As the only senior graphic designer at Downey Handbags, Zane Kotsky expected to become the head of the creative art department when the company planned to expand its business. His hope crashed when it turned out that the company wanted someone from outside to be the manager. Knowing that, Zane planned to leave the place at once, but that was before he met the man who would become his boss, Joachim Wessling.
This is a previously published work. It has been revised and edited for Evernight Publishing.
Be Warned: m/m sex
Excerpt:
“Downey must be very lucky to have you.”
The kid—because that was what he was to Joachim, a kid—stared at him a bit too long.
“Watch the road.”
Zane snickered, and switched his attention back to the traffic ahead. “Lucky. Yeah, I’d call it lucky they decided not to kick me out after denying me what should have been mine by right.”
Joachim hadn’t expected to hear those words. “I'm sorry. I don't have any idea what you're talking about.”
Zane sucked in a harsh breath.
“God, I'm sorry. That was totally uncalled for. Forget what I said, okay? And enjoy your stay here. People at Downey are the best, or I wouldn't have lasted this long.”
Joachim frowned. Honestly, he didn’t know this would be the case. When they’d invited him to join the company, there was no talk that someone else might be qualified to be the head of the art department. In fact, he was under the impression that there hadn't been an art department before, only a small division under a larger unit.
“You know, I can always talk to Mr. Downey and set things straight.” Joachim had never before seen an expression change from slight panic to utter horror.
“No,” Zane practically shouted. “You can't tell him that. You have to promise you'll never talk to Mr. Downey about the things I said. I'll be happy to work under you. Work together with you. It was just a spur-of-the-moment outburst. Promise me, please?”
Joachim tried to think past the words work under you, and Zane's pleas didn't help the matter. He took a deep breath and gazed ahead.
“Okay, I promise not to say anything, though I’d prefer it if we're all open and honest and don't hide things from each other.”
{"num_reviews":1,"sku":"978-1-77233-787-7","add_this":[{"service":"facebook","annotation":""},{"service":"email","annotation":""},{"service":"print","annotation":""},{"service":"twitter","annotation":""}],"gtin":null,"id":1706,"can_purchase":true,"meta_description":"","category":["Romance on the Go","Contemporary","Erotic ","Gay"],"AddThisServiceButtonMeta":"","main_image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f1706\u002f1914\u002fstrictlyprofessional1l__60296.1458689703.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Alternative (MM) Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 10, 500\n\nISBN: 978-1-77233-787-7\n\nEditor: Stephanie Balistreri\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"},"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=1706","backorder_availability_prompt":"","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fstrictly-professional-by-iyana-jenna\u002f","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: large; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eRomance on the Go\u003cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003e TM\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fem\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eAs the only senior graphic designer at Downey Handbags, Zane Kotsky expected to become the head of the creative art department when the company planned to expand its business. His hope crashed when it turned out that the company wanted someone from outside to be the manager. Knowing that, Zane planned to leave the place at once, but that was before he met the man who would become his boss, Joachim Wessling. \u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is a previously published work. It has been revised and edited for Evernight Publishing.\u003c\u002fem\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBe Warned: m\u002fm sex\u003c\u002fem\u003e\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fem\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr \u002f\u003e\u003c\u002fem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eExcerpt:\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“Downey must be very lucky to have you.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eThe kid—because that was what he was to Joachim, a kid—stared at him a bit too long.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“Watch the road.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eZane snickered, and switched his attention back to the traffic ahead. “Lucky. Yeah, I’d call it lucky they decided not to kick me out after denying me what should have been mine by right.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eJoachim hadn’t expected to hear those words. “I'm sorry. I don't have any idea what you're talking about.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eZane sucked in a harsh breath.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“God, I'm sorry. That was totally uncalled for. Forget what I said, okay? And enjoy your stay here. People at Downey are the best, or I wouldn't have lasted this long.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eJoachim frowned. Honestly, he didn’t know this would be the case. When they’d invited him to join the company, there was no talk that someone else might be qualified to be the head of the art department. In fact, he was under the impression that there hadn't been an art department before, only a small division under a larger unit.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“You know, I can always talk to Mr. Downey and set things straight.” Joachim had never before seen an expression change from slight panic to utter horror.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“No,” Zane practically shouted. “You can't tell him that. You have to promise you'll never talk to Mr. Downey about the things I said. I'll be happy to work under you. Work together with you. It was just a spur-of-the-moment outburst. Promise me, please?”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eJoachim tried to think past the words \u003cem\u003ework under you,\u003c\u002fem\u003e and Zane's pleas didn't help the matter. He took a deep breath and gazed ahead.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“Okay, I promise not to say anything, though I’d prefer it if we're all open and honest and don't hide things from each other.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“I’ve been open and honest with you.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“Yeah, and I bet you regret it.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e","show_backorder_message":false,"tags":[],"warranty":"","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$2.99","value":2.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"},"default_shipping_expectation_prompt":"","detail_messages":"","availability":"","page_title":"","cart_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fcart.php","show_backorder_availability_prompt":false,"max_purchase_quantity":0,"show_quantity_on_hand":false,"show_default_shipping_expectation_prompt":false,"show_quantity_on_backorder":false,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fbrands\u002fHeat-Level-3.html"},"attributes":[],"mpn":null,"upc":null,"options":[],"related_products":[{"id":788,"sku":"978-1-77130-673-7","name":"This Isn't Goodbye by Iyana Jenna","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fthis-isnt-goodbye-by-iyana-jenna\u002f","availability":"","rating":3,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3"},"category":["Romance on the Go","Contemporary","Erotic ","Gay"],"summary":"Romance on the Go TM\r\nStay-at-home dad Taylor MacLean chose his life knowing he could rely on the trust fund from his rich grandmother. 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Really liked it. ","date":"11th Jan 2018"}]},"bulk_discount_rates":[],"meta_keywords":"","show_quantity_input":0,"title":"Strictly Professional by Iyana Jenna","gift_wrapping_available":false,"min_purchase_quantity":0,"customizations":[],"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f1706\u002f1914\u002fstrictlyprofessional1l__60296.1458689703.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Alternative (MM) Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 10, 500\n\nISBN: 978-1-77233-787-7\n\nEditor: Stephanie Balistreri\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"}]}
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