“Pete, oh my God, what are you doing here?” Nyx walks up and takes the donuts from him.
“I thought you may be in need of some coffee.” He winks at her. “Hazelnut frappuccino?” he asks with a smirk on his cute lips. No. Nope. Do not think about it.
“I could kiss you right now, you beautiful man you.”
Beautiful. That’s a fucking understatement.
“Caramel latte for my unofficial brother-in-law, no sugar espresso for my soon-to-be boss,” he says, like it’s a given. “And Americano, one sugar for you, Car-Car.”
“Unlike Nyx, I am definitely going to kiss you.” Carter takes his coffee from Pete and leans in. My insides turn. I’m about to snap at him and tell him to go fuck himself, but Pete’s reaction stops me.
“Ewww, I like you and all, but dude, you’re so not my type it’s not even funny.”
Silence falls, everyone waiting for Carter’s reaction before they all burst into laughter. I am not laughing. I am too busy trying to figure out why my body is tense, and my fists are clenched. Carter making a joke about kissing Pete should not have elicited any kind of reaction from me, never mind a reaction of violence. I’m not a violent guy. I know I look intimidating to most people. Standing at six foot four and covered in tattoos with a permanent scowl on my face gives most people the impression that I spend my spare time in an underground fight club, but that’s not me.
“You’re going to work with us, Trouble?” Carter asks, dismissing everybody’s laughter.
“I sure hope so. Ryan told me about the desk manager position and invited me for a job interview with the Grumpy Bear over there.” Pete points his thumb back at me.
“Good thing you brought him coffee. God knows without it, grumpy is not the word to describe him.” Something boils inside me. Why is Carter so eager to piss me off? First, the attempted kiss, and now he makes me look like a total asshole. This day is already straight from hell, and it’s not even nine a.m. yet.
“Shut the hell up,” I snap. Ryan eyes me suspiciously as I scowl at Carter.
“See, the caffeine hasn’t sunk in yet.” Carter winks at Pete, and whistles as he walks back to his station, coffee cup in hand and a knowing smirk on his face.
“Ugh, come on, Cliffer, let’s get it over with.” I turn and head into my office.
How am I supposed to do this? It would be perfect to hire someone who is from our inner circle, but do I really want to hirehim?
I look at him from behind my desk, trying to think of interview-appropriate questions.
“So…” Pete says from his spot opposite me, a wide smile plastered to his delicate face. Jesus, this guy is gorgeous.
“What did Ryan tell you about the position?”
“That you need someone at the desk.” He pushes some of his loose curls behind his ear, and I follow the move, wondering if his hair is as soft as it looks.
What the fuck is wrong with me? First I’m seconds away from smashing my employee’s face in for joking around which is essentially Carter's whole personality. It’s how he has always been and it’s usually what I like most about the guy. Then I’m daydreaming about how soft Pete’s hair might be? Maybe I just need to get laid.
“Basically, yeah. We need someone to answer the phone, book visits, and take care of the clients in the waiting area.” He nods at my words and somehow manages to widen his already impossibly wide smile.
“I can do that. I’m great at entertaining. People won’t be bored waiting with me there.”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t be. Eventually, I’ll need someone to fill out orders.”
“Oh, I’m good with orders too,” he says with mischief in his eyes.
“That’s not what I…”
“Easy there, I know what you mean. Doesn’t mean I would be opposed to being at your service… just say the word.” He licks those fucking cute lips and winks at me. Scrubbing my hand over my face I try to wipe away the mental images I have of those lips wrapping around my aching hard length. Adjusting myself on my leather-backed desk chair, I sit up straighter.
“Peter, the studio needs an administrator urgently. If I am going to hire you, I need to know that you are serious about the role.” His nose wrinkles a little before he replies.
“Oh, I do not like that. Only my mom calls me Peter. Not even you can make that sexy.” He holds up a hand to stop me as I groan. “I won’t let you down. I promise I will be a great asset to the team. Put me in, coach.”
He beams and I drop my chin to my chest as I mutter “You’re hired,” because how can I not hire him? He’s practically Ryan’s brother. He clearly needs a job. It has absolutely nothing to do with how enticing his lips are or how he somehow manages to make me smile and groan in exasperation simultaneously.
My eyes flick momentarily to the bottom drawer of my desk before returning to Pete, who is sitting straighter now, watching me with pure excitement dancing in his eyes. I notice the temptation is not there, no nudges to take a swig, no reminders that comfort can be found in the liquid after a hard morning. Nothing. The only thing my voices are telling me is to keep looking at this sweet guy and protect him at all costs. Unfortunately, that means protecting him from me, my past, and my boatload of bullshit. No matter what he might believe, I am not the man for him. I guess I will just have to make him see that there is nothing here except a recovering alcoholic with a pessimistic outlook and mountain of commitment issues.
