Orientation (Benchmarks #2) - Kate Canterbary Page 0,2

was meant to spend his days using it for sport long before his mind could form such an idea. I figured he was in his late twenties, maybe early thirties.

He swallowed, turned his attention back toward me, and smiled when he found me staring. Again, I worried about drool. Stubble shadowed his neck and jaw in an invitation I couldn't accept. Not today.

"I'm late," I said, giving him this isn't what I want hands and please understand I'd rather sweat on a hot sidewalk all day if it meant staring at your ass in those shorts eyes. "Can you show me where I'm supposed to be?"

"Right here," Max replied, his words sandpaper rough.

My lips parted as a starved sound panted out of me. I didn't know I'd gone from stressed to starved in the span of minutes, but here I was, confused and—and absolutely melting for this man. "I'm not sure what that means."

Max reached behind him, opening a door that led to another hallway. "Right here," he repeated. "The first door on your left is the library. That's where you're supposed to be."

I stared over his shoulder as I gathered up the fragile, needy parts of myself I'd let go uncaged in the minutes since meeting Max. I didn't know what I was thinking. Rather, I hadn't thought. I'd followed this big, sweet golden retriever even when I knew better.

"Thank you," I said, not quite meeting his eyes. He leaned back against the door, making way for me to pass, but only if I angled my body. I didn't do that. I shuffled past him, the entire length of my arm brushing his chest as I went. Hard, hard, hard he was. I fixed my gaze on the buttons open at his throat, wondered whether I'd find him smooth or fuzzy if I slipped my hand under the fabric. Yeah, he was fuzzy. I was as positive as a proton about that. "It wasn't dumb."

"What?" he asked, the word barely more than a cough.

I risked a glance at his face. The smile remained but it didn't reach his eyes. "Green for science. It wasn't dumb. I think that too. That's…that's exactly why I wear it."

I couldn't surrender another minute to this man, not even if I wanted more than anything to do precisely that. Tightening my grip on the strap of my messenger bag, I marched toward the library.

"You're not late," Max called. "We always hold the first half hour for coffee and bagels. We're big into the coffee and bagel scene around here." He paused, probably waiting for me to turn and acknowledge his words with something more than a relieved exhale. Then, "Do you like bagels?"

I lifted my shoulders, let them fall. "Cinnamon raisin, yeah. Warmed, but not all the way toasted."

He made a noise that sounded like approval, a rumbling murmur that said, "Yes. Just like that."

"I like sesame, even if the seeds make a damn mess." He studied the front of his shirt, as if he expected he'd discover errant seeds there. "But I might try that cinny raisin some time."

"You should." I glanced back at him. "I'm Jory. Hayzer. Jory Hayzer."

His brows furrowed as he worked out my name in his head. There was no hiding these machinations as they were splashed all over his face. "Jory. Like Rory, but with a J."

I bobbed my head. "Yeah."

His smile could've thawed ice. It was possible he was thawing my ice as we spoke. "I like it."

"Thanks." Smiling wasn't my nature. It always looked like I was forced or uncomfortable. Slight grins were more my speed. But somewhere between my perfectionism and stoicism and ever-present anxiety, I found a true smile for Max. "Thank you for showing me the way," I said. "I should get in there. I need to assess the bagel situation."

His eyes turned stony and his lips flattened into a striking line as he jabbed a finger in my direction. "Defend that cinny raisin territory, Hayzer."

Max delivered that order as if he was calling plays from the sidelines. Serious, stern, allowing no room for argument. I adored it. Adored it. I couldn't decide whether it was my unanswered desire for a strong, certain presence at my side or the knowledge Max possessed as much strength as he did sweetness.

"I'll do that," I promised, still smiling.

The stern façade dissolved. "If you wanted, you could come find me after your new staff sessions today. I'll be around all day." He propped a hand on his