Self Preservation (7 page)

One year ago

Davis sat back in his seat at the theater as Jack and the other actors took their bows onstage. He'd been pissed as hell when Deseree called him at her apartment earlier and said she wasn't going to be able to make it back in time to go see Jack's play. She'd tried to throw out some piss-poor excuse, but he eventually got it out of her that she was going to go have sex with some hot guy she'd been attracted to for years. She kept saying how bad he was, and what a dog the guy was. Davis wondered why the hell she was going to sleep with him if he was so terrible, but he was too pissed to bring up that point.

He was actually just nervous about seeing Jack face-to-face for the first time in almost two years and was hoping she would be there as a buffer if things didn't go well. It was an off-Broadway production of
Speed-the-Plow
, and Jack was playing Bobby Gould. Davis had never seen Jack in anything other than Shakespeare or musicals, so he had no idea what to expect. He'd quickly gotten over his annoyance at the empty seat next to him once the play got under way. He'd been practically on the edge of his seat the entire time as the rapid-fire dialogue volleyed back and forth among the characters, leaving Davis almost breathless. Jack was incredible. Davis knew Jack could be funny—he often was in the musicals—but he'd never seen him funny like this. It was a different tone and style, and Davis was newly impressed.

He was supposed to have gone backstage afterward but decided to wait outside at the stage door entrance. He didn't know anybody else, and he never liked the fast-paced energy from behind the curtain. He felt awkward and in the way. He also didn't think he could handle watching Jack changing clothes. The mere thought of seeing Jack undressed gave him an instant erection, and he definitely didn't wish to share that with a bunch of strangers. He stood back, patiently waiting as people began to file out the stage door. Finally Jack came through, laughing out loud, looking almost intoxicated by the rush of performing. Davis smiled, remembering they'd always had the most intense sex when Jack had a play going on.

Jack was joking around, talking with a couple of the other actors as they walked down the steps. Davis stepped away from the building he was leaning on and walked into the light as Jack turned and locked eyes with him.

“Monkey face!” Jack yelled at the top of his lungs, throwing his arms out. “I should have known you'd be back here hiding out… I thought you didn't stay.”

Davis smiled uncontrollably as he walked up to him. Jack threw his arms around him, practically squeezing the life out of him. Davis laughed, hugging him back, loving the intense heat radiating off Jack's body. Jack pulled back slightly, yelling good-byes to the other actors before planting his lips on Davis's mouth. Jack thrust his tongue in, taking Davis a bit by surprise, but he kissed him back.

“Sorry about that.” Jack pulled away, patting Davis on the ass. “You know how I get, though.”

“Yes, I do.” Davis smiled.

“Damn, I feel great,” Jack said, throwing an arm over Davis's shoulder as they started to walk. “So, what did you think?”

“It was a very good kiss,” Davis said teasingly.

Jack burst out laughing and threw his head back. “I meant about the play…but it's nice to know I still have it.”

“Oh,” Davis said, turning bright red as they rounded the corner and turned, heading down the sidewalk.

“My beautiful blushing boy,” Jack said, kissing his red cheek.

“It was incredible. You were incredible.” Davis laughed as he placed a hand on Jack's chest.

“You think so, monkey face?” Jack asked excitedly. “I've never had the opportunity to do anything like this before, and I love it.”

“Well, you should do more like it. I was literally on the edge of my seat through the entire thing.”

“It's a great play and a fantastic part,” Jack said, squeezing Davis as they continued walking. “Fuck! We need a drink.”

“I might,” Davis said as Jack hailed for a cab. “But I think you're high enough.”

“Damn, I've missed you, monkey face,” Jack said as the hack pulled over to the curb.

They both climbed into the car and Jack gave the driver an address. “You've got to see my new place, I love it.”

“Okay.”

“Hey…where's Des?” Jack asked.

“She's out fucking some guy she referred to as a complete dog.” Davis shook his head. “Sorry she bailed.”

“No biggie.” Jack put his arm around Davis. “You're the one I wanted to see.”

Davis smiled and sank into Jack as he pulled him close. Davis felt his chest fill with pressure as Jack leaned over and kissed the side of his head. During the rest of the cab ride they talked about what Davis had been up to recently—getting his store opened and the work he'd been doing restoring a three-story Victorian. Jack talked about Candace, and Davis filled Jack in on Deseree and how well her business was going.

When they got back to Jack's apartment, Davis meandered around, looking over the bookshelves, running his hands over the leather couch that looked cozy and worn in that nice, lived-in way. The walls were painted a mocha coffee color and the wood floors creaked the same way they did in Davis's loft back home. The room was disheveled in that very familiar way, not dirty, just disorganized. Davis smiled looking over the mismatched furniture that somehow managed to all work together.

Jack returned to the room with an open bottle of red wine and two glasses. Davis felt a stirring in his body looking over Jack's—the way his jeans hugged his hips and ass in all the right places and the tight white T-shirt tucked into his waistband. Not to mention, Jack's strong, masculine hands, which Davis could still feel on his body when he closed his eyes.

Jack handed him a glass. “Here you go.”

“Thank you, sir,” Davis said, taking a sip and making an approving sound.

“You still do that, you know, make that little noise when you drink or taste something you like.”

“I do?” Davis asked, feeling his face flush. He sat down on the couch. “I didn't know I did that.”

“Just one of those little things,” Jack said, sitting down next to him. “Christ, I feel incredible.”

Davis laughed. “You always did after.”

“I know. I can't help it… I really love what I do, especially when everything really clicks with the other actors. The heat from it when the chemistry's spot-on. There's this electricity that makes me…”

“Horny,” Davis said, smiling as Jack burst out laughing.

“That too,” Jack said, exploring Davis's eyes as he took a big drink. “You know me too well.”

“Right back at ya, buddy,” Davis said, leaning back into the couch, kicking off his shoes, then putting his feet up on the coffee table.

Jack laughed as he followed Davis's lead. “Make yourself at home.”

“I will,” Davis said, laughing as he took another drink.

They turned their heads, staring at one another for several seconds until they each began to smile. Davis's eyes followed Jack as he got up off the couch and went across the room to turn on some music. He picked up the wine and refilled both glasses before taking a seat back on the couch.

Davis took another big drink. “Thank you again, kind sir.”

“You're most welcome, beautiful.” Jack reached over and placed his hand on Davis's leg. “It really is so good to see you.”

“I've missed you too, Jack,” Davis said, placing his hand over Jack's.

Jack turned his hand and intertwined his fingers with Davis's as he began talking about how terrified he had been making the decision to do the play. He'd wanted to call Davis to talk about it, but never seemed to pick up the phone.

That tore at Davis's chest a little, realizing Jack had needed him and he wasn't there.

Jack thought that he'd been terrible when they first began rehearsals, but he'd quickly adapted and his confidence had grown as each day passed. Candace had been there on opening night, and it was the most terrified he had ever been.

Jack emptied the bottle into their glasses and went to the kitchen. He returned with another bottle. Davis talked about buying the building in downtown Springfield and all of the work and money that he had sunk into it.

As Davis went on, he sounded settled into his new life—a life that didn't include Jack.

Jack cleared his throat as he sat up and refilled both of their glasses. They continued to drink, chuckling at first, then laughing out loud as they talked about safe topics, the good times, but each staying clear of anything that might throw cold water on the fun they were having.

Davis felt happier than he had in…forever, it seemed. He stood up off the couch, laughing as he grabbed Jack by the top of his head to steady himself.

“Where's the bathroom?” Davis asked laughing, dizzy from the wine. “Before I piss myself.”

“That way,” Jack said, pointing toward the hall, unable to turn his head. “I'll take you,” he added, getting up as they both giggled, trying to keep each other from falling down. “I need to piss too.”

“Holy have to piss, Batman,” Davis said, as they both laughed, holding each other up while they walked down the hall. “Was that really funny or just drunk funny?”

“I don't know,” Jack said, shoving Davis into the bathroom. “I'm too drunk to tell.”

Jack leaned his back against the wall, bursting out laughing again when he heard Davis let out a long moan.

“Fuck, that's amazing,” Davis said, reaching down to flush the toilet. He walked to the sink and washed his hands as Jack came in. Davis watched in the mirror as Jack unzipped and pulled his dick out. He turned off the faucet and dried his hands, feeling his cock begin to get hard. He walked back into the hall and took in deep breaths as he tried to calm himself.

“What's wrong?” Jack asked, coming up behind him.

“Nothing,” he said, startled and smiling as he stopped, breathing normally again.

Jack moved in front of him, concerned for a moment. Davis's cheeks began to flush and Jack looked down, smiling as he noticed the bulge in Davis's pants. “Monkey face,” Jack said in a faux-shocked voice, grinning from ear to ear. Jack reached over, firmly rubbing the hard flesh through his pants as Davis fell back into the wall. “I didn't know you'd brought me a gift.”

Davis reached out, grabbed Jack by the shoulders, and yanked him into his body, then shoved his tongue into Jack's mouth.

Jack's eyes widened at the force Davis exerted. He grabbed Davis roughly by the waist and slammed him back into the wall, grinding his now fully erect cock into Davis.

Davis pulled at Jack's shirt, jerking it over his head and tossing it to the floor. Jack's body was thicker than it used to be, but still hard as a rock as Davis ran his hands over his chest and stomach.

Jack continued to fuck Davis's mouth with his tongue, ripping his shirt open, popping off most of the buttons, which made tiny clicking noises as they hit the floor. He let out a deep, husky groan as he forcefully undid Davis's belt, pulling on the button to his pants. He pulled back for a moment and they looked over one another's face. Davis was flushed and his lips were swollen. Jack's eyes were glassed over with lust as they pressed their mouths into one another again.

Davis pushed Jack's jeans down over his hips, taking his cock into his hand, expertly working it over, knowing exactly where to apply pressure to create the most intense pleasure for Jack. Davis whimpered as Jack slid his pants and underwear down, freeing his hard-on and digging his fingers into his hips.

Jack pulled them both down onto the hardwood floor in the hall. Davis took Jack's nipple into his mouth, chewing and sucking as Jack moaned roughly. He yanked Davis's pants off and threw them down the hall. They lay on their sides as Davis moved to Jack's other nipple. Jack dug his fingers into Davis ass, opening him up. He shoved a finger into his ass and Davis cried out. Jack pushed him onto his back, kicked his jeans out from around his ankles, and straddled Davis's shoulders, facing his body. He shoved his cock into Davis's mouth and bent to take Davis's into his.

Davis sucked him greedily as Jack forced his dick down his throat. Jack pulled Davis's legs apart and began working over his ass with his fingers, licking his balls and shaft. Davis moaned wildly, bucking his hips as Jack penetrated him with his fingers.