4. Chapter 4 #2
“Okay?” I check.
“Yeah, I’m on board.”
I smile, the tension bleeding from my shoulders. “All right, then. I’ll have Benjamin bring over a contract for us to sign.” He’s quiet, and I cock my head. “Is that a problem?”
“No, I guess not. I just don’t have any of my things and…”
When he doesn’t continue, I say, “I’ll have Charles drive you to pick up your belongings tomorrow. For tonight, I’m sure I will have everything you could need.”
He curses under his breath. “Yeah. Okay.”
“If that’s a problem—”
“It’s not,” he assures me. “I’m just trying to catch up. This isn’t how I thought my day was going to go.”
“I understand,” I tell him. And I do. I’m asking him to pick up and rearrange his life on a dime.
To make the decision to come live with me for days, weeks, months, without a chance to think it over at any great length.
I need someone—him—here now, and I’m just demanding enough not to regret the sacrifice he’s making.
I’m certain the promise of money smooths the way, but maybe I can also set him further at ease.
I drop my leg and shift forward, touching the spot between us. “Would you come here?”
After a quick exhale, Mal does as I ask, sliding close enough that his knee bumps my thigh. The smell of his shampoo, or at least I assume that’s where the coconut scent is coming from, blows gently my way, making me think of sandy beaches, endless blue water, and bright, golden sun.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to a beach.
“Can I touch you?” I ask.
I have a feeling he nods again, but then he covers with a quick, “Yeah. Yes.”
With a hum, I gently place my palm on his knee and slide my hand upwards, skimming up his thigh, his side, and then down his arm until I find the wine glass still clutched in his grasp.
He lets it go when I give a tug, and I set it beside mine on the coffee table.
The next pass of my hand travels back up his arm, over the soft material of his shirt.
“You’ll have everything you need here,” I repeat. He shivers slightly as my hand drags over his bare neck. “I am particular about my home, that’s true, but I want you to be comfortable during your stay, so please tell me if you are not.”
Mal nods, and when I brush my fingers along the short stubble at his jaw, his breath hitches.
His lips, as I discover, dragging the pad of my thumb over each arch, are smooth to the touch.
And his hair… I’m surprised to learn there’s quite a lot of it.
The strands are thick and wavy, brushing the tops of his shoulders.
I twine my fingers through the locks and tug gently, unable to resist.
“What color?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me. I might not be able to see anymore, but I can visualize just fine.
“Dark blonde,” he answers a little breathily, making me hyper aware of just how close I’ve leaned into his space.
“Mm.” I slowly pull my hands free and glide them from his temples to the sides of his eyes. “And these?”
One word. “Blue.”
I nod, trailing my fingers lower, back over his stubble, down his neck, pausing at his collarbones. “May I?”
He nods again, and my lips quirk slightly.
I map his chest, feeling his breath pick up as I work my hands lower, simply trying to get a feel for him.
He’s not slight, not like several of the boys who’ve come here, but he’s not made of pure muscle, either.
A perfect middle ground. His stomach is lean and defined, abdominals tensed slightly under my feather-light touch, and he’s warm beneath the soft material of his shirt.
Somewhat reluctantly, I let my hands fall away and sit back. “Thank you.”
He makes a curious, quiet sound. “Sure.”
Standing up, I pull my phone from my pocket. “I’m going to call Benjamin. Make yourself at home.”
“Yeah. I’ll, um, tell my roommate I won’t be back tonight.”
I nod before walking toward the windows, unsurprised when Benji picks up after the first ring.
“Yo.”
I refrain from commenting on his unprofessional greeting. “Benjamin, I require your services.”
I can practically hear his eye roll. “One of these days, my husband is going to revolt. And then you’ll be down an assistant.”
“Tell Gary I’ll gladly fund his next golfing trip,” I reply, running my hand absent-mindedly over the large pane of glass in front of me.
There’s a pause, and then Benjamin is back. “Gary says you’re excused.”
“Thank you, Gary,” I reply dutifully.
“What can I do for you, boss?”
“I need a new contract printed up.”
“A new boy already?” he asks in surprise. “Moving fast.”
“Yes, well, no time like the present,” I reply. Benjamin doesn’t say anything to that, but he knows me better than most. Maybe even better than my own sister. He knows how unsettling the blankness of my penthouse can be without someone to add dimension to the space.
“I’ll be there shortly.”
“Good man,” I reply, hanging up without further ado.
Mal is still near the couch when I end my call, talking to someone on the phone and saying he’ll explain everything tomorrow. I can’t help but wonder what he truly thinks of all this. Bunking up with some lonely forty-something. Giving away part of his life to accommodate mine.
He didn’t have to agree, of course, but if it’s money he’s after, that’s something I can provide. I may not be able to give myself, but no one seems to want that anyway. And I’m okay with that. This suits me just fine.
Mal will stay here starting tonight. And who knows? Maybe he’ll last a little longer than the rest.