Hunger Unleashed

Chapter 52: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… Panic!

***

“Which of you gentlemen did my wife leave me for?” Dean drawled as he gave Bradley a hug. “Jackson with his swag or Bobby Flay with his heavenly grilling?” He gave a mock growl as he bumped fists with Frankie. “Sup Frankie?”

“Hey, Dean.” Frankie laughed, giving Dean and Bradley a plate each, filled with assorted grilled items. “Enjoy.”

Dean and Bradley thanked Frankie and went to join some of the guys. “Dude, how are you doing?” Dean asked Bradley softly as they took their seats.

“I’m great.” Bradley relaxed into his seat, between Dean and one other guest.

“No pain at all?”

“No, I’m fine.” Bradley took a sip of his drink. “Jean has been great.”

“Yeah, he takes things that concern health, seriously.” Dean chuckled. “You would have been saying something totally different if this had been about something other than medical, trust me. He’s crazy like that.”

Bradley chuckled, his eyes automatically shifting around to seek a particular blue-eyed sexy man. And when his eyes found Jean’s, his breath hitched in his throat because even with the distance between them, he could feel the heat in Jean’s eyes. Bradley tore his eyes away from Jean’s with difficulty and concentrated on what Dean was saying. Jean came to join them but was called away by some of the guests. Bradley was having too good a time to care.

“Oh, wow.” Bradley laughed when Santa, five elves, and the kids joined them in the garden. The mood went to another level.

After stuffing themselves on Frankie’s grilled goodies, they all made a beeline for the huge, beautifully decorated Christmas tree which had under it, lots and lots of presents. Santa, his elves, and the kids started to dance around the tree to the delight of the grown-ups. Both Dean and Kayla went to join in the dancing at a point to Bradley’s amusement. Kayla had insisted on him joining too but he’d told her he would enjoy it better if he watched. And he did. There was a lot of laughter and banter all around.

Bradley watched the joy on the faces of the parents and their children as they danced around the tree. He could feel the love and joy in the air. That was what one called family, he couldn’t help but think. He’d never had that kind of fun as a child. Was it that he hadn’t deserved that kind of love and fun too? What had he done wrong to have never meant that much to his parents? Even before he’d fucked up, he’d never experienced what other kids always talked about in school…having fun with their parents. Why? Bradley suddenly felt a chill inside him and wrapped his arms around himself. He was so immersed in thought about his lacking childhood he didn’t even notice that he’d started breathing hard.

***

“What game are you playing?” Sam, one of Jean’s brothers asked quietly beside Jean.

“What?” Jean turned to look at Sam. They were standing close to the Christmas tree, watching the fun dance.

“Bradley. Looks like he can’t seem to keep his eyes off you. And every time he catches your eye on him, he…what’s the right word…melts. It’s obvious he fancies you. You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed. Are you’re leading him on, Jay?”

“Always the shrink.” Jean drawled, turning his eyes back onto Bradley. “So…you don’t see any melting coming from my end?” He murmured, taking a long sip from his glass.

“I don’t…” Sam gave Jean his full attention. “Do you? Melt too, I mean.”

“I don’t know.” Jean grinned. “You take a good look and tell me. You’re the brain doctor.”

“Jay really, don’t play with his emotions. Not everything is a game.”

“I’ll try and remember that.” Jean’s eyes remained fixed on Bradley. He couldn’t help but feel something was off. Bradley was no longer laughing as he’d been doing when the dancing started. He looked like he was…panting. “Sam…” But he trailed off when Ashley bounded over to them and began to tug on Sam’s hand.

“Daddy come and let’s dance around the tree.”

“Alright, alright…” A laughing Sam turned to follow Ashley to the tree as Jean started towards Bradley.

By the time Bradley realize he was shaking, he was too far gone. He knew he was having a panic attack but could do nothing about it. He could no longer hear the talking and laughter. All he could hear was the loud roaring in his head. He felt his heart racing and perspiration running down his temples. Bradley tried to take slow breaths as he’d been taught but it wasn’t working. He knew he was fucked. What a time to get such an attack, Bradley thought desperately. How could he possibly hide a panic attack from all the medical people gathered? God, his chest hurt. He needed to get away. But… When Bradley felt someone touch his arm, he turned around to see Jean by his side.

“Come with me,” Jean said softly but urgently to a trembling Bradley. “Breathe slowly,” Jean instructed as they moved towards the house.

Inside the house, Jean steered Bradley to the washroom that he knew wasn’t often used. He shut the door behind them and pushed Bradley against the vanity. Then he reached up to cup the sides of his face with his hands.

“Baby, look at me,” Jean demanded firmly but gently. “You’re having a panic attack.”

“I know.” Bradley gasped harshly.

“You have to take slow deep breaths. Can you do that for me?” Jean leaned his forehead against Bradley’s. “Let’s do it together.” He watched as Bradley closed his eyes and began to take deep breaths. “That’s it, that’s it…” Jean whispered softly. “You’re doing great.” Jean kept murmuring softly till he felt Bradley begin to relax.

Eventually, Bradley’s trembling stopped. By the time his breathing even out, Jean’s lips were brushing sensuously against his. He moaned as a shudder raced through him. What surprised Bradley was the way he didn’t feel embarrassed at all that Jean had seen him like that. Somehow, he rather felt that Jean would make sure he was okay. He pressed closer to Jean, wanting that mouth to plunder his, make him feel wanted, erase the feeling of not being wanted enough by his parents. But Jean had other plans. He wanted to talk.

“You said you knew,” Jean said softly. “Is it something you experience often?” The feel of Jean’s mouth moving against his as he spoke made Bradley weak at the knee.

“Yes,” Bradley whispered, and then allowed the tip of his tongue to lick at the corner of Jean’s mouth slowly.

“Brad…” Jean moaned but didn’t allow himself to be distracted. “When was the last time you had it?”

Bradley groaned. “That day…the day you fucked me for the first time.” He whispered. “When I heard his voice, it triggered the attack. That was why I got drunk.”

“Shit.” Jean groaned. “You told me about the voice. Why didn’t you tell me about the panic attack?” All Bradley did was shrug. “Don’t keep such things from me. Please.” At Bradley’s nod, Jean asked another question… “What triggered this one?”

“I just…” Bradley whimpered. “All that family time made me think about how much I missed as a kid. It got to me, I guess.”

“I’m so sorry, baby,” Jean said. “You can only beat this if you try to control your thoughts. Human as you are, things are bound to worry you sometimes. But since you already know you have this problem, always make a conscious effort not to let things bother you too much, that’s all I’m saying. I’m here for you. Talk to me at any time. Even if I’m not around, call me. I will leave everything and come to you. Okay?”

“Okay. Can you kiss me now?” Bradley whimpered, making Jean laugh softly.

Jean’s lips moved to Bradley’s cheek. “Sure you want me to kiss you?” He placed a kiss on his cheek.

“Yes.” A shaky whisper.

“In a house full of nosy people?” Jean slowly kissed across Bradley’s nose to his other cheek.

“I don’t care.” Bradley shivered as he felt the soft kisses all over his face. It was frustrating but at the same time, exciting. It made him want the kiss even more.

“I don’t care either.” Jean scattered kisses all around Bradley’s eyes. He couldn’t believe how hard he was. He wanted to bury himself in Bradley so bad. “No one can stop me from kissing you.” Jean moved down to Bradley’s chin. “Nothing can stop me.” He finally took Bradley’s mouth in a kiss that rocked both of them.

The two men were completely in a world of their own as they feasted on each other’s mouths. Teeth clashed, tongues dueled and moans couldn’t be suppressed. At the same time, in the garden, Lucy was calling everyone to get seated for dinner. Of course, she noticed that Jean and Bradley were not around and asked where they were. Dean offered to go and look for them. And still, in the washroom, Jean and Bradley continued to kiss the living daylight out of each other.

“Jay?” Dean opened the door to the washroom after a long search, to find his brother in a lip-lock with Bradley. He stared.