Page 44 of Under Construction

Does he?

"I don't think?" He shakes his head hard. "I can't be. No way."

"Join the club." Jason props his feet up on the desk. "We meet Thursdays."

"Get your feet off my desk."

"Our desk." But Jason complies. Tilts his head. "You seem tense. Rough night?"

Images flash through Dennis’s mind:

Hands in his hair. Teeth on his skin. That goddamn song that's been stuck in his head since Chris's voice first carried it up to the stars.

"Fine," Dennis says shortly, face a mask of indifference. "My night was fine."

A wolf-whistle pierces the air. Their heads snap toward the window.

Chris is on the scaffolding, shirt already off and hanging on one shoulder as he demonstrates something to his crew.

When he turns, the sun catches his profile—the length of his body, tight and lean, chiseled muscle disappearing into workpants slung low—and for a moment, he looks like something carved from marble.

Then he spots Dennis watching.

His grin turns predatory.

Dennis whips around. Faces Jason's knowing smirk.

"Don't." He brandishes his tablet like a weapon. "I will make your life a living hell."

"Wasn't gonna." Jason holds up his hands. "Just thinking... maybe we need new safety protocols."

"We have safety protocols." Dennis blinks, derailed by the question.

"Yeah, but do they cover workplace hazards like site managers who can't keep their shirts on—"

"One more word and you're fired."

"You can't fire me." Jason's grin widens. "I know too much."

A low laugh cuts through the office—Chris's signature sound, the one that used to make Dennis’s spine straighten with rage but now sends something else shooting through his veins.

His crew's laughter follows, echoing off the beams above.

Dennis stares determinedly at his tablet. What’s so funny? He doesn’t know because he doesn’t care. He also refuses to care about the heat crawling up his neck.

Refuses to admit that "professional distance" might be the biggest lie he's ever told himself.

His phone buzzes.

Unknown number.

Scarf's slipping, princess

Dennis blocks the number without looking up.

His phone buzzes again.

Nice try, but I got more

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