Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Noel was merrily going about his Wednesday morning routine, bringing cups of coffee back to the office, when two hands seized him roughly from behind. Yelping, he jumped in panic, balance upset enough he fell backward toward his attacker. The liquid in the cups he was holding sloshed around, sending piping hot coffee all over his chest and thighs, making him yelp again. That was scalding , dammit!

"Shit! Sorry, Noel!"

What the hell? He steadied himself, glancing back to find North. Why was his colleague grabbing him like this?

Moving at a speed that made air vacuum in his wake, Fernando shot out of his office, looking frantically about. The alarm on his face was a visceral thing, one hand riding on the gun at his hip. "What? What happened?"

Look at him. Noel never saw his boss anything but coolly efficient until things like this happened. Ever since the warehouse incident two weeks ago, it was like Fernando had developed a trigger response. He'd even glared a guest down yesterday for daring to (slightly) raise their voice at Noel. One hint that danger was around Noel, and he leapt into action. It was really heartwarming, honestly. He liked that his boss was so fond of him.

Also, ya know, good for future survival given their line of work.

"Sorry," North apologized again, glancing down at the coffee staining Noel's white shirt. "I didn't realize you had coffee in your hands."

Fernando holstered his gun, taking the cups out of Noel's hands before shoving them at North. Hands free, he grabbed Noel by the shoulders, twirling him around. "Changing room. Now. North, grab the first aid kit and meet us there."

"Yes, Boss."

Noel went because he didn't have much option. Pushy boss left him no other recourse. He was also afraid he might have some minor burns because damn, that did hurt a mite. His chest more than his thighs, as his chest had taken the brunt of it. His thighs had just been splashed.

The changing room on the second floor was empty as they entered. Fernando, without apology, roughly pulled at Noel's shirt.

"Wait, wait! Don't rip it!" Noel protested, trying to seize his shirt. "I can get coffee stains out—"

"Stop worrying about the damn shirt, Noel." Fernando ripped it off with two quick yanks, eyes narrowing as he surveyed the damage.

Noel looked down at himself to get a visual. Skin was definitely pink along his pecs and abs, but not too bad. Some cream, a few days of healing, and it'd be gone without a problem.

Fernando seemed calmer now, asking in his usual tone, "What happened?"

"North grabbed me from behind and I lost my balance, so the coffee hit me straight-on."

"He grabbed you." Fernando repeated those words like he was contemplating punishments already. His dark tone alone promised bad things in North's immediate future.

"Um, yeah?" Oh dear. He hadn't just gotten North in trouble, had he?

Through the open door, Noel saw North approach at a jog. He stopped just inside the doorway, hand braced against the frame. "Hey, here's the kit."

Fernando took the box and pointed a stern finger at North. "I'll ask questions about this after he's treated."

"Yeah, Boss." North stood at attention, looking guilty.

"In the meantime, I have workout clothes in my car. The green bag. Grab it and bring it here."

Fernando shut the door in North's face without apology before turning back to Noel. "The clothes are loose and elastic; they should carry you through for now. I'll send someone with you to your house so you can properly change."

It was a thoughtful gesture. Noel ducked his head in thanks. "I appreciate it, Mr. Fernando. Thanks. I can handle the cream—"

"Stay still."

Funny how Fernando could talk in that level, smooth voice of his and instill perfect obedience. It wasn't that he ever yelled, or even raised his voice to intimidate his employees. He just gave them that look and said the order, and you didn't think of going against him. Even without using his powers, man was damn formidable.

With gentle pats, Fernando used wet paper towels to clean Noel's skin, removing what was left of the coffee. He was thorough and focused, eyes never straying from his task. It gave Noel a chance to look at him without feeling creepy about it. Sometimes, Fernando was hard to look away from. He was just such a beautiful man and could have been a model in a different life.

Noel leaned against the cool counter and tried very hard to not think about how close they were, how empty the changing room felt. From his first day, he'd noticed the man's striking beauty, as anyone with eyes would have. Seeing him in today's perfectly tailored suit of forest green, paired with a golden vest, he looked even more out of this world. More ethereal, somehow, which Noel knew for a fact was a lie. No generation zero vampire was weak. He knew it in his head, but…the strange urge to reach out, comb his fingers through blond hair that looked so soft, it tempted Noel more than it should have.

Dammit, he'd already had this conversation with himself. Noel was here for a job. He'd do his best to perform well, like he always did, and keep his personal life separate. There was a zero percent chance Fernando thought of him like that, anyway. He was fiercely protective of any of his people. He was just a touch more defensive of Noel because Noel was a squishy target. He shouldn't develop any illusions, as they'd only lead to disappointment.

The man was a vampire and hundreds of years old. He was powerful and wealthy and gorgeous. He could have anyone he wanted, and Noel doubted he'd want a human with baggage.

Fernando threw the paper towels away and grabbed the burn ointment from the first aid kit. As he returned, his eyes flicked up to Noel's and for a second, just a second, time slowed. A heat spread through his chest, an awareness of this man filtering through him in a way he'd never experienced before. Perhaps he could just reach out, close the foot between them, and—

Common sense slammed back in and Noel looked away, flushed and unable to hide it. What the hell was he thinking? Fernando was his boss. Fernando was his freaking boss.

For fuck's sake, do not start something, self.

Fernando paused and for a moment, Noel feared his traitorous heartbeat had given him away. Shit, what could vampires not sense? But Fernando resumed putting cream on his fingers before continuing, his touch cool as he smeared the medicine carefully along Noel's burns.

"Your skin is very fair," Fernando observed. "You don't go outside much, do you?"

"Um." The hell was he asking for? Or maybe he was trying to calm Noel's nerves by talking? Yeah, that was likely it. "No, I'm not really an outdoors person. Most of my hobbies are inside."

"Like what?"

"Uh, well, I'm more of a bookworm. I mostly play around with music and languages, honestly." Well, now he did. This job paid so well he could finally indulge in hobbies again versus spending all his time working. It had been years, frankly, of him doing the bare minimum of listening and reading to keep up his language skills. Now he could actively study them again instead of just maintaining what he knew.

Fernando's interest was piqued, and he looked up again. "Music? Do you play an instrument?"

"Guitar. Some piano."

"Hmm. When you say ‘some piano,' is this on the same level as you knowing ‘some Japanese?'"

Caught, Noel shrugged, grinning. "About that level, yeah."

There was a knock on the door. "Got the bag, Boss."

Fernando capped the cream before turning, opening the door only long enough to take the bag before closing it again. "Here, change into these."

"Okay." Curiosity compelled him to ask, "Do vampires really need to work out?"

"No, not really. But I enjoy sparring with my brothers when I get a chance. It feels good to move, so I keep clothes on hand to change into."

"Ohhh, gotcha."

Noel only really needed to change his shirt; his damp slacks he could live with until he could return home and fully change. He grabbed the oversized black workout shirt out of the bag and pulled it on. It was one of those Dri Fit shirts, and it felt light against his skin. Fernando wore a larger size than himself, which was good in this instance.

Noel looked up and had a "thank you" on his lips, but it died unspoken. There was a look in Fernando's eyes, an emotion Noel had never seen aimed at him before. Certainly not from this man. It was hard to define, hard to attach a single word to, but it looked like…hunger. Possessiveness? Whatever it was, it made Noel's breath seize in his throat.

Surely Noel was seeing this wrong.

Without a word, Fernando spun on a heel, yanking the door open and pinning the apologetic North with a flat look.

"Now. Explain to me why you grabbed him. Were you just messing around?"

"Kinda, Boss." North grimaced, and despite the fact he was a head taller than Fernando, he appeared about three feet tall just then. "See, us guys have been talking, and we realized Noel's not got the training to be on guard, yeah? Figured we got to get his awareness up first. So we planned to do some sneak attacks, train him up. I didn't know he had coffee in his hands when I grabbed him. I wouldn't have done it if I'd known."

Sneak attacks?! All day at work? Could Noel please opt out of this training program? No, really, please.

Fernando didn't like this answer. "While I agree he needs some training, it needs to be more structured than random attacks. I will take over his workout plan, and if he's hurt again—even by accident—there will be consequences."

Fernando didn't need to detail said consequences. His threat alone would be enough to deter future mishaps.

"North, take him home to get changed."

"Yeah, Boss."

Noel, for one, was relieved it was North taking him home instead of Fernando. He needed a breather from his too gorgeous boss just then.