“But?” Tyler raised an eyebrow.
“A little stark, maybe? A little cold? All the straight lines and angles are symmetrically pleasing, but who wants to live in a box, even one as beautiful as this? The courtyard could be joined up to the main terrace – you’d sacrifice a little living space but gain a gorgeous view from two of the main rooms, and it would bring the place alive. Make it more sociable.”
Tyler looked enormously pleased with himself. “Do go on. Any other suggestions you’d like to share with us?”
“The style isn’t very sympathetic to the landscape. Maybe reflect the surrounding hills and the sea more in the décor? I know you like strong colours and bold fabrics, but I’d opt for a more Spanish spin than I see in this design.”
Tyler laughed. “Ah, the indie has spoken.” He glanced around the room. “But what does he know? He’s fucked up his life, and I don’t want him fucking up my beautiful villa. I like it just the way it is. Proceed, Hugo.”
In his previous life, Alex would have found this whole exchange unbearably humiliating, but now it merely amused him. He managed to keep the smile off his lips and his expression perfectly neutral, but he could see Purvis and his team were embarrassed. Poor Tyler, he was still chasing that high from a year ago, when Alex could be relied upon to respond to his prodding with anger and outrage. Those days were long gone. Tyler was grinning as he gazed around the room, searching for the satisfaction he used to feel when humiliating him. It wasn’t forthcoming. Nobody would meet his eye, and his expression darkened. As he stalked angrily from the room,Alex allowed himself a surge of delight while keeping his face completely blank. Oh, he was getting good at this.
A few days later, Andrew dressed him in pastels, with a clean-cut look. Alex wasn’t surprised, on being shown the briefing document, to find that his guest was Hugo Purvis.
“Do you have my pills?” he asked.
“Do you really need them?” Andrew queried curiously as he handed them over. “A young man like you? I mean, have you tried without?”
Alex gave a vague smile. “Best to be on the safe side. Wouldn’t want to let anyone down.” He no longer knew where his own sexual feelings began and ended, or if he even had any, and hadn’t touched himself since his return from Belvedere. The blue pills did the trick, and that was all that was necessary to ensure he stayed in Tyler’s good books.
As it turned out, it didn’t matter as Purvis wasn’t interested in Alex, save as an object to fuck. He had a vigorous appetite, both in the dining room, where he ate enough for a small army, and in the bedroom. He thrust into Alex enthusiastically, came loudly, and then slumped onto the bed beside him.
“Very nice. Cute arse,” he muttered, patting it.
“Thank you.” Alex felt sore and used, but he was familiar with that sensation and didn’t allow it to show.
“You were right, of course.” Purvis laced his fingers behind his head and gazed up at the ceiling. “About the design.” He glanced sideways at Alex. “It’s far better your way, but we know George and his style, so don’t feel bad that he shot you down.”
“Oh, I don’t.” Alex gave a dismissive smile. “Mr Tylershouldhave the house of his dreams. There’s no reason for him to listen to me.”
“He could do a lot worse. You have quite an eye for design. I’m surprised he…” Purvis grimaced. “Well, you know, just uses you forthis.” He waved his hand at the bed. “You’re far more than that cute arse and gorgeous face.”
“I’m perfectly happy with whatever use Mr Tyler puts me to,” Alex murmured. “I’m content just to be of service to him.”
“Well, it’s none of my business. I only wish he’d listen to you, because then we could design something that makes the best use of that space.”
Alex changed the subject. He knew Tyler obsessively watched every scrap of footage of him during these sessions. The last thing he wanted was for him to be even more furious that his latest attempt to humiliate him had backfired.
The next day, he was escorted to Tyler’s private suite again.
“I thought we could have lunch,” Tyler announced, ushering him into his private dining room. The holopic of his mother was no longer there, much to his disappointment. “Just the two of us.”
“How lovely.” He fought down a wave of anxiety. Had the time finally come? He wasn’t sure how much longer he could bear to wait for Tyler to demand sex. It was always there between them, and it was wearing him down. He’d rather get it over and done with. When, though? Was Tyler waiting forhimto make the first move? To crawl to him on his hands and knees and beg, as he’d once demanded? If so, should he just do it? More to the point – could he?
Tyler seemed not to have sex in mind, though. He talked at length about a new floating city he was considering investing in and showed him the plans. While he seemed to genuinely want his opinion, Alex didn’t fool himself that this was any different to the Spanish villa. Whatever game Tyler was playing, all he coulddo was play along. Much to his surprise, lunch was actually a pleasure. After the tedium of the suite, it was a relief to have an intelligent conversation, even if it was with Tyler.
“How did you feel having Hugo Purvis huffing and puffing away on top of you last night?” Tyler asked, out of the blue.
“I hope I was able to show him the kind of service you expect from me,” Alex replied placidly.
“Hmm. He had no complaints, so I suppose you did your job.” Tyler glanced at him over the rim of his wine glass. “Do you enjoy your work, Alexander?”
“I enjoy being of use to you, sir.”
“How you’ve changed.” Tyler looked disappointed.
“I hope I have.” Alex smiled. “I’ve tried very hard to be better.”
“I thought Purvis was boorish. Lacking finesse.”