Hunger Unleashed

Chapter 43: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… Smitten!

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“No…I…I haven’t.” Bradley’s heart pounded. “I slept real early yesterday and woke up late today.”

“You mean you got shit-faced.” Ty chuckled. “I sent Jean a message to ask how you guys were doing and he responded that you were okay. The guys watching the house confirmed that you guys were okay so I wasn’t too worried.”

“Yeah, we were just hanging out,” Bradley muttered.

“That must have been some hanging out.” Ty snorted. “I’m told Jean didn’t leave the house at all. You two must be getting along great then.”

You have no idea just how along we’re getting, Bradley thought as he gave a deep sigh. “He’s a bad influence so…”

“I know.” Ty laughed. “But he’s obviously doing something right because you sound very relaxed. I like that.”

Who wouldn’t sound relaxed when they’d just had a toe-curling orgasm from a sensual finger-fuck and an unexpected sweet suck, Bradley wondered, stifling the moan that threatened to burst out.

“Yeah. He’s been great.” Bradley muttered. “Anything new?” He wanted…needed to change the subject.

“Four policemen were involved. We’ve caught three of them. The fourth is with Grupert and two other soldiers. One of the apprehended policemen said the goal is to get you first, and then leave the country. Those fools are so dead set on revenge.”

“Why don’t you use me as bait, Ty?” Bradley suddenly asked.

“No one is using anyone as bait,” Ty growled. “I’m not risking the life of another member of the team. Apart from the fact that Grupert has mercenaries working for him, I hear he has at his disposal some really bad people who are helping him with Intel. So the last thing I want is for you to come out.”

“I don’t agree with you,” Bradley responded heatedly. “They want me, let’s give them me. I can’t bear the thought of those bastards hurting anyone just to get to me. Fuck, I’m losing my shit.” His voice was filled with so much frustration and anger.

“Well, shit is overrated. Lose it. Just do it within the walls of that house, buddy. All this will be over soon. Let me talk to Jean.”

“A moment,” Bradley mumbled, the crease on his forehead showing just how unhappy he was. He pulled on his t-shirt as he left the room for the kitchen.

Jean was busily cutting vegetables when he heard Bradley enter the kitchen. Just one look at his houseguest’s face told him something was wrong. Not only did the man look furious, but he was also virtually shaking. Jean put the knife down and took the burner phone which Bradley silently thrust at him.

“Is everything okay?” Jean asked immediately the phone touched his ear. His eyes followed Bradley who was jerkily washing his hands.

“Everything is fine.” Came Ty’s voice. “We haven’t spoken in a while. How’s he doing?”

Jean didn’t take his eyes off Bradley. “He’s okay.” He responded but the frown on his face belied his response. Bradley had picked up the knife to continue cutting the vegetables but Jean didn’t miss how the soldier’s hands were shaking. “What is going on?” He asked as he moved close to Bradley and placed a hand on the hand wielding the knife.

Bradley stopped cutting but his eyes remained on the hand on top of his. There was a myriad of emotions going through him at that very moment which he was trying very hard to suppress. He felt anger, frustration, resentment, defeat, discontent, restlessness, and most of all, on the verge of losing control. He really wanted to hit something or even scream. When he felt Jean’s body against him from behind, pinning him against the kitchen counter, Bradley closed his eyes and drew strength from the contact. He felt a calmness and a sense of peace flow through him from the points his body touched Jean’s and gave a contented sigh.

Jean’s right hand and body remained against Bradley’s throughout his conversation with Ty. He literally felt it when Bradley began to relax. He took the knife out of Bradley’s clenched fist and entwined his fingers with his.

“Your brother is an idiot.” Ty was saying to Jean. “He actually came to my home to brandish a gun in my face.”

“He did what?” Jean couldn’t suppress his shocked chuckle.

“The idiot came when Tanesha and the girls were out, visiting her parents. I let him in, thinking he looked sane enough, closed the door and then turned around to see a gun pointed at my forehead.”

“Christ,” Jean muttered.

“Know why he’s an idiot though?”

“Why?”

“He forgot to remove the ‘Kids Army’ sticker on the gun.” Ty managed to sound shocked.

“Kids Army? The fool came with a toy gun?” Jean’s body shook with laughter.

“Yes.” Ty’s voice was filled with incredulity. “Can you imagine?”

“Oh, I can.” Jean drawled. “What can I say? We are lovers, not fighters.” He chuckled. “What did you do?”

“I calmly told him to take off the sticker first. You should have seen his face.” Ty erupted into raucous laughter. “God, what would I do without a Dean in my life?” He laughed.

“Anyway, he said he only came to warn me never to do anything with you behind his back again.”

“Typical.” Jean laughed.

“Of course he wouldn’t listen to any explanation I had to give so…I apologized and told him it wasn’t going to happen again. He thanked me, insulted me some more, ate the lunch that Tanesha had left in the oven for me, and then disappeared.”

“Sorry for being a blabbermouth.” Jean didn’t sound sorry at all though. “I just found myself telling him everything when he popped in unannounced and saw Bradley.” He chuckled.

“Spare me the insincere apology, asshole.” Ty dismissed. “I’m actually surprised you went that long without spilling to him. Thanks to my angels, I know just how weirdly close twins are. Hell, even Thea and Theo who are fraternal twins are…”

“Your sister has a twin brother?” Jean gasped.

“Yep. Theo. For someone who had the hots for Thea, you sure didn’t know anything about her. You’re such a dog, Jean.” The two men burst into laughter. “Keep an eye on Jackson, will you?”

“Tell me what’s wrong,” Jean growled, shocking Ty. But the Arrowhead didn’t react.

“Just between you and I. Jackson put himself in danger by going after those guys, alone and unauthorized. That is not tolerated in the force.” Ty explained. “Contrary to what people think, the safety of a soldier is paramount. It’s something the military doesn’t compromise on. Under normal circumstances, Jackson would have been sanctioned for taking the law into his own hands. But because of what he was able to uncover, the Admiral managed to convince the powers that be, to let it go. Now he feels he has to be out there, fighting the bad guys but my orders are to ensure he stays put. If he does anything contrary to what he’s been asked to do, he cannot escape a sanction. I need him, Jean. I don’t want him to get into trouble with…”

“Say no more. I’ve got it.” Jean said quietly. “My regards to Tanesha and the girls.” He ended the call and placed the phone on the counter. Then he wrapped both arms around Bradley’s waist and rested his forehead against the back of Bradley’s head. “Are you okay?” Jean murmured. At Bradley’s nod, Jean tightened his arms around him and without a thought, pressed a kiss against his head. “Ready to help me cook now?”

“Uh-huh.” Bradley turned within Jean’s arms and looked into his arresting blue eyes. “I thought you didn’t know how to cook.” He mumbled.

“I never said that.” Jean’s hand moved up to lightly brush against Bradley’s cheek before falling back down. “I just don’t have the time. No sister. All boys. Someone had to help mum cook. We all took turns. I’m no Chef Ramsey but I know my way around a kitchen.”

Bradley smiled. “Thanks.” He said softly.

Jean definitely didn’t need to ask why Bradley felt the need to say thanks. “You can thank me by cutting those.” He pointed at the onion on the counter. “I hate cutting those.”

Bradley chuckled and went to work, completely oblivious to the sheer tenderness in Jean’s gorgeous blue irises as he gazed at him. Bradley’s mind was on the war going on without him. He knew himself. And he knew that he was bound to snap at a point and do something very stupid. He hoped, however, that he never reached that stage. What he was grateful for, was the calming effect Jean seemed to have on him. Bradley hoped that Jean’s strength was enough to keep him sane and contained though. All he could do was hope.

Jean, on the other hand, didn’t think he needed any special sign from any deity to know he had it real bad for the soldier. For the first time in his life, he was shockingly, completely, and annoyingly…smitten.

Fuck!