Page 9 of Doubling Down

He stiffened, disgusted with the thought of Joey touching him. Although Ezra was shocked that Joey would even care to catch him.

“Hey, there. You okay?”

That was not Joey’s voice. Ezra looked over his shoulder as he was set gently back on his feet.

Eric.

Gorgeous. Sweet. Strong. Eric Smith.

It was the first time the other man had ever touched him. Was still touching him. Eric’s eyes were sharp as he glanced from Ezra to Joey. “What’s going on out here?”

Ezra’s knew his eyes had to be huge. How could he answer that?

“Don’t worry about it,” Joey said. “Shouldn’t you be on the floor? Or up in the camera room?”

Oh yeah, Eric worked under Joey. If Joey said to leave them alone, then Eric wouldn’t have another choice. Joey had fired people for less. Could Ezra make it through the door before Eric left?

“I’m actually off for the night,” Eric responded to Joey. His hand tightened on Ezra’s hip. “I was just looking for Ezra.”

Joey sneered. “This is why you turned me down? For him? Just couldn’t wait to get on your knees for the new security? What a slut.”

Ezra’s mouth dropped open in shock. What? How would Joey even come to that conclusion? Ezra had never had a relationship with anyone from work. Hell, he hadn’t had a relationship in almost four years.

“What the fuck!” Eric said in a cold voice.

Uh-oh, two big guys arguing, and Ezra was right in the middle of them. They were going to squish him.

Eric squeezed Ezra’s hip before releasing him. He moved where he blocked Ezra from Joey’s view although Ezra wasn’t certain how he managed it. Eric had barely moved at all, but Ezra was suddenly staring at Eric’s broad shoulders in his light gray suit.

He dropped his gaze. The tail of the jacket was hiding Eric’s ass, which was a damn shame. This was the one time that Ezracould get his fill checking Eric out but—oh damn! The raised voices drew Ezra’s attention back to the issue at hand.

“Mind your fucking business,” Joey growled out.

“Ezra is my business,” Eric replied. “From this moment forward, you don’t come near him. Don’t touch him. Don’t talk to him. Don’t go near him.”

“You have forgotten your place, newbie,” Joey threatened. “I could fire you for this.”

Eric snorted. “No, you can’t. And I won’t allow you to bully or harass anyone.”

There was a beat of silence. Could Joey not fire Eric? How did that make sense? Eric worked security. Joey was head of security. Ezra had so many questions.

“He could have told me no,” Joey said.

Ezra had said no. More than once. He had witnesses that heard him tell Joey no. But Joey could make Ezra’s life hell. He might even be able to get Ezra fired and Ezra couldn’t lose his job. It wasn’t all about him.

“Well, I’m telling you no for him. Leave him alone or it will be you that’s out of a job,” Eric said.

“Fuck you both.”

Ezra grabbed the back of Eric’s suit jacket. He pressed himself against Eric’s back as Eric turned. Most likely keeping his eye on Joey. Ezra didn’t let go of Eric’s jacket even when he heard the door being wrenched open or slammed closed.

“Are you okay?” Eric turned.

It would have probably been easier if Ezra had let go of his jacket. Ezra did not.

“Hey.” Eric cupped Ezra’s cheek. “He didn’t hurt you, did you?”

Wow, Eric’s palm was so warm. Calloused but it didn’t hurt. It felt good in fact. How long had it been since someone had been so gentle with him. He loved his friends and they were pretty touchy-feely but this was different. Ezra peered up and into Eric’s eyes.

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