Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 68992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
A funny expression crossed Abe’s face, one Dom had trouble reading. Kind of like sheepish guilt and it had him intrigued instantly.
“What did you do?” he asked, his mind zinging in a dozen different directions. Abe was so straight-laced and pulled together that he was sure that man was hiding the wildest, dirtiest thoughts from the rest of the world. And he desperately wanted at that dirty side. He wanted it more than his next fucking orgasm.
Abe shrugged. “Nothing.”
“Come on. It’s gotta be something, or you wouldn’t look like you just got caught in public with your pants down.”
Abe glowered at him. “Have you ever noticed most of your conversations usually end up with some kind of nakedness?”
“I like naked.” He waggled his brows. “I wish you’d let me show you a few things about how fun naked with a man can be.”
As soon as the words left his lips, he knew he’d screwed up. Abe had never said being with a man would be a new thing for him, but Dom could tell. Well, he was guessing. But that very first night in his house, he’d caught the man surreptitiously eyeing him with actual blushes passing over his cheeks and neck, curiosity bright in his gaze. Outside of his killer body and that intriguing shy smile, those blushes made Dom a little crazy. He’d squirmed the whole night in Abe’s spare bedroom.
He watched him now. Watched him shift on the cushions and look everywhere but at Dom. He stared at the beer in his hand, stomach twisting.
Dom sighed. “Hey, Abe. I’m sorry. If I promise to stop pushing, can we still be friends?”
That made the brown eyes lock back on him. “That’s not in danger, Dominic. We’ll be friends a long time. I…like you.” He cleared his throat. “Quinn probably thinks I need a vacation because I’ve been talking about making some big changes in my life. I’m sure he thinks I’m in the midst of a midlife crisis.”
“Are you?”
“I’m starting to wonder,” Abe murmured as he looked away.
“What kinds of changes?”
“Not any I’m ready to talk about. I’m still mulling things over.” Abe shrugged and wiped the condensation off the side of his beer with a napkin before setting the bottle down on a coaster. Dom hadn’t even realized he had coasters until Abe had pulled them out.
His heart gave a pang when he realized Abe really wasn’t going to share his thoughts. He never did about anything important, and that more than anything let him know he had a long way to go—even when it came to their friendship.
But Abe was here and he was laughing and he’d put on actual cologne.
There was hope.
Chapter Three
Dom was practically whistling to himself as he walked through the front doors of Ward Security the next morning.
“You’re looking happier than usual,” Karen commented as he entered the reception area. Her wide grin turned a little wicked. “I’m sure it has nothing to do with that sexy Trent Elrige singing your praises on the news last night.”
Dom nearly stumbled a step at the mention of the movie star and asked who she was talking about. He recovered quickly, flashing the receptionist his patented easy grin. “Just another normal day for Ward Security.”
Karen sighed dreamily. “Maybe. But he is so sexy. I mean, that smile and his hair.” She sighed again. “You think he’s looking for an older wife? Or even an older lover? I’d be happy to teach him a few things.”
A choking noise jumped from his throat, and he was saved from having to say something by the ringing phone. He just waved as she answered and breathed a sigh of relief when he continued on to the main area. Trent might be a good-looking man, but he didn’t hold a candle to Abe. Not that he was going to tell Karen that. Or anyone, for that matter. Nope, this was his secret as he struggled to find a way to convince the older man that he was worth a chance.
As he walked past the reception area, he was hit with a wall of chaotic sound. And it was like coming home. Seth and Sven were sparring, sending up loud smacks of skin hitting the vinyl foam mats. Garrett was over in another corner, chatting with Gidget, his arms flailing as he told her a story. Noah was hitting the heavy bag. He must have caught everyone before they left for jobs because so many of the security agents weren’t usually here on weekdays.
“Hey!” Rowe’s voice cut above the din, and everyone stopped. Dom looked up to find his boss leaning over the railing on the second floor, where most of the offices were located. “Has anybody heard from Andrei? My calls are going straight to voice mail.”
“The ultrasound was today,” Noah shouted back. He pushed some sweaty brown curls from his face and smiled up at his lover.