Today’s lunch was simple, with several kinds of quiche, salad, and cheese with fresh baguettes. I must admit that I liked the fresh pastries that seemed to always be around. I was thankful my metabolism wouldn’t allow me to gain too much weight, but I had been putting in a few extra miles to my daily run since I’d been here. It was something Dmitry and I had bonded over the last several months. We never said much on our early morning runs, but nevertheless, I felt closer to the man through the activity.
Once all the food had been spread out, Aleksei stood, getting everyone’s attention.
“I have a small announcement before we dig into this lovely meal. Enrique was able to secure for us an entire day at Le Parc Magique. The Tuesday before Christmas, the park will be closed to the public.”
“What!?” Connor hopped out of his chair. “Are you serious, Dad?”
“Yes, son.” Aleksei laughed at Connor’s obvious happiness. “We’ll have dinner in the castle, and we will also be treated to a special show.”
Connor stopped wiggling his butt in his happy dance, and his jaw dropped open. His gaze darted to me, but I gave nothing away. Then he ran around the table and propelled himself into Aleksei’s side. Aleksei oomphed with a laugh and hugged Connor.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. It was Enrique who got it all arranged.”
Connor let go of Aleksei and rounded the table to Enrique. Connor straddled Enrique’s lap and hugged him. “Oh, Papi, I knew you loved me.” Connor kissed Enrique’s cheek with a loud muah.
Laughter erupted around the table, and Enrique looked at me with a plea for help in his eyes. His arms were out wide like he didn’t know what to do with the boy. “You’re welcome, Connor.”
Connor hopped off and ran back around to Asbjørn and climbed onto his lap. He then started telling him about his favorite parts and what they were going to do. He talked extremely fast but Asbjørn listened to him intently.
I looked over at Enrique and mouthed, “Thank you.” That was step one in our super-secret plans. And now, I would have to enlist Enrique’s help once again for the new parts that Dmitry unknowingly added. It was a good thing we were going on a long walk into the village. We had much to discuss.
* * *
Twelve Days till Christmas
I watched the gentle rise and fall of Connor’s back as he slept. Now that we were on vacation and I was exiled from the kitchen here, I had several hours to just watch Connor. I still had no idea what to get him for Christmas. It was our first one together, so it had to be something special. In years past, I’d gotten him little things. A stuffed animal here and there or a rare action figure, but now things were different.
What did you get someone who literally had the world at his fingertips? I had briefly entertained the idea of proposing, but that seemed a little cliché and maybe a little too soon for that. How long should I wait? Marriage was but a piece of paper that declared to the rest of the world what I knew in my soul and heart.
I had thought maybe a new sex toy, but again that seemed unromantic. Cooking something special was out of the question because I could do that anytime, and I did do it. Jewelry seemed cliché, as well. We’re already on a romantic trip. Granted, we weren’t alone, but I couldn’t help feeling even more in love with Connor in this setting. The French countryside, fireplaces in every room practically. There could be more snow, but I didn’t have any control over that.
Connor rolled over and snuggled into my chest, flinging a leg over my hip. I traced the freckles on his back with my fingers as I thought. I sighed and rolled onto my back, bringing Connor with me. He shivered as the blanket slipped down, but I straightened it over us before it woke him.
What did Connor enjoy most? What did he value?
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I could have hit myself on the forehead at missing the obvious. I couldn’t do it on my own, though. While Connor was in the shower, I’d steal a few minutes with Bob.
* * *
Eleven Days till Christmas
“Yes, Daddy, just like that.” Connor’s not so muffled moans bled through the wooden door. “Don’t stop. Fuck!”
I saw Enrique approach but didn’t expect the arm wrapped around my waist or the hand that boldly felt my crotch. “Wow, not even a little aroused.” His fingers quickly brought my dick to life. “Oh, there we go. That’s better.”
Enrique’s hot breath brushed my neck as he leaned closer and ground his hard length into my ass. Being almost the same height did have its advantages. “You know bad boys don’t get spankings?”
Enrique’s fingers stilled. “No?”
“No. Bad boys get time outs.”
Enrique gasped and snatched his hand back. My cock got harder at the thought of watching him pout as he sat naked on a hard, wooden chair in the middle of my rarely used living room back in Dhaka.
The door opened to a half-naked Asbjørn. His hair was loose and hung in thick waves to about mid-chest, and his beard was mussed. “There’s semen in your beard.”
Enrique giggled low behind me, and Asbjørn blushed as he swiped his hand down his beard. “Now, you just spread it and really got it in there.” I kept my voice even, not giving away how much I wanted to laugh.
Asbjørn wiped his hand on his pajama pants and reached for the tray with his other. “Thanks.”
“We’re going into Paris now and should be back by dinner. Was there anything you two need?” I clasped my hands behind my back now that they were empty and absently stroked my thumb back and forth against Enrique’s stomach.
Asbjørn looked behind him and then leaned in and lowered his voice. “You’re arranging what we talked about, right?”
“Yes. It will be done. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you.” Asbjørn inclined his head and shut the door.
I turned and headed down the stairs with Enrique on my heels. At the bottom of the stairs stood Francois. “Do not let him out of your sight.”
“Yes, Sir. But I’m not watching them have sex.”
I sighed. “I do not watch them.” Enrique tried to cover up his laugh behind me. “Okay, sometimes I see things, but—” Enrique laughed harder. “Just never mind. You know what I mean.”
I straightened my back and looked up at the guard who had several inches on me. “If anything happens to him while I’m gone, I will kill you.” I kept my tone flat and emotionless and gave him my most deadly glare. Enrique quieted behind me. The guard swallowed hard and bowed his head.
I continued out of the chateau, stopping in the foyer for my coat and a set of keys. It wasn’t until we were in the SUV and on the road that Enrique spoke.
“I’m sorry I laughed. I know how seriously you take your job, and I shouldn’t have made light of it.”
I glanced at Enrique, who looked at me with remorse. I took my hand off the gear shift and placed it on his thigh. “I know everyone takes their job as seriously as I do, but I can’t let anything happen to Connor. I owe him my life.”