Page 12

As much as I wanted to get down on my knees for Kroven, I knew the moment was gone. The heavy subject of Orbs being pestered by protestors outside of multiple blood centers up and down the eastern seaboard was kind of a boner killer.

I was dedicated to helping him and the rest of the sangamar by gaining whatever intel I could by figuring out if the blood center representative was the same person that Kroven and Qwill knew through their Orb connections. No one deserved to be denied access to something they needed simply because other people didn't like that they had the option.

The next morning, I'd gotten a text from Babs that said I was still in the off-rotation for work, so there was no chance of me getting any information about the representative. Which meant I had an absolute free day all to myself.

Which was how I found myself cuddled up under my favorite blanket with my iPad reading my smut books. I was reading my book with my iced coffee in one hand and my iPad in the other when Thayer came bounding into the living room from his bedroom .

“Please tell me this isn't the only thing you're going to do on your day off.” Thayer said rolling his eyes with a playful laugh.

“Says the guy who just woke up at one-thirty in the afternoon.” I smirked.

He knew I was just teasing, considering his line of work made him have an abnormal sleep schedule. But he still mocked me as he sauntered into the kitchen and started making himself a sandwich.

Once he had assembled his usual sandwich fix of roast beef and cheddar, Thayer plopped on the couch next to me.

“How're things with the Orb?” He said through a mouthful of food.

Setting my iPad down, I rolled my eyes at him, making sure to smile so he knew I wasn't actually agitated.

“He's good. There's discourse amongst the sangamar because of the blood center protests I was telling you about.”

Thayer shifted as he took another bite of his sandwich. “It's happening to other ones besides yours?”

“All along the east coast,” I nodded, sighing the anvil out of my lungs. “I’m gonna try and get some info out of Babs for Kroven. He has a human contact that wants to help Orbs retain their rights, so I'm investigating to see if the person the blood center is sending over is the same person or not.”

“And if it is?”

“I can connect Kroven with them, so they can speak directly. He made it sound like there was another sangamar that really wanted him to make contact with the representative Babs was talking about.”

Thayer finished scarfing down his creation, no longer making me want to slap some sense into him for talking with food in his mouth.

“And you're okay with risking your job to ask questions like that?”

“I mean it's not that big of a deal. Plus, it was my idea. Kroven doesn't want me to risk anything, but I'm positive I can get the info without making waves.” I felt my face heat as I thought about the potential praise I might get from Kroven if I was successful.

God, I was really turning into such a submissive good boy.

Thayer must have noticed the blush, because a wide grin careened its way onto his usual handsome features.

“You're really into this guy, aren't you?”

“I am.” I ignored the unusual glee I felt over Thayer not referring to Kroven as simply 'the Orb'. “He's really great, and I want to get to know him more.”

“That's awesome, Bas.” Thayer beamed at me, and I could feel the genuine approval pouring off of him. “I’m glad you found someone who makes you feel all the things.”

Before I could comment that there were plenty of things that I hadn't experienced yet that Kroven could help me feel , Thayer pushed off of the couch and cleared his throat.

“I gotta head to work though, so you'll have the rest of the day to yourself here. Assuming you’re spending it reading your smut.”

Ignoring his correct assumptions, I squinted my eyes at him. “Don't you normally go in way later than this?”

Thayer sighed, putting his hands on his hips and nodding. “Usually, yeah. But my boss asked me to come in early for this private party. Double pay, so I couldn't say no.”

“Must be a big client.” I chuckled.

“It better be,” Thayer mimicked my laughter. "I better bring home some hella cash for it.”

“Well good luck.”

Thayer grinned, tossing me a “Thanks, dude.” before he disappeared into his room to finish getting ready to leave for work.

I picked my iPad back up and started reading again, but I found my mind wandering, wondering exactly how long before I was able to go back to work and weasel my way into getting the information that Kroven was waiting for.

Feeling particular bold and impatient, I picked up my phone and shot Babs a quick text, asking if there was any way I could come in tomorrow for a shift, even a short one. I used the guise of needing to make rent and lying that Thayer was also struggling at his job to really seal the deal. I found it hard to read about my new favorite MM pairing in my book as I set down my phone and waited for Babs to answer me. What if it wouldn't be a couple more days before I could work again? Babs had said that no one should go more than three days without working while we all waited for the rep to make it to Piper. But that didn't mean that things couldn't change.

The thought of having to not work for a week was about to send me into a panic when my phone vibrated, alerting me to a new text from Babs. Luckily, she said she could use me for a four hour shift tomorrow afternoon because someone had already called out sick for the day.

After sending her a quick thank you and that I would be there, I internally combusted. Just one more day, and I'd be able to busy myself at work while also helping Kroven and the rest of the sangamar.

Until then, I had smut to drool over.