The Reluctant Assistant - Book One

The Morning After Part 20

Raymond woke up with his head pounding. His mouth dry. It didn't help that the sun was streaming through the windows. The view from the room was great, but god damn it, why did there have to be so many of them? Pulling the duvet over him again, he tried to block out the light.

"I see you're awake," Jackson came to sit next to him on the bed, holding out a glass of water and some aspirin. "They normally say you should drink the last drink you had, first thing in the morning to knock back the hangover." Jackson informed him, looking slightly worried.

"So, where's the beer?" he asked, taking the pills and washing them down. "Thanks." He handed Jackson the glass. "Sorry about last night." Raymond blushed furiously, when he remembered what happened. "...and the suit..."

That's okay, I believe that payback's a bitch!" Jackson grinned at the grimace that was on Raymond's face. 

"Why do you have to have to many windows everywhere?" Raymond suddenly remembered the office incident. "Is this a family obsession? Because I can tell you that normal people don't have this many windows." he gestured around the room. Jackson immediately reached for a remote on the table next to him and the clear windows, changed to a darker tint. "Oh thank you god" he whimpered, his eyes finally getting a rest.

"You don't have to thank me" he tapped his finger on Raymond's forehead gently. "And windows are a family secret and until you agree to marry me, you'll never know." Jackson's grin grew wider. 

"That's okay. I'll go decorating with your mother. After the last time we went shopping for décor, she insists that I go to the cottage again." He leaned back against the pillow. "So, I'm good, thanks. She'll spill all the secrets anyway. I am her favorite!" he laughed in triumph.

"Why have I never noticed this devious side of you, Cook?" Jackson asked, getting under the covers with Raymond, wrapping his arms around him, his head resting on Raymond's chest. 

"It's called working with you. I've had to learn quickly how to handle you and all the shit that always follow you around." he snorted, leaning his head against Jackson's. 

"Jackson?" he started tentatively. "Thank you for everything, with my dad and still being there even though I wasn't..." he trailed off. "I wasn't sure before, but I'm glad you've met my dad." Raymond realized that leaning on Jackson wasn't as bad as he'd thought it would be. It didn't make him feel any weaker as a person than he was in that situation. It felt like the load was lighter, even though it was the same. Raymond recognized that he didn't need to lose himself when letting someone in. He could still be himself, whoever that was.

"And sorry about the beer thing. I guess I got a little over excited." he smiled against Jackson's head.

"It's going to take more than a huffy Cook to scare me off. Well, maybe business Cook is a little scary, now that I know how manipulative you can be." he chuckled against Raymond's chest. "I told you, I'll be there for you Cook. I've always leaned on you and you've always taken care of me, it's time for you to lean on me and for me to take care of you. That's what boyfriends do." he pushed, knowing that he'll get shut down just as quickly, but there is always hope. Especially since beer was spilt.

"You do know that I still have a headache?" he remarked snidely. "So far you've mentioned marriage and being boyfriends all in one morning. Are you trying to tell me something? Because then I have a few things to tell you."

Jackson was half listening to what Raymond was saying. All he noticed was the pace that Raymond's heart was going. It had started to speed up at the mention of the word boyfriends. Jackson decided to test the waters a little. "You know that if we were boyfriends, you could kiss me all the time..." he said suggestively, breathing out against his skin, listening to Raymond's heart pick up its pace. His smile grew wider, maybe another test. He grabbed Raymond's hand and brought it slowly to his lips. Yep, there is definitely nothing wrong with his heart, Jackson smiled as Raymond's heart picked up the pace a little more.