Tom was resigning himself to another day of lunch in the office when the door opened. Just his luck, he was stuck here with a busted leg while Adam and Enid were both out to lunch and now a client walked in?

But then he looked up.

“Ross?”

Ross cleared his throat, looking a little self-conscious. “Hey. How’s it going?”

“About as well as you’d expect,” Tom replied. He liked his job, but he appreciated being able to get out of the office for lunch to get some fresh air and stretch his legs. Now he was just stuck there. It was way too much work to get down to the diner or wherever and then back up. Being on crutches added a good half an hour to his overall lunch break, and it was just easier to bring lunch from home and eat it here.

“Why don’t you let me take you out to lunch?” Ross offered.

Tom narrowed his eyes. “You know, if this were anyone else, I’d say that you were taking me out on a date. But you don’t do dates. Or relationships, or whatever it was that you said.”

Ross cleared his throat. He still looked unfairly attractive, wearing a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top couple of buttons undone. It was right on the border between casual and dressed up and it was doing annoying things to Tom’s ability to breathe normally.

“It’s true that I … don’t really do relationships,” he admitted. “But I thought that maybe, we could try it.”

Tom used his good leg to push his chair back and to the left—thank God for rolling wheels—so that he was no longer behind the desk and they could talk more face to face. “And what made you change your mind about all this?”

Going from not wanting a relationship with anybody to wanting a relationship with someone was kind of a big decision. It had been a few days since he’d last seen Ross, true, so it wasn’t like Ross had come to this decision suddenly. He’d probably had time to think it over. But still. It felt a little out of the blue.

And Tom still didn’t know what he thought about being with someone. Did he really have time for that? Could he be that dedicated?

“I know you’re busy,” Ross said. He sat on the edge of the desk so that there was a little less of a height difference between them. “I’ve got a crazy schedule too. But I’ve just been thinking about it, and … I know I felt bad, after the accident and everything. But I don’t think it was just that.

“I think it was also that I genuinely like you and the people that I like, I want to take care of. I think it’s because of my mom, and all. But yeah. I like you. And the sex was great, you can’t deny that.”

He grinned at Tom, who couldn’t help but grin back. It was true, that had been pretty much the best sex of his life. The idea that he’d get to have it regularly was damn appealing.

“I’m not saying we should be spending all of our time together or anything,” Ross said. “But I’ve liked spending time with you. I thought maybe, since we’re both so busy, it would be a win win. We get regular sex, we get to hang out when we can, and there’s no real pressure.”

Tom couldn’t help but sense that there was something that Ross was holding back from him. Not that he thought Ross was lying, exactly. Just that Ross sounded like he was hesitant, but trying not to be. Like there was more to his thoughts than what he was saying out loud.

Tom figured the guy had a right to not have to spill out all of his guts. But it gave Tom pause, knowing that there was more to this story, more to Ross, than what he was being presented with.

Still … Ross was gorgeous. Confident. Great at sex. He’d been considerate, and if anything, a little too thoughtful, a little too protective. Enid and Adam would slap Tom for giving up the chance to spend more time with the guy.

And Tom had liked flirting with him, had liked spending time with him at dinner the other day, sitting next to him at the bar. “It would just be casual?” he confirmed.

Ross nodded. “I’m really not looking for anything serious right now.”

“What about the fact that you’re my doctor? You operated on me.”

Ross chewed on his lower lip for a moment. “I am a little nervous about that. But I didn’t know who you were when I operated on you, and it’s not like we were seriously dating or even knew each other all that well when I did the operation. And I’m not your doctor anymore; I just performed the surgery.”

All good points, Tom supposed.

“We could just keep it quiet,” Ross said. “I mean, especially if it is just casual, why make a big deal out of it anyway? Just to be on the safe side.”

Tom nodded. “Yeah, I’d like it if we maybe didn’t tell everyone. I mean, Adam and Enid are nosy as fuck, but you know how people get when you start dating someone. They want to know everything, and then there’s all of this pressure for the relationship to do well, and everybody’s got an opinion on it…”

“Yeah, of course, we can keep it just between us.” Ross sounded relieved. “I’d like that.”

“There is the slight problem of my leg being in a cast,” Tom pointed out. It had been a couple of weeks by now, but still. He was going to be stuck in this thing for a little while longer.

Ross reached forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. He threaded his fingers through Tom’s hair, tugging his head back lightly and exposing his throat. Ross leaned in, drawing his nose slowly up Tom’s throat, before nipping at his jaw. “I think we’ll be able to figure something out,” he said, his voice dark and promising.

Tom shivered, head falling back more. Oh, God, yes, if he got this on a regular basis, he was willing to try for the rest.

Ross leaned back a little, eyes glinting. “What do you say?”

“I say hell yes,” Tom replied, feeling a little out of breath already.

Ross leaned in, kissing him properly, and Tom opened his mouth eagerly with a groan. He’d been trying not to crave this, trying to remind himself that Ross wasn’t going to ask for it, so there was no point in hoping for it. But God, did he want Ross’s hands on him again, his mouth on him, wanted to be taken apart all over again.

“There’s still a lot we can do,” Ross murmured, moving from the desk to straddle Tom’s good leg, careful not to jostle the cast. “A few positions I can think of.”

Tom would’ve said hell yes again, but then Ross was kissing him and his mouth was otherwise occupied.

It had been ages since he’d been able to just kiss someone like this, without it being a prelude to sex. And it definitely wasn’t lacking in passion. Holy hell. Ross was kissing him like he wanted to steal the air out of Tom’s lungs, and Tom was far from objecting.

If they’d been, say, at his home and his damn leg was in full working order, he would definitely be trying to get Ross’s clothes off, trying to move this along. He wanted to take his time—last time they’d done a lot but it had been frantic, and he hadn’t been able to explore the way that he wanted to. He’d want to go slower this time, indulge.

Unfortunately, they were still at the office.

But it was great, honestly, to just indulge in the kissing for the sake of it, to remember how good it felt all on its own, to hold someone and just slowly move his hands all over them, get used to the feel of them in his arms.

Ross pulled back eventually, slowing down his kisses, making them soft and sucking, scattering a few along Tom’s jaw.

“You make a very persuasive case,” Tom said, sucking lightly at Ross’s neck.

“And this from a paralegal. I’m flattered.” Ross’s grin could be heard in his voice. “So, we’ll just … enjoy each other’s company when we can and we want to?”

“Nothing serious,” Tom confirmed, pulling away properly so that he could look into Ross’s eyes.

“Nothing serious,” Ross replied.

Tom relaxed. He could do this. Whenever he was free and it worked out, the two of them could get some dinner, relax, watch a movie, and have sex. Or just some of that.

Okay, mostly the last part.

That was good. Tom could work with that. And it would be fun. It would be relaxing, just like Adam and Enid had said he needed. Something to help him unwind.

“You should probably get off my lap,” Tom said reluctantly. “Adam and Enid will be back soon.”

Ross stood up, adjusting himself, and Tom laughed. “Having a little trouble there?”

“Like you aren’t aware of what you do to me,” Ross shot back.

“I could always stand to hear a little more praise,” Tom replied, teasing.

Ross tilted his head, looking thoughtful. “You look like Clark Kent.”

“I what?” Tom asked, laughing.

“You said you could stand to hear a little more praise. When I first saw you, I thought you looked like Clark Kent.”

“Pretty sure that’s an insult; I think you’re looking for Superman.”

“Nope, definitely Clark. Nerdy investigative reporter, has to do a ton of research, probably wears a suit more often than he has to, hot as fuck, and wears glasses.” Ross shrugged. “Clark’s still Superman and Superman’s still Clark, it’s just the aesthetic that’s different. And they’re both attractive; it’s not like his whole face changes when he’s out of the costume.”

Tom could feel himself blushing. “You’re an idiot,” he said, just to draw attention away from how flustered he was feeling. It was a little cheesy, sure, but he’d never had anyone look at him and say Hey, you remind me of a hugely handsome fictional character.

“And yet you like it,” Ross replied with a smirk. “You’re blushing.”

“Says the man who looks like he should be a television show doctor instead of a real one,” Tom shot back before he could stop himself. “How do you even make red hair look good? Until you, every single redheaded guy I met looked dorky as fuck.”

“It’s the Scottish in me; I should start wearing a kilt,” Ross replied. “But you’re not changing the subject on me; you really aren’t used to being told you look good, are you?”

Tom shrugged. “You compared me to Superman; you can’t blame a guy for being a little self-conscious.”

“Clark Kent,” Ross corrected.

“You said they were the same thing.”

“Same person, different aesthetic. What if I showed up here in a plaid shirt and overalls like a lumberjack, and a beard? Same me, different look.”

“Okay, fine; you still said I look like one of the hottest characters in comic books.”

“I said it because it’s true.” Ross winked at him, then leaned in again. “And if you need some convincing, I can keep saying it until you believe it.”

Tom really needed some water or something; his throat was dry and he was seriously regretting being in the office right now instead of at his apartment. Or at Ross’s apartment. Or anywhere that was private and had a bed, really.

“Careful,” he warned. “You’re going to make me forget we’re in an office.”

“Promises, promises,” Ross replied.

He kissed Tom one last time, deep and filthy, and yeah, Tom would’ve given just about anything to have them be in a private place right then. “I’ll call you later,” Ross whispered, voice dark and rough.

Then he stood up and gave a cheerful salute, heading back out of the office.

“Asshole!” Tom shot after him. Ross knew exactly what he was doing, dammit, teasing him and leaving him wanting, and then just sauntering out of there when he knew that Tom had to stay in the office and finish his work.

Because of his damn leg, Tom couldn’t even drag him to the men’s room and blow him or something.

Ross’s laughter carried down the hallway, and Tom settled himself back in at his desk. A moment later, his phone chimed with a text:

Don’t get too bereft without me.

He could hear the smirk even through the phone. He sent back:

Sorry, who is this?

He got a string of laughing emojis in return.

There would be later, he told himself. And it was fun to have someone tease him that he could tease back. Fun to just kiss and make out, and then build that anticipation of more.

Of course, part of him still wanted to freak out about this.

You don’t know what you’re getting into, part of him was screaming. And it was true. He could tell that there were things Ross was holding back, things that made him feel like he didn’t quite know where he stood. And he wasn’t sure, for his own part, if he’d be any good at this. His exes had had quite a few things to say to him about how much of a priority he hadn’t made them over the years. What if he ended up disappointing Ross as well, no matter how casual Ross said it was?

Tom shook that thought off. Ross had been honest with him from the start, as well as respectful. Before meeting him, Tom would’ve suspected that someone who said they didn’t do relationships was a jerk on top of it, the kind of person who didn’t really take the time to care, even in the moment, even if it was temporary.

But Ross had been considerate from the start, and had taken the time to slowly flirt with Tom, hadn’t monopolized his time, even just sitting at the bar.

He should trust that, Tom told himself. Ross had been a good guy to him, and his only mistake had been well-intentioned, and with helping Tom out in mind. If Ross wanted something casual and was respecting Tom’s time commitment to his job, then Tom had to trust that Ross was telling the truth.

If only he could understand why he was getting the feeling that there was something that Ross was holding back. Some part of him that he wasn’t letting Tom see. It wasn’t just the “let’s be casual” thing. It was something more, something beyond or underneath that.

Tom shook it off. He’d learn what it was eventually. And if this was casual, then there was no reason for whatever it was to become something that hurt him.

He hoped.