Chapter 22 - Kissing in the pool

Nathaniel stared at him silently. Having those mysterious eyes on him made the alpha slightly anxious, but he wouldn't give up on getting an answer.

Even though he already imagined what he would say.

If it hadn't been for his training, he would have looked for Nathaniel as soon as he saw him awake. But the first time he tried to approach him, he was completely ignored.

He didn't even try again, as the joker ran away from him, seemingly occupied with something else. It was so obvious that he was avoiding him, even if he tried to disguise it. And also... there was another problem.

Lowering his eyes to Nathaniel's chest, Jake swallowed dryly, trying to control himself. Although it was a shirt with sun protection, it was too tight. In fact, the problem was that the shirt marked Nathaniel's chest.

He wasn't pumped, but he was strong and slim. His breasts were protruding and his nipples were saying hello to the alpha.

Jake wanted to suck them. All day he had been thinking about how he could attack Nathaniel, just to touch and bite that body, to the point where it was hard to concentrate on training. Unfortunately, he had to restrain himself.

For an alpha, the easiest thing was to chase a fleeing omega. All he had to do was wait for the right moment

— Whenever I'm with you, I end up feeling very strange. I wish these feelings would go away...

That answer was unexpected.

Jake barely blinked, so confused was he.

— So I make you uncomfortable?

— I don't really know how to explain it — Nathaniel murmured, looking down at his hands — Every time I smell you, I end up going crazy and this time I crossed the line. I feel embarrassed.

The funny thing was that Nathaniel didn't seem so embarrassed.

At least his voice remained calm, clear and smooth as the sea. He didn't seem to want to run away from the pool to avoid the alpha, which was a great relief.

It was the complete opposite of Jake, who had to try hard not to show his desire to shove his face into his friend's chest. Seriously! Jake really wanted to touch him...

Get a grip Jake! In the morning you managed to restrain yourself, and now you want to waver?

— You just reacted differently to my pheromones, and I didn't even know it would happen. Of course, if I'd known, I'd have avoided all that drama at lunch.

— I don't mean that.

Nathaniel pointed to the corner of his mouth, and Jake remembered that he still had a small wound from the kiss.

Ah, so he remembers what happened? Jake imagined that Nathaniel wouldn't remember, which would make things easier between them. His behaviour also made sense. After all, he had been touched by another man.

Nathaniel would probably run away from him if he discovered the dirty thoughts he was having at that very moment.

— It's fine.

— It's probably fine for you, but for me... Haa... — Nathaniel sighed, covering his face with his right hand — It was the first time I'd ever done anything like that.

He was screwed.

No matter what he said, Nathaniel would still be ashamed. At such times, Jake had no idea what he could do to calm his friend down. Perhaps if he hadn't followed his instinct, things wouldn't have ended up like this.

The smell Nathaniel emanated was just too good. Anyone would struggle to stay sane. He was greedy to want more and more of that pheromone.

You asked for it, Jake Mckenzie.

Peeking out of the corner of his eye, the alpha noticed the joker's restlessness. He moved his fingers to avoid eye contact, even though they were still close together.

Close enough to notice his nipple stiffen under his shirt as a refreshing wind blew past them. If Jake had touched Nathaniel, stimulating him in the bathroom, he wouldn't be feeling so horny right now.

On the other hand, there was no guarantee that his friend would like it. Which was a good question...

— You didn't like it, did you? — Jake asked suddenly — I'm referring to what happened in the bathroom.

Impressive. The tips of Nathaniel's ears turned red.

He was really embarrassed!

Jake wanted to laugh because he found his restrained reaction rather adorable. Nathaniel endeavoured to remain serious, but always turned his face away so that the alpha wouldn't see his expression.

— I-It wasn't bad, I mean, it was weird, but it was more my fault.

— Your fault? What's your fault?

— I told you, it was the first time I'd done that.

Ah, Jake wanted to provoke Nathaniel just a little more. What other reactions could he get out of him?

— But the first time you masturbated or the first kiss?

He really was adorable when embarrassed. Jake felt that he would soon be drowned in that pool if he continued to tease him. It would be fine if he were drowned, maybe then his head would calm down and he could concentrate on what was important in this conversation.

But it was uncontrollable.

Nathaniel was usually inexpressive, his coldness creating an impenetrable armour around him that prevented people from getting close. Since the incident in the restaurant, Jake had come to see Nathaniel differently.

Every time Nathaniel appeared in front of him, Jake found himself feeling something new. Swallowing dryly, he stared again at that damn wet shirt marking every inch of that statuesque body.

As if he had glimpsed a secret treasure that had been hidden for ages.

— Both of them — Nathaniel admitted.

Jake felt a tickle in his chest again.

All his blood was rushing through his veins, as if his cells were jumping for some reason. He couldn't contain the smile that broke out on his face when he bent down to meet those tired eyes.

— You mean I was your first? What an honour.

— I don't think it's that big an honour... I'm not very good at it.

Were you referring to the kiss? Well, it was true that it was so clumsy that it hurt the alpha's mouth. That would embarrass anyone.

Nobody liked it when someone said their kiss was bad. Although Jake didn't say anything.

— So you just have to practise.

— What's it like?

— That's it. Nobody knows how to kiss the first time, you learn over time, you know?

Nathaniel stared at him in disbelief. Had he said something absurd? That was common sense, wasn't it?

— Are you telling me to kiss more people until I learn to kiss properly?

Oh, the bitter taste was back. How could Nathaniel say that like it was no big deal?

— Kiss more people?

— That's what you meant, isn't it? 

— I said you'd learn over time.

— A kiss involves two people. So if I need experience, I'll also need more people to get their opinions on my performance.

Kissing people wasn't an academic job! Jake really wanted to scream in despair that Nathaniel was thinking about this subject so objectively.

— Wait, wait, wait! I don't think you understand me. You shouldn't go kissing the first person who comes your way, Nathaniel.

Arching an eyebrow, the Joker crossed his arms.

— That's obvious.

— So why are you talking as if you're going to create a waiting list for the kissing booth?

— Because that's never going to happen, Jake.

Jake froze when Nathaniel suddenly became serious. The cold mask returned without a trace of the shyness of moments ago. And he made a point of facing the alpha, forcing him to remember something.

The scar.

On each corner of his lips, there was a hideous scarred cut that went halfway down his cheek. Ridiculous rumours about him circulated because of the bloody scar. The nickname Joker, which even Jake ended up using from time to time, was also because of it.

So Nathaniel was saying that because of the scar, nobody would kiss him?

— Not that it matters to me now. Although it is worrying that I have reactions to your pheromones...

Jake no longer even paid attention to what Nathaniel was saying.

Only a complete imbecile would let himself be taken in by such drivel. I mean, Nathaniel was still a handsome and interesting guy, how could people not be into him? Even Jake was attracted!

Their kiss was awkward, but if Jake took the initiative, he could get a sigh out of that mouth. It took monstrous strength on his part to hold back that morning. What's more, the alpha touched his intimacy and made him come. Jake had to hold back for so long, it was no joke!

And there was more!

Fuck, from the moment he saw him wearing that damn shirt, Jake couldn't stop thinking about how hot he was! It was the first time he'd seen Nathaniel's body, even though it wasn't naked, and there was the alpha holding himself back from jumping on him.

If he could, he would pull him out of that pool and throw him on a bed to revel in the pleasure. Jake wanted to jerk him off again, listen to his moans and explore his sensitive nipple as he sucked on it. He wouldn't be satisfied until he made Nathaniel come and call his name between moans.

Jake wanted to kiss Nathaniel.

Jake wanted to fuck Nathaniel.

Until he forgot his own name.

That scar was part of Nathaniel. And that certainly didn't diminish his excitement. Should Jake show him that things aren't as he thinks?

It was okay if it scared him. Jake would understand. But he needed to show Nathaniel that there was an alpha right in front of him who wanted him madly.

— So, is it okay if I kiss you now, Nathaniel?

It was the Joker's turn to petrify on the spot.

—What did you say?

Jake leaned towards Nathaniel, reaching out to touch his face. At his fingertips he felt the heat emanating from the boy's skin, which increased as the alpha got closer to him.

Ah... Jake wanted to kiss him.

— You can turn your face away if you don't want to, but if you let me, I'll kiss you and make sure that the shame you feel goes away.

He expected Nathaniel to turn round and stop him.

Even Jake didn't quite understand why he was acting like that.

Perhaps it was out of sheer spite?

Curiosity?

Or... Did he really need a reason?

Jake just wanted to.

Curiously, his heart was beating fast, requiring a certain amount of control on his part so that his pheromones wouldn't leak out. This time it would just be them, without any influence from blinding pheromones.

About to touch lips, Jake raised his clear eyes and noticed that Nathaniel had closed his eyes. A silent and eager assent, it seemed. A small smile appeared on his lips.

He'd teach that joker what real kissing was like. He'd show him how much he'd been holding back from an early age. And he'd do it in a way that would cement in his mind that Nathaniel should never dare to think about kissing other people.

It started with a brief rub, tickling Nathaniel. Running his fingers down his neck, he could feel the joker shivering in his digits. He was reacting naturally to a silly provocation like that.

Still, it was a lovely reaction.

Parting his lips, Jake began to kiss Nathaniel calmly and gently. This time, there was no rush between them, the alpha was able to guide the joker that allowed him to do whatever he wanted.

A nibble on his lower lip and a sigh. Running the tip of his tongue along its contour was a well-received silent invitation, allowing Nathaniel's mouth to harbour his hot tongue. 

There, he found an unprecedented pleasure. Nathaniel's mouth was warm and moist, perfect for exploring. He wanted to be able to do more, to touch him and stamp on the taste of that kiss how much he wanted him. However, Jake chose to take things slow so as not to scare Nathaniel away.

He needed things to be as gentle as that kiss in order to seduce his friend.

Jake entered the pool, wrapping his arms around Nathaniel's waist so that their bodies were pressed together. Even though the joker took a few steps back, trying to increase the distance between them, the alpha didn't allow it until he cornered him on the other side of the pool.

Not when he finally had him in his arms.

Fingering Nathaniel's arm, Jake tenderly grasped his elbow and pulled him in a silent request to be held. As soon as Nathaniel's arms wrapped around his neck, the distance between them disappeared completely, and the alpha deepened the kiss even more.

He could finally feel his body.

This kiss was definitely different from the previous one.

There was no rush, no impulses getting in the way.

This was much better than Jake had imagined.

The fact that Nathaniel let him play with his mouth as he pleased, and could feel every reaction of his body in the palm of his hand, increased the alpha's ambition to take him completely.

One of Jake's hands travelled down Nathaniel's chest, feeling his body stiffen and shudder when it finally touched one of his hard nipples. Hard with arousal. Rubbing his thumb over it, he elicited a moan from Nathaniel, who squeezed his shoulders tightly.

What a treat! Just rubbing his fingers over Nathaniel's chest was delicious.

Subtly he could feel Nathaniel's pheromones. In low quantities, but they were there. It probably wouldn't be enough for him to suddenly go into heat.

Nathaniel's body trembled. And when the air was needed, the kiss ended gently.

Nathaniel's hot breath was panting. Jake felt proud.

Holding the boy's chin, the alpha leaned in and kissed his scars. And with a typical childish face, Jake wrapped his arms around Nathaniel's waist.

— I don't mind being the only one to kiss you. Besides, I can teach you a lot more than just kissing.

Jake's wink made Nathaniel hide his face in his hands.

Ah, the adorable Nathaniel was back.

Mission accomplished.