Chapter 19
Talon
I’ve been working remotely since bringing Zeke home from the hospital. It’s been incredible watching him bloom like a flower that’s finally been given the proper care and conditions it needs to grow.
He smiles more. Occasionally, he even laughs.
We still haven’t discussed the extent of my wealth, but he’s adjusting to living under my roof better than I thought he would. I’m pretty sure it’s the first time he’s ever been—and felt—safe in his own home.
Today, I’m finally returning to the office, and although I begged Zeke to stay home and off his feet for another week, I’ll admit I’m a little relieved that he stubbornly refused.
At least if he’s at Ricochet, I can keep an eye on him.
Security is aware of the situation, as is Rebecca, and I feel better knowing he won’t be stuck at the house without a vehicle.
Although we haven’t heard anything from Derek, I don’t like the thought of Zeke here alone.
The house is private and not listed under my name, but I’m still uneasy whenever he’s out of my sight.
“Hey, Talon?”
Zeke calling my name from down the hall has me on my feet instantly, racing to make sure he’s okay.
A second later, I give a short warning knock on the bathroom door he left cracked open before barging through.
“Zeke? What’s wrong?”
He’s standing in the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. The splotches of color on his torso are fading, but still faintly visible, and the reminder that Derek touched him, hurt him, makes me sick to my stomach.
Zeke’s chuckle over my paranoia unexpectedly goes straight to my dick. That seems to be happening a lot lately, and the dream I had last night had me sweating in my sheets until I finally kicked them off.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he says, running his hands through his hair. “I was just wondering if I could borrow one of your Summit shirts? I know they don’t care that much about my uniform, but I do.”
My hand flies to my heart in relief.
“Yeah. Yeah, of course,” I say, watching him in the mirror as he rubs a second towel over his hair.
My eyes catalogue his bruises, noticing that the purple is turning to blue, which is turning to green.
Underneath the colors, the ridges of his ribs are visible because he’s lost so much weight.
He has a freckle—or maybe it’s a mole—on the front of his right hip.
I’m visually inspecting the ridge of the gray towel wrapped low on his narrow waist when he clears his throat, getting my attention.
“Hm-hm, um, would you mind grabbing it for me so I don’t make us late?”
My eyebrows shoot to my hairline as my eyes snap to his in the mirror. “Grabbing what?”
“The shirt? For work?” The question in his tone makes it clear he’s as confused by my behavior as I am.
“Right. Of course. I’ll be right back.”
Practically sprinting from the room, I run upstairs, find one of the polo shirts I was given with Summit’s name and the Ricochet Ridge logo on it, and I take a deep breath, trying to pull myself together before facing Zeke again.
Standing outside the bathroom, I stick my arm through the doorway, holding the garment out for him without stepping inside.
He takes it from me and sighs.
“I don’t like looking at them, either,” he says.
The shame in his voice has me pushing my way into the bathroom a second time, my obnoxious perusal of his body be damned.
“Hey, that’s not why I was giving you privacy. No, they aren’t easy to look at, but they’re a testament to your strength and bravery,” I remind him. “I hope to God you’re never used as a canvas like this again, but they aren’t the reason I…” I trail off, recognizing I’m about to say too much.
Zeke is already struggling with being here and having to rely on me.
The absolute last thing I want is to make him uncomfortable with my attraction to him, on top of everything else he’s dealing with.
Not to mention, I’m still coming to terms with it myself.
I need to be extremely careful to ensure my feelings aren’t wrapped up in some savior complex.
“The reason you what?” he asks, obviously not wanting to let me off the hook.
“The reason I didn’t barge in this time.”
Zeke leans against the doorframe, bringing his face within six inches of mine.
“What is the reason you didn’t barge in?” When I stay silent, he continues. “My comfort-level has nothing to do with my state of undress, Talon…but, maybe yours does?”
“I’m not the one who’s half-naked,” I point out, making him smile.
“No, I mean maybe you’re uncomfortable because I’m half-naked.”
I swallow hard.
“I’m…um…I’m not…uncomfortable,” I stammer as my eyes dart back and forth between his, my breathing growing labored.
“If you say so,” he says quietly, pulling the shirt from my hands.
I really have to watch myself. With every laugh we share, meal we eat together, movie we watch, I feel myself crave more of him. But he hasn’t had enough time to himself yet. Asking him to share himself with me already is so fucking selfish.
By noon, I’m starving.
Good thing I own an entire restaurant at the top of this mountain.
I silently laugh at myself for how eager I am to see Zeke when I step off the gondola. His shy grin mirrors my own as I make my way toward him.
“Have you eaten?” I ask as I approach the host stand.
He shakes his head. “It’s been busy.”
I would crack a joke about making eating mandatory or playfully threaten to fire him if he doesn’t take his breaks, but I’m always acutely aware that Derek ruined playful threats as an option.
“Will you eat now? With me?” I ask. “You know Rebecca will cover.”
“Talon, now that people know who you really are, don’t you think they’ll find it odd that we’re eating together?” he asks.
“I’m starting to not care about that at all. Please?” I ask again.
“Okay, but I’m eating off the employee menu.”
I scowl. “You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Hastings.”
Zeke responds by rolling his eyes. “It’s called saving money. Why pay when I can eat for free?”
I want to argue that he could always eat for free, but I stay silent. So much has changed for him, and I know money is his sticking point. I want him to know he still has control of his life, so unfortunately, that means keeping my mouth shut at times.
Like now, as he chooses tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. In solidarity, I choose the same thing and follow him to a table in the breakroom.
“How’s your day?” he asks, bringing the spoon to his mouth.
“Good. Lots of paperwork.”
“What do you actually do all day?” he asks, giving me a great idea.
“Why don’t you come down and hang out with me? I’ll show you?”
He gives me a genuine laugh, and it warms my entire body. Dammit.
“Because I’m working, remember?”
“Well, that sucks,” I tease. “Want to bag out early and watch a movie at home?” I ask, suddenly desperate to be alone with him in our space. It’s amazing how much warmer that house feels with him in it, like the structure serves a greater purpose now that he’s there.
“Talon!” Zeke cries in mock outrage. “I can’t just leave!”
I give him a wicked grin. “Of course, you can. I know the owner.” I shoot him a wink, and he groans.
“Not the wink. I can’t handle the wink.”
Our interactions are definitely more light-hearted than ever, but every now and then, I catch myself, afraid I’ve done something to remind him of Derek.
Sensing my immediate regret, Zeke smiles, shakes his head, and places his hand on my arm.
Fuck, I love being touched by him.
“I meant because it’s hot. I like it,” he says, reassuring me.
See, here’s my problem. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent every waking second with Zeke on my mind.
I wake up to him in my space, wearing my clothes, and filling my ears with his words.
I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m attracted to him, but I’m painfully aware that he’s still healing and will be for a while.
Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.
I’m also still aware that our living arrangement is a secret, and our relationship would have to be as well—at least as long as he worked at Summit—and he deserves better than that.
So, for now, I toe the line of flirting.
I try to make him smile. And I pine away in silence.
“Oh. Well, why didn’t you say so?” I ask, winking again. I’m rewarded when his smile grows wider.
“Okay, movie tonight. I’ll be done at three since I’m still only doing one shift a day. Should I see if Becs can take me home?”
“Absolutely not. I’ll be ready to go by then. I’m making steak, and let’s watch Star Wars from the beginning.”
“Count me in.”