Chapter Four
Jack
Jack could feel the pulse of the music a block away from the club and tightened his hold of Adam’s hand. Going to a place unexpected wasn’t Jack’s style, but he wanted to have a night free of judgment, let loose, and have fun with Adam. He’d found a gay club with a Christmas theme night in a random search the week before and scanned through pictures from previous years and it looked to be fun. There would be singers and a drag show and since Jack decided to hold nothing back from their relationship, he would dance with Adam.
Adam smiled when Jack paid the cover and walked them inside. The bright bar was decorated with Christmas lights and decorations draped over every surface, but it was the feel of the atmosphere around them that was freeing. People laughed, danced, and kissed as though they hadn’t had a care in the world and something inside Jack’s chest relaxed at the sight.
“Do you want to dance or order a drink first?”
“Let’s snag a table and order drinks. Then I hope to entice you to dance with me.” Adam leaned over and kissed Jack.
When they pulled apart, they were both breathless and Adam had the look of pure lust that drove Jack crazy.
The club was busy, so when Adam headed toward a secluded booth that had freed up, Jack wrapped his arms around Adam’s waist and followed him. They signaled a waiter and ordered a drink soon after they sat.
“What do you think?”
“I like it here. I can relax and be with you.” Jack snagged another kiss, which made Adam smile. “It’s freeing to embrace who you are and the only opinion that matters, in the long run, is yours. Is it okay if I keep touching you, kissing you?”
“I love it. I have missed you, especially sleeping with you.” Adam squeezed his hand.
“I know, sweetheart. I didn’t want to pressure you into anything before I can prove to you that I have changed. I would love to take you to bed and love you all night long, but for now, being with you is enough.”
Jack was taken by surprise when Adam cupped his face and kissed him. When Adam ran his tongue over his bottom lip, silently asking for entrance, Jack opened up for him and growled deep in his chest at the flare of need as Adam deepened the kiss. Jack wanted to pull Adam onto his lap and kiss him breathless, but he settled for wrapping his arms around Adam and keeping him close.
When they broke the kiss, Adam’s smile was breathtaking. He was happy and for reasons Jack was in awe of, Adam was happy with him. He reached for Adam’s hand and linked their fingers together.
After taking a few sips of their drinks and some talking about their week, Adam pulled Jack onto the dance floor. Jack had never been a great dancer, but Adam moved smoothly around Jack and he was torn between watching his beautiful man dance and reaching for Adam and devouring his mouth. He smiled at Adam as he gripped his hips and moved them both to the rhythm of the music.
As the hour’s passed, Jack found himself having a great time. He still needed Adam’s hands on his hips to keep him from toppling over and taking out the others next to him, but being able to watch Adam in his element and knowing he had chosen Jack had him in awe.
Adam was a beautiful man, there was no other way to describe him. His dark brown hair had grown longer over the past few weeks, but Jack loved to run his hands through it. Adam’s milk chocolate eyes seemed to see right through him, but also looked at him with love. Jack was still getting used to the way Adam made him feel from a simple glance. On weekends, Adam didn’t shave so there was a little stubble on his face that made him look rugged.
“You’re staring.”
“I’m thinking how lucky I am and how gorgeous you are.”
Adam threw his head back and laughed, making Jack smile along with him. Jack pulled him close, not caring that they were both hot from dancing, and kissed him soundly.
“Let’s go back for a drink.” Adam led the way back to their booth.
As Adam settled against Jack’s chest after they sat in their booth, the music started to fade and the lights from the stage illuminated. The MC came out and had everyone laughing but the noise faded into the background as Jack pulled Adam closer, enjoying hard muscle pressed against him. He took his eyes off the stage and pressed his lips against the back of Adam’s ear.
“Are you paying attention?”
“To everything that matters, yes.” Jack continued, moving his lips down his neck and smiled when Adam tilted his head to the side to give Jack access.
Taking advantage of the darkness that surrounded them, Jack’s hand’s roamed over Adam’s covered chest. He wasn’t trying to turn him on, but Jack needed to touch Adam. Despite his intentions, Jack felt his cock grow and he growled into Adam’s ear as it pressed against the zipper of his jeans and Adam’s lower back. When Adam wiggled back and let out a low moan, Jack sucked in a breath, about to suggest that they head out.
A lovely voice drifted over to them, a soulful version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” broke through the haze of lust that surrounded both of them. Jack wrapped his arms around Adam, not quite ready for their evening to come to an end and they turned their attention to the stage.
Something caught in Jack’s chest as the song continued to play. Something stuck in his throat as the crescendo shivered over him, and he was grateful Adam was in his arms and sharing this moment with him. Sensing Jack’s emotions, Adam pressed a kiss to his cheek, before laid his head back on Jack’s chest, right where Jack wanted him for the rest of their lives.
During a break in the performances, Jack signaled the waiter for another round and turned to Adam and smiled at the look on his face. Adam looked peaceful and happy.
“Boss?”
Jack pulled his attention away from Adam but tightened his arms as he turned and spotted Aiden, the head of his I.T. Department. The young man was brilliant when it came to computers and servers and had personally kept his business afloat. For the longest time, he had a manager who knew nothing about computers but knew well how to manage a group of people. But Aiden was both personable and knew the in’s and out’s of everything computer related.
“Hey Aiden, good to see you. This is Adam, my partner. Adam, this is my brilliant I.T. manager.”
Aiden laughed and Adam shook his hand. Jack didn’t like the way the man Aiden was with wrapped his arms around Aiden and pulled him away from the touch as soon as possible.
“I’m surprised to see you here.”
Jack chuckled when Aiden blushed, but Jack didn’t take offense.
“Adam and I have been seeing each other for six months, but I almost lost him because I had my head stuck so far up my ass I couldn’t see daylight. I wanted to take Adam somewhere we could relax and be ourselves.”
Aiden laughed and so did Adam, who shifted closer to Jack. When they turned back to Aiden, Jack watched as his face fell and a groan reached him a few seconds later.
“He must’ve followed us.”
“Who?” Adam asked.
“There is a guy at the company, Derrick, who likes to harass me because I’m gay. We were at a restaurant before we came here and Derrick spotted us. We ignored him and left quickly, but he must’ve seen where we were headed and followed us.” Aiden sighed.
Jack sobered at the misery in Aiden’s voice and knew exactly who he’d meant. Derrick was one of the many in sales and thought the world revolved around him.
“Has he been harassing you?”
Aiden looked stricken for a long moment before he nodded. “Not just me, but others and always after he found out their sexual orientation.”
“Have you filed complaints with HR?”
“Yeah, but the HR Director is a friend of Derrick’s and won’t take anything we say seriously.”
Jack nodded. “I’ll take care of everything on Monday and if you or anyone else has a complaint, come directly to me and let me know and I’ll handle it, okay?”
Aiden relaxed and this time he slid into the booth, his boyfriend choosing to stand. At that moment, Jack caught sight of Derrick, who had a vicious look on his face aimed directly at Aiden. Jack could tell by the way he stumbled and shook his head as if to clear it that he was drunk and looking for a fight.
When he arrived at the table, Jack didn’t give him a chance to attack Aiden.
“Hello, Mr. Thomas.”
Derrick jerked, almost losing his balance and falling on his ass but caught himself at the last moment. He focused on Jack and noticed within an instant he had Adam glued to his side. Derrick’s gaze searched over them and when he found Jack’s arm wrapped around Adam and his hand splayed on his hip, he sneered at them. Jack had little hope the asshole would keep his mouth shut, especially in front of two men, he and Adam, who had several inches on him and both sported muscular frames.
“Oh, great. My boss is a fucking faggot, too.”
There was no question, just a loud comment which had people who surrounded their table turning around and glaring at the drunk man. Jack growled aloud at the stupid fucker, wondering why they’d ever hired him in the first place.
“Well, Mr. Thomas. You will no longer have to deal with me or anyone else because you’re fired. And when an employer calls asking for a reference and asks the reason why I fired you, I will tell them it was because of discrimination on your part. Good luck finding something.”
Derrick spluttered, half-apologizing and half-outraged, and still swaying on his feet. He was going to hate himself in the morning.
“And Mr. Thomas, you should really take a look at your surroundings.”
Derrick whipped around and braced himself on their table as he took in most of the club glaring at him. It took him several more seconds to realize that he followed Aiden into a gay club, and when he did, he lowered his head and dashed for the door.
“What a fucking asshole.” This came from Aiden and Jack laughed as chuckles went around the room. Soon, everyone in the club went back to their own conversations and drinks before another performer was set to take the stage.
Aiden stood.
“You can stay.” Adam nodded at his words.
“No, you guys have fun. It’s good to see you happy, boss. See you Monday.” Aiden waved and walked toward the exit and Jack spotted a contemplative look on his face. He didn’t even wait for his boyfriend, who trailed after him.
Jack turned toward Adam and swallowed whatever words were on the tip of his tongue. He spotted the desire in Adam’s eyes, and he wondered if he could resist Adam.
Fuck, did I even want to?
“I’ve never been so turned on in my life. And when you introduced me as your partner, I almost dragged you to the bathroom and dropped to my knees.” Adam cleared his throat as his words came out in a growl, but refused to break eye contact.
“I won’t even make it there if you keep talking like that.”
Adam kissed him, hard, and to Jack, there was nothing but Adam’s taste and Adam’s scent that surrounded him. Both of their chests were heaving when they broke off the kiss.
“Let’s go home. I’ll show you exactly how much I want you.”
Jack froze and let Adam’s words sink in. “You…you’re coming home? For good?”
“Yes.”
A low growl escaped Jack’s throat. He threw some cash on the table and reached for Adam’s hand as he stood from their booth. He made his way to the door and shivered when he heard Adam’s deep chuckle. They rushed out the door and headed for the car, but Jack spotted an empty alley, walked until darkness covered them, and pushed Adam against the wall. Their lips met and Jack forgot all about everything but Adam.
“Are you sure I’m not rushing you? I didn’t intend for us to end up in bed when we went out tonight.”
Adam shook his head. “You have nothing to prove and you forget that I know you better than anyone. You’ve shown me in a million little ways and one huge one that you want us to work. That’s all I’ve wanted from the beginning.”
“I do love you, Adam.”
Adam kissed him and Jack groaned, pulling Adam closer.
“What do you want?” Adam asked.
Jack responded without hesitation. “I want you to fuck me.”
This time, Adam reached for Jack’s hand and he rushed them both to where they parked. Jack laughed and Adam joined him, both of them happy to be back together. Jack had no idea why he thought he could push Adam away and be fine. But he knew now, Adam was as essential as breathing.