Page 10 of Consorting with Romance

“I know that. I know that I’m a bit naive when it comes to things like this, but it just feels like he’s spent so many years alone that he’s used to ignoring the fact that he’s lonely.”

“You think becoming his friend can fix that? And, you really think this doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that you want to get into his pants?”

I cringed and dropped my head back onto the chair in frustration. “I know he won’t want to sleep with me, and that’s ok. I need the job more than I need to get laid. He just seems like a nice guy, and I want to help him if I can. I can’t stand the idea of him being so alone.”

She stood with a half-smile, wine already half gone, and ruffled my hair on her way to her bedroom. “Then I wholeheartedly think you should offer him your friendship. I hope he deserves you.”

Some part of me couldn’t help but wonder if she’d been right. While I wanted to offer him any support he’d accept, I did want to get into his pants. If we did eventually form a friendship, could I find a way for that to be enough?

Ash

On Tuesday, Jessewas already at the office when I arrived. Nothing about hisbehavior was unusual and I was relieved that what had happened between us at dinnerappeared to be over and we could go back to our professional, yetfriendlyrelationship. Still, I wasn’t sure what he’d be like outside of routine business interactions. The way he’d looked at me with something akin to pity had hurt.

I took my time in the shower at the end of the day. His schedule was demanding and when I lingered, he was typically gone before I emerged. I was surprised, and a bit nervous, to see him sitting in one of the wingbacks waiting for me.

He stammered at first, as I’d found he often did when he beganspeaking about something serious. “I …ummm…so…”

I offered an encouraging smile as I settled on the edge of the couch and waited. He paused for a moment, calmed down, and found the words he’d lost. He always found them if I patiently gave him a moment. Seeingsuch a large, strong man in this state was endearing to say the least. I wanted to hug him when he struggled. I wanted to run my hand along his back and kiss his shoulder and tell him to take his time, that there was no rush and no reason to stress. Pull yourself together, man. You don’t need to repeat what happened at dinner.

“I had a really nice time on Saturday. I haven’t had muchtime to make friends since I got to the city, and I was wondering if maybe you’d like to make it a regular thing. You’re a nice guy, and boss or not, I think you’d make a good friend.”

Something in my chest clenched tightly and those fucking butterflies made an appearance again. I don’t think I’d ever had someone say something like that to me.

“I’d really like that.” My broad smile was completely genuine.

He grinned, nodded, and made for the door. “See you tomorrow, Ash.”

As the door closed behind him, I sank down on the back of the couch and tried to convince myself he had no more effect on me than any other man. To say I was unsuccessful would be the understatement of the century.

By unspoken agreement, we kept conversation at our new weekly dinners light. I found I greatly enjoyed his company and sense of humor, and while I wasn’t the best judge of such things outside of a professional setting, it felt as though he enjoyed mine as well. I spent more time than I’d care to admit trying to convince myself that what I felt when he laughed at my jokes or smiled at me over the top of the computer at work wasn’t anything more than friendship. I’d never really had a close friend before, maybe that’s all this was. Yep. This was definitely only friendship.

A couple of months later, in the middle of dinner, his suddenly serious gaze met mine.

“Can I ask you a question?” he asked hesitantly.

“Whatever you’d like.”

“Do you like what you do?” He looked a bit concerned that I might be offended.

“Actually, I really do. I’ve always been a pretty sexual person. I enjoy the act, and I like that I’moffering a service people appreciate. The money’s not bad at this point either. I figure in seven or eight years I’ll have enough to retire.”

He looked shocked. “Seriously?”

I nodded.

“You’ll be what…like fourty?!”

I laughed loudly enough that several other diners turned to look in our direction.“Thank you, but no. I’m thirty-seven now. I’ll be edging in on fifty by the time I can manage it.”

He narrowed his gaze, and I felt a wave of warmth wash over me as his eyes raked slowly down my body, looking closer than perhaps he had before. “You’re thirty- seven?”

I nodded.

“Lord!” He laughed. “You are doing something right. I’ll have to start eating whatever you do.” He eyed my plate doubtfully. “As awful as it looks.”

Iflipped a pea at him, and he threw his head back in laughter. I’d only seen him do that a handful of times. It was a deep, warm sound that vibrated along my skin and resonated in my bones. I shivered as gooseflesh roseacross my arms. I hoped he hadn’t noticed.

“Can I ask you another question?” He asked.

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