bed set up again?”
Christian looked a bit shell-shocked, and David kept the smile that threatened at bay. “No. I’m thinking of just using the white background again.” Christian looked as though he didn’t feel particularly comfortable. “Look, David, I…”
“You don’t owe me an explanation,” David said as he got to work, purposely not looking at Christian. “You made your feelings plain enough the other night, and I intend to respect them. We’ll work together, nothing more.” David was already breaking down the bed, setting the pieces aside. Once he had it stowed, David pulled the white background down from the ceiling until it curved onto the floor. Retrieving the Swiffer from the closet, David dusted it down and made sure it was perfect. “Do you want anything for color?”
“I’m not sure,” Christian answered, and David watched out of the corner of his eye as Christian quietly fidgeted. David wanted to help him, but kept his mouth shut, busying himself with making sure the background was just right. “David, I probably should explain…” Christian touched his shoulder, and David moved away before glaring at Christian. He had work to do, and that simple touch felt good, too good.
“Don’t…” David said, throwing Christian a warning glance before turning away again. David checked the clock and then checked it again to make sure it hadn’t stopped. The morning was dragging on, and he could hear Christian wandering through the studio. David really had thought he could continue to work for Christian, but he hadn’t imagined how difficult it would be. Maybe he should simply quit and find another job.
After a lot of busy work and keeping his back to Christian, he heard him walk through the studio, and then the apartment door opened and closed. David breathed a sigh of relief, some of the tension flowing out of his body as he stared at the closed door from where he sat behind the desk. David tried to put thoughts of Christian out of his mind, but they came unbidden. David’s eyes closed and he could feel the way Christian had touched him, the way he’d kissed him. He felt his skin begin to tingle, and David opened his eyes, forcing himself to replay what Christian had told him as he’d sat on the edge of the bed and proceeded to dash David’s hopes just when he’d come to believe he could have the one thing he wanted most. He forced himself to replay his hurt and the way he’d felt as he’d pulled on his clothes before scampering out of the apartment after Christian had treated him like… like… David took a deep breath—like just another fuck.
David lowered his head to the desk and felt tears threaten once again, but this time it was shame. He should have known that Christian would treat him like this because David had seen him act this way with dozens of men. He’d been so stupid to think that Christian would feel anything more for him that he had for any of the other men. Granted, David had never heard Christian say the things to the other guys that he had to him, but that didn’t mean much. Christian would obviously do whatever he needed to get what he wanted. Jesus, why was that a surprise either?
A soft knock sounded on the studio door and then it opened. David lifted his head and saw Javier step into the studio, looking around. “Is he here?”
“In the apartment,” David said with a remarkably steady voice. “What are you doing here?”
“I figured if you hadn’t killed him yet, that maybe you’d be ready to go to lunch,” Javier gave him a grin. “I had a delivery in this section of town and I’ve got an hour.”
David blinked and turned away from Javier so he could wipe his eyes before standing up. “That’s perfect.” David grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. He took another look at the closed door and wondered if he should tell Christian he was leaving. Instead, he wrote a note on a sticky pad and tacked it onto the door before leaving the studio.
Out on the street in the sunshine, he instantly felt much better, but even so, as they walked down the street toward the local deli, he couldn’t help looking over his shoulder and up at the windows of Christian’s apartment.
Chapter Six
Christian was tired of looking at the same four walls, but he didn’t want to go out. He’d made a royal mess