Busy with Work

By Michael S. Booker

Working side-by-side with a lover can always be a risky gamble. However, for the last year, Eric Dennis and Mathew Campbell have made it work—in every sense of the word. Eric and Mathew have a done a great job of keeping their professional and romantic lives fun, sexy...and separate, without causing too much conflict in and out of the office—until Carter Wilson, a hot client of Eric’s, barges into their lives and shakes up Eric and Mathew’s delicate balance.

Carter Wilson is a wealthy, social media mogul, who has his sights set directly on Mathew. While Mathew has been content with his business and personal relationships with Eric, he can’t help, but to be slowly captivated by Wilson’s good-looks and cocky charm, as well as the opportunity to work at one of the trendiest tech companies in the country...and opportunity that Mathew cannot just pass up.

Although Mathew is fiercely loyal to Eric (both as his subordinate and lover), friction rapidly develops in their fragile love/work relationship, regarding Eric’s workaholic behavior, as well as his deep-rooted fear of commitment, causing Mathew to question if a healthy, long-term relationship is a realistic endgame for the two men or if being with Wilson, in the office—as well as Wilson's bed—is the better alternative. Soon enough, Eric finds himself having to honestly address the disconnect between his straight-laced public persona and his sexual identity, while Mathew finds himself having to make pivotal decisions, regarding the future of his career...as well as his uncertain future with Eric.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael S. Booker
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463171042

Michael S. Booker

Fiction writer, photographer, blogger, living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Check out "Shadow", "Not Safe for Work" and "Freshman". Michael S. Booker can be contacted at [e-mail]

Book preview

B U S Y

W I T H

W O R K

M I C H A E L

S.

B O O K E R

Copyright © February 2018 by Michael S. Booker

1984 Press

E-Book Edition

Cover image by Michael S. Booker

All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, in any form or by any other means, without the written permission of the author.

Other Titles by Michael S. Booker

NSFW

Not Safe for Work

Freshman

Freshman: Fall Semester – Volume 1

Freshman: Fall Semester – Volume 2

Freshman: Spring Semester – Volume 3

The Shadow Series

Shadow

Anomaly

Echo

Whisper

Lullaby

To

Paul Bolduc

1

Stop looking at my boyfriend’s ass, Eric Dennis thought.

Aloud, Eric said in his most calm and charming voice: So, what do you think of the place, Mr. Wilson?

Carter Wilson took his eyes away from Mathew Campbell’s butt, just long enough to glance at Eric and reply: I’m not convinced. And please don’t call me ‘Mr. Wilson’, Dennis. I’m thirty-three-years-old—not sixty.

Eric was going to say something, but Mathew interjected first. What do we need to do to convince you?

Wilson smirked. I can think of a few things…

Both Mathew and Wilson laughed. Eric did his best not to cringe.

This was the third loft that Eric and Mathew had shown to Wilson that Thursday afternoon and the sixth place that they had shown him, overall. It was an understatement to call Wilson picky. He was an arrogant perfectionist who never seemed to be pleased by anything or anyone—except for Mathew. However, Wilson was also a good-looking, thirty-three-year-old, six-foot-two, social media mogul, mega millionaire, quickly on the verge of becoming a billionaire. Carter Wilson was easily Eric’s most high-profiled client to date. Eric disliked the man but keeping Carter Wilson as a client was pivotal to Eric’s career. If Eric had to kiss the man’s ass, trot him all over the Bay Area to find him the perfect home, and allow Wilson to blatantly flirt with Mathew, right in front of him, Eric would have no choice but to swallow his pride.

I don’t know, Wilson said. He strode across the freshly polished hardwood floors in his chocolate-colored Ferragamo Oxfords dress shoes, surveying the expansive, recently renovated 1300- square-foot loft. He gazed out of the row of three, five-foot windows that overlooked the city of Oakland, as well as a beautiful and extensive view of the San Francisco Bay, and the skyline of San Francisco. "I was hoping for something in the City…West Oakland is so…blah. The building is nice. The space itself is damn-near perfect…but the neighborhood looks like something out of The Hunger Games. I don’t know if it makes sense for me to spend close to two million, to live in a post-apocalyptic neighborhood. It looks like District 13 outside of this building."

Eric stood beside Wilson, looking out the windows, admiring the view. It was close to six-o-clock in the evening. The sun was starting to set over the blue, serene waters of the Bay. The sky was a gorgeous fusion of cranberry and lemon-colored hues. The grids of the cities of Oakland and San Francisco were all lit up.

The Lower Bottoms is very up-and-coming. In five years, maybe fewer than that, this whole neighborhood will be completely revamped. But look at the view…it’s gorgeous, isn’t it? Eric asked. You wouldn’t get this kind of view, across the bay. You’d be spending a lot more to look out your window and see other high-rises and listen to cars honking, all day and night.

Wilson seemed to consider Eric’s comment momentarily. He shrugged. "You might be right, Dennis. The view is stunning...and it is a lot quieter, I’ll give you that. Wilson turned and began to saunter in another direction, hands deeps in the pockets of his khaki slacks. He gazed upward, at the high ceiling, with its numerous wooden beams. But I need something more than a good view, Dennis. You know that. I need something livelier…something fun, something—"

Sexy, Mathew interrupted. You want something that excites you…that turns you on.

Wilson appeared perplexed by Mathew’s statement.

Shit, Eric thought. Why the hell did he just say that?

What Mathew meant was— Eric started.

Wilson raised his hand to cut Eric off. Let Mr. Campbell finish. This should be good.

You like to play hard to get, Mathew said. I would too, if I were you. You could live anywhere in the world, basically. And I know you’re wondering: why here? You said it yourself: the space is perfect, for you. It’s modern. It’s chic. It’s sexy. The neighborhood is a dump; I’ll give you that. But give it a couple of years, five at the most, and this area is going to be booming. This area needs someone like you, Carter. It needs a trendsetter with a vision. You’re lively, you’re exciting, you’re…

Sexy? Wilson asked, with an obnoxious grin.

Mathew laughed. You said it, not me.

Wilson laughed, in return.

Jesus, Eric thought. This is a nightmare.

Your main office is in San Francisco, Mathew continued. "You spend about seventy-five percent of your time in the city, when you’re working. It’s a bit overkill, to work and live in the city. And mind you, I love San Francisco, but the city is starting to become a bit cliché, don’t you think?"

Wilson shrugged. Maybe… I was born in the City, so it has a special place in my heart. But you may be right, Mr. Campbell. The city is becoming over-flooded, with obnoxious techie hipsters that think they’re too cool for school.

And you’re one of them, Eric thought, doing his best to hide his annoyance.

Oakland is the West Coast’s equivalent to Brooklyn, Mathew stated. Not quite as prestigious as its sister-city, Frisco, but it just needs a little more inspiration. Someone like you can really change things around here.

Wilson smiled. You’ve definitely given me something to think about, Mr. Campbell.

Don’t think too hard, asshole, Eric thought.

Wilson turned to Eric, I think I’m about done here today, Dennis. I’ll give you a call soon, to see where we go from here.

Just remember, Eric said, if this place isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, we can always keep looking for you, somewhere else. We want to make sure that you’re satisfied.

Wilson smiled, smugly. He playfully punched Eric on the shoulder. I know you do, Dennis. Don’t worry. We’ll get everything straightened out soon. He headed for the door. Before leaving, Wilson turned and looked at Mathew. And as always, Mr. Campbell, good to see you. I’m looking forward to seeing you again, soon.

Eric’s skin grew hot.

Likewise, Carter. Do you need help finding the exit?

Eric’s anger was rapidly approaching a peak. He needed Carter Wilson to leave, now.

I remember how we came in, Wilson replied, as he opened the door. I’m a smarter guy than I look.

You sure about that? Eric wondered. Have a good night, Mr. Wilson, Eric said.

Wilson completely dismissed Eric and winked at Mathew, instead. Good night.

Eric waited, until the sound of Wilson’s footsteps faded into the distance, before speaking. Well, that went fucking well.

Mathew laughed. It went better than the other two places, he responded. He seemed more interested this time.

The only thing that man is interested in is you, Eric fussed. Other than that, he’s just wasting my time and he knows it.

Mathew sauntered over to where Eric stood. He reached out and carefully adjusted the knot of Eric’s silk tie and made sure that the collar of Eric’s snow-white shirt was folded down perfectly. Look at you…being all jealous…it’s cute.

Jealous? Eric asked. He wanted to be angry, but it was challenging to remain angry with Mathew for too long, especially when looking at Mathew’s cocoa-colored eyes and perfect smile. That guy was ready to pounce on you at any moment, with or without me being around. To me, it looks like you wouldn’t have minded.

Carter Wilson just wants his ego stroked, every now and again, Mathew answered. You’ve been a real estate agent for a while, Eric. You know the game.

Yeah, well, it’s more than his ego that Wilson wants you to stroke, Eric said.

Doesn’t matter, Mathew replied. You’re the only one that gets all of my strokes.

Mathew wrapped his arms around Eric’s waist, rising on the front tips of his black Cole Haan loafers, to give Eric a quick kiss. After, Mathew reached down and gently cupped Eric’s balls, giving them a gentle squeeze. It only took moments, for Eric’s cock to become erect and snake the down the length of his grey slacks.

In the year that Eric and Mathew had been dating, the power of Mathew’s kisses and touches never lost their potency for Eric. Eric’s skin warmed with every one of Mathew’s caresses; his balls tingled with every kiss.

Someone’s ready to go, Mathew whispered, squeezing Eric’s dick.

Eric gripped Mathew’s firm, round ass, as they kissed longer, deeper, with increasing passion. We should leave, Eric said, once he was out of breath, before this gets out of hand.

Come on, Mathew tempted, slowly pulling down Eric’s zipper. Just a little bit longer…we have the whole place to ourselves. Let’s enjoy it, for a little bit longer.

The early evening was quickly fading into a bluish-violet night. The last remnants of sunlight, filtered through the luxury loft’s large windows and spilled beautifully, on the lavish wooden floors.

Let’s take this back home, Eric said, doing his best to resist Mathew. He took a step backward and adjusted his cock in his pants. I don’t want us to get in trouble.

Mathew laughed. Nobody’s here but us, Eric. How can we get in trouble?

With you, Mathew, there’s always a way to get in trouble.

Mathew continued to smile. He turned and ambled toward the windows. Eric admired Mathew’s ass as he walked away, relishing the idea of getting Mathew naked, in his bed, by the end of the night. It would be hot though… Mathew started. He pressed his hands against the windowpanes If you were to pull off all of my clothes, right now…and fuck me against this window.

Eric would have been lying, if he said the same thought had not run through his mind, earlier. In fact, the erotic thought had run fifty laps around Eric’s mind, more than a few times. It made his cock twitch wildly, in his snug-fitted underwear briefs. Eric took a few steps toward Mathew. Yeah, but someone might see us.

We’re on the top floor, Mathew said, still gazing out of the window. And it’s sunset. Nobody could see us now.

Tempting, Eric replied, as he stepped up being Mathew, gently wrapping his arms around Mathew’s slender waist, and pressing his crotch against Mathew’s perfectly tight ass. But I’d rather take your clothes off at home, in my bed.

Mathew arched his lower back, grinding his ass harder against Eric’s erection. You think that maybe one day, we can afford a place like this?

Eric softly bit Mathew’s left earlobe. You mean, together?

Well…you know, that’s pretty much what I meant, when I said ‘we’.

Honestly, in their year-long courtship, Eric had not seriously considered the idea of full-time cohabitation with Mathew. They both had their separate apartments, not too far from each other. Primarily, Mathew spent nearly all his weekends, at Eric’s swanky apartment, in Downtown Oakland, while Eric occasionally spent some time at Mathew’s small, but very cute and cozy, bohemian-art-chic apartment, in Berkeley.

Little steps, Mathew. Little steps. Not everything has to happen in such a rush.

Everything is ‘little steps’ with you, Eric.

Sometimes little steps can lead to big places, Eric countered.

Mathew pushed away from Eric’s embrace. Or, they can lead to dead ends.

Damn, Eric thought. Don’t make this into something bigger than it is.

There were times, when Eric tended to speak too soon or too abruptly, without thinking, causing unnecessary tension between he and Mathew.

It means that it’s a bit too soon to be talking about living arrangements, Eric replied. That’s all.

Eric had hoped that his explanation would soften Mathew’s attitude. It only seemed to make it worse.

We’ve been seeing each other for almost a year, Eric. How is that ‘too soon’?

Mat, let’s not turn this into something that it doesn’t need to be.

Mathew rolled his eyes and headed for the door. I think we’re done here, right? We should get going.

Five minutes ago, you wanted me to fuck you against this window, Eric said. Now you’re ready to leave?

A lot of things can change in five minutes, Mathew said sharply.

Calm down, Mathew, Eric said. By now, his erection had deflated to its usual flaccid state.

Trust me, Eric. This is calm.

Dealing with Mathew’s rapid mood changes could be a headache for Eric, at times. He thought that being in a relationship with a man, would be a lot less strenuous, emotionally, than being with a woman. Clearly, Eric had been wrong.

Eric sauntered over to where Mathew stood. Don’t be upset with me, Mathew.

There was something in Mathew’s brown eyes that he wanted to express but chose not to communicate. I’m not mad, Eric, just a bit disappointed.

Eric took Mathew’s hand. ’Disappointed’ is a big word.

You’re right: let’s not make this into a bigger thing, than it needs to be, Mathew said. Let’s just enjoy the rest of the night.

Eric nodded. We can do that.

He wanted to kiss Mathew again, just to know that everything was alright. Eric could still see the hurt and disappointment in Mathew’s beautiful, brown eyes. He knew a kiss would not fix everything, but he did not know how Mathew would react.

You don’t always have to overthink everything, Eric, Mathew said. Let’s go.

The moment was over. Eric’s chance to kiss Mathew and make everything better, had slipped by. Mathew unlocked the front door and opened. He turned back, to Eric. Are you coming?

Eric gazed toward the opposite end of the massive living room space, out the windows. The sun was almost completely gone now, and the light was vanishing fast.

Yes, Eric responded, heading for the door. I guess so.

2

"Eric, can we change the channel? Mathew questioned. I’m tired of watching CNN."

Four days had passed, and Carter Wilson still had not called. He had promised Eric that he would call, regarding his decision about the loft. It was Monday evening and Eric had not heard anything from the man. Eric had spent all Monday morning and afternoon at his office, trying to contact Wilson or one of his assistants, through telephone and email, to no avail. Even after returning home, Eric had his laptop running and his cell phone by his side just in case Wilson contacted him. It was well past eight o’clock in the evening, and still no response.

Did you even hear what I said? Mathew asked.

Eric continued to hit the ‘refresh’ button on his internet browser, hoping that an email from Wilson or one of his associates would come through. Yeah, Eric responded. Go ahead. I don’t care.

Mathew, who was sitting next to Eric on the couch, sighed and grabbed the remote control. He randomly flipped through the channels, before stopping on Vh1, which was currently airing Hip-Hop Divas of Atlanta.

Eric glanced up from his computer monitor briefly, to look at the television. Two women with ridiculously outrageous, colorful wigs, were screaming at each other, from across a room. One of the women picked up a wine glass and threw it at the other woman.

For the love of God, Mathew, turn this off now. I can’t watch this.

It’s not like you’re paying attention, anyway, Mathew said. However, he obliged Eric’s request and changed the channel. Carter isn’t going to let you know his plans tonight, Eric. Put the laptop away and watch a movie with me.

Just give me thirty more minutes, Eric said. He checked his cell phone, to see if he had gotten any texts from