Chapter 6: The Morning After the Move
The first thing Cole registered was warmth.
Not the abstract, ambient warmth of a heated room, but the solid, encompassing heat of another body pressed against his own. Jaxson's arm was draped over his waist, heavy and possessive even in sleep, and Cole could feel the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing against the back of his neck.
He opened his eyes.
The penthouse bedroom was bathed in the soft, golden light of early morning. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, the skyscrapers catching the sunrise in streaks of amber and rose. It was beautiful, breathtaking, and entirely surreal.
This is my home now. This is my life.
Cole turned slowly, careful not to disturb Jaxson. The alpha's face was relaxed in sleep, the sharp lines softened, the perpetual furrow between his brows smoothed away. He looked younger like this. Vulnerable, almost.
Cole reached out, hesitating for just a moment before brushing a lock of dark hair from Jaxson's forehead. His fingers lingered, tracing the curve of his brow, the line of his jaw.
I love you, Cole thought. I love you so much it scares me sometimes.
Jaxson stirred. His eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, then sharpening as they landed on Cole. A slow smile spread across his face, transforming it entirely.
"Morning," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
"Morning." Cole smiled back, his heart doing a little flip. "You were watching me sleep?"
"Guilty." Jaxson pulled him closer, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You're beautiful when you're asleep. You're beautiful when you're awake. You're beautiful all the time, actually. It's quite distracting."
Cole laughed. "Flatterer."
"Just honest." Jaxson's hand slid down Cole's back, resting at the base of his spine. "How did you sleep?"
"Better than I have in my entire life." Cole nestled closer, tucking his head under Jaxson's chin. "I think I could get used to this."
"I hope so." Jaxson's voice was warm. "Because I'm not letting you go anywhere."
They lay there for a while, tangled together, the city waking up around them. Cole could feel Jaxson's thoughts, soft and warm like a blanket.
This is real. She's mine. He's mine. He's actually mine. I get to wake up to this face every morning. I get to fall asleep with him in my arms. I get to love him for the rest of my life.
Cole's eyes stung. He blinked rapidly, pressing his face into Jaxson's chest.
"You okay?" Jaxson asked, his hand coming up to stroke Cole's hair.
"Yeah." Cole's voice was muffled. "I'm just—really happy."
Jaxson's arms tightened around him. "Good. That's exactly what I want."
Eventually, the rumble of Cole's stomach broke the silence, and Jaxson laughed.
"Hungry?"
"Starving." Cole pulled back, his cheeks flushed. "I didn't eat much at dinner last night. I was too nervous."
"Nervous?" Jaxson raised an eyebrow. "You had nothing to be nervous about."
"I know that now." Cole sat up, the sheet pooling around his waist. "But at the time, I was—" He paused, searching for the right word. "Overwhelmed. In the best possible way."
Jaxson sat up too, pressing a kiss to Cole's bare shoulder. "How about I make you breakfast? I've been told I make a mean omelet."
"You cook?"
"I have hidden depths." Jaxson grinned. "Besides, I want to show off my kitchen. It's got all the bells and whistles, but I rarely use any of them. It's a shame, really."
Cole laughed, climbing out of bed. He grabbed one of Jaxson's dress shirts from the armchair in the corner, pulling it on over his bare chest. The sleeves hung past his fingertips, the hem reaching mid-thigh.
"Someone looks good in my clothes," Jaxson murmured, his eyes darkening.
Cole felt a thrill run through him. "I'm borrowing this. I need something to wear while my stuff is still being unpacked."
"Keep it. It looks better on you anyway."
Cole followed Jaxson out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. It was a gleaming expanse of black granite and stainless steel, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered an unobstructed view of the city. The morning light spilled across the countertops, catching the edges of copper pots and pans hanging from a rack above the island.
"This is ridiculous," Cole said, running his hand along the marble surface. "This kitchen is bigger than my entire apartment."
"Your entire apartment, much as I loved it, was the size of a shoebox."
"Maybe. But it was a cozy shoebox."
Jaxson pulled a carton of eggs from the refrigerator, along with a bell pepper, an onion, and a block of cheese. "Have a seat. Watch the master at work."
Cole hopped onto one of the barstools at the island, tucking his legs up. He watched as Jaxson moved around the kitchen with surprising ease, dicing vegetables with practiced precision.
"You're actually good at this," Cole observed.
"I've had practice. I lived alone for a long time before I made it big. Had to eat somehow."
"Takeout exists."
"I got tired of takeout." Jaxson glanced over his shoulder, a small smile playing on his lips. "There's something meditative about cooking. It forces you to slow down, to focus on something simple. It's the opposite of my job."
Cole watched him work, the way his hands moved with confidence, the way he tasted the sauce with a critical expression, adjusting the seasoning with a pinch of salt. There was something deeply domestic about it, something intimate and real.
I want this every morning, Jaxson's thoughts drifted into Cole's mind. I want to make him coffee, cook him breakfast, watch him smile at me across the table. I want to grow old with him. I want to build a life with him.
Cole's heart swelled. He hopped off the stool, padding over to Jaxson's side.
"Can I help?" he asked.
Jaxson wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close. "Sure. You can be my taste tester."
"You don't trust your own palate?"
"I trust yours more."
Jaxson fed him a sliver of roasted red pepper, and Cole closed his eyes, savoring the flavor.
"That's amazing."
"The pepper?"
"The whole thing. This." Cole gestured around them. This morning."
Jaxson set down the knife, turning to face Cole fully. His hands came up to cup Cole's face, thumbs brushing his cheeks.
"I love you," he said, his voice low and fierce. "I know I said it last night, but I want you to hear it again. I love you, Cole. More than I ever thought I was capable of loving anyone."
Cole's breath caught. "I love you too."
Jaxson kissed him, slow and deep. Cole melted into it, his hands fisting in the fabric of Jaxson's t-shirt.
The kiss deepened, turning hungrier. Jaxson's hands slid down Cole's body, gripping his hips, pulling him closer.
"Breakfast," Cole managed against Jaxson's lips. "The eggs are going to burn."
"Let them burn," Jaxson murmured.
Cole laughed, pushing at his chest. "Don't let them burn. I'm hungry."
Jaxson pulled back, his eyes dark with want. "Fine. But breakfast is going to have to wait a little longer."
Before Cole could protest, Jaxson had him pressed against the counter, the cold marble at his back, Jaxson's body a wall of heat against his front.
"Jaxson—"
"I've been thinking about this all morning," Jaxson breathed against his neck. "Since the moment I woke up with you in my arms. I've been thinking about bending you over this counter, having you right here in the morning light."
Cole shivered. Jaxson's thoughts were a flood of explicit images, vivid and consuming, and he could feel his own body responding.
"Then do it," Cole whispered.
Jaxson needed no further encouragement. He lifted Cole onto the counter, spreading his legs, and pulled the borrowed shirt over his head. Cole was bare beneath it, and Jaxson inhaled sharply.
"God, you're beautiful," he breathed. "Every time I see you, I'm stunned all over again."
Cole reached for him, pulling him closer, kissing him deeply as Jaxson's hands worked at his own pajama bottoms. Jaxson slid them off, leaving Cole entirely bare against the cool marble.
"Spread your legs wider," Jaxson murmured. "Let me see you."
Cole complied, his cheeks flushing as Jaxson's gaze swept over him. There was something intoxicating about being so exposed, so vulnerable, and yet so utterly safe.
"Mine," Jaxson whispered, and the word sent a thrill of electricity through Cole. "You're mine."
Jaxson pressed Cole's knees up and apart, positioning himself between them. Cole felt the hot, hard length of him against his thigh and gasped.
"Ready?" Jaxson asked, his voice rough.
"Yes," Cole managed. "Please—"
Jaxson entered him in one smooth motion. Cole cried out, gripping the edge of the counter as his body stretched to accommodate him. Jaxson paused, giving him a moment to adjust, his forehead pressed against Cole's.
"Okay?" he breathed.
"Mmm," Cole moaned. "More. Move."
Jaxson pulled back, then thrust forward, and Cole's world narrowed to the sensation of him. The counter was cold beneath him, the marble hard against his back, but Jaxson was warm, so warm, filling him completely.
"God, you feel amazing," Jaxson groaned. "I could stay inside you forever."
"Mine, mine, mine, mine," Jaxson's thoughts chanted in time with his thrusts, a possessive mantra that made Cole's head spin.
"Yes," Cole gasped. "Yes, I'm yours. I'm yours, Jaxson."
Jaxson's pace increased, harder, faster. The morning light spilled over them, catching the sheen of sweat on their skin. The kitchen was bright and warm, and Cole felt utterly exposed, utterly claimed.
"Look at me," Jaxson commanded.
Cole's eyes met his. The dark intensity in Jaxson's gaze was overwhelming.
"I want to see your face when you come," Jaxson said. "I want to watch you fall apart."
Cole was already close, the coil in his belly tightening with each thrust. Jaxson's hand found his aching erection, stroking in time with his rhythm, and Cole gasped.
"Jaxson—"
"Let go," Jaxson murmured. "I've got you. Let go for me."
Cole shattered. Waves of pleasure crashed over him, his body arching off the counter as he cried out Jaxson's name. Jaxson followed moments later, buried deep inside him, a guttural groan escaping his lips.
They stayed like that, wrapped around each other, breathing harsh in the quiet kitchen. The eggs sat forgotten on the stove, the vegetables diced and abandoned.
Jaxson kissed Cole's forehead. "I'm going to make love to you every day for the rest of our lives," he whispered. "Every single day."
Cole laughed, breathless and giddy. "Promise?"
"Promise." Jaxson withdrew gently, helping Cole off the counter. Cole's legs wobbled, and he had to grip Jaxson's arm for support.
"You broke me," he said, half-joking.
Jaxson grinned. "I'll put you back together. After breakfast."