I could feel him becoming more desperate. The signs were there, written all over him in a language meant just for me.
I held him tighter, taking a second to savor the solidness of his body on mine before I reached between us. Lining our cocks up together, I stroked, tightening my grip the way I knew he liked it. There was something so basic about this, so reminiscent of the way we'd been together before life had thrown us every curveball in the book.
With every movement I wanted to wipe away the ugliness of the things Jimmy had experienced, to remind him of how good love could be, that although the world could be an awful place sometimes, the light outshone the darkness.
Being with him like this felt so good. All the other bullshit was stripped away, and it was just him and me and nothing could touch us. The way his body responded to me made my head spin, the sensation of his slick skin pressed against mine making the room seem a hundred degrees hotter than it was.
Jimmy had always done things to me no other guy ever could, and being with him seemed to amplify my happiness no matter what we were doing. Before long, our breathing became ragged. Every muscle in my body was strung tight as we raced toward the edge. Heat and need and stunning sensation barreled through me, and soon I couldn’t hold on any longer. My orgasm hit me hard, stealing my breath and racking my body with waves of pleasure.
As my heart began to slow, Jimmy followed right behind me, my name on his lips as he came. I slowed my hand and eased my grip, stroking him through his orgasm until he shuddered a breath and sagged against me. I held the weight of him, supporting him, keeping him from falling. I'd been born to do this for him, to be his partner in every facet of life. I’d loved him for as long as I could remember, but it took what felt like a lifetime for me to realize what that really meant.
Chapter Seventeen
Jimmy
Jenna’s lawyer’s office was swanky as fuck. The moment the elevator doors slid open and we stepped out, I started to doubt whether my lawyer would be able to take on the likes of one of the top family attorneys in New York State. When he’d called to rearrange the meeting place, I’d been instantly wary. Going to war on their turf couldn’t bode well for me, no matter how sympathetic Jenna was.
I entered the large waiting room, sparsely decorated with chairs in leather and chrome and not much else. The office embraced that whole cold and uncomfortable aesthetic, but I supposed divorces weren’t supposed to be warm and welcoming. Ben lowered himself into a chair next to me and crossed his ankle over his knee, his foot bouncing slightly.
I’d been halfway out the door to head to the city when he’d offered to come. “For moral support,” he’d reasoned. At first I wasn’t sure it’d be such a good idea. Being as uncertain as I was about how this was going to go, having Ben involved in the dissolution of my marriage could have fallen on either side of the best idea ever, or the worst.
But by the time I’d entered the building, I’d decided I was happy to have him to tag along—relieved, to be honest. It’d be the first time I would be seeing Jenna since she’d decided to end our partnership, and I couldn’t say I was looking forward to it. But we needed to come to a resolution on all of this so we could move forward.
So that I could start a life with Ben.
I stepped up to the front desk, where the receptionist was sorting through a stack of files. “Good afternoon. I have a two-o’clock meeting. Is my lawyer here yet? Isaac Harmon?”
She looked at me like she was insulted I dared breathe the same air as her. “Who did you say you were?”
“Jimmy.” Jenna’s voice called from behind us, and I turned to see her striding into the waiting room. Her black stiletto heels clicked on the high-gloss black marble floor as she walked, and her cornflower-blue silk dress stood out in a room where everything else was completely monochromatic.
She looked gorgeous, and I had to admit if I missed anything besides my restaurant, it was her friendship. Her gaze settled on me, and she hesitated as she stopped in front of me and Ben. I pulled her into a hug, and her arms circled my waist tentatively.
“I’m so sorry about all this, Jimmy,” she said when she pulled away.
I shrugged and attempted a smile. “Let’s just get through this first, okay?”
She nodded and glanced at Ben. “Hi, Ben. It’s nice to see you again.”
“You’re looking well,” he said, his tone neutral.
She opened her mouth to say something else when Mr. and Mrs. Delaney waltzed in. I tried to hide my surprise at seeing them there, but I suppose I shouldn’t have been all that shocked. Jenna didn’t so much as sneeze without her parents trying to give their input. Something as serious as the legal proceedings surrounding her divorce weren’t likely to be missed.
“Let’s go, Jenna. Lorenzo is waiting,” said her mom in clipped tones, not bothering with any pleasantries.
They bypassed the receptionist completely and proceeded down the hallway to the glass-enclosed offices. I could feel my hackles rising already. No doubt, this meeting was going to be all kinds of tense if her parents were involved. I had no idea what they had up their sleeves, or what to expect, but if this was the appetizer course, I had a feeling I wasn’t gonna be much of a fan of the entrée.
Jenna flicked me an apologetic glance, then hurried after her parents. I wasn’t sure whether to follow, but at that moment, the elevator doors opened and Ike stepped out, giving me a nod of recognition before he announced himself at reception.
He looked like he’d bought his suit at the Salvation Army, but he also looked like he didn’t give a shit that his clothes hadn’t been in style since the ’60s. He’d been my lawyer since culinary school when Jenna’s parents had brandished the prenup at me and I picked someone at random from the phone book.
Fortunately he’d taken pity on me back then and lowered his rate, or I would have been facing the Delaneys’ legal team alone. We’d remained in contact since, and when the shit had hit the fan, he’d been my first choice for representation. Despite his questionable choices in attire, he’d proved himself a reliable and competent attorney, and he strode forward with the confidence of someone who knew he was going to absolutely crush Jenna and her legal team.
“We’re in meeting room three,” Ike announced, and without a second of hesitation, turned to walk down the hall like these were his own offices.
We followed him down the hall and into a small conference room, where Jenna, her parents, and their lawyer, Lorenzo Carmichael, were congregated at one end of the table.
Lorenzo stood when we entered, reaching out to shake our hands like there was any chance that what would follow would be as civil.
I seriously had my doubts.
“Good morning, gentlemen. Glad you were able to join us. I hope the change of location didn’t inconvenience you too much.”
I nodded at him as we took our seats. “Not at all. Can’t say it’s good to see you, but it is what it is.”
“Let’s get started, shall we?” he said, ignoring the jab. “Mr. Harmon, would you care to start?”
Ike nodded curtly. “We’re here today to discuss the dissolution of the marriage, and come to an agreement on the fair and equitable division of assets.”
Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, trying—and failing—not to look bored. “Prenuptial agreement, Ike. And with no dependents, this case is cut and dried.”
Jenna’s parents grinned smugly. I glanced at Jenna, who sat with her head down despite her ramrod-straight posture. If I knew anything about Jenna, I knew she didn’t appreciate her parents’ interference. It was thanks to them I wouldn’t be expecting much out of the divorce, and likely they were only here to ensure I didn’t get a cent more than I’d signed for.
“You are correct that the prenuptial agreement does preclude my client from making claims against the funds and assets brought into the relationship by Ms. Delaney prior to their union,” Ike said. He consulted the paperwork in front of him, adjusting his large wire-framed g
lasses as he read. “However, it does not take into account the enterprise known as the Carvery. The business was not established until after their marriage, and as such, we are here to discuss a settlement offer with regards to the company.”
Mr. Delaney stared at me coldly and spoke in his brashest, most authoritative voice. “There won’t be any settlement offer. The restaurant was founded using capital put forth by Jenna. That money was taken from her trust fund. She is the sole owner, the sole investor, and without her, there wouldn’t be a restaurant. Or have you forgotten that part, James?”
Ben slipped his hand over my knee under the table and squeezed. That little contact kept me grounded when everything felt like it was falling apart so spectacularly and all I wanted to do was just sign on the dotted line and be done with all of this.
“That’s correct,” said Lorenzo, shooting a look at Mr. Delaney. He didn’t stop his glowering, though. “And because the prenuptial agreement protected any and all of Ms. Delaney’s financials assets prior to their marriage, the restaurant, purchased by said financials, defaults to her.” He sat back with a shit-eating grin. “I’m afraid you don’t have much of a case. I’d be happy to see you in court, though, Harmon.”
Ike pulled a stack of papers from his briefcase and gazed around the table. “While I will concede the agreement guarantees the protection of any of Ms. Delaney’s financials, it does not extend to purchases and investments made post-marriage.” He began distributing copies of the paperwork from his pile. “I have here copies of the agreement Ms. Delaney and Mr. Carver entered into separate to the prenup. It states quite clearly that Ms. Delaney would put up the capital for the business, and Mr. Carver would pay a portion of his earnings for a period of ten years until such time he would take 50 percent ownership of said business.”
“What is this?” Mr. Delaney blustered.
The door swung open, and seven heads swiveled in the direction of the newcomer.
“Sorry I’m late, gentlemen. Ladies.” He nodded at everyone around the table. “I’m Blake Daniels, Ms. Delaney’s personal counsel.”
“Jenna, what have you done?” Mrs. Delaney sputtered. Jenna sat up in her chair, something that looked a lot like vindication shining in her eyes.
“Glad you could join us,” said Ike, rising to shake his hand. “Mr. Daniels was the attorney Ms. Delaney and Mr. Carver consulted to draft an addendum to the agreement prior to opening the Carvery. As such, she has called upon him again to execute this portion of the asset division.”
Mr. Delaney stood abruptly, his chair skating backward on its casters. “I will not allow this!”
Jenna spoke up then, her voice surprisingly level. “It’s none of your business, Daddy. This is between James and me. Your name isn’t mentioned on the paperwork, and so you don’t have a say in this.”
“Like hell I don’t!” he roared, spittle flying from his lips. “I created your trust fund. That money is mine.”
Jenna didn’t even flinch, instead turning to her lawyer. “Please tell him, Blake.”
“My client has requested to make an offer above and beyond the agreed-upon contract, which states Mr. Carver would only be entitled to the amount he has reinvested into the company. Additionally, Ms. Delaney would like to offer half the value of the Carvery, currently valued at $700,000, plus a full year’s salary as damages.”
“Jenna!” Mrs. Delaney cried, while Mr. Delaney bellowed.
“Holy shit,” Ben laughed, clapping his hand onto my shoulder and squeezing.
I wheezed. “Jen… you didn’t have to do this.” Never in my wildest imagination did I expect her to do this for me. It was more than I was expecting, if I ever thought I would be getting anything, especially after I’d left her so high and dry with my abrupt departure.
I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t deserve her loyalty.
She reached across the table for my hand. “You put everything into that company, Jimmy. It’s a huge part of you, and I took that away. It wouldn’t be right for me to keep it. The Carvery wouldn’t exist with you. At least with this you’ll have a chance to start your own place. Do things your way.”
“I don’t even know what to say…”
“Say you’ll take it,” she said, eyes imploring.
I laughed, incredulity, affection, and gratitude making my eyes well. “Of course. Yes, of course.”
“Fabulous,” Ike said, clapping his hands. “If you’ll excuse us, Mr. and Mrs. Delaney, we just need a few minutes to go over the particulars with our clients.” He gestured toward the door. “If you wouldn’t mind waiting in the reception area…”
“Lorenzo, do something!” Mr. Delaney yelled. Lorenzo sat, his mouth opening and closing, before he stood and buttoned his suit jacket. He snatched up the paperwork and pointed them at Ike.
“You’ll be hearing from me soon, Harmon.” With that, he swept out the room, a protesting Mr. and Mrs. Delaney hot on his heels.
I let out a shaky laugh and collapsed against Ben, burying my head in his neck. I could feel the weight of the world lifting off my shoulders, the burden of the past few weeks—no, years—dissipating with the awareness that everything was going to be okay. I could finally breathe easy again. The damage Jenna and I had inflicted on one another was reparable. The mistakes I’d made could be fixed. Sure, I’d have to start again from scratch, but this time I could do it on my terms. I could salvage what was left of my reputation and make the Carver name something to be proud of again.
And this time, I’d do it with Ben by my side, the way it should have been from the beginning.
When I looked up, Jenna was smiling.
“Shit, Jen. I don’t know what to say.” I rose and came around the table, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Thank you.”
“I just did what was right. I am so sorry for how I handled a lot of things in our marriage. You and I… we were never… I mean, we weren’t…” She sighed. “I wanted to do the right thing.”
“I’m sorry, too. We both made mistakes.”
“We did,” she agreed. “But you deserve happiness, and one day I hope we can be more to each other than just former business partners.
I squeezed her arm. “It’s going to take a lot more than you divorcing me to drive me out of your life.”
She smiled at that, and I could feel the mood in the room lightening as she pulled me into another hug.
“I just want you to be happy.” She pulled back, searching my eyes, then glanced at Ben. “I hope you’re happy. Both of you.”
I smiled, looking back at Ben, and my heart give a little flip at the lightness and love reflected back in his eyes. “We are.”
Chapter Eighteen
Ben
“We’re really doing this, right?” I looked over at Jimmy who was standing next to me, looking at me like I’d lost my ever-loving mind. We were stopped outside Buck’s, paused a foot from the door. The whole thing still seemed like one beautiful dream. In the span of a few months, I’d gotten everything I’d ever dreamed of.
Top of the list? Being able to call Jimmy mine.
“Yes. We’re really doing this,” he confirmed.
“This is really happening.”
He grabbed my arm. “Not if you just stand there like an asshole all night.”
It had been a week since the meeting with the lawyers. It had been so tempting to quit on our way out the door that night—in fact Jimmy almost had—but the rational side of our brains had won over, and instead, we’d waited on pins and needles until the paperwork had been finalized and the settlement had deposited into his bank account. The last thing either of us needed was for something to go sideways and to be jobless and broke. Again.
But Christ, going into work had been so fucking painful. I’d thought dragging my ass into Buck’s every day had sucked before, but knowing we were so close to walking away from the worst job either of us had ever had had been almost impossible.
But now here we were. Everything had gone off without a hitch.
Jimmy was no longer married, and his bank account was no longer empty.
The one upshot to suffering through an extra week on the job was that it gave me plenty of time to think of what I was going to say during my “I quit” speech. I’d even practiced several variations in the bathroom mirror.
Jimmy opened the door and pulled me forward. I stumbled, taking a second to get my feet under me. This was it. I couldn’t think about the time I’d wasted working there, listening to Byron’s rants and kowtowing to his pathetic grabs for power. All I could do was move forward. There was so much I wanted to do, and for the first time in a very long time, I was excited about the future.
I was going back to school, and Jimmy was planning his triumphant return to the culinary world. And we’d be doing it by each other’s side the whole time.
I couldn’t be sure which of those details made me happier.
“Byron here?” I asked as we walked into the kitchen. Jason and Cameron were preparing for the lunch rush.
“Yeah, man. In his office,” Cameron said.
“What are you guys doing here?” Jason asked. “Aren’t you both off today?”
I waggled my eyebrows at him, the excitement rising in my chest. “We’re about to be off forever.”
He gaped at me. “No. You’re shitting me. You’re quitting?”
“Yep.”
“But you’ve been here since… god, since I dunno when.”
Way to rub it in, Jase. I didn’t need that extra reminder of how many years of my life I’d wasted at that place. Chalk it up to a learning experience, I supposed. “That’s kinda the point. I’ve been here way too fucking long. Time for a change.”
“Not really a surprise that Jimmy’s quitting, though,” Cam added. “He’s too good to be working in a place like this.” He shifted his attention to me, raising his hands defensively. “No offense, Ben. I didn’t mean you’re not… I just meant—”
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