Page 26 of Something Unprofessional

Ev looked down at him, surprise replacing the last of the wildness in his eyes. “It’s not a big deal. I’m used to the subway.”

Gabe waved him off, keeping his voice casual. “It’ll be faster. And you won’t be hauling your suitcases up and down the stairs or across subway platforms.”

Ev’s eyebrows went up higher. “It’s three days. I won’t have suitcases, just a carry-on.”

“The party is formal, Everett. You can’t shove your suit into a carry-on.”

Ev took a step back, and Gabe regretted the use of his full name. Gabe knew better. “I have to be there? I’m just a PA,” Ev asked, horror in his voice.

Gabe tried not to smile, he really did, but Ev caught his amusement and scowled again, crossing his arms over his chest defensively. “Accompanying me is part of your job, Ev. If I have to be there, so do you. But don’t worry, you won’t be put on the spot with the clients. That’s on me. Now, do you have something to wear?”

Ev wrinkled his nose, then heaved a sigh and shrugged. “I’ll come up with something.”

That didn’t sound promising. He pushed a pencil and a notepad in Ev’s direction. “Write down your measurements. I’ll take care of it.”

Ev’s mouth quirked up, the last of the uncomfortable tension draining from the room. “You remember I’m your PA, right? I’m the one who ‘takes care of’ these things.”

Gabe narrowed his eyes in a playful glare. “Well, do your job, then. But use the company credit card.”

Ev shook his head a little. “All right. They’re basically work clothes, so I’m not going to argue with that. What’s my budget?”

“Just get whatever you need. You know which events are formal. The accountants will expense it.”

Ev rolled his eyes. “Okay, so it’s cool if I spend ten grand?”

Gabe’s hand shot out and caught Ev by the elbow, making him startle. “I trust you,” he said, sliding his hand over Ev’s tattooed forearm and down to circle his wrist. “Buy what you need. If you spend ten grand, I’ll assume it was necessary.” He gave Ev’s wrist a squeeze, watching as his eyes went a little hazy. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir,” Ev replied, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

Gabe released him, keeping the “good boy” locked behind his lips. See? He was perfectly capable of being professional.

Ev

Ev was fighting tokeep his eyes open at the ass-crack of not-even-dawn when the driver pulled to a stop in front of his apartment building. Four a.m. was only okay when it was at the end of the day. Seeing it at the beginning was total bullshit. He hauled his suitcase off the curb with a groan as the driver hopped out and hurried around to the trunk to help him. Ev let him have the larger bag and carry-on but kept his laptop as he yawned his way to the back seat. He was halfway in when he realized he wasn’t alone. “Holy shitballs,” he yelped, nearly falling into the wheel well.

Gabe was fast enough to steady him, and he kept hold until Ev parked his ass on the seat. The driver shut the door.

Ev blinked a few times, trying to get his brain to move past the phantom grip on his bicep. “What are you doing here?” hemanaged. Ev was sure the plan had been for them to meet at the airport. Because he’d been the one to make the plan.

“Making sure you don’t injure yourself before we even make it off the tarmac, apparently.” Gabe raised a to-go cup to his lips and took a sip. Ev stared, his mouth watering. He’d barely gotten out of the apartment. He’d had no time for breakfast or coffee. The want in his belly was all about the coffee and had nothing to do with the way Gabe’s throat bobbed as he swallowed.

Gabe caught him staring—because of course he did. “See something you like?”

Ev scoffed, hoping the darkness hid the heat in his cheeks. “You know, it’s rude not to bring some for everyone,” he pointed out, annoyance pushing away the ache. Why did Gabe have to be such an asshole and so fucking off-limits?

Gabe just looked amused, then nodded toward the cupholder built into the seat between them. Ev glared at the second to-go cup. “Good thing I’m not completely lacking in manners.”

Ev snatched up the cup with a huff, then sighed as chocolate and raspberry hit his tongue. So good. Ev tried to hold on to his annoyance, but it dissolved more with each sip. Gabe had remembered his favorite. “Thank you,” he said eventually, relaxing against the cushy leather seats and watching as the city lights swooshed by, lighting up the inside of the car in flashes of color. It was soothing, and he could feel his eyelids getting heavy again, despite the caffeine.

He startled awake as the empty paper cup was taken from his hand.

“Wha—”

“Shh,” Daddy soothed, tucking his wool coat between Ev’s face and the cold glass window. “Sleep a little more. We’re still fifteen minutes away.”

Ev hummed and snuggled into the warm fabric that smelled of Daddy. Crap. Not Daddy. Gabe.

Well, that woke him up. He stayed still as he listened to Gabe settle back in his seat. Carefully, he cracked his eyes open. Gabe wasn’t looking at him. He was focused on his phone, his face cast into light and shadow by the soft glow of the screen. Ev kind of wanted to crawl into his lap and cuddle.

---