Hunger Unleashed

Chapter 88: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… Serenading!

***

“Fuck, this is dope.” Bradley breathed as he glanced around the room. It had a serene powder-blue colour scheme. The dramatic darker shade of blue décor that surrounded the leather bedstead and the under-bed lighting which illuminated the floor area of the suite, gave the suite a sophisticated feel. “Damn, now I feel like taking a shower.” Bradley chuckled when he entered the welcoming space of the en-suite bathroom. It had a large shower and twin basin vanity units. The granite floor, countertop, and shower walls gave the bathing space a sense of panache. “This is one fine yacht, Jean,” Bradley said as he reentered the suite.

“Thanks.” Jean had already stripped out of his outfit. “That’s for you.” He pointed to the second bag in the open wardrobe. “Why don’t you get into something more comfortable so we can go relax on the deck?” He pulled on brown shorts without bothering with boxers. Then he grabbed a white t-shirt and headed out. “I need to have a quick word with Tom. I’ll be on the rear deck.”

“I’ll be right out.” Bradley nodded as pulled out a tight-fitting grey tank top and cargo shorts from his bag.

Bradley’s breath hitched in his throat when he got on deck and found Jean, strumming through the strings on a beautiful guitar. He looked like a pro, Bradley couldn’t help but think. Jean was sitting on a comfortable-looking brown-coloured lounger that was wide enough to take about ten people. There were brown and white pillows beautifully arranged on it, giving it a cozy feel. On a table, close to Jean’s position on the lounger, sat an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne inside, and two flutes on a tray.

The only light on the deck was from the lanterns that were scattered around the deck and the light from the moon. It was just beautiful. Bradley got on the lounger and almost gasped at how soft and comfortable it felt. He moved up until he got to Jean’s side, then he poured some champagne into the two flutes and gave one to Jean.

“Champagne under the stars.” Jean grinned as he accepted the glass. “Thanks.” He downed everything at a go and placed the glass on the tray. “Ready to listen to what I want to play for you?”

“Sure.” Bradley nodded and put his still-filled glass on the tray. Then he relaxed against the pillows and gave Jean his undivided attention.

“This is a fast song but I’m going to slow it down,” Jean murmured as he began to strum away. And when he started to sing, Keri Hilson’s ‘Knock You Down’, Bradley couldn’t suppress his gasp of surprise. Jean’s voice was sensational. And he sang with so much emotion and passion it blew Bradley’s mind.

‘I never thought I'd... be in love like this

When I look at you my mind goes on a trip

And you came in... and knocked me on my face

Feels like I'm in a race

But I... already won first place

I never thought I'd... fall for you as hard as I did

You got me thinkin' about our life, our house and kids

Every morning I look at you and smile

Cause boy you came around and you knocked me down... knocked me down

Sometimes love comes around

And it knocks you down

Just get back up

When it knocks you down

Knocks you down

Sometimes love comes around

And it knocks you down

Just get back up

When it knocks you down

Knocks you down’

When Jean finished the song, Bradley just stared at him with his heart in his eyes. Jean raised his head and stared back. When he saw how suspiciously bright Bradley’s eyes were, he placed the guitar on the lounger and opened his arms to Bradley. The soldier didn’t need any further prompting. He moved into Jean’s arms and lay his head on his man’s chest. They remained that way until the soothing sounds of classical music filled the deck. Jean finally spoke.

“Ready to tell me the story behind the guitar?” Jean asked softly.

Bradley remained so quiet Jean thought he hadn’t heard his question. Just when he was about to repeat himself, Bradley responded;

“There’s nothing to tell.” He muttered.

“Are you sure?” Jean murmured. “I could have sworn you hated the fact that I even saw the guitar in your room. You were clearly upset, Brad.”

“I wasn’t upset. I just felt…guilty.” He groaned.

Jean didn’t think Bradley’s reaction had been one of guilt but he didn’t challenge Bradley. “Why would you feel guilty that I saw your guitar?” Jean remained composed.

“He taught me how to play,” Bradley said quietly. “Wendell. I…I usually play it only when I’m alone. I just feel it was sort of our…” He left the sentence hanging.

“Thing.” Jean finished. And when he felt Bradley’s nod, he tensed up.

Jean didn’t have to be a genius to get what Bradley was saying. That musical instrument was something he remembered Wendell by. From Bradley’s story about how he’d been driven out of his parent's house, that particular guitar he’d seen in Bradley’s bedroom was not Wendell’s. It was the thought of making music on a guitar that he held dear because it reminded him of Wendell. Bradley’s guilt had stemmed from the fact that his lover had seen something that was meant for just him and his lost love. Jean’s heart began to pound.

“Are you still in love with Wendell?” Jean asked, his voice sounding strange even to his own ears.

“I’m in love with you.” Bradley rasped, raising his head to look at the man who owned his heart. His heart broke at the look in Jean’s eyes. It was a myriad of emotions. Bradley saw shock, doubt, vulnerability, and fear in Jean’s eyes. It killed him inside. “I was never in love with Wendell, Jean. More like I was obsessed with what he gave me. That was all I wanted from him. With you, it’s not just sex. I want all of you. I…Jean…” Bradley groaned, growing frustrated by the second. “I’m struggling to find the right words to let you know just how much you mean to me but no word comes close enough.” Bradley swallowed hard. “Not even the word, love.” He whispered. “Please believe me. Please…” He looked so desperate.

“So this guilt that you felt...” Jean started quietly. “It was because you’d been careless and allowed another person…me, to see something you hold sacred. That link with Wendell. Right?” Jean was so hurt and felt so numb he couldn’t even bring himself to acknowledge Bradley’s declaration of love.

“I’m sorry if I made you feel I’m still hang up on him,” Bradley muttered, staring down at his fingers. “I’m not. I thought you would be upset if you got to know he taught me how to…”

“Why would that upset me, Bradley?” Jean rasped. “The fact that Wendell taught you to play the guitar doesn’t make playing it a bad thing.” He said quietly. “I for one, am okay with the fact that the sick bastard at least taught you something as nice as guitar playing.” Jean watched Bradley. The soldier looked distraught. “I am more upset about the fact that you seem to have an ‘abstract shrine’…” Jean gave the phrase air quotes, “…for your ex-lover.”

“Jean, please…”

“When I finished playing, you looked…emotional. Were you thinking about him?” An anguished whisper.

“No.” Bradley gasped. “I wasn’t. Fuck, this is turning into something else…” Bradley muttered, rolling off the lounger.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I let you know what’s going on in my mind right now so that you can correct it where necessary, than telling you I’m okay when I’m not?” Jean frowned, watching Bradley pace on the deck.

“I just can’t believe you’re allowing a fucking dead guy to come between us,” Bradley growled.

“You brought him between us with your telling reaction, Bradley.” Jean snapped. “Am I not allowed to be concerned? Put yourself in my shoes for a second. I know the guy is dead but trust me, how you feel about him can still hurt us.”

“I feel nothing for him.” Bradley’s voice raised. “Can’t you get that into your bloody head?”

“Calm the fuck down,” Jean growled, rolling off the lounger too. “I’m going to bed.”

Bradley watched Jean go and felt his heart pound with dread. It felt as if he was standing outside his body, watching his entire world crumble around him. Telling Jean how he felt about him had clearly not helped. He felt so overwhelmed it was almost as if he was about to explode.

“Fuck!” He bellowed, wanting to hit something.

He grabbed the bottle of champagne and took a swig from the bottle, wishing it was something stronger. He was losing the one person that he needed more than the air he breathed.

Bradley just couldn’t deal.