Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 784(@200wpm)___ 627(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 784(@200wpm)___ 627(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
“No, it doesn’t. This will give you peace of mind in order to spend more time away from home. I promise John won’t bypass my systems so easily, no matter who he knows.”
This was exactly what Kellus didn’t want to happen. Their relationship was too new and already completely one-sided. When Arik woke up and realized he was getting nothing in return, he’d drop Kellus. Then where would he be with all the glaring reminders of what he once had and couldn’t hang on to? That scared the crap out of him and caused him to physically take another step back. Loneliness was too scary of a prospect, then factor in memories of Arik and, Jesus, how would he ever get past the pain?
“I want to do this for you. It’s nothing for me. Honest. We can upgrade your house, give you some peace of mind, then tie it back into your security company to monitor if you want. I promise it’s not an inconvenience. Don’t look like that. I’m glad to do this.” Arik said the words so patiently, but they were in complete contradiction to how swiftly Arik prowled toward him then hooked an arm around his waist to keep him from leaving the office.
“Arik… This isn’t right.” He managed to shove away, but Arik was stronger and held on tight, drawing him back.
“Of course it is.” Arik scanned his face before he continued. “What kind of man would I be if I had the means to help but didn’t?”
Kellus’s shoulders slumped. Okay, that was reasonable. Arik excelled in things like this. He could turn the tables so easily. Kellus kept the little bit of distance between their bodies as they faced off with one another. “Then that’s your one generous act, nothing else.”
“Well, nothing else after I tell you that my housekeeping department’s available to clean your place. Maintenance can make the repairs to your ceiling fans and other things they destroyed.”
What? No. Kellus felt his face contort in a serious what-the-hell expression and immediately swung his head back and forth, ready to say no.
“Stop shaking your head at me.”
“I’ll clean it up. No one else,” Kellus declared, leaving no room for argument. Then he broke free and put distance between them.
“Kel, you don’t have time for all that,” Arik argued.
“I have nothing but time,” he shot back.
“Not that I see. You work twelve hours a day, then you’ll be spending your evenings with me. When could you get all that work done?” Arik challenged in that same reasonable tone as before—the one that grated on his nerves this time.
“That was my point yesterday. This relationship isn’t fair to you,” Kellus said, throwing his hands out in frustration.
“No. Stop that. Just let my housekeeping take care of this for us,” Arik said and stepped toward him. Kellus quickly moved, putting a chair between them.
“I’ll handle it.”
“If you do it, that means I’ll have to do it, too,” Arik said and that stopped them both. By the disastrous look on Arik’s face, those words seemed to surprise him too.
“No, it doesn’t.” Kellus’s tone matched the absurdity of such a statement.
“Of course, it does. Your work’s too important to both of us. If I want to spend time with you, I’ll have to do it repairing your home.”
The silence was tangible as Kellus contemplated that statement. After a second, he actually laughed out loud at the idea of this very tailored, put-together man picking up the filth John’s friends had left behind. Yeah, that didn’t make much sense. Another laugh welled in his belly. Arik didn’t even take his dishes to the kitchen or pick up his own clothing. No, he wouldn’t be cleaning his house. The silliness of the idea ended the frustration Kellus developed, causing him to go to the chair and drop down in a huff with the mental image of Arik scrubbing the beer stains out of his carpet.
“You’re not helping me, and I’m not using your company. I’ll do it myself.”
Arik squeezed his shoulders from behind and moved around to stand in front of him. “Then when do we start? There isn’t a rush to get it completely finished, you can stay here while we work. I like you being here.” Arik grinned that smile that seemed to touch his heart. His own grin grew, still internally laughing at the idea of Arik Layne participating in the cleanup crew for one of John’s over-the-top parties. After a second, Arik playfully waggled his eyebrows as he added, “We could just leave it like it is and you can stay here all the time.”
“Arik, we’ve known each other for less than a week,” Kellus said, more as a reminder to himself since he really liked that idea more than any of the others.
“That’s not true. I’ve known you much longer than that,” Arik said, giving him an absurd look before turning away, reaching for his suit coat. “We should get going. I’ll drop you off before heading into the office, then I can pick you up for our meeting tonight. We’ll begin the cleanup after that.”