by Aiden Bates
When the final bell rang, and the children all left, I didn’t hang around. I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, before jogging down the hallway. Eli’s classroom door stood wide open, but I didn’t look in, and I didn’t listen hard enough to see if he said my name. I might have been brave enough to confront him in the breakroom, but I wasn’t brave enough to go through it again.
The elevator doors pinged as they slid smoothly open, and I stepped into the lobby of Hayes Financial. I glanced around, surprised, like I’d just woken up. I barely remembered the drive over here or the turns I’d taken, and the stop lights I’d waited at. I didn’t even remember entering the familiar building or punching the button that would take me right up to Rome.
Luckily, everyone in Rome’s company knew me well enough that my sudden presence wouldn’t be too much of a big deal.
“Hey, Grady!” Cooper Bradshaw raised his hand for a high five as he walked along the corridor on his way towards his father’s office. His dad, Matthew, was Rome’s dad’s best friend and chairman of Hayes Financial, and Coop worked with Rome as one of his most trusted colleagues and friends.
“Hey.” I tried to smile, but I wasn’t sure I succeeded. Anxiety had numbed my thoughts. Even my high five was some sort of odd half-wave that missed its target.
“How are those third graders treating you?”
I shrugged. “Oh, you know. Pretty good.” I glanced past him, hopeful Rome might appear so we could chat.
Coop followed the direction of my gaze then turned back to me. “You doing okay, Gray?”
I looked at him, suddenly unsure. Was I okay? My vision blurred for a moment and I swiped the back of my hand across my eyes. I hadn’t come here to break down.
“Oh, shit,” Coop murmured. Then his phone was by his ear and he was mumbling words I couldn’t hear to someone I didn’t know.
I glanced down at the floor. Bringing myself back under control. Fuck knows where that sudden display had come from, but it had been a strange kind of day—a new job, a fight with Eli… I just needed Rome.
Then I heard him.
“Gray?” His hand clasped my upper arm and he drew me to his office.
I went with him, not even saying goodbye to Coop as he headed off in the direction of his father.
Rome wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed me to him. “What’s wrong?” he murmured. “Coop said you’re upset. Has something happened? The job?”
I laughed without my usual enthusiasm. “Oh, I got it.”
“Grady!” Rome stopped just inside his office and spun me to face him. “That’s great!” His lips pressed against mine in a bold kiss. “I knew you could do it!” He grinned and his eyes sparkled. “Didn’t I say?”
I nodded, allowing his good mood to infect me, and I relaxed as his safety and protection surrounded me. “I did it,” I whispered, allowing my earlier excitement to creep back in.
Rome hugged me, and his familiar scent teased my nose. I breathed out all of my worries in one long exhale. My world was all right.
“Sooo…”
Rome’s heart beat against my ear, and I focused on the steady sound.
“What upset you when Coop saw you? I think you worried him.” He kissed my temple. “Can I do anything?”
I thought about it and shook my head.
“I can just listen?”
Those words in his gentle voice started my lips moving, and I told him about my argument with Eli and how I’d stepped down from Eli’s wedding.
“I’m sorry the guy’s an ass.” Rome’s arms tightened as if he was trying to shield me from a physical threat.
“Yeah, he can be.” Rome’s shirt muffled my words, and he released me.
“I’m so proud of you.” He grinned down at me. “Well done, Gray.”
I smiled back, finally able to find my own pride in my achievement. I drew in a breath. “It’s going to mean a big change, though.”
“And you’re more than ready,” Rome said. “You’ve got this. Don’t doubt yourself, and don’t let anyone else doubt you either.”
“Yeah.” I nodded and took Rome’s hand, sliding our fingers against each other.
“I mean it. You’re amazing and should be celebrating, not close to tears.” He looked out of his window to the view of the rapidly darkening sky beyond as a gray dusk began to give way to the inky colors of night. “Fucking Eli,” he growled.
I laughed. I could get on board with that sentiment today. “Thank you,” I said. “Thank you for being here for me.”
“And thank you for seeing me. I’ll always be here.” Rome stepped toward the phone on his desk. “I’m not going to make it a late one tonight. Should I get Katherine to arrange some food for us?”
Katherine was Rome’s PA, but I shook my head. “Don’t bother her. We can order our own food and let her go home.”
He hesitated, his hand still on his phone, and his pupils dilated. “Good idea.”
By the time our burgers and fries arrived, Rome had cleared an area to picnic on the floor of his office by the full-length window that made a feature in one corner of his office.
“You can see the whole city from here.” I looked out at the other office buildings, lights on in some of the windows and down on the roads, still busy and full of life as cars traveled along them at varying speeds.
Stars shone from the sky and seeing the pinpricks of life from higher up like this made me smile.
A lamp glowed in the corner of Rome’s office, but he’d shut his door and we ate in a low level of gloom, and I enjoyed the view and the meat and tomato flavors on my tongue as I chewed. I even appreciated the quiet and the occasional rustle of paper as one of us reached for another fry.
When we’d finished and Rome had tidied away the wrappers and boxes, I snuggled against him. “Sorry to have interrupted your work like this.”
“Never an interruption.” He nuzzled against my cheek. “Always a pleasure.” He placed a line of kisses from beneath my ear to my mouth and nibbled on my bottom lip before kissing me in a way that was soft and earnest. “Nothing is more important than you, Gray, especially when you need me.”
I met his eyes and my breath caught at the care in them. “I’ll always need you.”
“Then I’ll always be here.” He drew me against him as he lay back against the cushions and pillows he’d pulled from his sofa to make our picnic more comfortable.
His lips were searching and hot, demanding mine part for him, and I gladly submitted to him as my excitement shivered through me. Rome was strong and sure in his movements, and the feel of his tongue against mine as he explored my mouth sent a thrill right through me.
My cock stiffened and I sucked in a breath. “Oh, shit. Sorry.”
“Hm?” He rested his forehead against mine, the position familiar and tender, and I looked into his hazel eyes, almost black in the dim room.
“I’m hard,” I whispered, the words almost an apology.
His eyes flared with heat and desire lingered there a moment. “May I touch you?” He was as hesitant as I’d ever heard him, and I nodded, placing my palm against his cheek.
“I’d like that.” My throat dried as he ran his hands over my shoulder blades and down my back, and my dick strained in anticipation.
But Rome made me wait. He fluttered soft kisses against my lips and slid his fingers under the hem of my shirt, touching my skin in fleeting, soft grazes.
I chuckled and shifted. “That tickles.”
“Oh, dear…” Rome mumbled the words as he kissed down my neck to my collar. Then he flicked the button open at the top and the second, and then third, and he skimmed his tongue along my collarbone.
I dropped my head to the side to give him better access and he growled his approval. His hand smoothed the fabric across my chest as he undid the remaining buttons, and he sucked gently at the skin at the base of my neck.
“I’ve wanted you in my arms for a very long time, Gray.” He nuzzled against me, a
nd the heat of his breath warmed every part of me.
My shirt hung open, and I pushed my hips toward him in silent plea.
He chuckled and shook his head, his hair brushing against me and lighting a fire in my skin every place it touched. “Oh, Grady. I intend to take my time with you…”
“You tease,” I groaned.
“You know it.” His lips met mine again, and I opened my mouth right away, unable to control my desire as I slid my tongue across his lips.
He gasped against me, and I grinned. I was affecting him as much as he was affecting me. “Are you hard, too, Rome?” I made my voice innocent. I could already feel his cock pressed against my thigh.
I knew he wanted me.
“As a rock,” he ground out.
“Then let me help you as well,” I wheedled as I pressed myself up toward him again.
He shook his head and lowered his mouth to my chest. Goosebumps broke out across my skin at the soft touch of his lips.
He sighed. “You smell incredible.”
His mouth moved lower, and I held my breath as he drew his tongue beside the waistband of my black jeans. They were barely dress code for work, but I got away with them most days.
I tensed as his hand landed on my thigh, squeezing my muscle gently. “Rome,” I whispered. “Please, Rome.”
He chuckled, the sound dark. “I told you. This is in my time.”
I closed my eyes and flopped my forearm across my forehead. Holy shit. Rome was all but fucking me on his office floor. It was so hot.
His hand slid further up my thigh, but he avoided my needy cock and passed his palm over my stomach instead.
“Hey,” I moaned. “No fair.”
“Perfectly fair, my love,” he murmured. “Anticipation is the best part.”
I chuckled. “Then I’m not sure you’ve been doing it right.”
He laughed, too. “Hmm… Now, do I punish you for disrespect or not?” He chewed his lip like he was pondering a big question.
“Definitely no punishment,” I asserted as I pushed my hips toward him rhythmically, seeking the friction I wanted. “You’re already torturing me.”
Every movement of my body rubbed the bulge in his pants over my thigh, and he groaned. “You’re also torturing me.”
“I can fix that.” I waved my hand in his face. “I have fingers…or a mouth…or…or—”
“No.” He brushed his forefinger over my lips. “The first time I show you how much I really love you, I want us in a bed. Comfortable.”
I nodded. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t play here, right?”
He grinned, just the sudden flash of his teeth. “Absolutely not. I’m looking forward to hearing you lose control.”
I shivered at the promise in his voice, and my breathing quickened. “You’d better hope I don’t fall asleep first then. Do you always take this long?”
My bold tease worked, and he released the button at my waist and drew down my zipper. I almost grabbed his arm to prevent him from going any further, and my breath came in spurts. It had been a long time since anyone who loved me had touched me, and doubts ran through my head.
“You don’t have to.” I fell silent and waited for his reply.
“You’d deny me now?” He laughed lightly then sobered when he looked at me, and his hand stilled. “Unless you don’t want me to?”
I shook my head then nodded. “No, I mean yes. Yes, I want you to.”
“Then let me.” He placed another perfect kiss on my lips. “Because I really want to.” His voice deepened and seemed to flow over my skin. “I’m going to stroke your cock until you come. You’re going to be helpless in my arms and—”
“And I’ll love it,” I said on an exhale as I lifted my hips to allow him to push my jeans to my knees.
He teased me over the top of the fabric of my underwear then pressed the flat of his tongue to the tip of my cock where it couldn’t be contained.
I spasmed. “Oh, God.”
“It’s Rome,” he corrected. “No otherworldly beings or deities get to take credit for the way I make you feel.”
His eyes gleamed in the low light as he looked along the length of my body to meet my gaze, and I nodded. “Rome,” I whispered.
As if my use of his name galvanized him to action, he freed my cock to his hand and squeezed it lightly.
“Damn… we need lube,” he murmured. “I’ll be right back.”
I tried not to think about the fact he apparently kept sex lube in his desk drawer, and focused instead on my cock, lying almost flat against my belly. I remembered Rome’s touch, and heat flooded to the base of my cock. I gasped.
“You okay?” Rome sat back down by my side, his own arousal plain to see.
I nodded. “I just want you…very badly,” I confessed.
He squeezed some lube into his hand and looked at me, one eyebrow raised. “Oh, yeah? How badly?”
“Very.” I assumed him.
He cupped my balls. “This badly?”
“More,” I whispered.
He gave a short stroke partway up my dick. “This badly?”
“More,” I ground out.
He stroked me again but avoided my head and I nearly moaned with the frustration of it.
“This badly?” he asked a third time, and I groaned.
“More… Please, more,” I whimpered.
Then I gasped as he stroked me again, right from base to tip, and I writhed under his hand, trying to thrust against him…with him… seeking.
“Grady,” he murmured, and I moved in time to him, all of my attention focused on my cock and the nerves that seemed to run from there all over my body, making me prickle and tingle all over.
I began to breathe heavier as pressure began to grow at the base of my cock.
“Rome,” I gasped. “I think I’m close.”
As I watched him, he bent low and sucked the head of my cock into his mouth, flicking his tongue over the top of it, and I gasped, bucking harder as if my cock had decided that more of it needed to be in his mouth.
I pushed my fingers into his hair and tangled it, gripping the strands.
His gentle suction nearly drove me crazy, and I let one of my hands drop to his lap so I could caress him, too.
He moved slightly like he was trying to pull away then moaned onto my dick, and the vibrations shot straight through me. When he took his mouth from me, he was breathing hard and keeping his stroking even as he tried to find some friction for his own dick.
It all turned me on—his touch on me, and him moving against me almost against his will.
“I want you so bad,” he murmured. “Shit, Gray.”
As my name left his lips, the pleasure grew too much. “Rome,” I gasped. “Rome, I’m going to come.”
He stroked his palm over the head one last time, and I gurgled a sound I’d never made before as my back arched and cum spurted from my cock. As it twitched for a final time, I sighed, my body feeling like a puddle of melted Jell-O.
“That was incredible,” I told him.
He smirked and flicked his tongue across his palm. “Mmm.” His eyes held challenge. “Next time, I’ll taste you properly.”
I spasmed again, part with the aftershock of my powerful orgasm, part at the thought of his promise.
“Can I touch you?” I sounded meek and wiped out, but I wanted to.
“Not today. This was all for you.” He pulled a soft towel from somewhere and began to carefully wipe me clean.
I sucked in a breath.
“Sorry, I know you’re still a bit sensitive.” But he didn’t sound sorry, and I grinned.
“No worries, I’ll have my revenge next time.” I looked forward to it, in fact.
14
Rome
It was hard to concentrate on work when I had a date with Grady later. Our first official one. And I intended to show him a really good time. I couldn’t let my opportunity slip by—not when I’d waited so many years for the chance to truly
show him how I felt.
The elevator pinged, signaling someone’s arrival but I didn’t pay too much attention to it until a figure hesitated by my doorway.
“Can I come in?”
I looked up and met the gaze of Eli. Well, that was interesting. He was certainly the last person I expected to darken the door of Hayes Financial. And, if he’d had any sense, he probably wouldn’t have bothered.
I didn’t reply to him. I just lifted my chin. He had absolutely nothing to say that I wanted to hear.
He stood just inside the door, like he didn’t dare come any further inside my office, and I watched him, not inviting him to speak, enjoying his growing discomfort.
“I need your help.” He closed his eyes, pain that he even had to ask evident in the taut lines of his face.
I couldn’t help my grin. Eli was clearly a very desperate man to be standing in my office, asking me for help. I leaned back in my chair and it creaked under my movement. This could be a very interesting couple of minutes.
“Can you help me?” He opened his eyes and looked at me as he murmured his plea.
I straightened my mouth, flattening my lips as I watched him. I wanted him to squirm for a moment before I said anything. “You want help from me?”
He nodded.
“You do know I should be beating the shit out of you for the way you’ve treated Grady? I believe we’ve spoken before about how protective I can be of what’s mine?”
He responded with the smallest of nods, and I stood, the movement abrupt.
I smirked as he jumped, but I had to grudgingly respect the fact he didn’t immediately run from my office, no matter how threatened he might have felt.
“But—” I continued speaking. “I know Grady really well, and I know how hurt he would be if I beat you even a little bit—no matter how much you deserve that from me.” And no matter how badly I wanted to avenge Gray.
