I worked all day yesterday and then had dinner with Barney last night, so it’s been a whole day since I’ve seen Orson’s face. He’s not at work today, but I’m already itching my brain, trying to come up with a reason for needing flowers tomorrow, so I can go in there. I’m going stupid over a man in a way I never have before.
Fuck me, I like it.
We haven’t talked about what happened between us since the day I did the deliveries, but somehow, it doesn’t matter. I told him to take his time, and I mean it. Questioning your sexuality isn’t an easy process, even if you are an ally. For Orson, I get the feeling it’s not about him crossing lines with a man but that he’s struggling to work out what that means forhim. As a person. This process has nothing to do with me.
Mostly.
I’ve caught the way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention.
And maybe that’s what’s making it so easy to wait him out. He’s attracted to me. It might not come to anything, but it feels good all the same.
Besides, while he sorts his shit out, we’ve been having a boatload of one-on-one time, and it’s just … fun.
Instead of focusing on my maybe-love life, I should be focused on replacinganotherassistant, but … that whole thing’s low on my list of priorities right now.
“Wait, you’re amechanic?”
A smile hits my lips at the sound of the familiar voice behind me. I straighten, turning from the Sting Ray’s engine and fixing eyes on the man who’s been on my mind nonstop for weeks now. “Something I do in my spare time when I’m not coming to the rescue of cute florists.”
He laughs, his whole face lighting up. I’m so fucking glad that brief hesitance of his is gone, and we’ve fallen back into an easy friendship.
“Geez, they let anyone back here, don’t they?” I ask him.
“Securitydidpat me down on the way in. Insisted on a strip search. Slightly uncomfortable but worth it to see you.”
“Wow. I probably shouldn’t tell you this … I don’t have security.”
“So who had their paws all over me?”
I cock an eyebrow. “Think we’d both like to know the answer to that.”
Orson steps close enough to rest his hand on my chest. “Maybe I made that up so you’d think about me naked.”
“Who says I don’t do that already?”
And while I know not to look too deeply into his flirting, I like hearing it all the same.
“You good out here, Murray?” I ask.
“Yeah, boss. Go with your boyfriend.”
I’m about to correct him when Orson’s hand closes over my arm, and he all but drags me back inside. Some of my people send me quizzical looks on the way through the garage, but I follow along like a good little puppy. Something’s gotten into Orson today, and I’m interested to see what it is.
We reach my office, and as soon as we’re inside, he closes the door behind us.
Not that it matters.
I catch Taylor throwing a curious look through the large windows, and I’m sure others are doing the same.
Ignoring them, I find a rag to wipe my hands on, then round my desk and drop into my chair, loving the feel of the cool leather beneath my heated skin. I’m expecting Orson to sit down across from me, but instead, he casually moves closer and leans against the desk right beside me. I take off my sweaty hat to see him better and toss it onto the desk.
He chuckles and runs his fingers through my hair. “You’re a mess.”
“I can imagine.”
“Should probably take your shirt off too. It was hot out there.”
I eye him for a moment, curious about where he’s taking this. It’s not like the usual subtle flirting, but I might as well see where we end up. I reach back and grab my shirt, tugging it over my head. Then I drop it on the desk beside my hat. “Much better.”