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8/1/2025

Up early the next morning, Eric had plenty of time to get ready. He didn’t have to report to work until nine, but he didn’t want to be late either. The day before, he’d made the drive, made sure he knew the way, and confirmed how much time it would take but didn’t stop to explore the resort. There’d be time enough for that later.

Normally, he’d wear a suit to meet his new employers, but considering this was a hunting resort, he opted for khaki pants, a crisp white button-down shirt and black leather jacket. Not too formal or citified, yet not too casual.

A final check in the mirror and Eric was satisfied. He looked good, professional and confident.

The office of one Jason Molloy was pretty much what Eric expected: earthy tones, wood paneling, and comfortable, deep cushioned chairs in front of a beast of a solid wooden desk. There was a computer set just right of center, a coffee mug with the resort logo on it full of pens, and a few papers scattered around. No pictures, nothing personal. Either Jason Molloy was one cold fish or unattached. Or maybe a bit of both.

He wondered if the senator’s son was as delightful as the senator had been. If that were the case, Eric didn’t foresee spending much time with the man, other than what was required for his job. He’d grown accustomed to socializing with his coworkers; he liked having them as friends. Hopefully, there would be others here who’d become friends.

When the door opened Eric turned to greet his new boss.

“Hey, I’m sorry, for some reason there is always some disaster in the kitchen when I need to—” The young man stopped short and blinked at Eric. “Oh God… I….” His voice just sort of faded away.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Eric tried for a casual chuckle and produced a nervous laugh instead. “This is—a surprise.”

“I… um… Jason Molloy,” he held out his hand, but before Eric could grasp it, Jay raised it to pinch the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger. “Jason… Jay.” Shoulders sagging in defeat, Jay moved his hand up to run through his glossy black hair and managed to look everywhere but at Eric while finally shaking his hand. The poor kid looked like a deer in the headlights with a cannon pointed at it. “But you know that… the Jay part.”

Eric swallowed another laugh and put on a sympathetic face that was real. He felt sorry for the guy. Jay was surprised to see him, that was evident, but the reaction wasn’t quite right. What it wasn’t was a man who’d spent the night with the wrong person, more like a man who’d spent the night with the right person. Eric couldn’t put his finger on what his exact impression was, but it wasn’t rejection. “Eric Keger.” He offered Jay a crooked smile and decided it was time to put Jay out of his misery. “It seems like I’m your new head of security.”

Jay’s mouth dropped open, but he recovered quickly this time and snapped it shut, then moved around to the other side of the desk. Eric turned, following his progress, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and waited.

“Look, this is….” Jay stopped and took a few deep breaths. “Let me try this again. I had no idea, honestly, none. My father hired you and told me a few days ago.” He picked up a file and let it drop back down, opened. “I guess I should have looked at the damn thing.” Jay flicked with one finger at Eric’s picture on the first page, then shut the folder.

“I’m honestly pretty glad you didn’t.” Eric smiled, nodded, and shrugged. “No one is perfect.”

He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing outright when Jay managed to look even more horrified and grumbled, “My father is.” That did it; Eric couldn’t hold back the hearty chuckle waiting impatiently to burst out any longer. Jay’s eyes narrowed for a split second before he blushed. “You think this is funny?”

“Yeah, I sort of do.” Eric shrugged and moved to the desk, hiking one hip onto the edge and twisting to look at Jay, who’d sort of collapsed into his chair. “You didn’t know, and neither did I. We, either of us, didn’t do anything wrong, and we were a county away, so who’d think? I mean seriously, come on, this is like a scene out of a bad date-night movie.”
“But I’m the manager here and you’re—”

“The guy you—well your father—just hired, I know.”

“I think there are laws or something.”

“From what I understand, it’s only sexual harassment if someone doesn’t want the attention. I think it was rather well established the other night we both wanted the attention. I sure didn’t say no, and I didn’t hear it come out of your mouth. So, chill. No harm, no foul. We’re both consenting adults who consented.”

“I’ll get you the best letter of recommendation, three months’ pay, and stay in the house as long as you need to find another job.” Jay was back to not looking at him and now had added paper shuffling to the mix.
Planting one hand firmly on the desktop, Eric leaned forward and pretended not to notice how Jay’s gaze flicked up and his eyes followed the slide of Eric’s biceps under his jacket. “You’re firing me? I haven’t been here long enough to do anything wrong. That’s a record, even for me.”

Jay blinked up at him, head cocked to one side. “N-no, I’m not, but I didn’t think you’d want the job now. You’re not obligated.”

There was no way Eric was letting this opportunity slip away. A lot more was going on with this young man, and he wanted to know what. Mostly, Eric wasn’t one to take a second chance for granted. Selfishly, he wanted Jay, and not simply for one night. No one had ever gotten under his skin so quickly and completely. “No, I’m not obligated. What I am, however, is intrigued. You need a head of security that has real murder and crime scene experience.” Eric thumped his chest with his free hand. “Moi. Besides, there is a lot to be said for fate and bad date-night movie plots.”

Let it never be said Eric Keger wasn’t a man to pursue what he wanted with every weapon at his disposal. Jay radiated the need to be caught and cared for, no matter how desperately he was trying to hide it.

“Are you always this difficult?”

“You’re catching me on a good day, but yeah, pretty much.” Eric grinned again and let his insides relax when Jay grinned in return, making his stomach do a little flip. “Are you always this easily flustered?”

Jay did that squinty glare thing again, which Eric decided was more on the adorable than annoying side. Standing, Jay let his fingertips rest on the desktop, one hand almost touching Eric’s. “No.” He shrugged and took another deep breath. “But… this is sort of a first for me.”

“I should hope so. I’d be upset to find out that the other night was your normal interview technique.”