Exposed: Chapter 27
When Julia said someone from the security agency would be tagging along to the cabin, James wasn't happy; however, seeing the snow coming down, James was more than happy to have one of the security guys driving in one of the agency's SUVs. Julia and Sydney were headed to Zurich to check on James Sr. and then to London for a few days before meeting with the heads of the European divisions, Betty was still visiting family, so James and Brock decided there was no reason not to head to the cabin.
They decided to leave at 6 a.m. in an attempt to get ahead of the traffic. Brock had come over the night before with all his gear for the trip, so naturally, both boys were short on sleep when they headed down to meet the driver. Brock commandeered the back seat and was asleep before they even got out of the city. So, James was in the front seat with their watchdog, Kevin Girard. Girard was obviously ex-military, but James couldn't tell which branch, or even which military.
As they pulled away from the curb, Kevin said, "Mr. Pierce, this vehicle is equipped with SiriusXM radio, please feel free to choose whatever station you'd like to listen to."
"Thanks, and please call me James and my friend is Brock. We are more comfortable with being called by our first names."
"Okay, I would also prefer you call me Kevin."
James turned on the radio and `If I Had $1,000,000" began to play.
"My Aunt Sydney listens to this band. What's their name?"
"It's `Barenaked Ladies.' They're a Canadian band and listening to them reminds me of home."
"You're Canadian?"
"Half and half," Kevin said. "My father is Canadian, and my mother is American."
"So, you grew up in Canada?"
"Yep, Toronto. That's where Barenaked Ladies got their start. I went to the same high school Ed Robertson, the band's lead guitarist went to, although he's eight years older than me."
"So, most of the people at the Agency I've met had a career in law enforcement or the military before being hired."
"Captain Kevin Girard, Royal Canadian Air Force, Helicopter Pilot at your service."
"Helicopter pilot! That's so cool. Do you still fly?"
"Whenever I get a chance. The agency pays for my license and certification. It's one of the services we can offer that most security agencies can't. I also pick up some work with the helicopter tour companies on my days off. The money is okay, but I really do it for the flight time."
"So are helicopter rides part of my concierge service package?" James asked with a smile.
"Joy rides, no, transportation, yes; however, according to your client profile, you would have to get authorization from Axella first, as per your mother's instructions."
James was feeling ornery and decided to call Axella.
"Yes, James," Axella said when she answered the phone.
"I've just found out I can get a helicopter ride as part of my concierge service if you approve it."
"No! Is that all?"
"Why not? I own the company."
"You may be the largest stockholder of Pierce International, but you don't run the company. Your mother is the CEO, and your aunt is the next in the chain of command. When you're 25, you can direct me to authorize whatever you want, but until then the answer is, no. FYI, I will be long retired before you turn 25. Is there anything else I can do, or not do, for you?"
James laughed and said, "No, have a nice day."
James had the call on speaker, and it was all Kevin could do to keep from laughing until he hung up.
"Wow, she sounds like one feisty lady," Kevin said.
"Yes, she is, but I love her to death. Anytime I had to be at the corporate offices, I made a beeline to wherever Axella was working."
"So, you're Canadian and a chopper pilot. I also see you're wearing a wedding band. I hope this trip isn't pulling you away from some family New Year's celebration."
"No, my husband..."
"Wait! Are you gay? You know Brock and I are boyfriends, right?"
"Yes, and yes."
"Shit, I'm sorry. I'm sure you wanted to spend New Year's with your husband."
"Of course, but that wasn't going to happen anyway. Perry is an emergency room nurse, and he's on duty on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. So, he'll be staying at the hospital. I had already volunteered to work the holiday. The truth is that this is a great gig for me. In addition to the extra pay, because it's 5 days 24/7, I'll get two extra days of vacation."
"Well, now I don't feel as bad. So, you don't have kids?"
"I don't, but Perry has two boys. They live with their mother during the school year, and us during the Summer. Chad is 14 and will start high school next year, and Trey is 11 and will start middle school."
James and Kevin spent the entire trip talking and getting to know each other. Brock spent it sleeping like a hound on a warm day.
When they got to Phoenicia, NY, they stopped at the June Grady Real Estate Co. to pick up the keys and set up a meeting. June Grady was a go-getter who talked a mile a minute, but above all, she was friendly and helpful.
"The place is a bit outdated, but structurally, it's in great condition. I had my cleaning crew go over it last week and make sure it's ready to go," June said. "All the appliances work, and the bedrooms are made up and ready to use. I'll be out tomorrow at 10 a.m. with Terry Reeser, my contractor, to review what you want done. If you need provisions, the Boiceville Market is the best place to shop in the area."
June didn't leave much room for James or Brock to say anything, besides "Thank you, and we'll see you tomorrow."
They decided to hit the grocery store before heading to the cabin. Sunset in that part of New York State in December was at 4:30 and they wanted time to look around the property before it got dark. After hitting the grocery store, they were off to the cabin just 15 minutes away, and two centuries back in time.
From Mt Tremper Rd, the cabin wasn't visible. Even the driveway was so inconspicuous drivers wouldn't notice it if they weren't looking for it.
A hundred feet up the drive, there was a rather ordinary steel gate with a chain and a padlock. James got out and opened it, and just beyond the gate was a sharp turn into a meadow. Standing in the middle of the meadow was a stone farmhouse. Also close by was a barn and a couple of other buildings.
"Wow," Brock said, "This is so cool, and it's big!"
James laughed and said, "It's big, but once you get inside, you'll see it's not some fancy lodge."
Thick walls and small windows made for a dim interior even on a sunny summer day. James turned on the lights and said, "That's better. At night, it can be quite dark if we lose power. That's why there's a flashlight on every nightstand."
Brock looked around and smiled. Large hand-hewn beams held up the second floor and in several places, the stone walls had been left exposed. Except for the kitchen, utility room, and downstairs bathroom, the main floor was one big room.
"So, is this rustic enough for you?" James asked.
"Absolutely, I just hope I don't have to run through the snow to the outhouse in the middle of the night."
James laughed and said, "No, there are indoor bathrooms, but they are a bit dated."
"Thank you," Kevin said with relief, and the boys laughed.
"Just drop your stuff here. I'll show you the upstairs later. We should look around outside while there's still enough light."
The first stop was the old barn. It was built into a hill so that a hay wagon could drive into the second-floor hayloft. It still had stalls for the cattle and remnants of the milking operation. "Granddad talked about turning the loft into a guest cottage and the ground floor into an office and hobby room. He'd always dreamed of retiring here, but Grams was never going to leave the city, and he was never going to leave Grams."
"Do you have plans for it now?" Kevin asked.
"I like the idea of having an office out here that's not part of the house. That way, when we're out here there's a clear line between work and play."
"From a security standpoint, it would be good if there were a guest cabin so we wouldn't be intruding into your life, and also the security system could be located out here without taking up space or tearing up walls in the house," Kevin said. "How much land do you have here?"
"A little over 20 acres."
Kevin looked around, and said, "The new wireless security systems would let us monitor this place from our offices in New York, but it would be better if there was someone here, especially when you are here."
"That makes sense," James said.
After they finished looking at the dairy barn, James showed them a path leading down to Esopus Creek. Once down to the creek, James said, "This is the reason my Granddad bought this place. Esopus Creek is known for its trout fishing, and he loved to fish."
"How did he find this place?" Kevin asked.
"He told me it belonged to a guy he played golf with. The guy was going through a messy divorce and in the divorce settlement, to keep from giving his soon-to-be ex a stake in his business, he gave her this property. It had been his grandparents' farm. She had no interest in the land and wanted to sell it fast. So, during the final settlement meeting, he gave her Granddad's number. She and her new boyfriend were heading to California the next week and wanted fast cash and a private sale. Granddad made the best offer he could, told her that was as high as he was going, and she took it. Granddad's friend was also excited because he was out here almost as much as Granddad was."
"Had your grandfather seen the place?" Brock asked.
"He'd been here once on a fishing trip with his friend. Boy was Grams pissed when he told her what he had done. Granddad used to joke that this place was why he never had a son because Grams kicked him out of their bed and installed a deadbolt on the bedroom door when she learned he sunk the girls' college fund into a fishing cabin."
"Really?" Brock said.
"No, I always knew from how Grams would blush and giggle when he told that story that it never happened. If anything, Granddad had to work extra hard in the bedroom to make up for buying this place. Those two were too much in love to let anything like an impulse decision to buy an old farmhouse in the county come between them. Grams once said, `Granddad had two loves, her and fishing, and she didn't want to find out which he loved more."
Brock and Kevin laughed.
"So, what about his daughter's college fund?" Kevin asked.
"Oh, the next year, Granddad made partner at his law firm. He used to bring some of his clients up here so he could write off some of the cabin expenses as business entertainment. Anyway, he made plenty of money to repay the college fund with interest. Plus, he always said he could put up a note in the firm's break room that this place was for sale, and he'd make 4 or 5 times what he paid for it by the close of business."
When they got back to the cabin, the first thing James did was build a fire in the cast iron stove. "This stove is the only heat source for the great room," James said. "It would have used too much propane to heat the entire cabin when no one is here, so the only rooms that are heated are the kitchen, the utility room, and the bathrooms, and they're kept just warm enough so the water pipes don't freeze. There's an electric heater in each bedroom, but good quilts and body heat are still the best way to stay warm at night."
The great room had a large farm table with chairs along one wall. Placed around the wood-burning stove were several leather chairs and a leather couch. Along the wall opposite the farmer's table were bookcases and an old upright piano that had been converted into a dry bar. In the middle of the room, under an old Tiffany-style light was a round table that's top could be turned over to make it a poker table.
The first thing James pointed out when they got upstairs was the bathroom at the end of the hall. The bathrooms were ripped right out of the 1970s: vanity/sink, toilet, shower/tub combo, linen cabinet, and all in turquoise.
"I told Granddad that the bathrooms needed disco balls to complete the look."
Next, he showed them the four bedrooms. They were basic rooms with wardrobes rather than closets. The bedrooms were small and felt very 19th-century. Two rooms had standard double beds, one had twin beds, and the last had two bunk beds. Each room also had an antique wardrobe. James gave Kevin one of the rooms with the double beds, and he and Brock took the other.
"Did your grandfather have parties out here?" Brock asked.
"Yeah, but they didn't call them parties, they called them outings. He and his buddies would come out on the weekends to fish, grill steaks, play poker, and drink. During the Summer, the third weekend of every month he and his golf and fishing buddies would come out here for a meeting of what they called the Rod and Sticks Club.' Grams once told me that some of the wives would have their own party on those weekends. She said they called their club GIN.' Girls' Independence Night."
After finishing the tour, James said, "I'll get the chili started."
"I'll help," Brock volunteered.
Kevin looked at his watch and said, "I'm going to call Perry before he heads off to his shift."
The kitchen was out of character with the rest of the cabin. Everything was so white it almost made a person's eyes hurt. The cabinets were the basic plain Jane cabinets that landlords put in when rehabbing a rental. The one redeeming grace about the kitchen was it was warm, maybe too warm.
"What kind of chili are you making?" Brock asked.
"Dump and stir. Here, while I brown the ground beef you can open the cans of chili beans and Rotel Tomatoes." Once the meat was brown, James dumped in the beans and tomatoes and gave everything a good stir. "We'll let that cook a bit before adding the spices."
James walked to the utility room, opened the second fridge, and yelled, "Yes!"
"What's up?" Brock asked.
"I asked Aunt Sydney to call and have the fridge stocked with beer. There are also a couple of bottles of Champagne for New Year's Eve," James said as he handed Brock a beer.
"Your Aunt is so cool," Brock said.
"Yes, but there is a reason that Grandfather Pierce didn't leave her in charge of the company even though she was his favorite. She isn't the responsible one."
"Your grandfather had a favorite?"
"Yes, my Dad was always hard to get along with. He was a great businessman, but he was always an ass. James Pierce the 1st and James Pierce the 2nd had some intense disagreements. Besides, while they won't admit it, I think all parents have a favorite. I'm pretty sure you're your mom's favorite. Mothers always spoil their little boys."
"I wouldn't say my parents have favorites, but I will admit they are proud of me and my sisters for different reasons. Dad has always followed my sports and Mom has always been more interested in Jenny's and Debby's music."
"So, I have a personal question, you don't have to answer it if you don't want to..."
"Let me guess," Brock said. "You want to know why my parents enrolled me in a boarding school in Massachusetts and my sisters got to go to a day school in Brooklyn."
"Yes, were you some kind of troubled kid that needed `structure and discipline'?"
"Sort of, I had some academic and emotional development issues, and they were causing me to act out. Mom and Dad were just too soft-hearted to deal with a little hellion. My therapist at the time had a connection with Mill Brook and suggested a year there would give the family a break. Also, it was far enough away that Mom couldn't run up every time I called home crying."
"I don't remember that you ever seemed unhappy to be at Mill Brook; unlike me who hated every minute of it until this year."
"Well, a couple of weeks after school started, the intramural soccer teams were formed, and Kip and I were on the same team," Brock said. "We became best buds and he's been a calming influence on me ever since. Also, my parents paid the school to find me a tutor who understood my learning and emotional issues and who would get me on track. When they enrolled me in Mill Brook, Dad said they would find a school for me in New York for the second semester if I really hated it. However, when I came home for Christmas, I was a completely different kid, and I knew Mill Brook was where I needed to be."
"A year ago, I would have said you were a brainwashed simpleton for saying Mill Brook was where you needed to be, but now I kind of get it," James said and kissed Brock, then squeezed Brock's crotch and whispered, "I just wish I'd found this four years ago."
Brock moaned and whispered, "We've got a lot of missed fucking to make up for."
Fortunately, the boys heard Kevin come back into the cabin before things got out of hand.
When Kevin walked into the kitchen it was obvious that something was wrong. Kevin said, "I was just talking with Perry, and we have a childcare problem. I need to call the office in the morning to see if they can replace me. The boys' mother has an interview in Dallas tomorrow and her parents are out of town, so Perry has them. He has the next two days off but works New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, so I need to get back to NYC."
James looked at Brock, then said, "Or, Perry could bring the boys out here tomorrow, drop the boys off and spend the night, then go home the next day. There's plenty of room here, and your boys would be welcome and could go back to the City with us."
Kevin smiled, and said, "That would be great. Let me call Perry and see what he thinks." Kevin stepped into the other room, and a few minutes later was back. He said, "Perry thinks that would be a great idea. I just need to call the boss to make sure he's okay with me watching the boys while I am supposed to be looking out for you guys."
"Nonsense," Brock said, "I'll be the one looking out for the boys; at least that's what we'll say if anyone asks."
"Yeah, the boys are Brock and my guests," James added.
"Great, you guys are a lifesaver," Kevin said with relief.
Brock handed Kevin a beer and said, "Just don't tell anyone we were drinking."
"Fine," Kevin said, "You just don't tell anyone I had a beer on the job."
All three locked their lips.
While the chili simmered, they decided to watch football. James' grandfather didn't want the TV taking away from the rustic nature of the cabin and kept it on a cart in the utility room, so James wheeled it out and connected it to the satellite dish feed.
"This is one of the things we need to figure out," James said. "I appreciate that Granddad didn't want a TV dominating the cabin like it does in so many homes, but it is a hassle to wheel it out and set it up every time you want to watch a game or movie."
"Just an idea," Brock said, "but what if we turned one of the bedrooms into a TV room?"
"I like that," James said. "We could put a sleeper sofa in the room for when we need an extra bed."
Around 5:30, James said, "While there's a break in the bowl games, I'm going to set out chili fixings. Then everyone can eat when they want."
"I need to call Weston to find out where I am in the football bowl game pool," Brock said, "then I'll be ready to eat."
So, while Brock made his call, James and Kevin got their food. James had Fritos and cheese to make Frito chili pie. He also had picked up a veggie tray from the grocery deli counter and cinnamon rolls from the bakery.
When Kevin took his first bite, he said, "Damn, this chili is good."
"Thanks, I wish I could say it's an old family recipe and I spent hours making it, but it's just dump and stir canned chili beans, diced tomatoes, and seasonings added to some fried ground beef. My only trick is to make sure it has enough time to simmer so all the flavors meld together."
"I will have to make this for Perry and the boys. However, I'll let them think I spent hours slaving away in a hot kitchen."
James laughed. As they ate, James used his strategy for keeping the conversation off of himself by focusing on the other person. As it turned out, Kevin was very proud of Perry, adored the boys, and was more than willing to talk about them.
During the conversation, Kevin said that Perry was getting burned out working in emergency trauma surgery. Kevin and Perry had met while in Iraq. Kevin was flying airlift for a unit of Canadian medics and Perry was a nurse in a military hospital in the Green Zone.
It was at this point in the story that Kevin said, "Let me answer the question everyone has but most are too polite to ask: Am I a home wrecker? Definitely not, Perry is bi, and he and Amanda were separated when we met in Iraq. For the most part, the divorce was incredibly amicable, and they are still friends."
"Did you say Amanda is interviewing for a job in Texas?"
"Yes, she is a news reporter, and a Dallas TV station has a morning anchor position open. So, this will be a big career move for her if they offer it to her. The problem is she won't have anyone to look after the boys. We've talked about the boys coming to live with us, but Perry and I aren't in a position where we can afford for one of us to quit working, and Amanda's parents are getting to where they can't watch the boys for us. I'm trying not to think about what we'll have to do if Amanda gets the job."
Brock came in and grabbed a bowl of chili, and a beer, then dropped into a seat at the table.
James looked at him and said, "I take it your teams aren't doing well."
"No, my teams are doing fine. It's just that Kip's teams are doing amazing. Who the hell picks Wyoming to beat Georgia State? Of course, all Weston wanted to do was talk about Navy beating K-State, and..."
"And, it sounds like we need to do something this evening besides watch another football game."
"What do you have in mind?" Brock asked.
"How about darts?"
"Sure," Brock said. "What's the wager?"
Kevin laughed and said, "I see where this is going. I think I'll grab my book and head upstairs to read."
"Scaredy cat!" Brock said.
"No," Kevin said, it's just that I can smell a hustle from a mile away. I'll see you guys in the morning."
"So, are you ready to bet your ass," Brock said.
"Big talk for someone who has no idea how his game stacks against mine."
"I'm not worried, but if you are we can handicap the game," Brock said.
"How do you plan to do that?"
Simple, after each game the loser has to remove one piece of clothing and the winner has to drink a shot of whiskey. After a couple of shots, the game will start to even out."
"Okay," James said trying to hide a smile.
They flipped a coin to see who would throw first, and Brock scored 51 points. Then it was James' turn. His first dart hit the double 20, his second the bullseye, and the third the triple 20.
"Fuck!" Brock yelled. "That's 150 points. Let me guess, in addition to teaching you how to play pool, Aunt Sydney taught you how to play darts."
James smiled and said, "When it comes to bar games, Sydney is a pro."
"Fuck," Brock said again. "Hell, I might as well just concede right now." He then stripped off his clothes and said, "Be gentle."
"Not a chance, Jocko. Now pick up your clothes and head upstairs." James locked the door, checked the wood stove, and turned off all but one of the lights. He was about to head upstairs when he noticed the shot of whiskey Brock had poured at the start of the game, he smiled and tossed it back, and went to claim his prize.
Brock was just stepping out of the bathroom when James got to the top of the stairs. James couldn't resist smacking Brock's muscular ass which caused him to jump and run into the bedroom. Thanks to the electric heater in the corner, the room was cool, but not uncomfortable, and James figured he and Brock would soon work up a sweat.
James pushed Brock back onto the bed and immediately had his lips wrapped around Brock's cock. James knew exactly how to take Brock to the edge but not so far that he got relief. Three times James had him ready to cum, but then he backed off, leaving Brock humping thin air and cursing up a storm.
After denying Brock for the third time, James got several nylon ropes from his bag and threw them onto Brock's chest. He then began to slowly, sensually remove his own clothes as Brock watched wide-eyed. When James was naked, he positioned Brock on the bed and tied his wrists to the iron Victorian bed headboard. When Brock was securely tied, James straddled his chest, and said, "Open up." Brock did, and James slid his cock to the back of Brock's throat and held it there. When he finally pulled it back, Brock was red-faced and coughing. It only took a couple more times and Brock relaxed and could take James without choking.
"Are you ready to take the next step?" James asked and Brock nodded as best as he could with James' cock still in his mouth. Next, James raised Brock's ankles over his head and tied them to the bed frame headboard so Brock's ass was exposed and James gave it another smack. Brock's hole was just begging to be teased and James began licking and fingering the tight, pink pucker.
Soon Brock was moaning and begging for more. James reached over, found his underwear, and shoved them in Brock's mouth. "There," James said, "we don't want to keep Kevin awake."
James loved watching Brock's expressions when he began pushing his cock into Brock's tight hole. At first, his eyes would go wide with surprise, then a brief wince, followed by an expression of immense pleasure. Finally, at the moment just before his orgasm took over his mind and body, Brock looked like the riders in the front car of a rollercoaster just as they were about to experience the first huge drop. Brock was a big shooter. No matter how recently he had sex or jerked off, his loads were huge.
As usual, the sight of Brock cumming pulled the trigger on James' cock, and he too plunged over the first hill of the cumcoster. When they were both back in the station, James slowly pulled out and took the underwear from Brock's mouth to catch the jizz leaking from his hole.
James began to untie Brock's hands and feet from the bed's headboard. As he did so, he softly asked, "Was that too much?"
"No babe, not at all. It's such a turn-on when you take charge. I get so horny when you have all of the power, and I'm just your fuck boy."
"Hey, you are never just my fuck boy," James said as he pulled the covers up and the two cuddled together."
"I know," Brock said, "I could never let anyone else tie me up and fuck me like that. I trust you."
"I guess that kinda makes us even," James said, "because you are the first person I've let into my heart so completely in years, maybe ever. Even Mom I kept at a distance because I was afraid of getting hurt, but I feel safe with you."
"So, we compensate for each other's weaknesses," Brock said,
"I prefer to say we each share our strengths with the other."
"I like that."
"Well, what I need right now," James said, "is for you to wrap those big strong arms around me and keep me warm."
"Your wish is my command," Brock said, pulling James in close.
The morning came too quickly. James liked his iPhone, but at that moment he could have thrown the chirping piece of tech against the wall. James groaned, found the phone buried under the covers, and turned the alarm off. However, Brock pulled him back when he started to get out of bed.
"Where are you going sexy?" Brock asked.
"June and her contractor are coming this morning, and we need to get up."
"I can keep the bed warm until you finish with them," Brock said.
"Oh no. This is OUR getaway retreat, and you need to be a part of this meeting."
"So," Brock said, "After last night, I was thinking we might need to add a dungeon to the plans."
James laughed and said, "I don't think that's a good idea. My mom is paying for this renovation and I don't think I could ever make eye contact with her again if she got an invoice for a sling, restraints, and a cage. Besides, I'll occasionally need to have meetings out here and I don't think it would help business negotiations if someone walked into a dungeon while searching for the bathroom."
"I don't know," Brock said, "it might add a new meaning to the term, hostile takeover."
"Damn boy, what has gotten into you. I don't mind visiting Kinkville, but I don't want to live there. Besides, I want this to be kid-friendly if someday down the road we have a family."
Brock pulled James in close, gave him a kiss, and said. "Wow, you are that serious about us."
"Aren't you?" James said with a sudden voice of concern.
"Yes, but I've been too afraid to say anything out loud. I guess I don't want to come off like I'm looking for a sugar daddy, or in your case, a sugar bro."
James sat up on the bed cross-legged, and Brock did the same so they could look at each other. After a moment to gather his thoughts and courage, James said,
"Look babe, since the start of this school year my life has been on fast forward. At times, I feel like someone else is making all the decisions about me, so I'm just going to go for it and let the chips fall where they may. Brock Champlain, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know we're a long way from making a formal public commitment, but I have to know if we're on the same page."
Brock smiled and said, "Yes, we are on the same page."
James jumped to hug Brock and toppled him backward. James lay on top of Brock and the two kissed for what seemed like ten minutes before, James said, "Okay, lover boy, it's time to get up and get going."
After showing and dressing, James and Brock followed the smell of bacon frying down to the kitchen, where Kevin was making breakfast.
"Wow, this looks amazing and smells even better," Brock said as Kevin handed him a plate with bacon, Potatoes O'Brien, French toast, and scrabbled egg.
"Well," Kevin said, "I hope it lives up to its billing."
Kevin needn't have worried because Brock had three helpings of everything before calling it quits."
Kevin was amazed by Brock's appetite and ability to inhale food. Kevin said to James, "It's a good thing you got plenty of money because that boy could eat an ordinary person into bankruptcy.
"Hey, I'm just a growing boy," Brock said with a smile.
At exactly 10 o'clock, June and Terry Reeser knocked on the door. After greetings and introductions, it was down to business. They started in the farmhouse/cabin.
"This place was my grandfather's weekend retreat," James said, "but I think Brock and I will spend much more time out here. So, there are some things that need to be done to make the place more livable. The first is HVAC, we need heating and air conditioning in the great room and the bedrooms, but I would like to do it with as little impact on the feel of the place and as energy efficiently as possible. The second thing is to modernize the kitchen and bathrooms while at the same time making them fit the style of the rest of the house. How about you Brock, what do you think should be done."
"I really like the great room just as it is," Brock said, "It has just the right amount of cozy and rustic. The only thing I think I would change is to open up the kitchen to the great room. I know they were separated because of heating, but it really does isolate anyone in the kitchen from what else is going on. Plus, I think it would make the place feel even more cabin-like."
"I agree," James said.
After a quick look around, Terry said, "Since you want to redo the kitchen and bathrooms, how about also redoing the utility room? We could reconfigure this entire space and make it more efficient. We can put an eating/serving bar between the kitchen and great room with either sliding doors or an overhead door that can be closed to separate the spaces when you aren't here and don't need to heat the great room."
"That sounds great," James said.
"As for the HVAC, you should consider a geothermal heat pump."
"I thought New York was too cold for a heat pump," Brock said.
"It is for an above-ground condenser, but you have enough land to put in a geothermal heating system that takes advantage of the relatively constant temperature of the earth. Also, if you really want to cut your fossil fuel usage, you could look at solar, or wind for an electricity source."
"I like that idea," James said, and Brock agreed. "Since we'll eventually be using this place more often than in the past, I also want a backup generator capable of serving all of the buildings installed. Since it will run off the propane tank, we might need a bigger tank, or an additional tank installed too."
Next, they went upstairs, and James said, "Again, this bathroom needs to be updated. However, the big change is that we want to combine two of these rooms to make a master suite, with an additional bathroom and a closet. I don't think we have any idea how to do that, so you're going to have to give us some options."
"Sure," Terry said, "I have an architect I work with, and I'll have her come out here and draw up some plans."
"The other change," Brock said, "we would like one of the other bedrooms configured so it can serve as both a TV room and a guest room."
"Great, is that all?"
"No," James said, "the real work is outside, in the barn."
As they were about to head to the barn, Kevin got a call from Perry that he and the boys were about there, so Kevin went up to the road to make sure Perry could find the turnoff to the driveway.
Once in the barn, James said, "This is the big project. If we're going to be out here, Brock and I will each need an office and a place to have meetings. I think those should go up in the hay loft level on the side of the barn set into the hill. That way we could make a parking space and entrance through where the upper barn doors are currently located. I also want a guest apartment on the second floor with a deck looking out to the creek. On the bottom floor of the barn, James continued, "I want a gym and a game room. Those are both Brock's projects, so your architect will have to work with him on those. Also, someplace there needs to be a room for the security equipment, you can talk to Kevin about what is needed there."
"Wow, that's quite a list," Terry said.
"Yes, but I'm not finished," James said. "If Brock and I are out here a lot and I have an office here, there has to be someone on site full time for security. So, I think we'll need to build a house near where the gate to the property is located for a security person and his or her family."
"Okay," Terry said as he looked at his list, "What's the budget and the timeline?"
"As for budget, whatever is fair to get what we want. This is now part of the Pierce Family Estate, and someone from the Estate will handle the invoices, bookkeeping, and payments. As for the timeline, Brock and I have a trip to Europe planned over the Summer, so we won't be here much. I'll find someone to keep an eye on the place and be your contact for Brock and me. That person needs to live in the cabin until the new house is built. I know it'll depend on how long it takes to get the new house built, and the cabin rehabbed, but I would like to be able to spend next New Year's Eve here."
"I may have to hire some subcontractors, but we'll get it done."
June, who'd been quiet the entire time said with a smile, "Well, it looks like you won't need my services any longer."
"Not out here," James said, "but, next time I'm up here we need to talk about some ideas I have for a corporate retreat and training facility."
"That sounds very interesting," June said with a smile.
After saying goodbye to Terry and June, Brock and James went back to the cabin to get warm.
Kevin was all smiles when he introduced his family to the boys. Kevin had not mentioned that Perry was Asian-American or that he looked a lot like Daniel Henney. As for Chad and Trey they were definitely their father's boys in the good looks department. Chad didn't take long to latch onto Brock as his buddy, and the two were soon roughhousing while Kevin and Perry looked on.
"I'm going to make some hot chocolate," James said. "Does anyone else want some?"
"I do," Trey said, then asked, "Can I help?"
"Sure," James said. "You can be in charge of stirring."
James and Brock spent most of the rest of the day playing with Chad and Trey. While looking around the barn, James found an old sled that was still in good shape, so they took advantage of the hill and the snow for a great afternoon of sledding. When they finally were too cold for any more sledding, they made their way back to the cabin, and some more hot chocolate.
While the boys were sledding, Kevin and Perry had made spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, and salad for supper. Then the six played board games until it was time for bed."
When Brock crawled into bed and cuddled up with James, he said, "Those two boys are like the Energizer Bunny, they just keep going and going."
"Oh, I think you were more than capable of keeping up with them. I know you think you have to have a career that `makes money,' but seriously, you are so good with kids it would be a shame if you got stuck in some sales or investment job you'd hate."
"I know," Brock said. "I've been thinking about what I want to do, and it always involves kids and sports. I just can't get past the feeling that I would be taking advantage of you if I couldn't earn my own money. I don't want to feel like a..."
"Don't you dare say what I think you're going to say next! Don't you dare!"
"I just..."
"Nope, don't say it."
"But,..."
James jumped on top of Brock and began kissing him. When he finally stopped, Brock asked, "What was that for?"
"To give your mouth something to do other than saying something stupid."
"Look buddy, even if for some inconceivable reason you decide you are tired of my juicy cock and perfect ass and think you can find a better sassy nerd down the street, I will still be invested in you as a person," James said. "I know what it's like to have a fucked-up childhood, and I know there are kids out there who have it much worse than I did. There are kids that need a loving caring older brother, mentor, coach, whatever in their lives. Brock Champlain, you are one of those guys who can be that for those kids."
"I know this will sound weird and most people won't understand it, but I have so much money it means nothing to me, it never has. I can buy more shiny crap for myself, but the pleasure that comes from that lasts just minutes. So, unless I find things to invest in that I believe in and find valuable, my life is going to be pretty hollow. I believe in you, and I believe in kids. So, when I turn 25 and am spending my time in meetings, schmoozing investors and politicians, or worrying about the price of Pierce International stock, I expect you to lift me up with a story about a kid you helped or excite me about some new project or cause. Do you understand me?"
Brock nodded.
"I need you to say it."
"I understand," Brock said, choking back the tears.
"Good," James said and tenderly kissed Brock before adding, "Oh, and I really need you to make love to me."
Brock said, "I can do that too."
I hope you're enjoying "Exposed."
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