Dance (15 page)

“Baby...”
Fenix moaned when Jared put him back down and managed to undo the zipper, pulling
down his jeans and boxers. He fisted Fenix’s erection, jerking it roughly a few
times, inciting a slow, needy groan from Fenix. Jared snapped his hips against
Fenix’s, but the friction wasn't enough through the denim. He wanted skin on
skin contact and he wanted it now. Abruptly, Jared stepped away from Fenix and
unzipped his jeans with shaking hands. He took out the pre-lubricated condom he
had stashed in his back pocket, and kicked the jeans off, followed closely by
his underwear. He noticed Fenix had gotten rid of his own clothes and pawed at
his t-shirt, discarding it on the floor.

Jared
backed Fenix against the door again, kissing him, touching him everywhere he
could. Fenix’s skin was so smooth and warm, and Jared couldn't get enough.

“Jared...
Stop fucking around and fuck me,” Fenix hissed when Jared took his cock into
his hand again. Jared snickered and let go of Fenix long enough to put the
condom over his erection. When he looked back at Fenix, he was watching him
with a mischievous grin. Jared didn’t have time to ask what Fenix had in mind
before Fenix raised his leg gracefully and propped it on Jared’s shoulder with
ease.

“God,
I love how bendy you are,” Jared rasped, wrapping his arms around Fenix’s waist
and tugging him closer.

“I
know,” Fenix whispered, nipping at Jared’s neck and clutching his shoulders for
support. “Now, fuck me,” he said, barely a huff against Jared’s skin.

Thankfully,
they were the same height, or that arrangement would have been extremely
uncomfortable. Jared fumbled a little before he managed to position his cock at
Fenix’s entrance and push in slowly, groaning at the feeling of tight heat
enveloping him. Fenix whimpered and shivered in Jared’s arms, bending his other
leg so that he took all of Jared’s length inside.

“You
OK?” Jared asked, managing to control himself enough to keep from thrusting
immediately after penetration. Fenix nodded and made a desperate sound,
wiggling his hips in encouragement.

Jared
started moving in long, snapping thrusts, resting his forehead against Fenix’s
shoulder to watch his cock as it glided in and out of his lover. He wasn’t
going to last long. This was all too erotic – Fenix’s leg hitched up on his
shoulder, his needy, unashamed moans,
his
sleek body
trembling with pleasure and glistening with sweat, Jared’s dick sinking inside
him...

Jared
palmed
Fenix’s cock and started jerking him off in
the same rhythm as he pounded into him. Fenix gasped loudly and shouted Jared’s
name as he came, his body shaking and his ass clenching around Jared. Suddenly
it was too much to bear. Jared’s orgasm hit him like a tornado and swept him
off his feet. He sagged against Fenix who managed to keep them both upright
even though he had only one leg for leverage.

Jared
felt Fenix’s leg slide down his arm but couldn't move to help. He heard Fenix
whispering something in his ear but was still too dazed to understand or move.
It took him a few moments to catch his breath and clear his mind, but
eventually, Jared relaxed his grip on Fenix and moved away, meeting his eyes.
Fenix was smiling and his eyes were alight with satisfaction.

“That
was...” he began and his smile spread into a full blown grin. “I
wanna
do it again.”

Jared
laughed and kissed him slowly.

“Any
time,” he said against his lips and kissed him deeper, swallowing Fenix’s moan
of approval.

Chapter fourteen

Jared

The following
Tuesday, James Seymour called Jared to tell him his flat was ready. Jared was
caught by surprise – he knew the work was going well, but he still had expected
it to run past the arranged deadline. Somehow it hadn’t seemed like it had been
three weeks since he’d come to stay with Fenix. Time had flown so fast that
Jared hadn’t had any time to think about moving back in his flat and how it
would feel.

Fenix
had two magazine interviews scheduled for the day and couldn't accompany Jared
to see the renovations, so Jared all but raced back to his place, eager to see
it fully done.

James
met him there and walked him through everything they’d done.

It
was amazing! The bedroom he’d wanted was perfect – an elegant staircase led to
a half-level big enough for a bed, a wardrobe and bedside tables. The bed had
arrived two days ago and they had assembled it for him. All the other stuff
he’d ordered – the sofa, the coffee table, even the sheets and towels, were
neatly arranged in their places. The kitchen and the bathroom were both brand
new with polished appliances and fittings. The floor heating worked well and
sent pleasant warmth through Jared’s feet.

The
space under the bedroom was a bit awkward and small, and Jared had requested a
few bookshelves to be fitted on the walls. He’d thought it would make a cosy
book nook where he could put an armchair, and relax with a good book from time
to time. Seeing it done, Jared realised the space was not as small as he’d
initially anticipated. He could even fit a desk as well. The shelves on the
walls would be able to hold lots of books and Jared could already imagine
filling them with his favourite paperbacks.

There
was a lot more Jared needed to buy like a TV, some more furniture, plates,
cutlery and kitchen equipment, curtains, some paintings, wall art... But the
place was habitable and Jared couldn't wait to move back in here.

The
thought sent a pang of regret to his chest. He had to leave Fenix’s place. As
much as he loved his flat, he’d much rather spend his nights in a bed with
Fenix than in a luxury accommodation that lacked... well, Fenix.

They
hadn’t spent a night apart since they’d met. Jared’s heart physically ached to
even think of a time when he’d have to spend the whole night alone. He knew it
was ridiculous – he was a grown man! He’d managed to sleep twenty five years
without Fenix, so he was definitely capable of doing that again.
Right?

And
besides, they’d still spend the night together. Fenix was welcome here any time
he wanted and Jared was certain the same was true for him. So why was his chest
still so tight with pain? And why did it feel like his stomach was turning up
side down?
 

It was still
early when Jared got back to Fenix’s flat and hastily packed his stuff. It
would be at least a few hours until Fenix got back, so there was no point in
waiting. Jared decided he could take advantage of his day off, move his stuff
back in, and go shopping for the necessities. Otherwise he’d have to wait until
next week when he had a free day again.

He
went back to his place to leave his bags and called Adam.

“Hello?”
Adam's gruff voice sounded on the other end of the line. Jared blinked in
confusion – was he asleep? At 2:00 pm?

“Hey.
Did I wake you?”

“Um...
yeah,” Adam said, sounding distracted. “I was taking a nap.”

“A nap?”
Jared asked flatly.

“Yes.”
Adam's voice suggested he wouldn't appreciate discussing the matter any further,
so Jared rolled his eyes and decided to drop it. Pick your battles and all.

“Anyway,
do you
wanna
come to Zone with me? I need to buy some
stuff. I just moved back in,” Jared said excitedly.

“Yeah?
They finished on
time?”

“Yep.
It’s amazing! You
should come see it. Pick me up in about fifteen minutes and we can go shopping
afterwards.”

They walked
around Zone for a while, Jared rambling about nothing in particular and picking
up stuff along the way. Adam seemed out of it. He talked and joked, even helped
Jared
choose
what to get, but something was off.

“Are
you alright? You seem a bit... distracted,” Jared asked as they sat in the
store’s coffee shop for a break. Adam didn't answer immediately as if he was
wondering how much to say. That in
itself
raised
Jared’s warning bells – Adam rarely had any mouth filter.

“You
remember that guy, Charlie Shields, Nix’s lead singer?” Adam asked, unwilling
to meet Jared’s eyes.

“Yeah...”
Jared drawled. He hadn’t actually seen Adam go home with him, but he was pretty
sure that was what had happened.

“We
fucked,” he announced flatly.

“OK.
Figured that might be the case judging by the looks you were giving each other
during his set.” Jared paused, giving Adam an opportunity to elaborate, and
when he didn't, Jared probed, “So what’s the problem? Is that why you’re
mopping around like that? He wasn't a good lay?”

“No.
He was a phenomenal lay. We
kinda
went out again
after that,” Adam said quietly, finally meeting Jared’s eyes. Jared would have
laughed if it wasn't for the misery he saw in them. Adam rarely followed sex
with a date – it was usually the other way around, and a date wasn’t always
mandatory.

“I
don't get why
are you so bummed over this
.”

“Because
I really like him,
“ Adam
said in exasperation,
rubbing his face with the palm of his hands.

“And
that’s a problem? Adam, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to sleep with
someone more than once and actually liking their company out of the bedroom.”

“It’s
not that. He doesn’t feel the same way,” Adam said and bit his lip.

Wow.
Jared was stunned into silence. His friend had finally developed some feelings
for another guy and it wasn't mutual? That was cruel.

“How
do you know?” Jared asked carefully.

“I
can feel it. He likes it when we’re together, and we have a great connection in
bed. But then he never stays the night. He always sneaks out the moment I fall
asleep,” Adam said and sighed heavily. “But what’s even more pathetic is that
won't stop me from seeing him again.”

“Are
you in love with him?” Jared asked cautiously, trying to keep his voice as
normal as possible.

“No!
How could I be! I’ve known him for three days.”

Jared
raised an eyebrow at that, biting his tongue against a comment. He could have
said something about karma and how Adam gave him so much grief over Fenix, and
right now he was in a similar position. Only, Jared had lucked out that Fenix
had felt the same way. He didn’t even want to imagine how crushed he’d have
been if Fenix had rejected him like that.

“I
don’t know what to tell you, man,” Jared said with a sigh. “I mean, I’m happy
that you finally found someone you want more than just a one night stand with,
and it sucks that he might not feel that way. But you’re
right,
it’s been just three days. Maybe things will change, maybe he needs more time.
Ride it out, see what happens.”

Adam
nodded and took a long sip of his coffee. Jared tried to lighten the mood and
cheer him up, so they chatted some more before he walked Adam home, declining
the invitation for dinner. All he wanted was to go home, unpack all the things
he’d bought, and call Fenix.

“Hey,” Fenix
greeted him when he picked up on the third ring. “Your things are gone,” he
stated, not too pleased.

“Yeah.
The flat was really
ready,
I couldn't believe it when I saw it. So I went back
to your place and packed my stuff. I’m officially not homeless anymore,” Jared
said and laughed. Fenix didn't comment. “And besides,” he went on, “you’re
probably glad to get rid of me. Have the place to yourself again,” he finished,
only half joking. He knew Fenix didn't mind him staying at his place, but he
felt like the situation forced them into living together. Jared wasn’t sure
Fenix would have made that choice willingly.

“No,
I’m not,” Fenix said coldly. “How could you sneak around like that, Jared? Just
pack up your stuff and go without even saying goodbye?”

“What?
Goodbye?” Jared chuckled. “We’re still going to see each other every day, Fen.
It’s not like I moved to Australia.”

“Whatever.
I have to go. I have chicken teriyaki for two to eat all by myself,” Fenix said,
disconnecting before Jared could say another word.

What
the fuck? Jared hadn’t really thought that leaving would be such a big deal.
He’d miss Fenix, he’d realised that the moment he’d set foot in his flat, but
he hadn’t thought Fenix would react that badly.

In
hindsight, it did seem a bit ungrateful of him. Fenix had opened his home so
readily for
Jared,
and what had he done? Packed and
left without even telling him.

Jesus,
Jared was bad at this relationship stuff. He’d never had to think how his
actions would affect the other person because he’d never been in a real
relationship before.

He
had to apologise and make this right. Fenix loved
him,
he’d miss him just as much. He could have at least stayed the night.