Chapter Four
“Thanks, Trevor. I appreciate the quick action.” His second full week at the office wasn’t going any easier than the first. At that first board meeting, as he’d told Russell he would, Armi had requested that their scouts spread out to Division III schools as well as junior colleges and community colleges. He’d seen the looks and heard the grumblings, but despite quaking in his shoes, Armi had stood his ground. Russell had done his job and come to Armi’s defense, but Armi hadn’t missed the huddles after the meeting and meant to ask Russell about it.
Trevor was saying, “Janice assured me this man is top of the top. She personally recommended him. He was personal assistant to the head of the largest international shipping company in the US and is a whiz at keeping schedules and getting things done without you even knowing he’s there.”
Barely listening, Armi scrolled through his work emails, trying to keep up with scouting reports, training reports, fiscal reports… His head spun. It was hard diving into the deep end of the company with no life jacket. But Armi was used to going it alone. His father had hardly made the office a welcoming place for him, and as the years passed, Armi came by less and less often, eventually giving up completely. It gnawed at his gut that he’d allowed others to take over. No one questioned his decision to allow Russell to run the team—it was as if people expected Armi to hide, to not show his face and collect a check. After speaking with his mother, who’d proved surprisingly adamant that he could do it with proper guidance and support, Armi had shocked everyone by showing up at the office, intending to work, while enduring condescending expressions from the board when they thought he wasn’t looking.
For the fifth time that day, he thought maybe dear old Dad was right and he should give it over to Russell and go grub in the dirt with his roses.
“Yeah? If he’s so good, Trev, why is he available?” Shit . He’d forgotten about the four p.m. staff meeting. He should order food or something for everyone. He scribbled it on a sticky note.
“Because his old boss got married and the new wife is now his personal assistant. She doesn’t want to let him out of her sight. You know how it goes.”
Actually, he didn’t. As awkward as he was in business, Armi was twice as bumbling and left-footed in his personal life. His few sexual encounters had been brief, unsatisfying, and left him lonelier than before. Except for that wild encounter with Hayden. But he knew it was a one-off, never to be repeated.
It was why he preferred to stay with his garden. The prick from a thorn wasn’t half as hurtful as being snubbed, put down, or laughed at behind his back.
“Armi? Are you listening to me?”
He blinked back to awareness. “Sorry, what?”
He heard Trevor’s huff of annoyance. “I said, Hayden Porter will be there at noon.”
At the mention of the name Hayden, a thrill of excitement tingled up his spine. It would be silly to think it was him. His Hayden.
If only Hayden were mine…
He licked his lips, imagining he could still taste Hayden and see him fall apart as he came. The smell of his come, his hard dick throbbing…God, he was beautiful. A shame they’d never see each other again. He wasn’t about to stalk the man’s apartment building, and he didn’t even know Hayden’s last name.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll be ready. I’d better go. And thanks, Trev. I appreciate it.”
“Anytime. Please, try and come for dinner sometime. Marianne wants to see you. We both do, but she misses you. And your roses.”
“Sounds good. I promise I will once things settle down a bit. And I’ll bring her something new I’m working on.”
“I’m going to tell Marianne, so she’ll hound you even if I won’t. Now that you’ll have a real assistant, I’ll make plans with him, and you’ll always have to show,” Trevor joked.
“You’re that positive I’m going to hire him?”
Trevor’s sigh filled his ear. “Listen. You need help. And this guy sounds like exactly who you need. Unless he’s a serial killer, there’s no reason to say no.”
In a good mood for the first time all day, Armi laughed. “And how would I know if he was? But I get your point. I promise, if he’s as perfect as you say he is, I’ll hire him.”
“Let me know. Gotta go. Talk soon.”
Armi ended the call and wrote on another sticky note: Make dinner plans with Trevor. Don’t forget flowers.
The next few hours were spent up to his eyeballs in salary negotiation reports from the lawyers, and he took copious notes. Spending was on par with earlier years, so he didn’t see any issues there and moved on. Eating his sandwich, he opened the report from Russell on the off-season trade talks. They were in the heart of free agency now, and he scoured the athletes the Kings were pursuing, wondering why they had their sights on some who were plagued with injuries or had trouble off-season with bad behavior. A piece of pickle fell on his suit lapel, and he grimaced at the mustard stain it left.
As he dabbed at it with a napkin, his phone buzzed. “Yes?”
“Your twelve o’clock is here. Hayden Porter.”
“Thank you. Bring him in, please.”
He blotted the spot with some water, which only made it more apparent, and tossed everything into the garbage. He stood to peer at his reflection in the mirror. A quick knock on his door before it opened.
“Mr. Winters. I have Hayden Porter.”
“Please, Josh, call me Armand.”
Josh stepped aside, and in walked Hayden Porter.
His Hayden.
The man he’d last seen half-naked and sleeping. The man whose dick he’d sucked and licked. His mouth dried while his face burned. What the hell? Trevor couldn’t have known…
Hayden closed the door behind him and strolled into the office until he stood in front of him.
“Hello, Mr. Winters.”
Armi swallowed hard. “Is this a joke?”
Hayden’s smile faded. “What do you mean?”
“You know what I’m talking about,” he hissed. They might be alone in his office, but his eyes darted side to side as if someone could overhear their conversation.
“Yes. We met at The Vibe, and you came home with me.” He lifted his chin, those green eyes Armi couldn’t stop thinking about, cool and determined. “But that has nothing to do with this job.”
Somewhat dizzy, Armi circled around to put the expanse of his desk between the two of them and sat. Well, flopped would characterize it better, as his legs trembled.
“You’re a personal assistant?”
“I am.” Still standing, Hayden tipped his head. “May I sit?”
“What? Yes, of course. Please.”
Hayden took the straight-backed chair and sat. The contrast was laughable between this man, beautifully dressed in a conservative suit and tie, almost prim in his appearance, and the wild-eyed, passionate man with the wicked mouth and teasing tongue. Armi grew weak, recalling all the tattoos against his skin, now hidden under his clothes. Hayden opened a leather portfolio and handed him a copy of his résumé.
“I know you’re extremely busy and this interview was on short notice, so you might not have had the chance to review my qualifications.”
Armi took it and scanned the page. “Impressive. I know of Kunoff Shipping. I’ve seen their barges.”
“I made sure everything Boris—Mr. Kunoff—needed was always in place. I pride myself on being a step ahead so you never fall behind.”
“That would be a switch,” Armi said, his smile wry. “I’m never caught up.”
“I can help with that.” Hayden leaned forward, his body language eager and willing. “I’d have your calendar set for the week and make sure you’re always up-to-date on what you need to know for your meetings. I may not know the ins and outs of football, but I’m a quick learner.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not so knowledgeable myself,” Armi admitted. “We can learn together.” Aware that might sound intimate, he rushed to explain. “I mean, uh, I can do it, and you —”
“Mr. Winters,” Hayden broke in quietly. “I think we need to get things out in the open and clear the air between us.” He chewed on his lip, suddenly vulnerable. “I know this might be embarrassing, but it doesn’t have to be.”
“No? I’m glad you think so.” Their eyes met briefly before he forced himself to look anywhere but at Hayden’s face. How could he sit with him day after day, knowing what he looked like naked?
Worst of all, wanting to see him like that again.
Obviously, Hayden wasn’t obsessing over him, and Armi listened to his argument.
“Mr. Winters, I can put aside how we first met and chalk it up to a strange New York experience. I’m sure you’re feeling as awkward as I am. But I know I can help you, and as a professional, I can assure you, our relationship would be strictly business.”
It was a silly fantasy to wish that Hayden had told him he wanted a repeat of what happened between them. It was surprising that Hayden remembered him at all.
“What would you expect your hours to be?”
Hayden brightened. “Whatever you want. In my old position, I would be in the office no later than seven thirty. Boris would arrive at nine, and I’d have everything set up for the day—his meetings, personal appointments, and so on. All documents would be ready for his signature with appropriate copies, and I’d make sure he got to his evening appointments.” Hayden hesitated. “I don’t mind arranging lunch and dinner reservations, as well as your personal appointments, but I’m more than a glorified gofer. Yes, I’ll have your breakfast waiting for you, and lunch as well, but it goes beyond those simple tasks.”
A smile twitched up Armi’s lips. “I see you have strong opinions about that.”
Green eyes blazed fire through the fan of those dark eyelashes. Hayden set his jaw. “Yes, I do. I’m the best of the best, and I’m not modest.”
That arrogance was a fucking turn-on. Not that he needed an excuse to lust over Hayden.
“So I see.” Armi’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not exaggerating when I tell you I’m in over my head here. Way over. No one, least of all me, expected that I’d be sitting in this chair so quickly—or at all. Not a single person thinks I can do the job—one says he does, but I’m not sure. He was my father’s best friend.” Armi raised his gaze to meet Hayden’s. “I have no one completely on my side.”
“That would be me,” Hayden stated, his voice soft but urgent. “If I work for you, yes, I’m employed by the Kings, but you would be my main and only concern. I’d be on your side, in your corner. Whatever you need.”
Whatever I need?
“I-I don’t know.”
A vision of Hayden in mid-orgasm, eyelids fluttering, body twitching sprang to Armi’s mind, and he trembled. Apparently, Hayden could pick up on body language as well.
“You’re still thinking about what happened between us.”
Armi ran a shaky hand through his hair. “How can I not?”
“Because it’s in the past. It was a club hookup. It didn’t mean anything, so we can forget about it.”
With a sinking heart, Armi realized that what Hayden had said was true. For Hayden. He probably went to clubs and picked up guys all the time. A man as beautiful and sexual as Hayden could have his choice of lovers. Armi had made it easy for him that night. The truth was, Hayden might work for him, but he was way out of Armi’s league.
He forced a smile. “Yeah, sure. No big deal. Okay, well, let me call your references, and I’ll get back to you in a few days.”
Hayden nodded and stood. “Thank you. I think we could work well together.” His eyes twinkled. “I have an in with the best dry cleaners in town that can do wonders with lunch spills.”
Instinctively, his gaze shifted to his suit lapel and the remnants of his mustardy-pickle smeared into the fabric. Armi sighed. “It’s inevitable. No matter what I do, my breakfast, lunch, or dinner lands on me somewhere.”
Hayden remained unfazed. “It’s very common to keep a change of clothes in the office. I can arrange for a suit, shirt, and tie to always be here, or evening clothes if you have dinner plans, so you’ll always have what you need to wear.”
Why hadn’t he thought of that? “You’d have to include shoes as well. The other day, I noticed—too late—I had on one black and one brown loafer.” Russell had pointed it out to him right before the meeting but assured him no one would notice.
“Happens to everyone.”
Doubtful. Armi never witnessed his father make one misstep. “I’ll walk you out.”
He opened the door, and Hayden passed in front of him. His dick twitched, and he closed his eyes. Could he work with Hayden and not think of those wet, hot kisses? Or how his skin tasted and smelled? Who was he to have these insane thoughts? He’d never been a sexual person, yet lust burned in his blood for this man.
Side by side, they made their way through the sprawling space, and with a sinking heart, Armi saw Whitmore approaching him.
“Armand, what the hell are you thinking with that damn fool scouting idea?” The anger rolled off him in waves, and Armi shrank from his rage. That didn’t stop Whitmore from getting right into his face, pointing with his finger and continuing to berate him. “Do you want to destroy this team? Is that it? You’re finally getting back at your father for speaking the truth about you? I know you’re ignorant about sports, but for God’s sake—”
“Excuse me, but who the hell are you to talk to him like that?” Hayden snapped.
Whitmore swung around to face Hayden, and Armi put a hand on his arm. “It’s okay.”
“The hell it is. You’re the owner of the company.” Hayden turned to Whitmore. “You don’t talk to him like that, or to anyone for that matter.”
“Who the hell am I?” Whitmore’s gaze flicked over Hayden, dismissing him. The man was legendary for his cutting comebacks. Some of the support staff in the common area left their seats to see what the tumult was about. “Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do in my own company?”
“He’s my new assistant,” Armi heard himself say. “And this isn’t your company, Jacob. It’s mine. I own it, and you’d better get used to it.”
A slight smile kicked up the corner of Hayden’s mouth, and Armi watched as Whitmore grew apoplectic.
“Your assistant? And you’re going to let him talk to me that way?” Whitmore sputtered.
“Frankly, I don’t think he was hard enough. I dislike bullies and mean people.”
“Bullies and mean people?” Whitmore laughed in his face. “This is a billion-dollar business, not a toddler playground. If you’re not man enough to play in the big leagues, maybe you should step out of the sandbox and let us do the work.”
In the past, he would’ve quivered at Whitmore’s nasty words and relented, but having Hayden there gave him courage. Emboldened, Armi drew in a deep breath and folded his arms. “Is there a problem with you taking orders from me, Jacob? I told you my position, and as owner and president, I expect you to follow through.”
“What’s going on here?” Russell’s quiet, authoritative voice cut through the tension, and he joined the three of them and put a hand on Armi’s shoulder. “Can I help?”
“I—” Armi began, but Whitmore cut him off.
“Armand’s hired someone who was disrespectful to me. I was letting him know I won’t tolerate being spoken to like that.”
“You’ve hired someone already?” Releasing him, Russell gave Hayden the once-over, and Armi wasn’t sure he liked it. Not for any other reason than one person had no right to judge another by a single look. It told nothing of their character, only appearances, which often proved to be a mistake. “That was quick.”
Hayden stayed quiet, but those clever eyes remained watchful, and Armi knew, though his references needed to be checked, that it was mostly a formality. His immediate reaction to stand up to someone as powerful as Whitmore proved what he’d said in the interview: Hayden would be there for him. In his corner. He could lust after his assistant in private. Hayden would never need to know.
“Yes. This is Hayden Porter. He comes highly recommended.” His mind made up, he nodded at Hayden. “I was bringing him to Human Resources to get him set up.”
“That’s good.” Russell frowned, contradicting his words. “How many people have you interviewed? I hadn’t noticed any other candidates.”
“Are you in charge of Mr. Winters’s hiring?” Hayden asked.
The question startled both Russell and Whitmore, but Armi appreciated that he’d started setting boundaries.
Brows up, Russell studied Hayden’s face. “No. But I’m Armand’s friend and second in charge. I’m just looking out for him.”
“So am I.”
Armi bit back a smile.