Serving the Billionaire

by Julian Bloom

  Alex looked at her, looked at the sincerity in her eyes and nodded. He had promised himself when he had first come out, that he would never allow anyone to make him feel bad for who he was. As long as he loved himself that was all that mattered, and right now it felt like a test, a test he was going to pass.

  He wouldn't put himself in a position to get hurt, not now, not ever.

  Chapter Two

  “Remember you have an eight ‘o’ clock with Alex tonight.” His PA said causally, causing his heart to skip a beat. He looked at his Rolex, 7:30.

  He hadn’t been aware of any meeting with Alex, where had this come from?

  “I wasn’t aware that I had a meeting with Alex.” He said causally to his secretary, trying to hide the panic in his voice.

  “I wrote it down in your reminder.” She said. Damn! He hadn’t checked the stupid thing, had been so busy planning his farce of a wedding and trying to avoid Alex’s calls that he hadn’t been aware of much else.

  Alex. He hadn't seen a missed call in a while, had been too chicken to tell him he was calling off their relationship because of things like family and responsibility, it even sounded ludicrous to him but Ethan knew he had had to do it. He was the first son of his father and no matter how much he didn't care, his mother did seem to care very much about it. He cared dearly about her and could not do anything to upset her.

  He cared enough to be sucked in when she cried to him about getting married, in order to salvage their fathers name and his inheritance. His father had been dead for more than a year now, but he still seemed to be in control of his life, from the stupid will he had left on his passing that stipulated that he get married and have children within a limited time frame or his inheritance be passed on to the next in line, the bastard!

  He remembered the day his mother had clearly taken matters into her own hands, as though it had just happened recently instead of months ago.

  They had been on the balcony of his penthouse Dubai hotel room and he had been having breakfast when his mother started again with her woes of having a grandchild and such.

  "Why do I have to do anything that man says… mother?" He had asked, totally irritated that his mother was still bringing up this nonsense. When his father had passed, he had stipulated in his will that his first child had to be married and produce an heir or risk his wealth and birthright being transferred to the next in line. Left to Ethan he couldn't give a rat’s ass about his father's wealth or reputation, but his mother meant so much to him so the mere fact that she cared made him care too, even if it left him a little irritated.

  "Do you want to see your birthright stolen?" She had been infuriated. He couldn't remember ever seeing her like that. “Because it seems like you don't care about me or the family.”

  "You know I care about you mother, so please let's drop it.”

  "How can I drop it when you won't give me grandbabies Ethan? What have I done to deserve this?” Ethan could remember being on the verge of saying “I'm gay mother” and letting her know once and for all who he really was, but she had continued. “Do you know what the other wives are saying about us? About you?"

  “I don't care what they have to say mother; they are free to say whatever they please.”

  "But no Ethan, this is really bad! They are saying that you are… that you are a homosexual, can you believe that? That my own son is gay!" The way his mother had said the word with such disgust and hatred had grated on his nerves, she made it seem like it was the most perverted thing in the world to be.

  Ethan had felt ashamed at that very moment and angry that he had to hide who he was from the woman he loved, but most of all he felt fear, fear that if his mother found out who he was, she wouldn't love him anymore, wouldn't care for him and would insist on no longer being a part of his life. For Ethan, that would be unthinkable.

  That had been too much for him to bear so he had kept quiet, hadn't said a word and instead somehow found himself sucked into this horrible vortex that was marriage to a woman.

  “Thanks.” He said to his PA coming back to reality. Ethan was certain that Alex just wanted to terminate their contract, nothing more nothing less. They couldn’t work together if Ethan insisted on dodging his calls, but Ethan was a little hurt that Alex had given up on him so soon. Anytime he had seen Alex’s number flash on the screen it gave his heart a little nudge that at least he still cared and maybe everything would be alright in the end.

  But 30 minutes later with Alex sitting across from him, Ethan knew that nothing would ever be the same, either things would get way better, or way worse. He feared the latter was more plausible.

  Ethan couldn't wrap his brain around anything except to see the cold way Alex looked at him, like he hadn't said he loved him, or like all the intimate moments they shared had only been a dream. It hurt Ethan to see him that way, but he didn't know what to say to make anything better.

  "We need to figure out a way to work together.” Alex said. So, he wasn't here to terminate their contract?

  "Alex..." Baker was cut off by Alex's raised hand.

  "It doesn't matter that we are no longer dating or that you are getting married soon--congratulations by the way--our partnership is important to the future of our line, so I'm willing to put all else behind me if you are. Let’s work together."

  How could he be so rational about this? Had he really ever cared for him? Had it all been a ruse? At first Ethan's temper boiled over, but then he remembered he had been the one to end the relationship without an explanation. If Alex looked calm it was probably because he didn't want to show his hurt in front of him.

  "Did you ever care about me?" he asked, his voice growing cold. “Or was it my money that drew you to me?”

  "What?"

  “Did you ever---"

  "I know what you asked!" Alex stood up from behind Ethan’s desk and advanced angrily. "And I'm shocked that you would even ask that.” He reached him and Ethan could see the anger in his face. "You want me groveling at your feet? Begging you to come back to me? When you didn't care enough to even break up properly with me?" Ethan stood up and Alex pinned him against the wall, his breath on his face as he spoke.

  Somehow with all the bitterness and hurt in the air, this felt intimate, and all Ethan could think about was pressing his lips against Alex’s full ones and tasting him one last time.

  "I didn't have a choice.” Ethan whispered. He could feel the hurt straight through his heart, the pain in Alex’s eyes. He had caused this, the great pain he was seeing was his fault, and all he had to do was end it by sticking it to his mother But was he ready to do that? Did he love Alex enough to go against his mother?

  "We always have choices.” Alex whispered back. As he looked up at him, the anger suddenly vanished from his expression and his eyes revealed a new look of lust and passion. And then he reached in to kiss him gently on the lips. The kiss was soft and wanting, seeking entry, seeking truth and seeking…answers. Ethan leaned in closer, deeping the kiss. He had missed this, missed Alex. For months he had stopped himself from thinking about him but now here he was, in front of him, his body pressed against his and it felt like nothing had changed between them.

  He could feel Alex’s bulge growing, pressing against his abdomen. He moved his hands down, rubbing it up and down his cock, and reveling in the sounds that escaped from Alex’s lips. He wanted him badly, to feel his naked skin pressed against his, as he called his name. But no, it wasn’t the same anymore, something had changed between them, everything had changed.

  Ethan broke free. "Damn!" He whispered as he ran his hands through his hair ignoring his throbbing lips and his aching dick. He desperately wanted to say fuck it and bury himself deep into Alex, but that would be irresponsible, especially knowing that nothing could come of it, he still had to keep his promise to his mother.

  “I will be going to Dubai for my wedding preparations this week, next time you want to talk business get a lawyer to do this transaction for you.” He turned
his back to Alex, and maybe that was why he missed the look that flashed in Alex’s eyes, the look of determination, but determination of what?

  Chapter Three

  “It's not like he dumped me for a guy, right? So, there's still hope.” Alex said to Maggie as he packed his bags.

  “Is there hope?" She asked sarcastically rolling her eyes. They were in Alex's loft and he was getting ready to leave on a one-way ticket to Dubai.

  “You didn't see that kiss Maggie, you weren't there.” In her expert opinion, when a guy tells you he's getting married even after sharing a kiss with you, the kiss couldn’t have been all that. But what did she know?

  “I don’t think this is what the company had in mind when they issued us that vacation time.” She said. “You can’t just stalk someone into accepting who he is, this plan isn’t going to work!” she was certain of it, she didn’t know why she cared about Alex so much, but she did, and to see him hurt twice by the same man wasn’t in the agenda. That was why she had agreed to this ridiculous plan, she was going to be with him every step of the way making sure he didn’t lose it.

  “Of course it’s going to work!” he said right back like she was crazy to even consider its failure. “You were invited to the wedding and I’m your plus one!” he smiled. “If I can change his mind before he says his vows then it’s a success.” His confidence scared her, made her think that if his plan didn’t work before the wedding; he would be the one waving his hands saying ‘Me! Me!’ when the priest asked if anyone was against the marriage.

  “All set!” he said, zipping the now fully packed bag. God help us! Maggie whispered before rolling down from the bed, at least he had her to slap some sense into him.

  *****

  Ethan knew Alex saw him leave the wedding rehearsal party and walked straight at him. Temporarily forgetting himself, he angrily got to Alex, and still saying nothing, he took Alex’s hands and dragged him all the way from the church, across the road and to the back of the opposite building. Here, they were out of view of anyone crossing the street.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” he asked. He had been with his wedding party, getting ready for the wedding with his mother and everyone in the bridal party when he had seen Alex at the back of the church. He hadn’t been sure at first that he was seeing properly but when he looked back again, Alex had still been there. “Trying to oust me to the world? Blackmail me for money?” Alex then landed a blow on his face that nearly knocked him to the ground and succeeded in wiping the sneer off his face.

  “There you go again with that mouth!” Alex said sarcastically. “Trying to rile me up, are we?” Ethan touched his jaw, looked at Alex and spat out blood.

  “What the hell man!” he said “What’s wrong with you?” even like this, even with all the anger trying to force its way out he still saw this man as sexy. Who else could rock in just a plain tee and blue jeans and look ready to eat? This was stirring up feelings in all the right places.

  “Are you back to your senses yet?”

  “Back to my senses? What does that mean?” Ethan asked flabbergasted.

  “Oh nothing, except that I am going to haunt you all through this wedding until you get back to your senses.

  “You are crazy!” he gave a god awful laugh. “Do you know what that is?”

  “Yes I know this is crazy and the technical term for this is stalking. I could be arrested for it, but it’s worth it. I am trying to stop the love of my life from making the biggest mistake of his life.”

  Ethan looked intently at Alex, and for a moment Alex thought he might have reached him, that he might have come back to his senses.

  “What are you doing here Alex?”

  “I’m Maggie’s plus one to your wedding.” Alex said.

  Ethan’s face changed, grew darker.

  “No way.” There was no way he was going to let Alex be a part of his wedding. He could barely concentrate with him being so close to him right now. It will be way worse to think of him, as he is sitting with the congregation when he says his vows.

  “I’m getting married this week Alex.” Ethan said disappointingly. “I’m sorry but it has to be done.”

  “Why?” Alex pondered as he just couldn’t understand hiding who he was to please other people, especially when those other people are your family and they are supposed to love you no matter what, flaws and all.

  “Family.” Ethan said as he let out a lost breath and closed his eyes. His lashes fanned his face and Alex stared at his delicate features, these were the features of the man he loved, someone who had always shown strength, but now looked lost and fragile.

  “I need my mom to be my mom and I don’t know if she will accept me if she knows who I really am.” His voice cracked as a single tear drop rolled down his check.

  Alex didn’t know what to do, he had never seen Ethan like this, hadn’t even known that this man could actually have a sensitive side. But he knew what he was going through because a lot of his friends had gone through the same thing before. Alex knew that all he could do right now was be there for him and that’s what he needed right now.

  He leaned in and kissed him, softly on his lips, letting him know that he could lean on him and depend on him. He felt Ethan kiss him back, felt him open up and accept the love and support. Later he would make sure Ethan saw the error of his ways, but right now all he wanted to do was comfort him, and he did.

  Chapter Four

  It was a Thursday morning, three days to the wedding and the Carter family had invited the party guests for an all-expenses paid three-day retreat. They were presently having a fantastic picnic at the back of the huge catholic cathedral, the food was sumptuous, conversation was good but Alex had only one agenda on his mind; saving Ethan from himself.

  "Hi Mrs. Carter." Alex said, moving up to Ethan’s mother. She was a small petit woman with a classy pink designer suit and her hair in a very frumpy pronounced bun. Alex silently wondered if she really knew who her son was "It's so nice to see you.”

  She turned to him, looked down at his white polo top and black jeans and then looked up with a look that Alex remembered from the first time Ethan looked at him, like how could someone wearing such basic attire have the audacity to talk to her. "You are?" She asked him regally.

  "Oh didn't Ethan tell you about me? I'm his very good friend Alex.” He smiled at her, as he noticed Ethan from the corner of his eyes walking up to him.

  "No, I'm afraid he failed to mention it.” She said. “May I help you?”

  "Yes, we are very close,” He leaned in as if to tell her a secret. “How well do you really know your son?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.” She said, her interest visibly peaking.

  "Excuse me mother.” As Ethan wrapped his hands around his forearm and dragged him out of the tight secret cocoon.

  "What the hell are you doing?" Ethan asked. Alex looked up at him, loving the look of anger he saw in his eyes. Yes, get angry, get very upset! Maybe that would bring you to your senses.

  "I was introducing myself to your mother, it seemed like you were never going to get around to it.”

  "What's wrong with you Alex? I'm getting married in a week’s time.”

  “To a woman.” Alex added sarcastically.

  “YES! Because men marry women!”

  “Who fed you that load of crap?” Ethan led him into the church, and it took Alex a while before he realized that they had landed near the confession booth. He spun him around and blasted him with a disappointed look.

  “I let you stay and this is how you repay me? After everything I confided in you, you are still going to threaten me with my sexuality?”

  "You know that’s not what I’m doing Ethan,” Alex rested his head against the confession booth, “and you know why I'm here, no threats no blackmail, it’s just pure and simple.” Just as Ethan was about to comment, they heard footsteps and Alex did the only thing that seemed rational to him at that very moment, he grabbed Etha
n’s hands and pushed him into the confessional, sitting on top of his lap as he fell on the seat.

  “Shhh.” He said, “You don’t want your family to see you in the corner talking to another man, do you?” He smirked as he thought about the reply he was going to get, but when none came his way he turned only to see that was the last thing on Ethan’s mind, and the poking at his side told him where his ex-boyfriends train of thought had landed.

  The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife, as Alex looked up at Ethan he felt a little fluttering in his abdomen. Alex dragged his hands up Ethan's back, enjoying the strained sound that escaped his lips. He was the only one that had ever been able to make him feel like this, and that gave him a kind of superhero power right now.

  Keeping steady eye contact, he unzipped Ethan’s pants and slid his hands across his lap and down into the ridge that started triggering sweet friction on Ethan’s cock.

  “Stop.” Ethan uttered through locked jaws. Alex could see him straining to keep control. Knowing that he was the reason for this, Ethan was as hard as a rock and ready to fuck because of the pleasure he was receiving. Right now, he was not interested in some skinny woman that didn’t even really know him and was probably just marrying him for the fame and money.

  Smiling, he ran his tongue softly down his neck, leaving moist trails of fire in their wake. Ethan groaned, holding back. “Stop.” He said again. “My family is just outside.”

  Alex ignored him and ran tiny little swirls on his now hot flesh with his tongue, dragging his tongue up Ethan’s throat. Alex felt his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. He smiled as he took Ethan’s mouth in his.