Jasper swallowed, a knot of worry in his chest loosening a bit. “I know,” he murmured.
“Do you?”
He flicked his tongue against his lips and toyed with the bottom button on Vincent’s shirt. Vincent had done nothing except exactly what he’d said he would from the start. He hadn’t lied or hurt him,and he went out of his way to give Jasper what he needed, which was more than anyone else had ever done, aside from Amber giving him a place to live. He’d never so much as raised his voice, even when he had reason to.
“Yes,” he said softly, meeting Vincent’s eyes. “I trust you.”
Vincent tilted his head, studying Jasper a moment before his lips curved in a small smile. “Thank you,” he said, pressing a kiss to his nose.
Jasper huffed softly and kissed Vincent’s lips, then turned back to the cutting board. He cleared his throat and ignored the heat creeping into his face as he said, “Sooo, I guess we can experiment?” he asked. “At least once?”
Vincent settled his hand on Jasper’s hip, lightly rubbing his thumb against the base of his spine. “I can give you a taste of punishment for being a complete brat the other day.”
“So long as it doesn’t involve marshmallows.”
“I think I can come up with something,” Vincent replied dryly.
“Okay.” Jasper tried to ignore the flush of excitement, but warmth still pooled low in his belly as he wondered what Vincent would do to him. He reached for the mushrooms to start slicing and frowned as he noticed how many ingredients were laid out. “Isn’t this too much food?”
“No. There’s enough for your family if they show up.”
Jasper wrinkled his nose. He really hoped they didn’t show up. The last thing he wanted was his time with Vincent interrupted.
Vincent pulled his phone out and put on some quiet music, and Jasper smiled.
This was nice. This was something he’d always wanted. Someone he could simply exist with. The sex was great, but this was something that fed a deeper craving.
Vincent kept close, hands on Jasper’s hips or guiding him through making a recipe that seemed far more tedious than it should be.
By the time the risotto was nearly done simmering, a storm was rolling in. A thunderstorm that quickly turned the sky dark and formed tinychink-chink-chinksof what sounded like hail against the windows.
He glanced out the back door and watched the rain come down fast and hard, then turned back to watch Vincent. He was working on ablueberry compote to go with the store-bought sponge cake and can of whipped cream. With a hum, he went to prop himself against Vincent’s side, shook the can, and sprayed a generous amount in his mouth.
“Really?”
Jasper tipped his head back with a grin. A shiver of heat went through him when Vincent glanced at him and leaned in to swipe his tongue against the corner of Jasper’s mouth.
“Mmm, crème à la Jasper.”
Jasper swallowed a soft moan, suddenly wanting more than he was comfortable doing in Amber’s kitchen. “Fuck,” he whined, biting Vincent’s shoulder when he snickered.
He wasn’t prepared in the least for the front door to swing open.
“Jas?” Amber called. “Whose car is in the driveway?”
Jasper froze, hearing a strange wounded-animal sound before realizing it was coming from him. No, no, no.Why? They weren’t supposed to be back until morning. Not walking in while he was practically naked in the kitchen!
He whimpered as Vincent stepped back, clinging to him and blinking when Vincent put the apron on him.
“Jasper?”
Jasper made that strangled sound again as Amber and Terrance walked into the kitchen. They were both soaked. And staring at Vincent in surprise. “Hey. You’re back early.”
“The storm hit the lake this morning, so we headed back,” she replied, still watching Vincent.
Terrance turned his attention to Jasper with a smirk. “Are you naked?”
Jasper flushed, clutching the apron against himself. “No! I’m… going to get dressed,” he muttered, glancing at Vincent.
