Prologue
Ethan Trent knew there were some who would take exception to the way he chose to conduct his ‘affairs,’ but he had long ago reached a place where he truly didn’t care what others said or thought about him.
At thirty-six, he was no longer the ‘poor kid’ or the ‘kid from the wrong side of the tracks.’ He was a long ways from the backwoods, small-minded, dot-on-a-map New Mexico town he had fled when he was sixteen years old. He had come to New York with nothing but the clothes on his back, three thousand dollars, his recently earned GED, a love for computers, and a willingness to do anything and everything it took to make his dreams come true. No one in his life had ever handed anything to him, and he didn’t expect that to change. Work didn’t scare him, and while it wasn’t easy, he set about proving it, landing himself a bottom-level mailroom job in a small computer firm where the owner, Slater Curtis, realized just how much potential he harbored.
His ability to build a computer program or break down one that was supposedly the best on the market came naturally to him, but Slater kindly told him that if he wanted to make it in business, he needed more than knowledge. He needed style; he needed flair; he needed to be able to best those who would sooner look down at him than speak to him because of his less than influential upbringing. And Slater was more than willing and more than eager to teach him all he needed to know.
The only price for sharing his expertise and social skills?
Ethan in his bed.
It wasn’t difficult to say yes. Slater was an attractive man in his late forties. Ethan was certainly attracted to him, and Slater helped him overcome any lingering inhibitions regarding his sexuality.
He didn’t consider himself in love with Slater, no more than Slater was in love with him, but he did learn a lot from the man and by the time their three-year affair ended amicably with Slater moving on to another young lover, Ethan was a shadow of his former self.
He was everything Slater had assured him he would be: intelligent, confident, cool, and emotionally reserved when need be. He knew how to play what Slater called ‘the game,’ and Slater taught him to go after anything and everything he wanted with ruthless determination, not giving a damn what anyone might think. His life was his to live as he so chose, on his terms, and Ethan never forgot that or any lesson Slater taught him. Slater made it very clear just how proud he was when Ethan bought the company from him when he was only twenty-five.
In the eleven years since, Ethan had turned Trent Technologies into a major investment, a multimillion-dollar firm on the cutting edge, and he was damn pleased with what he had accomplished. He also didn’t mind reaping certain benefits. He was finally at a place where he didn’t have to manage the business himself because he had people he trusted to do that, but he still kept close tabs while having fun on his terms.
He was willing to admit he was fairly arrogant and he liked having his way. He had certain tastes and desires, and he wanted those desires met by someone who understood that he wasn’t on the market for a relationship. He didn’t believe in true love or happily ever after. Anyone who did, it was obvious to Ethan, wasn’t living in the real world, and as a result, he tended to avoid those people, trusting an old acquaintance to find him what he needed.
Gwen Sinclair, introduced to him by Slater, knew how to be careful and discreet. She ran a very selective operation and whenever Ethan felt the need to ‘play,’ he always turned to her. She hadn’t failed him yet.
A call to her was always returned, sometimes a few questions were asked to see if he wanted anything beyond ‘the usual,’ and within twenty-four hours, a package was delivered to him containing bios and photographs.
All he had to do was make a selection and Gwen handled the arrangements.
Sitting alone in his apartment, opening the package, Ethan felt a familiar sense of lustful anticipation as he pulled out the photographs and began looking through them.
He didn’t make it past the third one before finding exactly what he wanted. Looking at the photograph, his heart kicked and he sucked in a breath, fairly certain he had never seen anyone more surreally beautiful.
Tall and lean, he had smooth, hairless olive skin stretched taut over well-developed muscles and unruly black hair that obviously possessed natural curl he couldn’t contain. His blue eyes, a rich shade of azure, were accented by dark lashes, and his smile was sensual yet somehow innocent all at once, thanks to the combination of full, thoroughly kissable lips and charming dimples.
Turning the photograph over, Ethan found the information he needed to tell him more about the dark-haired beauty.
Name: Cale Brooks
Age: 25
Height: 6’1”
Hair: Black
Eyes: Blue
Info: Bottom; Submissive
Smiling, Ethan reached for the phone and quickly dialed the familiar number. On the third ring, Gwen picked up.
“Made a decision already?” He could hear the laughter in her voice.
“You knew just what would catch my attention.”
“Ah, yes. Cale is a beauty, isn’t he?”
“He is. And I want him.”
“And you shall have him,” Gwen assured. “The usual weekend?”
“No. I have a feeling that won’t be enough time to get my fill of this little prize.” He smiled again. “Make it two weeks. I might do some traveling and I could use someone to keep me company while I do. And let Mr. Brooks know he doesn’t need to pack anything. I’ll have everything he could need arranged for him.”
“Sounds like Cale is going to get pampered.”
“He is. And we’ll both enjoy it.”
“When do you want him?”
He considered that for a moment. It was Wednesday, and he needed some time to prepare what he had in mind.
“Have him here Saturday. No later than five.”
“Consider it done.”
“Thanks, Gwen.”
“Anytime, doll. Let me know if you need anything else. And have fun.”
“I intend to.”
Ending the call, he looked at the photograph again, smiling. Feeling his cock swelling in his pants, a torrent of scandalously lustful images and thoughts bombarded him, arousing him, leaving him almost desperate for release. No doubt, the coming two weeks would be a sensual delight.
“I am looking very forward to meeting you, Cale Brooks. It’s going to be a blast.”
