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The image of Zeke with some rando getting it on in the living room actually upset him, and he felt himself getting mad. That was weird, considering he hardly knew the guy and had no hold on him. Zeke could do as he wished regarding romance and dating; he owed Tanner nothing. But still, the thought really irked him, and he could not shake it off.
He’d finished most of the pizza and was putting the rest in the fridge when someone knocked on his door and then proceeded to just open it and walk in. He was shocked at first and then angry when he saw that it was Blake standing there looking all superior in his suit and overcoat and perfect haircut. Tanner stepped out of the kitchen and moved toward the door, looking behind Blake, expecting to see Salem, but Blake closed the door. Salem was not with him, and that made the visit even more odd.
"What do you want?" Tanner was reining in his anger since he didn't know how Blake would react if challenged. Salem had shared with him some of Blake's behaviors, thinking his dominance and power were sexy, but Tanner saw them as abusive and self-serving at best. Blake walked around the room, eyeing the plywood on the window but not asking about it, and then turned to silently stare at Tanner for a few seconds before speaking.
“Loren tells me that you turned him down.” He stated open-ended, waiting for Tanner to explain himself. Tanner wanted to refuse and tell him to get out, but his survival instincts were telling him to play it cool.
“I had already offered the room to someone else, and they accepted." He lied, but it was necessary. He hadn't actually offered Zeke the room, but the offer was sort of implied. Blake continued to stare at him as if deciding if he were lying.
"If this person does not work out, I will find you someone." He said, but Tanner didn't respond; he just watched as he turned and left the apartment. The moment he was out, and the door closed, Tanner grabbed the wooden desk chair from his room and jammed it under the doorknob.
Knowing that Blake had such easy access did not sit well with him. After considering his situation for a few minutes, he pushed his desk out of his room and up against the door. Between the chair and his desk, he should be alerted if someone tried to enter again.
He went into his room and locked that door as well, and after a few minutes of considering his situation, he pulled his bed across the room and pressed it up against the door. Paranoia was running rampant, but it was better to be safe than sorry, as his mother always told him. Tanner was so caught up in his thoughts that when his phone rang, he jumped. "Shit, that scared me." He mumbled and pulled his phone from his pocket.
CHAPTER FOUR
Zeke tried to keep his mind on the job, watching the hallways and the perimeter outside, making sure everything was running smoothly, but his thoughts would not leave Tanner Fenn. Every molecule of his being wanted to be in that apartment right now with his mate.
His tiger was getting progressively more agitated as the waiting continued. He should have said ten, not eleven, or maybe he would have been agreeable with nine in the morning. Damn, he needed to settle down and center himself before he shifted and went in search of his mate. Zeke ran his hands roughly through his hair and down his face and then closed his eyes for a few seconds, but that only brought sweet images of his mate to mind, so he got up and began pacing the room.
Something was off. He could feel it in his bones, and his tiger would not back down from the need to seek out its mate. Zeke took out his phone and dialed Tanner. Maybe hearing his voice would be enough for now, and he could see about coming over at ten instead of eleven.
“Hello.”
"You sound out of breath. Is everything okay?" Zeke could sense something was upsetting him.
"Yeah, yeah, everything is fine. I was just moving some things around my room." It was not the complete truth. Zeke could hear the subtle lie in his words, but he had no right to question if Tanner did not wish to share.
"I was calling to see if it was okay to show up tomorrow at ten instead of eleven. I have some things that are to be delivered, and I'd like an early start." It was the best he could do, and he hoped that he didn't sound as awkward as he felt.
"Sure, no problem." The tremor in Tanner's tone was not normal. He'd spent a couple hours with him and learned how he sounded, and this was not normal. Everything in him wanted to know what was upsetting him, but there was no way to ask.
"I'll see you at ten," Zeke said, knowing that there was nothing more he could say to extend the call and wishing something would come to mind. "I'll bring coffee and donuts." He added and was rewarded with a chuckle and a heartfelt thank you.
"Oh, man, that would be so great. You are a blessing, Zeke Montgomery, a true blessing.
“How do you take your coffee.” Zeke was suddenly feeling much better.
“Milk and sugar, plenty of sugar.” Tanner’s mood was considerably brighter, and the tremor had disappeared.
"Any favorite donuts? I thought I'd stop at the Sunshine Bakery. Are you familiar with it?"
"Not familiar, but I've never met a bakery that I didn't like, and that goes for every kind of donut. No preference. Anything will be greatly appreciated." Tanner laughed, and the sound was so pleasing. Zeke closed his eyes and basked in the sweetness and satisfaction.
"I'll see you in the morning." Zeke reluctantly finished, not wanting to push things too far.
“I’m looking forward to it. Good night, Zeke."
“Good night Tanner.”
His tiger was calming, not completely happy, but calmer, and Zeke could deal with that. He sat back down and tried to concentrate on his work again, but again, it was becoming impossible. Finally, he called in Lowell to see if he could arrange a replacement for him for the night. Lowell handled all the floor issues at the club, including coverage, and he was good at it.
"Go ahead, I'll handle surveillance myself until someone comes available." He said, and Zeke got up, giving Lowell his seat. "I haven't covered this position in a long time. It will be a nice change from bartender or doorman."
"Thanks, man, I appreciate it." Zeke grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.
“Good luck with your mate.” He said as Zeke closed the door.
