Page 43 of Best Man
“Nina and Victor,” he says in a measured voice, but the tug at his lips betrays his amusement. “And you’d probably have been better off with Jeffrey Dahmer because at least you could have had his share of the dinner menu.”
“I’m not sure who told you that you were funny, but I’d get asecond opinion,” I inform him haughtily, and we both grin at each other like idiots until a throat clears. When I turn, I find the whole table watching us. Max has a grin on his face, but Patrick’s face is poisonous. Frances looks at him, and becoming aware of her glance, he rearranges his face hurriedly. I look at him thoughtfully and then obey Zeb’s urging and sit down at the table. I smile at everyone until I get to Nina, and the smile slides slowly off my face.
“Jesse,” she says in a glacial tone.
“Please don’t hurt me,” I mutter and then say “ouch” as Zeb kicks me.
She ignores me like the Queen of the Angry Dead that she undoubtedly is, and I settle down for what promises to be another fun-filled evening of food that wouldn’t fill a chihuahua, and conversation with Nina and Victor that runs the gamut of stocks and shares to icy digs at Zeb.
After one particular humdinger, I inhale sharply and open my mouth, only to shut it quickly when he grabs my thigh and squeezes. When I look at him he mouths, “Leave it,” and, endeavouring to keep to my plan of making him happy, I subside.
“Thank you,” he whispers into my ear, and I shudder. It isn’t inconspicuous, either. It’s a full-body judder, but I can’t help it. He’s so close to me, his hand warm on my thigh and his warm breath playing across my ear. To my horror, I feel my cock stir, and he goes completely still as if sensing it.
I look determinedly down at the table but when his grasp doesn’t ease up, I sneak a glance at him. He’s staring at me, his eyes dark and peculiarly intent, seemingly focused on my lips. As an experiment I run my tongue over my bottom lip and feel his hand tighten. I can’t help my gasp this time because he’s about two inches away from my cock, which is rock hard now. His gaze shoots up, and for a long second our eyes tangle.
Then Nina says something in a querulous tone, and the intimate bubble pops. His hand moves away from my leg, and he faces forward, talking to her, but I can see that his breaths are fast and unsteady.Like mine. Shit.
When dinner is finished, which is considerably before my appetiteis satisfied, Frances stands up. She’s dressed in a black cap-sleeved dress and looks poised and attractive. She claps her hands to get our attention. “The older members of the party are going to the Blue Room to carry on their evening. We’ve got something different planned for everyone else,” she says.
“Will the older people be eating?” I say hopefully to Zeb. “Because I vote we go with them if that’s the case.”
He rolls his eyes and focuses on Frances.
“The rest of us,” she’s saying, “are going to play a game.”
“I’m not sure about this,” I hiss. “I’ve read books about the upper class and their parties. I don’t wish to be corrupted.”
He turns a gaze brimming with mirth on me just as Frances says excitedly, “We’re going to play hide-and-seek.”
I make a moue of disappointment, and Zeb chuckles. “I’d love to live in your head,” he mutters and pauses. “But only after I’ve taken Valium.”
I nudge him, trying not to laugh as Frances carries on talking, giving us an incredibly long list of rules that seem to go on forever.
“This is like the Geneva Convention version of hide-and-seek,” I whisper. “I vote we go and do something else.”
“And,” Frances says excitedly, “the prize is an all-expenses-paid week in the Caribbean.”
“Oh, well now, that’s different,” I say hurriedly. He raises an eyebrow, and I shake my head. “We should endeavour to take part in this wonderful event,” I say piously to him. I grab his hand. “Come on. Get up quickly because we need a fucking great hiding place. We’re going to win that prize.”
“Competition brings out a very unexpected side of you,” he muses, getting to his feet and following me as I tug him along.
“You have no idea,” I mutter. “Now, where’s the best place?”
We look in cupboards and rooms on the ground floor and everywhere is the sound of excited laughter. Then, all of a sudden, the lights go off.
“What the fuck? Is it a power cut or have they not paid their electricity bill?” I breathe, and he chuckles. It sounds rich and warm in the sudden darkness.
“ They switched the lights off on this floor to make it more difficult. You weren’t listening to the rules, were you?”
“Pshaw! Rules are for people who don’t win a week in the Caribbean.” I exclaim in triumph as I open a door. “Perfect. Get in here.”
“What the hell?” he says as I pull him in and shut the door. “Where are we?” His voice is suddenly at my ear and I jump.
“Jesus, warn a bloke, will you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Jesse. Did I not warn you where I was when you thrust me headfirst into a cupboard?”
“You’re so dramatic, Zeb,” I breathe admiringly. “I love this unexpected side of you.”
