Catalyst (Connectivity Book 2) Read online

  There was no hesitation or holding back, and even though Travis should have been at least mildly put off by any morning breath, he wasn’t. It seemed their last few conversations had broken down more barriers between them and just allowed them to act naturally and in whatever capacity they wanted, at whatever moment they found themselves.

  As they kissed and licked and nipped at each other’s mouths, their legs tangled together and Travis hauled his boy into him with an arm around his back. Jersey had both arms curled into Travis’s chest but managed to free his left and brought it to Travis’s back, holding him in return. Jersey pulled his mouth away and quickly propped himself up on his right elbow then proceeded to devour Travis’s neck and shoulder, moving his hand down inside the waistband of Travis’s underwear. He gripped the flesh of Travis’s butt and slowly moved his body down, licking and kissing his way across Travis’s chest, while kneading his butt.

  Jersey circled Travis’s right nipple with his tongue and as the sensitive flesh budded up, he nipped it between his teeth, causing Travis to clutch at his head and bury his fingers in the boy’s hair. A low moan rumbled out of Travis’s throat as Jersey continued his exploration and moved across to his other nipple.

  Travis bucked his hips as Jersey sucked his left nipple, groaning at the sensation. Jersey smiled up at him with a naughty twinkle in his eyes, and he could only watch as his boyfriend stared back at him, while slowly making his way down the center of his body, chasing the line of hair that ran down his abs.

  Jersey repositioned himself, maintaining eye contact with him the entire time, until he was centered between his legs. Travis gripped the bedding beneath him as his mind blanked, and he stared, transfixed at the prospect of what Jersey intended to do in his new position.

  Looking at Travis from under his lashes, Jersey ran his hands up Travis’s abs and chest, pausing a moment to brush his fingertips over his nipples, and Travis closed his eyes, letting his head fall back against the pillow. The feeling of Jersey’s warm hands running across his heated skin was incredible.

  Sure, they’d touched and felt each other’s bodies a bit, but sleeping together and waking up to this sensual exploration of skin and touching at a new level, had Travis’s heart racing and his breath coming faster. He opened his eyes again and quickly bunched his pillow up under his head, giving himself a better view of the action, then regripped the blanket as he settled in.

  Jersey’s hands roamed up and over Travis’s shoulders, down his sides to his hips and around to his butt, squeezing, then down his thighs and to his calves. He took a moment to caress Travis’s feet, then slid his hands back up his legs. He paused at the waistband of Travis’s underwear and looked up at him as he gently curled his fingers around the elastic.

  Travis swallowed.

  “Can I?” Jersey asked quietly.

  Travis nodded, unable to form words as his brain shut off and his blood pulsed, causing his erection to strain against the material of his underwear.

  Jersey gave him a soft smile, but he moved with confidence, as he slowly pulled the material down, freeing him, and exposing him completely to his boyfriend’s watchful gaze. He pulled his knees up to his chest as Jersey guided the material over both feet and set it next to him on the bed. Travis settled his feet back down on either side of Jersey’s hips.

  “God, you’re so gorgeous, Trav.” Jersey’s voice was soft and laced with reverence as his eyes roamed over Travis’s very exposed body.

  Gentle, warm hands landed on his knees and guided his legs to straighten, then slowly made they way up, resting on his thighs. Jersey’s hair hung loosely around his shoulders and when he looked up at Travis, he smiled shyly and tucked one side behind his ear.

  Travis’s heart stuttered at the image of his boyfriend; he was shy, but confident, sexy and warm.

  As Jersey sat with his feet tucked under himself, he leaned forward and slowly caressed Travis’s stomach and chest, trailing soft kisses after his hands. He slowly worked his way down his abs and licked a stripe down his happy trail, causing Travis to clutch the bedding in his hands.

  Jersey smiled up at him, then gently took him in hand, placing sensual warm kisses along his length. He buried his nose in the nest of dark hair at Travis’s root and he pulsed in Jersey’s warm grip, feeling a bead of moisture leak from his tip.

  Jersey continued his tender exploration over the next several minutes, causing Travis’s eyes to involuntarily close, and erotic sounds he’d never made before, to spill from his lips.

  Forcing his eyes open, he groaned at the feeling of a warm, wet tongue swiping at his tip.

  His mild nerves melted away at the soft moan that sounded from Jersey’s throat and they stared at each other for a beat, Travis reading the heat and affection in Jersey’s eyes, before his boy dipped his head and Travis was pulled under; pleasure washed over him as Jersey took him to places he’d never been before.

  When his climax finally swept over him and his body lay boneless and sated, Jersey pulled the covers back over them and snuggled into Travis’s side, resting his head on his chest. Travis wrapped his arms around him and pressed a tender kiss to the top of his head.

  “That was incredible,” Travis murmured, his voice husky with emotion.

  Jersey peeked up at him, and Travis used his free hand to gently brush his hair off his forehead, before carding his fingers through his hair and pulling him closer with his hand at the back of his head. He pressed a lingering kiss to Jersey’s lips, and keeping his hand on Jersey’s head, moved his other hand down to squeeze his perfect little butt.

  Jersey groaned against him, and Travis could feel how hard he was pressed against his hip. Requesting entrance, Jersey opened for him immediately, and as the kiss deepened, Travis tasted himself in Jersey’s mouth, all the while kneading his amazingly glorious butt.

  He slipped his hand inside Jersey’s briefs, loving the feel of the warm flesh in his hand. Jersey moaned and writhed in Travis’s hold, pressing their bodies together and grinding himself against his hip.

  Knowing he was still too sensitive to have Jersey lay on top of him, but wanting to help his boyfriend get off, Travis released Jersey’s head and used both hands to slip his briefs down, giving him complete access to his moaning, squirming boy.

  Jersey humped into Travis’s grip and wrapped his arms around his head, kissing him with unrestrained passion.

  Supporting himself on his side, Travis gripped Jersey’s butt again and pressed him into his right hand as he gripped his hard length, guiding Jersey to take what he needed.

  Using the sounds of pleasure emanating from Jersey’s throat as encouragement, Travis inched his fingers farther into Jersey’s crease, feeling the way Jersey’s muscles shifted as he thrust into his hand. Going for broke, Travis went all-in and sought out Jersey’s entrance, rubbing around the tight bud with gentle pressure. Jersey pulled his lips away, and with a guttural groan, he shuddered and buried his face in Travis’s neck as he stilled and pulsed his warmth across Travis’s stomach, hand, and hip.

  He sagged, melting against Travis, limp and boneless, with the most content sigh Travis had ever heard.

  Carefully removing his hands, he held Jersey securely and rolled slightly so they were both more comfortable. Jersey gently stroked the back of Travis’s neck, and he wrapped his arms around Jersey’s back, rubbing long slow strokes up and down his back.

  They stayed that way for several minutes, with Jersey idly toying with Travis’s hair until his breathing evened out and the slightest shifting of their bodies caused the drying mess between them to become unpleasant.

  Jersey pulled back first, tucking his hair behind his ear and resting his hand on Travis’s chest, a sweet smile on his face. “We should probably go clean up.”

  Travis gently cupped Jersey’s jaw and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “We probably should.”

  Jersey smiled wider, nodding. He pressed another kiss to the corner of Travis’s mouth while running his left ha
nd down the center of his back, the sensation soft and reassuring.

  They were plastered together from their chests down to their knees, and Jersey’s toes gently moved back and forth along the top of Travis’s foot.

  Travis snuggled his face into Jersey’s neck, breathing in deeply and hugging Jersey tightly once more, then released him and they slowly pulled apart, grumbling at the hair that pulled and the cold air that met warm skin.

  Jersey threw off their covers and slipped out of his briefs, standing to hold out a hand for Travis. Travis took the offered hand and Jersey led them into the bathroom, keeping a hold of Travis’s hand as he turned on the water.

  Only moments later, the glass shower cubicle began to fog up with steam and Jersey pulled Travis along with him, stepping into the heavenly spray. They both groaned as the hot water rained down on them and they took their time, slowly soaping each other’s bodies, and washing their hair. They shared lazy kisses and stood under the relaxing spray, hugging, for far longer than they probably should have, but it seemed neither of them were eager to part and face the morning quite yet.

  When they finally did shut off the water and exited the shower, Jersey handed the first towel to Travis and used the second one to dry himself.

  After their intense morning of new and intimate exploration, Jersey seemed more confident about his nudity and didn’t bother to try to hide himself from Travis’s watchful gaze. Travis, however, was still new to the whole intimacy thing and opted to wrap his towel around his waist as they returned to the bedroom to get dressed.

  “Hungry?” Jersey asked as he made his way back into the bathroom to brush his hair and teeth.

  “I could eat,” Travis said, nuzzling Jersey’s neck as he wrapped his arms around his waist from behind.

  Jersey grinned and toothpaste dribbled out of his mouth, causing both of them to laugh. Travis released him and grabbed up his own toothbrush to follow Jersey’s lead.

  When Jersey finished, he leaned his butt against the counter and waited. “How do you get your hair to stay like this?” Jersey questioned, fingering a few of Travis’s hair coils, once he’d set his toothbrush down.

  Travis moved to stand between Jersey’s parted legs, messing with the hair in question. “It’s pretty easy once it’s started. I just use a little product and warm water and give each coil a twist every couple of days to keep it tight. With my hair being a coarser texture and having such tight curls, I either have to keep it really short or do some sort of finger curl, coil or dreadlock. Otherwise, it’s just a big puffy afro. I’ve had it lots of different ways over the years, and my mom taught us from an early age that dealing with it either meant a lot of time, like getting braids or locs, or we could keep it short and stick with twists or buzzed. There are actually tons of options, it’s just a matter of how much effort I want to put into it every day. I like this style and have had the finger coils for a few years now. If I decide on a change, I’ll just have to buzz these off and go from there.”

  “I like it like this,” Jersey said, reaching up to run his fingers through the coils. “I like the texture and the way it moves. The style suits you well, I think. Although I’ve never seen you any other way. I can’t really picture you with a shaved head.”

  Travis smiled and ran his hands through Jersey’s damp hair. “It’s been a long time since I’ve worn it shaved. I usually have at least something on top. Not quite as long as this,” Travis tugged gently on Jersey’s ends, and he smiled at him, “but still not quite afro status either. Why did you decide to grow your hair out?”

  Jersey shrugged, placing his hands on Travis’s hips. “I guess it was another one of those ways to hide, you know? I could literally hide behind my hair.” Jersey dropped his gaze and spoke in a quieter tone, “But once I realized that men found it sexy, I just kept it long. I figured the lingering looks I’d get from guys meant they found me attractive. I haven’t had it short since before—”

  Travis rested his hands on Jersey’s shoulders and frowned, his brows drawing together. The admission tugged at something inside Travis’s heart. He felt torn almost since he himself had originally taken notice of the man in part because of his hair. The thought left Travis almost wanting to pull away and retreat into the other room. He was no better than all the other men who’d simply been attracted to Jersey because of the pretty package he was wrapped in.

  But there was more to them, wasn’t there? Were they only together because they liked how the other man looked? Travis had literally felt a jolt of something upon his first glance of Jersey, but hadn’t his attraction heightened the more they’d talked and gotten to know each other? He’d thought so. But had he just given in to his curiosity about his body’s response to Jersey instead of any real curiosity about the man himself?

  He pulled Jersey up and wrapped his arms around him. “I’m sorry, Jersey. I’m no better than any of the rest of them, I guess.”

  Jersey looked up, confusion clear in his expression. “What are you talking about?”

  Travis looked down at him feeling his own sad expression transforming his features. “When you said that just now, about men thinking your hair was sexy and that was maybe why some them used you? I’m no better than any of them. Those selfish jerks who used you because of your looks. I’m just like them. My first thought when I saw you was how gorgeous your hair and lips looked.” Travis swallowed hard, looking away and tried to disengage from their embrace. Jersey held fast, though, not releasing the hands he had clasped behind Travis’s back. “Please let go. I need to leave. I’m sorry. I thought I was better than that, to judge someone based on their looks, but you don’t need another person who’s charmed by how beautiful you are. You need someone who sees beyond all that to the person you are inside. I’m just another superficial asshole.”

  Jersey was quiet, but Travis refused to look into his eyes to see the revulsion there at his admission. He already felt like the lowest of the low for doing exactly was Jersey hated so much. He didn’t need to see the disgust written out across Jersey’s face, to get that point across. He tried to step away from Jersey again, but if anything Jersey held tighter, squishing their bodies together and keeping Travis pulled against him.

  “I’m not letting you go, Trav,” Jersey mumbled with his face pressed up against Travis’s chest.

  “Why? I’m just another jerk who saw you as a pretty face. You deserve better than that.”

  After another moment of silence, Jersey whispered, “I deserve you, Travis.” He looked up then and Travis realized Jersey’s eyes were brimming with unshed tears.

  Losing his steam immediately, he rushed out, “God, now I made you cry. Please let go, I can’t even bear the thought of how much you’re hurting right now. I’ll just go and leave you alone so you don’t have to see me anym—”

  Jersey shoved up on his toes and smashed his lips to Travis’s, then wrapped his arms tightly around his neck. Travis’s arms flailed about, not sure what was going on, he didn’t want to touch Jersey anymore than they were already touching.

  When Travis tried to pull away, Jersey held tight but ended the kiss and moved his head so they were ear to ear, no space at all between them.

  “Jer—”

  “Would you shut up?” Jersey cut him off; his tone fierce and sharp. Travis stilled, immediately taken aback by the command. He could feel the small sob that escaped Jersey as he held onto Travis for dear life. “I’m not letting you go, because I’m ninety-nine point nine percent sure I’m falling in love with you.” His voice cracked and he buried his face in Travis’s neck. “I need you,” he choked on a whisper. “I deserve you, Travis. I’m falling in love with you. Please don’t go. I don’t want you to go,” he murmured, clinging to Travis desperately.

  Travis was stunned immobile.

  It took his brain several moments just to unpackage the little bundle of information that had been thrown at him since he seemed to be processing in slow motion. Without conscious intent, his hands found Je
rsey’s hips and he returned his embrace, actually lifting his boyfriend up and Jersey instantly wrapped his legs around Travis’s waist.

  He stood there holding his boyfriend in the middle of the bathroom for several minutes, rubbing his hand up and down Jersey’s back, helping to calm and reassure him that he was still there.

  “Can we talk now without you running out the door?” Jersey asked quietly, as his fingers curled and uncurled in the short hair at the base of Travis’s scalp. He sniffled and the sound made Travis’s heart clench a little that he’d been the cause of his boyfriend’s emotional strife.

  Not really trusting his voice, Travis nodded, then squeezed Jersey tightly and carried him into the bedroom. He didn’t release him but climbed right up onto the bed and sat down cross-legged in the middle, nestling Jersey into his lap.

  When he finally felt slightly more composed, he allowed his arms to relax and Jersey pulled back a little bringing his hands into his lap. He didn’t look up just yet but Travis needed to see his eyes. With one gentle finger under his chin, he coaxed Jersey to meet his gaze.

  Jersey looked back at him with wide vulnerable eyes and Travis leaned forward to press a tender kiss to his lips. Jersey met him just as softly and brought up his hand to cup Travis’s cheek. When he pulled away, he stayed close and Jersey smoothed his thumb back and forth across Travis’s cheek.

  “Do you know what I said the first time I saw you? When I was following Josh and Cory to the table at Chili’s?” Jersey asked softly, watching Travis’s every move and searching his eyes.

  Travis shook his head.

  One corner of Jersey’s mouth hitched up slightly as his eyes took on the look of someone remembering a pleasant thought. “I said, ‘Holy shit,’” Jersey snickered, shaking his head slightly. His eyes returned back to Travis’s after a moment and he continued. “I was stunned by how gorgeous you were. Then you opened your mouth and you blew me away with your support and acceptance of Josh and Cory. You had their back and your loyalty was such a turn on.” He paused, possibly collecting his thoughts. “We’re all guilty of judging each other based on our looks, Travis. That’s the first thing someone who’s not blind is going to notice, and there’s no way around that. What matters most, though, is who you are as a person and what story your actions tell. Even after only a few hours with you, your actions spoke pretty loudly. After the wedding, I knew I was going to get your phone number. I hadn’t dated or even considered seeing anyone for a few months and once I learned about Josh and Cory’s Connection, it just seemed so pointless to even try. How could I find someone like that? Who would love me like they loved each other? And I may not have loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you, but there was definitely something there; a spark or chemistry or whatever. But even after only spending a few hours with you, I knew I wanted to get to know you better.”