Chapter Thirteen Andy

Inever intended to fall asleep in Josh's bed. Well, if I was being honest, I never intended on being sexual with him. I'd written that off as an impossibility. But there I was with his arms draped over my naked body, his morning wood nestled sweetly between my ass cheeks. I probably shouldn't have been as happy as I was, but I couldn't help smiling.

His thick smoky scent had seeped into my pores and I was reveling in it. I planned to never shower again just so I could keep him on my skin. But considering I had dried cum sticking my happy trail to my belly, I'd probably need to get wet at some point or else it was going to get uncomfortable. For now though I could enjoy it as Josh's breath played over the back of my neck.

Last night when he'd run off, I was confused about why I thought he was my mate. After the chemistry between us the night before and the way he made my heart sing just by touching me, I was starting to think that maybe my instincts understood something I didn't. However, I doubted that was going to matter much once Josh woke up. The last time a straight guy touched my dick, he instantly regretted it the next morning, and I was terrified that Josh would have the same reaction.

Although, I hoped he wouldn't try to tear my throat out like the last guy.

Even with that thought in mind, I couldn't help sliding my hand down his arm and lacing my fingers with his. He shifted slightly, his breathing becoming a little less regular. I loved the touch of his hand against mine, but cursed myself under my breath. Waking him up was the last thing I wanted to do right now. I just wanted to enjoy this moment, even if it was about to come crashing down around me.

But, when it became obvious that Josh was going to wake up whether I liked it or not, I pulled my hand away. I didn't want to press my luck too much with him. To my surprise, his fingers pulled me back, lacing them together once more.

"Hi," he grumbled in a gravely voice from behind me.

"Hi yourself."

"Been awake long?"

"No." He was being surprisingly understanding about waking up with another man in his bed. "Only a few minutes."

"Having regrets?"

I glanced over my shoulder at him. "Me? Why would I have regrets?"

Josh didn't meet my gaze. Instead, he sort of looked down at my shoulders. "I… I don't know. I guess I feel like I forced you into this…"

Letting go of his hand, I turned over so I was facing him. Reaching up, I tipped his chin forward so I could look him in the eye. "How could you have forced this on me?"

He sighed. "By being pathetic. I fed you some big sob story, got dramatic, and then you slept with me because you felt bad for me."

I just stared at him for a long moment. "First off," I started. "Mutual handjobs is hardly sex." I held up a hand to stop his retort. "It was fun, I loved it, but it's not like you fucked me last night. And secondly, I don't do pity sex."

"Then why did you do it?"

"You're hot and I like you," I shrugged. "You're the straight one, why did you do it?"

His cheeks turned bright red. "I… I don't know."

I wasn't sure he was telling me the truth. Something about the way he turned his eyes downward made me think he wasn't sharing how he actually felt. But I wasn't going to push it either. Being in bed with another man was probably already upsetting enough. The last thing I wanted him to do was freak out and take his already packed bag on the run.

"Well," I said at last. "You don't have to know why right now. But I didn't do this out of pity and I definitely don't regret it."

"But you're my boss… How can we keep going after all this?" He looked distraught. "I've ruined everything."

"Josh," I replied with a stern tone. "You didn't ruin anything. And considering I don't require your dick to bake, I think we can just keep on working together like we always have. The dough will rise regardless of our sexual attraction. Believe me, the bread doesn't know anything."

"You're not going to fire me?"

"Hell no! You're the best fucking baker I've ever met! I'd pay you more to keep you around if I had to." I gave him a smirk. "As for the other stuff… well, I just consider that a perk."

Josh's gaze fell away again and he pulled his hands away from me. "I… I think I need some time."

I pulled my hands away as well, getting the message loud and clear. "You take all the time you need."

I threw the covers aside and swung my legs out of bed. It took me a moment to locate all my clothing and I could feel Josh's eye's on my ass until I finally pulled my jeans back on. By the time I'd finished dressing he was sitting up in bed, the blanket pooled around his waist.

"I'm gonna head out, alright?" I said, slipping my shoes on. "And I'll do my best to avoid Sam."

"Oh god…" he murmured, shaking his head. "He's gonna know, isn't he?"

"Not if I can be sneaky about it." I walked over to the door, my hand about to turn the knob when I stopped. "Josh? Will you make me a promise?"

He looked up, but he didn't respond.

"Please don't run away." I gave him a soft smile as his cheeks blushed pink again. "I'll be at the bakery if you want to talk."

Without another word, I left his hotel room, letting the door close gently behind me. I knew he needed some time to himself to get things figured out, and that was fine with me. I could only hope that he'd listen to me and stay. Even if he decided he didn't want to be with me, that would be fine. Just as long as I got to see him again.

At first I started for the stairs. However, realizing the bakery van was parked out front with the Amarok Cafe logo blazoned across the side, there wasn't a single person in town who didn't know where I was. And that meant Sam had known for hours. That man couldn't keep a secret to save his life.

Time to do damage control.

I doubled back for the elevator and took it down to the lobby. The moment I stepped out, Sam looked up from his book, his eyes alighting.

"I knew it!" he spat, pointing a finger at me. "I fucking knew it!"

"First of all," I replied, pointing a finger back. "Keep your goddamn voice down."

"Sorry," he whispered, taking a deep breath. "Got excited."

"Yeah. I know." I stepped up to the front desk. "How many people have you told so far?"

"Nobody…"

"Sam," I said in a warning tone.

"Alright, alright." He held up his hands in mock defeat. "I might've mentioned something to Ace and Matt, but that was last night. I didn't like call them this morning or anything for a status update."

"Are you sure you didn't tell anyone else?"

"Yes."

I believed him that time. "You need to text Ace and Matt telling them to keep everything you talked about to themselves. That boy up there is in tatters and he's not gonna react well to anybody else knowing about this."

"Jesus… were you that rough on him?"

"Samuel!"

"Okay, alright!" He picked up his phone and started to type. "I'm telling them, okay?"

"Good. And I need you to promise to keep your goddamn mouth shut. Especially around Josh."

"What if I want to check in on him?"

"Then ask him how he's doing but do not ask him about what happened last night." I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I was already worried this was going to get out of control too quickly. "He nearly ran away last night. It was all I could do to stop him. And… I don't know how it happened, but yes we got involved."

"I can smell it on you," Sam nodded. "You smell like dry cum."

"Thanks."

"It's a good look on you."

I rolled my eyes. "Anyway. Can you please not make this weird? He's already super on edge as it is. I'd rather keep my employee and maybe have a shot at whatever this could be."

"Does he still think he's straight?"

"He doesn't know what to think."

"Hmm…" Sam opened his mouth to unleash some witty retort no doubt, but snapped it shut at the last moment. "I'm sure that's difficult for him."

"It is. So if you make this weird even a little bit, he's gonna run. I can feel it in my bones."

"Do you still think he's your mate?"

I paused, my jaw falling slack as the question caught me off guard. It was true that I'd enjoyed my time with him and that I was even more fond of him this morning than I was last night. But Josh needed space. The last thing he wanted was me getting clingy. Straight guys hated that.

Well… ex-straight guys.

"My feelings haven't changed," I replied at last. "But the situation is pretty tense. I'd like to give him some time and talk it over later when he's ready. I'm not gonna rush him at all. If anything happens, it'll be at his pace."

"Right," Sam nodded. "So are you the bottom or is he?"

"SAM!"

"You're right," he held up his hands again. "I should know better. He's the one with Alpha blood, so obviously he's the top."

"I'm leaving, Sam," I groaned, waving him off. "Don't you dare say a fucking word."

"I won't!" he called back. "I'll just text you!"

The door jingled overhead as I stepped outside, the blood pounding in my ears. Sometimes I wanted to strangle that man and his insatiable curiosity. It was going to get one of us into trouble one day. I just hoped it got him first. Maybe then he'd learn his lesson.

But for now, it was time to head back to the bakery and try to forget while I worked. Although, considering I didn't have time for a shower and Josh's scent was all over me, that was going to be a near impossible task.