Page 14 of Feels Like Home

“I’m sorry to hear about your dad.”

Under Ian’s hands, Jace’s pain began to dissipate. His skilled massage was far more effective than Jace doing it himself. The needles of discomfort that had been pulsing in his brain were beginning to ease.

“Do you need to go inside and lie down?”

Jace had kept his feelings about his father’s death to himself. Even when he’d returned to school and classmates had asked about his absence, he kept quiet, bottling up the pain of losing his dad. At the funeral, he’d stayed in the background, refusing to talk to anyone.

Why had he opened up to Ian about the most painful experience of his life? He’d never met someone who could break his walls down so effortlessly.

“I think I should lie down,” Jace admitted. “Would you mind helping me inside?”

Ian put his arm around Jace’s waist and guided him inside. He directed Ian to his bedroom, relieved his mom and grandmother were nowhere in sight. Jace wasn’t in any condition to introduce them to Ian or have the two fussing over him because his head hurt.

And they would. Though Jace loved them with all his heart, right now, he preferred Ian’s company.

As soon as they stepped into the room, Ian closed the door and led Jace to his bed. First, he took off Jace’s shoes then helped him lie down. Without the soothing massage on his temples, the pain began to resurface. Jace instinctively curled up, cradling his head in his hands.

“Hang on, sweetheart.” Ian got into bed, propping himself up against the headboard. He carefully placed Jace’s head in his lap then turned off the lamp on the nightstand.

His fingers returned to Jace’s head and neck, skillfully massaging and manipulating the muscles as if he were sculpting a work of art.

Jace closed his eyes, allowing the peace and darkness of his room to soothe the throbbing in his head.

“Is the pain getting any better?”

The sound of Ian’s deep voice in the dark made Jace shiver. “Yes, but please don’t stop. Unless your fingers are cramping.”

By now, Jace’s would have been. He would be shaking them out and letting them rest before he tried again.

“No cramping.” Ian changed the direction of the circular motion. His natural and rugged scent surrounded Jace’s senses. It made him feel like he was drifting on calm waters.

* * * *

“Oh my!”

A loud squeak jolted Ian awake. An elderly woman stood in the doorway, her hand pressed against her chest as she blushed a deep red. He was snuggled up to Jace, his mate’s back pressed against his chest.

“I wasn’t aware Jace had company.” She spun and slammed the door behind her.

“This is going to be an interesting morning,” Jace grumbled, his eyes still closed. “You can slip out of my window to escape. You’re so tall that your feet will probably touch the ground.”

“From the second floor?” Ian chuckled softly. “I highly doubt it. How’s your head, kitten?”

Knowing his mate suffered from migraines made Ian want to protect him even more.

“So much better.” Jace stretched, his ass pushing into Ian’s groin. Memories of the previous night flooded his mind—how Jace had moved against his thigh, lost in the heat of passion and pleasure.

Jace’s warm, soft body was against his, the temptation messing with his mind. He’d been considering taking Jace to his Navigator last night and trying to persuade his mate into giving him a blowjob, but then his migraine struck.

Just the thought of those perfect lips wrapped around his cock made Ian want to purr. Unfortunately, there were other people in the house. When he finally had Jace naked, he didn’t want his mate holding back.

Ian wanted to hear every sound that escaped Jace’s lips—the whimpers, moans, and screams that showed just how much pleasure he was experiencing in Ian’s arms.

“Seriously.” Jace looked over his shoulder at Ian. “We just met, so you don’t have to face my family. I can find a way to sneak you out.”

The thought of meeting Jace’s family made Ian nervous. What if his mate’s mother and grandmother didn’t approve of him? It certainly didn’t help that they were caught in bed together, even though they were both fully dressed. That wasn’t an ideal first impression to make.

“You don’t have to sneak me out.” Ian rested his chin on Jace’s shoulder. “Just as long as they don’t try to skin me for being in your bed.”

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