Chapter 1
Blake had just had the worst meeting of his whole career. They were dealing with a major breach in Milan and they would soon lose all critical client information on file. Millions of people's personal details at the hands of some disgruntled thief.
The best part was to come when he was to meet with his father, the big boss. He would have the displeasure of telling him that he might lose his life's work. That one idiot didn't follow protocol and there was little he could do to fix it.
Blake had a very expensive wedding he sighed away thousands on daily. His fiancé had very specific and expensive childhood dreams to realise. Why anyone found it romantic to torture doves at weddings he couldn't understand. Then three ice sculptures were being made and the venue cost a house down payment. How was he going to explain this?!
Blake took a deep breath and took the private elevator. When he reached the top floor the doors opened to the penthouse office. Blake walked to the receptionist and was surprised to see that Linda wasn't there. Then again his father went through mistresses quickly.
Blake found it funny that he was now met with a male receptionist. His father would have a hard time having an affair now! Bet his mother was having fun again. They didn't ever fight, just spite each other.
' Boy did this guy have the bluest eyes...' Blake thought as he greeted the new employee. It was strange to still have those eyes on his mind when he was about to step into the lion's den.
###
" Quinn get me the Milan file I asked boy!" Mr.Sherman snarled over the phone. When he had taken the job of Office Manager he hadn't thought that meant 'stand in'.
To make things worse he had no clue what was going on with all the paperwork everywhere. At least he wasn't Micheal right now. The guy fired a new employee without warning. Anger someone in the Tech department and you have an angry hacker.
" It's right behind you on the left." A silky voice drew Quinn away from his frantic search. This was the guy who had just walked by to the boss's office. If he were to describe his type, it was standing in front of him.
Straight dark brown hair that was art but looked effortless. He had just enough of a shadow of a beard. He looked after himself and thought about what he had on. Those chocolate eyes would drown you in an instant and he smelled so good! His voice was calm and deep and had a slight accent he couldn't place.
" Thank you so much I have no idea how Linda works like this." Quinn said hoping his voice wasn't as shaky as he thought it sounded.
" Organised chaos I think. Let me get that to the old man before we're both out on the street." Blake said with a grin as he avoided looking into Quinn's haunting eyes. Quinn finally understood the phrase 'Hate to see you go but, love to see you leave'. Blake's suit was not just tailored. It was a creation from a mad genius Max Koley.
Men&Koley was a unique fashion house who painstakingly made suits by hand. From the fabric to the stitch are made at their factory. They did a 3D scan of the client to make it fit perfectly. That meant that it wasn't skintight yet accentuated all the right places and could be fitted like no other.
Almost two hours went by and Quinn had made some sense of the mess. It didn't seem like things were better when Mr. silky voice came out from the meeting with the boss. He seemed troubled as hell yet had the pedigree not to take it out on others.
" Quinn...whatever my father's paying you I'll top it. Also I won't refer to you as a 'boy'. What do you say?" Blake said with the charm of a thousand boy bands.
Quinn hadn't really heard what Blake had said at all. He would say 'yes' to anything he had to offer. This guy needed to carry a warning: My dreamy eyes and voice will cause bones in legs to melt and hearts to explode!
" Yeah, I mean yes...uh. Yes please sir I would love the opportunity." Thank goodness a sentence had finally made its way out. Quinn finally grasped that he had actually just quit his job and was to follow his new boss. Let's see rude,old, sour tyrant or gorgeous, yummy, eye candy on diabetes level CEO? This was way too easy.Quinn gathered all his things and simply left.
" Shouldn't I formally quit or something?" Quinn asked as he finally realised what he had just done.
" No need it's the same company really. It's more of a transfer and my father suggested it." Blake said unlocking his car quickly in the cold weather. Inside the climate control made quick work of turning the space tropical. This man was his boss but he had opened the door for him as a gentleman.
They arrived at Blake's company branch nearly twenty minutes away. It was almost a copy only more modern and happier.
The people who worked there looked like they actually wanted to be there! They all greeted Blake and Quinn as they made their way to his office. It was what you would expect for a CEO. It was luxury and modern but not as old-library-looking as his father's.
" Would you like to join me for a drink Quinn?" Blake said as he walked to the bar and turned to wait for Quinn's answer. Quinn nodded and Blake poured two bourbon on the rocks. He came back and took a seat on his desk instead of behind it. Quinn took a sip of his drink. Being this close to Blake needed alcohol to deal with it.
" Look Quinn I need to be honest with you. My father likes to...uh have fun with his closest working employees. He kinda asked me to take away the competition. Now I happen to know you have quite a résumé. It's his loss that he puts his wants before his company." Blake explained knowing he hated lose ends. He liked things out in the open and said.
" So this is to keep my contract in order so I don't file a lawsuit?" Quinn said as calmly and professionally as possible. He didn't know why but, it hurt to think Blake was being forced to spend time with him.
" Not from my side." Blake said plainly as he finished his drink in one gulp. He didn't know what it was about Quinn. He wasn't afraid of him but he did unsettle him. He somehow asked a question of Blake.He had no idea what the answer was because this question made no sense. Since he had laid eyes on Quinn no less then three hours ago, his world had tilted a little.
Quinn had no idea why but Blake was staring at him like a lost puppy. Those bright, soulful eyes were undressing his soul. He had read that Blake had finally been uncrowned as the most eligible bachelor almost a year ago.
The newspapers had gone on like it was to be the wedding of the century. It was just another rich couple buying dumb things instead of ending hunger. The thing was that Quinn was out and proud. He knew when a guy was checking him out. This guy was NOT in love with this women.
"Got into business?" Blake said and Quinn realised he has missed half the question Blake had asked. He was going to have to save his reverie for later. If he was to keep his head and job in tact he needed to focus.
" I'm sorry could you say that again?" Quinn said and loved how Blake spoke. He spoke in a kind, approachable manner. Completely opposite from his demon father.
Quinn and Blake sat and spoke for hours about their upbringing, educational background and childhood. The job came with a penthouse apartment with a phenomenal view. It seemed like Blake was going to alot of trouble for just an employee!
Blake showed Quinn the apartment and said goodnight. He turned to leave with Quinn behind him. Blake suddenly remembered he forgot to give Quinn the key. When he turned he almost gasped at how close Quinn was.
Quinn couldn't breath. He would only have to lean forward ever so slightly and he could kiss him. The thought filled him with almost equal parts of adrenaline and fear. Blake leaned closer and so did Quinn. They looked into each other's eyes and all thought was replaced by two hearts recognition of each other. In this moment their destiny started to combine.
Blake had no idea why he was so drawn to this guy. He had never even considered any of his closest friends as anything more than that. Now he stood here like a lovestruck child instead of a powerful, confident CEO. This man with his Viking eyes would be his downfall. It was however way too late.
Blake had never wanted anyone by his side more in his whole life. He had given the women he is to marry not one thought today. He was in very deep trouble! Well he never did do things by half measures. If he was going to do trouble, it would be done full throttle. He moved closer the mear inches between them and touched his lips to Quinn's as soft as a whisper.
He had just asked Quinn and himself a very important question. Do I accept my true self and love him? Do you accept me as I am?
