As time passes, I can’t help but try to rationalize things. It’s logical that after ten months deprived of physical contact with men, I was particularly receptive to Lex’s ministrations. Sure, he knew precisely what to do and how to do it, but my intense reaction to him was most likely due to my prolonged abstinence.
And anyway, Lex doesn’t give me more of these intense, bone-melting moments where I’m reduced to putty. No, he remains cold and distant—which he’s tremendous at. I’m left alone with my fantasies and desires, discreetly looking at him when he isn’t paying attention, getting all horny with the lewd flashbacks my mind conjures on an hourly basis.
So, I drown myself in work since it’s all I have left at this point. Everyone from the dev team works on my app now, and by the end of every workday, an incredible number of tasks have been completed.
Today, however, will be different. Today is Saturday, and the guys are enjoying their well-deserved weekend.
Lex told me to come in later than usual, arguing I deserved some rest after all that work. But I was up at dawn and figured I might as well go to work.
On my way up, I wonder if Lex will already be here or if he took his own advice and lingered in bed. My mind flashes to an image of him naked, the soft duvet not hiding much of his perfect anatomy, lazily stretching in the light gray covers. Damn, I’d stay in bed in the morning if I had such a comfortable mattress and Lex in it.
I disapprovingly shake my head at the thought. Lazily sleeping in with Lex isn’t an option.
It’s odd to be in the silent hallways like this and even more strange to use a key card to unlock doors. As I’m about to enter the office, the door swings open before me.
My eyes widen as Lex appears on the other side of the panel with a folder in his hands, oblivious to my presence. Behind his glasses, his eyes are focused on the papers, like a man on a mission. He notices me right before he crashes into me. Frozen in his tracks, he looks down at me, less than a foot away.
After a moment, his surprised expression fades into his neutral self again. “No sleeping in?”
“I was awake, so I thought I might as well come and get the day started.”
He nods and moves aside to allow me to come in. “Alright. I need to make some copies, but you know what you have to do.”
The morning turns out to be pretty ordinary. The only difference is that people would typically drop by to talk to Lex or ask for his advice or approval. Music is my best defense against awkwardness, so I’m intently listening to a playlist I curated with my abuela. It’s full of what she considers the best Latino classics, and it never fails to improve my mood.
I’m taken out of my working trance when Lex’s head pops up over my screen. I push my headphones away, guessing he wants to ask me something.
“Yes?”
“I—hm, I don’t know if you have plans,” he says, visibly uneasy. “For lunch, I mean. I’m off to grab a bite at the Italian place around the corner. I thought the least I could do to thank you for coming in on a Saturday was to treat you to a decent meal.”
I stare at him, properly dazed. He wants us to go… eat outside?
At the thought of creamy pasta, my stomach wakes up. Yes, some Italian sounds great. But it means a one-on-one meal with Lex. Not ideal at all.
But …pasta.
I frantically try to figure out what I should say. I could lie and say I’m not hungry. Yes, it’s a solid plan. That’ll work.
I’m literally opening my mouth to politely refuse when my stomach makes a loud, hungry noise. There goes my alibi.
Because I was silent for too long, I worry he’ll lose his patience. “I, um, yeah. Italian sounds great,” I let out, panicking.Fuck.“I’m almost done here. Just give me a minute,” Iquickly add.
I take a deep breath as my hands tremble with nervousness. It’s fine. It’s just lunch. The restaurant is always packed, so we won’t be alone. We’ll share a professional meal, like last time.
Well, we did end up almost fucking in his car last time.
Shit.
I can’t drag this out infinitely, so I eventually tell him I’m good to go. We leave in silence and only exchange a look when he holds the door for me.
“Have you ever eaten there?” he asks once we’re outside.
“Yes, a few times already.”
“Alright. They have the best prosciutto risotto I’ve ever had.”
I can tell small talk doesn’t come easy for him, so it’s clear he’s intentionally being diplomatic. “I haven’t tried it, but their gorgonzola tagliatelle is to die for.”
