Page 33 of Backward Motion

“From what I gather, you gave up an awesome job in the big city and moved back here to live with your parents. No judgment, but that sounds like a tough stretch to me.” Brian’s expression softened. “It’s cool, man. I’ve been there. Life’s full of setbacks.”

Sam stared out at the ducks circling the pond. It wasn’t a setback—it was a wipeout.

On the picnic blanket, Ellie gave a little gurgle, turned her head to one side, and proceeded to spit up the green mush Brian had fed her only minutes before.

“Thar she blows!” Brian cried out in a pirate’s voice, and Matty hopped up and down with delight, giggling hysterically.

Chapter Sixteen

Sam was perched on the bench in the workshop with his legs hooked around the backs of Connor’s thighs. Connor had hoisted him up and deposited him there, canceling out their height difference, which proved more conducive to kissing. Sam wasn’t sure how long they’d been at it—time took on a fuzzy quality when Connor got his hands on him. Long enough that he wasn’t sure what to enter in his time sheet for the gap the activity presented in his workday.Necking with the boss...The thought gave him a delicious thrill.

Over the week, Sam found himself increasingly preoccupied with three things: thinking about kissing Connor, finding opportunities to kiss Connor, and wondering when he could kiss him again. While the force of those thoughts made him nervous, that was as far as Sam had allowed himself to go. He needed to practice taking it slow and not rush into anything he couldn’t handle.

Connor had proven as easygoing as he’d been during Sam’s first days on the job. When Sam wavered at the suggestion of a date, Connor had stepped back and left the ball in his court. Though with how much they were making out at work, a date seemed a tame prospect by this point.

The workshop door was cracked open so they could hear the bell if anyone stopped by the office—namely Connor’s dad, a possibility so frightening that Sam broke away, flushed, his breathing shallow.

Connor used the opportunity to nuzzle against his neck, nipping his skin ever so lightly with his teeth and giving further fuel tothe hard-on Sam was trying to suppress between his legs. That was one line they’d drawn beneath their on-the-clock make-out sessions: nothing below the belt. Even so, it was a wonder how easily Connor could get him worked up with nothing but kissing and heavy petting.

“I used to work with two people who got together in the office,” Sam said, hoping the shift in subject would give his body a chance to calm down.

“Oh?” Connor continued his merciless assault. His tongue found the curve of Sam’s ear and sent shivers running down his spine.

“Yeah. It turned into all sorts of drama. Especially when they split.”

That made Connor stop. He pulled back, and while the desire was still painted across his face, it was quickly succumbing to hesitation. “Is this a cautionary tale?”

“What? No!” Sam exclaimed. He hadn’t meant to spoil the mood. He’d said the first thing that popped into his head. “The power dynamics were pretty skewed. She was his assistant, and he was one of the company’s founders. Plus he was old enough to be her father.”

“I guess that’s why HR departments exist.”

“I think HR did get involved in the end.” Sam fell silent. “I’ve put something in your head now, haven’t I?”

“Most definitely.” Connor brought Sam’s hand to his mouth and kissed the pads of his fingers. “What would you say to ditching office politics and going somewhere, just the two of us?”

Sam’s stomach gave a lurch of excitement. “I’m listening.”

Connor licked his lips as if suddenly nervous. “They’re running a classic film series at the Rivoli in Hastings. I think tonight it’sCleopatra. I don’t know how you feel about Liz Taylor, but I hear you’re a bit of a movie buff. We could grab something to eat afterward.”

Sam wondered how long Connor had wanted to ask him. He must have been looking out for an activity he thought Sam wouldlike. Not once in the past few days of cautious discovery had Connor shown he was anything but the sweet and thoughtful man Sam knew him to be. A man he could trust.

Sam smiled. “I’d like that.”

“Yeah?” Connor beamed. “Okay, great. I can pick you up after work.” He lifted Sam down from the bench and dropped one last kiss on his forehead. “You’d better get out of here before I get carried away.”

“Beforeyouget carried away?” Sam adjusted the front of his pants. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

They both stared down at his barely concealed erection.

Connor’s eyes twinkled. “Walk it off, sport.”

“Yes, boss,” Sam teased.

“No,” Connor warned, shaking his head emphatically. “We’re not making that a thing.”

“Okay, the scene with the basket?” Sam pressed one hand to his heart while the other held half his sandwich aloft. “I was moved,” he declared, taking a bite of his sandwich and chewing. “Utterly moved.”

After the movie, they had headed to a café near the theater and found a table outside on the patio. The place was cozy even with the evening chill, and the ceiling of fairy lights hanging overhead added to the whimsy.