"I'll get on that and get back with you," Damian stated. "For now, why don't you show me around and give me a sense of what you're planning?" Rhett nodded and stepped to the side, indicating that they would start in the main room, the central hub of the bar. Drakon said his goodbyes, and now they were alone. Rhett took another deep breath and started to outline his vision. Holy God, the man smelled amazing.
The area was still in rough shape, but Damien moved about with the balance and grace of a dancer. Rhett stumbled at one point, and Damien grabbed his arm and steadied him with an ease that indicated there was a lot of muscle and strength beneath that sleek black suit.
“We’ll complete the demolition today and start the framing of the main room tomorrow. Once the permits are in place, we can go ahead with framing out the front and the back and the added rooms that Mr. Rose had put into the plans.” Rhett tried so hard to keep his attention on the job and avoid noticing all the finer points of the man standing next to him. He was standing so close that Rhett could almost touch him. The desire to reach out to him was overwhelming.
It seemed as if Damien was moving closer, side-stepping to brush their arms or hands. He was doing it on purpose. Did he sense what Rhett was feeling? That thought was mortifying, but Rhett could not get his body and mind to stop reacting.
“The crew will be here shortly." He stated and made him move further away from Damien, but he wasn't having it for whatever reason.
"Show me what you have planned for the bar itself." He asked so calmly and put together, while Rhett felt as if his heartwould hammer right out of his chest. Rhett walked over to the remains of the oversized mahogany bar and began pointing out what could be salvaged and what was lost. Damien looked at a sketch that had been included with the plans and leaned closer to Rhett, sketch in hand, and asked for some clarification.
His arm rested against Rhett's shoulder as he leaned over to point out the sections in question. Rhett held the sketch and forced his hand to stop shaking. The man had a heavenly scent, and it filled Rhett's senses, stirring feelings that had no place on a building site. When he spoke, his warm, fragrant breath fanned the side of Rhett’s face.
Rhett tried to explain the changes he’d envisioned while Damien continued to lean so close they were almost hugging. He had to know, he had to be playing with him, but he said nothing and continued professionally, apart from standing so god awful close. Rhett was going to lose his mind.
CHAPTER TWO
Damien was having a good time provoking the gorgeous man. Rhett Parks was much more than just the owner of Parks General Contracting, and he was comically unaware of the connection that existed between them. His reactions were priceless.
When the Master called him back to Chicago for a special assignment, the idea of handling the Blood Rose restoration had not been a consideration. But now he understood why he was back home and why he was here, standing in the burned-out husk of the Blood Rose.
The reason he was home was standing right next to him. Rhett Parks was his beloved. Two hundred and forty-two years of wonder and waiting, and then suddenly your reason for being is standing beside you, quaking in their boots.
“I like what you’re doing. Your design would expand the bar seating without compromising space on the main floor.” He placed his hand on Rhett’s shoulder and left it there for a few seconds. He took in the invigorating scent of his beloved, all fresh and outdoorsy, so delicious.
Rhett nodded his head, accepting the comment, and then explained his ideas for the kitchen. Damien would have liked whatever he suggested; he certainly wasn't going to tell his beloved he didn't like his ideas. Thankfully, Rhett was a gifted designer with vision and a practical sense. Damien took a step back when the other men started to arrive, not wanting to embarrass his beloved.
Rhett looked off balance and nervous, looking around but always letting his eyes return to Damien, clocking his position. Rhett moved closer, probably without even realizing he was doing it. The draw was working, and although his nearness made him tense, he also yearned for it, such is the effect of a Fated match.
“I’ll introduce you to my foreman.” He said, just a little bit breathless.
“Okay.” Damien touched his arm, and he felt the muscle quiver beneath his touch. Damn, this really was delicious.
He brought him to a man standing in the main room. He was about five feet five and around a hundred and eighty pounds. He appeared to be someone who had worked in the industry for a considerable amount of time. As Drakon had said, the man was a wolf shifter and therefore understood they were working for a vampire coven.
His expression was guarded, and his aura was thick with distrust. The attitude was odd considering their circumstances. He simply worked for Parks; he wasn't dealing with him directly, so trust should not have been such an issue as it seemed to be. As soon as he reached out his hand and Damien took it, the situation became clear.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Russo." He said.
"And you, Andy." Damien did not elaborate beyond that. Andy was someone he would be watching. He wasn't just working for Rhett; he was also working for one of the larger operations in the area, a business owned by a local developer, William Henry of Henry properties. Damien could scan a mind with just a simple touch, and Andy's mind was filled with duplicity.
William Henry was a man long on charm and short on ethics and was not always on the right side of the law. It could be nothing, simply someone taking on extra work to get by in this tight economy, but it might also be a major conflict of interest, depending on Andy's relationship with Henry. He would definitely be watching Andy, the foreman.
He clocked all the wolves in the crew and noticed one cougar. It's never good business to have a cougar in the mix, especially when working among humans. They usually give off an unpleasant vibe that deters hiring by humans, but he was probably someone Andy brought on board.
He sent a picture of Andy to Westley, one of their information specialists with whom Damien had somewhat of a rapport. Not everyone enjoyed Damien's presence because, like this cougar, he had a vibe, and weaker paranormals tended to avoid him. Although Rhett did not seem to be bothered. Rhett walked with him back to the rear of the building and out into the alley.
“How long has Andy been your foreman?” He asked without intonation, just out of curiosity, as far as Rhett could pick up.
“This is his first major job with me, but he has a good work history. He was recommended by a friend.” Rhett was casual and seemed to trust the man, but Damien did not.
"Okay." He said and took a step away, but then looked back, giving Rhett the hottest of stares before walking away. Rhett stood still and stared after him as he disappeared into the warehouse across the alley. Damien wanted to make sure that he stayed in Rhett’s thoughts for the rest of the day, and by the look on his face, he'd be front and center for every heated daydream.
Damien took the list of permits needed and headed to City Hall and the Department of Buildings. He breezed through the waiting room, and the receptionist brought him directly to the man in charge. Damien walked in, and the man jumped to his feet.
“You do not have an appointment, and I have no clue as to why my receptionist brought you in. Go back to the outer room, or rather, go home, because I guarantee you I will not be seeing you today." Damien kept walking until he was at the man's desk. His name was Mr. Kinny, according to the placard on his desk. Mr. Kinny stood, but he stayed nervously behind his desk as some part of his mind told him he was in danger.
“Get out of here.” He moved to call for help, but Damien caught him with a stare and held his gaze in a death lock. Mr. Kinny could not look away. Damien filled his mind full of the most horrifying images until drool leaked from the side of his mouth and his eyes glazed over.
