When Alec took Ed into his mouth, he imagined how this would look to someone walking into the office right now. Alec Rowland, Senior Associate, on his knees sucking the temp’s cock. The thought of the spectacle they must make only turned him on more as the fear of discovery rippled through him. The risk was tiny. The only person in the building would be the night security guard, and he rarely left his desk. But there was a risk, nevertheless, and it only heightened Alec’s arousal. He sucked Ed hard and fast. Now was not the time for slow and leisurely.

It seemed to be working for Ed. He slid his hands into Alec’s hair. “Oh my God,” he moaned.

A jolt of electric need arrowed down to Alec’s groin. He shoved his hand down his own waistband so he could grip his cock while he sucked, humping into his fist as he spiralled into mindless pleasure, his control slipping.

Ed’s gaze caught the movement of Alec’s arm. “Oh fuck, you’re—God, Alec. You look so….”

He never finished the sentence, because he started to come. The pulse of Ed’s dick and the taste of his release tipped Alec over and he shot into his hand and his underwear in a hot, sticky mess as he moaned around Ed’s cock. Shame and satisfaction mingled, making him feel oddly vulnerable as he finally pulled off and pressed his face into Ed’s hip while he caught his breath. He couldn’t meet Ed’s eyes, but he breathed in his scent as his heart rate settled and his breathing slowed. Ed’s hands were still in Alec’s hair, stroking lightly in an echo of Belinda’s hands the week before, a touch offering comfort and affection. Alec’s heart ached with wanting more of it. Was this what happened when you finally realised what you were missing out on?

“Alec?” Ed’s voice was soft, and when Alec lifted his head to meet his gaze, Ed smiled uncertainly and stroked Alec’s cheek. “Did you… um, want me to return the favour?”

“Too late.” Alec pulled his wet hand out of his trousers and held it up. A thick web of come stretched between his thumb and forefinger.

Ed’s lips quirked in amusement. “Oh, yeah. I wondered. I wasn’t sure.”

Alec flushed. “It’s been a while.” He got to his feet and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe his hand. “And that was disturbingly hot.”

“Disturbingly?” Ed glanced up from fastening his fly.

“Being down on my knees isn’t my usual MO, especially not on the office carpet.”

Ed’s lips twitched again as he hesitated for a moment, and then he grinned outright and said in a bold rush, “You look good on your knees.”

Alec felt a confusing rush of arousal and irritation. That seemed to be his permanent state around Ed. “Yes, well. It can’t happen again.”

The smile left Ed’s face abruptly. “No, of course not.”

There were so many things Alec wanted to say: I care about you. I want you, but I’m not as brave as you. Instead he fell back on the easy explanation. “We need to keep this professional from now on.”

“Fine by me,” Ed said, but there was an edge to his voice that told Alec he wasn’t the only one with mixed feelings.

Ed turned away and started to pack up his stuff. There wasn’t anything left to say, so Alec did the same.

They waited for the lift together in silence.

The doors slid closed, trapping them in the small space, and Alec’s gaze strayed to study Ed’s reflection in the mirrored wall. He turned to Ed and lifted a hand to smooth his hair back into place where it was still ruffled from his hands earlier.

“Thanks.” A ghost of a smile lit up the tired shadows on Ed’s face.

The hint of stubble on Ed’s cheek glinted golden in the light. Alec resisted the urge to brush a kiss over it. “You look knackered,” he said.

Ed raised an eyebrow. “I wonder who’s to blame for that?”

“You did well this week, Ed.” Alec patted Ed’s shoulder, needing to touch him one more time. “Catch up on some sleep this weekend, because the next few weeks are only going to get harder.”

CHAPTER SIX

Ed hadn’t believed Alec when he said the work would get harder. He thought he’d already reached the limit of what the team could handle, but as the date for the final negotiations grew closer, the pressure increased.

Nearly two weeks had passed since the crazy night when Alec had blown him in the office and then stayed on his knees afterwards, hiding his face while Ed stroked his hair. Every time Ed looked at Alec, he remembered it vividly and was assaulted by a blend of tenderness and desire. But he was strung out on caffeine and adrenaline, and his brain was so stuffed full of facts, figures, and contract details that he didn’t have much space left to try and sort through his feelings about Alec.