Teasing Jonathan by Amber Kell

hasn’t been endangered. If Jonathan is right, I’ve been attacked twice.” He still couldn’t figure out why, but he didn’t need to know the reason in order to demand that Jonathan protect him.
    Sinclair frowned. “You don’t think he’s right?”
    “I’m hoping he’s not,” Kai replied. “I can’t think of any reason someone would try to kill me.”
    “Yet, you’re signing up for protection,” Sinclair said.
    Kai nodded. “I might be hoping no one is after me, but I’m not stupid enough to ignore a bullet shot through my window.”
    “I’m sorry to become personal, but are you and Jonathan lovers?”
    Kai tapped his pen against the table. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
    “Actually, it is. We don’t approve of employees and customers fraternising—it sets up a bad power dynamic if an employee is worried about being fired because he won’t have sex. I’ll have to reject your request for protection.”
    A cold chill ran through him. “You aren’t going to let Jonathan protect me?”
    “That’s up to Jonathan. I believe he has several weeks of vacation available that he might want to take at this time. What he does in his private life is not my business. I’ve never objected to people watching over anyone special to them. The company will also personally support him if he needs help.”
    Kai set down the pen. “So you’re saying…you won’t let me hire him, but you will let him watch me as long as he takes personal leave.”
    Sinclair nodded. “Yes. It’s a matter of semantics, I know, but this way we’re responsible for his pay instead of you. It’s a fine but important distinction.”
    “What about my sister?”
    “Is he involved with her too?”
    “No!” Kai snapped. “Of course not.”
    “Then you can sign the contract for services for her.” Sinclair leant back in his chair and waited for Kai’s response.
    Kai pulled the contract towards him. The door opened and Jonathan walked through.
    He glanced back and forth between the men. “Is everything all right?”
    “Mr Alverston won’t let me hire you,” Kai said carefully, not meeting Jonathan’s eyes.
    Jonathan placed his hands on Kai’s shoulders, silently offering his support. “I’d like to request time off.”
    “Granted,” Sinclair said. He slid a piece of paper across to Jonathan. “Here’s your vacation form.”
    Jonathan laughed. “Always one step ahead of me as usual, sir.”
    Kai relaxed. If Jonathan wasn’t upset about using his personal leave to protect Kai, he wouldn’t make an issue of it. He finished up his paperwork and slid it back across the table to Sinclair. “Here you go.”
    Sinclair examined the paperwork before signing his name. “I’m sure Jonathan told you we already sent someone to watch your sister. So far we haven’t seen any sign of her ex-boyfriend. In fact, no one has seen him for a few days now. He’s disappeared from work and he’s not at his apartment.”
    “I also would like you to investigate a member of the board,” Kai requested. He handed over all the information he had on Nelson Andrews and the company that had raised alarm bells. “Please let me know if you find anything strange in his finances or if he has any connection with Philips other than the deal they are trying to broker.”
    “We’ll get right on it,” Sinclair assured him.
    “Thank you.” Kai shook hands with Sinclair.
    Jonathan finished filling out his form and handed it back over.
    Sinclair examined it for a minute before setting it on his desk. “I assume you want to start your vacation today?”
    “Yes,” Jonathan agreed.
    “Keep us updated on what’s going on with Kai’s security and let us know if you need back-up.”
    “I will,” Jonathan assured him.
    “Good.”
    Sinclair stood and shook both their hands. Jonathan’s hand slid protectively to Kai’s lower back as he led him out of the office.
    Kai’s phone rang. He saw his sister’s name flash on the screen.
    “Hey, Jeni.