“I’m truly sorry about all this,” Kellus apologized, stepping past Arik. The scent of his cologne had him abbreviating the apology. Arik smelled really good.
“Things happen,” Arik replied. He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think Arik had meant to say those words. He looked surprised with the reply himself.
Kellus moved aside, still very careful of the sculpture in his arms as the men went back through the door for a second round. As jittery as he was, he didn’t want them handling anything without him there. Quickly, he deposited his load in a safe spot off to the side and went back for the door. “I can lock it up if I’m keeping you from something.”
“I’m good,” Arik said, still rooted in his spot by the door. The only difference was he now had his hands casually tucked inside his slacks, his gaze trailing Kellus as he walked by. Kellus nodded, unsure what that comment even meant, but once he got a few steps outside the door, he could see through the lobby windows that the guys were almost to the back cargo hold. He took off jogging, trying to get there before the security guards began to move the next load without direction.
Kellus handed off items, about to grab his next piece when the distinct smell of Arik’s cologne hit him as two dress-shirt-covered arms extended to take his load. He looked over his shoulder to see Arik standing beside him.
“Anything else?” Arik’s face was close as he tried to take the art Kellus carried.
“Some smaller sculptures on the side,” he said, holding on tight to what he had in his arms. Arik stood close enough Kellus could feel the heat of his body radiating along his back. His reaction was so intense he took an automatic step to the side, trying to get out from under that scent.
“You’ve brought more than just your wall mounts,” Arik replied, watching him closely before turning back to the van and carefully removing one smaller piece from its carrier.
“Yes, sir, I do a little bit of everything,” Kellus said, taking a wide circle around Arik toward the front doors.
“Yes sir’s what I say to my father,” Arik quipped from somewhere behind him. Great, he’d offended the man on top of everything else.
“It was just meant as a sign of respect,” Kellus replied, turning immediately to face the hotel owner, hoping to make amends. Arik was close, right on his heels, and he took a step forward into his personal space. Kellus lost his words and his voice. His entire body tightened, the muscles in his neck bunched and strained from the weight in his arms while his dick went instantly hard. Since they were about the same height, he now stood eye to eye with the man. And at this close distance, Arik was even more drop-dead fucking gorgeous—just too much to absorb all at once.
“It was meant to be a joke. I’ve waited all day to see what you were bringing. I’m a fan.” Arik’s breath ghosted across his skin, and all Kellus could do was blink. The moment lasted until one of the guys came through the main door, interrupting them.
“Anything else?”
“Yes, there’re a few more items that need special handling,” Arik said, moving his gaze from Kellus. Kellus staggered backward, relieved he’d been freed of the weird trance Arik seemed to hold him in. He spun back around, and began moving forward, trying to gain some much needed perspective.
“Any way I could talk you into opening these? Gage hasn’t been forthcoming in what you’re bringing. I could wait until tomorrow or even the studio’s official opening to see all the pieces, but I’ve never been a patient man. I like the idea of being first to see all this,” Arik said, coming up beside him.
The cocky, self-assured grin he got almost made him swoon. Almost. His entire body warmed and tightened for the second time in less than three minutes. His dick twitched, growing even more uncomfortable in his pants as the confident timbre of Arik’s voice held him spellbound. Was Arik flirting or being curious? He’d never been any good at reading the signs of attraction. The language of flirting was completely lost on him.
“I’m guessing by your lack of response that I’ll have to try even harder to get what I want.” The wide grin grew as Kellus continued to stare. Yes, his art had gained some critical acclaim and the number of commissioned pieces had grown, but usually his praise came from drunk girls out on a Saturday night who stopped by his vendor setup out on the street.
Arik seemed both sober and serious. Then Arik’s gaze shifted lower, his focus lingering on his lips, indicating something more than mere art appreciation.
“I think we got everything. If you wanna leave the keys with me, I can move the van if we need to.” The first security guard walked up to them, drawing Kellus’s attention away from Arik and whatever type of moment they were having. He placed the piece he was holding on the ground at his feet, dug inside one side pocket then went for the other until he found his keys and handed them over. The search for his keys giving him the second he needed to recover. He wasn’t sure what had just happened, but he needed to keep his wits about him and stop ogling the owner.