Elements of Retrofit by N.R. Walker

waist, looking at my king-sized bed. “Looks comfy,” he said with a grin.
    Ignoring his comment, I threw the clean clothes at him. “I’ll organise the dry-cleaning.”
    I picked up our soiled suits and shirts from the bathroom floor and when I walked back into my bedroom, Cooper was pulling up the cargos. He was smiling at me, as he shoved his half-hard cock into the pants. “No underwear, Tom? Is it for easy access later?”
    I tried not to smile at him, but my belly tightened at the thought. “You’re incorrigible.”
    He laughed, and I left him there. I bagged the clothes and called reception, just as Cooper came out of my room. He looked me up and down. “How come I have a shirt but you don’t?” he asked, but it was more of a rhetorical question. “Not that I mind.” Then he walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. “Want a water?”
    “Make yourself at home,” I said sarcastically, though I kind of liked it that he felt comfortable here. He handed me a bottle of water anyway and walked out onto the balcony. “Oh my God.”
    I followed him out to find him staring at the view. New York at its finest—tall grey buildings, narrow roads with yellow cabs sidelined by green trees that led to the enormity that was Central Park.
    I smiled at the look on his face. “This apartment is pretty central.”
    “Pretty central?” he asked. “It’s right on Central.”
    I laughed. “Not quite. But close.”
    He shook his head, then turned back to look up the street at the Empire State Building. New York City lights at night were something special. “How do you not live out here on your balcony with that view? I mean, I’ve seen it during the day from here, but at night…”
    “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
    He nodded keenly, taking in and pointing out certain landmarks and the buildings he recognised. After a while I started to get cool, so I went inside and came back out with a shirt on. Cooper sighed. “The view was much better without the shirt.”
    I smiled at his words, but changed the subject. “Dry cleaning said they’d be a few hours,” I told him. “You can wear those clothes home if you like.”
    Cooper shrugged. “I don’t mind. I can wait, but if I happen to fall asleep in that big comfy bed of yours, I won’t mind that either.”
    I wanted to tell him I didn’t think that was a good idea, that that would be moving too fast. I looked at him and couldn’t seem to find the words.

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    Cooper didn’t stay the night. But he did stay till midnight, then took his freshly dry-cleaned suit, kissed me in the doorway and left.
    At work, he was ever the professional. Never granting me more than a polite, “Good morning, Mr Elkin,” and he very diligently did his job.
    He was very good at his job.
    As one of the senior partners, I had a slew of architects under me, who were delegated a range of jobs. So while yes, I had chosen him to work on my team, he was one of many. And it wouldn’t have been unusual for me not to see him every day.
    But I looked for him. I kept an eye on him, and I watched what he did. But I didn’t speak to him, not more than a hello or a courteous nod in the hall.
    He was really, very good at his job. He was also very good at pretending he didn’t know me.
    But on the Thursday—four days since I saw him outside of work—just before closing time, Jennifer’s intercom buzzed. “Yes, Jennifer?”
    “Did you call for Mr Jones?” she asked. “He says you asked to see him.”
    I smiled. “Yes, I did. Please send him in.”
    The door opened and in he walked, wearing his suit pants, shirt, tie and a waistcoat, no jacket. He looked…hot.
    He sat down across from me and smiled. “You wanted to see me?”
    “Did I?”
    “Yeah, I’m pretty sure you did,” he said with a nod. “I’m sure you had work that needed doing tonight. At your place.”
    I smiled at him. “Oh, yes. Now I remember.”
    He looked like the cat that got the canary.