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“Thank you, sir," Axel stated, but was still flushed with embarrassment. “Where will they be taken?” He figured a storage unit.

“My home.” He said like that statement wasn't rocking Axel's world, like it was the most natural place to store Axel's belongings. What the hell did that mean? "Come, grab your jacket; let's go tour the old leather bar." They walked out together side by side, with Mr. Lagarde's hand periodically brushing his side and skimming his back. The touch was casual, innocuous, but still Axel's needy mind was conjuring more.

He shut down the feelings as fast as they rose up. He just got out of a three-year relationship which had been an ugly, humiliating affair where he was literally tossed out on his face, and yet, here he was dreaming about his new boss. He should probably look into therapy of some sort; he definitely had a problem.

Mr. Lagarde did not speak until they reached the underground garage, and then it was just to inform his driver of their destination. The car was pure luxury, and the smell was like heaven. Axel had sat in a Rolls once when it belonged to a friend's father, and it had been one of the best experiences. He loved nice cars, and this was a very nice car. Being Mr. Lagarde's assistant had some great perks.

“Where are you currently living?” Mr. Lagarde spoke without lifting his eyes from the reports he was reviewing.

“I have a room at the Roselyn Hotel," Axel responded.

Mr. Lagarde sent a message and then returned to his reports. “Your things will be brought to my home, and you will be checked out of the hotel." Axel felt himself tense up, not clear on what was happening or how he was supposed to react to it all. Mr. Lagarde stopped what he was doing and turned to regard him, giving Axel his full attention.

“I live in a penthouse at the Lumiere on Osborn; it's large enough for both of us, and I want you nearby during this project. The penthouse has service quarters. Is that a problem for you?" His tone was casual, businesslike, and yet Axel was getting an underlying intent, but that must be his overactive imagination once again. Faced with a gorgeous man, he just could not stop dreaming, apparently.

"No, that's not a problem, Mr. Lagarde."

“Good.” That was all he said about it, and then they were pulling up near a dilapidated three-story brick building that had been the old Leather club. “Take notes.” He told Axel as they made their way around the outside perimeter. Axel struggled to keep his mind on the job and keep notes, but he couldn’t help appreciating the way Mr. Lagarde’s trousers stretched tight across his fabulous ass when he bent to check the foundation or peer in the basement window. The glutes were amazing.

They went inside with Mr. Lagarde moving amongst the rubble with grace and ease. Axel found himself tripping and stumbling until Mr. Lagarde reached out his hand, and Axel took it, and he guided Axel over a particularly dangerous section of what looked to have been the dance floor.

His grip was firm and warm, and Axel never wanted to let go. His boss was not someone who would abide such juvenile thoughts, so Axel steadied his breathing, focusing and pushing his rising ardor away. It became clear as Axel took notes and listened to his boss's comments that this building was not going to be renovated; it was too far gone.

“I hoped that we could save at least part of this old building, but the foundation is too damaged, and the grounds have been compromised. It will have to come down." He said as he stood still, holding Axel's hand, and looked around the destroyed interior. "Perhaps it is just as well. The place had taken a dark turn in its final days, and a complete rebuild should banish the shadows."

Axel was unfamiliar with the club, and the lowlands had never had cause to go there. It had a bad reputation for many years that had begun to settle and dissipate once Nikolas Hadden had purchased the land. Axel did not comment because his mind was completely focused on the fact that Mr. Lagarde was still holding his hand.

They left the structure, and Mr. Lagarde did not release his hand until they were outside on level ground. It was after six when they left the lowlands and headed back downtown. Mr. Lagarde instructed the driver to take them to the Dewberry, a posh restaurant that Gio frequented, although Axel had never eaten there. Gio went with rich friends and supposed business lunches and dinners, and he spent lavishly while calling it networking and marketing.

Mr. Lagarde finished whatever it was he was working on and then closed the folders, putting it all away. He then turned to Axel, making Axel unconsciously straighten up. This was shaping up to be one crazy ass day, and Axel had no idea what would happen next, and he surely did not expect the next question.

“Are you afraid of me?” He asked. Axel glanced at him quickly and then looked away. He thought about lying or minimizing and brushing it off, but he knew Mr. Lagarde didn't abide liars or fools; it was clear in the way he was watching him and waiting.

"Yes, a little. It's not a crippling fear, but I must admit that my every move is loaded with apprehension.” Axel was truthful but did not have the courage to look at him. He kept his eyes straight ahead. Mr. Lagarde reached over and laid his hand over Axel's. It was a gentle touch, but still it had the power to rock him. His breath caught slightly, but he recovered quickly.

He turned and reached over with his other hand and took Axel’s chin in his thumb and forefinger. He turned Axel so that their eyes caught and held. Axel schooled his features as best he could and steadied his anxious breathing, but his heart would not slow down.

“Easy.” He said. “Everything is okay.” The assurance was appreciated but not completely believable. The silence was about to choke him when Mr. Lagarde finally spoke again.

“Please never fear me." His tone was... pleading and was not cold or emotionless; the statement made goosebumps prickle along Axel’s skin. Axel nodded, feeling in his bones that something important was happening but wasn't sure what. The light grip on his chin was, in a strange way, comforting. This day was getting weirder by the minute, and he didn’t want to miss any of it.

"Okay." He wasn't sure what else to say, not wanting to dig into this too deeply until he knew him better.

***

Kieran could feel his blood heating at the touch of his fingers to Axel’s face. His skin felt like the softest silk and his scent was like a warm blanket. He needed to relax and draw him in, but his reputation as distant, cold, and demanding, which he nurtured and valued, was now working against him.

Things relaxed somewhat during the drive, and now that they sat at the Dewberry having drinks before dinner, it was then that Kieran began his questions. He wanted to know Axel his background, his relationships, especially the one that caused him all the pain that was still reflecting in his blue eyes. He wanted to know everything.

"Your belongings have been collected from the apartment downtown and from the Roselyn Hotel." Kieran began. "Go through what was placed in the hallway, and if anything is missing, tell me, and I will retrieve it for you."

"I took the important things when I left, so I don't think there will be anything I care about still in the apartment." He stopped, and Kieran could see that he was thinking, considering what he could say. "Gio is a bastard, but he can be a charming bastard. He treated everyone dismissively who was not useful to him or who he deemed beneath him. I was delusional to believe that he would treat me any differently. I stayed too long.” Axel drank his wine and avoided eye contact.

“How long were you together?” Kieran wanted him to keep talking.

“Three years living together for two.”

"Do you miss him?" He had to know, although he prepared himself for an answer he did not wish to hear. Axel shook his head.