Chapter 67

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Chapter 67

“This looks nice and smells even better,” Jasper commented as we walked into the two-story building that housed Wild Ginger.

“Seth chose it, so I’m sure it’s great. I’ve never eaten here before,” I confessed.

“Evening, gentlemen. Two?” the hostess asked from behind her podium as she saw us approach.

“We’re meeting some friends. It’s probably under Thompson.”

“Oh, yes. They’re upstairs. Follow me.”

We did as we were told, trailing the smiling woman to the stairs that led to the upper level of the restaurant. As we walked I noticed a number of heads turned in our direction.

“Wow, everyone’s looking at us,” I whispered to Jasper.

“Of course they are. You’re a celebrity and we look good together. The few people who aren’t thinking how lucky I am to be with you, are thinking you’re lucky to be with me,” he said with a grin that was at once mischievous and conspiratorial.

“The last few are right,” I told him and grabbed his hand, wanting everyone to see how proud and elated I was to be with this gorgeous man. The smile he gave me in return was so amazing, it was all I could do not to turn around and take him home or, better yet, to the nearest hotel. Somehow I managed to refrain and followed the hostess up the wood and metal staircase. I realized I shouldn’t begrudge our friends a few hours, given that afterwards Jasper and I would, in fact, head straight back to our house and our bed.

The guys were already there, seated at a round table with Seth between Garrett and Emmett. They rose when they saw us and we exchanged greetings and hugs. I didn’t even complain when Seth made us model our new clothes or that he ribbed me about the fit of my jeans, though I sent him a smug smirk when Jasper quipped, “You’re not the only one who can pick out clothes for him that make him look even hotter than he already is.”

Emmett asked me to sit next to him, putting Jasper between me and Garrett.

“Good idea!” Jasper endorsed, as he sat down. “It’s not good to have too much hot top concentrated in one place.” Then, after pulling his chair forward, he added. “There, I’ve got the best seat in the house!”

Everyone laughed. We were all happy to joke around, knowing that in the end we were all singularly devoted to our partners. The rarity of friendship between three such similarly committed exclusive couples in our community wasn’t lost on me, and I cherished it. I had no problem with guys who were happier in open relationships, but I’d never want to share Jasper and I was glad all our friends felt the same way about their guys.

“How did it go in Port Townsend yesterday?” Seth began his customary interrogation. Jasper and I exchanged a knowing look. Seth had an ingrained entitlement to information and wouldn’t stop until he learned everything he needed. I didn’t mind. It helped him hone the extra special insight that he’d often used on my behalf. There was only one nugget of information we were determined to keep to ourselves, at least for now.

“It actually went better than I could have ever dreamed,” Jasper replied, taking my hand.  “Edward’s mom really went out of her way.  She cooked and baked all of my favorites and dragged out old photo albums from when Edward and I were boys.  She said I was her second son.”

“Oh, you’re in. Mom and Dad call me their little son,” Seth replied with a glance at Garrett that made it clear he wasn’t talking about his own parents.

“What did you think of the inn? Isn’t it beautiful?” Emmett asked.

We talked about our trip, until Seth seemed to sense our secret promise and Jasper skillfully diverted him by changing topics to my Today show interview and our breakfast with Roger. I squeezed his hand in appreciation. He was much better at managing Seth than I had ever been.

Later on, after we ordered and told the guys about our dinner with my sisters and the boys, Jasper even managed to keep me from snapping when Seth tried to outfit us for his Halloween party. A simple hand on my thigh, which he left there as the conversation continued, did the trick.

“I can’t wait to hear this. That’s so thoughtful of you, Seth.  What did you get for us?”

I sat back and listened as Seth described costumes Jasper and I would never wear, but when he explained that he wanted Jasper in an open back hospital gown with nothing underneath, I couldn’t keep quiet.

“If you think, for one second-,” I began, but stopped when Jasper squeezed my thigh again.

“Much as I would love to see Edward in that footballer outfit, we already have our costumes, and I think when you see them you will approve,” Jasper said amiably. “Thank you so much for thinking of us, though.”

I had no doubt Seth would indeed approve of the costume I’d be wearing. I had ordered it mostly for the accessories and had planned to swap the tiny spandex shorts for black jeans, but Jasper vetoed that idea as soon as he saw the shorts.

“You have to wear these, Edward. You’re gonna look so hot!”

“Why do I have to wear these when you get to wear jeans?”

Granted, they were very tight and cut so low they barely covered his cock and gave everyone a magnificent view of the top of his ass and crack, but they were still jeans.

“You have to wear these because they’re part of your costume, and because I want everyone there to know what they’re missing. Just think, you’ll be teasing me all night. I bet I’ll rip those off you before we get home at the end of the night.”

I hadn’t had the guts to tell him that many men at the party wouldn’t have to see me in spandex shorts to know what they’d be missing, but the idea of teasing him to distraction definitely had its appeal.

“Okay,” I conceded, “but don’t complain if I’m hard all night from looking at you.”

“As if I would ever complain about that!”

I smiled while recalling our conversation, even as Seth lamented in the background.

“Why won’t anyone work with me? I got Leah a Reno 911 costume for Roberto. The shorts are so tight! But I don’t think she’s going for it.”

I had to chuckle. Leah had Roberto wrapped around her finger, but I doubted even she could convince him to wear tight, tiny shorts to a costume party thrown by and mostly for gay men. My exhibitionist boss, who loved to tease Seth, might have made an easier target.

“We always wear what you tell us to,” Emmett attempted to appease our little dictator.

“Well, of course you do,” Seth waved off Emmett’s stated obedience.

“And what’s your costume?  Little Red Riding Hood?” I asked in reference to the zip-front sleeveless hoodie he wore.

Emmett reached over and pulled the hood up over Seth’s head. “You do have an impressive basket,” he teased.

Seth and Garrett played along with the joke, trading sexual innuendos. It was hard to stay focused on the conversation with Jasper’s hand slowly moving up my thigh to the outline of my cock, which was thickening with interest, but I did my best, especially when Seth returned the spotlight to me and Jasper.

“I’m sure Edward’s bed is now your bed, Jasper,” he fished.

“We made it ours,” Jasper replied as we shared an intimate smile.

“It’s all ours,” I reached down to take his hand.  “You all know I’ve always loved the house, but now that Jasper is there to share it, it’s a whole new, wonderful place. It’s our home. Our Washington home,” I modified.

“I love being there with you too,” Jasper spoke directly to me.  “I love feeling like we belong there together. You, me and Remmy. I really want to kiss you right now.”

“So kiss him,” Seth encouraged.

“No, I mean climb into his lap, kiss him.”  

“Oh, do it!” Seth nearly squirmed with delight at the idea.

“I don’t want to have dinner with a hard on,” Jasper demurred and took a deep breath.  I put my hand on his cheek and leaned over to give him a loving kiss, more appropriate for the venue than what he had put in both our minds.  

Seth sighed and kissed Garrett, and then, so that his best friend would not feel too left out, gave Emmett a friendly kiss as well.

“Why is it that you get spared eating with a hard on while I’m sporting wood thanks to all your rubbing?” I asked Jasper quietly while our friends were otherwise engaged. His low, throaty laugh only exacerbating my problem. I didn’t really mind, though, and he knew it. I’d gladly suffer perpetual blue balls just to be with him on a daily basis.

The food arrived and conversation turned to Emmett and Nasir, with Emmett expressing a desire to learn to cook Arabic food for his husband. I could certainly understand the desire to do special things for the man you loved. I didn’t normally bake, but I was going to ask Mom for her pumpkin butterscotch chip cookie recipe as soon as Jasper was on his way back to New York.

“How long are you staying, Jasper?”  Garrett asked as if he’d read my mind.

“Not long enough,” I replied.

“I do have to fly back on Sunday. I can’t push it out any longer,” Jasper added. The regret in his voice matched my own. “Which reminds me: I should text Nasir and apologize for missing our standing Thursday evening cocktail.”

I smiled as he pulled out his phone. His weekly meeting with Nasir for after-work drinks was still more evidence of his seamless incorporation back into our group, even if I resented Nasir a little for being able to see Jas more frequently than I could.

Before Jasper could finish dialing we heard Seth gasp and we all turned to follow his gaze. On the lower floor of the restaurant, James Visser, the man who had abused Jasper and God only knew how many other boys, was greeting some other men. My blood boiled the instant I realized who had caught our friend’s attention, but then I heard Jasper’s phone hit the floor and knew I had to remain strong and calm, for his sake.

“Oh, dear,” Garrett gave voice to all our distress, though I would have used far more colorful language.

“Jas!” I moved my chair closer to his and put my arm around his shoulders, noting the sudden pallor of his already light complexion.

“I’m fine,” Jasper held up his hands defensively.  “I’m fine,” he insisted, likely trying to convince himself as much as us.

“How big is this city and we had to run into that fuck?” Emmett didn’t hold back his anger.

“He hasn’t seen us,” Seth noted.  

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care if he sees us or not. He’s worth less than a scraping off the bottom of my shoe and he has no power over me.”  Jasper tried to sound convincing, but I could hear the underlying tremor in his voice.

“Do you want to go?” I asked, eager to get him away from this evil reminder of his past. My mind flashed back to Seth’s wedding and the near panic attack Jasper suffered when talking with me. I feared him seeing James could trigger something even worse.

“I most certainly do not!” Jasper said emphatically. “I want to enjoy the rest of our dinner with our dearest friends.” He grabbed his wine glass and drained what was left. His hand trembled as he placed the empty glass on the table. I wanted so much to gather him into my arms and carry him to the comfort and safety of our home, but that was clearly not what he wanted.

“Okay, whatever you need.”  

“I’m fine, Edward,” he insisted, but his next words spoke volumes. “Pour me another glass of wine, please.”

“Sure.” I poured the wine and then reached down to pick up his phone, which I set on the table in front of him.

“Oh, how clumsy of me,” he observed absently. “I would be lying if I said that seeing him didn’t bring back some unpleasant memories, but I’m fine. I know he can’t hurt me anymore.”

“I would kill him,” I said flatly, meaning every word.

“There’s no need for that,” Jasper patted my leg and looked into my eyes. I searched his expression and was grateful to see a hint of a smile. “Across the country is bad enough. It would be worse with you in prison,” he joked and then took another gulp of wine and a deep breath. “Let’s just eat and enjoy ourselves,” he requested.

“Okay,” I agreed, but I kept my arm wrapped securely around him. I frowned when I saw his eyes drift back to the main floor.

“Who is that with James?” he asked and I tensed. I could well imagine what he was thinking and remembering.

“His name is Krister,” Seth supplied.

The boy currently involved with the monster was a reminder of my lack of vigilance, an oversight for which I silently cursed myself. Seth and I had been able to put enough fear in James when we interrupted his would be abuse of Brett to make him leave the country for a couple of years, but I had been away at Stehekin when he returned to Seattle and was subsequently too wrapped up in my own pity party to pay attention to the warning signs. By the time I snapped out of it, James had firmly ensconced himself in Seattle’s elite society again and had managed to seduce the young exchange student.

“Krister?” Jasper repeated the name.

“He’s an exchange student from Sweden,” Seth added.  

“From Sweden? So far from his home and family,” Jasper observed. “Do any of you know what he is going through, right now? Do you?” Jasper challenged, looking around the table. His anger was palpable.

“We all know James is a monster,” I said softly, trying to calm him although I felt anything but calm myself.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Of course you do.  You were there.  But, that boy needs help.  He needs our help!”

I rubbed his shoulder and spoke softly, knowing I wouldn’t be telling him anything new, but worried how he might react anyway. “Jas, you know that people trapped in the cycle of domestic abuse aren’t always ready to admit that they need help. The abusers brainwash them into believing that they deserve what happens to them and even that the abuse is a sign of love.  They refuse to see that the person they’re with, the person they love, is evil..”

“We know this one is,” Jasper insisted.

“We absolutely do know that and we could intervene. We may even get Krister away from James for a time, but we also know how often victims go back to their abuser, especially if the decision to leave wasn’t theirs. James made sure Krister is totally dependent on him in the US, and the boy may not be ready to return to Sweden. How much worse would it be for him if he went back to James after leaving him?”

Jasper didn’t respond. Instead, he reached for my free hand and squeezed it tightly as he watched James interact with his dining companions below. A shiver ran through his body.

“My beautiful, brilliant and crafty husband found a way to speak with Krister privately. He made sure Krister knows that help is out there whenever he’s ready, and that he does not deserve to be hit, ever, by anyone, and most especially by someone who claims to love him,”  Garrett chimed in with open admiration of Seth’s skills.

“Oh, no!” Jasper let out a terror stricken gasp. “Seth, why did you do that? James will know. He always does. I’m sure he’s having Krister watched just like he had me watched. What that poor boy must have gone through after that conversation.”

“It happened right in front of James so he couldn’t do a thing,” Garrett quickly interjected.  “Seth cleverly used Lady Van Cleft’s influence to his advantage.”

“I don’t know who that is,” Jasper said with a frown.

“Suffice it to say she is a very wealthy, elderly lady at the pinnacle of Seattle society,” Garrett explained.  “She’s one of my clients and she likes to surround herself with gay men to demonstrate her liberalism. She dotes on James and Krister just as she does on me and Seth.”

“She wants us all to be friends,” Seth hissed with a roll of his eyes. “As if! I only wish we could tell her what a sick fuck James is.”

“Dane was there photographing the event,” Garrett continued.

“Dane is the staff photographer at SGN and he photographed our wedding. He’ll be at the party Saturday,” Seth threw in.

“Seth had Dane organize photos of the museum trustees,” Garrett picked back up.  “This was at a museum event and James was maneuvered onto the board by Lady Van Cleft, who is on the board herself.”

“James didn’t have a choice.  He was forced to participate and watch while I was left alone with Krister to talk about bottom boi stuff,” Seth explained.

“Like how to get help and get away from the bastard that’s beating him,” Emmett added.

“Seth planted the seeds, but Krister has to want our help,” I said as I rubbed Jasper’s shoulder. “If we do anything before he is ready, it could make James’ hold over him even stronger.”

“Okay. Okay,” Jasper still sounded shaky as he picked his wine glass and drank the contents in a couple of big swallows.  “Oh. Should we get another bottle?”

“I’m driving, so I’m done,” I replied, trying to keep the concern from my voice.  

“I might try some of the red.  Do you mind, Garrett?” Jasper asked as he reached for the bottle.

“Not at all.  That’s what it’s here for.”

I watched with helpless frustration as Jasper’s attention drifted back to James and Krister.

“Does he not go to the university at all anymore?  Is he a total prisoner?” Jasper’s eyes had the faraway look of someone lost in his past.

“He goes to class. He is escorted there and back and watched the whole time.  I have eyes and ears too, but James never does anything on campus and Krister doesn’t speak with anyone,” Seth supplied and Jasper nodded.

“I’m sure the thinly veiled excuse is that James is paying for his education,” Garrett stated.

“We could pay for it,” Jasper looked up as if struck by an epiphany.

“We could, but that may not be enough. Besides, what would that solve?” Garrett posited.  “Even if we could save Krister by financing his needs what of the next boy, and the next?”

“They’re not together because of his money,” Seth stated what we all knew. The money made it easier for James to seduce his victims and to keep them under surveillance once they were within his grasp, but it wasn’t why the boys fell in love with him.  

“This requires a more complex and permanent solution,” Garrett said mysteriously as he contemplated James. I knew him well enough to recognize this wasn’t just an offhand comment. I was just about to probe further when Jasper interjected.

“Okay, okay. I don’t want this to ruin our evening.  Let’s talk about something pleasant, can we?  Tell me more about the Halloween party.  Who all is coming?”

Seth seized the opportunity and launched into a description of all the guests. I said little and watched anxiously as Jasper finished another glass of wine before asking Emmett to pour him a glass of Riesling. Emmett and I exchanged a look and I saw he noticed my concern. His slight shrug communicated his opinion that a hangover the next day was a small price to pay if this was the crutch Jasper needed to get through the evening. I agreed, though I hated the thought of James causing Jasper still more pain, even if it was only a hangover, without even having to lift a finger. I stared down at his table, where he engaged in easy conversation, completely oblivious to our group. If looks could kill, he would have been choking on his dinner.

Jasper brought me out of my murderous thoughts by grasping my hand. “What a week it’s been already! And I’ve loved every minute of it, from the moment Edward pulled up in his NPS truck, in his uniform, and I could see for myself that he wasn’t hurt.  And then to see his mountain and the way the locals around the park idolize him...” He turned to look at me with so much love that I thought my heart almost burst out of my chest.

“I’ve been so proud to be by your side, Edward. I love your house and Remmy. I love Roger. I love Maggie and Rosalie and Liam and Owen. I love your mom. I especially love these guys. Not even that particularly odious piece of shit down there can ruin this trip, this week, or even this dinner for me. I want him to see us. I want him to see me hold your hand. I want him to see that despite his best efforts he didn’t break me, and he didn’t destroy us. He may have derailed everything for a while, but we’re back on track now and he can’t do anything to get in our way anymore.”

“Damn right,” I spoke passionately. “I will never let anything or anyone get between us again; not James, not my father or my sister or even me. I don’t have the words to describe how wonderful it’s been having you here this week.”

“You know how badly I wish it didn’t have to end.” Jasper gave a small, sad smile.

“A lifetime wouldn’t be long enough,” I agreed.

Seth, Garrett and Emmett spoke, but I wasn’t listening. Jasper and I only had eyes for each other. While it was true that we wouldn’t let anyone between us, we could do nothing about the distance that would soon loom between us again. Only the knowledge of our promise to be together as soon as we could, and to someday share our lives as husbands, made the upcoming separation bearable.

“How are we doing, boys?  Can I tempt you with some dessert?” Our cheery waitress interrupted the moment.

“I couldn’t eat another thing.” Seth shook his head.

“We’re good, thank you,” Garrett said as he handed her his credit card.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Everything was really delicious. Great idea, Seth, and thank you, guys,” Jasper said.

“Yeah, thank you.” Emmett rubbed Seth’s back.

“It’s our pleasure,” Garrett smiled.  “We don’t see you out in the provinces as often as we would like.”

“I know.” Jasper nodded and tightened his grip on my hand. “But hopefully that will change soon. I’ve made inquiries about jobs in Seattle,” he revealed.

“Ooh!” Seth bounced in his chair. “I knew this would happen. I have many contacts in the local media. We’ll find you a great spot. And if we can’t, we’ll make one. Seattle Gay News has been thinking about producing a local cable access show. You could work on that!”

Jasper shifted in his seat. “Thanks, Seth, but I’d like to stay with the networks. I’m sure something will open up.”

I glanced over at him, wondering if the optimism was real or fueled by the extra alcohol. Seth wore a dubious expression, which he quickly covered up with a smile. “I have contacts at all the major stations too. I’ll put my ear to the ground and see what I can find.”

“Thanks, Seth,” I said gratefully. Over the years I’ve learned not to underestimate Seth’s connections and his abilities to do the seemingly impossible. If anyone could find or create a job for Jasper in Seattle, it would be Seth.

“What have you planned for tomorrow?” Garrett enquired as two busboys cleared our table.

“I don’t know. Edward’s done all the planning and I’m just along for the ride,” Jasper said brightly, finishing his wine. “I’d be happy if we stayed in bed all day fuckin’. I gotta get my fill of that amazing cock before I have to go back to New York!”

One of the busboys smirked while the other gasped in shock. Several nearby diners looked in our direction with wide eyes, which put Seth in a fit of delighted giggles.

“I think we will stay in tomorrow. It’s been a busy week and we could use a day by ourselves just to chill,” I offered a g-rated summary. Jasper was having none of it.

“My ass and throat will be nice and relaxed for you, babe, but I don’t like the wind down part. I’d prefer to wind you up instead,” he said with a seductive leer that made my cock stir in my jeans.

“Whatever you want, Jas. I’m yours,” I told him.

“I want-” he began, but fearing he was about to give the other diners much too much information about his particular desires, I quickly interrupted.

“Let’s talk about that on the way back to the house.”

“Oh,” Jasper seemed surprised at my suggestion. A few seconds later, however, the reason for my request seemed to have sunk in. “Oh! Okay. You’re right. I don’t want everyone in Seattle how fantastic you are in bed. Not while I’m not here yet to protect my turf!” He still spoke too loudly and his words slurred a bit, but at least he’d stopped sharing graphic details. Our friends knew very well that he’d misinterpreted the reason I wanted to talk in private and Seth couldn’t stop giggling while Emmett grinned and even Garrett wore a subtle smile.

“So that’s us. What are you guys doing tomorrow?” Jasper asked.

“Nasi,” Emmett gave a nod.

“I’ll bet!” Jasper chortled. He dropped his hand into my lap and grabbed my hardening shaft. I put my hand down over his to keep him from trying to stroke me. I wouldn’t have minded in a less public place, but we were about to leave and I didn’t want to have to walk through the restaurant with a hard on.

“I have a conference call at six, unfortunately,” Garrett revealed.

“Six in the morning?” Jasper was outraged.  I found that amusing, considering most mornings he was up much earlier.

“Cincinnati doesn’t care what time it is in the provinces.”

“Lucky you don’t run the Hong Kong branch,” Jasper giggled.

“Oh!” Garrett laughed. “My bank isn’t that big.”

“If you want, Honey, I can get up and bring you coffee.  Like I did last time.” It was clear from Seth’s suggestive tone and the way he rubbed Garrett’s thigh that there was more to this story than the innocent words might indicate.

“The last time you did that, the Chief Investment Officer of the bank asked my thoughts and I think I told him we should paint monkeys on the clouds,” Garrett replied with a straight face.

“Let me guess what he was doing!” I laughed.

“You don’t have to guess,” Seth stated.

He probably would have been happy to explain in detail, but was interrupted when the waitress returned with the receipt. Garrett signed it and put his credit card back in his wallet before looking to the rest of us and asking, “Shall we?”

“Let’s go,” Emmett said and we all rose. Jasper swayed a little and reached for the table to steady himself.

“Oops,” he giggled. “Guess I got up too quickly there.”

I stepped up close behind him, sneaking my arm around his waist.

“I’m good, love. Just a head rush. I’m fine now,” he insisted.  

“Okay,” I acquiesced, pulling my arm back. “You can’t blame me for wanting to be close to you, though.” I added, since I wasn’t going to let him walk down the stairs without me right by his side.

“Of course not. I want that too,” he said sheepishly, turning to face me. He put his hand to my cheek and leaned in to press his lips against mine. He tasted of the mixture of Asian food and wines he’d had throughout the evening - delicious. I lifted my hand to the back of his neck and pulled him in closer as I slipped my tongue into his mouth for a better sample of his heady flavor. My heart sped up and I wished we were in private instead of in a restaurant full of strangers.

“Sorry,” I said to Emmett, Seth and Garrett as I broke the kiss. Emmett just clapped me on the shoulder.

“No need to apologize. I know exactly how you guys feel.”

We descended in a group, with Jasper next to the railing and me by his side, Seth and Garrett in front and Emmett behind, the four of us effectively cocooning Jasper should he become unsteady. I’d never seen him drink so much and I had no idea how he would handle that much alcohol for the rest of the night or in the morning. All I knew for certain is that I would be there to meet his every need.

We made it down the stairs without a problem. I had hoped to make a quick exit from the restaurant, but when Jasper’s grip on my hand strengthened, I knew he hadn’t forgotten the bastard dining on the main floor. I looked over just as James noticed our group. My free hand tightened into a fist and I was gratified to see the rage that initially filled his eyes replaced by fear when he realized Emmett and I were together. I hoped he was reliving that night he tried to lure Jasper back into his clutches; the night Emmett and I disposed of him like the piece of trash that he was. I only wished the disposal could have been more permanent.

I turned to Jasper and was surprised to see James’ emotions reflected there, in reverse order. He had looked worried, at first, but soon his face was contorted with anger as he stepped towards James’ table. I reacted without thinking, wrapping him in my arms to hold him back.

“No, Jas,” I implored. As much as I wanted to pound James’ face into the restaurant carpet, nothing good could come of this sort of a public confrontation. And absolutely nothing good could come out of any interaction Jasper might have with this piece of shit masquerading as a respectable businessman.

“Edward, let me go,” Jasper slurred belligerently as he tried to break my hold. “I need to-”

“You don’t. He’s not worth it.” Emmett stepped in, using his body to block Jasper’s view of James. “C’mon, Sugar, time to go,” he placed his hands on Jasper’s shoulders for emphasis. Jasper struggled to break free one last time, but then he deflated in my arms. He nodded and allowed Emmett to turn him to follow Seth and Garrett out of the restaurant. I kept one arm around him for support as we walked out, with Emmett behind us.

“Where are you guys parked?  We’ll walk you to your car,” Emmett said.

“I’m okay, you guys,” Jasper stubbornly insisted.

“Would you boys like to join us at the penthouse?” Garrett offered. “That way you don’t have to drive all the way back to Covington tonight. You can take your pick of our guest rooms.”

“We can do breakfast,” Seth added optimistically.

“No. Thanks for the offer, its very kind, but I just want to go home.”  Jasper turned and looked at me imploringly. “Edward, please take me home.”

I stepped closer to him, sensing his need. It wasn’t lost on me that even in his distraught, inebriated state he had called my house home, which had to mean that he believed it to be his home on some very deep, instinctive level. My heart felt so full it could easily burst.

“Of course I will, Jas. Home it is,” I told him before turning to Seth, Emmett and Garrett. “My man’s decided. Thanks anyway, guys.”

“We’ll still walk you to your car,” Emmett stated.  “Which way?”

“We’re at the parking garage at 520 Park Tower,” I replied, considering Emmett’s offer. The car wasn’t far and Jasper could get there with my help, but we’d be vulnerable to any asshole who wanted to make something out of two men walking closely together. Things like that shouldn’t be a problem in this neighborhood, but I was sure Jasper’s friends thought the same thing before they were attacked in New York.  Going with a group would be safer, and driving would be even better. “Did you guys park closer? Could you maybe give us a lift?”

“It isn’t far to walk,” Jasper tried to protest, but this time we all ignored him.

“Sure, my car’s just down here,” Emmett pointed.

Emmett’s Range Rover Sport was parked less than a block away. When we reached it, Jasper and I got in the back with Seth. Jasper immediately leaned against me. His head rested on my shoulder and his hair brushed against my cheek. The scent of my shower gel and shampoo, which he’d been using all week, filled my nostrils, making me smile. I pulled him closer and kissed his temple.

“You feel good. Are we going home?” he asked, shifting his head to look up at me. “I wanna go home.”

“Yeah. We just have to get back to my car and we’ll be on our way. I’ll get you home as quick as I can,” I vowed, and leaned down to kiss him.

It only took a few minutes to reach the parking garage. I directed Emmett to my car and he pulled into an empty spot nearby.

“Okay, you guys.  Give us a hug,” Emmett opened his arms after we all got out. We exchanged hugs with him and Garrett and then Seth.

“Don’t let him ruin your night,” Seth instructed Jasper.

“I won’t,” Jasper promised, but his voice didn’t carry a lot of confidence.

“Take care of him,” Seth spoke softly after he let Jasper go to hug me.

“You know I will.”

I unlocked the doors and Jasper and I both got in.

“Alright.  Safe drive home,” Emmett said as he shut Jasper’s door. I made sure Jasper had his seatbelt on before backing out of the parking spot. We exchanged one last wave with the guys and I drove out of the garage.

“How long before we’re home?” Jasper asked. His head was thrown back against the headrest and his eyes were closed.

“Shouldn’t be long. There’s no traffic out of the city now. You okay?” His expression seemed slightly pained.

“I think I drank too much. Everything’s starting to spin.”

“Want the windows down for some fresh air?”

I pushed down the button as soon as I heard his murmured “Okay.” He turned towards the window and inhaled deeply.

“If you feel sick and need me to stop, just say, all right?”

“I think I’ll be fine, but thanks,” he turned towards me and gave me a weak but still beautiful smile. “You’re so good to me. I love you!”

“I love you too,” I replied with a matching smile. “You’re pretty cute when you’re drunk,” I added.

“You’re cute all the time,” he countered. “Well, not cute. Hot! You’re hot all the time. Fuckin’ burning hot. Especially your poker!”

We laughed together but then he grimaced.

“It fuckin’ hurts to laugh. Why did I drink so much? Oh!” his grin turned into a frown and I knew exactly what he was thinking about.

“I guess the hot tub will have to wait ‘till tomorrow, huh?” I tried to distract him.

“Yeah,” he replied absentmindedly and looked out the open window. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, wishing there was something I could do to erase his memory of the restaurant.

“I’m not gonna let him get in my head. I’m not gonna let him ruin this night,” Jasper repeated stubbornly, still looking out the window. I suspected he was talking to himself and didn’t even realize that he’d spoken out loud.

“Can you believe Seth wanted to dress you up in a hospital gown? I’m so glad you didn’t let him railroad you into wearing that,” I brought up the first topic that came to mind. Apparently it wasn’t compelling, because Jasper completely ignored me.

“Fuckin’ bastard! And he’s still at it, abusing another kid. Jesus!” He brought his hand up and ran it over his face and through his hair. “Edward, I might be getting sick,” he said turning back to face me. “Can we pull over? Now?”

Even in the limited light highway lighting, one glance showed me he was, in fact, turning very pale. I did a quick head check behind me and pulled across a couple of lanes to stop on the shoulder. Jasper unlocked and threw open the door, fumbling with the seatbelt fastening. I reached over to release it and he stumbled out of the car. He tried to get completely off the road but tripped over his own feet and fell forward. Thankfully he had the wherewithal to break his fall with his hands so that he ended up on his hands and knees, retching up the contents of his stomach. I made sure it was safe and sprang from my seat, rounding the car to kneel at his side, my hand rubbing his back.

“Shit!” he mumbled when he was through. “That’s fuckin’ disgusting.”

“It’s okay, Jas. You got it out of your system. You’ll feel better now.”

He snorted but didn’t say anything.

“Do you want to get back in the car?  Let me help you up,” I offered, wrapping my arm around his torso. He didn’t protest and together we got him upright and back into his seat.

“Some date I’m turning out to be,” he commented as I buckled him in. “I’m sorry, Edward.”

“It’s no problem. Remember how often you’ve done this for me?”

He frowned.

“That was so long ago. Seems like another lifetime.”

“Yeah, but it still happened. It’s about time I got to take care of you for a change. I’m just gonna go ‘round the car and we’ll be back on the road.”

Before I got back in the car I found one of the two bottles of water I always carried in case of an emergency and handed it to Jasper. He unscrewed the top and tried to pour the water into his mouth without letting the bottle touch his lips, but I grasped his unsteady hand, screwed the top back on and pulled up the sport top spout. I guided his hand so he could drink directly from the bottle.

“I don’t want to contaminate it,” he protested weakly.

“It’s just a bottle. You’re so much more important.” I only explained it because I feared he was too drunk to grasp this simple fact on his own and I didn’t want him to feel guilty about a stupid piece of plastic. I’d turn the entire planet into a landfill to make him feel better if that’s what it took.

We were silent as he drained the bottle while I merged back onto the highway. I pulled some napkins from a cubby in my dashboard so he could wipe his lips, which he accepted with a grateful look.

“You’re wrong, you know,” he said when he was done.

“I am? What about?”

“You said ‘for a change’, but you’ve always taken care of me.”

“No,” I shook my head sadly. “Not always. Not often enough.” Not when you needed it most, I thought.

“But you did, from the moment we met,” he insisted. There was no point in arguing. If drunk Jasper needed to see me as his personal protector, I wasn’t going to force him to think otherwise. My tacit agreement achieved its purpose. Jasper changed the topic. I couldn’t say I was happy with where his thoughts went next, though.

“When I started seeing him, I thought he was like you. And then, when it was over, I thought you were like him. But I was wrong, on both counts. He’s nothing like you, and you’re nothing like him. He’s a sadist, Edward. He hurts people for pleasure. You’ve never done that. I should have realized. I was so stupid!”

“That’s all in the past. We said we wouldn’t talk about it anymore, remember?”

“But he’s hurting that boy! I know it! He’s probably beating him right now,” Jasper said with a sob.

I reached for his hand and gripped it tightly. “Don’t think that way. We don’t know that for sure.”

“I do know. I know for sure. I saw the look in his eyes. He won’t be satisfied tonight until...” it was his turn to tighten the grip on my hand. “Do you know if he still lives in the same apartment?  We have to go back and stop him,” he insisted. “Turn the car around, Edward. Please!”

Ideas whirred in my brain. “Even if we got back to his building, security wouldn’t let us up without his permission,” I reasoned.

“But there has to be something! When I tried to confront him, I only made it worse and that poor boy will pay the price. There must be something we can do! It’s all my fault.”

The fault was not his. I knew it and deep inside he knew it too, but his mind wasn’t functioning on that level. I racked my brain until I finally came up with something. It wasn’t a great plan, and it was risky, but it was the best I could do on short notice, and I couldn’t do it alone. I activated the Bluetooth on my phone and called Seth. He considered the plan for a moment before assuring me that he could, and would, put the wheels in motion.  I called Roberto next, praying he was on duty but not too busy to answer his phone.

“It’s Edward. I need a big favor.”

“What’s up, mano? You know I’ll help if I can.”

“Don’t ask me how I know, but very shortly there will be a disturbance at a business owned by James Visser. Nothing big - just a broken window.”

“And you want us to stop it? Sure, I’ll dispatch and they’ll send a black and white over. What’s the address?”

“No, I don’t want you to do that. I want you to go to Visser’s home to tell him about it and ask some routine questions.”

“Uh, that’s not our jurisdiction. Besides, for something like a broken window we’d wait until morning.”

“I know, Roberto, but this isn’t about the broken window. I have good reason to believe he’s abusing his partner as we speak, but you won’t get any reports. This is the only thing I could think of to give you a reason to go to his place, however flimsy. Maybe if he thinks he and his partner will have to talk to the cops, he’ll reel it in.”

“Even if he does, you know it’ll be a temporary delay,” Roberto warned and Jasper let out a half-sob.

“I know, Roberto, but it’ll be something. Please!”

“Okay. What’s his address and what’s the address of the business? I’ll drive over now, but I’ll have to wait until something is reported before we can go up there. And if a call comes in in the meantime...”

“I know, Roberto. Thank you.”

I gave him the addresses he needed and hoped whoever Seth called to break the window could get there fast.

“That’s the best I can do, Jas. I don’t know if it’s enough,” I told him.

“Thank you! It’s something. Having the cops involved is something, and the damage to the business will distract him,” he muttered. “I love you!”

“I love you too!”

He stayed quiet for a while and when I looked over I saw that he’d fallen asleep. Seth texted a few minutes later to let me know he had been able to reach his friend. I knew this was code for mission accomplished. I pulled over to reach out to Roberto without using the speakerphone. Then I got back on the road and drove back to Covington, alone with my dark thoughts. At minimum, I had hoped a visit from the police might interrupt and distract James, but a part of me wanted them to catch him mid-act. That would finally give the cops something concrete to charge him with, and I could activate my secret plan to thoroughly discredit and hopefully put him away for a long, long time.

Jasper woke up only when I pulled into the garage. I was almost disappointed that I wouldn’t get a chance to carry him into the house, as I had been prepared to do, though my attempt probably would have woken him up anyway.

“We’re home?” he asked, rubbing sleep out of his eyes.

“Yup. Let’s go inside.”

He seemed steadier on his feet than he had been at the restaurant, but I put my arm around him and supported him as we made our way to the front door anyway.

“Not now, Remmy,” I complained when the cat met us at the door and circled around our feet impatiently, as if waiting to trip us. “I’ll take care of you in a minute.”

“I feel gross. Can I take a shower?” Jasper asked when we reached my bedroom.

“Sure, whatever you want. I’ll get the water started.”

I turned on the water and watched Jasper take off his clothes. I planned to take care of Remmy while Jasper showered, but when he asked if I was going to join him, I couldn’t resist. He brushed his teeth before we went in.

“That feels better!”

In the shower I washed and rinsed his hair and his body. He let me, clinging to me when he could, but not in a sexual way. He seemed to simply crave my touch and wanted to be held. I was happy to oblige and I wasn’t even disappointed that he didn’t want more. It had been an emotional night and we were both tired. Jasper especially needed sleep to get some distance from the nasty encounter.

“This is a nice shower,” he commented drowsily as I rinsed the soap off with the handheld sprayer. “We couldn’t do this in New York. Too small. Unless the guys let us use their bathroom.”

I wanted to probe for the meaning of his confused ramblings - What guys was he talking about and why would he even consider using someone else’s bathroom? - but this wasn’t the right time for an interrogation. Jasper had already yawned several times and was clearly exhausted.

“Come on, stud, let’s get you in bed.” I said after I dried us off.

“You’re the stud,” he giggled. “Wanna breed?”

“Tomorrow,” I said, slapping his ass lightly. “Tonight let’s just get some sleep.”

“Sounds good,” he agreed and didn’t object as I steered him towards the bed and pulled back the covers so he could get in.

“You’re leaving?” he asked, disappointed, when I didn’t immediately join him.

”I need to get Remmy some food and fresh water. I’ll be right back,” I assured.

“Oh, yeah. I guess I’m not a good furdaddy, am I?”

“You’re a great furdaddy and your furkid loves you. I bet he’ll curl up with you as soon as he finishes his supper.”

“Okay. I like it when he purrs. It’s soothing, like a lullaby.”

“Close your eyes and Remmy and I will both be right back,” I encouraged, walking back to the bathroom to retrieve our phones and wallets out of our jeans’ pockets. I closed the bedroom door behind me as I left.

I took care of the cat first. It wasn’t fair to make him wait any longer than he already had. I wanted to contact Roberto, but I worried that he might still be with Visser. In the end, I simply texted him . I poured two glasses of water and set one on the counter for Jasper. I sat on the bar stool at the breakfast counter and drained the other as I watched Remmy eat and waited for Roberto’s call. It came twenty minutes later. I answered immediately.

“What happened? Did you find him?”

“We showed up at his place much too quickly after the break in, but I don’t think he caught on. He seemed angry already, and he may have started something with the kid but they were both dressed when we arrived and no obvious signs of abuse, except that the boy was clearly terrified.”

“What did James say?”

“He didn’t say much. He called the store manager and his insurance broker. He wanted to make sure the place was boarded up immediately and that a replacement window would be put in the next day. He didn’t seem to think much of our suggestions that the vandalism was deliberate, or maybe a hate crime.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. He doesn’t think of hate as a crime,” I snarled.

“He dismissed us pretty quickly and we had no reason to stay.”

“He probably took all that extra anger out on the kid right after you left. Was this a mistake?”

“I wouldn’t have advised it if you’d asked, though of course technically I don’t know what we’re talking about.”

“Right.” I ran my hand through my hair. “We ran into him at dinner, and Jasper was agitated. He nearly confronted James and he was convinced that would make James abuse his new lover. He wanted to go back to James’ place, but we wouldn’t have even been able to get past security. This was the only thing I could think of. I know it was a stupid idea.”

“You were hoping we’d find more,” Roberto guessed astutely.

“Yeah. I don’t know how to feel about the fact that you didn’t.”

“This may have been enough of a distraction. The kid may be all right.”

“Until the next time,” I said bitterly.

“It’s all we can do until someone reports something,” he reminded. “Listen, a call just came in and I’ve gotta go. See you Saturday?”

“Yeah, Roberto, see you then. Thanks. And be careful!” I admonished.

“We always are.” He said and hung up.

I made my way back to the bedroom, carrying a glass of water for Jasper and turning off the lights as I went. Remmy followed closely on my heels. The bedside lamps were still on, but Jasper was fast asleep, curled up on his side and facing the center of the bed. He looked beautiful.

Remmy immediately jumped up and rubbed himself against Jasper’s chest. I tried to shoo him away, but I was too late. Jasper looked at us through sleepy eyes.

“Hey kid,” he said to Remmy as he reached down to scratch him behind his ears. “I missed you too!”

“I got you some water,” I said, placing the glass on his nightstand. “Wanna take some Advil just in case?”

“Sure,” he nodded and turned to pick up the water. “Good idea.”

I retrieved the Advil from the bathroom. I gave him two caplets and set the bottle on his nightstand for the morning.

“I was a fool to drink so much,” he grumbled.

“We’ve all done it. No big deal.”

“Will you come to bed? I want to fall asleep in your arms.”

“Of course.”

I turned off the lamps and crawled into bed, pulling Jasper to me. Remmy felt cramped between us so he jumped out and settled himself between the headboard and our heads, where we could still hear his contented purr. I fell asleep thinking that despite the dinner glitch, the ending to this day was absolutely perfect.

Jasper’s movement yanked me out of deep sleep. He was flailing, pushing himself away from me. I frowned and tried to focus enough to read the glowing numbers on the alarm clock. We’d been asleep for less than ninety minutes. Well, Jasper was still asleep, but he obviously wasn’t getting much rest. After he’d pushed himself away from me and rolled to his side, he curled up into as small a ball as he could. At first all I could hear was whimpers, but then I realized he was speaking too. I moved closer to listen.

“No, please don’t. I didn’t mean to. It wasn’t my fault. Please, James, don’t. I’ll do better, I promise!”

White hot rage flooded my body at the realization that the bastard was still hurting Jasper, even if it was only in a nightmare. I reached over and pulled Jasper into my arms, ignoring his attempts to pull away.

“Wake up, Jas,” I said urgently into his ear. “Come on, baby, wake up!”

“What?” he awoke with a gasp. “What’s going on? Where...?” he tossed his head, trying to determine his location. I knew it would be difficult given the ambient darkness.

“We’re home, in Covington. You’re all right. You were having a bad dream.”

Tension left his body at once.

“I’m sorry. Did I wake you? I was just...” Without warning, he burst into tears. I pulled him in closer, curling myself protectively around him.

“It’s okay, Jas. I’m here. I’ve got you. I’ll make sure nothing bad ever happens to you again,” I tried to calm him.

“I’m sorry Edward... I thought... I really thought...” he tried to speak between sobs.

“Shh. It’s okay, you’re okay,” I kept repeating as I held him close. He struggled to break out of my hold so I reluctantly let him go. He sat up and buried his face in his hands. His upper body was exposed to the chilly air and I saw goose bumps forming on his skin even as his back shook with quiet sobs. Remmy knew something was wrong. My green eyes met his golden ones in a silent communication before he stood up and, after a long, languid stretch, padded to curl up in Jasper’s lap.

I sat up and placed my hand on his back. “I’m gonna get a blanket. I’ll be right back.”

He nodded into his hands, so I knew he heard me. I walked to the boys’ room to retrieve one of the several extra blankets I kept on their bunk. Back in my bedroom, I wrapped the blanket around us both and then coaxed Jasper to lean back against me and the headboard.

He had stopped crying, but he still shivered from time to time. With the warm blanket wrapped around us, I was sure the shivers were caused by his thoughts, not the temperature.

“I hate him! I hate him so much! I wish he was dead or put away forever so he can’t ever hurt anyone again.”

“I know. I wish the same thing.”

“Goddamn bastard. How many boys have there been since I left him?”

“I’m not sure. Not that many here in Seattle. In fact, Krister may be the first.”

“What? I can’t believe it. He’s restrained himself that long?”

“Well, no.  He tried once with another lonely freshman, but Seth and I threatened him before the abuse began. After that he left the country for several years. It was almost long enough for me to forget about him. He only came back last summer.

“Anyway, I can’t speak to what he did while he was overseas, but I believe Krister is the first boy James has successfully lured in since his return.”

“You saved a boy?”

“Seth and I did. Seth threatened to expose him in the paper. It was a bluff, but James took it seriously.”

“And the boy?”

“As you can imagine, he wasn’t happy. If James had stayed in the country, he probably would have stayed with him. Fortunately, that wasn’t an option for him. I helped him out financially and Seth made sure he had other gay students looking out for him. Later he roomed with Zach, Leo’s boyfriend, while Leo was still in Spokane. He’s in a good place now, and thankfully we got to him before he went through anything to give him nightmares.”

Jasper shuddered. “I’m sorry. I thought I was over this. It’s been so long since I had a nightmare like that. I didn’t even have them at first, after Emmett got me. It was only later, a few times, but it had been years since the last,” he told me quietly.

“It’s not really surprising that seeing him caused a nightmare. You don’t have to feel bad or guilty about it. It’s just your subconscious trying to help you process the emotions.”

“But I didn’t have nightmares when I left him, when I was closest to it. If not then, why now?”

“Maybe you couldn’t have handled them then, and so your mind blocked everything out. You’re stronger now, so you can process this. But Jas, neither James nor anyone else will ever hurt you like that again. I won’t let them.”

“I know,” he relaxed and finally rested all his weight against me. “I know you’d protect me if you needed to, but I also know better than to put myself in that situation again. No matter what Peter thinks. He’s wrong. He’s just wrong.”

I was very careful to keep my body loose even though my insides tensed at the sound of the familiar name. Keeping my voice as neutral as I could, I asked, “Peter? The guy you met in New York? You still hang out?”

Jasper shifted, wrapping his arm around my stomach and waist and burying his head against my chest.

“It’s okay. It’s just you haven’t mentioned him,” I said softly, dragging my fingertips up and down his back. I was trying to stay calm, but inside I was terrified. I remembered the hate I saw in Peter’s eyes the one and only time we met. Granted, he probably saw the same in my eyes, but based on what he’d said, I knew he’d also seen my fear. I’d been so terrified of losing Jasper then, and while I had no proof, I’d always suspected Peter tried to talk Jasper out of being with me. I had hoped he’d faded out of Jasper’s life, just like that girl, Angela. Hearing that he was still in the picture brought all my fears back.

Jasper moved his hand to the center of my chest and used the leverage to push himself back, tilting his head up to look at me.

“I do still hang out with him. More than that. I was going to wait until you were back in New York, but there’s no point. There’s something I have to tell you. There are things you should know.”

He sounded so somber. It was my turn to shiver. It was in my best interest to know exactly what I was up against, but I was apprehensive. With everything that had already happened at dinner, I wondered if this was the right time for this type of a conversation.

“We don’t have to talk about anything tonight. We can wait until tomorrow, or until I come out to New York. Whatever you want.”

“No, it’s time. I know I can tell you anything. I don’t have to be afraid.”

I winced. It hurt to be reminded that not even five months ago he had been afraid of me. Even now, I wondered if he truly believed what he was saying, or if he was trying to convince himself.

“I love you. You never have to be afraid when you’re with me. Not of me or anyone else,” I assured him, kissing the top of his head.

“I know,” he rested his cheek against my chest and I pulled him even closer. Time went by and we just held each other without speaking. I had so many questions, but I refused to interrogate him. I was willing to wait until he was ready, even if that meant that we both fell asleep and talked in the morning.

“Peter and I have always stayed in touch,” Jasper finally said. “He was the only person I knew in New York besides my dad, so I saw him very soon after I got there. He introduced me to his friends and I spent a lot of time with them and Peter and his boyfriend. Even after I left for Rochester, we’d get together whenever I was back in the city.”

“You never dated?” I asked against my better judgment. Jasper laughed, sounding genuinely amused.

“No, we never did. It was never like that between us. Maybe it could have been if I hadn’t met you first, but probably not even then. He and I are too alike. Besides, would you believe Peter met his boyfriend the very day I saw him when I went to New York? I was with him. In fact, I take credit for bringing them together, though I don’t know if I really deserve it. Maybe a little. Anyway, they started seeing each other after that and they’ve been together ever since. Now they’re married... and we all live together.”

“Excuse me?” I was convinced I’d misheard.

“That came out wrong. What I meant was, they bought a place with two bedrooms, but they were pouring a lot of money into their business and couldn’t afford to live without a roommate. I had just started working and was thinking about moving out on my own, but I didn’t want to live with strangers and even studio apartments in Manhattan cost a fortune, so moving in with them made perfect sense.”

“I see,” I said carefully, feeling hurt and confused. All along he’d told me he lived alone, or at the very least he’d given me that impression. “So that’s why you didn’t want to stay at your place when I was in New York? Not because of Ross and Dimi?”

“No, that’s not it, though the excuse was deliberately misleading. After the accident, it wasn’t so much that they moved in with me when Dimi got out of the hospital, as they simply moved back home.”

“Wait, I thought you lived with Peter and his boyfriend, not Ross and Dimi. Or do they live with you too?”

I was starting to picture a tiny apartment crammed with beds wherever they would fit, but that didn’t square up with what I’d seen of Jasper’s room when we’d Skyped.

“No. Dimi is Peter’s boyfriend. Peter is Ross.”

“Huh?”

“I know, it’s confusing. The truth is, I’m almost the only person who calls him Peter anymore. You see, when Dimi and Peter started dating, Dimi’s sister was already married to a guy named Peter. To avoid confusion, everyone started calling Peter by the Greek version of his name, which is Petros. Eventually that got shortened to just Ross, and it stuck. Now everyone calls him Ross, even his family, except me, sometimes.”

“And me,”  I thought, wondering if I’d ever be able to think of the man by his new moniker.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked him quietly, unable to keep all of the hurt out of my voice. He pressed himself tighter against me. I felt wetness against my chest. “Jas, never mind. It doesn’t matter. Please don’t cry, Sweetheart. It’s done and gone and it doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter,” he sniffled. “I started off our relationship with a lie, a deliberate lie. I wasn’t honest with you or Peter. I was trying to buy myself some time and space to think, but I was wrong to keep this from you.”

“It’s okay. You’re telling me now and we won’t keep things from each other in the future, right? No matter what, we’ll be completely honest.” I spoke with conviction. He nodded against my chest.

“I promise,” he said, pulling back to look at me. I reached up to stroke his cheek and we shared a long, soul searching look.

“I promise too,” I told him, and we sealed the promise with a soft, loving kiss.

“I know you said I don’t have to explain, but I want to. I need to, okay?” he asked when the kiss finally ended. It had been so gently spiritual that, for once, it didn’t prompt more than a mild arousal. Jasper found my barely thickened cock when he reached down for me with his hand. He wrapped his fingers around my shaft and just held me as he settled back against my chest. I tried not to let his touch distract me, but it wasn’t easy. Almost without thinking I moved my hand down from his back to his butt, feeling the fine hair while I caressed his firm cheek. When I traced my finger up the length of his crack, he squirmed against me so I could feel he was aroused as well.

“Talking in person is so much better than talking on the phone,” he murmured.

“That’s for sure. Impossible to do this while we’re on the phone,” I concurred, pushing my finger between his cheeks until the tip rested against the sensitive flesh at his entrance.

He sighed and flexed his hip to rub his growing cock against my leg. “I’ll be so glad when we don’t have to use the phone anymore.”

His body fit perfectly against mine. He massaged my cock and I felt myself expanding in his hand.  I knew soon I’d be leaking. If we kept this up, I wasn’t sure how much longer we could maintain a coherent conversation. We both let out a satisfied sigh when he pushed back against my finger until the tip was inside him.

“You wanted to tell me something?” I groaned in a vain attempt to get us back to the conversation.

“I did? Can’t remember now. I found something that requires my total attention,” he murmured, stroking my cock with deliberate slowness.

“I suppose we could talk tomorrow.”

“Excellent idea!”

He slithered down the bed along my side, trailing kisses down my torso.

“Isn’t it funny how with Asian food you’re always hungry a few hours after you finish a meal? I find I’m suddenly starving!” he explained, licking the head of my cock.

“I know what you mean. But hey, I’m famished too,” I complained.

“What are you saying?” he mocked, grinning up at me.

“I’m saying if we only make a couple adjustments, both our hungers could be satisfied.”

“And that’s what you’d like?”

“With my whole being.”

“Hmm,” he contemplated for a moment before he rose to his hands and knees and moved up towards the headboard with feline grace that would put Remmy to shame. “Let’s start with some sugar,” he suggested, lowering his head to kiss me. My lips parted in welcome. I reached up to wrap my arms around him and pulled him down on top of me while enthusiastically returning the kiss. I needed to feel him, all of him, so I used my hands to explore his body as his tongue explored my mouth. We only stopped when we both felt Remmy rubbing against our sides.

“I think he’s feeling neglected,” Jasper chuckled. “He wants a piece of the action.”

“He’s out of luck,” I growled, annoyed at the interruption but unable to get truly angry with the cat. I gasped Jasper’s shoulders and pushed up. “I’ll put him out in the hall.”

“He’s really going to hate me if we keep throwing him out of his bed and room,” Jasper muttered but moved so I could get up. “Sorry Remmy,” he reached over to pet Remmy’s head and the cat stretched until his whole back passed beneath Jasper’s hand. I knew that desire all too well.

“Come on, you,” I said, scooping him up and pulling him to my chest. For once he didn’t protest, but rubbed his head on the underside of my chin, seemingly giving us his silent approval. When I reached the open door to the bedroom he jumped down obediently and scurried towards the boys’ room, undoubtedly to curl up on the blankets piled on Owen’s bunk. He didn’t seem in a hurry to come back, but I closed the bedroom door anyway before making my way back to bed.

“Where were we?” I asked, slipping beneath the sheet and comforter and instinctively reaching for Jasper.

“How quickly he forgets,” my future husband teased. “I believe we were somewhere around here.”

He positioned himself above me and dipped his head to once again explore my lips and mouth.

“As if I could ever forget that,” I rasped when his lips moved to my jaw and my neck.

“I’m unforgettable, huh?” he joked. Normally the teasing would be fine, but for whatever reason, this night I couldn’t leave it that way. My feelings were simply too powerful, waves of emotion crashing beneath my skin. I reached for his head and put my hands on both sides of his face, maneuvering him until I could look into his eyes.

“You are so unforgettable! Since we met there hasn’t been a single day that you haven’t been on my mind and in my heart. Even when we were kids; even when I refused to acknowledge my feelings for what they were; even when I lost all hope and tried like hell to move on; even on those days I managed to actually feel happy despite us being apart, there was still a part of me that craved you and wouldn’t let you go. I have never and will never feel this way about anyone else. It always was and always will be you. Absolutely, singularly unforgettable you!”

He stared at me, his breath caught. I saw his adam’s apple move as he swallowed. “Edward,” he whispered and a tear rolled down from the corner of his eye. I moved my thumb to catch the bead of moisture before it could make its way down his face.

“Don’t cry, okay? That’s not why...”

“It’s just that what you said, it was so...”

I applied gentle pressure to pull his head down so we could kiss again. It was my turn to explore his mouth and drink him in, knowing that this thirst would never be fully quenched.

There was no more need for conversation, though we certainly weren’t silent. Our mutual tactile admiration of each other’s bodies was unhurried and thorough. It hadn’t taken me long to get to know all the places that made him shudder with pleasure or squirm with laughter, and I used all that knowledge to ratchet up his excitement and he did the same to me, causing our erections to freely leak precum. I couldn’t get enough of feeling the hot skin of his cock sliding against mine, my scent receptors filled with the musky aroma of our natural lubrication. I reached down to gathered some of our combined fluids on my fingers and would have gladly sampled them had he not caught them first and pulled them into his mouth, sucking them clean and offering his precum covered fingers as a replacement. All the while he pumped his hips against mine, our shafts working up a pleasurable friction. Our panting breaths and the sound of slicked skin provided the perfect accompaniment.

“I could come like this,” he whispered. “Soon!”

“Me too,” I agreed, still caught up in hazy lust. “But wait,” I said a moment later as my head cleared. “I want to taste you, please!”

“You think I could say no to that,” he let out that low, throaty laugh that sent a buzz through every erotically charged nerve ending in my body. He lifted up to his hands and knees and turned around above me. “This is what you meant, right?” he asked, looking over his shoulder.

“If it’s what you want. I just want to feel your cock sliding down my throat,” I confessed.

“Then this is the best way, cause I also want your cock down my throat.” He laughed again and then lowered his head to kiss the inside of my right thigh. “Eventually,” he clarified.

Eventually sounded good, because as much as I longed to have his hard length filling my mouth, the way we were positioned placed his balls tantalizingly close to my lips. I reached behind me and folded up a pillow to raise and support my head. With it in place, I ran my hands over his firm rounded glutes and placed wet kisses over his scrotum. In the back of my mind I recognized that he had probably shaved before he flew out, but the hair was now coming back, creating a mildly raspy surface for my lips and tongue. I guessed the same was true for me, and made a mental note to suggest a mutual manscaping session in the morning. For the time being, though, I lost myself in exploration of his full and tightening ballsac and his soft perineum, and feeling him mirroring my actions.

We both moaned in pleasure. Wet spots on my chest and belly confirmed that neither of us had stopped leaking. I desperately wanted to taste that sweet nectar, but there was another spot that I needed to lavish with attention first. I parted his ass cheeks and lifted my head to run my tongue along the crease between them until I rested it against his tightly cinched pucker.

“Edward!” he gasped as I ran my tongue along the rim. He stopped his ministrations, arched his back and pushed his ass back for more. His head hung low between my thighs, his hair gently brushing against my skin. I could feel my balls rising as he offered himself to me. I grasped his ass firmly and pressed my tongue forward, laving and probing his opening. My nose filled with the combination of shower gel and his masculine musk as I lapped at the tender, tangy flesh.

“Fuck, that feels so good!” He reached between his legs and gave himself a slow stroke. I wished I could do that for him, but I needed my hands to give me the best access to his hole. Instead of asking him to stop, I pulled my head back an inch and made a simple request, “Don’t come.”

I don’t know how long I ate him out. The smell and taste of him wasn’t easy to give up, and his moans and whimpers were music to my ears. He pushed his ass back against my tongue as if it was my cock, and breaching him in this most intimate way was almost more pleasurable. I might have kept going all night, if at some point he hadn’t thought to go back to licking and sucking first my balls, and then my achingly hard cock.

It was my turn to whimper as my sword slid tip to hilt down the velvet sheath of his throat. I could feel his lips widening into a smile and in my mind I could see that impish grin on his face as his tongue massaged my dick, eliciting still more whimpers. Rimming Jasper had done nothing to deflate my erection and I was primed. It took effort and concentration not to come almost immediately.

“Two can play this game,” I growled and reached for his hips, pulling him back even as I slid my body down towards the foot of the bed until his cock hovered tantalizingly above my lips. The movement forced him to pull back until just the head of my cock was in his mouth. He didn’t let go completely, though, running his tongue along the rim of my helmet and issuing an approving hum.  

I lifted my head to capture his cock and pulled him as far as I could into my mouth. I wanted to swallow down his entire length, but in this position that was nearly impossible, so I mimicked him and ran my tongue around his head, coating it with his precum. I closed my eyes in pleasure. There had been many nights since we got back together that I woke up with a strong memory of his taste and scent, but no memory could rival the real thing. This flavor was uniquely his and it had no equal - it was the flavor of love.

We sucked each other leisurely, both to prolong the intimacy and because the position didn’t allow for the kind of vigor we might use in different circumstances. I enjoyed every moment, but I grew even more turned on when Jasper started to suck me harder and thrust into my mouth, signaling his readiness for more. I could tell he was taking care not to thrust too aggressively, so I turned my head to let his cock fall out of my mouth.

“Fuck my throat! I can take it. I want it!” I encouraged. He let me fall out so he could reply.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I want you to!” I repeated.

I sought his cock out again and created a vacuum while lifting my head to pull him in as deep as I could. It just wasn’t enough. Jasper wrapped his lips around my cock as well, but his lips and mouth were gentler than before. I felt him pull in a deep breath, and then he flexed his hips, thrusting deeper into my mouth. He hit the back of my throat and in the upside down position it was easy for me to relax enough for him to go further. He thrust again, sinking almost his entire length into my throat. He held his position, suspended above me. My airway was cut off and the stretch of my throat around his girth brought moisture to my eyes, but I wasn’t about to protest. This was exactly what I’d wanted. I waited, growing slightly lightheaded, for him to pull out and thrust again.

He finally pulled back and I gasped in much needed air in preparation for the next invasion. It didn’t come. Instead, he held his hips high and lifted his head off my cock.

“I don’t think I can do that. It doesn’t feel right,” he confessed.

I frowned, wondering why something that felt so good to me didn’t for him. I thought back as to how the movement might have caused him to feel something other than pleasure.

“I’ll try to open my mouth more,” I suggested.

“No, that’s not it. It felt good, it just didn’t feel right. I was too rough.”

“You weren’t. It felt great. I loved it!” I reassured him.

“I just... I don’t think I can. I can’t be that dominating. Not tonight. I’m sorry.”

He sounded sad and remorseful, exactly the opposite of how I wanted him to feel. I wished so much we were face to face. The last thing I wanted was for him to feel bad or regret anything we ever did in bed. I made a split second decision and rotated my body so that I was lying beneath him with both of our heads at the foot of the bed. I pulled him down on top of me, encircling him with my arms and holding him close.

“Don’t be sorry. This has to feel right for both of us. We don’t have to do anything, if you don’t want to.”

The tone of the discussion deflated us both. I mulled over his choice of words and hated that he thought of our lovemaking as domination, but I understood it as well. It had been a night filled with bad reminders and associations, and we needed nothing between us that would ever make him think of that sick fucker.

“It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just...Shit! I’ve ruined everything. It’s not like we have that much time...”

I kissed him to stop him from speaking. I thrust my tongue into his mouth and poured all of my emotions into the kiss in the hopes of distracting him from his negative train of thought.

“All I want is to be with you, to have you in my arms. That’s all that matters.” I told him when we finally broke the kiss. It just so happened that I could feel both of our cocks stirring with interest again, but that was just a pleasant byproduct. I meant what I said. Lovemaking was a bonus, soothing and comforting him, easing his stress and painful memories, was all that was truly important.

“I wish I could get him out of my head,” he whispered and I cursed myself for placing him in a situation where he had to face his life’s greatest demon. How could I ask him to move to a town where the man who abused him walked around flaunting his success even as he abused another boy? It was past time to take action. Maybe I couldn’t make the fucker pay for the abuse, but I could still cause him pain.

“We’ll find a way to do that,” I promised. He looked up at me with hope in his eyes and my heart overflowed with the love I felt for him. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for his happiness.

“I want us to make love. To celebrate our love,” he said intensely. He didn’t have to say that he needed for me to make him forget James.

“Okay,” I agreed. “Let’s try something else. Trust me.”

He nodded without hesitation. I maneuvered him until he lay on his side against mine and then I reversed my orientation again, scooting up towards the headboard and pulling him with me until we could both rest comfortably on the bed, our faces centimeters from our once-again hard shafts. In this position we could still pleasure each other but we would both be in full control of our bodies and actions. Neither of us had to dominate or do anything that didn’t feel right or good.

“This is perfect,” he answered my unspoken question. “You’re sure it’s okay for you?”

“Anything that lets me do this, is exactly right for me,” I told him, reaching for his hardness and pulling it into my waiting mouth. I felt the breath of his sigh on my cock right before he engulfed it into the wet welcoming cavern behind his lips.

We started off slowly. There was no reason to rush and plenty to prolong the pleasure we would soon be denied by the damnable distance. I loved the feeling of fullness as my lips stretched around him and I slowly pulled him in deeper and deeper down my throat. I let his length slide in and out countless times, massaging him as best I could with my tongue while tugging and caressing his balls with one hand. I slid my other arm around his ass and slipped my fingers into his crack, alternately tapping and rubbing the sensitive skin of his opening. I loved his resulting hums, which I felt all along my tightly enveloped length.

I did my best to focus on pleasing him, but as time went and he drove me closer to the edge, it became more difficult.  We used our arms to bring our bodies as close together as we could. We were both moaning and sucking each other with renewed vigor, each determined to bring the other to climax first. I used every trick I knew. Towards the end I even slipped the tip of my finger into his tight hole, but this night his talents proved superior and I was the first to lose control.

I cried out around him and impaled myself on his cock as a powerful surge rushed through my body before I blasted into his waiting throat. He held me to him tightly while I deposited my seed in spurt after spurt. Several shots later, my body nearly boneless, he finally eased all but the last couple of inches of my cock out of his mouth, though he still suckled the tip and was rewarded with a final dose of my man juice.

I was thoroughly drained and very tempted to roll onto my back, close my eyes and fall asleep, but feeling him push his butt back to accommodate more of my finger was enough to remind me that my work was not done. I slipped my middle finger as deep as the position allowed and rotated it in half turns to increase the stimulation. At the same time I sucked him all the way down my throat, conforming my cheeks to his girth and creating a powerful vacuum. I heard his cry and felt his body shudder even as his cock lengthened and hardened before his sweet cream flooded my esophagus. The power of his orgasm was palpable, his body jerking with each forceful ejection of semen. I drank it all down, as reluctant to release him as he had been when I went off earlier. I finally pulled back when I risked passing out without air, but I also didn’t completely relinquish his shaft, sucking at the tip for the remainder of his offering. Only when I felt he was truly spent did I place a wet kiss against the tip of his dick and let him go.

For a moment we both stayed where we were, allowing our bodies and minds to relax. I pressed my cheek against his thigh, absorbing his warmth and lazily wishing I had enough drive to move again so we were lying face to face. He beat me to it, reaching over to cradle my face and lower it to the mattress as he moved his legs. Seconds later I was looking into his eyes and we were both sliding up towards the headboard so we could stretch out comfortably from head to foot.

“I love when you come in my mouth. I love feeling your cock pulsing between my lips,” he drawled, slowly tracing unknown designs on my chest with his index finger.

“Mmm,” I agreed. “I like feeling your cum shoot down my throat, and that slight ache I have in my cheeks from stretching my lips around you.”

He reached up and gently massaged the muscles of my face.

“I’m sorry for the ache, but I know what you mean. I love it too. Totally worth it.”

He pulled closer and rested half his body on top of mine.

“Thank you for understanding. This was exactly what I needed.”

“I’m just glad I was here, glad we’re here together.”

The house was nearly silent, save the usual irregular creaks and rustles.

“Should we try to get some sleep?” I asked, floating somewhere in between full alertness and unconsciousness.

“You go ahead,” he encouraged, sounding less than eager to return to sleep himself.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“Not enough to sleep. Not tonight.”

He didn’t need to say more for me to understand his reluctance. I, too, remembered nights when I’d forced myself to stay awake rather than face recurring nightmares.

“We could just stay up talking, like we did when we were kids, remember?”

Back in Forks, there had been many sleepovers when we’d spent very little of the night actually sleeping. Sometimes we’d played games or read comic books, but just as often we’d talked about people at school or what we wanted to do when we grew up. I remember how much it hurt that he’d always wanted to leave Forks, and it was only his inclusion of me in all his plans that soothed the fear that someday he would leave me behind as well. I’d never considered the possibility that I would be the one to drive him away. Now we had come full circle, and we could stay up to form the plan for how to reconnect our divergent paths.

“I remember, and that sounds great. We have a lot to talk about.”