15. Eddie

Chapter fifteen

Eddie

" O f course. Come in." Brock opened the door and waved me inside. I picked up my bags, set them inside by the door, and followed him, looking around like I'd never been there before. Of course, I had, though it had been a little while. Those few weeks felt like years, making being here feel odd.

I wrung my hands together. "They changed my meds. I'm not paranoid. But I still don't trust Kurt. I still think something is going on with him."

"You sure?"

"Yes. I mean, I still don't have proof of who is actually behind this. There have been more attempted break-ins, but we haven't been able to trace who it is. That's why I'm here. Among other things." I wanted so many other things. I hoped Brock would give me another chance.

"So, is this a booty call then?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. I couldn't tell if he wanted me to admit it or not.

"Maybe, yes, no. I mean. I missed you."

"Back at you. But first, how can I help find proof?" He put my issue first. He could have gone straight for the jugular and dove into why I'd left or why I thought I could come back and jump into his bed again. No, he immediately thought about what I needed. Again.

He deserved better than this, but I selfishly continued with it. "I need a computer. A secure computer that's not on their radar. I think that's how they knew where I was before. Or at least the general area."

"Or that private investigator they hired. But do they know you're here now?" Brock wasn't wrong about that. And even if Kurt said he had ended his contract with the guy, I didn't believe it for a second.

"Yes and no. They know I needed a break. Greg thinks I need to go back to the doctor and up my meds. He thought the whole thing was brought on by out-of-control paranoia. But I didn't. I don't. I've talked to the doc and we tested levels. We did up the meds, but not all that much. And honestly, it was about anxiety, not paranoia. Still…" I swallowed hard. "So they think I'm on a short vacation but not where. I-I'm sorry, Brock. For leaving. I wanted to protect you."

"I didn't need you to protect me. I needed to protect you. I've been worried. I didn't know if you were okay, and you didn't call or anything. I thought you didn't want me. Didn't want to be here."

"No. No. Fuck! Nothing could be further from the truth. I wanted you. To be here. Please believe me. If I could have come back sooner, I would have." I hoped he could understand and forgive me. If he didn't, I didn't know what I would do. I didn't know if any of my next moves would be worth it without him. I might as well go back if he didn't want me anymore. "When I'm with you, everything slows down. I can breathe and think clearly. I need that. And I want to be someone you respect. This issue had me losing it. But I have a way to get the proof I need. Please, believe me."

"I believe you. I always believed you. Come here." He opened his arms, and I walked into them, loving the warmth around me. He felt like home, and my heart was comforted. I couldn't explain my connection or why he made me feel so safe, but I was ready to go with it. The relief at his acceptance was immense. He kissed the top of my head. "Why do you still think it's Kurt?"

I blew out a long breath, hoping Brock would understand, needing someone on the outside to see this with me. "The way he looks at me. The way he talks to me when we're alone." I shook my head, not liking how I was explaining this. "He's a decent developer but not a genius. He's better at accounting, which is what he was supposed to be doing for Queen before he started acting like he ran the place. So, maybe he's jealous. Maybe he wants to take over the company. If he can prove the security is not impenetrable, he can, I don't know, exploit that. Or maybe steal my new game. Maybe he uses it to get me out of the picture. He could change things then. Run the company differently. Maybe make more money for him and Greg. I mean, the list goes on and on. But all of it boils down to more for him."

"You mean money? More money?"

"Yes, of course. But maybe also more attention or glory. I don't know. It's hard to figure out what motivates him. He acts so loving with Greg, but then…"

"Then what?"

"Then he gets me alone and berates me. Threatens me. I'm pretty sure he was behind the anonymous email threats too. And he says I'd be a broke, washed-up developer without him."

"Okay, so seems like he may have multiple issues, but still money-motivated at the core. Who developed the security?"

"That's why I like you. You're clever." I snapped my fingers. "That's a great question. It was my best friend, Shayna. But she's dead now. Car accident three months after we put the system in place."

"That's not suspicious at all."

"Is that sarcasm?"

"Yeah. Sorry. And I'm sorry for your loss."

"Just checking." I rearranged my head against his chest to snuggle in a little more. "And yeah, thank you. It's beyond suspicious and a damn shame. She was fucking brilliant."

"Who did she leave behind? Who would want her out of the way?"

"Not her family. It's her sister and her daughter. I set them up for life, and they know if there's anything else they need to tell me. I'm there, no questions asked. Whatever they need." Brock pulled back and scowled down at me. "Don't look at me like that. She was my best friend."

Brock held his hands up. "Woah. I get it. I'd do for my family like that if I could and Jackie."

I nodded. Brock got me. "She was family. But. That points back at Kurt again." I paced away from Brock, though I wanted to stay in his arms forever. But we needed to focus on this. "If I wasn't shelling out this piece of the pie to them, they would have more money."

"Kurt and Greg, you mean?"

I nodded. "Yeah. It's a private company. The board and all decisions are fifty-one percent me and forty-nine my brother and Kurt combined. They split that forty-nine, right. So that means he only has a twenty-four percent vote if he disagrees with either of us. And my vote wins. Every time. And that's how profits are split as well."

"Who are your votes left to if you're gone?"

"Them. All of it passes to them equally. One hundred percent, but what Kurt might not know is that even if that happens, Shay's family is still protected. I made sure of it. He can't touch it or change it. Ever."

"He doesn't know, but does Greg know?"

"No. I don't think so. I didn't tell them about it. I had my own personal lawyer handle it. Not the company lawyer."

Brock grabbed my hand and pulled me into the living room. He settled us on the couch where we could cuddle up. "This is better." He wasn't letting go of me, and I loved it. Needed it. "Okay. So, let's get busy. What do you need and how can I help? I have a laptop, but it may not be what you need."

"I'm sure it's not. No offense. But you can help by funneling the cash to buy what I need and have it shipped here."

"That sounds illegal, Eddy." Brock made that low, growly sound deep in his throat.

I laughed at him. He was such a good guy, but I wouldn't do anything like that, either. "It's not. I promise. I took a ton of cash out in one withdrawal. It's easier that way." I pointed toward the front door where my bags were. "It's less traceable to spend, and I don't have to go back for more, so less chance of being tracked. If they're tracking my credit cards, which they probably are."

"Does that mean you're running around with a bag of money? That's not safe."

"I know. That's why we should probably get over to your bank. We'll deposit it, most of it. Then we can use your cards to order what I need. If that's okay."

"Of course it's okay. Let's do it. If you think this is a safe way to handle it." He kissed the side of my head, but it was the confidence he had in me that really had those butterflies swirling in my stomach.

"I didn't talk about you, Brock. Didn't share. I-I even told them it was because my meds were off, but they weren't. My meds were never off. Not really and not enough to make me a paranoid psycho. I might sometimes have a tendency to—"

"You don't have to explain."

I bit my lower lip. "Okay, but it felt like a betrayal. Not saying anything. Hell, I lied. About you and going along with them on the meds thing. But our time together meant more to me than that. I-I didn't want them to have any of it."

"I get it. And if that wasn't true, you wouldn't be here now. And if they think I was nothing, they won't look here. At least they won't look here first. So you're safe. That's what matters most. You do know that, Eddy. Your safety matters to me." He held me tighter, pulling me into his warm body.

I couldn't hold back then. I grabbed his face, running the tips of my fingers through his beard. Then I leaned in and kissed him hard. Kissed him like it meant as much as breathing to my survival. It certainly felt like it did. When I pulled away, his dark eyes were staring back at me. "I knew I could count on you."

Brock pulled me into his arms again and held me tight. "Of course you can. We'll get to the bank first thing in the morning."

"Thank you. I-I can't trust anyone else. Even beyond Greg and Kurt. I should be able to trust my developers or my security team, but he's turned them against me."

"He? Kurt? How?"

"Lies. He's spread gossip around the office about me. One of my team, Arnold. He told me it came from Kurt. But that was also months ago when it started, and things get worse the longer they go on."

"I can imagine."

"Then he said these break-ins were my fault."

"How the hell is that your fault?"

I couldn't take it anymore. I teared up. I didn't know how to explain it. I didn't even follow Kurt's fucked up logic. "Doesn't matter. The worst thing about it all is he's wormed his way between Greg and me. He won't even listen to-to me." I fell into his arms, crying more than I wanted to, but I couldn't help it. Holding on to Brock was like grabbing a life preserver.

"Shh…" Brock rubbed my back. "It's okay. I've got you." We stayed like that, together, with my face pressed into his neck and bawling out tears and snot all over him. "Get it out. It's okay. You're safe."

It felt cathartic, and when I finished and pulled back, I felt refreshed. Brock rubbed his hand down the side of my head. He kissed my forehead, then my cheek, then slowly, he leaned in and kissed my lips. I kissed back, our lips pressing together gently. Sliding sensuously. His tongue teased my mouth, and I opened for him. Our tongues twisted together.

"Eddy…" Brock panted my name. "I'm going to take you upstairs and take care of you."

"Yes."

"Okay." He stood, then bent to pick me up, and I squealed.

"Don't drop me." I clung to him like a spider monkey.

Brock huffed. "I'm not going to drop you."

I loved how he could pick me up like that. Toss me around. Manhandle me. It never felt rough or too commanding. It felt like giving up control to someone I trusted completely. And it was the only place in my life that I could. So I let him, and I enjoyed it.

He didn't toss me on the bed, but rather, he set me down gently. He ran his fingers through my hair and pushed the overgrown locks out of my face. "Relax here. I'm going to draw you a bath."

"Draw…" He turned and gave me a look that wasn't about arguing with me, so instead of teasing him, I gave him a big shit-eating grin. "Bath sounds nice." And it did, regardless of how he said it— draw a bath , like he was from Victorian England. But after the long drive out here, all the planning, the finagling, and maneuvering to get out from under Kurt's too-watchful eye, I was emotionally drained. And as I slumped against the headboard, I realized it was physically draining as well. The muscles in my arms, legs, and back ached.

After a few minutes, I heard the water running, and Brock came back into the room carrying a big fluffy robe. "Let's get you undressed." He dropped the robe on the corner of the bed and reached for my feet. He untied my shoes and pulled them off. Then he grabbed the hem of my T-shirt and pulled it over my head. He unbuttoned my jeans. "You're going to have to help with this one. Lift your ass or stand up?"

I lifted my ass. He said he wanted to take care of me, so I was letting him. He tugged my pants and underwear off, then grabbed the robe. He held it open. "Come on."

The robe was big on me, but that made it even better. "This is nice."

"Go on and get in the bath. I'll be there in a minute."

I didn't want to go in alone, but I trusted him. I went in and unrobed, then stepped in the warm bath. It was immediately relaxing. Sometime later, Brock came in and put lit candles around the room, then turned off the light. He undressed and stepped into the tub behind me. "I'll have to pick up some bath bombs for next time." He kissed my head and situated himself. I leaned back against him, and we lay like that for a few minutes.

"This is nice. Thank you."

"My pleasure." Brock kissed the side of my head. "I'll wash you." He grabbed a cloth from the side of the tub and got it wet before soaping it up. He rubbed it over my shoulders, my back, down my chest. Then up and down my legs before showing my cock attention. It had been growing while he touched me, and by the time he washed over it, my cock was hard and begging for him. "If I jack you off now, will you be able to get hard again later?"

"Yes." I felt like I was always hard for him.

He re-soaped the washcloth and wiped my cock. The rough feel of the cloth felt different but nice. It didn't take long for Brock to drop it and stroke me with his soapy hand, wrapping his fingers around my cock. "You feel so good," he murmured.

"Ahh…yes."

His strokes were languid and soothing but soon became more frantic as he jacked me for real. "Gonna make you come, Eddy."

"Yes…" I chased the orgasm, my hips bucking as he stroked me with one hand and held my hip, pulling me back against him with the other. I could feel his hard cock against my lower back. "Want you…"

"Good." He stroked me faster, rubbing his thumb over the tip of my dick. "Got you. Come for me."

Bright lights flashed behind my eyes as my whole body vibrated with the intensity of my orgasm. I came all over his hand and in the bathwater, but I didn't care one damn bit. My body relaxed, boneless, against Brock's stomach with his legs on either side of me. We barely fit in the tub together, but everything about it was delicious. His body, the flickering lights, the feeling of relief that had set in. I sighed.

"Are you getting cold? Do we need to get out?"

"Mmm…" In the end, we added more hot water to the bath and stayed until my fingers were pruned. When we got up, Brock turned the shower on and rinsed us off before bundling me up in that big robe again.

He swatted my ass. "Go crawl in bed."

I didn't argue. I went. I heard Brock cleaning up and blowing out the candles behind me. By the time I crawled over the mattress, Brock was turning off the light and joining me. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close—exactly where I wanted to be. I exhaled heavily against his chest.

"It's okay. We'll get through this. But, Eddy, I have one thing to ask."

"Yes. Anything." I wasn't sure what he was going to ask me. Maybe about how sure I was that Kurt was behind all this. Or, for some reason, whether this was all a distraction, so I didn't have to make a follow-up game. Was I afraid of failure? But those were Kurt's ideas. His incessant lies creeping into my consciousness. But he was wrong about all of that.

"Don't. Please, don't choose them over me. Don't leave me behind again."

I gasped. "No. I-I didn't mean to do that to begin with. I thought I was protecting you."

"Then why did you come back?"

"Because I think I'm stronger with you. Because I trust you. And, I don't know, maybe I need you. I still don't want you hurt by this. Don't want to drag you into it, but maybe if we're careful, it won't be dangerous for either of us." I said those words about not being dangerous, but I wasn't so sure how much I believed them. "I'm probably doing exactly that though. I don't want you hurt."

"You said that. But I'm choosing you, Eddy. I want the same from you."

"Oh, Brock. I'm choosing you. But I don't think you understand."

"Shh…" He covered my mouth with his own, his tongue invading my mouth. For those seconds, my brain stopped working. Then he pulled back. "I understand." He rubbed his thumb over my cheek. "I need you too. Even if you don't know it yet."

I couldn't imagine anyone needing me for anything but financial support. That's all I'd been in the past. That's all I was to Kurt. But I trembled, knowing Brock didn't mean that at all. I cuddled in close, rubbing my nose in the crease of his neck. He smelled warm, of leather and something lightly sweet like pears.

"I want you," Brock said, kissing the top of my head.

"I want you too."

"But I don't want to have sex or fuck. I want to make love to you. I want sweet and slow."

"I-I think I like that."

He shifted around, putting me on my back. He nuzzled under my ear and kissed down my neck, his beard rubbing against my skin, giving me chills in the best way. I ran my fingers through his thick hair and wrapped a leg around his hip. My cock was already hard again and bumping into his side.

Brock moaned and shifted his hips, which pushed his cock up against mine. He took us both in one big hand and stroked. "You feel so good."

"Mmm… that feels good."

"We're just getting started." He moved his hand off and slid it to my chest, where he flicked his thumb over my nipple.

I hissed. "Damn."

He did it again. I thrust my hips, pushing my dick into his side.

Brock moved his hand back down until he had our cocks in his hand again. Then he kissed me while he stroked us together.

I wrapped my legs over him, loving being skin-on-skin with him. I loved him touching me, but I wanted more. "Please…"

"I've got you." He kissed my neck again. It felt like our entire bodies were undulating against each other. "I need to grab lube but I don't want to let you go."

"Get it." I shoved at his shoulder to encourage him. "I want you inside me, Brock."

That did it. He made a growly sound in his throat as he lunged to the side and grabbed the bottle off the side table. He moved back over me, lifting one of my legs to his shoulder. "Don't move."

"Won't."

He snicked the cap open and squeezed lube out in his hand, then smeared it over my hole and taint. He added a little more and worked it into my hole, circling and pushing in. It didn't take long before he had a couple fingers in me, fucking me with them and hitting my prostate. I bucked my hips, moaning loudly every time he touched it. The attention had me wanting him to fill me. "Brock…"

"Gotta make sure you're ready. No skipping."

"You're not. I'm ready. I want to feel you now."

He played with my ass a little more but didn't make me wait too long. He messed with the condom, rolling it down his thick shaft, then pointed that beautiful head at my hole. "Ready?"

"Yes, Brock. Do it." I raised my hips, trying to get him inside faster, which made him snicker as he grabbed my hip. He moved me around until he had me where he wanted, then pushed in. Slowly thrusting until I was full.

I swallowed hard. "Oh, God. Brock."

"This is you and me, babe." He shifted his hips pulling out, ever so slowly. "That's all. Just you." He pushed back in. "And me." At that same slow pace, he canted his hips, pulling back. I could feel all of him. "No one else."

"Yes. Only us." And it was. Nothing else in the world mattered at the moment. Nothing was as important as connecting with Brock. Together, we were everything.

He braced himself with his arms on either side of my head. "Eddy…"

"Brock…"

Then he started moving—in and out. Faster and faster. His cock pressing against everything inside of me made me want to explode, to come apart. And little by little, I did.

And then he grunted, and his body stilled. He pushed into me as deep as he could go. And then he leaned down and kissed me. He touched my cheek. I might not have admitted it before, but he totally owned me. And for once, I felt like everything would be okay if I could only stay in his arms.