by D. B. Watson
"Hey."
Yuri spun and saw Christopher standing by the passenger side.
"I thought. . .where did you go?"
"I needed to stretch my legs, was that ok?"
"Yes. I have the rooms if you're ready. They're around back so I was going to drive around, but if you prefer to walk, I can get the car later."
"It's cool, we can ride around, but I'm starving."
"We can eat after you take a shower. And I'll go buy you something more fitting to wear."
A barely noticeable smile flashed across Christopher's face, then vanished, but Yuri caught it. They climbed back into the car and Yuri found a spot in front of their units. Yuri showed him how to work the key card.
Christopher watched him drive off before shutting the door. Once alone, he stripped naked and strolled to the shower.
Yuri found a sporting goods store and realized he forgot to ask Christopher about his size. He took a wild guess as he grabbed a tee shirt, sweat jacket, track pants, and sneakers, along with socks and undergarments. He returned and knocked.
The teen opened the door on the second knock, wearing a towel around his waist, his hair still dripping wet.
"That was fast," said Christopher.
Yuri handed him the bags.
"I forgot to ask you your size."
Christopher looked over the sizes of the items, and the price tags, and smiled.
"I like baggy clothes, and the shoes are the right size, but—"
"What, did I forget something?"
"Everything is too expensive; you didn't need to spend so much money on me."
"I never bother with prices, so don't worry yourself. I just want you to feel safe and comfortable. Please wear them."
"All right, but I don't want you going broke over me. I don't need fancy."
"While you get ready, I'll go put my bag in my room and meet you at the car."
"Ok—I don't remember your name."
"Yuri Jin."
"I'll be ready in a sec, Yuri." He closed the door and Yuri headed back to his room.
****
Yuri splurged on the hungry boy and watched him devour his meal. Yuri sensed him relaxing as he smiled in between bites. Once they cleared the dishes Yuri paid the bill.
"Would you like to take a walk?" asked Yuri.
"Can we get ice cream?"
He was shocked Christopher wanted more to eat; and his taste for sweets reminded him of Patrick. "Do you have room?"
"I always have room."
"Then yes.”
At first, their walk was quiet, Yuri unsure how to proceed with Christopher. He wanted him to come home with him, but he didn't want him to assume he would be mistreated.
"Can I have a chocolate ice cream cone?" asked Christopher, breaking the silence.
"Anything you like."
Yuri bought Christopher’s treat and they went back to their rooms. Yuri walked him to his door and stopped short as Christopher unlocked it. He noticed Yuri wasn't expecting to come in but wanted to talk. He turned to him.
“Where are we going from here?” asked Christopher.
“Well, I was going home. If you wish, you can join me.”
“Where’s home?”
“Japan.”
“Japan?”
“Yes. I know you don’t have a passport, but I do have a private jet that can bypass that.”
"Are you really going to take me to where you live?"
"I’d like to, but if you don't want to go, I will take you anywhere you wish."
"I get a choice?"
"You do."
"I have no other family; my mother was all I had. So, yes, I would like to go home with you."
"All right. That’s what we’ll do."
"Would you like to come in? We can watch TV."
"I don't think I should, unless you need me to show you how to work the television."
"Wow, you are nice. I can figure it out."
"I'll call your room in the morning for breakfast and we'll get back on the road."
"Sounds good. But, can you call at nine?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. Goodnight." Yuri smiled.
“Good night.” Christopher shut the door and walked through the high-end room toward the living room. He flopped back on the couch and placed his now shoeless feet on the coffee table. He scanned the room, eyeing the flat-screen TV with cable, the furniture, the mini-fridge filled with delicious snacks. He knew this room wasn't cheap, and Yuri wasn't just some regular guy on a business trip, he had money.
“Can't be any different from any other guy I’ve had,” he said to no one. Except Yuri had class and morality; he wouldn’t take advantage of me. At least not at sixteen. He would have to play the good little boy until he was old enough to seduce his new suitor. Easy enough. He passed on watching TV and headed to bed.
Yuri returned to his room, conflicted. He couldn’t abandon Christopher. But he also realized Patrick wouldn’t understand. He removed his cell from his pocket just as it rang. The caller ID was Patrick’s. He sat on the bed listening to the selected ringtone he allowed Patrick to choose for his phone. Yuri picked up on the fifth ring.
****
The next morning, Yuri called Christopher as promised and they were back on the road. They stopped one last time at a diner and this time Christopher, filled with excitement, anticipation, and more questions, chattered on as they dined on their meals.
"Is your home big?"
"There's plenty of room for everyone."
“Everyone? Isn’t it just you and me?”
“My friend and assistant lives with me. Her name’s Penny Bell.
"Is Penny your lover?"
"No."
“Do you like women?”
“I don’t hate them. But I prefer men.”
"Do you have a lover?"
"I did, but—we broke up."
"His loss," Christopher stated.
Yuri flinched from the compliment as he sipped on his tea. The disdain in Patrick’s voice rippled through his soul.
“How can you do this to me!” Patrick shouted in his ear.
“Patrick, he needs my help.”
“You don’t even know him!”
“You can help me.”
“Help you with what? Grooming that bumpkin?”
“Please try and understand.”
“Understand this Yuri. I’m packing my things and catching the next flight home. Is that what you want?!”
Yuri dreaded what he had to say next.
Patrick grew impatient with the silence. “Answer me, Yuri!”
“You do what you feel is best.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Christopher needs my help. I will not turn my back on him.”
“But you will with me?”
“I’m sorry, Patrick. I hope you find someone who is worthy of you.”
“Worthy—”
Yuri could hear Patrick’s voice crack.
“You’re breaking up with me?” Patrick asked, almost in a sob.
“I see no other way to make this work.”
Yuri listened to dead air on his cell before hanging up. For the rest of the evening, Yuri sat staring at photos on his phone. He’d pushed away, the only man he ever loved to take care of a stranger. Why? What was this pull Christopher had on him? As much as he tried to come up with a reason not to take in the youth, another reason answered his question.
Two men with backpacks sat at a nearby table talking, glancing, and grinning toward Yuri. Yuri ignored them until the waitress walked up holding a tray with a bowl of rainbow sherbert. She placed the bowl by Yuri’s teacup.
“Sorry, but I didn’t order this,” said Yuri.
“It’s a gift from the gentlemen at that table.” She gestured toward the two smiling men who raised their glasses of beer toward Yuri.
Yuri smiled and bowed his head slightly, thanking the two men before returning to his meal. Christopher frowned at
the onlookers, not liking the flirtation directed at Yuri. He quickly took Yuri’s attention back.
“What does your ex-boyfriend look like?”
Yuri looked at Christopher. Other than their eyes, hair, and skin complexion, he and Patrick could be brothers. “I don’t want to talk about such things with you.”
Christopher didn't want to embarrass Yuri, so he changed the subject.
"So, what job will I have?"
"You only have to worry about school."
"School? I finished high school early. I've never considered going to college. I’ve always been. . .distracted."
"You're still young, your future is still a possibility."
"Does it have to be school?"
"You might change your mind once you make friends, your own age."
"Maybe. I need to use the men's room."
Yuri nodded and returned to his meal as Christopher stood, turning to the table with the travelers. While keeping his back to Yuri, he gave them a quick wink and walked toward the bathroom. Once inside, he noticed only two stalls, two urinals, and one sink with a mirror. He leaned back on the sink and crossed his arms. A moment later the door opened and one traveler walked in wearing typical gear; parka, jeans, and worn-out hiking boots. He eyed the teen and tried to ignore him.
"What’s wrong, don't you know prime-choice when you see it? Or are you one of those breeders?"
"I don't play with kids, but if you get your friend in here, I can make him happy."
"He wouldn't waste his time."
"But you would?"
"For a price."
"You little prick. How about I go tell him what you're doing? Bet he won't look at you the same way again."
"How about I scream rape?"
"What for? I didn't touch you!"
"A hundred bucks and I forget the whole thing."
"I'm not giving you any money."
"Who will they believe, a sixteen-year-old boy or some perv?"
Out of sheer fury, the man dug into his pocket and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. He started to pass it to Christopher when the door opened and Yuri entered.
"Keep your money,” Yuri said in a stern voice. “Christopher, I paid the bill, time to leave."
"This isn't my fault—" the man tried to explain, but Yuri raised his hand, stopping him in mid-sentence.
"No need for explanation. Let's just forget this ever happened. I paid your bill." Yuri stepped aside, allowing Christopher through first who, in a huff, walked past his new guardian, not in anger but guilt.
Their ride continued in silence, but Christopher held his head down, lost in thought. Yuri drove a few miles before easing off the road to talk. He put the car in park and kept his hands on the wheel.
Christopher burst into tears, not able to control his emotions. Yuri reached over and rubbed the back of his neck, hoping the sensation would calm the youth.
"Christopher, tell me why you are crying."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
"Christopher, your actions were natural to you, but they’re not acceptable anymore. You don't need to sell your body to make yourself happy or get what you want. It’s time you start using your head."
"Are you going to take me back?"
"No, never. But you have to follow rules."
"You’ll still let me live with you?”
"Yes.”
“Yuri, understand, there are some things out of my control. It’s like a button clicking on and off. That’s why I need to get away from this town.”
“Then let me get the police involved. They can—”
“No!” Christopher cried out. “They can’t get involved; it will only blow up in your face.”
“What will?”
“It’s hard to say, Yuri. It’s like a rope around my neck preventing me from telling you. It scares me. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“You believe someone will hurt me?”
“I know they will. And they’ll drag me back with them.”
“Christopher, I’ll do everything in my power to prevent that.”
“Then no police, okay? I promise to behave.”
Yuri had his doubts, but he saw the fear on Christopher’s face.
“All right, no police.”
“Thank you.”
****
After returning home with his new ward, Yuri found open closets and empty drawers. Any trace of Patrick was gone. After a year of Christopher getting comfortable in his new home, and no word from the authorities’ trying to find him, Yuri still wasn’t sure he could trust Christopher’s stepfather staying away. He created the pseudonym Jamie Stewart, with all the documents. Yuri then moved on with his next plan.
“Jamie, I'm sending you to a boarding school I attended when I was your age. You’ll be able to come home for holidays and summer vacations. You need to be in a more controlled environment, with boys your own age to socialize with."
"Will you come visit me?"
"Yes, I promise. And my home will now, and always be your home for as long as you want."
"I'll make you proud of me."
“I believe you.”
CHAPTER 12
nEED
Their return to the penthouse lifted Jamie's spirits. Penny greeted them at the door.
"Your packages arrive a moment ago, they’re in your room, Jamie."
"Thanks, Penny. Detective Potter can wait for me in the library." Without a second glance, Jamie sprinted up the stairs.
Penny led the way, offering Adam a drink.
"Water will be fine, thank you, Penny."
"Did Jamie enjoy his shopping spree?" she asked, pouring chilled water from a pitcher.
"I'm not sure—how many bags do I need to say yes?"
She laughed, handing him the glass. "I think he hit the number."
"He's probably re-trying on every outfit as we speak,” said Adam, accepting the drink.
"He likes to save his fashion show for Yuri."
"Just in case Yuri doesn't approve?"
"Something you want to ask, Detective Potter?" she questioned, hearing the change in his tone.
"Only making an observation."
Minutes later, Jamie entered wearing gray, hip-hugger sweatpants, their cuffs dragging the floor, a tee-shirt two sizes too small hugging his torso and slippers of a wild, animated character's head baring fangs as Jamie's feet lay warm inside. Adam noted how young Jamie was and how he resembled Patrick in features but not behavior. Patrick moved and behaved like an aristocrat, self-confident, with a hint of conceit. Jamie only mimicked the behavior, seeming to be aware of his movement.
Jamie plucked a grape from a bowl on an end table between two chairs and popped it into his mouth. He moved toward the bar, grabbing a wine bottle from the glass door fridge. He popped the cork and poured himself a glass carrying the vessel over to the couch and plopping down on it, not spilling a drop of the wine. He glanced up at the still-standing Adam, who was admiring Jamie's outfit. Penny had left unnoticed.
Jamie savored the lust in the detective's eyes, like a lot of men who looked at him. Despite Detective Potter's rugged handsomeness, he craved Yuri's elegant features and dominating demeanor. Still, Jamie’s loins stirred thinking of Adam fucking him.
Adam craved to ravish Patrick at that moment but pushed it to the back of his mind.
"You're looking at me again," Jamie said.
"Was I?" Adam said, dropped his view to the floor, embarrassed.
Jamie swallowed a mouth full of wine. He savored the buttery liquid sliding down his throat.
