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FIC Update! Angels Ain't Easy, Chapter 16 (Fine Dining, Ex’s and Their Sidekicks)
Title: Angels Ain’t Easy
Author: Archet
Pairing: OMC Jody McKinnon/Matt Hawkes
Fandom: High Mountain Rangers
Summary: a story of falling in love, figuring things out and just holding on.
Disclaimer: I did not create the High Mountain Ranger character/s, only this fic and the Original Male Character, Jody McKinnon, and any other original characters in supporting roles. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: this fic is set in 1989, approximately a year and a half after the events of the final episode of High Mountain Rangers. There will be no acknowledgment of the events of the spin-off show Jesse Hawkes.
Warnings: none this chapter
Note: this fic takes place a little over four months after Bad Luck, Bad Guys and High Mountain Rangers and is a sequel to that fic, so reading that first is recommended.
Additional: this fic will depict same sex relationships, and dominate/submissive themes. If this ain’t your thing, venture no further.
Summary this chapter: Jody hadn't planned on ex-boyfriends, nor their sidekicks, showing up during his date night with Matt, but here we are.
~*~
Chapter 16: Fine Dining, Ex’s and Their Sidekicks
When a couple minutes stretched into five, and then a couple more and Matt still hadn’t returned to the table, Jody began get antsy. What could be taking so long? It puzzled him, how anyone would know where to find them, unless they were spotted in the restaurant itself, but then why would someone make the effort to call the bar, and not just seek them out at their table? Sure, he’d rented out their dining room so they didn’t have to share the space with other patrons, but that didn’t prevent anyone who really wanted to from entering to speak with them.
Frowning, Jody got pulled from his musing as their waiter approached the table. The young man paused a moment, then asked, “Sir, is there anything I can get you?”
Jody shook his head. “Not right now, my date should be back in a moment.”
The waiter nodded, turned and left. Sighing, Jody sat back and stared out the wide window across the room, and at the attractive landscaping just beyond. Water trickled down through a carefully arranged jumble of rocks, creating a slender, tumbling waterfall. The moving water glimmered slickly under the gentle glow of strategically placed lights.
Running a finger down the spine of the silver fork laying on its thick, folded white napkin on the table before him, Jody tuned into the muted sounds emitting from the adjoining room. Plates and silverware tinkling together overlaid the low buzz of a dozen conversations, interspersed here and there by bursts of laughter. In the distance a piano played a tune he couldn’t quite place. Jody gazed into the flickering flame of the candle, floating in its bowl of water in the center of the table, and waited.
Something felt… off. He couldn’t explain it. He didn’t like it. The longer he sat there trying to pin down what was bothering him so much, aside from his impatience to get on with their night, the more unsettled he felt. Suddenly, he was moving.
Sliding out of the booth, Jody strode from the room and entered the main dining area, scanning around for the bar. The layout of the restaurant seemed jumbled, random, but Jody could tell that initial assessment was deceptive, that there was a definite intention behind the arrangement. Booths stood like little islands underneath the winding length of the leafy vine installation overhead, and open air tables fanned out around them, creating more of a festive air around the long line of the polished bar on the far side of the room, and around the modest dance floor.
Moving around the edge of one booth and toward the bar, Jody paused at the entrance of a wide hallway that led off toward the restrooms. Regularly spaced wall sconces lit the hallway, their bulbs behind their amber tinted glass shades spilling just enough illumination into the space to allow one to move about safely. Jody glanced down the hallway, and then back to the bar area.
Just past a row of potted palms, he spotted Matt. Standing very straight, one arm resting on the bar top, he seemed very intent on a tall, dark-haired man dressed in a dark grey suit that was speaking to him. Of course, Jody couldn’t hear what was being said at that distance, but Matt seemed to be giving the man his undivided attention.
Just as Jody was about to stride past the hallway and over to Matt’s side, he paused. A buzz of unease skittered down his spine. Taking a step back, he gazed around his immediate vicinity, his attention snagging on a tall, thin blonde male standing just behind the row of palms. The man wore a long black leather jacket, and dark colored pants tucked into black Doc Martens. Standing just behind the palms, he held a menu in his hands that he seemed to be perusing, though as Jody studied him, he could tell the guy wasn’t reading the menu at all.
After further scrutiny it became apparent that the stranger’s attention was squarely fixed on the conversation going one between Matt and his visitor.
Jody tensed, drew in a breath, and took a measured step back, further out of the periphery of the blonde spying on Matt and his mystery caller. The guy had chosen his spot well, since if needed he could slip unseen down the dimly lit hallway. The palms provided a protective screen, and from his vantage point he could likely hear most of what was being said between over by the bar.
Eyes narrowing, Jody did a quick check on Matt, and then returned his attention to the unknown blonde. The man’s fine straight hair fell to either side of his face, not golden like Matt’s, but almost white. In profile he had a straight pointed nose and chin, and thin lips. Under his jacket Jody discerned a lean physique, and he was tall, though the thick soles of his boots probably donated an inch or two to his height. The sleeves of his jacket were rolled up just past his wrists, revealing pale forearms, and Jody caught the filigreed edge of a tattoo along the back of his left hand that wound around his arm and disappeared beneath his jacket sleeve. Several braided black bracelets were wrapped around one wrist, a contrast to his pale skin.
Jody estimated the guy to be in his late twenties, but it was difficult to tell in the low lighting. He was attractive in a sly sort of way, the tattoo and dark clothing lending him a somewhat edgy aspect that was enhanced by his stance. Tall, thin and slightly Goth didn’t do much to capture Jody’s attention, but it was the way he held himself that spoke volumes. On alert, yet outwardly he gave the appearance of being relaxed, even bored. He blended into the background of the restaurant, just a patron perusing a menu, so that none of the wait staff gave him much notice as they bustled by.
After another few seconds of observation, Jody turned and edged his way around the side of a nearby booth, placing it between himself and the blonde. Taking a page from the stranger’s book, he picked up a menu from a wooden stand loaded with a stack of them. Opening the menu Jody flicked his gaze up over the top of it to Matt.
Not much had changed since the last time Jody had looked over, except now the dark-haired man stood a step closer to Matt. One hand rested palm down on the bar, and he’d brought their hands close together so that their fingers were just inches apart. The tall man’s entire being seemed focused on Matt as he spoke, though Matt himself gave no remarkable reaction except to just be listening attentively. After a few seconds the man slid his hand closer, resting it atop Matt’s. Jody zeroed in on the contact, at the way the man dared to ease his hand further up Matt’s arm to brush his thumb slowly over the fine bones of Matt’s wrist.
Something in Jody felt primed to click over, a firing pin in a gun, about to go off.
Tossing the menu down onto the stand, he was two steps out from the booth before he brought himself to a halt. Matt didn’t need him charging in to intercede on his behalf, but the sight of another man’s hands on his boy struck him as so innately wrong it took everything in him not to stride over, grab the offender by the scruff of the neck and toss him aside. A heavy, angry buzz started inside Jody, demanding action.
Taking a steading breath, Jody kept his place and watched as Matt pulled away, shaking his head as he said something to the man before him. The two resumed their conversation, though the dark-haired man seemed a bit more animated than before, though he kept his distance and didn’t reach out to touch Matt again. It was after spending several moments watching the pair, that Jody remembered the little spy behind the palms. Glancing to his right, he saw immediately that he’d been made.
Fuck.
The blonde had also abandoned his menu, and was leaning back against the wall by the hallway. The thin line of his mouth had turned up in a knowing smirk. Arms folded across his chest, he regarded Jody with chilly blue eyes.
Wrestling with the need to march over to Matt’s side, Jody instead switched things up. Turning, he made a bee line for the kid, experiencing a moment of amusement when those blue eyes widened momentarily before the other man smoothed over his reaction. By the time Jody drew within a couple feet, the kid had pushed off the wall, unfolded his arms and stood squared up. Jody would’ve found this humorous, if it wasn’t for the studied calm in those cool, assessing eyes.
He may be on the young side, but Jody suspected this guy could handle himself if he had to.
Drawing to a halt, Jody stuck out his hand. “Hey. I’m Jody.”
Apparently a fairly polite introduction wasn’t what the kid expected. He stood frozen for an instant, before he laughed shortly. Taking Jody’s hand, they shook up and down, then released.
“And you are?” Jody prompted.
Discreetly edging a little further out of Jody’s vicinity, the kid smiled, somehow fashioning his expression into something that was both attractive, and a little insolent. Now within almost an arm’s length Jody could see that the cut and quality of the kid’s clothing appeared to be rather fine, expensive, if not a bit rumpled looking. Maybe a bit too much on trend, style-wise, in Jody’s opinion but it wasn’t like he was an authority on fashion; he just knew what he liked.
“Me? I’m Alex.” The tone was light, smooth and unshaken.
Jody tipped his head toward the bar. The cool blue eyes flicked aside and then back to Jody. The smile dimmed, but still hovered on the thin lips.
“And that’s Jonathan, I take it?” It was a guess, but it felt right.
This time Alex made more of a show of looking through the palms, brows lifting, then turned back to Jody. If he was surprised at Jody’s guess, he didn’t show it. He stood quite composed, hands hanging loose and free down by his sides.
“The one and only.”
Jody nodded. “And what does Jonathan want with Matt?”
Alex’s gaze slid back past Jody’s shoulder, over to the bar again, drawn there almost involuntarily, it seemed to Jody.
“Oh,” Alex said lightly, turning his attention back to Jody. “I’m sure your date will fill you in.” There was something in the frosty blue eyes as he said this, some sharpening of emotion and Jody could not quite decide if it was annoyance, or something stronger.
“Is everything okay?”
Jody smiled at the sound of Matt’s voice. He turned to find him standing just a step away. He gaze was bouncing back and forth between Jody and the mystery blonde.
“Everything’s fine, baby. You ready to head back to the table?”
Giving Alex another curious look, Matt nodded. “Yeah. Absolutely.”
At that Alex’s eyes narrowed slightly, and it was Jody’s turn to smirk. “Nice meeting you, Alex.”
Alex grinned, blue gaze bright. “Oh, the pleasure was all mine, Mr. McKinnon.”
The smooth tone lent the words a deeper meaning, and Jody all but rolled his eyes. It didn’t escape his notice that he hadn’t introduced himself to Alex with his last name. He pressed his hand to the small of Matt’s back, giving him a gentle nudge.
Shooting Jody a bemused look, Matt started forward and Jody followed. Once they’d wound their way among a few booths and tables, Jody looked back. Jonathan had joined Alex, his gaze fixed upon Matt’s retreating back. At his side Alex was speaking, gesturing with one hand in a pointed manner, but it was hard to tell whether or not Jonathan was paying any attention.
Jody paused as Matt went on ahead. After a moment Jonathan blinked, and then focused on Jody who was standing stock still, just waiting to be noticed. Their eyes met across the restaurant, and Jody smiled, slow and deliberate.
Jonathan’s mouth pressed into a hard, flat line, and it was he that looked away first as Alex tugged on his elbow. Jody watched them a moment, noting the annoyed look Jonathan leveled at Alex before he softened, and nodded, seeming to agree with whatever Alex was saying. Not willing to waste another moment of his and Matt’s night, Jody turned and walked away, following in Matt’s wake, heading back to their table.
Sliding into the booth, Jody found Matt staring at the table top, brow furrowed.
“Are you all right?”
Green eyes lifted, and Matt smiled. “I am now.”
Jody grinned. “You are such a corn ball.”
Matt laughed, and Jody could see the tension in his frame easing.
“I’ve never pretended otherwise.”
Moving closer until their thighs touched, Jody tilted his head and said evenly, “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Taking a sip of water from his glass, Matt snorted. “Now who’s the corn ball?”
“Fine,” Jody conceded, lifting his own glass in salute. “We’re both corny and hopeless.”
Their waiter, either having been keeping an eye out, or possessing a keen sense of timing, appeared then and asked if they were ready to order. Matt’s stomach chose that moment to growl quite loudly, and Jody bit his lip as the waiter hid a grin and Matt’s face went red up to the roots of his blonde hair. After a considering their menus, they made their selections and handed off their menus to the waiter.
Waiting for a beat of silence after the waiter’s departure, Matt asked, “Do you want to know what that was all about?”
Jody looked up. The amber tinted lighting in the room combined with the candlelit suited Matt beautifully, lay gentle and golden against his fair hair. His green eyes, dilated in the low light as he waited expectantly, struck a chord inside Jody, and warmth flared through him as something in his chest tightened.
“I’d like to know, yes, if it’s something you’re comfortable sharing.”
Jody had to work to keep his voice even. It still rankled, the memory of Jonathan’s hand on Matt. He wondered if Matt would mention it, then thought he was probably becoming unreasonably obsessive about it.
Matt smiled, and as Jody watched his smile faded as he said, “Jonathan says he saw us come into the restaurant. He claims that he came back to Bear Valley just recently, and was planning to come see me. He says he wants to explain why things, well, why they happened the way they did when he left last year.”
Jody nodded. He didn’t bother asking why Jonathan didn’t just come and introduce himself. Of course, he’d wanted to get Matt alone, but it seemed odd, them all showing up at the same place at the same time. Though stranger things had happened, he supposed.
Jody focused in on the uncertain note in Matt’s tone. “You don’t believe him?”
Sighing, Matt shook his head. “No, I believe him but…”
Matt paused, gaze turning inward. Jody allowed him a moment, and then prompted, “But what?”
Pulled from his thoughts, Matt blinked, shrugged. “It’s nothing. It’s just, I’m pretty sure that suit Jon had one was the same one he had when we were together. I recognized the tomato sauce stain on his sleeve. I mean, you can barely see it, but I’m sure that was the one.”
Jody’s brow rose. “Tomato sauce?”
Matt snorted. “Yeah. An unfortunate moment of poor judgement on Jon’s part. He was a little drunk. He tripped on that throw rug in my kitchen and unfortunately landed on our dinner for the night. Pepperoni pizza.”
“Ah,” Jody said. “Not a pie from Sal’s Pizzeria over on Commonwealth?”
“Yep,” Matt said, grinning.
Jody pulled a face. “What a waste. Sal’s is the best.” He sat back, resting his hands on the table. “But why is his him wearing on old, possibly stained, suit a big deal?”
Matt sighed. “Jon never wore anything past a season. He was kind of a snob when it came to his suits, and he’d never be caught dead in one with an old stain on it. And besides, his cufflink was pretty scratched up.”
Jody shook his head. “His cufflink?”
“Yeah. And his shoes were scuffed,” Matt pointed out with a flick of his hand as if he’d made his point beyond reproach.
Feeling a smile creep over his face, Jody tilted his head. “So, let me get this straight. Your ex shows up, is pouring his heart out, or whatever, and you’re over here noticing his shoes, the state of his cufflink and whether or not his suit is in season?”
Matt frowned. “What? I notice things.”
Jody nodded. “I know, but that’s some pretty small details to catch.”
Again, Matt just shrugged. “It’s not that big a deal. It’s part of being a tracker. You learn to see small things.”
Jody chuckled, experiencing a little flicker of pride at his boy, at his varied skills. Jody had seen firsthand how capable Matt was. He had to be, in his line of work.
“Well, if I ever disappear, I’ll sleep well knowing you’ll track me down.”
Matt chuckled. “Babe, I’ll always come after you, but let’s not put it to a test, okay?”
Jody grinned. “You’ll get no argument from me.”
They enjoyed the lighthearted moment, then Matt turned the conversation back around.
“Anyway, I do believe Jon, but I also think there’s more going on. He’s gotten himself into some sort of trouble. He didn’t want to go into it here, but that’s part of what he wants to talk to me about, along with the other.”
“What kind of trouble?” Jody asked carefully, curious, and suspicious as hell.
Jody hadn’t even spoken to the man, but his instincts were all a buzz, and the whole thing seemed damned peculiar, especially this Alex character. It didn’t help that Jody kept flashing on the image of Jonathan’s hand wrapped around Matt’s wrist, not to mention how Matt kept calling him ‘Jon’. Jody didn’t like it, how acquainted and familiar it sounded. He knew he was being territorial and stupid, but he couldn’t seem to help it.
Matt fiddled with his napkin. “From what I gather, financial.”
Jody processed this information. “And what does he expect you to do about it?”
“I’m not altogether sure,” Matt said, brow furrowing again so that Jody itched to reach out and smooth it away. “Whatever it is, he said he’d explain everything tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Jody asked.
Matt nodded. “Yeah, I agreed to meet him tomorrow, give him a chance to explain.”
Absently, Matt rubbed at the wrist Jonathan had touched, and Jody felt a stab of unease, and something else, something darker. He took a deep breath, and released it. Matt was a grown man, he could meet up with his ex if he wanted, but it didn’t mean Jody had to fucking like it.
“You don’t like it.”
Jody looked to find Matt watching him intently. Again, noticing the small things. Though, it didn’t feel small to Jody. Instead, it felt like a big, red fucking flag being waved in his face.
“I don’t,” Jody said simply, holding Matt’s gaze. “I don’t trust the guy.”
The corner of Matt’s mouth curled up. “You don’t even know him.”
“And you do?” Jody countered.
That gave Matt pause. “I don’t know,” he admitted slowly. “There are parts of him I thought I knew pretty damned well, but obviously I didn’t know him as well as I’d thought. Do we ever really know anyone totally?”
Reaching out, Jody laid his hand over Matt’s wrist, the one Jonathan had held. Curling his fingers around the strong, slender joint, he said firmly, “I know you.”
Looking into Jody’s eyes, Matt smiled, a crooked slant to his mouth. He breathed out, and then said, “You know, I think you do.”
Jody leaned in and their mouths met, a teasing brush of lips done once, twice, and then as Jody’s fingers tightened on Matt’s wrist, he pushed inside. Matt opened to him with a soft sound of pleasure that sent a powerful longing winging through Jody, heating his skin and making his cock twitch. He worked Matt’s mouth for a long moment before reluctantly pulling away.
Licking his lips, he looked at Matt, at his dazed green eyes and crooked smile.
“He touched you,” Jody growled.
Jody felt the shiver pass through Matt’s body where Jody’s hand was still wrapped tight around his wrist.
“I know,” Matt said quietly. “I’m sorry. That’s just his way, and I think he was looking to see if I’m still, interested.”
“I didn’t like it,” Jody said, attempting to tamp down the growl in his voice, but failing badly.
Matt looked at him, eyes having gone very dark. “I told him I’m with someone now. I told him I’m with you.”
Jody closed his eyes briefly, and then opened them to find Matt waiting patiently.
Goddamned right you’re with me.
“And what did he think of that?” he asked.
Matt tilted his head, and replied easily. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks.”
Jody kissed Matt again, and it became a slow, greedy exploration of one another that spilled pleasure down into Jody’s belly, his cock, all the way down to the soles of his feet. He reached out and pulled Matt closer and drank him in, his warmth, his flavor, and the sweetness of his eager response. It was like holding fire in his hands, hot, a golden gleam that heated Jody from the inside out, dangerous, capable of burning Jody to the ground if Matt so chose.
At length Jody pulled back, and it cost him to do it, but even in their empty dining room there was only a relative privacy, and his boy, looking like he was, blushing, all dilated eyes and kiss bruised mouth was for Jody’s pleasure only. Sitting back, Matt smiled at him, a sweet, lopsided curving of his kiss-reddened lips, but it was the darkened green eyes that hinted at something deeper that touched Jody in his core. It was the glittering need he saw in Matt that called out to him, which pulled at him like the moon tugged at the tides.
His boy was gorgeous in his honesty, in the way he looked back at Jody, hiding nothing as he shifted restlessly on his cushion.
“How many courses are there again?” Matt asked; voice a lovely rasp, thick with desire.
Jody smiled. “Too many,” he said softly, and then added in a steadier, firmer tone, “But I think we can make it.”
Matt nodded shortly, and took a long drink from his water glass. Jody was still smiling when their waiter appeared with a tray loaded with delicious smelling food. The plates were transferred to their table, and wine was poured.
Steam rose from the plates, and the aroma sent Matt’s belly growling again. Fighting a smile, and with a quick dip of his head the waiter took his cue and left. Jody cocked his brow and sent Matt a smirk, who just rolled his eyes and pulled his plate closer. They worked their way through the rich, delicious meal, sometimes sharing tastes from one another’s plate as the courses came and went, and the subject of Jonathan and his aloof sidekick fell from their attention.
Somewhere in the midst of the second course Jody held out his fork, a piece of perfectly grilled sirloin steak balanced on it, soaked in its red wine reduction sauce. Matt leaned in, opened his mouth and carefully accepted the morsel. He chewed slowly, eyes sliding shut in appreciation of the meat’s rich flavor. Watching as Matt darted his tongue out to swipe at the sauce lingering on his lips, Jody had to grab his control with both hands to keep from reaching out and pulling his ranger into his lap.
Spearing a sautéed mushroom from his plate, Jody held out his fork again.
“Here, try this,” he said, working a bit to keep the degree of his eagerness folded and neatly packed away in his tone.
Matt, having enjoyed the steak looked appreciatively at the newly proffered selection. But it was as his gaze flicked up, that Jody knew he’d been found out. And of course he had.
“You like this, don’t you?” Matt asked softly, lips hovering just above the mushroom, slightly parted.
Willing to prolong the moment, Jody said, “Fine dining? Of course I do.”
Matt laughed under his breath, and leaned in a little closer. “No, I mean, you like feeding me like this, don’t you?”
Heat arrowed through Jody as Matt took the mushroom into his mouth and withdrew, chewing slowly. He held Jody’s eyes as he swallowed, and then ran the tip of his tongue along his full bottom lip in a slow caress. Afterwards, whatever he saw draw down in Jody’s gaze pulled a quick breath from him, and he sat looking back at his lover, a dark longing in his eyes.
Resting his fork back against his plate, Jody enjoyed the moment balanced between them. He savored the pleasure that such a simple thing had brought him. He savored his beautiful boy, and his boy’s attention and the obvious signs of Matt’s own pleasure in the sweet blush sitting high on his cheekbones.
“You’re right. I do like it. I love doing things for you, love that you let me. And yes, this pleases me, in a primal way, I guess you’d say. It pleases me watching you enjoy it. It pleases me the same way it pleases me to fuck you, and kiss you, and hold you after you’ve come on my cock.”
Matt stared, mouth falling open as if he meant to speak, but then he just smiled, his eyes closing briefly, long lashes sweeping down against his cheeks. He bit his lip, and in the gentle, shimmering candlelight his blonde hair gleamed. At length he brought his eyes back up to Jody’s.
“No one has ever spoken to me the way you do. I… I love it. I love how you make me feel.”
It was said as nearly a whisper, and Jody had to strain to catch it all. After a second, after Matt’s words sank into him, he felt imbued with heat, and longing, and an overwhelming desire to tuck Matt against his chest and just hold him tight. He wanted to wrap Matt up and keep him next to his heart.
“Then I’m doing something right, angel, because that’s all I want, to make you feel good,” Jody said, voice soft, and private.
Jody could tell his words had touched Matt. His eyes widened slightly, and his lips parted on a swiftly indrawn breath. After a moment, he ducked his head, and then looked up through his lashes at Jody, the sweet flush staining his cheekbones seeming to deepen.
“May I have more?”
If it hadn’t been for the subtle little crooked tilt to his mouth, Jody would’ve sworn Matt Hawkes was suddenly the shyest thing he’d ever seen.
As it was, Jody caught on to the tease, and the sly, glinting invitation in Matt’s eyes sent an approving grin over his face.
“How about a little onion?” Jody asked.
Sinking his fork into a tender segment of spring onion, slick with butter, he carefully held it out, watching as Matt leaned in as before, and carefully took the offering into his mouth.
Matt sat back, jaw working as he chewed. Jody watched the slight undulation of his throat as he swallowed a moment later. Then, once again, Jody stared as Matt made a slow, deliberate swipe of his tongue over his lips, lapping up the butter from the onion.
“That was delicious.”
Jody smiled, pleasure strumming through him. “You’re delicious,” and reaching out he curled fingers under Matt’s chin and brushed his thumb over the full bottom lip. “I can’t wait to get you home and feed you something else, angel.”
Holding still in Jody’s grip, Matt gave a playful nip to the thumb caressing his mouth.
“You can feed me anything of yours, babe.”
Jody chuckled, and pulled his hand away lest he push Matt to his knees, right there in the restaurant.
“Remember you said that when I have you on your knees and you’re choking on me, sweetheart.”
This time, the quick drop of gaze seemed authentic. Matt truly seemed to need a moment to collect himself. When he raised his eyes again he really was the young, sweet boy he’d only been playing at moments ago.
“I can’t wait, Jody.”
Captivated by his lover who was one moment a tease, the next the most open, earnest boy a man like Jody could ask for, he felt the familiar ache inside him intensify. God, he was crazy about this kid… this man, this ranger. And nobody was perfect, not Matt, and certainly not Jody, but Matt was all Jody could imagine he’d ever want or need.
Now, Jonathan was on the scene, and Jody didn’t know what the man was up to but he knew that sooner rather than later he’d figure it out. He would not allow Matthew to be hurt again if he could help it, and no shady, remorseful ex was going to threaten what they were building with one another. Jody would protect their relationship with every ounce of strength he had.
He would protect Matt with every ounce of strength he had.
Lifting his hand, Jody brushed the backs of his fingers along the cut of Matt’s cheekbone.
Looking into Matt’s eyes he said, “I say we skip dessert and get outta here.”
Smiling, Matt tilted his head, and pressing his face against Jody’s hand said simply, “Ditto.”
****Additional Notes****
Nothing much to report except we'll be seeing more of Jon next chapter (and maybe his sidekick too). It's so nice to get back into a frame of mind where I can write! It's been a trying few weeks. Christmas is looming, but hopefully it will pass less distressingly than did Thanksgiving. I hope all had a great holiday if you celebrate!
I'm looking forward to hearing what ole Johnathan has to say for himself! ;D
Author: Archet
Pairing: OMC Jody McKinnon/Matt Hawkes
Fandom: High Mountain Rangers
Summary: a story of falling in love, figuring things out and just holding on.
Disclaimer: I did not create the High Mountain Ranger character/s, only this fic and the Original Male Character, Jody McKinnon, and any other original characters in supporting roles. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: this fic is set in 1989, approximately a year and a half after the events of the final episode of High Mountain Rangers. There will be no acknowledgment of the events of the spin-off show Jesse Hawkes.
Warnings: none this chapter
Note: this fic takes place a little over four months after Bad Luck, Bad Guys and High Mountain Rangers and is a sequel to that fic, so reading that first is recommended.
Additional: this fic will depict same sex relationships, and dominate/submissive themes. If this ain’t your thing, venture no further.
Summary this chapter: Jody hadn't planned on ex-boyfriends, nor their sidekicks, showing up during his date night with Matt, but here we are.
~*~
Chapter 16: Fine Dining, Ex’s and Their Sidekicks
When a couple minutes stretched into five, and then a couple more and Matt still hadn’t returned to the table, Jody began get antsy. What could be taking so long? It puzzled him, how anyone would know where to find them, unless they were spotted in the restaurant itself, but then why would someone make the effort to call the bar, and not just seek them out at their table? Sure, he’d rented out their dining room so they didn’t have to share the space with other patrons, but that didn’t prevent anyone who really wanted to from entering to speak with them.
Frowning, Jody got pulled from his musing as their waiter approached the table. The young man paused a moment, then asked, “Sir, is there anything I can get you?”
Jody shook his head. “Not right now, my date should be back in a moment.”
The waiter nodded, turned and left. Sighing, Jody sat back and stared out the wide window across the room, and at the attractive landscaping just beyond. Water trickled down through a carefully arranged jumble of rocks, creating a slender, tumbling waterfall. The moving water glimmered slickly under the gentle glow of strategically placed lights.
Running a finger down the spine of the silver fork laying on its thick, folded white napkin on the table before him, Jody tuned into the muted sounds emitting from the adjoining room. Plates and silverware tinkling together overlaid the low buzz of a dozen conversations, interspersed here and there by bursts of laughter. In the distance a piano played a tune he couldn’t quite place. Jody gazed into the flickering flame of the candle, floating in its bowl of water in the center of the table, and waited.
Something felt… off. He couldn’t explain it. He didn’t like it. The longer he sat there trying to pin down what was bothering him so much, aside from his impatience to get on with their night, the more unsettled he felt. Suddenly, he was moving.
Sliding out of the booth, Jody strode from the room and entered the main dining area, scanning around for the bar. The layout of the restaurant seemed jumbled, random, but Jody could tell that initial assessment was deceptive, that there was a definite intention behind the arrangement. Booths stood like little islands underneath the winding length of the leafy vine installation overhead, and open air tables fanned out around them, creating more of a festive air around the long line of the polished bar on the far side of the room, and around the modest dance floor.
Moving around the edge of one booth and toward the bar, Jody paused at the entrance of a wide hallway that led off toward the restrooms. Regularly spaced wall sconces lit the hallway, their bulbs behind their amber tinted glass shades spilling just enough illumination into the space to allow one to move about safely. Jody glanced down the hallway, and then back to the bar area.
Just past a row of potted palms, he spotted Matt. Standing very straight, one arm resting on the bar top, he seemed very intent on a tall, dark-haired man dressed in a dark grey suit that was speaking to him. Of course, Jody couldn’t hear what was being said at that distance, but Matt seemed to be giving the man his undivided attention.
Just as Jody was about to stride past the hallway and over to Matt’s side, he paused. A buzz of unease skittered down his spine. Taking a step back, he gazed around his immediate vicinity, his attention snagging on a tall, thin blonde male standing just behind the row of palms. The man wore a long black leather jacket, and dark colored pants tucked into black Doc Martens. Standing just behind the palms, he held a menu in his hands that he seemed to be perusing, though as Jody studied him, he could tell the guy wasn’t reading the menu at all.
After further scrutiny it became apparent that the stranger’s attention was squarely fixed on the conversation going one between Matt and his visitor.
Jody tensed, drew in a breath, and took a measured step back, further out of the periphery of the blonde spying on Matt and his mystery caller. The guy had chosen his spot well, since if needed he could slip unseen down the dimly lit hallway. The palms provided a protective screen, and from his vantage point he could likely hear most of what was being said between over by the bar.
Eyes narrowing, Jody did a quick check on Matt, and then returned his attention to the unknown blonde. The man’s fine straight hair fell to either side of his face, not golden like Matt’s, but almost white. In profile he had a straight pointed nose and chin, and thin lips. Under his jacket Jody discerned a lean physique, and he was tall, though the thick soles of his boots probably donated an inch or two to his height. The sleeves of his jacket were rolled up just past his wrists, revealing pale forearms, and Jody caught the filigreed edge of a tattoo along the back of his left hand that wound around his arm and disappeared beneath his jacket sleeve. Several braided black bracelets were wrapped around one wrist, a contrast to his pale skin.
Jody estimated the guy to be in his late twenties, but it was difficult to tell in the low lighting. He was attractive in a sly sort of way, the tattoo and dark clothing lending him a somewhat edgy aspect that was enhanced by his stance. Tall, thin and slightly Goth didn’t do much to capture Jody’s attention, but it was the way he held himself that spoke volumes. On alert, yet outwardly he gave the appearance of being relaxed, even bored. He blended into the background of the restaurant, just a patron perusing a menu, so that none of the wait staff gave him much notice as they bustled by.
After another few seconds of observation, Jody turned and edged his way around the side of a nearby booth, placing it between himself and the blonde. Taking a page from the stranger’s book, he picked up a menu from a wooden stand loaded with a stack of them. Opening the menu Jody flicked his gaze up over the top of it to Matt.
Not much had changed since the last time Jody had looked over, except now the dark-haired man stood a step closer to Matt. One hand rested palm down on the bar, and he’d brought their hands close together so that their fingers were just inches apart. The tall man’s entire being seemed focused on Matt as he spoke, though Matt himself gave no remarkable reaction except to just be listening attentively. After a few seconds the man slid his hand closer, resting it atop Matt’s. Jody zeroed in on the contact, at the way the man dared to ease his hand further up Matt’s arm to brush his thumb slowly over the fine bones of Matt’s wrist.
Something in Jody felt primed to click over, a firing pin in a gun, about to go off.
Tossing the menu down onto the stand, he was two steps out from the booth before he brought himself to a halt. Matt didn’t need him charging in to intercede on his behalf, but the sight of another man’s hands on his boy struck him as so innately wrong it took everything in him not to stride over, grab the offender by the scruff of the neck and toss him aside. A heavy, angry buzz started inside Jody, demanding action.
Taking a steading breath, Jody kept his place and watched as Matt pulled away, shaking his head as he said something to the man before him. The two resumed their conversation, though the dark-haired man seemed a bit more animated than before, though he kept his distance and didn’t reach out to touch Matt again. It was after spending several moments watching the pair, that Jody remembered the little spy behind the palms. Glancing to his right, he saw immediately that he’d been made.
Fuck.
The blonde had also abandoned his menu, and was leaning back against the wall by the hallway. The thin line of his mouth had turned up in a knowing smirk. Arms folded across his chest, he regarded Jody with chilly blue eyes.
Wrestling with the need to march over to Matt’s side, Jody instead switched things up. Turning, he made a bee line for the kid, experiencing a moment of amusement when those blue eyes widened momentarily before the other man smoothed over his reaction. By the time Jody drew within a couple feet, the kid had pushed off the wall, unfolded his arms and stood squared up. Jody would’ve found this humorous, if it wasn’t for the studied calm in those cool, assessing eyes.
He may be on the young side, but Jody suspected this guy could handle himself if he had to.
Drawing to a halt, Jody stuck out his hand. “Hey. I’m Jody.”
Apparently a fairly polite introduction wasn’t what the kid expected. He stood frozen for an instant, before he laughed shortly. Taking Jody’s hand, they shook up and down, then released.
“And you are?” Jody prompted.
Discreetly edging a little further out of Jody’s vicinity, the kid smiled, somehow fashioning his expression into something that was both attractive, and a little insolent. Now within almost an arm’s length Jody could see that the cut and quality of the kid’s clothing appeared to be rather fine, expensive, if not a bit rumpled looking. Maybe a bit too much on trend, style-wise, in Jody’s opinion but it wasn’t like he was an authority on fashion; he just knew what he liked.
“Me? I’m Alex.” The tone was light, smooth and unshaken.
Jody tipped his head toward the bar. The cool blue eyes flicked aside and then back to Jody. The smile dimmed, but still hovered on the thin lips.
“And that’s Jonathan, I take it?” It was a guess, but it felt right.
This time Alex made more of a show of looking through the palms, brows lifting, then turned back to Jody. If he was surprised at Jody’s guess, he didn’t show it. He stood quite composed, hands hanging loose and free down by his sides.
“The one and only.”
Jody nodded. “And what does Jonathan want with Matt?”
Alex’s gaze slid back past Jody’s shoulder, over to the bar again, drawn there almost involuntarily, it seemed to Jody.
“Oh,” Alex said lightly, turning his attention back to Jody. “I’m sure your date will fill you in.” There was something in the frosty blue eyes as he said this, some sharpening of emotion and Jody could not quite decide if it was annoyance, or something stronger.
“Is everything okay?”
Jody smiled at the sound of Matt’s voice. He turned to find him standing just a step away. He gaze was bouncing back and forth between Jody and the mystery blonde.
“Everything’s fine, baby. You ready to head back to the table?”
Giving Alex another curious look, Matt nodded. “Yeah. Absolutely.”
At that Alex’s eyes narrowed slightly, and it was Jody’s turn to smirk. “Nice meeting you, Alex.”
Alex grinned, blue gaze bright. “Oh, the pleasure was all mine, Mr. McKinnon.”
The smooth tone lent the words a deeper meaning, and Jody all but rolled his eyes. It didn’t escape his notice that he hadn’t introduced himself to Alex with his last name. He pressed his hand to the small of Matt’s back, giving him a gentle nudge.
Shooting Jody a bemused look, Matt started forward and Jody followed. Once they’d wound their way among a few booths and tables, Jody looked back. Jonathan had joined Alex, his gaze fixed upon Matt’s retreating back. At his side Alex was speaking, gesturing with one hand in a pointed manner, but it was hard to tell whether or not Jonathan was paying any attention.
Jody paused as Matt went on ahead. After a moment Jonathan blinked, and then focused on Jody who was standing stock still, just waiting to be noticed. Their eyes met across the restaurant, and Jody smiled, slow and deliberate.
Jonathan’s mouth pressed into a hard, flat line, and it was he that looked away first as Alex tugged on his elbow. Jody watched them a moment, noting the annoyed look Jonathan leveled at Alex before he softened, and nodded, seeming to agree with whatever Alex was saying. Not willing to waste another moment of his and Matt’s night, Jody turned and walked away, following in Matt’s wake, heading back to their table.
Sliding into the booth, Jody found Matt staring at the table top, brow furrowed.
“Are you all right?”
Green eyes lifted, and Matt smiled. “I am now.”
Jody grinned. “You are such a corn ball.”
Matt laughed, and Jody could see the tension in his frame easing.
“I’ve never pretended otherwise.”
Moving closer until their thighs touched, Jody tilted his head and said evenly, “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Taking a sip of water from his glass, Matt snorted. “Now who’s the corn ball?”
“Fine,” Jody conceded, lifting his own glass in salute. “We’re both corny and hopeless.”
Their waiter, either having been keeping an eye out, or possessing a keen sense of timing, appeared then and asked if they were ready to order. Matt’s stomach chose that moment to growl quite loudly, and Jody bit his lip as the waiter hid a grin and Matt’s face went red up to the roots of his blonde hair. After a considering their menus, they made their selections and handed off their menus to the waiter.
Waiting for a beat of silence after the waiter’s departure, Matt asked, “Do you want to know what that was all about?”
Jody looked up. The amber tinted lighting in the room combined with the candlelit suited Matt beautifully, lay gentle and golden against his fair hair. His green eyes, dilated in the low light as he waited expectantly, struck a chord inside Jody, and warmth flared through him as something in his chest tightened.
“I’d like to know, yes, if it’s something you’re comfortable sharing.”
Jody had to work to keep his voice even. It still rankled, the memory of Jonathan’s hand on Matt. He wondered if Matt would mention it, then thought he was probably becoming unreasonably obsessive about it.
Matt smiled, and as Jody watched his smile faded as he said, “Jonathan says he saw us come into the restaurant. He claims that he came back to Bear Valley just recently, and was planning to come see me. He says he wants to explain why things, well, why they happened the way they did when he left last year.”
Jody nodded. He didn’t bother asking why Jonathan didn’t just come and introduce himself. Of course, he’d wanted to get Matt alone, but it seemed odd, them all showing up at the same place at the same time. Though stranger things had happened, he supposed.
Jody focused in on the uncertain note in Matt’s tone. “You don’t believe him?”
Sighing, Matt shook his head. “No, I believe him but…”
Matt paused, gaze turning inward. Jody allowed him a moment, and then prompted, “But what?”
Pulled from his thoughts, Matt blinked, shrugged. “It’s nothing. It’s just, I’m pretty sure that suit Jon had one was the same one he had when we were together. I recognized the tomato sauce stain on his sleeve. I mean, you can barely see it, but I’m sure that was the one.”
Jody’s brow rose. “Tomato sauce?”
Matt snorted. “Yeah. An unfortunate moment of poor judgement on Jon’s part. He was a little drunk. He tripped on that throw rug in my kitchen and unfortunately landed on our dinner for the night. Pepperoni pizza.”
“Ah,” Jody said. “Not a pie from Sal’s Pizzeria over on Commonwealth?”
“Yep,” Matt said, grinning.
Jody pulled a face. “What a waste. Sal’s is the best.” He sat back, resting his hands on the table. “But why is his him wearing on old, possibly stained, suit a big deal?”
Matt sighed. “Jon never wore anything past a season. He was kind of a snob when it came to his suits, and he’d never be caught dead in one with an old stain on it. And besides, his cufflink was pretty scratched up.”
Jody shook his head. “His cufflink?”
“Yeah. And his shoes were scuffed,” Matt pointed out with a flick of his hand as if he’d made his point beyond reproach.
Feeling a smile creep over his face, Jody tilted his head. “So, let me get this straight. Your ex shows up, is pouring his heart out, or whatever, and you’re over here noticing his shoes, the state of his cufflink and whether or not his suit is in season?”
Matt frowned. “What? I notice things.”
Jody nodded. “I know, but that’s some pretty small details to catch.”
Again, Matt just shrugged. “It’s not that big a deal. It’s part of being a tracker. You learn to see small things.”
Jody chuckled, experiencing a little flicker of pride at his boy, at his varied skills. Jody had seen firsthand how capable Matt was. He had to be, in his line of work.
“Well, if I ever disappear, I’ll sleep well knowing you’ll track me down.”
Matt chuckled. “Babe, I’ll always come after you, but let’s not put it to a test, okay?”
Jody grinned. “You’ll get no argument from me.”
They enjoyed the lighthearted moment, then Matt turned the conversation back around.
“Anyway, I do believe Jon, but I also think there’s more going on. He’s gotten himself into some sort of trouble. He didn’t want to go into it here, but that’s part of what he wants to talk to me about, along with the other.”
“What kind of trouble?” Jody asked carefully, curious, and suspicious as hell.
Jody hadn’t even spoken to the man, but his instincts were all a buzz, and the whole thing seemed damned peculiar, especially this Alex character. It didn’t help that Jody kept flashing on the image of Jonathan’s hand wrapped around Matt’s wrist, not to mention how Matt kept calling him ‘Jon’. Jody didn’t like it, how acquainted and familiar it sounded. He knew he was being territorial and stupid, but he couldn’t seem to help it.
Matt fiddled with his napkin. “From what I gather, financial.”
Jody processed this information. “And what does he expect you to do about it?”
“I’m not altogether sure,” Matt said, brow furrowing again so that Jody itched to reach out and smooth it away. “Whatever it is, he said he’d explain everything tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Jody asked.
Matt nodded. “Yeah, I agreed to meet him tomorrow, give him a chance to explain.”
Absently, Matt rubbed at the wrist Jonathan had touched, and Jody felt a stab of unease, and something else, something darker. He took a deep breath, and released it. Matt was a grown man, he could meet up with his ex if he wanted, but it didn’t mean Jody had to fucking like it.
“You don’t like it.”
Jody looked to find Matt watching him intently. Again, noticing the small things. Though, it didn’t feel small to Jody. Instead, it felt like a big, red fucking flag being waved in his face.
“I don’t,” Jody said simply, holding Matt’s gaze. “I don’t trust the guy.”
The corner of Matt’s mouth curled up. “You don’t even know him.”
“And you do?” Jody countered.
That gave Matt pause. “I don’t know,” he admitted slowly. “There are parts of him I thought I knew pretty damned well, but obviously I didn’t know him as well as I’d thought. Do we ever really know anyone totally?”
Reaching out, Jody laid his hand over Matt’s wrist, the one Jonathan had held. Curling his fingers around the strong, slender joint, he said firmly, “I know you.”
Looking into Jody’s eyes, Matt smiled, a crooked slant to his mouth. He breathed out, and then said, “You know, I think you do.”
Jody leaned in and their mouths met, a teasing brush of lips done once, twice, and then as Jody’s fingers tightened on Matt’s wrist, he pushed inside. Matt opened to him with a soft sound of pleasure that sent a powerful longing winging through Jody, heating his skin and making his cock twitch. He worked Matt’s mouth for a long moment before reluctantly pulling away.
Licking his lips, he looked at Matt, at his dazed green eyes and crooked smile.
“He touched you,” Jody growled.
Jody felt the shiver pass through Matt’s body where Jody’s hand was still wrapped tight around his wrist.
“I know,” Matt said quietly. “I’m sorry. That’s just his way, and I think he was looking to see if I’m still, interested.”
“I didn’t like it,” Jody said, attempting to tamp down the growl in his voice, but failing badly.
Matt looked at him, eyes having gone very dark. “I told him I’m with someone now. I told him I’m with you.”
Jody closed his eyes briefly, and then opened them to find Matt waiting patiently.
Goddamned right you’re with me.
“And what did he think of that?” he asked.
Matt tilted his head, and replied easily. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks.”
Jody kissed Matt again, and it became a slow, greedy exploration of one another that spilled pleasure down into Jody’s belly, his cock, all the way down to the soles of his feet. He reached out and pulled Matt closer and drank him in, his warmth, his flavor, and the sweetness of his eager response. It was like holding fire in his hands, hot, a golden gleam that heated Jody from the inside out, dangerous, capable of burning Jody to the ground if Matt so chose.
At length Jody pulled back, and it cost him to do it, but even in their empty dining room there was only a relative privacy, and his boy, looking like he was, blushing, all dilated eyes and kiss bruised mouth was for Jody’s pleasure only. Sitting back, Matt smiled at him, a sweet, lopsided curving of his kiss-reddened lips, but it was the darkened green eyes that hinted at something deeper that touched Jody in his core. It was the glittering need he saw in Matt that called out to him, which pulled at him like the moon tugged at the tides.
His boy was gorgeous in his honesty, in the way he looked back at Jody, hiding nothing as he shifted restlessly on his cushion.
“How many courses are there again?” Matt asked; voice a lovely rasp, thick with desire.
Jody smiled. “Too many,” he said softly, and then added in a steadier, firmer tone, “But I think we can make it.”
Matt nodded shortly, and took a long drink from his water glass. Jody was still smiling when their waiter appeared with a tray loaded with delicious smelling food. The plates were transferred to their table, and wine was poured.
Steam rose from the plates, and the aroma sent Matt’s belly growling again. Fighting a smile, and with a quick dip of his head the waiter took his cue and left. Jody cocked his brow and sent Matt a smirk, who just rolled his eyes and pulled his plate closer. They worked their way through the rich, delicious meal, sometimes sharing tastes from one another’s plate as the courses came and went, and the subject of Jonathan and his aloof sidekick fell from their attention.
Somewhere in the midst of the second course Jody held out his fork, a piece of perfectly grilled sirloin steak balanced on it, soaked in its red wine reduction sauce. Matt leaned in, opened his mouth and carefully accepted the morsel. He chewed slowly, eyes sliding shut in appreciation of the meat’s rich flavor. Watching as Matt darted his tongue out to swipe at the sauce lingering on his lips, Jody had to grab his control with both hands to keep from reaching out and pulling his ranger into his lap.
Spearing a sautéed mushroom from his plate, Jody held out his fork again.
“Here, try this,” he said, working a bit to keep the degree of his eagerness folded and neatly packed away in his tone.
Matt, having enjoyed the steak looked appreciatively at the newly proffered selection. But it was as his gaze flicked up, that Jody knew he’d been found out. And of course he had.
“You like this, don’t you?” Matt asked softly, lips hovering just above the mushroom, slightly parted.
Willing to prolong the moment, Jody said, “Fine dining? Of course I do.”
Matt laughed under his breath, and leaned in a little closer. “No, I mean, you like feeding me like this, don’t you?”
Heat arrowed through Jody as Matt took the mushroom into his mouth and withdrew, chewing slowly. He held Jody’s eyes as he swallowed, and then ran the tip of his tongue along his full bottom lip in a slow caress. Afterwards, whatever he saw draw down in Jody’s gaze pulled a quick breath from him, and he sat looking back at his lover, a dark longing in his eyes.
Resting his fork back against his plate, Jody enjoyed the moment balanced between them. He savored the pleasure that such a simple thing had brought him. He savored his beautiful boy, and his boy’s attention and the obvious signs of Matt’s own pleasure in the sweet blush sitting high on his cheekbones.
“You’re right. I do like it. I love doing things for you, love that you let me. And yes, this pleases me, in a primal way, I guess you’d say. It pleases me watching you enjoy it. It pleases me the same way it pleases me to fuck you, and kiss you, and hold you after you’ve come on my cock.”
Matt stared, mouth falling open as if he meant to speak, but then he just smiled, his eyes closing briefly, long lashes sweeping down against his cheeks. He bit his lip, and in the gentle, shimmering candlelight his blonde hair gleamed. At length he brought his eyes back up to Jody’s.
“No one has ever spoken to me the way you do. I… I love it. I love how you make me feel.”
It was said as nearly a whisper, and Jody had to strain to catch it all. After a second, after Matt’s words sank into him, he felt imbued with heat, and longing, and an overwhelming desire to tuck Matt against his chest and just hold him tight. He wanted to wrap Matt up and keep him next to his heart.
“Then I’m doing something right, angel, because that’s all I want, to make you feel good,” Jody said, voice soft, and private.
Jody could tell his words had touched Matt. His eyes widened slightly, and his lips parted on a swiftly indrawn breath. After a moment, he ducked his head, and then looked up through his lashes at Jody, the sweet flush staining his cheekbones seeming to deepen.
“May I have more?”
If it hadn’t been for the subtle little crooked tilt to his mouth, Jody would’ve sworn Matt Hawkes was suddenly the shyest thing he’d ever seen.
As it was, Jody caught on to the tease, and the sly, glinting invitation in Matt’s eyes sent an approving grin over his face.
“How about a little onion?” Jody asked.
Sinking his fork into a tender segment of spring onion, slick with butter, he carefully held it out, watching as Matt leaned in as before, and carefully took the offering into his mouth.
Matt sat back, jaw working as he chewed. Jody watched the slight undulation of his throat as he swallowed a moment later. Then, once again, Jody stared as Matt made a slow, deliberate swipe of his tongue over his lips, lapping up the butter from the onion.
“That was delicious.”
Jody smiled, pleasure strumming through him. “You’re delicious,” and reaching out he curled fingers under Matt’s chin and brushed his thumb over the full bottom lip. “I can’t wait to get you home and feed you something else, angel.”
Holding still in Jody’s grip, Matt gave a playful nip to the thumb caressing his mouth.
“You can feed me anything of yours, babe.”
Jody chuckled, and pulled his hand away lest he push Matt to his knees, right there in the restaurant.
“Remember you said that when I have you on your knees and you’re choking on me, sweetheart.”
This time, the quick drop of gaze seemed authentic. Matt truly seemed to need a moment to collect himself. When he raised his eyes again he really was the young, sweet boy he’d only been playing at moments ago.
“I can’t wait, Jody.”
Captivated by his lover who was one moment a tease, the next the most open, earnest boy a man like Jody could ask for, he felt the familiar ache inside him intensify. God, he was crazy about this kid… this man, this ranger. And nobody was perfect, not Matt, and certainly not Jody, but Matt was all Jody could imagine he’d ever want or need.
Now, Jonathan was on the scene, and Jody didn’t know what the man was up to but he knew that sooner rather than later he’d figure it out. He would not allow Matthew to be hurt again if he could help it, and no shady, remorseful ex was going to threaten what they were building with one another. Jody would protect their relationship with every ounce of strength he had.
He would protect Matt with every ounce of strength he had.
Lifting his hand, Jody brushed the backs of his fingers along the cut of Matt’s cheekbone.
Looking into Matt’s eyes he said, “I say we skip dessert and get outta here.”
Smiling, Matt tilted his head, and pressing his face against Jody’s hand said simply, “Ditto.”
****Additional Notes****
Nothing much to report except we'll be seeing more of Jon next chapter (and maybe his sidekick too). It's so nice to get back into a frame of mind where I can write! It's been a trying few weeks. Christmas is looming, but hopefully it will pass less distressingly than did Thanksgiving. I hope all had a great holiday if you celebrate!
I'm looking forward to hearing what ole Johnathan has to say for himself! ;D