Reaux was asleep when Jak got home so he showered and climbed into bed with him.
Normally Reaux would roll into him when he climbed in bed. He'd wrap around him, arms around his wasit and legs pinning him to the bed. Jak would wiggle free briefly only for Reaux's legs to tighten. It was a nightly battle they'd fought since Jak had moved in.
Jak had been in bed for ten minutes and Reaux didn't move to acknowledge him. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to sleep without being wrapped up. He sat up and looked atthe quiet man. He didn't like the silent treatment. He understood why Reaux was upset, but he didn't mean to let it go this far. He had been doing what Reaux had asked.
He flipped on the bedside lamp and opened a book. He read a little, trying to ease his mind. All it did was make him jittery. He wanted to wake Reaux up to talk, but he wasn't sure what to say. Neither of them were great at speaking clearly when they were sleepy.
Giving up, Jak got up and left the room. He closed the door gently and went to work on his notecards for his presentation.
Reaux was awake the whole time. He'd heard Jak come hom and walk through the bedroom to shower. He'd listened to the water pour and bottles clatter around. He'd stared at the ceiling the entire time, a million thoughts running through his head.
His heart hurt. He never wanted to fight with Jak. when he'd come home drunk, he'd already known who he'd been with. He had cleaned up and had put him to bed. Yes, his feelings had been hurt, but Jak had been safe so he'd let it go.
He'd been quiet this morning because he'd been mad at himself. If he'd never told Jak to make up with Dante, he might not have gone out with him. But the more he'd thought about it, the more he'd realized Jak was the object of Dante's affections. Reaux was fourteen years older than him and he was certain he wasn't his type. Jak on the other hand was the epitome of a fuckboy that everyone liked.
When Jak had finished his shower, Reaux had waited quietly in the bed. Jak had dried his hair before taking his spot beside him. He'd waited with bated breath to see what Jak would do. The younger Alpha hadn't made a move and had waited for him to do what he had always done. But Reaux hadn't moved, and every nerve in his body told him to do so. They told him to hold the young man as close as he could and not let go.
Laying in bed was torture. Jak was on the other side of the door, but he couldn't bring himself to go to him. He didn't want to hurt him, but he also couldnt let him think it was okay to act this way.
Sometimes Reaux wished he could show Jak just how dominant he was. If it had been ten years ago, Jak wouldn't have been allowed to even look at him. He'd kept a strict code even though he wasn't a full-time dominant and very gentle. He played when he had an itch. Once it was scratched, he'd put it aside for a while.
Jak hadn't necessarily changed that, but he made it easier to come to terms with his dominance. If he had been an Omega, Reaux would have no qualms putting him in a bubble. But Jak was an Alpha and he didn't bow easily. Up until this point, Reaux hadn't forced him into anything even though he very easily could.
Scrubbing his face, Reaux rolled onto his side. Jak wasn't coming back to bed. He would sleep in the study. Reaux didn't blame him. He had done the same after hurting Jak's feelings. Hopefully they could talk things over come morning.
~~~~~~~~
Jak was gone when Reaux woke up. He'd left a note by the coffee pot that he was going to visit his sister. Alana was in her third year of college, and the siblings hand't seen each other much since Christmas vacation.
Reaux had showered then turned on the news. He was off and had some chores to do around the house. He put the clothes in the washer and sat down to catch up on whatever news he'd missed. Luckily it wasn't anything too serious.
His mind wasn't on his idle work. He hoped Jak wasn't too mad or upset. He had done what he'd thought best. Sometimes he wished he trusted people more, but being a police officer had shown him some of humanity's depravity. The only person he trusted was Jak. and sometimes Tiffany.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Jak walked through the front door. He looked at Reaux then held up a bag. He set it on the table then went to the study to put his bag up.
"Alana sent you candy," Jak said. Alana was the only one in Jak's family who knew about Reaux. She'd stayed over a few times, and Reaux truly liked her. She was nothing like Jak. She was delicate and smart, qualities of being an Omega.
"What time did you leave?" Reaux asked. He got up to inspect the gift.
"A little after seven. She wanted to get coffee before she flew to the Bahamas to meet our parents. She'll be gone for a month."
He watched Reaux pull out the licorice and chocolate his sister had sent. His heart turned to mush at the tender look on the other man's face. Alana knew Reaux's favorite things because he'd told her. She loved giving gifts to those she cared about.
"Reaux," he whispered. His voice was thick as the other man looked up at him. "I'm sorry. I should have listened and paid attention to what day it was."
Reaux tucked the candy abc in the bag. "I'm not mad about missing your birthday dinner. I'm mad because I didn't see it before."
"See what?"
"The reason Dante was paired with me wasn't because he liked me." Jak frowned deeply and tilted his head. "He's interested in you."
The younger Alpha bit his lip. His anger was starting to peak. "This isn't funny, Reaux. Making accusations while I'm trying to say I'm sorry is really low. Even for you."
"Jak, how did he know when your birthday was? Did you tell him, because I didn't. Why would he ask you out to study that day then take you out drinking?"
"I don't know, Reaux! You wanted me to apologize to him so I did. Now you want me to stay away from him. What do you want from me?"
Reaux's temper flared. He wasn't sure if it was because Jak was wound up or because he wasn't sure why he was mad. He slammed his hand on the table and stalked forward. Jak held his head up and watched him step into his personal space. Pheromones swirled around them, hot and overbearing.
Jak stared at Reaux as he tried not to succumb to the urge to back down. He'd never seen Reaux this angry, and he wasn't sure what had set him off. He couldn't let him be overbearing right now. He would never get any freedom if he did.
"That bastard wants you, Jak," Reaux growled. His vice was deep and gravelly. "What should I do if he tries to take you the way I have? Hmm? Should I let him? Should I share you with him with the possibility you may like him more? Do I take that risk and lose it all?"
The young man rolled his eyes. "You're overthinking this."
"No, you're not thinking at all." The words rang in his ears. Tiffany had said the very same thing to him earlier, and now he was using them on Jak.
Jak shook and his eyelids fluttered. Reaux grabbed his face in a gentle but firm hand. "Do not roll your eyes at me."
Jak blinked several times then focused on Reaux's face. "Is this who you really are? Why have I never seen it before?" His eyes lit up making Reaux even more angry. "You're jealous and afraid. You're jealous because someone else has eyes for me and afraid I'll choose him because we're close in age."
Reaux's hand slid behind Jak's neck and pulled him close. Jak could feel his breath on his face. "No one touches what's mine. You're mine."
"You're an idiot." Reaux's hand tightened. "Why would I choose him? Hmm? Because he flirts and says pretty words? Am I that easy to you?"
"You changed partners every night before me."
Angry, Jak shrugged him off, pushing him to arm's length. His face was hot as he stared at the man in disbelief. "You're an asshole. Fine. If you want to make me out to be the bad guy, then I'll be the bad guy."
He stepped around Reaux and grabbed his car keys. Then enraged Alpha blocked the door, wrenching his arm to pull him back. Jak slapped his hand and took a step back.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" he demanded.
"To do what you've accused me of. I'm going to be a fuckboy." Jak opened the door. "I'm going to find the prettiest person I can, male or female, and I'm going to have my way with him or her. Then when I'm good and satisfied I will come home."
Reaux slammed the door shut and took his keys as he protested. "Like hell you are." He bent and picked Jak up by the knees, his body falling over his shoulder. "You're not going anywhere." He all but kicked open the bedroom door and strode forward.
Jak landed hard on the bed, bouncing once. Reaux landed on top of him, amber eyes glowing dangerously. He released an oppressive amount of pheromones, filling the room until it was almost unbearable. Jak coughed as they filled his nose and body.
"What are you doing?" he croaked. He was starting to weaken, his body becoming soft for the Alpha above him.
Reaux ripped the t-shirt from Jak's body. "I'm going to show you what I'm capable of." Then he sank his teeth into Jak's collarbone.