The V- in 403C - Jess Bryant Page 0,39

shower behind him, totally and completely naked except for the beautiful ink that covered his skin.

Jonah forgot how to speak, how to think, how to even breathe. He simply stared in wide-eyed wonder at the man in his shower. He’d known that Reed was beautiful. Tall and slim with a hard body and sharp angles. What he hadn’t known was that the ink on his arms trailed up, over his shoulders and down his chest, right back down to his hips and the trail of hair that led straight to a long, hard cock that was pointing at him like a heat-seeking missile.

“Reed? What are you…” Jonah stepped back when the man reached for him but in the small, enclosed space, there was nowhere to go.

“Shhh.” Reed hushed him softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s okay. We’re just showering together. Nothing more unless you want it, okay?”

Jonah gave a jerky nod though he wasn’t sure he actually understood. Reed wanted to shower with him? He didn’t understand why. Just like he didn’t understand why he wasn’t telling him to get out of the shower, put his clothes on and leave. Instead, he remained still as Reed moved forward, backing him against the cool tile wall and putting his hands on either side of Jonah’s head.

“I thought we could talk some more.” Reed’s lips pulled into a devilish grin.

“I-in here?” Jonah stumbled over the words.

“Mhmm.” Reed leaned forward and licked a line of water off Jonah’s neck, causing them both to moan. “I figure if you’re naked you might not run out the door on me again.”

“God you’re a smartass.” Jonah huffed.

“True.” Reed was smirking again when he pulled back to look him in the eye. “And you’re just smart. Really, really smart. I looked you up you know, after that first class? You’re a genius.”

“So I’ve been told.”

Reed chuckled, “I bet you have. But has anyone ever told you that you’re so damn sexy it’s distracting?”

Jonah blinked, shaking his head, “No.”

“I did.” Reed reminded him with a nip of his lips, “I told you that you drive me crazy. That I want to kiss every inch of you, that I want all of you. Remember?”

“Y-yes.”

“I like being the first man to tell you those things. They’re all true. Those other bastards were too stupid to see what they were missing but I don’t. I see you, Jonah.”

“Reed.” he whispered, the conversation feeling intimate in a way he’d never imagined. “I think…”

“Stop thinking so much.” Reed ordered, nuzzling his nose against the hollow of Jonah’s throat. “Just hear me out and then, tell me how you feel, okay?”

“Okay.” He managed.

“I want to be your first, Jonah.” Reed’s words were dark and sensual, “Not just the first to take you to bed either. I want to be your first everything. I want to be the first man to make you feel wanted and desired. I want you to trust me because I would never, ever hurt you. I want to touch you everywhere, kiss you, everywhere, feel your body wrapped around mine and the sound of my name on your lips when you come for me. I want to know you inside and out so well that you don’t even have to think about what you need before I’m giving it to you. I want the chance to make you happy because I like you, Jonah Monroe, and I think the chemistry between us is worth exploring and finding out if it might even be more than like.”

Jonah bit his lip to keep a whimper from escaping him when Reed leaned down to lay his head against his shoulder. The words he’d spoken were so determined, they made Jonah shake with nervous energy. He couldn’t deny that he wanted all of those things too. This man, this beautiful, crazy, impulsive man, had captured his attention the moment they met and he refused to let go. He refused to be ignored or pushed away. He said he wanted Jonah, all of him, even knowing he was inexperienced, and his actions backed up every word he spoke.

The voice of reason in the back of Jonah’s head told him that it was still a bad idea. Reed was still a student. He was still a TA. But another part of him, the part of him that was simply a man that had never known this kind of desire, refused to be ignored this time.

“We would have to be careful.”

Reed’s lips curled into a