Rough and Rugged: A Meet Me In Milwaukee Charity Anthology

Chapter Four

Griff

Throwing insults and sexual innuendos is par for the course on a construction site, but Gray’s remark to his sister was a good one. I’ve been holding in my chuckle since he dropped the pony line, but now that we’re outside, I can’t anymore. I don’t laugh often, I’m usually more of a short chuckle kind of guy, but this time, it’s a full-out belly laugh. And Gray joins in.

Once we let it all out and wipe a couple tears from the corners of our eyes, we both realize the same thing at the exact same moment—we’re still holding hands.

I wasn’t kidding earlier when I told Gray this was our beginning. I may have initially said it as a dare, just to see how he’d respond after his own ask of me to play along with his ruse, but deep down, I was serious. I’ve been attracted to this man since the day he walked into my office for his interview but could never do anything about it. When he explained he was moving to find a fresh start, I knew I couldn’t hire him and ask his sexual orientation all in one meeting. Not to mention that one look at his resume showed he was twelve years younger than me, a bigger age gap than I’d ever dated before, so any chance was gone in a flash. But at least hiring him meant I could see him every day. Although looking back, I don’t know if I was giving myself daily eye candy or torturing myself with forbidden fruit.

I didn’t hire Gray only because of his good looks. The work he included with his resume, along with the quick research I did about some of the jobs he’d worked on at his last firm in Chicago, showed he knew what he was doing. Gray specializes in residential architecture, and as a log cabin builder myself, he was perfect for the position here. I knew right then I had to batten down any emotional hatches I had open, lock down any potential feelings I might have, and hire him on the spot. It was the best decision ever . . . or at least I’d thought it was.

Walking into Hank’s Tavern tonight was meant to be. My feet knew something my brain didn’t, and I couldn’t be happier because of it. I hate the small flashes of pain I saw in Gray’s eyes any time he referred to his sister’s betrayal, but that’s over now. I never want to see that in his gaze again. I can make him happy. Forget about my previous concerns about being his boss, or him being too young for me, I’m not letting this chance get away. Grayson Sanderson is mine.

Keeping our hands locked together, I step in front of Gray so we’re face to face, chest to chest. “So, now what?”

“First, I need to say thank you for stepping in and playing along with the whole fake fiancé thing.” Looking a little unsure of himself, I watch as Gray seemingly builds himself a partial wall in front of his emotions. I can understand why, but hopefully, I can knock it right back down after he shares his concerns. “You didn’t need to do that, and I don’t know how you realized I needed help, but I’m grateful. I definitely owe you one for that save.”

“That’s the second time now you’ve said you owe me.” I step even closer to Gray, leaving only an inch between our bodies. Any closer and we’d be doing something very inappropriate in public. “What is it you want to offer me, Gray? Because if the thoughts running through my head right now aren’t the same as yours, you need to tell me before I make a move neither of us can come back from.”

“Is it possible to have someone you shouldn’t?” Gray’s stormy hazel eyes finally lock on mine, but they’re no longer filled with sadness or concern—they’re full of fire and need and so much more.

I need to know what that more is. “It is,” I answer along with a small nod as I rest my forehead on his. The aroma of his smoky cologne fills my senses. I can smell it now that we’re outside and away from anything else. It’s addicting, just like him.

“Did you mean what you said before?” Our eyes are still locked. “About this being a beginning?”

“Other than the day I started my company, I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life, Gray.” Now’s the time to lay everything on the line. I couldn’t cross it before, but we’re beyond that now. I’m about to drive a logging truck through the last section of brick wall he has up so there’s no chance it can ever be rebuilt. I won’t let him get away now.

Before I have a chance to say another word, two hands grab hold of the waistband of my jeans and yank me that last inch forward. My arms wrap around his waist, trapping him in my embrace. I can’t help but groan as our lips meet again and his nose brushes against mine. The stubble of his beard rasps against mine, and my body feels tingly, like it’s being shocked over and over again—but in a good way. I need to get him alone . . . somewhere, anywhere but here.

“Gray,” I pant between kisses. I try to say more words, but he keeps pulling me back in. “Come home with me.”

That draws his attention and the kisses slowly taper off until we’re both trying to catch our breath. A moment passes before he can speak. “Are you sure? Really sure?”

“One hundred percent sure.”

“What will we tell everyone?”

“Everyone who?”

“At work. You’re still the boss, and I’m still your employee. I don’t want that to change.”

“Gray,” I grab hold of his face in my hands, needing him to listen to everything I want to say, “we can be both if this is what you want. If I want it, which I very much do, and you want it, which I’m hoping you do since we just had our tongues down each other’s throats,” that gets a chuckle from both of us, “I really don’t care what everyone else thinks, okay? You and me, we’ve wasted enough time circling around each other this last year, I don’t want to waste another day.”

“Me neither. I may have thought you were hot the moment I walked into your office,” he sasses with a tug on my jeans, “but it’s grown to more than that. I want more. I need more. I want you, Griff. Take me home.”

Home.I need to take him home. Then I’m never going to let him leave.