Jacob’s discomfort was obvious. “Touch me, Alex. I need to feel your hands on my skin.”

With his tongue, Jacob traced the vein down Alex’s neck until he reached the apex of the shoulder. “Please Alex. Touch me. Anywhere.”

The hesitant caress on his knee from calloused fingers sent a shiver coursing through his body. “Explore me, Alex. Anywhere you’re comfortable touching. I need to feel your skillful hands on me. Imagine I’m a piece of the high-quality wood you sculpt into art.” Through the fabric, Alex caressed Jacob’s thigh, his hip but avoided Jacob’s hard cock. He couldn’t stop the moan of desperation as Alex bypassed his groin entirely and stroked his beard once more.

“I never pictured you with a beard. It’s a good look on you.”

Alex's half smile didn't fool Jacob. He could feel the turmoil rolling off Alex.

Alex leaned in and captured Jacob’s lips. The sudden aggression was rough, almost vicious as their teeth clashed. Maybe I was hoping for too much too soon. Jacob pushed him back into the couch, stood and crossed the room. “I knew I shouldn’t have believed you last night. I knew you weren’t ready.”

Jacob faced Alex, even from across the room he noticed the subtle change on Alex’s face and his body language was all wrong. With arms locked around his legs, he’d transformed from the aggressor into the complacent teen he’d left behind.

A twinge of sympathy softened Jacob’s ire. “I wanted you to be, so much so I ignored my gut.”

“I… I need to think. I need to, I don’t know, remember how all this happened.” Dazed green eyes peered up at him. “Even then Jacob, when you were my world, I never thought of myself as gay. I’m not sure I can do this.”

Searing pain, like a red-hot serrated knife twisting in place, raced through his heart. Nothing’s changed. He’s the same closeted teen from ten years ago. He’s going to push and there will be no one to catch me when my world crumbles. “Why did I listen to you when you said things had changed?” He wanted to punch something. Never Alex, but maybe a wall. He unclenched his fists and stepped closer.

Alex looked like the young boy he’d left behind, a little lost and searching. The desire to comfort his lover, the almost broken man before him, had Jacob on his knees once more. “Alex, I know you’re confused and have questions. Talk to me.”

Though mere inches apart, Alex had never been further away. How do I reach him? The gaping hole of raw emotion had grown so wide Jacob wasn’t sure how to bridge the expanse. “Babe, let me help you.” Alex seemed to focus on him.

“You came on to me, Alex. You were the one doing all the pushing last night. I get it. You need time to process all of this so I’m going to give you that time. But know this,” his eyes stung with unshed tears, “I left you once, hoping you’d realize we belong together. Well, guess what? We’re together now.”

He regained his composure. “I’m going to go now. Give you some room.” He donned the t-shirt he pulled from his waistband as he walked across the room. Stopping in front of Alex, he took a slow deep breath and released it. “Give me a call when you’re ready.” Slowly he leaned down, watching for any sign of discomfort, capturing Alex’s lips in a possessive kiss. With one last deep breath, taking in Alex’s scent, Jacob stood up, squared his shoulders and walked away. “Alex, I won’t be leaving again. Not without a fight.” With that he closed the door and made his way down the long hotel corridor to the central elevators. He punched the elevator call button multiple times. “As if that’s going to do any good.”

“Jacob!”

The familiar voice filling the empty hall wasn’t Alex’s. Ignoring it, he turned a bit more so his back was most prominent when whoever it was entered the elevator lobby.

“Jacob, where are you off to so bright and early?”

Fucking Eric. How did he find me here? “Eric.” His cousin might be the closest thing he had to a sibling, but that didn’t mean he liked the homophobic asshole.

“I’m surprised you aren’t still asleep, Mr. Night-Owl.”

Jacob punched the call button again before looking at his watch as he tried to tune the man out. His focus was on Alex. He hoped he’d done the right thing by giving him space, time to think.

He’s had ten years. Maybe he doesn’t want me. Maybe he doesn’t need me. Maybe he doesn’t love me.

“Did I see Alex and Alyssa with you at the club last night? It’s been ages since I’ve seen her. I bet she’s still fine as ever. I didn’t know you kept in touch with them?”

“Well, now you do.”

Eric’s smarmy chuckle sent a shiver of repulsion down Alex’s spine. “I seem to remember she had a crush on you back in the day. Did you tell her you bat for the other team?”

The elevator finally opened. “Didn’t have to, she’s known since high school.” He stepped into the elevator and punched the button for the lobby. Knowing it would irk his cousin, Jacob added, “She actually wanted me to reconnect with Alex.”

“Now, why would you go and do that? He wasn’t interested in you ten years ago. After you left he hooked up with the easiest lay in Boulder City.”

The red-hot serrated knife twisted deeper into Jacob’s heart. Still he tried to put on a brave face as the elevator doors opened and they stepped inside. “Shut up, Eric. I don’t want to hear any of your bullshit right now.”

“Oh, did I hit a nerve? He’s not gay, dude.”

Jacob stepped toward the door heading to the parking lot, “Arrogant prick always up in my business. Maybe you’re suppressing your own inner homo.” Turning his back on Eric, Jacob walked out the automated doors into a wave of oppressive heat and headed for his rental.

“Damn, even the fucking car is hot. I hate this place.” Jacob got in and sat with the door and windows open until the air conditioning kicked in. He pulled his phone from his pocket and thumbed through the screens only to fumble it as it rang.

Without looking he answered, “Hello?”

“Hey, bro. Wanted to welcome you to the family in the light of day. Make sure you didn’t change your mind.”

Alyssa’s jovial voice was almost too much to take. “It’s not my mind you should be concerned with.”

“What?”

“You should talk to Alex.”

“He’s not with you?”

Hot air filled his lungs. “He’s still sleeping.”

“Believe me. I’ll be talking to the idiot. He’s screwing up the best thing in his life. AGAIN!” He smiled. At least Alyssa was on his side. “Little fucker. You better believe I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. What does he think he’s doing? He already suffered when you left years ago, does he really want to go through that again?”

“Lys, don’t push too hard. He doesn’t remember anything.”

“Shit, was he that drunk? He really doesn’t remember? Maybe he’s faking it, using it as an excuse to back out…”

Jacob cut her off. “You didn’t see him when we woke up. He isn’t faking, he doesn’t remember anything about yesterday.” Cool air danced across his face so Jacob pulled the door shut and rolled up the windows.

“Are you in the car? Where are you going? You aren’t giving up on him are you?” Her voice was frantic and pleading.

Sigh. “No, Lys, I’m not giving up on him. I’m giving him time to think. Nothing more.”

“Alex can be hardheaded, and stubborn. He loves you, Jacob. Don’t give up on him!”

“Do you listen when people talk?” He needed to escape. Her. Eric. Alex. Everyone. He pressed his heart, willing away the phantom pain. The pain he created himself when he walked out of the room. Catch me this time, Alex.

“I have to go now. No talking while driving. Later.” Without waiting for her reply Jacob ended the call, tossing the phone into the passenger seat. Damn busy body sister. Why can’t she mind her own business?