Chapter 59 Closer to You
Monday, April 1st. The Mansion's kitchen, 8:45 a.m.
FREDEK.
-Let's see, child - Mrs. Ewa looks at me severely -. Make sure he eats everything, the heat of the Omegas can be very intense and he needs to recover energy.
-Okay - I smile -. Is this all?
-Just the coffee, wait - she turns around and pours the hot, foamy liquid into a cup.
I didn't think Alexei would ask me to keep bringing Xander breakfast, considering the amount of protection he's had us building at The Mansion in the last few days. Since the last meeting, after having discussed Dimitri Zhukovski's last dirty move, he ordered us to make a lot of security reforms. Honestly, I think it's a bit exaggerated, but it's true that if things continue like this, an inevitable war between the two sides will break out.
-Well, it's all set now - the cook informs me, obviously pleased -. Now, off you go. The little one must be hungry - pushing me slightly from behind, I can't help but laugh at her comment.
-How do you know Xander's little? Have you seen him yet?
-No need. Lev is a chatty cockatoo and leaves nothing to the imagination.
-Hey! - Lev is complaining, crossing the arms on his chest and frowning, which makes me laugh even more -. I'm not a cockatoo, I'm a peacock. And a very beautiful one - raising his chin with arrogance.
-Yes, yes - she makes a nagging gesture, then passes me the tray -. Go, boy. Don't let your brother come and hang us all by our necks.
-Ha! - Lev's mocking -. I'd like to see that.
«Yeah, me too», although I reserve the comment. My brother has a weakness for Lev, something he will never admit to, even if he is under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs or in the middle of torture that results in his nipples or one of his testicles being removed.
Of course Lev knows this and although he has never done anything directly to exploit that benefit, he still gloats over every little opportunity he has, as long as Alexei is not around to hear it. I would be upset if it was someone else, but the truth is I have a soft spot for him too. It's easy to get attached to the cocky peacock.
I leave the kitchen with a tray full of food in the direction of my friend's new office. Yes, my brother made many changes and that was included in his itinerary. Now Xander's workplace is just a few steps away from Alexei's and the journey is longer now. But I like to bring him breakfast, so I can talk to him for a while.
I want to ask him if he told my brother about the situation he had with Reiji before he went into heat. Even though it did not escalate, I still do not think he should withhold that information.
So I pick up the pace, with that thought in my mind and trying not to make a mess of the drinking. I turn one of the corners and when I visualize the door, I stop abruptly when I notice who the guard Alexei assigned to him is. Tall, muscular, handsome, and manly...
There he is, the Alpha who hasn't managed to leave my thoughts since I met him. The one I've dreamed of most of my lonely nights, the one I wish I could be with someday. Derek looks more handsome today than ever, with his all-black suit clinging to his lean limbs, his serious countenance, his upright posture. I don't realize I'm shaking until I hear the tinkle of the cup on the metal tray.
«Control yourself, Fredek», I keep telling myself, encouraging me to take the advice Xander gave me and start putting it into practice. After all, he's right. If I want him to notice me, I have to be able to get his attention. I will not stand by and sigh like a lovesick college boy if I am ninety percent sure that there will be no movement from him.
So I take a deep breath, squeeze my hands to stop shaking, and start walking at a steady pace in his direction. When he notices someone's presence, he gets tense and turns to see me. When he realizes that I am the one who is approaching, his body relaxes and he gives me a beautiful smile, I have to suppress a sigh.
-Hey. Fredek, right?
-That's me - patting myself on the head for how firmly my voice came out -. How are you? - Putting the best of my flirty smiles on my face, hoping for the best.
-I've had better days - suddenly his expression darkens, but he recovers quickly before I can figure out why -. How about you? Long time no see.
-Now I'm much better - I say. I'm checking his body again from top to bottom on purpose, intending to make him aware of it -. It's just that I had to do Xander a favor while he was... Indisposed.
I regret that the words came out of my mouth instantly. His shoulders square and his jaw tightens, causing it to throb from the pressure.
I look down and his hands are in strong fists, and when he realizes that I am watching him, he quickly puts them in the coat pockets.
-Yes, I can imagine - he whispers so softly and I almost don't hear him. Determined to change the subject and lighten the mood, I begin my tactic of conquest.
-You look very handsome in that suit today, Derek - I tilt my head a little to one side, getting locks of hair to fall on my forehead -. Although, I doubt very much that there is anything in this world that makes you look bad - the surprised expression on his face, with eyes wide open, suggests to me that he didn't expect me to say something like that, which makes me smile.
-You're not...? - he stops to clear his throat -. Really?
-Of course. Why do you think I'd lie to you? - He pauses, takes his hands out of the pockets, straightens up, and fixes his clothes a bit, as if wanting to show off his beauty further. If he only knew that with me, he doesn't have to brag about anything.
-It's not that. It's just that I didn't expect you to say something like that. You took me off guard - he looks away, and if I wasn't so close, I would have missed the slight blush on his cheeks. I smile.
-That' s the idea, handsome - quickly turn his face around and his eyes reconnect with mine. I imagine that my attitude leaves him completely amazed, so in my best act of pomposity, I pass my tongue over my lips and smile with pleasure when I see that he followed my movement with his gaze -. Well, now if you'll excuse me, I have to deliver breakfast to Xander - I pretend to pass by him, but he suddenly stops me with one hand around my arm.
His touch shoots electricity through my body and it's not even direct contact with my skin. I raise my eyes and the expression on his face gives me the impression that the same thing happened to him. «I knew it, he's my bonded partner», I think with emotion. Thank God his grip isn't too strong or he would have created a disaster out here.
-Wait - he does the same thing as before, he clears his throat, and I'm thrilled to know that I make him so nervous -. Wait, I have to check you first.
-Check me?
-Yes, I'm sorry - he lets go of me and straightens up, though his countenance is still a bit confused, as if he couldn't assimilate what happened -. It's your brother's orders, no one enters, no one leaves without having passed through the security parameters.
-All right. What are you supposed to do?
-Make sure you don't have anything that can hurt Xander - hands up, stopping me when I'm about to reply -. I know, I know. You wouldn't hurt him, but those are my orders. I must do my job - I sigh heavily and place the tray gently on the floor. I step aside and extend my arms.
-Go on - my voice is so firm that even I believe it, when the truth is that my heart beats strongly in my chest and my nerves are on edge. I want so much to have his hands on me that the anticipation is killing me.
-It'll be quick - he assures me, though he can take as much time as he likes as far as I'm concerned.
I watch him bend down in front of me and, with his hands, he starts patting my ankles over the jeans I'm wearing. He slowly makes his way upwards, shifting his attention from one leg to the other. By the time he reaches my thighs, I bite the inside of my cheek and pray to all the Gods I know that my excitement will not be noticed through the pants.
Fuck, just a few strokes, without even a hint of something sexual and I'm already starting to sweat and wish we didn't have so many layers of clothes separating us. There he takes his time and looking down, I take it for granted that I'm not the only one who's holding back. His scowl is furrowed and his jaw is clenched, while his Adam's apple goes up and down, and his breathing quickens. «Yes, yes, yes!», I shout with joy in my brain.
It's perfect. I just have to make sure I don't push him too far, I want things to go as smoothly as possible and he doesn't feel pressured. So I avert my eyes and make a huge effort to stay still. Which I find very difficult by the time his hands reach my waist.
But suddenly, he doesn't move. So I slowly lay my eyes on him just to check that he's staring at my crotch. Shit, he does notice it. Damn it, just today I had to wear ridiculously tight white pants. His hands start moving again, but this time more slowly, circling my body to land on my ass.
The move takes me by surprise, but I force myself not to do anything. His fingers squeeze my buttocks through the fabric and I feel my pulse racing even faster. I bite my tongue to avoid moaning and I turn my gaze away again. I don't want him to stop, but if he keeps doing this, I don't think I can control myself anymore.
-I'm sorry - he whispers in my ear and his breath on my sensitive skin gives me the shivers -. I needed to check your back pockets.
«Great, but these jeans have no back pockets», though there's no way in the world I'm telling him that, I'm enjoying this too much. So I just nod and his hands keep moving. They climb up, making their way to my back and my shudders as I realize his hands have slipped under my shirt, directly touching my skin.
The air gets stuck in my throat and a drop of sweat starts to slide down my neck. I've never felt so helpless and excited at the same time. Completely motionless as he continues to brush his fingertips on my flesh.
When he reaches my shoulder blades, he slowly comes down again, circles my torso until he is now touching my stomach. His breath tickles my neck because of how close we are, making the hairs on my nape stand up.
-Your skin is very soft - he whispers to me again and his deep, low voice pierces me completely. I bite my lower lip hard, releasing all the air I was holding back without realizing it in a gasp.
He follows his way up and his fingers find my nipples, starting to circle the areola. No matter how hard I try, I can't hold back the moaning that escapes through my half-open lips. Suddenly, his face comes even closer to my neck and I feel his tongue tracing a slow and tortuous path to the exquisitely sensitive spot below my ear. Fuck, if he keeps this up...
-Delicious - he mutters, and between the teeth he holds my earlobe, sucking it gently before releasing it. I turn my face as he lifts his, and now we are so close that our noses are rubbing together.
I feel his breath on my lips and I can't wait to shorten the distance and kiss him. But I don't, if anyone must go forward, I want it to be him. And I want him to do it because he wants me and accepts that I'm his bonded partner. In the end, I don't want him to take my flirting as a sign for a one-night stand, when what I want is for life.
Derek watches me carefully and I have no idea how long we last like this, until he starts moving. His mouth is so close to mine now, that if either of us speaks, contact would be inevitable. In an act of bravery, I stick out my tongue and pass it gently over my lips, brushing against his, getting a hint of his flavor. God, I wish so much that...
Then the door to Xander's office opens and we're quickly splitting apart. Thank God my shirt is long enough to hide my erection. I look up and Xander is standing on the doorstep, his mouth open as well as his eyes, due to the surprise of having found us red-handed... Or rather, Derek's hands on me.
-Fuck, I'm sorry - his look is begging when he stares at me -. I didn't mean to interrupt.
-Calm down, little one - Derek smiles at him, although his voice is raspy and his breathing is fast. I don't miss the bump on his trousers, which makes me smile as I realize I wasn't the only one affected by what happened -. You didn't interrupt anything, I was just giving him a check-up - «Yeah, right. Did the check-up require you to run your tongue down my neck?».
-Oh, okay, I guess - I'm having a hard time defining his expression. Disappointment, maybe? -. Is this for me? - pointing to the tray of food I left on the floor.
-Yes, Xander. Sorry I'm late.
-Don't worry - he smiles and bends over to pick up the tray -. Come on, let's talk - he winks at me and goes into the office again. I nod and start walking. When I'm about to close the door, I stick my head out and say to Derek in a mocking tone:
-You can check me like this as many times as you like - I wink and close the door. I can't help but laugh out loud at the astonished expression on his face.
I just hope he doesn't take too long to finally accept that I'm his partner.