Lost Boy

Chapter 6

Carlisle POV

Edward was trying on his third suit as I sat in a chair outside the dressing room of the high-end clothier shop. He'd met me outside the hotel at 4 o'clock sharp, thankfully dressed in a casual t-shirt and a pair of jeans. It was the first time I'd seen him wearing something other than his street hustler get-up, and even as simple as this outfit was, he looked so normal. One would never guess what he did for a living. As we walked the few short blocks to the shop, we made small talk. I barely paid attention to the conversation. My focus was drawn to the clean lines of his nose and jaw, the slight swagger he moved with, the lean form of his body which he carried with confidence, the accidental brush of his knuckles against my forearm as we walked side by side, the memory of the night we shared a few short days ago which kept flashing to the forefront of my mind.

Although he was clearly younger than me, it didn't seem like too big of a gap. I was twenty-three, and Edward appeared to be perhaps nineteen. He had the usual bravado that came from being a young man who was newly out on his own. Of course, he had experienced much more than a typical person his age. Obviously, his parents were out of the picture, or he wouldn't be involved in his line of work. He told me himself that he did this for the money; he wasn't even gay.

Or so he said. He seemed to enjoy himself enough when he'd spent the night with me. It could have been an act, but it just didn't seem that way. He felt something with me, I just knew it, deep inside. I couldn't explain why I'd grown so attached after what was supposed to be a night to relieve some stress. But I found myself loathe to let the possibility of more slip me by, hoping that our little arrangement might grow into a friendship of sorts. And then… What, he would change his mind about liking guys? I shook my head at my own foolishness.

Before long, we'd arrived at the clothiers. Edward immediately looked like the proverbial deer in headlights as we entered and were surrounded by racks of clothes of the most premium quality. He was obviously overwhelmed by the choices, and the finery of the clothing, no doubt. I told the clerk what we required, and he took measurements, then procured a few different suits for Edward to try on. When he was ushered into the dressing room, I told the clerk to rustle up some other, more casual clothes for him, and the clerk left us alone to decide on an outfit befitting my perception of Liam.

The first suit was a heather-grey, and while it was a handsome suit, the color clashed with Edward's beautiful reddish hair, so that wouldn't do. The second one looked too much like a tuxedo - too formal for the occasion.

But when Edward stepped out of the dressing room for the third time, I was struck dumb. The cut of the suit, in its deep, emerald, brought out his sea green eyes and enhanced his beauty tenfold. I couldn't wait to bring this gorgeous man to my office and show him off, even if I couldn't claim him as mine. I realized I'd been silent for too long when I looked back at his face and one of his eyebrows raised in question.

"So? Is it horrible?"

I shook my head rapidly, wetting my suddenly too-dry lips. "You look stunning, Edward." He looked down, bashful, his cheeks reddening. It was adorable. I tried to soothe his embarrassment.

"The suit suits you."

A laugh burst from his lips. "What a groaner. I didn't take you for a pun guy."

"Puns are fun," I replied with a shrug and a cheeky wink.

"Oh god, ugh, shut up!" he cried, still chuckling. Grinning widely, I turned to the clerk, who was drawn by our mirth. "This is the one. We'll take it."

Edward went back to the dressing room to change back into his clothes and I took the chair just outside to wait for him.

"So, who am I meeting at this lunch thing?" he asked loudly, his voice still muffled by the door.

I sighed heavily. "My father, Alistair Cullen, and his assistant, Jasper Jenks. A few board members but you don't have to know their names, Liam wouldn't. Maybe my father's secretary. The lunch will be in one of the office conference rooms. I'm sure the food will be top-notch - my father wants to continue to woo Liam after all."

"Mmm, your father," he replied, quieter now. "Is he going to grill me?"

I shook my head, then remembered he couldn't see me. "I doubt it. He wants Liam's company. He'll be on his best behavior with you."

Edward reemerged from the dressing room, and we brought the suit up to the check-out counter. The clerk was already boxing up the wares he had chosen for Edward: a few dress shirts and slacks, some plain white undershirts, boxer briefs and socks. The clerk bagged the suit nicely while I ran my credit card through the machine. Edward's eyes widened when he saw the price of the purchases, but he didn't say anything. Taking my bags, we exited the store to walk back the few blocks to the hotel.

Continuing our earlier conversation, I explained, "My father will be on his best behavior, but you don't have to be. I mean, you have to be professional, but Liam is giving up a company he worked hard to build, so he is likely to be somewhat resentful of that. That's probably why he bowed out so suddenly."

"What makes you think you can convince him to come back after we pull this off?"

"I can be very persuasive when I want to be." I winked at him. "Case in point."

He narrowed his eyes at me playfully. "Hey buddy, watch it. I haven't done anything yet."

"No, but you will, and you'll do great, I have no doubt."

We were back at the hotel now and proceeded inside to the elevator. When the doors slid closed, I looked over to find Edward worrying his lip.

Realizing he was caught worrying, he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. "I have a few doubts. I feel a little out of my element here."

"You'll be fine. A few handshakes. I'll do most of the talking," I said, trying to reassure him. "Try not to worry. Just enjoy the food and stick by me. I'll field any possible questions. Just play it like you're feeling resigned to the merger, but grateful for the financial windfall of selling to us. Liam has a young family, so you can lean into being able to provide for them without having to live at the office."

The doors opened and we headed to my room. "Yeah, I can do that," he said with growing confidence as I swiped my keycard.

"I know you can," I responded in a reassuring tone as I led him inside, my hand on his lower back. "Are you hungry?" It was close to 7pm now, and my stomach was letting me know we'd spent too long suit-shopping and missed dinner.

"Hell yes."

"I'll order some room service."

"Do you mind if I take a shower?"

"Of course not. Anything in particular you want to eat?"

"A burger sounds nice. I don't get to eat that too often."

"You got it."

He smiled and headed for the bathroom. As I picked up the menu and listened to the spray of the water turn on, I felt bad for Edward. Meat was pricey, of course he didn't eat it much. I imagined him coming home from a long night on his corner to a frozen TV dinner and frowned. A burger wasn't good enough. That desire to take care of him came roaring back full force. I picked up the phone and ordered two steaks with au gratin potatoes and parmesan asparagus, hopeful he'd enjoy the meal. I made sure not to forget a nice, deep red wine and some ice water to go along with it.

By the time the shower turned off, the room service had arrived. I was pouring the wine when he emerged from the bathroom, his damp coppery hair slicked back from his face and clad in a white terry-cloth bathrobe the hotel provided. He looked incredibly beautiful, fresh, clean. He plopped down unceremoniously at the table, practically salivating.

Placing my hands on the finials of the silver domes, I warned, "I took some liberties with your order, I hope you don't mind."

When I lifted the dome, his eyes widened, then looked up at me with surprise and wonder. "Carlisle, this is too much!"

"No, it's exactly right. You need good food in your belly ahead of tomorrow, and I won't take no for an answer. Dig in."

He shook his head slowly in his astonishment at my actions, but dig in he did, moaning in pleasure around his fork with nearly every bite. It looked to me like this was the best meal he'd had in quite some time, which made my chest swell with pride that I could do this for him. Of course, those moans were also making other parts of me swell.

We didn't speak as we ate, instead sitting in companionable silence, and once Edward was sated, he sat back in his chair, sipping his wine as he stared at me. I couldn't quite read his expression, but his gaze pinned me to the spot, and I could think of nothing to say. So, I mimicked him, sipping my wine and staring back at him. Slowly, a smile crept onto his face, and then he was out of the chair and kneeling before me. His hand reached up and palmed my crotch, making my cock jerk and begin to harden again. He looked up at me through his long eyelashes and licked across his lower lip, his fingers moving to my zipper.

My hand came to rest over his, stopping his movement. My cock wasn't too happy as I told him, "Edward, please. That is not what I'm paying you for."

He pouted, his lip protruding, making my cock stiffen more despite my protest. "But you've already done so much for me," he cooed. "Think of it as a thank you for the amazing Italian suit you just bought me, and the delicious meal, both things you did not have to do."

"I wanted to do those things."

Gently, he shook my hand off his, then placed it back on my half-rigid cock, giving it a squeeze. "And I want to do this."

No matter how much my principles told me to stop him, I just couldn't follow through. He knew I'd given in. My zipper came down, and he pulled my cock out of my pants. Any lingering protestations died in my throat as his hot, wet mouth engulfed me, his tongue massaging my straining length.

Wet heat and delicious suction were all my brain could focus on. Lost in the push and pull of his cheeks, the rolling tightness of his throat, the constantly swirling tongue, I was teetering on the edge already. He backed off, perhaps not wanting this to end so quickly, and slid his hands under my ass to grasp the hems of my pants and underwear, smiling seductively and making my cock throb inches from his nose. I rose up slightly and he pulled them down and off my legs so that I was bared before him. A bead of precum pearled at my tip under his penetrating gaze.

His tongue reached out and licked it off before he ducked down and paid attention to my balls. Gently, he rolled one in his long fingers while licking the other one, sucking it into his mouth before popping it back out slowly. It felt amazing, and I struggled to keep my hand from going to stroke my neglected cock. Precum streamed down the sides as he paid the same attention to my other ball. I let out a tortured groan and threw back my head in frustration.

Edward purred, "Aw, poor baby. Let me help you with that."

He licked his palm and took hold of me, stroking me firmly and smoothly, in a fast rhythm. My balls were drawn up tightly now, and the fire spread throughout my groin. I knew I was done for, and moans fell from my lips unbidden. Then his tongue was lapping at my hole, and I couldn't take it. I spilled into the air, and all over his fist and forearm. My brain clouded over for a minute after the intensity of my orgasm, and my chest heaved as I sought to catch my breath.

Opening my eyes, I watched Edward lick my cum off his hand. God, it was so hot, I thought I felt my spent cock twitch again. He moved up my body until his face hovered before mine. His robe had loosened significantly, and I could see tantalizing swatches of his body. Edward's lips were so close to mine, I could smell myself on him, and I closed the minute gap, pressing my lips to his.

He drew back immediately, looking a little shocked but recovering himself quickly. Smiling, he wagged his finger at me. "Uh-uh-uh, I don't kiss."

Swallowing down my disappointment, I replied, "Right, sorry."

"It's okay." He rose to his full height. "I know I'm irresistible."

That made me chuckle, and the embarrassing moment passed. He walked over to the piano, fingering the keys lovingly.

"Do you play?" I asked, just making small talk.

"Actually, yes. Since fifth grade."

Not expecting that answer, I tried to hide my surprise that he came from a background where playing the piano would even be an opportunity for him. "Will you play something for me?"

Edward regarded the piano for a few moments, then sat down and positioned himself so he was comfortable.

The music which flowed from his fingertips touched me to my very soul. I was utterly taken aback by his ability, and I found myself pressed into the chair as the orchestrations washed over me, my ears absorbing the sound and infusing my body with it. I closed my eyes and let the music sweep me away.

All of my thoughts were focused on this beautiful creature. I couldn't help thinking how lucky I was to have found this special man out there, this literal diamond in the rough. There was one thing I knew for sure; Edward didn't belong out on the streets. There was no way he could know how to elicit music from an instrument like that if he had been born into that life. No, something had happened to put him in that position.

The boy was lost, and he needed guidance. He needed a way out of the mess he'd made of his life. And for reasons unknown to me, I felt a strong desire to be the one to help him, to give him everything he could ever ask for and more.

I wanted to know more about him, this young man who played the grand piano as beautifully as he played my body. My heart was quickly falling for him, and I knew I wouldn't be able to say goodbye when our work here was done. I vowed to somehow make him change his mind about men. I'd get him to kiss me, and then, I hoped, he would be compelled to stay with me.