Page 32 of Losing his Daddy

As if she could sense his easy dismissal of her arrival, Danielle questioned, “Who is he?”

“No one you should worry about. He’s mine.” The words felt more powerful than they should have been. Not because Gerald was anything more than my newest employee. It was more like I was declaring him mine in all ways. He was someone she hadn’t touched, a relationship she hadn’t destroyed. Anything she deduced outside of my words was her own choice.

She crossed her arms, then surveyed me from top to bottom. “Where are your shoes?”

I rolled my eyes, a habit I usually kept to myself. “Why does it matter? Shouldn’t you instruct these young men on what you need packed?”

“Boys, go to the bedroom and grab everything feminine.” She shooed them away, then took a turn about the room. “Have you gone back to your old ways, then? I leave and suddenly you’re already switching teams?”

My jaw clenched at her taunt. Danielle never liked that I was bisexual. She said it wasn’t fair that some man could swoop in tosteal me from her at any moment. Ironic since she was the one to fuck things up between us.

“I have other things to handle today. Your questions aren’t part of that.” Turning away from her, I faced Gerald. He was watching us closely, his expression bordering on amused. I fought not to laugh at his slow brow raise when I gave him my full attention.

“Yes, sir?” He asked slowly.

The two words sent a jolt through me. Sudden visions of him saying them in a much breathier tone and with barely any clothing on whipped through my mind. I shook my head to clear the errant thoughts.

“We need to contact the movers to come clear the rest of the items today. Be sure to book them for your place too. We’ll also need to settle on a grocery list. There's more pantry space in the other place. You’ll have plenty of room to fill it however you wish.”

Danielle practically growled out, “What the actual fuck, Wes? Are you two moving in together?”

“Yep. Oh,” I tapped the counter. “I need to make sure you’re on all the approved lists. And you’ll need a card. I’m sure the bank will give me one quickly once I explain it all to them.”

I knew I was egging her on. She clearly thought there was a romantic relationship here. She’d insinuated as much with her comments about my bisexuality.

Gerald took the hints I gave with ease. “I’m sure they’ll be happy to help. I can take care of all this stuff. Do you need to go through more emails? I know you got a late start. I don’t want there to be any issues with your work.”

“That would be great, actually. I’ve got some clients to check in on. Thank you.” I winked at him in plain view of Danielle’s watchful eye. Then I took off to grab my laptop.

Danielle left her spot in the living room to move into the bedroom. I could hear her grumbled words echo down the hall.

I chuckled softly as Gerald made his way around the counter. He came close enough to whisper but not so close for us to touch.

“It makes sense now,” he said.

“It does?”

He turned to look towards the hallway. “Yes. You two wouldn’t have worked long term. She needs to be spoiled. She’s a brat.”

I tilted my head. For anyone else, the term brat would have seemed like a normal, everyday choice. But something about the way he said the word made me think he knew the more nuanced use of the title.

“That’s a fair description. I’ve never been a fan of brats. They weren’t my type.”

His gaze whipped my way. There were questions pouring silently between us. Neither of us spoke a word though, the moment too tense to press further.

He bit his lip. I furrowed my brow. Still, we kept quiet as the sounds of my former life radiated through the previously calm home.

“I’m glad you’ll have a fresh start. Everyone deserves one.” With that, he shifted the subject to the tasks I’d asked of him. I went to work and put all thoughts of anything other than a professional relationship from my mind.

Chapter Thirteen

Gerald

Minus dealing with the ex,working for Wes was a dream. He gave clear, concise instructions. There was little to no chance I’d fuck anything up. My biggest concerns had been how we’d react to one another after my shower fantasy session. Despite a rough start, it turned out better than expected.

The movers he had me hire had his place emptied by Monday evening. When I left to retrieve my things, he asked if I’d need them. I explained I only had a couple of bags with me since being released from the facility.

“Do you have stuff somewhere else? We can arrange for it to come here if you want,” he told me.

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