Page 27 of The Butler

“He was sniffing something, that’s for sure.”

I stood next to him and suddenly realized just how big Jake was. Big and hotter than hell itself. My type for sure but I didn’t feel lust for him. He grabbed me and pulled me close. I felt small in his arms and worried someone might walk into the crew area. “Enough of this stuff, macho man,” I whispered, pushing him away.

“Can I confess something to you, Dek?” he asked while I gathered my glass and the Dixie cup of peanuts I hadn’t finished. He held his hand out so I dumped the nuts in his huge hand.

“Confess away, child. Have you sinned?” I asked, acting all priestly.

“I’d like to sin,” he stated, watching me as I walked to the trash bin. “That’s the problem, father,” he joked, going along with our roleplay and tossing the handful of peanuts into his mouth.

I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms. “Tell me your lustful thoughts, son,” I said. “Oh! And don’t leave a single detail out.”

He finished chewing and swallowed before proceeding. “Well, you asked for it. I have it real bad for my priest,” he confessed.

I wanted to laugh at our roleplay and jokes but he appeared serious.

He pointed directly at me. “That’d be you, Dek.”

“But we spoke about this already, Jake. You know the rules,” I stated dismissively. “Bad news for us,” I added, careful to not get caught up in anything that could fuck up my final week onboard.

Jake moved directly in front of me and grabbed my hips.

I looked up into his crystal blue eyes and saw a genuine warmth that disarmed me immediately. My knees weakened and my heart actually broke for him a tiny bit.

“How about after next week?” he inquired. “I could use you in Italy when I get the Captain’s position, Dek.”

I stepped to my right and gently pushed him away from me. Any person could walk in and we’d look downright suspicious for sure. “You big tease,” I said, blushing and feeling confused by his directness. “Let’s get this trip under our belts and then you can assess my skill set.”

“Frankly, I don’t give a shit about your skills. Maybe I should but this is my heart talking now,” he admitted. “I like you, Dek, is what I’m trying to say.”

“You don’t know me that well,” I argued. “I’m fucked up right now over a break up, and my life is a mess, Jake. You can do so much better, trust me.”

“Can you let me decide that?” he asked, reaching for my hand. “I know you don’t know me either but I’m not normally like this. That probably sounds cheesy, but trust me when I saw you on the copter I just knew I was attracted to you, and now that I’ve spent time with you, I’m crazy about you, Dek.”

I held his hand until my blood pressure warned me I could stroke out at any moment. Turning my back to him I gathered myself against the counter top. Jake was a catch and I wasn’t going to lie, I should definitely consider myself fortunate if a man like him wanted me, but I was in a ridiculous sex pact right now. I shouldn’t be having these thoughts or even considering carrying on with him while Linc and I were fucking each other’s brains out.

“Can we talk about this after the trip?” I asked, my back still to him. I was afraid my face would give away the truth of my indiscretions. “I promise we’ll talk further,” I added.

“So, the thought about dating me doesn’t disgust you?”

I immediately turned around and grabbed his hand. “God, no!” I stated. “Of course not, Jake.”

“That’s good,” he sighed. “Thanks for that, Dek. I haven’t felt this way about anyone in a long while.”

I smiled at him and he tapped my chest, coincidentally where my heart was hidden. “I’ve got to get back to the boss,” I said.

“Thanks again. I hope I haven’t overstepped,” he said.

I assured him we were fine and he hadn’t. Being disgusted by Jake was an impossibility and I knew it. Where would I be in a week? I’d need a job for sure and working with Jake held promise. A possible romance with a stunning captain sounded exciting as well, but my heart had anchored two floors up in the master’s suite and I was possibly walking the plank of disaster by playing with fire.

I made my way to my cabin and showered. I had a shit ton on my mind, most of it concerned two men. I had to get real about my situation. Linc and I were in a sex agreement. Nothing more, nothing less. I remained employed, thus getting back on my feet financially, and in the meantime, a hunk of a man would be fucking me nonstop for the coming week. The other sweetheart could be dealt with at the end of the cruise.

I could put Jake off until the end of this trip and then move on from my brief experience as a butler. And then after the coming week, when I was completely available, I could focus on whether or not I had true feelings for Jake. At least with Jake we were talking about dating, exploring, and getting to know each other in a more traditional way. That was far better than a sex agreement, right?

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Lincoln

“You’re having sex, Linc,” Bob stated. “I can fucking see it on your face.”

“No I’m not,” I argued. “I’m just feeling positive about life right now,” I defended.

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