Page 33 of Chasing Secrets
“Someone needs another blowjob,” Jalen muttered, pulling back from Mr. Temptation.
Who knew recovery included horniness? Ever since yesterday morning, sex had been the only thing on Jalen’s mind. He wanted Chase’s cock in more than just his mouth.
Chase curled his finger under Jalen’s chin and lifted his head until they were gazing into each other’s eyes. “Be a good boy and spend at least an hour in the sun, and I’ll suck anything you want, gorgeous.”
A sharp laugh escaped Jalen. “What if I wanted you to suck my toes?”
Oh hell. The look Chase gave him said he’d do it. If Jalen didn’t get out of the truck, he would jump the guy’s bones.
“If you start feeling overwhelmed—”
“I’ll let you know,” Jalen finished, reaching for the door handle. “Promise. Now can we please get some ice cream before I die of old age? One of us doesn’t have centuries to spare.”
Chase’s lips quirked up at the corner. “Brat.”
The truck door creaked as Jalen pushed it open. Heat immediately wrapped around him like a too-tight sweater, making his T-shirt stick to his back within seconds. The pavement radiated warmth through the soles of his sneakers as he stepped down, making him feel like he was walking on a furnace.
“Whose bright idea was it to go outside today?” he grumbled.
Oh yeah. Preston suggested it.
Preston bounded over, practically vibrating with excitement. His green eyes were bright, a stark contrast to the dark circles Jalen had grown accustomed to seeing in the mirror.
“Finally!” Preston exclaimed, throwing his arms wide. “Field trip! I’ve been dying to hang out with someone who doesn’t howl at the moon.”
Chase hadn’t said anything about howling. Not that Jalen knew much about wolf shifters. Honestly, he didn’t know much about Chase at all. They’d spent weeks together, but it wasn’t like they’d been cuddling and having Q&A sessions.
Jalen felt his mouth twitch upward. “You sure you want to be seen with me? I’m still working on the whole functioning-member-of-society thing.”
“Please,” Preston scoffed, bumping his shoulder against Jalen’s. “Between the two of us, I’m definitely the bigger disaster. I once tried to fight off a vampire with hairspray and a cigarette lighter.”
“Did it work?”
“God no. But I singed my eyebrows off, which was almost worth it for the look on his face.” Preston snickered. “Kidding. If one ever came at me, I’m running in the opposite direction.”
Jalen laughed despite himself, a rusty sound he barely recognized. Looking over Preston’s shoulder, he caught Chase watching them, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He gave Jalen a subtle nod before turning to Zeppelin, the two talking.
Jalen gazed at the guy’s lips, dying to march over there and bend Chase’s big ass over for a tongue-down-your-throat kiss.
“Come on.” Preston tugged at Jalen’s short sleeve. “Let’s get in line before those kids from the softball team show up and order one of everything.”
Reluctantly, Jalen tore his gaze away from Chase and followed Preston inside.
The line moved quickly, and soon they were facing a chalkboard menu with more flavors than Jalen could process. The sugary-sweet scent of waffle cones mingled with the cold rush of air conditioning, making his skin prickle after the outdoor heat.
This wasn’t his first trip to Second Scoop. In fact, Jalen had been here hundreds of times in the past.
Crimson Hollow was a small town, and there weren’t many places to hang out as a teenager. Jalen glanced at the corner table, the one where he’d always sat whenever he was there.
In high school, Jalen had had a few friends, and this was one of the places they would frequent.
But after he’d graduated, those few friends had gone off to college and Jalen had stayed, stuck in this town.
“Hey.” Preston tapped the back of Jalen’s hand. “You with me?”
“Yeah,” Jalen said a little too quickly, which gained him a strange look from Preston.
“It’s okay if we need to go. Recovery isn’t linear. No one would hold it against you if we have to bail.”
