Page 12 of Holding On to a Hero
After Jason moved into the kitchen, I grabbed Will’s bicep –who needs an excuse?– and asked, “Do you want me to help you up, or do you need to stay down here longer?”
“Uh, let’s see if I can get up.” I helped Will roll over onto his hands and knees. I didnotgrope his ass, but I may have gotten a really good look at it. Then I helped him stand, and if his back needed brushing off after being on the rug, well, I was the best person for that job.
I led Will to the kitchen and pointed at a barstool at the island.
“Sit here. Do you want some water?”
“Sure, thanks. Can I help with anything?” Will actually looked like he was sincere in offering. Many of our Hollywood-type guests were big onI’m offering because I know it’s expected but I’m going to try to get out of really doing anything.I smiled at Will, awash in gratitude that I could meet real people now that I’d quit my old life.
I cleared my throat. “You just sit there and look pretty. Jason will do the work.”
“Yeah,” Jason chuckled. “Cole doesn’t really cook. At all.”
I made a face. “To be fair, I didn’t have much opportunity to learn growing up. I can do grilled cheese though.” I leaned against the island as Jason started putting together soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Suddenly I noticed where Will was looking. Right at Jason’s ass. I grinned to myself.
I started talking about my favorite things Jason cooked for me as I moved into Will’s line of sight. I could tell the instant he realized that I’d caught him ogling my boyfriend’s perfect behind. He sat straight up and a horrified expression came over his face. I gave him a huge smile. Jason was slicing cheese, oblivious.
I continued talking but made wiggly eyebrows at Will and grabby hands motions toward Jason’s ass. Will put his hands on his mouth to cover his laugh.
Looking around, I saw Jason had put the stirring spoon for the soup on the counter next to where I was standing. I leered suggestively at Will as I casually leaned on my elbow in a way that “accidentally” knocked the spoon off the counter.
“Oops! I’m so sorry, Jason. I’m pretty clumsy after that brandy.”
Jason gave me a suspicious expression but said, “It’s okay, babe. I’ll get it.” He took a step back and leaned over to pick up the spoon, which not-so-coincidentally pointed his ass in Will’s direction. I made more wiggly eyebrows at Will, who was trying hard not to laugh.
Jason turned to put the spoon in the sink and noticed Will’s movements. Will started coughing to cover up his laughing.
“Oh,” I cried. “Poor Will! I never got you that water.” I quickly remedied that situation as Jason washed his hands and returned to his cheese slicing. I winked as I handed Will the water. He shook his head at me repressively as he asked if we’d liked the photos he’d taken of the horses. I was very happy with our progress today.
I just needed to make sure Jason was on the same page.
Chapter Eight
Jason
Cole hadn’t fooled me with his little game of misdirection earlier. He’d absolutely been flirting with Will just before I arrived home. He might have been a little tipsy, but he and I hadn’t had a conversation about approaching Will in real life, so I was more than a little irritated. We both needed to consent to something like that.
But as lunch went on I realized why Cole had jumped the gun. Will was perfect for us. I could even see the possibility for more than just one night. Shit, what would Cole think about that idea?
Will was good-looking, though that was never something we’d focused on when we selected our imaginary lovers. We were more about charisma and personality. And Will was also smart and interesting to talk to. He seemed to have gotten over the whole movie star thing, and he didn’t put up with too much of Cole’s bullshit. I got an occasional hint of that bossy vibe I’d noticed the first time we’d met, and my mind kept wondering if he was bossy in the bedroom. Mmmm. I loved a good bossy bottom. Or top. Whichever. Maybe he did like to give spankings, as Cole and I had been imagining. Or he could tell me how to give them to him….
I came back to myself and realized that the man in question was staring at me. Cole had his hand over his mouth to hide a sly grin.
“Um, sorry. I guess my mind drifted off. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
Cole wasn’t going to let me get away with it. “What’s on your mind, sweetie? Tough meeting at work this morning?”
I could give as good as I got. “Well, I was talking to Brian about him taking over Shelton Security so I could spend more time with you getting the ranch up and running.”
Cole’s mouth dropped open. “Really? Oh my God, Jason, that would be fantastic! What did Brian say?”
I smiled at him. “Brian agreed that he’s already doing all the work, so he’s in. I’m planning on moving into more of a silent partner role and increasing his share of the business.”
Cole quirked his eyebrow at me. “Can you actuallybesilent? You won’t ask for updates all the time or hack into the server late at night to check up on him?” He turned to Will. “Jason can be pretty Type A.”
Will nodded. “He does have that air about him.” He winked at me.Is he flirting with me?The brandy had to have worn off by now.
