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“But the pot I brewed this morning should still be hot. I’ve also got a pound of bacon I could fry up with some eggs, if you’re hungry.”
“No, man. I don’t want you to go to any trouble. I mean, I’d really appreciate the coffee, but the rest…”
Clay’s stomach chose that moment to argue…loudly. He winced and pressed a hand to his stomach, and Dane couldn’t help but chuckle.
Tucking the pencil he’d been using behind his ear, Dane grabbed his pad of paper and travel mug. “I’ve never been much of a breakfast person. Usually take an early lunch, but I think I’m gonna need it today. Come on.”
He didn’t want to spend more time with Clay, and definitely didn’t want to bring Clay into his personal space, but the poor guy looked like he was starving, and the mention of no coffee left him looking like he was about to start crying. Whatever problems he had the other morning, Dane couldn’t let him start his day without coffee. It was cruel.
He led Clay through a set of French doors off the breakfast nook, across the rear porch overlooking a wide-open yard that was mostly wild, with a pool in desperate need of cleaning and patching. With summer only a month away, Dane should get someone out to fix it. He could keep up with the regular maintenance, but a pool service was needed to tackle the bigger issues.
At the end of the porch was a summer kitchen with a gas grill and a second grill designed to use wood. There was also a sink and an area for a small fridge. He’d need to check the plumbing and electric on all that.
“This place has two kitchens?” Clay muttered.
“Yeah.” Dane paused and frowned at the summer kitchen setup. Checking over everything and possibly even replacing the plumbing out here wouldn’t take long. He could probably get it done after running to place his orders for the main kitchen. “You know, I could get this summer kitchen up and running by tonight. You look like a burgers and steaks kind of guy. The weather’s nice for the next few days. You can use the grill for a few meals while I at least get the basics done in the kitchen.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, not a problem. I’ll also pick up a coffeemaker for you while I’m out.”
“Thanks. How big is this place?”
“Six bedrooms and seven baths. Billiards room, library, gym, and game room. I’m staying in the apartment above the four-car garage.”
“Plus a pool and one of the most badass bathrooms I’ve ever seen.”
“Thanks,” Dane said, a part of him hating how his cheeks heated under the praise. “Flo told me to spare no expense. I’ll admit I was trying to push it a little bit just to see what her limit really was.”
“And?”
“She didn’t even blink an eye at it.”
“Is she around? I haven’t seen her yet today.”
Dane paused as he opened the door leading up to the apartment. “I’m sure you will soon. They tend to come and go, but it’s a bit infrequent. Flo and Jo stop by a lot. Willie, I’ve met only once.”
“They don’t live here?”
Dane shook his head as he led the way up the stairs. Chills ran across his skin as he thought about Clay following him up the dark, narrow staircase. What would it be like to have this man reach out and run his hand along his spine? To have him pin Dane against the wall? Or to sit on the stairs while Clay sucked his cock down his throat?
Jesus fuck! What the hell is wrong with me?
Yes, Clay was incredibly sexy, and apparently it was the right kind of sexy to wake up Dane’s long-dormant libido. Hell, he’d not had thoughts about a guy since right out of high school. And then it had been a few stolen kisses and fumbling in the dark with his old crush, Tyler.
But that had been during the one rare time he’d separated from Katie after high school over some stupid argument. He couldn’t even remember what they’d been so mad about at the time. Tyler had helped him forget how much he missed her. And he was pretty sure Tyler’s only interest had been in getting off.
Dane shoved aside thoughts of Tyler, his demanding libido, and anything related to Clay’s sexiness. None of that shit was ever happening again. He was there to do a job. If there was a possibility of Clay staying in the house while he worked, it was just better if he was on good terms with the man. He was obviously important to his clients.
Besides, the poor guy had already suffered and looked like he could use a good meal and some normalcy. Something there wasn’t an abundance of when it came to the old ladies.
