and pulled out the third stool. He nodded politely at Shane as the music abruptly changed to a slower, easier beat they could talk over.

  The relief to Jude’s ears was instant. He knew Snow had frequented night clubs before him and had suggested this place, but he wished he’d picked a different one because since he’d arrived, the music had been at ear-splitting decibels. “Shane, this is my partner, Snow, this is a good friend of mine, Shane Stephens. We went to high school together.” Jude paused and flashed Shane an evil grin. “He was the one and only reason I ever got suspended. He caused a huge fight in the gym.”

  “You mean the one time you got caught fighting. You got into fights a lot.”

  “Jude did?” Snow rested his elbows on the table as he leaned in to hear more.

  Jude rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well I managed to keep from fighting more than a lot of gay kids I knew back then, b
ut they still happened.” He chuckled and pointed at Shane. “And I remember you having a big part of that particular fight.”

  Shane grinned at Snow. “I stole a kiss from him in the locker room. Mistakenly thought we were alone and he looks damn good in a towel.”

  “I’m aware,” Snow replied. “So you two dated?”

  “Briefly. We decided we’re better off as friends who occasionally fuck.”

  Jude shook his head and frowned. “Way to get off to a good start, Stephens.”

  Shane chuckled and surprisingly, so did Snow. Jude looked at him in shock.

  “What? You think I believe you never fucked anyone before me? You’re too good at it for that.” Snow’s mouth turned up on one side. “I expect you’ll run into one or two from my past as well. Probably more.” He shrugged. “It happens. Plus, you won’t be fucking anyone else now.”

  He didn’t say it with anything other than flat, utter certainty and Jude’s dick jerked in his jeans. He loved that Snow had so much faith in them.

  Shane whistled. “Damn. I see why I haven’t heard from you in a while, Jude. Partner, did you say?”

  Nodding, Jude glanced around for a waiter before remembering it wasn’t that kind of club. “It’s still pretty new, but yeah. For sure. Hey, you still have fierce love for tequila? Plan to stick around? I’ll get us some shots.”

  “Sounds good.” Shane tilted his head. “Unless I’m honing in on a date?”

  “Tequila sounds good,” Snow said to let him know he was welcome to stay.

  Shane nodded at him, then looked into the dancing crowd. “Hopefully, I won’t be lingering single for too long here tonight.”

  The way Shane looked…no, he wouldn’t. Even Snow eyed the man with appreciation. Jude had wondered before why he’d never totally clicked with Shane. They got along, had the same interests and the sex had always been good. Shane wasn’t classically handsome, but he held a rugged, earthy sensuality that had drawn Jude in on more than one occasion. But he’d never felt the soul-deep burning need to spend every moment with the man—not like he did the general. He hadn’t shaken with the need to be inside him—hadn’t wanted to stay wrapped up in him twenty-four hours a day.

  He looked at Snow, at his square jaw and piercing, light-blue eyes, at the raw sex appeal that called to him like the man was at heart, a siren. And then, there was that mouth. That sexy, talented mouth that could pull moans out of him faster than anyone ever had before. He hadn’t known what truly great sex was until he’d been with this man, and it had everything to do with how he felt about him. About their connection.

  Jude stood, gave Snow’s always-sensitive ear a lingering kiss, enjoying the slight shudder Snow couldn’t fully suppress, then walked through the crowd to the bar. He placed an order for two shots each, smiling politely back at the man sitting at the bar next to him. The man dressed like…he had to pause for a second…Wonder Woman. He was most definitely dressed as the superheroine and he was casually seated at the bar by himself. Jude glanced over his shoulder to see Snow laughing at something Shane was saying, his head thrown back, eyes closed.

  He was glad there wasn’t any jealousy because it meant Snow knew he had nothing to worry about.

  Fuck, that was hot.

  But it was the way it had been from the moment they’d gotten together. With one kiss, he’d known this was something rare. The spark they shared tied them together like—he looked at the man next to him again—a magic lasso. Smirking at his fancifulness and complete and utter lovesick thoughts, he gathered the tray of drinks, salt, and lime wedges, and carefully made his way back to their table. Snow wasn’t always easy to live with but he was worth every moment, good and bad.

  He passed the shots around when he got back to the table. The liquor burned his throat and the bite of lime made him shudder. It wasn’t often he let himself truly indulge, but he and Snow had both come by cab and not being on call meant they could have some fun. Bareback fun. He shivered in anticipation.

  He set the glass down and looked at Shane. “From your comment about not being alone long, I take it you aren’t seeing Brad anymore?”

  “Is that why you disappeared? You thought I was dating him?”

  “No, I didn’t mean to disappear on you. I actually took a job at UCMC and got caught up in that and other things.” He nodded toward Snow. “I’m sorry I haven’t called.”

  Shane clamped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “We were never terribly good about keeping up with each other, but I have missed you. I hadn’t realized you’d switched jobs.”

  The music suddenly blasted again and Jude sighed. He preferred the clubs Lucas owned. They had areas where people could talk. He leaned closer to Shane. “Are you still with that CPA firm in Covington?”

  “Nah.” Shane laughed. “I was never cut out for numbers. I went into business with a guy doing private investigative work. I do most of the bookwork, but I take on jobs, too. Gets me out of the office and moving around.” He patted his belly. “I’m in better shape for it, too.”

  “You’re a PI?” Jude shook his head. “Don’t know why I’m surprised. You were always a nosy fucker.”

  “Got that right.” Shane picked up his other shot and knocked it back. “I’ll get the next round.” He looked at Snow.

  His general hadn’t even bothered trying to talk over the music. He’d finished his shots, not bothering with the salt as usual and had just been following the conversation—probably by lip reading. He nodded at Shane, who left to get their drinks.

  Snow’s gaze locked with his as he leaned close. “You have good taste.”

  “It was never serious between us,” Jude reassured him even though it was obvious he didn’t need to.

  “I can tell you’re good friends, though. We’ll have to invite him for dinner when we get our place.” He smirked. “And knowing you, the guy is trustworthy as hell. Rowe is always looking for good, honest PIs.”

  “I doubt he’d want to work for Rowe. Shane was always more the boss type—it’s why I never expected him to last at that firm. He only became a CPA to take over his father’s business, but that crashed back in 2007.” He glanced over his shoulder to see Wonder Woman chatting up Shane and chuckled. The mustache really ruined the effect.

  “Rowe hires outside of his own force often. Hell, we probably don’t want to know all that Rowe does.” Snow frowned and Jude knew the worry for Rowe that stayed near the forefront of his mind had taken precedence again.

  Tugging him close, he placed his hand on the side of Snow’s neck and kissed him until he felt the tension leave his body. When he pulled back, there was nothing but heat in the gaze that met his as Shane returned to their table.

  “Yeah, holy shit. I definitely see why you disappeared,” Shane yelled with a grin that made his goatee look all the more pointed.

  One hour and four more shots later, Shane had been lured onto the dance floor by an obvious couple and Jude was realizing that tequila did something interesting to Snow. His stare had grown increasingly heated and always the king of wicked grins, the one Jude received right then threatened to set his body on fire. He was suddenly dragged out onto the dance floor and plastered to every inch of the front of Snow’s body. His hips rolled against Jude’s, keeping perfect time with the loud beat. It thumped so hard, he felt it in his chest and in Snow’s because despite the sinuous twisting of his body, he stayed smashed against him. The fucking hot roll of Snow’s lean hips took him on a ride and before he knew it, Jude was locked into that rhythm, his hands gripping Snow’s waist as they moved together much like they did when they had sex.

  Bodies writhed around them and the smell of sweat and lust permeated the air in a heady, intoxicating mixture that warred with the loose haze of tequila. Strong surgeon’s hands gripped his biceps, then stroked up his shoulders to hold on to the back of his neck. Snow’s cock was hard as steel against him and it wasn’t the tequila making Jude ready to throw the man down on the floor and fuck him. He pulled b
ack enough to look at Snow and the inferno of heat in the return stare he got had him gasping for air.

  And Snow, wicked, wicked man that he was, knew exactly what he was doing to Jude. He upped the temperature by sliding his hands down to Jude’s ass, clutching him hard and close, grinding their bodies together so fiercely, Jude had to fight not to come in his jeans.

  This was the first time they’d gone dancing and if this was the way Snow usually danced, no wonder Geoffrey followed him around like he was on a leash.

  Jude kissed Snow, tasting the sweat that beaded over his upper lip before sliding his tongue into his mouth. He couldn’t hear the moan that Snow released, but he felt it vibrate on his tongue. He brought his hands up and gripped Snow’s head, deepening the kiss, not giving a shit that they were surrounded by people. Hell, the dance floor was so packed, they could probably fuck in here and nobody would know. Public displays weren’t normally his thing, but the tequila was making him forget that.

  He pulled back. “You ready to get out of here?”

  “Fuck, yes.”

  Snow turned and waved good-bye to Shane, who sent them a knowing grin. As he waded through the crowd, one hand holding tight to Jude’s, Snow pulled out his cell phone and made a quick call. Jude couldn’t hear what he said, couldn’t figure out why he’d tried calling anyone with the noise, but once they got outside, he didn’t immediately pull Jude toward the line of taxis parked farther up the street. Instead, he ignored the people standing around the sidewalk and turned to grab Jude’s face. The kiss he laid on him tasted of tequila and lime and it went to Jude’s head fast. He faintly heard people around them clapping.