Teasing Jonathan (4 page)

“When who hung up?” Michelle sat down in the chair across from him. Her eyes narrowed as if ready to start an interrogation. Kai was used to her tactics. She had a strong protective streak when it came to him.

“Jonathan. I met him this morning. He works as a bodyguard. We were planning a date together…” His words trailed off as his scattered thoughts jumbled in his head.

“Did you try to call him back?” she asked. She set the files down on the desk and scooted closer in her chair.

Kai shook his head. “I don’t want to distract him if he’s being shot at.”

“Oh, good point,” Michelle agreed.

Kai stared at his phone willing it to ring.

“Is there anyone else you can call? Do you know who he might be with?”

“No.” Memories surfaced from their discussion at the coffee shop. “He works with Sinclair something or other who married Callum Turner, the owner of Trio.”

“The chef?”

Kai nodded.

“That would be Sinclair Alverston,” Michelle replied. “It was in all the papers. Sinclair owns part of a security firm. They do personal protection, that sort of stuff. They hire a lot of ex-mercenaries.”

“Get their number. At least then I’ll have it if he doesn’t call back soon.” He’d wait a bit before calling. Surely a perfectly good explanation was a phone call away. However if Jonathan truly was in the middle of gunfire Kai didn’t want to distract him.

“I’ll get right on that. In the meantime, the board wants to discuss their choices.” She set a file on the gleaming surface of his desk. “I made a spreadsheet with their recommendations so you can have a quick review before your meeting. They’d like to get together this Thursday to discuss things.”

Kai fingered the folder. “Set it up, but make sure to tell them I only have one hour. It cuts out all the bullshit. If they know how much time they have, they won’t let each other blather on forever.”

Michelle rolled her eyes. “I think that’s a great plan. I’ll schedule accordingly. By the way, your sister called and wants to have dinner with you tonight. I told her you were busy, but I didn’t know if the spots free on your calendar were truly free or if you just haven’t put anything in them yet.”

Often Kai had last minute items he forgot to write down. “Thanks for checking.” Kai pulled up his schedule on his phone. “See if she can do it tomorrow. We can have lunch together if dinner doesn’t work out for her.”

He hadn’t seen Jeni for a few months. Their busy lives kept them apart more often than together. Even living in the same city it was sometimes difficult to find times to meet. Jeni worked as a party planner and often had odd hours, while Kai worked with several global companies where meetings often lasted late into the night.

Although Kai loved his sister, he didn’t always understand her life choices. Her taste in men had often been a source of tension between them. Bright, beautiful Jeni always attracted the biggest assholes Kai had ever met. Apparently her latest treasure worked as a mechanic. Not that Kai had any problem with blue-collar men—he’d dated a few himself. However, her description of him dragging her to bars in the shadier parts of town didn’t give Kai a happy image. Jeni thought it all a great adventure.

Their parents had never confessed, but Kai had his suspicions that she might be an alien transplant.

After going through their list of items to address, Michelle left to go organise his meetings and write letters of rejection to the companies he’d discarded as not ready.

Unfortunately, the stack she had left behind contained almost as many files as the stack she’d taken with her. Kai opened another folder, but his mind wasn’t on the papers before him. Memories of Jonathan’s deep voice and rich laughter flitted through his mind. Instead of concentrating on buying power and cost per share, he wondered about what Jonathan’s favourite food was. Did he have any allergies? What did he like to do for fun? Would they be compatible in bed? Was he now getting shot while Kai daydreamed?

“Here’s the company’s number.” Michelle marched back into the room and set a piece of paper on the desk. Kai saw a neatly printed number on top.

“Thank you.” His eyes remained glued to the paper even after he had heard the door close, as though by staring at it he could get Jonathan to call. He needed to get his act together. Mooning over a total stranger, no matter how hot, couldn’t continue. Tapping his pen against the desk, he stared at the paper.

To call or not to call?

Kai continued to watch the paper as if it would jump up and share its opinion at any moment.

His phone rang.

A number flashed across the device. It didn’t have Jonathan’s name, but he definitely remembered it from before.

“Are you all right?” The words spilled out of his mouth before he could yank them back.

“Why wouldn’t I be? Sorry I hung up on you.” Jonathan’s voice, low and contrite, warmed him across the connection.

“I heard gunfire.” He knew his tone had a hard edge, but he’d worried for an entire half-hour.

“Oh crap, you heard that?” The sound of a car door slamming came over the line. “Sorry. We were meeting with a new client at his property. I had some downtime while Patrick was talking to him so I thought I’d call you. The idiot pulled out his gun to show Patrick and damn near shot his foot off. Luckily he missed, but I had to go check and see if he needed an ambulance.”

Relief swirled through Kai almost making him lightheaded. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear it wasn’t anything life-threatening.”

“I’m really sorry about that, Kai.” The way Jonathan said his name in a soft, almost worshipful tone turned Kai’s cock hard enough he hoped he wouldn’t tear his tailored pants. He’d definitely have them made a little looser in the future.

Kai sighed. “That’s all right. I’m glad you called and set me straight. I was going to call your work and check up on you, but you called me first.”

“You were going to call my work?”

Jonathan’s tight voice had Kai asking. “Are you not out at work?”

Silence.

Kai bit his lip. He didn’t need another closet case.

“I’m not out, but I’m not ashamed either. Both of the owners are gay so they won’t give me a hard time or anything. They always assumed I was straight and I just never corrected them.”

A sigh escaped Kai’s lungs. “Good. I’d hate to think I almost outed someone.” He wouldn’t date anyone who hid in the closet, either, but they didn’t need to get into that. No point in making an issue out of nothing. A big difference existed between not out yet and not willing to be out at all. He’d worry about which category Jonathan fell under later.

“Nothing to out. I’m not ashamed.”

With those words, the last restraint blocking Kai from wanting Jonathan dissolved. If the younger man stood before him he’d pounce and not let Jonathan from his sight until he’d thoroughly claimed him, reputation or not.

“I would like to see you Saturday,” Kai prompted. “I would prefer to see you before then if you have the time.”

There—he’d put out his wishes, and Jonathan could take him up on it or not.

“I have an overnight job tonight but I’m available Wednesday,” Jonathan offered.

“Wednesday works,” Kai replied. He tapped his pen against the desk, resisting the urge to do an undignified fist pump. Now at least he had a date and he wouldn’t have to wait until this weekend. “Can I pick you up?”

“Sure, I’ll text you my address. I’ve gotta go now. I just didn’t want you to think I was rude for just hanging up before.”

“I appreciate it.” Kai didn’t mention the heart attack he’d almost had over the gunfire. No reason to make Jonathan think Kai worried excessively. He’d learn that himself soon enough. He disconnected, resisting the urge to tell Jonathan to stay safe. They could discuss Jonathan’s actual duties later. Kai wanted to know the true level of danger in Jonathan’s job and whether or not Jonathan could ever be shot at.

Kai had all the business success and money he could ever desire. Now he needed someone to share it with. In particular, a man with deep brown eyes and a shy smile that twisted Kai’s insides into a pretty knot.

“You’re an idiot, Kai,” he told his foolish heart. “Infatuated with a kid who’ll break your heart if given half the chance.”

His competitors would tell him he didn’t have that particular organ in his chest, but Kai only made it appear so. A childhood growing up with a stern father who took any sign of weakness as a point to exploit had caused him to hide his softer side. Jonathan might be the one to peel back the layers he’d carefully hidden his heart behind.

Only time would show if they were meant to be. One encounter did not a love affair make. Still, he found himself humming as he rifled through the rest of his paperwork.

Chapter Three

Kai dragged his feet up the four steps to his town house. The dinner meeting with a potential new investor had dragged on even longer than he had thought it would. Some people never understood the importance of being succinct in their speech. Nelson Andrews had tried to get a jump on any objections to his pet project. Kai wouldn’t bend.

“It’s not viable,” Kai had said, glaring at his business associate.

Nelson had narrowed his blue eyes. “Why not?”

“Because their product doesn’t have enough research and their staff are inexperienced. I don’t think they are ready for a five million dollar investment. They have a lot more groundwork they need to do.”

Kai had wondered at Nelson’s insistence. Nelson had never been so adamant about a company before.

“No reason.” Nelson had backed off, but a red-flag of distrust had been raised.

He’d texted Michelle on the way home to look into the company in the morning. An unpleasant suspicion had wormed its way into his thoughts and wasn’t fading away. Members of the board were prohibited from personal relationships with people seeking funds. Kai wondered if Nelson had forgotten that particular rule. He wouldn’t put it past him. Nelson often acted as if rules were for other people.

He’d let Nelson finish his pitch, but he’d made no promises. They all knew Kai wouldn’t commit to anything until he had the information he requested written out before him. Doing business on anyone’s promises led to poor decisions. Kai hadn’t survived this long by ignoring his hunches.

At least the food had been good.

He’d taken them to Trio and the chef’s special had been a seafood penne, giving the interminably long meeting at least one bright spot. It had also made him feel a bit closer to Jonathan.

Damn, he had it bad.

After closing and locking the door behind him, Kai stumbled the few steps to his living room then collapsed on the couch. The soft surface wrapped around him, reminding him why he’d bought the soft microfibre cover instead of the hard leather his interior decorator had picked out. He preferred comfort to class. It might be time to make the same choice in men too. He’d already taken out all the sleek fashion models only to be disappointed in the end. Now he’d find out if a more down to earth man might suit him better.

His cock hardened at the memory of Jonathan’s strong body. He bet Jonathan had to have his suits custom made to get them to fit over his muscular arms.

Mmm.

Kai leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He’d just rest for a moment before he wandered off to bed. Instinctively, he rubbed the placket of his trousers as he thought of stripping Jonathan naked.

A loud knocking at his front door made him freeze.

Kai’s erection deflated at the startling interruption.

“Who’d be visiting this late?” Kai asked his empty living room. Unsurprisingly, neither the couch nor the walls gave him an answer. It must be someone from the building or security would’ve informed him of a visitor.

Kai groaned as he stood and his right knee popped. He’d sustained an injury skiing several years ago and the joint still gave him problems from time to time. Chasing a younger man might not be his brightest idea, but he still couldn’t get Jonathan out of his mind.

When he got to the door, the person he spotted through the peephole had him unlocking then yanking the door open.

“Jeni?” No wonder security hadn’t called. Jeni had her own security pass.

“Kai!” His sister threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

She sobbed against his shoulder, the noise loud in Kai’s ears. He awkwardly patted her back while her tears soaked through his shirt.

“What happened?” He knew he shouldn’t ask. She would tell him, even though he could pretty much predict the answer. All her relationships ended the same way. First, a break-up, then tears before ending with Jeni getting in trouble for applying a baseball bat to her ex’s vehicle. At least this time he hadn’t received a phone call from the police station, so he considered it a good separation.

Pulling back a bit, he scooted her to one side to grab her luggage. Luckily the enormous bag had wheels. Jeni stepped back and scooped up the smaller bag, still sniffling.

“What happened with the mechanic?” he asked, bracing himself for the answer. With Jeni it could be anything.

“He wanted me to give him money.” Jeni wiped her eyes with the palms of her hands as she had done as a little girl.

Kai’s heart melted a little as happier memories crowded out the present.

“Bastard,” Kai muttered supportively.

Jeni sniffed. “I told him I didn’t have any. All my money goes back into my company, you know that!”

Kai nodded. His sister’s company was only three years old and she was just now starting to see a profit. He had helped her out with a private loan when she had needed money for the start-up. She’d just finished paying him back a few months ago.

“What did he say?”

“He said I could get it from you if I wanted to.” She frowned. “I’m starting to think he was only with me because he thought he could get easy money. He was smarter than I thought.”

Kai didn’t say anything. He wasn’t going to agree to the obvious, no point in making her feel worse. “So why are you here?”

As far as Kai could follow, she’d broken up on schedule. Why come to his place? She hadn’t moved in with the guy so there shouldn’t be this dramatic night-time visit.