Purely Submissive

9 - Introspection

Shiloh was led into the familiar building by the two confusing men. Surrounding them were four more men in typical bodyguard outfits.

"We pretty much lived here in the beginning, so there's a small studio apartment attached to our office. Rhett and I are going to be rotating to get this paper out as soon as possible and this way you won't be alone." Shiloh immediately opened his mouth to attempt another argument, but the look Malin gave him silenced anything he had to say. "We want to take care of you. We want to spend time with you."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Shiloh's voice was soft and shy.

Rhett gave him a smile, "Relax. Don't push yourself. And let us know if you need anything, anything at all."

Shiloh was silent for a moment before he deflated, "I'll try." The two knew this would be difficult for Shiloh. He was so used to caring for himself. They were both curious to see what would take place over the next two weeks. Shiloh looked around the building curiously as they walked through slowly.

He hadn't paid much attention all the other times he walked through, too busy looking for any potential threats. He was amazed by the architecture of the lobby, that is until he took in all the people staring at him. He tried to tell himself that it wasn't him they were starting at, that it wasn't the lilac outfit their attention was locked on. But his brain was telling him otherwise whispering about how they were laughing at him, convincing him that one was holding a camera. He covered his stomach with his arms, gripping the fabric in tight fists.

He tried to walk faster toward the elevator in an effort to escape the stares but was pulled to a stop by a gentle hand. Rhett's large hand was pressed press against his skin, covering nearly the entire expanse of Shiloh's back with his thumb rubbing lightly over a random scar. Rhett didn't even seem to notice what he was doing, nor did he notice the emotions warring within the smaller man as he struggled to understand the feelings the gentle touches and caring actions caused him.

"Everyone back to work. I want this paper published by the end of the month." Shiloh's eyes widened at Malin's demand, they had just over two weeks.

Everything was silent for a moment before being shattered as everyone scrambled to where they needed to be. Shiloh was amazed that nobody questioned Malin, nobody even seemed angry about the tight deadline. He had guarded many other businessmen and CEO's and none had the respect of their employees in the way that these two do. The lobby turned into a mosh pit of workers scrambling to various locations. The four guards closed in around them and they continued on their way to the elevator and up to their office.

Shiloh followed them obediently while trying to figure out where the entrance to this living area was. He had been all around not only the office and its connected area but the hallway as well. So, he followed them into the office curiously, but it became clear why he never found anything when Rhett fiddled with something on the bookcase and suddenly the entire shelf swung forward. Shiloh rushed forward to look through the opening, taking in the open space with couches and tv in one corner, a kitchen in another, and a bed along the far wall.

"This has been here the whole time?" Shiloh's eyes were wide as he turned to the bookcase, trying to figure out the mechanism.

"Yup. Besides the security team, you are the only other person to know about it." Rhett was waiting for Shiloh to move the rest of the way into the apartment while Malin was already setting their bags down on the bed. Shiloh walked forward slowly as he stared at Malin's back, his broad shoulders flexing as he laid all the bags on the bed.

Shiloh wasn't sure what happened to his brain over the next few seconds, "So I could've been napping while you two went over boring paperwork."

The sentence wasn't even completely out when Malin turned around, catching Shiloh staring. When he finally processed not only what he was doing but what he said, he instantly flushed red and reached to cover his mouth in hopes of keeping anything else from slipping past his filter. He would have succeeded but the quick movement pulled at his tender wound. Instead, he stared at the floor and shuffled to the couch, leaving the two men chuckling to themselves.