To most people who know him, Nick Fontana is the owner of a prestigious advertising agency. To a select few, he’s known as Niko, a man who deals with very sensitive problems no one else can handle. As a result, Nick has never found a man to love -- because he won't allow it to happen. Then he meets flirtatious Greg Tyson while out running. He thinks nothing of it until Greg applies for a job at Nick's ad agency. Greg is exactly what Nick is looking for in an employee. Hiring him, however, might turn out to be the biggest mistake of Nick's life ... or the beginning of something new, if Nick is willing to open himself up and let Greg in. Doing so will require an amount of trust Nick isn’t certain he can give without endangering Greg's life -- and losing his love -- in the process.

Love Was Not an Option

“You okay?” Nick asked, going to kneel beside him, the concern in his voice very real.


“I…will be,” Greg managed to get out. “Damn…” He shot Nick a look. “You didn’t warn me about…” He gestured at the steep slope behind them as he eased back until he was sitting and began massaging his calf.


“Here, let me,” Nick said sitting cross-legged in front of him. He lifted Greg’s leg onto his lap andset to work. “Charlie horse?” he asked when Greg let out a yelp of pain.


“Charlie elephant,” Greg replied, biting down on his lip. Nick carefully worked on the knotted muscleuntil Greg sighed in relief, saying, “You’re good. I think I’ll keep you around in case it happens again.” He winked.


Nick figured he was teasing, and so replied, “I have no problem with that, as long as the pay is adequate.”


“I think I can come up with some sort of compensation.” The moment the words were out of his mouth, Greg turned red, ducking his head. “Forget I said that,” he muttered.


Chapter 16