It was a dumb thing to say. He should’ve made his excuses and gone to the gym. Rowan would never know it wasn’t a scheduled day. He didn’t even have togoto the gym; he could’ve just said that and walked into a Tim Hortons and crushed a ten-pack of Timbits about it. But sooner or later Rowan would get a new job—if not this one, then another—and his landlord would fix the mold in his apartment, and he’d move out, and then Jordy would never see him again. So he might as well get his fill now.
But the pacing had to stop. “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor.”
Rowan looked down at the floor, or perhaps more pointedly at hisbare feeton Jordy’s obscenely expensive hardwood.
It had really been too long since Jordy had a proper date if he was looking at another man’s ankles like this.
But after a second, Rowan conceded with a sigh and flopped onto the couch. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being—a lot. It’s just kind of a dream job.”
As if Jordy needed the reminder. He wasn’t about to forget Rowan’s words from Ryan and Nico’s wedding reception.I couldn’t do it.He couldn’t live with the specter of a possible cross-continental move hanging over his head when he’d worked so hard to put down roots.
Which was just one more reason, if Jordy needed one, that he should keep his distance. It would be foolish and cruel to pursue something with Rowan knowing he could be traded at any time. Jordy felt bad enough that part of him hoped Rowandidn’tget this job so he’d stick around longer.
If he found one more thing to feel guilty about, he’d have to convert to Catholicism.
He was just about to suggest they do something to distract themselves—get out of the house, find somewhere to have dinner, fuck each other stupid on the couch in the den—when an earsplitting noise made them both jump.
Rowan dropped his cell phone, swore profusely, and then scrambled to pick it up.
Jordy held his breath.
“Hello?”
He could tell from the tense way Rowan held his body that this was the call he’d been waiting for.
“This is he.”
From his vantage point, Jordy couldn’t see Rowan’s face, and while the volume on his ringer might have been cranked up towake the dead, the same could not be said for his phone speaker. Jordy hunched forward on tenterhooks.
“Absolutely. Yes, I understand. No, I think I have everything I need ready…. Monday morning? Of course. I’m looking forward to it.”
Fuck. Wait. Yay? He wasn’tupset. He was happy for Rowan. Just—
Rowan hung up the phone and turned around, and Jordy scrambled to school his features. “Well?”
“I got it,” Rowan said softly, almost disbelievingly. Then a wide, brilliant smile stretched across his face. God, he was gorgeous. “I got it! I got the job!” He looked ready to start hopping in place. Jordy wanted to kiss him. In the face of Rowan’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t be sad, really, even if he could feel his heart start to crack.
“I knew you would.” Jordy honestly couldn’t imagine anyone not loving Rowan.
“Liar,” Rowan said with a giddy laugh.
Jordy would need to hire a new nanny. Rowan got his dream job, and he would be leaving them soon.
Suddenly any barrier Jordy had erected to protect his heart seemed stupid and wasteful. He closed the distance between them and wrapped Rowan in a tight hug. He was warm and solid under Jordy’s hands and the scent of him made Jordy dizzy. His lips brushed Rowan’s ear as he murmured, “Never. I always had faith.” Rowan shivered and didn’t disentangle himself from Jordy’s arms.
The hug went on too long, but Jordy found it difficult to let go once Rowan was in his arms. He wanted to breathe him in—his scent, the warmth of his body. But he couldn’t hold on forever. Reluctantly, he loosened his grip and pulled back.
When there was enough space between them that Jordy could see Rowan’s face, he couldn’t help but look down at Rowan’s mouth. It was so close and tempting—
Rowan surged forward and pressed his mouth to Jordy’s in a brief, ecstatic kiss. Jordy’s head swam. Rowan’s lips were soft and warm, and Jordy wanted to stay there forever.
Abruptly, Rowan lurched back, his eyes wide and horrified. “Oh God,” he gasped. Jordy’s heart started to sink. “That was way too forward. I never should have—I’m so sorry!”
Wait, Rowan was apologizing for not asking? Not for the kiss?
It was Jordy’s turn to push forward. He closed the gap and placed a short, soft kiss on Rowan’s half-open mouth to stop the flow of words. Then he pulled back just enough to catch his eye—just to make sure it was okay—
Rowan leaned into Jordy’s weight and parted his lips in invitation. Jordy didn’t need to be asked twice.
