Page 24 of Embracing James

Christ, he couldn’t get James back there soon enough.

A new text popped onto the screen. The second he saw the sender, his blood chilled. Henri, his ex-boyfriend.Damn it.Henri had walked out on him because he didn’t like being ignored.

He swiped over to the message, despite wanting to delete it outright.

I want to come over. I miss you. You’ve been hiding.

Fuck.He didn’t want to see Henri ever again. He deleted the message, then switched back to his conversation with James.

I want you on your knees. Want you tasting me. Want to feel your mouth on me, then I want to return the favor.

He sent the message and shifted in his seat. Let James chew on that.

James replied in a few moments.

Yes. All of it, yes.

At the same time, another message from Henri showed up.

I miss you. You’re home?

He swiped to dismiss the message, then decided he’d better answer. If he kept ignoring Henri, he’d get texts all night.

Just stop. Not interested. Please stop.

He sent the message and waited for a reply from James. He couldn’t wait for James to finish the damn meeting so they could test out his bed and fuck until they couldn’t take it any longer.

Chapter Seven

James stared at the message. It must’ve been sent to the wrong person. Why else would Paul tell him to stop? Was he going too far? Couldn’t be. Paul had started the naughty texts. He barely paid attention to the rest of the meeting and almost missed the vote on additional advertising. He wanted to get in on the full-page spread in the newspaper and if he didn’t vote yes, then he’d be left out.

Once the meeting concluded, James gathered his things and tried to ignore the uneasy feeling racing along his spine. He couldn’t wait to get the hell out of there and get some answers. Okay, sure, he and Paul claimed they weren’t going to have strings. But after their dinner together, it felt like they were an actual couple. Maybe he’d been put on the back burner for the last two days. It happened. People got busy.

But what if something had changed Paul’s mind? What if he realized he wasn’t ready for strings and every other entanglement? He’d retrieve his dog and go home. If Paul had changed his mind, then all right, but let him get his dog first.

He left the meeting and drove straight to Paul’s. His thoughts raced as he drove, but he refused to get overworked. If he did, he risked getting into an accident and he didn’t want that. He loved his car too much.

He parked and debated leaving the engine running. No, he couldn’t be rash. First, he had to give Paul a chance to explain, then he’d walk out with Doob.

James marched up to the door and knocked.

“Come in,” Paul called. He met James at the door. “Hi, sexy.”

“Hi?” He barged past Paul and over to the sofa. He hated to bother Doob when he looked so comfortable. “Doob, we’re going.”

“What? Why?” Paul closed the door. “Where are you going? Is everything okay?”

“Fine.” He picked up the leash. “You said you weren’t interested. Please stop.” He trembled with frustration and anger.

“Wait.” Paul picked up his phone. “Fuck me sideways.”

“No, thank you.”

“Wait.” Paul held up his phone. “I meant to text that to someone else.”

“Oh? Someone you’ve got waiting in the wings? I know we said this was temporary and fake, but it felt like it was something more.”

“It is.” He grasped James’ hands. “My ex-boyfriend texted me and I was trying to put him off. I must’ve replied to you with the message for him. Looks like I sent him the one for you.”

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