This was no longer a game. Alex packed his bag like he would be attending school, except he left his pack up on the counter. The bus ride was the usual uneventful journey. Alex slipped off the bus a block from school stating he was getting a cup of coffee. He arrived at the airport in plenty of time and the games began. He was wearing a dark blue jacket, jeans and a 49'ers baseball cap. He went to the news stand and bought a copy of Izvestiya and held it carefully folded in folded in front of him. There as per instructions he was met by a smart young woman in a business suit. She was caring a leather hold all. Alex followed her to a bathroom and then changed into the clothes provided putting his stuff into the bag when finished.

The woman then started talking in German with an American accent. They continued their conversation through the passport and customs control. Being dressed as a pilot no one paid Alex much attention. The woman acted as a superior PA. Alex was shown to the business jet, and sat next to the pilot who muttered a quick hello as he completed his preflight checks and his conversations with the control tower. Michael Jones did not ask questions. The last minute addition of a second pilot was unusual but was obviously the guy was just piggybacking to get to work in Canada.

Stephan sat in his suite of rooms. He had three meetings this morning and a business dinner that night. He could not stop now. He planned to be free of all personal commitments and be able to run all his interests remotely from one of his more obscure homes. Soon he would be able to relax, hopefully with Alex. No definitely with Alex.

Alex was thinking too much. Maybe that was the point. He had a big choice to make and boy did he love the idea of taking the dangerous unpredictable path. Stephan was danger. The businessman had according to Edward Pleasure was a brilliant strategist but without any true talents himself. He controlled and bought his various interests but was a boring corporate manager. How had Edward put it "He's no Howard Hughes. Acts like he wants to be, but lacks true dynamism or any sign of genius." Funny, the man reminded Alex of Yassen. The contradiction of the man was enticing. Deep down doubt gnawed at Alex, making his stomach churn. Alex hated his reflection and the scarred flesh was nobodies idea of a turn on. Maybe the stupid shrink was right.

Mike made small talk to his companion. The German guy spoke good english but was not a great conversationalist, his replies were guarded. Captain Jones had been told to treat the other guy as a passenger and after take off had told him to relax in the cabin if he wanted. The guy, Alexander Schmidt, had stayed and they talked of football, weather and other non controversial subjects. The young guy had been good enough to go and get coffee and snacks.

It was after 2pm when the plane landed. Alex had not expected the flight to take so long, well not a jet anyway. Canada was not that far away was it? Another assistant met Alex as he exited the plane and the car took them to a house by a lake. Alex looked at his watch, he should be home from school now. He was in deep shit. Just another set of things to worry about.

Stephan looked like he was busy. Two laptops, several open files and two assistants hovering. He immediately stopped work when he noticed Alex and smiled. "Michael, Christina please meet the son of my old friend, John. This is Alex Rider."

"Umm, Hi." Alex was still dressed in his transit clothes, disguised as a pilot.

"I think its time for a long break." Stephan looked at his watch. "Right back at work at 6 no 6:30 OK."

As the staff leave Alex does not move he just looks at Stephan.

"Is there something wrong, Alex?"

"You want me don't you?"

"Yes. I want you" said Stephan also standing calm and still.

"At the moment I really don't care if its a one time thing or more. You need to know what you are signing up for." Alex breathed deeply and dropped his bag on the floor. "We are not going to be disturbed, are we?"

"No." Stephan looked puzzled at Alex's request.

There was no sensual play, Alex just stripped off his clothes fast and methodically until he was naked. He let Stephan have a good look at him before he turned around. Alex knew each and every one of his scars intimately and felt ashamed and pained at his recent past which had reduced him to this.

Stephan moved forward and slowly walked around Alex before stopping to gently lift his chin. "You have been hurt. You have survived. These are battle scars. Yassen had plenty of scars also. The one on his neck, he was so proud of. He got that when Hunter saved his life. These all mark you as a path to adulthood surviving the games thse people made you play. You are alive. I believe that if you move beyond the shock the pain, the hurt. You become the person you are meant to be. I am cold and hard mainly becasue of those who have hurt me. You are a survivor unlike most weak and feeble sheep in this world. You have a deeper understanding of human nature."

Stephan looked into the clear brown eyes. "I want you. Oh God How I want you Alex." The business man stepped forward and moved to envelop the young man in an embrace. Alex was comforted by this simple act but also he was blatently aware of the affect of his naked body on Stephan as the older man's erection pressed into his thigh.

Alex lifted his chin more and parted his lips. The kiss was soft but Alex deepened it. It was slow deep and languid. Stephan's hands moved to cup Alex's face. The kiss ended and Alex was flushed and aroused.

"Stephan.. I'm... I've never... I'm still a virgin." Alex laughed. "Two years as a spy and I have snogged one girl. Not much of a James Bond experience."

Stephan continued to embrace this beautiful young athlete. Poise, grace and control, beauty despite his obvious suffering.

Alex gasped as Stephan began to trail soft kisses behind his ear and then nipped his earlobe.

"Don't stop. Please don't stop. I want you to show me that you desire me."

"Oh Alex I want you. I desire you." Stephan then knelt to show him exactly how he felt.

Alex watched as the older man lowered himself to his knees. Alex was about to get a blow job. The warm wet heat, the strong strokes of the tongue and then the suction. Stephan was the first to touch Alex, to taste to brink this young man pleasure. Now he did not want to let him go.

Alex had redressed after his first sexual experience. He had eaten sandwiches and drunk a bottle of coca-cola as he listened to Stephan talk of his first lover at university in Paris. A bitter sweet love affair. Alex mused on this. "I want you to show me everything. I know I'm still young, but I don't care. I've been shying away from all human contact in California. I hardly talk to my foster family. I'm an appendage not a full member of the Pleasure family. You and I have have something. Not that I know what that something is. I'm attracted by danger. You attract me like no one has."