Page 72 of AJ’s Fire

“Won’t last.”

“Me either.”

AJ’s strong legs worked us from his position as he held my one leg over his shoulder and thrusted over and over and over again, no finesse, no melodious breaks, no soft kisses. Just locked eyes and powerful thrusts and rocking hips as we each chased our own pleasure by giving pleasure to each other.

As he was sometimes wont to do, AJ began babbling as he got close. “All fucking night. I’ve been thinking about you all fucking night. All day. Wanted to touch you, to hold you. To play fucking board games with you. Never again, Jax. Never again. We don’t have to be alone ever again.”

His babbling had never been more poignant. I grasped my dick and began to work it, AJ making life-changing promises above me until he cried out my name and holy fuck on repeat. He pulled out in time for one last spurt to land on my busy hand. He continued to hold my leg up, breathing hard and watching until I erupted, arching back before flopping down on the couch. AJ draped his head on my messy torso, and I ran my hands through his too-long sweaty hair as we breathed in harmony. I knew he could feel my chest pounding.

“That was so fucking hot, cariño.”

“It really was.” I tapped AJ’s shoulder. “Come on, babe. Let’s get cleaned up. I really want to talk to you.”

AJ scooped up the vibrator and shut it off, and I didn’t think I’d ever forget the look in his eyes as he did so.

We were showered up and wrapped up in each other in my bed when AJ agreed to come with me for Easter in Scarsdale.

“We work that morning, cariño.” He reminded me.

“But we can drive to Scarsdale right after. Or …”

“Or?”

“how do you feel about helicopters?”

We decided AJ would tell Jamie after his family left the following day, and then we’d find a time to visit Hampstead after the Easter holiday.

“I’ll text Jamie and tell him we’re skipping brunch tomorrow. Let him have his rainbow flag day with Dad and Nat before we share our news. I’ll video chat with my mom after we tell your parents and my Dad and Nat.”

“Or I can fly you to London.”

“What?”

“We could go to London if you want. Tell her in person.”

“Jackson, man. You’re so worried your parents are going to think I’m a gold digger, yet I genuinely forgot that you have access to a helicopter and a private plane. I’m not worried about telling Mom. I’m more worried about letting LT know. If they make one of us switch shifts or change stations, I’ll go.”

I sat up. “No! AJ, you’ve been there longer! I can’t ask you …”

“You haven’t asked me a thing. We’ll deal with it when it comes.”

“No, AJ. You chose the station to be near your family. I was just assigned here. I should be the one to go.”

Our voices were animated, though I couldn’t call what we were doing arguing. We were debating loudly when I heard a knock at the door.

“What the fuck time is it? Who could that possibly be?” A glance at my phone showed it was not yet nine p.m. A few notifications had piled up while AJ and I had been busy talking … and other things, but I continued to ignore those.

I threw a bathrobe on, mentally ticking through the list of possible suspects who might be on the other side of my door, worried that something was wrong.

I most definitely did not expect to find my parents there when I opened it.

“Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?”

“It’s nice to see you, too, son,” My dad replied, walking right in. I supposed he felt he had the right to since he technically owned the place. Or the company did or something. I wasn’t really sure. He stopped in the foyer as my mom put a hand on my forearm.

“I know this is a surprise, honey.” My mom kissed my cheek, the door closing behind her. She started to walk forward, but I blocked her way, and we stood in the foyer. “But you didn’t reply to my texts, and we got home early. You’re always asking us to visit Brooklyn.”

I was proud that my mom had managed to say the word Brooklyn without it sounding like a curse.