Healing Hark (Doms of Chicago) (10 page)

With his hands braced
on either side of Bryan's head, Hark’s body hovered scant inches away from his. Hark's sudden nearness and the incredible amount of heat that seemed to radiate off the larger man's body was so damned tempting. It was more than Bryan expected, but less than what he needed.

“
You know exactly what I mean, Bryan. Did you honestly think I couldn't feel the tension coming off you while you pretended to work? Or how you shifted in your chair repeatedly, each creak an admission of how close to the edge you are?”

Hark's coffee-tinged breath misted over Bryan's face as he spoke. More than anything he wanted to burrow closer, to wrap his arms around the muscle bound waist only a few small baby steps away. He needed to lose himself inside powerful arms that could comfort him as well as spank his stubbornness out of him. For an idle second he wondered if he refused to answer long enough if it would end with him bent over either his desk or across Hark's k
nees. His dick stirred at the idea. Even as fucked up in the head as he was at the moment, he shouldn't be thinking of getting off. Sharonda was in the hospital because someone in this building attacked her. The only possible reason he could think of was because someone wanted to keep Wheaton Free from going to market. It was almost enough to make him want to abandon his affordable glutton-free line.

“
Silence isn't an option,
sub.
”

The stress Hark placed on the last word sent a shiver down Bryan's spine. Unlike some submissives who balked at the idea of acknowledging their submissiveness any place outside of
a playroom, Bryan found comfort in the word. It reminded him of his place in life. That it wasn't wrong to be submissive. To let another take control. It had him yearning to give over. But he never gave over at work.

“
I...” He bit his lower lip, ducking his head to hide his eyes — a move he'd never have been able to get away with his master. Hark tipped his head up with one finger under his chin.

“
Before you say another word, or even try to protest, remember your master gave you to me during business hours.” Hark's gaze seemed hungrier. “To protect. To punish. To hold even — if that's what you need.” Hark drew a deep breath, the muscles on his chest expanding. “All you have to do is ask, little one.”

Hark found the patience he'd been taught in the military was sorely lacking as he waited for Bryan to decide whether or not to trust him.
It was true Diachi had given Bryan to him during business hours, but that didn't mean the man before him felt comfortable enough to take what Hark had to offer. Hark found himself hoping Bryan would balk at the idea and push him away. It would only reconfirm how Hark viewed himself as a Dom. But a small part of him — one he’d thought had died, wanted a chance to live again — to experience the pleasure that came from having another soul depend on them. But now as Bryan wrestled with his options, Hark could only wait. Diachi may have had the right to give Bryan to him, but only Bryan could be the one who followed through.

T
ime seemed to stretch for an eternity with him hovering over the slightly smaller man with his hands braced against the wall, until Bryan stepped close enough to wrap his arms around Hark's waist.

“Hold me?” He shyly looked up at Hark, the need apparent in his gaze.

“With pleasure.” The words had barely passed his lips, when Bryan’s face found the crook of his neck.

A shuddering sigh that could’ve been a mumbled ‘thank you’ reached Hark’s ears as he gathered Bryan closer with one arm. How long they stood like that, with Bryan's breath teasing his collarbone while Hark offered him the only comfort he knew how, was hard to say. It wasn't until the clearing of someone's throat followed by a brisk knock on the doorframe of Bryan's office that the man in his arms reluctantly released him.

Hark had to fight the urge to pull Bryan back inside the shelter of his body.
Especially when Bryan’s gaze met his. The stark need was still there, but slightly muted as Bryan pulled himself together. It made Hark want to scowl in frustration. The sub in front of him needed more than just a hug.

Fuck!

Diachi had warned him earlier on the phone that Bryan might end up needing a good old fashioned paddling to find his center once more. But he resisted the idea of striking Bryan. It was too intimate – too soon. Even holding Bryan was pushing the boundaries Hark had set in his head. This was supposed to be temporary. He couldn’t risk getting involved. So he reluctantly stepped to the side, letting Bryan escape.

“Bryan?” The man’s voice reminded Hark that they were no longer alone.

“Sorry, I was starting some tea. What did you need, Easton?” Bryan’s tone was nonchalant as if the other man hadn’t caught his boss in an intimate hold with another man.

T
urning, Hark caught a glimpse of the man. Tall, dark-haired, he wore a pair of dress slacks and cream colored polo shirt. In his hand, he held a paper take-out cup of coffee, while an attaché case dangled from his other. To Hark he looked like the average executive starting his day, but there was something familiar about him. It would take time but Hark would eventually place him.

“S
orry to interrupt, but I just heard what happened from Marius downstairs. I thought I’d stop by and check on you.”

“Thanks.” Bryan sank into the chair behind his desk. “Easton, you remember Hark, don’t you?”

Easton glanced toward him. “Of course. He looks different out of military fatigues. How’s it going, Captain Akula?”

The turn of his head as the man faced him, along with the first name, jogged Hark’s memory.
The young soldier from Korea.
“Fair to middling, Lieutenant Kinga, is it?”

“Still
have an iron trap memory, I see.” A forced smile crossed Easton’s face, before he turned back to Bryan. Hark had to suppress his smile. Years ago the man had been in awe of him, so the subtle snub tickled him. It was good to see the young man had grown into the potential he’d seen so many years ago.

“I can’t believe
someone would have the audacity to attack Sharonda, Bryan. Then to leave her inside your office like some twisted warning…” He shook his head. “That takes a lot of balls. Everyone knows your inner sanctum is off-limits without an invitation.”

O
r knows there are no security cameras in the office.
It was a struggle, but Hark kept the comment to himself. He planned on talking to security before he left to see if they had found anything after examining the video tapes.

“So does Sharonda have any idea who it was?” Easton propped his hip on the corner of Bryan’s desk.

“No. Not really…we’re hoping the surveillance cameras from the outer office will give us some idea.”

As the men continued to talk about the attack, the teapot behind Hark started to whistle. Figuring the man was safe enough, he turned off the pot and began to prepare the loose Irish breakfast tea blend for Bryan. Memories of doing the same for Diachi tried to swamp him, but he forced them aside. Now wasn’t the time.

Once the tea was prepared, Hark poured it into the small cast iron Tetsubin teapot. After arranging it and its accompanying tea cups on a small wicker tray, he stepped from behind the screen and approached Bryan’s desk. The men were still talking about the attack.

“
So what happened? I heard from your uncle, when we were in the elevator, he'd been drawn out of his lab by the sirens.”

“
My uncle was in his lab?” The confusion in Bryan's voice sparked something inside of Hark as he set the tray down on the opposite corner of the desk.

Easton nodded before moving to the chair across from Bryan
. “Yeah. Said he came in early to run some more tests on the new line.”

As Hark poured the steaming brew into the handleless Asain cup, he turned over the Easton’s reply.
Is he the same one Diachi told me Bryan was having issues with?

After placing the tea in front of Bryan, he poured one for Easton before resuming his previous position – pretending to be entranced with the outdated
Sports Illustrated.
Like any magazine would distract me enough to make me oblivious to my surroundings.
He had to admit however, after all his years in the service, the art form of looking bored while being alert was second nature and came in handy. It gave him opportunity to eavesdrop on the men without raising any red flags. Even with his size, he faded in to the background well. Still pretending to read the magazine, Hark listened intently.

“
Really? I didn't think he had any tests scheduled today. I'll have to check with my files.”

Hark tucked the little tidbit of information in his mental file for later. He’d definitely be having a discussion with the elder Sterling.

“Yeah, kinda of surprised me too. I thought we were all done with phase two testing. So what exactly happened with Sharonda? Is she going to be okay?”

A quick glance over the top of the magazine showed t
he sudden stiffness in Bryan's shoulders. It was faint, but there. Hark’s gaze narrowed. Bryan was forcing himself to relax. It was obvious when he took a sip of the tea, then rolled his shoulders.

“I hope so
. They wanted to do x-rays and I called her sister. She said she'd meet the ambulance at Highland Park Hospital. Told me she'd call me as soon as she knew something. I'm hoping for the best. She was awake and talking before they wheeled her out of here.”

Easton nodded.
“That's good. I hope she's back soon. What are you going to do without her guarding your lair?”

Bryan chuckled.
“Not to worry. Diachi lent me Hark. Damned if my master doesn’t take his job of protecting me seriously. I'm pretty sure Mr. Akula could give Sharonda a run for her money in intimidation.”

Inwardly Hark flinched at Bryan's words. He should have a thicker skin when it came to his
appearance. And he normally did, but somehow his former master's sub managed to crawl inside his head. It had to be a side effect of being close to the other man. Or that's what he'd keep telling himself. He'd be fine once he returned Bryan to his master. Then he could go hide out in the basement — away from temptation.

“
Dammit, Easton! That was uncalled for!” The ire in Bryan's voice drew Hark from his thoughts. His gaze went to Bryan. His back was up and if Hark wasn't mistaken there was true anger in his expression. What the hell had he missed while he'd been wool gathering?

“
Well what did you expect? I walked into find you wrapped around a man I once respected.” Easton's posture was just as rigid as Bryan's. “I've known you forever, man. I'm just concerned you're throwing away the most solid relationship you've ever had to jump Hark’s bones. I get it...the same old song and dance can get old, but to fuck around on Diachi...with a guy he hired to protect you? That's just messed up.”

Bryan's jaw flexed.
“It's not what you're thinking. How long have we been friends? Have you ever known me to even
look
at another man without my master’s permission?” He raked a hand through his short blond hair. “Hell, you've even been over to my house. Had dinner with Diachi and me — and you honestly think I'm capable of doing something to betray my master.”

“
So you're honestly going to telling me what I saw was merely platonic? That you weren't trying to climb him…” The contemptuous gesture toward Hark and the acid in Easton’s tone was obvious. “…like a damned tree?”

Hark growled in his throat. He
knew he should let Bryan handle this, but his now awakened Dom wasn't having it – especially when Bryan’s cheeks flushed. There was no reason for the other man to embarrass or put Bryan on the spot. Especially when all he’d done earlier was hold Bryan while he pulled himself together. It wasn’t like Easton walked in to find Bryan sucking his cock. Surging from the chair, Hark was just about to stomp over and throw the man out, when Bryan spotted his approach and held up a hand.

“
Look, it doesn’t matter what you think at this point. It's time for you to leave, Easton. You have meetings and the last thing I need right now with Sharonda in the hospital is to be accused of being unfaithful by a man I considered my friend. Nor do I want to explain to my master why Hark felt the need to kick my vice-president's ass.”

“
Fine.” Easton surged to his feet. “I hope you know what the hell you’re doing and Diachi is more understanding than I can imagine.” Snatching up his briefcase and his coffee, he stormed out of the office.

Bryan rubbed the back of this neck, keeping his head down
as Hark moved closer. His cheeks grew brighter. Hark couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a grown man blush. It was…charming and touched a part of him, he’d hoped was dead and buried.

Without looking up, Bryan apologized. “
Sorry about that. We didn’t do anything wrong. Master gave me to you.” He fumbled with the pencil on his blotter. “I honestly don't know what came over Easton. It's probably a combination of the pressure to bring Wheaton Free online and the accusations by certain members on the board that he's responsible for the ongoing sabotage that’s put him on edge. Made him more suspicious than normal.”

Hark circled the desk to place his hands on Bryan's shoulders.
Squeezing the tense muscles, he began a steady kneading motion, hoping to relax other man. “Shh. Don't worry about it. The only reason I rose to the bait was because I saw how it was upsetting you.” He placed his thumbs on either side of Bryan's spine and pressed firmly to ease the knot.

“
Still, we've been friends for years. It’s hard to believe he'd ever think that...”

He tipped his head down, until his lips were less than a breath's width away from Bryan's ear.
“Enough.” He injected just enough steel into his voice to make him still. “It doesn't matter. I could care less about what he thinks of me, because when this is all said and done, I'll never have to see him again.” He lightly nipped Bryan's ear with his teeth. Bryan's sharp inhalation made him smile. “But for now, you need to relax before I find another way to calm you down. You're strung up so tight I'm surprised you haven't snapped.”

“
I...”

He stopped Bryan's protest by placing his teeth over the taut tendon running from the man's neck to his shoulder.
A low moan passed Bryan's lips, and the muscle flexed under Hark's lips. Which only made Hark want to push harder — explore further — until he knew Bryan as well as Diachi did. “The next lie will find you over your desk, bare-assed with my hand paddling your firm bottom. Do you really want to chance it?”

Bryan shook his head and let his head fall forward until his chin touched his chest.
Taking advantage of the truly submissive pose, Hark trailed a finger down the long exposed column. And couldn't help but smile in satisfaction when gooseflesh seemed to follow his touch.

“
Very nice.” Hark whispered. “Now, I'm going to give you a short massage to relax you before your uncle shows up for your morning meeting.”

Bryan nodded slowly, his head barely moving.

“
Good boy.” Reluctantly Hark pulled back before he was tempted to do more than rub down the wide expanse of Bryan's shoulders. It took some effort, but he managed to distance himself enough to navigate the steps of the intensely thorough deep tissue massage he'd learned from his grandfather. And while he worked, he subtly dragged answers about the older Sterling out of Bryan. It paid to be forewarned.