Henry (The Beck Brothers)

by Large, Andria

  " Hi Bastian", Ethan said, ducking his head shyly.

  Sebastian swung his head around to look at Claire, " You have a kid?", he asked, shocked.

  Claire nodded. Sebastian stared at her for a moment before turning back to Ethan. " Uh, hey little man, what's up?", Sebastian said and sat down next to him.

  " Nothin", Ethan shrugged, running his car over the table before glancing over at Sebastian to study him. " You wook wike Henwee", Ethan said to Sebastian, who smiled.

  " That's because we're brothers", Sebastian replied.

  Claire smiled as the two started chatting about cars. She had just finished cooking a big pan of scrambled eggs when Henry walked into the kitchen dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Claire couldn't help but stare. His hair was still damp and his face was clean shaven. And he looked fantastic in his worn jeans and vintage t-shirt. Henry came up behind her and looked at the food over her shoulder. She could feel the heat from his body, he was that close.

  " Smells good and I'm actually hungry, which I take as a good sign", Henry murmured close to her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

  " Yeah, that's a good thing", Claire managed to get out in a normal tone.

  Henry moved towards her right and opened the cabinet to grab plates. He also grabbed silverware and glasses. Then he went to the fridge and took out the orange juice. He put that on the table before going to the coffee maker and getting it started. It all seemed so normal. It was unrehearsed, yet they moved around the kitchen together like it was something they did everyday. Claire found herself longing for this to be an everyday thing with Henry. Dammit.

  At the park, Claire pretty much just sat on the bench while Henry and Ethan played. Again Claire was baffled by this whole other side to Henry. He was laughing and running and chasing and just having an all out good time with Ethan. He pushed Ethan on the swing for a little while. Then they played on the jungle gym. He even slid down the slide with Ethan. Claire just sat and watched and smiled and laughed along with them. She's never seen Ethan so happy. And it took everything she had not to tear up.

  After about two hours of playing, Henry walked over to Claire with Ethan in his arms. Ethan was laying his head on Henry's shoulder. The kid had to be pooped. And it was getting close to his nap time.

  Claire stood, " Ready to go?", she asked with a soft smile.

  " Yeah, I think he's done", Henry smiled back, gazing at her with something close to love in his eyes making Claire's heart pound.

  Claire nodded and they headed back to Henry's car, which Claire had put Ethan's car seat in. Claire didn't have a car, but she had a car seat for whenever she needed it. Ethan had wanted to bring Henry his picture this morning, so Claire put the car seat in Henry's car this morning. She was glad she did.

  Henry put Ethan in the car seat but let Claire strap him in, since he didn't know how to use it. Henry did watch over her shoulder though. Almost as soon as they pulled out of the parking lot, Ethan was out. Claire smiled and shook her head. She couldn't remember the last time Ethan had gotten so worn out that he passed out like that.

  " So, am I taking you home?", Henry asked quietly.

  " Yeah, that way he can finish his nap in his bed", Claire replied.

  Henry nodded, looking a little disappointed.

  " Did you have fun?", Claire asked him, a knowing smirk on her face.

  Henry smiled brightly, those elusive dimples making an appearance, " Yeah, I did"

  " Good", Claire said warmly.

  " Ethan's a great kid", Henry murmured, watching the road as he shifted gears.

  " Thank you", Claire said, then had to clear the emotion from her throat, " He really has become quite fond of you, he's constantly talking about you, he even named his sock monkey Mr. Henry Monkey", she giggled.

  Henry laughed and shook his head before glancing in the rear view to check on Ethan, as he had done about twenty times already. " I haven't been around a lot of kids, so I'm kinda surprised that we get along so well"

  " Sometimes you can't help who you become friends with", Claire said, biting back a smile as she watched Henry.

  Henry glanced at her, eyebrow raised, " Oh, so Ethan and I are friends?", he asked curiously, amusement glinting in his green eyes.

  " According to him, you're his new best friend", Claire confirmed with a nod.

  Henry smiled softly, " Yeah okay, he's got me there"

  Claire chuckled. The rest of the ride was silent, but a comfortable silence. Henry's smile seemed permanent. Claire has never seen his smile so much in one day, let alone have a smile stay on his face for extended periods of time. Claire had a feeling that a little someone just stole Henry's heart right out from under her. Claire couldn't help but smile at the thought. Henry was a good role model and Claire would make sure that he remained in Ethan's life, no matter what.

  Chapter 7

  " Honey, do you remember my buddy Jack Landon's son Zack?", Claire's father, Frank, asked her.

  Claire glanced over her shoulder at him. She was in her kitchen cooking them dinner. " Uh, yeah, I think so, why?", she asked, playing dumb. Of course she remembered Zack. She could never forget a man that gorgeous. She hadn't seen him in 10 years but there was no way he could have gotten ugly, it just wasn't possible.

  " Well I just saw Zack yesterday for the first time in years, he's doing really well for himself. He's a doctor now. And he asked about you", Frank said, watching her.

  Claire spun around, " He asked about me?", she gulped.

  Her dad smiled, " Yeah, he wanted to know how you were doing. I told him about Ethan"

  " Oh", Claire muttered, knowing that was probably the end of that conversation. He wouldn't be interested in her now.

  " Zack is a pediatrician. Loves kids. He asked for me to give you his number. He wants to take you out", Frank said with a pleased smile.

  Claire blushed, " Really?", she smiled.

  Her dad nodded, " Here, why don't you call him now?", he said, walking over to her and handing her a piece of paper with Zack's number on it.

  Claire stared at it. Her thoughts jumping to Henry and what he would think. She shook that away. It was none of Henry's business. He was her boss and semi-friend. He didn't have anything to do with her love life. Maybe if she went out with someone else she could get over the stupid crush she had on him. It's been three and a half months since she started working for him. She needed to stop thinking about him, they were never going to be together.

  So Claire picked up her phone and called Zack. He sounded sexy as hell on the phone and they made a date for that Saturday night. Claire was practically giddy afterwards. Her dad found it funny and had laughed at her. She hadn't been on a date in two years. But she was definitely due.

  That Saturday rolled around and her dad took Ethan back to his house so that Claire could get ready in peace. She took a shower, blew dry her hair and curled it. Put on make-up then got dressed in a sexy short black cocktail dress and killer red platform pumps. She put on red lipstick to match her shoes then went and stood in front of the mirror. Damn she looked good. She turned, checking out her ass. Looking good there too. Claire had worked damn hard to get back to her pre-baby body and she was proud of it. And glad that she was finally going to be able to show it off.

  A knock on her door had her stomach turning nervously. Her heart started to pound as she went to get it. After smoothing her hands down the front of her dress, she opened the door. Standing in her doorway was Zack Landon. And holy shit was the man gorgeous. Not as gorgeous as Henry, but still handsome in his own way. He had dark brown hair that was a lot longer then Henry's. It touched Zack's collar in the back. It was kinda sexy. He had golden hazel eyes with long dark lashes. His nose was a bit big for his face but his pretty smile countered that. He actually looked a bit like Bradley Cooper. He wasn't as tall as Henry either, maybe about 5'11-6'.

  Zack was dressed in a nice black suit with a pale blue shirt and dark blue tie. He looked thin, but she didn't think he came even
close to having the muscle built of Henry. And why the hell did she keep comparing this guy to Henry?! Shit! She had to get him out of her head. After taking care of him for a week while he was sick had really screwed with her head.

  " Zack! Hi!", She greeted him and moved aside so that he could come in. " Let me just grab my purse then we can go"

  " Okay", He said, moving into her apartment and shutting the door behind him, " You look beautiful Claire"

  Claire blushed. Not used to getting complimented, " Thank you. You look great yourself"

  Zack smiled his handsome smile, " Thanks"

  After Claire grabbed her silver clutch purse, they headed to dinner. Zack took her to Maggiano's down town. It was a fantastic and expensive Italian restaurant. They had a delicious dinner. The conversation was great too. They had seemed to really click. He told her all about his work and how he had struggled to open his own pediatric practice. She told him some about her job, trying not to talk too much about Henry.

  After dinner, they decided to go to the homey little pub down the street. Claire had never been there and Zack insisted that they make the best drinks. So they walked down to the pub and found a high two seater table against the wall.

  Henry walked into the pub behind Sebastian. He hadn't really felt like going out tonight but Sebastian somehow talked him into it. He guessed he did need to relax a bit. And this place had Guinness on tap, his favorite. He hopped onto the stool next to Sebastian, who had already ordered then both a pint of Guinness.

  They started a tab and took the glasses the pretty redheaded bartender set in front of them. They clinked their glasses together then took a few gulps. They both smacked their lips together and said " Ahhhh" when they set their glasses down. The beer was so good.

  " That's good", Henry sighed, relaxing a bit.

  Sebastian nodded in agreement.

  Henry felt himself relax a bit more as he took another sip. Then he almost choked on his beer when he heard a familiar female voice squeal and call his name. Henry set his glass down and spun on his stool just as Claire sauntered her way over to him. And holy shit did she good fucking hot.

  She was in this sexy black number that was short and showed her off shapely tanned legs. Her heels were insanely high, he had no idea how she was even walking in them. Her long strawberry blonde hair was down and loosely curled and her make-up looked fantastic. Much more dramatic then what she did for work. The red lipstick had his cock straining painfully against his zipper. He could only imagine what those red lips would look like wrapped around his dick. He almost groaned out loud, but caught himself.

  " Claire", He said, shocked to see her here.

  She was most definitely drunk, he could tell just by her eyes, which were half shut and glassy. Her face was flushed and she swayed a little bit as she made her way over to him. Henry glanced behind him to see a man following her. Jealousy reared it's ugly green head. Was she on a date?!

  Claire raked an appreciative gaze over him, which made him smile smugly. She stepped between his spread knees and poked him in the chest with her finger.

  " What are you doing here Mr. Beck?", she slurred, leaning close to his face. Her breath smelled like pineapple juice, so whatever she was drinking was something fruity.

  Henry couldn't help but watch those sexy lips of hers, which were only inches from his own. He couldn't help but lick his own lips. " I'm just hanging out with Sebastian", her murmured, nodding his head in his brother's direction.

  She glanced to his left and smiled at Sebastian. " Hey handsome"

  Sebastian raised an eyebrow and smiled as he shook his head at her state of drunkenness, " Hi there gorgeous"

  " How much have you had to drink?", Henry asked, bringing her attention back to him.

  Claire shrugged and stumbled to the side. Henry grabbed her hips before she fell over.

  " I was just going to take her home", the guy behind her said, grabbing her arm to move her out of Henry's grasp.

  " And you are?", Henry asked with a frown.

  " Dr. Zack Landon, Claire's date", he said with a smug smile of his own.

  " Zack, this is my boss Henry", Claire giggled and pinched Henry's cheek.

  Henry shook his head, unable to stop the smile that curled his lips. He liked drunk Claire. What he didn't like though was that Claire was on a date. She hadn't mentioned anything about a date to him. Not that she had any obligation to, but it would have been nice to know.

  " Henry, your eyes are sooo green", Claire murmured, her eyes going a bit wide as she stared at his eyes.

  Henry frowned at her, that was weird.

  Zack gave him a tight smile before putting his arm possessively around Claire's shoulders. " Come on Claire, I'll take you home and get you in bed"

  Henry didn't like the sound of that. " Claire, why don't you hang out with me and Sebastian for a bit?", he suggested, knowing that she would most likely accept the invitation.

  Claire smiled brightly and shrugged out from under Zack's arm. She moved back to stand between his knees. " Will you buy me a drink boss man?", she purred, poking his chest again.

  Henry smiled, " Of course"

  " Claire, I think you need to go home, you've had enough to drink", Zack insisted, taking her hand and giving her a gentle tug.

  Claire turned to look at her date. " But I want to hang out with the boss man", she pouted, leaning back against Henry's chest.

  Zack's eyes narrowed and Henry could tell the guy was jealous. He probably wanted to get Claire home to take advantage of her drunken state. Get her in bed and fuck her while she's took drunk to think clearly.

  " I think I need to take you home and get you some coffee", Zack said, giving her hand a little tug.

  Henry wrapped his arm around Claire's waist to prevent Zack from pulling her away. " You're awfully insistive on taking her back to her place", Henry said, glaring at the man over Claire's shoulder.

  " Well, she is my date, I should be the one to take her home", Zack snapped, " Let's go Claire"

  Claire frowned, " But I want to...", she started, but Zack cut her off.

  " Are you really going to ditch me on our first date Claire?", Zack asked, a bit to condescending for Henry.

  Henry heard Sebastian snort. Was this guy really trying to make her feel guilty to get back to her place so he can get her into bed? What an asshole! Henry scowled at the dickhead in front of him and pulled Claire more firmly against him. Claire sighed and dropped her head back onto his shoulder.

  " Listen asshole, you're not going to take her home. I know what you want and it's not going to happen. She's too drunk to think straight", Henry said, going Zack a pointed look.

  Zack looked at him in disbelief and whispered viciously, " Are you serious? You're gonna cockblock me, man? What the hell do you think the point of coming here was?"

  Henry saw red. He stood with Claire still firmly against him. Henry's face must have showed how furious he was because Zack dropped Claire's hand and took a couple steps back. Sebastian too was now standing, a murderous expression on his face. Claire turned in Henry's arms and tucked her face against his neck. Her hands wondered over his chest and stomach.

  " Mmm, so hard", she murmured.

  Henry jerked in surprise when her mouth opened on his neck and she started licking and nipping his skin. Claire pressed herself more firmly against him, her body practically vibrating. What the hell was she doing? Henry let out a yelp of surprise when Claire shoved her hand down the front of his pants.

  " Claire!", Henry choked and grabbed her wrist, yanking her hand back out.

  Zack's eyes widened slightly and the color drained from his face, giving Henry a bad feeling.

  Claire moaned and rubbed herself against him, still kissing his neck. Henry fought a shiver. Her lips and body felt amazing against his, but something was wrong. Even drunk, he didn't think Claire would do this.

  " Touch me Henry", she breathed.

  Henry glanced at Sebastian, who was frowning
down at Claire. He knew something was up too. They both turned back to glare at Zack. " What did you give her?", Henry bit out.

  Zack swallowed hard and shook his head, " N-nothing".

  " You're a horrible liar", Sebastian drawled.

  Henry shoved Claire into Sebastian's arms. He couldn't take her touching him anymore. He was hard as a rock and having a hard time thinking with her hands all over him. Claire didn't seem to mind. She immediately latched onto Sebastian's neck and shoved her hands up his shirt. She murmured something about feeling so fucking good that had Henry gritting his teeth.

  " What the fuck did you give her?!", Henry shouted, gripping Zack up by his lapels.