Page 45 of Under Construction

This time Dennis does look out the window.

He finds Chris already watching—handing a phone back to one of his grinning crew on his left, accepting a phone from another guy on his right, grin just as wide—that aggravating smile he keeps just for Dennis still in place.

How many phones are you gonna use??Dennis’s thumbs attack his screen with vengeance.

Bzzz.

As many as it takes

"You know," Jason says thoughtfully, "for someone who was just having a sexuality crisis, those texts seem to be making you pretty happy."

Dennis schools his expression. Looks up, then scowls the biggest, meanest scowl he can muster.

"Don't you have work to do?" His voice carries the sharp edge that usually sends interns running.

"Don't you have a site manager to do?"

"Park Jae Sun! Out.Now!"

Jason cackles all the way down the hall.

Through the window, Chris is still perched on the scaffolding, one arm hooked around a beam, his free hand shading his eyes as he watches Dennis.

Still smiling.

Still making Dennis’s heart do stupid things in his chest.

Professional distance.

Right.

Because that's totally going to work.

16Escalation

The week after their first night together unfolds like warm taffy—sweet and sticky with possibility.

It starts with looks.

Chris's eyes finding Dennis’s across the site, holding just a second too long.

Dennis catching glimpses of dimples and wanting to taste them.

Then touches.

Chris's hand at the small of Dennis’s back during inspections, gone before anyone notices.

Dennis’s fingers brushing Chris's when passing reports, lingering just enough to make Chris's breath catch.

"These support calculations need review," Chris says Wednesday morning, leaning over Dennis’s shoulder in the office. His chest presses against Dennis’s back, warmth bleeding through two layers of clothes. "See here?"

"Mm." Dennis can't focus on numbers when the way Chris smells wraps around him like this. "Show me."

Chris's palm covers the back of Dennis’s hand on the tablet, guiding his finger across the screen.

"Right there." His fingers curl into Dennis’s, pressing their hands together. "That's your weak point."

Chris's nose finds the side of Dennis’s neck, a low sound rumbling in his throat when Dennis tilts his head—not for Chris, but to escape, obviously—which only exposes more skin for the taking.

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