Page 99 of Counterpoint
“I know. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
He gritted his teeth. “Okay.”
“Night,” Adrian whispered, then was gone.
Dom slid his phone onto the coffee table, shoved his boxers down, and jacked off in earnest, wishing for Adrian’s touch and breath and words. His heat. Those cuffs.
Should have taken it slow. Made it last. But there was too much heat and sadness and worry, so he came hard and fast, hating that he was alone, and so looking forward to tomorrow, when he wouldn’t be.
Chapter Eighteen
Work on Monday was hellish for Adrian. Would have been anyway with more shit from Project Brada being dumped on him, and once more having to fix William’s mistakes in his own damn code. But the anticipation of experiencing the other part of Dominic’s life, of meeting the people that were for all intents and purposes Dominic’s family, had Adrian’s mind spinning in all directions.
He really didn’t need William’s shit now. Not even the punishing workout Jackson had pushed him through that morning stole away Adrian’s annoyance that the day wouldnotgo any faster.
And then Russ called Adrian into his office. Joy of fucking joys. He stopped two offices down to compose himself, because charging into the boss’s domain with a huge attitude would be about as helpful as trying to shove a punchcard into a USB port. Once he’d pushed down the annoyance to a level he could hide, Adrian strode forward and knocked on the doorframe.
Russ looked up and nodded to the guest chair. “Close the door, too.”
Well,shit. Adrian did as told and settled into the uncomfortable guest chair.
There was a look from Russ that Adrian didn’t like. “We need to talk more about the problems with your work lately.”
Adrian’s breath caught. “Mywork?”
“There’s been an increase in nightly test failures on your projects, Adrian.”
Yeah, well, there was a reason for that. But it wasn’t Adrian. “And if you look at the code check-ins, you’ll see that those aren’t caused by my coding, but someone else’s ‘refactoring.’” He even air-quoted the last word.
Russ frowned at him. “Are you blaming William for your mistakes?”
Adrian straightened in the chair and stared back at Russ until his boss actually flinched. “You know I’m not. I’ve always owned up when I’ve fucked up. I’m usually in here before anyone notices.”
Russ looked down at his desk.
“I’ve been working here for six years. I know my worth. I also know when I’m being set up.” Adrian paused. “If you want me out, for fuck’s sake, Russ, just tell me.”
Russ met his gaze again. “It’s not that simple, Adrian.”
Yes, it was. “Look, tell William I’m fine with cleaning up after him on Project Brada. But he needs to stay the fuck out of my code. Then you won’t have to yell at me about my work.”
Russ pushed a hand through his hair. “You need to learn to be a team player, Adi.”
Adrian’s spine went rigid. “Don’t call me that.” No one called him that but Jackson, and it was hard-won on both their parts. Mutual respect.
“See?” Russ waved a hand.
“It’s not a nickname I’m willing to give out freely.” Adrian kept his voice steady. “Please don’t use it.”
“This is exactly what I’m talking about.”
Adrian closed his eyes briefly. “No, it’s not. You’re asking me to be a team player, not a friend or a lover. Hell, not even my boyfriend calls me that.”
Russ shifted in his chair.
“What the hell is going on, Russ?” Because something was out of sync. “Shit has been screwy since I came back from my trip.”
Nothing, just more stares, but Russ was damn uncomfortable.
