Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
He stayed quiet as Clive followed his direction and went about his day, which was basically disappearing into his home office after he offered a bagel to Bain. Clive ate his own at the table, washed his dishes, put them away, then was basically gone for hours.
Bain spent some of the time reading a book he’d brought with him—a fantastic science fiction gay romance he’d read before but loved enough for a repeat. He spent the rest of the time thinking. Mostly about why he was so attracted to Clive when the man had done nothing more than show he’d liked Bain’s looks. There hadn’t been a hint of flirting, no sexy banter—Bain was pretty sure sexy banter wasn’t a part of Clive’s vocabulary. All he’d done was stare with his mouth open and his pretty eyes wide.
Just what was it about this particular human?
It was going to be fun to find out. He wouldn’t act on the attraction, but he did enjoy a good round of speculation.
Around six that evening, Clive came out to stand behind the couch, nervously shuffling his feet as he looked at Bain. After his shower earlier, he’d changed into navy slacks and a pale blue polo shirt that matched his eyes. His curls were in disarray, like he’d been frustrated and running his hands through them. “I was going to order some Chinese food. Does that sound good?”
“It does,” Bain agreed. “But don’t feel you have to provide for me while I’m here.”
“You have to eat, too.” He picked up his phone off the table behind the couch. “Do you like movies? I subscribe to a lot of services, so we’ll have our pick.”
“A movie would be nice.”
“I’m having a hard time with just leaving you sitting here all day. You’re welcome to watch TV or read any books I have.” He waved his hand toward the wall of shelves.
“I did see a few Star Trek books I haven’t read yet, and also some romances new to me, so I’ll do that.”
Clive perked up fast. “You like Star Trek?”
Bain nodded. “Very much. The movies, too. I really like all the newer ones, but enjoy the older movies as well.”
If anything, Clive lit up even more. “Oh, we could start a marathon! I own them all.”
“All tonight?” Bain loved seeing excitement shine on his face. He again felt that strange warmth in his chest, one that made him want to do everything in his power to make it happen over and over.
“No. I have to be in bed…by ten, but we could start. It’ll help take my mind off things.”
Bain stood and walked to him, then caved to the powerful need to touch him, placing his hands on Clive’s shoulders. The heat of Clive’s body sent a thrill through Bain that startled him. He let go quickly, worried his body would start to respond to that thrill. “Nobody will get past me. You have no need to worry.”
Clive watched him a moment, then smiled. “After I order the food, I’m going to make you some tea. What’s your favorite kind? I have so many herbal blends I can make anything.”
Bain wasn’t really a fan of tea—especially not herbal. “Black tea is my favorite.”
Clive’s eyebrows lowered, then scrunched. “Just black? But I have so many fun blends. Fruity or spicy. Different mints. Relaxing or peppy.”
“Peppy?” Bain grinned.
Clive shrugged. “Sure. Caffeinated.”
Holy shit, adorable was right. “I’ve never heard caffeinated tea referred to as peppy tea.”
“Well, it sure makes me feel peppy. I don’t often pick those blends. I much prefer the others. I’ve also combined a few for some really exciting flavors.”
Amused, Bain was sure tea could never be really exciting. “Tell you what. Why don’t you surprise me with something…sweet.” Like him.
Clive beamed. “Done.”
Bain ended up with something that tasted like strawberry dried grass, but he made sure to make a yummy noise just to see the pleasure on Clive’s face. He did, however, enjoy the Chinese food, then the salty popcorn Clive shared with him throughout Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
The whole time, Clive sat perfectly straight in his seat, legs bent and still, shoulders tensed.
He was just so uptight. Bain found it fascinating; he had the strongest desire to fluster him, to see him disheveled. What would Clive be like when he truly let go? The heat that streaked through Bain at that thought had shock chasing it, and he narrowed his eyes, truly studying the small man. While Bain enjoyed all types of humans, he normally didn’t find himself attracted to the uptight ones. He liked to have fun. Laugh. Get sweaty.
Clive looked like he never got sweaty.
Which, for some reason, made Bain yearn to get him that way.
A lot.
An image of that sexy man glistening and panting filled his head, and the raw need that sent his blood flooding south shocked him. For the first time in all the years he’d worked at Protective Solutions, he wondered if he’d be strong enough to follow the rules. It had never been an issue, but again, something about this man called to Bain in a way he’d never experienced.