Page 4 of Embracing James

“Wait.” James shook hands with him. “You’retheJP Henderson?”

“Yes.” He remained behind his desk. He needed to project an air of power. “Is that a problem?”

“No.” James frowned.

There must be an issue. “You’re upset. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong aside from the fact I want to keep my dog and let him stay with me in the salon as the mascot,” James said. “Unless you want to tell me something I don’t know.”

“I have no problem with you keeping your dog at the salon with you or in your apartment.”

“You mentioned in the new lease agreement that you didn’t want any pets.”

“I’ve changed my mind. Doob can stay. I like him.” He’d never had problems with dogs. The people who owned them could be jackasses, but the dogs were fine.

James’ perfectly sculpted brows rose as his eyes widened. “You knew his name…my dog? How?”

Fuck.“I’ve heard it a few times.” He’d outed himself again and wholly by accident. But he couldn’t keep his poise around James. Something about James made him want to be better and also fumble with what he wanted to say.

“Where?”

Christ on a crutch.He needed to be honest. James deserved nothing less. Besides, he needed to be authentic with someone and James was the perfect person. “I’m Pauly.”

“Wait.” James sank onto the closest chair. “So I did recognize you. I knew it.”

“You did.”

“And that’s how you knew where I live.” James narrowed his eyes. “Isn’t it?”

“Guilty as charged.” He hated lying, even though he’d done it for most of his life. “I knew you’d figure me out, so this is me coming clean.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

What a loaded question.His defenses rose and he fought the urge to totally shut down. “Would you have accepted me?” Most people didn’t and he’d assumed James might not be any different.

“Why wouldn’t I have?”

That wasn’t what he’d expected James to say. So many others had denigrated him for his needs and proclivities. They’d tell him to be more masculine. Why couldn’t he be a regular guy? Be normal. What was normal and regular?

“Seriously. Why do you think I wouldn’t have accepted you?” James leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Because you wear makeup? Um, have you looked at me? I feel more like myself with a little shadow, some liner and mascara. Oh, and by the way, you do your makeup well. I’m jealous. That aside, I don’t care what you look like as long as you’re fair to me.”

“And you think I wasn’t?”

“It would’ve been nice to know you came into the salon.” James stood, then paced before Paul’s desk. “Okay, first, who are you?” He stopped pacing. “Huh?”

Fair enough.“I’m Jonathan Paul Henderson. I’m forty-five, been in the real estate business since I was seventeen, and I’ve been out since I was twenty. I like makeup and looking pretty, but I love my fine suits—there’s something sexy about virgin wool and silk. My nicknames are JP and Pauly. I’ve never been married and I’d like to find someone who accepts me. Is that enough?” He’d never given anyoneso much information at one time. Hell, he’d never told his own mother about his love of silk and eyeliner.

“And you bought my salon building?”

“I did. I own three apartment buildings in Norville, five in Shaker, plus fifteen rental homes and a strip mall in Corden—it’s all public knowledge. I have enough people under me who I trust and who run my properties so all I have to do is the paperwork.” He folded his hands on his desk. “I don’t plan on selling the theater building any time soon.”

“No?” James sighed. “That’s good. It’s a relief, actually.”

“I bet it is. You have quite the showpiece of Norville. Everyone knows the salon.” The minute he’d heard about the beautiful old building, he’d had to own it.

“Do you hate dogs?”

“No. I’ve been burned by tenants who don’t know how to take care of their animals, but I’ve always wanted a dog of my own.” He wanted to settle down, too.

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