Chapter Eleven
Charlie woke. The clock said eight-fifteen. He was having trouble breathing. Declan’s massive right arm was draped across his torso, pulling Charlie tightly against his chest. The man’s pelvis was pressed hard against Charlie’s bare buttocks.
He loved to be wrapped in Declan’s arms. He’d read that in a growing relationship sexual desire was what bound a couple together until a deeper emotional bond had formed and Declan’s body certainly aroused sexual desire.
If Declan had been around in da Vinci’s time, he would have been the model for his Vitruvian Man.
No—if Declan had been the model, the drawing of the Vitruvian Man would have been hotter.
His body wasn’t just sexy, it was sex. And to have full reign over his every orifice, every limb—for Declan to actually want Charlie to dominate him—well, those feelings would keep Charlie interested in him even if the emotional bonding took an eternity to form.
Charlie tried to lift Declan’s arm without waking the sleeping giant, but it proved to be more than he could accomplish.
He carefully began to slide his body down the immobile mass of Declan’s all-encasing flesh.
Luckily, whenever Declan snuggled up to him, Charlie always ended up sweating and the sweat helped to lubricate their bodies.
He successfully managed to wriggle himself down to the point where his head slipped under Declan’s arms.
“No,” Declan whined. “I’m not done snuggling yet.” He twisted around and pulled Charlie back into a hug.
“Okay,” Charlie said. “You asked for it.”
He reached down and grabbed Declan’s hard cock.
Declan giggled. Charlie had long ago learned that Declan’s dick was the one part of his body that was ticklish.
“You are not getting away without giving me a morning treat,” Charlie demanded.
Declan capitulated and rolled onto his back.
Charlie looked up at his Greek God, then slid down his boyfriend’s torso, and devoured Declan’s sizeable morning wood.
Charlie may not have had a lot of sexual experience before he began his relationship with Declan, but in the intervening months, he had certainly been able to master a few essential skills. He took Declan’s full length down his throat and worked it until his boyfriend climaxed.
Declan lay there, panting, like he’d run a marathon. Charlie looked up at his face, smiling at a job well done.
“My turn,” Declan said.
Charlie resisted. “I promised Mrs B that I’d pick up a new batch of magazines for the office waiting room, and she’s going to be in soon.”
“I’ll be quick,” Declan replied, then went to work on Charlie.
Once Declan was finished, Charlie slipped out of bed. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He scooped up his clothes, got dressed and headed out for his morning errand.
As Charlie tried to push through the street-level entrance he discovered there was a dog leaning against the door. It was a mid-sized mutt with brown fur, mottled with patches of grey. As Charlie gently pushed the door open, the dog tried to squeeze by him to get in.
“Oh, no you don’t,” he said as he gently coaxed the dog away from the door long enough to close it. “Now, shoo… Go away. Go home.”
The dog moved down the street a bit, then sat down with its back to the wall and stared out into the street.
Charlie continued on to the convenience store at the end of the block.
He scanned the rack of magazines and picked out a selection that seemed to be what Mrs B had purchased last time, including Rocky Mountain Leisure, Maclean’s, a magazine about cars, and another one focusing on home renovations.
He threw in a copy of Men’s Health for Declan, then checked his phone.
The entire errand had taken only ten minutes and he would have the new magazines in place in plenty of time.
As he left the shop and walked back toward the office, he spotted Mrs B in the distance carrying several large bags in one hand, and a box under her arm.
She was early. As she walked past the dog he’d previously encountered, the hound fell in line behind her like he was joining a parade.
And as she opened the street-level door the dog moved quickly, following her into the building, sneaking in just before the door closed.
“Why that sneaky little…”
By the time Charlie reached the upstairs office, Mrs B had disappeared into the staff washroom. He looked around. No dog.
“Here, boy,” he called out. He made what he thought were appropriate tongue clicking sounds, ones he was sure all dogs knew. Nothing happened. He tried again. This time he got a response.
“You called?” Mrs B said as she exited the washroom, straightening her skirt.
“No, um. I was just looking for a dog.”
The moment he said it, he knew it sounded crazy. She raised her eyebrows as she took the dust cover off her computer and keyboard.
“Perhaps you might consider going to the pound. That’s where you’re sure to find one.”
“No, honestly. I saw a dog,” Charlie protested. “Outside. It followed you in.”
“In here?” she said. “I don’t think so. Are those for me?” she said, pointing to the magazines in his hand.
Charlie gave up. “I’ll just swap these out for you.”
“Thank you,” she replied.
As Charlie gathered up the old magazines, he kept his eyes open for the four-legged intruder.
Maybe he’d only imagined he had seen the dog enter the building.
Charlie discretely scanned the room one final time and headed back to his office.
Mrs B called out, “Don’t forget, Jules Slate will be here for a meeting at nine-thirty.
Are you doing the intake interview or is Declan? ”
Charlie shook his head. “I am…I think.”
“Decisive,” she said and went back to her computer. “I’ll let the two of you know when she arrives. I’ll also let you know if I find your stray dog.”
He wasn’t sure if she was serious about the last part, or if she was poking fun at him. Mrs B’s tone was hard to read.
Charlie went up to the apartment where he found Declan in his robe, fresh from his shower. He stood in the kitchen mixing up one of his vile health shakes.
“Grab a shower,” he said. “I’ll have breakfast ready for you when you get out.”
“As long as it’s not one of those,” Charlie said, pointing to the green concoction in the blender.
Declan smiled. “Cereal and blueberry yogurt then?”
“Perfect,” Charlie said as he stripped his clothes off.
“I could join you for a second shower if you’d like…” Declan started.
“We, sir, have a meeting with Jules Slate at nine-thirty. Business before pleasure,” Charlie replied, heading into the washroom.
He quickly showered and dressed, then ate his breakfast and prepared to start his work day. Charlie made his way to the top of the stairs, turned and kissed Declan and said, “See you in the office…boss.”
“I’ll throw on some clothes and be down in a few minutes,” Declan replied.
Charlie checked his phone. The time read nine-thirty, and just as he reached the outer office, a chirp from the security system announced that a visitor was coming up from the street.
The door opened and in walked a beautiful young woman. Charlie estimated she was in her late teens. She was about Charlie’s height, dressed in a white tank top, form-fitting ivory-coloured jeans and white runners. Her long, straight brown hair cascaded down her bare shoulders.
“Jules Slate, I presume,” Charlie said, trying to sound as professional as possible.
“That’s me,” she replied.
“And before you ask, I’m not Declan Hunt. My name’s Charlie Watts. I’m going to be involved in your protection detail. I’ll be doing your intake interview.”
Her brow furrowed. She seemed disappointed.
“I thought that Declan Hunt would be handling my case personally.”
And so it begins…
“Well, the firm certainly will,” Charlie began, “and Declan will be involved, but since you will need someone by your side some of the time, it seemed that I would be more…age appropriate.”
“But Declan is available, isn’t he? I think my father would still like him to lead the case, even if he isn’t by my side all the time.”
“Of course. If you’d like to take a seat, Mr Hunt will be with us shortly.”
He decided to refer to Declan in those terms to give him more authority.
“Hey,” Charlie heard from a room in the back. “When did we get such a cute doggy?”
Declan walked out of his office wearing a brightly coloured Hawaiian shirt and beige shorts. He was carrying the invasive dog.
So much for an air of authority, Charlie thought.
“Oh, hi. You must be Jules. I’m Declan.”
The dog struggled out of Declan’s grip and headed right for Jules after it hit the ground.
“Well, hello there, little guy,” she said leaning over to pet the dog. The animal sniffed at her. He accepted her pats but, after a moment, quickly turned and made his way back to Charlie.
“Odd. Animals usually love me,” she said.
“Well, don’t take it personally. He just wandered in here off the street this morning,” Charlie replied, frowning. “He must belong to somebody out there. Mrs B, can you…show this animal out, please?”
She smiled, patted her thigh and said, “Here, boy.” The dog trotted over to her. “While I’m down there, I might as well pick up some coffee and pastries from Gwen’s. Jules, would you like a coffee?”
“Yes, please. No sugar, just black.”
Mrs B nodded. “Sensible. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Maybe we should head into Declan’s office and begin,” Charlie said, taking control of the situation.
“Before we start, is there a washroom I could use?” Jules asked.
“Sure,” Charlie replied. “Right through that door.”
Jules disappeared and while she was out of the room, Declan turned to Charlie and said, “So am I taking the lead on this, or are you?”
“Well, she said that her father wanted you to take the case, so I guess it should be you.”