Chapter 15
Leon
Istrain my ears as I swear I hear a knock on my door. Nothing else follows, and I didn’t hear a car pull up, which I normally would have, so I turn to stare out at the shithole that makes up my backyard.
It looks bigger with piles of debris cleared out, but the grass has big dead patches from not seeing the sun all year, and this back deck is missing the roof and some of the paneling on one side of the house.
I try to remember what I was originally planning to do out here. Big deck, of course. A barbecue pit. Some kind of landscaping.
I add all those plans to the running list always going through my brain and take another sip of my beer. I should be at Ugly’s for regular weekly drinks with my friends, but I can’t bring myself to be around people right now.
And at least with my brain focused on the work I need to do, it stops me from focusing on Auggie going out tonight.
A picture of his lithe body in tight clothes invades my mind, and I have to hold back from following that train of thought.
I imagine going to the club and bringing him back here like I did the last time.
Only this time, he wouldn’t be drunk. This time, his cheeks would be flushed with need, and I’d get on my knees and give him everything.
I groan and lean back a little in my chair, spreading my legs wider to give room to my slowly growing erection. This is insane. The last thing I actually want is to be attracted to my apprentice. It shouldn’t even be a problem, given how not my type he is.
Maybe I should be the one going to Strokers tonight to get laid. This week-and-a-half dry spell is scrambling my brain. Is that a long enough time to start finding anyone attractive? Who the hell knows?
All I know is that the second Auggie said he was going to find someone to fuck, my blood pressure went through the roof. Instead of coming back in here to work, I went straight to the fridge and started draining all the beer I have.
There are three empty bottles beside me, and I’m no closer to calming down. I want to put my fist through a wall. Probably would have too, given we’re stripping the place this week, but explaining a fist-sized hole to Auggie doesn’t sound like a fun time.
You know, just the standard “I pictured you getting railed by someone and suddenly felt murderous.”
Yeah, no.
If Auggie does have a crush like I expect, the last thing he needs to know about is the conflicted thoughts I’m having.
There’s another loud tap from the front of the house, and this time I’m sure it was a knock.
I push to my feet, glad to note the effects of drinking a few beers in quick succession is mild. The buzz is kinda nice, actually. Maybe I’ll put on some music and start pulling down Sheetrock.
Yes, Leon. Because alcohol and construction really mix.
I chuckle to myself and pull open my front door.
My brain stops.
Auggie’s the last person I expect to see, and even though he clearly looks like he’s dressed to go to Strokers, in tight shorts and a sheer top, it’s way too early for him to have been there and back already.
“What are you doing here?” My smile is too big, but there’s no getting rid of it.
“I …” He looks nervous for a second, and it makes me laugh. Sweet Auggie, always so in his head.
I grab his shirt and drag him inside.
“Come have a beer with me.” I wink. “It’ll loosen you up a little for when you go out later.”
He trails after me into the kitchen, and when I glance at him again, he’s got a strange assessing look on his face. “I’m not going to lie, I was expecting to find you working. Not … are you drunk?”
I laugh. Again. “Nah. Just happily tipsy.”
Five minutes ago I would have only said tipsy, but Auggie being here has a way of changing that perspective. It’s impossible to be around him and not feel like you’re bathing in sunshine.
He looks amused as he takes the beer I offer and brings it to his lips.
“Couldn’t get enough of me today, huh?” I say.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you a question.”
“Couldn’t do that over the phone?”
He shifts a little. “Well, maybe. Or even tomorrow, I guess, but …”
“You wanted to see me.” I spread my arms like duh, of course you did, and it just makes Auggie look at me stranger.
“You caught me.” His lips start to tug up at the sides, and I take advantage of him being distracted to stream some music and lead him back out onto the deck.
I drop into my chair with a loud exhale, and you know what? Maybe the yard is a shit heap now, but it has potential.
Yeah, it’s going to look incredible when it’s done.
“Why are you smiling?” Auggie asks from the chair beside me.
I tilt my dopey grin his way. “It’s a nice day.”
“Damn, when you relax, you really relax.”
“I should be working.”
“I’m glad you’re not.” He shifts around to prop his chin on his palm as he watches me. It draws my attention to his lips. His pretty pink lips.
His pretty pink lips that I bet taste incredible.
“You said you had a question,” I prompt.
He hums. “I’m kind of scared to ask.”
Uh-oh. This isn’t going to be some kind of confession of feelings, is it?
Because yeah, maybe I wouldn’t mind finding out what he tastes like, or slipping my dick between those cocksucking lips, but feelings aren’t something I tend to do, and if we did hook up, I’d want to make sure that was clear first.
If …
Fuck, okay. I’m actually considering this.
Wanting this.
My growing attraction to Auggie caught me off guard, but I can’t say I hate it.
“If you’re scared, maybe don’t ask, then.” Because if he brings up feelings, there’s no way I can go there.
“Why didn’t you fire me?” The question comes out in a rush that he hurries to follow up with a long swig of his beer.
Relief floods through me. The question is easy enough to answer, so I’m not sure why he looks as though he’s going to be sick. “It was an accident. No one was hurt. Well …” I remember the bruising down his side. “Not too badly anyway.”
“In my experience, even accidents have consequences.”
“Did you want me to fire you?” I ask, setting my beer down.
“Of course not.”
“Then why are you pushing this?”
He giggles a little and looks at his lap. “Dad might have said some things.”
Urg. Kieran. “What? That I’m only keeping you on to get in your pants?”
“Exactly.” Auggie rolls his eyes, but his cheeks pinken a little. “It’s so inappropriate. I’m sorry.”
“All good. Just so we’re clear, even if I, ah, did want that, it has nothing to do with you working for me.”
“What?”
“What?” It takes a lot of self-control not to tease him over the expression on his face.
“You, umm … do you? Want, you know, that … thing.”
“Sex, Auggie. If you can’t say it, you shouldn’t be having it.”
“Sex, right. Yes.” His whole face is burning red now. “Is that something you …”
I meet his eyes as he trails off. “Probably wouldn’t be appropriate, so …”
“But do you?”
The direct question throws me. “Considering I was all set to hook up with you before you got drunk off your ass the other week, I’d say you already know the answer to that question.”
“I barely remember that night,” he murmurs.
“Then let me clarify. I think you’re hot. I was prepared to hook up with you before I decided to hire you. Now you’re my employee, it doesn’t seem like the smart move.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want you thinking it’s something you have to do to keep your job. I don’t want stipulations.”
“But if I didn’t work for you, we probably would have fucked already?”
That makes me laugh. “Who knows?”
“So let’s test that theory.” Before I know what’s happening, Auggie’s out of his chair and straddling my lap.
Oh, fuck.
I can’t stop my hands from gripping his thighs, holding him in place while also holding myself back from pulling him closer. “What are you doing?” I struggle to keep my tone amused, even as I try to figure out the right move here.
“I’m not working at the moment …” He leans down to run his nose over my cheek, and I’m hit with the smell of his shampoo.
I don’t know what the hell scent it is, but I want to pull him closer and inhale it again.
Maybe pour it over his body and lick it off every inch.
“It’s our day off,” he says, “so you’re not the boss, and I’m not the employee. Therefore, we can do whatever we like.”
“I don’t think it works that way.”
“Everything has a loophole, Leon.” The growl in his voice has my cock taking interest.
If I don’t get control over this situation fast, my dick is going to be the one doing the talking.
“I just …” I clear my throat. “I don’t think …”
“What if it’s like this. During work hours, we’re strictly hands-off, totally professional. Then when the weekend comes around, if we both want a little fun …”
It probably shouldn’t turn me on so much to see him take control. But for someone normally so nervous and easily embarrassed, the fact he wants this enough to give me direction … Yeah, there’s no power imbalance here. I’m completely at his mercy.
I clear my throat before I start talking this time, because I’m supposed to be the levelheaded one.
“The problem is we need things to stay amicable. There can’t be any hint of feelings or anything dumb like that because neither of us can afford to screw this up.
I need you as my apprentice, and you need this job. ”
“Aww …” He bats his lashes at me. “You think you’re going to fall in love with me?”
“I don’t do love. I was talking about you, dork.”
He draws a cross over his heart. “You have my word.”
“Maybe … maybe we need to do this once. To get it out of our systems.”
“Sounds like a fair argument to test out.”
I hesitate, still fighting with that side of my brain that’s telling me this is maybe the dumbest idea I’ve ever had. But Auggie’s weight in my lap is getting difficult to argue with.
He’s heavy and warm, and already my cock is responding to the feel of him against me.
“If you want me to suck your dick, you’re going to have to kiss me first,” he says.
Those words add fuel to the fire. I reach up and rub my thumb over his lips, picturing his sweet face as he gets onto his knees for me.
Don’t do it …