Forbidden Feast

Ch. 22: Do you love me?

Mathew had no idea he had been living in a house, and Jace was just around. Existing in the same spaces. Not only was he around, but one of the guest rooms stored some of his clothes. He had an extra toothbrush there. Years of dancing around him, Mathew didn't know that this person could make Mathew's heart ride roller coasters. He also had a car parked in the garage, parked right beside Nino's mustang and Anthony's Ferrari. Jace's practical forest green jeep sat idle and waiting for his return.

In the passenger seat, Mathew sat with hands in his lap, fussing with the tips of his fingers. He pretended to be interested in what passed by the window, but all Mathew wanted to do was watch Jace drive. He drove with one hand on the wheel while the other rested on the console between them. Jace leaned back, totally relaxed. It was normal. Plenty of people drove. However, everything Jace did fascinated Mathew more than a breathtaking book.

Mathew admired the arch of Jace's nose, the sharp cut of his jaw, and the Adam's apple in the middle of his throat. Mathew's mouth watered, but he sucked in his lips and tried his best to behave.

Glancing at Mathew, Jace raised his brow. "See something you like?"

Caught, Mathew rolled his eyes to his window. "Look at the road."

Jace snickered and scooped Mathew's hand up, intertwining their fingers together and resting against Mathew's thigh. That one patch burned brilliantly, and his heart fluttered again. It didn't take much for Mathew to get excited anymore. He bit his smile down to not look so eager.

"Where are we going?" Mathew asked.

"Now you're asking me? Isn't it a little too late for that?" Jace teased him.

"You said you were kidnapping me."

"And you just went with it?"

"It's not like anybody said they were kidnapping me. It's you." Mathew looked down at their hands, rubbing his thumb across Jace's warm skin. "I don't worry if it's you."

A heated sigh exited Jace. "You better be glad we're driving."

Mathew sucked in his lips, squirming over just a couple of words. Even the back of his neck grew hot. Glancing around, Mathew muttered, "It's not like you don't know how to park."

Jace looked at his rearview mirror with a little smirk and hit the turn signal. Pulling off on the side, Jace instantly put the car in the park and, in the same motion, threw off his seatbelt. Mathew struggled to get out of his as Jace's body encompassed him. Mathew sucked in a deep breath, closing his eyes, and sinking into Jace's hands and his kiss. Mathew clutched the ends of Jace's hair, bringing Jace closer. Mathew could do this forever, but he would prefer to do it in the backseat.

A buzzing brought the boys back to reality, also called the side of the road. Sighing, Jace pushed himself back into the driver's seat. He answered his phone, breathlessly. "Hey, Lilly, what's up?"

Lilly's voice was loud enough for Mathew to hear from the receiver. "I'm just wondering when you're coming home?" Lilly asked, and Mathew locked his lips up tight. She sounded as young as Mathew expected. Just as sweet too.

"I'm on my way, Lil," Jace called her, and Mathew smiled quietly to himself. When talking to his little sister, Jace's voice changed and became gentle, as if he had dipped himself in fabric softener. "Sorry. I got a little held up."

"Well, lunch is going to get cold if you don't get over here."

"Keep the fires burning, okay? See you soon."

"See you soon," she echoed, and a flutter of nerves ran through Mathew. He took stock of his outfit, his plain jeans, gray hoodie, and sneakers. He glanced at the side mirror and fixed his hair, but it still didn't feel right. Didn't match Jace enough.