Page 6 of Employing Patience

“What?”

“You were watching me, weren’t you? On your cameras? Did you follow me out here?”

To his credit, he doesn’t deny it. “Like I said: duty of care.”

“Do you watch my ass on those cameras too?”

Art’s expression flickers.

“Jerk off over it?”

His laugh is raw and real. “You can’t talk that way to your boss.”

“Says who?”

“Says people.”

I step closer, making sure I’m just inside that ring of personal space. It’s surprising what Art does to me. Maybe I should overthink this urge to always flirt with him or question myself or something, but all I know is when he’s around, it’s as natural as breathing. And pumps me full of adrenaline. “You always do what people say?”

“Hardly ever. But in this case, I’ll make an exception.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re straight.” His eyes search mine for a second, and I don’t look away. “Aren’t you?”

“Completely.” Mostly. Every time I’ve thought I’ve been attracted to men, the feeling passed before I could act on it.

He takes a step back. “Go inside, Joey.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I’ll kick your ass to the curb.”

I head for the door. “Bet that’s not all you’d like to do to my ass.”

His groan feels like a victory.

I’ve always identified as straight, with the occasional detour for a pretty face, but Art’s not only pretty. He’s intimidating. Stunning. The kind of man who doesn’t seem real.

I’ve never gone there with a man, don’t think I ever could, but the way my body is reacting to him so strongly is tempting.

Makes me curious.

I’m straight, but …

It doesn’t hurt to wonder sometimes.

SIX MONTHS AGO

ART

I feel like a stalker.

Well, even more than when I’m actually trying to find out information on someone. I know Joey’s shifts, I know when he’ll be in the bar, and I plan my workdays around it. Not that it’s a huge detour from my business as usual, but I’m present in the bar area a lot more than I used to be.

Because the monitors don’t do him justice.

Joey’s confidence and charisma have me like a moth to a motherfucking flame. I’d known as soon as I met him that I’d be a total sucker, but I’d never clued in on the kind of hole I was digging for myself.

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