Chapter 14 #2
“Dexter, look at me.” Their eyes connected. “My career is mine. The only person who can take it away is me. My experience is all mine. The only thing Alex can take from me is a job, and I can just get another one.”
“Won’t he report you to the regulator?”
“Not after what happened with Natasha. Just trust me to handle it. I have my catch-up with him on Monday morning, so I’ll have spoken to him before you come in. You can work at home, you know? Ease yourself back in. And I would say the same to anyone, before you moan about special treatment.”
“I would prefer to be in the office. It’ll be easier to get back into a routine.”
“Okay, well, you can change your mind if you want. Now, let me get you those paracetamol, and then we can cuddle for a bit before I make breakfast.”
Dexter wouldn’t argue with that. If looking after Dexter made Simon happy, then who was he to stop him?
It was just after lunch when they arrived at Simon’s place.
It was a townhouse in north London, so not cheap.
He’d known Simon was well off, but not this well off.
It would normally intimidate Dexter, but not now he knew the man Simon was.
He suspected Simon’s ego had bought this house, and was probably why he still lived in it, but he’d keep that to himself.
He loved the guy regardless. His ego was part of his charm.
“What are you grinning at?” asked Simon.
“I like your house.”
“Let me guess. You think my ego bought this house?”
“Can you read minds or something?”
Simon laughed. “Not minds.” He kissed him on the neck. “Just bodies.”
Dexter shivered. After breakfast, Simon had given him a frustratingly slow fuck, making Dexter hold back his orgasm for an hour.
He’d almost passed out when he’d finally been able to cum.
It was just what he’d needed, despite his needy protests during.
Dexter had never had a partner before who knew exactly what he needed better than he did himself.
Simon opened the door, and the sound of music met them, and delicious-smelling food. Did someone else live here?
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” said Simon.
“Is someone here?”
“Yes, I’m sorry, but you’re about to meet my ex-husband, who is a bit deluded.”
Dexter frowned. Why was Simon’s ex-husband here?
Did they still live together like Dexter had thought?
It could just be a transactional reason, but why hadn’t he said anything, especially before inviting him here?
Dexter watched Simon take out his phone and send a message to someone.
He couldn’t see who it was. What was he being secretive about?
“Do you want to wait outside? This might get unpleasant.”
“Unpleasant? How?”
“Is that you, honey?”
A good-looking guy in his forties walked out wearing an apron. He was sprinkled with flour, so he must have been baking, which explained the smell.
“You must be Dexter. It’s so wonderful to meet you,” he said, holding out his hand.
Dexter instinctively shook it.
“My darling husband has told me so much about you. I thought we agreed we weren’t bringing our fuck buddies into the house, Simon?”
Dexter wasn’t sure what to think. He looked at Simon, who was bright red, but in a way that said he wanted to rip his ex-husband’s head off. But hadn’t he referred to his husband in the present tense? The only thing Dexter knew was that he didn’t have a fucking clue what was going on.
“How did you get into my house again, Jared?” asked Simon through clenched teeth. “You know you’re not supposed to be here.”
“Ooh, are we role-playing again? We don’t usually play together, but I can make an exception for this one. He’s cute.”
Jared stroked Dexter’s face and smiled at him, but it was giving off serial-killer vibes. Dexter didn’t want to be pulled into whatever game the two of them were playing with each other.
“Do not touch him,” snapped Simon, slapping Jared’s hand away.
“Fine. I won’t play with your toy. Just change the sheets if you’re going to fuck him in our bed.”
Jared walked off into the house, and Simon rushed after him, leaving Dexter on his own.
The door was right behind him. He could just leave, and let Simon deal with whatever was going on.
There was no obvious explanation for why his supposed ex-husband was in his house, and baking something that smelt annoyingly delicious.
Giving himself a second to process and stop his brain spiralling, he was certain of one thing – Simon would never intentionally hurt him, so he had to keep an open mind.
He wasn’t sure whether he should follow Simon or stay put.
He’d suggested Dexter wait outside, so that implied he didn’t want him in the middle of whatever this was.
“How could you do this to me?” screamed Jared, followed by the sound of smashing glass.
Dexter rushed towards where the sound was coming from.
The sound of more glass breaking could be heard.
Simon and Jared were in the open kitchen diner, which looked like a flour bomb had gone off in it.
Jared was screaming hysterically, and Simon was keeping his distance but trying to calm him down.
Dexter had a few crazy exes, but this was next level.
“You!” shrieked Jared, pointing at Dexter. “You ruined my marriage.”
He ran at Dexter, but didn’t get very far as Simon grabbed him.
“You don’t touch him,” said Simon, with such anger in his voice Dexter was startled.
Jared started smacking Simon, and clawing at him.
“Get off me. How could you do this to me? How could you leave me for him? Why don’t you love me anymore?”
It went on and on, but Simon didn’t let go of him, just taking all the blows Jared gave him. Dexter felt like he should do something, but if he got close, he’d be in the crossfire. There was a loud bang on the door.
“Get the door, Dexter,” shouted Simon.
He didn’t have to be told twice as he ran to the door and opened it to find two police officers.
“Are you Mr Woods? We received a call about an intruder.”
“Intruder? He’s in there.”
Jared was still screaming, so the police knew where to go. Dexter closed the front door. By the time Dexter was back in the kitchen, Jared was pinned to the floor, cuffed and sobbing.
“He’s my ex-husband, Jared Woods. He doesn’t have a key to this house. All the locks have been changed several times, and he still keeps gaining access. I also have a restraining order out against him. I can get you the details.”
Dexter was dumbstruck. When had all this happened, and why hadn’t Simon told him about any of it?
“When was the injunction taken out, Mr Woods?” asked the officer.
“About three months ago.”
Dexter didn’t know what to think. During the time they’d been together, Simon had needed to get a restraining order against his ex-husband, who was clearly unwell.
He’d said Jared had broken in before. Why hadn’t he said anything?
Did he think Dexter couldn’t handle it? Dexter had told Simon everything about his life.
Before he could catastrophise any more, he looked at Simon, who had scratches on his face and blood on his cheeks. The man he loved was hurt, and here Dexter was, stuck in his own head and making this all about himself.
“Come here, baby,” said Simon, holding his arm out, a concerned look on his face.
Dexter rushed over to him so quickly Simon had to steady himself with the kitchen side.
“This is my boyfriend, Dexter. He’s been through a lot lately, so I’d appreciate it if we could deal with all this as quickly as possible.”
Dexter cuddled into him. Even with all the crazy shit Simon had just had to deal with, he was still putting Dexter first. He’d let nothing and no one cause him to doubt this man again.