The office was already half-dead by six. Most of the floor had cleared out for the holiday drinks downstairs, laughter echoing faintly up the stairwell. Alex stayed behind because Damian had texted him three sharp words at 5:47:
Stay. Presentation. Now.
No please. No explanation. Just the command that always made Alex’s stomach flip in a way he told himself was nerves.
He knocked once, stepped inside. Damian didn’t look up from the laptop. Tie loosened, top button undone, sleeves rolled to the elbows showing thick forearms dusted with dark hair. The city lights bled through the blinds in thin gold stripes across his chest.
“Close the door,” Damian said, voice low, distracted.
Alex did. The click felt louder than it should.
They worked in near silence for forty minutes. Damian dictati
