Ji-Su stayed pressed against him until the tension eased from his body. Then he leaned back and looked up at him to ask a question.
“What did he mean beat him down again? Did you two fight?”
Raul froze for a heartbeat. In the heat of the moment, it had slipped his notice that Cedric brought up his well-deserved beating in front of Ji-Su, who didn’t know about that night. He didn’t want to lie, but he’d just got Ji-Su to relax so he wasn’t going to tell him about the fight now. Especially not while they were out in public.
“He’s exaggerating. We had a small altercation.”
A frown creased Ji-Su’s brow. He was clearly trying to remember hearing about a fight between them. “When?”
“Don’t worry about it, beautiful.”
The frown still on his brow, Ji-Su studied him for a long moment. But then the worried expression cleared. “Okay. I don’t want to spend all night talking and thinking about him anyway.”
“Good. Forget about him. I want to show you my office.”
They made their way to his office on the upper level, passing more employees who all respectfully greeted him and Ji-Su before they moved on. When they reached his office, Raul unlocked the door by entering the code on the electronic keypad and ushered Ji-Su inside.
Ji-Su turned in a slow circle to take in his office. Raul could tell he was impressed by the massive space and elegant decor. But he didn’t comment on it. Instead, his gaze locked on Raul.
“I didn’t realize how powerful you are. I mean I know you’re in charge at the ranch but it’s more relaxed there. Here it’s very obvious that you’re the boss from the way everyone treats you. At home it feels almost like family and you’re the head of that family. Here you seem so much more. Almost like royalty.” He shook his head. “It’s unbelievable that someone as powerful as you could want someone like me.”
Raul’s heart thumped hard when Ji-Suat home. Did that mean Ji-Su considered the ranch his home? He would love it if he did. He wanted to keep Ji-Su there with him, regardless of any contract. He would have to discuss that with him later, butfor now, he decided to tease him and take away any doubt that he wanted to be with him.
“Come here.”
Ji-Su walked over to him. When he was within reach, Raul pulled him in to stand between his legs and brought his hands up to cup his lovely, delicate face.
“Shall I show you how much I want you?”
“They’re waiting for us.”
“Let them wait. I’m in charge, remember?”
“You are. But I don’t want to mess up Elaine’s schedule.”
Raul inwardly groaned. Ji-Su was right. Elaine was busy and it would be rude to show up late for the meeting. “Fine. Can the man in charge at least have one kiss, por favor?”
Ji-Su laughed. “The man in charge is begging for kisses from me? I’m flattered.”
“I’d beg for just about anything from you, mi cariño. A laugh. A kiss. A night with you in bed. An evening watching you play video games.”
Ji-Su’s lips parted in surprise as he whispered a question. “Really?”
Raul smiled softly, charmed at his little lover’s surprise. “Yes, really.” Then he leaned down for his kiss, keeping it short as promised. He raised his head and looked at Ji-Su. His precious human’s dark lashes were down and the softest, blush colored his freckled cheeks pink. Raul couldn’t help but think that if Ji-Su didn’t already consider the ranch his home, he would have to convince him that it was. Because he didn’t ever want to let him leave. He wanted to share his home with Ji-Su forever.
Chapter 32
“It’s almost too easy taking these guys down. Are we sure we didn’t stumble onto the beginner’s level by mistake?”
Ji-Su laughed at Lawrence’s trash talk. Their frustrated opponents responded with a few creative insults that made him laugh even harder. They were friends with the group they were playing against, so the trash talk and insults were all good natured. The game ended with a victory for Ji-Su’s squad, which earned them congrats along with promises to beat them the next time they played each other.
Ji-Su and his team stayed on the channel after their opponents logged off, talking while they waited for the next round to start.
“Isn’t your blood pet contract almost over?” Iesha asked Ji-Su. “Do you have a new apartment lined up?”
Iesha’s questions brought Ji-Su up short. He’d all but forgotten that he was scheduled to leave the ranch soon. Over the last few weeks, his time with Raul had come to feel more like an actual relationship, and not only a contracted arrangement with a specified end date.
“I uh... I haven’t started looking yet.”