“Well, I didn’t expect you so soon. I figured you’d go look at the property anyways, then come here. Grab a seat.” Maxwell motioned to the leather office seat further out to the right of his desk. “Hey, can you give me a second, please?”
“Yeah, sure,” Alan sat down and relaxed back into the squeaky shiny brown leather furniture.
“You,” he pointed to his butler, “come here.”
Alan knew what was coming next based on the stern look he shot at his butler.
The butler leaned down to Maxwell, and the young man cupped his hand over his mouth to whisper into the servant’s ear. Concise and spitting tones came from Maxwell and his face grew red with each word. He then slapped the butler on his backside.
“Now get the fuck out, Jeeves. Learn how to do your job or I’ll demote you to head come-cleaner at the local quarter porn theater. You hear?”
He scowled at his servant who was sweating profusely by now. After chasing after Alan and then enduring Maxwell’s sharp words, the worker looked as if he were ready to collapse at the moment.
“Yes, sir.” The butler bowed and quickly exited the room.
Maxwell glared at the worker as he exited and then broke his gaze to look over to Alan. A smile instantly swept across his face. The brash billionaire leaned back into his swivel chair and slumped down a bit. An odd shuffling sound came from his desk and Alan quickly dismissed it.
“Now, where were we?”
Chapter 3
Alan was not surprised by Maxwell’s eccentricities and abrasive openness. At times, the young man’s behavior was laughable and other times, shocking and stressful. Honesty was his strongest and weakest suit because he couldn’t leave well enough alone. Oftentimes, Maxwell would expose someone’s fault, make light of it, then bully them into submission. And, the larger the audience the young billionaire had, the better for him to put on a show.
So, it wasn’t shocking that Max would insist that Alan drops everything he was doing just to come out to him, half-dressed and forcibly affable. Maxwell knew damn well what brought Alan to his office, but he chose to put on a spectacle for his buddy by making a mockery of his new butler.
“What’s the matter, baby boy?” Maxwell leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand. “You look stressed out, bro.”
For the heir to a billion dollar estate, it was incredible that Maxwell maintained the inheritance, established and grew a business and still addressed people like a surfer dude. Many meetings, Maxwell kicked back into a swivel chair in a board room, swung a leg over the side and emitted a feeling of indifference. When he had the opportunity to share his opinion, Maxwell would sit up straight in his chair, clean up his language and spout brilliant rhetoric with valid arguments.
Every business meeting executive or potential client were always appalled by his demeanor, but ultimately, when Maxwell finally composed himself, he’d capture everyone’s attention and influence most any outcome. That is unless someone disagreed. When someone did not agree, Maxwell would draw logical conclusions as to why that person was wrong and immediately dress them down in front of everyone. Eventually, his reputation preceded him, and Maxwell was rarely met with resistance.
For this little performance with his butler, Alan was unimpressed and only wanted to humor his friend and business partner. Unfortunately, the emotionally intuitive Maxwell read Alan the moment he angrily plopped into the office chair and slightly rolled his eyes when the butler was dismissed. In his head, Alan tried to back pedal, but he knew right away that Max could read him no matter what and would call him on it.
“Look…” Alan shook his head and placed his hand over his eyes, “it’s been a long day, man. What’s up?”
“Shit, dude. All you had to do was tell me you were being a bitch today and I would’ve told you to come tomorrow.” Max unblinkingly stared down Alan. Fuck, he mouthed.
“Hey, bro?” Max clicked his fingers and Alan shot a look at him. “I know what your problem is?”
Alan sat forward in the chair.
“You need to get laid.” Maxwell paused, leaned to one side and farted. He laughed and Alan couldn’t help but grin. “See! I knew you couldn’t stay serious for too long.”
The two friends chuckled together as Maxwell wagged his finger at Alan.
“So, what’s the deal with that property? Did you send out an intern or what?”
Alan’s ears perked and he sat up straight to address the potential deal. No sooner had Alan formulated his words, Maxwell already interrupted.
“See! You can’t lighten up. Alan, when are you going to learn that the money isn’t going anywhere? When you get that deal done, then another one will come along and you will be forever treading on the hamster wheel. When is enough going to be enough?”
Alan was thrown aback by Maxwell’s change in tone and believed that they were going into a deep conversation on how Alan had rarely taken a break from working since they first started working together. Fearful that if he ever paused, Alan felt he’d lose everything he’d worked so hard to do.
“Listen, I’ve got your back. And even if you never work another day in your life, you’re my boy!” Maxwell stared unflinchingly. “You’re my only family, bro.”
Alan was moved by the sentiment, but after hearing it so frequently the emotional impact wore off on him. But, Maxwell was sincere. Though, any self-respecting person wouldn’t just give up their livelihood or passion just so that their best friend supports them. Granted, a few million meant nothing to the wealthy Hart heir. And, that’s really all the money that Alan would need for the rest of his life.
When Alan would reflect his status as a billionaire, it was true—no amount of money seemed to fulfill him anymore. First it was to make a few hundred thousand per year. Then, it was to make a few million per year. And, the amount kept moving up and he knew that his next target had to be in the trillions.
“So, when are you taking a break?” Maxwell broke the awkward silence.
Alan shrugged and started to mumble out something when Maxwell offered, “Look, you need sex and lots of it. Do you ever just go pick up a bitch just so you can get your fuck on?”
“No,” Alan nervously laughed and blushed.
“Oh, shit…” Maxwell leaned back and bumped his desk. “Can I ask you a serious question?”
“Yeah…sure.”
“Are you gay?” Maxwell asked with a serious tone.
“Haha, no!” Alan blushed. “God, no. Geez, man. You dragged me all the way here to question what team I bat for now?! Come on, man! What’s the big…”
“Cool!” Maxwell sat up straight. Alan could sense that business was about to be conducted. “Okay, have you ever been to a masquerade ball?”
“No,” Alan thought a moment. “I can’t say I have. I’ve been to costume parties, but not like, a masquerade ball per se. Why?”
“I’m pulling out all the stops, baby boy. Next Saturday, I’ve hired the best of the best to host the biggest party ever. BUT!” Maxwell held up a finger. “It’s strictly invite-only.”
“Okay, so what’s the deal? Is this going to be, like, ballroom dancing or…”
“Dude, if you say that again, then I know that you’ve been dining on dicks. Seriously,” Max tilted his head down and looked up at Alan from under his brow line. “I know a lot of the richest of the rich and I also have narrowed it down to all the freaks and swingers. I’m only interested in getting couples that have hot wives so I can fuck ‘em.”
“And, I have a few of my people gathering some college chicks, and anyone else willing to put out.”
“So, it’s an orgy?” Alan asked.
“No! Of course it isn’t,” Maxwell placed his hands over his mouth. “Wait a second, bro.”
Maxwell collapsed onto his desk and slammed his hands on the desk as he groaned out. Alan looked at him confused. Did he stub his toe or something? He thought. Breathing rapidly, Maxwell pressed off his desk, sat up straight and looked to the ceiling.
“Okay, ah, what was that again? I’m sorry, man.”
Even more confused, Alan cocked an eyebrow then brushed off the bizarre behavior. “Is it an…”
“Oh, yeah! That’s it, ah…no, but…” Maxwell continued to look toward the ceiling and gradually directed his gaze to below his desk. “Well, it’s a masquerade ball. So, there’s an implied intimacy in the invite.”
Maxwell scooted his chair back and stood up. Alan was startled to see his friend exposed. His flacid cock hung from the open zipper of his pants. Quickly, Max slipped his member it into his pants and carefully zipped up. He continued to gaze under the desk and held a finger up toward his lost friend.
Had Maxwell just got off while we were talking? If so, how?! His hands were up in view the whole time, thought Alan.
“Okay, we’re good, you can get out now,” Maxwell spoke down to the floor. “I have company and you have to leave.”
What the hell?! Alan was perplexed and leaned over the desk.
A tall, skinny redhead woman wearing nothing but a garter belt, lavender-colored hose, and high heels stood up from under the desk. Maxwell offered help as he wrapped his hands under on arm to drag her to her feet. The woman’s hair was fiery red and teased out. She brushed one hand across her mouth, hiding what remained of Maxwell’s indiscretion.
Only glancing out of the corner of her eye to Alan, she smirked at Maxwell.
“Tell my butler I need my dick washed in ten minutes and he better be wearing his top hat. Now do me a favor,” Maxwell pulled within kissing distance. “Rinse your mouth and I’ll meet you by the pool tonight at ten. Bring your friend.”
The nude woman started to extend her lips to kiss Maxwell. He responded with a quick slap to her naked ass cheek and directed her to walk around his desk.
“What the fuck is wrong with you? If I wanted to taste myself, then I wouldn’t need you. Get the hell out before I change my mind about our deal.”
The woman scurried awkwardly out the door. She appeared to be six foot tall in her transparent stiletto heels. Each quick step made a loud crack on the hardwood floor. Max watched as the woman closed the door and he opened the top drawer of his desk. He reached in and grabbed an envelope.
He tossed the envelope to Alan and the befuddled friend fumbled for the object. When Alan grasped it in his hand, he held it up to have a look at it. The paper looked aged and weathered as if it were from the Victorian-era. A wax seal with the Hart family crest secured the letter shut.
“Go ahead, open it.” Maxwell eagerly motioned.
Alan slowly peeled the wax seal back and pulled a fancy Victorian-style invitation.
A Night at the Masquerade Ball
The Hart Family Mansion
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Cocktails, 7.30pm
Dinner, 8.00pm
Festivities to begin directly after dessert
Please RSVP right away. Formal attire required. Masks are mandatory the entire evening. NO exceptions! Masks will be delivered after responses are gathered. Customized porcelain masks for the women. Nondescript black bandanas for the men. You will be ejected from the event if you remove your mask.
“Hmm,” Alan tossed the invited onto Maxwell’s desk. He looked up to see Max widely grinning.
“So, what do you think?”
“Nah, I’m not interested. My stepsister’s coming to town that Sunday.” Alan explained.
“Dude, what do you mean, no? Come on, I put this together so that you and I could finally celebrate that recent nursing home deal.” Maxwell looked to Alan with sad eyes and outspread hands. “Come on.”
Alan sunk back into his chair and thought for a moment.
“So, you want me to come to some orgy where I may or may not get the clap from some random person? And, I may or may not get handled by some guy…”
“Now wait,” Max quickly stopped him. “This isn’t going to be some sausage-fest. There’s going to be plenty of pussy for everyone. And, the only reason we’re letting any dicks come in is to bring their chicks and also to keep the women warm while we keep getting our rocks off.” The young heir chuckled.
“Dude! You just got your rocks off in front of me and now you want me to do it again?!”
“Now, you barged into my office and I told my fucking butler if he didn’t know how to treat our guests better I’d make him wash my shit stains with his toothbrush from now on. So, that’s your bad for coming in while I was getting my dick sucked. Next, you don’t have to be around me at the party when you’re fucking a chick.”
“Shit! You can even go on the other side of the mansion, so you don’t have to bang the same bitches as I do.” Maxwell held his hands up defensively and paused to gauge Alan’s reaction.
Alan softly sighed, popped to his feet and said, “Fuck it, I’ll do it.”
“My boy!” Maxwell walked around the desk to embrace his reluctant pal.
“Okay, okay! Come on! You’re all…finished,” Alan glanced down to Maxwell’s crotch then back up to his beaming face.
“I could kiss you, but you never know where my lips have been!”
The two burst into laughter and Maxwell walked his friend to the front entrance. As he opened the front door, Maxwell’s smile faded.
“Goddamn it,” he muttered.
Alan turned back to him, “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” he shook his head. “That fucking butler should’ve parked your car in the garage. I mean what the fuck?! It’s only summer time…”
“Hey, don’t sweat it, it’ll be fine,” Alan insisted.
Maxwell snapped his attention back to Alan. He shrugged and stepped in toward him. Alan could smell a mixture of sweat and sex on his friend. He wanted no part of touching him again.
“Come on, give me some love, bro.”
Alan gently pushed Maxwell’s chest, but the man was too strong. The young heir pulled Alan in and bear-hugged him. Maxwell wasn’t chiseled, but he was unusually strong for someone built like him.
“Okay,” Alan grunted. “Let go, I’m pretty sure you’re dribbling on my pants.”
Maxwell quickly let go of him to look down and that was long enough for Alan to race to his car, uninterrupted.
“See ya later, baby boy! And, hey…”
Alan turned around as he continued to back-step toward his car.
“I’m serious; don’t go out to the site. Get someone else to do it. Stop trying to manage every last detail.”
Alan held his hand up and popped into his car.
“Yep, I got it!” Alan pulled out of the driveway and headed to the industrial site for a quick drive-by. When Alan finally made it home, the sun had already set and he was exhausted.
Chapter 4
Alan never lacked the presence to dress and carry himself with poise, charm and class. And though the implied theme of the Masquerade Ball was open season for all swingers and sex fiends, Alan didn’t want to take this occasion any lighter than he would other instances. If only to accommodate his best friend’s sick and twisted fantasy, Alan would show up, have a few cocktails and duck out as the evening escalated. After all, if Maxwell was busy hosting and basking in female adulation, then how would he ever know that Alan slipped out early?
The Masquerade Ball would be an interesting foray before welcoming his stepsister into his home the next afternoon. So, there was no need to get too entangled or distracted by debauchery. Alan’s nerves grew more so for his young stepsister, Tiffany coming to stay at his house than meeting a bunch of horny, masked strangers.
It seemed like not too long ago that Alan saw Tiffany before he’d moved away from home. Tiffany was such a cute young girl, well-behaved and completely smitten with him as soon as he met her for the first time. Alan and his mother used to laugh at how cute Tiffany would act around him. She would do just about anything for Alan and would bend over backward to accommodate him—everything from making his bed to cleaning his dirty plates after dinner. He’d rustle he
r blond curls, hug her and kiss the top of her head before moving on.
Now, Tiffany was moving on to the next stage in her life; transitioning from young adolescent to adult. Tiffany would get to experience college, unlike Alan. So, he was happy to be the springboard before her departure to higher education. It even crossed his mind to bring her for a ride along as he worked out deals, surveyed properties and conducted other business. Alan just knew that Tiffany would learn a little something before choosing her career path. Sadly, the big stepbrother didn’t have the foggiest idea what her major study or passion. But, hopefully, he’d have a better idea before summer’s end.
A couple of months lay ahead and Alan hoped this was the much-needed change he required in his routine. A sort of respite that would ease his tension, possibly reinvigorate his entrepreneurial passions, and blast him into the next phase of his life. Alan had always thought that as soon as he’d reach a billion dollars that he’d have it all figured out and could relax. But, the young billionaire could never shake that feeling of waking up and having lost it all.
Should I introduce her to Maxwell? He thought. A brief rush of panic crossed his mind and he quickly dismissed the notion. No way!
Maxwell Hart was a tour de force and a womanizer on a good day. On his worst days, Max was boorish to everyone he knew and a sex-addled fiend with only the wickedest intentions for females. The last thing Alan wanted was for Tiffany to meet such a crude individual. Or worse yet, Maxwell could charm her into believing he was anything short of wrong for her. No, Alan wouldn’t even suggest to Maxwell that his stepsister was coming to town. Much less, bring up his friend and business partner.
So much for Tiffany getting exposed to all facets of Alan’s business. He’d have to carefully tiptoe around Maxwell about his stepsister and scout any chance meetings when Tiffany would come along for work days. It’d take some juggling, but Alan was positive that it was a must if he wanted to keep his stepsister safe and unaffected by the likes of his friend, Maxwell Hart.
Alan stood in front of the full-size mirror and took a quick inventory of his formal wear—a black cutaway coat, white dress shirt with a bolo tie, paisley vest, pin-striped pants and finished off with polished black dress shoes. He special ordered the suit earlier in the week and dressed well in the slim-fit sizing. As a whole, the stylish clothing impressed Alan since it showed off his muscular upper body, accentuated his thin midsection and showed off his greatest asset—his butt. A sight that many women quietly fawned over as he would pass.
ROMANCE: Mated to the Bear (Stepbrother Paranormal Shifter) (Threesome Taboo Romance) Page 40