Hunger Unleashed [Man X Man]

Chapter 19: When suppressed desires explode...the past!

Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson

Pix: The beautiful Yolanda Jackson

Video: 'Thanks, I Give You Thanks' sang by Joy Gardner & Lillie Knauls

Enjoy!

***

"Fuck this." Jean muttered as he got out of bed. "Stubborn fool."

He'd been in bed for three hours, hoping that Bradley would come to bed. But the soldier had remained on deck, thinking about god knew what. From his suite, Jean could see all the decks and had therefore been watching Bradley since he'd abruptly left the deck to end their argument. He'd watched as Bradley paced the deck whilst taking swings from the champagne bottle. When the bubbly got finished, he'd leaned against the railing and looked out at sea for almost an hour, clearly lost in thought. At a point, he'd sat on the lounge and buried his face in his palms and rocked his body back and forth as if he was trying to calm himself down. He would pace for long moments and then go back to staring at nothing.

Jean had gotten a camera installed in his suite just to be able to keep an eye on his guests during parties. The camera enabled him to watch the deck even if he was entertaining in his suite. People did outrageous things when they were drunk so he wanted to at least keep watch. He had, therefore, kept an eye on Bradley the entire time because he wanted to know if he was in trouble. He wanted to know, for instance, if Bradley got hit with a panic attack. That hadn't happened and Jean was thankful for that. What had gotten him out of bed was Bradley's current position. He'd curled up like a fetus on the lounge, almost as if he was shielding himself from the world. And that sight killed Jean. He grabbed a blanket and headed out.

Jean wouldn't be honest if he didn't admit that he was both hurt and angry at Bradley. He was, however, more hurt than angry. Jean understood that Bradley was bound to have issues where the memory of Wendell was concerned. He would be the first to agree that Bradley needed therapy to help him heal. And he planned on convincing his man to do exactly that. But that didn't lessen the pain in his heart due to what had happened. Bradley's reaction in his apartment and his subsequent explanation had been enough to make him know that Bradley held whatever he had with Wendell dear and cared more about keeping it intact than allowing him to intrude. He was obviously not that important to Bradley and that hurt like a bitch. Bradley had said he was in love with him. Well, he didn't believe him because if he was in love with him as much as he claimed, he wouldn't have put his feelings for someone else above his, no matter what. Jean Broody had never been made to feel so insignificant and inferior as Bradley's behaviour had made him feel. And knowing that Bradley had no control over how he felt didn't make it any easier to accept. What had triggered his anger was Bradley's raised voice. He'd always hated it when people raised their voices at him. And that was why he'd left the deck. He wanted to give Bradley...and himself some time out to calm themselves down. The last thing he wanted was for the crew to hear them arguing. That would have been bad.

As Jean headed back to the deck, he wished with all his heart that he hadn't followed Bradley into his bedroom the day before. All that was happening would have been avoided if he hadn't. On the deck, Jean got behind Bradley on the lounger and covered their bodies with the blanket. Then he wrapped an arm around Bradley in a comfortable spooning position. He could tell that Bradley was not asleep but neither of them said anything. After a moment, Bradley interlaced his fingers through Jean's and gave a deep sigh.

"I'm sorry." Bradley said softly.

Jean's arms tightened around Bradley. "I'm sorry too."

"Don't give up on me. I don't know what I'll do if you do."