Page 23 of Saving Little Clark

I locked my computer and made my way down the long hallway of cubicles to Brody's corner office. I knocked twice on the heavy wooden door before turning the handle and stepping inside.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked tentatively, closing the door behind me with a soft click.

He was seated at his desk, feigning a serious expression. As I entered, he rose, his tall frame towering over me as he shut the door with a soft click.

His facade of seriousness crumbled, replaced by a playful smirk. "Clark," he purred, his voice a low rumble that sent a wave of heat through me, "come closer."

Brody's eyes held mine captive. I saw my own desire reflected in their depths. He stepped closer, his body heat a tangible presence, his scent, a blend of musk and cedarwood.

Our lips met, a collision of need and want. His tongue traced the seam of my mouth, seeking entrance, and I yielded, our breaths mingling in a symphony of gasps and sighs. His hands roamed my body, charting the landscape of my back, my arms, pulling me closer until there was no space between us, just the frantic beat of our hearts echoing in the silence.

And then, he suddenly stopped. “Just wanted to give you something to think about on your first day of work. See you tomorrow.”

He couldn’t stop now. Not when I had a boner. But then again, we were at work.

That night back at my apartment, I was settling onto my cozy couch when my phone buzzed with an incoming video call.

"Hey," I said, accepting the call with a playful grin. "If it isn't my favorite trust fall partner. To what do I owe the pleasure of this late-night chat?"

Brody chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief even through the slightly pixelated screen. "What, a guy can't call his favorite coworker just to say hello? And here I thought we had something special."

I laughed, settling back against my couch cushions with a contented sigh. "I'm pretty sure HR would frown upon us exploring that particular avenue of team bonding."

"Ah, pity," Brody said. "And here I was hoping to get some one-on-one time with you, away from the prying eyes of our esteemed colleagues."

"Careful," I teased, biting my lip to hold back a giddy smile. "Keep talking like that, and I might just take you up on that offer. And then where would we be?"

"In a world of trouble, most likely," he said, his voice dropping to a low, intimate rumble. "But damn if it wouldn't be worth it, just to see that pretty blush on your cheeks in person."

"Flatterer," I mumbled, trying and failing to sound stern.

We talked for a while longer, trading stories from our day, our laughter filling the small space of my living room. By the time we finally said our goodbyes, my cheeks were aching from smiling so hard.

Chapter 10: Clark

I was just settling in for a cozy night of Netflix and chill when the doorbell rang, startling me out of my snuggly cocoon of blankets.

With a grumble, I padded over to the front door. As I swung the door open, my jaw dropped in shock at the sight before me.

There, cradled in Will's arms like a sleepy toddler, was Alex. But not the Alex I was used to seeing - not the sassy, mischievous, larger-than-life bestie who was always ready with a quip or a prank. No, this Alex was softer, more vulnerable, his eyes wide and trusting as he sucked contentedly on a bright blue binky.

He was dressed in a onesie, a fluffy white one dotted with cheerful yellow duckies. And clutched tightly in his arms was a stuffed animal, a floppy-eared bunny with a lopsided grin.

For a moment, I could only stare, struggling to process the unexpected sight.

Alex was in full-on Little mode in front of Will?

But then, from the tender, adoring look on Will's face as he gazed down at the precious bundle in his arms, it was clear that things were moving way too fast, but in a good way.

"Hey, Clark," Will said softly, his voice low and soothing so as not to disturb the drowsy boy in his embrace. "Sorry to drop in on you like this, but someone was feeling a little clingy tonight and wanted to see his best friend."

"No worries," I said, stepping back to let them into the apartment.

As Will carried Alex over to the couch and settled him gently onto the cushions, I felt a flicker of nervousness. But then Alex lifted his head and gave me a sleepy, pacifier-muffled smile, his eyes crinkling with familiar mischief.

"Hey, buddy," I said. "Why don't we go hang out in my room for a bit, give Will a chance to rest his arms for a minute?"

Alex nodded agreeably, reaching up to take my hand as I helped him off the couch. And then, to my utter astonishment, he dropped to his hands and knees and began to crawl towards my bedroom, his stuffed bunny dragging along behind him like a floppy third leg.

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