Chapter Two

Brandon

From the corner of his eye, Brandon spotted movement. He followed the back of the tall dark-haired man wearing a form-fitting and perfectly tailored suit with his eyes until the door to the emergency exit closed.

“I’ll be right back, Mandy,” Brandon told his fellow nurse.

“Sure.” Mandy waved him off as she continued to text on her phone.

The late-night shift was always Brandon’s favorite. More now that his anxiety spiked when he was surrounded by too many people. Casually strolling down the hall, Brandon slid his hands into the pocket of his purple scrub pants. He ran his fingers over the small soft K-9 stuffie that he carried everywhere with him. Maverick couldn’t be with him physically at work but that amazing stuffie helped Brandon get through the hours that Brandon was alone.

He’d hate it when Dane and Maverick went back to their own house, but he was enjoying having his furry companion by his side for the time being. When they did leave, Brandon would still have his stuffie. The first gift that Dane had ever given him. His collection had grown in the last few weeks. It seemed as if anytime anyone saw a stuffie that looked like Maverick, they just had to get it for him. Dane was the worst. Always coming back with something.

Having his stuffies piled in his bed, Brandon had never been as thankful for anything in his life.

Nothing compared to that first stuffie though. The one that Brandon always kept with him. The perfect size. The best gift. Something from Dane even if he didn’t mean it the way that Brandon wished.

Except, Brandon was beginning to get the feeling that Dane might not be as opposed to Brandon’s interest. The past week alone together had really opened Brandon’s eyes to how amazing Dane was. How patient and kind. How absolutely fucking hot and sexy.

Reaching the stairwell for the emergency exit, Brandon took a deep breath before he pushed the bar to open the heavy door. He slipped through the opening pausing on the ninth floor landing.

Brandon knew he wasn’t alone in the mainly unused stairwell. He sat on the top step for the stairs that went down and pulled his Maverick stuffie from his pocket. He rubbed the furry ears with his thumb.

“You look well.” The calm and soothing voice from his past warmed Brandon.

Brandon smiled. “I am.” He hadn’t known if he would ever say those words and mean them, but they were true. Every day was a new day. A new chance.

“You smiled. You looked down at your phone and smiled.”

He laughed. It was silly but when Dane had sent him a picture of Maverick sitting in front of Brandon’s closed door, his heart had warmed. Dane complained about having to keep opening Brandon’s door as Maverick kept searching for him. Brandon had told Dane to just leave his door open. He was past being worried about what anyone would think about the toys he’d left out. “My…brother’s friend.” He hated that was all Dane was to him. “He’s staying at the house with his K-9 and sent me a picture of Maverick. He’s a very handsome dog.” With a very handsome handler. “And he keeps looking for me.”

There was a beat of silence. “You want him to be more than your brother’s friend.”

And…Brandon wasn’t even surprised by that assessment. It was true after all. There were times when Brandon and Dane’s gazes would meet and the chemistry between them was electric. Brandon’s patience was getting tested. He wanted Dane. God, how he wanted him.

“Is he a good man?”

“Yes.” Brandon didn’t even hesitate with his answer. “Eric trusts him. He wouldn’t leave me with Dane if he had any doubts.”

“But do you trust him?”

That was a harder question. “He wouldn’t hurt me.” Not on purpose. Dane was very careful when he was around Brandon. Sometimes a little too careful. Brandon might be broken but he didn’t want to be. There were things that he needed, craved, and it would be hard to share with anyone.

“That isn’t the same thing.”

Brandon looked at the stuffie in his hands. “No, it’s not.”

“Marco tells me that I must allow you to make your own decisions.” The way Skinner said the sentence didn’t sound like he agreed.

“How is Marco?” Brandon knew that he should keep in touch better with the friends that he’d left behind, but it was hard knowing that they would always see him as that bleeding boy that had been rescued from a monster. Brandon was trying to move on and unfortunately that meant leaving people behind him. At least for now.

“He is well. He’s with the other boys, seeing the magic angel.”

“Cris Angel,” Brandon corrected. “I’m surprised that you let him on the Strip alone.” Skinner was well known for how protective he was over his boy. It was something that Brandon envied. Marco never rubbed it in, but Brandon could talk to Marco since the other boy was in a very structured and controlled relationship.

There was a soft snort. “Lance, Creed, and Finn are watching over them. It was requested that I not attend the show.”

Oh God! Brandon groaned. “What did you do?”

“I merely pointed out the tricks that the orange-haired man used at the first magic show we went to. It wasn’t appreciated.”

“You’re not supposed to point out the magicians’ secrets,” Brandon admonished. He could just imagine how annoyed the boys would be. Which would be reason enough for Skinner to do so if he could annoy Jackson.

“The boys were unnecessarily impressed.”

“Skinner. It’s magic. They’re supposed to be impressed.”

“I can shoot a man from over a thousand feet. I am considered one of the best marksmen in the world.”

Wow, that totally sounded like Skinner was pouting. “You are a total badass. But magic is fun.” For some people. Brandon didn’t get into it himself. The boys though. They would love it.

“It is…silly.”

“Yes, fun.” Brandon shook his head. “What else are you going to see in town?” He hadn’t done any of the touristy stuff. He tended to stay at home when he wasn’t at work. Since he still only worked part-time, Brandon was home a lot. At least he had new little friends and an awesome playroom.

“We attended a hockey game.”

“Hockey?”

“Apparently my boy and his friends have started to read gay hockey romance. They think these men are hot .” The last word was spat. “Jackson enjoyed the fights.”

“Of course he did,” Brandon replied. “And hockey players are hot.” He wondered what series the boys were reading. Brandon loved a good gay romance book but hadn’t gotten into any sports stories. He was more of the enemy to lover or brother’s best friend junkie. Huh, that probably said something about him.

“They don’t even have their real teeth.”

This…this was what he wanted. Someone who loved him so much that he’d go see magicians and hockey games. A person that put him before everyone else. A man that saw more than his past. And he’d have that. If a fucking hitman could find happiness, so could he.

Damn it, he deserved it!

If Brandon had any chance to be happy and find a partner, he needed to take that first step. He was running out of time. His brother would be home soon. Dane wouldn’t be just down the hall.

He was making a move!

Determination brewing, Brandon stood and slipped his stuffie back into his pocket. “I need to get back to work.”

“You will call if you need anything.”

It wasn’t a question. “I swear.” Brandon turned, taking a few steps forward. He paused with his hand on the door. “Thank you, Skinner.”

“You are an amazing young man with a kind heart and a big brain. The man who captures your attention had better do right by you. I know how to make someone disappear.”

“I know you do. I think it’s time that I took a chance though.” It might not work out. Hell, the chances of finding a long-term partner were slim, but Brandon wasn’t going to spend the rest of his life alone. “I’m ready.”

“You’ve been ready. I am very proud of your strength.”

Those words were probably the best that he’d ever heard.

“Go. I will see you soon.” Skinner’s words were firm.

That didn’t mean that Brandon would see him. Having a dark knight in his corner, yeah, Brandon lived a weird life, but he wouldn’t change anything. Not even the horror he’d been through since it had brought him right where he was supposed to be. “Give Marco my love.”

“I will.”

Brandon pulled open the door, returning to work mode. He had patients to check on, gossip to listen to, and then he would go home to his dog. Brandon snickered as he walked down the hall. Dane would frown at him if he knew that Brandon was still claiming Maverick as his. Brandon didn’t care how much money or training went into Maverick being a drug dog. He was still Brandon’s giant fluffy pup!

He also needed to come up with a plan on how to seduce the sexy cop that was waiting for him as well. Brandon wondered if curling in Dane’s lap and just planting his ass there for good would work. Possible.

* * * * *

Dane

He stroked his cock faster while pumping his hips. Dane couldn’t get the right angle and huffed. His dick ached and he needed release before he was forced to spend another night down the hall from the boy that he wanted with every fiber of his being. Dane was also running out of time since Brandon would be home from work soon.

With the hand not currently wrapped around his cock, Dane pulled up the message thread between him and Brandon from earlier.

Brandon had sent a picture of himself sitting at a desk with his Maverick stuffie in his hand.

Dane groaned.

Even though Brandon was smiling in the photo, it was his eyes that drew Dane in.

Brandon’s eyes really were the window to his soul. His eyes told Dane more than Brandon had ever shared. Brandon was a survivor. A warrior. He’d seen the worst of mankind and was still the same sweet, smart, and loving person.

It was probably wrong that just looking at the picture had Dane’s horniness returning.

He tightened his fingers and jerked himself again.

“You like that, baby boy?” he asked the picture of Brandon. “You like Daddy’s hand on your cock?”

Fuck! That was hot!

Dane would take care of his boy. Brandon would never have to use his own hand again.

“Daddy wants to eat your ass. Get you all nice and wet before I slide my big dick inside your tight little hole.”

God damn! Dane wanted that. To take Brandon. To have his boy.

“I’m gonna ruin that hole of yours. Fill you with so much cum that you drip with my release.”

His balls drew up. Yeah, this was what he had needed. If he couldn’t have Brandon in real life, he would just have to make do.

“I’m going to love you so good, boy. Daddy will always take care of you.”

He stroked and pounded into his own fist until he came. Dane’s moan would have alerted anyone else in the house what he’d been up to if anyone other than Maverick was home.

Collapsing against the mattress, Dane struggled to catch his breath. He dropped his phone back onto the mattress as he closed his eyes. It was hard not to bask in the afterglow and take a little nap. Brandon would be home soon, and Dane wanted to be in position on the couch when the boy returned. Any moment that he could spend with Brandon was a treasure. The hour that Brandon took to relax and unwind after his shift was the perfect time for a little pushing.

They would sit close on the couch with the television on low and talk about their days. Dane could probe and question as the sleepier Brandon got, the more open he’d become. They always ended the night with Dane asking about Brandon’s little side and him getting some real answers.

Oh, he’d done his research. That was why Dane was not shocked that both Eric and Remi were also interested in the Daddy lifestyle. It also hadn’t been hard to come to terms with the fact that Dane would be a much different Daddy than Eric was with Ezra.

Ezra needed a soft touch. A release from being a single father. Eric perfectly moved between being the Daddy that Ezra wanted, the partner that Ezra needed, and a second father to Annabelle. Their dynamic didn’t take up all their time.

Dane didn’t work that way and he suspected that was not what Brandon wanted either.

Brandon would regress more if he didn’t push himself to be so damn responsible. Even when Brandon tried to let go of his worries, it was difficult. That was where Dane wanted to come in. Dane had control issues. His past partners hadn’t enjoyed Dane’s possessiveness or the way he needed to always be in control. Brandon… Brandon made Dane want to try again. To see if they could give each other what they both wanted.

The only reason that Dane hadn’t made a move on Brandon was because he was terrified of it going wrong. Brandon wasn’t just some rando at a club that Dane could easily forget. Dane already had strong feelings from Brandon. Eric would kill him if he ever hurt his brother.

There was so much on the line for Dane to even think of starting something with Brandon. That didn’t stop him from throwing out hints or wishing.

The alarm on his phone drew Dane from his thoughts.

Brandon would be leaving the hospital now.

Dane rolled out of his bed, making sure to keep his sticky hand away from the sheets. He pulled up the jeans he’d hastily pushed down but didn’t bother to zip. Strolling across the room, he gazed around. Nothing out of place or to show what he’d been up to. Dane had already pushed the bottle of lube under the pillow.

He opened the door and stopped.

“He’s on his way home, buddy.”

Maverick was lying in front of Brandon’s open door, resting his chin on his front paws.

The dog really did love Brandon.

When they went home, Maverick would not be happy.

He crossed the hall and went into the bathroom to wash his hands and clean up. In ten minutes’ time, Dane was clean, changed into an old pair of sweatpants and a tank, waiting on the couch for Brandon.

Maverick perked up when a door slamming closed sounded from out front.

The sound of keys in the lock had the dog up and racing off. Dane wanted to run to greet Brandon as well. If he had a tail, it would be going wild.

“Hey, boy. Who’s my good boy. Yes, it’s you! You're such a good boy!”

Brandon’s voice carried down the hall to him. Dane snuck his hand under the blanket on his lap to grab the base of his dick. He was still worked up from earlier and just hearing Brandon’s smooth tone made him ache. Plus, he wanted to say those very words to his own boy. Not the dog.

“Where is your Daddy?” Brandon asked Maverick.

“Living room. I have Housewives paused.”

Brandon walked into the living room and grinned at him. “You're not fooling me,” he said. “I know you’re just addicted as Eric to that show.”

He really wasn’t. Dane couldn’t stand the whining women. He just knew that Brandon loved the show. “I plead the fifth.”

Brandon laughed, as Dane hoped he would. “Just let me change clothes.” He glanced at the coffee table. “You even got the snacks?”

Dane shrugged. “I knew you would be tired. You worked four nights in a row.”

“Yeah, I’m glad to be off the next few days.”

Dane knew that Brandon returning to work was important to his healing, so he was glad that the boy was taking more shifts, but selfishly he missed Brandon when he wasn’t around. Once Eric was home, Dane wasn’t sure what other excuses he could make up to stay. He wasn’t needed there technically, but Dane wanted to be there. Not only to be close to Brandon. Dane needed…it was just easier being around other people. Not on his own. Dane was tired of always being on his own.

“Be right back!” Brandon called as he walked from the room.

Dane gave his unruly cock once last squeeze. “Behave,” he grumbled to himself.

Spreading out the large blanket so that they could share it—ensuring that Brandon would have to sit close—Dane grinned. This was his favorite part of their night. Dane didn’t care what was on the screen. He paid more attention to Brandon anyway. Brandon usually fell asleep once he had his snacks and it was the best sleep that Dane had seen the younger man get. He made sure there were plenty of pillows for Brandon before moving the coffee table even closer to the edge of the couch.

There, perfect.

Everything was within reach. Easy for his boy to relax after a long shift. If…when Brandon was his boy, Dane would introduce a soothing bath and massage into this nightly routine.

“I was just thinking on the way home that when Eric and Ezra get back, we’ll have to start to decorate for Christmas,” Brandon said as he returned to the living room.

Christmas. Dane hadn’t even thought about the upcoming holiday. He’d ended up working the entire Thanksgiving Day and weekend. Brandon had made sure his lunches consisted of leftovers from the meals he missed but Dane had regretted that he couldn’t sit around the table with his family.

Now he needed to think about Christmas.

And the small little group that had once consisted of him, Eric, Remy, and Carson had grown and changed. Lieutenant Carson Carillo was now in Rocky Lake with his own boy and new friends. They wouldn’t be sitting around Carson’s place drinking beer and ordering take-out. Carson wouldn’t be there. Plus, Brandon insisted that holidays needed to be home cooked food. No takeout for them when Brandon was around.

With the new members of their group including Ezra, Annabelle, Dom, Lake, and Jesse Lambert, Dane needed to start thinking of presents as well.

It was difficult to think about Christmas when they were in the middle of an unusual heat wave. Normally the days were comfortable with the colder nights. That wasn’t currently the case. He barely needed a long-sleeve shirt.

A picture of Brandon in those little footie pajamas flashed and Dane wished for colder weather just to see Brandon dressed so adorably. He’d only gotten a brief glimpse last year, but Brandon was more comfortable around them all now.

A year had really had Brandon coming out of his shell.

Dane was so proud of the boy.

“We’ll have to get Maverick a stocking,” Dane mused. He knew that would make Brandon happy.

“Yes!” Brandon clapped as he danced the rest of the way to the couch. “I want to make it!”

“Whatever you want,” Dane agreed.

“Pillows!” Brandon took a running start before leaping onto the couch cushions. He bounced then crawled over until he was practically on top of Dane. Not that Dane would complain.

“Oops!” Brandon giggled.

“Silly boy,” Dane teased. He helped Brandon get under the blanket and the boy was closer than he normally sat. “I got you juice, carrots and ranch, and those chips you like with that dip.”

“Thanks!” Brandon smacked his lips. “You’re the best ever!”

Dane swallowed his moan. His cock pulsed. Fuck! Why did Brandon have to be so damn adorable? Dane just wanted to eat him up. In a very sexual way. It was going to be a long hard night.

Brandon settled by his side as Dane reached for the remote.