Relationship Dynamics
Sean was now in my past.
It had been ten days since the confrontation at his house. My life now felt uncluttered. Once he accepted that things were over, Sean had acted quickly. The necessary paperwork was signed, and the $125,000, from Sean’s purchase of my share of the house, sat in a separate account. Half of the funds were earmarked for Jimmy’s future. If I was careful, what remained would provide me the means to help launch the next chapter of my life.
Sean hadn’t shown any interest in keeping in touch with Jimmy. I wasn’t especially surprised. Jimmy had come into my life long before Sean, and now it was time to focus on our new life with Jake.
I sat on the sofa, watching him move around the apartment. Living together had been an adjustment—more for me than for him. Jake, ever the disciplined one, seemed to have adapted seamlessly. His morning workouts, meal preps, and calm confidence brought a steady rhythm to our home.
For me, though, the pace of our life sometimes felt quite busy. I was used to things being quieter, less intense. But now, just Jake’s presence—both physically and emotionally—sometimes had me on edge, in a good way, but still... on edge. The sound of his deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts, speaking to me from across the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I caught Noah watching me again, that familiar, thoughtful look on his face. I grinned to myself, liking the attention.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked, moving across the room toward him. The way he looked up at me, I could see he was trying to decide how to respond. Noah’s not great at hiding what’s going on in his head, even when he thinks he is.
“Just... thinking about you,” he said after a moment, his voice quieter than usual. “How you got started with all this.” He gestured vaguely toward me, and I knew what he meant. The workouts. The physique. The thing that made people stop and stare when I walked by.
I sat down next to him, letting him take it in up close. I could feel his eyes on me, trailing over the muscles I’d worked so hard to build. “Yeah, I guess I haven’t really told you much about that,” I admitted, leaning back into the sofa.
I’ve told you before, that when I was younger, I was a lot like Jimmy, full of energy, always getting into something.” I paused, watching for Noah’s reaction. I could see he was listening closely, as he always does when I talk about the past, soaking it all in, like he’s trying to piece together what makes me... me.
“My uncle was the only one who could really handle me,” I continued, feeling the memories flood back. “He got me started with callisthenics when I was 12, then weights at 13.”
Noah blinked, his brow furrowing in surprise. “You started that young? At 12?” His voice had that tone of awe in it, the one that made me grin.
“Yeah,” I said, flexing just a little, enjoying the way his eyes focussed on my tensing muscles. “Didn’t stunt anything, clearly.” I glanced down at the rest of me.
“Yeah, I guess not,” he muttered, and I could hear the appreciation in his voice. He tried to keep it subtle, but I could feel Noah’s attention shift, lingering on the outcome of years of hard work.
“I loved it from the start,” I said, leaning in a little. “Working out made me feel... different. It was a challenge, something I could control. And the results? That’s what really set me apart. I wasn’t like everyone else. I was bigger. Stronger.” I let the words hang in the air, watching the way Noah’s expression shifted, his lips parting slightly, like he was drawn into the story.
“Do you feel... different now?” he asked, his voice hesitant, like he was testing the waters. “Being so... big?”
I paused, and I could see the way his eyes flicked up to meet mine, the question hanging between us. I didn’t usually talk about this with people, not in this way, but Noah clearly wanted to know more about me. So I gave him the truth.
“Yeah,” I said, my voice dropping a little. “I do feel different. You can’t walk around like this and not feel it.” My gaze held his, watching the way his body reacted, the way he shifted slightly in his seat. “I’m proud of what I’ve built. Every rep, every meal, every sacrifice—it’s all in here.” I gestured to my chest, knowing full well that Noah was paying attention. “I like the attention it generates, the advantages it brings me. As an athlete. As someone people notice.”
I watched as Noah’s eyes widened slightly, his chest rising and falling a little quicker. He nodded, like he was trying to process everything I’d just said. “You really do love it, don’t you?” he asked, his voice soft.
“Yeah, I do,” I replied, locking my gaze on his. “It’s about more than just the muscle. It’s what it says about me. What I’ve built. No one can take that away from me.”
I saw something shift in Noah’s expression—admiration, maybe even something deeper. It was one of those moments where I could feel him being pulled into my world, and I liked it. He hesitated before speaking again, his voice quieter now. “Have you ever... I mean, do you use anything? Like steroids?”
I didn’t flinch. I just leaned forward, letting my voice drop to that low, confident tone I knew he liked. “No. Never needed them. I’m lucky, I guess—genetically gifted. My body just responds to the hard work. No shortcuts.”
I watched Noah’s eyes flick up to mine. I could tell he was impressed, it was all over his face. “That’s... amazing,” he finally muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Now you know,” I said, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.
I could see how much Noah was taking in, how he hung on my words as I opened up about my past. “Bodybuilding changed my life,” I started, my tone reflective. “It wasn’t just about getting bigger—it was about how people treated me. In high school, being a muscle jock opened doors.”
Noah raised an eyebrow, curious. “What do you mean?”
I smirked a little. “By the end of sophomore year, I was already the biggest kid in school. Even the older jocks couldn’t keep up. Funny thing was, I used to get bullied in public school by some of them. But in high school, I was showing them up. It felt... good. Especially when I realized they couldn’t touch me anymore.”
I paused, letting that sink in before continuing. “And yeah, I was the first one of my friends to lose my virginity. She was two years older than me—a senior when I was just a sophomore.”
Noah chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Of course she was,” he muttered with a smirk.
I leaned back, smirking. “That was my first real insight into how people were starting to see me differently from my peers. My muscles, the way I looked, the way I carried myself—it wasn’t just about being the biggest guy on the football field. It gave me an edge with girls, but also with other guys. They started treating me differently, like they knew I had something they didn’t. And by the end of sophomore year, I wasn’t just a big dude, I had a reputation. That’s when I started to really enjoy the attention.”
Noah looked at me, clearly intrigued. “Oh? Tell me more about that.”
I let the smirk linger for a second before answering. “It was... different. Before, I was just another guy, blending in. But as I got bigger, people started noticing me. Not just the girls, though that was part of it. People started to treat me like I was something more. Like I stood out, like I had something they wanted.”
I watched Noah’s expression, seeing the way he absorbed it all. “So, you liked standing out?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah,” I said, locking eyes with him. “And I still do.”
I could feel the heat building between us again, the way my words hung in the air, but I pushed on. “And then, competing... that was the real thrill. I started with local competitions. Then, I won the teen state championship, and last year I took the national title for the first time. This year, I’m competing in both the teen and open categories.” I flexed my pecs for emphasis.
I grinned, leaning in a bit. “You know what the best part is?” My voice dropped slightly, my eyes locking onto his. “It’s seeing the look in my competitors’ eyes when they realize they don’t stand a chance. Before we even step on stage, they know it’s over.”
Noah swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to my chest and back up to my face, like he was processing what I’d just said. “That must feel incredible,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.
I leaned back, nodding slowly. “It is. Winning feels amazing. But it’s not just about the trophies—it’s the attention that comes with it. Both are validating in their own way. It’s knowing I’ve earned my place, that I stand out from everyone else, that I’m part of something bigger. Something... elite.”
Noah sat there, eyes wide, impressed. I could see him reflecting on what I was saying, drawing him in even more.
“So... do you ever feel like you’re showing off?” Noah asked, his voice quieter now, like he was nervous to ask the question.
I raised an eyebrow, leaning in slightly. “Do you think I’m showing off?”
His eyes widened just a little, the intensity of my question making him pause. “I dunno…. I mean... maybe?” He swallowed, clearly struggling to find the right words. He hesitated a while longer, still processing. And then added, “But I guess it’s not really showing off if you can back it up, right?”
I smirked, loving the way he’d come around. “Exactly.”
There was something in that moment that made me feel closer to him—like he was starting to really understand me, not just on a surface level, but deeper. The openness between us, the raw honesty... it was something I wasn’t used to, but it pulled us in tighter.
I shifted again, my tone turning a bit more serious. “Winning state changed everything. I was the youngest to earn that title and people were now talking about me. That attention brough professional opportunities—all of which are changing the trajectory of my life.”
There was more I wanted to say, and Noah was leaning in, eager to hear what came next.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I could see that Jake seemed pleased with how the conversation was going, his grin softening into something more thoughtful. “You know, there’s more to it,” he said, hinting at something bigger.
I tilted my head, curious. “More?”
Jake leaned back, and now there was a sense that he was letting me in on something personal. “The bodybuilding thing—it’s not just about competing. It has opened doors. I’ve got modelling gigs, sponsorships, and brand deals. It’s all been quite lucrative.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Wait. What?” I started processing what he was telling me. “You’ve been holding out on me,” I said, my tone half-joking but laced with genuine surprise.
Jake grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess I have. But I wanted to be sure, you know? I needed to know this thing between us was about us—about our chemistry. And not, you know, about money.”
I paused, taking that in. It was a little shocking, but at the same time, it made sense. “I get it,” I said softly. And I did. He had not wanted anything to complicate what we had. But it was still a lot to absorb.
He continued, his voice steady. “And you should know that I’ve got a manager who runs the landscaping business, and a full crew that does the work. I only step in when I can fit it into my schedule, which isn’t often. The truth is, I only showed up at your house that day because I was covering for one of my guys who called in sick.”
I blinked again, this time more sharply. “Wait… so, it should have been someone else… there, that day?”
Jake chuckled awkwardly as we both considered the implications of what he was saying. But there was a tenderness in his expression that made me feel the weight of the moment. “Yeah, totally random. We almost never met again after the beach.”
My stomach fluttered at the thought, the chance nature of it all making me feel... lucky. But before I could dwell on it, Jake reached out and pulled me into a gentle hug, his warmth and strength grounding me.
“There’s more,” he murmured against my ear before pulling back to look at me.
I stared at him, caught between awe and anticipation. “What else?”
Jake’s grin widened. “I just signed a three-year deal to be the face of a national gym chain. It’s huge! And, my talent management team is about to lock in a global campaign with one of the biggest bodybuilding apparel brands out there.”
He hesitated before continuing. “So the good news is, I’m on track to make over $350K this year, and more than triple that in 2025.”
I stared at him, trying to react. The numbers he was throwing out—his entire world—was staggering. “350 grand...?” My voice came out quieter than I’d intended. “And then... ”
Jake nodded, his eyes never leaving mine, reading me as always. “Yeah.”
I didn’t know how to process it. I was proud of him, so damn proud, but that pride was tangled up with a knot of anxiety in my chest. “Jake, that’s... incredible. But—” I hesitated, feeling a bit of that old fear rising up. “I got $125K for my share of the house. And, I mean… I need a good chunk of that for Jimmy’s education. And I’ve got my part-time graphic design work… bbbut it’s just not going to let me keep up with all this.”
Jake’s expression softened, his hand reaching out to cup the back of my neck. “Noah, you don’t need to keep up with me financially. That’s not what I’m asking.” He paused, looking into my eyes, giving me time to process what he was saying. “I don’t care about your money. I care about you. All I need is for you to be you—the guy I want. The guy I’m building a life with.”
I stared at him, my heart swelling. Still, the unease lingered. “I just don’t want to feel like I’m freeloading... or like I’m not contributing.”
Jake shook his head, pulling me closer again, his voice firm but affectionate. “You’re not freeloading. And you contribute plenty, Noah. Look, I’m in this for us—for all of us. You, me, Jimmy. I’ll look after our family. That’s all that matters.”
I let out a breath, the weight of his words settling over me in a way that made my chest feel lighter. “Jake... thank you.”
He smiled, brushing his thumb against my jaw. “I’ve got us, Noah. Don’t forget that.”
Jake looked at me with a questioning gaze, his eyes lingering for a moment. “Does all of this... change how you see me?” His tone was casual, but held an uncharacteristic hint of vulnerability.
I hesitated, my thoughts spinning. “No... I mean, not really.” My words came too quick, too forced, and I knew Jake caught it. His eyebrow raised slightly, but he didn’t push. I bit my lip, shifting uncomfortably. “Okay, fine... it’s a lot to take in. You’re like 19 years old and on top of being the hottest guy on the face of the planet, now I’m learning that you’re a bodybuilding phenom and a model!” My outburst made him grin. I continued, more calmly. “The money you’re earning…. That’s... a lot.” I paused, collecting myself and adding. “But honestly, I’m not surprised. I mean… you are... you, Jake. I’m just going to need a little time to adapt.”
Jake’s expression softened, pleased with my transparency. “That’s all I need to hear. You’re being real with me, Noah, and that’s what matters.”
The tension between us eased, but Jake leaned back, his posture more thoughtful. “I wouldn’t change anything about my life. The bodybuilding. The success. It’s been awesome. But, not without some cost. People react differently to me now. Friends I grew up with... some of them don’t even know how to be around me anymore.”
I frowned, taken aback. “Really? Why?”
Jake shrugged, the edge of seriousness deepening. “People get weird about it. Some are jealous, some are intimidated. They don’t know how to be themselves around me. It’s like they think they have to try to compete with me... or prove something.”
There was a quiet intensity in his voice, and I could tell it was something he had thought a lot about. “I’ve lost some friends over it. But honestly, it helped me better understand myself. It juiced my confidence and it encouraged me to lean into who I am. I’ve learned that only a few people can really accept me for who I am, without trying to change anything. Noah, you’re one of those people.”
My heart raced at his words. I hadn’t expected that. The idea that I saw Jake for who he truly was, that I could give him something no one else could... it left me feeling giddy, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth before I could stop it. I opened my mouth to say something, but the intensity of the moment kept me quiet. Instead, I just nodded, giving him a look that I hoped conveyed what I felt—how much I appreciated his trust, how much I felt drawn to him.
Jake’s expression softened as he continued, his voice lowering, more vulnerable. “Look, I’m still figuring all this out, you know? I don’t always get it right.”
I blinked, curious about where he was going with this.
“A few years ago, in high school, there was this girl. The quarterback’s girlfriend. She was a senior, and one day she was flirting with me.” Jake’s smirk reappeared for a second, then faded into something more reflective. “I won’t deny it, knowing I could have her was a fucking rush. So, I did. We hooked up. It was steamy and hot. She thought I was awesome.” Jake grinned wistfully. “Then she must have told a friend because it got around the school and that ended their relationship.”
I stared at him, absorbing the confession. “Do you regret it?”
Jake ran a hand through his hair, pausing for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “Not like you’re thinking. I don’t regret sleeping with her. But I regret misleading her. I knew she wanted more, and I didn’t. I feel bad because I wasn’t honest about that.”
I could hear the honesty in his voice, the way he was laying it out without trying to justify himself. “So, you regret leading her on,” I said quietly.
“Exactly. I did it because I could, not because I cared. But that’s not what this is with you. I’m in this because I want to be. You mean so much to me, Noah.”
His words settled between us, and I felt the tension in my chest shift. It was a confession, a reflection on his past, and a clear distinction about where we stood now. I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of what he was saying. “I get it.”
Jake smiled softly, relieved that I understood. He shifted, leaning back a bit. “Do you think I have... a certain energy about me?”
I looked at him for a moment, really taking him in before answering. “Yeah, you definitely do.” I hesitated before pushing further. “You’ve got that... Alpha vibe. You know that, right?”
Jake’s eyes lit up, clearly liking how I see him and liking the label. “Alpha, huh?” He grinned, leaving space for me to say more.
I chuckled nervously. “It fits. You’ve got this... presence. It’s intense sometimes, but... I feel safe with you. Even when I don’t totally understand it.”
Jake’s gaze softened, it felt like we were bonding more intensely than I could have imagined. He reached out and pulled me into a tight hug. It wasn’t about heat or passion—it felt like he was thanking me for seeing him for who he really was. “I’ve felt this Alpha thing getting stronger over the last few years,” he whispered. “And I want to keep exploring it.”
Jake’s grip loosened slightly. “You know,” he said, his voice softer but steady, “I’ve learned how to read people. I’ve gotten good at figuring out what they need... even when they don’t say it out loud.”
I couldn’t help but smirk a little, needing to release some of the tension. “Like a Jedi?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.
Jake laughed, a low rumble in his chest. “Not exactly,” he said, grinning as he shook his head. “It’s more about understanding people. Most of the time, they’ve got walls up, but if you pay attention... you can see past them. It’s like learning to see the gaps in the armour people wear.” He grinned as he looked at me. “You’re really easy to read. After the first time I came to your house, I knew what you wanted.”
My eyes widened slightly. “Wait, what? You knew?”
Jake’s grin grew, his gaze sharpening. “Yeah. I knew you wanted me to fuck you.”
I immediately felt myself blush. “Jake...” I started, but the words faltered on my lips.
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to that teasing tone again. “Calm down, Noah. I’m not here to overwhelm you.” His smirk deepened. “Unless I think that’s what you want.”
I felt my face flush even more, a nervous laugh escaping me. “You... you love pushing my buttons, don’t you?”
Jake leaned back, still grinning, clearly pleased with himself. “Yeah, I do. But you know what? Most people don’t know how to handle this energy. My alpha vibe... it throws them off.”
There was something in his tone that made me pause. “Have you ever thought about toning it down?”
Jake’s expression shifted slightly, becoming more serious. “Would you ever ask someone to change the colour of their eyes?”
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. “No...”
“That’s how it feels when people ask me to be less of who I am. I’m not putting on a show, Noah. Being alpha—it’s not something I switch on or off. It’s who I am.”
I stared at him, feeling the weight of his words sink in. “I get that,” I said quietly, realizing in that moment how deeply ingrained this energy was for him.
Jake’s gaze softened a little. “I’m still working through it, though. Figuring out what it really means to be an alpha... how far to push, when to hold back. I don’t always get it right, but I’m working on it.”
His honesty caught me off guard, but it made everything between us feel so real, so grounded. “And... does it give you a rush? Knowing how people react to you?”
Jake studied me for a second, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if he knew this question was about more than just other people. “Yeah, it does. Seeing how they respond, how they change around me... it’s like I can feel their energy shift. It’s a rush.”
I bit my lip, his words hitting close to home. While I couldn’t relate to what it was like to walk in Jake’s shoes, I felt the need to say something reassuring. “It’s not wrong to feel that way,” I said softly, my heart racing as the conversation had become so much more intimate than I expected.
Jake reached out, his hand resting gently on my thigh. “You really believe that?”
I nodded, though the words felt heavier than they should have. “Yeah... I do.”
Jake’s smile softened as he squeezed my leg. “Good. Because I’m still figuring this out.”
I glanced up at him, feeling a mix of curiosity and nervousness. “What does that mean?”
Jake’s eyes glinted with something unreadable, and he smirked. “There’ll be time for that later.”
By dinner time, the smell of beef stew filled the kitchen as I ladled portions into bowls, setting them down on the table. Jake sat across from Jimmy, who was eagerly digging in, while I took my seat a little quieter than usual. Jake and Jimmy were deep in conversation, recounting their day with the kind of ease that had become routine around here.
“I hit a new personal best today,” Jake said, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. “Benched 475 pounds.”
For the 100th time today, I glanced at him, admiring the way his chest and arms stretched his t-shirt to the limit. Just sitting there casually, he looked like he was carved from stone. The sheer size and definition of his muscles were a constant reminder of how different we were physically. Jake wasn’t just muscular—he was jacked, in a way that still made it hard not to stare.
Jimmy’s eyes widened, his fork pausing mid-air. “No way! That’s awesome!” He raised a hand for a high-five, which Jake returned with a laugh.
“When are we going to work out together again?” Jimmy asked eagerly. “You said we’d do calisthenics this tomorrow.”
“Definitely,” Jake replied. “Saturday morning, we’ll hit it hard. You ready for it?”
“Totally!” Jimmy’s face lit up, already excited.
I smiled, watching the two of them, though I couldn’t shake the quiet sense of being a little on the sidelines. It was one of those moments where Jake’s bond with Jimmy felt effortless, while I hovered just outside their rhythm. Before I could drift too far into my thoughts, Jake’s voice cut through.
“And how about you, Noah?” Jake turned his attention to me, his tone warm. “What about your day?”
I blinked, caught off guard for a second. “Oh, I was working on your social media stuff. Some new posts and organizing your schedule for next week. You’ve got a ton going on.”
Jake smiled, his eyes lingering on me just a little longer, like he wasn’t about to let me fade into the background. Even Jimmy shot me a grin before returning to his dinner, and it was those small moments—Jake drawing me in—that reminded me how much he’d settled into our lives.
Later that evening, after dinner, Jimmy was busy with his homework at the kitchen table, and Jake and I found ourselves in the living room. The conversation we’d had that morning still lingered in my mind.
“Jake,” I began, my voice hesitant but needing to get the words out.
He turned to me, sensing the shift in my tone. “Yeah?”
I let out a breath. “I’ve been thinking about everything you said earlier—about your bodybuilding journey, your... what you said about your alpha vibe.” I paused, collecting my thoughts. I needed this to come out right. “You’re amazing, Jake. You’ve accomplished so much, and it’s... inspiring. But it’s also overwhelming sometimes.”
Jake tilted his head slightly, concern flickering in his eyes. “How so?”
I hesitated, feeling my insecurities bubbling up. “You’re ten years younger than me, Jake. And so accomplished. I mean you’re a freakin’ celebrity in the world of bodybuilding!” He grinned at me, silently encouraging me to finish my thought. “Sometimes all that plays with my head. And, I mean… everything has happened so fast between us, and I’m... I’m afraid. Afraid of losing my way, afraid of not being enough for you.”
The words spilled out, like a confession. “I look at you, and… and…. I’m not like you Jake. And sometimes, I wonder if I can keep up. I’m just... me.” I sat there anxiously pulling my knees to my chest.
Jake let my words settle between us, his expression soft but serious. His response was calm, comforting.
“Noah, I don’t need you to keep up with me,” he said, his gaze holding mine. “That’s not what this is about.”
He leaned forward slightly, his tone turning more intimate. “I like the way you look at me. I see the way you stare sometimes, like you’re trying to figure me out. And I like that you’re not afraid to let yourself feel a little out of your depth. That vulnerability, if only you knew what that does to me, Noah. It’s one of the reasons I’m with you.”
I swallowed, surprised by the intensity of his words.
Jake smiled softly. “You let yourself be open with me. That’s not something everyone can do. You allow yourself to be vulnerable, and that’s something I want to explore more with you. You don’t need to match my energy. You just need to be you.”
He leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping. “You know, you’re the first guy I’ve ever wanted to live with. The first man I’ve wanted to share my life with.”
I blinked, feeling the full weight of his words. It wasn’t just reassurance, it was a declaration. He was here for me, for us, because he wanted this. Because he wanted me.
Without saying anything more, Jake pulled me into his arms, holding me close. His touch was strong, yet there was a tenderness in the way he held me, like he knew exactly what I needed in that moment. The warmth of his chest against mine, the solid weight of his embrace—it made me feel grounded, like I could let go without falling.
I couldn’t help but luxuriate at the way his muscles shifted under his skin, the strength radiating from his arms as he held me.
“You don’t have to worry,” Jake whispered, his voice soft and soothing. “You’re enough, Noah. You don’t have to prove anything to me.”
I nodded, my face pressed against his chest, but before I could say anything, Jake shifted slightly, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes.
“You know,” he began, his tone steady but a little more serious, “you’ve got this... submissive streak. I’ve seen it in you since that first day on the beach.”
His words hung in the air between us. An awkward silence followed, the kind that made me want to squirm, but Jake’s gaze held me steady.
“It’s part of what makes us work,” he continued, his hand brushing against the back of my neck. “It’s not something you need to hide from me.”
I swallowed hard, the discomfort still lingering. “I just... I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like I’m... too much like that. Like it makes me weak.”
Jake shook his head, his expression softening. “It doesn’t make you weak, Noah. It’s not about strength or weakness. It’s about balance and trust.”
He leaned in a little closer, his forehead resting against mine. “This works because we balance each other out. You’re still you, even when you let go. And that’s what makes this real.”
His hands slid from my back to rest on my hips, his touch warm and steady. Without saying anything more, Jake pulled me closer, his strength enveloping me in a way that felt safe. There was no urgency, no pressure—just the steady rhythm of his breathing as he held me against his chest.
“Don’t worry, Noah, I’ve got you,” Jake murmured, his voice soft against my ear.
I closed my eyes, letting his words wash over me. His hands moved gently along my back with a warm, calming touch. There was no rush, just the steady, reassuring presence of Jake being there, of him holding me like he had all the time in the world.
Jake’s grip on me softened. slightly. He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his expression a mix of seriousness and affection.
“You know, for me, being alpha isn’t about taking control just because I can,” he said, his voice steady. “It’s about creating trust and a safe space... for letting go.”
I swallowed, my pulse quickening at his words. “Letting go?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I know you, Noah. I know when to push you, and when to hold back. I love how you let me do that.” A teasing grin crept across his face as he added, “Remember that time I showered at your place, how I accidentally dropped my towel in your kitchen? You love how I push your buttons.”
I blushed as the memory of that afternoon washed over me—Jake, standing there, momentarily naked and unbothered, a smirk on his face as if daring me to react. I shuddered slightly at the thought, both flustered and amused by how effortlessly he could mess with me.
“It’s what makes this work,” he continued. He paused, his gaze locking onto mine, more serious now. “It’s why we work.”
There was something in his tone, the quiet sincerity behind it, that made my chest tighten. He wasn’t just saying this to make me feel better—he meant every word. I felt myself nodding, the weight of his words sinking in.
Jake placed his hand on mine, his touch warm and steady. “You bring something to this relationship that I don’t have. I need that balance just as much as you do.”
He paused, his eyes searching mine. “You know, an alpha needs a sub. We both play a part. You have a say too, Noah.”
I blinked, surprised by his words. “I do?”
Jake nodded, his grip on my hand firm but comforting. “Yeah. It’s not about me taking anything from you. An alpha’s strength comes from having someone who trusts them enough to let go. You make the decision to let me lead. Without you... there is no balance.”
I shifted slightly, feeling a mix of emotions “But what if... what if I’m scared of losing myself?”
Jake’s expression softened even more, his thumb brushing against my hip. “I’m not here to take anything away from you, Noah. I’m here to build something with you. Just keep an open mind, Noah. Can you do that for me?”
I blushed and nodded.
“And I’ll keep checking in with you,” he continued. “My job is to know when to push, and when to back off. The sweet spot is in finding your limits and then pushing them ever so slightly, expanding them. For you, it’s about letting go... and trusting that I’ve got you.”
Jake’s eyes gleamed with a flicker of something deeper as he added, “What really does it for me is seducing people. Luring them in, to the point they desperately want to submit.” He paused, considering what he was about to say. “I mean, I’m twice your size, Noah. I could make you submit in seconds if I wanted to.” He locked eyes on me, causing me to shudder again. “But there’s no thrill in that—that’s just bullying, right?” He winked.
I sat there, shifting in my seat, taken aback, but my balls were churning. I knew exactly what he meant. Jake had never forced me into anything. He’d always let me choose, even when my mind was spinning from how badly I wanted him.
“It’s a choice, Noah. You choose to let go, and I’m here to make sure that when you do, you’re safe with me.”
His words hit me like a wave, and I realized that the fear I’d been holding onto wasn’t just about control—it was about trust. I’d never let myself trust someone like this before, never let myself give up that much. But with Jake, it didn’t feel like losing—it felt like sharing something I hadn’t even known I needed to give.
Jake leaned in slightly, his forehead resting against mine. “It’s going to be intense, but I want you to feel safe, always.”
The warmth of his words settled over me. He wasn’t just saying this for my benefit—he was making a promise.
I whispered softly, “I trust you,” meaning it with every fiber of my being.
Jake’s lips tugged into a grin as he pulled me into another hug, his arms enveloping me completely. “Good. Because that’s all I need.”
I stayed quiet for a few seconds, Jake’s words echoing in my head. There was so much truth in what he’d said, but that didn’t stop the turmoil inside me. I was drawn to his dominance—there was no denying that—but the fear of losing myself in it lingered.
Jake’s eyes searched mine, his expression calm but intense, making me feel like he was gazing into my soul, sensing my concern. “You’re not losing yourself,” he said, his voice steady. “You’re still you, Noah. That’s what makes this work. You can let go and still be you. This isn’t about me taking over—it’s about you trusting me enough to let go when you want to.”
His words cut through the noise in my head, and I could feel the weight of my anxiety lifting. He wasn’t trying to control me—he was offering something deeper, something I hadn’t fully understood until now.
“I’ve never felt this connected to anyone,” I admitted, my voice catching slightly. “It’s like... you bring out something in me I didn’t even know I needed.”
Jake smiled softly, his hand brushing my cheek. “I feel the same way,” he murmured. “This isn’t just physical for me, Noah. I’m in this... all of this.”
I swallowed hard, the intensity of his gaze making my heart race. “I know.”
Jake’s hand moved to the back of my neck, pulling me closer until our foreheads were touching. His breath was warm against my skin, and for a moment, everything else faded away. The world outside didn’t matter—all that existed was the steady rhythm of his breathing and the solid warmth of his body against mine.
“I love this,” Jake whispered, his voice soft but full of meaning. “Being with you... like this.”
My heart skipped a beat. This moment, this quiet intimacy, was his way of showing me just how much he cared.
I pressed my lips to his in a soft kiss, my heart pounding. His hands slid down my back, pulling me in, I melted into him, letting myself get lost in the feeling of his body against mine.
Jake’s arms stayed wrapped around me, the warmth of his body making me feel more at ease than I had in days. As he held me, I felt the tension slowly drain from my shoulders, my mind no longer racing with uncertainty.
The kiss deepened, tenderness giving way to something more intense. Jake’s grip on my hips tightened, and I could feel the raw power in his touch. There was a hunger there, but it wasn’t just about physical need—it was about the bond we shared. His lips moved to my neck, and a soft moan escaped me before I could stop it. I could feel the heat building between us, the way his body pressed against mine—hard and unyielding, but still holding back enough to make sure I felt safe.
“You’re mine,” he murmured against my skin, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine.
I nodded, breathless, the words settling deep inside me. “Yeah,” I whispered. “I’m yours.”
Jake’s hands roamed over my body, his touch more assertive now. I could feel the desire radiating off him in waves. He kissed me again, harder this time, and I lost myself in the moment, the need, and the undeniable closeness between us. This wasn’t just about lust—it was about trust, about letting go, about knowing that no matter how far we went, I was safe in his hands.
As the intensity ebbed, Jake pulled back slightly, his breath ragged but his gaze locked on mine. He leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear. “I love you, Noah.”
The words hit me like a tidal wave, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I pulled back just enough to see his face, my heart pounding in my chest. His eyes were steady, locked onto mine with that same intensity, but there was something softer in them now—something vulnerable.
“I... I love you too,” I whispered, barely able to find my voice, but knowing I meant every word.
Jake smiled then, a slow, genuine smile that made my chest feel tight all over again. Without saying anything more, he took my hand and guided it to the hard ridge pressing against his jeans. My breath hitched at the feel of him, my body instantly responding to the contact.
“If Jimmy wasn’t in the kitchen doing his homework,” Jake whispered, his voice low and hungry, “I’d have my way with you right here.”
My face flushed, my pulse racing as he held my gaze. His words sent a thrill through me. He didn’t push it any further. He stopped, leaving me wanting more. His smirk returned, teasing, but he pulled me back into his arms, holding me close.
“Later,” he murmured against my ear, his lips brushing my temple. “We’ll have time later.”
