Food for the Soul

by Ceri Grenelle

  She avoided that altogether now by sending them away with To-Go containers of food. She wouldn’t let those types in to cause trouble, but she wouldn’t let them starve either.

  Once the line thinned and there was a substantial crowd sitting in the main hall, eating the meals her volunteers had served, she turned a scathing eye on Flynn. To be fair, it was hard to present an angry front after everything Doug had told her. Also…he looked too damn hot for his own good. But Harper was determined to be stronger than her libido.

  “I know you’re pissed—”

  “Did your handyman tell you that, boss?”

  He pushed himself off the van and walked toward her slowly. “No, I knew you’d be pissed when I sent him over here.”

  That gave her pause. “Then why did you do it?”

  “Because I don’t give a shit if it hurts your pride, Harper. You need security here, for more reasons than the fact that you live alone in this forsaken abode.” He eyed the building dubiously, but his turned-down brows only added to his appeal. She hated that her righteous anger from this morning had all but petered out.

  “You’ve wasted yours and Doug’s time by doing this, and you know it. It’s all pointless anyway.”

  “We can figure something out to keep the kitchen open, but in the meantime, I know you won’t stay at Theo’s apartment all the time.”

  Harper wondered why Flynn didn’t offer his home but decided not to press. He looked on edge as it was, as though he’d come here expecting a fight. If he’d known the shit he was stepping in from the beginning, he most likely had been ready for an argument.

  “I don’t like handouts, Flynn.”

  “I know.” He was close enough to touch now, and she let the soothing scents of mac ’n’ cheese and chicken noodle soup wafting from the door soothe what was left of her frayed nerves. She placed her hands on his chest, smoothing her fingers up toward his shoulders.

  She focused on his clean white buttons as she said, “It reminds me of sitting on a street corner with a dirty cup in my hand, waiting for some passerby to throw me a few bucks so I can get a meal off the dollar menu at Taco Bell.”

  He wrapped his arms around her back and tucked her against him. He smelled like office and leather car seats, not altogether pleasant but real and present. “That doesn’t sound terrible. Taco Bell is delicious.”

  She pulled back to punch him in the arm, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her in close for a full hug, his arms coming around her waist and hers wrapping around his neck.

  “I don’t care if I waste a hundred hours of Doug’s time or a million dollars. If it makes you safer than you were, if it helps you in any way, then I’ll do it. It’s okay to accept help from time to time, Harper.”

  Callie’s words again, coming back to haunt her. Perhaps the girl was trying to tell her something. She sighed into his chest and let him hold her for a few delightful moments, let his strength encompass her and add to her already formidable spirit. She liked this feeling, of being more than a single being.

  “Come on, boss,” she said, frowning at Flynn. “I’ve got some brownies with your name on them.”

  “You feed these people weed brownies? No wonder you’re popular.”

  It was her moral obligation to punch him again.

  Chapter Seven

  It was after eight in the evening when Theo finally pulled up in front of the soup kitchen. Usually, after a long day, he’d go for a run or do a full-circuit workout at the gym to relinquish any frustrations he’d endured during the day. Working in the ER near one of the poorest communities in the city was disheartening, to say the least. He wanted to help these kids, maybe give them a gentle yet firm smack upside the head and tell them to get their shit together. But he patched them up and sent them on their way, knowing they’d be back. They always came back, but more times than not, it was in a body bag. There must be something more he could do for them. It never felt like enough.

  Today had been worse than customary, and he knew he’d remember for the rest of his life the look on that girl’s face as she had been rolled into the ER. He had been so focused and determined, shutting out all outside distractions, that by the end of it when he’d failed to save her, he’d lost his shit and railed at the next person who came to him for something—a new nurse. Now there would be an inquiry with HR and the rest of the nurses hated him more than they already did. The other doctors wanted nothing to do with him.

  When first starting the job, he’d told himself he’d be open and welcome to making friends. But after the first few months of unsuccessful social interactions and happy hours that made him feel out of place…it was easier to start ignoring any invitations to drinks after work or holiday parties. He didn’t know how to balance work with life, didn’t know how to be a normal, communicative human being. He was shit at it, so he gave up trying. He had work, and then he had nothing, until Harper and Flynn.

  Now look where he was, close to where two people he craved more than life would be, and they would give him succor. Was it wrong to want them both this much? He didn’t think so. Love and desire were natural and inescapable facets of life. What he feared, what made his heart drop into his stomach when he thought about it, was the possibility of them truly understanding how uncomfortable he felt around other people. He’d opened himself up again after a long time of solitude, and this overwhelming fear was the price.

  He’d never been good at making friends, too naturally solitary. No matter how many social groups his parents put him in, wherever they happened to be living that month, he was always the quiet, studious one. They couldn’t understand his introverted nature, as they were social butterflies, going from one event to another to present their research and spend time with like-minded folk. The only social interaction Theo had ever been comfortable with as an adult was carnal pleasures, but there was more than lust stirring between the trio.

  It was too late to distance himself from Harper and Flynn, he knew that much. He needed an outlet, to release the fear and anguish from the day. Tonight the gym wouldn’t suffice. He only hoped the ones he would look to would take him in with open arms.

  Theo closed his car up, then entered the building. The door was still unlocked, as the place would be open for another half hour. There were some kids sitting off to the side by the small bookcases. A teenager, a girl with bright-orange hair, read a worn-out copy of Green Eggs and Ham to them. She had them in peals of laughter as she made faces in reaction to the Cat’s antics.

  On his left, an old man sat at a table and was snoring softly, a sour smell rising from his clothes. Past him, a lone young boy shook a can of paint and drew on the wall, a small black-and-gray picture of a young girl losing a red balloon. Theo had seen that image before, a popular one by Banksy. The guy seemed to be practicing. Theo looked around the room and found other small copies of Banksy’s work, some rough, others more polished. The copycat artist was good, but Theo would’ve liked to see something he did on his own. Thinking of what Harper might do in this situation, Theo decided to break character and speak to the young man.

  “That’s pretty good,” Theo said, having walked up to the artist’s right side.

  The artist shrugged. “It’s all right. I’m gettin’ better.” The kid had a slight Hispanic twinge to his accent.

  “Well, you’re doing it the right way. Is there anything in here that’s yours?”

  “Whaddaya mean?”

  “Something original that you drew?”

  “I didn’t steal this,” the artist said, backing away from the image defensively.

  “I know. It’s okay to copy another artist’s work in order to learn. But, I mean, this is impressive, and I wondered if you had anything you came up with and drew personally.”

  The artist pursed his lips in thought, staring Theo down as he considered him. “Nah, there’s nothin’. This is what I do.”

  Theo nodded, unsure of what else to say. “Well, if you ever do create your own work, I’d l
ike to see it. I think you’ve got something going for you.”

  “Whatever,” the artist said, turning back to the wall.

  Theo knew when to take a hint and headed back toward the kitchen. The young man reminded Theo of himself when he was a teen, always alone, working on whatever he was studying at the time, never truly accepting praise. He hoped that conversation hadn’t been a total waste.

  “Uh, sir, you can’t be back here without approval from Harper,” a young man said when Theo walked into the kitchen. The guy stood at the sink, washing out one of the serving trays.

  “I have approval, I think.” He laughed at himself, a sad laugh that sounded like it carried the weight of his day. “I hope, anyway. Where is she?”

  “Here,” Harper’s voice called from behind him. He turned to look at her, and she frowned the instant she saw his face. “What’s wrong?”

  Theo couldn’t speak. He’d meant to say he was fine and then wanted to invite her and Flynn over to stay, but after such a miserable and exhausting day, seeing concern for him shining from her beautiful eyes brought such a wave of unfamiliar emotion, he became choked up with it. There were no words for the amount of gratitude he felt being the recipient of that concern.

  Harper didn’t speak but walked toward him and wrapped him in her small embrace. She was unimaginably strong. She’d suffered, and then she’d rallied, and now she was doing all she could to stay on her feet in order to give to others. She was a modern-day superhero, and he wanted to be her when he grew up.

  “I’m sorry you had a bad day. Want some mac ’n’ cheese?”

  For some reason, that made Theo laugh. He nodded and let her guide him toward her back office. Flynn was there, arguing with the man Theo had seen on a ladder outside the building that morning.

  “Sit at my desk. I’ll bring the food.” Harper kissed him on the cheek, needing to go up on her tiptoes to do it, then left to fetch the food.

  “Listen, boss, you’re good with being the boss and stuff, but I’m telling you, this angle is not going to do you any good.” The man was once again on a ladder, but he was now affixing a camera to the corner of the room. “You want a spot more wide-sweeping.”

  “I want a spot that will point at that door and stay there.” Flynn was at the bottom of the ladder, one foot on the bottom rung and his hands supporting it as the technician did his work. “Why can’t you be a complacent drone and do what I say?”

  “I wouldn’t be as good at my job then.” The stranger spotted Theo. “Can we help you?”

  Flynn looked over, a smile breaking out over his face. “C’mere. I can’t let go of this ladder or my idiot employee will fall down.”

  “Employee?” Theo asked, walking over.

  “Yeah, I own stuff and people work for me. It’s a nice setup.” Without warning, Flynn leaned in and kissed Theo full on the mouth. Both men had stubble, and the sensation of the short bristles rubbing against one another was sharp. It brought Theo further away from his hard day, closer to a happier reality. This must be something if a simple, closed-mouth kiss could make his day that much better.

  “Ah, you’re bi. That makes sense.”

  Flynn kissed the corner of Theo’s mouth before pulling away to glare up at his employee. “Doug, do I pay you to comment on my personal life?”

  “Nah, but it’s fun to do anyway.” Doug winked down at them before turning back to his work.

  “I need some flying monkeys to do my bidding. Would be much easier.”

  “The stink from the shit would be unbearable, though,” Harper said with a grin as she put a steaming bowl of mac ’n’ cheese and a glass of water on her desk. “Eat up, Theo. I’m gonna finish closing up, then—”

  “Then I was wondering if both of you would like to come over.”

  “Netflix and chill?”

  “Shut up, Doug,” Flynn grumbled up at Doug. “I think that should be fine. Let me see if my dad can watch Ben.”

  The reminder that Flynn had other responsibilities felt like a kick in the teeth. He felt like an ass.

  “Shit, right. I’m sorry I forgot you have that to consider.”

  Flynn cradled Theo’s head, cupping his cheek. “It’s fine.” Flynn leaned in, whispering, “I can’t wait to see your place.”

  Theo swallowed hard, his body tensing at the thought of the three of them in bed together. His blood was pumping and his heart pounding. He wanted it. He wanted Flynn’s scent on his sheets and Harper’s hair spread out over his pillows. Would they do what Harper had teased him with last night? He needed that and more. With a newfound bravery, he pushed his hardened cock into Flynn’s pelvis, shocked but excited to feel another thick length rubbing against his own, and said quietly in response, “You won’t be seeing much of it. By the time we get there, I’ll need to fuck you both in the entryway.”

  Theo loved the idea of making love to Flynn, of taking such a finely honed body down on his, but he didn’t know what his reaction would be to the reality of it. Only one way to find out, and he couldn’t wait.

  * * * *

  It took Harper another thirty minutes to close up. Doug left, along with the rest of the volunteers, and Flynn decided to follow in his car behind Theo to the apartment. But not before giving both Theo and Harper a kiss that set Theo on edge for the length of the car ride. It also didn’t help that Harper kept rubbing her hands up and down her legs and constantly glancing over at Theo. She seemed nervous, or maybe anxious and anticipatory. Whatever it was, if he didn’t do something soon, he was going to lose his concentration and get lost before getting home.

  Theo reached over and placed his hand on her thigh, catching one of her hands and following the same path she had been wearing thin. Up and down her leg, each time getting closer and closer to the zipper. Her breathing became heavy, a small wisp of air catching in her throat every time he grazed the seam or when he reached the button.

  “Do something,” she whispered when they stopped at a particularly long red light. “Please, I need you to touch me.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Anything, just—shit.”

  Theo let go of her hand and unsnapped her zipper, less gracefully than he would have liked, but her desperate plea used up the rest of his patience. He wanted Flynn here, wanted the man to watch, but Theo couldn’t wait.

  He dipped his hand into her pants, the thickness of his fingers making the zipper lower on its own. He reached a lace fabric and wondered what color it would be but forgot about fabric or anything else when she pushed into his hand. He placed his fingers underneath the band of lace and paused.

  “Is this okay?”

  She nodded and pushed farther into his hand in response.

  That wasn’t enough. He needed to know exactly. “Tell me.”

  “Yes, I want it. I want your fingers inside me.”

  He slid his fingers farther down, and they both sighed in ecstasy as he reached the tip of her folds. Her pussy had a small amount of rough hair delicately covering her lips in a fine coat. He used two fingers to spread her, and instead of dipping all the way inside like he so wanted to, he pressed lightly over her clit and began to rub.

  “Christ—” she gasped, slamming her hands against the car door and bracing.

  He continued, glancing up at the light every now and then, hoping it would stay red long enough. He didn’t press hard on her, enough to keep tickling, keep her on edge. She writhed against him, moaning when he would rub faster or change the pressure slightly. When the light eventually turned green, she had one hand gripping the back of the headrest, the other still on the door, and one leg braced against the dash. She was glorious, face tilted back in abandon and teeth biting into her bottom.

  He continued to tease her as he drove, glad that the roads were empty and the speed limit slow in his area. Within another minute, they were at his building and he had to stop what he was doing. She groaned in annoyance, reaching down to keep him there for half a second longer.

  �
�I have to check Flynn into a guest spot. I don’t think the gate guard will appreciate me fucking you while I do that.”

  She chuckled. “I hope you always talk like that during sex.”

  “You’ll see.”

  He confirmed there was a space available for Flynn’s car, then paid the guest fee. Once he was parked in his spot, Theo jumped out of the car and rounded to the passenger side before Harper could get out. He wasn’t thinking, wanted to fuck her in the car right then, but before he could open her door, Flynn was there—having parked in the spot next to them—slamming Theo against the hood of his car.

  “I know what you two were doing,” Flynn said in a low growl, bright with lust. He had Theo on his back, the warmth from the engine adding to the sweat and heat conducted with his own need. Flynn leaned over Theo, spreading his legs and pressing his cock against Theo’s. “I saw her at that red light. You didn’t even know I was pulled up next to you.”

  Flynn had seen it. “Good,” Theo grunted as his dick lengthened painfully inside his jeans. He’d never been in this position before, lying on his back with another person—another man—spreading his legs like he would fuck him. “I wanted you to see it.”

  “I bet you did.” Flynn lifted Theo higher and pressed his cock into Theo’s ass. “Do you feel how hard I am for you? You said before you wanted to fuck us, but do you want me to fuck you? Like this—oh shit, baby.”

  Theo looked down from Flynn’s face to see Harper dipping her small hand into his tented pants. Harper had his belt, button, and zipper wide open, and Theo could see the tip of Flynn’s cock in her hand. Flynn began to move his hips, fucking Harper’s fist. He leaned down and kissed Theo as she went, pushing his tongue into Theo’s mouth, slipping in and out as his teeth nibbled and claimed.