Page 10 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

As far as I know, the only single queer man in town is me. Cartermightbe gay, and Lennon is… Lennon. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t see gender at all—he dresses like he doesn't—and since he’s never given himself a label I wouldn’t presume to do that for him. So, yeah. If Carter really is into guys, I’m literally his only option. Probably.

“Not everyone is as comfortable with their sexuality as you, Maddox and Cade. And as recently as a year ago, there weren’t any openly queer people in town, so it’s possible others exist, which your boss probably hasn’t encountered since he never leaves the resort.”

“What’s your point?” I’m not sure whether to be annoyed or relieved by the notion that Carter could find people to eat with who aren’t me.Relieved. Definitely relieved. The man’s still your boss, and if he had his choice of dinner companions, the awkward masseuse wouldn’t be it.

“My point is you’re both attractive people who in all likelihood haven’t been with anyone in a long time, and one of you is naked while the other is rubbing oil on him. It’s the perfect scenario to make the professional boundary blur regardless of your intentions.”

Oddly enough that statement makes me feel somewhat better. Not that it’s okay to be anything other than professional with my clients, but given the intimate circumstances, it’s only natural for signals to get mixed. Especially around a man as hot as Carter.

“Has that ever happened to you? You’ve found someone so attractive you sort of lose focus around them?”

Lennon stops making drinks and focuses on me for the first time since this conversation started. “I don’t think I’m the falling in love type.” He grabs a rag and wipes down a few stray drops of beer on the surface in front of him.

“Okay, A—how’d you make that leap? And B—what baggage are you carrying to make you think that?”

Lennon lifts his head to respond and freezes, staring at the front door. I turn to follow his gaze, finding myself locked in the whiskey brown eyes that held mine in his office earlier today.

What is he doing here? Does he know I work here too? Would he actually seek me out?

My brain wants to say words my mouth can’t form. It wants me to wave but my hand is too heavy to lift.Do something.Instead, I stand rooted in place, trying to read the meaning behind his eyes, which are pinned on mine with a mixture of surprise, perpetual distance, and a hint of…longing?That can’t be right. Can it?

Sure, we had a moment earlier today, or at least I think we did, but it would make more sense for that moment to lead to understanding. Empathy even. Not longing. I mean, there’s no world where the super sexy millionaire has an interest in the help. That’s a Hallmark movie, not reality.But why is he still staring?

I lick my lips, poised to break my trance and approach him, when a waitress steps in front of him and breaks the connection. I feel myself blush as she hands him a to-go bag, and I realize he isn’t here for me at all.

Get a grip Sloan, whatever chemistry you think you feel is just that, chemistry. There were no moments, nothing to make him interested beyond the physical.

I turn back to the bar before I can embarrass myself further.

“Sorta get the feeling it’s you he’s reacting to,” Lennon mumbles, his gaze still focused over my shoulder.

“What?” I blink, too rattled to attempt any other movement.

“When a guy looks at you like you’re the only thing he sees, especially in a place this busy… his reaction is all you.” He looks at me pointedly.

My stomach starts to flutter. “Oh, wow. That’s not… Are you sure that wasn’t…”Lust, Sloan. Nothing more. Do not confuse that with actual feelings.“Um, whatever you think you saw, don’t tell my sister. Or Finn.” Flattering as it is to be the object of Carter’s lust, it would only make my life harder.

“They don’t know Carter plays for your team?” Lennon arches a brow.

“They don’t know I’ve met him.”

“And why is that?” Lennon doesn’t take his eyes off me as he reaches for a glass to make the next drink.

“Finn’s in the dark about what Carter has planned for the resort, even though they’ve been working together for over a year, and I made the mistake of telling him to give Carter a chance after one massage.”

“Bet that went over real well,” Lennon snorts.

“Exactly. And since I’m crashing with Finn and Ally right now, it’s probably best if I don’t come across as having a soft spot for Carter.”

“Then you better make sure not to see him outside those massage sessions, because if anyone else sees the exchange I just did, there won’t be any question about what side you’re fucking on.”

“I’m pretty sure the phrase is what side I’mstandingon”

“Nope. I said what I said.”

I suck in a mouthful of air and hold it to the count of three before letting it slowly out.Shit. Sometimes I hate being so transparent.

“Noted,” I mumble. “I better get this bill to my table.” I grab the leather binder and spin toward my station.

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