Page 6 of Unwrapped
Chapter Three
Adam
Adam had left work early, nervous about seeing Jack after three days apart.His friend in the forensics lab, Piper, had thrown him out after Adam’s pacing and fidgeting moved to wondering aloud how the night with Jack would go.
“I love you, Adam, I really do, but if you don’t head home and do something constructive, I’m not going to be responsible for my actions.”
Taking her advice, he’d headed home but still couldn’t sit still.So, with nervous energy coursing through him at seeing Jack again, he figured he could better spend it cleaning his place.He started with his bedroom, changing the sheets and picking up the clothes he’d thrown around.He vacuumed, cleaned the kitchen and the refrigerator, not knowing why he bothered because he never cooked here.After a few hours, he felt as though he accomplished something.
The days he’d been alone, Adam had realized how much he’d missed Jack.Sleeping next to him and waking in Jack’s arms, having dinner together, and a million other things that he’d taken for granted while they were together had him wanting to pick up the phone.He wanted to ask Jack if he could move back, ending the torture of not being with the man he loved.
And at the same time, he had doubts that Jack could really make a go of their relationship.Adam never wanted to out Jack or make him uncomfortable with his identity, because Adam remembered exactly how he struggled to come to terms with the fact that he was attracted to both men and women.
Until he’d met one man.
He was introduced to Jack during their freshman year at the University of Washington.When his ice blue eyes pierced Adam and he gave him an easy-going smile, everything around him stopped.Jack had reached out to shake his hand and the electricity from his touch shot up his arm and buzzed in his chest.Adam caught the scent of sandalwood and citrus as it drifted toward him.He was so affected by meeting Jack, Adam knew then what he understood all these years later.He was and would always be in love with Jack Wright.
At the time they met, Adam thought Jack had felt the same connection.During their handshake, Jack’s beautiful eyes widened and his hand tightened a fraction as he kept Adam’s hand for longer than necessary.Although it was fleeting, Adam would remember that look for the rest of his life.
But Adam had come to learned Jack wasn’t as affected as he was.
Jack had taken advantage of being on his own for the first time by never had the same woman on his arm.Adam had learned to put aside his fleeting desire for Jack and moved on.Despite his attraction to Jack, they had become great friends.By the time Jack admitted his feelings for Adam back in March, Adam hadn’t realized how deeply he’d buried his feelings for his friend and the admission had come as a shock.
Not as much of a shock as when Jack admitted that in a moment of weakness, he’d kissed Caleb.Both Ronan and Caleb had forgiven him and he wanted Adam’s as well.Adam told him that he didn’t care about the past, he wanted Jack’s future.And that future had been perfect for a couple of months until Jack started pulling away from him.Somehow their friendship was discarded as well because Jack stopped talking to him altogether, and that somehow hurt worse.
A knock at the door dispelled Adam’s thoughts and he smoothed down his jeans and dark blue pullover.He pulled the door open to find a nervous Jack on the other side, shifting from one foot to the other.Adam took the time to peruse the sweater that showed off the muscles of his chest and arms and the width of his shoulders, the gray bringing out the blue of his eyes.His gaze strayed down to his jeans that fit him perfectly, leaving Adam speechless.
His Jack was a very handsome man.
Adam reached for Jack’s forearm and pulled him inside, shutting the door behind him.He reached for the carryout bag and set it aside before he leaned toward Jack and locked the door, loving the heat radiating from the man.
“I missed you.”
Adam’s breath caught at the sincerity of his words and choked out the same.
“Can I kiss you?”
The timid Jack was someone new to Adam, but without hesitation, Adam nodded.He hadn’t liked the physical separation from Jack, but he missed being able to kiss Jack whenever he wanted.Jack cupped the back of his neck with his hand and barely brushed their lips together.
“I missed this, your touch.More, Jack, please.”
Jack’s tongue swept inside and took control while Adam forgot everything but the feel of Jack’s mouth and taste.Adam reached for Jack’s hips and pulled him closer, getting lost in the taste of Jack and the feel of his hard body pressed from chest to hip.
Too soon, way too soon for Adam, Jack broke off the kiss.He pressed his forehead against Adam’s as they both fought to even out their breathing as they stared into each other’s eyes.When Adam felt steady enough after a few minutes, he asked the question that he almost moaned aloud when he broke the kiss.
“Why did you stop?”
Jack met his gaze and gave him a small smile.“I fucked up my first chance with you.Now that I have a second, I won’t rush you or make the same mistakes I made before.”
Adam brushed his lips against Jack’s, unable to stay away.“Thank you.”
Jack clutched Adam close and Adam didn’t want to let Jack move from his hold.
“I should be thanking you for giving me another chance.My therapist said that I should take our relationship slow, to show you how much you mean to me.I am willing to do anything for you, even keeping my distance and ignoring my body for the time being.”Jack smiled and snagged another kiss before he stepped back, only to be blocked when Adam’s arms wrapped around his back and pressed him close.
Adam found himself speechless.He had known Jack wanted to talk to someone, but he thought it would take awhile for Jack to find someone he could trust.It had only been three days and he’d spoken to someone about their relationship.Adam found he was amazed by the changes in Jack already.
“Ready to eat?”
