Chapter 9 Clark
I stood in the sleek, modern lobby of Innovatech Solutions, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the day Alex and I were starting our new jobs as graphic designers. It felt like a dream come true, the culmination of all our hard work and dedication since graduating with our design degrees a few years ago.
Alex and I made a great team. His innovative ideas and my attention to detail had landed us some impressive freelance gigs and built up a solid portfolio. But this was our first big break in the corporate world.
The towering glass windows, the hushed conversations of smartly-dressed employees rushing by, it was all so different from the cozy, creative chaos of our home office.
I glanced over at Alex, who seemed to be in his element, chatting animatedly with the receptionist about the latest exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art.
As if sensing my gaze, he turned to me with a grin. "Can you believe we're actually going to be working for the loves of our lives?" he stage-whispered. "I mean, talk about mixing business with pleasure."
A laugh bubbled up in my throat. "We can't say things like that here!" I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard. "They're our bosses. We have to be professional."
"Oh please, like you weren't making heart eyes at Brody all through that video call last night," Alex scoffed, bumping his shoulder against mine. "Face it, we're both in way over our heads with these two. But hey, at least we'll have each other if they break our hearts with their stupidly perfect faces and personalities. Speaking of," he continued, nodding towards the elevators.
I followed his gaze and I caught sight of Will and Brody striding towards us. They made a striking pair. Will in his impeccably tailored suit and polished wingtips, Brody in a crisp button-down and dark jeans that hugged his muscular frame in all the right places.
“Hey, guys. Finish the paperwork here and we’ll meet you on the ninth floor, okay?” Brody said with a smile before leaving with Will.
Wrapping up the formalities, we stepped into the elevator and Alex leaned in close to me, his voice low and conspiratorial. "God, I’m so excited. I think I might faint if Will so much as looks in my direction."
I bit back a snort, elbowing him gently in the ribs. "Get it together, man. We're supposed to be cool and collected, remember?"
"Right. Totally profesh." Alex took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders and schooling his features into a serious expression. But I could see the twinkle in his eye, the barely-contained excitement and nervousness that mirrored my own.
My nerves eased a bit as Alex launched into a series of observations. "I'm calling dibs on the spinning chair closest to the window. I need my daily dose of vitamin D to keep this flawless complexion."
As the elevator doors opened onto a bright, airy office space, Will and Brody turned to us with matching smiles. "Welcome to InnovaTech, guys," Will said, his deep voice making Alex shiver. "We're so thrilled to have you joining the team."
"The pleasure is all ours," Alex purred, stepping forward to shake Will's hand. Their touch lingered a beat too long to be strictly professional, their gazes locked in a heated exchange that made me feel like I was intruding on something private.
"I have to say, I was very impressed by your portfolio," Will continued, his eyes never leaving Alex's face. "The way you use color and negative space to convey emotion and movement is truly stunning."
Alex preened under the praise, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Clark here is the real mastermind behind our designs. I just add the razzle-dazzle."
Brody turned to me then, his gaze warm and appreciative. "Just between us? I think those dinosaurs on your tie are absolutely adorable."
"Thanks," I managed, my voice coming out a little breathless. "I figured, if I'm going to be spending my days staring at a computer screen, I might as well have some friendly faces to keep me company."
As we settled into the sleek, modern conference room, I felt a buzz of anticipation thrumming through my veins. Brody took his place at the head of the table, his presence commanding yet approachable. I nodded eagerly as I listened, my mind already brimming with ideas.
Alex suggested mini-games and puzzles, so the kids can display their achievements and connect with friends.
“Oh, that reminds me!" Alex snapped his fingers. "Clark, I meant to ask. Where did you get those adorable dinosaur sheets for your bed? I was thinking they'd be perfect for the science section in the app, maybe as a background pattern or something."
I froze, my heart plummeting into my stomach. Oh god. He did not just bring up my bedding in front of Brody and Will. My very childish, very not-suitable-for-a-professional-setting bedding.
"Um," I said eloquently, my voice strangled. "I mean, I'm not sure if that's really relevant to the project."
But it was too late. Brody was already leaning forward, his eyebrows raised in curious amusement. "Dinosaur sheets, huh? That's an interesting choice. Any particular reason for the theme, or do you just really love Jurassic Park?"
I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole, to transport me to a parallel universe where I wasn't being interrogated about my Little nature by the most attractive man I'd ever met.
"It's just a silly inside joke," I stammered, shooting Alex a desperate look. "Something from our college days, you know how it is. Let's move on.”
But Alex, damn him, was on a roll. "Oh, it's more than just a joke," he said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Our boy Clarkie here has a whole playground in his bedroom. Stuffed animals, nightlights, the works. It's like walking into a kindergarten classroom, I swear."
If looks could kill, Alex would have been a smoldering pile of ash on the conference room floor. I felt my face burning with humiliation, my hands clenching into fists under the table.
How could he do this to me? How could he expose my deepest, most vulnerable secret in front of the people I most wanted to impress?
I risked a glance at Brody, bracing myself for disgust or mockery. But to my surprise, his expression was soft, almost tender.
"There's nothing wrong with holding onto a little childhood magic," he said gently, his gaze never leaving mine. "In fact, I think it's kind of beautiful.”
He didn't think I was weird or immature or pathetic. He saw the beauty in my quirks, the value in my vulnerability.
I swallowed hard, trying to regain my composure. He smiled, reaching out to give my hand a quick, reassuring squeeze.
Alex, who had been watching our exchange with a mixture of guilt and fascination, whispered to me. "Hey, sorry, man. I didn't mean to blurt that out. Sometimes my mouth runs away from me, you know? I find it hard to keep a secret when there’re more than one dom in the room."
I sighed, some of the anger draining out of me. I knew Alex hadn't meant any harm.
"It's okay," I whispered back, offering him a small, forgiving smile. "Just try to keep the Little talk to a minimum in front of our bosses, yeah?"
"Scout's honor," he said, holding up three fingers in a salute. "From now on, I'll be the picture of professionalism. A regular Mr. Rogers, minus the sweater vest."
"Somehow, I doubt that. But I appreciate the effort."
I couldn't help but reflect on how far Alex and I had come. There was a time, back in college, when a slipup like this would have sent me spiraling into a full-blown meltdown.
I remembered one particularly bad incident, when a drunk Alex had accidentally let it slip to our entire dorm floor that I still slept hugging my stuffie. I hadn't spoken to Alex for a full day, too hurt and humiliated to even look him in the eye.
But he refused to give up on me. He had camped outside my door, pleading and apologizing and leaving me little gifts - candy, drawings, silly poems - until I finally cracked and let him in. And then he had held me while I cried, whispering words of comfort and acceptance and unshakeable friendship.
"I'm so sorry, Clarkie," he had murmured, rocking me gently. "I never meant to hurt you. I would never intentionally make you feel ashamed. You're my best friend, my brother. I love you."
Now as the meeting wrapped up, Brody and Will exchanged a meaningful look.
"Actually, before we get to work, we have one more activity planned," Brody said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "A little team-building exercise, if you will."
I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What did you have in mind?"
Will grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Trust falls," he announced, a note of glee in his voice.
As if reading my mind, Alex leaned over and whispered in my ear. "Looks like you're about to get up close and personal with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dreamy. Try not to swoon too hard, yeah?"
I elbowed him in the ribs, shooting him a glare. "No," I hissed, feeling my face heat up. "It's just a stupid team-building thing. Don't make it weird."
"Oh, I don't have to," Alex said. "You two are doing a fine job of that all on your own."
Before I could get a word out, Brody was calling us over to the open space in the middle of the room. I found myself standing opposite Brody, our eyes locking in a moment of charged anticipation.
"Just try not to drop me, yeah?"
Brody clutched his chest, feigning offense. "I'll have you know I'm a certified trust fall professional. Got my degree from the University of Catching Cute Men."
I burst out laughing, some of the tension draining from my shoulders. And with that, I let myself fall backwards, my eyes squeezing shut as I braced for impact. But instead of the hard, unforgiving floor, I found myself caught in a warm, solid embrace, Brody's arms wrapping securely around my waist.
For a moment, we just stood there, my back pressed against his chest, his breath tickling the back of my neck. It felt right, somehow.
But then Brody let out an exaggerated grunt, staggering backwards like he was struggling under my weight. "Oof, what have you been eating, Clark?" he wheezed, pretending to stumble and sway. "Feels like I'm trying to catch a baby elephant."
I twisted around in Brody's arms, swatting at his chest with mock indignation. "Excuse you, I am a delicate flower," I said, sticking my nose in the air. "Light as a feather, I'll have you know."
"More like light as a sack of bricks," Brody retorted, but his eyes were sparkling with mirth and affection. "Remind me to never challenge you to a piggyback race."
Alex walked towards Will, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Think you can handle all this, big guy?" Alex asked, striking a ridiculous pose. "Or are you afraid you'll be overwhelmed by my stunning good looks and charm?"
Will snorted, pushing off the wall and striding over to stand behind Alex. "Please, I've seen golden retrievers with more self-control than you. I could catch you in my sleep."
Will obediently held out his arms, bracing himself for Alex's weight. What followed was a display of overblown dramatics and flailing limbs. Alex let out a high-pitched shriek as he toppled backwards, his arms pinwheeling wildly.
But Will caught him easily, hauling him up against his chest with an exasperated eye roll. "You're a menace, you know that?" he said, but there was a fondness in his voice that belied his gruff exterior.
Hours later, it was time to head home when the clock ticked past six. The clock’s rhythmic pulse was a counterpoint to the symphony of keyboard clicks and muffled phone calls that echoed through the office. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, reluctant to finalize my first idea draft before me.
Just then, a chime from the intercom interrupted my thoughts. "Clark, could you please come see me in my office?" Brody's familiar voice rang out, steady and professional as always.
I locked my computer and made my way down the long hallway of cubicles to Brody's corner office. I knocked twice on the heavy wooden door before turning the handle and stepping inside.
"You wanted to see me?" I asked tentatively, closing the door behind me with a soft click.
He was seated at his desk, feigning a serious expression. As I entered, he rose, his tall frame towering over me as he shut the door with a soft click.
His facade of seriousness crumbled, replaced by a playful smirk. "Clark," he purred, his voice a low rumble that sent a wave of heat through me, "come closer."
Brody's eyes held mine captive. I saw my own desire reflected in their depths. He stepped closer, his body heat a tangible presence, his scent, a blend of musk and cedarwood.
Our lips met, a collision of need and want. His tongue traced the seam of my mouth, seeking entrance, and I yielded, our breaths mingling in a symphony of gasps and sighs. His hands roamed my body, charting the landscape of my back, my arms, pulling me closer until there was no space between us, just the frantic beat of our hearts echoing in the silence.
And then, he suddenly stopped. “Just wanted to give you something to think about on your first day of work. See you tomorrow.”
He couldn’t stop now. Not when I had a boner. But then again, we were at work.
That night back at my apartment, I was settling onto my cozy couch when my phone buzzed with an incoming video call.
"Hey," I said, accepting the call with a playful grin. "If it isn't my favorite trust fall partner. To what do I owe the pleasure of this late-night chat?"
Brody chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief even through the slightly pixelated screen. "What, a guy can't call his favorite coworker just to say hello? And here I thought we had something special."
I laughed, settling back against my couch cushions with a contented sigh. "I'm pretty sure HR would frown upon us exploring that particular avenue of team bonding."
"Ah, pity," Brody said. "And here I was hoping to get some one-on-one time with you, away from the prying eyes of our esteemed colleagues."
"Careful," I teased, biting my lip to hold back a giddy smile. "Keep talking like that, and I might just take you up on that offer. And then where would we be?"
"In a world of trouble, most likely," he said, his voice dropping to a low, intimate rumble. "But damn if it wouldn't be worth it, just to see that pretty blush on your cheeks in person."
"Flatterer," I mumbled, trying and failing to sound stern.
We talked for a while longer, trading stories from our day, our laughter filling the small space of my living room. By the time we finally said our goodbyes, my cheeks were aching from smiling so hard.