Page 32 of Ignite

“Okay. How about I teach him some things to start? See if he’s even cut out for this. And if he is, we'll both take him out on a run to decide who would be better suited to keep him.”

I grit my teeth, hating the idea of Rev ordering Ezra around and spending more time with him. Fuck. Why am I getting so worked up about this? Is it because I know Rev is gay, too?

My brain circles back to Ezra’s kiss last night. The potent need that had coursed through me when his soft lips pressed against mine was unmistakable. Even now, my dick grows hard at the memory.

Would Rev even be Ezra’s type?

I bite back a growl. “He’s just…”Fuck. What is he? “Sensitive.”

“Ah, yes.” Rev nods. “That he is. But I think a little gunfire will help him along beautifully.”

I swig at my coffee, trying to maintain an air of calm. “I don’t know, Rev. Let me think about it.”

Rev’s grin doesn’t shrink an inch. “Yeah, go ahead and mull it over. Maybe get a nut off while you’re at it.”

“Fuck you.”

He winks. “Don’t think we’re compatible, bossman.”

Ignoring his comment, I check the time on my phone. Noon already, which means it’s lunchtime. Has Ezra eaten? When have I ever noticed the time while working? I’m usually too busy to care about breaks. I rarely acknowledge my hunger until the sun sets and the office falls silent.

The thought of Ezra all flustered while he destroyed my kitchen has me striding for the elevator. Why does the idea of his hurt fucking feelings bring discomfort to my chest?

I’m really not cut out for dealing with people. I’ve never been good at being considerate or showing affection. With Aiden, I went through the motions. Yeah, I loved him, but I didn’t care for any of the normal checklist items. Moving in together. Marriage. Kids. The only reason I’d even bought him a ring was because he expected it.

Rev catches the elevator doors, climbing in with me.

“Lunch date?” he asks, raising a brow.

I roll my eyes. “Quit it.”

Rev feigns innocence. “What? You have to admit, heisdangerously cute. Hard not to notice. Even if you fucked everything up last night.”

My eyes flash with murderous intent as I stalk off the elevator toward my apartment, Rev’s mad laughter sounding behind me.

I won’t entertain this with him. Rev thinks I’m growing sentimental for the thief. That’s not even a possibility. The organ in my chest is long dead, blackened by the amount of souls I’ve collected over the years.

I press my thumb to the security pad outside my apartment door, on edge over what chaos will reveal itself inside. It’s much easier to crack a grin at the image of pretty Ezra elbow deep in bubbles now than it was yesterday when we had to clean up the disaster.

When I step inside, my apartment is clean. No fires. No alarms. No bubbles.

It’s too quiet, and that kicks my heart into overdrive, fear sparking through my nervous system.

“Ezra?” I call out.

Why isn’t he answering me?

I scour my apartment. Beds are still made, and nothing seems to be out of place. Charging into the common areas, I breathe a sigh of relief when I discover Ezra on the treadmill in the gym. He’s wearing another t-shirt of mine and a pair of my black briefs that show off his full ass and toned thighs.

My dick starts to thicken. He doesn’t notice my approach, too focused on keeping stride. My brows raise at the hour and a half time on the treadmill. Does this guy ever tire?

He startles when he sees me, missing his footing. I lurch to grab him in an outstretched arm as he stumbles off the treadmill.

“Shit, sorry.” Ezra’s wide eyes flick up to meet mine.

“No. My fault,” I say, finding it hard to uncurl my arm from his trim waist. I clear my throat and let him go, putting some space between us. Unable to make eye contact, I force out more words. “Want to get some lunch?”

God, why am I being all awkward about this now? Fuck Rev for getting in my head, like always.