“I did. She was a wonderful woman, and their kids were amazing. I couldn’t imagine what losing them all did to Ben. When they died, I was angry I couldn’t do more.” He sipped his drink. “Ben needed a purpose and the two of us got a little drunk one night.” He chuckled and I found myself desperate to hear everything about Ben.
“I told Ben I wished there was a service where I could take good looking guys out. Knowing they were all gay and have my pick of them.” He shook his head. “He took that and ran with it. Supernal was born that night and with it, Ben had a purpose. But never love, not since Leslie.”
“He doesn’t want to fall in love.”
“I think there’s a time in every person’s life when they think that about themselves. It makes sense after all Ben’s been through, but it’s been a real long time, Crew, and the way you talk about him…He did that to you which means you two shared something. More than him vomiting his life story to you.”
“Can I get you anything else?” The server’s timing was perfect because I had no clue what to say to Jerry after that.
When we were in the car I felt like I needed to save this date. It was only the second one I’d been on since working at Supernal and if I left them all like this, I wouldn’t have a job for much longer.
“Would you like to come back to the mansion?”
Jerry faced me, an easy smile on his face. “For what?”
“Whatever you’d like.”
He reached over and gently brushed his finger over my cheek. I swallowed, wondering what he’d ask for.
“How about a drink?”
“A drink, you don’t want—”
“Crew, believe me when I tell you I very much want. But I respect Ben and I see you’re harboring some serious feelings for the man. I’ve had a great evening, but I’m thinking you may want to reconsider your position at Supernal.”
“Position? I’m an escort.”
Raymond pulled into the driveway when Jerry answered me. “I don’t think there’s anyone you want to be escorting around other than Ben.”
My mind was foggy as I walked from the car to the house. Jerry’s presence was noticeable but while physically I was with him, mentally I was letting what he said swirl around my head.
“If no one is in the study, we could have a night cap there?” Jerry asked, the ever-playful smile on his face.
“Yes, that would be nice.” My words felt automatic.
“Any preference?” Jerry went straight over to the bar, gesturing for me to sit.
“Whatever you’re having. I’m not picky.”
He chuckled. “Everyone is picky. I don’t care if you’ve been told otherwise.”
I supposed he was right. I’d been with many men in my life. Handsome, rich, powerful, quiet, loud, Black, White, all sorts of races and cultures. None, not one, got to me like Ben did.
“Ben has impeccable tastes, I hope I chose wisely.” He handed me a tumbler with amber liquor in it. One sniff told me it was brandy.
“Delicious.” I hummed around the taste as it slid down my throat.
“It’s Ben’s favorite.” He grinned as he sipped his own drink.
Tilting my head to the side, I asked, “For someone who is supposed to be on a date with me, it feels like you’re desperately trying to pawn me off to Ben.”
Jerry rested his tumbler on his knee, hand still firmly gripping it. “And while you’re supposed to be the ever-professional escort, vying for only my affections, you’re thinking of another.”
I opened my mouth to speak when the sound of the study door opening caught both our attentions. There Ben stood, still dressed in his suit from earlier, only where I’d seen a smile most of the day, now there was a stern frown.
“Ben!” Jerry stood, placed his drink on the table, and went over to the man. “Were your ears ringing?”
Ben appeared confused, his gaze bouncing between me and Jerry. But when Jerry gripped him in a hug, all attention was off me.