After several heartbeats, Matthew pulled back and cupped Jax's face. "I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry. I just.... It took me by surprise, that's all." The hell with it. He met Matthew's gaze. "I know it's selfish, but I just got you back, Matty. I'm not ready to lose you again."
"Hey, I'm not going anywhere."
Jax nodded, though he was still feeling a little unsettled. They resumed their dinner, quiet at first. But then Matthew returned to talking about dogs and possible dog names, and everything was back to normal. Jax helped Matthew clean up, or rather get everything into the dishwasher before Matthew picked a bottle of red wine from his vast selection of bottles, along with two glasses. Jax didn't know much about wine, but he would hazard a guess that one bottle alone probably cost a pretty penny.
They headed for the living room, where Matthew picked up a remote control, tapped a button, and the lighting adjusted to give the place a warm glow. Soft instrumental music flowed through the speakers arranged around the living room, and Jax joined Matthew on the couch. He turned onto his side, elbow over the back of the plush couch cushion as Matthew poured them each a glass.
"What?" Matthew asked, handing him a glass.
Jax shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I still can't believe I'm here with you. Also, you have a tree in your living room."
Matthew threw his head back and laughed, making Jax chuckle. He loved Matthew's laugh. When they were kids, Jax would do all kinds of stupid things just to hear Matthew laugh. The way his face lit up, his eyes crinkling at the ends, the joy there in his face for everyone to see.... He was beautiful.
"The interior decorator thought it would be a nice touch. Make the place feel a little less industrial, homier."
"You don't think so?" Jax asked, surprised when Matthew averted his gaze.
Matthew shrugged. "People make a home. I mean, I love my apartment, but a guy can get pretty lonely up here all by himself." He turned and met Jax's gaze. "Maybe one day someone will come along and change that."
Jax placed his glass of wine on the coaster sitting on the coffee table to his right. When he turned back, Matthew had done the same. They leaned in at the same time, and Jax slipped his hand behind Matthew's neck, stroking his thumb over the soft skin of Matthew's nape. He brought their lips together, and Matthew melted into Jax, his lips parting so Jax could slip his tongue inside Matthew's mouth. He tasted of wine. Matthew moaned into Jax's mouth, his fingers curling around fistfuls of Jax's shirt.
"Jax," Matthew breathed.
"Hmm?" Heat flared through Jax as he demanded more from Matthew's mouth. Their kiss got more intense, their tongues tangling and breath growing heavy.
"I want you to take me to bed."
Jax nodded. He pulled away and looked up at Matthew as he stood. The heat in Matthew's eyes, the hunger, and need was going to make Jax spontaneously combust. Jax turned, his knees spread as Matthew stepped between them. Jax leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Matthew's waist, closing his eyes when Matthew ran his fingers through Jax's hair. He loved it when Matthew stroked his hair.
Carefully, Jax stood. He brushed his lips over Matthew's as he laced their fingers together, his voice quiet when he spoke.
"Lead the way."
Matthew kissed Jax's jawline before turning and heading for a set of winding stairs. Up on the second floor, a pristine carpeted hall showcased several empty bedrooms, which Jax would guess were the guest rooms, each with their own bathroom. At the end of the hall on the third floor was one door, and inside, a huge master bedroom the size of an apartment. Matthew's bedroom.
Matthew turned, smiling wickedly before he threw his arms around Jax and kissed him as if he was making up for lost time. Jax couldn't get enough of Matthew. Everything about him was gorgeous and perfect. His skin, his scent, the feel of him. If Jax didn't get to taste all of him, he was going to go crazy.
Matthew took hold of the hem of Jax's henley and tugged at it. They were frantic, pulling and grasping, undressing each other as fast as they could without having to stop kissing. Jax toed off his shoes, and he groaned when Matthew took hold of Jax's fly and quickly undid the buttons.
"Take your pants off," Matthew growled as he took off his own, kicked them to one side, and stood there in all his beautiful naked glory.
Jax got rid of his clothes and walked Matthew to the bed. The back of Matthew's legs hit the end of the king-size bed, and Jax gently pushed on Matthew's shoulders. Taking the hint, Matthew sank down onto the mattress. He gazed up at Jax with those stunning silver eyes, and put his hands to Jax's torso, sliding his hands up reverently, his eyes never leaving Jax's.
"You're so beautiful," Matthew said quietly before he leaned in to kiss Jax's stomach. Jax took a step back, and Matthew dropped to his knees in front of Jax. His lips curled up, and he took hold of Jax's hardening cock before swallowing it whole.
"Jesus, Matty!" Jax bucked, and Matthew hummed around him, his nose buried in Jax's groin. "Fuck."
Matthew slid his hands around Jax's thighs to his ass and gripped it tight, one hand on each asscheek as he bobbed his head, sucking and licking. He pulled almost all the way out to press his tongue into Jax's slit, and Jax cursed under his breath. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back, his fingers curled in Matthew's hair, holding him as Matthew turned him into a trembling mess. Where the hell had Matthew learned to do such sinful things with his mouth?
Matthew licked at the precome, his fingers lightly brushing along Jax's crease, his other hand going to Jax's balls. If Matthew kept this up, Jax wasn't going to last very long.
"Matty," Jax warned, tugging on Matthew's hair. Matthew pulled off him and stood, then kissed Jax as if the only way to survive was to share breath. Jax pulled Matthew up against him. He grabbed a fistful of Matthew's hair and jerked his head back, biting his shoulder before licking, nipping, and kissing his way up to Matthew's jaw.
"Jax, please."
"Tell me what you want, baby."
"I want--no, I need--you to fuck me. I need to feel you buried deep inside me."
Jax let out a low growl as he led Matthew back to the bed and then shoved him down onto it. Matthew moved back until he was in the center of the bed, and Jax crawled over him. Their kisses were desperate, starved.
Jax tried to go slow. As eager as he was to fuck Matthew into the mattress, he wanted to cherish this moment, wanted to show Matthew what he had trouble saying. Words were never easy for Jax. Expressing himself through his art was always easier for him.
Jax plundered Matthew's mouth with his tongue, moaning at the decadent taste, loving the sounds coming from Matthew as Jax lowered himself onto Matthew. Matthew rutted against him, his hands all over Jax--kneading, gripping, groping.
Jax sat back on his heels between Matthew's bent knees and looked down at him. Matthew lay stretched before him, his fair skin smooth and flushed.
"You're so damn gorgeous, Matty."
"How do you want me?" Matthew asked, his voice almost a whisper.
"Just like this. On your back, so I can see you."
Matthew nodded. He pointed to the nightstand, and Jax carefully but quickly got up to rummage through it. Grabbing the lube, he paused at the condom.
"I've got my test results on my phone if you want them?"
"I've got mine in my office downstairs. I trust you, Jax."
There was no uncertainty or hesitancy in Matthew's voice, and the thought of feeling all of Matthew, of being inside him with nothing between them, sent a shiver through Jax. After taking the lube, he closed the drawer and climbed back onto the bed, then gave Matthew a good, hard kiss before snapping open the lube. After coating a finger, he rubbed it around Matthew's hole, his eyes on Matthew as he writhed with want.
"Jax," Matthew groaned.
"Patience, Matty."
"Screw patience," Matthew grumbled. "Better yet, screw me."
Jax chuckled. Matthew's pouting ended when Jax pushed a finger inside him. Fuck, he couldn't get any hard
er. Watching his finger sink into Matthew, the way it was driving Matthew crazy, was something else. Jax groaned at the sight as he sank another finger into Matthew.
Matthew arched his back, his eyes closed and his head thrown back as a decadent moan escaped his kiss-swollen lips. Jax crooked his finger, and Matthew gasped.
"Oh, sweet heaven! Do that again, Jax."
Jax smiled and did as Matthew asked, loving the way Matthew cursed under his breath, his beautiful body squirming and writhing with the need to have Jax inside him. Matthew wasn't as muscular as Jax, but his sinewy frame was strong and lean, muscles perfectly defined. His skin was smooth, fair, with freckles and beauty marks sprinkled everywhere. Jax had the urge to kiss one near his abdomen. Adjusting his position, he bent over so he could kiss the tiny beauty spot beside Matthew's belly button. Matthew's fingers were in his hair, stroking, and Jax turned his head to kiss Matthew's cock lying erect and hard against his stomach.
Matthew shivered as Jax continued to finger his hole while alternating between kissing and licking Matthew's cock. He sucked the tip into his mouth, drawing another gasp from Matthew.
"Jax, please. Please."
Jax removed his fingers from inside Matthew and released his cock. He grabbed the bottle of lube again and made sure to slather his dick with plenty of it. Once he had, he shifted closer to Matthew, bringing Matthew's legs up against his shoulders. He lined up the head of his cock with Matthew's hole and gently pushed in.
Matthew's breath hitched, and he shut his eyes tight. "Sorry, it's been a long time."
"Don't apologize. If you need me to stop or pull out, just say so," Jax insisted softly. Matthew's body was fighting the intrusion, and since Jax was not small by any means, he moved slowly, being as gentle as he could be. He paused, remaining perfectly still, allowing Matthew to adjust around him before he began moving again until finally the tight muscle gave way, and Jax was buried to the hilt. "Jesus, Matty. You're so tight."
"Jax," Matthew pleaded. "I need to feel you move."
Jax did as asked, slowly pulling out and then sinking back in, his brow beaded with sweat. Matthew's skin flushed a beautiful pink from his face down to his chest. His sweet lips were parted as he arched his back, his fingers curling around fistfuls of the blanket.
"Oh God," Matthew gasped when Jax picked up his pace a little.
"That okay?"
"Yes. Faster," Matthew begged. "Harder."
Jax bent over Matthew to capture his lips, stifling Matthew's cry when Jax pulled almost all the way out and drove himself back in. He pounded Matthew's ass, the sound of skin slapping skin driving Jax wild. He moved his lips away from Matthew's mouth to sink his teeth into the skin between Matthew's neck and shoulder.
"Jax!"
The muscles in Jax's arms strained as he pushed himself up so he could look down at Matthew. "That's it, baby. You're so fucking beautiful. Look at you. Stroke yourself. Come for me."
Matthew reached down between them, taking hold of his cock and tugging, pulling, his mouth open as he panted, his brows drawn together.
"Oh God."
"That's it, Matty," Jax urged him on, his hips losing their rhythm as he thrust hard time and time again, then twisted his angle to hit Matthew's sweet spot. Matthew cried out, the ribbons of come hitting his stomach. Jax took hold of Matthew's thighs and pushed Matthew's legs against his chest as his orgasm exploded through him.
"Fuck. Oh fuck!" Jax continued to pound into Matthew as his vision went white, and he threw his head back, his muscles tightening and his body racking with shivers as he emptied himself inside Matthew, coating his insides. He collapsed on Matthew and smiled after Matthew wrapped his arms around him.
"You were made for me, Jax."
Jax couldn't argue. Their bodies fit together, as if both cast from the same mold. A sense of peace and contentment settled over Jax, and he released a sigh. He'd never felt happier in his life than he did at that moment. Not because of the amazing sex, but because he was in Matthew's bed, in his arms.
"Will you stay?"
Matthew's words were hesitant and barely audible. Was Matthew afraid Jax would just get up and disappear? He supposed he couldn't blame Matthew for thinking that. It was a little daunting, being in Matthew's lavish penthouse apartment, but he wasn't as uncomfortable as he thought he might be. It wasn't just the home of a millionaire. It was Matthew's home.
Jax kissed Matthew's temple. "I would very much like that."
Matthew let out a breath, and Jax realized Matthew had been worried. Feeling the need to relieve some of the tension that had come into Matthew's body, Jax gently took hold of Matthew's chin and turned his head to bring their lips together. Jax kissed him languidly, exploring every crevice of his mouth, tasting him, enjoying every inch of this amazing man.
Chapter Eleven
MATTHEW'S body ached in the most delicious way. As he rolled over to stretch, last night came back with exceptional clarity. He had never been fucked like that in his life, and the fact it was Jax who had turned him into a needy quivering mess was the best part.
Jax....
Matthew bolted upright, his heart pounding fiercely in his chest. At least until he heard a sleepy rumble of words from beside him.
"Go back to sleep."
Matthew's panic eased, and he smiled down at Jax. He'd stayed. Matthew had been afraid he'd find his bed empty when he woke, that Jax would have taken off, but there he was, a vision. He lay on his stomach, one arm under his pillow, his hair fanned around him and the pillow. The muscles of his large biceps were flexed from his position, his torso exposed to just below his waist, where the white blanket lay draped over his tantalizing ass, the white a sharp contrast against his rich skin.
"Stop staring at me and get back down here," Jax mumbled.
How did he know? With a chuckle, Matthew lay down, loving how Jax brought him into his arms and kissed his head.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Jax didn't bother opening his eyes. "You thought I was going to leave before you woke up." It wasn't a question but a statement, and Matthew felt his face flush.
"I didn't know what to expect."
"No more running, Matty." Jax opened his eyes then and brushed his lips over Matthew's brow.
Matthew's heart squeezed. "No more running."
"Besides, why the hell would I leave a nice warm bed with a beautiful naked man when I could wake up to his smile and make love to him all over again?"
Make love.
Matthew couldn't help his dopey grin. "That would be rather silly, wouldn't it?"
Jax chuckled. "It would be very silly." A thought seemed to occur to Jax, and he waggled his eyebrows. "How about a nice morning shower together? I bet you have plenty of room for the both of us in your bathroom."
Matthew nodded. He reluctantly pulled away from Jax and got up. He waited for Jax to join him and took his hand. Jax was an incredible specimen of a man. He was ripped, with a six-pack, corded muscles in his arms that drove Matthew crazy, and powerful thighs and calves. Then there was the wild hair falling roguishly over his face and shoulders. The man looked like some Roman god.
They both used the bathroom and brushed their teeth. The bathroom had more than enough space, with a walk-in shower on one end, and a Jacuzzi bathtub on the other.
"Shower or tub?" Matthew asked.
Jax looked from the tub to the shower. He pointed at the shower. "I'm getting a very dirty image of you bent over that bench there with your cheeks spread wide-open for me. I made a promise, didn't I?"
Matthew's face heated up. He opened his mouth to reply, but no words were forthcoming. Jax laughed quietly as he drew Matthew into his arms. "I love that I can leave you speechless."
Matthew whimpered, and Jax led him over to the shower. "Now turn this thing on. I'm afraid to touch it in case I do it wrong and it starts some kind of self-destruction countdown." Jax eyed the digital screen outside the shower suspiciously. "Since when is it
a good idea to mix electricity and water?"
Matthew shook his head with a chuckle as he picked one of the relaxing ambient settings, complete with soft tropical music and sounds. The shower started, the lights in the rest of the bathroom dimming. Jax arched an eyebrow at Matthew.
"I will admit, that is pretty damn cool."
Matthew strolled into the shower, leaving Jax standing outside. He walked over to the shelf on the wall and poured some shower gel into his hands before standing under the rain showerhead extending down from the ceiling. He held back a smile as he lathered himself up, hands moving slowly over his body, his back to Jax. Matthew could feel Jax's eyes on him. He'd never felt so sexy or so wanted. Emboldened by Jax's gaze on him, Matthew slipped his hands to his ass, then his crease.
"Let me help you with that," Jax murmured in Matthew's ear. Matthew nodded, letting his head fall back against Jax's shoulder as Jax washed him, his strong hands running over every inch of Matthew. Jax planted kisses on Matthew's neck, his jaw, his temple. When Matthew was rinsed off, he left Jax and went for more shower gel. He returned to Jax and waggled his eyebrows.
"My turn."
Jax lifted his arms out from his sides. "I'm all yours."
If Jax only knew how much Matthew wanted that. He wanted Jax to be his, just his. Wanted to see Jax in his bed, wanted to make love to him every night, wanted to lounge on the couch watching TV, wondering what they should have for dinner. He wanted to have Jax at his side.
Matthew stood before Jax and placed his hands on those firm pectorals. The man was perfection.
"I hope you don't mind if I feel you up."
Jax's gaze was predatory. "Please do."
Matthew took full advantage, running his hands over Jax, fingers tracing over every line of muscle, every dip and curve. He circled one nipple with his index finger until it pebbled beneath his touch. Jax sucked in a sharp breath.
"Matty, you need to speed this up because I'm two seconds away from taking you right here."
Matthew brought Jax under the shower and quickly rinsed him off. He hadn't even finished when Jax pulled him over to the padded bench, a wicked smile on his lips.