Page 36 of Sins of the Flesh
Mas!
Me:
was it embarrassing?
Me:
Mas?
Me:
You better tell me fucker!
To absolutely no one's surprise, he didn't.
Nineteen
Caleb
RUNRUNRUN - Dutch Melrose
T
here is a slight knock on my office door frame.I know it’s Cole without looking; there’s just a presence about him.He knocks louder when I don't respond.My body tenses and I look up, he's leaning against the doorway and my God when did he become so gorgeous.Wearing brown boots, ripped jeans molded to his thighs, a standard white T-shirt, and a friendly dimpled smile.His green eyes twinkle and I feel my knees go weak.He’s so perfect.
"Hey, Boss man," Cole says, his voice warm and inviting."I brought you some lunch.When I didn't see you in the break room I figured you were busy and forgot, so here I am with food."He holds up a brown paper bag as proof.
I try to force a smile."That's very kind of you, Cole.Please, come in."He steps into my office, setting the bag on my desk between us.The scent of fresh bread and roasted chicken wafts through the air, making my stomach growl.
After fighting off fantasies of him bent over my desk as I fuck him all morning, his proximity has me on edge."I, um—thank you," I stammer, trying not to stare at the way his t-shirt stretches across his chest as he leans forward to unpack the food.
"Everything okay?"Cole asks, tilting his head to one side like a concerned puppy."You seem tense."
"I'm fine," I lie, unwrapping the sandwich he's brought me."Just busy with...church matters."Attempting to take the attention off of me, I change the subject."How are you doing today?"I ask, anything to drown my racing thoughts.
Cole shrugs, leaning back in the chair, his legs propped up and crossed at the ankles on the corner of my desk."Can't complain.Though I'm a little sore from Saturday night."
My breath catches, and I nearly choke on my sandwich."Sore?"I ask, my voice sounding strangled.He grins, as my nerves bounce through my body like a pinball.
"Yeah, went out to celebrate my 21st birthday.Mason took me to this gay bar in the city.First time I've really cut loose like that."Jealousy flares hot and sharp in my chest.I clench my fists under the desk, willing myself to stay calm.
"I thought Mason wasn't gay."This comes out a little sharper than intended, but Cole doesn't seem to notice as he chuckles and shakes his head.
"He’s not, just doing me a solid.He made a promise to me when we were teens as best friends.Do you know what I mean?"
I nod, relief flooding through me.I am glad he and Mason are just close friends, but the thought of Cole at a gay bar.Dancing with other men, possibly going home with someone...it makes something dark and possessive twist inside me.
"Did you...meet anyone interesting?"The words taste bitter on my tongue.Cole's cheeks flush slightly and that irrational jealousy bubbles up again.Why is he blushing?Part of me doesn't want to know the answer at all.But still I lean forward, elbows on my desk giving him my full attention.
"Well, there was this one guy.We danced for a bit, and he wanted to take things further, but..."He trails off, looking uncertain.
"But?"I prompt, my heart pounding.
"Mason stopped anything from happening," Cole says, cocking his head at me.“Caleb, are you sure you’re alright?”I nod hastily and sit back taking another bite of my sandwich.
After a minute or two of tense silence, Cole says, “Well…you seem busy.”He drops his feet to the floor and stands.“I need to head out anyways.I have a list of materials to gather for some projects.”Pointing his thumb behind his shoulder and rocking on his feet with his other hand in his pocket and giving a firm nod, he starts to make his way towards the door.
My resolve is fraying at the edges as I watch him move.I should just let him walk out of here.That is the right thing to do.My knuckles white as I grip the arms of my chair, my foot is bouncing with the effort to stay put.Cole turns to point one more small smile at me and something breaks loose.
