Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“Okay, if you’re sure. I should warn you, though.”
Here it comes, Will thought with a wry grin at the phone. Guy loved to preface gossip with that phrase, especially negative gossip about the person involved. Will had learned for the most part to ignore whatever followed.
Guy lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Talk among the secretaries is that your office is going to be given to Jenkins. His numbers were through the roof last month and the big guys want to reward him. I know they promised to save your spot, but, buddy, you might want to rethink this sabbatical thing. You may have left with the title of golden boy, but you could end up coming back to a broom closet for an office.”
Will laughed, surprised to find he really didn’t care. “I’ll take my chances. Give my regards to Joey.”
Will stood at the doorway of the kitchen watching Jack work. He was on a ladder, dismantling a row of cabinets. Will suppressed a sudden fantasy of moving behind him and sliding his hands beneath the loose work shirt to feel the supple movement of Jack’s back muscles as he worked.
When Jack had arrived that morning he’d refused Will’s offer of coffee and muffins, which oddly disappointed Will, though of course he hadn’t pressed. Jack was, after all, just a hired hand.
Jack carefully lowered a cabinet to the ground. “We’ll want to order a dumpster,” Jack said, startling him. He hadn’t realized Jack was aware of his presence. “I have the name of a good local company, if you want me to set it up.”
“Sure. That would be fine. Whatever you think.”
Jack nodded and turned back to his work. After a few minutes he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a balled-up bandana he drew across his forehead.
Though it wasn’t quite April, spring had definitely arrived and the room was a little warm, especially if one was exerting as Jack was. “Let me open some windows,” Will offered, stepping into the room.
“Careful. There’re nails and debris on the floor. It might be better if you just stayed out of here while I do this. At least until I can get the mess cleaned up.”
“Oh. Well, okay. Feel free to open windows. There’s a screen on the back door so you can open that too. I’ll just be in my den working. Uh, thanks.”
“No problem,” Jack said, though he was apparently too intent on unscrewing a difficult bolt from the wall to turn around.
Will went back to his den and sat in front of his computer, but instead of returning to his work he stared out the window, distracted. What the hell was wrong with him? Why had he made muffins for the handyman, for crying out loud? What did he care if the man was sweating?
It wasn’t like he was potential play material. He was straight. He was married, for God’s sake. He had grown kids nearly Will’s age. He wasn’t particularly good-looking, though Will couldn’t deny there was a certain appealing strength in his features, and his body was definitely nothing to sneer at.
He had the heavy, thick muscles of a man who used his body to earn his living. Will looked down at himself, mentally comparing. His was a strong body as well, but by design. He worked out religiously three days a week at the gym, and played tennis and golf. He kept a set of barbells in his bedroom, using them while he watched TV to keep his muscles strong.
What it would be like to earn a living by the sweat of one’s brow? Raised in the city by wealthy professionals, Will had been groomed practically from birth to attend Columbia University, where he’d obtained both his undergraduate degree and MBA.
He wondered if Jack ever cracked a book. That’s unfair, he admonished himself. You know nothing about the guy. For all you know, he’s got the IQ of Einstein. Even if he doesn’t, so what? Stop judging someone by what they do instead of who they are.
Why was he judging at all? It wasn’t as if he were interested in the guy as a potential lover. He rubbed at his cock through his pants as Jack’s image floated unannounced and uninvited into his mind.
Annoyed with himself, he reached for the phone. He’d call Paul and ask him out. Paul, with his dark, sensual good looks and insatiable sexual appetite, would distract him from whatever the hell it was he needed distracting from.
Chapter 2
“Man, you weren’t kidding. This place looks like a bomb hit it. What’s with all the dust?” Paul said as they entered the house. They’d only stopped by Will’s place so he could pick up an overnight bag before heading to Paul’s for the night.
“Yeah. Jack says that’s because the wall he’s tearing down is plaster. They used plaster in these older houses, before drywall was invented. He made me put on a dust mask when I came into the kitchen to watch him.”