Chapter Three
Darkness engulfed Jamison as he slowly woke.
He felt oddly rested for the middle of the night.
The more his mind cleared, the more the horror set in.
He wasn’t home. Jamison had fallen asleep with Kace.
Holy shit. That had never happened to him.
Normally, he had a terrible time sleeping, so it was easy for him to stay awake with clients.
He couldn’t believe he had done something so stupid.
Jamison eased his hand in his pocket to find his phone.
The last thing he wanted was to disturb Kace.
He turned on the device, checked the face, and shot straight up.
It was nearly noon. He blinked at his surroundings.
Even in the pitch black, he could make out a few things.
There was the faintest hint of light streaming in around the curtains and there was a nightlight in the bathroom.
The bed was empty. Jamison scrambled from the bed.
He felt like a total idiot. It looked like it was his turn to say he was sorry.
He couldn’t believe this had happened. Jamison rushed from the room, determined to apologize.
The house was totally silent. In the kitchen, he found a plate of muffins and a note.
Jamison,
You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t want to bother you.
I made you breakfast. There’s orange juice in the fridge and coffee in the pot you can reheat.
When you’re ready, just lock the door behind you.
No need to rush. I know I can trust you.
Just text me when you leave so I can set the alarm on the app. Thanks for a great night of sleep.
Well, shit. He could hardly charge Kace for this. Jamison checked the app on his phone to withdraw the invoice. It had already been paid. He tried issuing a refund, but it was rejected. It seemed the app was being a bitch. He obviously couldn’t win.
Jamison eyed the muffins. They looked good.
Surely, it would be rude if he didn’t eat at least one.
He picked a small one and broke off a piece.
A hum of delight rose in his throat. Banana nut.
His favorite. It even had the little streusel topping on top he loved.
He ate as he moved to the fridge. Just like Kace said, a full container of orange juice was inside.
It was freshly squeezed. Jesus. Jamison was falling in love.
His stomach was the way to his heart. After finding the glassware and pouring a cup, he pulled out a stool at the counter and sat.
While he ate his second muffin, he tried again to refund Kace’s money.
It just wouldn’t go through. With a huff, he started on a third muffin.
It was like he was doomed to wreck things with Kace.
He supposed they were even now, but he still needed to apologize.
Jamison eyed the nearly empty plate. Kace had said he made Jamison breakfast—like he cooked.
That didn’t sound like someone angry. He wondered what brand muffin mix this was.
Damn. It was good. Jamison looked around for the trash can.
He wasn’t above checking. When he pushed the lever down with his foot and the lid popped up, he froze.
Banana peels and eggshells stared up at him.
Goddamn. He had made the muffins from scratch.
That was it. Jamison had to marry him. He chuckled at his thoughts.
Jamison hadn’t felt this good in a long time.
It was amazing what a solid night of sleep did for him.
Now he needed a shower. Regretfully, he left the final two muffins behind.
While he wanted them, he didn’t want to wipe Kace out.
It was possible Kace expected to eat at least one when he got home.
He rinsed his glass and put it in the dishwasher before heading back to the bedroom to make the bed.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, he was out.
The minute he climbed into his truck, he texted Kace.
He didn’t want to drive away, leaving Kace’s house without the alarm set.
Jamison: I’m incredibly sorry. This has never happened to me before.
Not once have I fallen asleep on a client.
I tried refunding your money, but I guess something is wrong with the payment app.
It keeps rejecting the refund. Let me know if there’s a different way I can send the money.
Or if you’d like, my next session is free.
That is, if you’re still willing to work with me.
I feel terrible. Thank you for breakfast. It was terrific.
I’m out now if you want to secure things. Again, so sorry.
To his surprise, his phone almost immediately chirped.
Kace: It could’ve happened to anyone. You don’t owe me a thing. I slept great.
Fuck. Jamison really had to hang on to Kace. He chewed his bottom lip. Oddly, he didn’t want their conversation to end, but he couldn’t think of anything else to say. So he just typed.
Jamison: Still, seriously, let me know about that free session. I can’t have you out here dissatisfied.
The moment he hit send, he felt dumb. Was he flirting?
Surely it didn’t sound that way. Did it?
What was wrong with him? That didn’t explain why he hadn’t even started his truck.
He sat staring at his phone with his breath held, waiting for a response.
Jamison watched the three dots jump, showing Kace typing.
They kept disappearing before reappearing.
Jamison thought his nerves might snap. He nearly sighed when the text finally appeared.
Kace: Actually, I’m very much the opposite of dissatisfied.
At the risk of sounding like I’m trying to be that guy, I’d kind of like to do it again.
I get that’s something you don’t do, and I swear I’m not trying to insult you.
No doubt I’ll regret hitting send on this text, but I woke up feeling great this morning.
Maybe this is a new service you could offer?
I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Feel free to ignore this text. Last night was nice.
Jamison chewed on the side of his nail and read the text three times.
Kace didn’t say anything in particular that led Jamison to suspect Kace was trying for more than another peaceful night of sleep.
Still, he felt a vibration between the lines.
Maybe it was wishful thinking. Possibly, he could just push a little more.
Jamison: What time do you get off work? My calendar is free tonight. Maybe we can get dinner and work out the details or something.
God, he sounded like an idiot.
Kace: I’m off at sex. Maybe I could cook you dinner…
Kace: Six. I meant six. Autocorrect always getting the best of me at the worst times.
Jamison couldn’t stop smiling. His stomach growled like he hadn’t just eaten a full plate of muffins. Kace was obviously a kick-ass chef and Jamison was a man who loved to eat. Plus, he wanted this.
Jamison: Sounds great. What time? Seven? Six thirty? I could help cook. Or at least bring whatever you need.
Kace: Seven. That gives me time to shower. Hospital germs and all that. Just bring yourself. I’ve got the rest.
He was phenomenal. Jamison was likely seeing things that weren’t there, but Dr. Kace Brightley was also sexy. He would see where this went and try not to read too much into things.
Jamison: See you then.
Kace : Yeah. See you.
Damn. It was too late. He read all the way into things and he liked what he saw.
Kace spent the day trying not to overthink.
He also worked double time to get out of work a few minutes early.
While he wasn’t a hundred percent sure what was happening, tonight felt a hell of a lot like a date.
He hated to hope, though. Life rarely went his way when it came to his personal life.
No doubt this wouldn’t be any different.
Still, when the doorbell rang, Kace wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs like a high school kid about to make it to second base for the first time. He was in so much trouble.
When he opened the door, hunger struck. Jamison stood on the other side with his overnight bag and flowers. He was all smiles and taking up too much space. Kace was ridiculously happy to see him.
Jamison shook the flowers a little. “I didn’t know what to contribute, so I brought these.”
Kace relieved him of them. “They’re beautiful. You can put your bag in the bedroom, if you’d like.”
Jamison stepped inside.
Kace closed the door behind him. “I didn’t think to ask if you’re allergic to anything or if you’re a vegetarian.”
“Nah. None of that. Something smells good.” Without waiting for a response, he headed down the hall.
Kace returned to the kitchen. He found a vase for the flowers and tried not to read too much into things.
The last thing Kace wanted was to assume anything and get hurt.
Jamison was a good-looking man. That was all.
So he had crushed Kace beneath him with his massive dick, pinning Kace to the bed.
That could happen to anyone. It likely would have been the same, no matter who Jamison had fallen asleep with. Kace wasn’t special.
“So, is there anything I can help you do?”
Kace nearly jumped out of his skin when Jamison appeared behind him. He wasn’t used to there being a second person in the house. He tried to hide his overreaction by donning a bright smile.
“No. It’s good. You’re a guest. Just find a seat. It won’t be long.”
Jamison looked unsure. It was obvious he wasn’t used to being useless. He moved to the island and sat. He picked up a Ziplock with two muffins. “You didn’t eat them.”