Page 21 of Hard as Steel

German looked puzzled. “Just like that?”

Steel grabbed a folder from his desk so they could get started on the paperwork. “Just like that.” He paused. “Unless you need time to think about it.”

“Hell, no. I’m in.”

His smile was contagious. “I love the enthusiasm.”

“Sorry for making you doubt my willingness to work for you, and my hesitation wasn’t due to your age. I was just torn between wanting this job and finding out if you’re single.”

A laugh burst from Steel. “Bold move. I’m very single, but I’m also bitter as fuck. You’ll get a lot further with this job than you ever will with me. I hate men.”

German laughed so hard, no sound emerged. “Me too,” he wheezed out between guffaws.

“The quandary of a scorned gay man.” He wanted to laugh along, but real laughter meant a glimmer of happiness. All that bullshit had died inside him the moment he lost Krystof.

Krystof: Will it bother you if I come hang out at the office with you?

Steel: You know you’re too big of a distraction.

Krystof: I’ll bring lunch.

Steel: You made my lunch this morning.

Krystof: I promise I’ll sit in the corner and be as quiet as a mouse. You won’t even know I’m there.

Steel: HA! You’ll have me bent over my desk within the first fifteen minutes and I’ll have to leave early.

Krystof: Okay. I love you.

Steel: FFS. You can come to the office.

Steel: I’ll be late tonight. A potential client wants to interview me, but I have to wait until filming wraps for the day.

Krystof: Okay. I’ll keep dinner warm. I love you.

Steel: Sounds great. I love you too.

Krystof: You’re officially three hours late for the third night in a row. Do I need to hire you some help?

Steel: I’m sorry, baby. You know I’m a workaholic. I’ll close the office tomorrow and stay home. We can spend the day doing whatever you want.

Krystof: I accept this olive branch.

Steel: I’ll be home on time, but I have to go out again later. That award show is tonight, and I need to organize the troops.

Krystof: *sigh* We have so much we need to do for the wedding. You had to have already known about this show. Why didn’t you warn me before now?

Steel: Baby, I’m so fucking sorry. It honestly slipped my mind. Things have been so busy lately, I can’t keep up with the date. If I could have someone handle tonight on short notice, I would. You know there’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you.

As Steel leaned back in his chair, his back popped. He had been poring over contracts his lawyers had sent since he had come in at eight this morning. He checked the clock. It was already noon. Fuck. Where had time gone? He needed to figure something out before Krystof got sick of his shit and left. Every day, he watched the sadness grow in Krystof. He felt terrible, but the work had to get done. Steel realized how much he had changed without his other half. He had allowed his life to be completely consumed by work just so he wouldn’t have to sit alone with his thoughts. Now he had all this crap that fell only on him. Krystof was right about him needing help. He didn’t know where to start.

The bell jingled above the door. Steel stared at his open office doorway, silently praying Krystof had decided to drop by. His need to see Krystof every second of the day hadn’t diminished. His free time had. Damn, Steel needed to fix things. Disappointment landed on his shoulders when Bridger strolled by.

He poked his head into Steel’s office. “Are you busy, boss?”

Steel shook his head and waved Bridger inside. “You caught me at the right time. This is when I usually take lunch.”

“Cool. Let’s go. I’m paying.”