The Law of Attraction

When his phone chimed with a text at quarter to nine, Ed smiled when he saw it was Alec. He’d been resisting the urge to text him all day, not wanting to be too pushy. He knew Alec would be as busy as he was.

Are you still in the office? Alec had texted.

Yes.

Have you eaten yet? Alec sent back.

Ed’s stomach growled at the thought of food. No, he typed and then hit Send.

When his phone rang, Ed answered immediately. “Hi,” he said, smiling.

“Hi. So, I’m the last one in my office tonight,” Alec’s clipped voice came down the line, so achingly familiar that Ed could imagine him at his desk. His dark hair would be rumpled, as it always was at the end of the day, and his eyes would be shadowed with tiredness. “I still have a pile of stuff to read, and I’m craving Chinese food, so I was going to get some delivered here and press on with work rather than carry all the paperwork home. Do you want to join me?”

“For a working dinner? I can bring my reading too.”

“It’s the best I can offer you tonight,” Alec said ruefully.

“I’ll take it.”

“Is Chinese okay with you?”

“Perfect. I’ll be there in ten.”

When Ed arrived, Alec stood and walked forward to greet him with a warm smile that Ed felt right down to his toes.

“Hi,” Ed said, feeling as shy as if this were a first date. In a way, he supposed it was. Their whole relationship had been kind of backwards, so it seemed oddly suitable.

Alec reached out a tentative hand and cupped Ed’s jaw. “Is it okay if I…?”

“Yes,” Ed whispered as he closed the gap between them until they were kissing. He lost himself in the slow brush of Alec’s lips and the slide of his tongue.

The sound of the phone on Alec’s desk made them jump apart guiltily. “That’ll be the food. The place on the corner is always really fast.” He picked up the phone. “Okay, thanks. I’ll come right down.” He turned his attention back to Ed. “Sorry.” He grinned. “I need to go and collect it from reception.”

“Don’t apologise for feeding me. I’m all in favour.”

They ate sitting at Alec’s desk. Ed pulled up an extra chair, and they tucked into spring rolls and chow mein while they carried on reading by mutual agreement.

When all the food was gone, Ed began to yawn.

“Have you got much more to get through?” Alec asked.

“Another hour, maybe. I can always get up early tomorrow instead.” Ed yawned again, stretching back in the chair and putting his arms over his head. When he looked back at Alec, he found Alec watching him with unmistakable heat in his eyes.

“Stop it,” Ed said, his body already reacting to Alec’s expression.

“Stop what?”

“Looking at me with those fuck-me eyes. We said no more risky office sex, but if you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

Alec groaned in frustration and adjusted himself.

Ed swallowed, imagining Alec hard in his suit trousers. His mouth watered at the thought. Maybe Ed could just blow him quickly. If they shut the door and were very quiet—

“No. You’re right.” Alec stood and started to tidy his desk and pack his briefcase. “Another day won’t kill us. Let’s both go home and get this reading finished. Tomorrow I have my meeting with the partners, so hopefully I’ll have something to celebrate. If all goes well, I may end up going for a drink with Katherine after the meeting, but I won’t need to stay long. Could you come to my place?” Alec looked as though he was worried Ed was going to refuse.

“Of course.” Wild horses couldn’t have kept Ed away.

Alec relaxed, and a tentative smile crept over his features. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate… if it all comes off.”

“Is there any reason to think it won’t?”

Alec shrugged. “Katherine didn’t know, but she seemed to think my chances are good. I’m hopeful, very hopeful. But in the spirit of full disclosure, I’m going to tell them about us—if that’s still all right with you?” Ed nodded. “There’s no way that could jeopardise my position. I know my rights.”

Ed chuckled. “I should hope so. Let them try and fire a lawyer for being gay. It would be a bloodbath.”

When they’d packed up, they went down in the lift together and walked out into the dark streets. It was a mild evening for late February, with a hint of drizzle in the air.

They faced each other. The streetlights painted Alec’s features in sharp relief; the contrast of light and shadow emphasised the jut of his cheekbones and the masculine angle of his jaw. Ed felt weak with longing.

One more day. He could wait one more day.

“I’m going to hail a cab. There’s no sense in sharing one, is there?” Alec asked.