Taking Stock
Chapter 2
Copyright 2009 by Mark Corlis
Author's Notes:
First, thank you SO much for all the wonderful messages. I added many new readers to the update list and was thrilled to do so. Please keep commenting, good or constructively bad, at mcnc1966@gmail.com.
Second, I forgot to include the name of my in progress first story. It's called "In The Blink Of An Eye" in the college section. I WILL be back to work on it soon....I Promise!!
Third, thanks for all the wonderful comments about the stories I recommended. Those authors are really fantastic and I'm glad you're liking them as much as I do. Please don't forget to tell them how much you appreciated their work too.
This is a copyrighted work and is property of the author. Any reproduction of ANY kind is forbidden without my express written consent.
If this is something you shouldn't read for any reason, then don't.
Enjoy Chapter 2!!!!!
Nine o'clock in the morning was an ungodly hour for Jordan on Saturday. After depriving himself of the necessary rest during the week, he relished his slumber time on the weekends. It was one of the few times he was truly at peace, shutting out the demons if only for a few hours.
Just as he was reaching the peak of a wonderful dream, annoying music entered his otherwise tranquil world. He was stirred to consciousness upon realizing the song was coming from his cell phone. "Someone better have died," he muttered, finding a number he didn't recognize displayed on the screen. His curiosity was piqued now.
"Hello," he answered tentatively.
"Good morning, Mr. Maxwell," the voice on the other end said. "I trust you've had a restful evening."
The voice was vaguely familiar. "Well, I was resting wonderfully," he shot back. Jordan heard a slight chuckle escape the mystery man's lips.
"May I venture to say that you'll need that energy today. Taylor asked me to call you and see if you could be ready for Carl to pick you up in one hour." Jordan finally recognized the voice as Leonard's.
"An hour?" he exclaimed. "Can't we make it a bit later?"
"What time would be convenient, sir?" Leonard replied.
"Gimme an additional 45 minutes and we should be OK."
"Very good, sir," Leonard said. "I suggest you bring clothes for golf, swimming, and casual evening events."
"This sounds pretty heavy, Leonard," Jordan said. "Where are we going?"
"I'll let Taylor tell you that, but I assure you there's no need for worry. I think you're gonna have a wonderful day."
Jordan gave a slight smile at Leonard's last remark. There hadn't been many great days lately, and he could certainly use one.
"Let Carl know I'll be ready in about 90 minutes."
"Very good, sir," Leonard said. "It'll be nice to see you again, and remember, relax and enjoy yourself."
"I will," Jordan replied. "See ya later, and I'll be ready for Carl."
Closing the phone, he wracked his brain trying to figure out what this was all about. Less that 24 hours prior, he was a lowly clerical associate with a tarnished securities license. Now, he was preparing to sign a contract to work for one of the most successful investors in the country. Furthermore, that investor was sending a driver to pick him up so they could spend the day together. "It's a weird, weird, world," Jordan contemplated as he got out of bed and headed for the shower.
Taking the time to carefully cleanse his body, he took extra time in styling his hair, flossing his teeth, and picking out appropriate clothing for the day. His thoughts began to wander to the possibilities of a life with Taylor. He was, after all, everything Jordan had ever wanted and more. "He's intelligent, caring, has a great sense of humor, and damn he's gorgeous," Jordan mused. "Maybe this is my chance for something really good."
Jordan snapped out of his daydream. "This is business and nothing more," he scolded aloud. "What would a guy like Taylor Bryant see in you?" He shook his head and continued packing for the day. "Stay cool and don't make a fool outa yourself Jordan!"
Before he knew it, the time for Carl to arrive was upon him. He didn't know what clothing to start out in, so he chose a pair of navy blue board shorts, a yellow Hollister t-shirt and his favorite pair of leather flip flops. He grabbed his bag, checked his appearance one last time, and headed downstairs. When he arrived, Carl was waiting with the door open. Jordan nodded to him and jumped in the back of the limousine.
"Morning, young man," Carl said when he entered the vehicle. "How are you doing?"
"Hi, Carl," Jordan replied. "I'm OK. A bit nervous if ya wanna know the truth."
Carl chuckled lightly. "Jordan, you musta made quite an impression on the boss. After you left, he worked like lightning setting this day up, driving us all nuts in the meantime. Haven't seen a pep in his step like this in a long time."
"I'm sure it's the excitement of moving the business forward," Jordan cautioned.
"Uh huh," Carl replied cheekily. "Whatever you say, young Mr. Maxwell."
Jordan decided to drop the matter and stare out the window silently. A battle raged inside him, one side claiming Taylor liked him a lot and the other chastising him for considering something so foolish. With everything Carl had said, though, something was up. Whatever it was, Jordan had no choice but to sit back and see where the road went.
While awaiting Jordan's arrival, Taylor was at the airport driving Leonard and the flight crew to distraction. The only plane available on such short notice was a Boeing Business Jet. This was a beast of an aircraft, capable of seating 18 people and boasting 2 full bedrooms and bathrooms. It had a range of 6,046 miles, and came complete with 2 flight attendants to cater to the men's every whim.
Taylor was completing his third tour of the plane, inspecting everything from the food on board to the crew's attire. He pulled each bottle of wine from the in cabin refrigerator, carefully noting the vintage and ensuring which ones were appropriate for the planned meals. He perused the flower arrangements at each table, not liking the variety in the least. He'd fussed at the flight crew enough that they'd sent out for replacements. He was satisfied, for now, that all was perfect and ready for travel.
Leonard couldn't wipe the smile from his face. He'd never seen the boss so nervous. A man like Taylor was rarely out of control, but today was different. He was like a kid anxiously lying in bed awaiting Santa's arrival. Deciding he had to take matters into his own hands before blood was spilled, he took Taylor by the arm and led him into the plane's hangar.
"What's up with you?" Leonard inquired. "You've got the flight crew running like bats outa hell already."
Taylor looked into his eyes and let out a large breath. "Nothing's up, my friend. Just want everything to be perfect as always."
Leonard continued his glare of skepticism. "Cut the horse shit, boss. You and I both know that ain't it. Something's gotta give before we don't have anyone left to fly this bucket."
Taylor rubbed his hand across his face and hung his head in defeat. Leonard was right, knowing him better than anyone ever had. "Ya know," Taylor began," I've got enough money to pretty much buy anything I'd ever want or need. I've made more and more with every passing year, and it's just not enough. Nothing seems to stop the emptiness, and then Jordan comes along. I may be whistling Dixie, but I think there's something there. I just want it all to be ideal so he's impressed with my efforts."
Leonard wanted to smack him. "For one of the smartest guys I know, you're the dumbest son of a bitch on the planet!" he chided. "None of this fancy mumbo jumbo matters, kid. If you want things to last, then he's gotta like you for you, not your money and stuff." He shook his head and walked away, determined to smooth things over with the flight crew.
Taylor considered his advice carefully. Trying to make someone like him for what's inside was uncharted territory. He'd always used his money, power and connections to impress those around him. His reputation as a playboy was legendary. The results were always the same, however. Everyone he came in contact with had a memorable time, but left him alone in the end. Knowing that things had to change, he decided to begin right away.
He sheepishly approached Leonard, who was trying to apologize profusely to the NetJets employees. Placing his hand on his shoulder, he gently moved him aside.
"Ladies and gentleman, for lack of a better explanation, I've been a complete ass. I apologize to all of you and want you to know I really appreciate all you've done so far." The flight crew looked at each other, and smiled back at him. He took the time to shake each person's hand and express his sincere gratitude. Once again, his charm and effusive manner smoothed things over.
When he finished talking to them, the group broke and returned to their assigned stations. Leonard glared at him, amazed at his abilities to diffuse a ticking time bomb. "Thank you, boss. Nice to see you growing up. Don't forget what I've told you. Stay true and you might be shocked how things end up."
At the end of Leonard's short speech, Taylor's body tensed as the Mercedes limousine came rolling into view. "Show time," he said to himself.
Jordan could feel only two things upon arriving at the private aviation terminal, extreme nervousness and awe. The car came to a stop next to the largest private plane he'd ever laid eyes on. It looked like it could seat hundreds of people on a normal commercial flight. Standing about 500 feet away were Leonard and an absolutely radiant Taylor. Jordan's heartbeat quickened at the sight of him, dressed in a pair of snug khaki shorts, a maroon Polo shirt, and a pair of tan Birkenstock sandals. He was the embodiment of raw sexuality, Jordan thought. The two men approached the vehicle as Carl opened the rear door. What stepped out had an instant effect on Taylor's loins and blood pressure.
"H...Hi, Jordan," Taylor stammered, extending his hand.
The bright t-shirt offset his eyes, giving an additional glow to his already lustrous appearance.
Taylor felt like a deer in the headlights as he gawked slightly open mouthed at the beautiful man before him.
"Hey, Taylor," Jordan replied, firmly grasping the outstretched hand. The two stood just staring at each other, enjoying the impulses passing between their clasped hands. Leonard picked up the trance they were in and knew he had to break it up if they were to get underway.
"Gentlemen, if you'll step this way, we'll get on board and on our way," he announced.
The men popped out of their coma, blushing and looking down nervously. They turned and followed Leonard up the steps of the aircraft. Carl gave Jordan's bag to one of the attendants and waved goodbye to Leonard. The man returned his wave and gave a slight wink before entering the cabin.
If Jordan was impressed with the exterior, the plane's interior had no words to describe what lay before him. A brown suede love seat started things off. It was faced by two plush leather chairs with a small credenza located between them. Behind that was an L shaped sectional sofa with controls for the various amenities on board. Colorful tapestries adorned the floors, and the walls were done in a dark mahogany. Continuing aft, there was a conference table capable of seating 6 people, and two full master suites with complete lavatories behind them. The whole thing was near the size of his studio apartment, Jordan figured.
A flight attendant named Julie approached them, giving each man a Mimosa in a crystal champagne flute and asking them to find a comfortable seat for takeoff. Jordan moved toward the sectional sofa, with Taylor following closely behind. He felt his body sink into the heavily padded leather as he fastened his seat belt for the rapidly approaching departure. Taylor sat beside him, getting himself secured as well. Once settled, the two men glanced at each other again, averting their gaze when the other became aware of the stare.
The cabin door closed, creating a woosh of air as the pressurizing systems took over. The captain came over the speakers, announcing they had been cleared for prompt takeoff and would be airborne in about 10 minutes. The engines screamed and the plane lurched forward. Moving briskly into position, it turned sharply and increased to maximum thrust, causing a rapid run down the runway. In moments, the nose pointed upward and the plane climbed into the cloudless sky.
Takeoff was one of Taylor's favorite events. It was one of the few times he allowed his fate to be placed into someone else's hands. Jordan didn't seem to be experiencing the same exhilaration, though. His fists tightly clenched the couch's arm and his skin had gone quite pale. Small beads of sweat were running down his temples.
Taylor placed his hand on Jordan's arm and asked "Are you OK?"
Jordan jumped at the contact, then admitted," It's my first time on an airplane and I, apparently, wasn't prepared for the experience.
Taylor grinned at his admission. "Just relax, babe. Nothing bad's gonna happen on my watch."
Jordan nodded in agreement, reveling in being called "babe." His body visibly relaxed as he retrieved the morning cocktail from its holder.
"So where we off too?" he asked.
"Ahh......that, sir, is a surprise. Let's just say you'll be back in time for your appointment tomorrow night." He was still in contact with Jordan's arm, and caressed it lightly as he spoke. Jordan enjoyed the soft rubbing, and wanted badly to lace his fingers with Taylor's, but fear and a lingering confusion caused him to remain still. Taylor, for his part, also wanted to hold Jordan's hand, but was afraid to scare the fragile man away.
Before either of them could muster the courage to do anything else, the flight attendant appeared and refilled their now empty glasses. She went over the breakfast menu, informing them it would be served in about 15 minutes. The fasten seat belt light was now off and she encouraged the two of them to explore the rest of the craft. Both of them agreed and rose to move aft, Taylor catching Jordan as a bit of turbulence caused him to lose his footing. They stood for a moment in each others' arms before moving apart and resuming their journey.
The conference area had only two chairs left aboard, the table covered in white linen and boasting china settings for two already set. A nearby cabinet had pitchers of hot coffee and fresh fruit juices ready to serve. Each man paused the tour long enough to avail themselves of the fresh java. Behind the adjacent wall was an office/second bedroom area. A large black leather sofa followed the room's curve and a desk with laptop hookups sat in the far corner.
The next door revealed the first of two full bathrooms. White marble counters surrounded double sinks with shiny chrome fixtures. A small stand up shower enclosed in clear glass panels occupied the far left area, complete with fluffy towels and a luxurious bath robe hanging close by.
Moving further back, the rear of the plane opened up into a spacious master suite. Two closets flanked a double dresser, all done in a polished cherry wood. A queen size bed covered in a taupe satin sat across from them. Jordan stared at the soft linens wistfully, wondering what it would be like to lie there in Taylor's arms. He trembled noticeably when Taylor touched his lower back, encouraging him to move forward. The blush on Jordan's skin didn't go unnoticed and only added to Taylor's feelings of interest.
Both were impressed with the second bathroom. The marble counter tops were continued here but the main difference, other than the overall size, was the shower capable of holding two adults comfortably. It was Taylor's turn to blush, as he imagined taking his time washing Jordan's naked body all over. His cock chubbed up as he saw the boy's muscular physique in his mind. Jordan saw the wicked grin, and decided to leave Taylor to his thoughts, whatever they were. He turned and returned to the dining area.
Taylor bounced out of his dream world, following closely behind Jordan to the table. By the time they arrived, refills of coffee and plates of fresh fruit had been laid out. As they ate wedges of pineapple, kiwi, and cantaloupe, conversation, which had been sparse, began in earnest.
"I hope I haven't scared you or anything," Taylor started," I just thought we could get to know each other in a more relaxed setting, well my idea of a more relaxed setting anyway."
Jordan snickered at that remark, as it was exactly what he'd been thinking at that moment. "I'm impressed so far. It isn't everyday that a job offer includes taking off in an amazing jet to destinations unknown." He immediately regretted the remark, afraid that he seemed overly sarcastic toward Taylor's efforts thus far.
Taylor, however, seemed unfazed by the statement. "I like fun things, and I enjoy sharing them with people I like even better. It's more fun to spend what I have with others than it ever was making it." Jordan sensed an opening to ask a question that was nagging him, so he decided to plunge forward.
"There's something I'd really like to know." he began. "Why is a great guy like you single?" His heartbeat increased as he awaited the chastising he thought was imminently forthcoming.
Taylor leaned back a bit, pausing to consider his answer. "I guess I have an image in my mind of what I want and haven't found it yet. I've met several guys that seemed really nice, but in the end they were more interested in what I own instead of what I am. It's one of the pitfalls of being successful, I suppose." A crestfallen look came over his face as he remembered the terrible outcomes of his past attempts at dating. Putting those thoughts out of his mind, he asked Jordan,"What about you? You're an extremely intelligent, good looking guy. Why are you alone?"
Jordan blushed furiously at the compliments, then mustering all the courage he had, began to explain. "I suppose it's fear more than anything. Every time I've laid my heart out, it seems to get stomped. I mean, there was Matt and he was lots of fun, but we both know how that ended. I guess, like you, I just haven't met the right person yet."
Both of them wanted to add "until now" to their final admissions, but neither had the balls to just come out and say it. Taylor was intrigued even more by Jordan and felt now was the time to continue the getting to know you process.
"Are you out to your family?" he asked.
"My younger brother knows. He told my mom when he was pissed at me once, but she just brushed it off and we've never spoken about it since. I think she accepts it, but we've always had communication issues so I don't suppose it'll be an open topic anytime soon."
"My father knows," Taylor started. "I was around 14 when I figured it out, and, being the cocky little shit I was, I went home and blurted it out to him. One of my weaknesses is very little fear of anything, so I was damn lucky when he expressed his unconditional support."
"We've always been close," he continued. "His problem with me now is that I focus too much on work and not enough on me. He thinks I'm gonna die alone and bitter if I don't slow down and focus on what's really important."
"Is he right?" Jordan asked quickly.
"I don't really know. I've been buried in my work so long that life just kinda passed me by." He took a deep breath, deciding that time for total truth had arrived. "Truthfully, I'd trade everything I have to be in love and blissfully happy. Probably sounds foolish to you."
Jordan was a bit surprised by the admission, but it endeared Taylor to him all that much more. He was a human being after all. "Not at all," he said. "I know exactly what you mean, not that I have much to trade for it, but I couldn't agree more."
Both men stared silently at each other as Leonard arrived with the main course in hand. After clearing the barely touched fruit plates, he placed large Western omelets with fried potatoes in front of them. He refilled coffee cups, and added glasses of fresh squeezed orange juice to the repertoire. His work completed, he turned and headed for the attendant's area of the plane.
The two men returned to sitting silently, neither sure where to go from here. Taylor finally couldn't stand it, and broke the agonizing silence.
"How bout we make a deal?" he said. "Why don't we just be ourselves and have a ton of fun. No need for either of us to dig up the past again. Let's just go from here."
"Hell yes," Jordan exclaimed, then broke down into a giggling fit over his forward words. Taylor found tremendous humor in them too, joining in on the voracious laughter. Leonard heard the commotion, proudly smiling to himself that things seemed to be going well. The strained atmosphere between them broken, they enjoyed breakfast while bantering about their interests. Some interesting tidbits were revealed. Jordan liked romance stories and movies, preferring them to the usual macho man fare. Taylor loved to garden, spending hours tending to his exotic orchids. They were both not typical males, and thoroughly enjoyed learning the little facts about each other.
When breakfast was finished, they returned to the sectional sofa, deciding that watching a DVD would pass the rest of the time they had on their hands. Taylor examined the selection next to the high definition TV. Choosing "The Notebook," he handed it to Julie and settled back to watch it. As the beginning credits rolled, the lack of weekend catch up sleep took it's toll on Jordan. His eyelids became terribly heavy, and sleep overtook him. Having nowhere to support his head, he eventually fell over until he came to rest on Taylor's shoulder.
Taylor hadn't noticed Jordan going unconscious, but he was very pleased with the end result. He put his arm around the sleeping figure, pulling him closer. Jordan automatically responded by snuggling up and placing his palm flat against Taylor's chest. He sighed contentedly, and fell deeper into slumber.
Taylor grasped Jordan's hand in his and soon joined him in dream world. The fierce expenditure of adrenalin he had used eariler finally expired. As Leonard entered to check on them, he couldn't helped but be touched by the sight before him. They looked wonderful together and he'd do whatever he could to help things along, acting as a cheerleader and confidante for both of them. He returned to the other attendants, telling them to take a well deserved break as their guests were fast asleep.
The flight was less than half over when the men fell asleep, so two hours passed while they rested. Jordan moved closer at some point, bring his leg to rest on top of Taylor's. He had the look of complete peace on his face, occasionally letting out a few non intelligible words. Julie came in early on and covered them up with a thick blanket, so the men rested warm and comfortably.
Taylor stirred as the jet's engines slowed down, indicating descent had begun. He noticed the beautiful man curled up in his arms, smiling thankfully at the unexpected situation. The smell of Jordan's botanical shampoo and his D&G cologne combined to create a feast for Taylor's senses. He pulled him closer, taking the risk to plant a few small kisses on Jordan's head. All too soon, though, the man he was holding began to stir.
He opened his eyes, looking up to see Taylor staring softly down at him. "Sleep well?" he asked. Before Jordan could get an answer out, he realized the position he was in and began to panic. He jumped up suddenly, petrified of his perceived wrongdoing.
"I'm so sorry," he sputtered. Unbridled fear blazed in his eyes. "I can't believe I got all over you."
"Hey, hey, relax," Taylor consoled. He took Jordan's hand in his as he continued. "No harm done, babe. Truthfully, I rather enjoyed myself." Jordan blushed at the admission, but still felt like he'd overstepped some invisible boundary.
"While I'm glad you enjoyed it, I'm still sorry. I had no right to get in that position and I hope you don't think less of me for it."
Taylor was becoming impatient with Jordan's pleas. The right thing to do would be to confess that he hoped to be in that position a lot more, but Jordan's irrationality seemed to get rid of that option. "Don't be ridiculous, Jordan. Like I said, no harm done so relax already." Jordan exhaled loudly, trying to relax some. Having always been very hard on himself, he knew that he'd have to keep his guard on high alert if he wanted to remain professional. Leonard, once again, observed events from the kitchen. He shook his head, amazed that both of them appeared unwilling to be truthful with each other. He'd have to talk to Taylor later about that.
The captains voice came on and announced they'd been cleared for final approach. Julie cleared the remaining glasses while they buckled in. Jordan glanced out the window, noticing the desert landscape and the unmistakable black glass pyramid below him.
"Las Vegas?" he asked wide eyed.
Taylor grinned widely. "Yep. One of my favorite places in the world. Great food, great shows and plenty to do for all walks of society. You'll be amazed at the city's energy, and how it never lets up."
The plane descended effortlessly onto the runway at McCarran International Airport. After slowing dramatically, it turned and taxied to a nearby hangar. Waiting at the hangar was a limousine with two people standing in front of it. Julie opened the cabin door once they'd stopped, making sure the stairway was securely in place. She thanked both men and assured them they'd stand ready to leave with little notice. They nodded their agreement and proceeded down the stairs.
One of the two men rushed over, introducing himself as John Hunsinger, director of guest services for the Luxor Hotel and Casino. He gave Taylor his card, and saw that all luggage was loaded into the limo's trunk. Guiding his two guests into the vehicle, he let Taylor know that all arrangements requested were firmly in place. Due to the time difference, it was only 11:30 in the morning, so the whole day lay ahead of them. They both synchronized their watches.
The limousine came to a stop beneath a practically life size replica of the Sphynx that was attached to the black glass pyramid Jordan had observed from the air. John explained that the light atop the pyramid shaped hotel was the brightest in the world, being only one of two man made structures visible from space. On a clear night, the beam could be viewed from Los Angeles, 250 miles to the west. He chatted about a few of the hotel's better amenities, then motioned for his staff to attend to their luggage. Escorting them inside, he presented them each with a room key and asked them to follow the bell captain. They did so and were led to the proper inclinator for their ascent to the concierge level.
The suite was amazing to Taylor. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms made up the periphery of it, while a large living room and wet bar occupied the remainder. A view of the multi colored desert mountains was on display before them. It was a breathtaking sight that Jordan paused to admire for a few minutes. Taylor tipped the bell captain, and asked him to make sure the car was available for them in about an hour.
While Jordan stared at the view, Taylor stepped up behind him, placing his hands on the shorter man's shoulders. "Amazing, isn't it?"
Jordan tensed a bit, but soon settled back into the touch. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't deny his budding affection for Taylor. "Totally beautiful," was the only response he could muster. Taylor began gently massaging Jordan's shoulders while they both stared ahead. Jordan felt his body give in further and further, knowing deep inside that the battle was already lost. He resolved to try and fight, but the more Taylor's fingers danced across his skin, the less wise that decision seemed. Their peaceful moment was interrupted by Leonard's entry into the suite.
"TPC called and confirmed your tee time, so if you'll kindly get ready, we'll be off. You know how they are if you're tardy, so I suggest you get a move on." Jordan nodded, and grabbed his bag, adjourning to the nearest bedroom to change. His exit gave Leonard the opportunity he'd been waiting for.
"So, Cassanova, any chance you're gonna let Jordan in on your feelings?"
Taylor was taken aback by his assistant's forwardness. "How bout, for once, you mind your own damn business," he chastened. "I don't know exactly what the fuck I'm doing but know I'm trying to do the right thing here."
"You're both so god damn blind and fearful that the great thing sitting right in front of you guys is passing right by. Grow some balls, man, and do something with it," Leonard railed. Taylor grunted and moved away to change.
Minutes later, both of them stood dressed in proper golfing togs. They both wore khaki Dockers, but Jordan had on a pink Izod where Taylor had chosen a mint green Tommy Hilfiger. Both wore hats advertising different golf equipment, and held their Nike golf spikes in their hands. Seeing they were finally prepared to depart, Leonard motioned them to the door and out to the inclinator. The ride to the lobby was dead silent as the car seemed to crawl toward the ground floor. Taylor and Jordan both seemed lost in thought as they arrived in the lobby and exited to the waiting limousine.
The ride over was equally silent, with Leonard wanting to choke them both. The driver tried to make conversation several times, only to be met with grunts or one word answers. Leonard attempted to make up the gap in conversation, hoping to allow the two men a short time to deal with whatever demons they were fighting. Thankfully, the ride to TPC was short, and soon they were climbing into a cart, headed to the first tee.
TPC was one of the finest courses in the Las Vegas area. Instead of attempting to cover the desert landscape, designers here incorporated it into the course's make up. It presented a series of conditions for players that made the experience more challenging. Jordan worried about that very issue as he positioned his ball on the first tee. The raised starting point sat above 100 yards of lush fairway, which opened up into a channel of sand, rocks, and cacti stretching ahead for another 150 yards. The elevated green was approximately 20 feet by 20 feet with pin on a small mound toward the rear of the green. In other words, one wrong ball movement and you're in penalty stroke territory.
He teed his ball up and took a few practice swings. Stepping up, he drew the club back and took a hard swing at it. It sailed into the air, clearing all hazards and landing a few feet from the green. Breathing a sigh of relief, he exited the tee to let Taylor take his shot. He got a playful scowl as he returned to the cart. Taylor's shot wasn't so well executed, barely clearing the variety of desert plants in the middle of the fairway. With a shake of his head, he replaced the driver forcefully into his bag.
Jordan couldn't help but find extreme amusement with the situation. He tried very unsuccessfully to restrain his laughter, eventually collapsing into a fit of giggling. Taylor attempted to act indignant, but failed miserably as well. Both men enjoyed a hearty laugh before continuing on.
Over the duration of 18 holes, they laughed an awful lot. Taylor turned out to be far from the masterful golfer Jordan assumed he was. The number of bad shots they had practically equaled the number of good ones. With each screw up, another round of uproarious laughter would ensue. A record number of golf balls were lost, as well as a record number of loud swears being uttered. Through it all, they never spoke, only laughing, swearing, and playfully swatting each other. Finally, the round came to a close.
"I don't think I've ever had so much fun not talking to someone I was hanging with," Jordan exclaimed at the cart return area.
"Me either," Taylor agreed. "Guess it's all about the company you're with."
"Agreed," Jordan said nodding.
The limousine was waiting to take them back to the hotel. After a short drive, they, again, stood in the shadow of the Sphynx. Jordan thought all the way back about how wonderful the day had been so far. After acting like a total ass, he felt he needed to find a way to show Taylor that he sincerely appreciated everything he'd done so far. All of the angst he felt earlier had evaporated, replaced with a warm glow. When the car moved away, Jordan stepped to Taylor's side, planting a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you," he muttered to a completely shocked Taylor.
Still holding his cheek, he finally replied, "For what?"
"For a wonderful time so far, but most of all for being you." That said, he moved quickly into the hotel. Taylor stood for a moment, smiling as he took in this recent turn of events.
"See, you should listen to me more often," a voice said from behind him.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Figures you'd be around to catch that."
Leonard stepped into view and said, "You, the real you, are all that matters to that boy. Now go give it everything you've got and be happy!"
Taylor's mind began working, and he asked Leonard to attend to something he'd come up with. If things worked out, this might be a night to remember for both of them. Leonard listened to the requests intently, agreeing to do his best to fulfill them. Taylor thanked him and moved inside to return to the room.
What he found in the suite knocked his socks off. Jordan had decided some pool time was in order and waited in the room with nothing but his board shorts on. His chest and stomach were flat and appeared to be naturally hairless. His nipples were slightly puffy, almost begging to be tongued. His legs were toned and covered with a smattering of light hair. Taylor's mind ran rampant again, creating any number of sexual situations he'd kill to put Jordan in. He imagined kissing his way down the taut body, tasting every inch and savoring its flavor. He dreamt of the shorts hitting the floor, revealing a cut, manly piece of throbbing flesh. Before he could go any further, though, a voice rudely intruded on his fantasy.
"Taylor," Jordan said insistently.
"Huh," was all that came out of Taylor's mouth.
"I said go get changed and we'll hit the pool for a while. I need to cool off now."
"Uh, sure," Taylor replied, still beating back the erotic images that were dancing through his brain. He attempted to move, but his eyes remained locked on Jordan's fantastic form.
"Well go then," Jordan demanded. Taylor finally turned and went to change. Even though Jordan had acted annoyed, he was intensely flattered by Taylor's attention. Truth be told, he knew he wanted the man in the worst way and was trying to work out a way to let it happen before his primal instincts took over.
Taylor entered the bedroom, falling to the bed kicking his legs and beating his arms. He was gonna implode from lust if something didn't give. Hopefully the plan he'd hatched would take things in one direction or another. He was determined to bring things to a head and do it soon. Sighing deeply, he got up off the bed and changed into his red and white swim trunks. Examining himself in the mirror, he admired the way the shorts gripped him in all the right places. The outline of his ample cock and balls stood out against the soft nylon. His ass looked round and pert. "Not bad for a near middle aged guy," he thought as he headed back in to the living room.
It was Jordan's turn to gawk. Taylor's 30 year old form was anything but "near middle aged" looking. It was plainly obvious that his home gym was put to good use. Broad, muscular shoulders gave way to a perfect set of pert pecs. Quarter sized nipples sat atop them, framed by a thin sheath of hair. Accentuated lats stretched out behind them, with a hint of rib bones showing. A set of toned and detailed ab muscles were next, again covered by a hint of dark, soft hair. The bulge in the crotch left no doubt that Taylor was all man, a man Jordan was having the worst time not attacking right then and there. Reminding himself that he could blow the opportunity of a lifetime, he was able to barely control his desires.
"Wow. You look amazing," he babbled as he went for his towel and flip flops. He was embarrassed beyond belief at his statement, fixing his gaze firmly to the floor. Suddenly his chin was gripped by two fingers and brought upward to meet two of the most beautiful eyes on the planet.
"Thanks, babe," Taylor said, not breaking the eye contact. "You look pretty delicious yourself." A blush rapidly covered his face. "Delicious? Did I just call him delicious?" he thought to himself angrily. Unable to contain his embarrassment, he moved away, collecting the rest of his stuff. Jordan wanted to say something to ease his concern, but the words seemed stuck in his throat. He, too, made sure he had what he needed and followed Taylor out the door. Again, the silent ride was agonizingly long.
Upon reaching the main level, the pair moved through the casino and out a rear door. The pool was another sight to behold. It could probably hold 500 swimmers with ease, complete with waterfalls, fountains, slides and several swim up bars. They chose chairs in the sun, spreading out their towels to soak up some rays. Jordan kicked his flops off and went off for a quick swim.
Instead of relaxing, Taylor chomped at the bit even worse. He rolled the details of his newly hatched plan around in his head. All kinds of scenarios roamed around in his brain. The first one had everything working out just fine. Jordan would respond positively and they could move on freely from there. Scenario 2 saw Jordan laughing him off. The very thought sent chills down his spine, even though he saw it as a very real possibility. Unable to take anymore, he rose from the chair as a dripping we Jordan returned.
"I'll see you later," he said and walked off without another word.
To call Jordan surprised was an understatement. Taylor had been acting weird ever since they returned from golfing. Instead of getting to know each other better, things had served up a whole new buffet of questions and conflicting emotions. He'd nearly decided, several times in fact, to walk away from all of this. Not being able to justify it in his mind, though, he dismissed the idea. Unable to figure anything more out at this point, he decided to sun for a while and let his mind try and clear.
As the sun began to creep lower in the sky, Jordan knew his pool time was coming to a close. A healthy dose of ultra violet rays and few cocktails with umbrellas in them had washed away most of the tension he felt earlier. Taylor still hadn't returned, which he found a little troubling, but he figured he'd gone for a nap or decided to gamble a bit. Either way, he assumed they'd be together again soon.
Deciding there wasn't anymore good sun to be had, he rose and began collecting his things. Returning to the room for a nice, hot shower was what he had foremost on his mind. Having everything gathered up, he turned for the door and saw a hotel messenger approaching. The young man held a sign with Jordan's name on it. Waving him over, the boy presented a sealed envelope to him and returned to the hotel lobby. Jordan made his way to a nearby table, dropping the things he'd so carefully gathered up. Warily, he ran his finger under the glued seam, releasing the envelope's contents for examination.
Inside was a note on Luxor letterhead that simply read, "Your presence for dinner is requested at 8 p.m. Be in the lobby at 7:30." No other details were given. Jordan was more than a little perplexed, but decided that Taylor wanted to meet for the premature employment celebration. "He should have just asked," Jordan thought, stuffing the letter back in its holder. He collected his things again and made his way to the proper inclinator for the return trip to the suite.
Upon entering, he made a beeline for his bedroom. The stickiness from sweating in the sun was getting to him, and he desperately wanted to shower. He noticed a new arrival right away. Sitting on the earth toned comforter was a clothing bag with a note saying," Wear me," pinned to it. Jordan shook his head in amusement as he opened the bag. Inside was the hottest looking Geoffrey Beene tuxedo he'd ever seen.
The pants and jacket were a light, blackish color. The white, long sleeved shirt contained pleated lines down the center with black mother of pearl buttons. Matching cuff links were included. The vest and coordinated bow tie sported poka dots of dark grey, silver, and white, giving the whole ensemble a contemporary flair. The store, apparently, was in a hurry to complete the order, leaving the price tags intact. Jordan gasped when he saw the $1199 staring back at him. A second bag at the bottom held a pair of black, patent leather Gucci lace up oxford shoes.
Wowed with amazement and curiosity, Jordan set the clothing back down and headed to the shower. Adorning the vanity was a variety of bath products, from soft sea sponges to Abercrombie and Fitch body wash. Nexus hair products were lined up next, with razors and a bottle of Versace Green Jeans cologne completing the line up. "Son of a bitch thought of everything," he grinned as he placed what he needed in the shower, then adjusted the water to the proper temperature.
Hot, steamy water was soon cascading over his toned body. He rotated around in it for a few minutes, just enjoying the feeling. Time was of the essence, though, so the cleaning process began. Coating the sponge generously with body wash, he began to run it over his body. Across his firm chest, over the tight stomach, down the lightly haired legs, he even scrubbed between his toes. Coming to his crotch, he lazily stroked his engorging shaft up and down. He tightened his grip around the thick flesh and pounded it more insistently. The broad head expanded as fingers rubbed over the top of it. When the hill was nearly climbed, an alarming thought popped into his head.
"What if I get the chance to have sex with Taylor?" he pondered. As good as things were going with his hands, he suddenly felt foolish. The man he desired more than any other would be in his presence shortly, and he was definitely up to something devious. Tonight may lead to opportunity he wanted to fulfill all of his latent fantasies. "Enough," he scolded himself. Very soon afterward, the water went off and Jordan wrapped himself in the fluffy hotel bath robe. He moved through the rest of his preparations with relative ease, while his mind ran wild with possibilities. As the fresh razor made quick work of his stubble, he let ideas of Taylor on top of him, of Taylor inside him, play out. The hardness he had brought to his cock earlier not only hadn't faded, it now intensified. Attempting to ignore the obscene hard on, he moved to the bedroom to dress.
Grabbing his sexiest pair of Calvin Klein boxer briefs, he put them on, taking extra time to adjust his steely member. Having finally accomplished that, he put deodorant on and sprayed himself down with the expensive cologne. He paused to enjoy the smell as the fragrant odor permeated the air around him. "He may be a jerk at times, but he's got great damn taste," Jordan thought as he took the shirt from the garment bag.
Twenty minutes later, he was dressed to kill, looking like he'd just stepped off the pages of GQ magazine. He looked the part of the debonair businessman, and felt on top of the world. The triple mirrors near the dressing area were put to good use, as Jordan marveled at the transformation. He just couldn't believe it really was his reflection staring back at him. His brown eyes glowed, accentuated by the fact he put his rarely worn contacts in when he finished getting ready. It was the crowning deed that made him look like a million bucks. Satisfied that he would pass muster, he grabbed his door card and headed out.
Upon reaching the lobby, he was immediately greeted by John, the guest services manager. "Good evening, sir," he greeted. "I trust everything has been to your liking so far."
"Everything's been wonderful, John, but if you'll excuse me, I need to find out where I go next this evening," Jordan said, trying to remove himself from John's presence.
"Yes, sir," John continued. "Step this way. The limo is waiting for you outside." John couldn't help but grin at Jordan's shocked expression.
At a loss for words, he followed along, finding the waiting vehicle just as John had said. The driver stood perched with the door open, beckoning Jordan inside. With a polite nod, the young man bent down to take his seat, but stopped when he noticed something in the chair. He beamed broadly and began to blush. A single, long stem red rose had been carefully placed across the cushion. The lone flower was the thing that touched Jordan's heart more than anything that day. It was an inexpensive representation of Taylor's heart that he'd remember for ages. Totally captivated by the bloom, he never noticed the car move out onto the street.
Turning left on the strip, the vehicle made it's way past the more centrally located resorts. Some, such as Paris Las Vegas, were a feast for the eyes. The only thing Jordan saw, though, was the tight budded red rose. He examined it from all angles with a far away look on his face. He smelled it often, his smile growing larger each time the petal's perfume hit his nose. He'd realized that tonight was a fork in the road. On the left fork was the possibility of great happiness or great sadness. The risk was large but the rewards were equally sizeable. The right fork held safety, his heart would suffer no additional pain. Monotony would rule the day, however. Inhaling the tantalizing odor one more time, he was never more sure of which way to go.
The driver maneuvered the vehicle through downtown, turning sharply near the Stratosphere Hotel. He came to rest in front of a large building, the marquee identifying it as the Sky Las Vegas Tower. Looking up toward the top, Jordan guessed it to be at least as tall as the needle of the Stratosphere. He refocused on the night at hand when the driver opened the rear door. Still holding the precious flower, he stepped out and moved toward the concierge desk.
A young man in his twenties observed a gentleman wearing a tuxedo push through the entrance. Expecting his arrival near that time, he came around the desk and greeted his guest warmly. "Welcome, Mr. Maxwell," he said before Jordan had the opportunity to speak. "Welcome to Sky Las Vegas. I'm Bo, this evening's concierge and it would be my pleasure to escort you to your destination." Jordan, still not used to the formality, said the first thing that came to his mind. "Lead on, dude." Bo grinned and inserted a card key into a private elevator. After entering the car, he used the same card to program the ride to the Sky Penthouse suite. Moments later, the doors opened to an amazing sight.
The marble covered vestibule shimmered with the flickering light of many candles. They were all different shapes and sizes, and placed strategically about the room. The placement gave the whole area a warm, magical, and romantic atmosphere. Bo, noticing Jordan's shock, took the liberty of opening the entry door and motioning him through. Jordan stepped through promptly, his further surprise making him the door's closure go unnoticed.
A pathway through the spacious living was set up, marked by candles on either side of the walking area. The crystal candelabras sparkled in the warm glow, casting a prism like light pattern across the floor, which was covered in red rose petals identical to what Jordan clutched in his hand. He followed the trail, coming to what look like a service hallway leading to places unknown. After continuing a few more seconds he stepped out into a fairy tale world.
Thousands of tiny, clear lamps covered every surface possible across the large balcony. Flowers of every color, size and type were mixed in among them. Their fragrances filled the moving air around him, adding to the sense of massive disbelief he was experiencing. He continued forward, coming to a complete stop when the space's center came into view.
Taylor stood dressed in a black Armani tuxedo, looking incredibly dashing. A tie and vest matching Jordan's rose adorned his neck and waist. Even though the air was moving steadily, not a hair was out of place. He stood next to a table set for two, complete with an ornate hurricane lamp surrounded by yet more of the beautiful, blood red buds. The light from the flame danced across his sky blue eyes, making them appear to be on fire.
The look wasn't far from the truth. From the moment he'd laid eyes on Jordan, the whole world seemed to stand still. The vision of pure loveliness before him was etched on his brain. Never before had one man held such allure and complete power over him. He stood ready, willing, and able to let it dominate him, knowing the right man was standing in front of him. He'd never believed in soul mates, and while he still wasn't sure if he did, extreme doubt clouded his views on the subject. He'd determined that this would be a most memorable evening.
Moving to where Jordan was standing, he reached down, taking the young man's hand in his. "Hi, Alice," he joked with a killer smile. "Come join me in Wonderland." He led Jordan to a chair at the table, holding it out until he was sure the object of his passions was comfortably seated. Jordan stared at him in awe, watching him take his own seat, and then fill two Waterford flutes with chilled Perrier-Jouet champagne. He raised his glass to toast, motioning for Jordan to join him, which he promptly did.
"To future possibilities." Leaning forward, Taylor lightly tapped his flute against Jordan's, who repeated the toast back to him, adding his own words. "To wonderful future possibilities for both of us." The sound of glass against glass was heard once again. The two men sipped the fine liquid, content to gaze dreamily into each other's eyes. Taylor, finally, broke the silence and took the initiative to begin conversation.
"Thank you for joining me.Please accept my apologies for my behavior today, and for my disappearing act earlier," he began. "Truthfully, I wasn't sure you'd be joining me." Jordan could sense the relief in his voice.
"Taylor, I don't know what to say." He paused, gathering the right words. "I think this is possibly the most thoughtful and romantic gesture I have ever heard of or experienced. Yes, you were an ass most of the day, but consider yourself forgiven." At the end of his reply, he laced his fingers with Taylor's and squeezed tightly.
All Taylor could do for what seemed like eons was stare at the joined fingers. He was blown away by the foreign sensations coursing through his body. Chief among them was nervousness, a nervousness so great it threatened to turn him into a bumbling fool. He sat in his seat, shifting and trembling, vibrating so greatly it was overly noticeable to both of them.
"You're shaking," Jordan commented as he placed his free hand atop their connected fingers.
"I.....I'm....," Taylor stammered, finally letting out a huge breath. "I'm sorry. Dammit, this night was supposed to be perfect!" he said, hanging his head in shame and frustration.
"Taylor, Taylor, Taylor," Jordan said, squeezing their hands harder together," it's perfect, beyond perfect actually." The younger man's warm brown eyes stared intently upon the now shocked financial whiz.
"This is new territory for me," Taylor admitted. "I've never met anyone who was OK with me being me. I hope you have the patience to deal with my sorry ass."
"Your ass isn't sorry," Jordan kidded. "Truthfully, it's one of the better asses I've seen." Taylor managed a half hearted smile at the joke.
"Seriously, though," Jordan continued, "things are just that.....things. They come and go, but who we are on the inside is what stays. That's the Taylor I wanna know. That's the Taylor that makes my heart race. That's the Taylor that matters." A smile of authentic caring blazed across his face.
The words should have relaxed Taylor, but they had the opposite effect. He was amazed that he had any consequence on Jordan's feelings at all. Everything he'd ever wanted, ever hoped for, or ever dreamt of was now a real possibility. He stared off into space, trying to come up with his next move.
"Taylor?" Jordan said, waving his hand. "You OK?"
"Huh?" Taylor said as he came back to reality. "I'm fine." His tone lacked sincerity, cuing Jordan to the fact that all was not well. Taylor was so uptight that he was gonna pop, which sent Jordan's mind racing for solutions. He contrived one he liked speedily.
"Stand up!" he ordered the now addled Taylor. Instead of waiting for action, he took the older man's hand and led him off the balcony. They retraced the petal covered walk, coming to a stop before the elevator doors. Moments later, the private car awaited their entrance. Jordan selected the ground floor button, while Taylor interestedly watched his suddenly take charge attitude unfold. They reached the lobby uneventfully, walking passed a very confused Bo and into the cool night air.
"I figured we could use some fresh air," Jordan said after they'd walked a ways.
"Thanks. I like the idea already," Taylor replied.
They made their way to Fremont Street, stopping to watch the canopy light show going on over the bustling crowds. Comments were made about the details of the spectacular lights display, the two men standing side by side with their arms touching. Tension was supplanted by the easy going laughter they'd mastered on the golf course.
The two men walked on, stopping to observe the pirate battle at Treasure Island, then the Mirage's volcano. The fountains dancing on the lagoon at Bellagio were amazing. Taylor, being fond of classical music, spent as much time with his eyes closed, just listening, as he did marveling at the synchronized water.
As the plumes of fluid danced, he took Jordan's hand in his. Raising it to his lips, he placed a single kiss atop it, and then more on each knuckle, never breaking eye contact with the man he was falling harder for every minute.
Jordan's heart fluttered uncontrollably and he felt weak at the knees. The desire he felt for Taylor tripled in that one moment. What came next would raise him to heights he'd never seen. Taylor pulled on the still captive hand, bringing Jordan's body hard against his. Cupping his face with the other hand, he brought their lips together swiftly, leaving Jordan no time to react.
Mouths opened, and tongues crashed into each other. They rolled around in each other's mouths, every meeting increasing the tension and urgency between them. Their arms drew up around one another as small moans of pleasure were passed back and forth between their coupled cavities. As nearby people stared, they sunk deeper into their shared abyss. Small breaks to inhale fresh air, or reposition slightly, were the only let up in the increasingly passionate action. The pressure bubble that had been expanding between them all day exploded in fierce display of romantic fireworks.
After what seemed like hours, their faces finally parted. Both men breathed heavily, as much from extreme arousal as from lack of oxygen. They stared dreamily at each other, smiling and still holding hands. The surprised onlookers were hardly noticed by the two star struck individuals. Jordan took Taylor's arm, leading them away from the area and back toward the condo building. They walked back holding hands, stopping here and there to place strategic pecks on each other.
Upon arriving at their starting place, the glowing couple was met by the ever accommodating Bo. "Welcome back, gentleman," he gushed. "I hope your walk was satisfactory."
"Bo," Jordan started," would you please ask the limousine to return? Mr. Bryant and I have decided to pursue other opportunities."
"Allow me to have our vehicle drive you back to your hotel," Bo replied.
The two of them nodded their appreciation and stood outside waiting for the car's arrival. Jordan held Taylor's arm, enjoying the way his head nestled perfectly into the sculpted shoulder. When the car arrived, they entered, resuming the position they'd just been in. Taylor made a few phone calls to facilitate the new arrangements, while Jordan closed his eyes to absorb the energy radiating off the man's body. Taylor instructed the driver to proceed directly to McCarran's private aviation terminal, which he did dutifully.
The driver dropped them off next to the jet's open stairwell. The men exited the vehicle and climbed the stairs. They made a bit of small talk with the crew, adding that they could depart as soon as Leonard was safely on board. With all needed communications completed, they bid good night to all and headed for the plane's master suite.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Jordan slammed his mouth to Taylor's once again. No hesitation occurred this time, with tongue wrestling beginning right away. As the kiss continued, coats, ties and shirts went flying. Hands rubbed lightly over firm flesh, then bound firmly around the other. Moans of a much more erotic nature were freely audible in the room around them. The broke the kiss to strip down to the underwear, then crawled into bed.
The make out session began anew as the cabin door closed and the men felt the familiar increase in inertia. Their passion for each other spilled over as the plane roared into the night sky.
When the smooch fest concluded, Jordan turned onto his side, allowing Taylor to spoon up behind him. He got his man's arms placed around him comfortably, then wallowed in the warmth and security they offered up. Moments later, both men were fast asleep.
Tomorrow would be a whole new beginning, a new set of extreme highs and large bumps. As dreams of a life together occupied their psyches, they moved in unison to another meeting with destiny.
TO BE CONTINUED......