Author's Notes: Thanks as always to Prothrombintime for finding the time to read my ramblings, and for feedback and encouragement. Enjoy!
Chapter Forty-Four
October 23rd, 2008 (continued)
Jack was so startled, it took him a moment to react to the insistent lips pressing against his own. Pushing aside his confusion, he wrapped his arms around the other man and began eagerly kissing him back. He'd tried to imagine how it might feel to kiss those tempting pink lips he'd been admiring for the last several days, and he was delighted to find he wasn't in the least bit disappointed.
Dylan's tongue pressed demandingly against his lips and he parted them willingly, moaning softly as their tongues met and tangled with one another. The Welshman was undeniably talented, and wanting to feel more of the man's warm, lithe body against his own, Jack pulled him closer as he deepened their kiss.
However, his enjoyment was short-lived when Dylan abruptly pulled away, removing himself from Jack's embrace. They stared at each other, both of them breathing heavily, Dylan's eyes wide with what was clearly shock and confusion. Deciding to remain silent, Jack waited to see what the other man would do next, fearing he might scramble away in horror.
The younger man raised his right hand and traced his fingertips over his lips as he continued to stare at Jack. "I kissed you," he murmured, his voice unsteady and filled with disbelief.
"Yeah," Jack agreed cautiously. "Yeah, you did. It was a pretty spectacular kiss too."
"I've never kissed a man before." A deep frown marred Dylan's smooth brow, his expression still one of intense confusion. "I... I'm not gay. I don't like men. I've never been attracted to another man before."
"Okay," Jack said in an even tone, unsure how to respond.
"But... I've wanted to kiss you since the day we met," Dylan continued, his voice wavering again. "I want to kiss you again now."
Jack gave the other man a reassuring smile, then slowly reached his hand up and traced his fingertips over Dylan's cheek, the action feeling deeply intimate and strangely comfortable and familiar. He shifted his other hand to the back of Dylan's neck and stroked gently, easing their bodies closer until their lips were almost touching again. "I think we've established that I really don't mind. And I'd like to kiss you again too."
He waited to see if Dylan would resist or pull away, but when he didn't, Jack captured the Welshman's lips with his own once more, keeping the contact gentle and relaxed. It took a moment, but then Dylan responded with a soft, needy whimper, kissing Jack back tentatively at first, then becoming more confident again as the kiss grew more passionate. With Jack's face cradled in his hands and his thumb stroking Jack's cheek, Dylan shifted until he was almost lying on top of him, his mouth moving against Jack's with increasing urgency.
Overwhelmed by his desire for the beautiful man in his arms, it took only moments for Jack to become heavily aroused. Shifting his hips in an attempt to get some relief from the increasingly tight confines of his clothing, he could feel Dylan's equally straining erection pressing against his own. Dylan groaned and began rubbing himself against Jack, then as if realising what he'd just done, he suddenly pulled away again.
"Dylan?" Jack moved back into an upright position as he looked worriedly at the other man. Dylan's eyes were lowered, his features once more a mask of extreme confusion. His hands were gripped tightly between his knees, and he was wringing them together in an agitated manner. "Are you okay?"
Dylan nodded, glancing up at Jack, then looking down again. "I'm sorry, I..."
"There's nothing to apologise for," Jack assured him, resting his hand on Dylan's knee and rubbing it soothingly. "Do you want me to go?" he suggested.
It was the last thing he wanted, but he thought that perhaps he needed to give Dylan some space to sort through his emotional turmoil. It wasn't the first time he'd been with someone who was confused about their sexuality, and although it was a foreign concept to him personally, he'd learned from experience to tread carefully in these kinds of situations. It was clear that Dylan was going through a significant internal struggle.
Dylan looked up sharply, alarm in his blue eyes. "No. Stay... please?"
"You're sure?" Jack asked, searching the other man's features.
"I don't want you to go." Dylan breathed out a shuddering sigh and scrubbed a hand over his face. "I... I don't understand what this is." He let out a wry half-laugh. "I'm not in the habit of throwing myself at men I've only just met. Or anyone else for that matter."
He stared hard at Jack for a moment, then to Jack's complete surprise, the corners of his mouth curled upwards into a teasing smirk. "Suppose I could do worse for myself though."
"Hey!" Jack was torn between laughter and indignation, and also startled by the sudden and unexpected change in the man's demeanour. "I'll have you know I'm quite a catch."
"Yeah?" Dylan asked innocently, his eyes beginning to twinkle with amusement.
"Yes," Jack said firmly, thrusting his chin forward. "I've had people queued up for miles just to get a glimpse of this jawline alone."
"Really?" Dylan rolled his eyes, but continued to smirk. "You have got quite a nice jawline, I'll give you that."
"You could do a hell of a lot worse." Jack couldn't stop an affectionate smile from creeping across his lips. "You know, not only are you a stubborn Welshman, you're also a very cheeky one."
"Yep," Dylan agreed, his smirk turning into a broad grin.
Jack grinned back. With Dylan seeming more relaxed, he took a chance and gently stroked the other man's face again, enjoying the sensation of the warm, slightly stubbled skin against his fingertips. Dylan's eyes slid closed, and he leaned into Jack's touch. Shifting closer, Jack stared at the strikingly beautiful, youthful face before him, completely mesmerised. There was something so warm and comfortable and safe about this man who was still virtually a stranger to him. A swell of emotion rose up in his chest, and he was struck by an intense desire to wrap Dylan in his arms and never let him go.
Dylan's eyes opened again, a flicker of uncertainty clouding his features. "James... er... I have no idea what I'm doing... with another man, I mean... I don't know how this is meant to work."
Wanting to reassure him, Jack settled his hand on Dylan's shoulder and tried to choose his words carefully. "There aren't any rules here. We can do anything you want... but I'd never want you to do anything you're not comfortable with. You can trust me, okay?"
Dylan scrutinised him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Somehow I know that's true... I know I can trust you. Since I met you there's been something... something different about you." He trailed off with a frown, evidently struggling to find the words. "I've never felt like this before." He shook his head self-deprecatingly. "I must sound crazy."
"No," Jack replied seriously. "No, you don't. I feel it too. I didn't tell you before, but I saw you in the park the day before we met. I couldn't stop thinking about you, so I went back the next day to see if you were there again. I can't explain it either, but I was drawn to you. I knew I needed to meet you... that I wanted to get to know you." He shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe it's fate."
Dylan looked at him doubtfully. "Do you really believe that?"
Jack sighed. "Honestly? I'm not sure. I used to think we make our own fate. But I've seen enough in my life to realise that some things happen for a reason." He smiled softly and squeezed Dylan's shoulder. "All I know for sure is that I'm very glad I met you."
"I'm glad I met you too," Dylan said quietly, biting down on his lower lip and looking at Jack curiously. "So, what happens now?"
"You could let me kiss you again, and we can see where we go from there?" Jack suggested, trying not to get his hopes up prematurely.
Dylan nodded, and apparently it was all the encouragement he needed. The next thing Jack knew, he had his arms wrapped around the Welshman again and they were kissing each other frantically.
It didn't take long before they were both fiercely aroused again, their erections rubbing against one another through their clothing. This time Dylan seemed to have no reservations, and although Jack longed to feel the other man's naked body against his own, he knew he needed to let the Welshman take the lead, proceeding at whatever pace he was comfortable with.
Confused by the strange connection they seemed to share, but also elated by the unexpected turn of their fledging friendship, he felt certain Dylan was more than worth the effort. When Jack wanted something, he could be a patient man, and he wanted the enigmatic Welshman with a degree of desperation verging on madness.
Dylan's hands had moved to the buttons of Jack's shirt, and the younger man pulled back, breaking their kiss. He looked at Jack questioningly, apparently waiting for permission. Jack nodded and leaned forward, waiting until Dylan had finished freeing the buttons, then tugging off the shirt and tossing it aside. He quickly pulled off his white t-shirt as well and dropped it to the floor.
Dylan was staring at Jack's naked torso with curious, lust-filled eyes. He tentatively reached his hand forward, tracing his fingertips over the contours of Jack's chest. His thumb rubbed across one of Jack's nipples, and Jack felt his breath hitch as the sensitive skin responded to the other man's touch.
Anxious to feel Dylan's bare flesh, Jack reached for the top button of the Welshman's shirt. "Okay?"
Dylan nodded, and Jack deftly unfastened the buttons, sliding the shirt away, then grasping the bottom of Dylan's black t-shirt. Dylan obligingly raised his arms and Jack peeled away the garment, distractedly tossing it aside. His mouth went dry as he raked his eyes over the captivating sight before him. The generous endowment of dark hair covering Dylan's stomach and chest was a stark contrast against the pale skin beneath, and Jack eagerly ran his hands over the exposed flesh, loving the texture and sensation as he teased the strands of soft hair between his fingers.
He'd always liked men with an ample amount of body hair, enjoying how it felt against his own comparatively smooth, hairless flesh. It was one of his many and varied fetishes, and he'd often bemoaned men who chose to shave or wax themselves. He appreciated a man who embraced his natural masculinity, and in that regard, Dylan was absolutely perfect.
The younger man was looking at him nervously, but he let out a moan of pleasure as Jack teased a pink nipple between this thumb and forefinger, then turned his attention to the other. "You're beautiful," he murmured appreciatively, still spellbound.
He pulled Dylan closer, bringing their bare chests together and capturing the other man's mouth in another searing kiss. Trailing his hands down the length of Dylan's smooth back, he settled them in the dip at the base and stroked the soft skin, feeling the Welshman tremble against him in response.
Eventually, Dylan pulled back and looked into Jack's eyes. "Um... perhaps we should get more comfortable... if you want to?"
"You're sure?" Jack asked.
"I'm sure." Dylan extricated himself from Jack's embrace, turned off the television, and rose to his feet. He held out his hand to Jack. "You might have to be a bit patient with me though."
Jack took Dylan's hand and stood up beside him. "Like I said, we won't do anything you don't want." He squeezed Dylan's hand. "This is all a new experience for you. I want you to enjoy it."
Dylan gave him a small smile, then led them into the bedroom. Jack stood just inside the doorway and glanced around the sparsely furnished room, smiling with affection as he watched Dylan neatly fold down the bed covers. He gazed admiringly at Dylan's half-naked form in the soft lighting, enjoying the view of the broad expanse of pale shoulders, then shifting his eyes downwards to take in the slim hips, firm buttocks, and long, lean legs still encased in dark denim. Although he thought Dylan was a little too thin for his six-foot stature, the Welshman was well-proportioned and an intensely arousing sight. He hadn't been exaggerating when he'd told the other man he was beautiful.
"Come here," he said, stepping forward and pulling Dylan into his arms again.
They kissed deeply as they fumbled with their belts and the fastenings of their jeans, stumbling out of them and kicking them haphazardly aside. Unable to endure the confines of his remaining clothing any longer, Jack reluctantly broke their kiss and quickly stripped off his socks and briefs. He straightened up to find Dylan staring down at his erection with a look of fascination. "Touch me," he murmured encouragingly.
Dylan tentatively stroked his fingers along Jack's length, causing Jack to tremble and moan appreciatively. He traced his hands down Dylan's torso, sliding his fingers beneath the waistband of Dylan's black briefs, then waited until Dylan met his gaze once more. "Can I?" he asked softly.
Dylan nodded, and Jack eased the underwear down, revelling in the sight of the Welshman's gorgeous and amply proportioned erection. Waiting until Dylan had stepped out of his underwear and tugged off his socks, Jack stroked him gently, teasing his thumb over the leaking tip and savouring the low moan of pleasure Dylan produced in response. Dylan kissed Jack firmly, pressing himself against Jack's body, and it was Jack's turn to murmur appreciatively as their erections rubbed together, this time with no constricting fabric to impede the sensation.
Kissing and caressing with an urgency bordering on desperation, they tumbled down onto the bed. Jack kissed his way down Dylan's throat, then turned his attention to Dylan's chest, eager to explore every inch of his new lover. Sucking and teasing each of Dylan's nipples in turn, he savoured every tremor of pleasure he managed to elicit from the younger man. He followed the trail of dark hair downwards, pausing to tease the hollow of Dylan's navel with his tongue. Continuing to work his way down, he finally reached Dylan's crotch. Cradling and caressing the firm balls with his hand, he ran his tongue along Dylan's straining length before taking him into his mouth.
Feeling Dylan become tense, he paused and took his mouth away. "Is this okay?" he asked, looking up at the other man with concern.
"James... should we be using protection?" Dylan looked slightly embarrassed. "I... I don't have anything we can use."
"Oh." Jack couldn't explain to the other man that he was completely safe thanks to several thousand years of evolution and medical advancement, so he had to settle for a more traditional approach. "You're clean though, right?"
"Yep," Dylan replied. "You?"
"Yeah," Jack assured him. "Dylan, I'd never put you at risk, but we can stop if..."
Dylan shook his head. "No. Like I said, I trust you."
Jack smiled gratefully, and waited for a moment until he was sure Dylan was relaxed again. He slowly stroked him several times, then settled his hands on Dylan's hips and took him back into his mouth. Attempting to apply all of his considerable skill, he wanted the Welshman's first sexual experience with another man to be one he wouldn't ever forget.
Enjoying the feel and taste of the other man in his mouth, he continued his ministrations enthusiastically, and it wasn't long before he felt Dylan approach his climax. With a deep, guttural groan, and a shudder that rippled along the entire length of his body, Dylan spilled his release into Jack's mouth. Jack continued to greedily lick and suck, not wanting to waste a single drop of the hot, thick fluid.
Satisfied that Dylan was spent, Jack moved back to lie beside him and kissed him softly. Dylan tensed against him for a moment, but then relaxed into the kiss and deepened it, his tongue exploring Jack's mouth eagerly.
Dylan reached down and began stroking Jack, causing him to moan with pleasure. When their finally kiss ended, he looked at Jack with uncertainty in his eyes. "Do you want me to..." He trailed off awkwardly, glancing down at Jack's crotch.
"Only if you want to," Jack assured him.
Dylan shifted down the bed, but looked a little lost and confused as he stared at Jack's erection. "Just do whatever you feel comfortable with," Jack encouraged.
"Okay." Dylan hesitantly took Jack partway into his mouth. Closing his eyes, Jack concentrated on the sensation of the man's hot, wet mouth wrapped around him. At first he was awkward and tentative, and Jack wasn't sure if the Welshman was enjoying himself, wondering if he was only reciprocating out of a sense of obligation. But Dylan seemed to rapidly gain confidence, and he was soon pleasuring Jack with surprising skill and enthusiasm. Jack came almost embarrassingly quickly, trembling and then crying out as he erupted into Dylan's mouth. Dylan spluttered slightly, but he didn't pull away until he'd swallowed all of Jack's release.
Jack tugged on Dylan's arms and pulled him up and into a firm kiss, eager to taste himself in the other man's mouth. "Wow," he said when they finally broke apart again. "And you've never done that before?"
A flicker of confusion passed across Dylan's features. "No. Never."
Jack looked at him in awe. "Huh. You must be naturally talented."
"That was okay, then?" Dylan asked, looking at him worriedly.
Jack gave him a reassuring smile. "That was a hell of a lot more than okay. You're obviously a man of hidden talents."
They lay together quietly, slowly kissing and touching each other. When they were both aroused again, Jack wrapped his hand around both of their erections and stroked them together until they climaxed for a second time.
Lying on his back next to Dylan, Jack felt remarkably content as he thought about how the evening had turned out to be one of the best and most unexpected he'd had in a very long time. He just hoped it would be the first of many more to come.
He was wondering if he should offer to leave, thinking dejectedly about his lonely hotel room, when Dylan broke the silence. "James, do you want to stay here tonight?"
Jack propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at Dylan's calm, relaxed features, wondering if the man had somehow read his mind. "Do you want me to?"
Dylan gave him a look that was something akin to fond exasperation. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."
Jack was unable to stop a broad grin from spreading out across his face. "Yeah, I'd like to stay."
###
Jack woke the following morning and rubbed at his eyes as his sleep-muddled mind tried to identify the dimly lit, unfamiliar room. He glanced at the other side of the bed and found Dylan sprawled on his front in an ungainly tangle of limbs, his face buried in a pillow, and snoring softly. Smiling as he recalled their evening together, Jack pulled the bed covers up from where they'd slid away from their naked bodies, then stretched himself out. Shuffling closer to the other man, he folded his arms behind his head and closed his eyes again.
Lost in his thoughts, it was a few minutes later when he felt a rustle of movement next to him, accompanied by a soft moan. Opening his eyes again, he turned onto his side and found a pair of sleepy blue eyes peering up at him.
"Hey," he murmured, smiling down at Dylan. Unable to resist, he leaned down and pressed a light kiss to the Welshman's lips, lingering for a moment to enjoy the sensation of the stubbled skin against his own.
"Morning," Dylan muttered thickly, stretching himself out and attempting to stifle a yawn.
Uncertain of how receptive Dylan would be to any morning-after intimacies, Jack took a chance and wrapped his arm around the other man's shoulders, pulling him in close against his chest. To his relief, Dylan went willingly, curling up against him. "Did you sleep okay?" Jack asked softly.
"Mmm-hmm. You?" Dylan mumbled.
"Yeah, like a baby," Jack replied, realising with surprise that he had actually slept peacefully for the entire night. "I can't remember the last time I slept so well."
"That's good, then." Dylan pressed himself closer, wriggling a little, then resting an arm over Jack's stomach. "I'm glad you stayed."
"Me too. So, you're okay?" Jack asked hesitantly, worried that in the cold light of day Dylan might decide their night together had been a horrible mistake, or at the least, something he didn't wish to repeat. He caressed Dylan's forearm. "Not freaking out about last night?"
Dylan exhaled a soft sigh. "It's weird. I feel like I should be... but I'm not. I can't explain it, but being with you... it feels..." He propped himself up on his elbow and looked down into Jack's eyes. "It feels right."
"Yeah," Jack agreed, equally at a loss to explain the connection they clearly both felt. He'd never experienced anything like it before. "Yeah, it does. I can't explain it either."
Dylan perplexed expression mirrored Jack's thoughts. But he settled against Jack again, and Jack pressed a kiss to his forehead, surprised again by the deep affection he felt for the younger man. It wasn't like him to fall so hard and fast for someone, and it both exhilarated and terrified him.
"I probably should head back to my hotel," he said with regret a minute or so later, thinking he'd prefer to stay exactly where he was, but not wanting to overstay his welcome. "Maybe I can swing by later and we can get some lunch? If you don't have any other plans?"
"No, I don't have any plans," Dylan replied in a soft murmur. "Around one o'clock?"
"Okay," Jack agreed cheerfully. "It's a date."
Dylan pressed his face against Jack's neck and took a deep breath. "You don't have to rush off if you don't want to. I can make us some breakfast first."
"Including some of your fantastic coffee?" Jack asked hopefully.
"Of course," Dylan replied, his lips twitching against Jack's skin.
Dylan shifted against him and Jack was reminded of the man's morning arousal pressing against his thigh. Grinning, he reached down and gave Dylan a teasing stroke. "But before we do that, I think there's some business we need to take care of first."
"Oh, you do, huh?" Dylan asked, then moaned as Jack stroked him again.
Jack chuckled, pulling Dylan on top of him and giving him a firm kiss. "Absolutely."