Peter was not having a good day. He’d been looking forward to ending work early—or at least earlier than had been his habit while Chad was away—and going home in time to greet his mate with dinner from his favorite restaurant and a bout of animalistic sex. Realizing that Chad was in the process of getting kidnapped and didn’t even know it hadnotbeen part of the plan.
It was insane. Peter didn’t understand why Chad had just gotten into the car with an unfamiliar, armed alpha when Peter had explicitly said he was sending adriver. It blew his mind. Chad would be lucky if Peter let him out of the house ever again, much less let him go back to work.
Exiting the highway, slowing down as he drove into the city, Peter could still feel the adrenaline surging through his body. He was on edge and amped up, and he had no idea how he was going to deal with Chad. It wasn’t like he could chain the younger alpha up and force him to stay in the penthouse where he would be safe…could he?
Taking a deep breath, Peter forced himself to come off the edge he’d been hovering on for the past hour. Chad was safe on the back of his bike, and Merchant would find out who had tried to take him and why. Fantasies of locking Chad up at the top of his tower like some maiden from a fairy tale would have to stay just that.
By the time they reached their block, Peter zipping through traffic at a speed that had Chad clutching him tight for dear life, he felt like he had himself and his instincts under control. At least enough so that he wouldn’t fuck things up with Chad.
Steering his bike off the street and through the gate to the garage under his building, he parked in his usual space and waited for Chad to get off the bike. For a few seconds Chad didn’t move, but with a small nudge from Peter he started to dismount. He was unsteady on his feet, stumbling slightly as he stepped off, but he reached out and grabbed Peter’s shoulder to steady himself.
“You’re okay,” Peter said, dismounting the bike while Chad still clutched at his shoulder. When he was on his feet next to Chad, he reached out and grabbed the younger alpha by the arm to steady him. Chad looked at him through the visor of his helmet, a cautious smile on his lips, but Peter couldn’t bring himself to smile back.
Now that Chad was safe and Peter could stop worrying, his instincts to protect and coddle under control, he was furious.
“Let’s go,” he said, putting his hand on the back of Chad’s neck and pushing him forward. His hand rested under the edge of the helmet still encapsulating Chad’s head, his fingers pressing down just a little too hard where they rested under Chad’s ears.
Chad swallowed, suddenly looking nervous, allowing Peter to maneuver him without objection.
It helped calm Peter’s rage, and he reminded himself that Chad hadn’t really done anything wrong. It wouldn’t have been out of character for Peter to send extra security if he thought Chad was in danger, though Chad should know that if that was the case he would have told him in advance—or at the very least sent someone familiar.
“Are you mad?” Chad asked when they were in the elevator, his hands reaching up to remove his helmet. He held it in front of his chest like a shield, looking at Peter out of the corner of his eye.
“No,” Peter said, lying through his teeth. “I was just worried for you.”
Chad let out a long breath, and he looked relieved. Peter couldn’t help the rush of affection that coursed through him, and he pulled Chad in for a hug. He held the younger alpha tight in front of his chest, and Chad relaxed into the embrace like there was no place he’d rather be.
Peter was almost disappointed when the elevator reached the top floor.
“You’re really not mad?” Chad asked again when Peter pushed him forward. He looked over his shoulder, staring at Peter like a guilty puppy. Peter could see the self-recrimination written all over his face.
“I’ll get over it,” Peter said. He moved his hand up to Chad’s neck and pushed him into the foyer, moving him along until they were inside the apartment with the door firmly locked behind them. Letting go of Chad’s neck, Peter removed his suit jacket and stepped out of his shoes, watching as Chad hung his leather coat in the closet and arranged his boots by the door.
They walked into the apartment. Peter thought they were headed for the bedroom, but Chad came to a halt in front of the double doors leading into the dining room. Peter had almost forgotten about the dinner he had planned.
“Oh, wow.” Chad turned, grinning at Peter. “You really went all out, huh?”
Peter rolled his eyes. He hadn’t done much more than make a phone call to the staff.
“I thought it would be nice,” he said, following Chad into the room. The table was set for two, the lights dimmed, the flickering glow of candles reflecting off the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. Peter wasn’t really in the mood for a sit down meal, but Chad looked so happy that he didn’t say anything.
Taking a seat, he was pleased to see that the food set out was still hot. When he checked his watch, he realized they were sitting down to eat just five minutes behind schedule.
They must have just missed the staff exiting the apartment.
“This is my favorite,” Chad said, scooping rice and lamb vindaloo onto his plate. He looked so pleased, like it was a coincidence that Peter had ordered his favorite food for his return.
“I know,” Peter said with a small laugh, serving himself when Chad was done. Chad blushed and ducked his head, but he didn’t look too embarrassed. Feeling pleased that Chad was happy, Peter pushed his foot forward under the table and let it rest next to the younger man’s.
“Wine?” he asked, picking up the already opened bottle standing on the table. Chad nodded, swallowing loudly, and Peter poured him a glass. When he was done pouring he moved his foot up the outside of Chad’s leg, stroking it up and down.
Chad’s breath quickened.
“I’ve missed you,” Peter said, projecting a calm he didn’t entirely feel. Chad took a clumsy gulp of wine before nodding.
“I missed you, too,” he said.
Keeping his foot still against Chad’s ankle, Peter started eating. Chad took a deep breath and followed his lead. Peter ate slowly, keeping his eyes on Chad and observing the way every twitch of his foot made the younger man jump and blush. By the time they were both done eating, Chad was flushed and breathing hard, his eyes glazed and his pupils blown wide open.
