Chapter 13

Minus dealing with the ex,working for Wes was a dream. He gave clear, concise instructions. There was little to no chance I’d fuck anything up. My biggest concerns had been how we’d react to one another after my shower fantasy session. Despite a rough start, it turned out better than expected.

The movers he had me hire had his place emptied by Monday evening. When I left to retrieve my things, he asked if I’d need them. I explained I only had a couple of bags with me since being released from the facility.

“Do you have stuff somewhere else? We can arrange for it to come here if you want,” he told me.

I shook my head roughly. “No, I — that’s my old life. I don’t want to reflect on that time.”

“Understandable,” he said without an ounce of judgement.

I left him unpacking his belongings with a promise I’d return the next morning with my personal items. He’d asked me to come back that first night. I’d declined because I thought it would be best for him to break in his new home alone.

That and I needed another night to distance myself from the dream version of him and reality.

“How did your first day go?” Princess Aster asked as he opened the door for me.

I shrugged. “It went fine. His ex-fiancée showed up. She made a big fuss for a while, then left. It wasn’t too bad. The rest of the day was better though.”

“That’s good. Did you have dinner? If not, I’ve saved some leftovers for you.”

“No thanks. I ate earlier. We got him moved in, so tomorrow I’ll be out of your hair completely.’

Princess Aster frowned. “You’re not a bother, Gerald. It’s been nice having you around. Plus, Daddy has been too busy making sure he’s a good host to monitor candy rations. It’s great!”

“I heard that, Princess!” Charlie called from somewhere in the house.

Chuckling, I shook my head at the frown on the man in front of me. “You should have known he’d hear. The main rooms echo a lot.”

I’d discovered that the first night here. When the group was around and chattering, you couldn’t tell. The second they got quiet, it was as if everything became magnified. I heard every breath, every step throughout the big space.

Princess Aster stuck his hands on his hips. “I forgot! Plus, I thought he was still in the bedroom.”

Charlie walked up behind his husband, a smirk on his features. He pulled him to his chest. “No need to sulk, Princess. You still get loads of candy most days. I only monitor it when you’re also stressed with work.”

“I’m always stressed with work.”

“And that’s why I limit things.” Charlie pressed a kiss to his husband’s forehead. The two fit together like puzzle pieces, their ends lining up just right. I could see it so easily. They made sense in every way possible.

Had there ever been a time I fit with someone that way?

The answer was no. Not truly.

I’m not the type to think relationships should be easy. I am, however, a believer that those who are meant to be will find a way. And for as much as he and I were together, we also weren’t. He was my Daddy, but only when we were alone. Never once did he show me affection that could be described as romantic in front of others. Not even as he was leaving this world.

“It’s pretty late. I think I’ll head on to bed,” Gerald told the couple. They turned to him with relaxed smiles in place.

“Of course. By all means, don’t let us keep you,” Charlie told him. “We”ll see you for breakfast though, right?”

“Not unless you plan to be up really early. I need to be there in time to cook breakfast. It’s part of my duties.”

Princess Aster hummed. “I doubt I’ll be up that early. I’m not going to let this be a goodbye or anything. It’s more like a ‘see you later’, ok? You cannot become a stranger now that you’re so close.”

“I promise to keep in touch. Work will likely keep me busy, but I”ll definitely make time for everyone.” At my agreement, he gave me a quick hug, then dragged Charlie away to their room.

I bustled into my own space to make sure I didn’t accidentally hear anything I wasn’t supposed to. My bags were still mostly packed since I hadn’t wanted to get too settled. I added the last few loose items into my duffle, then sat on the bed.

It was another new change for me. And boy did it feel like a big one.

As much as I’d have loved to celebrate getting the job with Wes, I couldn’t. Because in my mind, celebration meant drinking. And so did sorrow. And anger. And almost every other type of big emotion. My mind equated the alcohol to a cure-all, even though it wasn’t.

I’d only learned that during one of the many therapy sessions I was put through. If you’d asked me, I’d have only said I drank when I was sad. I’d have even said it was an occasional habit.

Occasional did not equate to every single day. Which, at the end, was exactly what I’d been doing. There were fewer times I was sober than there were with me drunk.

I pushed away the far too reflective thoughts to finish getting ready for bed. In no time, I was in pajamas and tucked under the soft comforter. Despite the relaxed position, I still struggled to go to sleep. I couldn’t help but think of Wes and how he was doing in his new home.

I knew I shouldn’t be thinking of him, yet something about the man captivated me to no end.

The next morningI awoke feel well rested.

I was also horny. Really fucking horny.

Seemed the shower from the day before had awoken my libido. Or maybe it was just the man I’d thought about that had done it.

While I should have welcomed the return of it, I was mostly mortified. I couldn’t have a crush on my boss. Not that this was a crush, really. More like lustful thoughts. But still. This was bad.

Weston Jeffry was giving me a change to start over. He’d be the fresh start I needed. I couldn’t blow it because my cock was doing the thinking for me.

I ignored the throbbing between my legs as I rushed through getting dressed. I had plenty of time to get there. It was more that I needed to cover my body as quickly as possible before I gave into temptation to fantasize about the forbidden man in my life again.

Charlie’s half-awake form was leaning on the counter when I walked out of my bedroom. “Figured you might need a hand.”

I grinned. “It would be nice. Thanks. You could have slept in though.”

“Not really. Knowing you’d be alone trying to haul this all out did not allow me to. What kind of host would I be? Disregard that. What kind of friend am I to leave you without help?” He came to grab one of the bags I held.

“It’s still really early. I wouldn’t have judged you.”

He scoffed loudly. “It’s bad enough you wanted to take a ride share. I mean, I didn’t really like the idea of driving half asleep, but I’d have done it for you.”

The car was waiting outside, so we loaded the trunk right up. “Thanks for everything, Charlie. I appreciate you being a good sport about this.”

“It was nothing. This place,” he pointed a thumb over his shoulder, “it’s meant to be a safe space for people. Anytime someone needs us, we’re here. This time it was you. Next time, it”ll be someone else.”

I nodded, my heart in my throat.

“And one more thing, Gerald.” He waited until our gazes aligned before he continued. “I don’t know the whole story, but I can tell enough to know you’ve had a rough go. Whatever the future holds, I hope you know that you’re worth fighting for. This life is tough. You’re tougher. If you ever need someone to just talk to, I’ll be around.”

Overloaded with emotion, I hugged him quickly, then ducked into the car. “Bye, Charlie,” I called out before slamming the door shut.

I was thankful the driver already had the address. It’s not like I could have told him anyway. I was too caught up in the emotional upheaval my morning had become. Tears were pouring from my eyes. No matter how quickly I wiped them away, more kept coming.

By the time we reached my new home, I looked worse than when I’d left Princess Aster’s place. Thankfully, the doorman helped me get my bags inside and loaded onto the elevator. He even gave me a handkerchief.

“You call down and ask for JP if you need anything else, Mr. Gerald. We’ll take good care of you.”

I gave him a watery smile as I wiped my eyes. “Thank you, JP.”

Unloading my bags and getting inside Wes’s place without making too much noise was difficult. It took twice as long, and I worked up a decent sweat. I knew from before that there was a shower in the guest bathroom, aka the one I’d be using, so I went about gathering my shower supplies once I was done moving the bags. I had just enough time to shower and then start breakfast. I would be mostly done by the time Wes woke up.

I got cleaned up as fast as I could. It was one of those showers where you focus on only getting clean. No hair washing. No cock stroking. Definitely no thinking of really hot men who are only feet away sleeping in tiny underwear.

In my haste to get clean, I forgot my clothing in the room. I shuddered at the idea of walking around the house in only a towel, but what was I going to do? I couldn’t put on the dirty clothes from before.

Settled over what I had to do, I opened the door and stepped into the hall. Or rather, I stepped into something.

No. Someone.

Shit.

I wanted to hide. To avoid whatever look Wes gave me after seeing me half naked in the hall when I was supposed to be cooking for him.

“I’m so, so sorry. The bags and the sweat, and I needed to get clean.” I rambled on about clothes in my room and how I needed to get there. Wes didn’t respond at all. He just moved to the side to let me by.

With my clothes held tight to my chest, I rushed to my door. I told myself not to look. Knew it wouldn’t be smart to give another glance his way.

And yet I couldn’t resist.

Had I seen revulsion in his gaze, I’d have understood. I was his employee. He didn’t need to see me half naked on the official first day.

What I found instead were clenched fists, a tight jaw, and burning eyes. He was the picture of desire. There was no denying it.

Too bad for us both I wouldn’t go there. I couldn’t.

When I confessed to him that the past repeating itself was my greatest fear, I wasn’t lying. From the falling into bed together to the falling in love, I could not allow Wes to get beneath my skin. I’d quit before I let it get that far. I’d have to.