Adrian's Hotel Room, The Parthenon
Adrian Lockhart woke up abruptly. Not because of nightmares. Not because of the sunshine that now flooded his hotel suite. No. Adrian had felt "something" wet, and now whipped his head up to look at the bobbing figure underneath his covers. He recognized the exposed clothing and "technique" , and then proceeded to sharply kick off his offending secretary, Brad, who had been inspired to "rouse" Adrian with a morning blowjob.
The blonde fell on the floor, holding his head. "Fuck boss, what was that for!"
Adrian ignored him, instead taking the time to stretch his body out. As Brad shamelessly gaped, he renewed circulation throughout his muscles. The satin, white sheets were wrapped around Adrian's legs and lower torso in a serpentine fashion; he looked like porn.
"I'm not up for anything this morning, Brad," Adrian said, half-apologetic and half-annoyed. Brad stared. If it was anything he had learned from this job, it was that Adrian was in a perpetual state of arousment. He must have shot someone or something.
Adrian turned over on his stomach, burying his face in the soft pillow, which smelled slightly of cologne. He didn't want to think about it. No. He didn't want to think about the man who had exposed him. To Alexis. He especially didn't want to think about Alexis, who had her heart broken by that cold bitch. He didn't want to think about Alison, who had stared right through him, with eyes that suggested that he was an open book to her.
Those eyes, those beautiful icy blue eyes. They haunted him.
Adrian groaned and then sighed, acutely aware of Brad's talented hands massaging his back. He sat up, letting Brad collide with the floor once again. "Brad, really," he said, unwrapping himself from the sheets and standing, naked.
Adrian cocked his head, observing his floored secretary for a moment. Soft blond hair, high cheekbones, pouty lips, and a lean, muscular body. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. Though Brad was the epitome of sex, he had chosen the over-enthusiastic boy for more. While easily distracted and impish, Brad had a talent for mathematics, and his boyish charm had softened up some of Adrian's more apathetic business ventures. Plus, those talented fingers could type faster than anyone Adrian knew; although, they definitely served more than one purpose.
Shaking his head, Adrian walked to the closet, opening it up and slipping on a silk bathrobe that was offered as a guest courtesy. Turning to Brad, he said simply, "Did you get them?"
The secretary nodded, wiping his lips a bit and standing with a playful grin. He was never put off by anything, much less Adrian's newly-found state of grouchiness. Picking up the stack of magazines, Brad handed them to Adrian.
"I'll need some alone time, Brad," Adrian said as he took the magazines. "I know, I know, I'm acting weird. But just do what I say," he said, upon seeing Brad's outraged look. The secretary had come to expect tumbles in bed before 10 AM every day, but it appeared that Adrian simply wasn't in the mood today, and his insatiable libido would be denied. With a downcast sigh, Brad nodded and without another word, walked out of the hotel room.
Adrian, silk robe billowing around him, opened the door and walked out onto the balcony, observing the view whistefully for a few minutes. He then shook his head and sat down on a chair, putting the magazines on the table. And then he thought.
Alexis had been cold, witty and controlled when he had met her. Yet.. last night. He remembered the way she had stumbled, broken-spirited, to the bar, and sought solace in alcohol. It troubled him. It brought back memories of his parents' death, undeniably due to him. No, he thought firmly, shaking himself out of reflection. Trying to buy time before he'd have to confront the realities of last night, Adrian now glanced at the magazine covers.
They had not reached print. He had specifically requested that these magazines find a new subject, although numerous magazine editors were saddened. From the table, sensationalist headlines glared out at him: ALEXIS QUARTERMAINE DITCHES HEARTTHROB ADRIAN LOCKHART, ELIGIBLE BACHLORESS SHOWS HER DARK SIDE, QUEEN B REVEALS TRUE COLORS.
Adrian laughed. Almost. Because he then pictured Alexis' stricken look. These articles would nullify last night's success by a substantial amount.
Adrian breathed in deeply, closing his eyes, and thanked God he had some sense to stop this vicious outlash at Tempo Magazine's CEO. He wasn't stupid. He knew that other magazines had been thrilled at the opportunity to rip apart the reputation of their leading competitor. And it shamed him to think his scheming would have gone this far.
Wait, shame?
Fuck, what was wrong with him? Adrian bit on his knuckle, absolutely frustrated.
