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“As soon as I get back, I’ll call you.”
Jax relaxed into his own grin, then leaned in as Noah did. The kiss started tender, full of hope and promise and a banked passion that Jax wished he could let loose. Noah fed him his tongue, and Jax let him have his way, sighing into the kiss as it swelled and shifted into something more than they needed to be doing in the front seat of a truck with a console between them.
“I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?” Jax dragged his lips awayto speak.
“Can’t wait.”
Noah’s whispered response was lost in another quick and dirty kiss, and then Jax pulled away and got out of the truck. He lifted his hand in a farewell salute before going in and making his way quietly to his room. His body still hummed with need, and a myriad of thoughts whirled through his mind about where he and Noah went from this point. Sleep was long in coming, and when he rose at five to get ready, taking a hurried shower, he felt exhausted as though he hadn’t slept at all.
By the time he got out to the kitchen to make himself coffee to go, Jim was already there. He took one look at Jax andchuckled.
“Long night, my friend?”
Jax sighed resignedly but didn’t answer, knowing his best friend wasn’t going to let him leave without at least that one sly dig. He got out the largest to-go mug and filled it with the wake-up brew.
“I don’t know what time I’m getting back today, but it’ll likely be well past dinner time, because the last house showing is late in the day. I’ll eat on the road. Call me if you need anything before then, okay?”
Jim nodded, handing over something wrapped in foil. “Annie says to tell you to make sure you eat before you go into your meeting. A rumbling belly isn’t a good sound on a new hire. You don’t want them thinking you’re desperate for this job because you’restarving.”
Jax rolled his eyes at his friend, but his grin made it clear he was just as amused asJim was.
“I’m sure Annie didn’t say most of that,” he retorted. “You’re just being an ass.”
“Dude!” Jim feigned horror. “At least I care!” Then he laughed before adding, “Get going. Traffic is weird sometimes on the highway, and if there’s anaccident…”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m giving myself the extra time. I’ll just potter around if I’m early until it’s time for themeeting.”
“See you later, man. Drive safe.”
The sun was well above the horizon when he drove off, but the cool breeze off the lake meant he could drive with the windows down for a while. He switched the radio to an all-music channel and then let his mind wander back to the night before. Having Noah in his arms again had been hands down the best feeling. It was as though they’d never been apart. All the feelings of home that he used to have when they held each other before had returned, warming him, wrapping him in comfort.
And the sex … damn. He had known that he’d be missing out when he’d sent Noah away, but the depth of the connection they’d had last night had brought home to him just howmuchhe had given up, howmuchhe had lost. And unless Noah called a halt this time or said he wasn’t interested in more than friends-with-benefits, Jax would pursue this to the end he desired with everything in him.
He just needed to be sure of Noah.
The ride took just under three hours, and he was at the college a half hour before his appointment with Dr. Mann, the head of the music department. He hoped this part of the day would go quickly, because he was quite excited about viewing the houses and apartment that the realtor had found for him. He really didn’t want that to be a prolonged process, because the sooner he moved into his own place, the sooner he could begin to learn his new community and make a plan to move forwardwith Noah.
His phone rang as he was finishing the sandwich he hadn’t eaten until he parked. He smiled when he saw who was calling.
“Hey,morning!”
“Morning, Prof! Are you there yet?”
Jax laughed. “Been here about ten minutes. Just finishing my breakfastsandwich.”
“What time’s themeeting?”
“Ten. I’m going to head out and walk around a bit before I go in, just to see what the campus is like when it’s not overrun bystudents.”
Noah chuckled. “You make them sound like pests.”
“Well, sometimes they can be,” Jax agreed with a laugh. “How’s your day going?”
“I’m just making breakfast for me and my dad, and then the first of my two students is coming for lessons. I’ll be done by noon.” He paused, then seemed to gather his courage and went on. “That’s why I was callingactually.”
Jax frowned, confused. “Why?”
“How late is your last appointment?”
