Page 2 of Sweet Surrender
“Jesus Christ. Wyatt, do you put drugs in this shit? It melts in your mouth, just disappears on my tongue. Is that rum? It’s delicious.”
My face warms at his praise but I’m used to his excitement over my creations. It’s nice to have someone salivate for the things I take so much time with, encouraging me when I’m frustrated and praising me when I need it. Even when the door is closed and I’m on my knees for this man, there’s never a harsh word out of his mouth.
I creep closer, loving the way Jameson gets lost in the sugar. His eyes widen almost comically, his entire face smiling as he sucks on the fork. The sounds that are falling from his lips are making my cock hard, reminding me what other things that skilled mouth can do. Jameson locks onto my thoughts almost immediately, trading the fork for my lips. His hand slips around the back of my neck and I lean against his side, the man thrusting his tongue into my mouth as he gets the right angle.
He tastes like chocolate and happiness and safety. He tastes like home if that can even be a flavor.
“You’re sleeping with me tonight,” Jameson mumbles against my lips as he pulls back. I clear my throat, raising an eyebrow at his suggestion. I wasn’t planning on spending the night here, although I’m not a fan of driving in the dark and it’s already pushing 7 pm. I should have planned better. “Just sleeping, babe. You need out of your head and I need to cuddle my man.” His eyes dart to the kitchen door and he groans, the faint sound of someone calling his name stealing his attention. “Looks like I’m on Reggie duty.”
Jameson hops down from the counter just before stuffing the rest of the scraps into his mouth. “As much as I want to tell your brother about us, I don’t want him to find out when he’s drunk.”
“He’ll crucify the both of us. Maybe me more than you for stealing away one of his best friends.”
He laughs, shaking his head as he steps up to me again and wraps his arms around my back. “Babe, two things. You’re one of my best friends too. Besides, do you really care if he were to find out? I could do things like this.” Jameson raises up on his toes to press another kiss to my lips. We’ve been hiding this thing for the better part of two months although the feelings started years ago.
We just never acted on it.
“No, I don’t think I care anymore.”
Six years ago when I graduated college, I didn’t want to anger Reggie. I said nothing before I deployed, hoping that my crush on Jameson would just disappear. But it didn’t—it hasn’t and now I can’t imagine a life that doesn’t have him in it. Jameson is right, though. It doesn’t matter what my brother thinks, even if his disapproval will hurt a little.
I also don’t want Reggie to find out when he’s drunk.
Jameson kisses me again before disappearing out into the living room. A part of me leaves with him before I start on the chocolate bombs but I can’t stop the smile spreading across my lips knowing that he’ll be in my bed tonight.
Chapter 2
JAMESON
Reggie’s 34th birthday party was just supposed to be a gathering of old-time friends, a moment in time when we could see a few of our former fraternity brothers between all our busy schedules. I should have known that it would devolve into drunken chaos. Reggie was and still is a child, through and through, skating through life without a care in the world. He excels in his sales career and even more so, the nightlife he partakes in. Although, I'm not entirely sure what he's selling this month. It could be anything; the man could sell anything to anyone.
I watch as Reggie jabs playfully at one of our mutual friends, both of them bordering between tipsy and drunk. The party barely started an hour ago and I already know there will be more than one blackout drunk passed out on the lawn or in the living room by the end of the night.
Reggie has done nothing to honor his parents’ house. Sometimes, I wish that Wyatt or their younger brother, Axel fought for it or decided to sell it. At least it would be loved more than it is now. I think Wyatt’s desserts are showing that kitchen more love than it has seen in years.
A heavy sigh falls from my lips as I step out onto the patio, relishing the warm air that hits my skin. A beer in hand, I try to circumvent the Reggie situation when he pulls me over to the patio seating. Ten years ago, I would have been right there with him, downing shots and making goofy comments to solidify my frat-boy personality. Now?
I can’t.
I have someone I’m in love with. Someone who thinks they need me more than I need them. They’re wrong. I can’t breathe without Wyatt in my life and I’ve loved him far longer than he’ll ever know.
“You’re real chummy around my brother,” Reggie spits out. His eyes are unfocused but his words are harsh. “What are you doing rescuing him from me?”
I recognize the hurt in his tone but it’s unwarranted. “You know how uncomfortable Wyatt gets during your parties. The least you could have done was leave him be in the kitchen to finish preparing.” I’m more worried about Wyatt driving than I am about Reggie’s outburst in the kitchen. The constant requests have kept Wyatt here longer than he should have been and he despises driving at night. It’s a good thing he’s agreed to spend the night here.
“Look, I’m glad you’re looking out for him. That’s great but he’s my brother. I know him very well and he’s fine. He would have said something.”
Wyatt will never say anything. He hates confrontation and after the falling out between Reggie and Axel, Wyatt always tempers his anger and swallows it down so far it nearly disappears. He doesn’t want to lose anyone so he would rather forgo an emotional reaction if that means Reggie stays in his life.
I set my beer on the table in front of us before dragging a hand through my hair. “Reggie, I know you think you get it. That you just wanted to bring your brother into the fold and have him celebrate with you.” I don’t want to have this conversation when Reggie is drunk but fuck it, I’m done watching Wyatt get pushed to the side.
Reggie snorts, cutting in. “Is it so bad that I want family here to celebrate with me? Axel couldn’t be fucking bothered but Wyatt came.”
He makes it sound like his youngest brother is a problem, that Axel just decided that he wouldn’t come. In reality, Reggie decided to play parent, Axel being just 18 when their parents passed away. Axel couldn’t be his own person without Reggie having something to say about it. Silly banter between the brothers quickly morphed into heated conversations and Axel moving out of the family home.
I still remember their last argument, a few weeks after Wyatt had deployed, and the question Axel asked of Reggie. “You’re not my parent. I want my older brother back, Reggie. Can you do that?” Reggie mumbled something about trying to look out for him and Axel left. That was the last time they spoke that I know of.
Axel is flourishing on the other side of the city and I’ve seen him a few times when Wyatt and I visit for dinner.