Ash’s eyes go huge. “Oh, shit! Sorry! I wasn’t paying attention. But I’ve been working out, so. You know. Building muscle mass. Very masculine muscle mass. For strength.”
I catch myself, laughing. “Fuck, man. You’ve got a solid hit there.”
“Thanks. I mean, yeah. Totally.” His face is going red now. “Gotta stay in shape. For… carrying things. Heavy things. Like boxes. And equipment.”
“Right.” I’m full-on grinning now. This guy is either the most awkward person I’ve ever met, or he’s actively trying to prove something. “All right, let me grab your stuff. Get settled in.”
I head toward my office at the far corner. The glass walls give me a view of the whole operation, and I glance back to see Ash doing a full spin in his desk chair, staring out at the harbor. Then he suddenly stops, straightens his shoulders, and focuses very intently on his laptop screen.
Like he just remembered he’s supposed to look professional.
I shake my head, pushing open my office door.
Dylan is already inside, sitting on the edge of my desk like he owns the place.
“So?” he says immediately. “What’s your read?”
I shut the door behind me and move to lean against the desk next to him. From here, we have a clear view of the new recruit through the glass walls and the plants scattered throughout the office.
“He’s nervous,” I say. “First-day shit, probably.”
Dylan is shaking his head. “Nah, man. It’s more than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“His scent is fucking weird.” Dylan is staring at Ash now, his expression thoughtful. “It’s too strong. Too manufactured. Like he’s covering something up.”
I’d noticed the same thing, but hearing Dylan say it out loud validates the nagging feeling in my gut. “Maybe he’s just self-conscious. Some guys are weird about their natural scent.”
“Maybe.” Dylan doesn’t sound convinced. “But there’s something else. I don’t know what the fuck it is, but something’s off about him.”
“You haven’t had enough caffeine,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. “You always get paranoid when you’re running on empty.”
“Fuck off. I’m serious.” He’s still staring at Ash through the glass. “You don’t feel it?”
I stare out at our new recruit. He’s doing another slow spin in his chair now, taking in the whole office like he still can’t believe he’s here. Then he stops abruptly, straightens his shoulders like he’s practicing his posture.
“Maybe he’s just a unique guy,” I say finally. “No harm in that.”
“Yeah, maybe.” But Dylan is still watching him. “It’s weird, though. I keep telling myself to look away, but I can’t stop staring. What the fuck is wrong with me?”
I don’t have an answer for that, because I’m having the same damn problem. There’s something about Ash that keeps pulling my attention back, even when I’m trying to focus on other things.
It’s not attraction. I’m into women. Always have been. But there’s something magnetic about this guy that I can’t explain.
Before I can say anything else, the main door to the building opens, and Jasper strolls in.
He’s impossible to miss. Six feet, four inches of solid muscle, blond hair falling to his shoulders. He spots Ash immediately and stops, his ice-blue eyes narrowing.
Ash notices him and waves. It’s enthusiastic as hell, very eager.
“Oh, this is gonna be good,” Dylan mutters.
We watch as Jasper approaches Ash’s desk. Even from here, I notice the way Jasper is studying him, that intense focus he gets when something doesn’t add up.
Ash jumps to his feet, and we watch as he extends his hand for a handshake.
“Look at that concentration,” Dylan says, grinning. “He’s really focusing on getting that handshake right.”
