Freedom (The F-Word #5) - E. Davies Page 0,16

it was tempered by Jaden’s statement. Seeing Jaden again wasn’t all he wanted. He either hadn’t quite understood what Henry was suggesting, or he wasn’t interested. And Henry was almost positive it was the first, not the second.

Maybe Henry was the crazy one for even thinking of it, after knowing each other for just one afternoon so far. But… there was no mistaking what his heart wanted.

Just see how tonight goes, he told himself. They could make it work back in Denver. He was sure of it. Jaden was worth the work. That just left one thing: asking him out, properly, for a second date… before the first date was even over.

That conversation could wait until after supper.

7

Jaden

As afternoon drew to a close, the first sign of evening creeping up on Henry and Jaden was the chill in the breeze. They’d each shrugged on extra layers as the scorching daytime heat faded.

The lamplit picnic area was perfectly serene and romantic, and nobody had interrupted them.

Watching Henry’s effortless confidence reading a map and compass to get them here on their bikes had been so hot. Jaden had always wanted the confidence to navigate, but he’d never gotten that far in his outdoor pursuits. Back in college, he’d gone on trail runs. That was as wild as it got.

But Henry did real wilderness shit. This must be nothing to him. Jaden found himself letting Henry lead the way, and he actually enjoyed it.

Their supper had been delicious—fried chicken, potato salad, a bottle of sparkling wine, all the classic picnic foods. Now Jaden and Henry were lying together, waiting for…

For what, Jaden wasn’t quite sure.

Their cabin was nearby, Henry said. They could bike to it in minutes, even at a gentle pace. For now, they were digesting supper, talking about anything and everything, and admiring the changing colors of the sky.

The breeze rustled through the trees, and being in these woods felt strangely home-like. This was freedom in a way Jaden wasn’t quite sure he was ready to handle, but had been craving for years.

“I’m so glad I did this,” he whispered.

Henry took his hand. “Me too. I wish we could stay out here and stargaze… but biking in the dark would be quite a life choice.”

“Yeah,” Jaden laughed. He didn’t want to leave the clearing just yet. He had one thing left to do first. “We’ve got a few more minutes?” he asked Henry.

Henry frowned, glancing at the fading light, but Jaden widened his eyes with his plea. Henry relented into a smile and laughed. “A few minutes,” he echoed.

“Thank you.” Jaden squeezed his hand. “I’m just… enjoying this.”

A rush of breath left Henry’s lungs, and he looked over. “Yeah?”

At the same moment, Jaden had looked at him. That brought their lips just inches apart as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

Henry was gorgeous: stubbly, gorgeous, rugged. The kind of guy who had tons of followers on Instagram. His jaw was square and handsome, and his lips were thin but very kissable. And best of all were his bright blue eyes, a shade that stood out even in the dimming light.

Jaden wanted a piece of that, more than he was willing to admit.

“Hm?” Henry prompted, but he was smiling slowly. There was wicked temptation in that smile.

Jaden gave up resisting and leaned in to press their lips together.

It was warm and comforting, slow and thick as molasses. Which was what Jaden’s mind felt like as he sank into the sweet kiss. It started as a gentle exploration, but more swelled between them quickly.

So to speak.

Jaden gulped, his cheeks burning as he grew hard. He savored the taste of Henry; the smell of him, spicy and sweet; the warmth of his thigh pressing into Jaden’s knee.

Henry shifted, resting his hand on Jaden’s upper arm as he kissed him, sucking his lip gently. His stubble prickled at Jaden’s smooth cheeks whenever he caught his breath. As their kiss went on, Henry slowly ran his hand around to the back of Jaden’s neck.

Henry’s confidence sparked something deep inside Jaden. It made him feel at home somehow. Comfortable in his presence, and even curious. Did Henry want to relax and let someone else take over, even for a bit?

Jaden was desperate to show Henry how turned on he was—to take charge for just a minute. The boldness grew to an insatiable hunger, and he finally couldn’t resist.

Jaden shifted until he propped himself up on his elbows, half-straddling Henry with his shoulders only. Henry’s eyes were half-lidded