Chapter 6 #3
“Daniel’s straight,” Ewan blurts. “And not straight in a ‘blowjobs in the frat house don’t count’ kind of way.
He’s never even thought of being with a man.
Definitely not with me. We have our own bedrooms. And beds.
Alone.” He takes a breath. “And if I was with someone, I wouldn’t cheat.
” I can tell he doesn’t like the idea of me thinking he would.
My face is burning hot, but I manage a nod.
“I didn’t think you’d cheat. Exactly. I wondered if maybe you were poly or something.
And it’s cool with me if you are; I just like to know upfront if the guy I’m banging has a partner already.
Not that I’m looking for more than sex,” I add quickly.
“It’s just a… thing. For me. In my head.
Oh my god, why can’t I just die right now? ”
He laughs. It sounds a bit strangled, but it’s still a laugh. “Please don’t die. The last thing this place needs is another ghost haunting it.”
“You have no idea.” I sigh. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions and being an asshole.”
“Apology accepted. Although, just gotta say, I like your asshole.”
I grin, but then it falls away. I’m glad we’ve got this cleared up, so glad I don’t have to worry about having ruined workplace relationships before they even began, but this miscommunication is just proof that I can’t take risks like this.
Mannix Estate is a dream come true for me, and I can’t gamble that on sexual attraction.
“What?” He seems wary.
“We had a great night,” I say regretfully. “Really, really great. Like… I think you might have ruined me for all other men.” Just remembering it makes my cock stir.
From the way he shifts uncomfortably in the hard wooden chair, he might be having the same problem. “Thanks? You were amazing too. My mind is still blown.”
“Yeah… but we shouldn’t do it again.” It almost hurts to force those words out.
“Is it because we work together? Or do you just not do repeats?”
I open my mouth to respond, then stop. “I was going to say of course I do repeats, but I don’t think I ever have?” Frowning, I think about it. There was that guy… but he never called me back.
“What, never? What about boyfriends? They count.” There’s naked shock in his voice.
I try to smile, but I’m sure it’s more like a grimace. This is so sad. “No boyfriends. There, uh, were a couple of guys I thought maybe… but the ghost thing was too much for them.”
“Want me to beat them up for you?” he offers. It’s a stupid thing to say, but a laugh bursts from my throat.
“Thanks, but it’s fine. I’m used to it.”
That was the wrong thing to say, because his face goes dark with anger. “I hope nobody here makes you feel that way?”
Oh my god, why is he making this so hard? “Nah, everyone’s been great. I finally feel like I’ve found my place, you know?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “There’s not a lot of call for blacksmiths these days, unless I wanted to work in industrial manufacturing—which I didn’t.
Here, I get to indulge my fascination with complex metalwork.
I also get to share my love of it with others, and I’m surrounded by like-minded people.
” He hesitates. “Plus, from the minute I stepped foot onto the estate, I felt like I was home.”
I swallow. “I know what you mean.”
He meets my gaze steadily. “So, if it’s not that you don’t do repeats, it’s the whole working together thing?”
I grimace again and nod. “This place is such a miracle for me. I can’t risk that going bad by fooling around with a colleague.”
“I respect that. I just want to add, though, that if you change your mind, I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable here. Well, not deliberately,” he adds, clearly thinking about the whole me-thinking-he-and-Daniel-were-together mix-up.
“I don’t think it works that way. But thanks. If I change my mind, you’ll be the first to know.”
There’s another awkward lull, and then he levers himself out of his chair. “I guess I’d better get to the smithy and prep for today. I’m glad we talked.”
My smile is genuinely happy this time. It’s so good to know I’m not going to have work issues from the outset. “Me too. But, um, could you maybe not tell anyone about the mix-up? I’m sure I’ll find it funny in a few days, but until then…”
“My lips are sealed,” he promises. “Just so you know, Daniel would find it funny… and I’d be the target of his teasing.
He’d be all ‘you wish you could score with me.’” He rolls his eyes, then hesitates.
“In the interest of honesty, he knows about you and me. It came out that first day you were here. I’m sorry. ”
I wave a hand, not surprised. “It’s fine. I mean, I hope you didn’t go into too much detail—”
“None, I swear.”
“Then don’t worry. I guessed he did, anyway, since Carter seems to know.”
He groans. “I hope he’s not being weird? He has this weird fetish about gay sex. I didn’t know he was listening until it was too late.”
“I’m used to ghosts, remember? It’s cool.”
He hovers for another few seconds. “So… see you later.”
“Have a good day, Ewan.”
He walks out before I can do anything embarrassing, like throw myself at his feet and beg to suck his dick. I need friends right now more than I need a convenient sex partner. No matter how good the sex was.