Unbreak Him

by Sam E. Kraemer

  "Lance is a damn genius. He graduated from MIT, and he runs his own company, though he rarely admits it. The pressure he feels daily is enough to make him want to scream.

  "On Friday nights, when he gets home from work, we exorcise that stress from him. I take away all of his decisions, and I get him into the headspace where he can relax and give me his submission. He needs it. I need his submission as well because of the type of personality I am. For us, it just works.

  "There don't have to be any physical aspects with the relationship if the two of you don't have those feelings for each other. It can just be a bit of an odd working relationship. Not every Dom/sub relationship is sexual, you know," she told him as she slapped him on the thigh with a smile.

  Kyle sighed. "What if I fuck it up? He's already damaged. Did he tell you about that crazy great-aunt?"

  Felicity took his hand and squeezed. "Yes, and that woman was a pain queen. Some of those religious fanatics are worse than Dungeon Masters. Anyway, I know who he's been going to for his beatings. Forbid him from going. Tell him you refuse to be a party to him being hurt in that manner. He'll listen," she told him.

  "We're not… we're not in a relationship," Kyle whined a bit.

  "Yes, dear, you are. It's up to you what type of relationship it ends up being, but for now, just be Grant’s lighthouse in the stormy sea that he's trying to navigate.

  "Call me on Wednesday morning, and I'll call you back if I'm busy. Start with things like he needs to be in the office by such-and-such time, and he needs to eat something for lunch. But, make it a bit open-ended where he has a little room to make decisions, because going from making none for himself to being left to make all of them? That's what has him so overwhelmed," she told him.

  Kyle was trying to make sense of it, but if she would help him help Grant, he'd listen. He stood from the couch and took her hand, bowing low to kiss it as he'd seen Grant do when they arrived. "Thank you, Ma'am. You've been a great help," he told her before he rose to see the smile on her face.

  "We're going to be great friends. Now, tell me about that car out front. I saw Lance eyeing it, and he has a birthday coming up," she whispered in a conspiratorial tone. Yes, Kyle was going to like having her for a friend, he was sure.

  Chapter 10

  "Mr. Cummings' office, this is Kyle," he answered. Grant was in a partnership meeting on Tuesday morning, and things were going along pretty well. He thought back to the drive home on Sunday night.

  Kyle put up the top of the Corvette because it was a chilly evening. After they got onto the highway, he turned to see that Grant appeared nervous. "Did she live up to your expectations?" he asked.

  Grant smiled. "Kade was so jealous of her because all the Doms at the club thought so highly of her. Now I know why. I spoke with Anthony and Lance while the two of you were talking, and she's an amazing woman. She knows how to administer punishment with love, and that's something I've never had in my life. Do you like her?"

  "Very much. Miss Pembrook is really, really cool. It was nice to see her this evening. I witnessed a bit of her other persona on Friday before she released Lance and Anthony so we could have our cocktails and snacks together. She and Connie are close," he stated.

  Grant turned to him. "Who's she?" He sensed a bit of jealousy, and given the fact his former Master had dumped him for a woman, it wasn't surprising.

  "HE is my neighbor. He's a drag queen who works at a club somewhere. He's really a great guy, and his new bear owns this car. They loaned it to me tonight, so I could take you out in style. Felicity mentioned wanting to buy it for Lance for his thirtieth birthday," Kyle replied.

  Grant looked at him and smiled. "You're twenty-four or so, right?"

  "I'm twenty-six, soon to be twenty-seven. How about you, pixie dust?" Kyle teased, bringing a great laugh from Grant.

  "Thirty-two, fluff ball," he responded with a smile.

  "Hey, is that a jab at my weight? I know I need to start working out. I haven't done it since I got out of prison, and I damn sure don't want a gut," Kyle responded, smiling in return.

  "I belong to a gym down the street from the firm. Maybe we could work out together a few nights a week, or mornings. When I was younger, I used to go to the gym at six in the morning. It was a good way to start the day, now that I think about it," Grant explained.

  "It's a date, then. Go to bed when you get home, but text me the address of the gym. I'll meet you there in the morning at six," Kyle told him.

  When they pulled up to Grant's row house, Kyle put the car in park and hopped out, opening the passenger door for the gorgeous blond. He then remembered what Felicity had told him about forbidding Grant from going to see the pain master. "Grant, I don't want you to go see that person who beats you anymore. I'll be very disappointed in you if you do."

  Grant nodded in agreement, and they parted ways with a hug. Kyle thought Grant seemed to be a lot happier than he'd seen him since he started working with him. It was a great relief.

  "This is Kade Blume. I need to speak with Grant immediately," the man stated.

  Kyle really wished he had Felicity on speed dial, but he didn't. He sure as hell wasn't going to let the fucker speak with Grant. He wasn't sure if it was really his place to screen the call, but he was making it his place to block the asshole.

  He wrote down the number he saw on the phone's screen before he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, but Mr. Cummings is in a meeting. Maybe I can direct your call to someone else if you'll tell me what it's regarding?"

  He heard a harsh huff. "It's a personal matter. Find him, now, and tell him it's me on the line. He'll come to the phone," the man stated.

  Kyle laughed. "I'm afraid I can't interrupt him. He's in a partnership meeting, and he said he wasn't to be disturbed. May I take a message?"

  "Look, you piss ant, I don't know who the fuck you are, but you tell Grant to call me if he knows what's good for him. That's your fuckin' message," the man stated as the line went dead.

  He heard Grant's cell ringing in his office, so he walked in to see it was the same number. "Grant Cummings' cell. This is Kyle," he answered. If he was to be the person to help Grant get some semblance of control over his life, getting that asshole out of it was Job One.

  "Ugh. This is Grant’s private number, you prick. I wanted to leave him a message," the man complained.

  "And, you had the opportunity to do so when you called his business line. What's your message?" he asked.

  "Listen to me, asshole. Cummings fired my sister, and he's going to rehire her. You tell him that's an order," the man snapped.

  Kyle picked up a piece of paper off Grant's printer and crumpled it up, crackling it over the phone. "I'm… can't… cutting… trying…" He hit the end button and blocked the number from Grant's phone. He told himself it was for Grant's sake, and while he might need Felicity to give him a few swats, he wasn't sorry. Kade needed to let go as well, and if he didn't go quietly, well, Kyle was pretty sure he could convince him… physically.

  Kyle glanced up from a proposal Grant had been working on with the team to see someone standing in front of his desk with a grimace. "May I help you?" he asked.

  Oh, he knew who it was… Cooper Daniels was a pretty boy to be sure. Kyle had seen him at the firm over the previous year when he worked in the mailroom, and the man thought his shit smelled like roses. Kyle had always despised that trait in a person, and after he found out what Cooper and Lindsey had intended for Grant, he damn well hated the man.

  "You're the guy from the mailroom, right?" Cooper asked as he put forth his surly smile.

  "I used to work in Support Services, but now I work for Mr. Cummings. I don't have an appointment down for you, Mr. Daniels. He's on a conference call at the moment," Kyle lied. Putting that fucking prick in his place sounded like a lot of fun.

  Unfortunately, Grant's door opened, and he walked out with a glowing smile. "Kyle, could you… Oh, Cooper, I didn't realize you still had privileges," Grant stated, much to
Kyle's surprise. His voice was solid, and he seemed unshakable, which was fantastic.

  "Privileges, what's that supposed to mean?" the handsome light-haired brunet responded.

  Grant turned to Kyle and winked. "Didn't that letter go out?"

  "I sent it to HR, Mr. Cummings. I'm sure Marion's just waiting for the lawyers to return her call," Kyle responded.

  "What lawyers? What are you talking about? How do you still have a job, Grant?" Daniels snapped. It was then Kyle realized the man had lost his insider when Lindsey Blume was fired. Obviously, he had no idea what was going on.

  Grant turned to Kyle and smiled. "I'm going to get my lunch. Can I bring you something?"

  "Yes, how about we get the foot-long turkey with Havarti, tomato, and lettuce, and split it? Maybe some fruit?" Kyle suggested.

  "Sounds great. I'll be back in a bit. Call security if the idiot won't go quietly," Grant stated as he walked down the hall. Kyle was so proud of him, he wanted to bust his buttons, but he had something to say first.

  "That stunt you tried to pull with the thumb drive and the presentation, that was cute. You really have a little dick, you know. I edited Mr. Cummings out of the shots and distributed it around the office with your name on it. We all had a great laugh. Now, what do you want? You need boxes to pack your shit?" Kyle asked.

  The man went away in a huff, and Kyle called security and HR. Grant had sent a memo to Marion Herrington regarding the total abandonment Cooper had pulled and his lack of cooperation regarding a client presentation. Mr. Timmons had signed off on firing the guy, and the firm had sought outside counsel in the event the guy tried to file a wrongful termination suit.

  Kyle was truly tired, having dealt with two problems in Grant's life before noon. It was going to be exhausting working for Grant Cummings, but Kyle was pretty sure the rewards would justify the bullshit. The man had talent. He just needed to find his creative mojo again.

  Grant was on his knees in only a pair of shorts, head down with his arms extended in front of him palms up, a cat-o'-nine-tails resting in his open palms. Kyle was standing to the left as Felicity, who was wearing a very-striking navy suit, stood in front of Grant. It was a Wednesday, a month after they'd had the dinner on the patio at her home, and Felicity and Grant had regularly been meeting. Kyle had been there, but he was only there as an observer.

  He was surprised Grant accepted the corrections Felicity administered because not once had she struck him, but Grant took them with grace and appreciation.

  "You submit to me freely this evening, pet?" Felicity asked.

  "Yes, Mistress," Grant responded, continuing to hold the cat in his hands.

  Kyle had seen his back at the gym on Monday and noticed fresh welts covering the surface, knowing it meant he was self-flagellating. Felicity's words crept back in. "He'll fuck up, Kyle, but that's okay. We acknowledge the behavior and offer a correction to replace what he's doing to himself. It will be fine," she'd assured when he called her.

  As far as Grant and Kyle's working relationship, it was moving along incredibly well. They were lockstep about servicing their clients and seeking new ones. The coffee company had contacted Grant and asked for a meeting in early November. Their contract with their current ad firm was set to expire at the end of the year, and they were seeking marketing proposals. Their latest ad campaign had been a disaster, and they were looking for a fresh perspective.

  The pitch was to be on Friday morning, and a few of the partners were set to have dinner with the owner and his wife on Thursday night. Kyle knew Grant needed his head in the game for both meetings, which was why he'd called Felicity that morning, but he still felt like a traitor. It was a fine line to walk.

  "Why did you mar your flesh? Have I not told you that's unacceptable behavior?" Felicity asked as she took the cat from him.

  "Yes, Mistress. I spoke with someone I shouldn't, and I felt guilty. I didn't go seek out Master Reece. I did it myself," he whispered.

  She glanced at Kyle, and he shrugged. "With whom did you speak?" she demanded, but not harshly.

  "Master Kade called me. He tried to reach me at the office and on my cell, but Ma… Kyle put him off. He told me if I didn't rehire his sister, he would make it so no other Dom or Master in the city would take me on. Apparently, Master Kade knows what a mess I am," Grant faded to a whisper. Kyle hadn't missed the bite in the man's voice when he mentioned how Kyle hadn't relayed the messages.

  Felicity glanced at him, completely lost concerning the whole shooting match. "Okay, I'm taking this with me. You realize Kade is angry because he's lost the last bit of control he had over you. He's been blackballed in the community, and no Dom or Master that I know would listen to a word he has to say.

  "I'm working with you now, and I have a lot of friends that I've been talking to regarding you being released from service. I know three Doms and two Dommes who would love to have you in service should you so desire. Ignore Kade Blume's calls, and apologize to Kyle for being upset with him because he didn't tell you about the man's attempts to intimidate you. He was doing the right thing, Grant," she ordered as she took the cat from his outstretched palm and tossed it onto the chair next to her coat.

  It was late October, and there was a nip in the air. Kyle could see Grant's flesh had goosebumps, so he wondered to what temperature the thermostat was set? He had a feeling the man followed the letter of Felicity's instructions, but not the spirit. Kyle had seen the yoga mat in the corner of Grant's bedroom when he went to use the restroom, so he knew the man was still sleeping on the floor in self-punishment.

  "I'm sorry, Kyle, for getting angry with you for looking out for my best interests. I beg your forgiveness," Grant stated before he leaned forward, forehead on the floor awaiting Felicity's judgment.

  Kyle got her attention and motioned his head toward the kitchen. "Stay in that position until I return," she ordered before she and Kyle left the great room and retreated to the kitchen.

  "He's been sleeping on the floor again, and I don't think he's turned on the heat yet. It's awfully chilly in here, have you noticed?" Kyle offered. Yes, he was tattling. Maybe Felicity could swat his ass a few times?

  The beautiful real estate mogul paced. "I… This outpatient business isn't working. He still needs discipline, and apparently, you're no help there. I'm going to call my friend Barry Martin. He's without a sub currently, as his former, Marsha, met a guy and is getting married. They were just a part-time thing anyway. He might be willing to take on Grant full-time to nurse him back to a healthy mindset."

  Kyle thought about the comment, and yes, he wanted Grant to have a healthy perspective on things, but having him find a new Dom? What if he was as bad as Kade or that Reece character, whoever he was?

  "What if I trained with you more? What if you taught me more about the lifestyle? I've been reading more about it. I've read a lot on the internet…" he began before she held up her hand.

  "Don't go by anything you read on the internet. And, Kyle dear, I don't think you have it in you to be a sub, which is how I'd begin your training. I also don't have the time to train you, and I wouldn't dare send you to anyone else for training. I fear it would trigger the trauma you suffered being incarcerated, and you'd act out.

  "Look, I'm going to have to take Grant home with me and work with him. He can move in as soon as Brandon returns from Germany and collects Anthony, which is this weekend. I can better help him if I can monitor him," she explained.

  For reasons Kyle wasn't exactly ready to embrace, he didn't like the idea of Grant moving in with Felicity, even though he adored the woman. He'd grown fond of the relationship he and Grant were building, and he was starting to want more from the man than just the friendship they were developing. They worked out three mornings a week and spent time together on the weekends, outside of their working relationship.

  When Grant needed to work late, Kyle stayed. Grant bounced ideas off him when he seemed to be stuck, and Kyle offered suggestions in return. Kyle had f
antasized about the two of them leaving T&A and starting their own small agency together someday. With a secretary and some office space, he was sure they could be successful. Of course, he'd never share that tidbit with Felicity or Grant.

  Just then, he had an idea. "What if I moved in here with him. I can say my building's being tented for termites or something. Hell, it probably should be. Anyway, I can stay and work on correcting any self-abuse as I become aware, and if it's anything bad, I'll call you, and you can address it on your Wednesday meetings with him. I really… I just don't want…"

  He couldn't finish his sentence, but he saw a slow smile on her face. "You're falling for him, aren't you?"

  Kyle felt his face flush. He'd had a few one-nighters since he'd moved out of the halfway house, but nothing of importance. He was so attracted to Grant when they worked out, he had to wear a damn cup so his cock would stay put and not embarrass him. Grant was about the hottest guy he'd ever seen, and the more they got to know each other, the more Kyle's infatuation grew.

  "Yeah, I am," Kyle sighed. She actually clapped and jumped up and down, which surprised him.

  "Okay, this is so good. That's what Grant needs most of all, Kyle. Someone to love him and show him he's worthy of being loved. That's what's stalled his progress. Okay, here's how we proceed…" she told him.

  Felicity explained things to him, and he reminded her that he'd have to text her from time to time for advice, but she told him that was perfectly fine. He wasn't going to train to be a Dom, but he was going to learn to be the man Grant Cummings needed if it killed him.

  The two of them returned to the great room to find Grant hadn't moved. Felicity stepped in front of him and touched his bruised back gently. "Up, pet," she told him.

  Grant raised up, staying on his knees. "Why am I correcting you?" she asked. Grant repeated his transgressions, never looking up. When he finished, she turned to Kyle.