Pride overwhelmed him. He had a knack for building badass bikes. He’d never been real smart about anything. Good to see he had a skill at something.
“How did I do today? Be honest. I’ve never made a PowerPoint presentation before. Hell, I never presented anything before. I had to google everything. Even how to open the program to build the pages,” Keyes said and reached for the bottle of beer he’d grabbed before sitting down, tilting it back for a long swig. The bitter taste of building the presentation didn’t wash away. Hell, the trauma caused by working so hard on the thirty-seven-page PowerPoint might need counseling to overcome.
~~~
Alec
Once Alec understood the direction of Keyes’s question, he turned away, which never happened when Keyes was around. His guy was the most handsome man in the world. He deserved every bit of Alec’s focused attention. But Keyes was trying hard to be a knowledgeable business owner even though he’d failed spectacularly this afternoon. Alec searched for anything to occupy his hands.
He paused. Letting the quiet linger between them like a wrecking ball.
He was waiting too long to be believable.
Jeez. He was an attorney, for God’s sake. He laid out bold truths for a living. Why couldn’t he do that now?
Because he knew the care Keyes put into making his presentation unique and thorough.
A presentation Keyes insisted on giving once he learned how start-up businesses had to lay out their plans for bankers and investors to offer up money. A poor business plan scared investors away. Keyes was determined to be mindful of every stage of the shop’s development, including Alec’s investment.
What Keyes had presented was a business plan that was too thorough and scattered in a mishmash of data and ideas. Poor Dev. His contribution was to digitally turn the pages. Keyes had been all over the place, impossible to follow. Keyes had often barked at Dev for turning the pages too quickly or not fast enough.
Alec’s gaze landed on the warmer. Finally, a real reason to look away. The warming drawer just became the best purchase of his life. Alec grabbed a fork and moved the spaghetti around to check its temperature.
“You reaffirmed my investment before you were finished.” Alec’s voice sounded off, so he cleared his throat, then added, “Real solid.”
“Why did you say it like that?” Keyes asked, skepticism ringing in his tone. “Your voice sounds different.”
Alec reached for the oven mitt and scooted the plate from underneath the coils. “Sinuses,” he said, placing the plate on a table mat in front of Keyes. He ventured a quick glance up. Theirgazes collided. The small smile that formed happened regularly. Keyes took his breath like he took his heart. Thankfully, Keyes nodded.
Whew. Bullet dodged. Good.
Alec turned away and removed his plate next. There was no conceivable way that the food was completely warmed.
“If the prototype isn’t complete, can I look at the blueprints? I’m excited to see what you’ve come up with,” Alec said, setting his plate on the table mat beside Keyes.
It took several long moments while he gathered two glasses of water and silverware before he realized Keyes hadn’t answered.
This time, when he glanced at Keyes, he got a sassy smirk that was all his guy. He didn’t like that look one bit, because it meant Keyes thought something was obvious when it wasn’t at all.
“What?” Alec’s mind raced. “The blueprints aren’t ready. That can’t be right.”
“You’re fishin’,” Keyes said knowingly and lifted the fork. His attention went to the plate, dismissing Alec. “You sure this is ground beef?”
“Key,” Alec said forcefully, drawing Keyes’s knowing grin back his way. “What am I fishing for?”
Keyes’s face morphed again. This time, he gave a dramatic eye roll with a broader smile. “I know you wanna be a full partner. It’s cool. I mentioned it to Dev this afternoon, but there have to be rules. You’ve gotta be honest with me all the time. And stop buyin’ me all the presents. You gotta watch the budget the same as me. And for sure, we want you to handle all the advertisin’ and marketin’. I’ve only ever bought advertisin’ on grocery carts. That’s not our target audience for these bikes. Teach me how todo it as we go. I figure we’ll cut you in as a third and still pay you back for the investment with interest.”
“I didn’t ask for interest,” Alec said, stunned.
“No, but it’s the right thing to do. If you’re givin’ us your money, then it’s not earnin’ interest somewhere else.” At that moment, Alec’s heart jumped from his chest, snuggling against Keyes.
“You always watch out for me. I’m lucky to have you,” Alec said as he went around the island to stand beside Keyes. “You’re the best part of my life.”
Keyes gave a humph, perhaps liking the words but also letting Alec know that he thought the words were ridiculous. Alec’s hand went to Keyes’s shoulder, gently caressing his big bicep.
“I love you,” Alec whispered as Keyes turned, drawing Alec between his parted thighs.
“Love you more,” Keyes murmured and slid his palms up Alec’s back, then massaged down until his hands gripped each ass cheek and held on. “I’m not that hungry…”
