What’s wrong with taking time to cultivate yourself instead of feeling the need to get attached to just anyone? Isn’t it better to be single and content than taken and miserable? Sure, humans are social creatures, but nowhere in the stars is it written that having a partner is something we have to do. It shouldn’t be the ultimate goal.
Dylan was in shape, had a place he could call his own, and a job he loved, but he was thirty-seven and quite far from starting any sort of family. Should he have felt incomplete because he had no significant other?
He considered himself a romantic fucker. Loved having someone to take care of, someone he could spoil to death, and wake up beside every day. Yet he couldn’t help being cynical about society’s whole concept of a fairytale happily ever after, where everything is rainbows and butterflies. That was bullshit.
Though maybe his last girlfriend breaking his heart and taking off to live on the other side of the planet had something to do with it. Since then, he hadn’t felt confident enough to open up to anyone. Even when he’d tried, he had failed.
Then he met Jared.
Coworker.
Colleague.
Tempting piece of candy.
Dylan wasn’t in love, he didn’t even remember what that felt like, but it would be a lie to say he didn’t want a bite. Jared’s dreamy brown eyes, dark sense of humor, and that cheeky smile full of naughty promises, made him feel rejuvenated.
But Jared had been dating Paul for six years, and Dylan was no homewrecker. Much less when he knew nothing would grow out of a sweaty and dirty moment between them.
Still, that night at his house, they both lost and found themselves in each other.
Their kiss confirmed the desire wasn’t one-sided, and now he couldn’t think about anything else—the way their bodies had rocked, desperately seeking more contact, the anticipation creeping into his bones.
Dylan’s reminiscing was cut short when Penny, one of the company’s translators, popped up beside Dylan like a mushroom.
She waved at him, grinning from ear to ear.
Fuck. He mentally laughed like a maniac, crossing and uncrossing his legs uncomfortably. His dick had gotten a little too excited thinking about Jared.
“What was that again?” he asked, taking his headphones off one ear.
“Break? I’m hungry and don’t wanna go to the cafeteria alone.”
Dylan frowned, looking at his screen. As if he wasn’t already on a tight deadline to deliver this piece of code, his brain had been unplugged longer than he cared to admit.
Great, fucking great.
His stomach twisted, and a jolt of pain shot through his temple. He’d been feeling wishy-washy all morning, and the added pressure of this realization didn’t make it any better.
“I know you’re busy and all, but you look like you could use a break,” she insisted, tucking a curly strand behind her ear.
Dylan considered her offer. Getting out of the office for a while could help him refocus, but he also didn’t feel like putting on the cheerful mask he wore here all the time. He just wanted to be left alone with his moodiness.
“He definitely could,” Cora, the 3D designer sitting to his right, said, her eyes fixed on whatever monster she was creating. “He’s been glaring at his screen for hours.”
“Then it’s settled. Come on, big boy.”
Penny smiled as Cora dropped her digital pen and stood up. Dylan internally groaned, reluctantly following them.
On their way to the lift, Penny and Cora chatted about the weekend, but he didn’t pay much attention to the conversation. He was too busy scrolling through Jared’s photos on social media—the guy was ridiculously talented with a camera.
“Morning guys, just your usual?” the blonde at the coffee stand asked.
“Yes, please.” Cora smiled at her.
“Coming right up.”
“So…” She turned to face Dylan, “What’s crawled up your butt today?” Locked on their target, her hazel irises shone with determination. Seriously, she was always sharp and ready, like a damn Eurofighter.
