Page 24 of Under Construction

Dennis whacks him between the eyes with his stylus.

"Ow!" Chris rights himself up, rubbing his forehead, but doesn't move away from the table.

"Though you seemed pretty distracted this morning too." His voice drops lower as he tips his head to catch Dennis’s eye. "Especially when I was demonstrating the load-bearing capacity of those beams."

Dennis’s face heats as he remembers—Chris stretched up, tank riding high, muscles flexing as he'd explained the engineering principles that Dennis absolutely hadn't heard because he'd been too busy staring at...

Dennis’s head snaps up. "I did not—" He feels himself blush. Looks back down before Chris notices. "I was checking for safety violations," Dennis manages to say.

"Considering how long you were checking out my ass, I must have a lot of violations."

"Fuck you," Dennis murmurs with no heat behind it. "Looking isn't a crime."

It's not his fault Chris has a nice ass. And he was only checking it out for technical reasons.No oneshould have onethatsculpted. Maybe he uses botox.

"Oops, caught you perving on the help," Chris doesn't look sorry at all. "Guess you need a break."

"I need you to leave."

"Nope." Chris plucks the tablet from Dennis’s hands. Dennis lunges for it, but Chris jerks it away with exasperating speed. Holds it above his head. "Break time."

"What are you, five?"

"Six and a half." Chris backs toward the door, tablet dangling from his fingers like bait. "Come get it, princess."

"I will end you,” Dennis seethes. He watches Chris saunter backwards, all smug satisfaction and stupid dimples. Why is hesoimmature?!

"Promises, promises."

Dennis stands slowly. "Chris, I swear to god, if you run—" He takes one step forward.

Chris bolts.

"Hey!" Dennis races after him. "Get back here!"

They sprint through the empty site. Past covered machinery. Through half-built rooms. Past the exact spot where Chris had bent over to check foundation work that morning, giving Dennis and the investors quite the view until one had actually said Dennis looked faint and started fanning him with a brochure, asking if he needed to sit down.

Obviouslyhe'd been stressed about maintaining professional standards on site and Chris was single-handedly ruining his reputation. Nothing to do with Chris's assets at all.

Chris is fast but Dennis is determined. He catches up just as Chris reaches the elevator.

"Give it—" Dennis grabs Chris's shirt. Stumbles when Chris spins around.

They crash into the wall. Chris's back hits first. Dennis slams into his chest.

Then they’re nose to nose, breathing hard, eyes locked, Dennis’s fingers still twisted in Chris’s shirt.

"Got you," Chris says, breathless.

He's so close. All muscle and warmth and that goddamn cologne mixed with his natural scent that's been driving Dennis insane all day.

"My tablet," Dennis manages to say.

"Sure." Chris holds it out. Doesn't let go when Dennis grabs it. "But first..."

"First?"

"One drink." Chris's eyes drop to Dennis’s mouth. "That's all I'm asking."

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