Page 4 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
“I’m fine.” He really wasn’t. But a book wouldn’t put things right. Devan had a whole line ofHow tobooks in his office, all but one bought as jokes by friends, family and colleagues.How to live with a huge penis. How to poop on a date. How to talk to your cat about gun safety.It appeared to have become a competition as to who could find the weirdest. ButHow to get over finding your brother with his cock deep in your fiancé’s arsewasn’t available. He’d checked.
“I’m worried about you,” Alan said. “You’ve lost your mojo.”
I’ve lost a lot more than that.But Devan plastered an attempt at a smile on his face and pushed to his feet.
“You might as well have the rest of the day off,” Alan said.
He heard what Alan didn’t say.Leave now before you plant your fist in your brother’s face.Except Devan wouldn’t do that.
“I meant what I said about staying up there a bit longer. If you don’t want a holiday, then take a scout around. See if there’s anything of interest. You know what we’re looking for.” Alan stood up and handed him the folders. “At least two weeks away. Preferably a month. Okay?”
A month?“Would you prefer I resign?” Devan’s heart thumped hard.
He was relieved to see Alan’s shocked expression. “No, I wouldn’t. You’re my right-hand man. I…”
Maybe the look on Devan’s face stopped Alan saying more.
“I could find another job.”
“Don’t you dare,” Alan barked. “You’re the best at this. You see through all the crap. You have an eye for what’s needed, the best fit. If anyone leaves, it won’t be you.”
Which didn’t make Devan feel any better, though it should have. He pressed his lips together and left with the two folders.
Maybe he ought to find another job, then he could avoid his brother altogether. Except Alan was right, Griff andfucktardRaviweregoing to be part of his life. They’d be at family events, talked about even when they weren’t there. Unless Devan went to live on a desert island and told no one, escape was impossible.
Griff had always been the favoured son, the spoiled, disabled baby of the family who made everyone laugh and smile. The idea of having to sit around the table at Christmas alongside Ravi and Griff was unbearable. Imagining they’d have the kids that he and Ravi had talked about in their future was even more unbearable. The thought of their office Christmas celebration with Ravi at Griff’s side was…
Shit.If he was going to continue to work here, he needed to go away at Christmas and make sure the holiday also covered the office party. Skiing. A thought that cheered him up until he realised that he didn’t want to go on his own, and that ten days of solo skiing wouldn’t solve a-fucking-thing.
Devan dealt with all the outstanding work issues that he could and handed off what he couldn’t. Nate was trying not to appear too excited about having to deal with things on his own. Devan even managed to apologise to him again. Alan was probably right. Getting away for a couple of weeks was a good idea. He needed to reset his life. Was there a help book forHow to mend a broken heart?There probably was, but Devan felt beyond help.
Chapter Two
JONTY BELATEDLY REALISED HE SHOULDhave taken the stick of chocolate out of his mouth before he stood up behind the hotel reception desk. He found himself facing a tall, dark-haired guy in his mid-thirties, who was staring at him as if he’d never seen anyone with a Flake sticking out of their mouth before. Jonty chomped down and slipped the rest of the bar under the lip of the desk as he frantically chewed, swallowed, and finally licked his lips. Thoroughly. Just to be sure.
The guy hadn’t taken his gaze off him. “Are you done?”
Jonty bristled at the snapped question. Bad enough that his chocolate rush had been interrupted, but he didnotneed the attitude.
“No. I can’t quite get it all in my mouth at one go, though I have tried. Repeatedly.”Oh God, shut me up.“It’s an inch too long.”Really shut me up.
He’s cute.
And you shut up as well, Tay.Jonty made sure not to look in his friend’s direction. Not that there was any risk of Mr Grumpy seeing him because Tay wasn’t really there.
“Welcome to McAllister’s Hotel.” Jonty put on his best smile, hoping there was no chocolate left on his teeth. “How can I help you?”Give you a personality transplant? The rest of my Flake?
Turn him gay with one of your spectacular blowjobs?
Shut up, Tay! You know that’s not possible.
You’re the one who told me it was.
Wasit possible? Jonty started to slide into an erotic daydream featuring him and Mr Grumpy and quickly snapped it off before it had consequences he didn’t need right at that moment.
“I have a reservation. Devan Smith.”
Jonty tapped into the computer. The guy had one of the top floor suites reserved until Sunday. Just for him? Or was his wife waiting in the car? He looked up to find the guy still staring at him and Jonty’s dick twitched.Down, boy!
