Melt Into You (28 page)

Jace nodded at the bottle. “You have permission to stroke yourself, but you don’t get off until I do. Got it?”

“Got it, J.” Andre uncapped the bottle and spread the slippery liquid over his cock with a slow, methodical stroke—one that had Jace’s own dick begging for attention.

He made his way back to stand in front of Andre, openly watching Andre’s tanned fingers slide up and down his erection. Andre kept his focus on Jace—like the thing that was giving him the most pleasure was Jace and not his own hand.
Fuck, that was hot.
He shoved his jeans and boxers down. “You good at sucking cock, Andre?”

“I haven’t heard any complaints.”

“Prove it.”

Andre continued to work himself with that slow, steady stroke, but he opened his mouth and took the head of Jace’s cock onto his tongue and closed his lips around it. Jace groaned as the hot hollow of Andre’s mouth sucked the head in and then slid down the shaft, enveloping Jace in the decadent, wet heat.

Andre moved back and forth, pressing the flat of his tongue along the base and increasing the suction. Holy shit. Andre hadn’t been lying. The world spun a bit. Jace put a hand on the top of Andre’s head to keep himself from swaying. “Get undressed and let’s finish this on the bed. I don’t want whiskey and that mouth of yours knocking me on my ass.”

Andre shucked his pants and boxers, and Jace reclined onto the bed. Without further instruction, Andre climbed in between Jace’s spread knees and got back to pleasuring him. Jace’s head sank back on the pillows and he gave himself over to the moment. The guy he drank beer and watched football games with was giving him head. And it felt good. And right.

The only damn thing missing was the woman they both loved joining in the fun.

Andre’s lubricated hand cupped Jace’s balls and squeezed with gentle pressure, yanking Jace from the morose thought. Jace’s erection swelled. “Fuck, Dre. That’s good.”

Andre lifted his head. “Can I touch you?”

Jace knew what he was asking. And hell if Jace’s whole body didn’t tighten with anticipation. “I didn’t tell you that you couldn’t.”

Andre’s mouth closed around him again, but those slick fingers cupping his balls moved down further with confident precision, finding his perineum and rubbing. Electric darts of
fuck yeah
blasted through Jace. He arched, nearly lifting off the bed.

Andre’s rhythm didn’t falter, but no doubt encouraged by Jace’s reaction, a lubed finger teased at Jace’s back opening. Jace instinctively tensed, but then reminded himself of the instructions he gave subs and forced himself to relax. The domme he’d done his sub training under had used a plug on him and he’d enjoyed it, but it’d been a long time. And there was something about crossing this line that had Jace’s heart hammering. Jace sucked in a sharp breath and Andre pushed past the resistance, increasing his pace with his mouth as a finger eased inside Jace.

Jace groaned, his balls drawing up, an orgasm fighting to break free.
Fuck
. He prided himself on being able to last a long time, but there was no way he was going to be able to deny his pounding urge much longer.

Another slippery finger joined the first and Andre stroked along the sensitive spot inside. Jace gripped the sheets, willing himself to hold on for another minute—the sensations ratcheting up his spine and down his legs were too good to cut short. “Damn, you’re good at this.”

As if he wanted to put an exclamation point on the end of that sentence, Andre took Jace to the back of his throat. All semblance of control flew from Jace’s psyche as sharp pleasure, quick and brain-numbingly wicked, went through his system. His fists balled and a choked moan tore out of him as he came, the hot fluid of his orgasm pulsing out of him in blessed release.

Andre swallowed without a flinch and eased his fingers out of him, leaving Jace sweating and panting. Andre moved off his knees and to the other side of the bed.

“Where are you going?” Jace asked.

“To get a towel to clean the lube off you.”

Jace sat up on his elbow and glanced down at Andre’s slicked-up cock. “I’m not done with you yet.”

“Tonight was about you. I can take care of things on my end.”

“And last I checked, I’m the one in fucking charge right now. Get on your hands and knees.”

“Jace. We agreed—”

“Don’t make me get your cuffs out.”

Andre hesitated, but only for a moment. He rolled over and got in position. Jace climbed into place behind him, his legs still shaky from his orgasm. He ran a hand along Andre’s spine from tailbone to the back of his neck, enjoying the slight tremor Andre’s muscles gave in response to his touch.

“I’m not going to betray your limit, Dre. But I’m also not going to let you get yourself off. Your orgasm is mine tonight.” Jace draped himself along Andre’s back and wrapped an arm around him to take Andre’s cock in his hand. He gave him a strong stroke, taking his time about it.

A soft curse passed Andre’s lips.

Jace’s own cock nestled against Andre’s backside and stirred to awareness even though he’d been fully sated a minute before. “It’s a good thing you set your limit early, my friend. ’Cause right now, I’m real tempted to lose my last vestige of virginity.”

Andre rocked against him, rubbing himself against Jace’s shaft. “I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to. I won’t turn you down next time.”

Jace twisted his hand a bit, gripping and stroking Andre firmly enough to remind him it wasn’t a chick jerking him off. “You want to come, Dre?”

“Fuck yes,” he said between gritted teeth.

Jace slowed his stroke to what he knew to be a tortuous speed. “Ask me nicely.”

“Cocky bastard.”

Jace bit the back of Andre’s shoulder and sucked, tasting the salty sheen glazing Andre’s skin. Andre groaned and his cock seemed to swell in Jace’s fist.

“That wasn’t very nice, sub.”

Andre’s head lolled forward between his shoulders, the muscles in his back as tight as bowstrings. “Please, J. Let me come.”

“That’s better. Go ahead.” Jace increased the pace and rubbed his own cock against Andre’s ass.

Andre bowed up and with a shout, spurted onto Jace’s fingers and the sheets below.

When Andre’s muscles went slack, Jace rolled them both to the other side of the bed. Neither of them said anything for the longest time. They simply lay there on their backs, breathing hard and absorbing the impact of what had happened.

“You okay?” Andre asked, finally breaking the heavy silence.

Jace kept his gaze on the ceiling. “Yeah, you?”

“That was great.” He paused, as if positioning his thoughts. “It’s what I’ve wanted for a long time.”

The sentence hung in the air, as if there were a second half to it. “But?”

Andre released a breath. “I miss her, man. I want this. But . . .”

Andre didn’t have to explain. Jace knew exactly what he meant. What was happening between the two of them was great, but if Evan wasn’t with them, would any of it ever feel truly complete?

Jace climbed out of bed, reality settling down on him like a wet blanket. “I know. Believe me. I know.”

Andre sat up on his elbows. “We can’t just let her go.”

Jace grabbed two fresh towels out of his laundry basket, tossing one to Andre. “She’s never going to want to be with me.”

“You don’t know tha—”

“I got her pregnant, Dre. I took her virginity, and I got her pregnant.” He shook his head, his lungs’ capacity seeming to shrink. “She didn’t even trust me enough now to tell me I have a kid.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

Jace watched the fountain in the center of the building’s
lobby get smaller and smaller as the glass elevator climbed to the top floor. The panel dinged, announcing he’d arrived, and Jace briefly considered punching the button to go right back down. He didn’t belong here anymore. He didn’t
want
to belong here.

But after looking at every possible scenario, including selling everything he owned, he’d come to the same damn conclusion. If he wanted to protect Evan, he had only one choice.

He stepped off the elevator and into the busy but quiet hallway. Men and women in expensive suits politely nodded at each other as they made their way in or out from their lunch break. Jace’s stomach turned.

He’d worked here for years, doing all he could to prove to everyone that he was worth something. That he could be as successful as his father. And Jace had managed to put a dent in that goal. Three years out of college, he’d been one of the top five earners in the company. And he’d been completely fucking miserable. All the slick smiles, the false handshakes, the endless small talk. Like you actually cared about your client’s golf swing.

The whole thing had been like one endless role-playing game where everyone had a script to read from and a cue to follow.

And now Jace was going to step back into that hell.

He straightened the tie he’d dug out of the back of his closet, straightened his shoulders, and headed down the hall that led to his father’s office. Might as well get it over with. A kick in the nuts wouldn’t hurt any less later.

He passed a couple of open doors, but kept his attention forward. One step in front of the other. The muffled sound of hard-soled shoes on ugly gray carpet mixing with the faint click of keyboards. Jace imagined that’s what a death march sounded like.
Click. Click.
Tap.

He turned to round a corner, but a voice held him up.

“Jace?”

Jace glanced behind him to find his older brother leaning out of one of the offices. Great. Just what he needed. An audience to witness his humiliation. “Hey, Wy.”

Wyatt gave Jace a head to toe once-over, a crease forming in his forehead. “What are you doing here?”

Jace pulled at the knot of his tie. “Don’t ask.”

Wyatt cocked his head toward his open doorway. “Come in here a sec.”

“Wy, I really don’t have time—”

“Come on, little brother. You’ve got time. Dad’s in a meeting.” He disappeared back into his office.

Jace shoved his hands in his pockets and followed him. Wyatt probably wanted to gloat and tell him what Jace’s assistant duties would be. Good times. He stepped into Wyatt’s posh office and sat on one of the two leather couches.

Wyatt propped a hip on the edge of his desk, evaluating Jace with cool blue eyes. “You’re here to give in to Dad.”

Just the words made Jace want to heave. Give in. To Dad. “Can we talk about something else? Don’t you have a new award or something to show off?”

“Don’t give me that shit, Jace. You know Dad’s the one who does that. Not me.” He shrugged. “I know you couldn’t care less about all this stuff or what I do.”

Jace pressed his lips together, a hint of guilt poking at him. “Hey, if this does it for you, that’s great. Honestly. I sometimes wish you’d been born after me instead of before. Trying to live up to your level of success is a bitch.”

Wyatt scoffed. “Yeah, my success. I’ve got millions in the bank and don’t have a damn second to spend any of it. Or anyone to spend it with. I’m on top of the world, little bro.”

Jace stared at him, shock stealing his words. Wyatt—wunderkind financier and golden child—wasn’t happy? Sure, Jace knew the guy didn’t date or spend a lot of time on the social scene, but he’d always figured that was how his brother preferred things.

Wyatt ran a hand through his short-cropped dark hair. “Look, just tell me what’s going on. I know if you’re coming to Dad, things must really be in the shitter.”

Jace leaned back on the couch, resigned. What did he have to lose by telling his brother? Wy would know soon enough anyway. No doubt his father would tell anyone in shouting distance how right he’d been, how his wayward son had come groveling back to him for help.

“Diana’s blackmailing me. If I don’t pay, she’s going to ruin the reputation and career of someone I care about.” He looked down at his hands. “My store is stable and I know I can grow it, but I don’t have the money to pay Diana off right now. So here I am.”

Wyatt released a whistling breath. “So you’re going to give up your dream to save someone else?”

“She’s more important than my store. I figure I can suck it up and work here again for a few years. Get your coffee and type your e-mails—whatever the hell an assistant does. Then save my cash and maybe try a business again one day.”

Wyatt laughed, a big and hearty one that almost didn’t look right on him. Jace realized he hadn’t seen Wy laugh like that since they were teenagers. “I admire your selflessness. But you would be the worst assistant ever.”

Jace couldn’t help but grin. “What? I can type.”

“Look, bro, I know things haven’t been great between us for a while. But the only reason I get pissy with you is because I’m damn jealous sometimes.”

Jace smirked. “Right, jealous of me.”

“Yes, of you, smartass. You’re the free spirit of the family. The one who shoots the bird at every rule and expectation and does your own thing. The guy who the girls wanted and the boys wanted to be friends with.” His expression turned serious. “I don’t want Dad to break you of that.”

Jace blinked and stared at Wyatt as if he were seeing his brother for the first time. How had he never noticed how isolated and overworked his brother had become? While Jace had been busy finding every way he could rebel, Wy had been left with the burden of shouldering all of their father’s highest expectations.

“Wy, I appreciate what you’re saying, but I don’t know what else I can do. I can’t let Diana release the information she has.”

His brother crossed his arms. “How much does she want?”

“Half a million.”

“It’ll be in your account tomorrow with an extra hundred grand to put toward your store.”

Jace stood, waving him off. “No, dude. I can’t take your money. It’s not your place.”

“Pay me back when the store expands,” Wyatt said, standing as well. “I’ll consider this an investment in a good business.”

Jace couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Wyatt was going to trust him with that much money? Just like that. And put money into Jace’s business? “You want to invest in Wicked? Have you ever even been in a store like mine before?”

Wyatt’s smile was droll. “I don’t date a lot. But I’m not dead, moron.”

Jace raised his palms. “Sorry, big brother. I wasn’t sure if you’d lost your V-card yet.”

Wyatt punched Jace’s shoulder. “Fucker.”

Jace stuck out his hand. “No, but seriously, man. This is . . . Well, just thank you. Really. It means more than you know.”

Wyatt took Jace’s hand in a firm shake, then pulled him in for a gruff hug. “Happy to help. Now get your ass out of here before Dad catches your scent like a dog on the hunt.”

Jace stepped back. “I’ll find a way to repay you. Not just the money but the favor.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“No, I already have something in mind.” Jace turned and headed out the door, hiding a smile. Once everything settled down, Mr. Workaholic was getting a first-class ticket to a nice big ranch outside the city limits.

Because Jace wouldn’t need his own membership anymore.

Being there without Evan was a form of torture he refused to sign up for.