“I wish I could help you in another department, but that’s all up to you now. I’m just an innocent bystander.”
“He just doesn’t see me that way.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Huh?”
“Go home and get to work, Jeff. And pay attention. The signs are all there, just not always at the right time or in the right place.”
“HE DID it! That goddamn geek on the other side of the planet did it! We’re up and running and it works.” Craig leapt out of his seat, keeping his eyes on the computer screen as he threw up his arms as if his team had just scored a touchdown.
“He’s not a geek, and he doesn’t live on the other side of the planet. He’s in California.” Jeff took Craig’s seat in front of the computer. “So the server is up and running; I guess this means we’re in business.”
“How can you be so calm? I’ve spent the better part of the past two weeks glued to that chair. If I went to the eye doctor right now, he’d probably say I need glasses. So it’s just as well I’m not going. I have no intention of wearing glasses. You know what they say—‘men don’t make passes at men who wear glasses’.”
Jeff shook his head. “Sometimes you can be so vain.”
“So sue me. I want to look hot, not wise, when I head out to the Music Box.”
“Speaking of which, you haven’t been there more than once in the past couple of weeks. Having some trouble?” Jeff snickered.
Craig glared at Jeff. “You’ve had me working day and night to finish this fucking profile program so we can start rounding up clients. I’ve barely had enough time to jerk off, let alone go out and get some relief.”
“Well, you didn’t seem to be complaining. And remember, I was here working on the accounting forms, most definitely not my favorite task. They are so boring.”
“Boring maybe, but still necessary. You were in the office when Sam gave us all the start-up advice anyone could ask for, and then some.”
Jeff stood up, facing his best friend, and rested his arms on his shoulders. “We really are doing this? Our business, The Male Room, is really going to happen.” Jeff bit his lower lip as he gazed into Craig’s eyes. They were so close he could smell the hazelnut flavor from the coffee Craig had finished just a few minutes earlier.
“Uhm, yeah. It’s ready. Are we… ready?” Craig’s voice hitched.
Looking into Craig’s eyes, Jeff hoped he wasn’t the only one feeling the heat between the two. He was on fire and didn’t care that it must be obvious by just glancing downward at his tenting sweatpants. “I’m ready, what about you?”
Before either one could say another word, Craig wrapped his arms around Jeff and crashed their lips together. The kiss was fierce, wet, messy, and it went on and on. Jeff tangled his fingers in Craig’s blond locks, unwilling to break the connection, feeling relief and joy all at once.
Opening his mouth, Jeff’s invitation was accepted as he felt Craig’s tongue enter, exploring every part he could reach. Both men were moaning into the kiss. Jeff never wanted to let go. He’d wanted this for so long, his true desire so close to being fulfilled.
Almost as suddenly as it started Craig backed away, holding his arms out to the side and then dropping them. “Oh God. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.” He looked from side to side as if he was avoiding capture by the police.
Before Jeff could stop him, Craig started to move toward the apartment door. “Craig, wait.”
“I’ll be back soon. I just need some fresh air. It’s all the excitement from finishing this hellish program.” He shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to push myself on you. Fuck!”
As Craig ran out the door, Jeff took a deep breath and called after him. “I’m not sorry. Craig, I wanted this too. We both want this. Don’t run from me. Don’t go.” By the time he uttered the last two words, Craig was gone, jacket in hand, probably heading to the Music Box.
Jeff stared blankly out the window into the darkness. They had been working continuously; day and night had melded into one. Now the night would separate them, rather than bringing them together as he’d hoped. Jeff wanted to celebrate their milestone. Hell, he wanted to celebrate how he felt about Craig. It was becoming more and more obvious that his feelings weren’t as unrequited as he’d thought. It was too bad Craig couldn’t give in to their attraction to one another.
Running his fingers over his lips, Jeff closed his eyes trying to relive the feel of Craig’s onslaught. It was intense, intimate, and hot. That one moment couldn’t be it, and he wouldn’t let Craig get away with pulling back. He stared at the door, his desire building as he thought of soft, full lips on his. It couldn’t stop there. Craig had to feel it too. “I love you, you idiot, and this time I won’t settle for less.” Jeff continued speaking aloud, wishing Craig, wherever he was, would feel his words, his needs. “And I’m pretty sure you love me, too, if you weren’t being such a bullheaded moron, so come back to me. It’s about fucking time!”
A knock on the door brought a smile to Jeff’s face. Craig must have forgotten his key. He’d come back. Nothing else mattered. With a skip in his step, Jeff quickly headed to the door and swung it open. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Surprise. I thought you’d be glad to see me again. I decided to give you another chance.”
Backing away from the strong smell of alcohol, Jeff drew in a sharp breath. “Derek.”
Chapter 7
“THIS is so unexpected.” Jeff tried to keep his voice steady. Most of their fights had been triggered by the large man having
