Page 45 of Ring Rust

“No,” Jasper said, shoving Ryan away. “We’re not that kind of friends.”

“But—”

“Shh.” Jasper leaned back on the couch and slid his briefs off, then snatched the glass of whiskey from Ryan’s hands before returning to his spot in the corner. He rested one knee against the back cushions and left the other foot on the floor, exposing himself fully. His cock lay heavy against his thigh, and he lowered his hand to cup his balls, closing his eyes briefly.

Ryan didn’t try speaking again, just stared at Jasper with his lips parted and eyes trailing around Jasper’s body—his cock, his abs, his face, his eyes. Jasper watched his hand reach for the bulge forming in his pants, letting him touch himself for a fraction of a second before putting a stop to it.

“No,” Jasper said. “You don’t get to touch yourself either.”

“What the fuck? Why?”

“Friends don’t do that.”

“Some friends do!” Ryan said.

“Not us,” Jasper said, using both thumbs to brush across his nipples. He made a noise that expressed a lot more pleasure than he was truly feeling, but it was worth it because Ryan’s breathing picked up. He grinned to himself and let his hands trail down his body, stroking his skin slowly. When his fingers finally wrapped around his cock, his whole body lit up, memories of those few minutes on the deck flooding his mind. The sounds coming from the other end of the couch provided him with the encouragement he needed to keep going, so he spit into his palm and moved his hand back.

Ryan cleared his throat and Jasper opened an eye to make sure he wasn’t touching himself. He wasn’t, but his pink cheeks and fisted hands made his struggle clear.

“I got a ride home with Shawn,” Jasper said.

“I figured.”

“On the drive, he said he wanted to pull over and suck me off right there.”

“You’re lying,” Ryan said, his voice tight.

“I’m not.” Jasper’s hand kept moving, his thumb tracing over the head of his cock. His eyes were open now, locked on Ryan’s. He smiled at the way Ryan’s knuckles whitened from gripping his own biceps. “He pulled over behind that warehouse on River Road.”

“Did he suck your dick?”

Jasper didn’t answer. He moaned and closed his eyes, letting his other hand dip below his balls.

“Answer me,” Ryan said.

“It’s personal.”

“It’s not fucking per—you’re the one talking about it!”

“Whose fault is that?” Jasper asked. “You leave me in the cold, harder than I’ve been in weeks, and send me home with another man. That was bad planning on your pa—ah.Your part.” He thrusted into his hand and watched Ryan press his hand against his cock.

“Jasper,” Ryan whined.

“No touching,” Jasper said. “If you touch yourself again, I’m going to bed.”

Ryan’s hands fisted his hair and he groaned. “Why are you doing this?”

“What would you do if Shawn sucked my dick?”

“I’d kill him.”

He watched Ryan’s throat move as he swallowed. “What if I sucked his dick? What would you do?”

“I’d kill him.”

“You’d kill Shawn? He didn’t do anything wrong. We’re not together, right?”

“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t kill him. Is that what you want me to say? I’d kill anyone who touched you. You’re mine. If you’re going to suck a dick, it’s going to be mine.”