Jesse was a silent spectator of Gideon’s final meeting with Lucas Richards. They had agreed that the man deserved to know the truth—the whole truth—surrounding his son’s death, but ultimately decided that it wasn’t in the best interest to reveal it all. Jesse had insisted that Toby deserved his privacy even in—especially in—death, and they settled on a carefully edited version of the truth that would answer all his questions but spare him the more gruesome details.
Jesse watched Gideon like he always did, but now it was different. Now he could watch without fear that Gideon would catch a gleam, an emotion, a moment he wasn’t meant to see. Lucas didn’t even see him. His attention was also riveted on Gideon, and Jesse might as well been an innocuous piece of art for all the consideration he received from Lucas.
Personally, Jess couldn’t wait for Lucas to finally be on his way. He felt guilty about that; this was technically his job. The explanation, the consolation, the soft words of understanding were not Gideon’s domain, but Lucas was only interested in what Gideon had to say, and Jesse was only interested in watching Gideon, so it worked out nicely.
When Lucas was finally ready to leave, they both walked him to the door, Jesse following a few steps behind Gideon. As soon as Lucas reached his car, Jesse’s hand was drawn to Gideon’s back. He rubbed his palm over Gideon’s shoulder, and by the time Gideon shut the door, Jess’ body was pressed against Gideon’s, his lips resting on the back of Gideon’s neck. He couldn’t help himself.
“We better be even now for the whip scare,” Gideon commented. “Because I hate this part of the job.”
Jesse smiled. “We’re even. But you did very good.”
A weary sigh made his shoulders sag. “I think we’re going to have to keep an eye out on Lucas. He’s not the kind of man to just let things go.”
“That’s probably not a bad idea. What did you do with Tricia?”
“I bought her a train ticket for New York. Hopefully, she’ll take the hint.” Stepping away from the door, Gideon retreated to his office with Jess at his heels. He headed straight for the bottle of whisky he kept for schmoozing clients and, without asking, poured out two glasses. “The last thing I want is for Lucas to find her. Toby deserved better than what he got, but it wasn’t her fault. Not really.”
“I’m sure she’s got no reason to hang around here.” Jesse sipped from his drink while Gideon downed his. “The fire at the warehouse was on the news this morning, but no foul play is suspected. Nice work.”
Gideon sat on the corner of his desk, a mocking smile on his lips. “You say that like I don’t always do nice work,” he teased. “Don’t tell me we’re losing the shine already.”
Jesse finished his drink and returned the smile. “No, things are still very shiny.” As Jesse set his glass down, Gideon hooked his fingers around his belt and pulled him closer. “I could show you how shiny things are.”
“Oh?” His nails scraped against Jesse’s skin as his hand slipped inside his pants. “And how would you do that?”
Jesse caught his breath as Gideon’s fingers brushed against his cock. “I could beg you to tie me up again.”
He was surprised when Gideon’s hand stilled. “And what if I didn’t want to?” Gideon asked, his voice unexpectedly solemn.
Jesse’s eyes widened slightly, surprised. “I guess I’d ask what you did want to do.”
Pulling his hand free, Gideon grasped Jesse’s wrist and guided him to his hip, folding his fingers over Jesse’s longer ones. “I don’t always need the games,” he said. “Sometimes, all I want is to be able to sink into a willing partner and have them hold onto me while we fuck.” His mouth twitched. “Or, you know, rake their nails down my back because it feels so good. That works, too.”
“I can do that,” Jesse said, perhaps a little too eagerly. He liked, enjoyed, adored every single thing Gideon did to him, and everything they did together, but he had been longing for the opportunity to do the very thing Gideon described. “Let’s do that. Right now.”
Gideon laughed, and it dispelled the sobriety that had clouded him. “Am I going to have to give you more lessons in patience?”
He toyed with the buttons on Gideon’s shirt. “Probably more lessons wouldn’t hurt. We can pencil those in for later.”
With a gleam in his eye, Gideon captured Jesse’s hand in his and rose from the desk. He didn’t say a word as he led Jess out of the office, or on the stairs, or even through his apartment. He didn’t speak until they stood in his bedroom.
“You know,” he said, turning back to Jesse. His deft fingers tugged at Jesse’s belt. “You’re probably going to be spending a lot of time here now. More than when we were just business partners.”
“Yes, probably,” Jesse agreed as Gideon worked his belt free. His hands returned to Gideon’s shirt, undoing the buttons quickly and exposing his muscled chest.
Gideon tossed the belt aside and then shrugged out of his shirt before returning to Jesse’s pants. “Maybe we should just make it easier for us then and have you move in.”
Jesse couldn’t speak until Gideon pushed his pants down to his ankles. Gideon wanted to spend more time with him than they already spent together. Gideon wanted to share a bed with him, and let Jesse invade his jealously guarded private life. “I think…that’s a really good idea. Are you sure you’re going to be okay with that?”
Gideon’s eyes danced as he set to work on Jesse’s shirt. “I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t want it. And besides, if you annoy me too much, I’ll just throw you in the cage and see if you turn my dream about you jacking off in it into reality.”
“That sounds fair enough,” Jesse said, unzipping Gideon’s pants. He wrapped his fingers around Gideon’s erection, but was forced to let him go as Gideon tugged his shirt down his arms. The shirt joined the pants, leaving Jess completely naked, a chill rolling down his back. “But you can probably throw me in the cage even when you’re not annoyed.”
“I’ll think about it,” Gideon murmured. His head ducked, and his mouth skimmed over Jesse’s shoulder, his tongue like silk where it left a wet trail. “Right now, I just want to taste you all over.”
Jesse’s heart leapt as Gideon began licking along his chest. He took a path down the middle at first, kissing and savoring before veering to the side and circling around the nipple. Rather than touch it, though, he repeated the caress in the opposite direction, all the while letting his hands knead the tense muscles of Jesse’s back.
Jess moaned and let his head fall back as Gideon made good on his promise. His lips were soft, his tongue playful as he lapped at Jesse’s skin. His hands were strong on Jesse’s back, forcing whatever tension he had out until he could barely stand. He just wanted to slump forward against Gideon, or fall backward to the bed.
It was excruciating when he felt Gideon’s skin slide against his as he worked ever lower, but when Gideon dropped to his knees and cupped Jesse’s ass, Jess allowed himself the luxury of grasping Gideon’s shoulders. He used him for balance as the mouth he had dreamt about for so long lavished every inch of his stomach, but even that attempt failed when Gideon reached down and fondled his smooth balls.
Jesse bent his knees as his thighs tightened, and his stomach clenched with sharp spasms of desire. He knew Gideon could be this gentle and thorough, but it was still a surprise to be on the receiving end of it. Gideon massaged his balls as his mouth moved lower, his tongue sliding along the seam of Jesse’s thigh. Jess whimpered, his fingers curling into Gideon’s skin.
“I want to suck you,” Gideon murmured. His mouth never strayed from the smooth patch of skin at the base of Jesse’s cock. “But I’m afraid if I start, I won’t be able to stop, and I was kind of looking forward to you coming while I fuck you.”
Jesse’s breath caught in his throat. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem. I might not have vampire stamina but…”
Gideon’s tongue traced the vein that ran the underside of his shaft. “I’ll just have to take that risk then.”
Jess gasped when Gideon sucked the head past his lips, stopping to lick away the pre-come that was already flowing so freely. He lingered there for what felt like forever, stroking the sac at the same time, and just when Jess thought he was going to have to beg after all, Gideon moved, sliding down his length. He didn’t stop when the tip pushed against the back of his throat. He just swallowed until Jess felt his lips wrap around the root of his cock.
Jesse could only stare at the top of Gideon’s head, his breath coming faster and faster. Gideon barely moved, as though he didn’t want to lose too much of Jesse’s cock when he pulled his head back, but Jesse was panting like he was running a marathon. It was too much, seeing Gideon on his knees like that, feeling his mouth like that, and knowing it was only because Gideon loved him.
Gideon gripped his thighs, and pulled back, sending a slightly chiding look up at him. “Breathe, Jess.”
Jesse nodded, took a deep breath, and held it as Gideon swallowed his length once again, and let it out slowly.
The lazy rhythm Gideon established carried with it the urge to begin babbling, about how much he loved Gideon, about how he’d do anything for him, about how grateful he was to be able to finally get to share everything he’d always wished. But with each slide into the tight suction of Gideon’s mouth came an answering caress along his balls, behind his sac, until Gideon’s fingers traced the tight pucker of his ass. Speech wasn’t possible then. Especially when Gideon began to hum around his cock.
Jesse touched Gideon everywhere he could reach, his fingers fluttering over Gideon’s hair, shoulders, and cheeks. His entire body seemed to be vibrating, pulsing. The pleasure flared, faded, flared, faded, flared again until he was gasping, certain he would burst. Jess didn’t know if Gideon was intentionally trying to torment him, if he knew Jess was close to losing it, but he kept pulling Jess away from the brink. Finally, he slid his finger into Jess’ ass to press against his prostate.
The shout tore from his lips as his body spasmed, his hips slamming forward of their own accord as he shot deep in Gideon’s throat. Blast after blast made him feel like he was ricocheting, and it was only Gideon’s strong hands that kept him from falling over. His body trembled, his head spun, and then Gideon was moving, finally releasing the suction around his cock to slide back up Jesse’s body and capture his mouth in a hot, sticky kiss.
Jesse wrapped his arms around Gideon, holding him tightly as his body continued to tremble from the force of the orgasm. He smoothed his hands over Gideon’s shoulders, down his back, to the waistband of his jeans, still hanging low on his hips. Jess pushed them down, his fingers sliding against Gideon’s ass. The kiss went on for a long, long time, Jesse catching snatches of breath when he could. When they finally broke away, Jesse was semi-erect and a fresh, different ache was radiating through his lower stomach.
“I can’t believe how much I always need you,” Jess murmured.
“And there’s another good reason for you to move in.” Gideon smiled and pushed him toward the bed, not stopping until Jesse’s legs hit the edge of the mattress. “Lie down. I’m not done tasting yet.”
Jesse shivered with anticipation and did as he was told, his legs parted, his knees slightly raised. A certain hunger lurked in Gideon’s eyes, and Jess shivered again. He kissed him again, but only briefly, just enough to make Jess feel the loss when Gideon moved from his mouth and trailed hot kisses down his body. The tip of his tongue snaked out, wiping across his cock, before moving to the sensitive skin behind Jess’ sac.
All he could hear was the roar of his blood as Gideon grasped the back of his thighs and pushed his legs up. It spread his cheeks and exposed his hole, but before he had the chance to grow accustomed to the suddenly cool air, Gideon’s mouth covered it, his tongue tracing the entrance his fingers had already explored. Wet, dragging licks made his skin burn, until whimpers began to rise in his throat.
Gideon chuckled. “Do you know that hearing you like this just makes me want to drag this out even longer?” he asked. “I fucking love the sounds you make.”
The thought of Gideon prolonging the experience turned the whimpers into a long moan. Gideon responded with another lingering swipe of his tongue, teasing him with the barest hint of a deeper exploration.
“I can’t help it…” Jesse said, clutching the bedspread. “I can’t help it when you do things like that.”
“Like what? This?”
Strong fingers dug into his cheeks, spreading him even wider, and his muscles twitched as Gideon licked over his hole yet again. Jess gasped as Gideon pressed the very tip of his tongue past the tight ring, only exhaling when he retreated almost as quickly.
“Yes, yes. Just like that.”
He didn’t know if it was his need or Gideon’s hunger, but the next wet press against his ass had Gideon’s tongue sinking deeper, and the next one after that even deeper yet. Slowly, Gideon fucked him, licking and probing until Jess was quivering uncontrollably, and all he could do was writhe against the sheets.
“Oh my God…Gideon…love this…love you…you feel so good…so good…” Words just kept spilling out, as though he could tell Gideon all about the searing sensation that heated his blood. As though he could convey how much he appreciated every second they were together, and how greedy he was for more, and how at moments like this, he would do, promise, swear to anything.
Gideon pulled back, but the absence of his tongue was replaced by a pair of fingers pushing into his ass. He looked up the length of Jesse’s body, his eyes nearly black with desire, and nodded toward the nightstand.
“Get the lube.”
Jesse fumbled for the bottle, his fingers slipping once before grasping it. He was trembling by the time he pressed it into Gideon’s hands, his ass clenching, his cock now fully erect. Gideon poured a good amount on his fingers before tossing the bottle aside. Jess’ eyes were drawn to Gideon’s erection, the tip dripping with pre-come, his shaft long and smooth, and he could already feel it sliding into him.
Gideon slid his slicked fingers back inside Jesse’s ass, scissoring and stretching for brief thrusts before adding a third and then a fourth finger. It burned in the best way possible, but Gideon didn’t torment him for long, removing his hand to slide up the length of Jesse’s body. He took Jesse’s mouth in a kiss that left him breathless, their cocks rubbing together until Gideon shifted the angle of his hips.
“What do you want?” he murmured against Jesse’s lips.
“I want you, Gideon.”
He felt rather than saw the slow smile curve Gideon’s mouth. Then he felt the blunt tip of his cock pressing past the tight ring of muscle, sinking inch after inch into his ass. By the time he felt Gideon’s balls brush against his cheeks, Jess was gulping for air, a situation made worse when Gideon resumed kissing him.
Jesse wrapped himself around Gideon, his ankles hooking around his calves, his fingernails digging into Gideon’s back. Gideon deepened the kiss until right at the moment Jesse felt his lungs would explode. But his need for air didn’t supersede his need to taste Gideon, and he peppered his jaw and neck with kisses as Gideon slowly slid out of him and then rocked forward.
“I like it like this.” The words were a velvet caress, punctuated with the steady thrusts into his ass. “I like seeing how you squeeze your eyes shut right before you come. How you lick your lips when I wait too long to kiss you again.”
He turned his head, seeking out the sinew of Jesse’s neck, and when his mouth closed over his original bite, sucking gently at the skin, Jess bucked beneath him.
“Oh God…” Jess tilted his head back further, arching beneath Gideon. “I love your mouth, and your cock, and when you’re buried in me completely. You feel so good…” Gideon’s rhythm was almost enough to turn him completely incoherent, but he pressed on, his words slow and halting. “I’m yours…Gideon…so happy I’m yours.”
The growl he heard next vibrated through him, followed by the quickening snaps of Gideon’s hips. Blunt teeth worried the small marks on his neck, and then a firm hand found his cock, pulling it at the same tempo Gideon’s filled his ass.
Gideon lifted his head a fraction, just enough to give his words room to escape. “Come for me,” he said. In the next moment, his fangs sank through Jesse’s skin, his cock jerking as his come coated Jesse’s slick passage.
Jesse jolted against Gideon, his balls tightening just before he erupted for the second time. Jess expected Gideon to draw more blood from him, but as soon as Jesse’s cock stopped twitching, Gideon retracted his fangs and replaced them with his tongue, lapping at the marks until the blood stopped. Jess didn’t let him go, his arms and legs still around him, but Gideon didn’t seem to mind.
“Love you,” Gideon said. He lifted his head, an amused smile curving his mouth. “And see? I can even say it outside of a stressful situation.”
Jesse chuckled softly and kissed the corner of his mouth. “I’m impressed. And I promise from now on, I’ll do a better job of listening to you.”
Gideon snorted. “Like that’s ever going to happen. The only way I’m ever going to get you to listen to me is to shackle you to the ceiling again and paddle your ass until it glows.”
“Will that be before or after the lessons in patience?”
“Before, during, and after.” With a grunt, Gideon finally eased out of Jesse, rolling onto his back and taking Jess with him. His arms wrapped around Jesse’s back and held him tight, and as Jess watched, his eyes drifted shut. “Thank you.”
Jess rested his head on Gideon’s shoulder. “You’re welcome. For what?”
“For reminding me why I keep on fighting,” came the soft reply.
The statement warmed him through to his core, more powerful than any declaration of love Gideon could make. Jess knew he would never doubt Gideon’s feelings for him—not after this implicit comparison to the woman who had turned his entire existence around. He now knew exactly what he meant to Gideon, and what they meant to each other. It was almost overwhelming to be loved like that, but Jesse hoped to have a long time to become accustomed to it.
Gideon’s breath became increasingly irregular as he drifted to sleep, and Jess pressed his lips against Gideon’s neck.
“I’m always going to love you,” he whispered, before his own eyes fell shut.
THE END