Jesse
Mason was standing outside of his truck talking to the two of God’s enforcers that Jesse actually liked. He waved at Tech and Steele as they passed him in the parking lot.
“You still got my card, Jesse?” Tech called out.
Jesse turned. “Yeah. I think I have all of your cards now.”
“Don’t hesitate to use ’em,” Tech said, then gave him a lazy salute before he went back inside.
“How’d it go?” Mason asked as soon as they were closed in his truck.
Jesse exhaled and shook his hands out. That was the most nervous he’d ever been in his life, but he did good, and so did Felix. “It went good. Really good. They let me talk to Worm alone first, which I’m sure they were all just on the other side of the two-way mirror. Then that guy, Detective Ronowski, came in.”
“By himself?”
“Yes.”
“Shit.”
“You didn’t tell me he was hot as sin.” Jesse laughed.
Mason rolled his eyes.
“But he was also super nice. Maybe since Worm was no longer withholding information from them, they treated us differently. And it was Ronowski that insisted God give us everything I asked for.”
“Which was?”
“Detective Ruxsberg and his partner, Green, are taking Worm to a secure location tonight so he’s not put back in the general population. Then they’re taking him to our new two-bedroom apartment in Holly Springs in the morning. They said that’s only like forty minutes outside of Atlanta.”
Mason put his hand over his chest. “I thought God would be a dick and send you five hundred miles away.”
Jesse inched closer. “There’s no way in hell I would’ve agreed to that.”
Mason tucked a strand of Jesse’s hair behind his ear. “You’ll like Holly Springs. It’s a quiet suburban community with a lot of young professionals. I think they were named one of the safest counties in the state with great schools and everything.” Mason grimaced. “Not much of a nightlife out there though.”
Jesse stared at the heavy white-gold college ring on his index finger, his voice low and muffled. “I know we just met and there’s a lot we still don’t know about each other. But I’ve never been a club-goer or a partier, whatever. I didn’t come to this city searching for an exciting social life. I really just want to get a good job and get on my feet here.” Jesse glanced at him. “But I’d still like to see you, El.”
Mason couldn’t wait anymore as he leaned over and kissed away all doubt that lingered on Jesse’s pretty face. “I’d like that too… especially if you keep calling me El. We’ll take things slow, okay, baby?”
“Slow is fine. As long as we don’t stop,” Jesse whispered against his lips. “I can come back on the weekends, and we can check out those favorite eateries.”
Mason kissed him again.
“Oh. And I met your friend Free.” Jesse grinned. “The one who randomly scares the shit out of you.”
Mason grunted. “Oh really?”
“Yeah. He was able to get the remaining allotment payments of my mom’s life insurance policy redirected to my bank account.”
“No shit.”
“Right. At least I’m not totally broke anymore.” Jesse practically vibrated with energy in his passenger seat.
“Come on. I still got a few more hours to be alone with you before I take you to your new place.” Mason started his truck and headed back toward his neighborhood. “I’m sure you and your friend will have a lot to discuss.”
“Yeah,” Jesse said. “Because if he’s not ready to walk the straight and narrow after all this… then it’ll be time for us to part ways permanently.”
Jesse
Jesse stepped out of the shower in the guest bathroom and towel-dried himself off but left his hair ungelled and tousled. He was going for sexy-confident and hoped he was somehow pulling it off. He hadn’t had many lovers, and he definitely hadn’t been with a mature one, so he was partly excited but mostly all nerves. He didn’t bother with a robe this time and instead went with a pair of flannel lounge pants and no shirt.
Jesse said a quick prayer that he didn’t make a complete fool of himself and stepped out of the bedroom into the hall. Mason’s bedroom door was open, but he wasn’t in there on the bed as he’d hoped. Jesse turned and walked down the chilly hallway, somehow already feeling at home there, and checked the front of the house.
Jesse’s mouth fell open when he saw Mason crouched in front of the fireplace, his delicious, bare hairy chest lit up by the orange glow of the flames. He’d laid several layers of blankets and pillows on the floor in front of the crackling fire as if he wanted to take Jesse right there. Oh my god. What do I do? Jesse cleared his throat, and Mason turned and faced him with a warm smile.