Page 6 of Companion Required

“I’m not. I’m guessing they know you wouldn’t bring along a straight guy. So if you’re asking whether I’ll adopt any mannerisms, or rethink my dress sense, then apart from accusing you of stereotyping—or worse still, internalised homophobia—I’d say you’re clearly out of sync with the new generation of gay men. Anderson Cooper, Tom Daley or Keegan Hirst, for example.”

Not many people had Kennedy Grey at a loss for words, but this young man certainly had a way about him. Trouble defined him. Kennedy gave him his usual professional smile and decided to run with the path of least resistance.

“Leave me your number and I’ll get back to you by the end of the week.”

“You won’t though, will you?” said Kieran, folding his arms.

“Not if you don’t give me your number,” said Kennedy, slapping a pen on top of the advert before fishing for his wallet in his jacket pocket. “Here’s my business card. If I haven’t called you by Friday at four o’clock, feel free to ring my direct line.”

Kieran scrawled his number on the sheet, then leaned back and studied the business card.

“Kennedy Grey, CEO. Grey Havens Security Systems?TheKennedy Grey? Get out of here! You run the family business that installs digitalised commercial security systems? We covered your company in our master’s programme, successful family businesses of the new millennium. In the recent edition ofBusiness Weekyour operations guy—Sloan something—didn’t rule out the possibility of you going public next year. You’ve pretty much got that niche area of the market sewn up.”

The first thought that crossed Kennedy’s mind was why he hadn’t been told about the article inBusiness Week. Had his chief operating officer, Sloan Williamson, pulled another fast one behind his back? Not that he would be surprised, given the man’s ruthless ambition—one of the reasons Kennedy had hired him. But even so, Kennedy’s marketing team would normally have sanctioned the interview with him. And Sloan should not be speculating publicly about plans for a stock market launch. The second thing that struck him was that this man, Kieran, was clearly both informed and intelligent. And as far as travelling companions were concerned, that would never do.

“One and the same,” said Kennedy, then sat back wide-eyed as an impressively sized Kieran rose and leaned across the table.

“An absolute pleasure to meet you, Mr Grey,” he said, holding a large hand out. “And can I say, you are much better looking in the flesh.”

Still seated, Kennedy leaned forward awkwardly and shook the offered hand. Kieran gripped a little too long, squeezing a couple of times, while maintaining almost uncomfortably consistent eye contact.

“Gay enough for you?”

Kennedy smirked then and rolled his eyes. Yes, this one would certainly cause a stir.

“Thanks for your time, Kieran. I’ll be in touch.”

“And I’ll very much look forward to hearing from you,” said Kieran, grinning, before collecting his jacket and satchel from the chair and heading for the door.

Kennedy put his hands behind his head and stared at the long, lean legs of the confident figure striding out of the cafe. On the plus side, this guy was definitely attractive, with his shaggy brown mop, sad eyes and beautiful full lips. And as Kennedy had stated in his very specific demands, he expected companionship, but not sex. Besides, if he did pick straight Kieran, he could legitimately slip away for some anonymous sex on the gay cruise without upsetting anyone, something generally acknowledged as being as available as the twenty-four-hour sushi bar—not that Kennedy had ever partaken of either.

Moreover, for the three days in Singapore, his father might actually be able to tolerate this one. He would certainly enjoy being challenged on his political ideology, something Kennedy had never found of any interest. And the gay cruise? Kieran would have to fend for himself, but he didn’t seem the faint-of-heart type, more like the sort of man who could brave any storm—metaphorically speaking. And as he’d said himself, he really needed the job.

Stop, Kennedy told himself, shaking his head.What the hell am I thinking?

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