Page 54 of Sass in the Grass

“I am, but…now maybe I want more ofthat.”

Dixon reached for him after setting the plates on the blanket and took him by the back of his head, pulling him close. Jovian looked deeper into those cold eyes than anytime previously. They riveted him.

He’d seen the word a million times, mostly from critics about movies or books, but he’d never felt it until that moment. He was riveted.

“You want me to kiss you, Jovian?”

That warm breath on his lips made him feel like he was breaking apart. From being frozen solid to have heat given him so closely, the whisper on his lips alone was cracking the ice and soon he’d shatter.

“Yes, Dixon.”

Pressing his lips to Jovian’s, Dixon took a fistful of Jovian’s hair and held him still while he took full advantage, kissing him solidly, passionately, and while that dominant kiss rocked him, Jovian felt for the first time that he was truly wanted.

The beautiful world around them closed in, wrapping the two up in a protective arm.

Dixon had great lips, and when the kiss was perfect, with their tongues clashing, Jovian knew he’d never have a first kiss like that again. It was…well, it wasdamnperfect.

“Better?” Dixon whispered on his lips.

“I…yeah. Better.”

“Good boy. Now, let’s eat.”

That praise, it shook him as Dixon pulled away. Sure, he’d had praise all his life, his mother gushing over him, always, but from someone that didn’t have to make things up to be proud of, that praise meant a lot.

Dixon shoveled vegetables onto Jovian’s plate. “I’ll never be able to eat that much!”

“You’re too skinny, and I know you think that’s a positive, it’s not. Don’t eat junk but eat food.”

“Okay,” was all he could say. Well, that wasn’t true. He could say any number of snotty retorts, but he didn’t want to. Not with Dixon. “Your name…it’s really interesting.”

“Dixon?”

“No, your first name.”

“Oh! Cherokee. Well, I am. Cherokee, that is. My mom is nearly half. My dad’s mostly English and Scottish, which is where I get my beard.”

“I don’t know what I am.”

“Well, I’d guess at least a little Italian by your last name,” he commented as he set a chicken breast on Jovian’s plate. While he was opening the wine, he added, “And, you look it, too. Dark hair and eyes, the olive coloring on your skin.”

“Olive? Like…like green?”

“Yes, Jovian. Haven’t you ever noticed?”

Haughtily, he said, “Um, if I ever look green, it’s after having too many cosmos at the club.”

Then Dixon laughed, and it was hearty and warm. “Okay, okay, not green.”

“Thank you.”

After Dixon handed him the wine, he made a toast. “To the first of, hopefully, many dates.”

Jovian clinked his glass gently with Dixon and then drank, letting the wine light his tastebuds. “So, your own wine, is it good?”

“It’s good, but like I said, it’s pretty potent. A glass is all you need for the night.”

“Will you let me try it, if…if we get past this date?”

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