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Jax’s clothes were dry, and after he finished his shower, Noah had placed them on the guest bed on his way to the kitchen. His hands shook slightly as he handled his lover’s clothes. He knew they weren’t back to that quite yet, but Jax had been his only true lover and it was easier to think of him in those terms, even if his mind was telling his foolish heart to take things slowly. He’d been so hard in the shower that he’d rubbed out a quick one, biting his tongue to stop himself from calling out Jax’s name as he’d shot spunk against the shower wall.
What the fuck was he going to do with the man until he left? He’d been thinking with his second head when he’d made the invitation, and though he’d immediately realized it wasn’t a smart move, he didn’t have the willpower to recall it or step away from what his heart wanted. Besides, it would have been such a slap in the face, and he didn’t want to give Jax any more mixedmessages.
Delicious smells were coming from the kitchen. Jax had always been able to make ordinary ingredients shine. He would make the comfort food sing with the flavors and spicy sausages that he would add to the jarred red sauce. Composing himself to face the man who still held his heart in his hands, he stepped into the kitchen.
“Mmm! Something smells good.”
He sniffed the air appreciatively, his eyes roaming over the man wearing his clothes, filling them out in the sexiest way possible, before returning unerringly to his lips. They were begging for another kiss, but Jax was cooking, and Noah could wait. Hewouldwait. The anticipation would make the kiss all the sweeter when he took it.
Jax’s eyes left a searing brand everywhere they landed on him, rendering him speechless for a moment, nerves and desire wracking him.
“You look good,” Jax finally said, catching himoff guard.
He remembered how it had felt to have this man regard him with affection, with lust, with love, and the weight of that memory filled this moment so fully that it took Noah’s breath away. He smiled, feeling unaccountably shy … whatthe hell?
“Thanks.”
He couldn’t find any other words to voice the emotions churning inside him. He got plates, glasses, and cutlery and set the table, deciding that they’d have some of his dad’s best red wine with dinner. If Jax wanted a beer afterwards, he’d get itfor him.
“You can put the saladout now.”
Jax’s voice broke through his thoughts, and he turned to do as he was bid. “Is balsamic vinaigrette still your favorite salad dressing?” He hoped it was since that was all he had aside from his father’s ranchdressing.
“It is.” Jax looked up from serving up the pasta and meat dish. “You remember that.”
Why wouldn’t he? He had fallen in love with it once he’d tried it that first time at Jax’s house, and he’d never looked back.
“Yeah.” Another monosyllable was all he could muster.
They sat down to eat and Jax poured the wine into the glasses before raising his own ina toast.
“To secondchances.”
He kept his eyes trained on Noah, the hunger and warmth in them soaking into him as he raised his own to echothe words.
“To second chances.” There was no way he was letting this chance go by.
Noah took a big gulp before digging in. As he expected, the food was mouthwatering, comforting, and hitting the spot deliciously.
“I’ve never forgotten how good you are in the kitchen,” he mumbled around a mouthful of pasta. “Among other things.”
He froze as soon as he said those last words, a single noodle hanging comically halfway from his lips like an abortedLady and the Trampmoment. Why the hell had he gone there? It was one thing to flirt, but that was next level suggestive, as though hewantedJax to think about the other thing he was good at that they probably weren’t ready forjust yet.
It’s been over a decade, No! You gotta ease up on the innuendo a li’l bit, let the man get used to you and your demanding ways again before you go off half-cocked.The last thought made him choke as he stifled a hysterical giggle. He was half-cocked alright. He adjusted his ass in the chair to relieve the growing ache in his dick and kept his eyes studiously on his food, not daring to look up in case he found recognition and amusement at his expense in Jax’sdark eyes.
“I seem to recall you being not half bad at a few things yourself,” was Jax’s nonchalantcomment.
At least itwouldbe nonchalant had it not been for the fast beating of the vein in his neck.Holy shit!He was letting go of more of the worries that he was going too fast with each bit of evidence that Jax was just as much on board with the pace as he was. He ate quietly for another half a minute, trying to find the best way to answer that would keep the sexual tension buzzing between them.
“I don’t know, Prof.” It felt so right to call him that again. “It’s been a while since I had to use my violin-tuning skills,” he deadpanned, then grinned when Jax choked ona laugh.
“Some skills are really easy to get back,” Jax said once he’d swallowed some wine to clear his throat. “You know what they say … practice makesperfect.”
“True, but you know some things take more practice than others to get just right.”
Jax lifted a brow, chewing the mouthful of food he’d just taken. “Oh yeah? Like what, forinstance?”
Noah drained the wine in his glass and poured himself a second cup of courage. “Well, it depends on what we’re dealing with.” He sipped from the second pour, then sighed. “I mean, I don’t think I’ll ever be as good a cook as you are, no matter how much I practice. Some things are just a gift that people have.”
