On his first day, Tyler finds himself in a very sticky situation with the drop-dead gorgeous Danny Healy. This man is next-level handsome. When Danny offers to help Tyler become personally acquainted with some of the items the company sells online, the heat truly blasts off.
But Tyler has never been one for meaningless sex. When he gets to know Danny, he finds so much more than he ever expected. What could happen if the lines of their arrangement were blurred a little?
Trigger warning – discussion of historical emotional struggles and attempted suicide.
Things are looking up.
“Attention, everyone,” Eddie said, clapping his hands together. “Thank you for taking time out of your busy days. I won’t keep you too long. We’ve been given six samples of lube but we’re only taking one. Two at a push. All you have to do is, in pairs, smell the scents and rate them out of five. Easy as that. When you’re done, there’s a free doughnut here for you.”
“I doubt I’ll fancy a glazed ring after sniffing this lot,” a man piped up.
“Thank you, Scott,” Eddie replied. “Helpful as ever. Grab a seat, folks.”
Tyler sat at the nearest table. As the others took their own chairs, it became apparent, to Tyler’s horror, that they were an odd number. No prizes for guessing who the Billy-No-Mates would be.
He’d gone from hero to zero in less than a minute.
Anticipating everyone turning to stare at him, Tyler tried to force a smile on his face.
Then one of the most handsome men Tyler had ever set eyes on walked in. Medium height with a dark brown crew cut and tan skin, he stood in the doorway like some overalls-clad sex god. Tyler was mesmerised.
“Danny,” Eddie said. “Good to see you.”
“Sorry I’m late.”
He looked around the room until his gaze rested on Tyler. A lopsided smile crept onto his face. Tyler suddenly felt very warm.
“No worries,” Eddie said. “Why don’t you go and join Tyler?”
Boom, things were on the up again.
“Lucky Tyler,” Scott added.
Tyler wasn’t easy to embarrass. Yet he could feel his face burning. He nodded at Danny, who slumped down in a chair.
Mercifully, everyone else set about the task in hand.
“Tyler. New starter?” Danny said, giving Tyler a once-over.
“Yes,” Tyler replied. “The Head of Procurement.”
There came the lopsided smile once more. It seemed to mainline straight into Tyler’s gut. And lower.
“How about you?”
Danny tugged at his overalls. “Warehouse.”
Suddenly, the door flung open. A red-faced Barry stood there.
“What do you think you’re doing? No one told me about a lube testing.”
“I didn’t know I had to,” Eddie replied.
“Of course you do,” Barry spluttered. “Then I can put protective coating on the floor. If anyone drops one tiny bit on my new carpet tiles, I will personally supervise you getting it out.”
Not waiting for a reply, he slammed the door shut.
“Please be careful, guys,” Eddie said. “For my sake.”
A ripple of amusement swept through the room.
“Poor old Barry,” Danny said. “Always wanting perfection. He’ll give himself an ulcer one day.”
“He should sample some of the products. There’s a man who needs a prostate massager and no mistake,” Tyler replied.
Danny covered his face. “Don’t put pictures in my head.”
I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.
Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.
