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Syed patted his pocket as he stepped out of his front door, checking that the keys to Christian's flat were safely in there. Sliding into the driver's seat of his car, he turned on the radio and began to drive, trying to focus on the roads and not the thought of seeing Christian. His objective soon failed as he began pondering what kind of man Christian really was, it was so difficult to tell. His teasing and flirtatious behaviour seemed to come naturally, but Syed wasn't sure if it was his way of covering up how he really felt, almost like a coping mechanism. There had been a definite sadness in Christian's eyes when Josh had been mentioned, the bravado had faded and Syed had seen a glimpse of the vulnerable man that Pete had described. There was so much more to Christian than first met the eye and that intrigued Syed immensely, but it also made him crave Christian's company and he knew that that was dangerous. He didn't want to end up feeling desire for a man who was only interested in a quick fumble with him…
Eventually Syed pulled up outside a 19th century warehouse and spotted Christian's car further up the road, with its owner leaning against it. He looked resplendent in a tight black lycra vest that clung to him like a second skin, the early morning sun highlighting the wonderful curve of his muscles, and the sight made Syed's breath catch in his throat. He did a double take before giving Christian a quick wave to catch his attention.
"Hey, Syed!" Christian bounded towards him like an excitable child, "Don't you look smart in your work gear? I love a guy in a suit and tie," he winked and pointed at his car. "See how shiny it is? I got it valeted yesterday, gorgeous fella did it too. Bit too young for me though." So he did have some standards then. "Got no friends in your car who might want to throw themselves over the bonnet?"
"No," Syed attempted to keep his tone unamused. "Shall we go up then?" He took another look at Christian, who was now stood right next to him, close enough to see every exposed hair on his chest, every line on his perfectly formed face. A truly beautiful man, Syed thought. He was only aware that he was still staring when Christian waved a hand in front of his face.
"Are you in a trance?" Christian cocked his head to the side, "You've got the key remember?"
"Oh yeah, sorry." Syed quickly averted his eyes from Christian, extricated the set of keys from his pocket and opened the unassuming front door. As the pair of them walked through, they entered a lobby which was dominated by a wrought iron staircase winding up into the main living area.
Syed swallowed as he began to follow Christian up the stairs, he'd been in his presence for five minutes and he was palpitating already. Snap out of it. Christian's long legs, broad shoulders, a loose piece of thread stuck to the back of his tracksuit bottoms… Syed dug his fingers into his palms, trying to resist the temptation to remove it, because obviously it would raise no suspicions if he laid his hands on Christian's arse. It would feel so good though…
"Are you looking at my backside?"
Oh god. "Of course not."
"Yeah right, I could feel your eyes on me. I can always tell when I'm being ogled."
Syed sincerely hoped that Christian was lying and had no idea that he'd been transfixed as he watched him walk up the stairs.
x-CS-x
Syed was blown away when he entered Christian's home, it was amazing. He'd seen the floor plans but Pete had been overlooking the plasterers so this was the first time he was seeing it properly. Open plan and set over three floors, it smelled of fresh plaster and sawdust. The ground floor featured huge windows and French doors leading onto a balcony, and the living room curved around into a kitchen, in which there lay a solitary kettle and a few other bits and bobs.
"Is it the decorator's today? I zoned out when Pete was telling me."
"Yeah, don't you think it'll look a bit sterile if it's all cream though?" Syed's professional mask was starting to slip; he was talking to Christian as more of a friend than a client. The customer is always right, the classic business mantra, Syed told himself to remember that. But then that was difficult when Christian wasn't your average client.
"Nah, you saw all of artwork in my living room, that's sure to brighten things up!" Christian took a look at his watch, "We've got time for a coffee before everyone else arrives, haven't we?"
"Yeah I guess so." Syed joined Christian in the kitchen area and surveyed the view from the window, watching passers-by scurrying along the path below.
"It's not the good stuff you had at mine I'm afraid, I just bought it for everyone working here," he passed Syed a mug. "It probably tastes like mud."
Syed cautiously took a sip and grimaced, "It's not great."
Christian laughed. "So, do you want the grand tour then? Not that there's much to see obviously."
Syed followed Christian up another smaller flight of stairs which led to the mezzanine level, they both turned right at the top and into another room.
"So this is going the spare bedroom, although it'll probably just end up full of clutter," Christian walked out and across the hallway into another room. "Right now I'm thinking that this'll be something of an office, I always thought that Jo-" Christian stopped himself before he spoke Josh's name and swiftly exited the room, clapping his hands together as he did so and plastering a fake grin onto his face. "Do you want to see the conservatory?"
Syed tried to act as though Christian hadn't almost uttered Josh's name and smiled back at him, "Sure."
They headed up a further flight of stairs to the conservatory, the doors of which led out onto the roof terrace. The pair of them stood mesmerised by the spectacular view of London in the early morning. Everything seemed so still and peaceful up here. Syed jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"It's wonderful isn't it?" The warmth of Christian's hand was amazing, sending a spark of pleasure through Syed. "This view was what really sold this place to me."
Syed was trying hard not to let Christian get to him, he could remember Pete's words. Nothing more than a one-night stand. Happy being single. Not interested in commitment. Now, of course, he knew everything about Josh too. He casually shrugged Christian's hand off him.
"Pete mentioned something about a gym."
Christian paused for a moment before he said, "Yeah, bottom floor. Come on." He looked at Syed for a second, what was that look in his eyes? It wasn't lust anymore; at least Syed didn't think so. No, there was more to it than that. Something deeper. It made Syed feel important, special. Unless that was another one of his tricks, when words failed then he used his eyes. Syed mentally slapped himself and followed Christian.
x-CS-x
Having been shown around the rest of the ground floor, Syed was now stood in the master bedroom.
"And this, well this is where the magic happens." Well that was predictable. "Not yet though obviously, lack of bed. You'd want more than just a mattress on the floor wouldn't you?" Christian looked earnestly at Syed.
Syed was taken aback, was Christian always this forthcoming? "Sorry?"
"No, no, no, no, sorry, I didn't mean it like that." Christian raised his hands defensively. "I just mean, I've never met a man who particularly enjoyed it on the floor, at least not in the bedroom anyway. The kitchen on the other hand…"
Still slightly uncomfortable with Christian's topic of conversation, and desperately trying to erase any thoughts of having sex with him on the kitchen floor, Syed was relieved when the other man's phone rang. Christian looked at the display with a puzzled expression on his face, "Sorry, do you mind?"
"No, course not."
Christian smiled and walked into the main living area, leaving Syed stood alone in his bedroom. He could hear Christian laughing at whoever he was speaking too, and tried to figure out what he was saying. He decided to casually stroll back into the kitchen and pretend to be working.
"It was fun, yeah. Hmm, too many shots of tequila definitely! I didn't, did I?" It sounded as though Christian had enjoyed a night of debauchery. "No, I definitely would have remembered something like that. I'm not really looking for a relationship right now. Well, there's kind of somebody else. Yeah, sorry. Bye R-, Ro-" he quickly hung up, and looked at Syed, shamefaced. "I don't have a clue who that was. I don't normally give out my number… I really must have drunk a lot. Well you've had my wonderful guided tour and the plaster looks decent," he dramatically brushed a hand over the wall. "I've got to be going now though. This body," he ran his hands over his flat torso, "requires a lot of maintenance."
"I thought it was all steroids," Syed dared.
"Oi!" In a few strides Christian was stood in front of him, holding his tensed arm out. "Go on, feel that." Syed looked at him, perplexed. "Feel it!" Syed nervously moved his hand towards Christian's bicep, giving it a small squeeze. The sensation was exquisite; hard, ripped muscle lying underneath warm, smooth skin. Syed had to hold in a gasp. He failed to notice Christian's conceited grin. "Now that, Mr Masood, requires a lot of effort. Only the best quality protein goes into my body, no steroids, no dodgy pills, just 100% natural hard work."
Syed swallowed and removed his hand, already missing having contact with Christian's body. "Does your boyfriend like your arms?" Christian took a further step towards him, now so close that Syed's neck was craned as he looked up at him.
"My boyfriend?"
"The one you were telling that guy on the phone about." Syed tried to keep the jealousy out of his voice.
"Have you never used that lie before?" Christian looked amused, "There's no boyfriend." A surge of happiness and relief flooded through Syed, "I'm free and single. And I really need to get to the gym." Christian moved out of Syed's personal space. He swaggered away and as he reached the door he turned round and blew Syed a kiss, which quickly turned into a broad grin. "See you soon."
The return of Ben, jealous Syed, and a question from Christian... all coming up in the next chapter! :)