“I don’t. No matter how many times you explain it, I still don’t get what M’s job is. I’m trying to figure it out.”
“How can you not get it? She oversees everything.”
“But she doesn’tdoanything.”
“Not that you can see, but it’s all behind the scenes,” Brett continued, and Felix allowed himself a small smile of victory at the bite in his tone.
“Then, I ask again, what’s the point of her being in the film? She doesn’tdoanything,” he repeated. By god, he lovedriling him up. He paused and leaned closer to the camera feed, noticing something out of place. “Oh, fucking hell! Why do people keep doing stupid shit?” He bit his nails, cursing again, and stood, pacing from his computer to the wall and back. He’d spent so long sorting the cameras and then some dumb shit had gone and…
“What’s wrong?”
Brett’s voice broke through his internal musings, but he didn’t stop pacing, allowing his thoughts to organise themselves with every step he took.
“Four of the cameras I had set up have been obstructed now. I need to move them. It takes fucking forever—”
A hand on his nape stopped him in place, and Brett stepped in front of him, his hand remaining where it was. Felix couldn’t look at him, though. Instead, he studied the buttons of his pristine shirt, light blue that day, and decided everything else could wait if he could just undo one or two of them and touch his undoubtedly warm skin.
“Breathe, Felix,” Brett ordered, and Felix inhaled shakily, having not realised he hadn’t been. “And again.”
Whenever Brett touched him, his brain quieted, and he did everything he was told. The pressure on his nape had his eyes closing, and he swayed forward until his forehead touched Brett’s shoulder. A long, slow exhale sounded in his ear, and despite the need to stay where he was, he needed something else more. Slowly, he lifted his head, tilting towards Brett as he did. His forehead brushed against Brett’s cheek and the corner of his mouth until Felix raised his chin slightly to meet his boss’s gaze. The fire from the night at the club blazed in his eyes, and Felix licked his lips. Brett’s gaze dropped, and his throat bobbed.
“Felix…” he murmured.
Felix itched to touch him, but he hadn’t been given permission. Instead, he inched closer as if to kiss him, and thehand on his nape tightened, holding him still when they were millimetres apart. He couldn’t do it. It had to be Brett’s choice.
Air coasted across his lips. “Felix…”
The door opened, and Brett stepped back immediately. Felix turned the air blue and stormed out of the room. The guards were used to him leaving without a word, but this time, he had no choice. His trousers were too tight to leave anything to the imagination, and so he strode through the hallways until he reached fresh air. He crouched in the car park, breathing in and out until he had himself under control and then continued on his way to Book Drunk. It was his favourite place, and the quality of the drinks was the cherry on top.
The bell tinkled as he entered, and he waved at Oscar, who immediately started making a drink upon seeing him. Every staff member was wonderful and needed a raise, as far as he was concerned.
Oscar put a drink in front of him. “Here. It looks like you needed this.”
Another guilty pleasure: hot chocolate. That, coffee and water were pretty much all he drank.
“Thanks. I truly did.”
“No friends today?”
Felix shook his head as he took another sip. “No. They’re busy. As I should be, but I needed a breather.”
“Everyone needs a break now and then.”
He stared at his drink and sighed. “And don’t I know it.” He pushed aside his melancholy and smiled up at his protectee. “I miss seeing you as often as I did.”
Oscar beamed. “I miss you, too. We had some wonderful conversations. I understand, though. You have other aspects of your job that need your attention. I can’t have it all.” He chuckled.
“If only I could be your guard and your guard only.”
Oscar frowned at him, leaning down and moving closer. “You could request it, you know. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem. Not that I’m being selfish in that, but you could.”
Felix nodded. “I could, but until they have someone else who can do what needs to be done, I’m it.”
“Just remember, Felix, you’re only one person. Don’t live to work. Work so you can live.”
And wasn’t that a problem because the person he wanted to live for was where he worked. “Thanks, Oscar. I’ll try.” He took another sip. “Could I have another one and a coffee to go, please?”
“Sure.”