Boss (27 page)

“You’re up early for a Saturday,” Felix exclaimed when he stole a piece of Ezra’s toast, “you usually sleep in until noon on the weekends.”

That’s usually because I’m out until the early hours most Friday nights.

“I’m going to a wedding,” he nursed his coffee as he leaned against the counter.

The tie holding his bathrobe together was starting to slip open but he didn’t have the energy to rescue it.

“Who’s getting married?” Felix wrinkled up his nose.

“Joshua’s cousin.”

With a smirk and a suggestive look, Felix let Ezra know exactly what he was thinking, “A wedding date? Shit. It must be serious.”

He didn’t have the energy to deny it. He didn’t know if they were serious or not. There was no label on things and they hadn’t talked about exclusivity, not that Ezra had been going near any other guys. He won’t even tell me if he’s sticking around.

“It’s just a wedding,” he stretched out, “it’ll probably be dull.”

“Try not to catch the flowers,” Felix called after him as he headed into the hall, “I know gay marriage is legal now but you won’t suit the dress.”

Ezra turned around, flashing both of his middle fingers to his little brother. He had to admit, he liked having Felix around, even if most of the time he was a pain in the arse. It was nice knowing there was someone there after spending so many years living alone.

After a quick shower, he jumped into the new suit he had bought specially for the occasion. His closet was already filled with designer suits but he had been in the mood for something a little different. Glancing at the charcoal grey suit in the mirror, he turned to catch a glimpse of his ass, the pearlescent finish on the fabric catching the early Saturday light as it filtered through his linen drapes.

Just as he was heading out of the door his phone beeped.
That’ll be Joshua
. He clicked his car keys, unlocking the
BMW 3 Series
, wishing it were his
Lamborghini
.

He opened the message but it was from his assistant, not Joshua.

‘From: Becky

I left my gym stuff at the tower so I swung by and noticed that the board of directors were meeting without you. Just thought you should know. See you Monday. Becky.’

She always signed off her messages with her name, as if she didn’t expect him to have her number saved. He jumped into his car as he read the message over again. He was so close to texting her to tell her that he was busy but a niggling voice in the back of his head forced him to head into the city centre instead of towards Hammersmith.

‘Send To: Becky

Checking it out now. Just so you know, you should be enjoying your boyfriend, instead of working out on the weekends. You work too hard.’

She sent back a laughing emoji but that was all. She was always treading the balance between trying to keep things professional and keeping the boss/assistant relationship ticking over. She had started under Bill, not long before his cancer diagnosis, so she was used to being ruled with an iron fist.

He swung into the car park and headed straight for the smokers fire exit. He didn’t have his keys but one of the cleaning ladies was having a cigarette as she leaned casually against the wall with her foot lodged in the door.

It was that crazy woman who had tried to convince him there was a crack in his window. What was her name? He knew it was along the lines of Constipation.

“Constance,” he read her nametag as he walked towards her –
Thank God for my long distance vision.

“Shit,” she stubbed the butt under her foot, “Sir, I was just -,”

“At ease,” he tried his best to look kind and gentle but it was a stretch, “I’m not working today, I just want to slip in and pick something up.”

She kicked the door opened, stuffed her hands in her apron and nodded inside with a wink. She must be edging towards retirement but she was the best cleaner they had, or so he had heard.

“What floor are the directors meeting on?” he clicked his fingers as he spun around.

“Third, sir,” she followed him in, “that Graham was acting so shifty earlier if you ask me. Looked like he didn’t want to be seen as he sloped through the building with his mates. That man gives me the willies. Bill never even liked him, he just felt sorry for him because his son was such a basket-case.”

Constance carried on chewing his ear off until he was inside the lift.

“I better get back to work,” she puffed out her chest and headed towards the reception desk.

The doors closed and he jammed the button for the third floor. The third floor of
Silverton Tower
usually housed the human resources team but the offices were being renovated after a water leak in the bathroom on the fourth floor flooded through the ceiling.

The doors slowly opened onto the dark floor. It seemed pretty lifeless and it made him wonder if Constance had got it wrong. The corridor was filled with plastic sheeting and tools so he crept forwards slowly, not wanting to make noise.

Whatever Graham was up to, he didn’t want to be found and Ezra wanted to know why. Turning the corner, he started to hear the instantly recognisable and smug tone of Graham. It was the voice of a man who probably had a tiny cock so he acted like the big man to make up for it.

He made his way to the end of the corridor and stopped outside the door where he could hear the voices. Plastic covered the window but he could see a lump of a shadow passing backwards and forwards against the light of the window.

“Are we all agreed?” he heard Graham say, “We target Joshua as soon as possible?”

“What if he doesn’t want to do it?”

“He will,” Graham laughed, “he’s Bill’s son. The sooner we get that Slimy Steele out of his company, the better.”

They’ve given me a nickname, how sweet.

“You know Steele will put up a fight.”

“I know,” Graham pondered, “but there’s more of us and with a Silverton on our side, he’ll be over powered and out numbered. I remember that Silverton kid. He’s easily suggestible. Always been a bit of a sheep. We just need to make sure he knows we’re the shepherds.”

It was like listening to somebody with a god complex. Ezra wanted to interrupt their little meeting but he knew it was better to have them believe he knew nothing.

“This is what Bill would have wanted,” somebody chipped in.

“It is,” Graham agreed, “he was adamant Joshua was going to do this. He was convinced he was going to step up to the plate and then Ezra somehow wormed his way in. I don’t know what he said or did but he must have manipulated Bill. The quicker he’s gone, the faster we can get back to running this company the way Bill would have wanted.”

“Joshua will be the perfect puppet,” somebody laughed.

“Let’s hope so, John, let’s hope so.”

He listened for a couple more minutes but the conversation quickly turned to golf and money. When he heard movement, Ezra jumped into the shadows, pressing up against the wall. They all milled out one by one. He watched each pathetic middle-aged man head towards the lift, full of their self-importance. Graham was the last of them to come out. Behind him, he locked the door and dropped it into his pocket.

“Oh, John,” Graham called after John, “I forgot to mention, we’ll meet the same time on Wednesday. Pass the message around. I’ll try and get the kid to join us.”

“Sure thing,” John nodded as he dabbed a tissue along his wrinkled forehead, “when is this floor going to get finished? It’s roasting without the air con.”

“Just another reason Ezra needs to be gone,” Graham laughed as they walked away, “can’t even sort out a simple renovation.”

The bastard!
Ezra had to clench his fists because he could feel he was about to launch for the back of Graham’s head as he made his way through the tools. The only reason the renovation was taking so long was because the contractors Graham had insisted they use had botched the job and they were waiting for the new ones to finish their existing job so they could start.

He broke the speed limit all the way to Violet’s place but he couldn’t control himself. He didn’t care that they were having secret meetings without him. He had already suspected they were because they always seemed more up to speed than Ezra in the official meetings. He cared more about what Graham had said.

‘
There’s more of us and with a Silverton on our side, he’ll be over powered and out numbered.’

They’re right, but I’m not going down without a fight.

“There you are!” Joshua was sitting on Violet’s step with a cigarette tightly between his lips, “God, am I glad to see you. I’m dealing with the actual Bridezilla in there. Where’ve you been?”

He knew he couldn’t tell Joshua. Not today, at least. He pushed Graham and his pals to the back of his mind, knowing that he had until Wednesday to warn Joshua away.

“Just had to pick up my new suit,” he lied, “you like?”

“Mmmhhmmm,” Joshua’s eyes scanned his body as he blew smoke into the air, “pretty damn handsome.”

Joshua wouldn’t double cross me now. He wouldn’t…

Joshua was happier to see Ezra than he dared show. He was used to dealing with Violet but he had no idea how to deal with the crying and wailing banshee who had taken her place.

“What’s happened?” Ezra whispered as they hovered outside the living room.

Something glass smashed against a wall and a deep and primal screech gurgled in Violet’s throat.

“Her makeup artist is sick,” he kept his voice low, “food poisoning or something. She can’t find anybody. She’s been in there for forty-five minutes trying to do her face.”

She screamed again but it was followed by a whimper. Carefully, he opened the door. Violet was sat under her grand bay window, still in her nightgown.

“Violet,” he cooed, “everything okay?”

“Go away!” she screamed, “Tell him the wedding is off. I can’t walk down the aisle like this.”

“Show me,” Joshua took a brave step into the room, motioning for Ezra to stay at the door, “I bet it’s not as bad as you think.”

Shaking her head, she let her blonde hair fall over half of her face. In the tiny magnified mirror, Joshua caught a glimpse of her mascara streaked cheeks and wonky eyebrow.

“I can’t do this,” she dropped her face into her mascara stained palms, “If my hands won’t stop shaking, how am I supposed to put on my lashes?”

He swooped in as he heard a soft cry escape her body. He knew her outburst was more than just the makeup. She hadn’t seen her fiancé in almost a month and she wanted everything to be perfect for when they were reunited. Christopher landed back in London early in the morning and he had been crashing at his friend’s apartment in the city. Violet had tried to get him to come home but Christopher was adamant they stay apart.

“Fuck tradition!” she had cried when she slammed the phone down on him.

Rubbing her back, he tried to calm her but it wasn’t going to work.

“The hair woman is going to be here in twenty minutes and I’m expected at the church in two hours. What am I going to do, Joshua? I’m up shit creek without a paddle.”

“We’ll think of something,” was all he could pathetically offer.

The door creaked open and Ezra stepped in. He had his phone to his ear.

“What’s the address of this place?” he looked to Joshua with eyes that said ‘
trust me
’.

“45 Prince Albert Street,” he furrowed his brow.

He ducked out of the room and Violet tucked her hair behind her ears. Using a makeup wipe, she wiped away what she had done. Joshua thought they might be getting somewhere but the second she attempted to draw on her brows, she snapped the pencil in two and her face was soon back in her hands.

“It’s sorted,” Ezra stepped into the room, “my assistant knows somebody who’s working on a photo-shoot in the city. She’s sending one of the makeup artists around now.”

Violet looked up and sniffed away the tears.

“Seriously?” she mumbled.

“It’s all taken care of,” Ezra folded his arms, pleased with himself, “get yourself a glass of champagne and relax.”

Violet jumped up, practically pushing Joshua’s comfort away. She launched herself at Ezra and she wrapped her arms around his neck in a similar way she had done to Joshua when they had met at the airport.

“He’s a keeper,” Violet patted Ezra on the chest, “Oh, I could kiss you but I’ll leave that to my cousin!”

After a quick wink to Joshua she ran off to the kitchen with an excited spring in her steps and a widespread grin on her face.

“I owe you,” Joshua stood up, “you’ve just saved us all.”

“It’s the least I can do,” Ezra shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets –
He really does look hot in that suit
, “but your cousin is right. You should probably kiss me, just to say thank you.”

Joshua was already walking towards him.
You didn’t even need to ask
. He let Ezra wrap his fingers around the small of his back so they could kiss.

“I’ve missed you,” Ezra pulled away to stare into Joshua’s eyes, “I’ve missed having you close.”

“You saw me yesterday,” he said, “we were quite close in your office, and then in your bed and then your shower -,”

“It’s too long,” his voice was soft and sultry, “I want you by me all the time.”

He knew the question he was dreading was coming. He kissed Ezra again to silence him, but Ezra pulled away to look even deeper into his eyes.

“Just tell me -,”

“Ugh,” Levi walked into the room, shielding his eyes, “I know I said I was fine with this, but it’s going to take a while to get used to it.”

Joshua stepped away from Ezra and quickly tucked his hair behind his ears, avoiding both of their gazes.

“You got a problem with gay men?” Ezra rolled back on his heels, a serious glint in his eye.

“What? Me?” Levi laughed, looking to Joshua as if to say ‘
is this guy serious
’, “I’m from New York. I’ve seen things that would make even your toes curl. I’m fine with gays, it’s just – Joshua. I never knew.”

“In my defence,” Joshua spoke up, “It’s not like I was keeping anything from you. I wouldn’t exactly say I’m gay, I just -,”

“Can’t resist me?” Ezra kissed the air and Joshua’s stomach fuzzily flipped.

He wasn’t going to admit that Ezra was right, so he decided to say nothing at all, instead turning the conversation towards the wedding.

“I hope her bridesmaids are hot,” Levi tugged at his groin, “my balls are turning blue. I was so close to having sex the other night, but you two-,”

Levi looked from Ezra and then to Joshua before shaking his head. Joshua knew he hadn’t been able to wash the mental images away. He could tell Levi was hurt that he had never told him but he wouldn’t admit that. Joshua had tried to explain that it happened so fast and he still wasn’t sure what it was and Levi said that was fine but his eyes told a different story. They said ‘
I really thought you could trust me
’ and that hurt Joshua because he did.

“I should get ready,” Joshua ducked out of the room, eyeing for Ezra to follow him.

He wasn’t sure if Ezra would play nicely when Levi started to ask him questions and he didn’t want the conversation to steer towards Joshua’s current situation. They were both on opposing teams and they weren’t the type of guys to have rational and normal conversation.

“Christopher is going to kill me when he finds out I’ve worn all his suits,” Joshua walked out the bathroom in a pair of underwear with the shirt unbuttoned, “I haven’t even met the guy yet.”

“If you needed money, you should have just -,”

“That’d be weird,” Joshua cut him off, not wanting to go there.

Technically, it should be my money anyway.
He shook that thought from his head as he remembered what he had decided.

Ezra leaned back on his elbows on the edge of Violet’s bed. His eyes soaked in every inch of Joshua’s body as he slowly buttoned up the shirt over his tattooed torso.

“Slower,” Ezra licked his lips, “actually, unbutton it again. I’m sure we can squeeze in a quick one.”

He tapped the bed and Joshua wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. The way his cock reacted let him know he wanted it –
But I’m not having sex on my cousin’s bed.

“Control yourself,” Joshua tugged at the growing member in his blue underwear, “C’mon, help me pick out a tie.”

With a groan, Ezra walked over to Christopher’s tie rack. Joshua still felt strange digging through a stranger’s clothes. Ezra flicked through the fabric lengths, examining their labels as he went.

“These are pricey,” he whistled, “the boy has taste.”

“Pick a plain one. I don’t want him knowing I’m wearing his clothes.”

“He’ll know when he gets back,” Ezra pulled out a long, navy blue tie, “he’ll smell you.”

Popping up the collar, Joshua tried to take the tie from Ezra but he wouldn’t let go. Ezra looped the tie over Joshua’s head. He methodically and expertly tied the knot without looking away from Joshua’s eyes. He didn’t know why his cock was finding that so sexy; he just hoped Ezra wouldn’t lean in to feel it.

“Are you saying I smell?” Joshua picked a pair of cufflinks out of a box on the dresser.

“You have a distinctive smell,” Ezra plucked the cufflinks from Joshua’s hand so he could put them in for him, “you have that spiciness of a teenager but it’s mixed with the musk of a man.”

When Ezra was finished putting in his left cufflink, he lifted his arm to sniff his pit.

“I don’t smell it,” all he could smell was the roll on deodorant.

“I can,” Ezra tugged Joshua’s hand and arranged the cuffs together, “all the time, and I love it.”

He’s trying his hardest to turn me on.

“I need to wear aftershave more,” he sniffed his other pit.

“Don’t you dare,” Ezra wrapped his hand around Joshua’s tie, yanking him in so that their noses were pressed together, “I love you just the way you are.”

He quickly pecked Joshua on the lips before letting go.
Did he just use the L-word?
It was only an expression, he knew that. He had said it to Levi loads of times but he suddenly wanted to know if it made Levi’s insides tighten and throb the way his were.

Ezra pulled the suit jacket off the hanger, which was dangling over the door of Violet’s wardrobe. Joshua turned around and fed his arms into the jacket, letting Ezra dress him.

“Trousers,” Joshua scratched the back of his head as he pointed to them.

“It’ll spoil the look,” Ezra winked, slapping Joshua on the backside.

Glancing down, he was glad that the shirttails were concealing his fully hard cock in his underwear. Luckily for him, Ezra tossed him the trousers, letting him put them on himself. They were a little tight around the crotch but they were quite a good fit considering they had been moulded around another man’s body.

The makeup artist and hair stylist came, creating the bride Violet wanted to see. They worked together in harmony, ducking out of each other’s way when it was needed. As they helped Violet into her dress in her bedroom, Joshua, Ezra and Levi were banished downstairs.

Sitting nervously on the edge of her couch, they all sat in a deadly silence. He quickly realised he was a different Joshua with Ezra than the one he was with Levi. Those two different sides of him didn’t seem to come together when he was forced to be both at the same time so he decided silence was the best option.

When he heard the gentle tap of heels on the staircase, he jumped up and ran into the hall. Joshua didn’t think something as simple as a dress and different hair would make him lost for words, but it did.

“Oh, Vi. You look beautiful.”

With the widest grin on her face, she slowly made her way down the stairs, hitching up the front of the wedding dress. Joshua had seen it before but seeing the complete image was something of true beauty. Her long blonde hair had been curled and messily pinned up. Tiny diamond flower details twinkled in the light, giving her an otherworldly quality. He’d been nervous about how the unknown last minute makeup artist would do but she clearly knew her stuff. Violet was gorgeous when she didn’t have a stitch of product on but the simple and fresh makeup brought out something in her features that he had never seen before.

She looks like a woman.
He knew it was a silly thought because they had been adults since before he left but seeing her in her wedding dress, which was supposed to be the most important day of woman’s life, brought home to him how much she had grown up.

It only made him feel like he had been trying to cling onto his old teenage life for too long.

“Are you sure it’s alright?” her lips trembled as she spoke.

“Wow,” Levi’s jaw dropped when they joined them in the hall, “You look -,”

“Stunning,” Ezra nodded, “your fiancé is a lucky man.”

The sun shone brightly through the stained-glass panel in the front door, catching her skin in just the right way. As she looked in the hallway mirror, Joshua could see the nerves and excitement in her eyes.

“He is,” she agreed, “C’mon, let’s go and get me married.”