Remove the Empty Spaces (4 page)

Adrien took a sip of his coffee, stalling for a few minutes to collect his thoughts. He knew what he wanted to do on a business level. Ion showed initiative and quite a lot of genius to work out the solution. Adrien was pretty sure Ion would be good for the company in a more challenging capacity than a mailman. Hell, Adrien had been looking for someone to replace Constance who had left for a better paying job out of the country, but he had to find out if Ion was qualified before he offered it.

“Do you have plans to move up from the mailroom?” It was a causal question, but one Adrien thought was important.

Ion nodded. “Yes. I’m a semester away from graduating from Columbia University with an MBA. My goal is to work as a troubleshooter, figuring out situations like the one you had with Huntsman. I like solving problems.”

A MBA would be perfect for the job, and being a semester away meant Ion would be finishing it within the next year. He could convince Sidney that hiring Ion for Constance’s job would be a good idea. Adrien didn’t need anyone’s approval to give Ion it, but he would make sure Sidney and Bart, the head of the department Ion would be working in, had a chance to interview him.

“Would you be interested in a new placement here within the company?” Adrien kept his tone light.

Ion grinned. “Yes, sir. I love working here, and that’s why I spent all weekend trying to figure out the best way to keep Huntsman Toys up and running. Well that, and because my parents and older brother work there. I’m bound and determined to do what I can to help them keep theirs.”

“Is that how you came up with the ideas?” It was one of the things Adrien noticed in the proposal.

“Yes, Mr Bellamy. My brother, Bogdan, is one of the toy engineers at Huntsman, and the ideas he gave me were ones that had been scrapped. He didn’t give me anything that was in production since you already had that information. I was pretty sure that the ones he gave me, with a little influx of money, would be profitable.” Ion took a deep breath. “I hope that doesn’t get him in trouble. I was just using all my resources to find a viable solution.”

After reaching out, Adrien set his hand on Ion’s knee. He squeezed gently, and Ion’s eyes widened. Glancing down, Adrien couldn’t help but notice the nice bulge behind the zipper of Ion’s pants.

“I promise your brother won’t be getting in trouble either. He just might get a raise for seeing the potential in product that had been passed over. I have my financial department going over the numbers, and I think we could probably do what you suggest.”

“Really?” Ion wanted to bounce on the couch, but managed to keep control of the happiness inside him. “I know I was asking a lot of him to tell me company stuff, but I also knew that if I could convince you with the proposals, you wouldn’t lay anyone off.”

Adrien stroked his fingers along the seam on the inside of Ion’s pants, trailing them closer to Ion’s groin. Ion didn’t pull away from him, and Adrien eased closer.

“If I ask you something, will you answer me honestly? Tell me what you think, not what you think I want you to say.” Adrien paused for a second, then continued, “And to clear up any question, the offer is not contingent on your answer. I don’t work that way.”

Ion licked his lips nervously, then nodded. “All right. I’ll answer you honestly.”

Adrien removed his hand from Ion’s, not wanting to influence him. “Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

Shock danced across Ion’s face, along with disbelief. “Why would you ask me out? I’m so not in your league.”

“I don’t care if you’re rich and came from a Mayflower family, Ion. I’ve been interested in you since the first day I met you down in the mailroom. I just wasn’t sure you’d be willing to date the boss. I would never want you to think your job here is tied to our dating.” Adrien shook his head. “I’ve dated a few men who worked here, but once we broke it off, I refused to treat them any different than I did before we dated.”

“I’d love to go out with you, but I can’t tonight. I have class, and I can’t skip it.” Ion looked and sounded disappointed.

“I understand wanting to further your education. No problem. When would you be able to go?”

If Adrien had something going on that particular night, he’d clear his calendar.

“Would Friday be all right? I don’t have class, and we don’t have to work the next day.”

Adrien couldn’t help a little burst of desire at the thought of having a whole weekend with Ion. He hoped their date would go so well, Ion wouldn’t want it to end. Maybe that was Ion’s hope as well, and why he’d suggested Friday.

“Friday would be wonderful. I could pick you up at your apartment around seven. Would that give you enough time to get home from work?” Adrien sorted through the restaurants he could take Ion to.

He didn’t want it to be anything so high-brow, Ion would be uncomfortable eating at, because Ion being unhappy wasn’t in Adrien’s plan book. Yet he didn’t want it to be a greasy spoon where Ion would think Adrien was trying to prove he was just like every other man.

Ion smiled shyly, ducking his head down a little. “Seven would be great. I can get home by then. Do you know where we’re going?”

Adrien shrugged. “I have some ideas, but nothing definite. I’ll pick one, then let you know how you need to dress. Does that work?”

“Yes.” Ion glanced around the office. “What happens now?”

“Now I kiss you because I’ve been wanting to know what you taste like for a year.”

After standing, he took Ion’s hands to help Ion to his feet. Adrien slid one of his hands around the back of Ion’s head, cradling him like a precious object. He settled his other hand on Ion’s hip.

Ion tilted his head, and Adrien pressed their lips together, sweeping his tongue into Ion’s mouth. He groaned as Ion’s unique flavour danced along his taste buds. Ion melted into his embrace, encircling Adrien’s waist and leaning into his body.

Soft and pliable,
Adrien thought as he moved his hands to Ion’s butt. He flexed his fingers, and Ion moaned, arching into him.

“Mr Bellamy…oh shit! Sorry. Should’ve locked the fucking door when I left,” Patrick said.

The door slammed closed as Adrien and Ion broke apart. He rubbed his thumb over Ion’s lower lip, loving how it had plumped slightly from their kiss.

“Patrick won’t say a word to anyone,” Ion promised.

“I know. Your friend is very secretive when he needs—or wants—to be.” Adrien took a deep breath, then stepped farther away from Ion. “Do you have access to your resume?”

Ion blinked at the quick change of subject, but recovered. “Yes.”

“Have Patrick print it out for you. I’m going to talk to Mr Richardson and Mr Herner to set up interviews with them for you.” Adrien winked. “I’m sure they’ll be as impressed with you as I am. Just maybe not for all the same reasons.”

Adrien went to his desk before he pushed the intercom button. “Patrick, you can come back in here.”

“All right, sir.”

He could hear the smirk in Patrick’s voice, but he chose not to address it. Patrick wouldn’t tease him, and he had a feeling Ion could handle Patrick if he had to. Ion rubbed his palms on his pants while he stood in the middle of the office. Adrien sat at his desk, and dialled Sidney’s private number.

“Hey man, we’re not even halfway through this proposal. Things are looking good, but you did give us until the end of the week.” Sidney sounded a little frazzled.

“I remember, and I’m not calling to harass you about that. You’ll get it done by then. I have a person I’d like you and Bart to interview for Constance’s position. I know Bart’s been running a person short, which is causing his people to freak out a little.”

Adrien looked up when he heard the door open. Patrick entered then went to bump Ion’s shoulder with his. Adrien watched as Patrick leaned over, whispering something in Ion’s ear that made Ion blush then shove Patrick away, but he was laughing.

“Who is it?” Sidney hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Did Patrick bring you the guy who wrote this report?”

“Yes, and I’d like you and Bart to meet him. I’m pretty sure you’ll see what I see.” Adrien tapped his fingers on his desk.

“All right. Let me grab Bart, then give us thirty minutes. We’ll meet him in my office.”

Sidney usually listened to Adrien when it came to business and employees, though he had his own opinion and would voice it when he felt the need to. Adrien didn’t think he would when he met Ion.

“Great. I’ll let him know, and I think you’re going to be surprised when you meet him.”

“What’s his name?”

Adrien shook his head, even though Sidney couldn’t see him. “I’m not telling. Don’t want to bias you against him before he gets his chance.”

“Fine. Be that way. Send him over in thirty minutes.” Sidney hung up.

“All right, Ion. You and Patrick need to print off two copies of your resume and any references you might have. Then you need to be at Mr Richardson’s office in thirty minutes,” Adrien informed Ion.

“Oh my God, are you interviewing for Constance’s position?” Patrick clapped his hands together, almost squealing in his excitement.

“Yes, he is, but everyone doesn’t need to know that, Patrick. You might want to tone down the excitement.” He smiled at how happy Patrick looked for Ion.

Patrick mimed zipping his lips, then locking them. Rolling his eyes, Ion grabbed Patrick’s arm.

“If you say anything before Mr Bellamy is ready, I’ll sic Patrice on you.”

The panic in Patrick’s eyes had Adrien laughing. “I take it Patrice is quite fierce.”

“She’s Patrick’s twin, and if you think he’s hyper, you should meet her. Patrice would wear you out in ten minutes just from talking.” Ion’s words held a note of truth in them, yet Adrien saw fondness in Ion’s smile.

“Patrice is evil. Everyone in my family would tell you that.” Patrick crossed himself.

“Thanks so much, Mr Bellamy, for giving me this opportunity.”

Ion approached Adrien’s desk, holding his hand out. After pushing to his feet, Adrien took Ion’s hand to shake. He stroked his thumb over Ion’s knuckles, and held on a little longer than he needed.

“You’re more than welcome, Ion. You allowed me to save a thousand jobs today, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Giving you a promotion is the least I could do for you.” Adrien inclined his head, loving how they were both acting like the kiss never happened, and that Patrick hadn’t seen it.

“After you’re done helping Ion, I need you back here, Patrick. We have some emails to send out, and some meetings to set up.”

Ion and Patrick took his statement as a dismissal, and left his office. Adrien wandered over to the windows, staring out over the city.

Adrien hoped that dinner would lead to spending the night together. He had a feeling Ion might be someone he could date for longer than a few weeks. Adrien was looking for a serious relationship. He wasn’t interested in one-night stands or weekend flings any more. He was older now, and ready to settle down.

Was Ion going to be the one who stuck around long enough for Adrien to fall in love with?

Chapter Three

Ion paced from one end of his living room to the other. Adrien had contacted him earlier in the day, letting him know they were going to go the Bridge Café.

He wasn’t freaked out by Adrien’s money or his position running one of the world’s biggest companies. None of that was important. Ion was nervous because Adrien was so good-looking, that Ion didn’t understand why the man would want to go out with him.

His phone rang, and he checked the screen. Answering it, he said, “I really don’t want to talk right now.”

“Oh Ion, I wasn’t calling to give you a hard time. I just wanted to tell you to enjoy yourself. Let whatever happens happen.” Patrick sounded serious about the whole thing.

“I plan on it. I have to admit, Patrick, I’m really hoping this goes well.” Ion flopped onto the couch, but almost immediately jumped back onto his feet.

“Of course, you do. Adrien Bellamy is one of the most eligible bachelors in the world, and he’s a nice guy, which is overkill in my opinion. No man should be that rich, gorgeous, and be a good person as well.” Patrick huffed in annoyance.

Ion laughed. “True, but you know me. I don’t care about money and looks. Sure, it helps to have those. Ultimately though, it’s more important to be a nice person.”

Patrick sighed, and Ion could picture him shaking his head. “I love you, honey. I truly do, but some days I don’t understand where you’re coming from.”

“I know you feel the same way I do, so don’t act all shallow and everything. I’ve seen how you look at Mr Richardson. He’s handsome, rich, and a nice guy.” Ion teased.

Patrick squeaked, than started to mutter, “You better not tell anyone about my unrequited love for Richardson. The man is straighter than a ruler. There’s no way I have a chance with him, but I don’t want anyone pitying me because of it.”

After chuckling, Ion tried to reassure his friend. “You know I’m not going to say a word to anyone, Patrick. Your secret is safe with me.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Ion inhaled sharply.

“Adrien must be there,” Patrick said. “We’ll have lunch on Monday, so you can tell me all about it. I better not hear from you until then.”

“Love you, too,” Ion said before hanging up.

He rubbed his sweaty palms on his pants, then checked his reflection in the mirror by the door one last time. Ion opened the door with a smile, but his jaw almost hit the floor when he saw Adrien standing in front of him.

Seeing the man in suits all day at the office had told Ion Adrien had a sense of style and loved tailored clothing. Obviously Adrien stepped it up a notch when it came to going out on a date. The dark blue silky dress shirt he wore clung to him like a second skin. Adrien’s black slacks emphasised his muscled thighs, and Ion couldn’t wait to see what it did to Adrien’s backside. The man oozed sex and charisma from every pore.

“I’m going to have to fight everyone off you with a stick,” Ion mumbled.

After Adrien strolled in, he swept Ion into his arms then kissed him. Ion forgot every worry and nervous thought he might have had as soon as Adrien’s lips touched his. He buried his fingers in Adrien’s hair, holding tight while Adrien overwhelmed him.