“No, I’m fine. Give me half an hour and I’ll be in my office.”
His shoulders eased. The man was far too tense, he needed to take time off. I honestly couldn’t remember one time he’d ever taken a vacation now that I thought about it.
As soon as the door shut Crew stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Time to go to work?” He gathered his clothes and sat on the chair by the large window.
“Seems that way.” I moved to my closet to grab a suit. “What is on your schedule for the day?”
My question was met with silence, so I popped my head out to look at Crew. He was fiddling with his belt.
“I uh…I have a date tonight.”
I nodded but he was too focused on his pants. “With whom?” My heart gave a painful tug but I knew this was his job, I was his boss, and last night was a one-time thing…right?
“Jerry Dawson?” He shrugged and pulled his shirt on.
“Nice guy.” He was a criminal attorney from Chicago. I’d known Jerry for a long time. If it weren’t for him, I doubt Supernal would ever be. Whenever he came down here, he usually hooked up with Jermaine and…oh, this was a date and with Jerry sex was always involved.
“That’s what Tyler said.”
“You seem unsure about this, is it the sex, Crew? I don’t force the men to do that. If you don’t want to sleep with Jerry, tell me now and I will handle it.” I didn’t remember walking over to him and gripping his shoulders.
“You’re adorable when you get all protective.”
“I…” I took a step back. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t know if there will be sex, but yeah, it’s been presented as a possibility. I’ll decide during the date. I can’t say no if I have no idea, you get it?”
“Not really.”
When he was all dressed, he stepped up to me. “Does the sex bother you?”
It did. So much, but no, I couldn’t say that. This wasn’t forever, this was one night. “Of course not.” I turned quickly, grabbed my suit, and headed to the bathroom. “I need to get ready. Any issues arise, do let me know.”
I shut the door and tried to catch my breath. I couldn’t stop Crew from doing his job and if I said that another man touching him bothered me, he’d stop. And then what, quit, get another job? Leave? No, there was no way I could have that happen. I needed to be his boss.
By the time I got out of the bathroom, Crew had left. My bedroom had always felt like a sanctuary, a place to go where I could shut out the world. But it now felt strange. Like without Crew in it, it was just space.
I shook away the off balanced feeling and finished getting ready. I had a full day ahead of me and I’d keep my mind busy with work. I wouldn’t be thinking about Crew and Jerry, kissing, fucking…Oh Hell, who was I kidding, that was all I was going to be thinking about all day and night.
Dane had in fact filled my schedule for the day and my mind was occupied enough to not think about Crew and his impending date with Jerry. But whenever there was a moment where I wasn’t doing something, it invaded my thoughts.
“You all right?” Dane sat across from my desk.
“Yes, sorry, were you talking? My mind drifted for a moment.”
“Not really. I said Alejandro contacted me this morning. Said Crew was outstanding, and he very much would like to see him again.”
Dane smiled at me but suddenly he appeared concerned.
“What?” Did I growl?
“I thought the news that Alejandro liked Crew would make you happy, but you look like you’re ready to find him and rip his head off.”
Shit. I took a breath. “I am pleased, again, I’m sorry. I guess I am feeling a little off today.”
“Would you like me to call the doctor?”