No Good Deed - Marie Sexton Page 0,19
fingernail. He’d broken that habit ages ago, but something about being back in Denver brought it all back. “I know it won’t be quite that dramatic, but I wish I knew what to expect.”
“I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
Jonas doodled idly on his sketch pad while Charlie finished his tea before making their way to the living room.
“Do you need help pulling out the couch?” Charlie asked.
“Only if I can talk you into getting between the sheets with me.”
Charlie’s cheeks turned red, and he took a step backward, his eyes on the carpet at Jonas’s feet.
Jonas stepped closer, trying to judge his reaction. He didn’t seem opposed. And yet…
“How about we just make out on the couch again?” Jonas asked. “You can build a fire like last night. Maybe some kissing and a bit of heavy petting?” Charlie looked like he might be considering it. Jonas smiled. “Hey, I’d even be down for the back seat of your Caddy, if you really want to relive your glory days.”
Charlie’s cheeks turned a deeper shade of red than before.
Jonas sighed in frustration. “Jesus, Charlie. I give up. Do you want me to stop? Do I disgust you? Are you morally opposed to having sex with me?”
“Of course not.”
“We like each other. We’re living together. We’re engaged to be married, for fuck’s sake. Is there any reason for us to not be having sex?”
Charlie stared at the floor, his cheeks red, but didn’t answer.
“Are you still mad at me about being gone for so long? You’re trying to punish me?”
“It’s not that.”
“Is it because of Gray?”
“He has nothing to do with it.”
“You’re single, right?”
Charlie grinned. “Other than being engaged to you, yeah.”
Jonas moved closer. “Is it that you’re not attracted to me anymore?”
Charlie’s eyes softened. He touched Jonas’s cheek. “That’s definitely not the problem.”
“That settles it, then! We’re both here. Both available. Both sexy as hell—”
Charlie winced, suddenly unable to meet his eyes.
“Wait.” Jonas put a hand on his chest, holding him in place. “What was that?”
“What was what?”
“What just happened? You looked…” How had he looked? Sad? Ashamed? Embarrassed? “You don’t think I’m attracted to you? Is that the problem? Propositioning you a dozen times a day isn’t clear enough? Spending the night with you wasn’t enough to convince you?”
“That was six years ago.”
“So?”
Charlie sighed. “So, you still look as good as you did then. Better, really.” His jaw clenched. “And I spent those six years getting fat.”
Jonas could hardly believe his ears. “Are you serious? That’s what this is about?”
Charlie’s eyes flashed with a hint of anger. “Look at me! I probably outweigh you by more than fifty pounds!”
“Okay. You’re also six inches taller than me. So what?”
“Every time I think about us together, I picture you squashed underneath me like some kind of unfortunate little bug. And after being with somebody who looks like Gray! You could keep your eyes closed, or I could turn off all the lights, or I could stay behind you, but you’ll still feel me there. You’ll feel how big I am—”
“Charlie, hush.” Jonas put his fingers over Charlie’s lips, stopping the tumble of words. He’d never describe Charlie as fat. Sure, he’d put on some weight. But Charlie had never been petite. He was a big, solid guy. More importantly, he was a wonderful person, full of love and life and compassion. It would take a larger than average package to contain all that Charlie was.
Jonas put his arms around Charlie’s neck. “You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever known. So, I’m smaller than you. So what? You’re worried about me feeling you behind me? What if I told you that’s the only thing I’ve been thinking about since I walked through that door? What if I told you I lie here every night, wanting nothing more than to get naked with you?”
Charlie rested his hands on Jonas’s waist. “But after being with Gray—”
“Jesus, who cares? Yes, he’s hotter than most men. But as a boyfriend, he sucked. I spent three years with him wishing he was more like you. And I’ve spent the last six years wishing I’d never let him come between us.”
Charlie sighed, but it sounded a bit like surrender. “I just wish I hadn’t put on quite so much weight.”
Jonas grinned and crooked a finger at Charlie. “Come here. Let me show you how little I care about that.”
The kiss started out hesitant. Jonas was careful not to touch Charlie’s middle—not because he cared one bit about Charlie’s size, but because