Click. Click. Click.
Chase continued, “It wasn’t too long before we admitted we weren’t right for each other.”
“Why not?” Tobias muttered low enough for Chase to barely hear it over the clicking.
“Well, I’m vers, while Cole decided he only wanted one direction. He tried the other way, but didn’t enjoy it. I like taking charge, taking control, but in a caring, protective way,” Chase explained, and Tobias slightly fumbled a stitch. Chase tried to hold back his smirk, but likely failed. It was a good thing Tobias was still focused on his knitting. “While Cole wanted… Well, let’s just say he needed a bottom, and I prefer to top. We also bonded over our homophobic dads. It was more of a friendship than anything else. I was never in love with him, and he was never my boyfriend.”
Click. Click. Click.
Something about the noise was so soothing despite the palpable tension in the room.
Tobias cleared his throat, but continued his clicking.
“So, is that your type, then? Guys likeCole?”
Chase internally fist pumped. Tobiaswasjealous. That he could work with.
“What’s wrong with guys like Cole?” he asked slyly.
“Nothing’s wrong with Cole,” Tobias said, his needling becoming slightly more aggressive than a moment ago. “He’s just so loud and out there and he says whatever is on his mind. Like, sure, people have impulsive thoughts of things they’d do or shout if there were no consequences, but Cole says them and somehow gets away with it. I could never be that guy.”
Whoa. This whole time, Chase assumed Cole irritated him because he was such a loose cannon and he seemed to try his best to be as obnoxious as possible. This sounded more like Tobias was actually jealous of Cole.
“No one needs you to bethat guy. Cole was a good catch in high school and for experimenting, but he’s not what I’m looking for.”
Eyes still on his yarn, Tobias muttered, “Then what are you looking for?”
Chase leaned farther forward, until he was on the edge of his chair. There was only a foot of space between their faces, and Tobias raised his gaze to Chase’s.
“Exactly what I texted you. I like a guy who’s bigger than me, but who’ll submit and let me take care of him. Someone who will let me worship every inch of his body. Someone who doesn’t fall to toxic masculinity, whodoesn’t mind doing things others deem less manly,” he said in a low voice as his eyes cut to Tobias’ knitting and then right back to his stare. “Someone who takes care of the people around him, but doesn’t take care of himself like he should. Someone who will let me do it for him.”
Tobias released a shaky breath, his eyes never leaving Chase’s.
“I also have a thing for hockey asses. But that would be a bonus, not a requirement,” he added, and threw in a wink for good measure.
A shaky laugh escaped Tobias and he dropped his gaze, the ghost of a smile on his face.
“Well, um, good to know, I guess. Not that it matters, of course, since I’m your boss.”
“Of course,” Chase said, offering a firm nod before he stood. Tobias was trying to dismiss him, but he couldn’t help himself. He needed to have the last word. “You are absolutely the boss of me. In the gym, anyway.”
Tobias’ gaze flew to Chase’s, and he beamed at the shock on his face.
Chase continued talking as he made a hasty exit.
“I’ll catch you later, boss. And remember, we’ve got the acroyoga seminar next week, and I can’t wait to see you in action.”
Leaving the slack-jawed Tobias in his office, Chase grabbed his things and bundled up to leave.
He never stopped smiling on his drive home, happy their conversation would give Tobias plenty to think about.
13
TOBIAS' BRAIN REELED THINKING over yesterday’s conversation with Chase when he walked into the gym the next morning.
It had been a long time since someone caught his interest, and he was almost one hundred percent sure Chase had been flirting with him. Maybe ninety percent. There was a chance Chase was just a really open-minded guy who enjoyed talking to his boss about what he liked in the bedroom. Just a typical conversation for a boss and an employee to have.
‘You’re fucking loony if you think that.’
