Chapter 28
Around nine-thirty, after we’ve had dinner, Javier brings a glass of whisky to the couch. He props his socked feet on the coffee table and tunes into the show that’s on TV.
Out of my periphery, I see his head turn in my direction a couple of times, but he never says anything. He’s just looking at me.
We’ve had normal conversations throughout the day, but it’s been limited. We’re both aware of the situation we’re in. We’re alone in a house far away from anyone else, and there are no longer any secrets between us.
I know he’s into me, and he knows I’m into him. We’ve already had sex, but now my father sits figuratively between us.
He’s my dad, but he’s Javier’s boss and maybe friend. Javier respects my father, and while his respect didn’t extend to the cloth or even the vow I took, he clearly takes my dad more seriously.
The truth is, I don’t know what my dad would do if he found out, but I definitely care less than Javier.
A few minutes later, Javier’s phone rings. He picks it up from the table next to him and glances at the screen before answering.
“Hello?”
From my side of the couch I can hear my dad’s voice on the other end.
“Yeah, everything is all good over here.”
I put my phone down and scoot over. We’re on a loveseat, so there’s not a lot of space between us as is, but I get close enough to him that I can lean over his lap and reach for the remote on the table.
He eyes me as I do this and I give him a grin.
Javier clears his throat and stands up. “Have you talked to Johnny yet?”
I watch with amusement as he begins to walk toward the kitchen, trying to put space between us.
“Oh. Yeah, I thought that might be the case,” he continues. “No, sir.”
With a huff, I push myself up from the couch and follow him. He’s facing the cabinets, his fingers drumming on the counter as he listens to my dad.
I walk up behind him and place my hand on his back as I lean in and reach for the knob to pull open the cabinet.
“Excuse me,” I say quietly near his free ear.
He goes stiff, but I step to the side to reach into the fridge for a bottle of juice. After I pour it and return the bottle to its place, I lean against the opposite counter and take a drink.
Javier doesn’t take his eyes off of me. I put down the glass on the counter and step toward him. His brows furrow as I invade his space completely.
“Yeah. I agree,” he says into the phone. “No, he asked about that, but I said no.”
I lift a brow, knowing he’s talking about me. He shakes his head.
My hands go to the waistband of his pants, fingers dipping inside. “Are you saying no again?” I ask quietly.
“What was that?” he asks. “Oh. So nobody’s heard yet?”
One hand slips into his pants, and my palm runs over the front of his boxer-briefs. He grabs my arm but holds me in place rather than pushing me away. His face is stern as he watches me, but he can’t say anything right now.
“I’ll let him know.” He pauses, listening to my dad as he studies my face. “Yes. He seems a little stubborn.”
My lips flatten into a thin line and I pull my hand back. Javier’s quick though, and he steps around me, pushing me into the counter as he positions himself behind me, trapping me in place.
“Yeah, I’d hate for him to misread the situation.”
The statement is for both me and my father.
“Okay, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
The phone clatters on the counter next to me, and Javier’s hands go to my hips as he leans over my back.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I thought it was obvious. Or were you misreading the situation?”
Javier spins me around, our bodies mashed together. “I told you it would feel weird to fuck my boss’s son. I didn’t say I wouldn’t continue to do so.”
I scrape my teeth along my bottom lip. “You said he’d kill you.”
“If he found out, but you were the one who said it wasn’t going to happen again, and now you’re over here groping me while I’m on the phone with the man that would take my life for fucking you.”
When I don’t reply, he continues.
“You want the power. I can see that. You’ve always felt like everything was out of your control, so you want to pull the strings and get me to do what you think I don’t want to do.
You want to disrespect your dad even if he doesn't know what it is you’re doing.
But here’s the thing you might not realize, Carlo.
I’m all for playing games, and I’ll be your puppet if you’re wanting to use me, but you need to make a clear decision on whether this is truly what you want to get into.
I don’t want to deal with your Christian guilt.
I know I’m a sinner, but I’m not trying to be saved, and I think you’re still trying to decide if you can be. ”
He steps away, giving me space. “I’m leaving tomorrow to be with Cortez as he meets with another boss. You have to stay here.”
As soon as I nod, he walks away, heading upstairs. Once again, the power I thought I’d have is stripped away from me, and I’m a little less than happy about it.