Embracing the Unexpected (7 page)

Jace slowly moved his hand up Parker’s thigh and over his
cock. It was rock hard and begging for release. He palmed his dick through his
jeans while he continued to kiss and lick his stomach.

“Jace.” Parker tugged on his hair and thrust his hips
against Jace’s hand.

“I want to do more, but you have to tell me how much more.”
Jace rested his head against Parker’s hip.

Parker slipped his hand down to the button of his pants,
quickly undoing them and lowering the zipper. Jace looked up at him with wide
eyes. Parker smirked and then dropped his eyes to his opened jeans, silently
offering him permission.

Jace didn’t waste any time as licked his way down, stopping
to lower Parker’s jeans and boxers. He sucked on his hipbone hard enough to
leave a red mark. Parker writhed beneath him as Jace moved his mouth to
Parker’s cock.

“I’ve wanted to put my mouth on you for a long time,” he
said.

In one of their many late night phone conversations, they’d
discussed some not so sexy, but necessary information about one another.
Neither one of them had ever had unprotected sex, but both offered to provide
test results to the other. Parker was glad they’d gotten those details out of
the way, because all he could think about now was Jace’s lips wrapped around
him.

Parker shivered at the sensation Jace’s warm breath created
when it tickled his balls. He needed to feel his mouth on him.

“Please,” Parker moaned.

“Please what?” Jace leaned down and ran his tongue along
Parker’s shaft. “You have to tell me, baby, so there’s no miscommunication.” He
gave him another long lick, this time swirling his tongue around his leaking
tip. “I need to hear the words.”

“Oh…” Parker moaned again. “Just… I… Suck my cock.”

Jace gripped Parker’s large cock in his hand and moved his
mouth down about halfway, cradling his balls in his other hand and gently
massaging them.

Parker couldn’t contain the sounds that were coming out of
his mouth as Jace slipped his lips all the way down and then slowly moved up
and down before relaxing his throat altogether and taking Parker as far as he
could.

“Fuck,” Parker yelled as he twisted his fingers in Jace’s
hair. He had no idea a blowjob could feel this good. He had been the recipient
of them many times throughout his life, but they had never been his favorite
thing. He didn’t like all the saliva, and he hated the thought of releasing
into someone else’s mouth, until now. Apparently, Jace had no gag reflex
because Parker could feel his lips pressing against his balls on each downward
thrust.

“Hmm…” Jace hummed around Parker, and the vibration was all
he needed to cause him to spiral out of control. He shook and pounded his foot
against the floor before finally letting his body take over.

“Jace.” He tried to warn him, but it was too late. He moved
violently against the other man’s mouth as he came hard and fast.

Jace didn’t miss a drop as he licked and swallowed
everything Parker gave to him. Parker glanced down between his legs as Jace
lingered a little longer, licking his tip and placing soft kisses along his
balls. Parker gently guided Jace back up to his lips and kissed him with an
urgency that surprised Parker. He thought he might be embarrassed after sharing
such an intimate act, but Parker didn’t have any regrets.

“Thank you,” Parker said against his lips.

“You don’t have to thank me.” Jace stroked his cheek.

“No, you don’t understand,” Parker said. “That was the most
intense thing I’ve ever felt.” Parker felt the blush rising in his cheeks, but
he wanted to be honest. “I’ve never been a fan of oral before.”

“Really?” Jace smiled. “I hope I’ve changed your mind,
because that’s something I’d like to do over and over again.”

Parker ran his tongue along Jace’s lips, tasting himself on
his mouth. He knew Jace had to be busting to get some relief, but Parker wasn’t
sure he could reciprocate the way Jace had just pleasured him. Jace was so good
at it, better than any woman he’d ever been with, and obviously it was
something Parker had never done.

Jace rolled onto his side and pulled Parker close to him. He
stroked his hair for a few minutes before speaking.

“I’m fine,” Jace said. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“How do you always know?” Parker was amazed at how well Jace
knew him.

“It’s my job.” He laughed. “But I’m learning how you think,
and I know you want more, but not tonight. It’s okay. I actually like taking
our time.”

“I’m not at all freaked out about you touching me.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” Jace smiled, teasing him.

“You know what I mean,” Parker said. “That first time we
were together in my living room, I was terrified at the thought of you touching
me intimately. I think part of me was afraid I’d like it too much, and I wasn’t
ready to deal with that.”

“And now?”

“I did like it,” Parker said. “Entirely too much.”

Jace kissed the top of Parker’s head.

“And the thought of us being physical does scare me, but I’m
looking forward to more.”

“Parker,” Jace said. “I was wondering if you’d be interested
in being exclusive.”

Parker rolled over and propped himself up on his elbow. He
stared at Jace for a few seconds wondering why he’d bring that up. He had to be
honest with Jace, sharing wasn’t an option. “I don’t want to see anyone else. I
just want us.”

“Me too.” Jace gently kissed his lips. “I just wanted you to
know I wasn’t seeing anyone else.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

“I really want this to work, and I’ll do whatever you need.”

Parker settled in closer to Jace and rested his head against
his chest. “Can you hold me until it’s time for me to go?”

“Of course.” Jace wrapped his arms around him. “I hope
there’ll come a time when you don’t have to leave.”

Parker closed his eyes and took comfort in his new lover’s
arms. The more time he spent with Jace, the easier it was becoming for him to
accept who he was. The negativity and doubt he was feeling just a few days ago
were replaced with warmth and reassurance, and it was all because of Jace.

“Don’t let me fall asleep,” Parker mumbled. He was so
relaxed and content that he could easily drift off for the night.

“I won’t, but if you do, I’ll wake you.”

As much as Parker wanted Jace to hold him all night, it
wasn’t the right time. He would never forgive himself if he wasn’t there for
Ava. He still wasn’t over the fact he hadn’t rescued her the last time, and now
he had this overwhelming guilt to deal with. He wouldn’t fail his friend again.

“Spend the night with him,” Ava insisted as she ran the
eyeliner across her top lid. “You can’t use me as an excuse forever.”

“An excuse?” Parker sat on the edge of her bed and watched
as she applied her morning makeup. “I’m hardly doing that.”

“I haven’t had a nightmare in two weeks. Jace said I’m
making progress, and talking about what was bothering me is really helping.”

“And that’s great, but do you really think you’re ready to
spend the night alone?” Parker asked. “Just because you haven’t had a nightmare
in a couple of weeks doesn’t mean you still don’t need me to sleep down the
hall.”

“I can spend the night at Lisa’s if I feel skittish, but I
think I’m going to be fine. Parker, sweetie, I know you’re worried about me,
but eventually, we both need to have a life.”

“I know.”

Jace had a book signing in New York City on Saturday
afternoon and tickets to a show that evening. He suggested they go and then
drive back home after, but thought it would be nice if they spent the night in
the city.

“Go to New York with Jace,” she said. “You’ve been together
for over a month. It’s time to get off the pot.”

Six weeks to be exact. Parker smiled to himself. Things were
really heating up between them, and Parker knew it was time for them to take
the next step. Jace had been as patient as he said he’d be and never put any
pressure on Parker to become more intimate than he was comfortable with. But
the closer they got, the more natural it felt that they should make love.
Parker just needed to get out of his own way.

“You know you want to spend the night with him.” Ava
interrupted his thoughts. “Please do this.”

“Are you sure you want me to go? Because I’d never leave
you.”

“You’re not leaving me,” she said. “Just going away for a
night.”

“Okay.” He smiled, feeling excited about spending that many
hours alone with Jace. “But if you change your mind, it’s okay.”

“I won’t.” She got up and gave him a quick kiss before
heading to the closet. “I have to get going. I have a breakfast appointment
with that new editor.”

“Jack, is it?” Parker asked. “Isn’t this the third time
you’re meeting with him and on a Sunday?”

“Yeah.” She smiled. “He’s really working with me on this
series of articles I’m doing. He’s a big help.”

“Well, just be careful.” He stood up and headed for his
room.

“Parker?”

“Hmm?” He turned and stared at her.

“I don’t want to pry.”

“Since when?” He laughed.

She rolled her eyes. “Are you going to tell Lisa about Jace
anytime soon?”

“Have you said anything to her?” Parker hadn’t told his
family about his new love interest. He wanted to, but he wasn’t sure how they’d
react to him being gay. He was still getting used to the idea.

“No.” She frowned. “But she knows you’re seeing someone. She
always comments about how happy you are. I told her I didn’t know anything, but
I hate lying.”

“I’m sorry.” Parker had met Jace’s parents and sister last
weekend at a Sunday brunch. They were very welcoming and accepting, but they
had known about Jace’s sexual orientation for many years. Parker’s family had
no idea, and he wanted to tell them before he introduced them to Jace.

“Don’t apologize,” she said. “I just think you’ll be happier
once your family knows. Don’t underestimate them. They love you and will accept
you no matter what.”

“Thanks.” Parker felt ashamed he hadn’t told them yet, but
this was all so new to him.

“Seriously, I wish I had a family like yours.”

Since Ava came from a broken home, Parker always did his
best to include her in his family. Her father was an alcoholic, and her mother
usually chose whatever man was in her bed at the moment over her daughter. It
was pure hell for her growing up, and she’d spent most of her time at Parker’s
house. His parents treated her as one of their own and felt equally as
responsible as Parker did when they found out Mike was beating her.

“You have my family.”

“You know what I mean,” she said. “Consider telling them.”

“I will,” Parker said. “Let me spend the weekend with Jace
and talk to him about it and then I’ll tell my parents.”

“Jace will be so excited you’re agreeing to go to the city
with him. We talked about it the other day.”

“Of course you did.” He sighed. “What don’t you talk about?”

“Don’t be jealous.” She laughed. “It’s ugly. I still love
you.”

“Hmm.” He smiled. “Have a good day.”

* * * *

Jace was just about ready to jump into the shower when
Parker entered the house. They were becoming comfortable enough with one another
that knocking seemed unnecessary. They decided it was easier to exchange keys.

“Jace?” Parker called as he entered the foyer.

Jace quickly slung a towel around his waist and peered over
the landing of the staircase that overlooked the foyer. He was pleasantly
surprised Parker showed up unannounced.

“Hey,” he said.

Parker looked up at him and stood frozen. Jace was amused
when he realized Parker was checking him out. Parker’s eyes followed the faint
line of hair down his chest and over his abs, stopping just where his skin
ended and the towel began.

“Parker?”

“Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“You didn’t. I just didn’t expect you so early. I went for a
run and I wanted to shower.” Jace smiled, secretly wishing Parker would join him.
He was getting hard, and it was going to be pretty obvious in about three
seconds. “I’ll just be a few minutes. Make yourself at home. There’s coffee in
the kitchen.”

“Okay, take your time.”

Jace headed for the bathroom, quickly turned on the water, and
then braced himself against the counter, staring into the mirror. The things
Parker did to him. Six weeks was a long time to wait, but Jace didn’t mind. It
was just lately, as the physical bond between them was becoming stronger, it
was getting harder to control the urge not to take his lover. He wanted to show
him how much he wanted him. His body craved that physical connection.

Jace was trying hard to rein it in, but the more time he
spent with Parker, the more difficult it became to control his impulses. Parker
was a very desirable man, and his innocence drove Jace wild with anticipation.
He’d pleasured himself more times since meeting Parker than he had his entire
life. It was getting out of control, but he couldn’t help himself, especially
when he thought about his soft, kissable lips.

He pulled the towel off, looked down at his cock, and sighed
when he realized he wasn’t going to have time to take care of this himself. He
didn’t want to keep Parker waiting. Hopefully, the water would relax him, but he
seriously doubted it.

He stepped in and let the spray take over his body as he was
engulfed by the steam. He was giddy over the thought that Parker was downstairs
waiting for him. He looked so cute, standing there in the foyer in his
perfectly pressed khakis and light blue button-down shirt. The more Jace
thought about him, the harder he became. He couldn’t stop thinking about
Parker’s long, smooth, thick cock, or the way he tasted when he came in his
mouth.