Our December by Diane Adams Read Free Book Online Page A

as strong, twice as brave, just to get half the credit. It's even worse for you because you're still so young. Your parents see a boy, show them the man."
    Jared watched the boy square his shoulders. A light came into his eyes.
    "I really can't stop this, can I?" His tone pleaded for Jared to take it back, but it was beyond Jared's ability to fix and he shook his head.
    "I can't help, Alex, I wish I could." Despite his initial relief that Alex wouldn't be there for him to mess up, Jared's heart ached with the knowledge the end came much sooner than anticipated. His life would be a darker place without Alex and his thousand-watt smile.
    "I have to just accept it?"
    "Not at all, you can argue your side. If your Dad doesn't come around to your way of thinking, and he probably won't, then find a way to show you are cooperating under protest."
    "Dignity and self-respect," Alex mumbled. "It's all you talk about sometimes, even when you don't say it. Is that really all that matters?"
    They were on their feet, and Jared led Alex to the door. He looked at the boy's earnest face, the stain of his tears still on his cheeks. Jared wanted to touch him, to offer physical comfort, not just rationale, but he didn't dare. He couldn't trust himself.
    "What else is there?" he asked.
    Alex's eyes narrowed, and without warning, he crowded Jared against the door.
    "This." Alex reached out grabbing Jared's hair, pulling him down into a kiss. Their breath mingled and their lips met. With a low moan of desperation, Jared pulled Alex hard against him. He needed this so much. Alex surged forward and when Jared lifted him off the floor, Alex's legs wrapped around his waist. Jared turned, pinning Alex against the wall with his body. His big hands cupped Alex's face, his thumbs caressing smooth cheeks. His mouth slanted, demanding and hungry, over Alex's. Their tongues tangled and Alex pulled hard on Jared's hair, rutting against him.
    The sounds he made, agonizing whimpers of need, brought Jared back to his senses. He jerked away so fast he dropped Alex. Stumbling, Alex regained his balance, unable to tear his eyes away from Jared's.
    "Holy crap. Is it always like that?"
    Jared struggled to regain control. Alex's eyes, dark with need, wide with surprise, were a magnet to Jared's raging lust.
    "No, no, it's not. It's never like that. You have to go."
    Wide eyed at Jared's reaction and stunned by the demands of his own body, Alex fled.

On a Jet Plane

    *8 fri nite gate c*
    Jared stared at the text from Alex. They hadn't seen one another since the afternoon Alex burst into Jared's office. His dad had him on the fast track to leave town and there wasn't time for more than a few hurried texts. Jared already missed Alex, and knowing he was soon going to be gone for good made him want to throw the fit he talked Alex out of… to hell with dignity.
    Sometimes he thought it was unfortunate that self-control was such an ingrained part of his nature. It wasn't very satisfying. Letting Alex go was the right thing to do, but it hurt like hell. Alex wanted him to come to the airport, but Jared couldn't say good-bye to the boy in person and stay calm. Jared worried what his decision to stay away would cost. He didn't know if Alex would understand.
    Jared couldn't face Alex in person, but Friday found him at the airport, looking at the passengers from what was once a railed overlook. Airport security had it walled with glass, and Jared stood behind the double thick layer of safety glass, looking for Alex among the passengers waiting to board. He didn't see the boy and scanned the crowd again, his eyes returning to a young man sitting with his back towards Jared. He was bald with oriental tattoo at the nape of his neck, the letters stark black lines, but Jared couldn't make out the details. Something about him seemed familiar but he never turned so Jared could catch a glimpse of his face.
    He still couldn't find Alex. Speakers buzzed and blared the boarding at Gate C.