“That’s temporary.” Jesse waved it off, as if having visions of monstrous creatures was as bothersome as getting stuck at a traffic light.
Attempting to brush off nightmares with the degree of callousness Jesse showed took courage and more than a little determination. Bryce couldn’t help being impressed. Maybe Jesse didn’t need protection after all.
But he did need sleep. Bryce could use some, too, and he wasn’t about to leave Jesse as worked up as he was. “I’ll strike you a deal. If you go to bed, I will talk to the director in the morning and see if we can use your help on the case.”
Jesse rubbed the back of his neck and glanced around his apartment. He was tense, and then he sighed and the tension evaporated. “Look, I haven’t felt right all night, until you showed up. Is there any chance you’d be willing to sleep over? Or stay until I pass out? Having someone here helps. But if it’s too much, ignore me.”
Jesse was asking for help. Bryce wasn’t about to say no. Especially since all he wanted was to lie down with him. “I’ll stay.”
“Good.” Jesse grinned wolfishly, but then his smile gave way to exhaustion. “I really thought the next time we’d be in bed together, we wouldn’t be sleeping.”
Bryce didn’t want to speculate about that, or about how they might not get the chance. Jesse had accepted him for the moment, but he was also strained. When they could both think clearly, they’d have to face the terrible truth. They would keep butting heads over work. It would eventually drive them apart.
But tonight wasn’t about thinking anymore.
They went to the bedroom. Bryce stripped down to his underwear, but Jesse crawled into the bed in his T-shirt and sweatpants. Bryce wrapped his arm around Jesse and drew him close.
Jesse rolled to face him. In the near dark, he was handsome. Reserved. It was like he tossed away any questions when he finally settled into bed. He gently caressed Bryce’s arm, his hand drifting up to rest on his shoulder. They lay tangled together.
“We have to figure this out,” Jesse said.
“Forget about the case for five minutes,” Bryce replied.
“I mean us. You owe me that beer education.”
“It would be nice if we could get through a date without spilling something on one another.”
Jesse snorted.
Bryce leaned in, but hesitated instead of kissing Jesse. They were close, and Jesse tightened his hold on Bryce, expectant. A kiss would be amazing, but it would leave Bryce wanting more. He didn’t have the right to demand that, not when he couldn’t promise Jesse that their jobs wouldn’t get between them. Bryce pursed his lips.
Jesse ran his thumb over Bryce’s lips. “You’re brooding.”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Bryce whispered.
“I’m not made of glass. I might not have been at my best when you came through the door, but I’ve had a moment to breathe. Clear my head.”
“I can’t promise that you’ll get put back on the case.”
“God, I couldn’t be pissed at you if I tried.” Jesse drifted his hand back over Bryce’s shoulder and down. Curiosity replaced the wired sleeplessness in Jesse’s gray eyes. “You clearly would never hurt a fly. Let the work stay at work. What would you do if that wasn’t between us?”
Oh, Bryce had plenty of ideas. Acting on any of them would take courage. Bryce could feel Jesse’s muscles through the thin T-shirt. He slipped his hand under, placing it flat against the small of Jesse’s back. That one little motion caused them to shift, and then shift more as Bryce nuzzled Jesse’s neck before kissing him.
They kissed tenderly, and yet the light feeling of Jesse against him turned Bryce on. Jesse held steady as Bryce explored his mouth, then moved to kissing his neck. Stubble teased Bryce’s lips, so he kissed lower until he reached the hollow of Jesse’s throat.
The T-shirt was in his damn way. Bryce eased it up, and Jesse shifted enough that he could pull it off of him. The blankets were knocked back and Bryce had a chance to appreciate half-naked Jesse. He had a firm, solid torso and a thick trail of dark blond hair across his chest and down his abs. Bryce bent to lick and kiss him, taking his time to savor every line and follow every impulse. As he moved, his hand brushed over Jesse’s cloth-covered cock, which made Jesse groan with lust. Bryce grinned and flicked his tongue over a nipple.
“Mm, yeah baby,” Jesse mumbled. He ran his fingers through Bryce’s hair before resting his hand on the back of Bryce’s neck. Lifting his hips up, he said, “Keep going.”
Bryce dragged down Jesse’s sweatpants and underwear. He kissed and licked his way back up Jesse, finding a ticklish spot on his inner thigh. Teasing Jesse was more fun, and he liked how he could make him moan. He nuzzled Jesse’s dick and kissed around the base.
He’d never taken time to explore a lover before. Most of his encounters had been rushed and to the point. With Jesse, he wanted to draw every moan out of him until he left him a puddle. All so he could return the feelings he’d experienced on that first night.
As he took Jesse in his mouth, he met his gaze. Jesse’s breath hitched, and he settled against the pillows better so he had a good view of Bryce.
Somehow, being watched by him made sucking him more erotic. Bryce slid up and down. He closed his eyes to concentrate, but he could feel Jesse’s gaze on him.
“That’s it, baby.” Jesse ran his hand in slow circles over Bryce’s shoulder. “That’s so fucking good.”
