Mastering the Virgin Box Set Five: A BDSM Ménage Erotic Romance novel Chapter 82

At one of these interminable ‘drinks dos’ I am expected to attend, I do my best to put on a polite face. But I’m having trouble.

I have the mayor on one side, “Since the plans were made public for the new City-Scape layout the share value has soared, Richard….”

And my head of corporate law on the other. “There are still some legal obstacles to overcome….” argues Lazenby.

I am unsympathetic. “That's what I pay you for.”

What I pay you a lot for….

…. So, stop whining and do your job.

Listening to the mayor droning on, I nod politely, trying to appear interested but, in fact, my attention is half on the gathering at the other side of the room.

As Charlotte and Elizabeth are chatting by the bar. Michael arrives, strolling across the lounge with that easy half-smile that is his habitual expression. Charlotte spots him and moves aside to make room for him.

“Hi, Michael.” Elizabeth's eyes are bright as she looks up at him.

He returns the smile. “Hi, Beth. Lovely to see you.” He holds her at the shoulders, giving her a quick peck on the cheek, but no more, then moves to hook an arm around Charlotte’s waist.

A complete gentleman….

What she wants from him is a table ender….

How do I feel about that?

Astonishingly, I find I don’t mind.

“Hi, Michael. How ‘ya doing? Your usual?” The barman holds up a bottle.

“Sure. I'm doing good, Matt. You?”

“Oh, can't complain….” Matt pours a beer into a frosty glass. “….and if I do no-one’ll listen.” His face falls. “Evening, Mr Alexanders. What can I get you?”

James, sober-faced and leaning heavily on a cane, makes his way to join the group. “I’ll have the same thanks.” Michael pushes a bar stool his way and he eases a hip over the seat.

Trying not to be obvious about it, I watch Michael, how careful he is of Charlotte. His attentiveness. His obvious care.

James too, of course, but James is her Dom and the difference shows. He expects her compliance. Michael is much more relaxed….

My attention, all unwilling is pulled back to the tedium of my own group. The damn lawyer is still whining at me. “We need to overcome the environmental objections to the plans.”

“What environmental objections?” I snap. “The land is already brownfield; old industrial or derelict, the area is like a demilitarised zone and….”

“The report that came out last month disputed….”

Beginning to be impatient, “That blasted report was sponsored by Hatheringtons,” I point out. “They’re still sore that we got in first. And that we have a better Technical Director than they do.”

“…. so on current projections,” drones Lazenby, “assuming the estimated costings are accurate….”

I interrupt. “They are. James showed me the breakdown. They’re well thought through and unless something completely unexpected crops up….”

Lazenby nods in fake humility. “That being the case, we can expect gross profits around thirty-three per cent, and nett of around….”

And my brain tunes out again in sheer self-defence.

I look once more across the room where Elizabeth is standing by the bar with the Threesome. The four of them are laughing and joking and clearly having fun….

Michael passes a flute to Elizabeth, and another to Charlotte, but all the while wearing a broad grin as he tells some story. I strain to pick out the words….

“Yeah, so I was chatting to Chloe….”

Elizabeth interrupts, looking intrigued. “Sorry, but who is Chloe? An old girlfriend?” She casts across to Charlotte, then bites her lip….

Wondering if she’s committed some faux pas….?

But Charlotte laughs it away. “Not exactly. Chloe is an old friend of Michael’s.”

Michael winks. “And James….”

James’ usual sombre face quirks in a smile but he doesn’t speak.

Elizabeth looks between the two unlikely-seeming friends. “Am I missing something?”

Charlotte leans in close, whispering something close by her. I can’t hear it, but Elizabeth’s jaw drops, and she looks between the two men, a hand raised to her mouth. “Both of them? And…. you don’t mind Michael seeing her? It doesn’t bother you?”

Charlotte shrugs and Michael slips an arm around her waist, kissing the top of her head. “That was then.” He winks.

Elizabeth still looks flabbergasted. “But… James too?”

James says nothing, merely sipping at his drink, eyes crinkling. His injured leg outstretched, he leans on his cane as he props himself on the barstool. He looks comfortable and I’m happy that I’ll have my architect back in harness soon enough.

Michael continues the story that now has Elizabeth and Charlotte in stitches. Even James begins to crack a smile.

Again, I strain to hear over the blue-bottle buzzing of the lawyer.