Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“I’ll find out where we can take a class and let you know. Any particular days I should avoid?”
Jack took a mental stroll through his calendar and couldn’t think of any times that were consistently open. He loved his work, but he also used it to hide from the possibility of a personal life. When his fourteen-year-old dog had passed away a couple of years earlier, Jack no longer had a reason to go home, and ever since, he spent even more time at work. Gray was right—a hobby would be good for him and baking was a great choice. The mix of creativity and technical skills matched Jack’s personality well. And doing it with Gray would mean he’d enjoy the time spent in the class regardless of whether he ultimately enjoyed baking.
“Don’t worry about specific days,” he said, looking up at Gray. “I’ll move my schedule around to make it work.”
“Perfect.”
Gray’s hand was now high enough on his leg that he would be bumping up against a surprise if Jack tucked to the left. Their friends’ teasing comments about Gray’s frequent bedroom activities sprang into his mind, and Jack wondered how Gray would react if that happened. Would he yank his hand away or would he cup Jack’s groin and continue his caress?
Jack knew Gray. He trusted him implicitly. And he had never been more comfortable around anyone. Plus, Jack had eyes and tall, built, dark-haired, green-eyed Gray was beyond stunning. Every reason on his list for why he rarely to never had sex didn’t apply when it came to Gray. If their friends were to be believed, Gray was willing to go to bed with anyone, so maybe he wouldn’t mind helping someone as boring as Jack with his dry spell. At work, he prided himself on being a good communicator and he had no problem being open with Gray, but he had no idea what the right words were for that type of request.
With a sigh, he set aside the lusty mental musings he’d never have the courage to act on even if someone handed him a script, curled closer to Gray, and asked, “What do you think you’ll like the most?”
“In the class?” Gray wrapped his arm around Jack’s shoulders and caressed his arm.
“Uh huh.”
“Spending time with you.”
Gray was an incorrigible flirt, something else Jack enjoyed about him.
Smiling, he said, “I'm serious.”
“Me too.” Gray trailed his fingers up and down Jack’s arm.
“I’ll rephrase the question. What do you most want to bake?”
“Hmm. That’s a tough question. Let’s see…”
Carefree and comfortable, Jack closed his eyes and enjoyed Gray’s deep timbre.
“I’ll go with a sponge.”
“Really? That’s not too plain for you?”
“It has classic flavors and it’s super versatile. Nothing plain about it.”
Chapter 3
The familiar ringtone pulled Gray’s attention away from the document he was reviewing. He clicked save as he picked up his phone. “Hi, Jack. How was your day?”
“Good. Busy. The usual Friday. How was yours?”
Breaking into a smile at the sound of Jack’s deep voice, Gray said, “Same. We signed a huge new client, which made everyone happy.”
“That production company you’ve been courting?”
“Yep.” Gray’s chest warmed in reaction to Jack remembering details he shared about his job. “I’ve spent the day figuring out what we need to tackle first. That way the associates can get to it when they come in tomorrow morning.”
“You’re making your associates work on a Saturday?”
“The firm’s minimum billable hour requirement and generous bonus structure is motivating the associates to work on a Saturday.”
“Uh huh,” Jack said with a laugh. “I guess I shouldn’t tease you. I own my company, and I don’t remember the last time I took an entire weekend off.”
“Same,” Gray said. Jack’s strong work ethic was one of the things Gray admired about him. It was also one of the many ways in which they were well-matched. If Gray had any interest in dating someone else—and he didn’t—he was certain he’d end up hearing complaints about his work hours. But Jack was just as driven, so that wouldn’t be a problem.
“You’re still at the office?”
“Yes.” Technically, he could leave the office earlier and work from home, but he didn’t have a husband waiting for him, so unless he was meeting a client or a friend for dinner, Gray tended to stay late at the office.
“I’m driving out of the parking lot now.” Jack called him almost every evening on his way home, whether from his office or a meeting. Gray loved that he was the person Jack chose to talk to during his infrequent downtime. “Have you eaten?”
“Does a plate of homemade quinoa chia seed bars count?”
“Umm.” Jack cleared his throat. “What’s a quinoa chia seed bar?”
“According to the person who brought them in, their significant other says they’re super healthy and full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.”
“I’m not sure that answers my question.”