“What?” I asked self-consciously when I caught him staring at me.
“I just can’t believe you went to so much trouble for me,” he answered quietly.
“It wasn’t any trouble.” I shrugged.
“You put a lot of time and effort into this. No one has ever done that for me before and I just want you to know how much I appreciate it. Thank you,” he insisted.
“You’re welcome,” I responded, smiling shyly.
We began to talk as we ate, and I listened, completely enraptured as Jeremy told me stories of his time as a pararescueman. Some of the stories terrified me when I pictured him jumping out of a helicopter to rescue someone, only to be fired at by the enemy before his feet even touched the ground. Mostly though, I was in awe of him and his dedication to serving those in need. He was quite easily the finest, most noble man I’d ever met.
When we were finished, we grabbed our poles and I taught him how to bait a hook and showed him the proper way to cast his line. We stood at the edge of the lake as he practiced a few times and then I added a glow stick to each of our bobbers before casting them back out a final time. With nothing left to do but sit and wait for the fish to bite, we settled back down on the blanket.
The sun had completely disappeared as we ate, replaced by the stars and moon. The light from the colorful lanterns strewn up beside the campers in the distance glimmered in the darkness, and the glow of the nighttime bobbers danced across the surface of the water. It lent to the romantic feel of the evening and I sighed contentedly.
“It’s so peaceful here,” Jeremy said quietly.
“I agree. I’ve always thought this place was kind of magical,” I told him.
“Why is that?” he asked. He didn’t laugh at me, instead he sounded genuinely curious.
“I’ve moved around a lot. I’ve met tons of people and seen a lot of places, but I’ve never been anywhere that I could just think and breathe and feel like I can here,” I explained, not sure if I was making any sense to him.
“I know what you mean,” he responded. “I’ve never felt so happy or more alive than I have since I arrived at this place.” I looked at him over my shoulder and was surprised to see him staring straight at me. Was he talking about me? Had I made him feel happy and alive? I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat and then we were leaning towards each other, our poles forgotten as we tumbled back onto the blanket in a tangle of limbs. It was dark enough that we didn’t have to worry about anyone catching us. In fact, being in Jeremy’s arms made me feel like we were the only two people on the planet.
We kissed for a long time, our tongues mating with each other while our hands began to explore. Jeremy reached for the hem of my shirt and lifted it, rubbing his calloused fingers delicately along the waistband of my pants. My hips lifted of their own accord, searching for any amount of friction which would bring relief to my aching cock. Sensing my need, Jeremy reached down and cupped his hand over the bulge in my pants and my eyes rolled into the back of my head.
I moaned into his mouth and he swallowed it as his palm began rubbing up and down over my straining erection. Jeremy sucked my tongue into his mouth, making love to it as his hand brought me pleasure. I thought I would lose my mind when his hand dipped inside my shorts and his fingers brushed over the weeping head of my cock.
“Jeremy,” I whimpered.
“I’m right here, baby. I’ve got you,” he promised, his voice deeper and huskier than usual.
My eyes flew open as his hand slid around my shaft and my hips jerked up into his grip. He held my gaze as he continued to drive my need higher and higher. I gripped his shoulders, digging my fingernails into his muscles as I felt my orgasm barreling down on me. My breathing hitched, and then Jeremy covered my mouth with his, swallowing my scream as I shot hot cum all over his hand.
His hand slowed as he brought me down to earth and his lips kissed their way down my neck. When I’d finally stopped shaking, Jeremy pulled his hand from my pants and wiped my cum onto the grass. He smiled at me and I grinned back shyly.
“Next time, I’m not wasting a drop of that,” he promised. I groaned at the thought of Jeremy with his mouth wrapped around the head of my dick and my cock made a valiant effort to revive itself. My orgasm had been much too powerful though and the effort was lost.
“Here, let me,” I offered, reaching between us to unbuckle his pants.
Before I got the chance to return the favor, Jeremy’s pole lurched beside us, and began to get pulled towards the water by a determined fish. We both jumped up from the blanket and I quickly buttoned my pants before I began shouting instructions. Jeremy managed to reel in a rather large catfish.
“He’s no Moby Dick, but I guess he’s not all that bad for my first time,” he laughed.
“Not bad. Not bad at all,” I praised him. Jeremy beamed at me as he held the fish up. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and snapped a picture of him.
I helped him carefully remove the fish from the hook and Jeremy tossed him back into the water, then we began packing up our things and walking back home. He insisted on walking me to my cabin and we held hands as we walked up to my front door. I turned to him, not quite sure what to do or say or what he might be expecting.
“Did you want to…” I started to say, but Jeremy shook his head with a smile.
“No. This has been the perfect night. Let’s just say goodnight and save more perfection for future nights,” he told me. I smiled, pleased that he’d enjoyed our time together as much as I had.
Jeremy kissed me goodnight, slowly, tenderly, and then he turned and left. I went inside and shut the door and then I sagged against it. It really had been a perfect night. I was still smiling as I turned off the lights and headed into my bathroom to get ready for bed.
I stood under the spray of water and closed my eyes. Images of the night before flashed through my mind and I felt myself smile. I’d been on dates before, but nothing could compare to my evening with Zach. He’d thought of everything, from the flowers and the food, to the blanket and even the fishing. I’d told him once that I’d never fished before and not only had he remembered that, he planned a way to give me that experience.
That right there was what got to me the most. The thought and consideration he had put into the planning of our date. It made me feel special, like I was as important to him as he was becoming to me. The way he’d felt in my arms, the expression on his face as he came in my hand, it was all absolutely perfect, and I couldn’t wait to do it all over again.
Over the last few weeks, I’d gotten to know Zach better and I felt myself falling for him. The night before, there had been a definite shift in our relationship and I knew that I wasn’t falling anymore, I’d already fallen as deep as any man could go. I was completely and totally in love with him. And it didn’t matter that I didn’t know his name for sure or that he hadn’t told me everything about himself. I loved him, the heart and soul of him. I loved the way he laughed and the way he smiled and the smell of his skin and the taste of his lips. I loved his sharp mind and his compassion for animals and other people.
I loved him.
I lowered my head under the spray and sighed, letting the truth of my feelings enter my heart and travel throughout my blood stream until it had filled every cell in my body, down to the marrow of my bones. My head spun with the knowledge and my heart raced, but something deep inside me settled, like finding the final piece to a puzzle.
I switched off the faucets and pulled a towel from the rack to dry myself with. As I stepped out of the bathroom, my phone began to ring with a familiar ring tone, and I hurried into my room, wrapping a towel around my waist. Grabbing my phone off the charger on the table beside my bed, I swiped across the screen.
“Hey, man!” I said, feeling a smile stretch my face.
“What’s up, Jer?” Brandon asked.
“Not much,” I replied. “You? Are you home or on a job?” Brandon had started working for Micah around the same
time I had, and we’d quickly become friends. Out of all the men I worked with, I’d have to say that Brandon was my best friend and I’d missed him terribly while I was gone.
“I’m in California actually. Some big-wig Hollywood producer has been making enemies. Apparently, he’s slept with most of the actresses that have worked for him, including the married ones, and now somebody wants him dead,” he explained.
“Sounds interesting,” I said.
“I wish it were,” he moaned. “So far it’s been one boring meeting after another. I’m about ready to take a shot at the guy myself just to liven things up.” I didn’t even try to hide my laugh. Brandon was a great guy and I knew he was only joking.
“You better not. I don’t have time to go there and bail your ass out,” I teased.
“You’d do anything for my ass and you know it,” he purred through the phone.
I barked out a laugh. “You wish,” I shot back. Brandon and I loved each other, but there had never been more between us than brotherly affection.
“So, talk to me,” he said, suddenly sounding very serious. “What’s going on with your assignment? You’ve been gone a long time. Getting any closer?”
I let out a sigh, trying to decide how much to tell him. “To be honest, I really don’t know. I mean, I’m almost positive it’s him; my gut tells me it’s him, but he still hasn’t told me anything that would help me confirm it.”
“Have you tried breaking into his place when he’s not around? Maybe there’ll be something there that’ll clear things up one way or another,” he suggested.
“No!” I shouted before I could stop myself and Brandon grew silent. I clenched my jaw as soon as I realized I’d yelled at my best friend.
I knew that Brandon had only said it because he wanted to help, but I didn’t want to do that. I already felt guilty enough for not telling Zach why I was really there; I didn’t need to add to it by snooping through his personal space. I had always been willing to do whatever it took to follow through on my assignments, no matter who was involved. But with Zach it was different. I still wanted to find out who he was, but I wanted him to be the one to tell me. As ironic as it was, I wanted to keep the trust I’d earned with him.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
“What’s going on, Jer?” Brandon asked seriously. I could hear the worry in his voice.
I pursed my lips and let out a long, slow breath. “He’s a good guy, B. A really good guy, and I just feel bad for lying to him,” I explained.
“Oh my God! You like him, don’t you?” Brandon gasped.
“Yes. I think he’s a nice guy and I don’t want to see him get hurt,” I insisted, bending the truth.
I told myself I wasn’t completely lying to my best friend. Zach was a nice guy and I really didn’t want to see him get hurt by all of this. I knew I hadn’t told him the whole truth though and it felt strange. Brandon and I usually shared everything with each other, but I just wasn’t quite ready to share this yet. It was all still so new, but it was real. Without a doubt, whatever was happening between me and Zach was real.
I heard him sigh through the phone. “I know you better than anyone, Jer, and I know there’s more to this than you’re telling me. Just promise me you’ll be careful, alright?”
“He’s not dangerous, B. I don’t know why Micah wants him found, but I know for sure that he’s not a dangerous criminal,” I assured him.
“I wasn’t talking about being a dangerous criminal. I was talking about him being dangerous to your heart. What happens when he finds out why you’re there? You think he’ll be able to forgive you?” Brandon asked gently. I knew he was only watching out for me and he made a good point, but I didn’t want to think about any of that just yet. Imagining the look of betrayal on Zach’s face when he found out why I was really there made my chest ache and my stomach roil, so I pushed it to the back of my mind to be dealt with at a later time.
“I am being careful. I promise,” I whispered.
“Okay, good. You know I love you, man. You’re like my brother and I support you no matter what. You know that, right?” he asked.
“Yeah, I know that and the same goes for me,” I said. I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat. Brandon was the best friend I could have ever asked for and I was lucky to have him in my life.
“I know that too,” he said, and that time I could hear the smile in his voice. “Okay, I better get ready for another long, miserable day of standing in the corner while Mr. Douchebag Extraordinaire conducts budget meetings then goes out to an expensive restaurant and back to a hotel room with a woman who, by the way, is not his wife. Oh, did I forget to mention, he’s married too.” I could practically hear Brandon’s eyes roll.
“He sounds like a real prince,” I said sarcastically.
“Prince of the assholes, maybe. Seriously though, you don’t think I could get away with shooting him? I’d be doing society a favor. They may even give me a shiny medal for it,” Brandon joked.
“If only it were that easy, my friend,” I laughed.
“Fine. I’ll play nice,” he grumbled. “You take care and I’ll talk to you again soon.”
“You too,” I said.
I ended the call and then flopped back on the bed with a sigh. I hated keeping anything from my friend, and I felt awful for lying to him, but I was a selfish asshole and I wanted more time with Zach; more time to explore this thing between us, before I had to tell him the truth.
I rolled my head to look at the clock and, realizing how late it was, I jumped off the bed and ran to the bathroom to finish getting ready. I’d just finished pulling my clothes on when I heard a knock at the door. Zach stood on the front porch, his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his khaki shorts as he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet as if he were nervous. He stopped as I opened the door and smiled up at me.
“Good morning,” he said.
“Yep. Now it is,” I drawled, giving him a sultry look. Zach rolled his eyes, but I could see the smile on his face as he ducked his head. I laughed. “Come on in, I just have to grab my shoes and my wallet, and I’ll be ready to go.”
Zach followed me into the house and shut the door. I went to my bedroom and grabbed my wallet off the dresser and shoved it into my back pocket then I went back out to the living room and sat down to put my shoes on.
“Is it busy out there?” I asked as I tied my laces.
“Oh my God, yes! It’s nearly wall-to-wall trucks and campers out there. I’m not sure we can take any more customers, but I’m happy for Edith that it’s been another great turnout,” he said.
I stood up and walked towards him, my brows pinching together the closer I got. “So, there’s lots of people out there?”
“Yeah,” Zach answered cautiously.
“Hmmm. Then I guess we better do this now, so nobody catches us.” I waggled my brows at him and he smiled as he realized what I was talking about.
Most of the regular customers were nice people who didn’t care what you did as long as you left them alone to fish. But there would be a lot of new faces that weekend and not all of them would take too kindly to seeing two guys holding hands or, God forbid, kissing. We’d have to be careful how much affection we showed each other outside of our cabins.
Zach’s hands landed on my biceps as I leaned down to kiss him. It started out gentle at first, but it didn’t take long for passion to ignite between us. Before I knew it, I had him backed against the door, my hands cupping his ass and his fingers tugging at my hair as his tongue dipped and swirled inside my mouth.
I pulled back and he let out the sexiest whimper that had me diving back in for more. I felt like I was drowning in him, and yet I was thirsty for more. Much more. After a few minutes, I backed away again and leaned my forehead to his. We were both panting heavily, our breaths blowing out in tandem as we breathed each other in.
“We have to stop,” I told him.
“Why?” Zach asked.
I pull
ed my head back, so I could see him. “Because if we don’t, I’m going to pick you up over my shoulder and carry you back to my bedroom and I won’t let you out of there until we have to work on Tuesday,” I warned him. Air whooshed out of Zach’s lungs. His eyes were dark and heavy-lidded, and his lips were swollen and wet. He looked totally debauched and it was sexy as fuck.
“I don’t see a problem with that,” Zach challenged, arching one eyebrow at me. I buried my face in his neck and groaned loudly. I could feel him chuckling against me and I savored the moment, breathing in his scent.
“I thought you were nice, but it turns out, you’re not nice at all,” I grumbled.
His hands cradled the sides of my head and I felt him lay a kiss on my temple. That was enough to have me melting against him and I kissed him sweetly. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I loved him, but I was afraid he would think it was too soon and I’d scare him away, so I kept quiet for now.
I held him for a few more seconds and then backed away reluctantly. “Come on. Why don’t we get out of here and you can show me how Bradbury Lake celebrates Memorial Day?”
Zach smiled at me as I held the door open for him and followed him outside. The weather was perfect for the outdoor festivities. It was warm, but a gentle breeze kept us from getting too hot and the fluffy white clouds overhead gave us relief from the sun’s rays.
We walked beside each other around the lake, our arms brushing against each other. I wished I could hold his hand, but I didn’t want to risk causing problems, so I shoved my hands into my pockets instead. Several of the fishermen called out to us as we passed by and we waved to them and wished them luck with their catch.
We made our way over to the bait shop and stepped inside. There were five older men in there and, from the sounds of their teasing, it was clear that they’d been friends for a long time. Zach and I sidled past them and made our way behind the counter to see Edith. She gave us each a hug and then pointed in the direction of the men.
Found_Hamilton's Heroes series Page 9
