Chapter Four
Two days later Jesse found himself in his favorite position, lying on the couch in his lover’s arms—well, arm, because the other one was still in a sling—enjoying a quiet evening at home. Jesse was starting to think of Royce’s house as their home—a dangerous feeling, considering they’d never discussed their living arrangement. Jesse wanted to talk about just that and was almost ready to back out, not wanting to risk pushing too far, but he needed something solid to hold on to. Now that Jerry was in town and everything he loved could be ripped away from him at any moment, he needed the reassurance.
He was lying with his back against Royce’s chest, watching an old ’80s action movie, and he didn’t dare turn around for this discussion. “Royce, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Royce tensed, his arm tightening around Jesse, holding him closer. “Okay, baby, what did you need to talk about?”
“It’s about our current living arrangement,” Jesse explained.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about that as well,” Royce agreed.
Jesse was unsure if that was a good thing or not. Maybe he wanted Jesse to leave. He was getting nervous and suddenly wished he’d never brought it up. He could live without knowing, right?
“I…I…” Jesse stumbled over his own words, unable to ask for what he so desperately wanted.
Royce jumped in to save him. “Shhhh, sweetheart, it’s okay. No matter what you have to say, I love you. Come to think of it, maybe I should start with what I want to see happen.”
Jesse nodded his agreement. Why can’t I get the words out? ‘I want to live together permanently,’ see? Easy.
Royce took a deep breath and said, “I want you here with me. Not just while I’m recovering but forever. I want you to live here with me. I know this may be moving too quickly for you but I can see us together long term. I promise to do everything possible to make you feel at home here.”
Jesse’s heart stopped. He wasn’t sure he’d heard Royce correctly or simply dreamed that answer. “Can you repeat that?”
“I want you to move in with me permanently,” Royce said.
Jesse shifted, careful not to jostle Royce’s injured arm, but he had to look him in the eyes. “Again?”
Royce’s expression softened. “Sweetheart, will you move in with me?”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll move in with you. I love you,” Jesse answered without a hint of hesitation. “This is what I wanted.”
The smile he got in return from Royce was breathtaking, pure joy. Careful of Royce’s arm, Jesse turned Royce’s body until he was lying beneath him. Lightly he began to kiss his lover, feathering his lips over Royce’s, teasing them both.
Soon the kiss deepened as Royce took control, leaving Jesse wanting so much more. He rubbed his jean-covered cock against Royce’s thigh, desperate for friction. The couch was suddenly too confining; he needed more room to touch and explore. In a bold move Jesse ended the kiss, stood, and lifted Royce into his arms. Royce was a big man himself but Jesse was still quite a bit bigger and easily held him. Royce didn’t say a word; he just wrapped his legs around Jesse’s waist and went on to suck up lewd marks along Jesse’s neck, driving his desire even higher.
By the time they reached their bedroom Jesse’s shirt had a tear in it and Royce’s sling was almost completely undone. Jesse made sure to handle Royce’s arm gently. Even in his lust-fogged mind he would never hurt his lover. Every ridge of hard muscle brushed over Jesse’s cock as Royce slid down his body. As soon as he was standing, Royce began stripping off his clothes as fast as he could with one arm. Piece by piece, Royce’s beautiful, toned body was revealed and Jesse stood in place simply staring until his lover was completely naked. His pale skin was such a contrast to the red hair covering his broad chest and leading down to his large, erect penis.
“Baby, you have too many clothes on,” Royce teased.
“Just can’t get over how lucky I am. You’re perfect, you’re gorgeous, kind, smart, and sexy. I just don’t know what you see in me sometimes,” Jesse explained; he honestly believed every word he said.
Royce ran his hand across Jesse’s chest and pinched his nipple, sending jolts of electricity down to his balls. Royce squeezed a bit harder, gaining Jesse’s instant attention. “Now, I’m just going to have to prove how irresistible you truly are to me, baby, so you don’t doubt that I’m the lucky one in this relationship.”
“But—” Jesse tried to argue the point.
“No, Jesse, I don’t want to hear you saying anything derogatory about yourself. You’re breathtaking. I can’t help but want to touch you whenever you’re near me. You have the biggest heart and you make me so very happy. What you did for Travis, the kindness you showed him, meant so much to the man. And then managing the diner for Bear, you’re trusted and intelligent. But most of all, you love me so completely I could never ask for more. Now get naked and kiss me.”
In five seconds flat Jesse was naked, and kissing Royce like the man might disappear at any moment. He knew his fear was irrational, but he couldn’t help but pull Royce closer. This was what love felt like. He never thought he’d be fortunate enough to have this opportunity, and needed to be closer to the man who taught him what love truly was.
Royce broke the kiss. “Up on the bed, baby. I need you.”
Jesse eagerly did what he was told, crawling up on his hands and knees on top of the sheets, waiting for Royce to join him. He loved this position; having Royce’s body blanket his own made him feel protected and cherished. A few seconds later, instead of feeling lube on his hole like he’d expected, he felt a warm, wet tongue, the sensation sending Jesse’s head back as he moaned out his pleasure to the ceiling.
“Yes, yes please, Royce. Just like that.” Jesse wasn’t above begging his lover for what he needed.
“You like that, baby?” Royce asked with a devilish smile. “You like it when I rim you.”
“God, yes.” Jesse was losing control as Royce pulled his ass cheeks wider apart and dove in. Jesse began to shake. Royce reached around and fisted Jesse’s hard cock, pulling the foreskin back and working his sensitive head. Royce pointed his tongue and entered Jesse’s hole, making him scream, unable to hold his desire in any longer.
Jesse widened his legs and rested his head on his pillow, his arms shaking so badly he could no longer hold himself up. Royce kept lavishing him with intimate attention that made Jesse babble incoherently into the mattress. His heart was pounding and all he could think about was how much he loved this wonderful, giving man. Jesse didn’t know what life had in store for him, but he’d do anything necessary to stay with Royce.
Royce pulled away and knelt behind him, rubbing his hard cock between Jesse’s ass cheeks. Jesse pushed himself up on his hands and began rocking back against Royce, desperate to feel him push inside, for them to be joined.
“Please, Royce, take me,” Jesse cried out.
Royce growled and began pushing forward; inch by inch the pressure grew as Royce filled him. Thanks to blood tests done months earlier, there was no need for condoms, allowing for them to safely have no barriers between them. Soon all he could feel was pleasure building while Royce buried himself deep inside Jesse. Royce waited patiently until Jesse gave him a nod before he moved; he knew Royce would never intentionally hurt him. Royce sped up, and Jesse pushed back against every powerful stroke. He looked over his shoulder to see Royce holding his injured arm to his chest. Shit, his injury, how could I have completely forgotten about his arm?
“Baby…lie down so I can ride you.” Jesse groaned as Royce found his prostrate and pegged it mercilessly, almost distracting Jesse from what he’d asked. “Royce, let me ride you, please.”
With one final stroke, Royce pulled out and lay down on the bed beside Jesse. “Up you get, love.”
Jesse couldn’t help but moan as he straddled Royce’s body and hovered above him. Royce’s hard cock brushed against Jesse’s ass, enticing him to lower himself down to take Royce inside his body. Royce was by far the more dominant one in this relationship; to prove that point, when Jesse leaned down for a kiss Royce held his head in place and took control almost immediately. Oh yes, yes…yes…yes. Jesse melted into his touch, happily submitting to the kiss as Royce pushed in deep.
In a matter of seconds Royce was thrusting upward, pegging Jesse’s gland over and over again. His beautiful green eyes softened with love. There was no mistaking the look and Jesse couldn’t help but respond. His entire being—mind, body, and soul—reached out to Royce in that moment, feeling a connection that went so deep, it was breathtaking.
“Take what you need from me, baby,” Royce whispered, as if not wanting to disturb the shroud of love that surrounded them.
His body stilled, allowing their movements to be controlled by Jesse. Flexing his hips, he slammed down on Royce’s hard cock over and over again until they both were beyond thought and moving on instinct. Royce reached for Jesse’s cock and began to pump.
Jesse couldn’t hold back. Without warning he came across Royce’s stomach and chest, yelling his release to the heavens. Two strokes later Royce’s warmth filled Jesse before he collapsed on top of Royce. His body trembled from the strength of his orgasm and Royce held him close, safe in his arms.
“I’ve got you, love…easy, Jesse.” Royce spoke softly.
Slowly Jesse came down from his euphoric high and melted into Royce’s touch.
“See? Irresistible,” Royce said.
*****
Three days later, Jesse had decided to go to work early. That morning he would begin packing all of his belongings from the apartment above the diner. He was excited to move his things into Royce’s house—well, Royce and Jesse’s house, as Royce wanted it called. Life had never been so “normal.”
Everything I’ve ever wanted.
Royce drove him in, of course, concerned Jesse’s family would try to attack him again. As they pulled into the back parking lot, Jesse noticed Travis’s old, rust-covered car parked in the farthest spot away from the building. Since Travis hadn’t been given a key just yet, he couldn’t be inside the diner. He had to be in the car, but why show up for work hours early?
“Travis is awfully early,” Royce said. His voice echoed Jesse’s own concern.
“Let’s go see what’s going on,” Jesse suggested. He’d been working with Travis for the past three days, and honestly the man knew his way around a kitchen. He was a godsend to the diner. Now Jesse just hoped his faith in Travis hadn’t been misplaced.
Royce pulled up beside Travis. His car had seen better days and Jesse doubted it had more than a few miles left in it. They both got out and Royce immediately put himself between Travis’s car and Jesse.
“I’ll go see what he’s doing here,” Royce said. He turned on his flashlight, because they were still hours away from dawn, and walked toward the car. Jesse was now used to Royce’s need to protect him, so he leaned against the back fender and waited for the all-clear.
As Royce approached the car and peeked inside, his stance went from cautious to relaxed in an instant, and he waved Jesse over. What he found in the backseat of the car was heartbreaking. There wrapped in a threadbare blanket was Travis, sound asleep. The man was living in his car.
As if sensing their presence, Travis slowly opened his eyes and shouted in fear. Once he realized it was them, he buried his head in his shaking hands. Travis scrambled to sit up when Royce tapped on the slightly open back window. “I’m so sorry, I’ll leave. You don’t need to worry about firing me.” The grief in those pale blue eyes could bring a man to his knees. Jesse knew that look well; he’d worn it often during his time on the streets.
“You aren’t going anywhere. You get straightened up and meet us in the diner and don’t even think about driving off. In fact, give me your keys.” Royce’s voice had taken on a deep, authoritative tone that never ceased to thrill Jesse.
Travis didn’t hesitate in handing over his keys. He recognized an order when he heard one.
“Ten minutes or I’ll come out and find you, understand?” Royce asked.
“Yes, Mr. Evans.” Travis spoke just above a whisper.
Jesse grabbed on to Royce’s hand and pulled him away from the car and toward the diner. “Let’s go pack up my stuff because Travis needs that apartment immediately. He can’t stay in his car.”
“I’ll call Bear and check if it’s okay with him that Travis moves in. I’m sure it’ll be fine, but we shouldn’t make any promises without his okay,” Royce explained. So often Jesse found that he and Royce were on the same page; it gave him a warm feeling inside whenever it happened.
“Thank you, Royce. I think he might have tried to take off if you hadn’t asked for his keys.” Jesse knew they had to help Travis, with or without his cooperation—though it would be much easier if they could convince him to accept their assistance.
Jesse remembered his time on the streets, living in parks, washing in public bathrooms, never knowing where his next meal was coming from, and always on the move. There was no peace to be found, only survival. He went to bed hungry and woke the same way with no guarantee he’d make it through another day and sometimes even wishing for the suffering to end. It had taken months for Jesse to trust Royce enough to open up about what life was like living on the streets. To finally have the ability to share his suffering and fears with the man who loved him had been cathartic and felt like closing a door on a painful chapter in his life.
“He wouldn’t make it another day living in his car. No food or water, and the thing’s about to fall apart around him. When is his first pay?” Royce asked.
“End of the week, so another two days,” Jesse explained, as he catalogued his belongings to see if there was anything he could leave behind for Travis. He decided quickly to donate his microwave, toaster, and a new bedsheet set that had never been used. That way, Travis wouldn’t have to go out and buy things right away. Jesse also had canned goods, pots and pans, utensils, and secondhand furniture that Bear had gotten for him.
“He’ll need money in the meantime; I’ve got forty dollars on me. That should hold him over, right?” Royce asked.
Before answering Jesse opened the back door, pulled Royce inside, and began thoroughly kissing him. His lover’s soft lips became insistent, demanding entry to Jesse’s mouth as tongues dueled and teeth nipped gently. Reluctantly they parted, gasping for breath.
“Baby, not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?” Royce asked, his eyes dilated and his pants bulging.
“Just for being you. You’re such a good man, Royce, and I love you,” Jesse explained while caressing his lover’s cheek.
“Don’t let that get out or my image will be ruined,” Royce said.
“Hate to burst your bubble but everyone already knows you’re a big softy.” Jesse laughed. “I’ll go pack, you call Bear.”
He gave Royce a quick kiss and ran upstairs, taking two steps at a time. The heartbreak in Travis’s eyes and the conditions in which he’d been living made this decision easy. Travis would move into Jesse’s old apartment so he would be safe and could get back on his feet. Jesse had been in Travis’s shoes when he came to Brighton and if it hadn’t been for the “White Hair Crew”— Brighton’s very own gang of grandmas—and Bear, Jesse had no idea where he’d be or even if he’d still be alive.
Jesse looked around his tiny apartment with new eyes. It may have been small but it had essentially saved Jesse from his old life. Now he hoped it would do the same for Travis.
Several minutes later Royce called up the stairs, “Babe, Travis is waiting.”
“On my way,” Jesse replied as he set a half-full box onto the bed with the others and then headed down into the diner. Jesse found Travis sitting in a booth while Royce was busy making coffee at the front counter. The smell of the brewing liquid floated throughout the diner and was like a siren’s call.
Jesse sat in the booth on the opposite side of Travis. It seemed as though the man was trying to make himself as small as possible, and he wouldn’t meet Jesse’s eyes. “Travis, please calm down. You’re not in trouble.”
“You just found me sleeping in the parking lot, how can I not be in trouble?” Travis asked.
“Because I’ve been there, but I didn’t have a car to sleep in, only a motorcycle,” Jesse explained.
“You’ve been homeless?” Travis asked, looking shocked.
“Yes, for a lot of years I had all my worldly belongings in a saddlebag,” Jesse confirmed. His memories flooded back of the one night he had to fight to keep his saddlebags from two other homeless men. It had been a bloody fight but Jesse had kept his belongings and left the area. “How long have you been homeless?”
“Almost eighteen months. I couldn’t afford rent and food because I never knew when I’d have to leave again.” Travis hung his head as he spoke. “I could hide my tattoos under a long-sleeved shirt but for some reason they always seemed to guess my sexual orientation even though I hid it. Someone would complain and the next thing I knew, I was out on my ass again. Either that or they’d make the working environment so toxic I had to leave.”
Royce brought over three mugs of coffee and slid in beside Jesse. “We want to help you.”
“Why?” Apparently Travis wasn’t used to any acts of kindness. Jesse knew they could fix that. When he’d come to town all those months ago, he’d trusted no one and every day he’d waited for the other foot to fall, but it never did.
“Because you need it and we have it to give…but I know you have your pride so this isn’t a handout. You’re going to have to pay Bear for the apartment,” Royce explained.
“Apartment?” Travis asked.
“Yes, my old apartment upstairs. I’m moving in with Royce. So it’s available to you. It isn’t big but it’s better than your car and I’m leaving a few things behind you’ll need.” Jesse still couldn’t believe he and Royce were living together; he’d never be alone again. Thank God.
“But I don’t have any money.” Travis looked panicked and his thin leg began bouncing even faster.
“Well, you have a job, you’ll make money. Bear said that considering there’s only ten days left in the month, he wouldn’t charge you rent until the following month and he’d cut it in half until you get on your feet,” Royce explained.
A knock came from the front door and Royce left to find out who it was. Jesse wasn’t too concerned that it might be the Redemption Squad. They wouldn’t have knocked.
“Say yes, Travis. A while ago I was given the same chance. Take it,” Jesse coaxed. He wanted the poor guy to have the same opportunity he’d had and build a new life here in Brighton.
Travis’s emotions got the best of him and his eyes filled with tears that spilled over and down his red cheeks. “Thank you for this. I don’t know what to say. But I want the chance to live a normal life, a real life.”
“Travis, why are you crying?” Officer Bo Mason stormed past Royce and crouched down in front of the smaller man, who was desperately trying to wipe his tears away. Even crouched Bo was still taller—the man was even bigger than Jesse. “Are you hurt? Did something happen?”
“I have a place to live, a real apartment here above the diner,” Travis explained. “I finally have a job and a home.”
Bo seemed to take a moment to digest what Travis had said. “That’s wonderful, Travis. But if you don’t mind me asking, where were you staying before?” Bo asked as he rubbed the remaining tears from his face. Travis looked mortified that he’d said what he did; he’d obviously let his happiness cloud his thinking and revealed more than he wanted to Bo.
Jesse and Royce looked at each other, both wondering what the hell was going on. They had seen the two talking and having lunch together on occasion but maybe there was more than simply friendship between them.
Before Bo could get an answer to his question, Travis jumped to his feet and backed away like he’d been burned. “I was in a motel until I could find a place.”
Bo didn’t look like he believed a word Travis was saying. He was a police officer after all; Jesse assumed he could pick out lies easily. “Then why were you crying?” Bo stood and took a step toward Travis.
“Because I was happy. They were happy tears.” Travis looked ready to bolt. “I’ll go grab my belongings out of my car.” He seemed to realize what he’d just said and began backing away.
“Why is all your stuff in the car and not the motel room? Which motel were you staying at?” Bo asked as he continued to move closer to Travis. For every step Bo took, Travis took one backward.
“Why are you interrogating me? I haven’t done anything wrong, officer.” Travis was panicking and Jesse knew Travis didn’t want to admit to Bo that he’d been living in his car.
“Bo—you know you can call me Bo and you’re not in trouble at all,” Bo answered. “I’ll help you carry your belongings in.”
“No! I mean no, there isn’t much, I can handle it.” Travis looked even more panicked then before, as if the thought of Bo seeing his car was tantamount to standing naked in the middle of the street. Then again, Jesse would have done anything to make sure Royce never saw some of the places he’d been forced to sleep at night.
Jesse could feel the chill in the air. Now that Travis was pulling himself together, he was also pulling away. Travis had not given anyone the cold shoulder in all the days they’d been working together. Something serious was going on between the two of them and Jesse would find out what that was.
Though he’d heard only good things about Bo Mason, he would still protect Travis if he had to; the man was vulnerable until he got his feet back under him. Jesse remembered all too well the vultures that used to prey on the weak when he was on the road, though he really doubted that was Bo’s intention.
“I’ll be leaving then. I just wanted to check in when I saw the lights on so early and make sure everything was okay.” Bo seemed to have forgotten Royce and Jesse were even there; all his attention was on Travis.
Jesse had to do something to get Travis out from under the spotlight. “Travis, would you go pour Bo a take-out coffee, please?”
“Yes, Jesse,” Travis answered, letting out a deep breath he must have been holding.
As Travis walked off, Jesse was counting down the seconds until the first question was lobbed his way.
“What happened to him? Where was he staying?” Bo asked.
“I’m sorry, Bo, but that’s something Travis will have to tell you himself,” Royce answered for the both of them, knowing Jesse wouldn’t want to be spreading Travis’s private information around.
“Is he safe?” Bo asked, turning his head to watch Travis working behind the counter. His eyes softened and his expression changed from concern to something a little more personal.
“Yes, he is now,” Jesse replied.
“Thank you for giving him a place to settle into,” Bo said. Jesse could tell that it meant a lot to Bo to have Travis safe, but why?
“You’re welcome, but why are you so interested in Travis’s well-being?” Royce asked, obviously not as patient as Jesse. He’d planned on leading up to that question.
“I’m a cop. I’m always concerned about the members of this community,” Bo answered before looking away.
Jesse would have called “bullshit” on him if it weren’t for Travis heading their way. Travis’s cheeks were red and he was looking at everything and anyone other than Bo.
“Here’s your coffee, Officer Mason,” Travis said as he held out the large Styrofoam cup to Bo. Jesse just realized that Travis hadn’t even asked how Bo wanted his coffee, he already knew. Interesting.
“Bo—and thank you, Travis.” Bo smiled at Travis, causing the shy man’s cheeks to become even redder. “You have a good day.”
“Be careful on your shift,” Travis said as he retreated into the kitchen.
Bo’s smile was huge as he turned and headed out the front door. He seemed to have completely forgotten Jesse and Royce were even in the room.
“What was that all about?” Royce asked.
“I have no idea but I intend to find out.” Jesse gave Royce an innocent look before he went to join Travis in the kitchen.