Page 4 of Forbidden Lust

“No, I can get the Tube.”

“That was an order,” said Oscar, dropping his voice, but his smirk gave him away. The man could never be harsh.

Josh wanted to argue, but he felt like death, and Oscar was offering him the opportunity to go back to bed. This was not a time to be stubborn. He thanked Oscar and ordered his cab. The plan was to face plant on the bed and not move until Monday.

CHAPTER 2

DANIEL

“It’s been a while,” said Daniel to his best friend Gavin.

“You know how it is,” replied the man he’d known for twenty years.

They’d met as junior associates in the same law firm and bonded over their love of travel. The firm they’d worked for had been big into work-life balance before it was trendy and allowed its employees to build up flexi-time to work a nine-day fortnight. Daniel and Gavin had used their long weekends to explore Europe together. Both of them were single back then.There was never anything between them. Gavin was as straight as they came, and so secure in his masculinity he had no problem hitting the gay clubs, and Daniel reciprocated as they screwed their way across Europe. By the time they hit thirty, Gavin was married with his second kid on the way, and Daniel was engaged to the man he believed was the love of his life.

Paul had been what Daniel thought was his perfect match. He was ten years younger and had a vulnerability to him, which called to Daniel’s caregiver nature. He liked to be completely dominant in the bedroom, but he wanted a partner he could nurture – not to smother them, but enablethem to succeed. Helping people reach their full potential was something that motivated him. It was why he found time to mentor half a dozen people, both inside and outside his firm. He was the managing partner of the solicitor’s practice he’d set up. They specialised in corporate law, and it was immensely lucrative. With new regulations being passed every day putting companies under increasing scrutiny, their services were called on a lot.

Gavin had veered away from private practice, and worked in financial services as a general counsel, and he was also a founding partner in his firm. Daniel was the big boss so the buck stopped with him, and he preferred it that way, but it came with consequences. After ten years of marriage, he’d found Paul had cheated on him. Paul had tried to screw him in the divorce, and claimed it was neglect which had led to his infidelity. He’d done a Princess Diana in the divorce meetings, saying there were three people in the marriage – Daniel, Paul, and Daniel’s job – and it was feeling like he always came second that led Paul to making what he said was a one-off mistake.

Daniel had hired a private investigator who’d discovered Paul had been cheating on him throughout their entire marriage, so not a one off as he claimed. When presented with all the evidence, Paul had no choice but to accept the offer. It was a large sum, but it was also a single payment. The last thing Daniel wanted was to have anything to do with the man again. Daniel was a workaholic, he knew that, but he’d given Paul everything he’d ever wanted, and they’d had a healthy sex life. If Paul had said something, he would have done all he could to make him feel more loved and wanted. Daniel went all in with his relationships. He’d loved the guy, but it hadn’t been enough for Paul.

Daniel was now forty-five and single, and happy that way. If he wanted a night with a younger man, he could easily find one. He knew he looked good, and he was an attentive andgenerous lover. His partners often asked for repeats, and he’d oblige as long as they were clear it would only ever be sex and nothing more. Lately, he’d been questioning whether he’d taken the right approach. He missed having that person in his life to look after and support in a way you didn’t get from a casual arrangement. Perhaps he could be open to another romantic partner, but the one thing he was adamant about was that he would never get married again.

“How was Christmas?” asked Gavin.

“The usual. Time with Mum, and getting some work done whilst it was quiet. How about you?”

“Fran wouldn’t let me work. I was off for ten days. Didn’t know what to do with myself.”

“I can’t remember the last time I had a whole weekend off, let alone ten days.”

“I thought you went to Antigua in November?”

“Still working, though I did have the afternoons when the office was closed.”

“You need a boyfriend who’ll force you to relax.”

“Dunno if I can be arsed with the whole dating thing. It’s easier just to call someone who you know is good in bed.”

“Didn’t you have a date with a guy at New Year?”

“That was his mother interfering in his love life. He’s got his eyes well and truly on someone else.”

“Sorry to hear that,” said Gavin. His friend was such a caring guy and didn’t like people being lonely.

“Nothing to be sorry for. I can see us being good friends. He would have been fun for a night or two, but he’s built like a rugby player. You know I prefer them trimmer.”

Gavin snorted. He knew his friend well, and never took offence at anything Daniel said. He could be professional when he needed to be, but when he was around people he was comfortable with, the filter was gone and his intrusive thoughts were vocalised, with zero fucks given.

They wrapped up their lunch and Daniel promised to visitfor one of Fran’s Sunday roasts soon. She was a goddess in the kitchen.

“Hopefully, you can bring someone with you,” said Gavin.

Daniel laughed.

“I’m serious. I think it would be good for you.”

Daniel was about to dismiss what Gavin said, but the look on his friend’s face made it clear he was concerned. Daniel wasn’t sure why, but then, Gavin knew him better that anyone so he’d take his concerns seriously. He promised to give some thought to what he’d said.

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