“Something I can help you with, Jayden?”
“Like this,” he said, scooping up a mushroom and pulling the stem off. I looked at the pile of mushrooms I’d already cleaned then back at him.
“Sorry,” he said, rushing off into the living room with his wine, clearly embarrassed his OCD was showing.
Shaking my head, I laughed and resumed my prep, doing it his way. When I emerged from the kitchen, I damn near dropped my tray of veggies. Several candles had been lit all over his living room while The Beatles serenaded us softly. He dimmed the lights a bit and walked over to refill my wine before taking the tray out of my hand.
“This is...awesome,” I noted as I took in the feast before us. He smiled, seeming pleased with himself as I sat down on a large pillow he’d laid out for seating next to the large coffee table. He built a few skewers of meat, putting them into the pot along with a few of the vegetables. I watched in awe as he sat back, sipping his wine, watching his handiwork boil in the hot oil and bouillon mix.
“Why are you single?” I hadn’t meant for the question to come out. He seemed taken aback by it ,and I tried to recover with another question. “I mean, when was your last relationship?”
“It’s been a long time,” was all he gave. He pulled a piece of cheese and fruit from one of our trays and popped it into his mouth then leaned over and offered me the same. I leaned in after chewing and swallowing and pressed my lips to the side of his mouth gently.
“Her loss.” Jayden looked at me then, his eyes growing warmer as we clinked glasses and drank on our silent toast.
“I could ask the same about you,” he said in a low whisper.
“I decided not to settle a long time ago. I’m still single as a result of it.” It was a good answer, short and to the point. I wasn’t worried about how he would interpret it. He had his list; I had mine.
“Three years ago,” he confessed as he pulled a skewer from the boiling fondue pot. “How do you like your steak?”
“Medium rare. A year.”
He grinned. “Me too.” I was suddenly confused with our overlapping conversations. We were sitting close, but in that moment I had to have more. The wine, the music, the candles, just the...man. I wanted him and I needed him to know it. Setting my glass down, I carefully shifted to straddle his lap.
“Hil—”
I cut him off with my mouth as I swooped in, lips wet, imagination on fire, and clear need in my kiss. His hesitation vanished as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me tighter to him as he kissed me back, full force. Our tongues tangled in a hungry conversation as our bodies aligned perfectly. I pulled back on a plea. “Jayden.”
“God, me too,” he conceded as he pushed me down beneath him, only pausing to take out the vegetables that were cooking and replace them with new skewers. I chuckled up at him as he grinned down at me.
“Multitasking?” I cooed as his eyes turned hot on me.
“Didn’t know I was capable until this moment,” he said as his lips descended, covering mine. A soft moan escaped me as his hands traveled and explored underneath my t-shirt. I writhed beneath him as my lips whispered a confession to his that I wanted this with him and I never wanted it to stop.
He continued kissing me as I slipped my hands under his shirt to let my fingers explore his impressive chest. My gasps became more frequent as he lifted my shirt, pulling down my bra. Soft lips and tongue covered every inch of my chest as his hand slid beneath my jeans and into my panties.
“Can I touch you?”
He pulled his mouth away for only seconds and looked down at me as my chest rose and fell heavily. Arching my back, I spread my legs in a silent reply. His fingers slid through my folds and inside of me, and I damn near came undone.
His hand found purchase as he cradled my neck, making sure my focus was on him as he touched me so gently, sliding his finger in and out while watching my reaction. My hips bucked when he pulled his finger out and up, working me to the point of frenzy. With his eyes on mine, I quickly succumbed to the pressure that was building, letting the inferno of heat and sensation wash through me. Jayden leaned in and kissed me deeply before pulling away. He pulled the skewers out of the pot and walked quickly to the kitchen. Seconds later, he came back as I was straightening myself. I was slightly sated but I wanted to feel him. He quickly apologized when he returned, drying his hands on a towel.
“I couldn’t exactly clear the table and have my way with you,” he chuckled as he rejoined me.
“Sorry, horny and fondue don’t exactly mix.”
“No, they both take time, and the first time I have you, I will take my time.” His blue eyes seared through me. It was a promise. One I intended to make him keep and soon.
“I want to touch you.”
“And I want you to. You have no idea how much, but not with sixty ounces of hot grease boiling next to our heads.”
“Good plan. Let’s eat.” Despite my agreement, I let my hand drift over his crotch then paused. Looking down, I saw an impressive bulge and could not wait to feel him in that intimate way. I looked up and saw his sapphire eyes greedy with need. Leaning in, I licked his lower lip before pulling away, giving him a taste of what was to come. I had no problem taking it slow, but promised myself I would let him take the lead.
“I just want to do this right,” he offered, his face tight with need as his control slipped slightly. “There is nothing I want more right now than to dig my weight into the bed as I waste myself inside you, but I want to do this right.”
I nodded, completely breathless and wordless. He was sincere, and for the first time in years, I thought I might not be the last romantic left in the world. Jayden, so far, was unlike any other man I’d dated. His cockiness was reserved for flirting, He was slightly old fashioned and modest to the point of being humble. He was way too good looking, and much too well endowed to be so, and it baffled me.
We went through two bottles of wine and stuffed ourselves with succulent meat and tender vegetables while swapping life’s war stories. He told me he’d wanted to be a musician when he discovered The Beatles at age eleven, but never actually had the talent to get away with guitar. All of the quotes on his sleeve were from Beatles songs. He mapped his arm as he spoke, our conversation never ending. I found it a cool coincidence that as he started explaining his fascination with Paul, Ringo, George, and John, Strawberry Fields Forever, my favorite Beatles song, wafted through the air. I sat and listened as he briefed me animatedly about his heroes. It was his thing and I was fully aware of just how deep under his spell I was falling. He even played me a few trivial songs of theirs, explaining his interpretation of their meaning, and suddenly I was even more curious. After a few hours of conversation and light kissing, Jayden stood in front of me.
“I want you to meet someone.”
“Oh?” I said, lying on my side, wine in hand.
He walked down the hallway, opening the door to what I assumed was his room. A huge golden retriever emerged and proceeded to trample me before I was able to sit fully upright, but thankfully had successfully set my wine glass down.
“Well hello to you. You must be Trip,” I said to the tongue coming towards my face as he pinned me beneath him. Jay pulled on his neck quickly with an “Oh shit, sorry. Trip, chill out!” as I laughed hysterically at the dog robbing my cheek of skin. “Leave him alone, Jayden. He’s a better kisser than you,” I joked as Trip continued his assault. Jayden pulled him off as I stood, straightening myself before bending down to rub Trip’s head and ears.
“You’ve kept him locked up both times I was here. You don’t have to do that.”
“Trust me, I did,” he said, grinning down at the both of us. “I need to walk him, but I’ll be right back.”