Soul Bond: Part 6

Yes, yes, here it is.  The next episode.  I apologize again for the week lag, and I fervently hope it doesn't happen again.

Click the label if you need to catch up!

Enjoy!

6

            Jared sat on the couch with Liam, his body titled so that he could see the man’s face.  Nerves clawed at his stomach, making him even more uneasy.  Liam wore a pensive look as if he was truly digesting everything that Jared had said.  Every once in a while, Liam would bring his hand up and stroke his chin.  Jared focused on their bond, trying to catch even the smallest glimpse of what Liam was feeling.  But all Jared could discern was a bit of confusion.

            Finally, Liam gave a sigh and turned his green eyes toward Jared.  “A snarky ass?  Really?”

            Jared felt relief wash through him.  Liam’s tone sounded curious, a bit confused even, but not angry.  “Yeah.  A little.  Sometimes.”

            “Huh.  No one’s ever said that to me before,” Liam said with a small frown.  Then he shook his head and gave Jared the full weight of his gaze.  “You know I don’t mean it, right?  I’m never serious when I’m like that.”

            “How am I supposed to know that?” Jared asked quietly.  “I know you must get angry or irritated sometimes.  So if I assume you’re never serious when you say things like that that, then what if you are serious, what if you do mean it, and I just blow it off?”

            Liam nodded and gave that some thought.  Jared was just happy they were talking about it like rational adults and Liam wasn’t pissed at him for bringing it up.  He knew now he shouldn’t have been worried.  Liam was a very sweet and attentive man.  Logic would follow that he’d be willing to discuss anything that was bothering Jared.

            “Yeah, I can see how that would be disconcerting for you.  I don’t know if it’s something I can change—“

            “No,” Jared was quick to interrupt.  He blew out a frustrated breath and tried to get his thoughts in order.  “I’m not trying to change you, Liam.  It’s just…I don’t know how to react when you are like that.  And that makes me anxious.”

            Liam nodded and reached out a hand to cup Jared’s cheek. That touch, any touch from Liam really, always felt so good.  Jared sighed and leaned into the hand a little, not being able to help himself.  Liam gave him a small smile.

            “For you, with you, I’ll try not to.  I’ll try very hard to always say exactly what I mean.”  Liam’s voice was soft and his thumb started tracing lines on Jared’s cheek.  He nodded into the cup of Liam’s palm, his eyes sliding closed.

            “And if you’re not sure how to react to something I say or do, just tell me that.  We can work it out,” Liam’s voice sounded closer and just a little rougher.  “And if I’m actually upset about something, I’ll tell you it’s the real deal.  All right?”

            “Okay,” Jared whispered.  He forced his eyes open and then gasped to see Liam had slid across the couch, his face only inches away.  Jared’s heart started to pound and his breathing picked up.  Nervously, his tongue darted out to moisten his lips.  He watched as Liam’s eyes dropped to follow the motion.

            Before Jared even realized what was happening, Liam’s lips touched his.  The kiss was tentative and sweet.  Jared was too shocked to respond for a second and then, before he could, Liam pulled back and stared at him, confusion written all over his face.

            “What’s wrong, Jared?  Your emotions…you want this but you don’t.”

            “I—“ Jared sucked in a breath and pulled his face away from Liam’s touch.  “You aren’t gay.”

            Liam’s brows scrunched together.  “Why would think that?”

            Now it was Jared’s turned to be confused.  He pushed himself back a little further towards the end of the couch.  Distance was imperative or he was going to throw himself into Liam’s big arms.  He’d been attracted to the man since they had met but he’d always known that Liam was off limits.

            “I’ve slept with you in my bed every night since you got here.  I hold you in my arms while we talk or watch TV.  What part of that made you think I’m not gay?” Liam asked.  His tone was filled with curiosity and none of the snark.  Jared relaxed a little and shook his head.

            “The bond.  That makes us want to be close to each other.  It doesn’t make you gay.”  Jared was proud that his voice shook.

            “No,” Liam said slowly.  “It doesn’t.  The fact that I like cock makes me gay.”  Liam gave him a big grin and waggle of eyebrows to make it clear he was trying to be funny.  Jared managed a weak laugh and Liam sobered.  “Our bond can’t create those kinds of feelings.  It makes us want to be in each other’s space but it can’t make us feel things we don’t.  Even if we hated each other, we’d still want to be close.  You know that, right?”

            Jared nodded slowly.  He did know that.  But he’d thought that, because they did get a long, that was the basis for their constant need to touch.  He’d thought Liam was straight.  He wracked his brain, trying to remember what made him think that.

            “Mary said…” Jared trailed off and cleared his throat when his voice cracked.  Emotions were high and playing with his vocal chords.  “That day, in the kitchen, Mary asked you…she said ‘since when are you gay?’  I thought—“

            Liam gave a small chuckle and sat back against the far arm of the couch.  “Mary was teasing.  It’s a long standing joke between us, mentioning my sexuality in one way or another.  She tried to hit on me when we first met years ago.”

            Jared shook his head.  His perception of Liam was changing again, fitting in this new knowledge.  He scowled.  “Christ, since when did I get so bad at reading people?  I never used to be such an idiot.”

            “Hey, stop,” Liam’s voice was firm and Jared felt the small tendril of will behind it.  He instantly ceased the self recriminating thinking.  A few moments later, Liam spoke again, “You’ve had a rough month.  It’s not surprising you’re a little off your game.  Cut yourself some slack.”

            Jared blew out a breath, and knowing that Liam was right, nodded.  He’d worry about that another time though.  Because right now, he had a man looking at him like he was lunch.  Liam’s eyes, if possible, seemed greener.  Filled with lust, the pupils a little dilated, they made the breath catch in Jared’s throat.  He wasn’t sure how he missed that Liam was attracted to him but he chalked it up to his emotional upheaval and let it go.  Just the way Liam was looking at him made his cock fill.  He had to stop himself from reaching down and adjusting.  He’d never really allowed his thoughts about Liam to effect him bodily.  But now that Liam was staring with open lust in his eyes, it was hard to contain.

            “You want this.  It’s not fair, I know, but I can feel it through the bond.”  Liam’s voice sounded like gravel.  Jared swallowed hard.

            “Tell you what,” Liam continued, his voice dropping lower.  “I’ll just sit right here.  And when you’ve sorted it all out in your head, you make the first move.”

            Jared stared, taking Liam in.  He was gorgeous.  His dark blond hair was sort of mussed up and one lock was falling across his forehead.  The stubble along his cheeks and jaw cast a sexy shadow.  Those lust filled eyes were enough to make Jared come in his pants, if such a thing were possible.  But was the physical attraction enough?  Jared had never been one for casual flings.

            Suddenly, Jared came to the realization that this was anything but casual.  The connection between them made casual impossible.  Sure, it wasn’t permanent and one day, when this whole situation was resolved, the bond would be broken.  But until then, he and Liam were connected in ways that spoke of nothing but commitment.

            Jared didn’t make the conscious decision to move.  All he knew was that he was suddenly propelling his body across the couch and into Liam’s lap.  The big man’s arms came around him and pulled him close.  Oh, that was nice.  They fit together so well like this.

            “Hi,” Liam said quietly, an amused smile quirking his lips.  Had Jared ever seen lips that were more kissable?  He didn’t think so.

            “Hi.” Jared whispered back. 

            Liam’s hand came up to cup Jared’s face and caress his cheeks.  If Jared could purr he would have under the sensual touch.  His eyes drifted to half mast and his cock pushed against the zipper of his jeans.  He really liked having Liam’s hands on him.

            “What can I do for you?” Liam asked and it was easy for Jared to tell he was being playful.  For a long moment, he didn’t answer.  Instead, he pushed his hands underneath Liam’s shirt and spanned his fingers across Liam’s stomach.  Jared could feel the definition of his abs and his fingers played along the dips and ridges.  Liam’s skin was soft but there was no mistaking he was all male.  He hooked his fingers in the edge of Liam’s track pants and rocked against the man’s groin.  Liam let out a groan that made Jared bold.

            “You can take me to bed and fuck me.”

            Liam sucked in a hard breath through his nose.  For a few seconds, he didn’t react and Jared worried that he’d taken it too far.  Maybe Liam didn’t want that.  Maybe he didn’t like dirty talk.  Perhaps he wasn’t one to like when his partner was pushy.  Or maybe—

            Jared’s thoughts cut off when Liam’s hands dropped to Jared’s ass, cupping his cheeks and pulling their pelvises tight together.  The big man stood quickly and Jared bit off a squawk of protest, his hands scrabbling for purchase on Liam’s shoulders.  He knew Liam was strong enough to carry him, the man had done it before, and he was secure enough to admit that he liked being carted around. 

            The trip to the bedroom was quick and Liam laid Jared reverently on the bed.  And then, without removing any clothing, he laid on top of Jared, his bigger, broader body pressing Jared’s smaller frame into the mattress.  Jared let out a contented sigh, because he loved feeling Liam’s weight, before he started wiggling.  He tried to get his hands between them so that he could start taking off clothes.  Jared really needed them both to be naked.

            Liam caught his wrists and pinned them above his head with little effort.  Jared’s eyes widened even as his pulse picked up.  He’d never really gotten off on being manhandled before, but it was apparently different with Liam.  He sucked in a breath and lifted his hips, seeking pressure for his aching cock.

            Lowering his head, Liam’s lips found Jared’s.  Jared immediately opened to the onslaught, moaning in the back of his throat when Liam’s tongue found its way inside.  Christ, the man knew how to kiss.  With nothing but lips, teeth and tongue, he had Jared groaning and writhing.  When Liam lifted his head, breaking out of the kiss, Jared whimpered and chased his mouth.  Liam gave a soft chuckle and kissed him hard again before pulling back.  His massively muscled thighs were straddling Jared’s hips, keeping him in place.  Jared tried to thrust up but Liam settled his ass against Jared’s groin, making the movement impossible.

            Liam’s gaze was fixed on Jared’s and Jared couldn’t pull his eyes away.  He stared at Liam, panting, as the man reached up to pull off his shirt.  With a careless flick of his hand, Liam sent the fabric flying to some unknown corner of the room.  Jared swallowed audibly.  He’d seen Liam without his shirt before, but he’d never let himself fully appreciate the wide expanse of muscle or the smattering of hair covering his chest.  Jared reached out.  He wanted to touch. 

            Liam caught his hands and kissed his fingers.  “In a minute, angel, you can touch all you want.  First, we gotta get naked.”

            The reverent tone, the nickname, the gentle kiss to his fingers, they were all so intimate that Jared relaxed completely  against the mattress, content to wait for whatever Liam had planned. 

 

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