Page 6 of Exposed
The comment struck Jamison. This guy had just flipped his world upside down and Jamison honestly had no idea how old he was. He didn’t know Kace’s middle name or if he had any siblings. Jamison wanted to know all those things. He wanted everything. The truth slowly dawned. He had met the one. Now he just had to convince Kace he was worth keeping.
Chapter Four
Everyfewminutes,Kacecaught himself smiling like an idiot. He would force the senseless grin away, only to catch himself again. He didn’t know if or when he would see Jamison again, but he had high hopes. His entire body sang with happiness. He had fallen asleep in some very sexy arms and woken to a delicious mouth kissing its way down his body. Fuck. He was in trouble. Not because he didn’t want a relationship or anything, but because he wanted this so fucking badly, he could taste it. If they didn’t talk again, he would be crushed.
Kace had always preferred the night shift. It allowed him to sleep in and get errands done without rushing. Tonight, he resented working at all. When he had left for his shift, he had welcomed the distraction. Jamison had an appointment. Kace over thought their every second together. He needed to keep busy to hold his focus, except it wasn’t happening. Kace still couldn’t stop questioning what this was, which was incredibly dumb. Heknew better than to expect anything from anyone these days. Everyone was just hopping from one bed to the next. No one wanted anything real. He wasn’t special. Fuck, though. Jamison had made him feel like no one else has ever fucked him so good. The pride that guy had made him feel, damn. Kace didn’t know if he would survive, knowing it was a one-night stand. If he never heard from Jamison again, he would spend the rest of his life second-guessing himself. Hell, there was a very real possibility Jamison was a huge player who simply had his act down to perfection. He wouldn’t be the first guy to completely fuck with Kace’s head. Kace wanted to believe, though. He was at a place in his life where he desperately wanted something real.
Kace hadn’t been joking last night. He had no intention of going out and searching for love. It would have to fall from the sky. The dating scene was complete trash. He wouldn’t disturb his peace with that dumpster fire. Kace would rather be alone, and that said a lot, because he was lonely. That was sad to admit, but true. Not that loneliness made him desperate. He hadn’t fallen on Jamison because he was convenient. The guy was so, so sexy. He was huge, with a hairy chest, and took up way too much space. Jamison would cost a fortune to feed, and he was like a space heater in bed. Kace loved all those things. Those qualities made him real. Jamison wasn’t some dude at the club with over-styled hair who rarely left the gym. He wasn’t the guy who bleached his teeth and waxed every inch of his body, hoping to be the prettiest boy at the club. Jamison was just a genuine person. He was also so, so nice, and damn it, Kace would be upset if they never spoke again.
A flash of familiar red hair caught Kace’s eye and pulled him from his thoughts. He grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler.As he made his way through the line, he kept his gaze locked on the man’s back. He was a good ninety percent sure it was Lucas, three people ahead of him. It just seemed like such a huge coincidence to run into him here. Why was he at the hospital cafeteria? Kace grabbed a salad and chose his dressing while trying not to lose sight of Lucas. He gave up when it came time to pull out his phone to pay. It probably wasn’t him. That was just too weird. He grabbed his stuff and turned to find a seat. Lucas stood behind him with a soda and sandwich.
A bright smile lit the guy’s face. His amber eyes sparkled with happiness. “Hey. I thought that was you.”
Kace automatically smiled. Lucas was pretty irresistible. “Hey. What a crazy place to run into each other.”
Lucas shrugged. “I mean, you work here and everyone ends up here eventually.”
He guessed that was true. After all, working at the hospital was how he had seen Joesph again after years of no contact.
Lucas motioned toward a nearby table. “Want to sit together?”
It seemed weird not to since they knew each other. “Sure.” They moved to the table. Kace spoke while they got settled. “So, is everything okay? People are rarely here for anything good.”
“I’m one of the exceptions. My younger sister had a baby. Her husband is currently deployed and won’t get here for a couple of days. I’m staying with her.”
“That’s nice of you.”
Lucas shrugged. “She’s my sister.”
Kace liked the way Lucas made the claim like that mattered. A lot of people had shitty siblings they couldn’t stand.
“I really enjoyed dinner the other night. You have no idea how disappointed I was to get called away.”
Well, shit. He was uncomfortable. It didn’t make sense. One night with Jamison didn’t make them a couple. He was under no obligation to reject Lucas. Kace honestly couldn’t pinpoint why he suddenly didn’t want to flirt. Jamison probably didn’t even want anything serious. Damn.
“It was nice, but I get it. Work has to come first sometimes.”
“I’d hoped to make you come first.”
He didn’t know how to untangle himself from this. Possibly, he would be crazy to let someone like Lucas slip through his fingers… again. That thought drew him up short. He had already been down this road with Lucas. Lucas had already proved he wouldn’t call. Kace wouldn’t risk his shot at something real over someone he knew to be fake.
“Here’s the thing. I’m not really looking for a fling at this stage in my life.” Damn, he sounded old, but really. Compared to Lucas, he was. The guy deserved to have his fun while he could, butKace was tired. He didn’t want to play games. “You don’t strike me as the type to settle down.”
Lucas shrugged. “Spend your break with me. You might change your mind.”
Jesus. He really was pretty… and skinny. Lucas didn’t look like he could keep Kace warm at night. He definitely wasn’t pillow material. Kace had hired Jamison for a reason. He loved to cuddle. Kace probably enjoyed being held more than the sex. What was wrong with him? Lucas was a sexy guy. Kace would be crazy to pass up his chance. Why was he always such a mess?
“Hey. Damn. I didn’t get here quick enough.”
Kace started at Jamison’s sudden arrival. He claimed the chair next to Kace like Kace should have expected him.
Jamison passed a food container his way. “Oh, good. You’re just having salad. That goes great with lasagna.”
Kace was slightly disoriented. “You brought me lasagna?”
“Of course. I can’t have you going hungry on the night shift.” He looked Lucas’ way. “What’s up?”
Kace glanced between them. He didn’t know what to do or say.
