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was
ready to bolt. He wanted to turn around and run in the opposite direction. He
didn’t want to deal with these feelings. “I’m sorry,” Parker said.
    “For?”
    “I don’t, well, I just…” Parker had been reduced to a
bumbling idiot. No one would’ve believed he was that powerful, confident
attorney who always had such eloquent words for any situation. All common sense
went out the window when he was in Jace’s presence.
    Jace stepped out onto the porch and closed the gap between
them. He placed his hand on Parker’s shoulder, giving Parker the opportunity to
stare into Jace's beautiful eyes. Parker’s breathing picked up and his knees
suddenly felt weak. He was warm inside. Jace was a strong, imposing figure, but
there was a gentleness about him that put Parker at ease.
    What was happening?
    * * * *
    Jace struggled with the idea of leaning forward and kissing
him. He needed to show him how much he wanted him, but Parker’s odd behavior
was nagging at him. As much as he wanted him, he didn’t want to set himself up
for heartache. He’d been there once before, and it’d taken him years to fully recover.
    Jace could sense the awkwardness surrounding the man
standing in front of him. He knew it shouldn’t bother him, but he couldn’t help
but feel offended, especially after last night. They cuddled so effortlessly
while they watched the movie and they even kissed, rather passionately, before
Jace went home. Perhaps he thought Parker was more comfortable with the
situation than he actually was.
    He had to be careful with Parker. Jace kept telling himself
Parker wasn’t ready to fully embrace his new lifestyle. Last night, instinct
took over, hormones got in the way, and what happened had happened. But now, in
the light of day, after having some time to process what they’d done, Jace knew
there was a good possibility Parker was freaked out by what they had shared. He
didn’t blame him, but he was secretly hoping Parker would just accept who he
was and realize Jace wanted to be with him.
    Parker slowly sucked in his bottom lip, dragging his teeth
along it before releasing it. Jace had to fight the urge to take that lip into
his own mouth. He was already hard and all he’d done was place his hand on
Parker’s strong, wide shoulder. He couldn’t stop the images of Parker
underneath him with his face pressed into the mattress while Jace relentlessly
pounded into him.
    Jace closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn’t think
they’d ever get that far. Parker looked like he was here to say he’d changed
his mind about exploring the possibility of the two of them.
    “Jace?”
    He slowly opened his eyes and briefly stared at Parker,
wanting to memorize everything about his perfect face. His jaw line was so
strong, and he wanted the chance to run his lips along the fresh stubble while
his hands moved across the hard expanse of his chest. He’d wanted Parker from
that first night he’d walked into his classroom. It may have started out purely
physical, but now it was much more.
    He had to stop torturing himself. Jace needed to know why
Parker was leaving when Jace came to the door. It was better to know than to
keep hoping things were going to progress between them.
    “You’ve changed your mind.” When Jace gently squeezed his
shoulder and gave him an understanding look, he could feel Parker relax.
“What’s wrong?”
    Parker leaned forward, his breath caressing Jace’s lips for
a second before he slowly pressed his mouth against his. Jace stood completely
still, waiting to see what Parker’s intentions were. He moved his mouth against
Jace’s much like they had done the night before, but this was too slow, Jace
needed more, so he wrapped his arms around Parker’s waist, pulling him closer.
Parker attacked his mouth with a hunger that left Jace’s head spinning. He
certainly hadn’t expected Parker to be so forceful.
    Jace backed up, guiding Parker. “Come inside,” he whispered
as he