Page 3 of Embracing James

Nah.

Romances like that didn’t happen in Norville and they didn’t happen to him. He was a simple guy with simple tastes. Men of mystery didn’t fall for him.

He held on to his yogurt cup and let the Donna Summer song wash over him. Tonight, he had no cares. No worries, either.

Tomorrow was another matter, but first he’d enjoy tonight.

Chapter Two

Paul finished his jog, then headed home to the shower. He liked his condo, but the place was too big for just one person. He’d bought the dwelling expecting to have a partner living with him by now.

Of course life didn’t agree with his plan. He stayed single while his brothers were both married and had children.

He could hear his mother now. “You let me down,” she’d say. “No grandkids. Not even a grand-puppy to play with and you’re still wearing makeup.”

He snorted. She wanted grandkids, but how would he manage to give her any if he stayed single?

Sometimes he wished she’d ask him about his makeup so they could bond. Why not? He loved giving makeovers.

Hell, he loved makeovers more than most of his business dealings and land acquisitions. What he really wanted was to be accepted. Then again, he’d like to be with James, too. How would James react when he found out Paul was his landlord and the guy who sometimes hung out at the salon?

Probably not well.

Most people expected him to look like a businessman all the time and few men in his position sported makeup. But he felt more like himself that way. More authentic.

One day he’d find a guy who accepted all the different sides of him.

Hopefully soon.

* * * *

The next evening, Paul waited in his office in the Annex. He hated the look of the office in this building.Too plain.He’d rather have hardwood floors, a few nice Persian rugs and a sturdy hand-carved wooden desk, not this reject from a defunct office building. The lamps didn’t match and the wood paneling on the wall was so outdated it wasn’t funny. But he hadn’t been interested in fixing up his office until now. If he decided to keep his headquarters in the building, he’d certainly change the office décor. Maybe he’d even start tomorrow—if he had to take his mind off his other problems.

Right now, he had bigger things to worry about…like the meeting with James. He’d washed his face clean and looked the part of a businessman right down to his Italian leather shoes and tailored suit. He’d planned for this meeting with James and expected some issues.

He’d have to admit he was the infamous JP. He’d have to come clean about being at the salon and not admitting his true identity to James. First, the meeting had to happen.

He waited for James and felt a little like a mafia don sitting behind his desk in the dimly lit office expecting his tenant to grovel.

James wouldn’t have to do much groveling. He could keep the dog. Could let the dog be in the salon. Hell, he could have reduced rent, too, if he wanted it.

Just don’t let him reject me.He sighed. Asking James to the club had been risky. Sure, he’d let James see him plenty of times sporting his true face and he’d been accepted at the salon, but he hadn’t given his real identity. What if he and James had gone out last night and had gotten along? What if they hadn’t hit it off? They were friends at the salon, but what if that didn’t translate to outside the salon?

He groaned. Business he understood. Relationships? Not so much.

He’d dated guys plenty of times, but the men he’d been with either liked the makeup and not his business dealings or the business dealings and hated the makeup. How would James react? Was he even attracted to him?

Christ.He was overthinking this too much.

A knock at the door brought Paul out of his thoughts. “Come in.”

The door opened and James ventured solo into the room. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He stood, but remained behind the desk.

“Mr. Henderson?” James inched closer. “You’re JP Henderson?”

“I am. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Mason.” He held out his hand. “I’m glad you’re one of my tenants. You don’t complain, don’t leave the hallway trashed and you pay on time.”

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