Page 8 of Exposed
Jamison swiped a kiss across his lips. “I’ve got you. Now get back to work.”
With a sad-sounding sigh, Kace stood. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Jamison watched him go. Between the scrubs and his walk, Kace screamed confidence. He just looked like a guy who could save lives. Jamison bit his bottom lip. Damn. That was really his. When Kace disappeared from sight, Jamison gathered the food. He would make sure Kace ate before bed. It was his job now to take care of him, and he would. As he headed in the direction of the parking garage, he spotted Lucas. The guy was leaned against the wall, almost as if he had been waiting for Jamison. That suspicion doubled when Lucas straightened when he saw Jamison.
The guy’s smirk always made Jamison want to punch him. He always brought out the worst in Jamison. “So, since when do you have a sister?”
An evil-sounding chuckle rumbled from Lucas. “Since it suited my needs. Since when do you cook?”
It was Jamison’s turn to smirk. “That’s nothing new. You were just unworthy.”
Lucas’ condescending smile never budged. “Ouch. That’s big talk from someone who’s too big of a mess to keep a job. I guess that would give you plenty of time to cook.”
“It’s always fun running into you. Stay away from Kace.”
Lucas went back to leaning against the wall. “I think I’ll let him tell me to go away.” His eyes flashed with a familiar sexual promise. “So far, he hasn’t.”
Jamison snorted before he could stop himself. “Yeah. If that’s all you have to offer, and it is, I’m not worried. A guy like Kace would never choose trash like you.” He took a step closer, intimidating Lucas with his size, something he hated doing. In this case, it was necessary. “If he gets hurt because of your bullshit, you’ll wish this shady-ass job had gotten you killed.”
A deadly chuckle that got all the way beneath Jamison’s skin fell from Lucas’ lips. His expression turned deadly—just like the man. Now they were getting real. “No one would dare fucking cross me like that. Everyone knows what happens to anyone who fucks with mine. You should heed that warning. When people threaten me, they usually disappear. I’m only entertaining you because we have history and you’re fun. Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. That’s how people end up dead.”
“Kace deserves better.”
Lucas rolled his eyes. Jamison hated that he still thought the guy was hot. He shouldn’t. Lucas was nothing but trouble. “Don’t worry, squishy. I’m not here for him.” Lucas’ gaze flickered over Jamison’s shoulder. Lucas' stance changed. His jacket shifted and Jamison caught sight of the gun he carried. His eyes never shifted from whoever headed their way. Jamison watched Lucas turn into the weapon he had been hired to be. “You should definitely move along.” His gaze flickered Jamison’s way for half a second. “You don’t want to be here.”
An aggravated growl rose in Jamison’s throat. He didn’t argue. Jamison walked away without another word. Lucas was right. Jamison didn’t want to play witness to the underbelly of the world. He didn’t want to hear Lucas call him squishy the wayhe used to do—only for it to be bullshit. Jamison had done his time and now he wanted a soft life. Jamison wanted a good man to give him pet names. He hated how many times he had fallen into Lucas’ bullshit, simply because he desperately wanted something real. Jamison genuinely believed Kace was different. They might be exactly what he searched for, and he was dead serious. He would make Lucas regret being born if he didn’t stay away from Kace.
Chapter Five
Jamisonstaredattheceiling and tried to relax. He couldn’t stop thinking about his run-in with Lucas. Time wouldn’t move its ass so he could get to Kace. He had a bad feeling his vibe was the reason Angie still wasn’t asleep.
“I’m sorry. You probably have other appointments to get to.”
Jamison pulled his attention back to the person paying him to be there. “You’re fine. Don’t worry about me.”
Angie shifted positions, as if giving up on actual sleep. “It’s my wedding anniversary. I doubt I’ll get any rest.”
Jamison’s heart twisted. “I’m so sorry. You should’ve said something sooner.”
He felt Angie shrug. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just too in my thoughts to relax. Can we talk about something else to busy my mind? I know you probably don’t talk about yourself for safety reasons. It’s okay if you want to dodge my questions. I just don’t know that much about you.”
He wasn’t worried about Angie. Most people he wouldn’t tell anything, but she was just trying to survive. “What would you like to know?”
“Anything you’re willing to disclose, I suppose. Is this your only job? Are you married? Dating? How do they feel about this job? Pick a topic.”
Jamison smiled into the dark at being given the opportunity to talk about Kace. “This is my only job. I’m not married, but I am dating someone. He’s a doctor.” It was crazy how much that filled him with pride. It shouldn’t. Being a doctor was just Kace’s job, and they’d argued over Jamison telling him that didn’t make him special. But it kind of did because Kace actually cared about people. Still, Jamison felt like he needed to add to that statement, so it didn’t seem like that was why he wanted the guy. “His job makes it easier for him to understand mine. He knows all the scientific evidence behind what I do.”
“I’m glad to hear the passion in your voice when you talk about doing this. It makes me feel better about spending money just to be held.”
He hated when he heard shame in people’s tone when they talked about hiring him. “You shouldn’t feel bad about itat all. You’re looking after your health. Sleep is one of the most important keys to staying alive. It affects everything. You shouldn’t feel any differently about this than you would a day at the spa. You’re protecting your mental wellbeing.”
Angie didn’t respond. He tilted his head to see her face. She was asleep. He fought a chuckle. Jamison should talk more often. He had bored her to sleep.
Jamison waited another half an hour before going through the usual routine. He should have known there was something unusual about tonight. Angie didn’t normally book his services this close together. He hoped she stayed asleep and found the peace she needed. Before he got on the road, he texted Kace.
Jamison:I’m headed that way. Do you need me to pick up anything?
Kace:Nope. I’m good. Thank you for leaving my dinner. That was a nice surprise.
