Chapter Fifteen
When they got back to the Gene Control and Research headquarters, Gunnar briefed Emmett on the image they wanted him to take a look at.
He was excited and wanted to start right away, but because it was getting late, Gunnar sent him home.
“There will be time enough for that tomorrow. You need to get some rest so that you can employ that giant brain of yours effectively in the morning.”
“Okay,” Emmett said. “You have to promise to tell me about everything you learned from the FBI today. I emailed you and Bryn a list of everything I’ve done today, and I’ve added a few new case files to the folder of future work.” Emmett slipped on his coat. “You guys have a good evening, okay?”
“We will,” Gunnar replied, turning off the light in the office and going to find Bryn.
He wasn’t in his room, but Gunnar could hear the shower running.
It was very tempting to spy on him. Gunnar had no problem imagining Bryn naked, with soapy water cascading over his pale skin, his hair made even darker by the water.
He shivered and gave his crotch a thump. “Behave,” he muttered.
He went to the kitchen to investigate the possibilities for dinner and found that Emmett had stocked the fridge.
“Emmett, you are a complete treasure,” Gunnar muttered, feeling guilty that Emmett had gone home to cater for himself while he and Bryn were so well supplied.
“He works just as hard as we do.” He pulled a large cottage pie from the fridge.
The label told him that it had been supplied by a local delicatessen, a family-run small business known for its excellent reputation and high-quality food and takeout meals.
Gunnar realized now that they also supplied meals to cook at home.
He had a good sniff to check for any suspect scents before he put the pie into the stove to warm, then picked out some veggies to go with it.
He had just finished preparing them when Bryn came into the kitchen, his hair still damp.
“Thanks to Emmett, we have cottage pie and veggies for dinner, followed by apple pie and ice cream. He had the fridge stocked. You think he has any protection out there? He’s kinda vulnerable.”
Bryn immediately went to take a look. “Oh, wow, have you seen what’s in here? And knowing the way Warden looks at Emmett, there’s probably a whole team watching him that he won’t even be aware of.”
“Yeah, you could be right. We’ll be eating like kings. And much as I like to cook, after a long day it’s great that there’s something to slam in the stove.”
Bryn came to stand next to him. “You want me to help with anything?”
“I’m about done. Just need to throw the veggies in a pan. Do you want anything to drink?”
“A pint of brandy would hit the spot but I’ll settle for hot chocolate. Can we eat on the couch in front of a bad movie?”
“Considering we are a pair of grown-ass adults, we can do what the hell we like. Food will be another fifteen minutes or so. Why don’t you go make yourself comfortable and I’ll bring the drinks through in a bit.”
Bryn ambled away, humming to himself, and Gunnar got busy with the hot chocolate. When he took it through to their seating area, Bryn was on the couch, his feet tucked up under a blanket.
“That looks cozy.” Gunnar handed him a mug and Bryn blew on it before taking a sip.
“It is and this is really good.” He raised his mug in a toast. “Why don’t you get under here?” He held up a corner of the blanket. Gunnar didn’t say anything, just went to join him.
“You haven’t put anything on the TV.”
“I thought we should talk first. There isn’t just an elephant in this room, there’s a massive hairy mammoth.”
Gunnar snorted hot chocolate. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Give a guy some warning, won’t you?”
Bryn snickered. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not. So, what do you want to talk about?”
“Me. You. Us? All the excuses you gave me earlier today for us not being together were a pile of bull crap.”
“Do you ever get to a point with subtlety?” Gunnar asked.
“Nope. Dancing around a subject doesn’t get me anywhere generally.
Look, all I want to know is whether you agree that there’s something between us.
A spark. When I touch you, your future intent swings from bike rides in the open countryside, to running as hard as you can, to bending me over the nearest flat surface. ”
Gunnar sighed. “Not sure all of those surfaces were flat, but I like the idea of all three of those.”
“And if you had to choose?”
“Don’t push your luck, brat. Yes, there’s a spark, I’m not gonna deny it.”
“But?”
“Look, I think we should get the Walmart case out of the way. Focus on work while we get to know each other better. We’re collecting a lot of enemies and I don’t want to lose my focus when I’m supposed to be protecting your very cute ass.”
“But that’s not a never?”
“No. My willpower isn’t that good.” Gunnar nudged Bryn’s shoulder. “Denial. Anticipation. Think how good it’ll be when I finally get my hands on you.”
“Oh God.” Bryn moaned. “Try to remember I’m a twenty-one-year-old healthy male, Gunnar.”
“I’m twenty-seven, my dick isn’t fossilized just yet.”
“Bet it gets hard as rock, though.” Bryn snorted with laughter.
“Christ, you need a spanking in the worst way. I’m going to dish up.”
“The food or a paddling?”
“Fuck’s sake.” Gunnar ran for the kitchen. He stuck his head in the fridge and sucked in some chilled air. Then grabbed a bag of peas from the freezer compartment to press against his crotch. Why the ever-loving heck am I doing this to myself?
After he’d plated two dinners he stood in the doorway for a minute, watching. Bryn had chosen something on the TV and was smiling at whatever was on. He’s mine. Soon. If I was an actual wolf I’d be howling right now. Gunnar chuckled then headed over to the couch.
* * * *
The following morning Gunnar was up early and he ran longer and harder than usual. His dreams had been full of Bryn. That he was sleeping in the next room was torture and Gunnar needed to run it out of his system. He was back, showered and dressed before Bryn emerged from his room.
“You want eggs?”
“No thanks.” Bryn grabbed cereal and a banana. “Is there coffee?”
“Brewing.”
“You were out early.”
So he noticed. “Yeah, felt the urge to run. Wanted to get in a few miles.” Bryn sat at the table. Gunnar joined him with his plate of eggs and wholewheat toast. “What are you staring at?”
“You,” Bryn gave him a lazy smile, licking his spoon slowly.
Gunnar didn’t know where to look. He was being teased, and he knew it. He was saved by Emmett’s arrival. The apartment door opened, and then they could hear Emmett taking off his coat and walking through to the office.
“We’re in here, Emmett,” he called.
“Good morning!” Emmett came into the kitchen with a beaming smile on his face.
The day’s ensemble consisted of a bright yellow sweater vest over a white shirt, navy slacks, and a navy bow tie with yellow polka dots.
He had traded his usual polished brogues for a pair of the cleanest sneakers Gunnar had ever seen.
“Good morning to you, too. You’re in a good mood today.”
“I love my job. I can’t wait to get started on investigating the symbol you sketched, Bryn. Ooh, is that coffee?”
“Yes, could you get me some too? Gunnar’s been neglecting me,” Bryn replied.
“Of course.” Emmett delivered three mugs to the table but didn’t sit down.
“I’m going to start working. Oh, but before I do, on the way in Warden caught me downstairs.
He suggested that Talbot and I sublet your apartment, Gunnar, because the current tenant is leaving for a new job.
Would you be okay with that? It’s much closer than where I live at the moment, and I’d be sharing with one guy rather than four. ”
“Sounds like a great idea to me,” Gunnar said. “I left responsibility for it with Warden, so I guess you can get the paperwork sorted with him. It’ll be good to know there are people I like and trust living there. Let me know when you guys are moving, and I can help with some of the heavy lifting.”
“Oh, that’s okay. Warden said he’d arranged for movers for me, and Talbot doesn’t have anything to move. I’m going to do a call-out for people to donate things that he’ll need for his room.”
“That’s a great idea. I did leave a bunch of stuff there, so you won’t need kitchen equipment, and there are plenty of spare linens and towels in the closet. If you have any problems with anything when you get there, let me know. The faucet in the bathroom can be a bit temperamental.”
“This is going to be such a good day, I know it!” Emmett bounced off with his coffee.
“I guess we should follow his example,” Gunnar said. “We need to pick the next request to deal with.”
“Oh, goody.” Bryn took a long swallow of coffee. “Let’s make it one where we can get out of the city.”
“Any particular reason?”
“A change of scenery would be nice. Maybe an overnight. You know the way it goes…small hotel, booking mix-up, only one bed…”
“Get to fucking work!”
“Yes, sir! Love it when you get all growly, I can imagine the vibration around my cock.”
Gunnar debated banging his head on the table but settled on collecting the dishes.
There isn’t enough coffee in the world to deal with this.
He stacked the dishwasher then went to join the others.
Emmett didn’t as much as glance up from his computer.
Bryn, flopped in his beanbag with legs outstretched, was on his laptop.
“I found an interesting one that shouldn’t take too long,” Bryn said.
“Okay.” Gunnar sat at his desk and fired up his computer. “What’s the reference?”
Bryn supplied it and Gunnar scanned the documents Emmett had stored in the folder. “Massachusetts General Hospital, amnesia case?”