Chapter Seventeen

Jace

J ace could tell Nico was upset with his behavior, but he needed to understand he needed some space. He worried Nico would break up with him because he’d behaved like a teenager.

He sank back into the rocking chair, its creak harmonizing with the soft rustle of the towering Sequoias. The forest was full of ancient trees, their silhouettes etched against the twilight sky. The scent of pine and earth filled the air, grounding him before Nico yelled at him. He glanced at Nico, who was rocking his chair, tension clear in his posture.

The others had retreated inside, leaving them alone on the porch. Jace felt Nico’s eyes on him, could sense they were filled with a mix of frustration and concern.

“Are you going to tell me what an asshole I am?” Jace asked.

“Always the smart ass. I’m not just your band manager, or drummer, or friend to you anymore. I’m your lover,” Nico said.

“I know. I guess I don’t know how to act.”

“You had the van and disappeared. You didn’t even answer your phone.”

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“I deserve respect from you.”

“I know what I did. I’ve already said I was sorry. What else do you want me to do?” Jace took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I needed time alone, Nico.” Jace didn’t understand why Nico was pushing him so hard.

“I gave you my fucking keys without questions. I trusted you’d return on time.”

“I’m trying to deal with what happened when we had to leave Bakersfield.”

Nico’s eyes flared with anger. “And your timing sucks! You left us hanging again.”

“I know,” Jace admitted, the weight of his actions sinking in. “But sometimes, I just need space. When I’m upset, I need to be alone to process things and seem to lose track of time.”

Nico shook his head, the rocking chair moving faster. “You could’ve at least answered my calls. I was worried, Jace.”

“What is this really about? Tell me what you want from me.”

“I need to structure our relationship. I’m not comfortable with your disappearances and can’t accept your lack of respect for me. I want to be your number one.”

“You are and have always been my number one. I’m afraid to fail you and already have. I don’t know how to make you feel like my number one. Tell me how to do that.” Jace looked down at his hands, feeling the sting of Nico’s words.

The anger in Nico’s eyes softened, replaced by a weary understanding. “I understand you need space, but don’t you think you should tell me what is wrong? Let me know what’s hurting you and let me help. We need to trust each other. I never want you to treat me the way you did today.”

“I get it,” Jace said quietly. “I want to be an us more than anything in the world and I want you to love me.”

“How would you feel if I gave you some rules for our relationship?”

“Rules? Like, what rules?”

“I shouldn’t say rules. Call them promises to each other.”

“Do you want to be my Daddy Dom?”

“No. But I might consider it if that’s what it takes.”

“You can’t spank me because we live with Sammie and Mark.”

“I could spank you in a private place. When we’re not practicing, I can take you to the garage.”

Jace laughed as he rocked faster in his chair. “You’re too much.”

“I want three promises from you. If you break those promises, I’ll spank you.”

“What do I have to promise you?” Jace asked.

“Promise one is answering my calls or messages within fifteen minutes. Can you promise me that?” Nico stopped rocking and waited for Jace’s answer.

“I promise I’ll return your calls or messages within fifteen minutes.”

“Excellent. Promise two is staying monogamous in our relationship. That means no kind of sex with anyone other than me. Can you promise me you will be with only me?”

“Of course I can. That will be easy for me.”

“Promise three is to trust me to take care of you. That means if something is wrong, tell me and let me help you. Can you promise that?”

“I do trust you. I guess I can tell you things so you can help me. You have always helped me. I need you so much.”

“I need you too. It’s not one sided. You’re very important to me. Now, ask me to make three promises to you, but you can’t spank me.”

“What can I do if you break a promise to me?”

“You can ask me to do anything you want sexually.”

“I have some ideas about that.”

“I bet you do. Now tell me the three promises you want from me.”

“Promise one is you promise to give me space when I need it. I won’t disappear on you. I’ll tell you where I’m going and when I’m returning. Can you give me space when I need it?”

“I can, as long as you tell me why you need space, where you’re going, and when you’re returning.”

“Okay, that’s good enough. Promise two is to promise you won’t give up if I mess up. Can you promise me that?”

“I’ll never give up on you, but I might get pissed.”

“Promise three is a promise to tell me the truth when shit comes down from your family. I know you saw some guy, but you never told me who he was or what he wanted.”

“I will tell you everything unless it puts you at risk. I talked to my cousin, and he told me my father wants me back in New York to work with him, and now he wants to visit me.”

“I like these promises.”

“Me too. Hey, why did you follow me?”

“Because I love you. I wanted to see if you had a lover.”

“No, lover. Just my Jace.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the forest’s peace wrapping around them. The argument had been necessary, but now it was time to move forward. Nico reached over, placing a hand on Jace’s knee. “We’ll get through this because our love is stronger than any problems. ”

Jace nodded, grateful for the unspoken forgiveness. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. And that was enough for now.

“Can I give you a blowjob to show you how sorry I am?” Jace asked.

“Oh, that’s a perfect idea. Let’s go up.”

“Since you’re going to do me,” Nico said, “I want you naked and waiting while I take a shower to get ready for you.” Nico’s voice rumbled as he spoke.

Nico’s words ran hot through Jace’s body. Nico was so much more than who he appeared to be to others. They entered the cabin and carefully climbed the stairs, the old floorboards groaning with each step.

Jace followed closely behind, swiftly closing the door as they entered the bedroom. Nico quickly undressed, threw his clothes on the dresser, and made his way to the shower. Jace couldn’t contain his excitement at the chance to win back Nico’s heart. He removed his clothes and threw them on top of Nico’s. He sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the coldness of the floor beneath his feet, as he patiently waited for Nico to complete his shower.

Jace’s stomach dropped when the bathroom door creaked open with Nico standing there, completely exposed and wearing a mischievous grin. Jace froze, unable to move.

“Touch yourself,” Nico commanded.

“What? Where?” Jace asked, feeling a rush of adrenaline run through his body.

“Touch your cock.”

Jace looked down at his swelling erection, then at Nico. He wanted Nico to touch him, but he would settle for touching himself while Nico watched. Jace spat into his hand, stroked the tip of his cock, and slid his fingers slowly down to the base. He couldn’t believe he wanted to do this for Nico .

“Faster, Jace!”

Jace grabbed his cock and stroked himself as fast as he could, never breaking eye contact.

“Stop!” Nico suddenly ordered.

Jace was ready to spill, but the sharp tone startled him into squeezing himself, preventing release .

“Why stop?”

“Because you haven’t earned it yet.”

Jace had played at edging with other lovers, but with Nico it was far sexier and more meaningful. Nico inched closer with his hand on his erect cock and balls as if he were carrying them to Jace. Nico’s cock looked bigger as he held it.

“Lick my balls.” Nico’s gaze was intense, capturing every detail of his features like a photographer framing the perfect shot.

Jace dropped to his knees and licked Nico’s balls, slobbering over them, so Nico would feel the wetness dribbling over them. He inhaled the fresh pine gel scent from his sack, igniting Jace’s desire. What surprised him was that he wanted to meet Nico’s demands. Jace liked him taking control; it made him feel protected. As soon as Jace’s lips wrapped around the tip of his cock, Nico pushed him away.

Very confused, Jace remained kneeling, waiting to see what Nico would do next. He focused on Nico’s cock, which was dotted with precum.

Nico caressed his own velvety ball sack with his left hand more vigorously than Jace had with his tongue while his right hand stroked his magnificent cock. Jace watched Nico’s nuts draw up tight.

“Do you want to come with me, Jace?”

“Yes, please.” Jace became instantly alive with hope .

Nico pulled Jace to his feet, took both their cocks in his hand and lathered them up with the lube on the nightstand. He continued to stroke both cocks in his large hand, and Jace felt Nico’s cock tightening against his.

As soon as Nico came, Jace jetted blast after blast of thick spunk over Nico’s hand while he leaned against Nico, panting and trying to steady himself.

Nico hugged Jace and found his lips as they held on to each other.

“Take your shower, Jace.”

Jace walked to the bathroom and ran the water, then stepped into the stall. He lathered up and scrubbed every inch of his body while thinking about Nico’s cock. He never thought Nico could be this hot in bed. He wondered why they didn’t connect sooner.