Page 29 of Sass

I felt way too happy about that. “Do you like the name or the fact it’s me saying it?”

His expression shuttered and he wagged his finger in my face. “Don’t start with me. You still haven’t told me why you insisted on calling me anything but Kip.”

“Fair enough.” I perched my butt on the edge of the table. “It wasn’t only to rile you up. I happen to like the name Christopher, and after a while it kind of morphed into Chris in my head. Kip’s cute and sassy, and it suits you. But it didn’t seem to capture the other side of you.”

His eyebrows rose. “Other side?”

“The more serious, businessman side.”

Chris flushed but said nothing, and I guessed it wasn’t a characteristic he was used to having complimented.

“Christopher or Chris just seemed to better fit. And okay, maybe I also liked the fact that no one else called you by either of those.” My own cheeks heated. “And after the...incident, I admit I might’ve enjoyed the way it seemed to piss you off, but that wasn’t the reason I started. I just think there’s a lot more to you than what you let people see on a day-to-day basis, and Chris sits better with me.”

“You think I play a role?” he asked softly, but there was a warning edge to his tone.

I held his gaze and answered steadily. “No. I just think you’re careful about what you show to others.”

He stared at me with a frown in place and said nothing.

I’d clearly fucked up, again. “Sorry, if that was out of line,” I offered, kicking myself.

He blinked and cleared his throat. “No, it’s fine. But there’s something else I’d like to clear up while we’re at it.” And the cheeky smile was back. “I don’t actually queue my Grindr hook-ups while I’m ordering coffee at the bakery. I’m extremely picky. I’d need at least a four-coffee, six-doughnut order to find a decent match.” He looked me over. “And I suspect I fuck a lot less than you think I do.”

I laughed and leaned close enough to rest my lips alongside his ear. He startled but didn’t move. “Now, you’re just lying.”

He snorted and turned his head, his green eyes dancing just a breath away from mine. “And you’re a flirt. Something that absolutelydoessurprise me. But it’s gonna make my mission to bed you that much easier.” He waggled his perfectly manicured brows and I laughed.

“Bed me, huh? How very Jane Austen of you. And also, never gonna happen.”

All humour left those green eyes, leaving only heat. Lots and lots of heat. “And I’ll take that bet.” He licked his lips, and just like that we were back in kissing distance, the kitchen disappearing until it was just the two of us standing close, way too fucking close.

If I leaned just a little more—

I stepped back.

Chris glanced at my lips and gave a smug little smile. “Me thinks you may as well give up now.” He retrieved his phone from his pocket and made a pretence of scrolling. “I have an open slot at seven between a gym bunny and a silver fox. Whaddya think?”

I choked out a laugh. “I’m slightly terrified that you might be serious, so I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. Go back to work. And maybe go home before nine tonight.”

“Your loss.” He shrugged and pocketed his phone. “Catch you later, Leon.” He opened the door and JJ and Ty scuttled back toward the studio.

For fuck’s sake.I glanced at Chris who simply shrugged.

“That’s nothing. I once caught Rhys with a glass to his ear against the closed kitchen door while Drew and Jack were in there. He and Beck wanted to know if they should broaden their sex talk parameters. There was nothing going on, of course, and they got a flea in the ear from Jack when they were caught. It was funny to watch.”

As I walked Chris to the desk, it occurred to me I hadn’t thought about my mother’s call, or Caitlyn, or the whole shitshow of her anniversary the entire time I’d been with him, something I would’ve thought impossible not twenty minutes before. And when he was done struggling back into his wet coat, I darted ahead and opened the door for him.

He froze and shot me an amused smile. “I said I’d fuck you, Leon, not date you. There’s no need for chivalry.”

I glanced at the door and groaned. “Sorry. I’ve got into the habit over the last couple of years.” I stepped back and let the door swing closed in his face. “Better?”

He blinked, then barked out a laugh and pulled it open again. “You’re beginning to grow on me.” He winced at the torrential rain, turned the collar up on his coat, and headed for Flare.

And as I watched him go, I had the sneaking suspicion I’d just entered the lion’s den and my name was at the top of the dinner menu.

Worse? I didn’t exactly hate the thought.

I turned to find Ty and JJ staring at me with unrepentant glee.

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