15. Jansen
15
JANSEN
Just being in Stephen’s presence made me feel smarter. Like every word he said seeped into my head and took root. I wasn’t the kid in school who was thirsty for knowledge. No, I wanted to play hockey and have fun. Now I got to play as a career and while it wasn’t as fun as it used to be, it was more rewarding because it was my job. I got to do what I loved and wasn’t stuck behind a desk in an office with a bunch of people I didn’t like but had to pretend to so I could get through the day. On the ice, I told the people I hated to kiss my ass and a multitude of other things. It was fantastic.
I wasn’t sure how long we spent in the museum because time with Stephen wasn’t boring. Everything he said interested me. And the way his eyes lit up when he took in some of the exhibits, hell, I’d bring him here every chance I could, just to see him that happy.
We walked outside of the building into the hot and humid August day.
“Where to now?” I asked.
He looked at me like he was confused. “You want to spend more time with me? I didn’t bore you?”
“One day I’m going to prove to you how much fun I have when we’re together. I learned all kinds of shit today. It was great.” I grinned. Nothing I said was a lie. And if Stephen and I were dating, I was going to be honest with him. No games, no bullshit.
He offered me a small smile. “I’m glad.”
It was after lunch but not quite dinnertime yet. I didn’t want the day to end so I had to think of something for us to do, or I had a feeling he was going to leave. “Want to go back to my place?”
His eyes widened.
“I mean, not in the way that sounded. Not that I don’t want that too, but I wasn’t pushing for it or rushing things.” Oh my god, shut the fuck up, McKenna! “Anyway, we could have a snack, watch TV, or we could do something else. Just throwing options out there.”
The blush creeping over his cheeks was adorable. I wanted to kiss him but held back. The last time I did so was a huge mistake on my part by springing it on him. Though we were standing here. We did go on a date. I did something right today.
“Coffee? Cake?” I suggested. “King’s sister brought me a chocolate cake yesterday. Said she was trying out recipes and was handing them out to his friends. D got a cherry pie. Nordin ended up with a chocolate cheesecake. I’m not sure why she’s on this kick, outside of craving sweets, but I’m not complaining.” And that cake… holy hell, it melted in my mouth with an explosion of chocolate decadence.
“That sounds good.”
“Cool. How about we head back to the café first, so I can get my car, then we can go over and indulge in chocolatey heaven?”
He chuckled. “Let’s go.”
The drive to the café was quiet but it was the good kind where I didn’t feel like I had to fill it with senseless chatter. I could have, since I was so on point with my rambling today. But I liked the quiet too. Even better was the feel of Stephen’s soft hand in mine. He worked with his brain all day while I worked with my body. We were night and day, opposites like I’d said. I thought that was part of the reason this could work.
We returned to the café, and I drove ahead of him to my condo. It was in one of the smaller buildings in Espen with only ten floors. I was on the top and shared the floor with a guy who was always in suits when I saw him with his ear pressed to his phone. I couldn’t remember his name. He looked down at me a lot of the time, except when I got into the elevator with him while I was in a suit. Why? Because mine cost a fuck ton more than his. I wasn’t a smug man who liked to flash what I owned but the guy thought he was the best, even though I looked way better than him.
The garage was adjacent to the building where I had two spots. I slid into one and Stephen took the other. It felt effortless to go to him and take his hand into mine. More than that, it felt right.
We walked next door and got into the elevator. The doors were about to close when a hand shot through them. There he was, Mr. Executive himself, not on the phone. He wasn’t in a suit today, though he did have on shorts that looked so starched I wondered how he could sit, and a shirt that was so white I was surprised I could look directly at it. A pair of brown suede loafers completed his terrible look. In other words, he looked douchey. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the casual boating look and had rocked it a few times on King’s family’s boat. But I didn’t sneer at people who were near me like they were scum on my shoe. Like Mr. Executive was currently doing.
And just to fuck with him. I smiled. “Good afternoon.”
He sneered at my casual clothes. He was such a tool.
Stephen caught on and asked him, “What do you do?”
The man was shocked for a moment then said, “I’m the vice president at one of the largest banks on the East Coast.” Any chance to talk about himself, I was sure this guy took. Plus, Stephen always dressed better than I did. He looked damn good right now. Mr. Executive probably felt more even with him.
“Ah.”
“What about you?” So, he could be polite. What a revelation.
“I’m the dean at Espen University.”
Well, that perked Mr. Executive up. His eyes brightened and he turned to give Stephen his full attention. That was also when the doors opened.
I tugged on Stephen’s hand, but he didn’t seem to be done talking to the guy. I stood in the doorway to keep them open.
“I went to EU. Great college.” Mr. Executive wasn’t an Ivy League man. Interesting.
“Do you watch sports?” Stephen asked.
The elevator started that annoying buzzing sound since the doors were still open. We all stepped out so the elevator could be on its way.
“Sports?” Mr. Executive asked. “I’ve enjoyed the polo tournament in the Hamptons when I’m able to make it.” Jesus, this guy. Not that there was anything wrong with polo. It was the snotty way he said it.
“You don’t recognize him then?” Stephen looked toward me and gave me a wink. I nearly melted.
“No, should I?”
“You’re neighbors, right? I gather that’s why you rode up to this floor.”
“Yes.”
“Well, while you were sneering at him, thinking you’re better, he was winning the Stanley Cup with the Jetties. I’m sure since you went to EU that you’d recognize the name of the NHL team here in Espen.”
Mr. Executive looked me up and down then focused back on Stephen. “I don’t follow hockey.” It wasn’t a sneer this time, more like he was trying to save face.
“You should. Maybe you could learn a thing or two about who you live next door to. Not only is he paid much, much better than you, but if you’d see him on the ice, you’d understand he could crush you in seconds flat.”
Mr. Executive’s eyes were on me again. I grinned and nodded, probably looking more insane than sincere. I honestly didn’t care what the dickhead thought of me. I was positively beaming over Stephen coming to my defense in the best way. Not a raised voice. Not a fraction of anger. Calm and well-spoken, stating the facts. I could crush Mr. Executive. I wouldn’t. I was a lover not a fighter when not playing.
Before the guy could say anything else, Stephen added, “You should get to know your neighbors. He did buy the same size condo as you. He obviously has money. I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t help you if you needed it. Why would he when you look down your nose at him, which is funny considering he’s over six foot and you’re barely brushing five eleven, if I had to guess.”
If we were at the point in our relationship where we were having sex, I’d totally push Stephen against the door once we were inside my place. Apparently, what was happening was a kink of mine. Who knew?
“If you’ll excuse us,” Stephen said while the guy gawked. “Jansen has tired muscles that need a massage… among other things.” Where did I sign up for that?
I had enough blood flowing in my head to turn us toward my door. Neither of us looked back as I unlocked it, and we went inside.
The moment the door was closed, I spun to face Stephen. “That was amazing! I’d kiss you right now but I’m trying to be respectful of your boundaries. Unless you say you want to kiss me, then I’m going for it because, holy shit, that was hot. The way you cut him down, I didn’t—”
My words were cut off by Stephen stepping up to me and pressing his lips to mine. My smile turned into a moan as he swept his tongue over my lips. I wasn’t sure what to do with my hands since I didn’t want to push this farther than he wanted to go. Stephen wrapped his arms around my neck, so I settled my hands on his hips, and we kissed. Full of tongue, heat, and everything the last kiss was missing.
We were both breathing heavy by the time we pulled apart.
I rested my forehead on his. Words wouldn’t come. Nothing I could say would be enough to encompass what I felt. “That was…”
“Perfect,” Stephen finished. He leaned back to look into my eyes. “You shouldn’t let him look at you like that, Jansen.”
“I like fucking with him. He thinks he can be a bully because he’s wealthy and flaunts it. I counter it with my infectious personality and piss him off even more.”
“I don’t think he’ll sneer at you any longer.”
“Meh.” I shrugged. “If he does it with you around, I’ll like it very much. You have no idea how turned on I am right now.”
Stephen shifted a bit on his feet. “I have a clue.” A sweet blush rose over his cheeks.
I gave him a quick peck then went toward the kitchen. My condo was an open space. The entryway opened into the living room, which was completely open to the kitchen and dining room. The appliances were stainless steel and high end. It was my personal touches that made it special. The comfortable couch, the dining table that had a big dent in the middle from one night when the guys were over, and we were arm wrestling. It got out of hand and that dent was from Knox’s head. Every time he came over, I laughed when his eyes settled on it.
The kitchen cabinets were a dark mahogany while the countertop was a beige quartz. And sitting on it in a plastic cake dish was chocolate heaven.
“Cake?” I asked when Stephen came into the room.
He nodded. “This is very nice.”
“Thank you.” I smiled.
I brewed coffee while we talked then plated two big slices of cake. Stephen and I sat at the island talking some more. This day was great, better than I could have hoped for when I woke up this morning a nervous wreck about going to see him. I hoped we had many more dates as wonderful as this one was.