50 Shades of Drake 3 and 4

Torn: Chapter Four

    When Aubrey and Destiny walked into the media offices the following morning, Brian was leaning over Zorica's desk, speaking with her in hushed tones. Destiny smiled at the sight of him.

    Brian Davies, like Aubrey, was in his early thirties. In general, there were quite a few similarities between Brian and Aubrey. Both men were successful business executives with the finest taste in fashion and just about any luxury you could name. Both men were intelligent and incredibly witty. Despite not wanting to have his own family, or children, Aubrey was very much the family man, as was Brian. They were both close with their families, although Brian spoke to her about not talking to his family as often as he used to, an issue he planned on resolving in the near future. Both men had take-charge personalities, and a certain machismo. They even both played instruments: Aubrey played the piano quite masterfully, and Brian played the guitar beautifully. Both Aubrey and Brian tended to spoil her with love and attention. They both seemed to possess an underlying desire to take care of her. It was one of their most endearing qualities, and never ceased to amaze her that such powerful men could be so loving, caring, and affectionate.

    While there were similarities, there were also differences. Aubrey's bedroom interests alone set him apart from any man Destiny had ever dated, Brian included. He had kinks and sexual preferences that would make even some of the most experienced women blush. Spanking, flogging, cages, blindfolds, creative use of ice cubes, gags, rough sex, hair pulling, remote controlled vibrators, the whole nine. Brian's interests sexually were in stark contrast to Aubrey's. Brian was what Aubrey would call "vanilla." Traditional sex - still with a lot of passion. Still unbridled and untamed. But no kink. No spanking, no sex toys, none of that. And while Brian had wealth and enjoyed luxury, he was a country boy at heart; Destiny had gotten a glimpse of that side of him when they went horseback riding. Aubrey had pointed out another significant difference: the fact that Brian was very open about his life and his past, whereas Aubrey was closed off. That was something Aubrey intended to work on, however, so in that regard, that might not be a difference for long.

    There were other differences, and other similarities. Too many to name, really. Both men had striking good looks. Good luck to any woman fortunate enough to see them stand side by side - their eyes would feast on what Destiny could only call "the best of both worlds."

    Brian had hair that was so dark, it looked black. It was the darkest of browns, and as unruly as his character. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of ocean blue, but their shade changed, depending on his mood. His lips weren't as full as Aubrey's, but he wasn't lacking in the lip department. He straightened his posture, still speaking to Zorica while gesturing with his hands. His lean, muscular frame was fitted into a storm gray suit with a black dress shirt. The suit was perfectly tailored to his build, something else he had in common with Aubrey. He lifted his eyes and saw Destiny and Aubrey standing just a few feet away. A slow smile spread across his lips, and one eye closed into a wink.

    Destiny felt her cheeks heat up.

    Aubrey placed a hand at Destiny's lower back. "Let's wait for him in his office, so we're not standing around looking like orphans," he suggested.

    She nodded. "Right."

    Brian's eyes followed them as they made their way to his office. Aubrey unbuttoned his blue suit jacket and swept a lapel back as he seated himself.

    Destiny sat in the chair beside him and smoothed shaking hands down the skirt of her coral, ankle-length dress.

    Brian didn't take long to enter the office. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked formally as he closed the door to his office.

    "Destiny has given some thought to the idea we presented her with," Aubrey told him.

    "Oh?" Brian asked, making his way to his desk. He glanced at the jewel-encrusted watch wound around his wrist. "We're really going to talk about this, this early in the morning?"

    "I figured we'd get it out of the way," Aubrey said.

    Destiny stared down at her lap, feeling awkward. She found it hard to look either man in the eye, and was wondering how she could have ever agreed to something this bizarre.

    Brian sat down behind his desk. His chair squeaked as he leaned back.

    She could feel his eyes on her, but still didn't look up.

    "So...what decision did you come to?" Brian asked her.

    She slowly raised her eyes, and tried not to notice how hopeful he looked. "I decided..." She turned her head and looked at Aubrey.

    He nodded at her.

    "I decided to give it a shot," she told Brian, turning her gaze back to him.

    He smiled and nodded. "Okay, then...so, what?" His brows drew together as he shifted his focus to Aubrey. "I ask her out on a date? Is she free tonight? This whole thing is..."

    "Crazy," she finished for him.

    His smile stretched wider as he looked at her. "Yeah. Crazy."

    "Calm down, cowboy," Aubrey cautioned, sounding tense. "What happens next is, I draw up a contract. We all review the details of the contract, make sure we agree to all of its terms, and schedule a day to get ourselves tested."

    "A contract?" Brian repeated. "Is that necessary?"

    "Yes," Aubrey answered. His eyes didn't leave room for argument.

    Brian licked his lips. "I was just checking. Okay. So...I wait until you bring the contract by my office, then? Are we going to keep having pow wows here at the office, or...are we going to try to be a little more discreet than this?"

    Aubrey stared at Brian for a long time before responding. "If you have an issue with us stopping by your office, we can call this whole thing off."

    Brian frowned. "I didn't say I had an issue, I was just..."

    "Trying to undermine me in my own office building?" Aubrey finished for him.

    Brian's eyes widened. "No. No, I'm just saying...we should probably avoid talking about this at the office. Anyone could walk past my door and hear what we're saying. I don't have any issues with dropping by your place, or inviting you to mine. For the sake of us all not becoming a part of office gossip, we should keep things low key around the office. That's all I meant."

    "You're right," Aubrey conceded, the tone of his voice softening a bit. "Destiny's reputation is important to me. I wouldn't want...what we're doing to get out. So, this is the last conversation we have about this within these walls."

    "Agreed," Destiny said quietly.

    Brian tilted his head to the side and asked her, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

    She nodded. "I've had a lot of time to think about it, and it is the best way for me to choose between the two of you."

    He raised a hand and stroked his jaw. Then, he took a deep breath. "Well, you both already know that I'm on board, so when the contract is drawn up, call me over, or you can bring it to my house... whatever works."

    "Thank you for taking a minute to speak with us," Aubrey said, standing and buttoning his suit jacket.

    "Thank you for stopping by," Brian told him. "I have a feeling this is going to be...an interesting ride, to say the least."

    You and me both, Destiny thought, standing and looking up at Aubrey, who already looked like he wanted to punch something...or someone.