Page 70 of Gratification in Gluttony

As far as Toni was aware, Oliver still didn’t know that Toni and Jude had sucked face several times. He figured when Oliver found out, he’d hear about it at work, but so far, Oliver spent most of his time talking about Liel, not threatening to kill Toni for sticking his hand down his best friend’s pants.

It bothered him, like a nagging itch in the back of his brain, but Toni ignored it. At some point, it would matter enough to talk about. For now, Toni planned to go with the flow.

Their last guitar lesson had gone swimmingly in Toni’s opinion. He learned several new chords and a few different strumming rhythms. Then he’d spent a good hour with his face attached to Jude’s, pushing the human into the couch cushions and grinding down on him until he made those sexy noises Toni liked so much.

Neither of them had come, but that was okay. Toni had mapped the ink on Jude’s chest, tracing the lines with his tongue. Then he’d trailed kisses along the scars and buried his face in Jude’s armpit where his scent was thick and musky. Jude had laughed, and Toni had thought him beautiful.

Today, however, Jude had heavy bags under his eyes, and he yawned every few minutes as he arranged, then rearranged Toni’s fingers on the strings. Instead of a hot and heavy make-out session, Toni planned to tuck the human into bed the moment their lesson was done. And if he was lucky, Jude would let him snuggle up behind him and hold him until he fell asleep.

“This don’t sound right,” Toni said as he strummed what was supposed to be anF#m.

Jude talked through his yawn, “You’re-in-the-wrong-fret.”

“What?” Toni asked, and Jude shook his head.

“Sorry. You’re in the wrong fret. Move up.”

Toni studied Jude’s fingers, then repositioned his hand on his own guitar. “Yeah, I see what I did. So, like this?”

Setting his guitar aside, Jude stood and walked around until he was behind Toni. He adjusted Toni’s fingers slightly, then said, “Try now.”

Toni strummed, though his attention was on Jude’s face, not his hand position. Jude glanced at him from the corner of his eye, and smirked. “Pay attention.”

“I am,” Toni lied.

“Pay attention or else I won’t kiss you later,” Jude threatened, and Toni made a big deal about staring at his fingers on the strings.

“That’s very good motivation; you’re an excellent teacher.”

Jude laughed. “I’d get fired as a teacher if I used sexual favors as incentive.”

“Good thing I’m your only student; I won’t ever report you for misconduct.”

By the end of the evening, Toni could play through a few simple songs, though his strumming left much to be desired. Piano definitely came more naturally, but he was determined to master this. If for no other reason than because Jude was taking the time and effort to teach him.

When Jude yawned for the millionth time, Toni set his guitar in the case and pointed toward the hallway that led—he assumed—to Jude’s bedroom. “Okay, you’re going to bed. Let’s go.”

Jude postured for all of five seconds before he let Toni pack up his own guitar and carry it to his room. His bedroom was smaller than Toni’s, but it smelled strongly of Jude’s shampoo—sandalwood and bergamot, Jude had said when Toni had asked. It was Toni’s new favorite fragrance, and he planned to buy a whole bucket load and drench his flat in it.

For now, he settled for hooking an arm around Jude’s neck and burying his face in his hair, inhaling deeply to fill his lungs with the stuff. Jude turned in Toni’s hold and tilted his head back, and Toni kissed him. The moment Jude tried to deepen it, however, Toni pulled away.

“I mean it,” he said against Jude’s mouth. “You’re going to bed. You’re exhausted.”

Jude frowned. “You didn’t come over here to tuck me into bed.”

Toni snorted. “I came over here to learn guitar and hang out with you. And if that means tucking you into bed so you get a good night’s rest, then that’s what I’m gonna do. Lay down.”

With an almost childish air, Jude did as he was told, though he removed his shirt first. Holding eye contact with Toni, Jude smiled and unbuckled his belt, then slowly undid his pants. Toni’s blood hummed, but he ignored it, keeping his expression neutral as Jude undressed down to his underwear.

He removed his packer and tossed it onto the side table where it landed with athud. Toni snickered as the silicone jiggled. Then he drank in Jude’s short, full frame.

“Like what you see?” Jude asked.

“Yes,” Toni answered honestly. “You want pajamas or are you sleeping like that?”

Like he was surprised, and slightly confused, as to why Toni wasn’t throwing him on the bed to have his wicked way with him, Jude skeptically retrieved pajama pants from his dresser and slipped them on. Then he climbed onto the bed, the frame squeaking obscenely as he moved.

Toni toed off his boots and emptied his pockets, but remained otherwise dressed as he settled onto the mattress above the covers Jude had tucked himself under. Facing each other, they shared a pillow, their noses touching.

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