I cocked an eyebrow because I heard something in his tone. He didn’t give a shit how I slept, but something was bothering him. “Spit it out, Lautner.”
His mouth curled in an almost smile as he leaned back in his chair. “Thought you could play matchmaker, did you?”
I grinned, not bothering to pretend I didn’t know what he was talking about. “From what I gathered, you didn’t mind the eye candy.”
Zeke flipped me off. “It won’t work.”
“You never know unless you try,” I said as I grabbed my wallet and my phone. “Give it a chance.”
“They can’t handle me, Ramsey.” His tone had lost all amusement.
“Like I said, you never know unless you try.”
His eyes narrowed again.
I turned to grab the glasses and ball cap. “They’ll be at Dichotomy tomorrow night. Maybe give ’em a test run. They might just surprise you.” I donned the glasses and the cap, then peered at him over my shoulder. “Keep her safe for me, Zeke.”
“Of course, boss man.”
I slipped outside, pulling the door shut. I kept my head down, hoping to shield myself from the paparazzi who were possibly lurking nearby. I had no illusions that I could do as I pleased.
However, I wasn’t willing to subject my friends to that sort of invasion of privacy. Least of all the woman I fully intended to claim as my own. As I pulled my truck out of her driveway, I grabbed my phone and dialed Troy.
“Good morning, Master,” he greeted, sounding wide-awake.
I fucking loved the way that sounded coming from him.
“Morning, boy. Did Landon by chance send the contract over last night?”
“Not that I can see, no. Would you like me to call him? See if he has it ready?”
“Not necessary. I’m on my way home.”
“I’ll have coffee ready for when you arrive.”
With that, I disconnected the call, wondering if Troy would be doing the other thing I had instructed him to do when I arrived.
*
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at my house, anticipation filling my veins. I found I was just as excited about my interactions with Troy as I was with Clarissa. It didn’t quite make sense considering I’d never had these feelings for another male, but there it was.
After parking the truck in the garage, I made my way into the house. I could smell freshly brewed coffee but Troy was nowhere in sight. Pleasure swarmed me as I headed for my office. I desperately needed Troy to be where I’d asked him to be.
After last night—after I’d lost complete control with Clarissa—I needed to be in control again.
Slowing my steps, I glanced at the double doors to my office. They were wide open. A good sign. I took a few more steps, and just as I’d requested, there was Troy kneeling beside my desk, a cup of coffee steaming on top of it.
“Good morning, Master,” he said as I approached.
“Good morning, boy,” I greeted, then placed my hand in his hair and roughly tugged his head back.
I’d seen the way he had reacted to that yesterday and I wanted to know if he was still feeling the same this morning. Sure enough, heat glimmered in his dark brown eyes.
“Thank you for doing as I requested. You please me greatly.”
If I wasn’t mistaken, there was pride—to go along with the desire—staring back at me.
“Stay right where you are until I instruct you to move.” Reluctantly, I released his hair and walked to my desk chair.
I took a seat, grabbed the remote, and flipped on the television, hitting the mute button. I then grabbed my cell phone and called my agent while I kept my eyes trained on Troy.
“I need to schedule a meeting, Ken,” I stated, forgoing any pleasantries when my grumbling agent answered. It was early in California, which meant I’d likely woken him up.
“About?”
“I’ll be out there sometime next week. We need to sit down and talk.” I wanted to give the agency the professional courtesy they deserved.
“I’m sure that can be arranged. What the hell is going on with you?” Ken countered. “It seems you’re all over the news. Something about you taking in a stray and developing a relationship with your assistant.”
Well, it was good to know Ken watched television.
“It’s a bunch of bullshit,” I told him. “The reporters are reaching for any story they can.”
“Did he move in with you?” Ken asked hotly.
“He did.” I wasn’t ashamed to admit that.
“Is he sleeping in your bed?” he hissed.
“That’s none of your goddamn business,” I answered with barely restrained fury.
Ken sighed roughly. “It’s my business when I’m inundated with calls asking for a statement. I need to be kept in the loop.”
No, he really didn’t. “Tell them you have no comment,” I stated blandly. “I’ll have Troy call and set up a meeting when I know more.”
“I think we both know you have no intention of signing,” Ken said, his anger palpable. “You’re stringing me along, Trent, and I damn sure don’t appreciate it.”
