Heart hammering, he nodded. “Okay. I’ll just finish up here, then.”
The cocky smile he remembered from their night together returned. “You’re the boss, Mr. Winters.” He left, and Armi rubbed his face.
“I can keep it together. He’s just a guy.”
Without paying much attention to what the hell he was doing, Armi closed his computer down and left. Hayden was at his desk, fingers flying over the keyboard. Caught up in watching him work, Armi remained silent.
“I know you’re standing there,” Hayden said as he continued entering information. “I’m transcribing my notes from the last meeting. Should be done in a few minutes. I’ll send them to you.”
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“You’re not. And you shouldn’t apologize. You’re not doing anything wrong.” He stopped, pressed a button, and swiveled around to face Armi. “I’m ready to leave whenever you are. I sent you everything so you can review it later.” Hayden rose, and Armi couldn’t help admiring the strong back and curve of his perfect ass in snug trousers before it was covered by his suit jacket.
“Great.”
As they passed by the reception desk, Hayden pointed to the wall. “Just so you know, my first day, I put in an order to change the sign to your name. It should be arriving soon. And all the letterhead, stationery, plus the website still have your father’s name as owner and CEO. That must change too. I meant to do it this week, but I’ve been in meetings with you and didn’t have the chance. I’ll get to it next week.”
Damn. He hadn’t even thought about that, and obviously, no one else in the Kings did either. Except Hayden. Who’d only worked for him for a week.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Hayden looked at him oddly. “You don’t have to keep thanking me. It’s my job.” He pushed the elevator button.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve appreciation or acknowledgment that I recognize the effort you’re putting in. It’s common courtesy.” The doubt in Hayden’s eyes was telling, and Armi pressed him. “Didn’t your bosses before me ever let you know?”
The doors opened, and they entered the crowded cab. Hayden waited to answer until they stood outside, waiting for their car.
“To answer your question, no. None of my bosses ever said thank you. It’s what was expected of me. To go that extra step so they didn’t have to think about it.”
The car slid to a stop in front of them, and Armi opened the door for Hayden. “Whether that’s true or not, that doesn’t mean it’s right. Or that I’m going to be the same as anyone else you’ve worked for.” The car took off. “Was Kunoff Shipping your only job?”
The air shifted between them, and Hayden’s profile tensed. “No. I worked for the head of an international bank and then the CEO of one of the largest hedge funds in the world. Do you want to check my references now?”
“No, definitely not,” Armi rushed to reassure him. “You satisfy me completely.”
A hint of a smile flickered on Hayden’s lips. “I’m glad.”
Realizing how that sounded, Armi groaned. “Oh God, you know what I mean. I wasn’t—”
Hayden rested a hand on his arm. “I know. I was just teasing.”
The car slid to a stop, and Hayden withdrew. For the first time, Armi wished he lived farther away so Hayden could keep touching him. They got out, and Hayden trailed behind. When Armi opened the front door to the town house, Hayden hung back.
“What’s wrong?” Armi asked.
“Nothing.” Hayden’s response came swiftly, and as in the car, Armi sensed Hayden putting up a virtual wall.
“Follow me. The garden is this way.” They passed by the parlor, formal dining room, and the large kitchen. Growing up, he’d split his time between the home on Long Island and thetown house, but after his parents divorced, they sold the estate in Old Brookville, and his mother gained sole ownership of the house in the city. She gave it to him upon his college graduation and moved into a smaller apartment off Central Park on Fifth Avenue, claiming she didn’t need so much space and Armi could use the garden for his roses.
He opened the door to the solarium, which he’d converted to a greenhouse. It was where he performed his grafting, as well as cared for the roses indoors during the winter months.
“Wow, this is…just wow.” Hayden stood surveying the glass-enclosed room, and his admiration was obvious. It wasn’t forced or faked. Finally in his element, Armi’s chest swelled as he explained what he was trying to accomplish.
“I’m blending hardy roses with those of a more delicate nature to see if I can get healthy specimens. Plus, I’m trying to figure out how to achieve new colors. I love the shaded petals, like the Peace rose you put in my office. How did you know they’re my favorite?”
A faint blush tinged Hayden’s cheeks. “I didn’t. They’re my mother’s favorites as well. During the summer she always cuts them and has bouquets all around the house.”
“She has good taste.”
