I nodded but didn’t speak and risk derailing him. Maybe they were half siblings or stepsiblings.
“I grew up at the beach. Went crabbing. My dads met there as kids and then met again later.” He glanced out at the sea. “We all like to go out on the water. Sailing, skiing, paddling. Doesn’t matter. I love being on a boat.”
He seemed to realize something because his eyes widened. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“Sorry for what?”
“Your dad. Didn’t he die in a boating accident? I thought I read online?—”
I nodded and inhaled before explaining. “That’s the official story. And it’s true in a way. But he and his mistress had high levels of alcohol and party drugs in their system. The authorities think the two of them passed out before the waves pushed them into the rocks.”
“Jesus. I’m… I’m sorry.”
I shook my head. “Don’t be. My father made his choices. He dishonored our legacy with his death. It crushed my grandfather. Imagine a Maris being such a fucking idiot on aboat. Besides, we were never close. He wasn’t that type of father.”
The kitchen attendant came in to remove our plates. Awkward silence filled the room after she left. Jett pushed his chair back and moved over to mine, pulling it away from the edge of the table until I was angled toward the view of the water.
Then he climbed into my lap, straddling me and wrapping his arms around my neck to hug me tightly.
I froze. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“We’ve talked about this before,” he said with a familiar smile in his voice. “This is a hug. I’m hugging you.”
“Nobody asked you for a hug.”
“Aren’t you lucky I didn’t make you ask.”
His breath was warm against my neck. I sank into the feeling and let myself hug him back for the briefest of moments.
He was solid and warm, provoking as fuck, but also somehow comforting.
I trusted him. Which was a distinctly bad idea.
“Oh!” Concetta came to a stop inside the door to the kitchen. Jett’s entire body stiffened.
When Jett tried to leap out of my embrace, I tightened my arms around him and murmured, “It’s okay.”
He pulled back and stared at me in shock while I turned to Concetta. “He’s feeling sorry for me because he accidentally brought up my father’s death.”
The transformation on her face was almost comical. If she’d been off the clock or elsewhere, she would have surely spit on the ground in disgust. Instead, she shook her head and murmured, “Che stronzo!”
Thankfully, it was clear she was referring to my father, not Jett.
Jett snorted in surprise and climbed off my lap before taking his chair again. “Tell us how you really feel, Concetta.”
She grunted and pursed her lips before bringing us two bowls of lemon sorbet with a little delicate cookie on the side of each. “Dessert. Fresh made today. Enjoy.”
She winked at me before turning toward the kitchen. As soon as she was gone, Jett glared at me. “I’m not the first man you’ve brought here.”
I was taken aback by his question. Rather, his accusation. As if my housekeeper’s cheeky wink had implied I was a player or liar.
And it bothered him.
While I relished his obvious annoyance, I wasn’t cruel enough to let an untruth stand. “That is correct. I once brought my college roommate.” I hesitated before adding, “But I never touched his dick.”
I could tell he was still unsure.
“Jett. I’ve never done anything sexual with a man before you. I’m simply not stressed about what Concetta thinks for a number of reasons. First, her brother is gay. I know this because she took me shopping in town one time, and we ran into him with his, quote, boy toy. Second, the staff here are discreet and loyal. They take great pride in protecting the Maris name. She would never tell anyone my private business, and she’s rewarded handsomely for it. Finally…”
