Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“I’ve got a handful of designers working up samples. We’ll get the proofs next week.”
“Okay, we’re on track. Anything happening in day to day I need to worry about?”
“Megan is pregnant, she’ll be taking maternity leave soon, but she’s contacted a few replacements. I’ll be auditioning them this weekend.”
“Great, then we’re done.”
“With business.”
Rafe rocked back in his chair, hands entwined on his stomach. “What does that mean?”
“You’ve been working too hard. You’ve got dark circles under your eyes and you’ve been yawning all morning.”
True, but it wasn’t because he’d been working. Thing is, he couldn’t tell Mark why he was exhausted unless he wanted to invite more questions about his dating habits. Which, he did not. “I’m not working any more or less than usual.”
“When this contract is finally signed, you need to take a vacation.”
That would never happen. “Sure.”
Mark crossed to the door. “Maybe take a nap?”
Rafe threw a pencil at him. “Fuck off.”
Mark left laughing. Rafe rubbed his eyes. Hell, he really could use a nap. His phone buzzed and he picked it up, smiling at the image of less than half of the Ruben and an empty salad bowl.
Thank you, sir.
And just like that, Rafe’s fatigue fled.
Chapter Twenty-Six
As ordered, Hop found an excuse to escape into the bathroom once an hour. By closing time, he had a permanent hard-on. The constant check-ins from Rafe didn’t help. It was a testament to Hop’s creativity how well he’d hid his arousal from his coworkers. But his friends weren’t as oblivious and his dance clothes were more revealing. No way would he be able to maintain his assigned task during rehearsal.
But Rafe hadn’t told him he could stop yet.
As he rode the bus from the shop to the Hinley Dance Center, he debated his options. One, he could text Rafe and beg for a reprieve. Two, he could deal with the order any way possible. Three, he could ignore it.
He shook his head. No, he’d never get away with that—didn’t want to. Texting seemed weak somehow and he couldn’t very well talk about it on a crowded bus, could he?
The sun glinted off the freshly fallen snow, so bright even the dingy bus windows didn’t dull the shine. Hop adjusted his sunglasses. The bus was crowded and he was sitting with a sweet old lady who smelled like curry. She wore a beautiful turquoise wrap that swept over her shoulder. It made him wish he had his sketchbook.
Despite the freezing temperature, he got off two stops early and dialed Rafe.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on your way to rehearsal?”
God, the guy knew everything. Why did that turn him on so much? Hop adjusted his pants as he walked. “I am.”
“I assume you’re about to ask for mercy.”
“Yes.”
“How close did you get to coming?”
“I almost shot the last time, but I pinched myself hard and stopped.”
“Thank you.”
Hop was so taken aback, he stopped midstride. “Uh...”
“I’ll give you a choice, since you’ve been so good today.”
“Okay.”
“You can stop, but in exchange you cannot touch yourself again until I tell you to, which could be days.”
“There’s a second option?” ’Cause that one sucked.
“Or you’ll masturbate via webcam with me tonight.”
“That’s an easy choice.”
“You think so?”
“An orgasm a day keeps the doctor away.”
“Remember, your mother will be home and you’ll have to obey my every word.”
“What will you make me do?”
“You’ll have to wait to find out.”
They hung up as Hop reached the dance center. Z and Tam were the only ones in the room when he arrived. Hop pulled off his scarf and sat on one of the metal folding chairs against the wall with a huff.
“Rough day?” Tam asked.
“Something like that.”
“Suck it up, buttercup.” Z tossed him an air kiss.
“Can we help?” Tam sat next to him as Hop removed his coat and gloves.
“Nah, just didn’t get enough sleep last night.”
Z looked over his shoulder at him. “I thought you went straight home last night.”
Hop avoided eye contact by digging in his bag. “I did.”
“So if it wasn’t a dick donor, what kept you up?”
“I don’t know,” Hop mumbled. He didn’t have the brain power to come up with a reasonable lie.
Z’s hum was full of suspicion, but luckily he let it go when Jae entered.
“Did you see Lirim this weekend?” Jae asked.
Fuck, Hop had completely forgotten that they’d gone Upstate on Saturday to visit the absent group member in rehab.
“We did,” Tam said, with haunted eyes.
“Not good?” Hop asked.
Z and Tam looked at each other. “He’ll get through it.” Z sounded confident but looked worried.
“Maybe next time we can all go.”
Tam smiled at Jae. “Maybe.”
A few minutes later Ansel entered, cursing the cold and stomping snow off his heels. By then, Hop had changed and was tying up his hair.
“Shitfuckdamn,” Ansel said. “I’m gonna kill that bitch.”
“Who?”
“Mother Nature.”
They all laughed.
“Let’s get started, I only booked the room until five.” Tam went to the stereo in the corner. “I’ve got a rough idea for the presentation. Driver helped me mix the music. I want your opinions.”