(Liam's POV - Fri. 18 July 2014)

I can't wait for the damn day to end. Sometimes I wonder what got into me to ask for more work because I just have a shitload of things to finish before I leave the office tonight. Honestly, I much prefer this than being bored to death like I was a few days ago, but today is simply not the best day to be drowned in so many tasks. I really intend to leave early enough tonight, so I try to fully concentrate on my assignments in order to finish up in record time, but I keep getting sidetracked by my plans for this evening and the fact that I am finally going to spend it with Shannon. Not that I don't like my evenings with Josh, but Shan and I haven't had a night out together in such a long time!

Of course, Joshua had to impose some conditions and one of them is that we go to the Black Moon. That one clearly annoyed me at first because I would rather not meet friends from the Black Diamond while I am with Shan, but in the end it didn't matter too much; I was just too happy that Joshua and I were able to compromise on the week-end and at least, I managed to get rid of the Tony-or-Jeff-condition - the one condition that consisted in having one of them driving us to and from the club - by promising that Shan and I would use taxis. I was tempted to try and convince him to let us go to another club but from his tone, I knew that it was a lost battle so I gave in without too much of a fight. And yet, I had the upper hand for once... after his revelations on Wednesday about his involvement in Shan's latest job and my twenty-four-hour long sulking, I believe that I could have gotten about anything from him, but then I thought I should be reasonable.

It wasn't so much of a shock to learn that Joshua had plotted behind my back, because let's face it, he is kind of a creepy stalker and a talented manipulator when it comes to getting what he wants. The scheme in itself could have been easily forgivable. After all, as Joshua pointed out so well, it served us in many good ways. Even if I missed my best friend, I must confess that I sincerely enjoyed these two months at Joshua's place and it allowed us to develop our relationship. Besides, Shan earned quite a lot of money and it also did him some good, in the sense that it kept him busy for two entire months. What angered me is that Joshua never told me; and learning that kind of information - accidentally - did upset me. To the point that I decided to sleep in the guest room and to sulk for a full twenty-four hours.

Oh I know that he spent that night with me in the guest room, because I could smell his perfume on the other pillow when I woke up. I also know that my sulking affected him, but I think he deserved it, and to be honest, by the end of that day, I had already forgiven him. However, it was rather exhilarating to see him uncomfortable for once - I know, that's mean... - but it didn't last for long and he was quick to reverse the situation anyway; and it made our make-up sex even better. After my little stunt of dragging him into the swimming-pool when he was still fully dressed, and a very relaxing dinner, the evening ended up in the playroom for a long and rough scene at the St Andrew's cross that I won't forget anytime soon. Neither will my butt by the way.

When I spoke with Shannon over the phone yesterday, I was still a bit bitter about the choice of the club and I think he got nosy about it, but we still agreed to meet at the apartment for a quick pizza dinner before we would head out to the nightclub. Now I can't wait for this evening to come. I can't wait to have one of those silly nights with my best friend, without having to care about being a good boy. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love the lifestyle I share with Joshua; I love his dominance - and I even told him again on Wednesday evening; I also truly appreciate my friends at the club. But I obviously miss Shan's craziness and carefree temper. I just can't do without him and this is all too reciprocal. I can't believe that this idiot went out running in the smothering heat on Thursday afternoon! I can't believe he went running, period! He hates it! Shannon hates working-out. The only physical exercise that he gets is when he dances in a nightclub or in bed when he has sex... Whatever, it only proves that he is still not responsible and that he needs someone to look after him.

It is almost four in the afternoon when I take my phone and call Ally. I would like to see Joshua very quickly before I leave but I don't know what his calendar looks like today. I hope he is not too busy in meetings or conference calls.

"Hey Mister Adorable, how can I help you?" Ally asks cheerfully when she answers after the first tone.

"Hey Ally! I was wondering if... if Joshua is..."

"He's available right now, but you should hurry up because he has a conference call starting in less than ten minutes," she says, already knowing what I was about to ask.

"Thanks! I'm on my way!" I reply, hanging up the phone before I hurry to the elevators. When I reach the twenty-first floor and the doors slide open, I can hear Joshua talking to Ally.

"... for Monday morning. The rest can wait until later next week," I hear him instruct before he pauses and turns to look in my direction as I step out of the lift. A smirk spreads on his face when he sees me. "Someone's called for the wrong floor, it seems..."

"Hmm no... That's definitely the floor I was looking for...." I reply shyly. "Hi Ally..."

"Hi Hun!" she cheers, although we already met over lunch today.

"Not sure you hit the right floor, Mr. Reed," Joshua insists, taking a serious tone. "Despite your very nice tie and shirt, you should know that jeans and Doc Martens are not allowed on that floor..." he adds, cocking his eyebrows.

"That's too bad then... I was hoping to see the CEO in private for a minute, but if my casual dressing bothers, then..." I say, shrugging my shoulders and faking to spin around.

"My office, Mr. Reed. Now," Joshua orders as he turns back to Ally. I make my way to Joshua's office, winking at a chuckling Ally, and go to wait by the windows at the back of his room, losing myself in the contemplation of the city down in front of me. I really love Chicago. Sometimes I wish my parents would prefer the northern climate so that I could see them more often, especially now that they have met with Joshua. Since we visited them in Los Angeles end of June, my mother and father have called at least twice a week. Our conversations never last for very long, but they just want to check up on us and they keep telling me how happy they are for us and how much they liked Joshua. To be honest, I was a bit scared about their encounter, but it went very well and I can't wait for them to come over to Chicago so that we can spend a bit more time together.

Strong arms suddenly wrap around my waist, startling me, as Joshua leans down to kiss my cheek. Damn man and his silent habits! I didn't even hear the door shut! I turn around to face him and run my fingers through his hair as we kiss.

"What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" he whispers.

"I just wanted a goodbye kiss. I'm gonna miss you tonight..." I murmur against his lips.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Baby. I won't be far if you need me," he replies.

"Will you be at the club?? Are you going to stalk me again??" I exclaim in a whisper, slightly pulling away to look at him.

"Yes I will be at the Diamond, but I promise I won't be stalking you. I had thought of asking a security guy to shadow you, but I won't even do that. I trust you," he replies seriously and I believe him.

"I thought you wanted to work late and continue at home?" I object though.

"I will work late, and then I'll go and spend a bit of time with Aaron and Camden; if that's fine with you, Sir..." he replies playfully.

"I'm not sure if I'll give you permission to see your friends..." I comment with a thoughtful and sarcastic tone. "Won't Mark be there too?"

"No; he's flying back from New Jersey late at night, but we'll see him tomorrow at the club."

"Okay... I'll get back to work now. Have a good evening and I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'll pick you up at six in the evening. Enjoy your night out with Shannon too and be good tonight. Don't forget to text me as..."

"Yes, yes! I know the drill..." I interrupt him with mock annoyance. "Texts as often as possible, not too much alcohol, stay away from strangers and weird people, keep my necklace, take the taxi rather than the train, etcetera, etcetera..." I finish with a smug and bored expression, earning myself a slap on the butt.

"Watch that smart mouth. You'd better be good, or you'll get that spanking and I swear I won't let you cum when I fuck that tight little ass of yours..." he warns me playfully although I know that he is being fully serious about it.

"I'll be good, Sir..." I promise, reaching up to kiss him one last time.

* * *

"Shan!!!! I'm home!!!" I call out cheerfully when I open the door to our apartment, struggling with my duffle bag and the pizza boxes that I am holding. Tony wanted to help me upstairs, but I refused because I didn't want him to meet with Shan. Weirdly enough, Shan still hasn't noticed that I am being driven home in the evenings and to work in the mornings when I stay at our place, and I intend to keep it like that for now. He would just make fun of me and I don't need that.

"You're already home!!!" Shan screams as he takes me into another of those bear hugs, making me drop my bag to the floor while he catches the pizza boxes. "Damn!!! I'm so excited about tonight!!"

"Me too!!" I cheer as I shrug out of my jacket and remove my tie and my shoes, feeling Shan's excitement spreading through my own veins. It's been such a long time since we last had a night out together and I can't wait for it.

"I've got the beers!" he says, fumbling in the fridge.

"And I've got the pizzas!" I add, getting them from the kitchen table and taking them to the living-room. I haven't had one of those greasy pizzas in ages and just the smell has my stomach rumbling. We both settle down in our old couch and open our first beer can before we clink them together. "To our friendship and a great night out!" I cheer.

"To our friendship and all those cute little asses we'll be able to ogle tonight!" Shan replies cheerfully.

"Are you intending to get laid tonight?" I ask him after I have swallowed a long sip of beer.

"Naaaa!" Shan replies, exhaling a huge and loud blurt. Oh God... That's just Shannon. "Tonight is our night, and we spend it together. But that doesn't mean that we can't look at cute butts..."

"True..." I reply with a mischievous smile, though I am sure that I would never see anyone as sexy as my Joshua anyway.

Once we have downed our pizzas and another can of beer, we relax for a moment on the couch watching TV before we take turns in the bathroom and go get ready in our respective bedrooms. I hesitated for a long time yesterday evening in front of my dresser to find out what I was going to wear tonight, but then Josh joined me, holding a wrapped package and saying that I could wear these at the Black Moon. When I opened the gift and found the beautiful pair of leather pants and a black shirt, I almost combusted to dust. I guess this is part of Joshua's plan to make me reveal our lifestyle to Shannon, but he reassured me, saying that I would tell him when I am ready and that I could wear something else if I wanted to.

After many a conversation with Josh, I have decided that I will tell Shannon about our kinky lifestyle. Josh is right. This is not something I should hide from Shan. I mean... You don't go tell anyone about that kind of lifestyle, but Shannon is my best friend, and if I can't tell him, then who could I tell? I am still scared about how he will react when he finds out, but as Josh told me, if he is really my friend, he won't judge me. And I know that Shan is a real friend. I have thought of possibilities to tell him tonight, but I am not sure yet. Being at the Black Moon, I guess it would be a good opportunity, and I might tell him before we leave the club, but I think I would rather wait for tomorrow... or another day.

Anyway, I brought two outfits for tonight and I am still hesitating between both. The black leather pants and the shirt look really good and I am quite tempted to put them on and watch Shan's reaction. Actually, it could be an interesting test. Shannon is a very straightforward person and he will tell me if he doesn't like it. He is so used to see me in rather classic and discreet clothes that he will probably be shocked by these. But if he tells me that he likes them, that might encourage me to reveal him the part of me that he doesn't know... With a sigh, I just give up arguing with myself and put on the sexy outfit and finish getting ready in the bathroom. It is almost time for our taxi to show up, so I hurry up doing my hair and head to Shan's bedroom to see if he is ready. I find him in his boxer briefs and socks, fumbling with a large heap of clothes that is lying on his bed.

"You're not ready yet?" I ask and I see his eyes open widely when he turns to look at me.

"You sexy beast, what the fuck??" he exclaims, folding his arms across his chest. Okay.. so this is a shock; exactly as I expected. However, the expression on his face doesn't show any disgust, but rather amusement and mischief; a bit of pride too. "Did you break up with Josh? Are you looking for a new boyfriend??"

"No! Josh bought these for me a few weeks ago and I actually like them a lot..." I lie, feeling myself blush. "Do you think it's too much?" I ask shyly.

"Wow no!! You look great, Bunny!!! I love it! It's just... if I were your boyfriend, I wouldn't let you go out in such sexy clothes without me!" he laughs out. Hearing him say that he likes it is a relief, but now that I think about it, it is weird indeed that Joshua wouldn't rather chose awful clothes instead of these sexy pants and shirt. Either he has planned to have someone watch over me or he is really dying to make me blurt out everything to Shan.

"Nonsense! Joshua trusts me not to cheat on him... Now hurry up, our taxi will be here in less than ten minutes!" I just reply before I scurry out of his bedroom and go to wait in the kitchen. Yes, I am a coward, and? I still have time to speak seriously with Shan.

When we finally make it to the club, it feels weird to me to enter the huge building by the regular entrance door. I am so used to take the discreet alley that leads to the back of the club and to the Black Diamond. As we stand in the line, I cross my fingers and hope that I won't meet any of the Subs, but unfortunately, luck isn't on my side. As much as I was able to ignore the bouncer's intense look, I cannot remain oblivious to the usually shy Joey who, as if by magic, decides to get out of his shell and greet me with his small voice when he grabs our jackets at the cloak desk. Joey is one of the rare Subs who don't mingle with other Subs despite our attempts - or that of others - to include him in our group. I mumble a quick hello, giving him a look darker than I wanted and hoping that Shan didn't notice, before I pull my friend by the elbow and drag him inside the club and toward the bar on the right side. I deliberately choose the one that sits on the opposite side to the door that leads to the Black Diamond, and order some cocktails. Pretending not to hear Shan's question when he asks me what happened at the cloak desk, I then lead him to the seating area, where he sits down as close to me as possible on the couch.

"So? Who was that guy? Do you know him?" he asks again. That was expected.

"No, not really. I just met him here a few times," I brush off, starting to greedily drink my cocktail and hoping the answer will be enough.

"A few times? How often have you been here?" he exclaims with annoyance and I know that I already spoke too much.

"A few times, I told you," I repeat with a smile though. I know that it will only get worse if I show irritation, so I go for the smile and then turn my attention to the people dancing.

"With Joshua...?" Shan insists after a few minutes.

"Yes..."

"Your classy businessman-of-a-lover sometimes goes out nightclubbing???" he exclaims. Oh God... if only he knew...

"Yes, sometimes..." I reply evasively. Shan apparently gets tired of my vague answers and stands up to go and get us more drinks and while he is away, I scan the crowd with the hope that I won't recognize anyone else.

"Are you expecting anyone to join us?" Shan asks when he comes back, handing me a glass that he got refilled.

"Thanks... Nope, just looking around if I can see anyone attractive enough to suit your needs" I reply with a smirk, knowing that it will get his attention. Wrong guess again...

"Don't worry, I can fend for myself. I wouldn't mind seeing that big security guy I saw last time though. Fuck! The guy was so sexy! But forget about it for now, I'll check it out another time! I'm not here to get laid tonight anyway; this is our night to have fun, Bunny!" he says, raising his glass and choking it to mine. "To our eternal friendship, bro! Let's go move and swing our butts!"

The next three hours go rather quickly and Shannon doesn't bother me again with questions as we have a blast on the dance floor. I have gotten better at dancing over the last year and I am also feeling much better at ease amidst a crowd of dancers. My moves are more fluid and I really enjoy myself. We have also visited the bar a couple more times; even if I ordered lighter cocktails, I have promised myself that I wouldn't drink another one tonight. I have already gotten far too many and if Joshua was here, I would certainly get into trouble. It is not to the point that I would get sick, but I can tell that I am feeling light-headed. Shan went for stronger cocktails and my friend is definitely tipsy. The further we move into the evening, the worse our giggles get and our moves are becoming a bit unbalanced and weird. Little groups are forming on the dance floor and we have been joined by four other guys that I never saw before. Shannon and I are now side by side, giggling like two stupid kids and bumping our hips in front of two other guys who are doing the same when I feel a firm hand grasp my hip and another one clutches at the nape of my neck.

"You're in trouble, Pet," a deep and angry voice groans in my ear, making me tense and stop moving. Spinning around, I unsurprisingly recognize Joshua and lower my eyes, but not before I notice that Aaron has also caught a hold of Shannon.

Oh shit! I'm in trouble indeed; in fucking deep trouble... What the hell is he doing here? He promised he wouldn't stalk me, but now I wonder how long he has been here. Yet, when he turns on his heels and start for the exit, side by side with Aaron who is fumbling with his phone, I grab Shan's hand and follow them. I could stay here, knowing that he wouldn't cause a scene in public, but the situation would certainly get worse once I would get home. Damn! These two idiots are in their leathers and bare-chested! How am I going to explain that to Shannon? Ugh Shan... as much as I immediately got out of my dizziness when I saw Joshua, Shan is still clearly intoxicated, giggling and wobbling on his legs as we walk into the long corridors that lead to the Black Satin and the Black Diamond.

"Please just shut up..." I beg him silently and ignoring his scowl, as we follow the two men to Aaron's office. I am pretty sure that Shan must have recognized Joshua by now and I wonder what must be going through his head seeing him like this. I hope he is going to behave and not hit on Aaron, because... fuck... that just wouldn't work out well... and the situation is messed up enough already.

"Sit down!" Joshua growls angrily and we both obey... or at least try to. Thank God, Aaron catches Shan just in time as he misses the couch and is about to hit the hard floor, and he makes him sit on the couch. If I weren't too well aware of the shitty situation I am in, I would have burst out laughing at my friend. However, the realization that Joshua did stalk me hits me hard and anger rises within me.

"You promised you wouldn't interfere or have me watched tonight!" I accuse whiningly and daring to look up at him.

"I didn't, but it seems like I can't really trust you to stay safe. Maybe I should have had someone watch over you!" Joshua growls, making me look back down at the floor. Is he lying again or wasn't he really stalking me? "Randy warned us after the sixth cocktail and I eventually decided to interrupt the pleasant evening I was spending with my friends to keep an eye on you. Considering how things were getting out of hand there, it seems like I was right to do so," he accuses in his turn. Damn... the barman... I forgot about him...

"I am sorry Master Aaron," I mumble, glancing at Aaron and not paying much attention to the words I use in front of Shannon. "But I was perfectly in control of..." I then add for the attention of Joshua.

"Enough! We'll discuss this later and you'll just deal with the consequences!" Joshua snaps and I know what I am in for. I bet this is going to be painful and unpleasant.

"Do you need help punishing this little beauty down there?" Aaron then suddenly says. What the hell, Aaron!? Why is he saying such things in the presence of Shan who doesn't have a clue about our lifestyle? So much so that my friend starts giggling at the words that must have a different meaning to him.

"That won't be necessary, he's not even in the lifestyle, and obviously too drunk to understand anyway," Joshua comments as Joey pops in and hands our jackets to Aaron. "Let's go home now," Joshua then orders and I know that this is the end of my short week-end with Shan. I fucked up here. Josh will not let me go out again any time soon and I guess I am in for some long explanations with Shan this time. Unfortunately, this will have to wait because I doubt Joshua will accept that I go to my place tonight.

"We need to order a cab for Shannon... or would you mind dropping him off?" I dare asking, yet keeping a low profile.

"No, he's going home with us. I'd rather not leave him alone in your apartment drunk as he is. He'll probably wake up with a terrible hangover tomorrow and I'd much prefer keeping an eye on him," Joshua replies dryly, leaving me dumbfounded by his sudden interest in Shannon, but yet feeling relieved because it means that I will still get to spend time with Shan again tomorrow.

"Hey, I'm not dr..." Shannon begins to say as he tries to stand up, but he collapses on the floor and unfortunately, Aaron is not close enough to catch him this time. Shan hits the floor and passes out.

Oh shit, the evening is not getting any better...

Published on 30 Dec 2016

This is probably the last update of the year! The next one will probably come on Monday next week, but...

There will be an update on Sunday 1st January in Twisted Moon. I'm telling you in advance because it is not meant to be a surprise or anything. It happens that the first chapter of Twisted Moon is titled Happy New Year and obviously takes place on a January 1st. It actually starts ten seconds before January 1st 2015 and I just feel like I have to publish it on a January 1st. The opportunity is too good and this is mostly for the fun of the coincidence, so feel free not to read it immediately because I won't post more chapters until it's over.

Chapter 3 of I Was Shooting For The Moon is now fully edited (and gained like 1000 words in the process).

And special note to Elsie... Master gets his revenge in the next chapter 😉 Finally!!