Friends, Sexcapades and Love Affairs Ch. 09

Chapter Nine -- That Makes Two Of Us

Adrian studied the expensive pen in his hand, seemingly fascinated with its craftsmanship. Edward had nothing to worry about. During the week, Adrian was mostly all work and no play, but, of course, that was not at all why he cared about keeping his promises. Just like the luxury item in his hand, Edward was intriguing him and very much pleased him, which was not something he could say about any partner he had ever shared fleeting moments of pleasure with.

If someone had asked what he liked so much about Edward, he would have been hard-pressed to define it. Maybe Adrian hadn't been challenged in a while, and that was all there was to it. But there was also something else. Despite the stern facade, despite the cool control Edward tried to project, Adrian felt he could read something else beneath the surface. That made him curious and want to learn more about Edward. In a nutshell, the man was a mystery, and Adrian found himself quite taken with that.

It didn't hurt, of course, that Edward had a fantastic body and knew what to do in bed. Adrian had decidedly felt rewarded when Edward had given in each time. The game of push and pull was enough to make him get a boner right that moment, and, seeing how he was at work, that wasn't such a great idea.

Maybe after fucking a different guy weekend after weekend, everyone had started blending into plastic faces that no longer meant anything to him. Things were different with Edward. Adrian could recall if he only closed his eyes, how Edward's upper lip curved enticingly, how his skin felt smooth under hurried fingers, how his eyes flashed with reined-in emotions, giving away their owner and what he truly felt inside.

Adrian wasn't the betting type, but he was willing to believe that Edward must have had some rigid upbringing. He was operating within the borders of an existence someone else had drawn for him, and trying desperately, even at his age, to go beyond them. That must have been why Edward was part of some selective club of perverts, or it was all just speculation, and Adrian was getting a bit too interested in another man, more than he had been in years.

That didn't mean that his fingers didn't itch to call Edward. It was late, and while Adrian was putting in the hours, maybe Edward had finished his workday and didn't mind a bit of chatting before the usual time they held their conversations. Adrian didn't want to be trained like a puppy, to salivate once the clock struck the hour his owner chose.

He was about to call when his assistant, Rachel, rushed through the door. "Adrian, we are in trouble!"

"The prints look good," Adrian said as he browsed through the folder on his desk. "What's the trouble?"

"Antonio is just scared of dogs! We can't get a shot right! We might have to consider tying him up."

Adrian sighed. "He's scared of dogs? Didn't he know what the shoot was all about?"

"He thought he would deal with pugs or something cutesy like that," Rachel replied promptly.

Adrian began rubbing his forehead. "Someone should have notified him that we were using Rottweilers in the shoot."

Rachel moved nervously from one foot to another. "I'm sorry, chief. I guess it's my bad." Rachel was a great assistant, but she tended to apply her own set of values to the most surprising situations and circumstances. "I think Bane and Blaze are uber cute. But Antonio is afraid they might kill him."

Adrian knew the pair of Rottweilers came highly recommended, and their owner was present, so Antonio should have proven already that he was a pro and could shoot a damned commercial without pissing his pants. However, that was an unexpected drawback. It had been a bit of a hassle to book Antonio, as he was a model in high demand right now, and his brooding dark looks were an excellent match for what they had in mind.

Now, he would just have to postpone the shoot and find someone else, which was unfortunate, seeing how everyone worked so hard to meet deadlines and go beyond the call of duty for their clients. In this case, the company selling premium food for dogs, and an important one at that, couldn't be too happy with the delay.

"Rachel, please, comfort Antonio, while I try to solve this."

"Yes, boss," Rachel said, military style, and then ran out of Adrian's office.

He hesitated for a few moments, but then he grabbed his phone. Edward answered on the second ring. "Could it be that my watch no longer shows the time correctly? I thought you would still be at work."

"What can I say? I'm an unpredictable man," Adrian said. "Actually, I was wondering how good you really are with dogs."

"Are you gagging for your collar that much?" Edward teased.

"Gagging." Adrian chuckled. "Sometimes, Your Majesty, your vocabulary surprises me. No, I'm not gagging for anything. It's only that I'm shooting a commercial right now, and my first choice for a model is terribly afraid of the two Rottweilers that should star in the shoot with him. Or the dogs don't like him. I'm not exactly sure, but this is messing up my schedule big time."

"That's terribly unfortunate. Is there anything you wanted to ask me?"

"Yeah. Do you know someone who's good looking, doesn't mind starring in a commercial that pays pretty well and also has a love for dogs?"

"Is this your trying to avoid to ask me the question directly? I am not interested in monetary compensation, but otherwise, I believe I fit the description."

"I thought you might be busy," Adrian said and smiled to himself. "Oh, so you consider yourself good looking?"

"I am a bit better than average; I like to think. Of course, if it's an Adonis you want for this commercial of yours, I will politely decline."

"Nah, you're perfect. It would really help me if you came down here right now."

"You're as demanding as ever. How did you know I would say 'yes' to such a thing? After all, it's as remote as possible from my line of work, and I don't think I made myself as available as you believe me to be."

"I think, Your Majesty, that you have a hidden desire to do things that are out of your comfort zone just so that you can prove that you can, and nothing and no one could ever stand in your way."

"You shouldn't have worked in advertising, Adrian. I believe that it would have suited you better if you played the shrink, seeing how you have a knack for psychoanalysis."

"It helps, though, even where I am," Adrian said. "So, you're willing to work for nothing? That's not exactly possible."

"Just write down whatever you want. No, better, write a check for one dollar. I will make sure to collect from you the due payment."

"Hmm. Sounds promising. How long until you get here?"

"Not long. Just wait for me."

"I won't do anything else in the meantime," Adrian promised courteously. He called for his assistant as soon as he put the phone down. "Rachel, you can tell poor Antonio that he's free to go. Also, make sure to be tough about negotiating how much of the fee he's still paid."

"Oh, he said he just wanted out of here. I think I negotiated pretty well," Rachel said with a large smile.

"Ah. I see. Most probably, you played with the dogs and tried to convince him to do so, too."

"That must have had a role in how fast he wanted out of here. He'll be happy when I tell him he can go. So, did you solve the problem, chief?"

Adrian's reply was a knowing smirk. Rachel showed him two thumbs up.

"Who's the model? Don't tell me you managed to get Bruno! OMG, I love Bruno! He's just so my type!"

"And also very much married," Adrian said.

Rachel's face fell comically. "A girl can still fantasize, right?"

"Our model for the shoot will be here soon, so you don't have to worry about a thing."

"Do I have to prepare him for meeting the dogs?"

"Like you did with Antonio?"

"Just take money off my pay," Rachel moaned. "I know I screwed up."

"Nah, torturing you is way more fun. Plus, if I were to punish you by cutting from your paycheck, I would have to complete way too much paperwork."

"So, aren't you going to tell me who this guy is?" Rachel asked again.

"It's a surprise."

"I can barely wait," Rachel said and went out the door, most probably eager to play some more with the dogs.

***

"Is there a fountain of youth buried in your backyard, or you're secretly out of work and get your beauty sleep in the afternoon?" Adrian asked the moment Edward was in his office, comfortably sitting on one of the chairs across his desk. Edward looked as if he had just walked off a catwalk, minus the scrawny, anorexic figure. The suit was new, Adrian could tell, and the dark green, which Edward appeared to prefer, made his eyes deeper and more magnetic than usual.

"One, a fountain can't be buried. And two, did you just call me a slacker?"

"Actually, it was a compliment I was aiming at." Adrian played with his pen while he looked at Edward.

He got up from his desk, with a sudden eagerness to examine Edward head to toes. Edward just turned imperceptibly in his chair. He had crossed his legs, and he was balancing one foot slowly as he watched Adrian in turn.

Adrian didn't think himself the type to be into kinks. But there was something weirdly attractive in the curve of an ankle covered by a silk sock, the hem of the pant leg stopping just at the right length, and the expensive shoe moving hypnotically as if the person wearing it was trying to perform magic.

"I do care about these shoes. You're staring as if you can't wait to chew on them."

Adrian cleared his throat, annoyed that he had been caught ogling his guest. "I'm just a fan of the brand," he said in an irritated voice.

"Hmm," Edward purred. "You know you can be honest with me, Adrian. Don't tell me you crafted a lie just so that you could drag me here and stake your claim once more. Are you actually the misbehaved dog I'm supposed to take care of?" As he said those words, Edward leaned forward and examined Adrian with seductive eyes.

"No, and stop trying to give me a boner," Adrian replied.

"Are you sure you're not the one more at fault than me here? I'm not sure it's practical to stare at me like you would like to strip me naked while I'm here to help you with a work-related task."

"Right," Adrian said dryly. He moved his eyes away from Edward. Staring too much was bound to become dangerous. Apparently, he couldn't be in the same room with the other without instantly thinking about sex. "Let me see where the airhead I have as an assistant is so that we can get this show on the road."

As if summoned by magic, Rachel burst through the door without knocking. For some reason, she had the dogs with her. "Chief, is the model here already? Mr. Rogers, their owner, got impatient and said he needed to leave."

Ah, that explained the dogs. "So you kidnapped the dogs?" Adrian asked.

Rachel just nodded. Then she noticed Edward. Adrian observed, not without amusement, how her eyes grew as big as saucers. He had an inkling Bruno, Antonio, and all the other models Rachel had ever worked with had just been demoted one place to make room for the king. Rachel wasn't Adrian's assistant for nothing. She had an eye for beauty, but also for something deeper than that. As much as she was an airhead, she could tell things about people, things that weren't visible to the naked eyes, and most people, and that was why Adrian wouldn't have traded her for anyone else. Edward stood up, buttoning his jacket carefully.

"Hello," he said in a cool, measured voice. "Are these the two miscreants?"

The Rottweilers must have gone through a bit of excitement, as their tongues were lolling out, and they seemed to be interested in Edward, too. They were frolicking around Rachel's legs that it was a wonder she could still stand on her two feet. That had to be one of those moments when Adrian was glad his assistant didn't wear high heels and impractical clothes.

"Please, release them ..." Edward hesitated for a moment and looked at Adrian.

"This is my assistant, Rachel. Rachel, this is Edward. He will help us with our shoot."

Rachel smiled broadly. "Are you sure you want me to let them free? They tend to lick everything they see and is attached to a human being."

"Of course," Edward replied. "Please, Rachel, now."

His voice was firm but not unpleasant. With a shrug, Rachel freed the dogs from their leashes, and the Rottweilers hurried to assault Edward, seemingly attracted to him and completely ignoring Adrian.

Edward put one hand in the air, opening the palm. "Sit."

The two Rottweilers stopped and assumed the standard position immediately.

"Wow," Adrian said, not afraid to express how impressed he was. He turned toward Rachel only to see her seated on a chair by the door. "Why are you sitting?" Rachel made just a vague gesture with one hand. Adrian shook his head in mirth. "Well, we don't have all day. Rachel, control the dogs. Edward, please follow me."

"I will take care of them," Edward replied. "How are they called?" he asked Rachel.

"Bane and Blaze."

"Which one is which?"

Rachel dutifully pointed out.

"Good. Do you have a dog at home?" Edward asked Rachel.

Rachel shook her head.

"Good. You don't lack the passion, but you lack discipline. A dog would walk all over you. If you ever think of getting a dog, make sure you go through basic training first."

"With the dog?" Rachel asked, listening fascinated to every word Edward said.

"With yourself," Edward replied. "Shall we?"

Adrian shrugged. "Sure thing." He wasn't entirely sure what he had just witnessed and how come Rachel hadn't felt insulted by Edward's words. Apparently, within a couple of minutes, Edward had managed to have both the Rottweilers and Adrian's assistant trained to dance to his tune.

***

"He's gorgeous," Rachel whispered. "Who is he?"

"An acquaintance," Adrian replied, in a whisper, too.

"Ah, you're sleeping with him," Rachel said matter-of-factly.

"Aren't you jumping to conclusions?" Adrian asked.

"Adrian, you don't have acquaintances. You have your best friends whom I know, and guys you're sleeping with."

"That's scandalous, to say the least. A lot of people in this industry are my acquaintances. Am I sleeping with them all?"

"Just with the hot ones," Rachel replied promptly. "And, on any hot-o-meter in this world, this guy is smoking!"

Adrian just shook his head. For a few moments, he ignored Rachel so that he could observe what was happening with the shoot. Edward was now sitting in a lavish armchair, with a glass filled with supposedly expensive alcohol in one hand. The message was something along the lines of life's finest pleasures for both pet owners and their pets, so in the other hand, Edward held a dog treat.

Too bad it was only an ad for dog food. Edward could obviously sell much more expensive items, but Adrian had a feeling Edward had replied positively to his request solely because it involved dogs, and not anything else.

One thing was true. Anyone seeing that commercial would fall in love with the distinguished model featured in it. Adrian pursed his lips; he needed to get a hold of himself. Even if Edward was sexy as hell, Adrian didn't plan on losing the game.

As soon as the shoot was over, the dogs were all over Edward, which irritated Adrian, despite his better judgment. It appeared that Edward had decided to reward the two mutts for being still and well behaved during the shoot.

While everyone began fawning over Edward, Adrian started concocting a plan. Whether Edward would agree to it or not wasn't in the cards. And it wasn't exactly a plan, but his own blood boiling with desire for a man who could kindle his fire with just one look.

Rachel was right about one thing. Edward was smoking hot, without being as handsome as others, and what he had was more than skin deep. What was just as much more than skin deep was the depth of Adrian's attraction.

And why on earth did he feel so hot under the collar while Edward ordered those stupid mongrels around? He was no dog!

***

"How can you be so insufferable sometimes, and yet so charming when surrounded by people?" Adrian questioned as he grabbed Edward by one arm and began walking with him out of the building. After the shoot, it appeared that everyone and their mother wanted a piece of Edward. And, much to Adrian's surprise, Edward had been nothing but accommodating and beyond polite with each of his newly found fans. That, of course, had gotten on Adrian's nerves much more than he wanted to admit, which was unimportant seeing how he was supposed to have Edward all to himself.

"Oh, but it's all a façade. Couldn't you tell? It takes a lot of effort on my part to be charming."

"Ah, so you're trying to say that, when you're with me, you're actually yourself?"

"Adrian, I am not made of glass, but I have to warn you that dragging me around like this is a bit unpleasant. Are you mad that I helped you?"

"Of course not. I'm mad that you treat everyone else but me so well."

"Ah, the green-eyed monster," Edward said with a chuckle. "It's evening already, and the only place we should both be is in bed."

"I couldn't agree more," Adrian said airily.

"What I meant, each of us in his bed," Edward hurried to add.

"Too late. Now we'll go where I want."

"Why are you a brat?"

"Why do you like dogs more than people?"

Edward scoffed in disbelief. "Where do you get such ideas? Oh, you want me to train you. Pup, this is not the time, nor the place --"

"I have just the perfect spot in mind. And the time couldn't be better," Adrian said promptly. He hailed a cab without letting go of Edward.

"Where are we going?" Edward expressed his stupefaction.

"I'm not saying anything. But you don't get to walk into my workplace, charm everyone out of their undies, and then walk away on me."

Edward leaned into him as soon as they were on the backseat, and Adrian had said the address to the driver in an abrupt voice. "I could leave my shoes at your place, you know?"

Adrian grimaced a bit exaggeratedly. "Do you think I have a foot fetish or something?"

"Who knows? I am barely scratching the surface with you. You do intrigue me, Adrian, and I don't hide it."

"Then let me intrigue you some more."

Adrian pulled Edward close and said, not another word. He cared only about one thing now, and he couldn't focus on anything else.

***

Edward frowned a bit as he stared at the frontispiece of the building in front of them. "Did you take me to the old baths?"

Adrian's only reply was a non-committal grunt. He pulled Edward after him.

"It is only a certain amount of weirdness I can accommodate, as open as I may be to various experiences," Edward said. "And don't you find it a bit unpleasant that there's no one around? The building hasn't been in use for a few years now. There may be squatters."

"It's locked. There's a restoration project on someone's table. Someone important, I heard."

"And? Should I admire its architecture? Ah, could it be that you've been here when it was still in use? That might explain your behavior. But, still, Adrian, you're too young to be nostalgic. You must have been ... seventeen, eighteen? While it was open, I mean."

"I know a way inside," Adrian said.

"You and at least a few homeless people. I'd say that it would be a good idea not to disturb them. You wouldn't like anyone getting inside your house when you least expect it, would you?"

"Let me just show you something."

Edward sighed but didn't protest anymore. "After you, then."

Adrian took Edward around the building until they reached the back. He searched an old pot for a rusty key, and then he opened the back door. Edward shrugged and followed him as they went inside. Using his phone, Adrian made a bit of light. The place did bring memories. It was dusty, and everything seemed frozen in time, but he could still recall everything as if it had happened the day before.