Angel's Redemption (13 page)

They continuously gave each other soft, loving kisses as their bodies relaxed. With gentle hands, they touched and held each other close.

Jack's chuckle vibrated against his lips. Elijah pulled away to see the mischievous glint in those gorgeous eyes he had come to adore. "I can't believe we just did that."

He grinned. "I can."

Jack pulled him into a tight hug, and the sticky wetness of his semen made him wiggle his hips a little.

"Me too." Jack laughed, giving his lips a quick peck. "As much as I love holding you like this, my legs are starting to cramp from this hard floor."

Elijah immediately pulled away from Jack and stood up. He offered his hand. Jack grabbed it and slowly pulled himself up. He heard tendons creaking, and Jack groaned as he stretched. "Damn, it's hell getting old." He chuckled.

He made a point to look over Jack's rumpled clothes, mussed hair, and lips that were swollen from their many kisses. He raised his eyebrow and gave him a devilish grin. "You're too sexy to be old."

Jack stopped in mid-stretch and his gaze flickered with desire. "Eli, there isn't anyone on God's green earth that is any sexier than you are."

Basking in pleasure from Jack's words, he stood on his tiptoes and gave him a sweet kiss. "I love you, Jackson."

Jack gave him a happy smile. "I love you too, Elijah."

They stood there and grinned at each other, relishing in the excitement and joy of the new beginnings of love and acceptance. Jack grabbed his hand and pulled him back toward the bathroom. "Let's get cleaned up and go home."

Elijah squeezed his hand and followed Jack with a happy heart.

Chapter Twelve

Jackson grabbed the ready-made package of Caesar salad, emptied the salad and the other ingredients into a red glass bowl, and tossed it quickly together while keeping an eye on the pasta and red sauce.

Shep stood next to him, watching Jack intently, obviously hanging around him in the hope that he might drop a morsel of food in his direction as usual. He glanced down at his dog and threw a crouton at him. Shep jumped up, caught it in his mouth, and chewed it loudly.

"You'll just have to wait until later if you want some more, boy." He tried to ignore Shep's intense doggie stare.

He couldn't wait until Eli came over. After they left his office with many goodbye kisses, they made plans to go home, get cleaned up, and meet back at Jackson's house for supper. He still couldn't believe they made out at his office. It had been a risky move on both of their parts, but Jackson couldn't bring himself to care. Realistically, he knew it wasn't something they needed to do out in the open like that in future, but it had been so unexpected and passionate, there was no way he was going to regret it.

They would just have to be more careful in the future.

He checked the time and grinned. Eli would be there at any moment. It felt good being loved and loving someone again. It brought out a spring in his step and made the day even brighter. He still couldn't believe his luck that Eli loved him. Finding true love not only once, but twice in his life, was something he'd never imagined. Jack must have done something good in a past life to be so fortunate.

The front door opened and Shep barked and ran out of the room to greet their visitor. He heard Eli giggle from most likely getting a warm welcome and plenty of doggie love. Jackson grabbed a clean dishtowel and wiped his hands as the sound of Eli's footsteps approached.

He smiled as Eli wrapped his arms around his middle, and Jackson felt the comforting press of his strong body pushed against his backside. "Hmm. Something really smells delicious." Eli's breathed against his neck and ear, giving him a slight shiver of pleasure.

He leaned back farther against Eli, settling their bodies closer together. "I'm making spaghetti for supper. Are you hungry?"

Eli chuckled. "I am hungry." He pressed his nose against Jack's neck and took a deep sniff. "Although, it's you that smells delicious, Jack."

Eli's seductive words made him shiver again. He turned around within Eli's embrace and looked into gleaming, golden brown eyes. "God, you're good for my ego, gorgeous." He managed to whisper before Eli pulled his head down so their lips could meet in a sizzling kiss. Jack wrapped his arms around him and pressed their bodies closer. The hardness of Eli's erection against his hip made his own cock press against the front of his jeans.

Eli pulled his lips away from Jack, wrapped his arms around his back and settled into his arms. "I know we've only been apart for little over an hour, but I missed you. Is that crazy?" He gave him a shy smile.

Jackson returned his smile and shook his head. "I don't think it's crazy at all, because I missed you too."

Cheeks pinked a little, Eli's shy smile turned into a brilliant one. "I'm glad, Jack, because I feel so full of… well… happiness right now."

After hearing Eli's thoughtful words, Jackson could have sworn his heart swelled with joy. "Me too," He gave Eli a chaste kiss on his forehead, and then he hugged him closer.

They stood within the comfort of each other's arms for several moments, just enjoying the sheer pleasure.

Jackson gave Eli one more light kiss before they gently pulled apart. "Supper's almost ready; if you want you can have a seat at the table and keep me company while I finish up."

He shook his head. "I'll help you finish."

Eli started setting the table, while he did some last minute preparations. Soon, they were both sitting at the table with their plates filled with steaming hot food and Shep diligently sitting between them both, as they had a simple, quiet dinner and talked about their day.

Afterward, since Jackson had done the cooking, Eli insisted that Jackson kick back and relax in the living room, while he cleaned the kitchen. Jackson put his favorite CD of slow songs on the stereo and got comfortable on the couch. It wasn't long before Eli finished his chore and was cuddled next to him.

Elijah's head was firmly nestled on his shoulder, and their arms were wrapped around each other, as they listened to the love songs, putting an air of romance in the atmosphere.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

Jackson felt Eli shift within his arms so they could look into each other's eyes. "Does my past bother you… you know, being a porn star and everything?"

Eli was nibbling his bottom lip and had a worried expression on his handsome face. Jackson took a deep breath and sighed. "It does and it doesn't, Eli."

Eli's eyebrows rose questioningly. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Jackson said, rubbing his hands up and down Elijah's back. "It does because in my mind, you were used and taken advantage of when you were just a boy. It hurts me to think of what they did to you, and how they are probably still taking advantage of young, impressionable kids."

Eli stared at Jackson's chest. "My therapist thinks I should press charges against them. But I'm scared because I still participated in it even after I was old enough to get away," he whispered.

Jackson secretly thought that Eli's therapist was right, but decided to press that matter another time. His heart hurt from the desolate sound of Eli's voice and words. He hated that his lover was haunted by his past, and unfortunately, even though Jackson wished he could, there was no way for him to wave a magic wand around and erase the unhappy memories.

"Eli, look at me." Jackson placed his fingers under Eli's chin and raised it so their gazes could meet. He wanted Eli to see all of his sincerity and every feeling he had for his sweet lover. Eli reluctantly dragged his gaze up and met Jackson's.

His eyes glimmered with unshed tears, and Jackson swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. "Honey, you were trapped in a bad situation you couldn't get out of. But because of your sheer determination to get away and change your life for the better, you succeeded. That's something you should be proud of, Eli. I know I'm proud of you. I admire the inner strength you have to overcome something that so many people probably do not."

Eli shrugged and unconsciously rubbed the fading scars on his wrist. "You're giving me too much credit, Jack. I'm not as strong as you think I am. If I could have, I would have died the day I slit my wrists. That's what I wanted—to escape from the pain I was living in."

Jackson grabbed Eli's wrist, brought it up to his lips, and kissed the pink scar. "But don't you see, Eli? You are strong. Even though you tried to take your life, you still survived and you managed to pick yourself up and get away from the terrible situation you were in. Thank God…" Jackson's voice broke and he blinked away unshed tears. "Thank God you lived… and now you're here with me. I can't imagine my life without you in it."

Jackson didn't want to ever go through what he had when Ben passed away. He already pulled himself out of the dregs of losing his life partner once, and he didn't want to do it again.

Eli cupped his soft hands on each side of Jackson's face and looked deeply into his eyes. "I love you, Jack. I've never loved anyone like I love you. I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

Jackson leaned down and gave those sweet lips a soft kiss. "I love you too, Eli. Always."

"Are you sure, Jack? Are you sure that my past lifestyle choices don't turn you off?" Eli's shimmering eyes trailed over his face, as if he was really trying to read the honesty there even if he didn't completely believe Jackson's words.

He captured Eli's hands in his own and gave his knuckles a kiss. "Absolutely sure, honey." He didn't care about the men Eli had been with in his past. All he cared about was that the younger man was here with him now. The past couldn't be changed, so there was no need to dwell on it. All they could do was learn from their past mistakes and go on.

A look of relief crossed Eli's face, and he threw his arms around him and gave Jackson a big hug. "Thank you."

Jackson pulled him tighter into his arms. "No, Eli, thank you. Thank you for being strong enough to work past it and for finding me."

Eli pulled away enough to lift his head and press their lips together in a soft kiss. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Jack." His warm breath washed over him like a gentle caress, while his words resonated deep within Jackson's heart.

Jackson smiled and pressed their foreheads together. He looked deep into beautiful golden brown eyes. "I feel the same about you, Eli."

His lover gave him a sweet smile and then nestled back into Jack's embrace. There wasn't much said after that as they relaxed within the ease of each other's arms.

****

Between the romantic music softly playing in the background, his full belly, and the acceptance from the man he loved, Elijah was so contented and relaxed, his eyelids began to droop. It was getting late, but he didn't want to move and lose the serenity of Jack's embrace. For his whole life, he never once thought he would have someone's unconditional love. Jack's undying emotional support and praise made him want to continue to work at becoming a better man. A man who Jack would always be proud of, a man who he hoped someday, when he grew wrinkled and old, could look in the mirror and have no regrets in life.

Elijah wanted to live proudly and stand in the wealth of Jack's love and acceptance for the rest of his life and after tonight, he was determined for that to happen. Elijah knew it would sometimes be a long, hard rode to travel, but living a happy life with Jack would be worth any effort on his part to achieve it. In Elijah's heart, they belonged together forever.

"Eli."

"Hmm?"

"It's late, and I need to let Shep out one more time before we go to bed."

Elijah's heart sank, but he pulled out of Jack's arms and nodded. "Of course, Jack. I'll head on home so you can get some sleep."

Jack shook his head and grabbed Elijah's hand. "No, what I meant is yes, it's late and time to go to bed, but I had hoped you would stay with me, sleep with me. But I need to let the dog out."

A feeling of relief swept over him, and he gave Jack a smile. "Thank God, Jack. I thought you wanted me to leave."

Jack shook his head, his dark hair sweeping gently on his shoulders and shining in the darkened room. "No, Eli. I want you to be the last person I see tonight, and I want the first vision I see tomorrow to be your smiling face."

"The feeling is mutual, Jack. I'll let Shep out if you want to turn everything off."

Jack nodded, and they stood up. Elijah let a wiggling Shep out so he could do his business, while Jack shut off the music and started turning off lights. Elijah let the dog in as soon as he came back to the door, and they followed Jack through the house to the bedroom.

He tried to calm his nervousness as they washed their faces and brushed their teeth. Elijah's heart did a happy leap when he noticed the toothbrush he had used before was placed by Jack's in its dispenser. Jack's little attentions made him feel welcomed in his life and home.

They walked hand-in-hand into the darkened bedroom. From the streetlight streaming through the window, Elijah noticed Shep was already lying at the foot of the bed on his back with his four legs sticking straight up in the air, snoring softly.

Elijah looked at Jack and chuckled. Shep really was a character.

Jack rolled his eyes and gave Elijah a big grin. "As you can tell, Shep is being nice enough to share his bed with us tonight—silly dog."

"He doesn't think he's a dog." Elijah joked.

Jackson laughed. "That's for sure. He thinks we live to serve him."

Elijah chuckled. "Well, don't we?"

Jackson nodded. "That's for damn sure." He switched on the lamp.

Knowing this was his chance to get undressed first; Elijah quickly shed his t-shirt and jeans and settled in between Jack's soft sheets, wearing nothing but his red boxer briefs. He was already aroused, and he wanted to see Jackson's body as he disrobed. He looked up and saw Jackson standing on the other side of the bed with a gleam in his eyes and a look of appreciation on his face. Elijah swallowed anxiously, and with a shaking hand motioned for Jack to come to bed with an inviting movement of his index finger.