by Webster, K
“Let me see,” Cato demands. “You promised you’d show me.”
With a huff, I exit the bathroom of his mom’s condo. Thank fuck she’s staying at her boyfriend’s tonight so she doesn’t have to witness this shit show. “Are you happy?”
“No. You promised pajamas. Those don’t count.”
“I sleep in these all the time,” I argue, motioning at my sweatpants and T-shirt.
“Without the shirt.”
“I’m not going topless.”
“You act like you have tits or something. Damn, Jax. You’re such a party pooper.”
I shrug as I walk past him to the kitchen where he’s laid out a shit ton of snacks and alcoholic drinks.
“I have an extra pair of these, but in teal,” Cato says, pointing at his tiny red briefs that leave nothing to the imagination. “You want to borrow them?”
“I’m not wearing that shit,” I grumble. “Can we get this party started?”
He doesn’t make eye contact as he begins making me a drink. “Sure, but we’re still waiting on my other guest.”
I tense up. “Who?”
“Jax, don’t get mad—”
“Jesus Christ, Cato. You didn’t.”
“I did. It’s my birthday and he’s my friend too.” He thrusts a drink at me. “Besides… I thought maybe if you two had time alone together—”
I cover his mouth with my hand. “Don’t finish that statement.”
He licks my hand and I stumble back, nearly dropping my drink. “You’ve been unhappy for so long. Ever since you and the new guy, Dante, got into a pissing match on Wednesday, you’ve been happier. I know it’s because you’ve finally realized you do still love Kian and are finally going to try to be with him.”
He couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Cato—”
“Don’t worry,” he says with an innocent smile. “I didn’t tell him what I know. I figure I’d let it happen naturally.” He picks up the tequila bottle. “And with a little help from my friend here.”
I start to argue, but the doorbell rings. Cato sets the bottle down and bounces off, the glitter on his body shimmering under the overhead light.
Fucking great.
Just what I want to do…hang out with my ex.
I wish Dante were here.
Cato opens the door and Kian walks in, bundled up from the cold. They gush over each other and Kian hands Cato a wrapped gift. Cato steps back so Kian can admire his red briefs. When Kian’s head swivels my way, his smile falls and he tenses up. He’s not pleased to see me.
Likewise, buddy.
“Go change into your jammies,” Cato instructs. “There’s glitter lotion on my vanity.”
Kian scampers off while Cato comes back to the kitchen.
“Drink, Sheriff. You’re stiff in all the wrong places.” He winks at me. “Let’s fix that.”
“Whatever you’re trying to do isn’t happening,” I murmur. “Quit.”
He ignores me as he pours a shot. Then, he slides it my way. “This will take the edge off.”
By the time Kian comes back, I’ve taken a couple of shots.
“Hey,” I grunt.
“Hey.” He doesn’t make eye contact with me as he makes a drink. “I heard the new B&B got vandalized.”
I tense up as the anger from earlier resurfaces. Dante had been on edge. Seeing him worked up and frustrated caused my protective instincts to come roaring to the surface. I wanted to find the perp who put the frown on Dante’s handsome face and make him pay. Luckily, I got an opportunity to put a smile on his full lips at the station.
“Yeah,” I mutter. “Some asshole painted something hateful on his building.”
“What did it say?” Cato asks, his brows furrowed in concern.
“Brigs Fairy Gay.” I rub at the back of my neck. “I’m going to find out who did it. Stick ’em with a hate crime if I can.”
Kian’s hazel eyes meet mine. For once, they’re soft like when we were kids. I wait for my heart to skip a beat at having that familiar look cast my way. I’m a little surprised when it doesn’t.
“Do you have any suspects?” Kian asks, cocking his head to the side.
“Probably Ned,” Cato offers. “He’s the biggest dick I know. Or, maybe even Paul.”
“Paul?” I frown at Cato. “What makes you think it’s him?”
“He’s kind of pissy about the Rainbow Vigilante,” Cato reveals. “Rants to anyone who’ll listen.”
“What does it have to do with Dante, though?” I growl, setting my drink down and crossing my arms over my chest. “He hasn’t done anything to anyone.”
Both Cato and Kian gape at me in shock.
I realize I’ve gone all protective boyfriend over someone who’s not my boyfriend.
“You know how Paul is,” Cato says, still studying me with curiosity. “Hates anyone new. Hates change. Hates everything and everyone. Dante is an easy target.”
Again, anger surges through me. “Why is he an easy target?”
“Rich, confident, gorgeous.” Cato sighs. “Everything Paul’s not.”
“Probably has a big dick too,” Kian murmurs, making Cato pretend to swoon.
“I’ll go question him in the morning.” I clench my jaw. Maybe I should question him tonight.
“No, sir,” Cato barks out, ending my inner thought. “You’ve been drinking. You’re not about to go play hero cop in the middle of my lumber party. Now, grab another drink and let’s dance!”
They’re both fast asleep, curled together in their tiny briefs. Cato is the little spoon despite him being at least a head taller than Kian, which is comical. In another world, I’d be hot as fuck over the sight.
But I’m not.
All I can think about is seeing Dante.
Before I can stop myself, my drunk ass texts him.
Me: You awake?
Dante: The slumber party a dud?
Me: The kids fell asleep already.
Dante: Kids? I thought it was just you and Cato.
Me: Thought so too…
Dante: This feels like a good story. You gonna tell me?
Me: Come see me and I’ll tell you in person.
I send him the address, but he doesn’t respond. It’s after midnight so maybe he fell asleep. I’m just nodding off when he texts me again.
Dante: I’m ready for my bedtime story. Can you sneak out?
Me: Let me grab my shoes and coat.
I feel like both an asshole and thrilled to sneak away to see Dante. Tonight, once we all started drinking, Kian and I both loosened up. It was good to hang out like old times, but it was like before. When he was just my friend and not my lover.
Once I’m bundled up, I slip out the front door and make my way across the parking lot to Dante’s waiting Range Rover. It’s cold as fuck and snowing a little. I’m half frozen by the time I make it to his vehicle. I climb into the passenger seat, shivering against the cold.
“You came,” I say, grinning at him.
“Not yet.” He smirks. “Someone interrupted me by texting.”
“Maybe that someone should make it up to you.”
He leans over the console and I meet him halfway, eager to taste him. Our lips crash together, both of us groaning in relief. His fingers curl around my neck, drawing me closer as my own find his hair. It’s a desperate, long and needy kiss where we both try to inhale the other. I can chalk up my neediness to the alcohol, but something’s off with him. As much as I want to make good on my offer to get him off, I need to find out what’s upsetting him first. Reluctantly, I pull away so I can look at him.
With only the dash lights illuminating his face, shadows darken the skin under his eyes, making him seem tired. Not just in a sleepy kind of way either.
“What happened?” I ask, my voice soft as I continue to stroke my fingers through his hair.
His brows pinch together and his eyes close. “Long day.”
“Hey,” I murmur. “Talk to me.”<
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I kiss him again, hoping to encourage him to open up. After he relaxes some, I break away and nod at him.
“You promised me a story first,” he says, a teasing grin forming on his lips.
“I’ll tell you if you sit in the back with me. I can’t touch you like I want from up here.”
He chuckles but nods. “Fine.”
Once we’re settled in the back, I straddle his lap, wrapping my arms around him so I can give him the hug he clearly needs. His amusement fades and he grows quiet, clinging to me in such a vulnerable way.
“Cato, being the meddler he is,” I grumble, “thought it’d be a great idea to invite Kian and play matchmaker.”
I pull back so I can see his face. Dante smiles as though my words entertain him greatly. Asshole.
“It was awkward as fuck,” I complain. “You should have seen Kian’s face. He wasn’t pleased with Cato either.”
“And yet, here you are. You survived.”
“Barely,” I tease. “Had to get drunk as hell to endure it.”
He smirks at me. “Poor you.”
“Yes, poor me.” My smile falls as I regard him with a serious expression. “After spending the night watching my ex prance around in a pair of skintight briefs, it made me realize something.”
“You wanted him back?” Dante is teasing me, but I don’t miss the flash of vulnerability in his eyes.
“No.” I frown and shrug my shoulders. “I realized I don’t want him back.”
Our eyes meet and I tell him silently my other realization.
I want you instead.
Rather than joking it off, Dante runs his palms up over my thighs. His fingers massage my legs through my sweatpants, the move a tender, affectionate one that has my heart squeezing inside my chest.
“I called my ex tonight,” he blurts out, his features crumpling into a heartbroken one.
I’m assaulted by a mixture of feelings. Hurt. Jealously. Anger. Fear. The last one is because the idea of losing something this good is a terrifying one. I’ve drifted for so long in my mediocre life. Finally, I have something worth waking up for. Something I can look forward to. The thought of it being stolen from me has me wanting to puke up all the liquor I’ve consumed tonight.
“You did?” I ask slowly. “What did you talk about?”
He leans his head back, closing his eyes. “Nothing. He talked a lot while I wondered why in the hell I called him in the first place.”
I start to slide off his lap because it feels awkward sitting on him while we discuss this. Like I’m no longer a part of his world but trying to be anyway. His fingers bite into my thighs and his eyes snap open.
“Stay,” he begs, his voice cracking.
I nod, stroking my fingers through his hair. “Okay.”
“He’s engaged again.” Dante’s eyes water. “Toby.”
Toby.
I’ve never hated a name until tonight.
“Again?”
He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “First time was with me. He, uh, broke it off a few days before the wedding.” He flinches as though he’s reliving the moment. “He wasn’t in love with me anymore.”
The pain in his voice is raw and gutting. It makes me want to climb inside his heart, find all the hurt, and take it away from him.
“His loss,” I bite out.
“I don’t know why I called him. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I whisper, dropping a kiss to his lips. “I’m sorry he hurt you.”
“Me too.” Dante pulls me to him, hugging me tight. “Can we stay like this forever?”
“I’d like that.” I kiss his neck and close my eyes. “I’d like that a lot.”
He rubs circles with his fingertips over my back, lulling me into a comfortable sleep. Sure, getting off with Dante feels good, but moments like these are like a soothing balm to my soul.
We stay wrapped up in each other’s arms, both of us fading in and out of sleep. It isn’t until the sun peeks into the windows of the vehicle that he reluctantly releases me. Our goodbye kiss doesn’t feel long enough. And watching him leave is painful as fuck.
As I sneak back into Cato’s mom’s condo and flop onto the guest bed, a stark realization settles over me.
I want Dante.
In all the ways.
I just have to figure out how to make that happen.
Dante
A few days later…
I’m furiously typing an email out this morning, bitching at the camera installation people who’ve rescheduled for the third time, when my phone rings. I gladly abandon my computer to take the call, hoping it’s Jax. Instead, it’s my buddy Adrian.
“Hello, bossy Mr. Frosty.”
“Ha,” Adrian deadpans. “You have time to talk?”
“Depends. I’ve only had one cup of coffee this morning. If it requires thinking, I need to make some more.”
He chuckles. “No, asshole. I’m not going to ask you to run figures. I need advice on something.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Hold on.” He shuffles around and then I hear a door close. “I don’t want him to hear.”
Him?
My curiosity is piqued.
“New assistant?”
“Unfortunately,” he growls.
“Does he suck?”
Adrian coughs and then curses under his breath. “What?”
“At his job…” I let out a laugh. “Wait. Do you like him?”
“Fuck no, I don’t like him. He’s obnoxious.”
“But…”
“No buts. How do I fire him and not get into a lawsuit?”
“Same way you fire everyone else.”
“Everyone else is incompetent.”
“But the new guy is not?”
“He’s the best damn assistant I’ve had.”
I scratch at my jaw, unable to keep the stupid grin off my face. “So let me get this straight. He’s really good at his job, but you want to fire him anyway.”
“Correct.”
“Why?”
“Personality differences.”
“Oh, come on, Adrian. You’re a prickly fuck. I’m not sure you get along with anyone but me. If we worked together, you’d try and fire me too, though.”
“True. You work about ten percent of the time and run your mouth the other ninety.”
“He insults me, yet he wants my advice,” I tease. “Seriously. What’s the actual problem?”
Silence.
“Adrian…”
“He’s gay.”
“So? I’m gay and you love me.”
“I don’t love you. I tolerate you.”
“Same thing. Why is it a problem? Is he hitting on you?”
“Never mind,” he grumbles. “Forget I said anything.”
“You can’t drop this bomb in my lap and expect me to forget.”
“It’s just…”
You like him, Adrian Frost. Admit it.
“I can’t stand him,” he finishes. “He’s annoying.”
“Hmmm.”
“What’s with the hmmm?” he demands. “It’s like you know something I don’t. Help me, Dante. Please.”
“Is he cute?”
“How the hell should I know? I’m not gay.”
“What does he look like? Is he seeing anyone? Maybe I should get his number and try to get to know him better for you—”
“No,” he snaps. “I don’t want you talking to him.”
Someone’s jealous.
“Does he have a nice ass? Take a picture and send it to me. Something to spank off to later,” I taunt, knowing good and full well Adrian’s too possessive of his new assistant to do such a thing. I just need him to get to admit it.
“He’s mine,” Adrian snarls. “I’m not sending you pictures, especially not of his ass.”
“Yours?”
A pregnant pause.
“He’s my assistant,” he corrects, sounding more flustered th
an I’ve ever heard from him.
“Okay,” I concede. “I’ll back off. But let me give you a piece of advice.”
“I’m listening.”
“Don’t fire him. Maybe try and get to know him a little. It sounds like there’s something about him you like and it’s scaring you away. It’s not a bad idea to make friends with your employees, Adrian. Getting to know your assistant might make you actually keep him. You’ve wasted a lot of time going through new employees. He’s capable and does a good job. Don’t let him get away because you don’t understand his personality. Your personality isn’t the easiest to understand if we’re being honest.”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “You’re right.”
“Come visit me soon,” I say with a grin. “And bring the boy.”
“You can’t hit on him.”
“I’ve got my hands full with my own guy.”
I close my eyes, thinking about the last few nights. Ever since I went to see Jaxson at Cato’s, we’ve spent every night together. Yes, he fucks me like a madman, but there’s an intensity now between us I can’t begin to unravel and understand. All I know is I want him, each day a little more than the last.
“Sounds like more than a fuck and run,” Adrian says, interrupting my thoughts. “Don’t fall too hard and too fast. Last time that really screwed you up.”
“Toby was the one who screwed up. All I did was love him.”
“Just be careful.”
“Cool Adrian Frost has a heart after all.”
“Our secret,” he mutters and then he curses when another voice says something to him. “He’s killing me with these fucking pants—”
Click.
He must have ended our call to deal with his assistant. Imagining a sassy boy with tight pants flustering my friend has me grinning. It’s good for that frosty bastard.
I busy myself for the next couple of hours checking in on updates with the contractors, linens and bedding that’ve been on backorder, and creating a marketing plan for event hosting. As much as I would love the B&B to be successful as just that, I know it’d be smart to have other avenues to bring in money. The separate building being erected close to the B&B is an industrial barn design that’ll be perfect for hosting small wedding ceremonies. My stomach starts to grumble for lunch just as my phone buzzes.
Jax: Where might I run into a hot B&B owner on my lunch hour?