Page 32 of Something Unprofessional

Ev’s eyes went from the open side of the bed to Gabe to a spot on the floor. Gabe heaved a sigh and put his phone on the side table to charge. “Get in the bed, Everett.”

Ev flinched, then blinked at him, slow and sleepy behind his glasses. Gabe wondered which of them had had more to drink. It was probably him. Ev was a responsible boy who knew they had work in the morning.

“But—”

Gabe made his expression stern and raised an eyebrow.

Ev sucked his lower lip between his teeth and color bloomed on his cheeks, but he did as he was told. He pulled back the blankets slowly, like he was trying not to be noticed, then slipped between the sheets. He set his glasses on the nightstand, stretched out at the edge of the mattress, and folded his hands over his stomach. He lay still, barely breathing, his eyes locked on the ceiling as seconds ticked by.

“Ev,” Gabe said, fighting his amusement. “Please don’t fall off the side of the bed. I’m too tired to take you to the hospital.” He slid down, head landing on his pillow, and sighed. “I’m not going to do anything to you, you know. Despite evidence to the contrary, I’m not a complete asshole.”

Ev pressed his lips together in a scowl and blew a breath out his nose. “It’s not you I’m worried about.”

Well, that was interesting. Gabe shifted onto his side so he could see Ev more clearly in the dim light from the lamp. “Oh?” he prompted.

Ev heaved out another, more dramatic sigh. “Finny says I have octopus arms.”

Gabe chuckled, then bit it back when Ev’s scowl deepened. “I see. How about we make a deal, then.” He didn’t miss the way the statement made Ev shiver, and he was reminded of the other deals they’d made. Possibly, that hadn’t been the best wording. Possibly, Gabe was going to remember that reaction for the next time he needed something. “If you and your octopus arms happen to make your way over here during the night, I won’t read anything into it.”

Ev tilted his head so he could meet Gabe’s eyes, vulnerability evident. “You promise?”

Gabe reached over and swiped a strand of hair out of Ev’s face. “I promise.”

Ev rolled toward him, scrunching the pillow up under his cheek. “Thanks…” He trailed off, and Gabe imagined the “Daddy” that followed. He might not read anything into it, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t enjoy a cute boy cuddled up against him while it lasted.

Ev hadn’t been lyingabout the octopus arms, and he had neglected to mention the octopus legs. Gabe woke tofind himself impressively tangled with the boy, who had his face smooshed into Gabe’s armpit and all four limbs wrapped around him like he was afraid Gabe would vanish in the night. It would be cute if Gabe didn’t need to get up and deal with his pounding head and his full bladder.

“Ev,” he said, rubbing his hand up and down the boy’s back. He had no idea how deep of a sleeper Ev was, but considering he’d squirmed himself all the way across a king-sized bed in the middle of the night like a heat-seeking missile, Gabe was assuming pretty deep. “Ev,” he called a little louder.

This time, he got a growl in response and Ev gripping harder.

Gabe slid his hand up and into Ev’s hair, giving a tug. “Come on, tiger. None of that. You need to let me up.”

Ev sucked in a deep breath, then lifted his head enough to glare at Gabe, his lower lip jutted out in a pout. His cheeks were flushed from sleep, and his hair stood out in every direction. The softness was in stark contrast to his tattoos and piercings.

Gabe loosened his arms, when what he really wanted to do was roll Ev onto his back and kiss the pout off his face. “Unless you want to go to the gym with me, you’re going to need to unhook your claws, tiger.”

Ev made a face that said just what he thought of that idea and rolled away, back to his own side of the bed. Gabe tried not to mourn the loss of warmth. “Do I hafta get up?” he asked with a sleepy whine that got Gabe right in his Daddy side.

“No,” Gabe told him, walking around the bed and pulling the covers up over Ev’s shoulders. “We don’t have to leave for an hour or so. I’ll wake you when I get back.”

Ev sighed and snuggled back into his pillow. “Thank you, Daddy,” he murmured.

Shit. Gabe swallowed his reply and went to get ready for his morning workout. This boy was going to kill him—that was, if working out with a hangover didn’t get him first.

Luckily, the workout tookcare of most of his headache and a hot shower and four Advil the rest. The day flew by, and before Gabe knew it, he was making the rounds at the DeCain PR-hosted pre-awards party. They’d bought out the hotel ballroom for the evening, and their event planner had done an excellent job turning the space into something formal yet inviting. Gabe was glad Xavier had someone on the staff to do that kind of thing, because he would have been useless when it came to tablecloths and centerpieces.

The event was in appreciation of an intimate one hundred and fifty of their most valued clients—who also happened to be in town early for the awards show. It was a chance to make the people who paid them feel important, as well as earn brownie points with their agents and managers. What that meant for Gabe was lots of small talk and schmoozing—and very little actual enjoyment.

He’d brought a few of the newer, rising stars on their client list. Connections were vital in this industry, and the sooner they started making them, the better. Kelsey Monroe was one of those rising stars, and she seemed to be holding her own with a small gathering of mid-level celebrities on the far side of the bar.

Due to the nature of the event, he hadn’t seen much of his PA for the last few hours. Ev had been helping Asher with last-minute details and then working the door to check IDs against the guest list. Now, Gabe spotted him over with Xavier and Finn near the buffet table. Ev had a drink in his hand and was laughing at something Finn said.

Ev looked positively edible in his fitted gray pants and matching vest. He’d chosen a green button-down that set off his hair and eyes, and he had the shirt sleeves folded up to show off his tattoos. He didn’t seem to be aware of the many eyes following him, but Gabe was. His boy lit up the room.

Gabe was in the middle of a conversation with one of the agents they worked closely with when he spotted Remy making his way toward Ev’s group. When he reached them, he wrapped an arm around Ev and pulled him in for a side hug. Ev flushed scarlet but wrapped his arm around Remy’s waist to return it. Finn looked giddy and Xavier amused.

Gabe turned away, kicking himself for noticing. Not his boy. Not his business. A few minutes later, while he was waiting for a new drink at the bar, Xavier stepped up next to him.

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