questions, just sipped his ice water.
Angel grinned, clearly believing he’d won. Day hoped not. Angel and Sylvia seemed nice, but they didn’t deserve Jackson’s money. Sylvia sighed and told Angel in Spanish that she was bored and to stop playing games because she wanted to go home and watch Jimmy Fallon. Angel responded that he was going to get something for that idiot’s kneecap, and if Jackson wasn’t smart enough to negotiate that was his problem.
“You think Jackson’s stupid?” Dayton asked in perfect Spanish.
Angel and Sylvia both stopped smiling. Jackson closed out the game on his phone, giving Day his full attention.
“Jackson works really hard and is one of the most honest people I’ve ever met in my life. He has made an offer in good faith so that he can keep your friendship and your contract, and you think you can just come in here and try to cheat him out of money for a worker you just called an idiot?”
The three of them stared at him in stunned silence before Jackson said, “You speak Spanish?”
“And Italian, Portuguese, French, and a little Creole,” Day said, still staring down Angel.
It wasn’t a lie. Day couldn’t read or write in any language, but he had a knack for mimicry. He picked up other languages easily, something that had always made Sarah jealous.
“Your novio is very protective,” Sylvia said to Jackson with a smile. “Angel, apologize to your friend, and let’s go home.”
Angel gave a sigh and an apologetic smile. “I accept your offer to pay for the idiot’s medical bills. I’m sorry if I came across as ungrateful. You are a good friend.”
“You’re a good friend, too. I am sorry for the incident in Bogata. I’d be happy to compensate his family for a few months’ work as well.”
“That’s more than enough,” Sylvia said, already standing and grabbing her clutch. “Say thank you and let’s go before you do something else to embarrass me,” she said in rapid fire Spanish. They all stood and shook hands. Sylvia kissed Jackson’s cheek and then Day’s. She cupped his face. “You’re good for him, I think,” she told him softly.
They all parted ways at the exit, Jackson and Day walking back to the apartment in silence. Day’s mood soured the farther they got from the restaurant. Jackson was clearly pissed that Day had intervened. He hadn’t meant to. It just popped out. He wanted to tell him so, but the longer the silence went on, the harder it was for Day to break it.
When they entered the building, the doorman opened the door for them. “Welcome back, Mr. Avery. How’s Kevin?”
“Fat and happy,” Jackson responded, like it was a longtime joke between the two of them.
Once they stepped onto the empty elevator, Day was fully prepared to plead his case , but when the doors closed, Day found himself shoved up against the glass wall, Jackson kissing him in a way that had every nerve ending lighting up and his cock throbbing against his zipper.
“You’re just full of surprises,” Jackson murmured, sweeping his thumb along Day’s cheek. “You just saved me a lot of money, you know that? I’m starting to think you’re my good luck charm.”
Day preened, even as some part of him died. He was nobody’s anything, but just for tonight, he wanted to pretend he was Jackson’s…in every way.
Jackson had a hard time keeping his hands to himself on the walk from the elevator to the apartment. Day was brilliant, funny, feisty, gorgeous. He was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Once the door closed, he gently pushed him up against the door, kissing him long and deep, trying to push everything he felt into that kiss. Day’s cry of surprise turned into a whimper that went straight to Jackson’s dick. He pulled his mouth away so he could place biting kisses along Day’s jaw, the shell of his ear, his throat. His fingers were on the third button of Day’s shirt when he grabbed Jackson’s hands. “Jackson, wait.”
“What’s wrong?”
Day’s face flushed pink, and he stared at a spot over Jackson’s shoulder, like he just couldn’t bring himself to look at him. “I know you don’t ‘do’ virgins…” Jackson watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed audibly. “But would you…do me?”
Jesus. Jackson’s cock was already leaking at the thought of sliding into Day. But he needed to be sure. “What about your auction?”
“The only person who was even a little close to meeting my asking price might be a murderer. The auction’s over.