by Max Hudson
My mind slowly began to shift though. Yes, I still wanted to prove myself but now it was because I wanted William to be proud of me. I wanted him to look at me and see all that I’ve become and all that I’ve accomplished, and I wanted him to be proud. He was the closest thing to my father that I would ever get, and I wanted, no I needed his approval. It was hard for me to admit at first, but his approval was important to me. So, if working these throw away cases was what it would take to make that happen then I was all for it.
I was just signing out and shutting down my computer for the day when my office phone rang. I sighed, ready to get home and relax. Even if those cases weren’t very exciting, a lot of work still went into filing and documenting every little detail that went to getting the cases resolved. All of them had been resolved through mediation so I hadn’t seen a courtroom yet, which was fine, but it was all still tiring. And yet, I was still excited to come into work every day.
“Carter and Banks, this is Attorney Riley White.” I said into the receiver and heard a husky laugh on the other end. My dick immediately perked up at the sound of it and I pressed my palm against it to keep it from filling any further. That chuckle was possibly the sexiest sound I’d ever heard in my entire life.
“How does it feel saying that whenever you answer the phone?” The voice said and chills raced down my spine as I recognized William’s voice. I’d only talked to him over the phone a few times in my life so I wouldn’t have been able to pick up on it. But there was this huskiness in William’s tone that was unforgettable. I’d just never heard it over the phone. It dripped sex and it made me wonder if he’d ever thought about becoming a phone sex operator, or maybe he should do an ASMR erotic book reading.
“Riley?” he said, and I nearly whimpered at the sound of my name, but I kept my composure. This was William.
“Right, hi! Sorry, I was just getting ready to leave so my mind is pretty much focused on my bed.” I said and immediately regretted it. I didn’t want to be thinking about my bed because the thoughts that followed once I got in that bed consisted of jerking off to thoughts of William saying my name. I groaned out loud and tried to cover it with a cough.
“Riley, are you sure you’re okay?” He asked and I let out a hysterical laugh.
“I’m fine! Perfect even.” I said and shook my head. I sounded like an idiot but what did you expect when you suddenly realized you had a voice kink and that your dead father’s best friend is what did it for you.
William hummed and that too made my dick jerk. Holy shit why is this so hot. I thought as William spoke again.
“I was hoping I could keep up with my end of our deal by taking you out for dinner tonight. But if you’re eager to get home to your… bed, I guess we could wait for a better time.”
“No!” I shouted, even though I hadn’t meant to shout. I cleared my throat and tried again. “No, I’m free for dinner.”
William chuckled again and fucking hell, my dick was at half-mast from the sound of it. I didn’t know how I was going to get through dinner, but we had made a deal to get to know each other better and William was taking the time to make that happen.
“Okay, I’ll be leaving the office in about thirty minutes. Meet me in the lobby?” he asked, and I nodded as if he could see me.
“Yes, I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
I could hear the smile in his voice as he replied, “Okay, see you soon.”
I paced the lobby as I waited for William. I tried to talk myself down from my reaction to him earlier. I wasn’t attracted to William. I couldn’t be. For one he was my boss and that was a huge no, no. Secondly, he was old enough to be my father. Not that I had an issue with older men, it just wasn’t something that I’d ever really entertained. There was also the fact that he has known me since I was a baby. He’d been my guardian for God’s sake. There was no way I was attracted to him.
The elevators slid open and everything I’d just told myself was washed away by the tide that was William Carter. He wore a light grey suit that was tailored to his built frame. His tie was the same color as his eyes, and I realized blue was my new favorite color. His blonde hair was the only thing that seemed out of place, it was just on my side of disheveled, like he’d been running his fingers through it. But it still looked damn good on him.
William was an extremely attractive man. Not that I hadn’t known it before today but for some reason his looks seemed enhanced. It was like I was seeing him for the first time, and it shook me to my core.
He smiled when he spotted me, and I was glad he was far enough away to not hear me whimper. I was screwed. I could put on a brave face when I needed to, but it made me seem emotionless, robotic. I didn’t want to do that with William. Which meant he was going to be getting me, the real me. The awkward, shy version of me. This was going to be a disaster.
“Hey, you ready to head out?” he asked, and I smiled as I nodded like an idiot. William grinned and nodded toward the elevator. “I’m parked in the garage.”
I blinked rapidly and remained frozen to the spot. William turned when he was, I wasn’t following him, and his brows furrowed. “Is something wrong?” he asked.
I realized I was being an idiot and huffed out a laugh. “Sorry, I guess I just figured we’d be taking separate cars.”
William nodded as he studied me. “We could. The restaurant isn’t too far from here. I figured I could drive us over and just bring you back to get your car since you live in the opposite direction. But if you’re more comfortable with driving yourself then I understand.”
I sighed at his consideration and shook my head. “I’m perfectly fine with riding you. With you!” I shouted. “I’m perfectly fine with riding with you.”
William’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline and I could tell he was fighting back a laugh. I felt my cheeks flaming and I avoided meeting his gaze. I was sure he was rethinking hiring me. I was such a spazz sometimes.
“All right, then. Should we get going so you can ride with me?” William said and I groaned which caused him to chuckle. “Come on, let’s go before the tables fill up,” he said and turned back toward the elevator. I followed.
The ride to the restaurant wasn’t long. Fifteen minutes, tops and the ride was taken in silence. I wondered what was going through William’s head and it made me anxious. I knew there was no way he’d forget about my slip up in the lobby and it made me wish the earth would just open up and swallow me down. I was so embarrassed but there was nothing I could do about it.
We got to the restaurant and luckily for us, we arrived before the rush. We were seated within ten minutes and I ordered a glass of whiskey.
“Rough week?” William said with a smirk and I chuckled.
“You could say that. I mean, speaking for dogs in custody battles can take a toll on you,” I deadpanned, and William let out a howl of laughter. I couldn’t help but laugh with him. When he was done laughing, he sighed and shook his head.
“I’m sorry. I know those weren’t the types of cases you were hoping for, but I promised you no special treatment.”
I smiled and nodded. “I get it,” I said just at the waitress brought us our drinks. We placed our food orders and I didn’t miss the way the waitress eyed William up and down. He seemed oblivious to it. When she realized he wasn’t biting, she pouted and turned her attention to me. William may have been able to ignore it, but I wasn’t the type to beat around the bush. So, when her hand caressed my shoulder, I politely removed it.
“Your gorgeous sweetheart but you don’t have the equipment that I prefer.” William choked on his drink and her eyes widened before she smiled in understanding. She gave my shoulder another squeeze before she turned and walked away.
William was still trying to catch his breath before he looked at me and shook his head. “Way to put it out there,” he said, and I shrugged.
“I don’t hide who I am. What’s the point? I like what I like and I’m not ashamed of that. I feel it’s always best to be hon
est, so feelings aren’t hurt. If they turn out to be homophobic dicks, and want to go at me, I know how to defend myself. I’m proud of who I am. There’s no sense in hiding it.”
William stared at me in silence for a long time. I figured he knew by now that I was gay. Like I said, I’d assumed Izzy had told him, but William had never spoken to me about it. He didn’t look shocked by admission which further told me he was well aware of my sexuality.
I remembered asking Izzy if William was gay and she’d looked torn on how to answer me. In the end she said she didn’t know. I believed her because she had no reason to lie to me. I’d let it go because I knew I’d never be able to ask William but now that we were beginning to get to know each other. I began to wonder.
He wasn’t married. He had no kids. I didn’t even know if he dated. During my week at the firm, I’d hear rumors and gossip about nearly everyone. Myself included but there had never been anything about William. It wasn’t like I was actively looking for information on him, but it caught my attention that there was very little on the man who’d been my guardian.
“Is my being gay going to be a problem?” I asked and William smirked. It was different from his amused smirk. No, this one felt heated, like it was burning a path along my skin. It sent chills down my spine.
He shook his head as stared into my eyes. “No, it isn’t a problem at all.” That was it. That was all he said. I didn’t know what I was expecting. Possibly him telling me he didn’t mind because he felt the same. But there was nothing. The amusement was back in his eyes as if he knew what I was thinking. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was toying around with me. I’d already made a fool of myself. It couldn’t get any worse.
Dinner arrived and the waitress didn’t bother sticking around to flirt any further. William and I discussed work and the cases he’d like to put me on the following week. They still weren’t huge, but they were more exciting than the ones I was getting.
He asked about Izzy which made me smile. I knew they spoke every now and then, but they weren’t close. So, I happily told him how Iz was doing and how we’d been making plans for her to travel soon. Apparently not having to pay for the mortgage on the house or any of the bills had given her a lot of time to save. She was going to visit Columbia to see her family before flying to Europe. She and one of her book club friends were going to spend the next three months traveling. Iz was so excited and I was excited for her. She deserved the world and so much more.
I told William how I was going out the next day to buy her some luggage as a gift. “I’d like to be a part of that, if that’s okay with you,” he said, shocking the shit out of me.
“Really?” I asked and he nodded.
“I can’t repay her enough for stepping in the way she did. I’d offered her a retirement bonus, but she told me to shove it up my ass because there was nothing for her to retire from.”
I smiled as my heart pinched. That woman loved me, there was no doubt about that.
“Sure, I’d love for you to come,” I said, and William’s lips twitched like he was fighting a smile. When I repeated what I said in my head, I felt heat creep up my cheeks. “Fucking hell,” I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’d love for you to come with me to pick out luggage for Izzy.”
William chuckled before he reached across the table to grip my chin. Chills ran throughout my body and even though I could be a bit imaginative, I was not imagining the way his eyes smoldered as he held my chin, nor did I imagine the way his thumb slowly caressed my jaw before he dropped his hand.
Our eyes remained locked together and I swallowed down a whimper. I was no idiot. I could act like one sometimes, but I knew what attraction looked like. It had taken me years to truly recognize it but there was no denying what I was seeing in William’s eyes.
“What time?” he asked, his voice sounding a bit rough. Like he was struggling with his words. I was so caught up in the lust filled haze that I almost forgot what we were discussing.
I quickly shook my head as if trying to dislodge myself from his spell.
“Nine in the morning. I wanted to visit a few places before I made a final decision,” I said, and William nodded slowly.
“Okay, just text me in the morning and tell me where to meet you.”
I nodded and went to aske William what in the fuck had just passed between us but of course that was the moment our waitress came to hand over the bill. William snatched it up and placed his card inside before I could even reach for my wallet. He shot me a gaze that told me to not even think about it. So, I said nothing and sat back as the waitress walked away with his card.
We were silent as we waited for her to return and I was afraid to look William in the eye again. I hadn’t imagined the lust in his eyes
There was no way I’d conjured that entire interaction up in my mind. He looked like he wanted to eat me alive and a part of me wondered if he made a move, would I let him.
Chapter Six
William
The drive back to the office was filled with energy. Sexual and nervous. When I’d touched Riley’s chin, it had only been to calm him. But then I felt this long flow of electricity coming from the touch. Warmth filled me and I suddenly wanted to cup his entire face and trace it with my fingers. But I’d pulled away.
It was strange, the things I was feeling for Riley. A part of me still saw him as that little kid who used to follow me and his dad around like we were superhero’s. The other side of me saw the sexy as hell man that he’d become. It was odd. He was so confident at work but outside of it he reacted like a fumbling teenager. It was precious and it made me want to kiss the fuck out of him. His nervousness turned me on in the weirdest way. I liked that I made him flustered. I wanted to tease him more, but we weren’t in a place where I felt he’d take it light heartedly.
I drove to the parking deck where Riley said he was parked. His car was the only one left there and I wondered if anyone noticed or questioned why.
I pulled up next to his car and Riley seemed ready to bolt. He was nervous and not because he’d just had dinner with his boss.
“Riley,” I said, and he jumped. His head whipped toward me and I grinned at his wide and frantic eyes. I had no idea what was making him so anxious, but I wanted to figure it out. It was probably a bad idea, but I needed to know what was getting him so riled up.
“You don’t have to be scared of me Riley. I know we don’t know each other as well as we should considering our situation, but I won’t hurt you. I’d never hurt you.” I didn’t think that was the reason for his fears, but I still needed to put it out there. Riley was important to me, whether he realized it or not.
Riley sighed and shook his head. “I’m not scared of you William, it’s just… there’s a lot going on in my mind right now and I need to sort it.”
“I could help with that,” I said, and my voice came out a lot deeper than I intended it too. Riley whimpered; it was the softest sound, but I heard it. It made my dick twitch behind my slacks. Riley was trouble and he didn’t even know it.
“Riley,” I growled as he leaned toward me. The heat in his eyes was almost too much to bear.
“There are so many ways you could help me,” he whispered before his eyes widened and he jerked back as he realized what he’d said. “Fuck,” he shouted before he pulled on the door handle and scrambled out.
“Shit,” I said underneath my breath and climbed out of the car. Riley was rushing toward the driver’s side door and I could tell he was still very much in a panic. “Riley, just wait.”
Riley paused when he got to the door and turned to face me. He was red from the base of his neck to the roots of his hair. He looked mortified and all I wanted to do was pull him into my arms and kiss that look away. He needed to know he wasn’t alone in this, but I didn’t know how to tell him without it seeming as if something could come of it.
Yes, I was very much attracted to Riley and if he’d been some guy I’d met at the bar, I wouldn’t
have hesitated in taking him home and fucking him senseless. But he worked for me, he was also my best friends’ kid.
“Riley, just calm down for a moment, yeah?” I said as I slowly approached him. It was like approaching a frightened animal. He looked ready to bolt and I wasn’t okay with that.
“It’s okay,” I said, and he shook his head.
“It’s not. I almost kissed you!” he shouted and closed his eyes before he sucked in a deep breath. “I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. I get that you’re my boss. I read the policy and I know that office relationships are against the rules. I would never do anything to jeopardize my career, no matter how smoking hot you are.”
I paused and couldn’t fight the smile that appeared. “You think I’m hot?” I said and Riley laughed before he rolled his eyes. Him laughing was a good thing and I wanted to hear it again.
“Don’t fish for compliments, William. You know you’re a babe.”
I smirked and smoothed down my tie. “I am pretty hot, huh? It’s no wonder you find me irresistible.”
Riley barked out another laugh and I felt the tension ease around us. I stayed where I was as not to spook him and said, “I understand how you’re feeling, and I promise to not hold it against you. You had a moment and it’s passed. I’m willing to forget about it, if you are.”
Riley eyed me warily for a second before he sighed and mumbled his thanks. “I promise I’m not this much of a spazz all the time. But I promise to get it under control before work on Monday.”
I nodded and gave him another grin. He looked like he was fighting back a groan and I wanted to laugh. He really had it bad for me and I hated to admit that it thrilled me.