Chapter 14
The next morning Chad woke up feeling cranky and cold. He took a quick shower and moved into the kitchen where he found Peter drinking a cup of coffee next to a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.
“Feeling better?” Peter asked, looking like his morning had been just as bad as Chad’s. Served him fucking right.
“When is Aiden coming?” Chad asked, ignoring the question. Peter frowned and checked his watch.
“Any minute, now. The penthouse security is already all set up, so he’s really just here in case something happens or if you want to go out.”
“What are the chances they’re even going to try to take me again?” Chad asked. “If the main goal is stopping the merger, don’t you think they’d have moved on to plan b by now?”
Peter put his coffee cup down and squeezed Chad’s arm. “Maybe. But until we know for sure we’re going to play it safe.”
Chad went and poured himself a cup of coffee, mostly to distract himself from how good Peter’s hand on his arm had felt. While he was pouring, Peter’s phone buzzed with an incoming message.
“Aiden’s here with his guys,” Peter said, sliding the phone into his pocket. “I’ve already talked to him and he’s promised not to needle you.”
Chad made a noncommittal sound, wondering what exactly Peter had said. He had very little faith in Peter’s ability to corral Aiden’s behavior even a little bit, but he wasn’t going to say that now.
“Did you hear me?” Peter said, poking him. “I said I talked to Aiden and he’s promised to behave.”
“I heard you,” Chad said. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Peter frowned, but before he could say anything the doorbell rang. Chad stayed in the kitchen while Peter went to answer it, gulping down the rest of his coffee and putting the cup in the sink.
He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and was unscrewing the cap when Peter and Aiden walked into the room. The alpha was dressed in a nondescript black suit that sat tight on his body, along with a crisp white shirt and a silver tie around his neck.
“Chad, I hear you don’t want me here. Sorry about that,” Aiden said, shooting Chad what might pass as a friendly smile in some parts of the world. “Don’t worry. You’ll hardly even notice I’m here. Complete discretion. That’s the Topgrunder motto.”
He walked right up to Chad and slapped his back, making him almost stumble forward.
“Hello Aiden,” Chad said, moving away and leaning against the counter. He made very little effort to mask his intense dislike. He still remembered vividly how rapey Aiden had been the first time he met him, and every interaction since had just worsened his impression.
Peter walked between them, edging Aiden aside with his shoulder, and shot each of them a warning look—as though Chad was just as much the problem as Aiden.
“Chad, I’ll see you later tonight,” he said, pulling Chad in to kiss his cheek. His lips were soft and warm on Chad’s stubble and Chad felt his body relax. Peter pulled back and cradled Chad’s neck in his palm, squeezing gently. “Call me if you have any trouble.”
“He’ll be fine,” Aiden answered, making Peter glare at him. Aiden’s eyes widened in mock innocence and he held up his hands. “What? I’ll keep him safe, I promise.”
“You better,” Peter said, and though Chad could see that he was trying to hide it, Aiden shuddered.
It wasn’t easy being on the receiving end of that tone.
Warnings delivered, Peter kissed Chad one more time before saying goodbye and heading to work, leaving Chad alone with Aiden in the kitchen.
“So you really didn’t want me here,” Aiden mused, looking Chad up and down like he was sizing him up.
“Not really,” Chad said.
“But Peter did, and so I’m here. Funny how that works.” Aiden’s voice was laced with cruel amusement. He took a step forward, putting himself just outside of Chad’s personal bubble and smiling down at him. The grin was all teeth and threat.
So much for being nice.
“He says jump, we ask how high,” Chad said, pointedly refusing to step back. The first time he’d met Aiden he’d been intimidated by how tall, muscular and outright dominant the man was, and while he still felt outmatched and a little overwhelmed, he was able to do a pretty good job of hiding it.
“So what’s on the agenda for today?” Aiden asked.
He stepped back and opened up the fridge, scanning the shelves and grabbing a coke while he waited for Chad’s answer.
He was acting like he hadn’t just tried to cow Chad into submission, and Chad hesitated before answering.
In the end he decided to tell the truth.
“I’ve got a friend coming over tonight, but first I was going to head into the training center to sign up for some classes. I figured I’d stay there and work out after.”
“Sounds good,” Aiden said, lifting the can of coke to his mouth and taking a long sip. He licked his lips and put the can down on the counter, looking at Chad like he was trying to figure him out. Chad resisted the urge to fidget.
“So here’s how this works,” Aiden said, his expression turning remarkably professional and serious.
“My team and I have one job, and that is to keep you safe. I’ve got two guys with me waiting down in the lobby—their job is to stay mostly out of sight and keep an eagle eye on things.
You don’t have to worry about them. While they do that, I’ll stick close to you and keep an eye on the immediate environment.
Now I’m going to let you take the lead on where we go and what we do, but if I give you an instruction I expect you to follow it. Sound good?”
Chad nodded, frankly a little suspicious at the lack of derision or disrespect Aiden was showing him. Maybe Peter was right and Aiden could behave himself… but he wasn’t counting on it.
“That sounds good,” he said. No matter his suspicions, he wasn’t going to be the one to start something.
“Let me know when you want to head out and I’ll be ready to go.”
“I’ll do that,” Chad said, feeling awkward all of a sudden. The plate of toast and scrambled eggs Peter had ordered was still sitting on the counter, and since he was hungry he picked it up and carried it over to the table.
“Do you want any food?” he asked, feeling weird about eating in front of Aiden. Was the man really just going to stand there and hover?
“I’m good,” Aiden said, picking his coke back up and taking a sip. “Pretend I’m not even here.”
Chad nodded, but the instruction was easier said than done. Aiden loomed, his presence filling the large kitchen, and Chad couldn’t make himself relax under his constant gaze.
“Everything okay?” Aiden asked, leaning back against the counter and crossing his arms. “You look a little tense.”
“I’m fine,” Chad said, forcing himself to eat. “It’s just weird to have you standing there.”
He regretted the words the second they were spoken. Don’t show weakness. That was supposed to be his motto for the day.
“I’ll sit down,” Aiden said, sauntering over and pulling out a chair. He flipped it around and straddled the narrow seat, resting his arms on the backrest and looking at Chad expectantly.
“What?” Chad asked.
“Nothing. I’m just trying to figure you out.”
“Is that part of the service?” Chad took a bite of toast, chewing slowly as he watched Aiden watching him. He didn’t understand what game Aiden was playing.
“Not really,” Aiden said. “But I don’t get you.”
Chad didn’t say anything to that. He didn’t particularly care if Aiden ‘got him’ or not. They sat in silence, Aiden watching him like Chad was an exhibit in the zoo, while Chad kept his attention on his food.
When he was done eating he rose from his seat and put his plate in the sink.
“I’m ready to head out,” he said, making Aiden nod. “I just need to get my gym bag and we can go.”
“You’re the boss,” Aiden said, standing up and following Chad out of the room.
***
The rest of the day was weird. Aiden behaved himself like a professional the whole time they were together, and there was none of the needling, punching or outright sexual harassment that Chad had come to expect.
Chad didn’t know what to make of it.
“So am I forgiven?” Peter asked when he came home and they were finally alone. Topher had left about an hour before, and Aiden had just walked out the door. Chad was still surprised that he’d been able to say the words see you tomorrow without a feeling of abject dread welling up inside of him.
“I don’t know,” Chad said, not sure how he felt.
“But he behaved himself, right? No teasing you or pushing your buttons just to get a reaction?”
Chad shook his head. There had been moments where he could tell that Aiden wanted to start something, but each time he’d held himself back.
Peter looked immensely pleased with himself. “I told you I’d talk to him,” he said, pulling Chad close. He pressed their faces together, cheek to cheek, and kissed his way down to the claiming bite that marked Chad as his.
The feel of Peter’s teeth on the scar made Chad’s balls pull tight.
He angled his head back and exposed his throat to Peter’s mouth, pressing his crotch into Peter’s thigh with a breathy little moan.
Grinding his bulge into the hard muscle, Chad felt Peter’s arms reach down and squeeze his ass.
Peter groped and massaged him, pushing his pants down and spreading his cheeks.
He traced the rim of Chad’s hole with the pad of his fingers, probing gently and making butterflies flutter in Chad’s stomach.
“I’m going to fuck you,” Peter said, pushing a dry finger into Chad’s hole. It burned and made him hiss in pleasure. It was too much and not enough all at once.
Chad let out another breathy little whimper, completely fine with that idea. He spread his legs to give Peter better access, straddling his thigh and grinding into it. His cock was rock hard and rubbing it against Peter’s leg felt so good.
“You’re so greedy for it,” Peter said, his voice rough and happy. He slipped his finger out of Chad’s hole and slapped his ass, the crack making Chad gasp. “Like a little bitch in heat.”
Chad’s cock throbbed at the crude insult. He loved it when Peter talked to him like that. He always sounded so pleased. Like the fact that Chad was needy for his cock was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
“Want it,” Chad said, pressing his face down on Peter’s shoulder and breathing in his scent. Peter was still wearing his dress shirt and so Chad moved over until he found the skin of Peter’s neck. He licked it, kissing his way up until he was nipping at Peter’s jaw like an excited puppy.
“How bad do you want it?” Peter asked, reaching up and fisting his hand in the back of Chad’s hair. He pulled Chad’s head back so that he could stare down into his eyes. The grip was tight and Chad’s neck was pulled back too far to be comfortable. He loved it.
“So bad,” he said, letting Peter manhandle him how he pleased.
“Show me,” Peter growled, letting go of his hair and shoving him away. Chad stumbled, and Peter pushed him down to his knees. He wasn’t quite sure what Peter wanted him to do so he waited for further instructions.
Peter started circling him and Chad held his breath. He felt like a rabbit being sized up by a wolf—outmatched and about to be devoured. It was wonderful.
Peter stopped when he was at Chad’s back, and Chad closed his eyes. The urge to look behind him was overwhelming, but he stayed in position and waited for Peter’s command. He could feel the alpha looming behind him, huge and imposing, his presence sending thrills down Chad’s spine.
“Hands and knees,” Peter said, lifting his foot and pressing the sole of his shoe against the space between Chad’s shoulder blades. Chad lowered himself down until his hands hit the hardwood floor, Peter’s foot never leaving his back.
He shuddered in pleasure.
Peter pressed down a little harder, making his back arch, before lifting his foot off Chad’s back.
“Stay,” Peter said, his voice stern and firm like he was talking to a dog. Chad licked his lips, not saying anything, obeying the command when Peter started walking away.
He knew that whatever game Peter was playing with him, he’d enjoy it.
***