Page 43 of Under Construction

But his eyes drop to Dennis’s neck—to the mark Dennis definitely didn't do a good enough job covering this morning—and his smile turns wicked.

"Nice scarf by the way. It's ninety degrees out."

"Fashion knows no temperature." Dennis whips around, fixing Chris with his best death glare.

Chris's eyes travel the length of him, measured and knowing. "You're hot enough without it."

“Chris!”

But even to himself, Dennis sounds strained.

“Okay, okay, I’m going.” Chris sighs as he saunters to the door, all confidence and swagger like he didn't just scramble Dennis’s brain cells.

At the doorway, he taps the toe of his boot behind him, pivoting smoothly to face Dennis again.

"Oh, and princess?" He raises one finger like he's just remembered something important.

"What?" Dennis’s face feels like it's on fire.

"Your report's upside down."

Dennis looks down.

"Oh forfuck'ssake—"

By the time he looks up, Chris is gone, leaving the door wide open behind him. His laughter mingles with the growing cacophony of drills starting up and materials being unloaded as the site comes alive.

Dennis lets out a breath. Turns his report right side up. Tries to remember why sleeping with his site manager is a terrible idea.

But all he can think about is how Chris looked in the candlelight.

How he sounded singing under stars.

How he felt pressed against him, real and solid and right.

"Good morning!" Jason bursts in, way too cheerful for this hour. "Why are you crushing that poor tablet to death?"

Dennis loosens his grip. "I'm not?”

"Sure." Jason drops into a chair. "And that's definitely not a hickey under your scarf."

"It's not?" Dennis yanks the silk higher, clearing his throat. Why did Chris have to leave onesohigh up?! "It's, um, uh..."

"Who even wears an ascot anymore? What is this, your grandfather's country club or some kind of gay prep school fantasy?"

“Jae, for fuck's sake," Dennis hisses, eyes darting to the open door like someone might materialize any second. "Shutup, will you!"

Jason throws his head back laughing, nearly tipping his chair over.

"And I'm not gay!"

Dennis’s eyes roll up as he actually considers it for the first time in his life.

The evidence suggests otherwise, but then what about all the women he's been with—and been mind-blowinglygoodwith, thank you very much?

Though last night with Chris...

No, that was just a one-time thing. He doesn't feel any different.

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