Page 63 of The Secret
“Pretty often.” Con brushed his hair out of his eyes and his shoulder brushed my chest. “Haven’t been around in a while, though.”
“And you’ve been missed,” a guy on the other side of Con said. He wore a snapback hat and his eyes were half-lidded, either out of some misguided impression that he was being seductive or because he’d already had too much to drink.
Con didn’t even glance his way.
“Scene getting tired?” I asked, casting an eye around the place and letting my gaze linger meaningfully on snapback dude. He flushed and looked away.
“Not really. Just busy,” Constantine said, sipping at his drink through a straw. He twisted so his upper body reclined back on the bar while his legs were still turned to the side. It didamazingthings to his shoulders and abs. “You know how it is. Work, work, work.”
I winced. “Sounds rough.”
“You havenoidea,” Con sighed. “My boss can be so difficult.”
“Bossessuck.” The blond on my other side piped up. “I’m Thomas, by the way, Constantine.” He smiled widely, but Con seemed not to notice. “We met here a few months back. Do you re—”
“Thomas, there isno onewho sucks harder than my boss,” Con said, looking at me all the while. His eyes flared with heat and my cock stirred in my jeans.
“Rides you hard, does he?” I said, all fake sympathy. “On your ass all the time for every little thing?”
Con pursed his lips and made a sound of disagreement. “No. I can’t say that. To be honest, he ignores me a little too often. He’s shit at communicating hisdesiresand expectations.” He fished a cherry out of the drink with his straw, then eyed me steadily as he placed it on his tongue.
“Maybe he expected you to come to him. For clarification, I mean. About those desires and expectations. To show initiative and a willingness to…progress.”
“Hmmm. See, I think he could have tried a littleharder. To not let things…slide.It’s important for a boss to run a tight ship. ”
I inhaled sharply. Things were getting tight, alright.
“Have you thought about finding a new position?” I suggested. “I have experience managing people, and it seems to me a guy like you could probablyfit injust about anywhere.”
“You think?” Con’s eyes glowed blue. “Means a lot that you say that. Are there any particularpositionsyou think I’d be suitable for?”
His knee pushed against my leg in a way that probably wasn’t noticeable to anyone around us—though Snapback and Thomas were still acting like they were part of this discussion—but was definitely noticeable tome. My hands twitched with the need to touch him.
“I could help you!” Snapback said, leaning closer to Con. “My uncle owns a rug cleaning company!”
Constantine’s lips twitched but his gaze didn’t move. “That’s tempting. Do you have a better offer?”
“Funny you should ask. I know of a couple openingsyou couldfill.” I rubbed my thumb over my bottom lip. Con’s eyes locked onto my mouth. “Why don’t we talk about it privately?”
“I’m intrigued,” Con said. “But you’re gonna have to tell me more. Last time I accepted a job at this bar, it didn’t work out so well.”
“No? That’s too bad.”
“Benefits were decent, but there’s noupward mobility.” He sighed. “Though, I mean, he did tell me I wasn’t the righttypefor the job from the beginning.”
How the hell had I never noticed how absolutely filthy employment talk could be? Yet another life experience I could thank Constantine Ross for, because I was pretty sure I’d spring wood for the rest of my life when hiring staff.
“That won’t be a problem. You’re definitely the right type for the…positionsI’m thinking of. And these positions I’m thinking of involvelongevity. Excellent benefits. Bonuses forhardworkers. If you’reupfor the challenge.”
“Really?” Con’s lips twitched. He straightened and then stood so his body was nearly pressed against mine. “You know, if I want something badly enough, I’ll figure out how to get it. I never back down from a challenge. ”
“Neither do I,” I said softly. Con’s eyes said he was counting on it.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” Snapback said, interrupting the moment.
“He’s leaving,” I confirmed, not looking at the idiot.
Thomas snorted. “That’s not up to you. You’re old enough to be his dad and not old enough to be his daddy.”
