Brooklyn Bound (2 page)

He laughed. “You can’t ‘out’ me because I’m not in the closet. I never have been.”

“I know, I know. I’m also aware Mr. Stokes has a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ mentality. He doesn’t care if someone is gay, he just doesn’t want to hear about it.”

“My father doesn’t care, and if I want to talk about anything, he’ll listen.”

She crossed her arms. “If only all gay sons had it so good. I’m sure you remember you have an eight o’clock with Mr. Dryer and Mr. Stokes, and a ten o’clock with Mark O’Leary to prep him for his deposition.”

He stepped into the small bathroom attached to his office and glanced in the mirror, straightening his red striped tie. “What’s my afternoon look like?”

“Two o’clock with Mrs. Dunham who will only speak with you about revising her will. Three o’clock with the Bates Barbecue brothers on their trademark infringement case. Then at four you have a conference call with Peter Marks and his agent, to discuss the publishing offer he got for his book.”

Tucker stuck his head out of the bathroom and blinked at her. “That it?”

“You want more?”

He leaned back in and made sure his short brown hair was spiked in just the right places, sticking up enough to look hip but not disheveled. Satisfied, he adjusted his belt and buttoned his black suit jacket before returning to his desk.

“I can add a few more things on if you like,” she teased.

“Go make coffee or something,” he gave it to her right back.

She handed him the black zippered binder he carried to meetings and his favorite pen. “Speaking of which, don’t take your own coffee into the meeting. Mr. Dryer had Martha set up a whole spread in there for the guests.”

Tucker accepted his things and smiled. “He’s quite the host.”

She nodded. “I should say.”

He patted his pocket for his phone. “Keep your cell handy. If I need something during the meeting I’ll text you.”

“Yeah, because you wouldn’t want to have to pick up the dang office phone and call me or anything.”

Tucker glanced over his shoulder as he walked away. “Like you’d be at your desk. You’ll be buzzing around the water cooler as soon as I hit the elevator button.”

“Ooh, he really does have eyes in the back of his head.”

Grinning, he made his way up to the seventeenth floor conference room, where people had already started to gather.

His father handed a stack of paperwork to his secretary, Martha, an efficient if matronly-looking woman. “Tuck, good, you’re here.”

Tucker made a nervous face at Martha as she passed him and he whispered, “Like anyone thought I wouldn’t be?”

She shrugged but didn’t comment as she walked out.

“Morning, Dad. You seem awfully nervous about this. You have concerns about the architect and his plans?”

His father smoothed back his dark blond hair. “No concerns as such, but I’ve seen the plans and no one else has. Just hoping they meet with everyone’s approval.”

He caught his father’s gaze. “Are you happy with them?”

Will exhaled and smiled. “Yes, I am.”

“Then everyone else will be, too. They trust your judgment.”

His father leaned in and muttered, “Wilson is sure to voice a complaint or two.”

Tucker waved a hand. “Wilson is a moron. He can suck your dick.”

Will’s eyes sparkled. “I’d expect your mother would rather he sucked
your
dick, and left mine alone, thank you.”

He smirked at his dad. “You really want to get into a dick sucking discussion with Mom? We might all learn more than any of us wants to know.”

Ned Wilson and Arnie Stokes joined them. “Morning, gents,” Stokes said.

Will exchanged humorous glances with Tucker. “We’ll let that go for now, shall we?”

“Oh, you bet.” Still grinning, Tucker took his place at the table, a few seats down from the owners. The other five partners, four women and one man, took their seats while Martha brought in the guests.

Three men in dark suits, but that was the end of their similarities. The first, with closely cropped brown hair, carried a rolled paper tube and a tablet computer. Obviously the architect, he seemed at ease in the office surroundings. Something niggled familiarity about the man, but Tucker couldn’t put his finger on it.

The second man’s suit didn’t fit quite as well. Tucker guessed he didn’t wear it often. His curly blond hair and dark tan belied an office job.

The last man was the most intriguing. His wavy dark hair was smoothed back, but Tucker thought it might be long enough for a ponytail. He was also tanned, and looked to be in very good shape.
The construction guys
. Habit caused him to check out their left hands. Neither of the construction crew wore rings, but the first man had a band on his left hand ring finger.

Will rose and made introductions. “Gentlemen and ladies, this is Seth Carter, the architect we commissioned for our project. And these gentlemen are Evan Martin and Gabe Conner from Martin–Conner Construction, the team with the winning bid on the job.” He made introductions all around.

Tucker watched the men’s expressions as names flew fast and furious. When his father introduced him he couldn’t help adding, “Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz.”

The architect’s eyes twinkled. “Bring it on, Mr. Gleason. We might surprise you.”

Tucker caught his breath, suddenly remembering where he’d seen the architect before.
At the Rose & Thorn Society!
If he recalled correctly, the man had a handsome black husband and a pretty, brown-haired woman who often accompanied them. He smiled. “I like surprises.”

Introductions complete, they sat while Seth fired up his computer and projected it onto the large screen on the wall. Martha and another secretary served drinks and pastries to all who wanted them before the lights dimmed.

Evan Martin rolled the blueprints out on the table as Seth went through his presentation, complete with a visualization of what the building would look like when complete. It was stunning, and from the murmured comments, Tucker knew that no one had any complaints.

His thoughts drifted back to Seth Carter at the Rose & Thorn. Had they ever participated in joint sexual activities? He couldn’t recall anything specific, and was sure he’d remember a specimen as fine as Seth.

Tucker glanced at the other two men. Evan seemed nice enough, but visibly uncomfortable in the lavish office surroundings. Gabe, on the other hand, didn’t appear out of place. He was quiet, seemed thoughtful, and generally kept his gaze to himself.

The official presentation over, Seth opened the floor for questions from the partners and a long discussion ensued. Evan spoke up as needed. Gabe said very little.

The longer they sat there, the more intrigued Tucker became. For the first time in months he thought of another man in a purely sexual context. A buck-naked Gabe on his hands and knees, ass exposed for a nice, hard fuck. Tucker weaving his hand through Gabe’s long hair and tugging it while riding the man like a bronco. The pictures in his mind got wilder as his imagination soared. Gabe
and Seth
kneeling before him, giving him a two-man blow job like he’d witnessed at the club the night before. Next thing he knew, he was sporting a raging hard-on under the table.

Where did that last image come from?
He knew Seth was attached. Tucker wasn’t a home-wrecker. He was just horny, and thrilled to feel that way after so long.

“Isn’t that right, Tucker?” his father asked.

Jolted back to reality, he tried not to appear as confused as he felt. “Excuse me?”

Will shot him a look. “I said, I’d like you to oversee the day-to-day operation of the construction. You won’t have to turn over all your cases but we will want to lighten your workload so you can devote several hours a day to the project, as needed.”

He blinked. “You want—me?”

Arnie Stokes nodded. “I couldn’t think of a better man for the job. You’re the future of Dryer and Stokes. We know you’ll do what’s in the firm’s best interests.”

“Thank you, sir.” Tucker’s heart rose into his throat. He’d never imagined being given such a position of responsibility.

People rose and milled around, discussing various concepts with the men individually. Eventually Seth made his way over to Tucker and extended a hand. “I guess we’re going to be working together. It seems we might have some mutual friends.”

“I guess so.” Tucker smiled, and lowered his voice. “I was trying to recall if we’d ever ‘worked together’ in the past, but I don’t believe we have.”

“Sorry I missed out.” Seth winked. “I used to see you with a good-looking blond fellow. Is he your significant other?”

He shook his head. “Mason is gone. There’s no one right now.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think I’d seen you around much lately, but I wasn’t sure if it might have been me. We have a one-year-old at our house, so we’re lucky if we make it to the monthly events.”

Tucker blinked. “A baby?”

Seth laughed. “A beautiful little girl.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled quickly to photos. “This is Chloe.” The smiling child sported a big flowery headband. “Her mama, Carla.” The girl and her mother, the pretty brunette Tucker remembered seeing. “And this is our family, with my husband Michael.” The final photo showed Seth, Carla, Chloe and the black man Tucker recalled from the play parties.

“Wow.” Tucker was amazed at the unusual family dynamic. “You’ll have to explain that to me sometime, when we have more privacy.” He glanced around.

Seth chuckled. “You bet. I think we’re going to get along great. And I hand-picked this construction crew, so I know things will run smoothly. Evan and Gabe are the best.”

Tucker’s gaze returned to Gabe, who still captured his interest. “Glad to hear it.” He shook his head to clear the persistent sexual thoughts. “What time will you be at the site tomorrow? I’ll meet you there and we’ll exchange cell numbers and such.”

“They start at six during warmer weather. When I go, I usually get there by eight.”

Tucker exhaled and chuckled. “Good. I can do eight. Six might be pushing it.”

“Eight is fine. I’m in and out during the course of a day, but I’ll try to start out there so you’ll know where to reach me.” He turned to the other men. “Evan, Gabe.” He motioned them over. “This is Mr. Gleason. He’ll be by about eight in the morning, and you can make sure he has your phone numbers then.”

Evan offered his hand. “Looking forward to working with you, Mr. Gleason.”

Tucker shook it. “It’s Tucker, please. I’d say Mr. Gleason is my father but I didn’t know that man. The only father I’ve ever known is Will Dryer, my stepdad.” He nodded toward the gaggle of lawyers.

Seth made a surprised face. “Ah, gotcha.”

Tucker waved his hands. “Look, I’m being upfront with you because that’s how I like to handle relationships. I make no bones about being gay, or about working for my father. Neither of those facts will be an issue with my job performance. I’m a hard worker and I’ve earned the right to be here. I think you’ll find that out once you get to know me.”

Gabe held his hand out. “I’m sure we will, Tucker.”

They shook, and Tucker could have sworn a jolt of electricity shot up his arm. Gabe’s hand wasn’t smooth like the others, but callous-worn from hard work. The strength in his grip caused a whole new flood of images to run through Tucker’s suddenly depraved mind. “Thank you.” His voice cracked. He drew his hand back and turned away in embarrassment.

“See you tomorrow, then.” Seth gathered his things and the men left.

The partners filtered back to their offices until only Will, Tucker and Martha were left in the conference room. Tucker looked at his father. “That was some surprise you pulled on me.”

Will smiled. “A good surprise, though, right?”

“Well, sure. But you could have told me, so I didn’t come off looking like such an idiot.”

His dad shook a finger from side to side. “I’m not sure that was because of my announcement. Something else was going on inside that head of yours.”

Tucker waved him off. “Nah, just processing everything. The building is gorgeous. Everyone went nuts over it.”

Martha cleared the table. “It was a hit, Mr. Dryer. You did well.”

His grin couldn’t be held back. “I did, didn’t I?”

Tucker patted his father’s lapel and told Martha, “He’s modest, too.”

“Eh.” His dad reached out and pulled him into a bear hug. “I’m doing this for you, son. Pick up the mantle now and run with it. Make me proud.”

“I will, sir.” They hugged another long moment, then Tucker pulled away and they both swiped at their eyes. Clearing his throat, he turned to the secretary. “Can I help you with any of this?”

“No thank you. I’ve got a cart in the hall to take care of it.”

Will said, “You should get with Fiona and clear your early mornings for the foreseeable future. If you need to pass off a case have her bring the files to Martha and we’ll get it reassigned.”

“Will do. Thanks.” Tucker nodded in appreciation and, with one more glance at his father, returned to his office.

He got Fiona started on his schedule and opened his laptop to look at what he was really interested in.
Gabe Conner.
What would the almighty Internet reveal?

The huge database they relied on for information didn’t let him down. A picture of the handsome hunk appeared on-screen, causing Tucker’s heart to flutter. He read aloud, “Gabriel Conner, aged twenty-eight. Born in Ventura, California, has one brother, parents still live there. Attended USC.” He smiled, pleased to see his alma mater. The grin promptly slipped from his face as he continued reading. “Married to Brooklyn Jefferson. Formed Martin–Conner Construction…” He scanned quickly to see if there was mention of a divorce, but the article ended shortly after.

Tucker leaned back in his desk chair. “Married. Damn it!” He spun around and stared out of his office window. “Brooklyn Jefferson.” Something clicked in his mind and he murmured, “Brooklyn Conner.” The name rang a bell, and he swirled around to scan the inter-office phone list in his drawer. “Brooklyn Conner, paralegal.”

He jumped up and paced. “Son of a bitch!” The man of his dreams was married, and his wife worked for Dryer and Stokes.
What a rotten stroke of luck!
Returning to his chair, he called up Brooklyn on the database and looked at her photo. A nice-looking woman with long brown hair stared out at him. He scowled and scanned her information. No mention of divorce there, either, but also no mention of children.
That’s good.