Chapter 11
Maddox woke with Jake still cocooned in his body. He lay for as long as he could, listening to Jake’s gentle breaths and enjoying the soft skin sealed to himself.
When his stomach murmured pitifully, he decided to try to escape the bed. Jake’s features scrunched; he shifted back only to discover the wall of warmth had vanished.
Maddox moved to the wardrobe, tugging a fresh sheet free of the pile and laying it over Jake’s body.
He didn’t look as peaceful as before, but the disturbed lines faded from his face and he snuggled back into the pillow with a loud snort of breath.
Maddox ate his normal four-minute toast and sipped his scalding coffee by the window. The world brightened as he watched; the cheer of birds drifted through the open window. Another normal start to his day, but he knew everything was about to change.
Jake would forever be his rival's interest and it left Maddox with two options. Jake stayed, or Jake went. He was a man who always got what he wanted but this time he would let Jake decide.
He clicked his finger on the window sill. He wanted Jake to appear, but he didn’t want to wake the other man when his rest was needed.
Instead he busied himself in the kitchen. Last time Jake had eaten mountains of cereal, but with his sore throat, it would be raw agony to try.
Maddox scanned his kitchen, tugging a cupboard to reveal basket after basket of fruit and vegetables. Tapping on his phone, he found a recipe for a smoothie to help sore throats. He doubted it catered to those who had been throttled, but it was the only idea he had.
He whizzed banana, avocado, honey and milk. The colour was that of a stagnant pond, but the smell wasn’t terrible.
A muffled groan came from the bedroom. There was no shuffle, no thud of feet hitting the floor, only a groan followed by a harsh intake of breath.
Maddox poured the smoothie in a glass and un-popped two morphine painkillers.
“You awake?”
It was a stupid question, and after he said the words, he shook his head. Of course Jake was awake. He was grunting and hissing beyond the door.
“You need to eat,” Maddox mumbled apologetically.
Another confused shake had him growling to himself. It was his bedroom, but he waited outside for Jake to invite him in.
He pushed through and sat on the edge of the bed with his gifts in his hands.
“Painkillers first...”
Jake looked worried and Maddox didn’t blame him. It was a lot of trust to consume tablets when he didn’t know what they were. He opened his mouth to explain about Zoe and the painkillers, but Jake grabbed them and chucked them back lightning quick. He spluttered water as he tried to swallow, and Maddox rubbed at his neck hoping it helped with the burn.
“Now...Drink this.”
Jake eyed the drink, leaning back the longer he stared at the glass.
“Please Jake. It's full of good stuff, and you won’t be able to eat cereal for a while.”
Jake shook his head, pressing his lips in a firm line.
“Now,” Maddox ordered with the best gravelly voice he could do.
Jake grabbed at the glass, tipped it back just like the tablets. His face pulled tight and he wiped his mouth on the back of his arm with a shudder. Jake paled and stuck his tongue out in disgust.
“Plan B, then. Ice cream.” Maddox mumbled.
He tried to make a healthy alternative, but the best food for a raw throat was ice cream. Jake snagged his arm.
“What is it?” he asked.
Jake mimed texting on a phone and Maddox handed his over.
What happens now?
Maddox sighed, placing the glass of gunge on the bedside table.
“You have two choices. You run, far away, start again, or you stay with me, you let me keep you.”
Jake went to type, and Maddox resisted the urge to lean and see his reply. It wasn’t an answer, but a question directed at Maddox. He moved Jake’s hand and cocked his head to see what he had written.
Do you want to keep me?
He glanced from the device to Jake’s bright eyes. The redness had faded, the blue was back to shimmering and a hint of mischief sparkled. Of course he wanted to keep him. Not just for the sex, but the fun and companionship too.
“Yes.”
Jake’s breath stuttered, but Maddox wasn’t done explaining.
“It’s rare that someone interests me. I wanted to keep you as soon as I saw you, but my world is a dangerous one. I have enemies, and they spotted my interest in you. You almost died because of me, and if you choose to stay, know your life will always be in danger.”
Jake frowned, fingers working fast on the phone.
I LOVE DANGER
Maddox surged forward and locked their lips. Jake was slower, clumsy after being awake mere minutes. Maddox hummed, lowering him to the mattress to find a consuming angle. He flattened Jake with his body and kissed him breathless.
“Ice cream?” Jake croaked.
Maddox smiled into his neck before continuing his lustful onslaught. He felt the swell of Jake’s naked arousal against his trousers and grinned smugly.
“You sure you want it right now?”
Jake shook his head in a daze, eyes glazed and skin flushing beautifully.
Maddox chuckled, climbing from the bed. Jake whimpered, shook his head and flexed his hand in the air for Maddox to return.
The look was adorable, endearing, and Maddox grinned with a small amount of triumph having Jake desperate for him.
Maddox removed his clothes, tugged off the sheet and brushed his body against Jake. His neck was still sore, a fierce red that Maddox didn’t like to look at for too long. In a few days it would turn purple, and then green before beige. Richie’s mark would vanish from Jake’s skin. He drove his tongue into Jake’s mouth, lapped at his tongue. He wasn’t in the mood for foreplay; the lube was tugged from the drawer and Jake licked his lips at the sight of it.
“Mine. You belong to me Jake.”
He bobbed his head, spreading his legs for Maddox to prepare his body. “I’m yours.”
Once Jake was blissed out and dozy after orgasm, Maddox found the ice cream in his freezer. He spoon-fed Jake in bed, licking the sweet taste from his mouth after every scoop.
Jake groaned, and whimpered for more. The sounds Jake made were the most addictive music Maddox had ever come across. He stared across the room at the twirl on the wall. The safe was behind, and Beethoven’s diamond was kept in the darkness. Jake sparkled in the light.