Chapter 15
Sebastian
I looked at my sister after Jackson left. “Quinn.”
“Bash.” She was such an ass.
“What was that about? Who’s he seeing?” I wanted to know. Why didn’t I know he was seeing someone? Who was it?
She didn’t answer me but instead asked me, “Why does it matter?”
Grabbing a cup out of the cupboard, I reached inside the fridge and poured myself some orange juice. “It matters. Who the fuck is he seeing?” I was trying to remain calm, but I was pissed.
She very audibly gasped before saying, “Bash, are you jealous?”
“Don’t be absurd. He got beaten within an inch of his life not that long ago. I just want to make sure he’s not seeing some idiot who will hurt him.” I chugged my glass of juice.
“And what if he does get his feelings hurt? That’s all part of relationships, isn’t it? Unless there’s another reason?” She tapped the counter with her nails.
I was not going to go into what happened at the hotel with her. “I mean physically hurt, and you can tell me who he’s seeing, or I can find out myself. When did you two become so chummy? Planning Thanksgiving! This is my house.”
She stood up again, “Oh, fuck off, Bash. I know this attitude. I got to deal with this attitude when you and what’s his fuck face broke up. What’s the matter with you?”
Setting my cup in the sink, I turned and left the kitchen and went to the living room. “Lower your fucking voice. Nothing is wrong. Plan Thanksgiving. It’s fine. Let me know what you need from me. Jackson is a great cook so I’m sure the turkey will be perfect.”
“Just like him ,” she said with a wink.
I snapped my head up. “What?”
She smiled. “Perfect, like him. He’s wonderful. I’m glad he’s around. From the sounds of it, you’re not.”
My heart hurt. He must’ve said something about me. “He said something to you?” I asked.
She shrugged. “He just said you’ve been gone a lot. I suggested that you’re probably seeing someone.”
“What! No. No, I’m not seeing anyone. Don’t tell him that.”
When I looked up again, she was smiling even bigger. “You… I knew it. You like him!”
“You’re being ridiculous. I’m his boss. And lower your damn voice.”
She threw her hands in the air. “Oh, for fucks sake. Not you too. Ian is his boss. You are… you. Jackson is Jackson.”
I sternly said, “He’s… my employee.”
“And? Who gives a flying fuck, honestly. Stop being your own cockblock.” She stood in front of me with her arms folded across her chest.
I blew out a breath, and said, “I’m…I’m not. None of it matters anyway. This conversation is pointless. Thanks for stopping by Quinn…”
She laughed again and said, “Yeah, sure. Kick me out. The truth hurts. Pull your head out of your ass, Bash. I’ll see you next week for Thanksgiving. Don’t be a dick between now and then.” Then she turned and left, leaving me standing in the middle of the living room.
I dragged myself upstairs and stopped in front of Jackson’s closed door.
I raised my hand to knock but paused. I didn’t even know what to say to him.
I gave him a goddamn hand job in my sleep.
Stepping away from his door, I went to my room and sat down on the bed.
The hotel replayed over and over in my head.
I couldn’t get it to stop. It had been on a loop, every day since then.
I haven’t felt that good in years. But it wasn’t real.
It was a mistake, but it was a mistake that I wanted to make over and over again.
I laid back, staring at the ceiling, completely frustrated with myself.
Was Jackson seeing someone? Was he really?
I couldn’t blame him if he was. I’d basically been avoiding him since that night.
I hated the thought of someone else touching him.
Tasting him. Smelling him. Citrus. His smell never left my nose.
Fuck. Didn’t he know that? He had to know that.
My cock was leaking precum at the thought of him.
It was maddening and all I wanted to do was walk down to his room, ask him if he wanted this too and then slide my tongue down his throat.
I would pull his mouth to mine and taste him.
Then I’d taste every inch of him. I wanted to worship him like he deserved.
My head fell back as I palmed my cock and thought about that night again.
The sounds he made, the way he thrust back into me to get closer.
The way he thrusted into my hand. The feel of him, the shape of him.
The smell of him. I couldn’t stop it. The way he moaned, Sebastian, oh god…
Over and over, it replayed in my mind, and it was torture.
My whole body was shaking as I came onto my stomach.
The sounds coming from me were strangled as I tried to be quiet.
Letting out a breath, I laid there for a moment before getting up and hopping in the shower. Everything was terrible. Jackson had unexpectedly infiltrated every space, and I had to figure out how to deal with it.
***
The following week at work went quickly. It was a three-day work week. We’ve always given the staff Thursday off for Thanksgiving and Black Friday off. It’s always nice to have a long weekend.
Jackson woke up early to get started on the turkey and cooking.
He and Quinn made all the arrangements for the day.
Ian was coming over alone. He said his date was spending the day with family.
Jackson said he invited a friend. A friend.
I was seething at the thought that this could be the person he said he was dating.
Jackson yelled to me from the kitchen. “Sebastian, can you set the table. I think there will be six of us in total.”
I walked into the kitchen to grab everything. Seeing Jackson gliding around the kitchen in an apron was pretty cute, but also the most annoying because my feelings hadn’t subsided at all. I wanted to see Jackson in my house and kitchen all the time. I never wanted him to leave.
Reaching into the cabinet, I grabbed the plates out, setting them on the counter below.
When I turned around, Jackson had slipped on a towel that had fallen on the floor and fell backwards into me.
I quickly caught him, bringing him upright but when I did, he was too close.
His ass was right against me, instantly making me hard.
Fuck. My body reacted to him instantly every time he was close.
He took a deep breath, which told me he felt it too, but he didn’t move.
Please move. I thought it, but I didn’t say it because there it was again.
Citrus. I brought my hands to his hips and leaned into his ear and in a low voice, I asked, “Are you ok?” There was a desperation or a need in my voice that I hadn’t recognized before.
Gripping his hips harder, waiting for his answer, he took a step backward, just slightly, pinning me between the counter and his ass.
Move, Jackson. Before I do something again…
Again, I wanted to say it out loud, but I just couldn’t.
“Answer me, Jackson.” I ran my nose along his neck behind his ear, taking in the smell of him again. I could feel his body shaking beneath my hands. The way he was so lightly rubbing against me. He was tempting me.
“I’m… I’m…” He started to say something before the doorbell rang, snapping us out of whatever trance we were in.
My hands dropped and Jackson jumped and went to the door.
I cleared my throat and walked out of the kitchen, through the dining room, and to the half bath around the corner before anyone could see me.
Standing in the bathroom, I looked at myself in the mirror and then down at my cock. My raging hard, angry cock that couldn’t keep it’s shit together whenever Jackson was around.
I could hear Jackson talking. “Come on in. You can hang your coats in the closet there.”
“Where’s Bash?” Quinn asked. My mom was with her. Great. I looked flushed and I just wanted to get in my car and go for a drive to clear my mind. That’s what I was going to do. Run to the store.
I came out of the bathroom to see Quinn and Jackson were standing at the counter. “Quinn. Where’s mom?”
She said, “She’s in the living room watching her judge shows.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, I’m um… I’m going to run to the store really quick. I just realized we don’t have any soda, and I like soda with my meal.”
“Since when?” She smirked. She was such a dick.
I said, “Since now, Quinny.” I tilted my head at her, giving her a look that told her I wanted her to shut the fuck up.
She pursed her lips together. “Right. Enjoy the drive.” I needed to get out of there. Thanksgiving couldn’t be over fast enough. I felt like I was suffocating.