we can.”
66
Chapter Seven
Alec delivered his personal doubts on their situation that evening, when he and Owen were alone. They had spent the afternoon meeting the various restaurant managers. Overall it was a highly convivial session and they had ended it well fed and in good spirits, with anticipation building for their rendezvous with Monica later that evening.
While they relaxed in Owen’s suite, Owen went back over the revelation of the day—
Monica’s psychic ability. After an hour discussing it, Alec knew that he had to bring up his concerns now, while he had the chance. As soon as he did it became blatantly obvious just how much Owen wanted Monica.
“You are spending a lot of time thinking about Monica and her psychic talent, maybe too much time?”
Wild-eyed and disgruntled, Owen Clifford was not his usual calm self. “Jesus, Alec. I thought you had more understanding.”
Alec bristled. “I’m only playing devil’s advocate here.”
It wasn’t often that Owen lost his temper, but he had surely lost it now. “I thought you had sympathy for this psychic gift of Monica’s. I can’t believe you’re questioning it now.”
Owen paced the sitting area in his suite, barefoot, which was what he preferred when he was outside working hours. The fact that he was still wearing a suit and tie did have the unfortunate side effect of making him look a little bit crazy, especially when he was in a bad mood.
It was a good job that the Board of Directors couldn’t see him now, Alec mused. “I’m not questioning her gift,” he stated. “What I’m talking about is the whole situation. I commented on that because we’ve spent the last hour talking about it and although it’s bloody fascinating stuff, I’m merely pointing out that we should also be talking about our work here, at least for a few moments.”
Owen glared at him.
“I’m hugely attracted to Monica as well,” Alec added, quickly, “don’t get me wrong. I think she’s perfect for us…”
67
As expected, that grabbed Owen’s attention in a different way. His expression mellowed and the corners of his mouth lifted. “She is.”
“I don’t want to give up any of our time with her,” Alec continued, “but I am concerned about your position here.”
Owen rubbed his knuckles over his short-cropped hair, something he always did when he was worried and preoccupied. It was obvious that he didn’t want any obstacles in his path to Monica. Unfortunately life wasn’t that simple. He was really taken with her, they both were. Alec’s mindset meant he always tried to work around obstacles, but Owen wanted to forge ahead on this, to hell with the obstacles. He’d already had to deal with her psychic ability. For a man as down-to-earth as Owen, that had been some learning curve.
Alec glanced at his watch. Monica would be with them within an hour, for the evening—hopefully for the night. He’d had to grab the opportunity to talk to Owen about what was happening, but it hadn’t gone down well. He rested back in the low-slung armchair and for the first time since he’d given up smoking three years earlier, he craved a cigarette. That was bad. He only ever craved a cigarette when he felt things were getting away from him. His job as PA was to research, to think ahead, and to watch Owen’s back.
That’s what he was trying to do now.
“The Board of Directors is watching your work closely at the moment, that’s the only reason I decided to bring it up.” He lifted his hands from the arms of the chair, seeking Owen’s understanding.
Owen paused then gave a reluctant nod. ”Yes, you’re right there.” He undid his tie hastily, pulling it off and throwing it on a chair. Tugging at his shirt buttons he opened the collar.
Alec responded physically, his blood pumping south. The sight of his lover undressing always did that to him. Owen was a burly, direct man, and stripping off usually meant he was about to
66
Chapter Seven
Alec delivered his personal doubts on their situation that evening, when he and Owen were alone. They had spent the afternoon meeting the various restaurant managers. Overall it was a highly convivial session and they had ended it well fed and in good spirits, with anticipation building for their rendezvous with Monica later that evening.
While they relaxed in Owen’s suite, Owen went back over the revelation of the day—
Monica’s psychic ability. After an hour discussing it, Alec knew that he had to bring up his concerns now, while he had the chance. As soon as he did it became blatantly obvious just how much Owen wanted Monica.
“You are spending a lot of time thinking about Monica and her psychic talent, maybe too much time?”
Wild-eyed and disgruntled, Owen Clifford was not his usual calm self. “Jesus, Alec. I thought you had more understanding.”
Alec bristled. “I’m only playing devil’s advocate here.”
It wasn’t often that Owen lost his temper, but he had surely lost it now. “I thought you had sympathy for this psychic gift of Monica’s. I can’t believe you’re questioning it now.”
Owen paced the sitting area in his suite, barefoot, which was what he preferred when he was outside working hours. The fact that he was still wearing a suit and tie did have the unfortunate side effect of making him look a little bit crazy, especially when he was in a bad mood.
It was a good job that the Board of Directors couldn’t see him now, Alec mused. “I’m not questioning her gift,” he stated. “What I’m talking about is the whole situation. I commented on that because we’ve spent the last hour talking about it and although it’s bloody fascinating stuff, I’m merely pointing out that we should also be talking about our work here, at least for a few moments.”
Owen glared at him.
“I’m hugely attracted to Monica as well,” Alec added, quickly, “don’t get me wrong. I think she’s perfect for us…”
67
As expected, that grabbed Owen’s attention in a different way. His expression mellowed and the corners of his mouth lifted. “She is.”
“I don’t want to give up any of our time with her,” Alec continued, “but I am concerned about your position here.”
Owen rubbed his knuckles over his short-cropped hair, something he always did when he was worried and preoccupied. It was obvious that he didn’t want any obstacles in his path to Monica. Unfortunately life wasn’t that simple. He was really taken with her, they both were. Alec’s mindset meant he always tried to work around obstacles, but Owen wanted to forge ahead on this, to hell with the obstacles. He’d already had to deal with her psychic ability. For a man as down-to-earth as Owen, that had been some learning curve.
Alec glanced at his watch. Monica would be with them within an hour, for the evening—hopefully for the night. He’d had to grab the opportunity to talk to Owen about what was happening, but it hadn’t gone down well. He rested back in the low-slung armchair and for the first time since he’d given up smoking three years earlier, he craved a cigarette. That was bad. He only ever craved a cigarette when he felt things were getting away from him. His job as PA was to research, to think ahead, and to watch Owen’s back.
That’s what he was trying to do now.
“The Board of Directors is watching your work closely at the moment, that’s the only reason I decided to bring it up.” He lifted his hands from the arms of the chair, seeking Owen’s understanding.
Owen paused then gave a reluctant nod. ”Yes, you’re right there.” He undid his tie hastily, pulling it off and throwing it on a chair. Tugging at his shirt buttons he opened the collar.
Alec responded physically, his blood pumping south. The sight of his lover undressing always did that to him. Owen was a burly, direct man, and stripping off usually meant he was about to
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