Page 103 of Diamond in the Rough

Jake tried to struggle up, but Maddox held him tight.

“They are nothing. They’re only possessions. They don’t mean anything, but you, you’re something…no, not just something. You areeverythingto me, Jake.”

His eyes were stinging again, but he didn’t blink them back or blame them on sand or pain. He wanted Jake to see him vulnerable, see him break before he rebuilt his walls around the both of them.

“I’m sorry I’ve not told you that before now…”

Jake bit his lip, then blurted, “Kiss me.”

“What?”

“I need you to kiss me.”

Maddox pulled Jake towards him and teased him with soft kisses. His mouth opened eagerly, desperate for more, but Maddox wasn’t done with his lips. They were soft between his and tasted of Jake with a hint of salt from the sea. Maddox gently sucked Jake’s thinner top lip before holding his chin still and nipping at his plumper bottom one. Jake shivered at the attention and gasped when Maddox licked across his mouth. Jake started begging, a mantra of “I need you” that vibrated against Maddox’s lips.

Maddox smiled, pressed his smile firmly to Jake’s, and whispered a quivering, “I’m here.”

Jake moaned when Maddox kissed him harder. He invaded the mouth on offer, made an undeniable claim. The heat and glide of Jake’s tongue sent pleasant tingles down Maddox’s body, and a possessive rumble started deep in his chest. The taste of Jake made his heart flutter, and hunger took over. Jake reached for Maddox’s head, running his fingertips up the back of his neck and into his hair. His hand tightened and relaxed, tightened and relaxed, clutching the strands as he desperately kissed back.

Maddox was cold, his muscles ached, and the slices and cuts on his body sung with pain, worse each time a small wave swept by. He could smell blood, and salt, and sweat.

The wind rushed in his ears, and the sea hissed harshly, masking his groans and Jake’s whimpers. There were bloodied bodies on the beach and things for Maddox to sort out, but when their lips pressed and their tongues danced, all was right. Their kiss tingled Maddox’s mouth, and a warmth between them flowed into Maddox’s chest, soothing the ache he’d felt since he’d thought Jake had died in the fire.

Maddox pulled back, kissed Jake on the nose, the head, then rested their foreheads together. Maddox’s bloodied brow against Jake’s pale one. He needed to get Jake to a hospital, needed to get himself stitched up, but he didn’t want to move from their messed-up paradise.

Jake licked his lips, then his eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at Maddox. His pupils had spread into his blue irises, leaving only a ring of intense blue far more precious and valuable than any diamond. That was only his eyes, let alone the rest of him. Maddox stroked Jake’s face, cupped his cheek, and looked down at him in awe.

Jake smiled, relishing in Maddox’s gaze, then whispered, “I love you too.”

Epilogue

Jake rolled over, stretched out his arm, and patted the bed. He was hoping for Maddox’s warm body, but instead, he petted the cold duvet and groaned. Jake rubbed the sleep from his eyes, then stumbled into the bathroom to scrub his teeth clean and splash water onto his face.

The bruises were gone from under his eyes, and his arm was in working order. He ran his fingers over his ribs, but instead of any rawness, the slight touch tingled the skin and made him shiver. It had been six months since he’d been struck down by the car, and he’d healed up, no marks to his skin, unlike Maddox and his many scars.

Life was calm, but it didn’t mean he was bored. Maddox cooked for him, Jake cleaned, and they shared the washing up. They cuddled on the sofa, watched boxsets and movies. Maddox smoked expensive cigars while listening to Beethoven, and Jake sat between his knees on the floor while Maddox rubbed his shoulders. The domestic moments were needed, were cherished, and acted as the calm before the storm. The storm of energy and excitement happened when they had sex, and it always got Jake’s heart pounding.

“Maddox?” He hadn’t really expected a reply and sighed.

He wrapped the duvet around him and trudged through the apartment. Jake knew where Maddox would be and what he’d be doing, and when he slid open the door, he gave Maddox his best “I’m not impressed” look.

Maddox narrowed his eyes and matched Jake’s stare of scrutiny with his own. “Duvets belong in the bedroom.”

Jake held it tighter. “And so does my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” Maddox scoffed.

“Yes, boyfriend, lover, soul mate, future husband.”

Maddox narrowed his eyes a fraction more. “You’re on thin ice right now.”

Jake pouted and looked down at his feet. “I’d say I was on the balcony, actually.”

He stepped out, and the cold breeze made him shiver. Maddox was only wearing boxer shorts and a dressing gown. It hung open, exposing his chest to the elements.

“Jesus, Maddox, it’s freezing.”

Maddox gestured to the coffee on the table. “That’s why I’ve got this.”

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