Rescue My Heart

by Avery Ford

  Dmitri wasn’t going to accept that. “You’ve been a gossip since you started here. You put in more hours than any of us. I’m pretty sure you’ve spoken to more than just Nikki since you got here. So? Who else do I have to talk to?”

  “You’re such a jerk, Dmitri!”

  “I’m concerned about the reputation of my business! This isn’t something I can brush off and forget about.”

  As they argued, the kennel door opened. It came as no surprise to Dmitri when Arthur joined them. Why wouldn’t he? The day was being terrible on purpose.

  “What’s going on here?” Arthur asked.

  “We’re having a conversation,” Dmitri said.

  “No! I told him I didn’t want to talk, and he’s forcing me to anyway, despite repeatedly telling him I’m not in the mood to do so productively.”

  Arthur pushed his way in front of Dmitri, and Dmitri found himself shocked by just how much force a willowy body like Arthur’s could muster. He took a few steps back, knocked away by Arthur’s force.

  “You need to step down,” Arthur said, his voice leaving no room for argument. “You’re not going to bully Celeste into doing what you want. Life doesn’t work like that.”

  “I’m not bullying her into doing anything! She’s spreading rumors that could have a negative impact on my business!”

  Arthur’s face hardened. “Then she must have good reason to.”

  The nerve of that kid. The nerve. Dmitri ground his teeth and narrowed his eyes. His hands clenched into fists. Anger coursed through him, lighting his veins on fire and tightening his gut. With it, blazing just as intensely, came frustrated arousal.

  Arthur’s smart lips. His eyes. The way he made Dmitri feel, even if that feeling was anger.

  “You’re not supposed to be here right now,” Arthur continued. He didn’t move away from the kennel door. “Stop bullying Celeste and go home. We don’t want you here right now.”

  If Dmitri spoke, he knew he was going to explode. All he could do was cast Arthur a scathing look before he turned and left the kennel through the back door. He slammed it shut behind him.

  The rushing of his heart and the rage in his veins ignited, and as soon as the door was closed, he bellowed into the wilderness.

  Damn Arthur.

  Damn him and his cute, tight body.

  Damn him and his kissable, pink lips.

  Damn him for running Dmitri ragged with all kinds of emotions he didn’t want — guilt, anger, and arousal.

  Dmitri needed to work him out of his head, and he needed to do it quickly. Friday night wasn’t going to get there fast enough.

  Dmitri’s belt hit the bedroom floor, his pants falling slack at his hips and plunging down his thighs. He jerked them off the rest of the way, then stepped out of them and sank onto the edge of his bed. He shrugged his t-shirt over his head, too hot to keep it on.

  The rage still boiled inside him, riling him beyond belief.

  Left only in a pair of black boxer-briefs, generously bulged at the front with the stirrings of an erection, Dmitri yanked his bedside drawer open and pulled the bottle of lube out from the inside. The cap snapped. Lube met his fingertips.

  The fingers of his clean hand curled around the elastic of his boxer-briefs, and with a flick of his wrist he tugged them down. Cock exposed, he worked the lube down his shaft, then palmed himself and started to stroke. The pleasure was outstanding, and he bit down on his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut as he pumped.

  Damn Arthur. Damn him. Stepping into business he has no place being in. Acting like he owns the kennel when he hasn’t even been there for a month.

  Dmitri sank back onto the bed. The thin skin of his shaft was slick against his palm thanks to the lube, and he worked himself furiously as his mind was drawn to Arthur. All the rage and the frustration heightened. Dmitri opened his lips into a soundless moan and bucked upward into his hand.

  Arthur wouldn’t be able to say anything ignorant with Dmitri’s dick in his mouth. Dmitri tossed his head back and imagined it. Arthur, on his knees, his lips sealed around Dmitri’s cock as he looked up at Dmitri through his eyelashes. The tight, wet, warm confines of Arthur’s mouth.

  Dmitri panted and rolled over so his chest was against the mattress. He worked into his hand breathlessly, jerking his hips down as he thrust and bucked.

  Arthur wouldn’t look so smug on his hands and knees on Dmitri’s bed. He wouldn’t have the brain cells to string together anything to say at all if Dmitri was fucking him from behind, driving deep into his tight ass.

  Dmitri moaned, letting the noise be loud.

  Fuck, would it feel good to own him like that. To get him to shut up for just a second.

  Dmitri imagined working into Arthur so hard that Arthur’s elbows buckled, and they slumped down onto the bed together. Dmitri wanted to fuck him into the mattress. He wanted Arthur to be so overwhelmed by pleasure that he couldn’t act, couldn’t speak, couldn’t do anything except for submit.

  I’m going to come. Oh fuck, I’m going to come…

  The tightness in Dmitri’s balls came all at once, and he moved his hand just in time to catch the blast of semen he shot. Once he was done, he eased himself up from bed and headed to the bathroom.

  After that, he needed a cold shower.

  With any luck, he’d never need to think about Arthur again.

  13

  Arthur

  Arthur smoothed his hands along his jaw, turning his head from side to side to make sure he’d done away with his stubble. It was fair — almost invisible — but it bothered him. He much preferred himself with a clean shave.

  When he was sure there wasn’t any spot he’d missed, he stepped away from the mirror and washed his hands in the sink. A slap of aftershave, a quick comb through his hair, and he was about as done as he was going to get.

  Arthur looked at himself in the mirror one last time, then left the bedroom and went to get dressed.

  The week had gone by in a blur. Between using every last second to cram for finals and volunteering at the animal shelter at his scheduled times, there hadn’t been a second to stop and consider the week, or the news that he’d been accepted into graduate school. Arthur knew that it was in his best interest to send off his acceptance letter as soon as possible, but he could barely bring himself to open the letter, much less reply to it.

  He still had a little time before he had to send the letter in. Once he was a little less stressed, he’d be happy he’d made it. He’d come to his senses and send the letter off right away.

  Right?

  Arthur selected a dress shirt from his closet and buttoned it before darting back into the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror. The apartment was tiny and cramped, and it didn’t take long to move from the studio interior to the small bathroom it contained.

  The shirt was a little boring, a pale gray color with slightly darker gray stripes. Arthur thought it brought out his eyes, though, and if he left the top button undone, it looked a little less tired professional and a little more fun.

  He matched it with a pair of fitted jeans and called it done. Mrs. Halifax had said that dinner wasn’t going to be fancy, but that he should look presentable.

  Presentable he was.

  It was a quick bus ride across town to get to Maven’s. The little bar and grill was a newer installation in Rollins, and it was often a little too expensive for Arthur’s taste, but Mrs. Halifax said that she’d be more than happy to pay for it.

  In congratulations, she’d said.

  News of his graduate program acceptance had spread.

  When Arthur made it to the restaurant, he stood outside the doors and shot Mrs. Halifax a quick text.

  I’m here. Are you inside?

  We’re here! Already seated! I’ve got a drink of your choice with your name on it. ;)

  Another text came in right as Arthur was about to slip the phone back into his pocket. It was from Mrs. Halifax.

  Oh PS we brought someone with u
s. Double date!

  Arthur froze.

  What?

  Dating wasn’t something he had time to do, even if it was fun to imagine how it might turn out. A knot formed in his stomach. He lost his appetite.

  There was still time to turn around. He could cross the street and wait for the bus to bring him back through town. It’d be a waste of fare, but at least he wouldn’t have to deal with whoever was waiting for him inside the restaurant.

  But if he turned tail and left, he knew he’d offend Dr. Halifax. If Mrs. Halifax knew he’d arrived, she no doubt had shared the news. The whole table had to know.

  And what would the mystery date think if Arthur stood him up?

  Arthur couldn’t let himself walk away. He took a deep breath, cleared his mind, and entered the restaurant.

  “Arthur!” Mrs. Halifax said as soon as he stepped in. She was making her way from the dining room. “There you are. Come. I’ll take you back to the table.”

  “I can’t believe you set me up like that,” Arthur said. He looked her in the eyes, but Mrs. Halifax just laughed. She was a good ten years younger than Mr. Halifax, and Arthur considered her more of a big sister than he did an aunt. “I’m not really interested in dating!”

  “Oh, come on, now. You’re twenty-one. It’ll be fun. Besides, I found you an older man.”

  Arthur made a face, and Mrs. Halifax laughed again.

  “No, I don’t mean like that. He’s twenty-seven. Mature enough that he’s living on his own and employed full-time, but young enough that you’re not going to be snuggling up to any liver spots. Come on, now. Don’t keep him waiting. He’s such a nice guy. You’re going to love him.”

  Arthur doubted that, but he didn’t voice his concern. Instead, he followed Mrs. Halifax into the dining room.

  The restaurant was dimly lit, its interior fresh and welcoming. Brick walls gave the place character, and Arthur smelled meat on the grill from the kitchen. It didn’t seem like all that bad of a place, even if it was a little rich for his blood.

  What he didn’t expect to find within Maven’s walls was Dmitri.

  Dmitri had his back to Arthur and Mrs. Halifax. To Arthur’s distress, he sat opposite Mr. Halifax.

  Dmitri was his blind date.

  Arthur wanted to bolt, but something made him stay — Dmitri wasn’t glum and sullen, or too serious and uptight… Dmitri was laughing.

  Dr. Halifax engaged him in conversation, and Dmitri replied with just as much enthusiasm and life. Arthur had never seen him like that before. For a second, he came across as a normal person instead of some uptight, bossy asshole who thought he owned the kennel just because he raised dogs for a living.

  For a second, Dmitri was just Dmitri, and it warned Arthur’s heart.

  But the second didn’t last long. As soon as Dr. Halifax noticed their approach and his eyes shaded with recognition, Dmitri turned to see who Mrs. Halifax was bringing back to the table. His eyes fell on Arthur. The laughter died.

  “Dmitri, this is Arthur,” Mrs. Halifax announced proudly. “And Arthur? This is Dmitri. Dmitri breeds Belgian Malinois dogs and offers dog training. Isn’t that phenomenal?”

  “Yeah,” Arthur managed to say. “It’s great.”

  Mrs. Halifax beamed. She made her way around the table and sat beside her husband, leaving Arthur to claim the spot next to Dmitri.

  “I’ve known Arthur almost all his life,” Dr. Halifax said. “His father and I used to work together, before I came out here to teach. He’s grown into a fine young man.”

  “I… thank you, Dr. Halifax,” Arthur mumbled. He sat quickly, keeping as far away as he could from Dmitri. Dmitri looked just as miserable as he did, but was trying hard to hide it.

  “Please, it’s Harry when we’re outside the classroom,” Dr. Halifax — Harry — said. “I know your father always insisted you call me that, and that it’s polite for lectures, but you’re part of the family, Arthur. There’s no need for formality here.”

  “Mm, and if you call me Mrs. Halifax and make me feel old, I’m going to have to give you a piece of my mind after I’ve had another few drinks,” Mrs. Halifax — Rachel — said.

  “I… all right.” Arthur fidgeted in his seat. It wasn’t calling his father’s friend and his wife by their first names that bothered him, but the fact that he was technically on a surprise date with Dmitri. “Did you mention something about a free drink?”

  “Mmhm.” Rachel winked. “Whatever you’d like.”

  “Guinness,” Arthur said. It was the first thing that popped into his head, and it wasn’t until Dmitri looked his way curiously that he realized why that was. When they’d first met, he’d made a scene by insinuating that was what Dmitri drank. Arthur didn’t realize it until it was too late.

  “You really are growing up.” Harry chuckled. “My, it makes me feel like I’m old. My friend’s son is drinking Guinness.”

  “You’re only as old as you feel, babe,” Rachel reminded him. She flagged down a waitress and placed their drink order, and Arthur wanted nothing more than to sink into the floor and disappear. Out of all the men in Rollins, why did it have to be Dmitri?

  “So,” Rachel said once she’d placed the order. “I’m thinking that we should do something to break the ice a little bit. What’s a good topic of conversation to get things going? I don’t think either of you are really into sports. Mm. What about movies?”

  “I don’t really—” Arthur and Dmitri spoke in unison, stopping at the same time. They looked at one another. Dmitri’s dark eyes locked with Arthur’s, and Arthur swallowed and found himself unable to look away.

  “You go,” Arthur mumbled. “Sorry.”

  “I was going to say I don’t really have time to watch movies,” Dmitri said.

  The apples of Arthur’s cheeks burned. “I was going to say the exact same thing.”

  “So cute,” Rachel gushed. “The two of you are adorable. I knew you’d get along well. Didn’t I say that, Harry?”

  “You did, darling,” Harry said. He smiled at her in the relaxed, blissful kind of way Arthur associated with true love and utter devotion. “You’ve got a real gift for these things.”

  Arthur didn’t think so. Dmitri wasn’t a good man, and there was no way that he was going to be someone Arthur went out with again. Not like Arthur had had much of a choice in the matter to begin with — Dmitri had been forced onto him. He was going to have to be more careful about finding out all the details next time.

  “You know,” Rachel said. “There’s an art exhibit that’s come in and set up at Corcavia. We should all go after dinner, stretch the date a little longer.”

  Oh, hell no. Arthur was spinning ways to turn her down politely when Dmitri stepped in and did it for him.

  “I’m going to have to go home not long after dinner ends. The dogs need to be let out, and I’ve got to make sure they’re all settled in for the night. Thank you, but I’ll respectfully have to pass.”

  Arthur didn’t buy his fake niceness for a second. He’d seen Dmitri without the masks on, and he knew better than to fall for the good guy act.

  Still, it didn’t stop Arthur from feeling a little shorted. If Dmitri would just give him a chance, he’d find out that Arthur was good company.

  Arthur brushed the thought aside. There were more important things to worry about, namely, getting through a whole dinner date with Dmitri without ruining Harry and Rachel’s evening.

  That Guinness couldn’t come soon enough.

  14

  Dmitri

  With a little bit of alcohol in him, Arthur wasn’t half bad. Dmitri remained silent as Arthur talked, retelling the worst of his work experience to Harry, who laughed and looked concerned all at the same time. The longer the night went, the more Dmitri came to realize that Harry hadn’t been exaggerating — Arthur was a part of their family. They got along seamlessly.

  A part of Dmitri was jealous at the connection they shared. The other part was captivated by it. To see Arth
ur get along with his friends cast an entirely different light on him as a person, and Dmitri was beginning to think that if Harry and Rachel liked him, he couldn’t be all that bad.

  Two Guinness beers down, Arthur folded his arms on the table and looked over at Rachel. Rachel lifted her gaze to shoot Dmitri a look as if to say, “Isn’t he a blast?” before she turned her attention entirely on Arthur.

  “Do you know what time it is?” Arthur asked. “My phone died.”

  “Oh. Um. Lemme check.”

  Dmitri watched the exchange with muted interest. When Arthur wasn’t at the shelter, he wasn’t half as annoying. All the things that made Dmitri dislike him were downplayed or disappeared entirely outside of Locust Hill. Arthur didn’t act like he was better than anyone. If anything, he was a bumbling kid looking to find his way.

  Dmitri kind of liked that.

  He made a promise to himself that after dinner, he’d get Arthur alone and apologize for his standoffish behavior. It wasn’t like him. Not really. They’d gotten off on the wrong foot, but that didn’t mean that they always had to be on bad terms.

  “Oh my god,” Rachel squeaked. “It’s almost eleven.”

  “What?” Arthur’s eyes went wide. “I’ve gotta go. The last bus that goes by my place comes by at eleven. Um, sorry for dashing, but thanks for dinner. Talk to you soon. Bye!”

  In the span of three seconds, Arthur had said his goodbyes and launched himself from his chair. He darted across the restaurant and out through the front door before Dmitri had time to offer him a lift back home.

  Not that Arthur would have accepted it anyway. They were still on unfriendly terms.

  “That boy,” Rachel said with a laugh. She shook her head. “He’s always so full of spunk and energy. I’m not sure he’s ever going to run out.”

  “He will one day,” Harry said. “Maybe when he hits eighty?”

  Rachel covered her mouth as she burst out into giggles. “I can only imagine him at eighty years old, running around a nursing home causing all kinds of mischief because he just can’t settle down. That brain of his is always firing, isn’t it?” She turned her gaze to Dmitri. “I’m sorry that you didn’t have much of a chance to talk. I thought maybe bringing two awkward people together would help you both come out of your shells, but I’m guessing it didn’t work too well. If you like him, I can try to set something up again. I saw you sneaking smiles at him every now and then.”