***
Chris finally got to see every part of Shane’s home. He saw pictures of Adele and Sylvia Lewis all over the house. If he had gone round earlier, he would have known that Shane had a daughter. She looked so much like her father. She was so beautiful. Chris saw Adele’s beautiful ‘Disney Princess’ bedroom and thought it was simply spectacular.
“That’s her room when she sleeps over. Always ends up in my room by dawn anyway.” Shane laughed.
When they eventually got to Shane’s bedroom, Chris was amazed at how huge the room was. The decor in the room was classically elegant and masculine. Chris’ eyes however widened when they landed on Shane’s bed. Not only was it huge, but it was also strikingly unique. He went closer to the bed and stared at it in surprise. It was a clear example of opulence and extravagance, definitely a centerpiece of the whole house. It was made entirely of gold and Swarovski crystals. And it came with an internet connection, PlayStation, DVD player, and a surround sound system.
“Dude!” Chris gasped as he turned to look at Shane’s face with incredulity.
Shane chuckled. “What?” He asked with a look of mock innocence. And when Chris pointed at the bed, Shane shrugged and said, “If you’ve noticed, I don’t go out much. When I’m not at work or in the study, I’m here…relaxing and having the little fun that I can.”
Chris shook his head in amazement. “Well, with such an incredible bed, I know for sure this bedroom is the place where the magic happens.”
Shane chuckled. “I don’t know the kind of magic you’re talking about buddy. This bed has only been slept in by myself and Adele and no one else.” Shane said in a low voice.
“Of course unless the housekeeper and Abigail take naps in it when I’m not around.”
“You mean you’ve never…” Chris started but trailed off.
Shane shook his head slowly. “Never had sex with anyone in here. Actually, I’ve had sex just once in this house. And that was in the living room.”
“Lizzie,” Chris whispered.
“Uh-huh.” Shane nodded. “But that doesn’t really count if you should ask me as it wasn’t planned.” Shane gave a sad smile.
“I beg to dif…” Chris trailed off when his eyes landed on the framed drawing of Shane on his bedside table. “Oh my God.” Chris breathed as he bent to pick up the frame. He remembered drawing that as clearly as though it had been the day before. “You kept it.” He whispered.
Shane nodded and realized Chris couldn’t see him. “Yes, I did. It helped me actually.”
“You were so happy,” Chris whispered around the knot in his throat. “How did it help you?”
“By reminding me that you’re not the monster my mind kept conjuring up every night,” Shane said softly.
Chris nodded slowly, staring at the face in the drawing. Thanks to him, Shane had missed out on so much, Chris thought regretfully. If only he could help Shane capture part of what he’d missed out on. Chris knew he would love to be the one to bring a spark into Shane’s life, taking into consideration the fact that he’d been the one to take it out in the first place. There and then Chris vowed to bring some sort of happiness and brightness into Shane’s life.
Yes, he had his beautiful daughter, mother, and friend but none of them could replace what Chris had taken from him. If it was the last thing he did, he would make sure Shane at least had a taste of what he’d been missing in life. Not only did he owe Shane that much, the mere thought of doing something for Shane thrilled Chris to no end. Chris put the framed drawing of Shane back down and turned around to follow Shane out of the room.
“I need to make an important phone call,” Chris said in a hoarse voice as he followed Shane to the dining hall. “I’ll be with you shortly.”
“Use the study,” Shane said gesturing towards an oak door at the end of the hallway.
“Thanks.” Chris went to the study which looked a lot like Shane’s home office where he’d encountered the wrath of the scary Lizzie that afternoon. The study looked cozier though. It was obvious Shane spent a lot of time in there.
Aaron picked up on the first ring. “What’s up boss?”
“I need your help,” Chris said, looking at a sweet picture of Adele on the desk. She was smiling at something. It was so natural and beautiful.
“Shoot.”
“I need you to come home with me after work,” Chris said.
“Can’t. Have a dinner date with Kyle after work.” Aaron quipped.
“Break it,” Chris growled.
“Dude, get real.” Aaron laughed. “You want me to break my date with my fiance and go home with you. Now, why would I wanna do that?”
“Because you will be saving a friend’s life, that’s why.”
“Chris, are you okay?” Aaron asked with concern in his voice. “Are you sick…”
“Chill. You’re a banker, not a doctor. If I were sick, I’d be calling Michael and not you. Get ready to leave with me at six p. m.”
“Care to tell me what it’s about?” Aaron asked dryly. “If I’m standing my man up, I should have a good reason, don’t you think? Besides, I didn’t even bring a car to work ’cause the plan was for him to come pick me up.”
“Look at it this way,” Chris said sounding bored. “I’ll owe you idiots one. Tell him to pick you up from my place around half past eight tonight.”
Aaron whistled. “He’s not gonna like that.”
“Do I sound like I care? See you at six.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” Aaron purred, making Chris laugh.
***
“Now what’s so important I had to miss Villa Montecello for a lousy McDonalds?” Aaron asked, flopping into a couch in Chris’ hall and throwing his jacket over the armrest. With his dark hair, flawless skin, and dreamy grey eyes, Aaron was drop-dead gorgeous.
They’d made a quick stop at McDonalds on their way to Chris’s home and Chris had insisted they eat in the car because according to him, they wouldn’t get time for food when they got home. That had made Aaron even more curious to know exactly what was going on with Chris. What baffled Aaron, even more, was why Chris would ask for his help when Chris’ wealthy and powerful friends would fall over themselves just to help Chris. The eight men were so close to each other they would pass for octuplets. Why him, and what was the problem, Aaron wondered for the umpteenth time.
“Ready to hear what I have to ask?” Chris sat down beside Aaron and handed him the glass of cranberry juice he’d asked for.
Aaron shrugged and took a sip of his juice. “It’s not like I have a choice here. Come on, spill.” Aaron kicked off his shoes and put his feet on the center table. Then he took another sip of his drink.
“I want you to teach me how to give a man the highest form of pleasure in bed.” Chris blurted out and watched as the juice spilled right out of Aaron’s mouth and he started choking.