Page 10 of Sliding into Love
I’ll prove to everyone—Kenneth included—that my appearance doesn’t hinder me from doing a good job. I’m more than capable whether I’m in pants, a skirt, or a fucking Mumu.
CHAPTER FOUR
KENNETH
I’m already fucking up.
I don’t know what I said to put that dip in Royce’s brow. Their face is usually so calm and collected. I can rarely get a hold of what emotions they’re feeling.
Right now though, I can see it plain as day.
Frustration.
They’re bothered by something I said or did. Or maybe it’s something I didn’t do.
Gillies was right. I’m not going to survive this if I can’t get my head on straight.
So what if I think Royce looks amazing? So what if I wish I could unstrap them from that corset and strip them bare? So what if my mouth waters at the thought of tasting their skin?
I nearly groan as my cock hardens beneath my desk.Get a grip, Kenny.
Lusting after your new co-owner person isn’t good. Even if Royce returned my feelings, it would be a disaster to pursue anything. We’re at two different places in life. I’m on the way out. They’re on the way in. Logically, we don’t make sense.
Try telling my body that though.
Ugh.
“Do you have any questions or specifics you want to know about?” I ask to distract myself.
“Not particularly. I’d planned to observe as much as possible this first week. Next week I’ll start inserting myself into the role here and there as I feel I can best assist. We’ll transition from there bit by bit until I have it under control and you’re the observer instead.”
I nod. “Sounds like a solid plan. Do you want me to say what I’m doing out loud or?—?”
This whole job shadowing thing is new to me. I have no idea how it’s supposed to work. It might’ve been awkward with a stranger, but I’d deal. With Royce, it’s so much more. I have to fight my attraction to them while also being thorough since they’re going to need to lead the team when I’m gone.
Royce stands and picks up the chair they were sitting in. They move around my desk until they’re at my side, then they take a seat. I freeze at the proximity. Hints of jasmine and a scent so uniquelythemhits my nose.
“I can see better from here to watch you work. No need to tell me out loud unless you feel the need. I might also have a few emails to answer here and there throughout the day, so don’t mind me,” they tell me.
How can a voice be firm while also sounding like pure melted chocolate? I want to hear them read out all the things in this tone. Maybe demand me into a few positions on a bed.
Ok, no. Not that kind of thinking. My dick is already hard and damn near dripping. I don’t need to slip into Royce Fantasy Land now too.
With my focus reined in, I go through my normal morning plans. It’s just how I told them. Emails get handled first, then I go over my calendar to see what commitments there are. Nothing immediately pressing comes up on the schedule, so then I shift over to looking at what the season looks like. Arethere any games that I need to make an appearance at? Or rather, that Royce and I should make an appearance at?
That thought hits me hard. We’ll be together for work a lot, but there will be times that are less business minded and more for the enjoyment of the game. Will Royce see it that way? Will our time together come across as a transfer of ownership, or will they consider it a date like I wish it could be?
Ignoring my foolishly hopeful thoughts, I select the games I feel would be the most beneficial for me to attend. Some are home games, while a few are away.
“These are the main games I plan to attend this season. Does your schedule allow for you to attend them as well? It would be good for your new role to interact with everyone at that level as much as possible too.”
Royce pulls out their phone and goes over the dates one by one. “I only have one solid conflict for this game,” they point to one of the dates. “I can attend everything else.”
“That’s good. Missing one won’t be the end of the world,” I tease with a grin.
They freeze, like my smile is a ticking time bomb. I have to remember that it once was. My sneers and mean words were always meant to get under their skin. I wanted them to think of me always, even if it wasn’t in the best light.
And Clark was even worse. There’s a reason I ditched his ass immediately after graduating. He was toxic in everything he did.
