Reece
Throwing myself down on the couch in a pretty good imitation of Eli, I sighed. “That was exhausting.”
Houston plopped into his favorite oversized chair, nodding. “Agreed. You finally got him calmed down, though. I was very impressed.”
Laughing, because he was honestly serious, I turned so I could see him better. “And you got your lasagna.”
I thought Houston, with his firm voice and calming presence, was the only reason Eli had stopped losing his marbles. Houston, on the other hand, thought Eli was crazy and had said he’d just drawn a line in the sand to stop the insanity and drama.
“Ages after I was promised it.” Houston frowned and glanced at the kitchen, glowering. “And he ate most of my leftovers.”
There was at least one meal for later in the week, but I wasn’t going to say that. Forcing myself off the couch, I walked over and curled up on his lap. “I’ll make you something else good this week, so you’ll have lots of leftovers. We’ll pick out some of your favorite meals. How does that sound?”
Houston’s arms tightened around me, and he pulled me close. “Perfect. As long as I actually get it, and that nut doesn’t go postal again.”
Being at home every night without the constant need to run back to work sounded wonderful, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about the rest of it. “Well, with Roman gone, things should quiet down.”
“You don’t sound particularly happy about that, Pet.” Houston’s hand came up to start absently caressing my hair, his tired voice coming across very confused. “He seemed absolutely miserable when he was talking about Roman.”
“I know.” I sighed as the waves of stress started melting away under his touch. “But something about the way they looked at each other, and the sparks that didn’t just fly but exploded, made me think they were eventually going to work their shit out.”
They’d been like one of those movie couples who just needed the right moment to see they were perfect for each other. Not that I was going to say that to Houston. He’d find out about my love of sappy movies at some point, but there was no reason to rush into explaining my obsession.
Houston paused long enough to think about what I’d said before he responded, “Sometimes people have chemistry but just can’t function together. Whatever Roman’s problem is, Eli might be better off without him. The company is probably better off too.”
Houston seemed to roll the idea around in his head, and I could feel him nodding as he thought through it all. “Yes, from what you both said, he’s a talented photographer, but anyone who’s causing that many problems in an office has to be costing the business somewhere. Time, labor dollars, lost opportunities, overall morale, and just inefficiency have to be taken into consideration.”
“You might be right. I know that sales are up and traffic to the site is off the charts, but you could cut the tension with a knife the last couple of times they had to be in a room together.” I wasn’t familiar enough with the business to know how it would affect things. But it was still sad. “I just wanted them to be happy.”
Closing my eyes, I forced my muscles to relax and tried to push away the stress that had compiled over the course of Eli’s impromptu visit. “I also wanted them to calm down and function, but that didn’t seem to be in the cards.”
Houston snorted. “I’m not sure Eli would like anyone who was calm and functional.”
I frowned, trying to see it from his perspective. “I don’t know. He responds to you when you use that Dom voice and tell him to stop losing his shit.”
I’d been incredibly impressed when Eli had gone from hysterical to reasonably functional during the course of the phone call. It had even worked fairly well when Houston had finally had enough of the babbling drama queen who had thrown himself on the couch. Eli had been in full hysteria mode and hadn’t seen any reason to turn it off.
Houston nodded, his chin brushing against my head. “Yes, but he also likes the fireworks and seems to feed off the passion.”
That was the part that didn’t make sense. “I just can’t imagine that. They’re exhausting to watch; living it would be too stressful.”
Houston kissed the top of my head, and his hand started rubbing slow circles on my back. “My thoughts exactly, but everyone needs something different.”
“Well, I just need a Dom who’s calm, and gruff, and looks hot in panties.” I smiled as he laughed, his hand moving to cup my cheek.
“Well, I just need a submissive with big brown eyes, a sexy built body with a tender heart, and who puts up with my insanity.” He leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips, barely touching them together.
When he pulled back, I smiled, curling into him. “I guess it’s a good thing I found you.”
“It is a very good thing, Pet.” His sweet words made me want to smile, but then they took a different turn than I was expecting. “Too many more disastrous roommates, and I might have done something drastic.”
I elbowed his stomach. “So romantic.”
Laughing, Houston nodded. “So romantic, in fact, I’m not even going to punish you for that.”
That was no fun at all. “Well, what if your sub wants to be punished?”
Houston’s smile turned wicked, and his voice dropped. “Then I’d have to give him exactly what he wanted.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine. “Why does that sound more like a threat than a reward?”
He gave a low chuckle. “Because you’re not only sexy, but smart as well.”
Grinning, I turned my head so I could kiss his neck. “I’m smart enough to know when I’ve found the perfect man.”
We had a long way to go and lots of little things I knew would come up. But just in the short time I’d known him, I’d found a steady and loving man who would do his best to give me everything he thought I needed.
Even with all the funny little things that made him unique, he couldn't have been more perfect.
“And I may need to be hit on the head with things occasionally, but when I learn a lesson, it sticks.” He gave me a hug, then leaned back so he could look down into my eyes. Giving me a tender, almost silly smile, he shrugged. “And you, Pet, are stuck with me.”
“Going to go all stalker on me and keep me, huh?”
“Absolutely. Until you know beyond a doubt that you love me.” Taking my mouth in another tender kiss, it felt like he was pouring everything he’d confessed and hinted at into me.
Life could change on a dime, but I’d never have guessed a week ago, as I’d stared up at the gruff man who’d announced he was gay and wore panties and didn’t care what I thought, that I was meeting the man that I’d want to give everything to.
My heart.
My submission.
My future.
~~~