Page 48 of Sweet Thing

CHAPTER 23

boss of me

Simeon arrived back at Berlin Schonefeld Airport after two weeks in Paris. He’d attended go-sees and a handful of fittings for the upcoming Paris Couture shows, and he’d been part of a group editorial shoot for Homme Work Magazin.

Simeon was amazed that he had been able to block out the bullshit by a few of the male models who took offense because he was working again. Sim had been riding a natural high from his night with Bastian. The memory of the sensuality and closeness lingered on his skin like gossamer protection and comfort. Text messages and late night calls from Bast kept him from going crazy. They spoke of nothing of consequence, and yet Simeon lived for the next flirty message or phone call.

After flashing his ID at Passport Control, Simeon sauntered down the wide hall, dragging his wheeled designer cabin bag. He strolled with crowds of travelers into the Arrivals Hall and saw the usual lines of people crushed against the barrier, clearly seeking family members.

A young woman pushed past Simeon and ran towards a nervous looking dark-skinned man. As soon as his eyes met the woman’s, they shone with tears. Simeon watched almost compulsively, as the young man gathered her up into a mighty hug. Sim’s breath hitched as he felt a sudden wave of longing and loneliness. Where were the loving arms to greet him?

“Mr. Duchamp?” a deep British voice called from behind him. Simeon stopped and turned to see he had walked past Lewis, Bastian’s driver/bodyguard. He was standing behind the barrier holding a placard with Simeon’s name on it. Bemused and intrigued, Sim directed Lewis to meet him at the end of the barrier separating travelers and the general public.

Sim pursed his lips and took in the tall, stocky, black-suited chauffeur.

“Mr. Roth wishes to offer you a ride”, he said, unable to keep the sparkle from his eyes or the smirk off his face.

“Is that right?” Simeon mirrored the intriguing look. The Gods had been listening to Simeon’s plea and delivered pretty damn quickly. Sim and Bastian had made no concrete plans for when Simeon returned, so this development was curious. Lewis gestured to take Simeon’s bag. Sim handed it over and followed the chauffeur.

The black Mercedes was parked illegally, a minute’s walk away from the terminal in the drop-off zone. Lewis opened the back right-hand door of the car and Simeon peered in to see Bastian lounging casually. He was wearing a tight white T-shirt, and black jeans and trainers. The t-shirt exposed his broad-chested physique and perky nipples. His blond hair was pulled back from his face and tied in a top knot. Much to Sim’s disappointment, Bastian had shaved his beard.

“Papa told me never to take rides from strange men,” Simeon informed matter-of-factly.

Bastian’s eyes widened with a look of affection. He leaned over, offered his hand and Simeon took it. Bastian noted that same thrill of heat when their skin touched. “It’s a pleasure to meet you”, he said “My name is Bastian Roth, and I would like to fuck your brains out. Okay? Now we have been introduced, we‘re not strangers.” Bastian grinned, pulling Simeon into the car.

Sim slid awkwardly into the back seat, with his body pressed to his lover’s side, his lips just a breath away from the mouth he had thought about every waking moment for his two weeks in Paris.

“Hmm, it appears you are still a strange man. I don’t think I feel that easy today”, Sim huffed, playing hard to get. He pulled away from Bastian and sat back in the leather seat, then dragged the seatbelt across his chest and fastened it. He gave Bastian a sidelong glance and felt a dart of sympathy. The poor guy looked confused.

Lewis had stowed Simeon’s suitcase in the boot and closed Sim’s door. He returned to the driver’s seat, and the black glass privacy screen was slowly whirring to a close. Simeon was suddenly terrified by the importance of Bastian deciding to collect him from the airport. It was such a sweet gesture. It was what people in relationships did, and Simeon was out of his depth. Bastian clearly wanted him to be his boyfriend, and wasn’t that what Simeon wanted too? He knew he’d created an uncomfortable atmosphere in the car, but still, Sim remained unnaturally quiet and thoughtful, staring out of the smoked glass window as the car drove to the Airport exit and turned onto the Autobahn.

“Have I done something wrong?” Bastian asked, his baritone hitched with concern.

“Non,” Simeon gave a Gallic shrug. He was trying to work out what the hell was going on in his head—and in his heart. “Maybe you assume a little too much. Maybe I arranged my own car. Maybe I have plans.”

Bastian’s hands threaded through his hair in exasperation. He tore the hair band from his top knot and his blond locks draped loosely around his face.

“My apologies, I was just trying to be romantic. It was thoughtless of me to assume. Forgive me. Lewis will leave you at your house instead”, Bastian announced severely.

“Instead of what?”

Bastian was silent for a moment, and then he drew in a sharp, frustrated intake of breath and said, “Simeon look at me.”

Pouting, Simeon turned his head from the window and brushed his bangs aside. His brown eyes searched Bastian’s face.

“Look. I wanted to surprise you for your birthday if you have no plans. I want to be alone with you. I have thought of nothing else for the past couple of weeks. Please, spend the weekend with me. A friend has given me the keys to her log cabin in Naturpark Barnim. It’s beside a lake, beautiful and peaceful. I have food, and there is a hot tub. Just one hour away. We can pick up where we left off, no?”

Where they’d left off was both men standing on the knife’s edge of a grand passion. While Simeon was with Bastian, the connection was sublime. However, in the space between that night and the present, the enormity of what he offered, and was being offered terrified Simeon. He didn’t know if he was ready to give his heart, especially to a man who was obsessed with his dead lover. It was just too much baggage to take on.

“I can’t just drop everything and go off into the woods with you. I have no clean clothes; I was supposed to go out dancing with Peety to celebrate my B. day,” he voiced thoughtlessly. Simeon was perplexed. His skin buzzed whenever Bastian was near, and the man’s touch sent Simeon’s mind into meltdown. He didn’t know how to react to the romantic gesture. It was so sweet Sim could have wept.

Bastian’s whole body sagged with disappointment at hearing Simeon’s rejection. Ashamed by his outburst, Simeon looked away, holding a knot of guilt in his chest like he’d just kicked a puppy. He wanted to spend time with Bast and get to know him, but he’d never done the whole ‘romantic thing’ with anyone. Simeon closed his eyes and did some tidal breathing. He focused on the knot growing at his sternum. When he opened his eyes, Bastian was staring longingly out of the window. Sim reached out and took the other man’s hand.

“Hey, I just have to make a few phone calls, that’s all“, he reassured in a soft voice. Bastian turned his head, and his whole countenance changed, like he’d been illuminated from inside. His blue eyes shone with hope.

“Thank you, Bast. I’d like to spend the weekend with you; it's just… no one’s ever gone to this much effort for me before”, Simeon admitted.

Bastian barked an incredulous laugh; he couldn’t believe Simeon had never been privy to a romantic seduction. He simply couldn’t take his eyes off of him.