Office Advances

By Carol Lynne

When Sam Howard's best friend gets him a part-time job at Bianchi Bytes, he's in heaven. That is until he's reassigned. Working for Jace Rawlings is pure torture. Although Sam has a crush on the gorgeous vice-President, Jace won't give him the time of day, in or out of the office.

Trying to settle into his new position as vice-President, the last thing Jace needs is temptation a few floors down. When a moment of passion erupts on a forced business trip, old wounds are reopened. Who can blame him for trying to get the object of his attraction to quit, even if the only way to do it is to act like a jerk?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Mar 31, 2008
• ISBN: 9781906590000

Carol Lynne

An avid reader for years, one day Carol Lynne decided to write her own brand of erotic romance. While writing her first novel, Branded by Gold, Carol fell in love with the M/M genre. Carol juggles between being a full-time mother and a full-time writer. With well over one hundred releases, one thing is certain, Carol loves to keep busy writing sexy cowboys, shifters, bodyguards, vampires and everything in between. Although series books are her passion, Carol enjoys penning the occasional stand-alone title. As founder and President of GRL Retreat, Inc., Carol helps organize the annual GayRomLit Retreat. Now in its sixth year, GayRomLit is an annual retreat that brings together the people who create and celebrate LGBT romance for a one-of-a-kind, must-attend gathering of dynamic, informal, and diverse fun.

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Office Advances

ISBN # 978-1-906590-00-0

©Copyright Carol Lynne 2008

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright February 2017

Edited by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2017 by Pride Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Campus Cravings

OFFICE ADVANCES

Carol Lynne

Book eight in the Campus Cravings series

When Sam Howard’s best friend gets him a part-time job at Bianchi Bytes, he's in heaven. That is until he's reassigned. Working for Jace Rawlings is pure torture. Although Sam has a crush on the gorgeous vice-President, Jace won't give him the time of day, in or out of the office.

Trying to settle into his new position as vice-President, the last thing Jace needs is temptation a few floors down. When a moment of passion erupts on a forced business trip, old wounds are reopened. Who can blame him for trying to get the object of his attraction to quit, even if the only way to do it is to act like a jerk?

Dedication

For Drew Hunt

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Pixy Stix: Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Corporation

Harley: H-D Michigan, Inc. Corporation

Grease: Paramount Pictures Corporation

Lethal Weapon: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Chapter One

Have you seen Sam? Tony Bianchi asked.

Charlie looked toward Tony and shook his head. So not funny.

Sorry. Tony walked into the common room at BK House and sat on the couch. Liam said he might be interested in a part-time job.

He’s in the computer room, I think, Charlie said, munching on another handful of popcorn.

What’s wrong with the one in his room? Tony asked. He tried to sneak a few kernels from Charlie’s bowl but he got his hand slapped.

Ask.

Tony rolled his eyes. Can I please have some of your popcorn?

Charlie grinned and passed the bowl over. See, that wasn’t so hard. And there’s nothing wrong with Sam’s computer. His roommate, Lark Wilsher, is meditating. He does it every evening at this time. Something about cleansing the negativity he gathers during the day. Charlie shrugged like he didn’t believe in any of it.

Whatever floats his boat, Tony said, handing the bowl back.

Thanks, I’ll stick my head back in before I take off, Tony said as he rose off the couch.

Tony found Sam right where Charlie said he’d be. He knocked on the glass door before entering. Okay if I interrupt?

Mr. Bianchi, Sam said. He saved his work to a jump drive and turned in his chair to face Tony.

I won’t take up much of your time. I was talking to Liam earlier and he said you might be interested in a part-time job.

Sure, would I be doing the same thing Liam does for you?

Not exactly. I need someone on site for a few hours a day. I’ve acquired a new company and their files are a mess. I need someone to go through and scan the appropriate documents into the computer. Sorry to say it’s a boring job, but it’ll pay more than you can make working part-time anywhere else.

Sam seemed to hesitate momentarily. Who would I be working for?

Me, Tony replied.

I’m out of classes by two. Would that give me enough time?

Yeah, it should. If you can get there by two-thirty it’ll give you three and a half hours a day. So can I count on you? Tony stuck his hand out.

Standing, Sam nodded and shook Tony’s hand. Thanks, Mr. Bianchi. I won’t let you down.

Tony, please. Can you start this week?

Yeah, that would be perfect. We’re out of class this week for spring break.

Shaking his head, Tony chuckled. I should know that. Hell, I live with a teacher. But in my own defense, Daniel works five days a week regardless if class is in session or not. Why aren’t you taking off like most of the college kids?

Sam grinned and pulled out his empty pockets. It’s the reason I need a job.

Come in any time. You can work as many hours as you have time for until classes start up again.

Thank you, Mr…Tony.

Tony shook Sam’s hand again and thumped him on the back. Good to have you on board. Come see me when you get there.

I will, Sam said with a wide grin plastered to his face.

* * * *

The next morning, Sam took extra time with his hair, but his unruly curls refused to be tamed. He wondered if he should get it cut. Giving up, he found an elastic band and pulled it back at the nape of his neck. At least from the front he’d look somewhat professional.

Looking at his shirt, he tried to smooth out the wrinkles. Who am I kidding? I’ll never fit in.

Who’re you talking to? Bear asked, walking into the communal bathroom.

Myself, Sam answered. I start at Bianchi Bytes in an hour. I couldn’t look any less like a corporate employee if I tried.

Bear smiled and pulled the end of Sam’s short ponytail. You’ll be fine. Tony wouldn’t have offered you the job if he was worried about you fitting in.

Sam shrugged. I guess so. He took one last look at himself and dug some gunk out of the corner of his eye. Wish me luck.

You don’t need it, Bear replied, dropping his towel and stepping into the shower.

Blushing, Sam quickly looked away. I’ll see you later at dinner.

Bye, Bear called out.

Sam ran down the steps and down to the corner. He hoped the buses were running on time. He had to transfer at Jacobs Street, but it shouldn’t be that long of a ride. He’d plotted it all out on the computer after Tony had left the previous evening.

He still couldn’t believe he would be working in the same building with Jace Rawlings. Hopefully they wouldn’t run into each other much. He doubted he’d ever feel comfortable around Jace again.

The bus pulled up to the curb and Sam hopped on, depositing his money before finding a seat. He knew he hadn’t been crazy. Jace had definitely been giving off attraction vibes in the car the day they’d gone to find Bear.

While they’d waited for Liam to retrieve his wayward boyfriend, they’d finally started talking. Then he’d done it. He had actually asked Jace out. The reaction he’d received had been like a slap in the face.

Sam still remembered Jace’s words exactly. ‘I don’t date kids.’

Hell, Sam hadn’t thought of himself as a kid since he’d been thirteen. Being the man of the family, he’d gotten a job at the age of fourteen. It may have been back-breaking manual labor working at the grain mill, but it helped pay the bills.

Jace was what, around thirty-six, thirty-seven? Older yes, but in no way was he too old for Sam. Thoughts of that day had Sam completely depressed as he pushed open the door of the glass office building.

Walking up to the information counter, Sam gave the woman his name and asked for Tony. She smiled and pointed toward the bank of elevators. Mr. Bianchi is expecting you. His office is on the fourth floor. Turn to your right and you’ll find him.

Sam thanked her and stood in line with a group of people in front of the elevator. It seemed to take forever for the doors to open. He made a mental note to take the stairs in the future. Although his knee was too shot to play soccer, he could still make it up four flights. Maybe he’d get lucky and would be working on a lower floor.

As the elevator stopped at the individual floors, people trickled off to their day of work. Sam wiped his hands on his khaki trousers. He was a little surprised by the apparent dress code. Unlike most offices he’d been in, this one appeared a lot more casual. That was a good thing because he only owned a single pair of khaki’s and a couple of button-up shirts.

The ding announced his arrival on the fourth floor. Taking a deep breath, Sam stepped out and made a right-hand turn and ran into a solid wall of muscle. Surprised, he jerked back. Two strong arms reached out and caught him before he could do something totally embarrassing, like falling.

He didn’t need to look up to know who had a hold of him.

What’re you doing here? Jace asked, releasing his grip on Sam’s arms.

Sam’s mouth went dry as dirt. Shit. Tony hired me to work part-time, he managed to get out.

"I was just in his