Paper Hearts Page 4

  “Not as often as I’d like, obviously, but I do get to hang out with them a good amount of the time. I’m not sure how it’s going to shake out now that Dinesh has them full time. He’s going to have to hire someone to take care of them while he’s at work, obviously, but that shouldn’t be a problem. It’ll be a big adjustment for them, moving into the city like that.”

  Jordan’s heart melted. He’d dated a few guys over the years, and some of them even said they wanted kids. He hadn’t met any who really thought about a kid’s needs like that, or who truly understood them. How had he gotten so lucky with Sam? “It will be. They’re young, they’re resilient, but it’s going to be a challenge for them. It’s for the best, I think. The pastor is definitely a destabilizing influence.”

  “He is. If Ida ever gets free of him, then we can talk about shared custody. But I don’t see that happening.” Sam took a deep breath and closed his eyes, lifting his face to the sky. “You know, I think I was starting to forget what having the sun on my face like this felt like.”

  Jordan chuckled. “We both need to spend a little less time in our offices. It’s easier said than done, but it’s a goal at least.”

  “I don’t know. With all the technology we have available to us now, don’t you think we could just decide to work in Central Park? Take a laptop, a cell phone, and a cup of coffee and just sit on a rock out there?” Sam opened his eyes and turned back to Jordan. “Do you have anything going on tonight that you need to get back for? A dog, maybe?”

  Jordan’s breath caught in his throat. Sam couldn’t be implying what Jordan thought he was. They’d been taking things slow, largely because finding time to get to know each other better had been a major problem. Jordan didn’t want to read into things or get his hopes up. “No, no dog. There’s a cat. He’s pretty independent.”

  “Good. I was thinking.” He dropped his voice. “I don’t regret bringing the kids along, but it might be nice to have some alone time. You know, just for grownups.”

  Jordan’s pulse raced. “I’d like that.” He knew he was blushing. His face felt just as warm as the rest of him, and it wasn’t from the sun. “Are they going to be with their dad?”

  “Yeah, Dinesh should be back at his place by five. We can grab a nice dinner and then see where the evening takes us.” He grinned, wicked and beautiful. “I’ve always liked a certain degree of spontaneity. It keeps things interesting.”

  The kids climbed, ran, and played for an hour before Sam had to intervene. Jai tried to steal Malati’s hat, and Malini punched him for it. Before things could devolve further, Sam stepped in and declared a break for cider doughnuts. All three kids could agree on that, and Jordan wasn’t going to object to a fresh, warm cider doughnut either. Once they’d fulfilled the urge for sugar, they raced toward the petting zoo, where they wallowed in the universal childish joy of goats and baby pigs.

  After another trip to the playground, another sibling argument, and a trip to the farm store, it was time to head back into the city. Sam and Jordan dropped the exhausted children off with their grateful father, who took the opportunity to update Jordan on the day’s proceedings.

  “She cried,” he said, scratching at his stubble. “I mean that’s perfectly reasonable. She cried because she lost custody of her children. She does love them, and I know she does. It was so hard for me to go in and take their stuff, knowing she was sobbing and miserable about it.”

  Sam hugged Dinesh. “You’re a good man, Dinesh. You’re a good husband, and a good father. You don’t want to hurt her.”

  Jordan’s heart swelled. It would be an inappropriate time to show it, but Sam’s concern and support for Dinesh was such a beautiful thing anyone would fall in love. “It says a lot about you, Dinesh, that you still feel so much concern for her.”

  “Of course, I do. She’s the mother of my children.” Dinesh tugged at his own hair. “I just—she can’t see that this is the result of her own choices. She just can’t say no to this pastor guy, and it’s a problem. It’s a huge problem.”

  “She called me up to hit me up for money the other day.” Sam’s lip curled. “She said she’d given her whole support check to the pastor. I didn’t know how to respond to that. I mean what exactly am I supposed to say, you know? ‘Ask your church for dinner?’” He shook his head. “It shouldn’t be like this. And I know it’s miserable for you, man. But you’re doing the right thing for your kids by keeping them away from all that. It’s a cult, pure and simple.”

  “It is.” Dinesh straightened up. “And the only thing you can do with a cult is hope the person comes to their senses. It’s a shame. Anyway, it was good to see you guys. Jordan, I’ll see you in court on, what was it, Wednesday?”

  “Yeah, Wednesday.” Jordan stuffed his hands into his pockets and followed Sam out the door.

  They headed back to the car and drove to Sam’s building in silence. For a moment, Jordan wondered if Sam had changed his mind about staying together tonight. Their talk about Ida would definitely kill the mood for most people. When they got to Sam’s building, though, Sam turned to him and kissed him. “I love those kids, but I’m beyond glad to have you alone.”

  * * * *

  Sam could hardly contain himself as he led Jordan back upstairs, up the elevator and into his apartment. It had taken them far too long to get here. He wasn’t usually big on waiting, but the timing just hadn’t been right. Two busy guys would always have trouble with scheduling, and in the past Sam would have just gone ahead and found someone else.

  Something about Jordan kept Sam coming back. This, this was why.

  Jordan let Sam make the first move. He didn’t seem to want to be too forward, which confused Sam. Once Sam had his hands on Jordan’s hips and claimed his mouth with another searing kiss though, any hint of hesitation disappeared. Jordan pressed his hot body to Sam’s, so close there was no room for anything between them. Sam could feel Jordan’s desire against his leg, hard and demanding.

  Sam pulled back for air and took the opportunity to peel Jordan’s shirt from his head. He wanted to see everything. They’d been dancing around each other for so long, and all they’d gotten from it was a few (admittedly breathtaking) kisses. Sam wanted to see, he wanted to know. He needed to have every piece of Jordan committed to memory, so when the inevitable happened he’d at least have that much left.

  Jordan had no shame. He stood proud under Sam’s gaze, and didn’t even balk when Sam tossed his henley onto the ground. He had an incredible body, toned in spite of the long hours he worked, and with just the smallest dusting of hair across his chest. Sam brushed his fingers down Jordan’s sternum, thrilling in the way Jordan leaned into his touch. Oh, he couldn’t possibly get enough of this. No one could.

  He backed Jordan into the bedroom. Not that Sam would mind having Jordan right here in the entry. They’d waited so long, Sam felt like he could burst. Jordan was special, though. He deserved to be comfortable, to be treated right, especially for their first time together.

  It wasn’t like the bedroom didn’t have magnificent views, too.

  Jordan had a playful grin and walked sure-footed into the bedroom, even though he’d never been here before and had no idea where he was going. He trusted Sam just that much. The thought made Sam’s hands shake, just a little bit, and made his chest ache. He didn’t know if he was the kind of man who deserved that level of trust. He would try, though. He would try as hard as he could, for as long as he could.

  When they got into the master bedroom, Sam got rid of his sweater and tossed it onto a chair. He took a moment to enjoy the view, both of Jordan and of the city lights. The two went well together, in Sam’s opinion. The lights outlined Jordan’s sculpted muscles like a halo, and when he bent to dispose of his pants that halo gave him even more grace and beauty.

  “How did I get so lucky?” Sam asked, in a soft voice.

  Jordan didn’t have any false modesty, but he wasn’t arrogant either. He walked right up to Sam and stroked his b
eard. “You were yourself. It had nothing to do with luck, and everything to do with being a sexy, sweet uncle and brother-in-law.” He leaned in and kissed Sam, and this time he slipped his hands into the waistband of Sam’s jeans. He didn’t slip them very far inside, but the sensation of having Jordan’s hands inside that border zone where people weren’t supposed to go made him gasp.

  It was too right. It was perfect. His cock, already heavy, strained at his zipper. Sam chuckled. “If you keep going, we’ll never get dinner. We’ll never even make it out of the bedroom.” He shucked his jeans quickly, because he didn’t want to make it out of the bedroom. Dinner could go right to hell. If it came right down to it, they could order in.

  He sat down on the edge of the bed and reached into the nightstand, searching for lube and condoms. He didn’t want to make assumptions, of course. They had plenty of options available to them without penetration, and not everyone wanted to go that far the first time. He wasn’t a small guy, and he didn’t want to hurt Jordan or push him too far.

  Before Sam could say anything, though, Jordan climbed up onto Sam’s lap, straddling him. Holy crap, this had escalated quickly. Their bare skin touched at every possible point, building an electric current between them that made Sam groan. “I love that you just went for it like that. It’s so hot. You don’t have a single inhibition in the world, do you?” He rubbed his thumbs against Jordan’s nipples. He didn’t miss the way Jordan’s breath caught as he worked, or the way his pupils expanded. God, this man.

  “Not a single one. Not right now, not in here with you.” Jordan smiled, and gently rocked his hips. In public he was a respectable lawyer, but in here he was the image of wanton desire and need. He was beautiful like this. Sam had never been one for nudes or home movies, but Jordan could change his mind in a heartbeat. “I’m not a big believer in holding back. If you’ve got someone you care for, and you want to be with, why not let go and enjoy yourselves?”

  Sam thought that was a good life philosophy. Right now, he’d agree with just about anything Jordan said, though, if they could keep touching. God, Jordan’s flesh felt so good against his own, from his bare chest to his firm thighs to his pretty cock, tall and proud in its little, trimmed nest of curls. He buried his face in the crook of Jordan’s neck and inhaled, savoring the sweet scent of his body.

  “I want you so bad right now,” Jordan whispered, breath hot against the shell of Sam’s ear. “I need it, Sam. I need you, inside of me, right now.”

  Sam groaned. How was he supposed to resist that? Between the smell of him, and the feel of him, and the sight of those eyes burning into his soul, Sam was lost. He didn’t want to be saved, either. He just wanted to be with Jordan.

  Sam didn’t have to be told twice. He slicked his fingers with lube and worked the first one into Jordan. Just like that, half of the tension evaporated from Jordan’s shoulders. He let his head fall back and relaxed, contented. Sam had never been with someone who’d been so happy just to be worked open before. Somehow that seemed even hotter than someone who just wanted to get through it and onto the main event, so he took his time.

  Not that taking his time was an ordeal. Sure, Sam’s cock throbbed, reminding him it needed attention and if he could just get on with things and get the job done it would be ever so grateful, thank you. The look on Jordan’s face and the sounds of bliss he made were enough to distract Sam as he worked, and of course he had the pleasure of anticipation. If Jordan felt that tight and hot on his fingers, what would he feel like when Sam got to slip into him?

  When he’d prepped Jordan as much as he could, he rolled the condom onto himself, and slicked himself up. Jordan sank down slowly, inexorably, until he was fully seated on top of Sam.

  Jordan moaned when Sam bottomed out, burying his face in Sam’s neck. For a second Sam wondered if he’d gone too fast or hadn’t done enough prep, but Jordan put that thought to rest in minutes. “My God, you feel so good inside me, Sam. It’s so amazing, you filling me up just like this.”

  Sam kissed him then. Jordan could say all the pretty words he wanted, but anything he was feeling could be no comparison to what Sam was feeling right now. It was too perfect. Gravity pulled them together just right, and Jordan wanting and needing this so badly only spurred Sam on. It was better than the first show Sam had produced. It was better than Sam’s first Emmy.

  It was Jordan, and that made all the difference. The thought was terrifying.

  When Jordan moved, impaling himself over and over on Sam’s stiff cock, Sam knew this wasn’t going to be an exercise in stamina. It was just too much—the elation, the joy, the excitement. Everything overwhelmed him, and he couldn’t see it as a bad thing. Quality was better than quantity anyway, right? He took Jordan’s cock in his hand and tugged along with the rhythm Jordan himself set, determined not to let him go unsatisfied.

  Sam erupted inside of Jordan, shouting as he tried even harder to bring Jordan along with him. Fortunately. Jordan seemed to be on the same page as he was. He spilled hot and thick over Sam’s hand, all but collapsing over Sam as his release left him.

  They stayed in the same positions for a few minutes, with Jordan draped over Sam like his skeleton had just walked away. Neither of them wanted to move, and there wasn’t anyone else in the apartment to interrupt them. Sam didn’t suggest moving until he started to get cold, and even then, Jordan whimpered at the shift.

  “Come on, I promise it’s more comfortable under the blankets.” Sam pulled gently out of Jordan and helped him to his feet.

  “And showers in the morning?” Jordan murmured. He staggered a little, like he was too exhausted to stand up.

  “Showers whenever you want, sweetheart. As many as your little heart desires.” He helped Jordan under the covers and crawled in beside him.

  Jordan fell asleep almost immediately, using Sam’s chest as a pillow. Sam held him and waited for sleep to come, but he couldn’t close his eyes. His pulse still raced, like he’d just had a whole pot of coffee to himself.

  He wasn’t used to these kinds of feelings. Not about his partners. He liked them well enough. He enjoyed their company. He just didn’t get attached like this. If Jordan left now, Sam would be devastated.

  He would just have to make a point of making Jordan so happy he wouldn’t want to leave. Should be easy, right? Except Sam had never been that guy. Everyone wanted to leave eventually. Jordan, perfect as he was, would be no different.

  Sam could hold onto his illusions a little while longer, though. He thought he was allowed to do that, at least.

  Chapter 4

  Jordan hugged his jacket closer to himself. November had hit New York with a thud. Thanksgiving was a week away, and it already felt like he was navigating the tundra when he walked to work. He’d never felt so much wind in Manhattan before, not without a big weather system coming through. This wind didn’t bring any rain or snow with it. It just blew.

  At least he had Sam to keep him warm. He looked up at the tall, glass-fronted building where Sam lived. It was really a marvel of modern engineering that they could construct these palaces, these Towers of Babel, out of so much glass and have them withstand winds that would have shattered smaller buildings only forty years ago. He didn’t think he’d choose to live in one, but they filled him with awe nevertheless.

  The doorman greeted him with a smile and a wave with Jordan walked in. He didn’t have to be buzzed in anymore. Sam had given him a key, and had instructed the doormen to let him in without a problem. Jordan still got a little thrill every time he got away with it, even though Sam had the same privileges at his place.

  None of his previous relationships had gotten to this point before.

  Jordan knew he shouldn’t be too hopeful. They’d only been together since August. It wasn’t much time at all. Still, he couldn’t help but get excited about the way things were going. The holidays were almost here. Thanksgiving wasn’t a big deal, but Jordan’s mom had already extended an invitation to Sam to join them in New
Jersey for the day. And after Thanksgiving came Christmas.

  So many romantic opportunities for Christmas. As Jordan rode the elevator up to Sam’s apartment his head spun with images of the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center, ice skating, and cuddling in front of a Christmas tree in private. New Year’s would come with a kiss and maybe more, depending on whether they went to a party or stayed in.

  And then, of course, Valentine’s Day. Jordan couldn’t wait to see what Valentine’s Day was like with a partner. He could make a nice dinner for him, maybe spend a nice evening by the fire. Or they could take in the opera, like Sam loved.

  He got off the elevator and opened the door to Sam’s palatial apartment. As always, the view took his breath away. Sure, he’d seen it dozens of times from those windows, and thousands of times from others, but the city lights never failed to impress him. He hadn’t been meant for suburban life. Fortunately, he hadn’t had to live it past the age of eighteen.

  Sam was already home, of course. He was in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on dinner. Everything about Sam was perfect. Even his timing was perfect. Steak au poivre was notoriously difficult to get right in terms of timing, but here Sam was, just pouring the sauce over the steaks as Jordan walked in the door.

  “You’re a wizard.” Jordan dropped a kiss onto Sam’s cheek as he walked in the doorway. “It’s the only possible explanation. You’re a wizard, and you’re using your magical powers to get the dinner just right.”

  “That’s exactly it.” Sam delivered his lines deadpan, but his mouth twitched with a barely-restrained grin. “You caught me. I’m a wizard, and I’ve cast a wicked spell on the food. It’s an aphrodisiac spell so we can both go all night long and still make it to work tomorrow morning.”

  Jordan laughed and took the seat Sam indicated. They weren’t bothering with the formal dining room tonight. There were only two of them, after all. They didn’t need to dirty fine china or create another space to clean.