Page 39 of Dead Serious with Benefits
“Fey,” Arlo corrected smoothly. “The word covers more than fairies. Elves, leprechauns, and a whole host of other creatures, Brownies, Pixies, and so on.”
“Mmmm,” Miles hummed thoughtfully, reaching into his brightly colored vest and pulling out a tape. “Then you do the talking, explain everything, while I get these measurements. You might just be responsible for the newest, greatest addition to my line...if I can get someone interested, and you can bet I’ll work this ass harder than I do at the gym to make that happen, you’ll see.”
Arlo’s eyes met mine over Mile’s head, giving me a bemused look. “Sure.”
“Excellent!” Miles said before glancing at me, and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m aware,” I said, giving Arlo a shrug to say,What can you do? He is who he is,and walked out, leaving them to their little bonding session.
“Goodness, you are built sonicely,” Miles all but purred as I left the room.
I snorted, grabbing my coffee. I almost felt bad, leaving Arlo alone with Miles, who was...well, he was an absolute genius, but he was also a lot to handle without preparation. I knew him and his work through my mother, which made him one of the few things I came into contact with through her that didn’t quickly get shunted away. If she could tolerate how odd and patience-testing he was, I could deal with the taint of her knowing him. Didn’t hurt that neither of us could deny that he was exceptional at what he did, which made him tolerable to her, and made it easier to ignore that he still frequently worked on her payroll.
Dumping my cocktail glass in the dishwasher, I called the workman’s boss since I still hadn’t received a call or an invoice. It turned out that the man I’d spoken to hadn’t fallen too far from the tree. The owner of the company was gruff and direct, but irritated beyond belief when I informed him how the other man had acted. I flatly refused a discount for the work or any future work. He seemed a little nervous at my refusal, but his delight was apparent when I changed tactics and told him I preferred to think that his son was more indicative of the quality his company provided, along with the not-so-subtle hint that it would encourage me to give them a good word, if not hire them again, if I needed more work done.
He seemed in a much better mood when I got off the phone, with the unnecessary promise that he would deal with the slacker. Miles hadn’t emerged from the closet, and I wondered how long it would take. Considering the last comment I’d heard him make before I left, Miles was probably enjoying himself around Arlo.
Hmm, probably enjoying it as much as I had been under the guise of doing the measurements. I didn’t know if I should be amused or horrified at the sudden unpleasant feeling that welled up inside me at the thought of Miles taking advantage of his job to get a little feel on Arlo. Both emotions seemed appropriate, not just because Arlo was a grown man who could handle himself and was claimed by no one, let alone me, but because the idea of being jealous was foreign to me.
It wasn’t an overwhelming feeling. It didn’t drive me to stomp into the closet and make a scene like I’d witnessed other people do when they were jealous. Which begged the question, was it because I had the self-control and self-awareness to stop myself, or was I simply not that jealous? I didn’t have a frame of reference to know, but it was one more thing to add to the list of odd things that had happened to me since I had met Arlo. I couldn’t help but wonder what other odd and perhaps uncomfortable things I might discover if I spent time around him.
“Oh,” Miles exclaimed loudly from the bedroom, and I headed that way. “So many ideas, you are a delight, Arlo. Thank you so much.”
“I should be thanking you,” I heard Arlo say as I entered the closet and came to a stop, unable to help but cock my head. I’d missed Arlo stripping out of my outfit, and he was now half-dressed. Apparently, he was willing to strip to his underwear in full view of Miles, but had been happy to have some privacy around me.
Interesting.
Not nearly as interesting as the plane of his back as he bent over to grab his shirt, but interesting all the same.
“No, no, no,” Miles rambled, shaking his head. “You have done me so much good today.”
“Deserving of a discount?” I wondered, raising a brow.
Miles gave me a withering look. “Ifyouhad any good ideas since you were the one who hired me, then I would consider it. Since he was the one who did, he can consider a discount at a later date if he should ever want my services for himself.”
“Typical,” I said with a smirk.
“I’m not sure even a discount would mean I’d be able to afford your services,” Arlo admitted, and whatever I might have added to that comment was forgotten as he pulled his shirt over his head, turning back toward us as he did. Well, he certainly didn’t get a stomach that flat without putting in time at a gym. He was either particular about his grooming or somehow developed a trail of hair from above his belly button in a neat line.
My God, it really was like being a horny teenager again. I was one step away from being awash with lust because he exposed his ankle.
“Now, now, now,” Miles said with a grin, adjusting his vest unnecessarily. “I offer several affordable services for the average person. Well, affordable for the quality I give, and the ideas I bring to the table. I’m sure we could work something out.”
The look in his eyes told me just what ‘working out’ he had in mind. “I take it you’ve got your measurements? Or do you wish to keep undressing him with your eyes?”
“I was undressing him to redress him. My goodness, the possibilities. He has a gentleman’s face,” Miles said with a little sigh. I waited a few heartbeats before he shook himself with a little noise and clapped his hands. “Well, you should have the tux by tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have someone drop it off for you, so please be awake, Ward. I do not need that thing sitting outside your door after I’ve worked on it. Security or not, I simply don’t trust anyone.”
“I will strive to do my best,” I said with a roll of my eyes. “Thank you as always, Miles. It’s always an interesting time when you’re around.”
“Yes, yes, yes, of course it is,” he said, wiggling his pinky at Arlo. “Do give some thought to my offer, won’t you? Bye, boys, try not to get into trouble...or at least not any trouble that would damage the clothes.”
“We’ll do our best,” I said dryly, amused as ever by his constant, frenetic energy. “Do you require an escort to the door?”
“No, no, no...well, unless my latest muse wants to join me,” Miles said slyly.
“Miles, stop harassing the man,” I said with a sigh.
He gave me a knowing look. “Want him to yourself to harass? As if you haven’t already...and I’d be sorely disappointed if you hadn’t.”
