Tonight, he was honest, and it churned Sebastian’s stomach. Years ago, he would’ve believed Benjamin with no question, and some small part of him believed him now. Intrinsically, he knew Benjamin was wrong.
Or, well, he had realized Benjamin’s special brand of love wasn’t something he wanted but was it what he deserved?
“I helped you through your trade school. I worked every day while you had your classes and your hands-on training. Do you think your little rich boyfriend would do the same for you?” Benjamin laughed. “If you really think he would, you’re crazy.”
“You didn’t have to help me. You were the one who told me not to work.”
“I wanted you to focus on school, and now it’s paid off, hasn’t it? You don’t have to admit it because I can already see it has. You’ve moved up now, and you know what the messed up part is?”
Sebastian grit his teeth.
“The messed up part is I bet his family doesn’t even like you. Have you met them yet? What do they think about their precious son dating some white trash one step up from the trailer park?” Benjamin seethed. “Yeah, I remember, Seb. You’re the one who’s constantly trying to forget.”
Sebastian’s anger shook him, and he saw red at the corners of his eyes. “You have to go,” he rumbled.
“Oh, you’re kicking me out? Of course you are. Heaven forbid your little rich oreo boyfriend catch you with me after dark.” Benjamin batted his sky-blue eyes.
His vision narrowed, and his own anger bubbled inside him, brewing like the start of a volcanic eruption. “Get out.”
Benjamin stared at Sebastian. “Fine,” he spat, “but when he dumps you, don’t try to come crawling back to me. I’m done-done, Seb.” He stomped through the house in a frenzy, collecting his spread-out belongings and tossing them in his affordable-luxury vehicle, and Sebastian watched with hard eyes and folded arms.
His heart had been flayed open by Benjamin’s words, but he was done letting Benjamin see his vulnerable side.
When the man had collected the last of his belongings and tossed them in the car, he threw a scathing look towards Sebastian and revved his vehicle, whipping it out of the driveway and onto the neighborhood road.
Sebastian watched him until he was out of sight, but as soon as Benjamin turned the corner, his hard expression broke. His eyebrows knit together, and salty tears stung the corners of his eyes.
***
Chapter 6
Jude
He smiled as his cell phone chimed again, and he read the responding message, as a blush tickled his cheeks. Then he fired off his own response before dimming the cell phone's screen and placing it face down on the counter, lifting a glass of red wine to his lips.
“You’re texting the electrician, aren't you?” Amelia prompted. “You haven't been this excited to text anyone since you closed on your first investment deal four years ago.”
Jude swirled the alcohol in his mouth before swallowing and placing the glass back on the counter. “Perhaps. I'm seeing him tomorrow, but I had a few questions about some things he requested me to research.”
“You have questions about things?” Amelia arched a slender eyebrow.
“Yes, I had questions about things. What’s the problem?”
“What sort of thing did you have questions about?” She made air quotes around the word things.
Jude rolled his eyes, staring past Amelia towards the exit. After a moment, he refocused on his curious friend. “BDSM things. Naturally,” Jude replied, lifting his wine glass to his lips again.
“BDSM things like what?”
This time he took a long gulp of his wine and pulled his lips away from his teeth as he swallowed. It burned going down and settled heavily in the pit of the stomach as he mulled over his answer. “Like, personal things. He requested me to find a kink list and review it before we have our date tomorrow, and I'm doing what I've been told.” Jude shrugged his shoulders.
“Uh-huh. So what was the question, or is it too private for your best friend to know?”
“Oh, we’re best friends now?” Jude teased. “If we’re best friends, then you can tell me how your date with Cassius went. You know, the date you don't want to talk about? The date you guys aren’t labeling as a date? The date that you both went on, one on one, to an expensive restaurant sometime last week? That one?”
Amelia propped her elbows on the table and leaned forward, lacing her fingers together and placing her chin over her fingers. “I see how it is. If you really want to know about my date with Cassius, then you should know that he was a proper gentleman and he opened the door for me when we stepped inside, he ordered for me, and he, of course, paid for the meal. What else is there for you to know about?”
“The actually interesting details? I already know Cassius is a proper gentleman.” Jude wrinkled his nose. “Are you guys dating or not dating? Are you on a break? Are you in a situationship? What's going on? I want to know if I’m going to have to break up with Cassius as well if the thing between you and him doesn't work out.”
“Well, since there’s nothing between him and me, there's nothing that won't work out, so your friendship with Cassius is secure.”
“I guess.”
“Uh-huh. So now it’s your turn. What's the deal with you and your electrician?”
“Many things, actually.” Jude sighed, tracing the rim of his wine glass with his first finger. It hummed, and the liquid inside vibrated with the noise. “I picked him up Saturday night and took him to the hospital because his mother broke her hip, and his vehicle broke down.”
“Is that so?”
“Shockingly, yes.”
“Maybe it's just me, Jude, but I think it's pretty telling if, right after you proposition him, he has all types of issues. I know you’re going to pay him anyway, but it's possible for him to still use you for your money. He could request more later, or you can set up a situation where he always seems to need a little more than you should be giving.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, was his mother really in the hospital? Did you see her in the hospital, or did he just say she was in the hospital to get you to support him?”
“I visited her in the hospital,” Jude clarified, frowning.
“And his truck?” Amelia asked.
“I don't know much about cars, but he was distraught when he asked me, so I'm pretty sure he wasn't calling me on a Saturday night for kicks. Plus, it was kind of a desperate situation. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to call me, but it seemed like he had no other choice.”
“I suppose.” Amelia sipped her drink. “I’m just saying you need to be careful.”
“I agree.”
“I agree, too,” a third voice joined the conversation, and Eleanor slumped into the seat next to Amelia. “What did I agree with?” She glanced between the pair as she hooked her exclusive, designer handbag on the back of her chair.
“Do you remember the man who gave the demonstration on flogging at the BDSM event the other weekend?”
Eleanor was quietly thoughtful before she nodded. “The one Jude was attracted to? Yes, I remember him.”
“How do you know I was attracted to him?” Jude tilted his head.
“It was written all over your face. Quite obviously, I might add. But that’s not the point. Why am I remembering him, besides the fact that he stopped by Jude's house the other night?”
Amelia's eyes grew wide. “He stopped by your house? When did this happen?”
“Sunday?” Eleanor touched her finger to her cheek. “I can't quite remember, but he did stop by the house and occupied Jude for the entire second half of Gone with the Wind.”
“It wasn’t the entire second half. I was occupied for a few minutes, maybe thirty, at the most.”
“Good lord. That movie is terrible.” Amelia rolled her eyes. “I have no idea how you watch it every single a week.”
“It’s a classic,” Eleanor and Jude said at the same time.
&
nbsp; “Sure, but plenty of things are classics, and you don't have to be a part of them. For example, Levi 501 jeans are classic, and you don’t see me wearing them every single day, do you?”
“I don't think that’s a good example.” Jude knit his eyebrows together.
Eleanor tilted her head thoughtfully. “This is true, but some people look really, really good in Levi 501 jeans. Especially outdoor workers and firemen.”
“Truth.” Jude chuckled.
“Anyway, what about him?” Eleanor regarded Amelia.
“Jude is paying the electrician to teach him BDSM for a year, and I was telling him to be careful.”
“You're paying him to teach you BDSM?” Eleanor looked to Jude. “From the way he looked at you last night, I'm pretty sure you could ask him to do it for free.”
“The way he looked at Jude?” It was Amelia's turn to cast a confused expression around the table. “How did he look at Jude?”
“Like he was hungry, and Jude was the last piece of food on Earth.”
Jude rubbed his hands down his face. “You got all of that from a five-second glance at him?”
“He wasn't hiding it. If you didn't notice, it’s your fault, not mine.” Eleanor laughed. “I agree that Jude should be careful, but I got a good vibe from him. So, I wouldn't worry too much. At any rate, on to more pressing matters. Have you guys planned your outfit for the White Party yet?”
“The White Party is in September. There’s no need to plan for it in June.” Amelia rolled her eyes. “Besides, I'm really considering wearing my dress from last year, anyway.”
“If you wear your dress from last year, then I will not be seen with you,” Eleanor replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “All the tabloids will be there, and they will talk endlessly about you if you wear the same exact dress. I don't want to be in a storm of bad media. So, please consider making other arrangements if you haven't already.”
“Talking about the White Party?” David came up behind Eleanor, resting a hand on the back of her chair.
“Only briefly it seems,” Eleanor replied. “Good evening, David.”
“Hey, Ellie, Amelia, Jude. I’m going to get something from the bar. You guys need anything?”
Jude waved his hand in rejection, but Amelia requested another wine, and Eleanor asked for a virgin margarita. When he returned, he sat across from Eleanor and nursed a beer.
“What about the White Party?” David grinned. “Eleanor is getting her dress from the UK. Amelia wants to wear the same thing as last year, and you, Jude? You’re probably torn between having a custom design or contacting your designer friends to make something fun. Am I right, or am I right?”
“I was considering an American designer this year, but, as it were, a foreign designer aligns more with what I had in mind for the party.” Eleanor accepted her margarita and gave it a light taste before placing it on the counter beside her.
“Y’all are predictable,” David smiled.
“And you aren’t?” Jude glanced at the other man. “Have you not considered wearing a white seersucker suit this year?”
“Seersucker has been the pattern of the season. I might've considered it,” David smirked. “But anyway I'm not staying long. I've got a major project to finish tonight, but I wanted to stop in and ask you guys about this weekend. You know, the charity event? Do y’all have dates?”
“I’m going with Cassius, but we probably will simply dip in and out of the event.”
Jude blinked. “The charity event? Is it this weekend? Fuck I completely forgot.”
“It seems Jude doesn’t have a date then,” Eleanor said, “and neither do I.”
“Well, hold your horses there.” David let his good ol’ boy southern twang slip out. “Ellie, would you like to attend the event this weekend with me?”
Eleanor looked at Jude, and Jude shrugged.
“Maybe, but I don’t want Jude to be the only one without a date.”
“I can find someone. Don’t worry about me. You two should attend together. It’ll make the whole event less boring.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.” Eleanor lifted her eyebrows.
“I’m sure. I’m also sure I will scream if you match your dress to David’s tie. It would be so early two-thousands of you.”
Eleanor chuckled. “Ah. This means I must rework my wardrobe.”
David laughed. “I was going to do black on black, so you can wear whatever you want, Ellie. You’ll look good in anything you pick out.” He squeezed her shoulder, offered smiles to Amelia and Jude, and then left.
“He’s sweet on you,” Jude said as David retreated out of earshot.
“Perhaps.” Eleanor frowned. “He is a very sweet man, but-”
“But what?” Amelia blinked. “Sweet man? He’s a hot young thing, and you should secure it before he loses interest.”
“Eleanor is married to her career. She’s a working woman.” Jude grinned, catching Eleanor in a side hug and deflecting Amelia’s comments. When he released her, his cell phone buzzed, and he glanced at it, swiping away a message from his mother before he finished off his glass of wine and stood up. “That's my cue. It's time for family dinner dramatics, black edition.” He kissed his friends’ cheeks and headed for the door, hopping into the back of his luxury SUV and riding across town to his parents’ neighborhood.
The drive was regrettably short, and in no time, his driver pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. With a sigh, Jude climbed out and approached the front door, and before his hand touched the vintage wood, the door opened.
“Perfect timing,” his father exclaimed.
“I was in the neighborhood catching up with a few friends.”
“Amelia, David, Cassius and Eleanor?” his mother asked as she led them to the sitting room.
“Everyone but Cassius,” Jude replied. “He’s away on a business trip, but he will be back next week.”
“A business trip?” His father combed his scraggly beard. “I wasn't aware his family did any work.”
Jude shrugged. “I don't know. How was your trip, Dad?”
“Exhausting, if I'm being honest, I'm getting too old to take these red-eye flights and sightsee with young couples the whole vacation.” His father continued complaining about the vacation as they entered the sitting room. His mother joined his sister on the couch, sweeping her baby into her arms and allowing his sister to focus on the alcoholic beverage in front of her.
As Jude did most weeks, he let the conversation go on around him as his mother made them drink after drink. Conversation floated from his father's vacation to his mother's weekend getaway with her closest friends to his sister’s husband’s busy schedule. It bounced around until his sister mentioned the charity event happening Saturday evening.
“I think I’m going to sit this one out,” his sister announced, bracing herself for a wave of parental backlash.
On the contrary, his mother nodded, and his father offered her a neutral but understanding expression. “This makes sense.” His mother smoothed baby Isla’s curls against her head. “You have a new baby, and being a new mother is incredibly stressful. Even more stressful when you don't have your husband beside you, so it makes sense you might want to have a weekend at home to recuperate.”
“A rested mother is a healthy mother,” his father retorted.
Jude scrolled through his phone. He had turned one of the extensive BDSM kink lists into an editable spreadsheet where he had added the following categories: Tried, Haven't Tried, Interested, Not Interested, and Absolutely No Way.
He found that he had few things in the Absolutely No Way category and many in the Interested but Haven't Tried It category. He also found himself fantasizing about the possibilities between him and Sebastian despite knowing their relationship was purely business.
With Sebastian’s kind gestures and Eleanor's assumptions, it was difficult not to let his mind wander, but she was right. Both she and Amelia were right. He hadn't been interested in a man
in a long time. He had been dutifully married to his work and happy about it for years, but now he found himself craving more. Work was nice, but he wanted someone to relax at home with afterwards. He wanted someone to fill those other gaps, the ones his friends couldn't fill for him.
“Jude.” His father's voice broke him from his reverie, and he turned his attention to the older man.
“Yes?”
“Who are you bringing to the charity event this weekend?”
“Who am I bringing?” Jude repeated the question, buying himself a few precious moments of thought.
“Yes. Who are you bringing? Everyone knows you are a member of the LGBTQ community, so you would be best not to bring Amelia as your date again.”
“Amelia is a wonderful date,” Jude laughed. “However, she is going with Cassius, anyway.”
“And Eleanor?” his mother asked.
“Eleanor is going with David. As friends.”
His father made a noise. “So, you are bringing someone we've never met?”
“Seems like,” Jude smiled.
“Do you have someone in mind to soothe your father's worries?” His mother spoke around her newest glass of wine.
“I have a few options.”
“Options,” his father grunted. “Respectable young man, I hope.”
“The most respectable,” Jude confirmed. “And intelligent and well-read,” Jude clarified inwardly, wincing as his lies grew bigger and bolder.
“Let's hope so,” his father snorted. “We don't need any unnecessary scandals, especially after cleaning up the mess with your cousin.”
“There will be no scandals on my end this year, unless you count Amelia's threat to wear the same dress as she wore last year to the White Party.”
His sister gasped. “She can’t do that.”
Jude shrugged. “Well, you talk to her about it.”
“Jude, I don't know how I feel about you bringing someone I've never met to this charity event.” His father frowned. “I'm not making you bring a woman, but it's important to make sure the man you're standing beside is of good quality.”
The Billionaire's Agreement (The Billionaire's Proposal Book 2) Page 4