5

Seeing to the comfort of the dog, Matty, distracted Derek for a while once he got home, but he eventually had to go to bed. Where he lay with his eyes open for a ridiculously long time, trying to think of the papers he had to grade, the assistant he might hire, the appointment tomorrow with the Paris Hilton wannabe who insisted her Pomeranian had every ailment she came across online…

Anything besides Gage Tackett.

He’d seen the young man as no more than a student for months. Average, but with potential. Granted, he’d noticed Gage had a bad-boy appeal, only, that type had never attracted him. He liked intelligent, compassionate men. Typically professionals like himself, close to his own thirty years.

And certainly not students.

Gage coming in with the dog had done a number on Derek’s opinion of him. Derek had tried to pick apart the man’s motives in saving the dog, but as far as he could tell, they were genuine. He cared about the dog, but he seemed to be trying hard not to.

Which made sense since he couldn’t keep her.

The next morning, Derek woke at precisely 5:45. He checked on Matty, who was sleeping soundly. Returned to his room to lay out his khaki dress pants, white shirt, and charcoal V-neck sweater. Keeping to his routine, he went to take a quick shower, but the steady stream of almost frigid water didn’t clear his head and wake him as it usually did. Instead, all the thoughts he’d avoided returned. He groaned as he closed his eyes and pictured Gage. Moving closer to intimidate him, tone gruff as though he’d rather growl than speak.

All those muscles Derek had seen earlier in the fall were thankfully hidden under his thick leather jacket, but he was aware of them. Derek had done a decent job standing up to the young man, but the sense of danger had quickened his pulse. And hardened his cock. Arousal thrummed low in his balls as he washed his hair. He pictured those angry, dark green eyes. The moisture from melted snow on lips that appeared soft when Gage wasn’t scowling or frowning.

Thinking of Gage’s lips was not smart. Derek cursed under his breath and adjusted the water to soak in the heat as he gave in, pouring some body wash into his palm to stroke his painfully throbbing dick. He jerked off roughly, slapping his other hand against the tiled wall for balance as he came and his knees buckled.

He finished washing, shut off the water, and went to dress. No point in dwelling on the recent addition to his spank bank. Or that he hadn’t come that fast since high school. He worked hard and rarely dated. His body needed some relief. Simple, really.

Once he was dressed, adding a navy blue tie for good measure since professionalism made for decent armor, Derek went to the kitchen to start the coffee. While it brewed, he opened a can of dog food. He heard the faint click of nails and glanced over his shoulder to see Matty limp into the kitchen.

Grinning, he filled the stainless steel food and water dishes he still had from the last dog he’d fostered and placed both in the mounted stand. While Matty ate, he gently petted her, pleased to see she didn’t growl at him. Starved as she was, he wouldn’t blame her, but this proved she had a good temperament. He’d continue to observe her, but he had a feeling she’d be adopted quickly once she was cleaned up and healthy again.

If she didn’t already have an owner. He scratched behind her ear then carefully bent one and then the other…there. She had no collar or tags, but the tattoo meant she’d belonged to someone. He grabbed a notepad from the table and jotted down the letter and the numbers. A quick search and he’d locate her master.

And there would be absolutely no reason for Gage to come here any longer. Which would be a relief.

The doorbell sounded. He glanced over at the clock on the stove. Gage was early.

Good boy. Derek chuckled as Matty lifted her head, her pointy ears shifting and her tail wagging as she looked up at him. “Yes, that’s your hero. Stay. He’ll be here in a minute.”

Matty stayed where she was while Derek went to answer the door. He stood a little straighter as Gage gave him a stiff nod and walked in with an offhand, “I’m on time.”

“Early, actually, but it’s an improvement.” Derek ground his teeth as he watched Gage bend down to untie his boots. The leather jacket didn’t cover the curve of Gage’s ass, and the man filled his black jeans nicely. Derek found himself as irritated as he’d been when Gage had held out his hand last night. Remaining detached would be much easier if he didn’t touch the man. Or notice his ass. Derek cleared his throat. “Would you like some coffee?”

“Yes, please.” Gage straightened and looked around. “Where’s my girl? She sleep okay?”

Nodding, Derek led the way to the kitchen. “She’s been eating well—I have canned food she likes in the cupboard.”

“Good.”