DAVID FORGOT the noise in the shadows when he saw a sleek black Mercedes parked in the driveway. “Wow. Is that yours?”
“Mom’s.” Jackson pressed the fob on the keys and the lights flashed briefly. “Actually it was Dad’s. It’s about the only thing she still has that was his.”
David admired the car as he walked around to the passenger door and got in. Spotless black leather upholstery covered the seats and exotic wood trim broke up the sleek leather lines. The dash surrounding the driver’s seat had so many dials and buttons, it looked like something out of a fighter jet.
“This is really beautiful.” David fastened his seat belt, then ran his hand appreciatively over the soft leather inserts on his door.
“I thought it would be nicer for a date than the pickup.”
“I like the pickup.” David looked over at Jackson in time to catch the smile sent in his direction.
“I do too. But this is easier to park.”
When Jackson started the car, the lights illuminated the driveway, chasing away the shadows, and David sat back with a silent sigh of relief when he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
He glanced at Jackson. “Did your dad like expensive cars?”
Jackson’s lips twisted. “My dad liked expensive everything. He made a lot of money, and he liked to spend it. When I was growing up, my folks lived down on Mill Wood just off of Northwest.”
David’s brows shot up. The area Jackson described was an exclusive neighborhood closer to downtown known as Knoll Ridge. It was the fairly exclusive domain of cardiologists and neurosurgeons. And lawyers.
“In a six-bedroom house full of expensive stuff my mother didn’t give a damn about, but he was big on ‘keeping up appearances’ with the other partners at his firm and their wives. When Dad died we found out the house was mortgaged to the rafters and he was in debt up to his ass. Memberships to exclusive country clubs and a string of mistresses ate up a lot of his income.” He sounded bitter, and David couldn’t blame him.
“Did your mom know?”
“I think she knew something wasn’t right, but it was the only thing Travis and I have ever agreed on. We didn’t say anything to her. We paid off his credit cards, including the hotel bills and several thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry that didn’t go to Mom, then advised her to sell the house because he’d made some lousy investments. She didn’t ask a lot of questions; he’d always insisted on managing their money and she trusted him.” Jackson’s lip curled. “Like he deserved it. We managed to pay this off”—he patted the steering wheel with his thumb—“and I was able to convince her that Travis didn’t need another Mercedes and she should keep it, no matter how he bitched about it. By the time we made sure she wasn’t stuck with Dad’s debts, there wasn’t much of monetary value left.” He pulled out onto the main boulevard heading toward downtown, looking as at home driving the Mercedes as he did in his truck. “My siblings took what they wanted from the house, and Mom donated the rest to charity. He left her a moderate life insurance policy, so if she’s careful she’ll be okay. And she never was attached to the old place and all of the stuff the way he was. The house she’s living in now belonged to my grandparents, and it looks pretty much the same as it did when they were alive. Except we took out part of the lawn and put in a rose garden out back.”
“My mom said it’s beautiful.”
“She loves it, which is all I care about.”
“How is she doing today?”
Jackson’s lips relaxed in a smile. “A lot better. I don’t know if it’s her own determination, or if it’s your mom’s presence, but she’s doing well. I think she could be alone during the day now, except I also think they’re having a good time. I came home last night and they were playing poker for blueberries.”
David laughed. That sounded like his mom. “Has Shirley been back to see her doctor?”
“Yeah. He pretty much told her to behave herself and not do anything stupid before the stitches come out on Tuesday. I believe the minute they’re out, she and Beverley plan to go to the beauty parlor and then out to lunch.” David vowed to call his mom the next day. He owed her big time for Jackson being able to finish the work on his house. David smiled when Jackson reached over the console and caught his hand, holding it as he drove. A few minutes later, he pulled the sleek car into an underground parking structure at the downtown mall, home to their local Regal Cinemas.
Later, David wouldn’t be able to tell anyone what movie they saw. It was a comedy, but beyond that he wouldn’t be able to relate anything about the plot. He laughed, but he was more aware of the Junior Mints Jackson teasingly popped in his mouth, the large Diet Coke they shared, and the feeling of Jackson holding his hand in the darkness of the theater, his thumb moving over David’s knuckles in slow, steadily arousing caresses. David was so wrapped up in Jackson, he didn’t even notice if anyone around them had a problem with two men holding hands. In the past he’d never been able to ignore the reactions of others, but tonight he didn’t even notice there were people around them.
After the movie, Jackson drove a few blocks to a popular Italian restaurant named Luigi’s situated in the heart of downtown. It was in one of the original buildings, built just before the turn of the nineteenth century. The old brick facade hid a charming interior with heavy, darkly upholstered banquettes and a gorgeous old bar along the back wall. A huge mirror hung above it, reflecting the dozens of bottles of high-end liquor. David had been there once or twice with his parents, but Trevor didn’t like Italian food, so….
They split an antipasto platter heaped with mozzarella, capers, and salami, with a side of crostini and a bottle of Sangiovese. David knew next to nothing about Italian wine; Trevor was the wine expert and wasted no opportunity to tell him he had no palate. He might not, he thought, taking another sip of the excellent red wine, but he knew he liked this. And he vowed to be done thinking about Trevor.
He and Jackson chatted easily over the appetizer, David quietly thrilled when Jackson’s booted toes ended up resting against the outside of David’s ankle, moving gently against the soft leather of his boot. It was such a small thing, but it was reassuring and a sweet reminder that the handsome man across from him was so much more than just his handyman.
For dinner, David ordered the chicken piccata and Jackson the lasagna, but they ended up having most of it packaged to take home. They walked slowly back to the parked Mercedes, shoulders brushing, laughing softly. David’s heart felt lighter than it had in a long time, and any remaining stress from the morning phone call seemed very far away.
The porch light was still on when Jackson pulled into the driveway and parked the car, and they silently climbed out and walked across the lawn hand in hand. There wasn’t any reason to talk; they both knew where they were headed. David’s heart was racing and he was nervous, but he also wanted Jackson as desperately as he’d ever wanted anything in his life. He unlocked the front door, pushed it open, and jerked back when they were met with a sharp bark. Boots stuck his head around the frame and David laughed, pressing his hand over his heart.
“He scared you?” Jackson pressed his chest to David’s back.
“I forgot he was here.” David bent to push Boots gently back, keenly aware of Jackson close behind him as he ruffled the fur behind the dog’s ears. “Good boy,” he praised the little dog. “Go lie down now. Go on.”
Boots licked his hand, then trotted over to the fleece-lined bed Jordyn and Paul had dropped off, climbing in and curling around his toy hedgehog. David closed and locked the door, and large hands closed over his shoulders. He was gently turned, his back pressed against the door, and all he could see was Jackson: Jackson’s eyes, Jackson’s mouth.
“Hi,” David managed, breathless.
“Hi.” Jackson smiled, a devilish curl of his lips, and placed his hands on the door on either side of David’s head. He leaned in, and when Jackson’s weight settled against him, David let out a shaky sigh.
David knew Jack
son had to be able to feel his heart pounding, and the way his desperate body strained hard against him. He’d been half-erect all evening; the press of Jackson against him finished the job. Jackson rolled his pelvis forward, and David felt hardness corresponding to his against his hip. He slid his hand up Jackson’s side under his jacket.
“Is Michael still here?”
David hummed as his fingers spread over Jackson’s ribs. He could feel bands of hard muscle over his rib cage.
He shook his head. “No, he said he was leaving about ten.”
“Good.” Jackson leaned in and nuzzled under David’s chin, and the rasp of his barely there stubble sent a shaft of shivering want down David’s spine. “Then all we have to worry about is the neighbors.”
David chuckled. “Old houses are built solid.”
Jackson leaned back, his mouth curved in a slightly lopsided grin. “Are they soundproof?”
David’s body hummed at the implication. “I’m not noisy,” he said, almost apologetically. “I never have been.”
Jackson’s smile deepened. “Maybe not before.”
Heat flooded his face and he knew that, once again, it was flaming bright red. He touched his hot cheek. “God, I wish I could stop blushing.”
Jackson pressed his lips where David’s fingers had been. “I love that you blush. I look forward to seeing if it’s confined to your face, or if you blush all over.”
David shivered. Maybe the restraint of a lifetime would be changed in Jackson’s arms. David wanted him so badly he could taste it, and that was certainly new.
Jackson took a step back, taking David’s hand and leading the way toward the darkened hallway, and David let himself be led.
“Oh, wait one second,” he said when they arrived at the door. David detoured back to the living room to scoop up the nearly forgotten bag holding their meals, then hurried into the kitchen to put them in the refrigerator. He grabbed a couple of dog biscuits from the box on the counter and crouched at the little dog’s side to give him the treat. “You’re a good boy,” he murmured.
Boots began to chew on a hard biscuit, crunching happily.
Jackson eyed David indulgently when he straightened. “You’re going to spoil him.”
“I don’t care. He’s only here until Tuesday. I doubt I can do much damage.” He grabbed Jackson’s hand, and it was his turn to lead the way to his bedroom, pausing when he saw the door ajar. He peered in to find the room empty but the light on the nightstand glowing softly. The dark bedding was neatly folded at the foot of the bed, revealing the pristine burgundy sheets and carefully fluffed pillows. A bottle of lube and several condoms were on the nightstand and a snack-sized Snickers on each pillow. David closed his eyes, sighing in embarrassed exasperation.
“What?” Jackson pressed against his back, his breath on David’s neck.
David shivered. “My best friend truly does have many good qualities, but subtlety isn’t one of them. Apparently he felt the need to provide deluxe turn-down service.”
David pushed the door open farther, and Jackson sputtered out a startled laugh. He walked to the bed and picked up one of the candy bars.
“Funny guy.” Jackson smirked and set the candy next to the bottle of lube. “Well, between my neighbor and your best friend, everyone seems to be trying to tell us we’re moving too slowly.”
David closed the door and leaned against it. “I think we’re right where we should be, when we should be.”
Jackson slipped the jacket from his broad shoulders, then hung it over a chair in the corner before returning to David. “I think you’re right.” He pulled David away from the door and slipped the heavy wool jacket down his arms. “And I think we’ve talked enough. For now.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
JACKSON TOSSED the jacket on the chair too, and David slipped the scarf over his head, throwing it in the same general direction, not actually caring where it landed. Jackson stepped closer, sliding his hand around David’s nape, pulling him in for a slow, toe-curling kiss.
David didn’t know what he expected, but the leisurely, sweet tempo of Jackson’s seduction wasn’t it. He kissed David long and thoroughly, then separated from him just long enough to slip his fingers under the hem of David’s sweater, and pull it off over his head. He unbuttoned his own shirt, and David stared at what was revealed of Jackson’s chest, framed by the black fabric of his shirt. His heart pounded a slow, heavy beat at the sight of Jackson’s chest hair swirling from his sternum to curl around each copper-colored nipple. The dark hair delineated his six-pack before narrowing to disappear into the waistband of his jeans, and David groaned, reaching out to run his fingers through the slender trail on Jackson’s lower belly. He loved a man with hair on his chest and stomach, and it was softer than it looked.
Jackson slid his hand down David’s arm, pressing against his hand, holding his palm harder to his abs. “What was that sound for?”
“You’re so perfect.” David pushed Jackson’s shirt back, then lifted both hands to cover the full slabs of pectoral muscle, thumbs caressing his nipples. Jackson’s pupils dilated and his chest filled as he inhaled sharply, and David experienced a moment of heady delight at being able to cause the reaction. Then Jackson began to unbutton David’s shirt from the bottom up, and David felt a quavering moment of fear. He caught Jackson’s fingers, stilling them.
Jackson looked up into his eyes. “David?”
David licked his lips but his mouth was so dry it scarcely helped. “I don’t look like this,” he murmured, once again smoothing his palm over Jackson’s chest, unable to stop touching him. “I don’t compare to this.”
Jackson lifted his hand and caught David’s jaw, holding him in place and leaning in to kiss him, his teeth nipping David’s lower lip. “Bullshit, David,” he breathed against his mouth. “You’re slender and you’re fair, and you have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.” He reached around, filling his hand with one of David’s asscheeks, squeezing, “And this has kept me awake nights.”
The capacity for anything like an intelligent response flew out the window when Jackson leaned forward and opened his lips on David’s throat.
“Oh God.” David felt Jackson’s tongue touch his skin. His neck had always been sensitive, but that one spot, just at the point where his neck curved toward his shoulder, made his knees weak. He curled his fingers around Jackson’s wrist and leaned into his touch when Jackson spread his fingers to cup David’s jaw. Jackson slid his lips farther up David’s throat, nudging aside his collar as his teeth teased the pale skin and his fingers moved back to the buttons of David’s shirt, sliding them through the holes.
“Jackson,” David gasped, lifting his hand to the back of Jackson’s head, fingers spearing into the thick softness of his hair. He groaned when Jackson took another sharp nip on his neck.
“Yes, David?” he murmured against David’s skin.
“I just… I want….” David’s ramblings faded when Jackson slipped his shirt from his shoulders and pulled him in against his bare chest. The soft hair brushed against David’s nipples and they stiffened into hardened peaks. He shuddered. “God, I want—” David tried to collect his thoughts, but they were as intangible as clouds torn apart by a breeze. “I want…,” he tried again, and Jackson pulled him in closer, slipping his thigh between David’s legs.
“You want what?” Jackson murmured.
It was taking every ounce of self-control David had not to hump his thigh, and now he wanted him to talk? It was almost alarming how aroused he was. He’d never felt anything like it before in his life.
“You,” David finally managed, gasping when Jackson pressed his thigh against his aching balls. “I want you.”
“That’s a good thing,” Jackson said, his voice rough. “Because I want you too.”
David’s shirt had pooled at his elbows, and Jackson ran his rough palms over the exposed skin of his back and shoulders. “Your skin is so soft, so beautiful.” He opened his lips fa
rther on David’s throat, pulling on the skin. David clutched a handful of pectoral muscle and fisted his other hand in Jackson’s hair.
“I—God.” David groaned, and Jackson’s swirling tongue soothed the spot when it began to ache. David gave in and rubbed his erection against Jackson’s thigh.
“This has been the longest damned day of my life,” Jackson muttered.
David let his shirt slip off his arms and pushed Jackson’s to the floor as well. “It has?”
Jackson nodded. “I can’t remember the last time I wanted someone this much.”
David stared at the man in front of him, unable to come up with a single rational thing to say. Jackson was lean and golden brown, and his jeans rode low enough that David could see the caps of muscle atop each hip bone. Every move of his hands caused his biceps to bunch, his sturdy forearms to flex. He was stunning, and David wanted to lick every inch of him. Jackson was so fucking beautiful, and David stammered out something to that effect but doubted he made sense.
Jackson curled his hands around David’s rib cage on each side. “So are you, David,” he said. “You’re perfect.”
David made a scoffing noise before he could stop himself.
Jackson’s gaze was level and earnest. “God, I really want to kick your ex’s ass.” He leaned closer, and his face blocked out everything else. His lips hovered just inches from David’s. “I don’t want anyone else in this room tonight but you and me. And I love everything about the way you look.” Jackson slid his hands to bracket David’s spine and pulled David in until their chests were once again pressed firmly together. David caught his breath. “I even love your glasses.”
The feeling of Jackson’s skin combined with his words made David light-headed.
Jackson took his mouth in a deep kiss, and his lips moved on David’s, persuasive, urging them to part. When his tongue slipped between David’s teeth, the feel of it, slick and mobile, pulled a moan from David’s chest. He wrapped his arms around Jackson’s neck, clinging. Jackson turned as the kiss deepened, easing David onto his back on the bed, his knee sinking into the mattress next to David’s hips as he lowered himself to cover him with his body.
David, Renewed Page 20
