Mastering the Virgin Box Set Five: A BDSM Ménage Erotic Romance novel Chapter 80

As we leave, Richard murmurs, “Keep your face straight.”

“You might have warned me….”

“What? That you were my ace-in-a-hole?” Despite his advice, his mouth is twitching. “Not a chance. It worked out so much better that you were surprised when he finally realised who you are.”

I glance over my shoulder to see that we are safely out of range, then stop and turn to face him. “Richard, who am I? I’m an architect. A good architect granted, but….”

He lays a hand on my shoulder. “You, my friend, are the architect who will have changed the face of the City. Not many can make that claim. Your immortality is going to be standing as evidence around us for generations to come.”

It’s an interesting thought.

“I never expected to be famous.”

He rocks a hand back and forth. “Perhaps not with the Common Man, but I looked through those Get-Well cards at the hospital. Did you?”

“Er, no.”

“You should. I asked Michael to keep them for when you left the hospital; for when you finally got around to noticing how many people think you matter. The university sent you a card and it was signed by the Chancellor.”

*****

Richard

I’ve seldom seen James so completely flummoxed. He clearly has had no idea how well regarded he is.

I get a couple of beers in and put one of them in front of him. Michael re-joins us only a few minutes later and performs a visible reality check:

Happy faces: two.

Glasses of Beer: two.

All okay….

Then he looks around. “Where’s Charlotte?”

“Gone shopping,” says James.

He glazes over. “Shopping? When did Charlotte ever go shopping? She hates shopping.”

James takes a long mouthful of beer. “It’s a university town. She’s just discovered the street with all the second-hand bookshops….”

“Ahhh.…” Michael rocks on his heels. “Right…. Might as well get a beer then.”

James sucks in his cheeks. “Several beers I should think.”

When he returns from the bar, glass in hand, “How did it go? Got her course details sorted out?” He tosses a couple of bags of peanuts on the table, opens one and tosses back a handful, then shoves the bag across.

“Yes,” I say, “and we’re both quite pleased with the result. James said, and I suspect you agree, that, for her own safety, he’d be happier having Charlotte close at hand, rather than away for long periods….”

Drinking, he flashes eyes at me, then, “Yes, I am happier with that….”

“Good. So, we’ve arranged with the university, that she can cover a lot of the material by distance learning and online training. So long as she can pass the exams, that covers all the academic material. And the practical experience presents no difficulties. I’ll make sure she works her way around everything that’s available in the industry within fifty miles. James here can handle that. He has a better grip on that side of things than I do.”

“Sounds ideal. And the university is okay with that?”

“I’m making sure they’re okay with it. They lean on the Haswell Corporation for a lot of favours. I’ve called some of them in this time.”

Michael places his glass on the table. “You like getting your own way, don’t you?”

You noticed, eh….

“Privileges of wealth. I can recommend it.”

“I imagine you can.” He stirs a finger over the table top, drawing patterns through a little slopped liquid. Then he locks eyes with me. “And by the way, you’ve not pulled the wool over my eyes, about at least one of your reasons for wanting Charlotte close by….”

Damn….

But I keep my voice and face neutral. “Meaning?” I take some nuts, chewing on them slowly.

He gives me another You’re not fooling me look. “Charlotte is not Beth’s bodyguard.”

And you’ll look after Charlotte no matter what….

Fair enough….

James is silent but watchful.

“Mmmm….” I suck at my beer to give myself chance to think about my reply. “She’s done a better job of it than Ross. On his watch, Elizabeth has been kidnapped twice, and Charlotte herself escaped when he was supposed to be guarding her.”

His face is set and his eyes narrow. “That still doesn’t make it Charlotte’s responsibility to look after your wife….”

And who does he think will stop Charlotte? If she sets her mind on it….

“Are you going to explain that to her? Or would you like me to try it?”

His fingers tap a tattoo on the table top as he eyeballs me, then he sighs and looks away.

When he looks back again, his tone is much milder. “And Charlotte, is she satisfied with your arrangements with the university?”

“She seems to be, yes.”

He turns to James. “You’re unusually quiet. Do you think she’s happy with it?”

“She’s happy enough….” he says, dryly