Chapter 225

Pole returned with the drinks when Andre and Cross got to the table.

"Just in time for some quick shots," Pole said to Andre as he placed the drinks down on the table.

Jeremiah subtly shifted away from Jasper as Andre pulled a chair beside him. There was no way Andre wouldn't see the way he was sitting with Jasper if he hadn't moved away. He didn't want to put Jasper in a situation he so clearly wanted to avoid.

Jasper noticed this but didn't comment on it. He cleared his throat and picked up his drink once again. 

Andre sat down, ready to drink his shot but he felt someone tapping his shoulder from behind.

With a frown, he looked behind him, "Yes?" He answered with a frown. 

"There's no chair for me to sit," Cross stated.

"Then, by all means, grab a chair from the next table," Pole said, drumming his fingers on the table. 

"Yeah. Or you can just sit over there, all by yourself," Jeremiah smiled at Cross, "Andre's not your nanny -"

"Manny," Pole corrected. 

"Whatever, bro. He gets the point," Jeremiah shrugged.

Cross smirked, "How unethical of you all." He placed his hands on the table and leaned forward, "Don't forget, I'm the boss." One by one, he picked up their drinks and poured them on the sand, smirking as he gently placed the empty glasses in front of them.

"Don't," Andre leaned over and held Jasper's hand.

He saw that Jasper was ready to either hit Cross or break a glass in his head. He couldn't let that happen, that would be them against the Orion family. It was a lost and meaningless battle. 

"I'm sorry, guys, maybe I shouldn't have come. I'll get going," Andre was about to stand but Pole placed a hand on his knee.

"No, friend. You're not going anywhere. If anyone should leave, it should be him," Pole pointed at Cross, a huge frown on his face.

Cross scoffed, "Make me." 

"Oh, gladly -"

"Stop! You guys... just stop," Andre pulled Pole back to his seat, seeing that Pe was ready to throw hands with Cross. 

Sighing, Andre stood from his chair, "Cross, can you not be a... trouble for a few seconds? How do you think they're going to accept you into the circle if you keep behaving this way towards everyone?" He went over and faced Cross, raising his brow at him.

"I never said I wanted friendship with any of you. I'm your boss, the only thing I need from you all is your obedience. Am I understood?" Cross questioned.

"You don't even own this place," Jeremiah muttered.

"My cousin does," Cross replied.

"Your cousin. Not you. Hey, do you even have something doing?" Pole said, standing from his chair,  too.

Cross chuckled humorlessly, "I do. And it's not a watchdog job like yours."

"So that's how you see us?" Andre slowly nodded, staring at him. 

Cross didn't respond, he simply walked past Andre and occupied his chair.

"Get another drink," Cross said to Pole.

Jasper sighed, "I'm done here, coming?" He turned to Jeremiah. 

"Sure," Jeremiah said and stood, "Or not." He sat back, pointing behind him.

Everyone looked to where he was pointing, a deadpan look crossing their faces.

"Great, just one more of the rich, entitled beings," Pole muttered, "Maybe we should leave the table for them; Leon is just the best fit for Cross." He suggested. 

"Fuck you," Cross said to Pole. 

Andre didn't want to speak to Leon; after he had made it clear that he liked him during Sebastian's wedding, he got uncomfortable at the sight of Leon.

But it was too late to leave, Leon was already standing right behind him.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Leon greeted, smiling at Andre and putting his arm on his shoulder. 

"Who let you in here, Leon? Your betrayal is spread across the globe," Cross said and stood, glaring at Leon.

"It's Uncle Leon to, little Cross," Leon stated, smirking at Cross.

"Pole, take him away from my property," Cross commanded.

Pole sighed, "Well, for once, I would have loved to obey you, but the boss already cleared him." He replied.

"You hear that, Andre? I'm clean, innocent. How about you reconsider going on a date with me?" Leon held Andre's arm, standing in front of him.

"Come on," Andre removed Leon's hand from his arm and held him instead, "Let's talk." He said and dragged Leon away.

"See you later, little Cross," Leon said as he followed Andre away.

Cross clenched his fists as he watched Andre drag Leon away. He couldn't outrightly insult Leon because words might reach Sebastian's ears and he didn't want that.

He wondered what Andre was saying to Leon; this was the second time he had seen them having some 'private' discussions. 

He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry, Cross. We don't like him, too." Pole whispered beside him.

"Get your hands off me," He pushed Pole's hand off his shoulder and walked away, toward Andre and Leon. 

"And we don't like you, either," Pole muttered. 

"Can we go now?" Jasper asked Jeremiah. 

"Sure, man," Jeremiah replied and stood, holding Jasper's hand. 

"Goodnight, guys. Sorry for ruining your not-date night," Pole tapped Jasper's shoulder.

"Stop it," Jeremiah murmured to Pole.

"Okay," Pole nodded.

"See you tomorrow, you might want to make sure a fight doesn't happen in your bar," Jeremiah pointed toward Andre and Leon.

"I got it," Pole waved.

"Come on," Jasper said and gently pulled Jeremiah away.

"Not-date night..." Pole whispered to himself as he watched them leave.

On the other side of the bar, Andre stood in front of Leon with a frown.  

"Listen, man, you have to stop coming onto us," Andre said.

Leon shook his head, "I'm not coming onto them..." he paused and moved closer to Andre, raising his hand to touch Andre's chin, "I'm coming onto you." He smiled at him.

Andre sighed and gently removed Leon's hand, "I don't want to get violent with you. It wouldn't look good for my boss's business. But, don't push me." He released Leon's hand. 

"Please, don't make me hit you. I believe you're a gentleman, and you know when to stop. So, stop," Andre said, tapping Leon's shoulder. 

"And if I refuse to stop?" Leon asked.

Andre didn't respond, he simply turned away from him.

"Hey," Leon held Andre's hand, stopping him.

"You're really trying my patience, Leon. I'm asking you to stop," Andre's voice was calm, he knew what he was avoiding. 

Out of respect and love for his boss, he didn't want to create a scene, but Leon was testing his reserve.

Leon slowly nodded, "Okay, I'll stop for tonight." He released Andre's hand. 

"Thank you," Andre nodded.

"Oh, look, it's little Cross," Leon smiled as Cross walked over to them.

Andre immediately turned to see Cross with some strange expression on his face. He looked pissed, sad, disappointed all at once.

"Hey, you okay?" Andre asked, placing his hand on Cross's arm.

Cross fixed his gaze on Leon, a hard, angry gaze.

"What's wrong, Cross? Why are you staring at me like I'm trying to steal something from you?" Leon questioned.

"I'm just trying to make sure you're not trying to drug anyone else," Cross replied, shifting away from Andre's touch.

Leon smiled, "You don't have to worry, I've learned my lesson. If I want someone, I tell them and I try my best to prove it." He said, touching Andre again.

"For Christ's sake, stop it," Andre slapped Leon's hand away.

"I'm just showing little Cross what I meant," Leon said.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't. Chill," Andre pulled Cross to himself the moment he saw him charging toward Leon.

He couldn't help chuckling, "What do you even think you could do to him? He's bigger than you," Andre whispered into Cross's ear. 

"You should have left me and found out," He pushed Andre away. 

"Listen, Leon. You might have known me as a little kid. But, I'm sure your eyes are clearly working fine," Cross pulled up his shirt to show off his firm abs, "I'm no kid. And I might just kick you out of this resort for good." 

"Damn, that's quiet a body he's got, though," Pole suddenly commented.

Leon smiled, "You will always stay a kid to me, Cross," Leon said and moved to touch Cross's head but Andre stopped him. 

Andre was surprised by Cross's physique, stunned for a while. The boy looked sculpted. 

He was distracted for a while, but the moment he saw Leon going for Cross, he snapped out of it and stopped him.

"Enough already, Leon. Let him be. He's made his point, and let's be fair, being older is quite meaningless when his net worth makes yours look like spare change. Let's learn to step down when necessary," Andre's voice sounded smug as he spoke. 

Cross smirked, pinning Leon with a smug look, too. He was impressed by Andre's defence.

"You liked that, right?" Andre turned to Cross, noticing the first smile on his face.

Cross scoffed and looked away, "Whatever." He mumbled.

"I'd stand down if I were you, Leon. He did you really dirty," Pole lowered himself onto a table behind him.

Leon ignored Pole's comments and smiled at Andre, "If leaving Cross alone would make you consider my offer. I will." He told Andre.

Cross rolled his eyes and cleared his throat, "I'm heading in..." He paused, face darkening as he saw Leon lean in and kiss Andre's cheek.

"Oh shit," Pole gasped.

"See you around, sugar," Leon said and walked away to the other side of the bar.

"Damn, bro. I'd be fucking frozen, too. He sure is trouble," Pole hung his arm around Andre's shoulder. 

Andre slowly blinked, his eyes turning to stare at Leon's figure.

"Rough night, huh? I know," Pole sighed loudly.

The wind suddenly picked up, indicating that it was going to storm tonight.

"Damn, look at that. We better head in, it's gonna rain cats and dogs," Pole held Andre's hand and pulled him away.

"Hey! Leon! Try to stay out of trouble tonight!" Pole shouted after Loen, who simply glanced at him with a bored expression.

"Hold on, where is he?" Andre questioned, looking around the area.

Pole furrowed his brows, "Who? Cross?" He asked.

"Yes," Andre replied.

"The guy left before your lover," Pole pointed at Leon.

Andre sighed, "You're weird. Don't spread fake rumours. Where did he go?" He asked as he kept looking around.

"Who? Cross?" Pole questioned again.

"Yes, dammit! Where did he go?" Andre snapped.

"Woah, calm you tits, Sugar; I'm not the one who was caught cheating. He went inside, probably sleeping by now," Pole informed, sniffing his nose as the cold started to catch up with him.

"Let's head in," Andre said and turned toward the resort.

He really hoped that Cross was in their room as Pole said, not somewhere else causing chaos.
***
Jasper stood beside Jeremiah in front of his door. 

"So... goodnight," He said as Jeremiah faced him.

Jeremiah smiled, "Yeah. Goodnight, Babe." He leaned close and pecked Jasper's cheek, winking at him.

Jasper blinked, his heart skipping a beat. He was starting to like whatever this was. He realized that Jeremiah could be a sweetheart if he wanted to be. 

"Don't call me that," Jasper held Jeremiah's hand as he saw him moving into his room. He wasn't ready to part yet.

"What?" Jeremiah asked, leaning against his door frame.

Jasper gently pulled him out of his room and dragged the door shut.

"What?" Jeremiah asked again, curious.

"Well, earlier, you mentioned not being able to sleep in a new environment, right?" Jasper asked, not leaving Jeremiah's hand.

"Yes?" Jeremiah answered, smiling as he started to get an idea of what Jasper wanted to say.

"Then... um... sleep with me?" Jasper tugged Jeremiah closer, holding his waist. 

Jeremiah narrowed his eyes, "Okay." He shrugged.

"Thanks, man. Let's go," He said and pulled Jasper toward his room.

Jasper couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face, he felt like he had made the right decision. 

"You can take whatever clothes you want from -"

"Clothe? Nah, I'm sleeping shirtless," Jeremiah said and pulled his shirt off, neatly spreading it on the arm of the chair in the corner.

Jasper stared. 

He kept staring at Jeremiah as he climbed onto the bed, lying on the right side of the bed.

"What? Why are you staring at me that way? Want to drink out on the balcony?" He questioned, smirking. 

"If -"

"Never mind. Hurry and turn the lights off, the wind is starting to pick up. It's going to rain," Jeremiah said and yawned, looking away from Jasper. 

'If you don't mind,' Jasper completed in his head.

He walked over to the wall and turned off the light switch, the light from the moon streaming in, with flashes of lightning flashing inside the room, warning against the heavy rain that was coming. 

Jeremiah gulped as he watched Jasper take his clothes off, staring as his muscles rippled in the moonlight.

He used his hand to cover his eyes as Jeremiah pulled his pants down, but removed it immediately, unable to miss staring at Jasper's smooth, firm ass.

His view was cut short as Jasper pulled loose brown shorts up his waist before turning to him. 

Jeremiah didn't hide his stare, he kept his eyes on Jasper as he approached the bed.

The bed dipped as Jasper's weight climbed on. He got under the sheets and faced the roof, "Stop staring. Goodnight. I'm just doing you a favour by letting you sleep here." He said to Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah slowly rolled over to Jasper and placed a hand on his stomach, feeling it tense under his touch. "Are you sure you don't want..." his middle finger slid into Jasper's waistband, his eyes locked on his face. 

Jasper gently removed Jeremiah's hand from his stomach, "Don't do that, Jeremiah. Let's sleep." He murmured. 

Jeremiah sighed, "Fine." He held Jasper's hand and pulled him to his side, then he went ahead to press his back against Jasper, sighing. 

"Cuddling makes me sleep better," Jeremiah whispered. 

Jasper unconsciously moved closer, pulling Jeremiah closer, too. His arm around him tightened as he sniffed Jeremiah's neck, his heart fluttering.

He suddenly felt like he wanted to own the annoying human in his arms. 

"Goodnight," He whispered behind Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah hummed sleepily, "Goodnight, babe." He murmured.

Before he fell asleep, he heard Jasper whisper something inaudible followed by a soft kiss on the back of his shoulder.

Whatever it was that Jasper whispered, it felt so soothing to his ears and that kiss was just the perfect gesture he needed to finally fall asleep.