Page 40 of Clean Finish

“I don’t mind.” I folded my paper and stood up. “It’ll pass the time.”

Rounding his desk to stand beside him, I leaned down and scanned the email from Holt on his screen. I heard Larkin’s breath catch, his face right beside mine. One of his wings brushed against my suit jacket as they fluttered.

“Says the most important thing is to call the supplier to get the merch replenished before this week’s shows.”

“I already did that,” he said quickly. “The delivery’s coming this afternoon.”

“Alright.” I looked again. “And the restock for the bar?”

“Done that. Everything came yesterday.”

I turned my head to give him a tiny smile. Larkin struggled to concentrate a lot, and he probably wasn’t the best assistant, but he wasn’t downright irresponsible. He did the stuff that was needed to keep the club running smoothly. Although I was sure his motive for that was just to keep Holt from getting pissed at him.

He grinned back, looking pleased at my mild display of approval. Before my gaze could drift down to his mouth, which was so close to mine, I looked back at the screen.

“Did you get the plumber to come and fix the leak in the restrooms?”

“Shit. No. I put it off because he’s such a grouch and I hate talking to him.” Larkin nibbled on his lower lip anxiously. “Fuck. Holt’s gonna be pissed that it’s not fixed for tonight.”

“I’ll call the plumber. He knows Ludo, so I think I could get him to come down and do it today.”

“Really?” Larkin gazed at me with wide eyes, as if I’d just offered to give him one of my kidneys.

Which I would absolutely do.

I nodded, straightening up. “Get me his number and I’ll do it now.”

“Are you sure?” He was still gazing up at me with those big, guileless eyes. “I feel bad, dude. You shouldn’t have to. It’s not your job.”

“I don’t mind.” I would do literally anything for him, so this was nothing. “And then we’ll move on to something else on the list.”

He beamed up at me, looking beyond grateful. It took everything in me not to lunge and crush my mouth to his.

“Thank you so much, Seb. I’ll make it up to you.” His breath hitched, eyes growing jumpy and excited as he peeked up at me. “I’ll definitely make it up to you.”

My cock twitched. I managed to give him a wry smile, resisting the desire to reach down and stroke his cheek. His skin was so clear and smooth, and now I knew how it felt under my fingers. Like silk.

I wanted to rub my face over every inch of him. Breathe in his sweet, caramel-and-bonfire scent and get it all over me. Mark myself as his.

Because I was. He’d never know it, and he was sweet and kind-hearted enough to probably feel guilty about it if he ever found out, which was why I’d never tell him. This wasn’t his burden to bear. It was mine.

But I’d always be his. When this all ended, and he’d moved on to live his life, and one or both of us eventually left Goliaths for a new job and our flimsy connection through work fizzled out, I would still be his.

Larkin was it for me, but I was wise enough and mature enough to know that sometimes, that just wasn’t enough.

Chapter Twelve

Descending by Mistake (7 Letters)

Seb

I went and picked Holt up at around eight, and he seemed relaxed and unspeakably happy as he chatted about the ideas Taylor already had for Goliaths on the drive back to work. He was in an excellent mood, and when we got to the office, he seemed surprised but pleased to find out that most of the tasks he’d assigned Larkin in his absence had actually been completed.

“Seb helped,” Larkin blurted instantly, giving me a shy smile from across the room as I sat back down on the couch and picked up my crossword book. “He helped a lot. He got that leak fixed in the bathroom.”

“Oh. Well, thank you, Seb.” Holt grinned at me, then turned his impressed smile back to Larkin. “But still, good work. I appreciate it.”

Larkin flushed at the praise, eyes darting back to me. He mumbled, “No prob, boss.”