Not that Shea was short, he was 6'2, but he was shorter then both Henry and Christian.
Shea laughed and patted Henry on the back, " Good to see you too Henry"
" Where have you been?", Henry asked as they separated.
" I was in Europe with my family. I just got back yesterday", He said with a bright smile and a glance at Christian. Obviously he was glad to be back with his best friend.
" Nice, glad you're back", Henry said, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
" Me too, I missed you guys", Shea said with a warm smile.
" We missed you too, now get to work, I got a lot of shit to decorate before Claire and Ethan get back", Henry said, bending down to pick up a box of decorating to shove into Christian's arms.
" When the hell did you turn into a family man, Henry?", Shea chuckled, his brown eyes sparkling with amusement.
" Since I met the love of my life", Henry said with a wink.
" Good God, gag me with a spoon", Sebastian grumbled as he walked into the living room from the kitchen. He apparently came in through the garage.
Henry rolled his eyes as Sebastian greeted Shea and Christian. Sebastian was becoming really jaded. It made Henry sad that his brother had lost all faith in love. All women for that matter. They were now just things that he used to get off. Not that Henry could really blame him after what he'd been through. But it's been months and Henry had hoped that he would have gotten over it a little bit.
Quinn was last to arrive. He said hello to everyone and quietly grabbed a box and started helping Henry with decorating the tree. Always impassive, his brother Quinn was. Sebastian headed outside to put up some lights while Christian and Nolan started on putting lights up in the living room.
Within a couple hours, they had the place decorated and lit. Henry stood outside with his brothers and Shea looking up at the colored Christmas lights and strands of garland trimming his roof and windows. Henry smiled. Ethan was going to love it. They all headed back inside for a beer and to warm the fuck up. It was freezing out. Henry glanced at the clock in the kitchen. Claire and Ethan should be back any minute.
" I have something to tell you guys", Henry said, pulling the fridge open and handing out beers.
" What's that?", Sebastian asked, cracking open his bottle of Guinness.
" I bought Claire a ring, I was planning on proposing on Christmas eve", Henry said, actually feeling nervous about it. He knew Claire would say yes, but still...
Christian was first to react with a wide grin, " Congrats Henry", he said, giving Henry a hug.
" Congrats brother", Quinn murmured quietly, giving Henry's shoulder a squeeze.
Shea congratulated him and gave him a hug. Henry then looked at Sebastian. Sebastian was his best friend. Out of all his brothers, Sebastian was the one he was closest with. He wanted him to be his best man. And he would be upset if Sebastian wasn't happy for him.
Sebastian sighed, " What? You know I love Claire". Henry did know that, Sebastian and Claire were buddies.
" And?", Henry prompted.
" I hope you're not going to end up like me?", Sebastian winced, but his eyes were sparkling with amusement.
" Bastard", Henry grunted and sipped his beer.
" Don't fuck it up", Sebastian snarled, glaring a warning at Henry. And Henry knew that that was the closest he was going to get to a congratulations. Sebastian didn't believe in marriage and love anymore. So saying congratulations went against that.
" I'll try not to", Henry said dryly, rolling his eyes.
Claire was shocked when she pulled up the driveway. The house was lit up with colored Christmas lights that had Ethan squealing in the backseat. She pulled into the garage, got Ethan out of the car and headed into the house. She walked into the kitchen to find Henry, his brothers and a man she's never met standing around the island drinking beer.
" Lights daddy, lights!", Ethan cried excitedly and went running to Henry.
Henry smiled brightly and scooped up the little boy, kissing him on the cheek. " Do you like them?"
" Uh huh", Ethan nodded furiously.
Henry kissed Ethan's forehead, " Well good, cause there's more"
" YAY!"
Henry chuckled then moved away from the group to give her a kiss on the lips, " Hey Darlin'"
" Hi Henry, the lights are amazing", Claire said in awe.
" You're welcome", Came Sebastian's disgruntled snort from behind Henry.
" I see you had help", Claire chuckled.
Henry nodded, " Yeah, I never would have gotten it done in time without the guys. By the way, Claire this is Shea, Shea this is my girlfriend Claire and her son Ethan"
The gorgeous dark haired man stepped forward and shook her hand. He smiled and Claire was sure he'd broken a thousand girls hearts with it. " Nice to meet you"
" You too", Claire replied.
" Shea is Christian's best friend", Henry said, answering her unspoken question.
Claire nodded, then went around to give his brothers hugs and kisses. " Thank you guys for doing this"
Of course they all shrugged it off like it was nothing, but Claire knew how much work it was to decorate, especially a big place like Henry's house. Henry then took her hand and pulled her into the living room. Claire gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth when she saw the huge tree and all the lights and other decorations. He did this for her and Ethan.
" Henry", Claire breathed, squeezing his hand.
" Do you like it?", He asked quietly.
Claire responded the only way she could, she grabbed his face and kissed him. Henry wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her closer. The kiss didn't really last long because Ethan started pushing her away.
" No mommy, no kiss daddy", Ethan said with a frown.
Low masculine chuckles filled the room behind her. Claire glanced behind her to see Henry's brothers and Shea smiling softly. Even Quinn had a touch of a smile on his handsome face. She guessed even the most stoic of men had a soft spot for Ethan. She was glad that she had so many great men in her life for Ethan.
Ethan squirmed out of Henry's arms and ran to the tree. He stopped in front of it and looked up. Henry pulled Claire into his arms and kissed her softly on the lips. Claire cupped his face, kissing him a few more times.
" Thank you Henry", She whispered, her lips brushing his.
" You're welcome baby", He smiled warmly.
Later that night, after the guys left and Ethan was in bed, Claire went up to her and Henry's room to get changed into something more comfortable. She pulled on sweatpants and a long sleeved t-shirt then went into the bathroom to wash her face. She was patting her face dry with a towel when two strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Claire shrieked while Henry chuckled against her neck.
" Jesus Henry, you scared the shit out of me", Claire panted, placing a hand over her racing heart.
" Sorry", he mumbled, but she could feel him smiling against her skin. He was so not sorry.
Henry squeezed her a little tighter and sighed. " I love you Claire", he murmured, propping his chin on her shoulder so he could look at her through the mirror in front of them.
Claire smiled softly, " I love you too Henry"
" Are you happy with me?", He asked.
" Of course I am, why do you ask?", Claire frowned.
Henry shrugged, " Just curious, I want to be sure I'm making you happy"
Claire turned in his embrace, she cupped his face and stared up into his gorgeous green eyes.
" There is no one in this world who could make me happier than you do", she said sincerely.
Henry stared at her for a moment before crushing her mouth with his. The kiss was frenzied and desperate. Henry scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom, without breaking their kiss. He laid her down and covered her body with his. Claire's legs instinctively wrapped around his hips. Henry's hands were all over her as his mouth plundered hers.
The next thing Claire knew, t
hey were both naked and Henry drove into her to the hilt. Claire cried out at the intensity of the pleasure he caused. Henry buried his face in her neck and groaned long and low. He shuttered on top of her before slowly pulling back and pushing back in. Claire gasped and dug her nails into his back. He always felt so fucking good. She didn't know if it had to do with his size, or the way he moved or the fact that she loved him, but it was always so damn good.
They came together, gasping and clutching at each other while screaming each other's name. Once they came down from their highs, they got cleaned up and got in bed. Henry snuggled up behind Claire, pulling her close and tucking his face against the back of her neck. They always fell asleep this way and they always woke up with Henry laying half on top of her. Claire never thought that when she met Henry that he was the kind of guy who liked to snuggle and cuddle. But Henry was very touchy feely. He liked to give and get affection. Which Claire loved because she was the same way.
Henry growled as he banged on his keyboard. His stupid computer was acting up again. He went to rake his hand through his hair but stopped himself. He didn't want to mess his hair up. Claire had styled it this morning and he really liked what she did. Henry dropped his hand and shoved out of his chair. He paced over to the window, hands on his hips. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to try and calm himself. He always got so irritated when it came to computer stuff.
Henry glanced over his shoulder when he heard his office door open and close. Claire walked in, a small smile on her face. She sauntered over to him in her ridiculously high heals that brought her almost eye level with him. Damn, she looked sexy. Henry fought the erection that threatened to tent his pants.
" Hey", He said as she came up next to him.
" Hey baby, what's wrong?", She asked, cocking her head in curiosity.
" My computer is being a dick", Henry snarled.
Claire chuckled and started over to his desk, " Let me see if I can fix it"
Claire went over and bent over his desk. She placed her hand on the mouse and started clicking. Henry couldn't help himself, he sidled up behind her, sliding his hands over her hips. He pressed his ever growing erection against her bottom and groaned low in his throat. Claire glanced over her shoulder, eyebrow raised.
" I swear Mr. Beck, you are insatiable, you already got some this morning", Claire murmured.
Henry leaned over her and nipped at her exposed neck, " I will never get enough of you", he rasped. Henry slid his hands up her sides to cup her breasts.
" Henry", Claire warned.
Yeah, he knew he was pushing it. They were at work. No one knew that they were together. They made sure that they didn't touch in a more then friendly way while they were there. But he just couldn't help himself. Everyday he fantasized about bending Claire over his desk and taking her.
Henry pressed himself more firmly against her, his fingers brushing over her nipples through her thin shirt. Claire's breath caught and she straightened, turning her head so that she could kiss him. Her fingers slid into the hair at the back of his neck as her lips teased his. Henry brought one hand up, slipped it into the top of her low cut shirt and into her bra where his fingers played with her hard nipple. Claire moaned against his mouth and ground her ass back against his extremely hard cock.
" I fucking knew it!", came Asher's victorious cry as the door slammed shut behind him.
Henry and Claire flew apart. Claire pressed both hands to her chest as her face flushed bright red. Henry shifted himself in his pants so he wasn't sporting a tent. Asher wore his shit-eatin' grin as he walked up to the other side of Henry's desk and planted his hands on it.
" I knew it! I knew you two were together!", He said smugly, looking back and forth between them.
" Did you even knock?", Henry muttered, dropping down into his chair.
" Fuck no, I've been trying to catch you two for months now", Asher snorted.
Henry rolled his eyes then glanced at Claire, who now had her arms crossed over her chest as she glared at Asher.
" I can't believe you guys, how could you not tell me?!", Asher snapped, his smile gone, anger filling his eyes.
" We didn't want anyone at the office to know", Claire said simply.
Asher narrowed his eyes at her, " I get that, but we're friends", he said, turning back to Henry.
" And you have a big mouth, you would have done or said something to out us", Henry said, raising an eyebrow, challenging Asher to disagree.
Asher opened his mouth to then snapped it shut. He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest, " Alright fine, you're probably right"
Henry snorted and shook his head.
" So how long has this been going on?", Asher asked.
" 4 months", Henry said.
" Asher, you can't say anything to anyone", Claire said seriously.
Asher sent her a dirty look, " I won't"
" Seriously, if you let this slip, I will fire your ass so fast...", Henry started.
" I get it! I won't say anything to anyone. Fuck", Asher grunted. " Are you ever going to tell anyone?", he asked after a moment of silence.
Henry shrugged, " I don't know, we'll see"
" Well, I'm glad that you two are finally together, you are definitely meant for each other", Asher murmured softly.
Henry gave him a grateful smile then shooed him out the door. This time Henry locked it after it was closed. He turned back to Claire, intent on living out his fantasy.
Chapter 15
Sebastian walked in Henry's front door. It was Christmas Eve and Henry was having dinner at his house. Henry was also supposed to propose to Claire tonight. Sitting in the living room were his parents, Claire's dad Frank and Ethan. Ethan was sitting on his mother's lap while she sang Itsy Bitsy Spider with a loving smile on her face. Sebastian stared at her for a moment. Was that really his mother? The condescending bitch? Henry had told him that she's been changing but he hadn't believed it.
His mother Anne glanced up to him, her smile slipping slightly. The pain and anguish in her eyes was clear as she looked at him. Sebastian gritted his teeth and headed into the kitchen where Claire was flitting around the kitchen, getting dinner ready. Henry was setting the table and Christian was putting a case of beer in the fridge.
Sebastian walked over to Claire, who had her back turned to him, and gave her a kiss on the cheek, " Hey lovely", he said, using his nickname for her.
Claire smiled over her shoulder at him, " Sebastian! Hi!", she exclaimed then turned and hugged him.
Claire was one of his best friends now. They really had the whole brother-sister connection going. Yeah, he thought she was gorgeous and sexy but he really didn't see her as more then a friend. She was Henry's woman, always had been, always will be. He was glad that she was going to be his sister-in-law. He loved her and trusted her and she was the best thing that had ever happened to their family.
Claire let him go with a bright smile then he couldn't help but return. Leave it to Claire to put a smile on his face when he wanted to do nothing but scowl. " Grab a beer, relax, dinner will be done soon", she said, turning back to what she was doing.
Henry walked over to him when he was done with setting the table and clapped him on the back. " Hey man"
Sebastian gave him a brotherly hug, " Hey"
Henry raised an eyebrow, " You okay?", he asked, knowing exactly what was bothering Sebastian. Damn him.
Sebastian shrugged, " I don't know...I...she...fuck...", he stuttered, not knowing how to express what was going on in his head at the moment.
Henry nodded and slipped his arm around Sebastian's shoulders. " Let's go talk", he said, leading Sebastian down the hall to his office. Once inside Henry shut the door then sat on the couch, crossing his arms over his chest and waited. Fucker.
Sebastian sighed and raked a hand through his hair. " I just wasn't expecting to walk in and see her singing baby songs to Ethan, I was expecting tonight to go as all the other family gatherings ha
ve gone over the years, with her nagging the shit out of us"
" I've been trying to tell you that she's working on changing, she wants to be part of our lives and she knows the only way to do that is by changing her old habits. She's been great with Claire. They've even gone out to lunch a few times just the two of them. Claire says mom has really opened up a lot to her about her feelings. She's also been amazing with Ethan, loves him to death. She's been asking to babysit him more and more"
Sebastian frowned, " Really?", he asked, hesitant to believe what Henry was telling him.
Henry (The Beck Brothers) Page 16