Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
He tightened his arms around Jack, needing him to be even closer. Fuck Jaime for keeping him when he wasn’t willing to give him what he needed. Fuck him for watching Jack suffer and wither away without doing a damn thing to help him. Jaime Snow was a selfish bastard masquerading as everyone’s favorite hero. He hadn’t deserved Jack’s love and he didn’t deserve Jack’s loyalty.
Yeah, cooling his disgust when it came to Jack’s ex wasn’t going to be easy.
***
“Why are these lights so bright?” Jack mumbled to himself. He squeezed paste onto his toothbrush and brushed his teeth for the second time.
The lights above him clicked off. “Bright white makes sense in a bathroom, but I think there’s enough sunlight in here to see what you’re doing.”
Toothbrush in his mouth, he looked into the mirror and saw Gray standing in the doorway. He was shirtless and wearing boxer briefs that did more to highlight his body than cover it. He was gorgeous.
“I brought you some kombucha and water.” Gray held up two glasses. “How bad is that hangover?”
“Not bad,” Jack said, the words sloppy because of the toothpaste and probably the drool he had worked up staring at Gray. He spit into the sink and rinsed his mouth. “Hopefully it’s dark enough that you can’t see me well, because there is no way that looked attractive.”
“Are you kidding? I’ve never seen anything hotter.” Gray grinned at him. “Get back in bed. It’s Sunday. We can be lazy.”
“You don’t have to work?” He put his toothbrush down and walked over to Gray.
“We both work too much. We’re taking it easy today and staying in bed.”
Jack reached his hand up and brushed his fingers through Gray’s hair. “That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”
“It’s early. I’m confident I’ll be able to top it.”
“Was that a pun?” He got closer to Gray, until they were chest to chest. “Or was it the better offer you promised?”
Glasses still in his hands, Gray leaned forward and brushed his lips over Jack’s neck. “You’re flirting with me.” He wound his arm around Jack’s back and walked them out of the bathroom. “I’m enjoying it.”
Once Jack slid under the blanket, Gray handed him the water.
“Thank you.”
“I have an active morning planned. I don’t want you to get dehydrated.”
He chuckled. “I really didn’t drink all that much last night.” He took the glass from Gray and finished the water. “I’m fine.”
“We’re not as young as we used to be.” He took the empty glass from Jack, set it on the nightstand, and gave him the kombucha. “Bottom’s up.”
“Another pun?” Jack drank it and set the empty glass down.
“Another offer.” Gray crawled into the bed, lay on his side, and smoothed his hand over Jack’s chest. “Do you really feel okay?”
“I really do.” Jack turned onto his side, mirroring Gray’s position so they were face to face. “Thank you for last night.”
“Why are you thanking me? I had no part in planning that party. If I had, we’d have been the only two people there.”
Amused by Gray’s likely accurate joke, he smiled. “I was struggling with Jeffrey.” That would have been embarrassing to admit, but Gray knew him too well to have missed it. “I’m sure you noticed.”
“I did.” Gray brushed his palm down Jack’s cheek and curled his hand around the side of his neck. “I’m sorry I put you in that position.”
“It’s not your fault.” Jack swallowed down the thickness in his throat. “You were so sweet to me.” Gray had hyperfocused on him the entire night. He hadn’t left his side, always maintained some level of physical contact, and kept up a steady stream of funny comments for his ears only. “I was being childish.”
“No, you weren’t.” His palm still on Jack’s neck, Gray moved his thumb up his jaw and over his lips. “I told you that, when it comes to you, the jealousy thing does it for me but hurting you absolutely doesn’t.” He leaned forward and gave Jack a gentle kiss. “I’m sorry. I genuinely barely remember him.”
“You don’t have to apologize. You didn't hurt me.” Gray had always been straightforward and honest with him. Jack trusted him more than anyone he knew, which was why he felt comfortable enough to share his insecurities. “I don’t know where this is coming from. I don’t normally get jealous.”
“It’s probably wrong for me to take that as a compliment, right?” Gray’s lips tilted up. “Kidding.” He traced Jack’s earlobe, his touch feather light. “What can I do to make you feel better?”
He laid his hand on Gray’s chest, enjoying the warm skin and firm muscles. “You already did.”
“Are you sure?”
He did feel better about Jeffrey. “Yes.” He moved forward and took Gray’s bottom lip between both of his. “Thank you,” he whispered as he tilted his head and then he pressed his mouth against Gray’s more firmly. “This okay?”