4. Chapter 4
Chapter four
Everything was happening too fast now. The servers had been moved, set up, and the conversion went without a hitch. The office were mostly finished as well. Everyone now lived in or around Foggy Basin if they weren’t considered remote employees, the latter didn’t include me. Unfortunately.
I had two months left on my lease, but when I tried to use that as an excuse, Eddy bought the two months out.
He was willing to throw money at this problem to get everyone together.
But it was killing me. I didn’t want to leave my house in the city.
It was perfect. Small but not too small, and best of all, a pool where I swam nearly every day.
Including the winter, since it was heated.
No people were holding me back, though. I was an only child, and my parents didn’t give a flying fuck about me and my life.
Then there was my love life, which was previously non-existent and now completely extinct.
Not that it mattered if I liked it that way or not, because there was only one person in the whole fucking country that I would be interested in anyway, and that was Jackie Corbin, who practically had a flashing neon warning sign on his forehead.
I flipped to the online real estate platform to figure out where the hell I was going to live. Of course, I found a text waiting for me from Jackie first.
Ugh! No, thank you. I was capable of finding somewhere decent to live and pack my shit without his assistance.
In fact, I was planning a trip to Foggy Basin in the morning, so I wanted to get a jump on the listings Eddy supplied us.
I flipped through what was available on my phone, but I didn’t see much worth looking at.
Jackie’s little cottage would be perfect for me.
If it didn’t come with Jackie. I remembered it was a little remote, but cozy.
I wanted something like that. But all I found anywhere near town were rooms for rent, and although I might be reduced to that, it wasn’t ideal.
I needed space and privacy. I would have to look much farther out, maybe even in Miller’s Point.
I closed down my laptop and got ready for bed, pulling the ponytail holder out of my hair as I went. Life was about to get crazy. My blood was thrumming over what it would be like there, living in the same town with him—with Jackie.
His flashy red hair and feisty attitude. But damn, sex with him had been so hot. And so out of character for me. I was itching to do it again, and that was going to be my downfall.
Simply thinking about his soft brown eyes and the splatter of freckles across his shoulders made my cock hard. I reached down and gave myself a stroke, squeezing my eyes shut. I didn’t want another masturbation ceremony over his memory. But that’s where I was headed.
I liked to imagine us sprawled over a big blanket on the floor in front of the a big fireplace with fairy lights hanging everywhere at his place.
When he’d kissed me that first time, it was like something connected between us, more than just our mouths; it went soul-deep.
We needed to be skin on skin so badly that we couldn’t get our clothes off fast enough.
And naked, he was glorious, a true ginger everywhere.
And I wanted to rub my face along that cinnamon happy trail.
I remembered the feel of his skin as we rubbed our bodies together, legs twining, cocks bumping, and my heart beating so fast. I’d barely gotten my hands on him, and we didn’t even fuck—frotted until we both came—then we rushed back to the reception.
It was fantastic. It was everything and not enough.
Squeezing my dick, I wondered what more with him would be like. At least in bed.
Would he suck my cock, putting that smart mouth to better use? He had great lips for it, and I wanted to see my dick sliding in and out, his head bobbing, slurping sounds combining with my moans. I moved my hand faster, wanting to come quickly.
The fantasy ramped up as I thought about him.
Jackie was likely a top, based on his outward personality.
But I wasn’t entirely sure about that, and I imagined him spread out beneath me, begging for my cock.
I liked bottoming well enough, but I really wanted to fuck him into the mattress. Hard. Powerful. Show him who I was.
I closed my eyes tight, picturing plowing into his tight little ass.
Holding his shoulders down, my thighs rubbing the back of his legs.
And how that would feel on my dick. Jackie would be so hot and tight inside.
I squeezed harder and stroked faster, and then grabbed my balls with my other hand.
They were already riding up close, and I tugged them.
And then I…
…came hard with a grunt.
When the tingling subsided, I relaxed into my bed with a huge sigh. I was fucking hopeless.
The one thing I would love about moving to Foggy Basin was Books Beans and Buns.
I was already addicted to that coffee blend.
I snapped a pic of the front door to share on Instagram later before I pushed inside.
Jackie was at the counter, clacking away at his keyboard.
“One second.” He didn’t even look away from his laptop.
“It’s alright. I’m getting coffee.”
His head snapped up when he heard my voice, and I secretly loved it.
“H-Hey, Al. How are you?”
“Eh. I’m here. A lot on my plate today. Gotta find somewhere to live…” in this lonely place, but I left that last bit off. The last thing I needed to do was give Jackie more reason to pursue me.
“New place to live?” A voice from inside the store got my attention, and then she stepped into the center aisle.
“Here? Right? Yes, I heard we were getting new residents from Eddy’s company.
Must be you.” She pointed at me. “I remember you from before.” She rolled her hand as if that encapsulated every time we’d met. Maybe for her it did.
“Yes, hi, Evelyn.”
She smiled brightly at the fact that I remembered her name. But really? Who could forget? “Yes. That’s me, but what was your name again, dear?”
“Alfred. And yes, I work for Eddy.”
“Wonderful.” The next thing I knew, her hand was in mine, old-fashioned kiss my hand style. I wasn’t kissing her hand. I squeezed her fingers and let go.
“And yes, I’m looking for somewhere to live.
Mostly, I’ve only seen individual room rentals, and I’m staying in one over at that bar.
” I pointed in the direction of Pints ‘n Pool, my soon-to-be home, until I found something else. At least a few others from Queen Gaming were staying there with me, rather than it being just strangers. “But that doesn’t work for me. I need more space and privacy. I’m—”
“Oh, yes. I see. I bet I can help.” She rolled right over me, likely she did that with everyone, so I didn’t take it personally. “When are you starting to look?”
“Evelyn,” Jackie inserted himself into the conversation, but maybe it had actually been Evelyn who had done that. “Leave him alone. I’m sure if he needs help—”
“Nonsense.” She waved him off.
“I’m starting right after I get some coffee.
” I nodded to the back of the store where the refreshment counter was.
“And I’m happy to have your help,” I added, partially to piss Jackie off, but also because if anyone knew a place that was off market or getting ready to sell, it would be her, the gossip queen.
I was not above getting that kind of assistance.
“It’s your day…” Jackie snarked at me with a little smirk on his face. I narrowly held back from sticking out my tongue. Instead, I made my way through the store to get my heavenly brew.
“Hey, I thought I heard your voice, Alfred.” Brock was Jackie’s best friend, Eddy’s husband, and the owner of the store.
A big burly guy, and nothing like I’d expected Eddy to ever fall for.
He looked more like a biker than a barista, but what the hell did I know?
“I’ll get you fixed right up. Want a bun?
” He jerked his gaze down to the pastry case where the yummy sticky buns were.
A little sign indicated that they were purchased from the local bakery, Don’t Go Bakin’ My Heart .
I knew from experience they were delicious and made a mental note to check out the bakery for what other goodies they had.
Maybe I would treat Evelyn later in the day since she was helping me.
“No, thank you. Just coffee.” I had already eaten a granola bar for breakfast, so I was fine. I’d need a bigger lunch, though. Maybe a better, more nutritious one.
“You got it.”
A few minutes later, coffee in hand, I was ready to tackle house hunting with Evelyn, the local busybody.
I figured exploring the area with the queen of Foggy Basin scuttlebutt was as ingrained in this small-town community as I wanted to get, but I also had a feeling this was only step one in the saga of drowning in small town culture.
After a long ass day looking at houses, some up for sale and some not, I was exhausted. We strode into the bookstore, Evelyn waving at everyone.
Eddy called out from the back of the shop. “Need to talk to you for a sec.”
“Sure. Coming.” I followed inside the tiny office and shut the door. “What’s up, boss?”
He smiled slyly. “Nothing really. Just wanted to give you a break from Evelyn. With some luck, she’ll be gone by the time you go back out there.”
“Such a good friend, but she’s not too bad.” She wasn’t honestly, but people-ing sucked the life out of me. She had worked as a buffer all day though, so it hadn’t been terrible at all. In fact, I’d enjoyed it.
“You look tired. How did it go today? Find anything?” The office was officially opening soon, so I knew he wanted me all moved in and settled quickly.
But I was going to be picky and not jump at anything just to get there.
Meaning, I would be staying in the room I’d already booked for longer than I liked.
I wanted a place to create a haven; otherwise, this move was not going to work out.
“No, not really. I mean, there were a few places, but either they weren’t actually for sale or they were too expensive. I’ll keep looking, but I might have to look farther out.”
“How else can I help?”
“You can’t really. But it’s going okay. Right? I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s just going to take a little time.”
“I know. And I know you’re doing this for me, so I appreciate it, and the last thing I want is for you to be unhappy.” He threw an arm around my shoulder. “Obviously, your solid mental health is good for the company, but I’m speaking as a friend too.”
“I know. I’m sure it will all work out. Don’t worry.” I smiled to show I wasn’t worried, but I was. Before I had to listen to him asking about Jackie, I waved and left and…
Ran into Jackie, literally. There wasn’t much room in the hallway, and we were actually touching, shoulders bumping and rubbing into each other. Memories and fantasies rushed over me, and I wanted him. Desperately.
Jackie breathed on my neck. It was hot, sending chills down my spine and making my dick hard. “Let me take you to lunch.”
For a second, my brain stopped functioning. He said lunch but my body thought he said bed .
“Just lunch, Al.”
I scooted by him, hands touching his firm pecs.
And that little guardian angel inside me piped up, giving me voice, when I thought I was going to crumble.
“No. This will never be just anything with you.” I darted into the main store and straight for the door.
If I didn’t get away fast, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself, because I was going to give in.
This was the biggest issue with moving here.
Jackie Corbin. The giant red-headed ball of temptation.
I was terrified that I would get lost in Jackie’s world. Something I knew nothing about. No, I had to protect myself. Had to put up a stronger defense. I could not let this man break my heart.
But he was all I thought about on the long drive back to Sacramento.