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My final Tuesday Teaser of the year! Happy New Year's Eve to all. Stay safe and I'll see you in 2025!  Colt was waiting outside when Mal arrived in the garage. Gwen was overseeing the loading of the van that would carry their clothes and other essentials for the weekend. Colt leaned against the building, watching and occasionally massaging his shoulders, arms, and thighs. He wore a decidedly amused expression. Mal stayed back for a few minutes to simply enjoy how Colt’s hair ruffled in the soft breeze. It was nice seeing him so relaxed. “No, put it on that side. I want to be sure nothing is mixed up.” Gwen was directing one of the young men hired to assist for the day. “Don’t bend that. They have to be hung and not smashed so close together.” She turned around, and as her gaze settled firmly on Mal, she arched an eyebrow and crooked her finger at him. “Oh crap,” he mumbled. “Been found out.” Colt must’ve heard him because he turned away from Gwen and toward Mal, his shoulders bobbing as he chuckled. He walked over and reminded Mal, “You hired her.” Nodding, Mal admitted, “I did.” “You are not arriving at the Hermitage wearing that.” Gwen marched up to Mal, hands on hips, looking him up and down. “Gwen, think about this. It’s a long drive, and I’m the distiller.” Mal put one arm around Colt and shoved him forward a step. “Colt is the guy they’ll take pictures of. No one cares what I wear. I like these pants.” “And, Mr. Kensington, they’re wonderful for working around the distillery. Not walking into the front of the Hermitage.” She pointed to the house. “I selected appropriate attire for you.” Colt snorted. Gwen rounded on him. “As for you! You will wear the pajamas while we’re there.” “How did you know…?” Heaving a long-suffering sigh, Gwen grumbled, “They’re still folded neatly, just the way they came out of the packages.” “But I don’t….” Colt stopped and turned beet red. “What if you have a gentleman caller? You can’t open the door in your underwear,” Gwen chided. “Or nothing at all.” “Ha, ha,” Mal leaned in and teased. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Apparently I have to change clothes.” I like the idea of nothing at all. Colt snickered but didn’t further comment. An incoming text intruded on Mal’s thoughts of Colt wearing nothing but his birthday suit. “And I have to meet with Jeffery before we leave.” “They’re on your—” Gwen called. Mal waved one hand at her. “I know where they are.” He wasn’t back in his suite but a minute when his phone chimed. Throwing it on the bed, he hit the speaker, sat, and proceeded to change. “What’s up, Jeffery? I got your text and was going to stop in your office before we leave.” “We need to talk about Mr. Hale.” “What about him?” Mal asked, though he had a good idea already. “He addresses you by your first name.” “So what? I told him to. You’ve called me Mal for years.” Mal stood up to button his shirt. “Give me five minutes, and we can talk face-to-face.” Mal hit the button, ending the call before Jeffery could say more. As he’d promised, he walked through the door of Jeffery’s office a few minutes later. “Are you sure you should be that comfortable with him?” Jeffery asked without preamble. “And a pleasant day to you too, Jeffery.” “You’re not taking this seriously,” Jeffery pressed. Mal sighed and closed his eyes for a few beats. Jeffery’s wife had died a year ago, and Mal realized all Jeffery had right now was his job. That didn’t mean sometimes Mal’s patience didn’t wear thin. “You said yourself I should like him since we’ll be working together.” “There’s a difference between liking someone you work with and getting too attached. You’re sharing a hotel room with him, and some people on the board are going to question that,” Jeffery pointed out. “I’m sharing a suite,” Mal shot back. “We’ll have separate bedrooms. Gwen is sharing the other one with Audrey and Marty. That place costs a fortune. I’d think the board would be happy I’m not a frivolous spender! And my personal life is just that. Personal. It’s never been a secret I’m gay—” “That’s not the issue, Mal. This guy is a vagrant you essentially took of the street. Yes, he works for your company, but the perks are unusual.” “So I should—what? Only make friends with the right credit score and family pedigree? Who have lived in certain neighborhoods?” Mal strode to the office door and gave it a shove, slamming it shut before he turned back to Jeffery. “There may be a board of directors and shareholders, but this is my company. Mine! If I choose to become friends with those who work here, it’s my decision. I like Colt, and it’s no one’s business what our personal relationship is.” “There is a big difference between being friendly with an employee and becoming too attached. People are going to see him as the male version of a gold digger.” “Well, people can go screw themselves.” Mal took a few deep breaths to calm down. “I’ll be fine, Jeffery. Colt and I are friends. Anything else is for us to decide. Not you, not the board. I appreciate your concern, but I’m a big boy and can take care of myself. Now I have to go pass Gwen’s inspection.” Jeffery nodded. “Understood.” He stood up. “Be careful. I don’t want to see you or this company get hurt.”    
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