Page 7 of Love On and Off Set

“No, I can’t. I have a presentation to the Board of Directors tomorrow. In fact, after we’ve supped, I need to return to my review of the slides.”

Dade wiped his face with a towel and then, unexpectedly, punched me in the arm. Lightly, but it startled me nonetheless. “Supped? Jesus, who talks like that?”

I gave him a hard stare. “I do.”

He shrugged. “Each to his own. See you in an hour.” He headed out of the room before I could compose myself.

His normally blond hair had been darker from the sweat. His bright-blue eyes shone.

And I shouldn’t have observed any of that. Or should’ve done it impartially. Instead, my cock stirred. Now I’d spend the next fifteen minutes replaying the scenario in my mind and imagining him naked in the shower.

I doubled back to the front door, snagged my briefcase, and headed to my office to drop it off. Then I strode into my bedroom where I removed my jacket and tie. Sometimes, when I came home, I changed into jeans and a Henley. Tonight, though, I wanted to maintain my status as a professional businessman. Businessperson.

Executive.

As I sat at my desk, though, my mind wandered. Not just to the shower—although that featured prominently in my imaginings. No, my mind replayed our dinner a couple of nights ago. Hadn’t he said he had interviews today? I should ask him how those had gone. And I should also make it clear I was pleased he was using the gym equipment—but that he needed to keep the volume down. This building had excellent soundproofing, but I felt no need to test that theory.

On the hour exactly, I emerged to the aroma of fish and garlic.

Dade was placing two plates at the table. When he caught sight of me, he grinned. “Yeah, I figured you’d be exactly on time. I found a couple of domes, but I was hoping I wouldn’t have to use them.” He pointed to the table. “Salmon, roasted baby potatoes, and Brussel sprouts.”

I didn’t miss the wince.

“You don’t have to eat the sprouts. I happen to enjoy them.”

He gave me a grateful smile. “Perfect, you can have mine, and I’ll eat the frozen carrots I heated up.”

I cocked my head. “When were you going to eat them?”

“After dinner. Mom drilled into me that vegetables were important. In fact, she made me promise to eat some every day, and today was kind of chaotic, and—”

Holding up my hand, I—to my relief—silenced the stream of words. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

“Great. I checked on the internet and they said white wine goes with fish. Well, someone said cabernet, but I wasn’t certain whether that was right. Anyway, I’ve poured you a glass.”

I eyed his place setting. “You’re not having some?”

He flushed.

I cocked my head.

“Uh, alcohol doesn’t go well with my antidepressant.” He hunched his shoulders.

After a moment, I moved to him, placing my hand gently on his upper arm. “I’m glad you feel you can be honest with me. I should know what your regime is because, as your roommate, I might…” I floundered a bit.

He rattled off the name of a drug I didn’t recognize, but made a note to read up on later. Then, after removing my hand from his impressive biceps, I sat. “Thank you for this.”

His hesitation was clear, but then he sat and eyed me.

I laughed. “I don’t pray over my food. Although if you do—”

“Uh, no. Not my jam.”

“Then let’s eat.”

And I’ll try to ignore how damn attractive you are and how I want to eat you up right along with the salmon.

Chapter Four