(Joshua's POV - Fri. 4 October 2013)

"Even if we don't go anywhere with Cole, we're still getting this new division," I say firmly. Megan, my Legal Manager, and Allan are in my office right now. Megan just announced she had a call with Cole's lawyers earlier and they have eventually agreed to come over to Chicago and finalize our agreement next week, but these guys are not as flexible on the terms and conditions as I thought. "Either they agree with our terms or they can go fuck off."

I see Megan wince at my language but I don't give a shit. She should have gotten used to it over the last two years she has worked with me. I agree it doesn't sound very appropriate in a CEO's mouth, and I usually don't tolerate it very well in other people's mouths, but hey, I'm the boss, right? It gives me privileges and I don't really care about what people think of me. That's just how I am and probably a consequence of hanging with my three friends, especially Cam and Aaron.

These two have always used a lot of dirty words and slang. Mark was always more reserved but Cam and Aaron eventually rubbed off on him too, and he has become quite the bad mouth too now. I remember back in our younger years how they changed my inherited politeness. I also remember the first time I uttered a swearword in my father's presence. Well, my cheek remembers it even better.

Swearing was forbidden at home of course, and this one time I tried it, I earned a stinging slap from my father. I hated him for doing this. After all, he was the one who wanted me to mingle with what he called the "lower classes". This suited me perfectly well. At least my friends were not those stuck-up people my parents often met with and didn't behave like they had a broomstick up their asses.

"We might have to agree on a few compromises Joshua..." Megan argues.

Compromising is something I am used to. My lifestyle is based on compromises. I really want to buy Cole's hotel branch. It exactly corresponds to what I want to develop - small luxurious hotels that look more like inns rather than huge hotel buildings - and what's more, he has a very interesting customer portfolio. However, I am not ready to lie down and accept any of his conditions.

"Alright, we'll see what they propose exactly. So they'll be here on Thursday and Friday next week?"

"Yes, so we still have time to finalize our own subcontracting offer," Allan confirms.

"Okay... Megan, please make sure our lawyers are in the loop and updated with all the information you have. Thanks," I say, subtly dismissing her.

She takes it as her cue to leave my office and walks out, quietly shutting the door while Allan stays here. I quickly peek at the subject of my obsession who warmly smiles at Megan as she is calling for the lift. I just love it when he smiles! It only adds to his angel features.

"Josh? Josh!!" Allan calls me and I snap out of my reverie. "You still with me?" he says with a smirk.

"Yes, of course... What were you saying?"

"Hmm nothing... I was just waiting for you to come back down to Earth..." he says with a large smile. He briefly glances behind him, making sure that the door is shut, and says: "Is it me or you seem to be... slightly distracted?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" I reply sternly, squinting at him.

"Don't you?" he replies cheekily. "I was talking about the nice specimen at Ally's desk."

Being a longtime friend, Allan knows about my sexual orientation. He even has doubts about my lifestyle since he already met my three best friends. However, we rarely discuss this in the office. It might even be the first time.

"I still don't know what you're talking about," I comment. Stubborn is my second name.

"Josh," Allan sighs. "I know it's not the right place and I know you don't need any advice from me, but... just be careful. He's a nice guy and a clever mind too; but he looks a bit fragile... just be cautious..."

"I am, Allan. Don't worry." I don't need to expand my thoughts and Allan knows it because he doesn't insist. Instead we resume our conversation about Cole and the contract until past noon. "Thanks. Send me all the files you have ready, and I'll have a look at them."

"I will but it's only bulk drafts and I have an all-afternoon meeting, I won't be able to clear this for you till later tonight, if not tomorrow."

"Don't you have an assistant?"

"I do, but she's not in today."

"Send me what you have and I'll work it out with Liam then," I propose, which makes him smile.

"Alright Boss, I'll send this to you as soon as I am back in my office."

With that, he goes away and joins Liam in the lift as the young man is going to the first floor for his lunch break. After I have picked my own meal that Liam put in the fridge earlier, I go back to my desk and wait for the files to show up in my mail box.

Fuck! Allan was right! There is still a lot to do and sort out before I can extract anything from them. When Liam comes back from his lunch, less than an hour later, I forward him the files together with some precise instructions and walk to his desk.

I have great faith in this young man's abilities. I was impressed by his professionalism earlier this week. I know that more than one person who would have felt defeated and dejected, or on the contrary pissed off and angry by Cole's attitude at the restaurant on Tuesday, but Liam was just perfect. He plainly ignored the man and just carefully paid attention to the conversation.

As opposed to what I thought, he delivered his honest opinion on the man when I asked him on our way back to the office. I had expected him to lie or at least concealed what he truly thought, but he just went for the truth. More than that, I was extremely happy he was able to see through the man's intentions and attitude, which is why I praised him. This is part of my personal goals to make him gain in self-confidence and I think it is working pretty well.

"Liam, would you do me a favor?" I ask as I reach his desk.

"Sure... What can I help you with, Sir?" he asks.

Oh boy, if you only knew... Now is not a good time for horny thoughts, Josh... calm down.

"Would you mind staying later today? I've just sent you some files that I need you to organize and sort out. I put some details and instructions in my email as to what I exactly need. I know it's a huge task but if you could try and do most of the work, that would be helpful. I need to work on this over the weekend."

"Sure... no problem!"

"You didn't have any plans for tonight I hope?" I still ask. I admit my question is not that innocent.

"Hmm... no; not for tonight. I can stay later," he says. Does not for tonight mean that he does have plans for Saturday night?

"Alright then. thanks a lot. Let me know if you need any clarification."

The rest of the afternoon goes in a blur for me. I have two conference calls, then I interview two candidates for the position of manager of the future division with Connie, the HR Manager, but unfortunately none of them really fulfills our needs. After a quick debriefing with Connie about the profiles required for this job, I have another meeting with Derek to prepare our next monthly business review in his office and another one with Tony about the new video surveillance system he wants to install on the ground floor.

It's already past 7:00 pm when I get back to the 21st floor. Liam is still working on the task I gave him, but he hands me a few notes with the calls I missed. One of them is from Aaron, so I decide to call him quickly before I get back to my work.

"Aaron Cox," he announces as I dial his office line.

"You sound so serious for a kinky club owner..." I tease him.

"Hmm yeah... that's probably because I'm not in the mood."

"What's up?"

"Hmmm your cock maybe?" he jokes.

"Not right now, but if you let me look at my beautiful assistant for a few seconds, it will certainly be," I reply.

"You suck balls, Josh! That either means your assistant is still at work on a Friday evening at nearly 8:00 pm or that you creepily took a picture of him!"

"Both Captain... both! By the way, I do suck balls! And I love that!" I reply shamelessly.

"Jeez, this is getting worse, Josh... Did you really steal a picture of him?"

"Hmm hmm..."

"Yeah, you really suck, man! Do something! Don't you think that the approaching period has lasted for long enough?"

"I know... but he's just beginning to relax. I don't want to scare him and honestly, I just don't know how to... do it?"

"Hello? Hello?? I think I'm talking to the wrong person here! I thought I was speaking with Joshua Pierce, the eternal college Don Juan!"

"Aaron, college was more than seven years ago! I'm no longer familiar with flirting like in a normal relationship. Dealing with Subs at the club is so much easier. Moreover, if I were to engage him into a normal relationship, it wouldn't be that difficult. But I don't want that either. I'm not ready to give up on our lifestyle. Not at all actually! So it means I have not only to seduce him, but also to drag him into BDSM. You see my problem?"

"Yes, I understand. I know I said you should take it easy and progressively, but I still think it would be time to take the next step. Maybe you should try and invite him for a dinner or something. Then try to bring up more personal subjects?" he advises. I think it over for a few seconds and sigh.

"You're probably right. Anyway, I guess this is not what you called me for?"

"Huh no, that's right. I have an issue at The Lost Paradise, so I just wanted to let you know that I wouldn't be at the Diamond tonight and tomorrow night. Cam will take over for me instead, with Mike's help."

"Oh, okay then. I don't think I'll be able to go tonight anyway. Do you need me at the other club tomorrow evening or..." I offer.

"No, go to the Diamond. Mark will be there too. And if I can, I'll join you later in the night."

"Alright Ron... I'll see you tomorrow then!"

"Yep! And free your slave now! It's late!"

"He's not a slave!!! And I asked him first if he would accept to stay later! I didn't force him!"

"As if he would have been able to resist your natural charms..." he replies teasingly.

"Good bye, Aaron. Have fun tonight!" I chuckle and hang up.

For a few more minutes, I ponder on what Aaron advised me. I met Liam just a little over a month ago, and Ally left three weeks ago. It is true I have taken things very slowly, testing him a little more each time. I can still feel his nervousness in my presence, but I also find him more at ease, especially since Wednesday; as if something clicked in his mind.

Aaron might be right though. It might be time to take the next step, but how should I do that? I can't just go and take him to the Diamond, although I would love to show him the place. I definitely won't renounce to my lifestyle, but I know I want something else too; something more intense. And I want it with this young man. It is not something I can explain; I can just feel it.

Maybe I could invite him for dinner tonight? After all, I have kept him late at work, so it would only be fair to offer him dinner. That seems like a good plan! I get back to my work, shoving these thoughts aside for the moment, until there is a light knock at my door.

"Come in!" I call out.

"I think I am done, Sir. I've just sent you the file... and here's a print-out," he says as he walks in and puts a bunch of papers on my desk.

"Thanks a lot, Liam," I reply, looking quickly through the documents. There are not many of them, but I know it required a lot of time to come up with what he did. "Perfect! Let's call it a day! I'll be able to work on this tomorrow. Thank you very much for staying, I truly appreciate."

"You're welcome..." he says with a shy smile, walking back to his desk.

I also switch off my laptop, while I quickly text Tony to meet me downstairs, and gather my things in my bag. Liam is also ready to leave when I walk out of my office. He is carrying his laptop bag over his shoulder as we meet at the lift.

Now is the perfect time. Gather some guts, Josh!

"Liam, I would like to invite you for dinner to thank you for your hard work," I propose, although it sounds more like an order. His eyes open wide and his cheeks immediately turn to this light pink I have come to adore.

"This... this is not necessary, Sir..." he mumbles.

"I would really love to, though," I say firmly. "Didn't you say you have no plans for tonight?"

"That's right, but..." he tries to argue, looking at his shoes.

"Please, Liam. And then, I'll drive you back home."

"Fine for the restaurant... but I can take the train back home," he finally agrees.

"We'll see..." I reply with a warm smile just as the doors of the lift open. Pfft! As if I would let him take the train late at night!

I gesture for him to enter first and follow him in. For once, he goes to one side of the cage and I go to the other, so that we are facing each other. He is wearing this little angelic smile that suits him so well, his eyes cast down. He has it in him, he would make such a perfect Submissive!

I will never be able to explain what gets into me right then. Some would say it is the magic of lifts. I say this is Liam's magic... and the result of the conversation I had with Aaron earlier. As soon as the doors shut, and without thinking about it, I lunge forward and close the small distance between us. My hands go straight to cup his soft cheeks, tilting his head upwards while I lean down. I pin him against the wall with my hips, my right leg between his. My lips softly crash against his.

He is obviously surprised by my move as I can feel his body tense against mine in the beginning. His own hands reach for my wrists, but he doesn't try to pry them away as my lips slowly play with his. He just wraps his thin fingers around my wrists. I quickly let my tongue brush against the crease between his lips, which makes him gasp, so I take the opportunity to bring our kiss further and dip my tongue inside his mouth.

Oh God, he tastes so wonderful!

For a second, this has him paralyzed but he soon relaxes as my thumbs caress his cheeks. Damn! His skin is as soft as I expected. As his tongue finally starts to dance with mine, my right thigh presses a bit more against his groin, allowing me to feel his erection, just as much as he must feel mine against his hip.

I know I don't have much time before the lift reaches the ground floor, so I take all I can. I slightly tilt his head to the side to deepen our kiss and clearly show him who the dominant is, which only makes him grow harder it seems and he even lets out a moan; a delicious moan.

However, all good things come to an end, so I withdraw back from him, just pecking his lips one last time before I take a step back. Liam's eyes are closed and his face is completely flushed to the deepest red I have ever seen. I see his perfectly white teeth bite his slightly swollen lower lip. When he opens his eyes, they are filled with two emotions that I recognize very easily: lust and doubt... or maybe is it fear?

My heart is thumping in my chest and we are both panting hard. It was only a less-than-twenty-second kiss but it tells me how much passion we put in it. When his eyes finally reach mine, just as the doors open, I no longer have any doubt about his emotions, and they clearly yell FEAR. I don't even have time to react. Liam is already running out of the cage and through the hall before he barges through the glass doors.

I am completely petrified and it's only when the lights turn out a few seconds after the doors slid shut that I snap out of it. I press the button to open the doors again, grab my bag that I had dropped on the floor and hurriedly walk through the hall. I know he won't be waiting for me by the car, but I still hope to find him there when I get out. Unfortunately, only Tony is standing there, frowning in the far distance. He opens the back door for me, but before I slide in, I quickly look on each side.

"He went this direction, Joshua. He looked like he just saw a ghost," Tony whispers, pointing his chin to the right. His tone is accusing, and it only makes me feel worse. I am tempted to ask him to follow Liam, but I am not sure it would be a good idea.

"Thanks Tony. Let's go home," I say as I slip inside the car and press the button to pull up the privacy window. I don't want to see Tony's accusing look in the rearview mirror and I need some time on my own. Tony knows a lot about me of course and I never tried to hide anything from him either.

First, being Liz's husband, and although he wasn't working full time for my parents like he does for me, he has known me since I was a baby. Then, he is my driver, so he obviously knows who rides at the back with me, and even if I pull the privacy window up when I need to, he has seen many things and heard a lot of conversations while it was down.

Like what happened on Tuesday when we came back from the restaurant. Tony certainly knows me better than I think and he must have guessed my intentions. It doesn't mean he guessed what just happened, but he must have his opinion on the subject.

As the car pulls out, what I just did hits me straight in the face. I kissed my assistant! I had just invited him for a dinner, supposedly to thank him for his hard work, and I kissed him. I fucking kissed him and didn't give him any explanation! How could I do that? I don't even know what happened to me at that moment. I just acted impulsively and didn't really think about how he would react.

It felt like he was okay at some point, but his last reaction left me so petrified that I didn't even call out his name or tried to hold him back. How could I be so stupid? What the fuck happened to me? This is so not in my habits to act and react like this and I hate myself for this moment of weakness. I need to make this up. I need to mend my mistake. I don't know how I am going to do this, but I need to find a way.

When Tony pulls in front of my house, I don't bother to wait for him to open my door and rush out. Liz opens the entrance door just when I reach for it and I curse Tony who must have warned her on our way back. Yet, I ignore her scowl and duck toward the ball room. For fuck's sake, I don't need a second mother, even if Liz is far better than my egg donor.

I grab a bottle of whiskey, then puts it back into place, remembering that drowning into alcohol won't be a solution either. I end up in my bedroom, slowly strip off my clothes that I toss carelessly on the bed and step inside the huge shower of my bathroom.

The warm water helps me to clear my thoughts. Now that I think about it, I don't understand why Liam left in such a hurry. When I pinned him against the wall of the cage, he didn't try to push me away. When my lips attached to his, he did reach for my wrists, but he never tried to pull my hands away from his face.

I clearly remember how it felt to kiss him; the warmth of his mouth; his sweet saliva which tasted of mint; his shy tongue which tentatively tried to swivel with mine. He kissed me back!!! He did kiss me back!! He even moaned when I deepened the kiss! He also had a fucking hard-on! So why? Why did he run away like he did?

I turn off the tap with rage and hurriedly wipe myself dry before I head to the large walk-in closet, where I quickly get dressed and cram some clothes inside a duffle bag. I need to get out of here. I need a breather! And I know where I am headed.

Yes, I know the perfect place that will give some peace of mind.

Published on 7 Sept 2016

Woops! Wrong move, Josh... Especially after Liam had decided to experiment his sexuality over the following week-end. You might regret it...