Page 30 of The Butler

“I fucking wish, Dek. He’s more likely to fuck your cute butt than mine.”

“You do anal?” I asked.

“That’s rude!” she declared.

Maybe I was wrong about her sexual experiences.

“Rude but correct,” she squealed. She put her index finger against her lips. “Shhhh,” she whispered.

“Maybe youshouldalert First OfficerBig Bulge,” I said. “Most guys will fuck anyone who likes anal.”

“How about you join us in the crew mess later tonight. Maybe one of us can find out.”

I’d already decided that the last thing I needed was to find myself in another arrangement with a crew member. Besides, my mind was focused on Linc even though I knew I was setting myself up for a major letdown. Try as I might to keep my feelings in check, I was falling insomethingwith him. Even the idea of thinking the word had me afraid.

“I’ll see,” I said. “If Mr. C. goes to bed early I’ll be there, but lately he’s been working my ass hard,” I admitted. And he was, but she didn’t need to know how much that admission was spot on.

“I’m not supposed to tell staff these things, but I’m so proud of you that I’m going to tell you,” she said, looking around as if she could be overheard. She stepped closer to me. “He emailed me and said he is very pleased with your work and applauded me for hiring you. He raves about how good you are at your job, Dek! And I am so proud of you too.”

“Thank you, Starr. I’m doing my best.” The news hurt more than it made me feel good about my position. Linc was complimenting me to her about what a good employee I was, just like he would any other staff member.

“Ok, superstar. Hope to see you later,” she said, air hugging me and stepping into the hallway.

After my door closed, I heard her knocking on Linc’s. I was thrilled for her and the good news about hiring me, but the idea of Linc letting the lead stew know that I was functioning quite well in my role hurt my heart. The arrangement was just that, an arrangement, and I needed to focus on the next week and my paycheck.

Starr was in Linc’s cabin so I used the opportunity to pick up the order of an assortment of bite-sized appetizers from the galley and headed up to retrieve them for Linc and Bob’s meeting in his cabin.

“Well, you are alive,” First OfficerJuicy Asssaid. “I wish I saw you more on deck, handsome.”

“Awww, aren’t you sweet,” I said. “It’s been hectic working for the boss.”

“I’d hoped you and I could have some time to get to know one another this coming week.”

“That’s against the rules, Jake,” I stated.And if I wasn’t currently fucking another person on this yacht, I would be more than willing to get to know you up close and personal.The thought of not being with Linc past this trip had me worried. Not that I couldn’t survive our casual hookups, because I could do that. It’s just that I wanted more, and I didn’t want to just survive, I wanted to thrive, but knew I had better wake the fuck up. “Maybe I’ll see you tonight in the crew mess,” I added.And maybe I actually would.I could keep my agreement with Mr. C., but it didn’t mean I couldn’t plan for after.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Lincoln

“It’s occurring all over the boat, Linc. Maybe we should discontinue doing any serious company business on board until we figure this out,” Bob said.

“This is bullshit, Bob. We pay hundreds of thousands a year for tech support, and I can’t even sign on to my laptop or that overpriced desktop.” I waved a dismissive hand at the less-than-one-inch-thick Apple computer on my desk.

“Come in,” I yelled a bit too harshly after Dek’s signature soft knock at the door.

“Your appetizers, sir.” Dek sat the two trays on the table and acknowledged Bob. “Hello, Mr. Majors,” he said. “What would you gentlemen like to drink with the hors d’oeuvres?” he asked. I was impressed with how smooth Dek was in front of my colleagues. It was obvious he was a professional masquerading as the help.

“He doesn’t get shit to drink if he doesn’t fix my fucking computers,” I snarled. I hated acting like this in front of Dek. I wanted him to see me as kind and caring. It was important for some reason that he saw me as someone he could be proud of.Maybe even proud to be with?

“What seems to be the issue, sir?” Dek asked, looking from me to Bob. Bob just shrugged his shoulders and gestured to me. “Tech problems?” he asked, again moving his questioning eyes between the two of us as we both continued gawking at each other like idiots.

“We don’t know fuck-all, Deklyn! And quite frankly I’m pissed off about it.”So much for showing my charming side to my crush.

“May I?” Dek asked.

“Oh shit! I forgot about you being a Stanford-educated computer nerd,” I blurted.

“I prefer computer scientist with a degree in technology information, sir. But yeah, I know computer shit and stuff,” he said.

“Touché, Deklyn!” Bob laughed, pointing to me like I’d just been told off by my butler.

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