Fucking hell, it's been a long day.
"You got a second, Jake?"
I look up and it's Theo, fake-knocking on my open office door.
"Come on in," I say.
"Thanks," Theo says. "Can I close the door?"
The day just gets even longer, doesn't it?
"Go ahead, yeah."
Theo closes the door softly, then walks over to my desk, taking a a seat in the chair across from me. "I-- uh-- I was hoping I could talk to you about my performance review."
My eyes take in Theo's face. His hazel eyes, his earnestness. In another time and another place, he'd be exactly my type. Instead, he's my best employee.
"Sure, go ahead," I say.
"I noticed that you were very pleased with my work, but, uh-- but there's no raise there. I talked to Andrew and Leanne and they both got something, and I'm wondering what I could do to improve."
"Oh," I say. "Uh-- you're asking for a raise?"
He shifts in the chair. The way he's sitting now, I can see his biceps through his button-down. I pretend I don't notice.
"I mean, I don't want to ask for one directly. But I am curious why my colleagues got them, and I didn't," Theo says. "I hope you aren't dissatisfied with me."
"I'm not, uh-- no. I'm not dissatisfied."
"Then I guess I am asking," he says, laughing softly. "I think I've done good work, and I think I am deserving of a raise. I think you think so, too."
"Do you, now?" I find myself smiling.
Theo looks down at his hands. I do, too, and something flips in my stomach. The thought of him touching--
"I know I'm your best employee," he says quietly.
I snap my eyes back to his face.
"And I guess, I just, I don't know--"
"You're wondering why I'm harder on you than everyone else." I sigh. "Look, Theo, I'm sorry, it's just-- I'm--" I glance at the clock. It's almost five. "I'm sorry."
"Are you okay?" he says softly.
"I'm fine." I look back at him. His face is so gentle. And so handsome. "Listen, I don't want to keep you past five."
"It's not like anyone's waiting for me at home," Theo says, smiling wryly. "But I can take a hint." He stands up, walks toward the door, then looks at me. "Jake, if I could. You look like you need to blow off some steam."
I sigh. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so hard on you. It's been a very long day and I just-- I don't know."
"No, I'm serious," he says, stepping closer to the desk again. "You look like you're wound so tight you could break."
I stand up. "You should home, Theo."
His eyes sweep down my body quickly, and I realize I'm hard and haven't made an effort to hide it upon standing.
"I could-- uh-- help you," he says.
I feel my face turning bright red. I fold my hands in front of my body. "I don't--"
"I know you want me," Theo says. "I know you've been thinking about it."
And fuck, he's right. I have been thinking about it. I've been thinking about it since he sat down across from me this afternoon.
He sighs. "Listen, I'm not saying this because I want a raise. I mean, I do. Want a raise, I mean. But I also would just-- I don't know-- I would--"
"Damn it, Theo. You know I can't do this."
"No one has to know," he says. He steps closer, coming around my side of the desk. He leans over to my ear, and I feel his breath on my neck. "No one has to know their boss likes it up the ass," he whispers.
"Jesus fuck," I mutter. "I can't--"
"No one has to know their boss is a huge cockslut," Theo teases. "Or that he moans like a girl."
"How do you even know--"