Page 118 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
Fazil’s face softened. “The whole getting-out-and-spending-time-with-people thing? Keeps me from getting depressed that we aren’t together.” Fazil scooted forward. “I miss you like hell every day. You can’t take PTO. Even if I came out there, you’d still be stuck at your desk. They’re watching you too closely.”
“True. I know. Looking for any reason to fire me.” The whole probation thing was getting weirder, too. He’d been doing everything Stephen asked, but the hairs on the back of his neck stood up whenever he got another e-mail. “Hey, what’s Sam doing in the system, anyway? I saw someone created him an account.”
Fazil’s expression twisted into a snarl. “He’s doing the open source audit.”
Todd’s pulse doubled. “Why?” Even as he asked the question, the answer flew into his head. “They locked you out because of me?”
Fazil snapped his mouth shut, his face as dark as his expression. He nodded.
“Oh fuck, Z.” He rubbed his chin. “I hope that didn’t cause you any issues with Sam.”
The anger melted away. “No, if anything it made me realize how much he goes to bat for us. He threatened to pull the whole project when your CEO balked at giving him access.”
“Dude.” He suppressed a shudder. The chaosthatwould have caused, for both of them.
“Right? Never had anyone do that for me. Didn’t expect Sam to, after how everything went down.”
“Sam seems like a great guy to work for.” Though it hurt to say it. “You’re damn lucky.”
“I know.” He looked at his hands. “If only we could slice out the middle of the country, then I could work for Samandbe near you.”
Todd stared at his screen as pinpricks ran down his back. “Wait, what if you could?” That was the perfect answer. “Most of the stuff you do is remote, right? What if you could live hereandwork for Sam?”
“Yeah, it’s mostly contracting.” Fazil’s shoulders dropped and he bit his lip, his gaze faraway. Thinking. “But I’m not sure Sam would go for it.”
“Wouldn’t hurt to ask.” Todd watched Fazil’s expression, the deepening lines. “We could be together then.”
Fazil focused on the camera, his expression neutral. “You want me to move out there.”
“You like it out here, and there are plenty of jobs, if Sam says no.” They’d talked about this before. Of course he wanted Fazil here.
Fazil nodded, though the lines between his brow were back. “I’ll think about it. Seattleisnice.”
Good. Todd released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “It is. I can’t wait to see you again.”
Fazil’s next words were cut off by a huge yawn. He clapped his hand over his mouth.
Todd glanced at the time. Getting closer to nine, which meant midnight in Pittsburgh. “This time zone thing sucks.”
“It does.” Fazil blew out a breath and grinned. “Well, at least it isn’t Europe or something.” The smile vanished. “Long distances are hard.”
Todd’s chest ached. If only he could reach through the screen and smooth out the lines on Fazil’s face. “It’s worth it, right?”
Fazil focused on the keyboard. “I’m not sure I can drop everything in my life and move across the country.”
That was a punch to the gut, but Todd tamped the panic down. “See what Sam says?”
Fazil sat back. “One thing at a time, right?”
“Yeah.” Todd spoke softly and glanced at the clock again. “I’m going to guess you’re not up for a repeat of last night.”
That drew a smile and a shudder from Fazil. “I want a repeat, but I don’t think I can take being up that late again, not with a meeting at nine.”
“True.” They had played a long time, but it had been so much fun making Fazil touch and stroke himself, but not letting him jack off to completion—not until Fazil begged. “Maybe I can sneak out earlier tomorrow.”
Red crept up Fazil’s neck and he squirmed. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Especially if he went to work early. “Why don’t we meet back here at nine your time?”
“Sounds good.” Fazil leaned forward, all smiles again. “Can’t wait.”
Didn’t look like Fazil could, the way he fidgeted in his chair. “Neither can I.”
They said their good-byes and signed off. Todd leaned back against the leather couch, caught between horny and worried. He closed his eyes. Life would be so much better for the both of them when Fazil moved here.
