(Joshua's POV - Tue. 17 September 2013)

The advantage of having your own gym at home is that you don't get drenched under the rain while doing your morning run. I hate working out outside when it's raining. My friend Mark doesn't mind running whether it rains or even snows, but I do. Since I have plenty of space at home and I could afford it, I had a gym installed in the basement with some equipment, including this treadmill I am running on right now.

For lack of being drenched by the rain, I am sweating like a cow after nearly an hour on the machine, so I decide that I have had enough for today and get back upstairs for a shower. On my way there, I can smell bacon and eggs frying, which means Liz is already cooking and that my breakfast will be ready shortly.

And ready it is when I get back downstairs and enter the kitchen. Liz is nowhere to be seen though; she knows how much I like silence and am not in a mood to talk to anyone until I have had my breakfast and coffee. The only things I tolerate before filling my stomach in the morning are physical exercise and sex. I can definitely forget about the second one at the moment though, since I threw away my Sub a month ago.

Fuck! Has it been that long?

It feels like yesterday when I came back from my vacation! The last three weeks have flown by and I must admit I have found a renewed interest in going to the office. I never really minded going before because I love my job and it's not like I have to deal with people I don't like since I chose the leadership team myself, but it can sometimes get stressful. And as much as I love Ally for her professional qualities and her cheerful moods, she is a woman and as you know, I don't have any interest in women.

I know I shouldn't be saying this. It doesn't sound ethical at all, but it doesn't hurt anyone if I say I sincerely appreciate to see this beautiful young man who has been sitting at Ally's, whenever I discreetly glance through the window wall. It has been quite often unfrozen recently; much more often than it used to.

Of course, I could keep it frozen and I would still be able to see him, but when I came back from New York, I caught him a few times staring at me and I loved the blush on his face when he noticed me peeking at him. Now that Ally has left, I will freeze the window panes again in order to observe him more freely from my seat; though this is risky, as I might spend too much of my time looking at him instead of focusing on my work. I will need to find a happy medium.

I also get that it sounds like I offered him the job because of his good looks and because I feel irresistibly attracted to him, and this is partly true. I admit I was caught up by his beauty and his frailty. But I also have some sort of sixth sense, and I knew Liam would fulfill my expectations, professionally speaking. That, he will need to prove over time, but for now, I have been plainly satisfied with what he has done so far.

During Ally's last week, I asked him to work on his own on a few documents and on arranging and preparing meetings, though still under Ally's supervision. The result was close to perfection and I am positive that after a few weeks, he will be perfect. He just needs to gain more self-confidence and to open up to free himself from this shyness, although it doesn't reach the point where it paralyzes him. These blushes actually suit him well and give some color to his pale skin.

At 6:30, I meet Tony outside and I'm glad to see the rain has finally stopped pouring down. I don't want yesterday's events to repeat. People just can't drive when it rains and can't prevent themselves from causing accidents which create awful traffic jams. And yet... it was fun to tease Liam about my late arrival. Poor guy didn't know how to react so I didn't make it last too long and quickly put an end to his worries.

What I wasn't expecting though was the erection he sported. If he thought that sitting back down right away helped, he was wrong. His furious blush gave him away and this is what happens when you wear loose boxers and rather tight trousers. While I changed clothes in my private bathroom, I wondered what provoked this reaction in him. Had he been watching some videos or magazines before I arrived? Could I hope to be the source of his arousal?

I definitely hope for the second option. That would make things so much easier for me. That would mean he is attracted to me. The only way to find out will be to tease him a little more often and see how he reacts.

It is barely 7:15 am when I enter my office and I immediately press the button to freeze the panes and then shut my door. I go to hang a new spare suit and shirt in the bathroom, and once again, silently thank Ally for this wonderful idea she had to fit out a small wardrobe where I can stock spare clothes and shoes as well as basic necessities. You never know what can happen during lunch like this one time when a clumsy waiter spilled a cocktail over my lap.

After about half an hour into reading and answering emails, I hear the lift landing on my floor and I can't refrain the little smile I bear at the thought of another day with Liam. I lean back in my armchair and observe him as he walks toward his desk, frowning at the frozen window, and then suddenly turning his expression to an innocent yet nervous one when he must have remembered that I can see him.

I watch him set his laptop into the docking station to log in and remove his jacket that he carefully lays on the back of his armchair as usual. He is wearing a light-gray suit that fits him much better than the one he had on the first day I saw him, a very pale pink dress shirt and a dark-gray tie. The colors wonderfully suit the pale complexion of his skin and his blond hair. Liam looks rather thin, almost skinny, exactly like I like them. Of course his body is hidden beneath his clothes and I can't really figure out how he really is, but I guess a bit more muscles wouldn't do him any wrong.

About ten minutes later, I see him putting a mug on a tray, as well as his Ipad and notebook, obviously ready to review my daily agenda, so I resume my position at my desk, focusing on my emails. Yes, I can act like this very well! By the time Liam knocks on my door, I have removed the blissful smile I was wearing a few seconds ago and fully recovered my poker face.

"Come in!" I call, still looking at my screen and offering him my profile as he walks in.

"Good morning... Sir..." he says hesitantly. Are you nervous, young man? I turn to face him and he indeed looks quite nervous. His hands are slightly shaking and I notice how tense he is. It might not be the best day to tease him finally.

"Good morning Liam, how are you?" I ask in a deep, yet very gentle voice, hoping to make him feel easier, but it doesn't seem to work as he barely raises his eyes when he puts the tray on the round table.

"I'm fine... thank you... and you?" he replies shyly. He looked much more confident yesterday. I wonder if anything happened meanwhile.

"I am good, thank you." I let him put the mug of coffee on my desk and watch him take his Ipad and notebook. "Thanks."

"Can we review your agenda now?" he asks in a small voice.

"Sure! Take a seat," I offer in a more cheerful tone. "Are you sure you're fine, Liam?" I ask, a bit concerned by this sudden nervousness. A shadow briefly passes across his light-blue eyes and as if he suddenly realized something, he straightens his back, lifts his head and displays a little smile.

"Yes, sure!" His voice now sounds better, so I smile back at him.

We quickly review my schedule for the day and I ask him to finalize the details of my trip to California for next week as all my appointments there have been confirmed. I also ask him to book a table for two at Le Marais on South State Street for tomorrow at noon, before I send him back to his desk.

Le Marais is one of Mark's restaurants and I know he usually stays at home on Wednesdays, so this is perfect as I have already had my share of questions and teasing from my friends over the last two weekends. My three best friends all know about my intentions toward Liam now and their new game has been to tease me and press me with more and more questions about the young man.

Speaking about the devils... My Iphone begins to vibrate on my desk but I ignore Aaron's call. He tries again a few times, both on my mobile and office lines, but since I am now into a conference call with a customer, I continue to ignore him.

Since Allan is also participating into the call, I put my headphones on and let him discuss with the customer while I pace in my office. The conversation is running smoothly and I barely need to intervene. For a few minutes, I stand closer to the window pane and observe Liam. His posture is still tense, as if he is trying to act, knowing I might be looking at him. He smiles while he speaks on the phone, probably with Michael and then making hotel reservations, but it looks fake. I begin to really wonder what is wrong with him. Later this morning, he calls my office phone.

"Yes, Liam?"

"Sir... I'm sorry to disturb you but... I have Mister Aaron Cox on the phone right now and... he says that if I don't put him through to you, he will come in person to your office..." That's totally Aaron! The bastard would definitely come himself just for the sake of his curiosity to meet Liam.

"No worries Liam, put him through," I chuckle. There is a little click and Aaron's voice echoes in the receiver.

"Jeez!!! He has a sweet voice!!!" he says suavely.

"Fuck off, Aaron. I'd better not see you coming here or I swear that I'm going to kick your ass!"

"I'm sure Tony wouldn't even let me reach the lifts..." he scoffs.

"That's right! You have a point here!" I smirk at him.

"I still think he has a sweet voice..." he says.

"And I still say: Fuck.Off... What can I do for you?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Have you got any plans on Saturday evening?" he curiously asks. As if he didn't know I spend all my Saturdays at his club!

"Other than spending the evening at the Black Diamond, no, I haven't planned anything. Why are you asking?"

"Because you're not going to the Diamond then... We're all going to The Lost Paradise!"

The Lost Paradise is Aaron's other club in Chicago. This is a discotheque he bought a year ago for a ridiculously low price because the previous tenants had completely messed it up financially speaking. Aaron only intended to buy it for nothing and do it up before he sells it for a good price.

"Are you ready to sell it?"

"Not yet, but soon..."

"Wait until January. Once you have the annual accounts ready, you'll be able to sell it for a much better price," I advise him.

"Yes Mr. CEO, you already told me that!" he replies with heavy sarcasm and I wince at the nickname; I hate when my friends call me that.

"Why do you need to go then? I'd much rather stay at the Diamond."

"Just doing a round check there; I haven't been there in the last few weeks and I want to have a look around for potential Subs too," he admits.

"It's not even a gay club, Ron!!!" I exclaim. Thank God my office is soundproof!

"I know, but it's getting there... Paulo told me there are more and more gays going, so there might me some nice goods for us..." he whispers suavely.

"I'm not interested, you know that," I remind him. Since I met Liam, I have lost all interest in other potential Subs.

"I know that Josh, but come on, Mark and Cam are also going there and you don't want to be on your own at the Diamond. We won't spend the whole night there either anyway..."

"Fine, fine... The Lost Paradise it is then... But don't count on me to hook up some guys... I'm staying in the VIP area!"

"As you wish, Sir!" he chuckles.

After my call with Aaron and a quick lunch, I summon Liam in my office to start working on a new report that I need him to prepare for me before my upcoming trip to California. I give him as much information as possible to ease his task and let him go back to his desk. Throughout the afternoon, I often peek at him and see that he looks a bit more comfortable; but this is probably because he is completely absorbed in his work.

Around 5:00 pm, I decide to go and tease him a little. Liam actually seems to be struggling with what I have asked him, seeing how he has kept frowning and scratching his head for the past hour. He slightly startles when I open my door.

"How is it going on, Liam?" I ask him gently.

"Hmm... not as fast as I wish... Sir..." he replies remorsefully.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing really... I just have a hard time organizing the different parts of the report in a coherent way..."

Basically, what I did was give him the purpose of the report, a few guidelines, what I want in the report and sent him some tables that he needs to incorporate in the document. I asked him to provide me with a first draft of the plan for tonight.

"Let me have a look," I say as I walk around his desk to stand beside him rather than to sit in one of the chairs across his desk.

I said I was going to tease him a little and I still intend to do so. I put my left hand on the back of his armchair and slightly bend over him, resting my right hand on his desk and over the bottom of the sheet of paper where he wrote some notes. I feel him tense a little and slightly move to the left while I read what he wrote down; this is actually not bad.

I pick his pen from his hand, making sure to brush my fingers against his soft skin, and start to make annotations and draw arrows to move some parts up or down in the summary he prepared.

"That's good, Liam. Just move the parts as I indicated here and it will be fine," I say, leaning up and backing a little from him. I don't want to make him uneasier than he already is. This is when I notice his blush and how he rolled his chair as close to his desk as he could.

"Thank you... Sir... I'll.. I'll have this ready for you in ten minutes... and send it to you by email..." he stutters.

"Thanks Liam, then you can go home," I reply before I go back to my office, grinning all I can as soon as I have shut the door.

I swiftly turn around, quickly enough to watch him sigh and fumble with his trousers before he gets back to his laptop, his face still bearing a nice pink color that matches his shirt. This has me smile even wider as I sit back at my desk.

Dare I hope that I really affect him as much as he does affect me? I should hope so considering my own erection. With a sigh I return to my own work, wondering how I can take this further. I already have a plan all set for tomorrow, but I need to make this go faster. I haven't had sex in a month, which is barely credible for me, and I desperately need to get laid; or rather to have someone get laid.

Published on 31 Aug 2016

You never heard of The Lost Paradise in the first story because Aaron sold it before the story with the threesome began, so that's why. But I needed a club other than the Black Moon for this story and that was owned by Aaron too, so I thought that he could very well have owned another one in the past :p

Have a guess on why he asked Liam to book a table for two at Mark's restaurant? ;)

The picture above is the house that inspired me Joshua's place. Like for Shannon and Liam's apartment, I took one that is for sale or rent so I could see pictures of the interior and then accommodated it as to fit my needs :) I will post a sketch later on.

For those of you who are interested in knowing how things are going with Twisted Moon, I'm posting messages on my wall every so often, but without informing the followers, so you can check out there, though these are mainly just thoughts and information on the progression. I can already tell that this story is triggering my emotions, even more than the previous ones.