Chapter 79: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… Facing his fears!

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Jean stared at the man who turned his world on its axis with just a look. Bradley stood just inside the hall, staring back at him with a happy smile. That mouth… Jean wanted to taste those lips. It felt as if he would die if he didn’t at that very moment. “Err…Dad?”

“Finally, someone is ready to talk.” Michael chuckled as he turned to look at Jean. “I’m all ears, son.”

“You might want to avert your eyes.” Jean breathed. “’Cause I need to do this.”

“Huh? Do what?” Michael asked but Jean was already moving away.

The Broody clan watched Jean go with confused expressions on their faces. Their confusion, however, turned to understanding when they all saw the military-clad figure moving towards Jean.

“Oh my god…” Lucy breathed as her hand went to her chest. She just knew what her son was going to do. And from the groan that tore out of her husband, she knew he’d figured it out too.

“That boy had better not…” Michael muttered, staring at his son’s back.

Meanwhile, standing directly behind Michael, Dean chanted under his breath; “Eat the hell out of those soldier lips…come on Jay…do it…make me proud…come on boy…”

“Will you shut up!” Michael turned to snap at his youngest son and turned right back to watch Jean. “Don’t do it…don’t do it…don’t…”

“Why are you wasting your breath, honey?” Lucy purred, smiling at her son who was standing toe to toe with Bradley. “We should rather be very worried if he doesn’t kiss that boy. Because that wouldn’t be our Jean.”

“Tell him, Mum.” Tyler grinned as he watched and waited for Jean to do as expected.

***

“Brad…” Jean breathed as he stared at Bradley.

“Hey…” Bradley took a step back but Jean instantly took one forward. Bradley’s smile faltered. He could clearly see the intent in Jean’s eyes. “Jean, don’t. Your father…”

“I need to.” Jean breathed as he raised his hands to cup Bradley’s face.

“Jean…”

“Shut up, Bradley,” Jean whispered as he closed the gap between their lips. Jean heard an appreciative roar from his brothers but soon, he couldn’t hear anything at all. Everything ceased to exist. It was just him and Bradley in the world.

Bradley was stiff initially but relaxed eventually and began to kiss Jean back. His legs almost buckled beneath him when he felt Jean’s tongue touch his. With a helpless moan Bradley completely let go, completely forgot about the guests, melted against Jean, and lost himself in the kiss. Bradley couldn’t believe just how much he’d missed the man kissing him. His hands moved from where they rested against Jean’s hips, to push into Jean’s back pockets as he kissed him back like a starving man who had finally been given food. The last thing on the soldier’s mind was a homophobic father.

Some of the guests were busy dancing so didn’t see the kiss between the birthday boy and his soldier. Others, however, saw and gaped in shock. The majority of the guests knew of Jean’s reputation as a ladies man so were understandably surprised that he was kissing a man so passionately. The only people who were stunned at Bradley kissing a man…because they knew him, were Dean’s friends, Damon, Matt, Cole, Kyle, Michael, Chris, and their partners.

When the two men eventually broke off the kiss, Jean leaned his forehead against Bradley’s as both men tried to catch their breath.

“I missed you.” Jean breathed.

“Same.” Bradley’s shaky whisper showed just how much he was affected by that kiss. “I still can’t believe I’m here in your arms.”

“Did you get hurt?”

Bradley smiled. “No. Can’t say the same for the people I went up against though.”

“Well, they deserve whatever they suffered. No one goes against my Bradley and leaves unscathed.” Jean pulled back his head and looked at Bradley with his heart in his eyes.

“Have dinner with me.”

“Dinner…like a date?” Bradley’s hands moved from Jean’s pockets to wrap around his waist.

‘Yes. A date.”

“When?”

“Now. Let’s leave.”

“It’s your birthday party, Jean.” Bradley glanced around and groaned when he noticed people staring at them. Some with smiles, others with surprise. “You can’t leave your guests.”

“Do I look like I care about guests right now?” Jean drawled, making Bradley laugh.

“Alright, I’ll go on a date with you…tomorrow night.” Bradley laughed at the comical expression on Jean’s face.

“Killjoy,” Jean muttered as he hugged Bradley to him. “Welcome back.”

“Thanks.” Bradley buried his face against Jean’s neck. “Now can we break this up?” His voice sounded muffled. “People are staring.”

“Let them stare,” Jean growled but the next moment, he was being pulled out of Bradley’s arms.

“Step aside you cuddle-slut.” Dean said loudly as he pushed his twin aside and hugged Bradley. “Welcome back, soldier. Next time please leave your dick behind. My brother hates being starved.”

Bradley laughed as another brother took over to hug him. After all the Broody brothers were done hugging Bradley and telling him silly things like he had their brother whipped and to take him along next time blah, blah, blah, Dean’s friends and their partners took their turn, led by Tanesha, Ty’s wife.

“Ooooh, Dad is going to have an epic flip,” Dean murmured to Jean as he rubbed his hands together gleefully. “I’d give anything to be a fly on the wall right now.” He looked to where their father stood, staring at them.

“You’re already in the room, asshole.” Jean shook his head at his silly twin. “You, okay?” He asked when Bradley was finally done accepting all the hugs. At Bradley’s nod, Jean threw an arm around his neck and started towards where his parents sat. “Time to say hello to my parents.” He murmured.

“Oh my god…” Bradley breathed, feeling his heart drop right past his stomach to his feet. “Jean, I’m scared.” The soldier, who was known for his fierce nature and fearless behaviour, breathed shakily and so pitifully. He began to shake.

“Hey…” Jean stopped moving and turned to face Bradley who looked like he was about to be sick. “Deep breaths…” Jean instructed. “It’s okay baby. I’m here. You have nothing to fear.” Jean muttered soothingly as though he were dealing with a skittish cat. “Bradley look at me.” he cupped Bradley’s face in his palms. “I’m here with you. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Hey…”

“Hello, Bradley,” Lucy said from behind Jean, who promptly stepped aside to give his mother the chance to pull Bradley into her arms. Then she simply held him until his trembling ceased. “Are you okay?” Lucy asked just as she felt someone rubbing her on the back. She knew that touch too well. She stepped out of Bradley’s embrace and reached up a hand to cup Bradley’s cheek. “Welcome back, darling. It’s really good to see you again.” Then she turned around, looked up at her husband, and mouthed; “Make me proud.” At Michael’s nod, Lucy Broody took Jean’s hand and attempted to walk away.

“Mum…” Jean wouldn’t budge. “I can’t…”

“Come, son.” Lucy pulled Jean. “Your father knows the score. Bradley is safe.”