On top of our busy professional schedules, we also have to keep our delicious little Texan satisfied. As a result, the last week has been all systems go—six days of hard work, lots of fun, sexy play with Delilah and some of the most pleasant times I’ve spent with a woman and my best friend in a long time.
“Another balmy hot day in the UK.” Ethan’s voice startles me. He’s strolling towards me with a large cup of coffee in his hands. Just like me, he’s only wearing his underwear. “Don’t forget your suntan cream, mate. Clearly, you’ll need it to protect yourself from the harsh rays.” Yes, he’s being sarcastic.
“I didn’t expect you up considering—”
“My first appointment is at nine o’clock this morning in the eastern side of the city with a few CEOs from the top two insurance companies in the country. I can’t afford to sleep in. I’m going to have to make do with three hours of sleep in my system.”
“You’ll be in the financial district?”
“I will. I can’t keep up with the demand from my clients.”
“Calysta’s auction?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
He nods. “What else? I still can’t believe it’s happening next week. I still have so many clients to see and so many things to line up.”
“From the sound of it, it’s going to be huge. Thanks again for inviting me. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
“Don’t mention it. And to go back to your comment, I think it’s going to be much bigger than just huge. I think the successful outcome will stun us all.”
“To that extent?” I widen my eyes. When we’re together, we do our best not to talk about work, but on some occasions Ethan and Delilah have brought up the American artist. It’s always been clear from their enthusiasm that this will be a night to remember, but perhaps I underestimated things.
“I’m positive of it. In fact, if I could bet good money, I would. The buzz of those sixteen paintings is running rampant in our industry. At this rate, this will turn out to be a fierce bidding war. And you know me.”
“Yes, I do.” I roll my eyes. “You’ll leave no man standing.”
“You’re bloody right I won’t. I’m going in there to win. I’ll be in the front row with paddle in hand waving it high like my life depends on it. I intend on snatching every single one of those paintings for my clients. If I play my cards correctly—which is the plan—this coveted night will be golden for me and my staff.” I’m always impressed by how Ethan went from being a teenage pop star to a shark negotiator.
“Are all of your appointments for the day in the same area or will you be all over the place?”
Ethan nods. “I’ll end my day back in the city, but in between, I have quite a few stops to make. For instance, right after I’m done with the two executives, I’m heading to Canary Wharf.”
“Ah, the wealthiest docks in the world,” I say.
“I love your nickname for our second financial district. Yes, that’s exactly where I’ll be. I have a meeting there with the owner of a fund management company that’s had a stellar first two quarters and of course that’s after a spectacular year in the last fiscal calendar. After spending loads of money on all sorts of very pricey toys, he wants to start diversifying into the arts. He’s nouveau riche and from the many discussions I’ve had with him, I think he’s looking for validation.” Been there, done that.
“Ah, there’s nothing quite like new money.” I’m totally being facetious here.
We both chuckle.
“True, but Royce Hibbard’s fortune makes ours look like a pittance.”
“That may be the case, but I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve amassed.”
“Ditto. We might not be able to afford our own helicopter or private jet, but we still lead a charmed life.”
“Hear, hear.” Ethan is absolutely right.
“On a different subject, will you be in the recording studio today?”
“No. I have a series of meetings with lawyers, accountants, stylists and choreographers to keep the ball rolling for Jezebel Hicks.”
“The artists you went to LA with?”
“Yes. The recording sessions went really well and the entire team is so excited to move on to the next step.”
“It sounds like you’ll end up having as much of an exhausting and draining day as I will.”
“Since your deadlines are tighter than mine, I suspect you’ll have one-upped me,” I reply.
“I guess we’re going to have to find a creative way to unwind since Ashley is keeping Delilah too busy for her to come around tonight. Fucking her into oblivion until we find our equilibrium again is off the table.” He laughs and I can’t help but join him.
“How in the world she’s able to keep up with two very hungry and very domineering alphas like us, I’ll never know,” I marvel.
“I’ve asked myself that question numerous times, mate.” Ethan nods. “Delilah can definitely stand her own ground, there’s no doubt about that. I think that’s what makes her even more attractive to us.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. Why would I when we can fuck her at will? She takes everything we give her—rough and dirty sex, unwavering demands, and the fact that we take total control of every part of her delicious body.”
“The best part is that she begs us for more.”
“Exactly.”
“I expected things to be off the charts, but I’ll be honest, I’m amazed at how quickly things are developing between us.”
“You kept saying from day one that we’re good together. You were right all along and that’s abundantly clear when we get back together after a few days apart.”
Work prevented Delilah from hooking up with us after she left here last Thursday morning. Since I brought her back to our place after picking her up on Friday night—Ethan stayed behind to set the stage—we’ve barely given her a minute of rest. She only gets a break when it’s time for her to go to work in the morning. Each night Ethan or I pick her up or we send a taxi to collect her. I swear we must have fucked her in every room in my house and then we moved the action to Ethan’s place for an encore—I guess I should say multiple encores.
I grin wide, flashing back to a scene.
“What?” Ethan asks.
“She was so eager when you suggested role-playing.”
When Ethan puts his mind to it, he can come up with the wickedest ideas.
“Frankly, I never thought she’d get into it that much.” It’s his turn to grin.
When we were with Adele, Ethan suggested it many times, but she consistently turned us down. She felt it was beneath her to play a French maid, a desperate nurse, the slutty next-door housewife, the bad student in need of punishment, the saucy secretary in need of a spanking or any other role along that line. She felt that a woman didn’t need to stoop that low in order to keep her man pleased. Although Adele embraced the idea of a threesome, she could be very uptight and close-minded for a lot of things. It’s a shame really. Not only did we have loads of fun with Delilah, but afterwards, the sex was explosive.
“She played the perfect foreign student who found herself stranded in a strange city without a place to stay, luggage or money for food.” Ethan flashes me a mischievous smile.
“When you said you’d take her in for the night from the kindness of your heart on one condition, I expected her to blush furiously or to giggle nervously—after all, it was her first time.” I was truly taken aback by her boldness. “Damn, she finished your sentence before you did.”
“When her gaze met mine, I was putty in her hands. With those big, beautiful, imploring blue eyes fixated on me, she innocently lifted up her top and flashed her tits.” I still remember Ethan’s gobsmacked expression. She was giving him what he wanted before he even asked.
“I particularly loved how she pinched her nipples and moaned. Like she needed to convince us.”
“Exactly, Xander. I seriously thought of punishing her, but it was just too good.” Sh
e was so illegally hot and so into it that Ethan had to put some water in his wine and curb his dominant nature. “It’s not like she didn’t know what effect she had on us. We’ve been gushing all over her since the first day we met her.”
“She definitely turned the tables on us.” I shake my head still amazed by her performance.
“I swear, mate, my mouth was salivating at the sight of her magnificent globes. When she said in that seductive Texan accent of hers that she’d be more than willing to show her gratitude for such generosity by allowing us to defile her mouth and pussy, I nearly fainted. She was perfect in the role,” Ethan marvels.
“She was a natural,” I agree.
“And she looked hot as fuck. I wish she could walk around in that outfit all the time.” Ethan chuckles.
“The extremely short shorts and painted-on transparent deep V white tee—which you demanded she wore without a bra—were a real stroke of genius. The way her massive tits were just hanging there had my cock at full attention.” The X-rated outfit only accentuated her luscious curves.
“It wouldn’t have been nearly as sensual had she been naked showing up at my door.” We had Delilah change at my place while Ethan and I waited at his. It made the wait even better. “Seeing her perfect pink nipples peering through that shirt as a greeting when I opened the door is an image that will be seared in my mind forever.”
“I’m afraid it’s the same for me. I’ll never forget how beautiful she looked for the rest of my life.”
“Don’t forget the ridiculous heels,” he exclaims.
“Your shoe fetish definitely paid off.” Ethan bought Delilah the entire outfit. He paid particular attention to her foot attire. He got her a pair of outrageous red shoes. They were so high, she could barely walk in them. Because of their vertiginous height, they forced her to stick her butt out when she walked and push her tits forward. They also accentuated her calves. I was particularly fond of the wedge part in the front of the shoe. Honestly, it was a beautiful thing. Yeah, you could say that it was a bit cliché, but that only heightened the fantasy. “Not to mention that she played the role to a T.”
“All the way down to giving us the best BJ switch ever.” He waggles his eyebrows. That night Ethan proved that he’s the ultimate kinky ringmaster.
“Did she ever. Having her naked and down on her knees—still wearing those indecent heels—in front of our eager cocks alternating between a blowjob and a handjob until we both climaxed at the same time all over her tits was mind-blowing.”
“Who knew she’d not only end up being the perfect little submissive, but that she’d end up playing the ideal naughty sex slave,” Ethan says.
“What a little minx.”
“Yeah, but she’s our little minx,” he concludes. I nod. There’s nothing much more to say.
For a few long minutes, we both stare out at the garden in front of us until I break the silence. “I can tell you this, I’ll keep that fantasy looping in my head all day long. Since I’m going to have a miserable time hopping from one appointment to another in the rain, that will be my salvation.”
“Same here. I doubt I’ll be back here until eight by the time I swing by my office to brief the team and catch up on a day’s worth of emails, text messages and calls.”
“I should be back around the same time since Jezebel and I will be spending two hours with the choreographers. Considering their studio is on the other side of town, I’ll have a jolly old time getting back home. Instead of ordering takeaway or stopping by a catering house, why don’t we go to Bocca di Lupo in Piccadilly Circus for dinner? I haven’t been there in ages and no one masters rustic and authentic Italian cuisine like they do,” I suggest.
“That’s a great idea, Xander. As much as it kills me that we won’t be able to spend the night corrupting Delilah, it will be good for the two of us to just hang out.”
“You’re definitely not as pretty or nearly as sexy as she is, but I guess you’ll do as my date for tonight.” I grin from ear to ear.
“Wanker.” Ethan punches my arm playfully.
CHAPTER 22
Ethan
“What a bloody mess,” I grumble when I look at my watch. I lean forward and place my hands against the seat, assessing the gridlock traffic in front of us. Although we’re on the main street, you’d think we were trapped inside a tunnel. Here I am sitting at the back of a taxi in the middle of a sea of cars. We’ve barely moved in the past ten minutes. “This city is so bloody congested. I’d sooner be there by walking,” I say.
“I’m sorry, sir. The construction has closed the road down to one lane,” the taxi driver explains. “Considering this is one of the major arteries to the city, it’s an absolute nightmare regardless of the time of the day. Of course, the rain isn’t helping much. At least it’s still the middle of the day. I know it may not feel like it, but trust me, it’s a salvation. During rush hour, I swear I’d rather someone shoot me than sit idle behind the wheel of my car wasting petrol. No wonder the air quality in the city is shit.” Leave it to any self-respecting Londoner to tell it like it is.
“So there’s no way of assessing how long it will take me to get to my appointment? Is there a way for us to use a side street to cut through this horrendous traffic?” I ask impatiently.
“The worst part is that we’re not that far.” The driver points in front of him. “I’m nearing a side street that would require a bit of a detour, but it might get us there faster.”
Finally, a glimmer of hope. “How much faster?”
“Judging by how slowly we’ve been moving in the past fifteen minutes, I’d say that it will cut our time by half.”
“Let’s do it.” I tap the driver’s shoulder. “The second you can get me out of here, please do.”
“Consider it done, sir.”
It’s been an exceptional day so far, but it’s been extraordinarily stressful. Due to the number of clients I had back to back, I found myself all over the city, which means I’ve been hopping from one taxi to the next. When the traffic is flowing, I don’t mind, but when it’s like this, it drives me mental. Along with the demanding traveling schedule, I ended up repeating the same story over and over again. As irritating as it may be, I know it’s a small price to pay for the outcome I anticipate.
Thank God Ashley made my life much easier by uploading Calysta Knight’s artwork on a private site. Explaining what a painting looks is an utter waste of time. Art isn’t something that can be properly expressed in words—unless we’re talking about literature. Anything visual must be seen. That’s the only way you can fully appreciate the intricacies of a piece and the brilliance of its creator. It’s true that nothing beats the real thing, but what Ashley did helps immensely in lining up prospective buyers. As a result, other than a duo of brothers—who also happen to be some of the best lawyers in the city—all of the clients I met with today are in. Each has given me carte blanche to bid well into six figures in order to ensure they’ll be the proud owner of one of the coveted pieces.
I look down at my watch again and sigh in frustration. I lean against my seat and decide to make a phone call I was hoping not to have to make. It’s better to apologize than to be tardy. I pull out my phone to call my next appointment.
“Valerie,” I say when my client picks up.
“Ethan, I’m glad you called.” I could be mistaken, but she sounds relieved.
“I’m sorry. I’m running late. I’m still at the back of a taxi—”
“Don’t tell me, you’re trapped in hell like I am?”
Valerie Combrinck has one of those typical slicing British senses of humor. I love how she doesn’t mince her words. I guess it’s her frank talk and business acumen that landed her on the list of the richest women in the UK.
“How did you know?” I ask, surprised. “Are you a psychic?”
She laughs. “Hardly, but if I were, I wouldn’t have to work as hard as I do now.” This woman could have retired a long time ago, but she keeps going.
It’s no longer about the money, it’s about the wins. I can definitely relate.
“I was worried there. You already have a stellar resume. I thought you added one more notch in your belt and I had missed reading about it on the Internet.” It’s my turn to laugh.
Valerie cofounded BondCap with her brother Henry. They’ve amassed their fortune by negotiating deals for all of the big designer franchises located on Bond Street and Old Bond Street—the wealthiest shopping area in the city. Add to that the fact that Valerie and her brother were early investors in Google, PayPal and Yahoo. They were also quick to jump on the opportunity when Facebook went public. She’s sharp, smart, excessively rich and an art lover. In other words, she’s my ideal client.
“To answer your question, I’ve been sitting at the back of my chauffeured car desperately trying to get some work done since I’m trapped in this gridlock, but it’s to no avail. I’m far too frustrated and impatient to focus. In fact, I was just about to call you. When I saw your number on my phone, I figured you were in the same boat. Had you already been waiting for me at my office, my assistant would have called. I was hoping I’d be able to make it to our appointment in time, but alas, my chauffeur tells me I’m at least half an hour away.” Thank God, I’m not the only one who’s late.
“It seems I’m closer than you are. The driver tells me I’m only a few minutes away.”
“Ethan, let’s just make it simple. Let’s push the meeting to three o’clock. I’ll get Penelope to push back all of my other appointments. That will give me half an hour upon arrival to get my thoughts sorted. That way, I won’t still be fuming when we sit down to meet.”
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