10. Salem
TEN
SALEM
I’m in a foul mood and I know exactly why.
I park the car in the tiny back lot behind the bar, gripping the steering wheel and breathing in and out slowly to center myself. I have to be strong when I see that beautiful man again. He’s not right for me. I know all too well that two tops don’t make a bottom.
If I knew Indy better, maybe I could’ve told him why I’m so hell bent on topping only, but I don’t and he’s my boss. We don’t emotionally vomit all over the boss. Besides, he probably tells his friends everything, and the last thing I want is a bunch of pitying stares from them.
This was the right decision. We had a little fun, but it’s all business now. I’ll figure out how to ignore his insanely good looks and sexy swagger and the way his voice vibrates straight through me to my dick. Easy peasy.
I huff a breath and get out of the car, bracing myself as I walk with every ounce of confidence I have to the propped-open back door. I used a crap ton of concealer, but hopefully I’ve successfully covered the bruises Indy left in his wake. My skin is still tender if I touch it.
As soon as I step inside, a worker blocks my path.
“Sorry. The bar isn’t open.”
“I’m aware. I work here.”
“Oh. Sorry.” He doesn’t make any effort to move to let me pass. “I’m Jack.”
I don’t remotely care. “Thanks. How’s the office?”
“We boarded it up temporarily and cleaned the drywall out, so it’s workable for now.”
“Excellent.” I wait for him to get the hint but when he doesn’t, I give him my signature glare. “Mind if I get to work?”
“Right.” He steps to the side, obviously eyeing me up and down. “I didn’t get your name.”
It would be far too rude not to answer, so I reluctantly provide it without an ounce of warmth. “Salem.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m the foreman when Oakley isn’t here, so if you need anything, let me know.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
I pass through the dusty back hallway to the offices. Once I’m inside, I exhale. The door blocks out some of the noise, and they did a good job of cleaning this up. I want to make a list of places in the city to check out today for restaurant supplies so I can finalize the proposed budget for Lowen.
Then I can spend most of the day in New Onyx and away from Indy. Good plan. At least for today. I pull my notebook out of my messenger bag and tear out a sheet of paper so I can organize my list of places.
A few minutes later, there’s a knock. “Come in.”
“Hey, Salem.” It’s Jack. “Sorry to bother you but I wondered if you had a second to look at something with us?”
“Look at what? ”
“There’s a column by the side we’re supposed to be expanding for a patio, but it’s load bearing. We can keep it where it is for no extra cost or take it out and add a beam, but that’s a costly upgrade.”
“Oh.” I chew on my bottom lip. “That decision is way above my paygrade. I’m sure someone in charge will be here soon.”
“What’s your position here?” he asks, leaning against the doorframe.
I’ve seen that stance a million times. He’s making small talk, or about to, anyway.
“Inventory specialist. I’m not in charge of any of the building decisions.”
Jack nods, his eyes lingering on me. “A gay bar in Willow Bay, huh?”
“Yep. Wild, right?”
“It is. I grew up nearby. My mom loves to come here for antique shopping, so I’ve seen it change over the years, but I never thought something like this would show up.”
“I agree. I grew up here and attitudes towards queer people were not very open for a long time. I think the bar will do well with the college crowd.”
“Definitely, and hell, times have changed, right?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s cool because it’s hard to know if someone’s interested when you’re in a mixed bar.”
“Agreed.”
Jack smiles, shifting his weight. Ah, adorable. He’s working up the nerve to ask me out. “Maybe you’d be open to grabbing a drink or something sometime?”
Nailed it. Now that I’m really looking at him, he’s pretty good-looking in a rugged way. His hair is jet black, sticking out wildly from under his hard hat, and he’s definitely muscular. I think his eyes are brown, and as he scratches his beard, I see his appeal.
“Yeah, maybe. Kind of got a lot going on right now, but I’m always open to making new friends.”
“Okay, cool. I’ll check back.”
I hear the clomp of heavy shoes on the floor before I see the man, his booming voice nearly shaking the walls. “What is this?”
Indy. God, this man. His voice alone makes my insides tingle.
Jack puffs his chest out. “Who are you?”
Indy levels a devastatingly sexy glare at Jack. “I’m the fucking owner. You?”
Jack backs down fast after hearing that. “Foreman. Sorry, man. I was asking Salem a question, but he told me he wasn’t the right person to ask.”
Indy’s eyes shoot to me, then back to Jack. “What do you need to know?”
Jack tells Indy about the beam issue while I just stare at Indy’s ass. His jeans wrap around his ass cheeks like they were custom designed for his body, and my mouth practically waters when I remember what he looks like after he comes. Fuck.
His head turns sharply in my direction, and I realize I made a sound from the dirty memories replaying in my mind. I dart my eyes down to my notebook, pretending to be focused on anything but the delicious man.
“I’ll be out to look at it in a second,” Indy says, his tone making it real clear that Jack should leave. He does, and Indy turns his attention to me, shutting the door. His jaw is set and his expression borders on angry. “Could you do me a huge favor and not fuck any of the guys who work here right in front of me? ”
I pull my head back and scoff. “I beg your pardon? I don’t see anyone fucking, least of all me.”
“I heard you guys arranging a date, okay? I don’t need my nose rubbed in it.”
“Whoa. I’m sorry, Indy, but you’re way out of line right now.”
He stomps toward me, stopping only because of the desk between us. “I’m out of line? You’re the one working on your social life at work.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re making a shit ton of assumptions, which is not a good look on you. Are you jealous?”
“No.” He scoffs. “Please.”
Oh my god, he is. Indy is fucking jealous. “Personal business aside, since you’re my boss, I’ll explain. I was not working on my social life or planning to fuck anybody, and I resent your insistence that I was. Jack asked me out and I very politely said maybe. I didn’t want to be a dick to the guy working on the bar, okay?”
Indy’s jaw ticks, and I wish he didn’t look so fucking hot right now. “Fine.”
“Fine? Uh-huh, mister. I think you owe me an apology for getting on me for no reason.”
He nearly rolls his eyes but seems to stop himself. “Sorry.”
“Oh, thank you, Indy. That felt so sincere. I have no idea why you’re so mad at me. Care to enlighten?”
“I’m not mad at you.”
“You think I blew you off, right?”
“I don’t think it, Salem. You did. And it’s fine. I don’t care.”
Shit. This is not good. So stupid to get involved with my boss, but Indy is too hot to ignore.
“I’m sorry.”
He lifts his gaze to me.
“I really am,” I continue. “I’d love to do more of what we did, but I know how it ends, and it’s not pretty. I’m just saving us some future drama.”
“Yeah, I got that last night.”
I walk around the desk, aware of how his body stiffens the closer I get. His black t-shirt is so tight I can see his hard nipples through it, and my stomach flutters in response.
“Can we find a way to work together peacefully?”
Indy tilts his head back for a second before exhaling slowly. “Yeah. Of course. I’m…” He pauses, dropping his shoulders and softening his jaw. “I’m sorry, Salem, for being a dick this morning. You didn’t deserve it. I guess I felt threatened or something.”
His admission feels weirdly good. “If it helps, you’re definitely the only guy in these four walls who has a shot at me.”
A slight smile tugs at his lips. “Good to know.”
“I plan to keep things super professional, just like I said I would.”
“Same.” He moves a little closer, and I swallow hard as my dick swells slightly. “You’re just so fucking pretty, Salem, and I didn’t get enough.”
My body warms and I sway closer. “We shouldn’t do anything else, and it would be breaking one of your rules to do anything here. In your office. On this desk.”
“Fuck,” he whispers, pressing forward until we’re touching. “You’re right. We should commit to being friends and coworkers. Keep the lines clear.”
“Absolutely.” I run my hands down his chest. “It would help if you weren’t so goddamn spectacular.”
“I could say the same to you. You wearing lace again?”
I nod, biting my bottom lip. “You could check, you know, to make sure I’m not lying.”
Indy slides his hand down my back to my ass, squeezing hard. “You’re dangerous, gorgeous. ”
“Me? I couldn’t hurt a big, strong man like you.”
Indy hoists me into his arms and slams his mouth into mine. The move startles me, and I gasp as Indy gobbles up the sound. The next thing I know, we’re making out hot and heavy, and as he lays me down on the desk, he positions us so that our dicks rub together.
I drag my hands through his hair, shamelessly bucking my hips into his, desperate for more. He tugs my jeans open, reaching inside and moaning as he strokes my erection through my lacy panties.
“Jesus,” he murmurs, moving his kisses to my neck. He sucks on my skin there, and I’m positive he’s leaving a mark. Possessive, much?
“I want to blow you,” I say, grinding into him. “I want to taste your cum.”
He moans again, nipping at my jaw. “What is it about you?”
“I’m amazing, obviously.”
Indy chuckles, sliding his hand under my shirt and squeezing my nipple. “Clearly.”
The door suddenly opens and I hear “Oh shit” before it closes again, effectively dousing cold water on the heated moment.
“Fuck.” Indy groans, lifting up slightly. His hair is messed up because of me, and his eyes are cloudy with lust. “Busted.”
“Who was that?”
“Lowen, I think.” He buttons my jeans for me before offering his hand to help me sit up.
“Cockblocked.”
He smiles, nodding as he drags a hand through his hair. “I should go see what he needs.”
“Yeah.” I slide off the desk and smooth my t-shirt. “ I’m going into the city today to shop. Several places offer samples I can pick up and bring back for review.”
“Okay. I think Lowen has a company credit card he can give you.”
“Perfect.”
Indy cups my chin, holding my gaze. “This isn’t done yet. You know that, right?”
I nod, licking his lingering taste off my lips. “Yeah, but we should think it through, not let our dicks lead us.”
He studies my face for a second before drawing back and putting some distance between us. “We’ll talk later.”
“Sounds good.”
He leaves the office and I slump against the desk. Fucking hell, this man might be my undoing if I don’t pay attention.