Page 26 of Bleed for You
Chapter Sixteen
Checking his phone for… Craig had actually lost count; he saw that Jinx hadn’t responded to any of the messages he’d sent. Biting his lip, Craig placed his phone on the table in front of him and looked out of the window. He ignored the sounds around him; his mind firmly fixed on Jinx and what he could be doing. They normally made plans for the weekend, and now it was Friday, and Craig hadn’t heard from Jinx in more than a day. That was unusual for them. They kept in contact, even if it was a quick message.
In fact, some distance had been growing between them recently and Craig wasn’t sure why. He wasn’t aware of doing anything different, so he didn’t know what had changed to cause Jinx to distance himself. Turning in his chair, Craig stood and walked over to the window and stared outside. He looked, but didn’t see, because his mind was focused on Jinx.
He loved Jinx. He’d loved him almost as long as he’d known him. That first night of hot and heavy sex had led to Craigspending the rest of the weekend with Jinx, laughing and loving and making plans. They’d talked about what Craig wanted in a Daddy and Jinx had listened and told him what he wanted in a little and they clicked. In all aspects. Craig could have a man who treated him as a man in return and then they could shift into Daddy and little where Craig could let go and let someone else take care of him.
Smiling, Craig remembered their first time as Daddy and little. He’d been quite shy, maybe even worried at first, which was new to him, but Jinx had soon brought him out of his shell and Dalton had appeared. He’d had fun. Lots of fun. Jinx had prepared a room just for Dalton with a bed with trucks all over it. Furniture for his clothes and a huge box with toys inside. Jinx had sat on the rug and pulled out all the toys and played with every single one of them. Jinx had sat on the floor with him, helping him play, and the tension had eased from his body, leaving him feeling light and carefree. The perfect first night.
Of course, once they’d become Jinx and Craig, Jinx had taken Craig in a way that had him moaning and arching in pleasure, his body alive with the sensation that Jinx created in it. Not once, either. Three times Jinx had made Craig writhe in pleasure, made him scream Jinx’s name. After, they’d laid together, Craig’s fingers sliding over Jinx’s damp skin, tracing the muscles on his abs, his dark nipples, his treasure trail leading to a dick that made Craig whimper in ecstasy.
The next morning, Jinx had cooked him breakfast, taken care of him even though he wasn’t Dalton. The easy smile Jinx had for him had Craig falling fast and hard. His gorgeous auburn hair that made Craig’s fingers itch to touch it, Jinx’s hazel eyes that saw into his soul. He loved the fact they were the same height. He liked being able to see into Jinx’s eyes when they were standing close to one another or when they fucked. See how Jinx’s eyes were hooded when Craig touched him.
“Where are you?” he whispered. Turning back to his desk, he sat and stared at the design he was working on, then sighed and leaned back in his chair. He struggled to focus, his mind on Jinx and their relationship. Maybe he was overthinking it. Maybe there was nothing to be concerned about, and Jinx was busy. It had happened previously, so it could have happened again. Craig didn’t know where this neediness had come from. He’d never been like this before. He’d always been sure, been certain in his relationship with Jinx. Had known Jinx loved him. No, he knew Jinx loved him. No one could fake that intensity of emotion. Jinx looked at him like he hung the moon and stars, and Craig felt the same where Jinx was concerned.
He’d laughed with Cat, telling her they were like two peas in a pod. She’d poked and prodded until he’d told her the truth about their relationship, then pestered him with questions about what they did together. An embarrassing conversation that he told her they would never repeat, but she’d been understanding, and after meeting Jinx had told Craig she was glad he’d met Jinx. So was he because he’d been so happy. Was still happy, but now there was something different.
“I’m overthinking it. He’s probably been busy and hasn’t checked his phone. For a couple of days. It isn’t like we’re married. We can go without talking to each other.” Craig inhaled, held it, then slowly released it. “We’ll talk later, and I’ll laugh at how I’ve been worrying for no reason. Seeing things that weren’t there. Being stupid.”
Licking his lips, Craig picked up his mug and drank what remained of his lukewarm coffee. He held it in his hands, staring at his desk, his mind going back to Jinx. Chuckling softly, Craig shook his head. “Can’t get you out of my head,” he murmured. Standing, he left his office and avoided Flint when he heard him berating another member of staff. Feeling slightly guilty that he was glad it wasn’t him, Craig went into the break room to makea fresh drink. He needed a caffeine hit, and he needed it now. Luckily, someone had made a fresh batch of coffee, so Craig made his drink, then leaned a hip on the counter and took a sip. Perfect. Nice and strong and just what he needed right then.
Lifting the mug to his lips for another sip, he paused when he heard Flint’s voice moving closer to the break room. Lowering the mug to the counter, he turned so his back was to the door and ducked his head, hoping Flint would walk right by and not look inside. His voice came inside the room, then grew fainter as Flint walked away. Blowing out his breath, Craig picked up his mug and stuck his head out of the door, checking the coast was clear. When he saw Flint disappear into a room, Craig left the break room and speed walked to his own office. He stepped inside and was about to close the door when Raj shot into his room and closed it for him.
“I’m going to kill him,” he hissed. “Who the hell does he think he is speaking to us the way he does?”
“I know. He’s not happy about something.”
“Everything, Craig. Everything. No one is as good as him and he wants us all to know it. Even though he struggles to hold a pencil the right way.”
“He doesn’t know the difference between a pen and a pencil, so how would he know how to handle one?” Craig muttered dryly.
Raj snorted then grinned. “I showed him a shape, and he glared at me and pointed to it and demanded to know what it was.”
“And?” Craig could feel his lips curve up. This was going to be good.
“A rectangle.” Raj shook his head and rubbed his hands over his face. “How? How is he our boss? A rectangle, Craig. I had to tell him what a fucking rectangle was!”
“Well, when you’re related to the boss…” He let the sentence trail off. They both knew why Flint was where he was. “They must know he can’t do the job.”
“Like you said. Family.”
Sighing, Craig nodded to the chair. “Take a seat and we’ll pretend we’re discussing something if Flint barges in.”
“Does he do that to you, too? Just walks in like he has every right to interrupt your day and ask inane questions?”
“Not really. He comes in and demands to know what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, why it’s taking so long, why do I like dick along with various slurs about it, and why I get the good accounts.” By the time he’d finished, Raj was staring open-mouthed at him. “He detests gays.”
“No wonder HR is involved. Shit. I thought I had it bad, but I’ve got nothing on you. He really hates you.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Craig sat in his chair and put his mug on his desk. “It’s not great.”
“He’s a dick and I can’t wait for him to be fired, but he won’t because… family.” Raj snorted and shook his head. “Bastard.” Raj looked over his shoulder when they heard Flint shouting. “What the fuck is his problem?”
“His inferiority. He knows we’re all better than him and he hates it. Worse, he knows we all know we’re better than him.”
“Or he needs to exert his authority by demeaning us every chance he gets.”
“So it would seem.” Craig inhaled deeply, then slowly released it. “Between us.” Raj nodded. “I’m considering leaving.”
