“Ash is willing to do a proper photo shoot if you’re up for it.”
Jasper couldn’t stop the high sound that escaped his throat. “By proper, you mean naked.”
“You can keep your underwear on.”
He rolled his eyes and turned his head enough to gnaw on Vincent’s bicep.
“I really should start putting a muzzle on you.”
“Why would you do that? I wouldn’t be able to put my mouth on you.”
“Oh no,” Vincent replied, completely deadpan. “However would I survive?”
“You wouldn’t.”
Vincent snorted and slipped his arm around Jasper’s back, leaning in so his lips brushed his ear. “I’m sure I could find one to suit my needs.”
Jasper shivered as heat bloomed low in his gut, though he managed a quiet, “You’re such a dick, Sir.”
“You like it.” He pulled back when their food arrived.
Jasper tried not to be disappointed at the loss of contact and grabbed the ketchup. He ate his way through two chicken strips before propping his shoulder against Vincent. “We can do a photo shoot.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah.” He liked Zach and Ash. It would be fun to hang out with them again, even if he was half naked. “Maybe we can do lunch again.” He glanced up to find a soft smile on Vincent’s face and suddenly found it hard to breathe. Vincent looked good like that. Younger. Not that he was that old, no matter how much Jasper liked to tease him otherwise. Even with the bit of scruff he’d let grow, he didn’t appear thirty.
“I’m sure I can convince Zach to have us over again.”
“Good.” Jasper stole one of Vincent’s onion rings, covered it in ketchup, and shoved the entire thing in his mouth. “Tell him I want his special mashed potatoes.”
Chapter 18
IT WASraining when they finally returned to the cabin, which suited Jasper fine. He wasn’t much in the mood for anything other than passing out in bed. He’d managed to doze on the plane, but the last few days were finally catching up to him.
He kicked his shoes off inside the door and stripped his shirt off on the way up the stairs, then dropped his pants by the bed before face-planting into his pillow. He expected to finally slip into sweet unconsciousness but found himself listening to the thunder and rain and Vincent checking things downstairs instead.
A few moments later the air-conditioner kicked on, and he breathed a sigh of pleasure at the cool air blowing on his bare skin. He waited until Vincent made his way up and joined him in bed to roll over and wrap his limbs around Vincent. “Thank you,” he murmured into Vincent’s shoulder. “Even though it was a stupid waste of time.”
“It wasn’t,” Vincent said, adjusting them so he could settle both arms around Jasper. “Even if it only eased your guilt, it was worth the trouble.” He squeezed Jasper’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.
“Sorry you had to meet him.”
“I’m sorry you had to grow up with that.”
Jasper burrowed closer and breathed in the lingering scent of Vincent’s cologne. How had he gotten lucky enough to catch Vincent’s interest? More importantly, how could he possibly keep it for months, let alone years or… decades? At some point this would all come to an end, wouldn’t it?
“What are you worrying about?”
Jasper was too exhausted to censor his response. “Us.”
Vincent turned his head and blew a sleepy sigh into Jasper’s hair. “What about us?”
“Just wondering how long this can last.”
“Ah.”
When that was his only response, Jasper curled his fingers tighter into the back of Vincent’s shirt. “I like you. I like spending time with you.” He didn’t want this to ever end, but he at least caught himself before he could say that out loud.
