Based on a picture from Millie and dedicated to her with grateful thanks .
Pelaam, December 2007.
*
Curtis edged carefully in the darkened store towards the figure that was moving around his displays. He might be the Store's Managing Director, but he was more than happy to take on some two-bit, petty thief that thought they could hide away after hours to plunder his Christmas stock. In addition, he could see his prey was both shorter and slimmer and he envisaged no difficulty in subduing them and then tearing one off his so-called Security. /Want a damn job doing well, do it yourself/ he thought angrily, creeping a little closer.
"Gotcha," he roared in triumph, grasping at the burglar's wrist.
Despite the yell of fear from his victim, Curtis' victory was short-lived. An elbow jabbing backwards stole his breath and a twist and yank saw him in an undignified heap on the floor.
"Ewan," a disembodied voice rang out. "Ewan are you alright?"
Curtis stared from a dizzying angle as a Security guard came scurrying over to fuss over the man Curtis had tried to apprehend.
"I'm fine, San," the would-be thief assured. "Who is this asshole anyway? He all but scared the crap out of me."
Curtis glared up at them before rising to his full height of six feet three inches and using both his height and breadth to regain control of the situation.
"I hate to tell you this, son," the Security guard said, looking abashed. "But this ... erm... this is Curtis Dunn. He's your Managing Director."
"Well he still almost scared the crap out of me," the other man replied.
Curtis looked at him, grudgingly admiring his pluck. He was not backing down or making a grovelling apology.
"Mr Dunn, this is Ewan Turner. He's one of your elves," the guard offered.
"One of my *what*?" Curtis asked, turning bemused blue eyes on the older man. He looked past the age to be wandering around as a store guard, but Curtis knew he had seen older doing the job.
"Elves," Ewan spoke up for himself. "One of your store's Christmas elves. I work with your Santa mostly, but I help at the cosmetic counters if the grotto is quiet. "
Curtis nodded his understanding. The younger man was not as small as he had thought when trailing him, however, Curtis still had at least four inches on the slender man. Curtis noticed the carefully sculptured line of hair than ran from the centre of Ewan's lower lip to his chin. He was stunned to find he was wondering how that would feel if he kissed Ewan. He gave himself a mental shake.
"What were you doing skulking around here after closing?" he demanded gruffly.
"I was checking everything was away for the girls like I do most nights," Ewan said. "I change out of my outfit, there's no way I'm leaving here in tights and pointy hat, give the counters a quick once over and then go. San here usually meets me and takes me safely to my car. I have a pass to use the staff underground parking."
"No one told me," Curtis muttered.
"Do you get told everything?" Ewan asked, a hint of a smile playing around his lips.
Curtis replied with an unintelligible growl.
"If you're satisfied now, Mr Dunn, I'll see Ewan out," the guard said.
"Sure, fine, go ahead," Curtis rumbled, waving his hand. Although he turned as if to walk away, he stopped and watched as younger and older man walked companionably together. He felt a pang of loneliness and immediately shoved it away. He did not have the time or the energy to devote to a relationship with all the concessions it demanded. He turned away, the tiniest of voices in his head wishing he had offered to escort Ewan to his car.
****
Curtis went to his office, but the written reports might have been in Mandarin Chinese and the figure-based reports were just as alien. He gave a sound that was part sigh and part growl. Ewan's face kept popping into his mind, even though he had not really been able to see the younger man properly. Coming to the realisation that to stay would be of no benefit, Curtis headed home.
He drove into the secure underground garage and ascended in the lift to his penthouse apartment. From his living room, he had a panoramic view of the city. He stared at it, but could gain no pleasure from the sight. There were only three weeks to Christmas, but Curtis' apartment was undecorated. The cream walls seemed cold to him as did his black leather furniture. If he was honest, the apartment looked unlived in, a show-house. He eyed his top-of-the-range entertainment system, debating whether to put on the wide-screen TV or perhaps play music, but he knew his heart was in neither.
Instead, he mooched to his kitchen. Everything looked pristine. But then, they would. Curtis never cooked. He bought in or ate out. All he had were things he could make into a snack to keep himself going. He got a small plate and added some feta cheese, olives and gourmet crisps to it. He opened a bottle of Lanson Black Label Champagne and poured a single glass. He was uncaring if the rest of the bottle went flat. He had more than enough money to indulge himself and tonight, he felt he needed the indulgence. He took his food and drink into his bedroom.
He felt most at home in there. Although he had the same sterile walls, he had hung a bright throw from a holiday in Mexico in his youth and some masks from Africa and Indonesia. One wall was floor to ceiling bookshelves and, before settling on the bed, he selected a favourite. He ate and drank, relishing the relaxed atmosphere he so rarely gave himself the time to enjoy. Once everything was consumed, he took a shower and retired to sleep.
He expected to fall asleep instantly, but images of Ewan began to dance through his mind. He could not suppress the groan as those images became more and more x-rated. Acknowledging the fact that, with an erection that felt it was the size of Everest tenting his sheets, he was not going to sleep Curtis rose and fetched a towel from the bathroom. Normally he would simply take care of business, but this time was different. He played gently with his nipples, the pink nubs haloed by rose areolae. One hand drifted from his chest over his toned abdomen and the other stroked eager flesh slowly. His mind kept returning to the image of Ewan, the young man's voice, the slight smile he had favoured Curtis with. The older man's hand began to move faster, the leaking pre-come slicking his long, hard length. His climax took him by surprise with its intensity. It had been a long time since he had experienced such release. Wiping himself in desultory motions, Curtis closed his eyes and was asleep, towel still in his hand, in seconds.
****
Curtis did not know whether he felt like a voyeur, a stalker or some idiot teenager with an unrequited crush. He tried to make himself as unobtrusive as possible whilst studying 'Santa's Helper'; an achingly beautiful young man with chestnut hair that reached his shoulders and eyes the colour of rich, dark chocolate. He gave another silent sigh as Ewan bent once more to listen to a small child's request. The elf costume he wore was a green tunic and leggings, black boots and a green, pointy hat. Each time Ewan unselfconsciously bent to listen to a child, Curtis was treated to the view of a pert rear. One his libido wanted to know better. He had checked with HR and Ewan was due to be a general assistant in the department store once his elf duties were complete. The young man had a degree in design and had worked in a few stores already as a display assistant, as well as other more mundane roles.
Ewan seemed happy whether talking to children or adults. If Santa's queue went slack, he seemed to dance around the cosmetic displays. He even successfully sold perfume and make-up when one of the other assistants was too busy to attend the customer, and he adeptly rang up the sale. Ewan looked like he was genuinely pleased to be serving, helping or dealing with adults or children. Curtis walked away, planning his return. It flashed through Curtis' mind that it had been a long time since he had been happy. Really, truly, happy.
Curtis returned as Ewan was securing a sign which read; 'Santa has gone to feed the reindeer and will be back in an hour'. Then set the clock at the side of it to show the time they had gone. As he turned, Curtis was ready.
"I want to see you in my office," the older man said. He felt the usual frisson of power as Ewan looked disconcerted, but somehow, this time, there was no real pleasure in the show of superiority and the older man found himself speaking further. "There's nothing to be worried about, Ewan. I thought I owed you an apology from last night."
Ewan trailed after the bigger man. If he was honest, Curtis pressed all the right buttons in terms of what appealed to him on a surface level. He liked blond, well-built, masculine men. However, Curtis had a tendency to act like a Neanderthal rather than an intelligent and handsome hunk. But, if he was trying to apologise, then the least Ewan could do was be gracious about it and give the man the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he would be pleasantly surprised. They ascended in a lift, the older man using a key to allow him to select one of the building's two uppermost floors.
"Wow, you didn't have to go to this much trouble," Ewan gasped, as he was led into an inner office.
"No trouble at all," Curtis said dismissively. It was true. The table had been decorated by the same caterers that had supplied the food adorning it. All he had done was pay for it. Curtis was, however, pleased that Ewan seemed appreciative, although a small voice pointed out he had done nothing to merit praise.
The meal passed quickly and enjoyably. Curtis was an accomplished small-talker, keeping inconsequential conversation flowing easily. At the conclusion of the meal, he escorted Ewan to the lift that would return him to his floor in the huge store. Curtis entered with him. He thought he recognised the look in Ewan's eyes and simultaneously took the young man in his arms whilst hitting the lift's stop button.
Ewan groaned as his mouth was ravenously plundered, Curtis barely giving him time or opportunity to breathe. Then a strong hand was at his groin, tracing then squeezing at his burgeoning arousal. Ewan squirmed against the bigger man, finally freeing his mouth.
"Not here. Not like this," he begged.
Curtis panted harshly as he pulled back. If he had thought Ewan beautiful previously, the sight of the kiss-swollen and reddened lips along with the slender man's natural attractiveness had Curtis all but losing what little control he clung precariously to. He fished in his pocket and pulled out the same kind of key he had used to go beyond the floors that customers had free access to. He knew the younger man would not have such key. The upper floors were for senior management only. He pushed it into Ewan's hand as the brunette looked at it blankly.
"Use it to come to my office after closing. I'll be waiting for you," Curtis husked. He reactivated the lift, but got out on the next floor, opting to walk back to his offices. For the first time in years, he was anticipating the store closing.
****
As store closing time came round, Curtis found himself in a state of arousal. When fifteen minutes had passed, Curtis was aggravated. When it was closer to thirty he was angry and went storming down to Ewan's floor. /If that little cocktease thinks he can play games with me, he's sadly mistaken/ Curtis thought aggressively. However, Ewan's floor was dark and deserted. As he wondered around, confusion adding to his anger, he started as a voice spoke close to his ear.
"Looking for something ... or someone ... Mr Curtis?"
Curtis stared at the Security guard from the previous evening. Sol or Sam.
"I was expecting Ewan," he replied testily.
