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Jax pulled out slowly, disposing of the condom before rolling Noah on top of him and wrapping his arms around him, dragging him as close as he could be and tucking Noah’s head into the hollow of his shoulder. They stayed connected like that, not moving, not speaking, just breathing each other in. Then he spoke tenderly into Noah’s ear.
“It wasn’t easy for me either, Noah. But I’ll never push you away go again, babe. Ipromise.”
Chapter 17
Jax
Jax would willingly give Noah whateverhe wanted.
If you’ve never slept with the one you love in your arms, you’re missing out.That thought flitted through Jax’s mind as he lay awake the next morning, feeling his lover’s deep breathing against him. With Noah’s back to him, Jax’s arm was thrown over his waist and across his belly. He resisted the urge to stroke the smooth flesh beneath his palm. He wouldn’t wake him. It was a delight just to hold him close, to listen to the soft, almost inaudible snuffles that interrupted his breathing, to feel the warmth and strength of him.
Things had moved along much more quickly than he could have imagined that they would, if he had been thinking about reconnecting with Noah. A month ago—hell, two weeks ago—the furthest thing from his mind had been finding the love of his life and being forgiven and accepted back. The nighttime run that had had them bumping into each other must certainly have been fate. There could be no other explanation for why, out of all the towns in upstate New York, Jax would meet Noah again in this one. He wasn’t a believer in the supernatural, but he would swear by it in this instance. Some greater power was on his side—ontheirside—and he would be forevergrateful.
“You’re thinking so hard, you’re making my head hurt.”
Noah’s teasing, accompanied by a breathy chuckle, pulled Jax back into the bed and the man he held.
“Morning, brat!” he said, ignoring Noah’s comment and leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Did you sleep well?”
Noah turned so he was facing Jax before answering. “I did, thank you. I thought I was going to need to put some space between us because I can’t sleep if I’m hot, but somehow you managed not to overheat me at all.”
Jax raised a brow. “At all? I guess I need to up my game, then.”
Noah’s delighted laugh pleased him. “You’ve got great game, Prof. If you up it anymore, you may incinerate me.”
This camaraderie, this intimacy …thiswas what Jax had always wanted, what he had been missing, what he meant to treasure for the rest of their lives, if Noah would let him. He pulled him completely into his arms and breathed him in, sighing when Noah wrapped his own arms around him and stuck a thigh betweenhis legs.
“Mmm,” he rumbled above Noah’s head. “I could get usedto this.”
Noah yawned loudly and slanted a sheepish smile his way. “Sorry. What time do you have to be at your first appointment?”
“Nine.” He glanced over at the digital clock on the side table. “Which means we need to get moving, babe.” He pulled away for a moment to add, “I’m going to assume that you didn’t postpone any lessons to be withme today.”
He tried to inject a serious note without coming off like Noah’s keeper. He wasn’t his father, nor did he want to take on that role, but he wouldn’t be happy if Noah put his business, his means of making a living, below time spent with Jax, no matter how flattering he found the idea to be. Without the quartet, Noah’s life was in a bit of flux, and he needed to think carefully about his future.
Jax wanted to be there for him when he chose to confront the decisions he needed to make. He would do his best to be merely the guide on the side and not offer any advice unless he was specifically asked for it.
“No lessons today. The boy who was supposed to have come called to cancel this week’ssession.”
“Good. Let’s shower and get ready to go.”
The two houses they visited did not suit Jax, but he had suspected that they wouldn’t because they weren’t the one he really wanted.
“How long do I have to make an offer on the lake house?” he asked the realtor as they stood outside a small ranch house on a quiet, tree-lined street.
“I believe the owners have said the first reasonable offer they receive they will accept. And I know they’ve already turned down two offers this week.”
“Can we sit down and put together a plan? I’d like to make an offer sooner rather than later.”
“Of course, Dr. Knox. I’ll meet you back at the office this afternoon at three. I have two appointments with other clients first.”
Jax agreed, then took Noah back to his truck. “Will you wait with me, or do you need to get backearlier?”
“I’ll wait. My dad knows where I am and what I’m doing. He says hi, bythe way.”
They spent the rest of the morning exploring another nearby state park and after a leisurely lunch, strolled hand-in-hand from one end of the boardwalk to the other before returning to the realtor’s office. Jax reluctantly accepted Noah’s refusal to sit in on the meeting. He understood that it was his decision alone, and since he hadn’t specifically invited Noah to move in with him, there was no real reason for him to be included in the discussion.
“I think this is a fair offer, Dr. Knox,” Mary said later after they had ironed out a few talking points and filled out a lot of paperwork. “And I can tell you that your offer is by far superior to the previous two. So while I would caution you not to get your hopes up, I don’t see them refusing this one. In the meantime, in case they do, would you like me to keep looking for other properties?”
