Page 53 of Claim Me
I follow a moment later, riding that post-workout high, my muscles pumped, my abs sharply defined from the strain.
When Blue lets his gaze drift over my stomach and then lower, I can’t help wondering if what I read about him is actually true, that because he doesn’t have scent glands he leans moretoward being asexual, or if that’s just part of the puritanical, science-obsessed image he deliberately built around himself?
He doesn’t comment on anything, though. He simply turns and heads for the exit. He doesn’t even stop in the changing room, just walks out in the wetsuit and heads toward his room, tossing over his shoulder,
"Breakfast in ten minutes. Don’t be late. I have a management meeting at 8:15."
"I’m never late if I can help it. That’s just not how I’m built."
Blue glances back at me but says nothing else as he walks away.
Still, I get the feeling he approves.
???
I head back to my room, dry off quickly, and change into one of the suits my parents got me. It’s actually pretty elegant, white shirt, black jacket. I look at myself in the mirror.
Damn, why didn’t I start wearing suits earlier? They really do make me look better, more… sharp, masculine.
Not a nerd anymore, huh? What a change for me.
I walk into the living room right at 7:50.
Blue is already there, exchanging a few words with James.
I notice his breakfast is pretty modest, a small piece of grilled salmon, a little scoop of avocado purée, a handful of asparagus, and a small, well-toasted slice of bread with a soft-boiled egg on top.
Meanwhile, James serves me something way more loaded.
A warm grilled beef tenderloin steak, medium, sliced, with a light red wine sauce. Next to it, roasted baby potatoes with rosemary and olive oil, plus grilled vegetables, asparagus andzucchini. On the side, there’s also a poached egg like Blue’s, sitting on sourdough with avocado spread.
My mouth is practically watering just looking at it. As a student, I never ate like this, I was getting by on cheap campus cafeteria food or a quick breakfast Marlow and I prepared in our room.
I can feel Blue’s gaze on me as I take in the plate.
"If there’s anything you like to eat, let James know."
"Everything looks great."
"In any case, if you have preferences, write them down and send them to James," Blue says shortly, and James hands me his business card.
Wow. Even the staff here have business cards. That’s a whole different world.
"Sure," I mutter and start eating. The food is amazing, especially after forty minutes in that cold water.
Yeah, I know! Not that sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit is freezing, but it’s definitely not warm either.
As I finish my breakfast, I lift my head and ask, "So, is today’s schedule pretty similar to yesterday’s?"
"More or less. But we won’t be going outside, so it should be much calmer."
"You always work twelve or thirteen hours a day?" I ask carefully.
Blue nods. "Most days. Saturdays are different though. Six hours max."
For a moment, I hesitate, wondering if I should even bring it up.
"It also means I work just as long as you do."
