“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.
