Chapter 4:
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I do not know any of the workers of the WWE personally nor am I affiliated with them in any way. This story is a work of fiction and I make no profit whatsoever from it.
Seth groaned as he stared at his computer screen. He'd been trying in vain to reorder some of the more popular lines of clothing from the manufacturer but every time he got to the end of the line and reached the purchasing section, the browser window would freeze for a few moments before closing. He had even tried to phone the company he was attempting to purchase the items through but to no avail. He knew he'd have to email them with his specific design details and he knew that could take hours before he even got a response. He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the first sting of yet another annoying headache coming on.
He was snatched away from his thoughts when he heard a sharp knocking on his office door. His brown eyes lifted up to the door. "Yeah. Come in."
The white door creaked open and from around the corner of the heavy door he saw Sami's head pop in. Sami was a few years younger than Seth, fresh out of college and a few inches shorter too. He had shortish hair with pieces of hair that lay in front of his ears. He wasn't overly muscular but it was obvious that he was toned. He dressed similar to Seth excluding the extra tight skinny leg jeans and the two were very alike both in personality and mannerisms. Sami was another one that Seth had been able to form a firm friendship with the instant he met them.
"Uh, Roman's on the phone for you." Sami stepped into the small office and held the white cordless phone out to him.
"Thank you." Seth said with a smile, grabbing the phone from his staff member and waiting until Sami had left the room before he held the white electronic device up to his ear. "Hey Ro."
"Hey baby." Roman's voice carried down the line. Seth could tell he was smiling and that in turn made him smile. "How's everything going at the shop today?"
"Yeah, it's going pretty good. We seem to have picked up a lot of foot traffic according to Sami and Phil but I haven't been out on the shop floor really." Seth answered with a short sigh. "I've been trying to reorder that dark grey 'Authority' t-shirt with the red lion on the front of it but the stupid website keeps freezing every single time."
"Have you tried ringing the company?" Roman asked. Seth could tell that his forehead was creased.
"I tried calling before and I just got put on hold for almost an hour. I just hung up and gave up." Seth answered. "Every other website that we order the stock from is working fine just not that one. I dunno. I'll sort it out." He sighed lightly, glancing up at the screen, his words on the screen starting to look a little blurred. "How's your day going babe?"
"It's going alright. It's a lot more stressful with the state manager breathing down your neck." Roman answered quietly. His positive mood had dropped ever so slightly and Seth was a little concerned. "I thought we could go out for dinner tonight."
Seth smiled. "I'd like that. Where do you want to go?"
"I was thinking we could go to that new Seafood restaurant that just opened up across from the beach and just down the strip from Randy's restaurant. I think it's called 'The Captain's Catch'?" Roman suggested even though he knew Seth would agree. Seth loved getting dressed up and going out to dinner no matter the occasion.
Seth smiled brightly even though he knew Roman couldn't see him. "Sounds good. You know I love Seafood."
"Great." Roman responded eagerly. He took a deep breath before he spoke the next lot of words. "I was thinking maybe Dean could come with us? He said you guys got along great the other week and I'd really like you two to be friends."
Seth felt his entire body tense and in that moment he was glad that Roman couldn't see him. His heart raced as he thought about Dean and his cheeks coloured in a shade of deep red. He hadn't seen Dean since the day that they had coffee and he had tried to avoid thinking about the other man given what had happened when he and Roman had had sex a few weeks ago, the other man completely on his mind as Roman gave him pleasure. His head was swimming. He didn't know how he would even react when he was around Dean next.
"You still there Seth?" Roman's deep words cut through the silent line.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry. I got distracted." Seth said quickly, almost in one breath. "Um, yeah. Dinner with Dean would be great." He hoped that Roman couldn't hear the apprehension in his voice as he answered.
"Great. You finish at six, yeah?" Roman asked, not even bothering to wait and hear what Seth's answer would be. "I'll book the restaurant for seven. Have a good rest of the day. I love you."
"Love you too." Seth said before he heard the phone go dead. He moved the phone away from his ear and placed it next to him on his desk. He dropped his head into his hands, his mind going in all different directions as he tried not to dwell on the fact that he was again having dinner with Dean tonight.
"What's wrong with you?" Seth's head snapped up to look at the open door and found his other staff member Phil staring at him with a quizzical expression on his face.
"Don't you knock?" Seth snapped. He didn't know why he was getting so testy around one of his best friends.
"What's wrong with you Seth? You've been acting pretty fucking weird lately." Phil folded his tattooed arms across his chest and just looked at Seth for a moment.
"Nothing's wrong." Seth replied a little too quickly.
"Bullshit." Phil said sharply. He reached behind him and closed the door before he slid into the leather chair that was opposite his friend and boss. "You've been acting fucking weird around me since you almost kissed that dude the other week."
"I didn't almost kiss anyone!" Seth said quickly. His heart was racing as he locked his gaze with his friend's, their brown and hazel coloured eyes reading into each other. He knew he couldn't hide the truth from his best friend but he was damn well going to try and conceal it for as long as he possibly could.
"Seth." Phil started. "You're only hurting yourself if you keep on lying."
Seth didn't answer. He knew Phil meant him all the best but this was something he didn't even want to think about. He didn't want to think about the fact that maybe he liked Dean when he had the perfect relationship with Roman. He and Roman rarely fought and he knew that they were meant for each other. He knew that once he admitted it, the thought would stay stuck in his mind. He couldn't run away once he said it out loud.
"You know, it's okay to like someone else when you're in a relationship." Phil said quietly. He felt Seth's brown orbs flick up and look at him in a way he'd never seen before. A way that reeked of understanding and a little bit of fear. "It's perfectly normal to have those feelings for someone else when you're in love. The only difference is if you act on those feelings." He took a deep breath. Seth still hadn't said a word. "I know you love Roman and I'm not questioning that but once you acknowledge this crush, the faster you'll move on from it."
Seth sighed loudly. He didn't even want to go there right now. "I think you have work to do Phil."
Phil let out his own sigh. "Just don't forget that I'm still your friend if you want to talk about it."
Seth watched his friend leave his small office and dropped his head down onto the desk. He had no idea what the hell he was going to do when it was time for him to sit awkwardly and enjoy dinner across from Dean.
Seth was nervous as he sat in the passenger seat of Roman's black Mercedes. His stomach was churning with anticipation as he glanced out of the windows, his brown eyes raking over the streets of the city they called home. He was lucky to live here and be able to share it with someone as great as Roman. His heart swelled as he thought about the Samoan man that was in the driver's seat, his grey orbs focused on the unusually congested traffic along one of the main streets.
His brown eyes scanned across the still light streets. There was a lot of people out and about considering it wasn't even tourist season here, although most people tended to flock to Pensacola just because before they moved onto their next destination which was more often than not Miami. His eyes scanned through the crowd, happily watching a couple who were walking down the streets, hand in hand while their eyes stayed glued to each other. It made his stomach squirm uncomfortably. He knew he should be happy with Roman, he should be more than happy and yet here he was thinking about another man.
He turned his head to the left when he felt one of Roman's large hands gently touch his thigh. The Samoan man was looking at him quizzically. "Hmm?"
"You alright Seth? You're very quiet tonight." Roman pointed out. His grey eyes scanning across every inch of Seth's face for any sign that everything wasn't as it seemed. "I thought you'd be excited to go out for dinner. I know how much you love seafood."
"I am baby, I promise I am." Seth said quietly, forcing a smile. "I was just thinking that's all."
"Okay." Roman responded. Seth could be stubborn at the best of times and he knew that there was no point pushing the issue when there probably wasn't even one to begin with.
The couple drove the rest of the distance to the beach side restaurant in silence with only the low volume of the radio playing while Roman concentrated on driving and Seth stared out of the window. The tension in the car was think, almost uncomfortable and Roman was beyond glad when he pulled up in a parking spot that was across the road from the restaurant.
Roman slid the car into park before turning off the ignition and exiting the car. He stood next to his expensive motor vehicle and just looked out onto the beach. He might have been a little biased but there was no other beach he loved as much as the main beach in Pensacola. There was still a few people out there in the surf as the sun began its descent. He inhaled the delicious smell of the salty beach air. There was nothing that made him happier than going to the beach. He'd have to make sure he went there again soon, his skin crawling for the feel of the salty ocean all over him.
He turned back to where the restaurant was when he felt one of Seth's smooth hands sliding into his, the subtle touch causing bolts of electricity to shoot through him. His hand closed around Seth's and they turned, heading towards the restaurant. He clicked the button on his keys, locking the car before he slid them into his pocket. They crossed the road easily and made their way into the relatively new restaurant. They were greeted by one of the servers and shown to their table which was right at the back with a beautiful view of the ocean just outside the windows.
Seth felt his heartbeat increase once more when he found that Dean was already sitting there waiting for them. He felt the burning gaze of Dean's blue orbs rake over his body, finally settling on his and Roman's clasped hands. The look that Dean shot him made his body shudder and shake from the sheer intensity of it. The way that their eyes connected, blue on brown, made the breath in Seth's chest catch. He'd never had eye contact like this with Roman before. The eye contact barely lasted a minute because when they reached the table, Roman dropped his hand and instead went to embrace Dean.
Seth stood back awkwardly, watching as they hugged in the most manly way. He could feel his heartbeat increase as he watched them and the hug came to an end. Roman stood to the side and gestured for him to do something but what that something was he had no idea. He could see Dean staring at him, waiting for him to act on it. Seth inwardly sucked in a deep breath, closing the gap between them and giving the other man a friendly hug. He inhaled Dean's scent as they shared a brief, friendly hug, the smell of the other man lingering in his nostrils as they pulled apart and moved to sit in their seats at the table.
"So how are you Seth?" Dean asked, his blue eyes locked onto Seth's as he glanced briefly at the menu.
"I'm good." Seth answered politely with a smile. "How are you?"
"Very good thank you." Dean smiled right back. He turned to Roman. "It seems like a nice place here."
"Yeah it's only just opened up actually. I've been dying to get in and try it." Roman said with a smile. He opened his mouth to say something else when the telltale sound of his phone ringing echoed around the small table. He pulled the electronic device out of his pocket and groaned when he saw who was calling him. "It's Cena. I'll be back." He slid his finger across the screen of the phone before moving it up to his ear. "Hello, Roman speaking."
Seth watched Roman get up out of the chair and walk away from the table, leaving just him and Dean. He turned back and locked eyes with the handsome blue eyed man. He eyed him up and down, smirking when he realized that Dean was wearing one of the suits that Dean had purchased from his store the first time he met the other man. "Nice suit. I knew you'd love that navy one."
Dean laughed. "Well it helps when I have a very good shop assistant helping me."
Seth smiled. He opened his mouth to respond when Roman returned, his hands resting on Seth's shoulders. He looked up at the Samoan man with a curious expression. "What's wrong? What's happened?"
"I'm really sorry, I have to go back to the store. Something's happened and John needs me there." Roman said quickly. "Look, you two stay and have dinner."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Dean asked. His tone was dead serious.
"Uh, no. That won't be necessary." Roman responded. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the side of Seth's head while slipping Seth his credit card. "I love you. I'll see you at home." He looked up at Dean. "Are you right to drop him home if this takes too long?"
"Yeah, of course man." Dean answered. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
"Positive." Roman answered. "I'll see you both later."
Seth watched Roman race out of the restaurant and it made him feel nervous. He turned back to Dean who was still watching him intently. "I hope it's nothing too bad." He said quietly.
"If it was that bad, I would have gone with him." Dean said with a soft smile. "That just leaves you and me here to enjoy our dinner together."
Seth picked up the menu and scanned through it, his stomach growling at the thought of having lobster. He had Roman's credit card on him so he could splurge on whatever delicious seafood his heart desired. "What are you going to have for dinner tonight?"
"I can never go too far past any lobster dish." Dean answered with a grin.
At that moment, the waiter appeared and took their orders. He asked if they wanted anything to drink and Seth jumped at it. He didn't have to drive so he decided to enjoy a couple of alcoholic beverages. There was no harm in only having a few. He missed the mischievous glint in Dean's eye when he ordered a Jack Daniel's and coke before the pair ordered their entrees and mains.
Dean waited until the waiter had left their table before he began speaking again. "So are you ready to talk about what happened the other week out the front of your store?"
Seth's cheeks flushed as the memory of the almost kiss with Dean a few weeks ago came flooding back to him. He'd been so close to kissing the other man and he'd wanted to kiss Dean, he really had but just the thought of Roman made him stop right in his tracks. He could feel Dean's piercing gaze on him and he tried to resist looking but ultimately failed, his brown eyes lifting and locking again with Dean's blues.
His heart rate picked up, his breathing turning into shallow, rushed breaths as they just stared into each others eyes, too captivated to even speak. It scared him to realize that he'd never felt this way with Roman before. Roman had never rendered him speechless from just a look. There was something special about the way that Dean looked at him, something that made him feel completely different to the way he felt with Roman. And that terrified him.
"I'm not gonna lie Seth, I find you very attractive." Dean said quietly, only stopping when the waiter returned with their drinks and their entree. He reached forward and pulled a part of the bruschetta from the small plate in front of him and placed it into his mouth, softly moaning at the taste. "This is good. You should try it."
Seth stared open mouthed at Dean for a moment. He couldn't believe that the other man had gone from admitting that he found Seth attractive to talking about food. "You think I'm good looking?"
"Very." Dean answered with a grin. "And I think you find me attractive too."
"I, uh, I, um." Seth felt his cheeks colour once more. He knew he'd probably be as red as the lobsters that were being brought out to some of the other restaurant patrons. He reached for his glass of Jack Daniel's and coke, draining half of it in one hit. He needed something to take the edge off of their current conversation.
Dean smirked. "I like that you think I'm good looking."
"I never said that!" Seth said quickly and quietly, just in case someone overheard them.
"You didn't have to Seth." Dean pointed out. His smirk growing as he watched Seth drain the last of his glass. He caught a waiter that was walking past and promptly ordered Seth another drink. Tonight sure would be interesting.
The rest of their dinner went by in a blur and before either knew it, Dean and Seth were walking out the door and heading straight towards Dean's expensive black Bentley. Admittedly, Seth was walking on much shakier legs after Dean kept buying him drink after drink and even paid for their dinner despite Seth's protests. He could feel that stirring feeling growing through his body as he wobbled towards the car, his hand reaching out and grabbing a hold of Dean's suit covered forearm. Maybe he was drunker than he thought.
Dean opened the passenger door and held it open for Seth, making sure the younger man was in his seat before he moved over to his side of the car. He slid into his seat and pulled on his seat belt, glancing over at Seth who was looking right at him, his brown eyes slightly glazed over as they locked gazes once more. "Are you alright?"
"'m fine." Seth grinned back at him.
Dean dismissed the oddness of it all and resumed his gaze out the front of the car, focusing on driving. He was still getting used to where everything was in Pensacola but he knew how to get to Roman and Seth's house at least. He knew Seth would be little to no help in his current state. He glanced over at Seth once more, his breathing picking up in speed as he saw the look that Seth was giving him. He could see past the drunken haze in his brown orbs that there was something that almost looked like lust.
Seth turned his attention away from Dean, his heart beating hard. He knew he'd had a couple of drinks but he didn't feel that drunk. He turned his attention to the world outside of the windows, the bright lights of downtown Pensacola flashing rapidly in front of him. His vision felt a bit funny, his head swimming as they drove the short distance from the beach front restaurant back to the house he shared with Roman.
The drive was quiet except for the low volume of the radio. There was some pop song playing but Seth didn't pay any attention to it as he turned back to look at the other man in the driver's seat. Dean looked even more handsome right now to him and even though he knew that it was wrong to even be in this current predicament with his boyfriend's boss, at the same time there was something that felt so right. There was something about Dean that made him feel comfortable beyond belief. That thought alone sobered him up slightly.
"You were right." Seth's voice was quiet, the words barely heard by the driver.
Dean glanced over at Seth, his skin burning alight with desire at the look in Seth's eyes. "What was I right about?"
"I do find you attractive." Seth answered. His brown eyes were locked onto Dean's face, the other man keeping his eyes on the road while intermittently glancing back at Seth. "I find you very attractive and that's so wrong. You're my boyfriend's boss. I shouldn't even be here in this car with you right now. I should have went with him."
"And yet you stayed with me at the restaurant." Dean pointed out.
"Should I have gone with him?" Seth asked.
Dean felt a little uncomfortable in his current situation. The last thing he wanted to do was give relationship advice to a man that he would definitely not turn down being able to woo him into bed. He figured he probably should help Seth, given the fact that it was his fault that Seth was even in the current state that he was. "No." He finally answered after a long, drawn out moment.
"So I did the right thing?" Seth asked. He glanced out of the window, they were just rounding the corner that would lead them down the street that he lived in. He couldn't kick his niggling conscience and that disturbed him.
"Yes." Dean answered. He wasn't even looking at Seth as he pulled into the younger man's driveway. He slid his expensive car into park and turned to look at Seth. "Well thanks for dinner tonight. It was nice to hang out with you again." He paused. He could see that Seth was twitching in his seat. "Do you need me to walk you to your door?"
"No." Seth answered quickly. He flicked his brown eyes up and locked them with Dean's blue orbs. There was a flicker of something that flashed through the air as their different coloured orbs had a private conversation. "Thank you for dropping me home."
"Well I couldn't let you walk home, now could I?" Dean asked with a smile. He could feel the car clouding with tension as he and Seth engaged in a stare off. He could tell Seth was nervous and he had no clue as to why. "Goodnight Seth."
"Good-" Seth cut himself off and leaned across the dashboard so that their lips were almost pressed together. In that split moment of reconsidering, he was bombarded with images of his life with Roman falling into disrepute, his whole life falling down the drain but he ignored his own warnings, refused to acknowledge the truth of the matter and he pressed their lips together.
Seth felt the electricity as their lips finally touched, both sets of eyes fluttering shut as Seth leaned more into the kiss, his lips parting for Dean's probing tongue that was desperate to get inside. He could feel Dean's hand slide across the back of his neck and tilt his head just slightly to the side so his flat, pink muscle could probe deeper and swipe inside of his mouth along the velvety smooth walls. Seth moaned into the kiss, his body pushing forward and trying to get as close to the older man as he physically could given where he was in the car. There was something about kissing Dean that just made him feel right, made something deep in the core of his body feel complete.
His mind instantly flashed to Roman and he abruptly ended the kiss, squirming out of Dean's grasp, the taste of the older man's tongue still in his mouth. His heart was racing hard in his chest and he glanced over at Dean, almost in shock that he'd actually done something like that. "I didn't mean to do that." He finally said after a moment.
Dean gave him a funny look. "I think you did."
"I have to go." Seth said quickly. "Thanks for the ride."
And with that Seth fled the car at an alarming pace, the younger man closing the door behind him and heading towards his house leaving Dean parked in the driveway with a confused look on his face. He shook his head and laughed while he reversed out of the driveway. At least he knew one thing; taking Seth away from Roman was going to be easier than he thought.
TBC
A/N: so they finally kissed! I'm sure things are only going to get messier from now on. Hope you guys liked it and thank you for reading and reviewing! GatesVengeance x
Also, I know has been playing up a little bit with stories so I totally encourage all of you to follow me on tumblr (url is on my profile). I post all of my stories on there along with pretty much every single picture of Dean Ambrose that comes my way.