Worlds Collide (Fan Service #6)

29. CJ

TWENTY-NINE

CJ

I feel actual butterflies when Wolf opens the door of the SUV for me then closes it and rounds the car to climb in himself.

I’m on a date with Wolf Storm.

My fifteen-year-old self would’ve had a boner and come already just from the thought of it. And since that’s a bit of a disturbing thought, I focus back on the present.

“Where are we going?” I ask him as soon as Rich steers the car back onto the street.

“To the Delicia in Bel Air,” Wolf says as he settles back.

“Tacos?” I ask with a smile.

“Fancy tacos,” Wolf corrects me.

I stretch my seatbelt to plant a smacking kiss on his cheek, and love the look of surprise on his face.

“Thank you,” I tell him, really touched. I can’t believe he planned all this but... “When did you fly back?” I wonder why I didn’t think to ask before .

“This morning.” He’s sounding more and more like the Wolf I know, short and to the point. I like that.

“Tell me your highlights from New York,” I demand.

“An easy one was teaching Theo’s little sister how to play the guitar when she was home on break during the summer. Apparently she’s never struggled with learning anything, so it was pretty funny to see her absolutely lose her shit and smash a guitar like a true rock star.”

“Seriously?” I ask with a chuckle. “Did she eventually get it right?”

“Nope, she gave up right then and there and we went for consolation cookies at Theo’s bakery.”

“What else?” I want to know all of it.

“Getting Max Jr. of course. I just call him Junior if I’m honest, but meeting him, bringing him home, and getting to see Mike and Theo’s big dogs being playful with him.”

“Oh, no. Did they hurt him?” I’m actually worried. Oscar and Tony are huge.

“Nah, they were always gentle. Nowadays, Junior can hold his own. He’s not as big of course but he’s gotten a lot taller.”

“I really can’t wait to meet him. What else?”

I hear about every tidbit Wolf remembers on the relatively short drive to Bel Air, and I laugh at pretty much everything he says.

The Delicia is deserted when we arrive, and I see it’s just as empty on the inside when we walk in.

“Wha—” I don’t even get the word out before Wolf is greeting the woman who meets us and asks us to follow her. We arrive at a balcony that has the best view I’ve ever seen of LA. I can only stare at the massive area of twinkling lights with the right side completely black since that’s where the ocean is.

I startle when Wolf places one hand on my hip and turn to see his face is right there next to mine. I take advantage of it and steal another quick kiss—cause I can now.

“This is awesome.”

“Glad you like it,” he says seriously, and I can tell that he is.

It becomes pretty evident that he rented out the restaurant when a server comes out with two glasses of Agua de Horchata, and we settle in for the best Mexican tacos in town.

“So how is the residency going?” Wolf asks after they bring us the first couple of dishes, and so I tell him about being behind because I missed so much time, but that my bosses are all giving me some leeway.

“Some of the other residents hate me for all of it,” I tell him, and shrug. “But I’ve always had people who hated me pretty close by so it’s not really a bother for me.” He frowns darkly from across the table but I know it’s not directed at me.

“They hate you because your bosses suspended you for something that wasn’t your fault and are now not being dicks about it? How the hell is that fair?” he growls the question out.

I can’t help but smile, but reach for his hand and squeeze tightly when he takes mine. “It’s really okay, Max. Now, you tell me what happened with Derek. All Hawk told me is you guys can now be in a room together and something about grunting being your love language?” I’m seriously confused by that one even three months after Hawk tried to explain.

“Well...” He trails off and lets out a huge breath. At that moment I realize I’m being pretty damn pushy, and he’s already been so open today. No need to make him talk even more.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it,” I rush to say.

“No, it’s fine. I’m fine.” But I can see he really doesn’t want to get into it so I get his eyes back on mine with a harder squeeze to his hand .

“Wolf, you don’t have to talk to me about something just because I ask. I know you’re not the most talkative guy in the world?—”

“But I’m trying to be more?—”

“You don’t need to try,” I interrupt and get one of the growls Hawk was telling me about. I snicker and shake my head at him.

“Stop interrupting me,” he tells me.

“You interrupted me first,” I point out as I lean back. This time he stays silent, so I keep explaining what I meant. “I fell in love with you while you were spiraling and very poorly dealing with everything about your life changing, Wolf.” Time to get serious now. “I fell in love with you like that. Snarky, broody, quiet, and yes, an asshole. I don’t need you to be a prince charming. I don’t need you to talk about your feelings when you don’t want to. I don’t need you to tell me absolutely everything when you’d rather do something else.”

He’s frowning again, and after a long moment where he’s clearly trying to figure out if I’m telling him the truth or not, he looks away at the view. I don’t blame him, it really is stunning.

“I didn’t like myself back then, though.” His voice is quiet, and there’s a slight vulnerability there that I love. Mostly because I know instinctively that he doesn’t let that show with almost anyone else.

“That’s all fine and good, Wolf. You want to change things about yourself? Go ahead and change them. You want to become someone you’re proud to be? Go ahead and transform all you want. What I’m trying to say is that you being frank, honest, and a bit of a pain in the ass are not qualities that I would ever want you to get rid of. I don’t need you to change, I just want you to be happy.”

He finally turns to look at me again, and I let out a chuckle at his annoyed look. “You’re being pretty wonderful and romantic and all that shit and I think that’s a dick move.”

“There he is,” I whisper.

“What if I want to be wonderful to you too?” he demands, crossing his arms like always, and again, my smile just grows bigger.

“I’m sure I’ll always be better at it than you, Max, but you go ahead and try. I’ll enjoy it. Just know that I never want you to do anything you don’t want.”

“Fine,” he says through gritted teeth and reaches for the only taco still left on the plate between us. “I was going to be a gentleman and let you have the last one,” he says with his mouth full—being a terrible date but making me love him more. “But since you want me to be myself then I’ll just eat it.”

“That’s fine I want to have room for the next course,” I say mildly just to annoy him. He snarls a bit then licks his fingers and settles back.

“You’re going to be such a pain in the ass,” he says almost to himself.

“Always, Max, always.”

“What did your parents do after I told the world what assholes they are?” He pivots so quickly to another subject that I get a bit of whiplash, but I manage to answer quickly enough.

“I ignored their calls until they stopped calling, but they did send a few texts. You know, I’m a disappointment, and how could I? And I’m a waste, blah, blah, blah. Pretty much the same things they said to me when you had the pleasure of meeting them.”

The waiter comes out with three more plates and it delays Wolf’s answer—which I think is a good thing since he looks a lot calmer once the server leaves .

“They never deserved you,” he says quietly and looks me in the eyes earnestly.

“Thanks. I am alive thanks to them, and that’s all the thanks they’ll ever get from me, but they did do that. For all the wrong reasons, I know, but they fed me, made sure I had a good education, and all in all, I do think they wanted me to succeed. Only on their terms, yes, that’s also true,” I go on when Wolf opens his mouth with a protest. “But I’m just over it all by now. They had control over my life for a long time and now it’s over, so I’m just moving on, and if I have to change my number so they’ll stop bothering me, then that’s easy enough to do.”

“Okay.” He nods once then goes back to eating, and I go back to smiling at him like a fool.

In my very limited experience, this is the best date to ever happen in the history of the world.

After dinner, we’re in the car, dangerously close to cuddling, but I know Wolf would never want to describe it like that so I keep my mouth shut. I realize though, after a while, that we’re not going to my apartment. We turn down Sunset Boulevard instead, and I sit up in attention.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“My house.”

“To the ranch?” I ask, confused. This isn’t the way to Malibu either?—

“No, I’m renting a place in the city.”

“Why?” I thought he’d stay with me . . .

“I’ll explain in a minute,” he tells me quietly, and I get the message. When we’re alone, he’ll tell me .

Rich turns the car onto Rexford Drive and stops right on the corner, in front of a gate that’s completely covered with vines. You can’t see a thing about the house aside from the roof from the outside, but when we drive in, I see it’s a spanish style that’s pretty typical in Beverly Hills. I like it, honestly, it seems like a peaceful place, but I’m really confused as to why Wolf would rent another place when he already has his house.

He leads me inside by a hand in silence. I take a moment to check out the pretty sparse furnishing—only what’s strictly necessary is here, nothing more. Rich says something about making sure the place is clear, and Wolf and I stand still in the living room.

I get the urge and don’t quench it, so I turn and fit my arms around his waist and hold him close to me. Feeling him pressed to me is the only way to stop myself from panicking. My mind is starting to get away from me, but I really don’t want to think that Wolf is only here for a few months. He told me earlier that he’s not.

Explicitly.

Of course I have nothing to be worried about, but the last year left a mark on me that I don’t think will fade any time soon.

“All good, guys,” comes Rich’s voice from behind me. I can’t bear to let go of Wolf, who’s finally hugging me back, so I only turn my head.

“Thanks for everything, Rich.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Wolf mumbles. “Talk tomorrow.”

“You kids have fun,” he sing-songs.

I can barely work up a smile at his silliness. I can’t— fuck .

“You can’t fucking leave again, Wolf,” I say with a desperation that’s impossible to hide. He pushes me back but I just hold on tighter. “No. You don’t get to do this, Wolf. I waited for a long fucking time, and I was ready to wait more, but you’re here now and you don’t get to leave me . ”

“CJ,” he whispers clearly distressed. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him like that and it only makes the panic inside me grow.

“Please,” I’m not above begging.

“I’m not leaving. I rented this place because I’m going to live here.” He’s speaking quickly now, and wraps his arms fully around me finally. “It’s barely a mile away from your place, and less than two and a half miles away from the hospital. It’s private and it’s pretty nice so I thought you’d like it well enough to spend some time here, but I’m not leaving again.”

“Promise me,” I whisper the demand.

“I promise, honey.” The new term of endearment unlocks something inside me and I can finally breathe normally again.

“I’m only renting because I know you have more than two years to go in your residency, and I know after that you could go anywhere to do the other part—I forgot what it’s called, but to become an actual pediatrician.”

“The fellowship,” I mumble against his neck.

“Yes, your fellowship. It could be anywhere, and I thought that it doesn’t make any sense to buy when we might be leaving in a couple of years. Because if I ever buy or build a house again I’d like to do that with you. I bet you’d pick a great place or have cool ideas for a house...” He trails off, and it’s only then that I can put a bit of space between us and look up at him.

“You want to do that with me?” I ask in wonder.

“Of course I do.” The impatient snap relaxes me further.

“Sorry for freaking out,” I tell him softly.

“Please,” he scoffs. “You’re probably going to have to deal with me freaking out more often than not. Addiction is forever, CJ, and I’m determined to never relapse again. I go to meetings every day now, and I’m still going to go to therapy, but it’s still hard. I still want to drink every day. I want you beside me for all of those sucky things as much as the cool shit like buying a house or figuring out where we want to live. Eventually, I’d like to think you’ll get enough vacation time to maybe go with me on tour when Birdie and I get our shit together again.” And I think that’d be pretty awesome too.

“Getting to travel together, maybe going back to Italy and relaxing by the lake?” He looks away and yanks at his short strands. “I mean, I thought I was making it clear that that’s what I wanted with you, but if I need to?—”

“You were, it’s just—” I cut myself off to take a deep breath. “It’s been hard, Wolf. Ever since Italy. I know you’ve worked a lot on yourself. And I’d like to think I have too. I did my best to build a full life here without you, but I don’t want that life. Or I do, I don’t know, but what I do know is that I want you to be here so we can keep going on dates, so we can build that life and that house you’re talking about together . But it’s going to take time for me to not expect you to leave. You left me a lot of times, Max.” I try to say that last part as gently as possible.

“I know I did, and I’m sorry, CJ. Please believe me when I tell you I never want to leave you again. Even if I fuck up again, I want you with me all the time.” He walks back and takes hold of my cheeks.

“I do believe you’re sorry, of course I do. But just be patient with me, okay?” I practically beg.

“Only if you’re patient with me too.”

“Sounds like a deal,” I say with a nod, and then my smile—tiny as it may be—is genuine again. “Now, show me around this place and tell me what you’re planning to do with the house at the ranch,” I command.

He chuckles and turns to walk me through the house.

“I’d still like to stay at the ranch sometimes, but like a vacation house. I’m not super excited about living in the city, but not mad about it either.”

“How did your brother react when he found out you won’t be living there?”

“We started having conversations about it a while ago, so by now I think he’s okay with it. He understands.” Wolf turns to look at me and gives me a rueful smile when we enter the kitchen. It’s awesome but I’ve never been a huge cook. Then he shows me the garden out back and it’s like a palm-tree oasis. “That’s it for the downstairs,” he says as he leads me back in.

“Good, now forget about the tour and take me to your bedroom.” I waggle my eyebrows at him and he growls softly and pulls me in tight.

“I’m already so hard it hurts,” he says right before slamming his mouth on mine with enough force to have me bending backwards. “Let’s fucking go,” he snaps when he wrenches his mouth away. Then he’s dragging me through the living room, up the stairs, down a hallway, and into a massive bedroom.

I attack him this time, and walk him back to the bed with our mouths battling for control, and when we’re close, I just shove him down. His body bounces twice off the mattress, and I’ve already stripped off my shirt by the time he’s settled. I go right for the button of his pants and yank them down with his briefs in one hard movement.

His cock is as hard as he said it would be, and instead of going in with caution, I lick greedily from his balls to his leaking tip and then take as much as I can into my mouth. It feels so much bigger once it’s actually inside me, and I understand that I might’ve bitten off more than I can chew—metaphorically of course because, ouch .

“CJ!” Wolf shouts in surprise and admonishment. “Jesus, fuck, you have to go slower.” I pull up just as fast and look at him with as much determination as I possibly can.

“I’m not waiting patiently for you to tell me I can’t suck you off again. Now lie back down and let me figure this out dammit because like it or not you’re coming down my throat.”

He sucks both lips into his mouth and I roll my eyes at his obvious amusement, then decide that he won’t be laughing at all when I give him better head than he’s ever had.

I go in again, this time being more conservative, and I swirl my tongue around before sucking. Wolf groans low and long and that’s all the encouragement I need to lift my gaze. He’s gotten stronger over the last year and his abs show it. His shoulder muscles bunch and release with each breath, and when his eyes land squarely on mine, I instinctively suck harder.

That’s not going to do it though, I know it well, so I circle the base of his dick with one hand and reach under my chin for his balls, pull slightly, and again I get the reaction I wanted.

“That’s fucking perfect, little rich boy,” Wolf growls through gritted teeth. “Keep doing that.” His voice is more breathy then and it sounds more like a plea than the demand it is. I like that, a lot.

I find a rhythm with both hands and my mouth, and when I do find it, I realize I need to touch myself too. That’s what I want this time to be like. I want to come when he does, so I let go of his balls and reach down, get myself out quickly and stroke myself hard and fast to catch up.

Wolf trails a hand down his torso slowly, his gray eyes still firmly on mine, when he bites his bottom lip he reaches my face and cups my cheek just for a moment, then reaches down and pulls down on his balls himself.

“Yes,” he hisses, and his mouth goes slack as soon as the first burst of his come splashes against my tongue. I swallow as fast as I can but lose my focus completely when my orgasm hits me like a tsunami. I don’t know what it is about Wolf that makes me half black out when I come with him, but the next thing I know, I’m lying on top of him, panting against his left pec, and he’s combing his fingers through my hair.

I stare at the perfect skin of his torso and explore every ridge with my hands.

“I’ve always wondered why you don’t have any tattoos,” I muse out loud.

“I’m scared of needles,” he says matter-of-factly.

“You are?” I’m really surprised, and I would sit up and stare at him if I had the energy.

“Yes,” he says simply and keeps playing with my hair. “The night my father died they took Mom away right from our house, and Hawk and I were with a police officer in the ambulance. They started putting needles in him right away when he wouldn’t wake up, and then when we got to the hospital they did the same to me to calm me down.”

“Why did they have to calm you down?” I ask, scared of what he’s going to say.

“They took Birdie away as soon as we got to the ER, and I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t let me go with him to get the scans of his head. Now I understand that they had to x-ray my arm.” He pauses for a short moment and keeps speaking like it’s just a normal childhood memory—I suppose that for him it is. “I think I went a bit feral, so they injected me with something and I woke up hours later.

“Aunt Lyla was in France and she told us she got here as fast as she could, but I still woke up alone and didn’t know where Hawk was. He was in surgery. They had to... I can’t remember well but I think his brain was bleeding, like on the inside. So he had brain surgery and they had to sedate me again because I wouldn’t stop fighting them.”

“Wolf,” I whisper. God, my heart breaks for him.

“It was okay the next time I woke up. Aunt Lyla was there and Hawk was in the bed next to mine. They even let me lie down with him while we waited for him to wake up. But yeah, ever since, I’m not a fan of needles. And honestly, the only thing I would ever tattoo on myself is a shell, for my mom, and that would totally ruin my badass rock-star reputation.”

I snort despite the sad conversation and finally turn, shaking my head at him. Then I just keep staring.

“You’re amazing,” I tell him, awe clear in my voice.

I play with the new necklace around his neck—it wasn’t there earlier today when he arrived at my place—and ask where he got it.

“Birdie gave it to me for my birthday.” It’s a cream, almost translucent shell about the size of a penny, and it’s held around his neck by a rough looking leather cord.

“It’s pretty,” I say since I don’t know what else I could possibly say in this scenario. He’s shared so much with me, and I’m beyond grateful. Even through the heavy emotions of the day I have a new sense that we’re going to be okay.

We’re going to make it through just fine.