The Cougar, the Tiger and the Cub J2 AU
Christmas in Barbados was probably Jared Padalecki’s favorite vacation. The air was balmy, the people scantily clad and he could always depend on the kindness of strangers. Strangers was probably too strong of a word. He always got to know the widowed or divorced woman he met on his trips.
He had learned how to pick them too. Jared searched for the finely coiffed do’s, the silken wardrobe and the subtle, but obviously real jewels that dangled off them. Then he’d smile. Sometimes that’s all it took. A flash of dimples and a shy head drop could get him anything he needed from meals to hotel rooms and an entire wardrobe if he played his cards right.
Other times, he’d cozy up to a hot set of muscles, all masculine and hard. He’d sweat it out with him for a few nights, just for a change of pace. Most of Jared’s friends referred to him as bisexual, but Jared preferred the term true-sexual. A true-sexual, as he explored in his psychology paper his last year of college, found sexual beauty in both sexes and appreciated what each gender had to offer in a sexual relationship. His professor had said it sounded vaguely like a bisexual to him. Regardless, Jared never used that term to describe himself.
This particular evening, dashing as ever in cargo shorts and a deep V-neck tee, Jared’s gaze lingered on a curvy blond woman. Her green eyes sparkled as she sipped a daquiri in the outdoor bar. Jared patiently waited for her companion, a dark haired woman with long shapely legs, to smile and walk away before he stepped up to the empty bar stool and ordered a drink. He flashed the woman his dimples as she tried not to check out his biceps.
“Was I staring?” She smiled, giggling a little from her intoxication.
He nodded, chuckling himself. “A little.”
“So sorry. Let me pay for your drink.” She gestured toward the bartender. “I’m Emma.”
“Jared. And I have to say, drinks bought by a beautiful woman? My night’s looking up.” He waited for the inevitable blush.
Emma didn’t disappoint, hanging her head to hide her crimson cheeks. “Seems I caught myself a charmer.”
His laugh was a warm rumble bubbling under his broad muscle bound chest. He sipped his rum and coke purposefully slow. The band struck up a beautiful island beat as Emma finished her drink.
Jared held out his hand leading the older woman to the makeshift dance floor. They twirled amongst the other couples, both giggling like children. When the music slowed Jared pulled Emma into his arms, blond curls tickling his nose as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I think I’m done dancing. Wanna get out of here?”
Her breath caught at the honey glaze of seduction in his tone. “I’m old enough to be your mother.” She protested.
His strong arms propelled her toward the resort a few blocks away. He hoped her room was one of the suites. “And you’re beautiful enough to drive me crazy.”
She steadied herself in his arms, wondering if the dizziness was from the liquor or his incredible smile. “My room’s on the second floor.”
The two were inseparable after that night. Jared moved his belongings from his flee infested motel to Emma’s suite. They dined on lobster and champagne, danced till the wee hours of the night and drank their fill wherever they went. It seemed Emma had been widowed two years earlier. Her husband had been a very wealthy business man. She finally felt it was time to celebrate her life the way her loving Charles would have wanted. The nights were never what Jared expected though. Emma would cuddle up to him, head pressed against his shoulder or chest. She’d sprinkle chased kisses along his cheeks and temple, but they’d never go any further.
After ten days of their whirlwind fling, Jared woke up, silk pajama bottoms tickling the skin of his legs. He stretched, expecting to find Emma curled on her side of the bed. Jared batted at the empty pillow in surprise. He was alone. Legs swung to the side of the bed as he fought the hangover from the binge the night before. A paper fluttered next to a tray filled with silver dishes and a carafe of coffee. Jared poured himself a cup of coffee and read the lipstick printed letter.
Jared,
Went to lunch with the girls.
Love and Kisses,
Mrs. Emma Padalecki
Jared blinked and rubbed his blurry eyes, wondering if maybe he was still a little drunk. “Padalecki” His own last name screamed at him. He ran his hand through his hair, feeling a strange sensation squeezing his left ring finger. The ring of gold there sealed the deal. He grabbed his phone from the night stand and called his best friend.
“Oh my God Chad!” Jared screamed when the groggy voice answered.
“Man, are you finally home?”
“No, I’m still in Barbados. . . “
“Dude, you are totally roaming. This is gonna cost you a fortune.” Chad interrupted.
Jared paced in front of the floor to ceiling windows looking out over the beach. “I don’t care. Bad things, bad things! I’m married.” Silence slammed into him from the other side of the phone. “Chad? Say something.”
“Congratulations? How’s the blushing bride?”
“Pushing sixty.” Jared retorted.
“More age spots than blushing I guess?” Chad quipped.
Jared sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose to fight off the pounding headache growing behind his temples. “Emma’s great. Beautiful, charming, rich as Hell. But, I don’t love her! And I sure as hell don’t want to be married to her.”
“Okay, explain to me how you round up married.” Chad sat up in his bed and searched for his television remote.
“I don’t remember. We had an early dinner. A little shopping. Stopped for a few drinks at our favorite place.” Jared grappled to remember. “That’s it. I woke up in our room alone.”
“I’ve always wanted to get married in the mountains. Don’t get me wrong the beach is great, but spending your honeymoon in a ski resort seems more romantic. . . . Cuddling by the fireplace, riding the ski lift together. . . .”
“Man would you focus? You can have your Bridezilla moment later. What am I gonna do?” Panic seeped into his voice.
“You need to get back to the states.” Chad began.
Jared dropped to the bed.” She’s going to expect me to go home with her. To . . .to . . . . Dallas. She lives in Dallas.”
“Okay, okay. This is good. I can meet you up there. You get settled in then I’ll come over and say there’s been a horrible accident and you’re needed at home.” Chad planned.
“Dammit Chad.” Jared yelled. “It’s a marriage, not a bad blind date. She’ll expect me back. Or worse yet, she’ll want to come with me.”
“Just get to Dallas.” Chad sighed. “We’ll figure it out from there.”
Three days later a town car pulled up and deposited Jared and his new bride in front of a huge house on the outskirts of Dallas. Jared watched a suited man carry his bags as he and Emma climbed the porch stairs and entered through a large set of double doors.
“Thank you Jack. Take Jared’s things up to the blue guest room.” She turned and winked at her husband.
Jared fidgeted in the doorway staring at the marble staircase that filled the foyer. “Your house is . . . .amazing.”
“Oh, this is just a foyer. Make yourself at home.” Emma’s fingers grazed the banister.
“I don’t want to mess anything up.” He toed his shoes off before stepping on the stone inlay flooring.
Emma chuckled. “Darling! Homes are for living in. So live. I have some meetings today. Apparently being gone has set some of my committees on edge.” She glided up the stairs, throwing a glance over her shoulder. “The kitchen is through those double doors. Aggie will make you a snack.”
A portly woman met him in the white and dark blue kitchen. “Allo! My goodness going to be a challenge to keep the likes of you full.” She peered up at the towering boy before her.
“Don’t go to any trouble, ma’am.” Jared sat at the breakfast bar across from the older woman.
“Manners! I like that. The missus was right. You are a special lad.” Aggie stepped over to a cabinet and hesitated. “You look like the kind boy who might enjoy an Elvis special.”
Jared grinned, assaulting the cook with the shimmer of teeth. “A fried peanut butter and banana sandwich? I haven’t had one of those since I was a kid.”
Aggie set about constructing the snack and pouring Jared a glass of milk. She chatted about her own sons, grown and married in England, as Jared ate.
“Aggie.” Jared pushed up from the bar carrying his dishes to the sink. “This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” He leaned into the cook and pecked her cheek in thanks. “Off to find the blue guest room.”
“Up the stairs and to you right.” Aggie blushed.
Jared climbed the stairs in wonder stopping to inspect the intricate detail of paintings and molding along the way. His trip down the long ornate hallway was much the same. He turned the handle to a large wooden door and opened it shyly.
What welcomed him was a large room filled with dark wood furniture. A heather gray comforter covered a king sized bed and perched on the edge was the most beautiful man Jared had ever seen. His chest was bare, slender and sculpted. He wore loose fitting flannel pants, feet bare underneath. When the man looked up the bright green of his eyes stabbed Jared right in chest and stole his breath.
“Let me guess,” The deep voice washed over Jared sending tingles down his spine “Blue guest room?”
Jared nodded mouth unable to make sound.
“Across the hall. Luckily for Aggie, you don’t need to know your left and right to be an awesome cook.” The man’s chiseled face relaxed into a friendly grin.
Jared froze in the doorway, clammering to memorize every freckle on the scantily clad man’s face. “Jared!” He finally shouted.
The man rose, stretching a few inches shy of Jared’s 6”4’ frame. “So you speak. Good to know. I’m Jensen, Emma’s son.”
It took a moment for Jared to digest the last statement, his eyes casually inspecting the hip bone peeking out of the top of Jensen’s flannel pants. “Wait! Emma’s what?”
“Son. And I’m pretty sure you are the first companion that she’s brought home whose younger than me. What are you twenty-three? Twenty-four?”
“Twenty-six!” Jared corrected with the vibrato of a child adding the half to their age indignantly.
Jensen sighed, eyes glimmering with a hint of amusement. “My mother the cougar.”
Jared held up his, suddenly feeling amazingly alone in this huge house. “We’re married.”
The rumble of laughter that filled the room bent Emma’s son back. His mouth gaped wide as his eyes crinkled at the corners. “That’s a new one.”
Jared’s hazel eyes clouded with confusion as he stepped further into the room. “What?” He sunk into the soft chaise lounge Jensen pointed to.
“My mother brought you home as a souvenir.” Jensen patted Jared’s knee, leaving a burning warmth in his hand’s wake. “You are her latest project. She thinks she’s saving you.”
“From what?” Jared snuggled back into the cozy fabric of the chair.
“Society? Yourself? Who know? Sometimes I think I’m a disappointment cuz I’m so well adjusted.” Jensen sat back down on the bed.
Jared chuckled. “Well adjusted? You’re what? Thirty?”
“Twenty-nine!”
“Sorry, twenty-nine and you live with your mother. And you’re in your pajamas at. . . “ Jared referred to the Rolex Emma had bought him on their way home from Barbados. “Two o’clock in the afternoon.”
“I’m staying here while my town house is being renovated. And as for my offensive attire, I was up all night conferencing with a business in Tokyo. I sealed the deal at about eight this morning and then went to bed.”
Jared bit his lip. “That’s pretty damn adjusted.”
Jensen rose from the bed again. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m gonna shower.”
Jared jumped up, breath hitching in his throat at the picture forming in his head. “A shower sounds. . . .wonderful.”
They stood a few feet apart, both of their breathing audible in the din of the room. Finally, Jensen broke the silence. “There’s a shower off of your room too.”
“Oh!” Jared turned, fumbling for the door handle. “I’ll go. . . .go find that then.”
Jensen smiled at the door after Jared left.
Emma showed up as the smells from the kitchen started to float over Jared in the library. She came through in a wave of tweed and rose water, patting Jared’s shoulder with an apologetic smile. “Honey, I have a fund raiser this evening that slipped my mind.” She pulled the silk scarf from around her neck. “I won’t be here for dinner darling. I hope you and Jensen don’t mind eating without me.”
Jared hid the crimson creeping into his cheeks with an old copy of Dracula he had been reading. “We’ll make do. Should I be going with you?”
“Oh no. Aggie already cooked. You and Jensen enjoy the steaks.” She strolled out of the room, peaking back in for one last comment. “Oh and don’t wait up. I could be gone most of the night. I’m helping the clean up crew tonight.”
Jensen sauntered in a few moments later, dress slacks and a crisp white button up gracing his form now. He browsed the books right in front of the chair Jared was lounging in. Jared watched the muscles of Jensen’s ass flex as the older man reached for a book on the top shelf.
Jensen sat in the chair opposite Jared flipping through the book he’d chosen.
“What ya reading?” Jared bit his tongue for interrupting.
Jensen shot a grin over the top of his book. “Brushing up on my French. I have a meeting tomorrow.”
“Impressive. I’ve never gotten languages.” Jared buried his face back in his book.
After a few minutes of silence, Jensen mumbled under his breath. “Avez de beaux yeux.”
“Um,” Jared peaked out over his book again. “What was that?”
Jensen smirked, an eyebrow cocked in inquiry. “Oh, nothing. . . . Just.” He pointed to the book he held. “Practicing.”
Aggie’s voice rang out of the kitchen beckoning them to meet her in the dining room. Jared followed Jensen into the large white room. His footsteps echoed there way into the high cathedral ceiling. Aggie wheeled a cart full of platters through a swinging door and began to set the table.
“Ags! You eating with us tonight?” Jensen took the seat at the head of the table.
“No, my sister Maggie‘s visiting. We’re hitting the town.” The silver platter clanked slightly as she placed it in the center of the table.
“Ladies lock up your husbands!” Jensen chuckled.
Aggie finished setting the table and wiped her hands on her apron. “I’ll give you the details in a couple days.”
“You won’t be back for a couple days?” Jared spilled a spoonful of green beans onto the linen table cloth.
“Taken a long weekend.” She turned thoughtfully toward Jensen. “I believe your Mum goes up to see your sister’s this weekend too.”
Jensen chuckled. “Yeah, the poor girl can’t even bend over to tie her own shoes.” Jensen caught Jared’s cloudy confusion across the table. “My sister is pregnant. Due in about a month.”
“So, just me this weekend?” Jared held a bite of steak right out of his mouth’s reach.
Jen grinned, face flooded with mischief. “My water’s still shut off, so you’re stuck with me.”
“Oh.” Jared stabbed at a particularly evasive green bean. “Oh, that’s cool. You can study some more French.”
“I sure hope so.” Jensen murmured into a bite of baked potato.
“I’m off.” Aggie circled the table, dropping kisses atop both boys’ heads. She directed a stern glare toward Jensen. “And don’t bury yourself in work all weekend. Have some fun.”
After the front door closed behind the perky cook, the boys ate in silence.
“So” Jared finally broke the awkwardness. “You a workaholic?”
Jensen’s tongue peaked out from between his teeth for a tantalizing moment. “Maybe. What about you? What do you do? Other than sleep with my mother.”
Jared choked on his wine, dribbling a bit down his shirt front. “I’m a freelance writer. Travel. And, um, I actually haven’t, I mean, your mother and I didn’t. . . . “
“Huh.” The work bounced Jensen’s body around in his seat.
“What about you? Is there anyone? . . . . . Well, I mean, not like who are you sleeping with? But are you involved with someone?” Jared fought the urge to slam his face down in his plate in embarrassment.
Jensen smirked around his fork, pulling it slowly out of his mouth as his eyes glimmered with amusement. “I am single. I had, what you’d call, a horrifying break up about three years ago and just decided to date my work since then. It treats me a hell of a lot better.”
“Well, for the record, she must have been a blind idiot.” Jared flashed a sheepish grin.
“Actually, Jeff was an ophthalmologist, so I’m guessing you’re wrong on both counts.” Jensen hunkered down into his plate and became mesmerized with his food.
“Jeff? Oh?” Jared nudged his steak around for a moment while the name sunk in. “Oh! Jeff. Doctor Jeff. Wow. So you date. . . “
“Men? Yeah, I do.” Jensen snapped suddenly.
“I was gonna say rich people, but okay, you went there.” Jared settled his fork into his plate.
“Sorry, I tend to get a lot of flack from my mother’s . . . friends, the young hot ones that she brings home.” Jensen squirmed uncomfortably.
Jared smiled, shooting the intoxicating dimples straight at Jensen. “Are you calling me hot?”
Jensen rolled his big green eyes with an emphatic huff. “That’s what you heard?”
Jared broke eye contact, trying to steady his breath. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I heard.”
They both broke out into loud laughter. They finished dinner, including a warm apple pie they found in the kitchen, and headed upstairs to settle in for the night.
Jared stripped out of his khakis in his room. He crumpled his shirt and tossed it on the bed. He wasn’t really sure what to do with himself here. He’d read books in the library. He’d watched some television in what could only be described as a theater. Jared peeked out of the heavy fabric curtains. He decided tomorrow he’d take a walk through the gardens and explore the grounds.
When the stream of hot water hit Jared’s tight muscles, his mind wandered to what may be going on across the hall. Jensen had held his gaze as they both opened their bedroom doors. He’d peeked out from under the incredibly long lashes, knocking the breath out of Jared’s lungs. Jared imagined Jensen locking his door and stripping off his own clothes. Jared pictured his new step-son lying back on his bed and burying his hand inside his underwear, pulling at his cock. Jared’s own cock responded to the picture, bobbing in the shower’s spray.
Jared leaned into the cool tile, suds covering his chest and arms. He slid his hand into the bubbles and traveled slowly down his stomach to the full erection. His brain again clouded with Jensen. That plush mouth opened as he panted, hand vigorously yanking at the dick hiding underneath the cotton of his underwear. Jared’s knees buckled as he squeezed his own arousal, eyes shut tight against the reality of his loneliness. The geyser of come splashed the tile around him and dribbled down to his bare feet, washing away in the drain. He wrapped himself in a soft blue towel and lay across his bed. He may have dozed off for a moment, his body relaxed and languid. The knock on the door startled him and he jumped up and dropped his towel to the floor.
“Hey Jared?” Jensen’s voice came, deep and gravelly through the door. “You busy?”
Jared scrambled to find his underwear, folded somewhere in a drawer that he hadn’t chosen. “Gimmie a minute.” He picked a black pair out of the drawer and tripped as he frantically tried to pull them on. The thud of his knee hitting the floor alarmed Jensen.
“Hey, you okay?” Jen knocked again.
Jared shimmied into his sweat pants, cursing at himself for not just putting those on in the first place. “No, yeah. Come on in.” He sat nonchalantly on the bed, then jumped up before Jensen actually seen him.
Jensen pointed a thumb out the door, eyes scanning the room suspiciously. “Um, I was gonna watch a movie and I thought maybe you’d wanna join me. Ya know, some action adventure shoot out guy thing?”
“Um, yeah.” Jared slid his feet into a pair of black slippers, and followed Jensen down to the theater.
Jared thumbed thru Jensen’s movie collection and was pleasantly surprised to find Dreamcatcher, an awesomely bad Steven King movie. “Oh we gotta watch this. It’s horrible.”
Jensen smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkling in amusement. “Oh yeah, that’s a stinker. I’ll get the popcorn.” He rummaged in the little kitchenette at the back of the room, microwaving popcorn and pulling two beers from the small fridge.
Jared loaded the dvd player and settled in the black suede love seat at the front of the room. He looked around at the matching black recliners, one to the left and one to his right, and silently wondered which one Jensen would relax in.
Jensen carried a huge red bowl overflowing with popcorn toward Jared. He settled down on the loveseat, his leg inches away from Jared’s. “Beer?” He slid a cold bottle into Jared’s waiting hand.
Jared leaned back, hoping he could pay attention to the stunning awfulness on the screen while Jensen’s warm hard limbs hovered so close to him. Jensen stretched and flung his arm on the back of the couch. He turned and shot Jared a crooked grin then went back to laughing at the men on the screen. Jared smiled back, eyes and mouth feeling a bit too wide.
They watched the movie, Jared’s body humming at every instance that Jensen’s warm deep laugh rumbled next to him. Jared finally began to relax, laughing himself at the stupidity on the screen. He flushed as he squeezed Jensen’s knee subconsciously as he tried to find a new place to rest his hand. His arm snapped back, knocking the popcorn bowl from its spot. Popcorn bounced across the floor, both men dropping to retrieve it. Faces stopped inches apart as both perched on hands and knees across from each other.
“Sorry.” Jared cursed his breathlessness.
Jen retrieved the kernels and returned them to the bowl. “S’okay.”
Jensen threw out the popcorn and they both nestled back into the loveseat. This time both started to feel the weight of the day wearing on them.
Somewhere right before the movie announced that the gangs childhood friend was an alien all along, both of them slid into a deep sleep.
Jared woke early. He felt the bristle of spiky hair grazing his bare shoulder. He tried to catch his bearings, remembering where he was. An arm flew across his chest, squeezing tightly and murmuring sleepily in his ear. “Jared.”
Jared twisted to watch the sleep slacked mouth flinch. Jensen’s face seemed to dance in the television’s blue glow. Jared resisted the urge to rub the pad of his thumb across the freckle dusted bridge of his companion’s nose. The plush pillow of lips parted and a deep sigh escaped as Jensen nuzzled his stubble covered cheek further into Jared’s chest. Movement was a distant memory for Jared. He could barely pull breath into his suddenly shallow lungs. Part of his brain could fathom nothing but pulling the gorgeous man sprawled across him farther into his arms. But the other part, the rational part, knew Jensen would run for the hill when confronted with his mother’s new husband making advances on him.
‘New Husband’ the words still seemed foreign in his head. He suddenly wondered if Emma had ever come home. He pictured her, a vision in her frothy gold gown, peering into the theater and finding the two of them, half clad, sprawled across the couch. She surely would have woken them. She probably would have had Jared thrown out on his ear.
His breath sped, sped out of his him in short bursts. He shuddered underneath the sleeping mass.
“Jared?” Jensen sleep-slicked voice grumbled.
“We fell asleep.” Jared fired out a response.
Jen squinted his eyes up at Jared. “That movie really is horrible.”
Jared squeezed his eyes shut and tried to ignore the slow languid slide of Jensen’s arm leaving his body. The almost catlike stretch Jensen performed clenched his thigh muscles and pulled a purr out of his throat. He smacked Jared sharply on the thigh. “Breakfast?”
Jared basked in the tingling sting left by Jensen’s hand. “Yeah. You. . . .want me to cook?”
“Or. . . “ A sparkle danced around the green moss. “ I know this greasy spoon diner that serves all sorts of crap that’s not good for us.”
Jared furrowed his brow, fighting the chuckle that tickled his throat. “Sounds perfect.”
After they both got dressed and ready, they climbed into Jensen’s old Impala and headed for the diner.
“Not exactly the car I pictured you driving.” Jared clicked his seat belt.
Jensen grinned. “It was my dad’s. He kept it as a reminder of his simpler days. We put way to much money in her to keep her running though.”
They ate at the diner, Jensen gaping in awe at the amount of food Jared could put away. The conversation was casual. Jared couldn’t remember the last time he had such a great time with such an attractive person. Well, unless you count Chad, and even Chad didn’t count Chad.
Jared found out Jensen worked for some high brow law firm. He helped big companies in merger deals. Jared nodded his head a lot and listened, but truthfully didn’t understand how a human being could enjoy helping big companies become bigger.
When the topic turned to Jared’s work, he stirred his scrambled eggs for a moment before answering. “I take trips, and I write articles about them for magazines. It’s not all that exciting.”
“You’ve seen the world. That’s something.” Jensen stabbed at a pepper in his egg whites omelet.
Jared sniffed. “I’ve seen the inside of a lot of hotel rooms and resorts. Not really the world. And it doesn’t really pay the bills like I’d like it to either.”
“Well, that must be why Mom pegged you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure she likes ya, but she’s a do-gooder. She’s always saving a dolphin or an eagle or something. After Dad died she moved on to lost souls. Apparently you seemed lost.” Jensen winked over his fork full of food.
Jared chewed thoughtfully for a moment. “Maybe I was.”
“Really? I mean, I’m not saying you are. I’m just saying she THINKS you are.” Jensen bit at his lower lip.
“I. . . I sorta. . . .find rich woman to . . .ya know, to help pay for my trips?” Jared cringed, not sure why he was confessing to the gorgeous man before him. “I have a good time with them and then. . . . I hit the road. But Emma, she, kinda conned the con artist.” Jared smiled sheepishly.
Jensen stared at the younger man for a moment, eyes intently studying him. “Sounds like her. But now you’re married to my mom. So what’s the plan there Dad?” Jensen shook his head.
Jared rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt her, but I really don’t want to be married. I don’t love her. But I do care about her. We had fun in Barbados.”
“Let me talk to her. I’ll see what she has planned for you. She was always fixing the other guys up with my secretary or some other woman their age.” Jensen’s face softened into a smile. “I just don’t understand why she married you!”
“Because I’m charming and adorable.” Jared chuckled.
Jensen snickered. “You keep telling yourself that Prince Charming.”
After breakfast, Jensen dropped Jared off at the house, explaining he needed to check on a few things at his condo, but that they’d meet back for dinner at the house.
Emma was home when Jared arrived. She pecked his cheek and patted the couch for him to sit. “Jared, I’m sorry. I haven’t had a moment to spend with you.” She leaned into his shoulder, reminding him of the way Jensen had clung to him that morning. “I’ll be gone for a few days, but when I get back I want you to come to a little gathering with me. Jensen can take you to get a tux.”
Jared murmured an agreement uncomfortably, but Emma didn’t notice.
“So.” Her voice softened as she leaned back to read Jared’s face. “What do you think of Jensen?”
“He’s a nice guy.” Jared’s voice rose in pitch.
“Secretly, I’m hoping you rub off on him a bit. Usually all he thinks about is work. I was thinking you’d be a good distraction.”
Jared mulled over the statement before saying anything. “What happened with him and Jeff?”
A wave of surprise washed over Emma’s face before she smiled. “I think Jensen fell in love and Jeff fell in lust. He never really got to know Jensen. He just thought of him as an accessory. Jensen finally wanted to be more.” Emma stared for a moment before continuing. “He told you about Jeff?”
“Not that much. Just mentioned he’d kinda given up on relationships.” Jared flickered his eyes to his boot covered foot.
“Well,” Emma hung her head for a moment. “I’m glad you two are becoming friends.” She kissed his cheek softly. “My flight leaves soon. I need to go get ready.” She stood looking down on him thoughtfully. “Enjoy your weekend.”
Jared waited for Emma to leave before he decided to explore the gardens. He walked through the lush foliage along the bricked path. A bench teetered on a clearing, dangling over a small pond. Jared sat down gingerly, listening to a robin sing above him.
Out of a tangled bush along the edge of the path, a man battled his way into the clearing. He wore orange coveralls and thick dirty gloves. Jared stood, waving at the man. “Hello. Hi, I’m Jared.”
“Hola!” The man waved a thorny branch at Jared.
“Shit.” Jared mumbled. “Um hola! I don’t speak . . . Spanish?”
“Hey amigo, quien eres?” The man leaned against a near by tree.
“Um, amigo, amigo. . . .friend? Yeah, I’m a friend of Emma’s. Well, Jensen’s too I guess.” Jared tilted his head up, sun shining down in his eyes. “I hope. You have no idea what I’m saying.” He pointed to himself and shouted toward the man. “Jared. I‘m Jared.”
The man flattened a hand across his chest. He crinkled his nose, bright blue eyes squinting at Jared. “I’m trees and bushes. Named Misha.”
“Trees and bushes?” Jared stared at the shorter man in confusion. “Oh, the gardener! Misha the gardener.”
The gardener nodded vigorously. His shiny teeth peeking through his pink lips. “Si si. Misha. The trees.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Misha.” He walked over to one of the trees and sat down, leaning against it. “The garden is awesome. El awesomino trees.”
“Usted es amigos de Jensen?” Misha plopped down in the grass and pulled his legs up to his chest.
“What? Jensen? Friends? Yeah, I mean. I think we’re friends. We’re working on it.” Jared felt his cheeks start to flush. “He’s really amazing. Funny and sweet. And drop dead gorgeous.” He sniffed toward Misha. “I’m glad you don’t know what I’m saying. I’d be so embarrassed for admitting that right now.”
“ Jensen está caliente. Pero no voy a decir.” Misha stood, pulling a small pair of pinking shears out of his pocket. He began idly chopping at stray branches on one of the shrubs that lined the walk.
“Okay. Um, I guess you have work to do. So, I’ll head up to the house. Jensen’s coming back anyway. We’re gonna have dinner.” Jared’s dimples peeked out as he fought a smile. ‘Kinda looking forward to it. We had dinner last night, just the two of us. It was nice.”
Misha waved goodbye as Jared returned to the house. He settled into the library with the second half of Dracula resting in his lap. He was rattled back to reality sometime later when the phone rang. “Sir.” The deep male voice on the phone began. “ This is Humphrey at the gate. There is a gentleman here to see you.”
Jared could hear the revving engine in the background and a voice trying to shout through the distance. “Yo Jay. It’s not a gentleman. It’s me Chad.”
Jared snickered. “Thank you Humphrey. Let him in.”
A few minutes later, Chad walked over the threshold of the double doors, mouth gaping in awe. “Dude, what the hell? Seriously, what the hell?”
“It’s not so bad.” Jared tried to hide his disappointment at Chad’s early arrival.
“It’s a mansion! Is there a cook? Oh, I bet there’s a cook.” Chad tried to peer up the steps and down the hallway. “Oh and a maid! In the little dress with a feather duster! ‘Sir may I dust your balls for you. Why yes Yvette, you may.”
Jared fought the urge to push his friend out the front door. “Dude! There is no ball dusting maid.”
Chad frowned indignantly. “Well, there will be when I get a mansion. And a cook who wears only an apron and likes to eat sausages.” Chad winked.
“You are a sick little man.” Jared murmured.
Jensen opened the front door, head buried in a pile of papers, free hand fiddling with his keys. “Hey Prince Charming.” He responded to the soft intake of breath in the foyer. “So, we gonna get you ready for the ball?” He looked up, meeting Chad’s terrified gaze. “Oh, sorry. Do I know you?”
Chad turned on Jared. “Dude! You brought a piece of ass to your wife’s house? That’s just wrong!. . . . Unless she’s into it? Oh God! You’ve sullied the good name of threesomes with an old kinky broad and a dude!”
“Chad! This is Jensen.” Jared tried to explain. “Emma’s son.”
Chad screamed. “She’s sleeping with her son? What kind of sick house have you moved into?”
“No, no. No one is sleeping with anyone. I mean, they could if they wanted. But no one is. Right now.” Jared felt his face beam red.
“I’m sorry.” Jensen interrupted, voice gravely and aggravated sounding. “Who are you? And why do you care so much about my sex life?”
Chad shook his head as he surveyed Jensen. “I’m Chad. Jared’s best friend, and he called me here to rescue him from this . . . this house of equity. No sex?? Ridiculous.”
Jensen’s face lost its pinkish glow, lightening to a peeked gray. “Oh, I wasn’t aware this was a prison. You can leave whenever you like. You aren’t a captive.” He stomped up the stairs toward his room.
Jared grabbed Chad’s jacket, shoving him toward the door as he growled. “What did you do? Get out. Just get out. I have to fix this. I’ll call you later.”
Chad stood on the front step, door slamming in his face in confusion. He turned and left, hoping what he thought he saw was only a misunderstanding.
Jared took the stairs two at a time, smacking into Jensen’s locked bedroom door with all his might. “Jensen.” He pounded on the large wooden structure before him. “Let me explain. I called him from Barbados. I panicked. He thought he was here to help.”
Jensen opened the door, his jaw locked tight, calling Jared’s attention to his perfectly full mouth. “You knew I didn’t want to be married to your mom.” Jared whispered.
Jen nodded. , licking his teeth, tongue peeking out ever so slightly. “I didn’t know it was because you were gay.”
Hazel eyes widened in panic, Jared opened and closed his mouth making nothing but quiet squeaks.
Jensen’s hands grabbed Jared’s unsuspecting face and kissed him hard. His tongue slid across the threshold of Jared’s lips, tasting the younger man thoroughly. He pushed him back suddenly, leaving Jared slack jawed and panting.
“Go. Leave with your knight in shining pleather.” Jensen shoved at Jared’s solid chest.
Jared gestured over his shoulder, stammering as he did. “I, I sent him away. I have to talk to your mom. I, don’t wanna go yet.”
The older man hung his head, long lashes framing his beautiful green eyes. “ I’m sorry, I just, I wondered what it would be like.”
Jared scooped the shorter man up into his arms, pulling him close and searching out the soft pillow of his mouth. “It was good.” He caught Jensen’s mouth in his own, tickling the bottom lip with his nibbling teeth. Jared’s hands rustled softly down the length of Jensen’s body, grazing along the hips and waist that taunted him. Jensen rocked toward him. He curled his finger in the belt loop of Jared’s jeans dragging their bodies together.
Lightening crashed as the two hardened cocks collided through the denim. Jensen broke the kiss shaking his head to clear his lust haze. “Jared. What’s going on?”
Jared snickered. “I’m kissing you?”
Jensen rolled his eyes, still feeling the cloud of sex holding them together. “I know. But why?”
Jared backed away, hand scratching nervously at the long flips of hair at the back of his neck. “Why? Okay, why. Because, you’re incredibly attractive? Because, I like being around you. Because you have the most kissable lips I’ve ever seen.”
Jensen felt the breeze of his overhead fan cool his heated cheeks. “I’m your step son.”
Jared stammered for a moment, not sure of a good argument. “I, I don’t even remember marrying your mother. I’ve never slept with her.”
“And now you’re kissing me?” Jensen’s voice rose louder than Jared had ever heard.
“You kissed me first?!” Jared countered.
“Yeah!” Jensen screamed, stepping back into the large room. “Cuz I thought you were leaving. But now you’re not.”
“That doesn’t even make any sense.” Jared ran a hand through his long bangs, pacing the floor with a rush of anger, frustration and desire. “You’re a damn lawyer and THAT’S your argument?”
“I do business mergers!” The mundane answer still spiked with the loud volume. “I negotiate! I don’t argue!” Jensen continued to move uncomfortably around the room.
“There it is.” Jared gave an evil smirk. “That lawyer’s argumentativnism.”
“That’s not even a word. Aren’t you some kind of writer? Shouldn’t you know the English language?” That was the moment the backs of Jensen’s knees hit the edge of the bed and threw him back.
The air left the room. Jensen’s body sprawled across the bed only a few feet away from Jared’s buzzing body. In what felt like eternity, but could have been mere seconds, Jared stood at the foot of the bed, angling his body between Jensen’s slightly spread legs.
“Get away.” Jensen’s voice was a soft growl, no conviction in the words at all.
“What are we fighting about?” Jared’s voice was just as soft.
Jensen slammed his fist into the mattress at the sides. “I’m angry.” He said more to himself then to Jared. “I’m angry that the first person I’ve been attracted to in a long time is married to my mother and trying like hell to get away from me.”
Tentatively, Jared circled the bed and sat next to Jensen’s horizontal form. “I’m not trying to get away from you.”
Jensen looked up at him, green eyes a little glassier than Jared remembered. Jared watched the fisted hand come toward him, afraid Jensen may decide just to hit him. The hand curled into the collar of Jared’s shirt, and pulled him in slow motion toward him. Jared grinned for a moment before he felt the soft lips press against his own.
The least romantic person ever, Jared swore he felt butterflies dance around his stomach and seen fireworks behind his eyes.
Jensen broke the kiss, fingers still latched around Jared’s shirt. “This feels. . . . dirty.”
A snicker blew sweet breath into Jensen’s face. “Making out kind of is.”
“Is that what this is? It’s been so long I forgot.” Soft pants dotted Jensen’s reply.
Jared’s palm flattened against the plain of Jensen’s stomach. His face softened as he searched the soft green eyes before him. “He really hurt you didn’t he?”
Jensen tugged Jared down, pulling him into the crook of his arm. The younger man laid down, feet hanging off of the end of the bed next to Jensen’s. “Yeah, I guess so. Sometimes it seems like it happened to someone else, like I watched it in a movie. Other times I can still feel the dull ache he left behind.”
Jensen’s hand searched for Jared’s chin and tipped it back, catching any words of pity that may have been ready to jump out. The older man’s body curled into Jared. Fingers laced into the curl of hair near Jared’s ear.
Jared fought between succumbing to the beautiful heat of Jensen’s mouth and body and the reality of him having to leave when Emma found out about them.
Jensen’s hands grazed over every mass of muscle he could find, squeezing along the curve of Jensen’s ass as he roamed past.
A moan broke through the heavy breathing, neither one of them sure who it belonged to.
And then it happened, right when Jensen’s hand palmed against Jared’s too hard cock through his pants, a picture flashed in Jared’s mind. It was Jensen, crying, a single tear streaming down his beautiful freckle covered cheek. He couldn’t do that to him. Never before had Jared cared about what happened to a person after he slept with them. There was no way he could hurt Jensen, so he pulled his mouth away reluctantly. “Jensen.”
He watched Jensen’s eyes barely open, a drugged out smile playing on his lips. “Yeah?”
“I’m gonna go.” Jared stood, unwrapping himself from Jensen.
Jensen bolted up. “Go?”
“Yeah. I’m gonna call Chad.” Jared turned toward the door.
“Call Chad? You mean you’re leaving?” Jensen pulled a pillow into his lap.
“I’ll go to Emma’s ball or whatever. So I can explain to her that it isn’t working out.” Jared fiddled with the door handle.
“But?” Jensen began, but the slam of the bedroom door cut him off.
The rest of the weekend was quiet. Jensen quickly moved back to his townhouse, avoiding Jared as he packed and left. Aggie came back Monday morning, groaning lovingly at the state of her beautiful kitchen. Tuesday brought Emma home, concern painting her face at the silence in her home.
Jared found out that the ball that they were attending on Friday was a fund raiser for a group home for GLBT who had nowhere to go. Jensen had started the home as a college project years before. Now he and Emma ran different fundraisers throughout the year to keep the home running.
Friday night, Jared tugged at his tuxedo in the full length mirror watching Emma brush at his shoulders. He hadn’t told her he was leaving yet. Chad had gotten sick, “I’m barfing my colon lining out man. I can’t come and get you now.” He decided to wait till he was actually going to break it to her.
Emma’s forehead wrinkled in frustration. “Sweetheart, I have some news. It seems our hasty little wedding on the beach isn’t legal.” Emma waited for a response.
Jared tried not to show his relief. “Oh.”
“And as wonderful as you are, I’m wondering now if we didn’t rush a little.” Emma hung her head, Jared imagined that glint of mischief in her eye, he’s sure.
Jared set free the dimples. “We may have. Emma you’re amazing but. . . . “
“But. . . .I’m an old woman.” She clasped his hands in her own.
“No! No! I took advantage of you. I was using you for money and a nice trip. And I swear, I’m never gonna do that to anyone anymore.” His voice grew soft. “I’ve learned a lot about myself here.”
“So why did you tell him you were leaving?” Emma whispered.
Jared barely heard her, barely registered that he was answering. I don’t belong here. Jensen deserves better than a two bit gigilo who hurts everyone he’s around. I don’t know why I thought. . . . “ His head snapped toward Emma. “You know?”
“I knew all along. I knew the first time I seen you in that bar. You have everything my son needs. An easy smile, a love for life. A tiny disrespect for responsibility.” She smiled. “I just hoped you two would see it. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him really smile.”
“How did you know?”
“Andrew Hartley.” Emma winked. “He was my personal trainer at the club and he is anything but discreet about his conquests.”
Jared had the courtesy to blush. “I don’t understand.”
“I think you need him. I know my son needs you. I’m a good judge of people, and whoever you’ve been pretending to be, is hiding that guy that you can be.”
“You want me to date your son?” Jared’s eyes went wide with shock.
“I want you to admit you could love my son. That you would do anything for him, including leaving a place where you are happy cuz you think he’s better off without you.” Emma patted Jared’s shoulder.
“Are you sure?” Jared looked back at himself in the mirror, unsure he even recognized the man staring back at him.
“Tell him. Tonight.” Emma’s reflection smiled at him.
Jared entered the large ball room behind Emma. She swirled into the room in a beautiful red gown, smiling as a group of people approached her. Jared wandered to the bar, signaling the bartender for a drink.
He caught the sight of Jensen as he raised the scotch to his lips. Jensen was talking to a beautiful woman in a purple gown. She rested her hand on his forearm as she laughed. Jensen’s eyes crinkled at the corner as he finished his story and patted her hand politely. As he turned toward Jared their eyes met. The sight of Jensen’s clear green eyes knocked the air out of Jared’s lungs. Jensen glanced around nervously, looking for a way out. Then, he suddenly headed directly toward Jared.
“Scotch please.” He tapped on the bar next to Jared. “Listen.” His voice was suddenly soft. “Let’s just make it through the night for my mother’s sake.”
Jared choked on his scotch trying to answer. “We should talk.”
“About what?” Jensen took a sip of his drink.
“About what happened between us.” Jared moved closer, trying to keep their conversation private in the crowded room.
“Nothing happened.” Jensen scowled, his voice taking on a growl.
“Dammit Jensen, just let me talk.” Jared grabbed at his arm.
Jensen twisted out of his grip and stomped away.
Emma swooped in, hand resting on the shoulder of Jared’s tux. “He’s scared. You’ll have to make him listen.” She sipped her white wine as she perched at his side.
Jared’s gaze fell on Jensen, nervously chatting with a young blond man. His eyes squinting as he tried to focus on what the man was saying. Jared wondered if Jensen could feel his eyes on him. He wondered if his body got warm at just the thought of Jared’s hands or eyes or whatever it was Jensen found exciting about him. Jensen must have excused himself from his company because he started to meander toward a long dark hallway at the other end of the ball room. Jared sighed, knowing this was his chance.
Jared followed Jensen toward the corridor. He stayed a safe distance, smiling at people as he passed but breaking eye contact quickly so not to get sucked into a conversation and lose his prey. Jensen slinked into the hallway, the darkness swallowing him. Jared pushed a short red head woman in a silver dress, excusing himself absentmindedly as he sped his chase. Slipping past the band that played a big band version of Eye of the Tiger, he finally made it to the corridor. He stopped at the opening, dragging a deep breath into his sore lungs. He stepped passed the threshold, wondering how far down Jensen had gone and where it actually led. Glowing in a soft light from above, Jensen stood pressed against the floral wallpaper, eyes squeezed tightly shut, mouth pouting ever so slightly.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Jared cringed at the way the cheesy phrase echoed off the walls around them.
Jensen didn’t open his eyes, didn’t need to. “Trying to figure out how to escape all my mother’s well-meaning friends.” He sighed. “What about you?”
Jared hesitated, turning toward the opening, then back toward Emma’s son. With three long strides, Jared brought his body flush against Jensen’s. He leaned in and nibbled at the soft mouth before him. Jensen moaned into him, then bit his lip into his mouth. “I’ve been thinking about you.” Jared breathed.
Jensen curled his head downward, the prickly spikes of his hair brushing into Jared’s black lapel. “You’re full of the cheesy lines tonight.”
Jared hoped that was a smirk he heard in Jensen’s soft response. “Oh come on.” He snickered into Jensen’s ear. “I resisted asking if you were tired, cuz you’ve been running through my head all week.”
Jared was sure of the laughter now, he held onto the shoulders that shook beneath him. “You are a gigantic dork.”
“And you are the most amazing person I have ever met.” Jared’s voice broke as he tried not to sound cheesy.
Jensen looked up, eyes a little wary of the man before him. “Jared.” He started, almost as a warning.
It didn’t stop Jared though, he scooped Jensen into his arms, crashing their lips together again. “Please say I didn’t lose my chance.” Jared murmured as he came up for air.
Jensen’s head knocked into the wall, granting Jared access to his sensitive throat. Jared lunged at the flesh, suckling softly at every inch. “Jared, don’t fuck with me.”
Jared snickered, lapping at the skin near Jensen’s earlobe. “Are you sure you don’t wanna rephrase that?” Jared’s hand fumbled with the hook and zipper on Jensen’s dress slacks.
“If this is just a game, go away.” Jensen’s voice lacked any kind of conviction as he pulled Jared closer into him and nibbled at the larger man’s jaw.
“I’m not playing.” Jared sighed, grappling at the hard cock that wiggled its way out of Jensen’s fly. “I want this. I want you.”
Jensen squirmed, releasing a noise that Jared could only describe as perfect as he fisted Jensen’s hard dick in a slow lazy rhythm.
Jared slid down Jensen’s body, dragging his tuxedoed form slowly until he could watch the red thickness slide in and out of his large paw. “God Jensen, you’re beautiful everywhere.” He bit his tongue, still feeling like an unsure doofus.
Jensen didn’t seem to notice, he squealed as his body started to stiffen and Jared sped his pumping fist as he felt Jensen’s cock thicken and stutter in his grasp. Jared opened his mouth as he watched the geyser start to shoot from Jensen’s erection, he lapped at the hot come, saving Jensen’s rental tuxedo from unexplainable stains. He sucked the tip into his mouth as Jensen rode the end of his orgasm back down to earth.
The echo returned to the hidden hallway, and suddenly they remembered how close they were to hundreds of formally dressed rich aristocrats. Jared stood, leaning into Jensen giggling as he pulled him into a warm embrace. “Your mother is like a hundred feet away.”
“So are all those fucked up well-meaning friends I was running from.” Jensen tucked himself back into his tux, rubbing his cheek against Jared’s lapel. “I guess I actually have an answer for their question now.”
“What question?” Jared folded Jensen’s hand in his own and tugging him back toward the ball room.
“Why I haven’t settled down with one of the lovely girls from the law firm.” Jensen snickered.
Jared laughed, shading his eyes from the bright light of the spot lights as they walked into the opening and sauntered toward the dance floor. “I think I have a way that you can stop that question without even answering.”
Jared drew Jensen into his arms and swayed across the dance floor to the soft tune of the band. Jensen’s eyes widened. “My mother?”
Again Jared’s laughter filled Jensen’s space. “You’re going to love this. She was fixing me up with you! Apparently, she knew I was gay and that you would be good for me.”
“I will never, never, say anything bad about my mother’s rescue missions ever again.” Jensen curled into Jared’s arms, tilting back to except the kiss that told everyone in the room exactly why Jensen didn’t need a beautiful young paralegal for a wife.
He had learned how to pick them too. Jared searched for the finely coiffed do’s, the silken wardrobe and the subtle, but obviously real jewels that dangled off them. Then he’d smile. Sometimes that’s all it took. A flash of dimples and a shy head drop could get him anything he needed from meals to hotel rooms and an entire wardrobe if he played his cards right.
Other times, he’d cozy up to a hot set of muscles, all masculine and hard. He’d sweat it out with him for a few nights, just for a change of pace. Most of Jared’s friends referred to him as bisexual, but Jared preferred the term true-sexual. A true-sexual, as he explored in his psychology paper his last year of college, found sexual beauty in both sexes and appreciated what each gender had to offer in a sexual relationship. His professor had said it sounded vaguely like a bisexual to him. Regardless, Jared never used that term to describe himself.
This particular evening, dashing as ever in cargo shorts and a deep V-neck tee, Jared’s gaze lingered on a curvy blond woman. Her green eyes sparkled as she sipped a daquiri in the outdoor bar. Jared patiently waited for her companion, a dark haired woman with long shapely legs, to smile and walk away before he stepped up to the empty bar stool and ordered a drink. He flashed the woman his dimples as she tried not to check out his biceps.
“Was I staring?” She smiled, giggling a little from her intoxication.
He nodded, chuckling himself. “A little.”
“So sorry. Let me pay for your drink.” She gestured toward the bartender. “I’m Emma.”
“Jared. And I have to say, drinks bought by a beautiful woman? My night’s looking up.” He waited for the inevitable blush.
Emma didn’t disappoint, hanging her head to hide her crimson cheeks. “Seems I caught myself a charmer.”
His laugh was a warm rumble bubbling under his broad muscle bound chest. He sipped his rum and coke purposefully slow. The band struck up a beautiful island beat as Emma finished her drink.
Jared held out his hand leading the older woman to the makeshift dance floor. They twirled amongst the other couples, both giggling like children. When the music slowed Jared pulled Emma into his arms, blond curls tickling his nose as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I think I’m done dancing. Wanna get out of here?”
Her breath caught at the honey glaze of seduction in his tone. “I’m old enough to be your mother.” She protested.
His strong arms propelled her toward the resort a few blocks away. He hoped her room was one of the suites. “And you’re beautiful enough to drive me crazy.”
She steadied herself in his arms, wondering if the dizziness was from the liquor or his incredible smile. “My room’s on the second floor.”
The two were inseparable after that night. Jared moved his belongings from his flee infested motel to Emma’s suite. They dined on lobster and champagne, danced till the wee hours of the night and drank their fill wherever they went. It seemed Emma had been widowed two years earlier. Her husband had been a very wealthy business man. She finally felt it was time to celebrate her life the way her loving Charles would have wanted. The nights were never what Jared expected though. Emma would cuddle up to him, head pressed against his shoulder or chest. She’d sprinkle chased kisses along his cheeks and temple, but they’d never go any further.
After ten days of their whirlwind fling, Jared woke up, silk pajama bottoms tickling the skin of his legs. He stretched, expecting to find Emma curled on her side of the bed. Jared batted at the empty pillow in surprise. He was alone. Legs swung to the side of the bed as he fought the hangover from the binge the night before. A paper fluttered next to a tray filled with silver dishes and a carafe of coffee. Jared poured himself a cup of coffee and read the lipstick printed letter.
Jared,
Went to lunch with the girls.
Love and Kisses,
Mrs. Emma Padalecki
Jared blinked and rubbed his blurry eyes, wondering if maybe he was still a little drunk. “Padalecki” His own last name screamed at him. He ran his hand through his hair, feeling a strange sensation squeezing his left ring finger. The ring of gold there sealed the deal. He grabbed his phone from the night stand and called his best friend.
“Oh my God Chad!” Jared screamed when the groggy voice answered.
“Man, are you finally home?”
“No, I’m still in Barbados. . . “
“Dude, you are totally roaming. This is gonna cost you a fortune.” Chad interrupted.
Jared paced in front of the floor to ceiling windows looking out over the beach. “I don’t care. Bad things, bad things! I’m married.” Silence slammed into him from the other side of the phone. “Chad? Say something.”
“Congratulations? How’s the blushing bride?”
“Pushing sixty.” Jared retorted.
“More age spots than blushing I guess?” Chad quipped.
Jared sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose to fight off the pounding headache growing behind his temples. “Emma’s great. Beautiful, charming, rich as Hell. But, I don’t love her! And I sure as hell don’t want to be married to her.”
“Okay, explain to me how you round up married.” Chad sat up in his bed and searched for his television remote.
“I don’t remember. We had an early dinner. A little shopping. Stopped for a few drinks at our favorite place.” Jared grappled to remember. “That’s it. I woke up in our room alone.”
“I’ve always wanted to get married in the mountains. Don’t get me wrong the beach is great, but spending your honeymoon in a ski resort seems more romantic. . . . Cuddling by the fireplace, riding the ski lift together. . . .”
“Man would you focus? You can have your Bridezilla moment later. What am I gonna do?” Panic seeped into his voice.
“You need to get back to the states.” Chad began.
Jared dropped to the bed.” She’s going to expect me to go home with her. To . . .to . . . . Dallas. She lives in Dallas.”
“Okay, okay. This is good. I can meet you up there. You get settled in then I’ll come over and say there’s been a horrible accident and you’re needed at home.” Chad planned.
“Dammit Chad.” Jared yelled. “It’s a marriage, not a bad blind date. She’ll expect me back. Or worse yet, she’ll want to come with me.”
“Just get to Dallas.” Chad sighed. “We’ll figure it out from there.”
Three days later a town car pulled up and deposited Jared and his new bride in front of a huge house on the outskirts of Dallas. Jared watched a suited man carry his bags as he and Emma climbed the porch stairs and entered through a large set of double doors.
“Thank you Jack. Take Jared’s things up to the blue guest room.” She turned and winked at her husband.
Jared fidgeted in the doorway staring at the marble staircase that filled the foyer. “Your house is . . . .amazing.”
“Oh, this is just a foyer. Make yourself at home.” Emma’s fingers grazed the banister.
“I don’t want to mess anything up.” He toed his shoes off before stepping on the stone inlay flooring.
Emma chuckled. “Darling! Homes are for living in. So live. I have some meetings today. Apparently being gone has set some of my committees on edge.” She glided up the stairs, throwing a glance over her shoulder. “The kitchen is through those double doors. Aggie will make you a snack.”
A portly woman met him in the white and dark blue kitchen. “Allo! My goodness going to be a challenge to keep the likes of you full.” She peered up at the towering boy before her.
“Don’t go to any trouble, ma’am.” Jared sat at the breakfast bar across from the older woman.
“Manners! I like that. The missus was right. You are a special lad.” Aggie stepped over to a cabinet and hesitated. “You look like the kind boy who might enjoy an Elvis special.”
Jared grinned, assaulting the cook with the shimmer of teeth. “A fried peanut butter and banana sandwich? I haven’t had one of those since I was a kid.”
Aggie set about constructing the snack and pouring Jared a glass of milk. She chatted about her own sons, grown and married in England, as Jared ate.
“Aggie.” Jared pushed up from the bar carrying his dishes to the sink. “This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” He leaned into the cook and pecked her cheek in thanks. “Off to find the blue guest room.”
“Up the stairs and to you right.” Aggie blushed.
Jared climbed the stairs in wonder stopping to inspect the intricate detail of paintings and molding along the way. His trip down the long ornate hallway was much the same. He turned the handle to a large wooden door and opened it shyly.
What welcomed him was a large room filled with dark wood furniture. A heather gray comforter covered a king sized bed and perched on the edge was the most beautiful man Jared had ever seen. His chest was bare, slender and sculpted. He wore loose fitting flannel pants, feet bare underneath. When the man looked up the bright green of his eyes stabbed Jared right in chest and stole his breath.
“Let me guess,” The deep voice washed over Jared sending tingles down his spine “Blue guest room?”
Jared nodded mouth unable to make sound.
“Across the hall. Luckily for Aggie, you don’t need to know your left and right to be an awesome cook.” The man’s chiseled face relaxed into a friendly grin.
Jared froze in the doorway, clammering to memorize every freckle on the scantily clad man’s face. “Jared!” He finally shouted.
The man rose, stretching a few inches shy of Jared’s 6”4’ frame. “So you speak. Good to know. I’m Jensen, Emma’s son.”
It took a moment for Jared to digest the last statement, his eyes casually inspecting the hip bone peeking out of the top of Jensen’s flannel pants. “Wait! Emma’s what?”
“Son. And I’m pretty sure you are the first companion that she’s brought home whose younger than me. What are you twenty-three? Twenty-four?”
“Twenty-six!” Jared corrected with the vibrato of a child adding the half to their age indignantly.
Jensen sighed, eyes glimmering with a hint of amusement. “My mother the cougar.”
Jared held up his, suddenly feeling amazingly alone in this huge house. “We’re married.”
The rumble of laughter that filled the room bent Emma’s son back. His mouth gaped wide as his eyes crinkled at the corners. “That’s a new one.”
Jared’s hazel eyes clouded with confusion as he stepped further into the room. “What?” He sunk into the soft chaise lounge Jensen pointed to.
“My mother brought you home as a souvenir.” Jensen patted Jared’s knee, leaving a burning warmth in his hand’s wake. “You are her latest project. She thinks she’s saving you.”
“From what?” Jared snuggled back into the cozy fabric of the chair.
“Society? Yourself? Who know? Sometimes I think I’m a disappointment cuz I’m so well adjusted.” Jensen sat back down on the bed.
Jared chuckled. “Well adjusted? You’re what? Thirty?”
“Twenty-nine!”
“Sorry, twenty-nine and you live with your mother. And you’re in your pajamas at. . . “ Jared referred to the Rolex Emma had bought him on their way home from Barbados. “Two o’clock in the afternoon.”
“I’m staying here while my town house is being renovated. And as for my offensive attire, I was up all night conferencing with a business in Tokyo. I sealed the deal at about eight this morning and then went to bed.”
Jared bit his lip. “That’s pretty damn adjusted.”
Jensen rose from the bed again. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m gonna shower.”
Jared jumped up, breath hitching in his throat at the picture forming in his head. “A shower sounds. . . .wonderful.”
They stood a few feet apart, both of their breathing audible in the din of the room. Finally, Jensen broke the silence. “There’s a shower off of your room too.”
“Oh!” Jared turned, fumbling for the door handle. “I’ll go. . . .go find that then.”
Jensen smiled at the door after Jared left.
Emma showed up as the smells from the kitchen started to float over Jared in the library. She came through in a wave of tweed and rose water, patting Jared’s shoulder with an apologetic smile. “Honey, I have a fund raiser this evening that slipped my mind.” She pulled the silk scarf from around her neck. “I won’t be here for dinner darling. I hope you and Jensen don’t mind eating without me.”
Jared hid the crimson creeping into his cheeks with an old copy of Dracula he had been reading. “We’ll make do. Should I be going with you?”
“Oh no. Aggie already cooked. You and Jensen enjoy the steaks.” She strolled out of the room, peaking back in for one last comment. “Oh and don’t wait up. I could be gone most of the night. I’m helping the clean up crew tonight.”
Jensen sauntered in a few moments later, dress slacks and a crisp white button up gracing his form now. He browsed the books right in front of the chair Jared was lounging in. Jared watched the muscles of Jensen’s ass flex as the older man reached for a book on the top shelf.
Jensen sat in the chair opposite Jared flipping through the book he’d chosen.
“What ya reading?” Jared bit his tongue for interrupting.
Jensen shot a grin over the top of his book. “Brushing up on my French. I have a meeting tomorrow.”
“Impressive. I’ve never gotten languages.” Jared buried his face back in his book.
After a few minutes of silence, Jensen mumbled under his breath. “Avez de beaux yeux.”
“Um,” Jared peaked out over his book again. “What was that?”
Jensen smirked, an eyebrow cocked in inquiry. “Oh, nothing. . . . Just.” He pointed to the book he held. “Practicing.”
Aggie’s voice rang out of the kitchen beckoning them to meet her in the dining room. Jared followed Jensen into the large white room. His footsteps echoed there way into the high cathedral ceiling. Aggie wheeled a cart full of platters through a swinging door and began to set the table.
“Ags! You eating with us tonight?” Jensen took the seat at the head of the table.
“No, my sister Maggie‘s visiting. We’re hitting the town.” The silver platter clanked slightly as she placed it in the center of the table.
“Ladies lock up your husbands!” Jensen chuckled.
Aggie finished setting the table and wiped her hands on her apron. “I’ll give you the details in a couple days.”
“You won’t be back for a couple days?” Jared spilled a spoonful of green beans onto the linen table cloth.
“Taken a long weekend.” She turned thoughtfully toward Jensen. “I believe your Mum goes up to see your sister’s this weekend too.”
Jensen chuckled. “Yeah, the poor girl can’t even bend over to tie her own shoes.” Jensen caught Jared’s cloudy confusion across the table. “My sister is pregnant. Due in about a month.”
“So, just me this weekend?” Jared held a bite of steak right out of his mouth’s reach.
Jen grinned, face flooded with mischief. “My water’s still shut off, so you’re stuck with me.”
“Oh.” Jared stabbed at a particularly evasive green bean. “Oh, that’s cool. You can study some more French.”
“I sure hope so.” Jensen murmured into a bite of baked potato.
“I’m off.” Aggie circled the table, dropping kisses atop both boys’ heads. She directed a stern glare toward Jensen. “And don’t bury yourself in work all weekend. Have some fun.”
After the front door closed behind the perky cook, the boys ate in silence.
“So” Jared finally broke the awkwardness. “You a workaholic?”
Jensen’s tongue peaked out from between his teeth for a tantalizing moment. “Maybe. What about you? What do you do? Other than sleep with my mother.”
Jared choked on his wine, dribbling a bit down his shirt front. “I’m a freelance writer. Travel. And, um, I actually haven’t, I mean, your mother and I didn’t. . . . “
“Huh.” The work bounced Jensen’s body around in his seat.
“What about you? Is there anyone? . . . . . Well, I mean, not like who are you sleeping with? But are you involved with someone?” Jared fought the urge to slam his face down in his plate in embarrassment.
Jensen smirked around his fork, pulling it slowly out of his mouth as his eyes glimmered with amusement. “I am single. I had, what you’d call, a horrifying break up about three years ago and just decided to date my work since then. It treats me a hell of a lot better.”
“Well, for the record, she must have been a blind idiot.” Jared flashed a sheepish grin.
“Actually, Jeff was an ophthalmologist, so I’m guessing you’re wrong on both counts.” Jensen hunkered down into his plate and became mesmerized with his food.
“Jeff? Oh?” Jared nudged his steak around for a moment while the name sunk in. “Oh! Jeff. Doctor Jeff. Wow. So you date. . . “
“Men? Yeah, I do.” Jensen snapped suddenly.
“I was gonna say rich people, but okay, you went there.” Jared settled his fork into his plate.
“Sorry, I tend to get a lot of flack from my mother’s . . . friends, the young hot ones that she brings home.” Jensen squirmed uncomfortably.
Jared smiled, shooting the intoxicating dimples straight at Jensen. “Are you calling me hot?”
Jensen rolled his big green eyes with an emphatic huff. “That’s what you heard?”
Jared broke eye contact, trying to steady his breath. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I heard.”
They both broke out into loud laughter. They finished dinner, including a warm apple pie they found in the kitchen, and headed upstairs to settle in for the night.
Jared stripped out of his khakis in his room. He crumpled his shirt and tossed it on the bed. He wasn’t really sure what to do with himself here. He’d read books in the library. He’d watched some television in what could only be described as a theater. Jared peeked out of the heavy fabric curtains. He decided tomorrow he’d take a walk through the gardens and explore the grounds.
When the stream of hot water hit Jared’s tight muscles, his mind wandered to what may be going on across the hall. Jensen had held his gaze as they both opened their bedroom doors. He’d peeked out from under the incredibly long lashes, knocking the breath out of Jared’s lungs. Jared imagined Jensen locking his door and stripping off his own clothes. Jared pictured his new step-son lying back on his bed and burying his hand inside his underwear, pulling at his cock. Jared’s own cock responded to the picture, bobbing in the shower’s spray.
Jared leaned into the cool tile, suds covering his chest and arms. He slid his hand into the bubbles and traveled slowly down his stomach to the full erection. His brain again clouded with Jensen. That plush mouth opened as he panted, hand vigorously yanking at the dick hiding underneath the cotton of his underwear. Jared’s knees buckled as he squeezed his own arousal, eyes shut tight against the reality of his loneliness. The geyser of come splashed the tile around him and dribbled down to his bare feet, washing away in the drain. He wrapped himself in a soft blue towel and lay across his bed. He may have dozed off for a moment, his body relaxed and languid. The knock on the door startled him and he jumped up and dropped his towel to the floor.
“Hey Jared?” Jensen’s voice came, deep and gravelly through the door. “You busy?”
Jared scrambled to find his underwear, folded somewhere in a drawer that he hadn’t chosen. “Gimmie a minute.” He picked a black pair out of the drawer and tripped as he frantically tried to pull them on. The thud of his knee hitting the floor alarmed Jensen.
“Hey, you okay?” Jen knocked again.
Jared shimmied into his sweat pants, cursing at himself for not just putting those on in the first place. “No, yeah. Come on in.” He sat nonchalantly on the bed, then jumped up before Jensen actually seen him.
Jensen pointed a thumb out the door, eyes scanning the room suspiciously. “Um, I was gonna watch a movie and I thought maybe you’d wanna join me. Ya know, some action adventure shoot out guy thing?”
“Um, yeah.” Jared slid his feet into a pair of black slippers, and followed Jensen down to the theater.
Jared thumbed thru Jensen’s movie collection and was pleasantly surprised to find Dreamcatcher, an awesomely bad Steven King movie. “Oh we gotta watch this. It’s horrible.”
Jensen smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkling in amusement. “Oh yeah, that’s a stinker. I’ll get the popcorn.” He rummaged in the little kitchenette at the back of the room, microwaving popcorn and pulling two beers from the small fridge.
Jared loaded the dvd player and settled in the black suede love seat at the front of the room. He looked around at the matching black recliners, one to the left and one to his right, and silently wondered which one Jensen would relax in.
Jensen carried a huge red bowl overflowing with popcorn toward Jared. He settled down on the loveseat, his leg inches away from Jared’s. “Beer?” He slid a cold bottle into Jared’s waiting hand.
Jared leaned back, hoping he could pay attention to the stunning awfulness on the screen while Jensen’s warm hard limbs hovered so close to him. Jensen stretched and flung his arm on the back of the couch. He turned and shot Jared a crooked grin then went back to laughing at the men on the screen. Jared smiled back, eyes and mouth feeling a bit too wide.
They watched the movie, Jared’s body humming at every instance that Jensen’s warm deep laugh rumbled next to him. Jared finally began to relax, laughing himself at the stupidity on the screen. He flushed as he squeezed Jensen’s knee subconsciously as he tried to find a new place to rest his hand. His arm snapped back, knocking the popcorn bowl from its spot. Popcorn bounced across the floor, both men dropping to retrieve it. Faces stopped inches apart as both perched on hands and knees across from each other.
“Sorry.” Jared cursed his breathlessness.
Jen retrieved the kernels and returned them to the bowl. “S’okay.”
Jensen threw out the popcorn and they both nestled back into the loveseat. This time both started to feel the weight of the day wearing on them.
Somewhere right before the movie announced that the gangs childhood friend was an alien all along, both of them slid into a deep sleep.
Jared woke early. He felt the bristle of spiky hair grazing his bare shoulder. He tried to catch his bearings, remembering where he was. An arm flew across his chest, squeezing tightly and murmuring sleepily in his ear. “Jared.”
Jared twisted to watch the sleep slacked mouth flinch. Jensen’s face seemed to dance in the television’s blue glow. Jared resisted the urge to rub the pad of his thumb across the freckle dusted bridge of his companion’s nose. The plush pillow of lips parted and a deep sigh escaped as Jensen nuzzled his stubble covered cheek further into Jared’s chest. Movement was a distant memory for Jared. He could barely pull breath into his suddenly shallow lungs. Part of his brain could fathom nothing but pulling the gorgeous man sprawled across him farther into his arms. But the other part, the rational part, knew Jensen would run for the hill when confronted with his mother’s new husband making advances on him.
‘New Husband’ the words still seemed foreign in his head. He suddenly wondered if Emma had ever come home. He pictured her, a vision in her frothy gold gown, peering into the theater and finding the two of them, half clad, sprawled across the couch. She surely would have woken them. She probably would have had Jared thrown out on his ear.
His breath sped, sped out of his him in short bursts. He shuddered underneath the sleeping mass.
“Jared?” Jensen sleep-slicked voice grumbled.
“We fell asleep.” Jared fired out a response.
Jen squinted his eyes up at Jared. “That movie really is horrible.”
Jared squeezed his eyes shut and tried to ignore the slow languid slide of Jensen’s arm leaving his body. The almost catlike stretch Jensen performed clenched his thigh muscles and pulled a purr out of his throat. He smacked Jared sharply on the thigh. “Breakfast?”
Jared basked in the tingling sting left by Jensen’s hand. “Yeah. You. . . .want me to cook?”
“Or. . . “ A sparkle danced around the green moss. “ I know this greasy spoon diner that serves all sorts of crap that’s not good for us.”
Jared furrowed his brow, fighting the chuckle that tickled his throat. “Sounds perfect.”
After they both got dressed and ready, they climbed into Jensen’s old Impala and headed for the diner.
“Not exactly the car I pictured you driving.” Jared clicked his seat belt.
Jensen grinned. “It was my dad’s. He kept it as a reminder of his simpler days. We put way to much money in her to keep her running though.”
They ate at the diner, Jensen gaping in awe at the amount of food Jared could put away. The conversation was casual. Jared couldn’t remember the last time he had such a great time with such an attractive person. Well, unless you count Chad, and even Chad didn’t count Chad.
Jared found out Jensen worked for some high brow law firm. He helped big companies in merger deals. Jared nodded his head a lot and listened, but truthfully didn’t understand how a human being could enjoy helping big companies become bigger.
When the topic turned to Jared’s work, he stirred his scrambled eggs for a moment before answering. “I take trips, and I write articles about them for magazines. It’s not all that exciting.”
“You’ve seen the world. That’s something.” Jensen stabbed at a pepper in his egg whites omelet.
Jared sniffed. “I’ve seen the inside of a lot of hotel rooms and resorts. Not really the world. And it doesn’t really pay the bills like I’d like it to either.”
“Well, that must be why Mom pegged you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure she likes ya, but she’s a do-gooder. She’s always saving a dolphin or an eagle or something. After Dad died she moved on to lost souls. Apparently you seemed lost.” Jensen winked over his fork full of food.
Jared chewed thoughtfully for a moment. “Maybe I was.”
“Really? I mean, I’m not saying you are. I’m just saying she THINKS you are.” Jensen bit at his lower lip.
“I. . . I sorta. . . .find rich woman to . . .ya know, to help pay for my trips?” Jared cringed, not sure why he was confessing to the gorgeous man before him. “I have a good time with them and then. . . . I hit the road. But Emma, she, kinda conned the con artist.” Jared smiled sheepishly.
Jensen stared at the younger man for a moment, eyes intently studying him. “Sounds like her. But now you’re married to my mom. So what’s the plan there Dad?” Jensen shook his head.
Jared rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt her, but I really don’t want to be married. I don’t love her. But I do care about her. We had fun in Barbados.”
“Let me talk to her. I’ll see what she has planned for you. She was always fixing the other guys up with my secretary or some other woman their age.” Jensen’s face softened into a smile. “I just don’t understand why she married you!”
“Because I’m charming and adorable.” Jared chuckled.
Jensen snickered. “You keep telling yourself that Prince Charming.”
After breakfast, Jensen dropped Jared off at the house, explaining he needed to check on a few things at his condo, but that they’d meet back for dinner at the house.
Emma was home when Jared arrived. She pecked his cheek and patted the couch for him to sit. “Jared, I’m sorry. I haven’t had a moment to spend with you.” She leaned into his shoulder, reminding him of the way Jensen had clung to him that morning. “I’ll be gone for a few days, but when I get back I want you to come to a little gathering with me. Jensen can take you to get a tux.”
Jared murmured an agreement uncomfortably, but Emma didn’t notice.
“So.” Her voice softened as she leaned back to read Jared’s face. “What do you think of Jensen?”
“He’s a nice guy.” Jared’s voice rose in pitch.
“Secretly, I’m hoping you rub off on him a bit. Usually all he thinks about is work. I was thinking you’d be a good distraction.”
Jared mulled over the statement before saying anything. “What happened with him and Jeff?”
A wave of surprise washed over Emma’s face before she smiled. “I think Jensen fell in love and Jeff fell in lust. He never really got to know Jensen. He just thought of him as an accessory. Jensen finally wanted to be more.” Emma stared for a moment before continuing. “He told you about Jeff?”
“Not that much. Just mentioned he’d kinda given up on relationships.” Jared flickered his eyes to his boot covered foot.
“Well,” Emma hung her head for a moment. “I’m glad you two are becoming friends.” She kissed his cheek softly. “My flight leaves soon. I need to go get ready.” She stood looking down on him thoughtfully. “Enjoy your weekend.”
Jared waited for Emma to leave before he decided to explore the gardens. He walked through the lush foliage along the bricked path. A bench teetered on a clearing, dangling over a small pond. Jared sat down gingerly, listening to a robin sing above him.
Out of a tangled bush along the edge of the path, a man battled his way into the clearing. He wore orange coveralls and thick dirty gloves. Jared stood, waving at the man. “Hello. Hi, I’m Jared.”
“Hola!” The man waved a thorny branch at Jared.
“Shit.” Jared mumbled. “Um hola! I don’t speak . . . Spanish?”
“Hey amigo, quien eres?” The man leaned against a near by tree.
“Um, amigo, amigo. . . .friend? Yeah, I’m a friend of Emma’s. Well, Jensen’s too I guess.” Jared tilted his head up, sun shining down in his eyes. “I hope. You have no idea what I’m saying.” He pointed to himself and shouted toward the man. “Jared. I‘m Jared.”
The man flattened a hand across his chest. He crinkled his nose, bright blue eyes squinting at Jared. “I’m trees and bushes. Named Misha.”
“Trees and bushes?” Jared stared at the shorter man in confusion. “Oh, the gardener! Misha the gardener.”
The gardener nodded vigorously. His shiny teeth peeking through his pink lips. “Si si. Misha. The trees.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Misha.” He walked over to one of the trees and sat down, leaning against it. “The garden is awesome. El awesomino trees.”
“Usted es amigos de Jensen?” Misha plopped down in the grass and pulled his legs up to his chest.
“What? Jensen? Friends? Yeah, I mean. I think we’re friends. We’re working on it.” Jared felt his cheeks start to flush. “He’s really amazing. Funny and sweet. And drop dead gorgeous.” He sniffed toward Misha. “I’m glad you don’t know what I’m saying. I’d be so embarrassed for admitting that right now.”
“ Jensen está caliente. Pero no voy a decir.” Misha stood, pulling a small pair of pinking shears out of his pocket. He began idly chopping at stray branches on one of the shrubs that lined the walk.
“Okay. Um, I guess you have work to do. So, I’ll head up to the house. Jensen’s coming back anyway. We’re gonna have dinner.” Jared’s dimples peeked out as he fought a smile. ‘Kinda looking forward to it. We had dinner last night, just the two of us. It was nice.”
Misha waved goodbye as Jared returned to the house. He settled into the library with the second half of Dracula resting in his lap. He was rattled back to reality sometime later when the phone rang. “Sir.” The deep male voice on the phone began. “ This is Humphrey at the gate. There is a gentleman here to see you.”
Jared could hear the revving engine in the background and a voice trying to shout through the distance. “Yo Jay. It’s not a gentleman. It’s me Chad.”
Jared snickered. “Thank you Humphrey. Let him in.”
A few minutes later, Chad walked over the threshold of the double doors, mouth gaping in awe. “Dude, what the hell? Seriously, what the hell?”
“It’s not so bad.” Jared tried to hide his disappointment at Chad’s early arrival.
“It’s a mansion! Is there a cook? Oh, I bet there’s a cook.” Chad tried to peer up the steps and down the hallway. “Oh and a maid! In the little dress with a feather duster! ‘Sir may I dust your balls for you. Why yes Yvette, you may.”
Jared fought the urge to push his friend out the front door. “Dude! There is no ball dusting maid.”
Chad frowned indignantly. “Well, there will be when I get a mansion. And a cook who wears only an apron and likes to eat sausages.” Chad winked.
“You are a sick little man.” Jared murmured.
Jensen opened the front door, head buried in a pile of papers, free hand fiddling with his keys. “Hey Prince Charming.” He responded to the soft intake of breath in the foyer. “So, we gonna get you ready for the ball?” He looked up, meeting Chad’s terrified gaze. “Oh, sorry. Do I know you?”
Chad turned on Jared. “Dude! You brought a piece of ass to your wife’s house? That’s just wrong!. . . . Unless she’s into it? Oh God! You’ve sullied the good name of threesomes with an old kinky broad and a dude!”
“Chad! This is Jensen.” Jared tried to explain. “Emma’s son.”
Chad screamed. “She’s sleeping with her son? What kind of sick house have you moved into?”
“No, no. No one is sleeping with anyone. I mean, they could if they wanted. But no one is. Right now.” Jared felt his face beam red.
“I’m sorry.” Jensen interrupted, voice gravely and aggravated sounding. “Who are you? And why do you care so much about my sex life?”
Chad shook his head as he surveyed Jensen. “I’m Chad. Jared’s best friend, and he called me here to rescue him from this . . . this house of equity. No sex?? Ridiculous.”
Jensen’s face lost its pinkish glow, lightening to a peeked gray. “Oh, I wasn’t aware this was a prison. You can leave whenever you like. You aren’t a captive.” He stomped up the stairs toward his room.
Jared grabbed Chad’s jacket, shoving him toward the door as he growled. “What did you do? Get out. Just get out. I have to fix this. I’ll call you later.”
Chad stood on the front step, door slamming in his face in confusion. He turned and left, hoping what he thought he saw was only a misunderstanding.
Jared took the stairs two at a time, smacking into Jensen’s locked bedroom door with all his might. “Jensen.” He pounded on the large wooden structure before him. “Let me explain. I called him from Barbados. I panicked. He thought he was here to help.”
Jensen opened the door, his jaw locked tight, calling Jared’s attention to his perfectly full mouth. “You knew I didn’t want to be married to your mom.” Jared whispered.
Jen nodded. , licking his teeth, tongue peeking out ever so slightly. “I didn’t know it was because you were gay.”
Hazel eyes widened in panic, Jared opened and closed his mouth making nothing but quiet squeaks.
Jensen’s hands grabbed Jared’s unsuspecting face and kissed him hard. His tongue slid across the threshold of Jared’s lips, tasting the younger man thoroughly. He pushed him back suddenly, leaving Jared slack jawed and panting.
“Go. Leave with your knight in shining pleather.” Jensen shoved at Jared’s solid chest.
Jared gestured over his shoulder, stammering as he did. “I, I sent him away. I have to talk to your mom. I, don’t wanna go yet.”
The older man hung his head, long lashes framing his beautiful green eyes. “ I’m sorry, I just, I wondered what it would be like.”
Jared scooped the shorter man up into his arms, pulling him close and searching out the soft pillow of his mouth. “It was good.” He caught Jensen’s mouth in his own, tickling the bottom lip with his nibbling teeth. Jared’s hands rustled softly down the length of Jensen’s body, grazing along the hips and waist that taunted him. Jensen rocked toward him. He curled his finger in the belt loop of Jared’s jeans dragging their bodies together.
Lightening crashed as the two hardened cocks collided through the denim. Jensen broke the kiss shaking his head to clear his lust haze. “Jared. What’s going on?”
Jared snickered. “I’m kissing you?”
Jensen rolled his eyes, still feeling the cloud of sex holding them together. “I know. But why?”
Jared backed away, hand scratching nervously at the long flips of hair at the back of his neck. “Why? Okay, why. Because, you’re incredibly attractive? Because, I like being around you. Because you have the most kissable lips I’ve ever seen.”
Jensen felt the breeze of his overhead fan cool his heated cheeks. “I’m your step son.”
Jared stammered for a moment, not sure of a good argument. “I, I don’t even remember marrying your mother. I’ve never slept with her.”
“And now you’re kissing me?” Jensen’s voice rose louder than Jared had ever heard.
“You kissed me first?!” Jared countered.
“Yeah!” Jensen screamed, stepping back into the large room. “Cuz I thought you were leaving. But now you’re not.”
“That doesn’t even make any sense.” Jared ran a hand through his long bangs, pacing the floor with a rush of anger, frustration and desire. “You’re a damn lawyer and THAT’S your argument?”
“I do business mergers!” The mundane answer still spiked with the loud volume. “I negotiate! I don’t argue!” Jensen continued to move uncomfortably around the room.
“There it is.” Jared gave an evil smirk. “That lawyer’s argumentativnism.”
“That’s not even a word. Aren’t you some kind of writer? Shouldn’t you know the English language?” That was the moment the backs of Jensen’s knees hit the edge of the bed and threw him back.
The air left the room. Jensen’s body sprawled across the bed only a few feet away from Jared’s buzzing body. In what felt like eternity, but could have been mere seconds, Jared stood at the foot of the bed, angling his body between Jensen’s slightly spread legs.
“Get away.” Jensen’s voice was a soft growl, no conviction in the words at all.
“What are we fighting about?” Jared’s voice was just as soft.
Jensen slammed his fist into the mattress at the sides. “I’m angry.” He said more to himself then to Jared. “I’m angry that the first person I’ve been attracted to in a long time is married to my mother and trying like hell to get away from me.”
Tentatively, Jared circled the bed and sat next to Jensen’s horizontal form. “I’m not trying to get away from you.”
Jensen looked up at him, green eyes a little glassier than Jared remembered. Jared watched the fisted hand come toward him, afraid Jensen may decide just to hit him. The hand curled into the collar of Jared’s shirt, and pulled him in slow motion toward him. Jared grinned for a moment before he felt the soft lips press against his own.
The least romantic person ever, Jared swore he felt butterflies dance around his stomach and seen fireworks behind his eyes.
Jensen broke the kiss, fingers still latched around Jared’s shirt. “This feels. . . . dirty.”
A snicker blew sweet breath into Jensen’s face. “Making out kind of is.”
“Is that what this is? It’s been so long I forgot.” Soft pants dotted Jensen’s reply.
Jared’s palm flattened against the plain of Jensen’s stomach. His face softened as he searched the soft green eyes before him. “He really hurt you didn’t he?”
Jensen tugged Jared down, pulling him into the crook of his arm. The younger man laid down, feet hanging off of the end of the bed next to Jensen’s. “Yeah, I guess so. Sometimes it seems like it happened to someone else, like I watched it in a movie. Other times I can still feel the dull ache he left behind.”
Jensen’s hand searched for Jared’s chin and tipped it back, catching any words of pity that may have been ready to jump out. The older man’s body curled into Jared. Fingers laced into the curl of hair near Jared’s ear.
Jared fought between succumbing to the beautiful heat of Jensen’s mouth and body and the reality of him having to leave when Emma found out about them.
Jensen’s hands grazed over every mass of muscle he could find, squeezing along the curve of Jensen’s ass as he roamed past.
A moan broke through the heavy breathing, neither one of them sure who it belonged to.
And then it happened, right when Jensen’s hand palmed against Jared’s too hard cock through his pants, a picture flashed in Jared’s mind. It was Jensen, crying, a single tear streaming down his beautiful freckle covered cheek. He couldn’t do that to him. Never before had Jared cared about what happened to a person after he slept with them. There was no way he could hurt Jensen, so he pulled his mouth away reluctantly. “Jensen.”
He watched Jensen’s eyes barely open, a drugged out smile playing on his lips. “Yeah?”
“I’m gonna go.” Jared stood, unwrapping himself from Jensen.
Jensen bolted up. “Go?”
“Yeah. I’m gonna call Chad.” Jared turned toward the door.
“Call Chad? You mean you’re leaving?” Jensen pulled a pillow into his lap.
“I’ll go to Emma’s ball or whatever. So I can explain to her that it isn’t working out.” Jared fiddled with the door handle.
“But?” Jensen began, but the slam of the bedroom door cut him off.
The rest of the weekend was quiet. Jensen quickly moved back to his townhouse, avoiding Jared as he packed and left. Aggie came back Monday morning, groaning lovingly at the state of her beautiful kitchen. Tuesday brought Emma home, concern painting her face at the silence in her home.
Jared found out that the ball that they were attending on Friday was a fund raiser for a group home for GLBT who had nowhere to go. Jensen had started the home as a college project years before. Now he and Emma ran different fundraisers throughout the year to keep the home running.
Friday night, Jared tugged at his tuxedo in the full length mirror watching Emma brush at his shoulders. He hadn’t told her he was leaving yet. Chad had gotten sick, “I’m barfing my colon lining out man. I can’t come and get you now.” He decided to wait till he was actually going to break it to her.
Emma’s forehead wrinkled in frustration. “Sweetheart, I have some news. It seems our hasty little wedding on the beach isn’t legal.” Emma waited for a response.
Jared tried not to show his relief. “Oh.”
“And as wonderful as you are, I’m wondering now if we didn’t rush a little.” Emma hung her head, Jared imagined that glint of mischief in her eye, he’s sure.
Jared set free the dimples. “We may have. Emma you’re amazing but. . . . “
“But. . . .I’m an old woman.” She clasped his hands in her own.
“No! No! I took advantage of you. I was using you for money and a nice trip. And I swear, I’m never gonna do that to anyone anymore.” His voice grew soft. “I’ve learned a lot about myself here.”
“So why did you tell him you were leaving?” Emma whispered.
Jared barely heard her, barely registered that he was answering. I don’t belong here. Jensen deserves better than a two bit gigilo who hurts everyone he’s around. I don’t know why I thought. . . . “ His head snapped toward Emma. “You know?”
“I knew all along. I knew the first time I seen you in that bar. You have everything my son needs. An easy smile, a love for life. A tiny disrespect for responsibility.” She smiled. “I just hoped you two would see it. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him really smile.”
“How did you know?”
“Andrew Hartley.” Emma winked. “He was my personal trainer at the club and he is anything but discreet about his conquests.”
Jared had the courtesy to blush. “I don’t understand.”
“I think you need him. I know my son needs you. I’m a good judge of people, and whoever you’ve been pretending to be, is hiding that guy that you can be.”
“You want me to date your son?” Jared’s eyes went wide with shock.
“I want you to admit you could love my son. That you would do anything for him, including leaving a place where you are happy cuz you think he’s better off without you.” Emma patted Jared’s shoulder.
“Are you sure?” Jared looked back at himself in the mirror, unsure he even recognized the man staring back at him.
“Tell him. Tonight.” Emma’s reflection smiled at him.
Jared entered the large ball room behind Emma. She swirled into the room in a beautiful red gown, smiling as a group of people approached her. Jared wandered to the bar, signaling the bartender for a drink.
He caught the sight of Jensen as he raised the scotch to his lips. Jensen was talking to a beautiful woman in a purple gown. She rested her hand on his forearm as she laughed. Jensen’s eyes crinkled at the corner as he finished his story and patted her hand politely. As he turned toward Jared their eyes met. The sight of Jensen’s clear green eyes knocked the air out of Jared’s lungs. Jensen glanced around nervously, looking for a way out. Then, he suddenly headed directly toward Jared.
“Scotch please.” He tapped on the bar next to Jared. “Listen.” His voice was suddenly soft. “Let’s just make it through the night for my mother’s sake.”
Jared choked on his scotch trying to answer. “We should talk.”
“About what?” Jensen took a sip of his drink.
“About what happened between us.” Jared moved closer, trying to keep their conversation private in the crowded room.
“Nothing happened.” Jensen scowled, his voice taking on a growl.
“Dammit Jensen, just let me talk.” Jared grabbed at his arm.
Jensen twisted out of his grip and stomped away.
Emma swooped in, hand resting on the shoulder of Jared’s tux. “He’s scared. You’ll have to make him listen.” She sipped her white wine as she perched at his side.
Jared’s gaze fell on Jensen, nervously chatting with a young blond man. His eyes squinting as he tried to focus on what the man was saying. Jared wondered if Jensen could feel his eyes on him. He wondered if his body got warm at just the thought of Jared’s hands or eyes or whatever it was Jensen found exciting about him. Jensen must have excused himself from his company because he started to meander toward a long dark hallway at the other end of the ball room. Jared sighed, knowing this was his chance.
Jared followed Jensen toward the corridor. He stayed a safe distance, smiling at people as he passed but breaking eye contact quickly so not to get sucked into a conversation and lose his prey. Jensen slinked into the hallway, the darkness swallowing him. Jared pushed a short red head woman in a silver dress, excusing himself absentmindedly as he sped his chase. Slipping past the band that played a big band version of Eye of the Tiger, he finally made it to the corridor. He stopped at the opening, dragging a deep breath into his sore lungs. He stepped passed the threshold, wondering how far down Jensen had gone and where it actually led. Glowing in a soft light from above, Jensen stood pressed against the floral wallpaper, eyes squeezed tightly shut, mouth pouting ever so slightly.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Jared cringed at the way the cheesy phrase echoed off the walls around them.
Jensen didn’t open his eyes, didn’t need to. “Trying to figure out how to escape all my mother’s well-meaning friends.” He sighed. “What about you?”
Jared hesitated, turning toward the opening, then back toward Emma’s son. With three long strides, Jared brought his body flush against Jensen’s. He leaned in and nibbled at the soft mouth before him. Jensen moaned into him, then bit his lip into his mouth. “I’ve been thinking about you.” Jared breathed.
Jensen curled his head downward, the prickly spikes of his hair brushing into Jared’s black lapel. “You’re full of the cheesy lines tonight.”
Jared hoped that was a smirk he heard in Jensen’s soft response. “Oh come on.” He snickered into Jensen’s ear. “I resisted asking if you were tired, cuz you’ve been running through my head all week.”
Jared was sure of the laughter now, he held onto the shoulders that shook beneath him. “You are a gigantic dork.”
“And you are the most amazing person I have ever met.” Jared’s voice broke as he tried not to sound cheesy.
Jensen looked up, eyes a little wary of the man before him. “Jared.” He started, almost as a warning.
It didn’t stop Jared though, he scooped Jensen into his arms, crashing their lips together again. “Please say I didn’t lose my chance.” Jared murmured as he came up for air.
Jensen’s head knocked into the wall, granting Jared access to his sensitive throat. Jared lunged at the flesh, suckling softly at every inch. “Jared, don’t fuck with me.”
Jared snickered, lapping at the skin near Jensen’s earlobe. “Are you sure you don’t wanna rephrase that?” Jared’s hand fumbled with the hook and zipper on Jensen’s dress slacks.
“If this is just a game, go away.” Jensen’s voice lacked any kind of conviction as he pulled Jared closer into him and nibbled at the larger man’s jaw.
“I’m not playing.” Jared sighed, grappling at the hard cock that wiggled its way out of Jensen’s fly. “I want this. I want you.”
Jensen squirmed, releasing a noise that Jared could only describe as perfect as he fisted Jensen’s hard dick in a slow lazy rhythm.
Jared slid down Jensen’s body, dragging his tuxedoed form slowly until he could watch the red thickness slide in and out of his large paw. “God Jensen, you’re beautiful everywhere.” He bit his tongue, still feeling like an unsure doofus.
Jensen didn’t seem to notice, he squealed as his body started to stiffen and Jared sped his pumping fist as he felt Jensen’s cock thicken and stutter in his grasp. Jared opened his mouth as he watched the geyser start to shoot from Jensen’s erection, he lapped at the hot come, saving Jensen’s rental tuxedo from unexplainable stains. He sucked the tip into his mouth as Jensen rode the end of his orgasm back down to earth.
The echo returned to the hidden hallway, and suddenly they remembered how close they were to hundreds of formally dressed rich aristocrats. Jared stood, leaning into Jensen giggling as he pulled him into a warm embrace. “Your mother is like a hundred feet away.”
“So are all those fucked up well-meaning friends I was running from.” Jensen tucked himself back into his tux, rubbing his cheek against Jared’s lapel. “I guess I actually have an answer for their question now.”
“What question?” Jared folded Jensen’s hand in his own and tugging him back toward the ball room.
“Why I haven’t settled down with one of the lovely girls from the law firm.” Jensen snickered.
Jared laughed, shading his eyes from the bright light of the spot lights as they walked into the opening and sauntered toward the dance floor. “I think I have a way that you can stop that question without even answering.”
Jared drew Jensen into his arms and swayed across the dance floor to the soft tune of the band. Jensen’s eyes widened. “My mother?”
Again Jared’s laughter filled Jensen’s space. “You’re going to love this. She was fixing me up with you! Apparently, she knew I was gay and that you would be good for me.”
“I will never, never, say anything bad about my mother’s rescue missions ever again.” Jensen curled into Jared’s arms, tilting back to except the kiss that told everyone in the room exactly why Jensen didn’t need a beautiful young paralegal for a wife.