Page 25 of Something Unprofessional

Ev touched the spot below his lip where his piercing usually sat, then shrugged. “People didn’t take me seriously before. I got tired of being brushed aside for people who looked more…grown-up.”

“Well,” Gabe said, “from now on, I want you to be yourself. And if anyone treats you poorly because of it, you let me know and I’ll handle it.”

The sweet smile Ev gave him at that was almost worth the fact that he didn’t get the “Thank you, Daddy” that was so clearly being left unsaid.

Professional. Right.

Nothing could possibly go wrong.

What Gabe hadn’t thoughtthrough the previous night was that Ev “being himself” meant the person who showed up in the office the next morning wasn’t his slightly conservative and buttoned-up PA. Gabe’s breath caught when Ev walked in like he owned the world. His hair was swept up in the fauxhawk that was so much more natural on him than the slicked-down look. He’d left his lip piercing in, highlighting his pouty lower lip in a way that made Gabe want to suck on it. Gabe hadnever seen Ev’s eyes in the light without his glasses. They were dark-lashed and distractingly green.

He’d applied Gabe’s request that he be himself to his wardrobe as well, and instead of the usual collared shirt and tie, he was wearing a black shirt with a deep V neck, topped with a black blazer that he’d rolled up to the elbows to show off his tattoos. He looked positively edible, and if it weren’t for the promise to keep things professional, Gabe would have dragged him into his office, locked the door, and kept his boy to himself all day. Except, he reminded himself yet again, Ev wasn’t his.

Ev had caught his lower lip between his teeth when he saw Gabe, the need for approval clear. Gabe had kept his filthy thoughts to himself and settled for a nod that made Ev’s eyes light up. Gabe told himself that his satisfaction was just about wanting to see his employees comfortable. Nothing else.

The morning was a wash. Everyone and their assistant had heard about his PA’s transformation. They’d had a steady stream of visitors popping in to “ask a quick question” that could have more easily been handled through email.

Fortunately, by lunch, things had settled back into a semblance of normal. Gabe hung up with a prospective new hire, and a minute later, Ev stuck his head in. “You have ten until your next appointment. Do you want to go over the updates to the LA event?”

Gabe waved him in. The trip was still a week off, but with so many moving parts, it was important that everyone stayed on the same page. Ev approached the desk and leaned past Gabe topull up the spreadsheet. The movement gave Gabe an excellent view down the gaping vee of Ev’s shirt to a pierced nipple that was begging to be tugged on. It took all Gabe’s restraint to keep from doing just that. His thoughts slid to the way Ev looked, head back, spine arched, writhing on Gabe’s cock while Gabe teased his nipples until he came.

Ev stood again, and Gabe shook himself out of the memory so they could focus on the job at hand.

“SinceRemy Daltonis attending, I wanted to double-check we have enough security on board. Asher said he tends to attract attention.”

Gabe clenched his jaw at the way Ev said Remy’s name. He hadn’t shown a tendency to starstruck-ness so far, but there were always exceptions. “He’s too old for you.”

Ev’s face went red to the tips of his ears, and he blinked at Gabe a few times. “Uh. Iknowthat?” He flicked his tongue against his lip stud in a way that Gabe found exceptionally distracting.

Gabe jerked a nod and turned back to the spreadsheet. “Call Martin and have him add two more plain-clothes to the roster, just to be safe.”

Ev made a note, a frown creasing his forehead.

“And tell Asher to make sure the people at the door have the updated guest list.”

Ev grunted an affirmative.

“Also, check that the hotel is prepared with alternative exits. And the staff knows they’ve signed NDAs.”

Ev didn’t move.

“Are you writing this down?” Gabe asked dryly, arching an eyebrow.

A muscle in Ev’s jaw jumped. “I don’t need to. You’re telling me things that were done weeks ago,” he said, his voice deceptively calm but his shoulders tense.

“You should still—”

“I know how to do my job, Mr. Diaz,” Ev bit out. “And I don’t appreciate you implying that I don’t—or that I have any intentions toward Remy Dalton. Not that it would be any of your business if Iwereinterested.”

“As your employer—”

“Remy isn’t your client. He’s Xavier’s. And even if he weren’t, your employee handbook is very understanding when it comes to relationships. It’s pretty much ‘inform HR, and it’s all good.’ Trust me, I checked. And I may not have told HR about us—for obvious reasons—but don’t think I won’t go to them if you start punishing me for turning you down.”

Ev’s hands were trembling, and his cheeks flushed with anger. Gabe watched as Ev clenched and released his fists and took deep, even breaths. Finally, when he stopped looking like he was going to shake out of his skin or bolt from the room, Gabe said, “I’m sorry. I was out of line.”

Ev met his eyes, his own wide and a little bit wild. “Oh—” He stopped and cleared his throat. “Okay. So, if we’re done here, can I please get back to work?”

“One last thing,” Gabe said, clicking over to the reservation schedule. “Have a driver pick you up and get you to the airport. I don’t want you on public transportation that early in the morning.”

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