Chapter 44

JEFFREY woke up feeling fresh and mellow. Paying no mind to the strange peace in his bones, he went to finish his daily routine and get ready for work.

He peeled the sticky clothes. The AC was still on but it looks like he sweat bullets last night. Jeffrey was horrified to look inside his pants when he noticed that he... might had had a spring dream last night and ejaculated. The hardened stuff was uncomfortable to the skin.

He stared at his body. Sighing softly when the redness of his skin was replaced by the endless whites instead. There was no traces of love and heat that came from within.

Gone was the blush and the happy feeling.

Jeffrey twisted his body to get the shampoo. He coincidentally turned to the mirror. The bottle in his hands went straight to the floor as he stared, mesmerized to the three... red dots on his lower back.

'Is this... rashes, or skin irritation?'

His heart burned with anticipation when he realized that the sight was quite familiar. How can it not be when Cedric used to leave these marks on his body every time he allows it.

Yes. This should be someone's... hickeys. But who would leave it there?

Jeffrey's mind flashed with the scenes in his dreams last night. His mouth slack open when he realized he had heard Cedric tells him he loved him in that scenario.

He... never dream of that thing before. Even in his wildest imagination, he couldn't fool himself into thinking that Cedric loved him. That's the biggest lie that he can't afford. His insecurities won't let him fantasize of such scene.

Or else, who would have left these marks in his body?
At the inconspicuous place! If this isn't Cedric's work of art then who would've dare to disrespect him like this?

Jeffrey caressed the mark on his shoulder. Sometimes he wondered... why did their bond continue to strive and flourish even if they were apart.

He saw what happened with Owell. He learned from the guy's own mouth what it felt like to be apart from his mate once the bite marks were given.

Wasn't Jeffrey too... carefree and healthy for a man who lost his other half?

His eyes dimmed. There's something that his family is hiding from him. Even if Johann and the others had really helped, he had a vague feeling that most of his good mood were not because of that therapy.

'God, I was a fool.' Jeffrey sighed dejectedly. He continued to wash himself. The three hickeys on his lower back burning throughout the rest of the day.




__________



CEDRIC USED the window this time. He came in late because he tailed Dianne for the whole day, trying to track her movements and hastened the process so that he can go get Peter Johansen without marrying someone even if it's fake.

He treaded through the soft carpet. His voice gruff and tired as he greeted the sleeping figure on the bed, "Good morning, love."

Crushing a sleeping solution under Jeffrey's nose, he opened the quilt from the other side. He made preparations this time and the scent blocker is still effective. He can leave tomorrow without leaving his scent.

He cradled Jeffrey's head. Cedric kissed him softly before hugging him tight to sleep. He didn't forget to pinch the mark on his shoulder. "How was your day? I didn't eat anything. I can't. I barely slept at home. Your bed is too soft, it feels like I'm floating. You should've told me that you're not used to my mattress. Now it seems like I've wronged you a lot of times before."

Cedric closed his eyes. He sighed softly. "I missed you... we should be making babies by now, you know. Fine, let's sleep."

After fifteen minutes, Cedric was dead to the world. Not caring about anything. Even snoring a little.

The man in Cedric's arm had his eyes wide open. Jeffrey laid awake, with tears streaming down his face. Hugging his man to pacify the storm inside his heart.

'He's back.' He gritted his teeth. 'He came back for me.'

Sometimes he regretted not coming back and ask for an explanation. He humored himself as strong and independent, but in the end he still needed Cedric to reassure him. To tell him it's wrong. He's mistaken.

He grew afraid of meeting Cedric again. He's scared that if Cedric said 'I'm sorry' once, Jeffrey will crumble and accept him once again with both arms open.

His parents should have a good explanation for this. How could they have no idea that Cedric has been going in and out of his room every night? He'd been beating himself for months. 'How could they hide this from me?


Jeffrey buried his face on the crook of Cedric's neck. He didn't sleep. The weary feeling in his chest that this might have been a desperate attempt of his mind to recall Cedric didn't fade.

When it was three o'clock in the morning, Cedric stirred in his sleep. Jeffrey closed his eyes and listened. The man shifted slightly, rubbing his physiological problem in the morning in his thigh. His shaky sigh fanned over Jeffrey's head. His tool inside his pants began to twitch in response.

Cedric nuzzled the side of his face. He then carefully turned Jeffrey so his stomach is facing the bed. He lifted the smooth fabric of his top and began to kiss his lower back.

Jeffrey's eyes snapped open. Slight pain followed by a tickling sensation warped his mind. Cedric's hot breath caused him to shiver noticeably.

Jeffrey wanted to turn and see what is he doing but the sound and the light shaking of the bed supplied the information that he needs to know.

Cedric was planting strawberries on his back while relieving himself.

When the trembling finally stopped, Jeffrey's eyes were red-rimmed and teary. There's no way that this man won't find out that he's actually awake.

Cedric moved to the side of his face. He didn't bite and nibble like he did on his back, but he kissed his neck.

His hand slip into his pants. Jeffrey's mind short-circuited. He could only breathe heavily as Cedric started to roll his hands up and down.

'This bastard...'

When the torment was finally over, Cedric sighed with satisfaction. He didn't clean Jeffrey up, amused to think that the little guy will wake up annoyed because of the sticky feeling in his crotch.

'Time almost up.'

Cedric kissed Jeffrey's forehead. Bidding him a mumbled, "See you later." Before jumping out of the window.

He waited 'til the man finally left before he sat up. "What see you later?" Jeffrey's eyes squinted. His voice was hoarse and croaky. "Wait for me in your pack."