He could be really fun in bed.
Jackson played with the hair at the back of Chase's head while Chase unlocked the door.
They took seconds to take their shoes off, their eyes fixed on each other.
"Want some water or something?" Chase asked to break the tension, his breathing already quick and his pupils blown wide. His eyes kept flickering up and down Jackson's body.
Jackson shook his head. He'd had his fill at the restaurant. He wanted a drink of this man, though.
"C'mon, then." Chase took his hand to lead him to the living room and plopped on the couch, then pulled Jackson down beside him. He casually yanked his shirt out by the front so it was untucked, then unbuttoned the top button or two.
Jackson shifted to sit sideways, his arm along the back of the couch behind Chase. "You're really trying to tempt me, aren't you?" he teased.
Chase gave him a sly wink. "I might be. I've been waiting for hours now, you wanna kiss me again or what?"
Cocky! The demand made Jackson laugh out loud, a grin spreading over his face. "I suppose. If you insist."
He leaned in to press his lips against Chase's warm, pliable lips. Chase turned to press their knees together, already sliding his arm around Jackson's shoulders.
Jackson slid his arm around Chase's back in response, running his hand up Chase's back to the back of his neck again. He kissed Chase's lips a few times for thoroughness, then started to kiss along his jaw to his ear.
A shiver wracked Chase, and Jackson grinned. "You're so much fun," he murmured into Chase's ear. He gently pressed a few kisses below and behind Chase's ear.
"O-Oh Jesus," Chase whispered, his nails digging into Jackson's shoulders.
He was so fucking sensitive, and Jackson loved it. He kept kissing along the rim of Chase's ear to his lobe. He flicked his tongue along it and Chase's body nearly melted in his arms. At the warm kiss to his pulse point on his neck, Chase shifted, his breath catching.
It only took a kiss or two at his collarbone before Chase fumbled to unbutton the rest of his shirt, shoving it wide open.
Jackson took a moment to admire his chest, nearly bare of tattoos around his pecs. It showed off a gorgeous piece: an old-fashioned clock with Roman numerals and some fluid lines around it. "Beautiful tattoo."
"Th-Thanks," Chase breathed out. His voice was hoarse already, his body arching towards Jackson. Jackson gently trailed his lips along the warm skin of Chase's collarbone.
Chase was already panting, tiny sounds escaping from the back of his throat. His body pulsed and shivered with pleasure as Jackson gently savored the warm, soft skin under his lips. Jackson's lips closed around his nipple just below the tattoo, and Chase gritted his teeth and just moaned.
Jackson flicked his tongue along the nub, then circled his tongue around it a few times before flicking it a bit harder.
"Jesus, Jackson," Chase whimpered, his nails biting hard into Jackson's shoulder now. It was a good thing Jackson had his shirt on.
He was so a scratcher... and maybe a screamer.
Jackson itched to find out.
He just chuckled and kissed over to the other one. He took his time to lick the bare skin around it before he licked the nipple and flicked it against his teeth.
Chase was sliding closer to him, pulling himself across the couch in an attempt to straddle Jackson's lap.
Jackson pulled back, his breathing heavy. "I don't want to leave you hanging. We should leave off before I get too far."
Chase groaned quietly, then touched his face to compose himself. "Yeah," he agreed breathily. "You're fuckin' addictive."
He was utterly, breathtakingly gorgeous, and Jackson was hooked.
"So are you. When you're not running," Jackson winked.
"I won't run next time," Chase mumbled, but he was blushing hard as he lowered his hands again. He turned his head so Jackson kissed his lips instead of his cheeks. "You're incredible."
Jackson chuckled, tangling a hand in Chase's hair and cupping his cheek.
God, it fit perfectly in his palm. He gently rubbed his fingertips through the hair above Chase's ear. He rubbed his thumb along Chase's jaw, watching his expressions with such affection. Then, he pecked Chase's lips again and sat up to let him compose himself.
Chase murmured, "It's my turn, though. I owe you one..."
Jackson frowned. Nope. "No such thing as owing me," he told him firmly. "I don't want you counting favors."
Chase blushed again, his cheeks rounding in pleasure before he smiled. "C-Cool. You don't want to...?"
Jackson shook his head. "Not tonight," he murmured. "Another date? If you're up for it. You don't have to go on a date every time we make out. I mean, we're not exclusive. It can be a forging date."
Startled, Chase laughed. "No, I got that," he assured Jackson. "And no, we're not. But I... I think I'm cool with a forging date. That sounds hot. Haha."
Jackson snorted with laughter at the little pun. He reached out to cup Chase's cheek again, then rose to his feet. "All right. Tomorrow? Is that too soon?"
Chase laughed again. "Tomorrow's great," he murmured. The way his cheeks shone made Jackson suddenly realize what Thomas meant about him glowing.
Ohhh. The feeling's mutual.
Maybe Chase couldn't say it yet, but Jackson wasn't the only one wanting touch and affection just as much as sex – maybe more. Chase stood up to walk him to the door, and he took his hand. He rubbed his thumb down Jackson's, fidgeting with his fingers.
Chase didn't even seem to want to let go of his hand when they reached the door.
Jackson laughed gently. "You had a good time tonight?"
"Really good," Chase told him with another of those wholehearted smiles, finally letting go of his hand so he could pull on his shoes. "You?"
"I did." Jackson bent over to shove his shoes on again, then straightened up.
Chase looked adorable standing there all mussed up. His hair was a mess, his eyes hazy and cheeks still pink with pleasure, a smile on his lips...
He was so irresistible.
Jackson slid his hands around Chase's hips and pulled him in to kiss him once more. "Okay. I don't really wanna go, but I should..." he laughed.
Chase was still grinning. "Me neither." He hesitated, then added, "Been a while since I had a date this good."
"Me too."
Jackson brushed a hand over his face and shook his head. Okay, snap out of it. God. It's like you're sixteen again. He cleared his throat and pulled back from Chase, raising a hand to wave. "Tomorrow, yeah?"
"Definitely tomorrow," Chase confirmed, reaching out to hold the door for him.
Jackson waved once more before pulling open the staircase door to head back to his own house. For the first time in a while, he could see himself not just having sex after a date, but spending the evening afterwards with this guy. He could see himself just holding him, playing with his hair, teasing him...
He was lost in Chase.
Chapter 18
Chase
The first hour after Jackson left was the best. Chase tidied up his apartment and grinned at thoughts of about their upcoming date tomorrow. He'd skip a fencing session for Jackson. After that point, as darkness fell over the city and the quiet of his apartment sank in, his mood started to sink.
It wasn't the same strange, stomach-grinding numbness as before. It was the growing feeling that something wasn't quite right. The more Chase tried to ignore it, the worse it got.
"Christ," he finally muttered as he grabbed a beer bottle and turned on the TV to try to find a distraction.
It wasn't fair. Jackson always worked to pleasure him and make him feel utterly comfortable and secure. They hadn't even hooked up, for Christ's sake, and he was still left feeling like this.
What was up with that?
A beer later, he thought he had it untangled: something fucked him up about feeling desirable. He'd thought that was one of the things he most wanted. But he used his good looks in order to give pleasure to other guys. Letting them do whatever they wanted felt good – in the short term, at least.
Being pleased? That was harder. If he wasn't giving Jackson pleasure, what was he giving him? Was this pity? Was he being used somehow? Was he expected to romance him, to be his Noah now that he'd seen Cam happy settling down with Noah? Could he be that kind of guy for Jackson?
He didn't want to think about it the implications of this realization, but it stayed on his mind. TV just wasn't enough to get his mind off it.
Chase made himself wait one more beer before headed to the gay bar.
Chase wasn't ashamed of going home with Antonio when they ran into each other again. The guy had been good enough last time. Under the heat of the dance floor, Antonio whispered filthy things about getting him off this time, too.
The thought both scared and pleased Chase. He kind of liked being made to shut up and feel good for ten seconds before his anxieties kicked back in again. More importantly, he wanted to get fucked, and Antonio would give him that much.