Silent Attraction

Part 3


During the following busy week Adam found himself thinking about Kyle quite often. He felt a little bothered with the way he’d let the other man take charge of him like that. Was he feeling so lonely after the breakup that he’d needed to lean on someone so badly? That normally wasn’t like him. Then again, Kyle hadn’t waited to see if he was going to refuse either.

Adam chuckled to himself. It had certainly appeared as if Kyle was used to people saying yes to him. He wondered just what profession Kyle was in. He was probably in a position of authority; Adam couldn’t see him being a subordinate to anyone and he was obviously quite used to organizing things, including Adam. Ah, well, it hadn’t hurt him to let Kyle have his way that night.

Upon arriving at the club at the end of the week, Adam automatically checked the far corner of the bar to find that Kyle wasn’t in his usual place. Taking his drink, Adam went upstairs, even going as far as to venture to the private lounge at the back where the rope barrier and alert guards were present but there was still no Kyle.

He returned to the railing and scanned the dance floor, this vantage point providing him a clear view of the rest of the club. He would have been surprised if he had found Kyle there, somehow he didn’t think he was the type to be in the midst of the dance crowd. Sure enough, there was no sign of him.

Adam sipped at his drink as he leant there wondering why he felt …disappointed. Every time he had come here Kyle had been present so he had just been expecting to see him. Then again, in the times when Adam didn’t come to the club he had no idea if Kyle had. Perhaps Kyle too had been absent and it had been pure chance up till now that they had met. Kyle must have a life outside of the club, so there would be times when that would take precedence. That made perfect sense but didn’t make Adam feel any better.

He glanced down at the drink in his hand and sighed. He really didn’t feel like finishing it now. He had been looking forward to seeing Kyle tonight, expecting to be able to sit back, drink, talk and above all relax in the presence of good company; although it seemed it was usually he that did most of the talking, Kyle remaining as stoic as usual. Perhaps he was just too tired after the long hours he’d put in to finalize this latest corporate merger. Yeah, he’d just go home, have a couple of quiet drinks to relax and go to bed. It had nothing to do with Kyle not being here.

He set his unfinished drink down on a nearby table and as he exited he brushed against someone, turning to apologize when the words caught in his throat for a moment as he found himself face to face with Glen. This was their first meeting since their break up.

“Oh!” Glen said, staring up at him, obviously just as surprised.

Glen’s partner, who had been at his side, stepped forward to place himself between Glen and Adam in a protective stance. Adam felt his lips twitch at that gesture. He thought it was a little over the top but it was nice to know that Glen had found someone who appreciated him so much.

“How are you?” he said amicably, making no sudden movements that would alarm Glen’s protector.

“Uhm, good. You?”

“Fine,” he said and wasn’t entirely sure if that were a lie or not.

“Are you still very busy?” Glen asked.

Adam nodded. “Yes,” He glanced around. “I’m about to grab a cab and head home.” He smiled at the two young men. “This old man needs more rest than he thought. I can’t keep up with you young bucks!”

Glen smiled sincerely at him this time. “You’re not that old,” he said softly.

“Well, that’s nice of you to say so.” Adam gave a mock bow and grin. “You kids enjoy yourself,” he said with a half salute as he flagged down a passing cab.

He stepped in and was about to close the door when there was a shout.

“Hey!”

Glen stepped away from his boyfriend and crossed to the cab quickly, leaning down to talk to Adam. “I’m sorry,” he said hurriedly and a little breathlessly. “I’m sorry I didn’t…”

Adam held his hand up to forestall the rest of Glen’s words, smiling up at him. “It’s okay,” he assured him. “I’m glad you’re happy,” meaning every word.

Glen still looked a little uncertain and Adam could see over his shoulder his partner shuffling his feet, his face showing his own discomfort. “You’d better get back to your man,” he told Glen with a grin. “You’re making him worry.”

Glen glanced behind and then back at Adam. “You really don’t....”

“It’s fine,” Adam assured him again. “Now go on,” and he made a shooing motion. “I’ve got to get some shut eye, and you need to go reassure your guy that he’s still number one.”

“Okay,” Glen stepped back so Adam could close the door. “Thank you. For everything.” he said with that small soft smile that Adam had first fallen for.

“Anytime,” Adam said, waving through the open window.

The cab pulled away and Adam leant back with a sigh. “I’m just too damn nice,” he muttered to himself.

“What?” the cabbie queried.

“Nothing,” Adam said, then gave his address. Perhaps he’d have more than a couple of drinks tonight after all.

He tossed his keys onto the table and walked over to the carved cabinet by the wall, opening it to withdraw a glass and bottle, setting both on the coffee table before dropping onto the couch.

As a result he well and truly over indulged; the bottle of vodka taking the entire night to consume until he blindly passed out at some point around dawn. He woke up to be violently ill, drank some water in an attempt to re-hydrate although it made him feel sick, managed to make it to his bed this time, and slept again.

When next he awoke it was early evening; he’d slept the day away completely. Despite the rest he still felt dreadful, his body craving water as though he had been lost in the desert for a week. He managed to drag himself into a shower to at least freshen up, before sitting with the TV muted whilst he sipped more water. After a couple of hours he felt he was able to perhaps face some food as his stomach began to rumble and cooked up something light which he managed to eat without mishap. After carrying a couple of more bottles of water into the bedroom, he sought further sleep.

By Monday he felt more like his old self and deeply regretted his fall from grace. It had indeed been a long time since he had done that to himself, more reminiscent of his teenage years. Now he was usually far more prudent. He sincerely hoped that he’d got whatever was bothering him out of his system. He was too old to do this to his body on a regular basis. He chided himself mentally for his stupidity and threw himself back into his work. He would have a good laugh about this with Kyle next week he was sure.

Now, as he sat at the bar sipping his drink, Kyle still hadn’t made an appearance. Adam ran one hand through his hair, frowning. What could have happened to the man? Over to one side, he spotted Glen with his partner. The boyfriend saw Adam and leant closer to speak to Glen who looked up and waved to him with a smile. Adam returned the gesture, before Glen turned back to his partner who didn’t look as concerned as previously at their interaction. Obviously some things had finally been laid to rest. Adam was glad, although it still made him feel a little regretful seeing them together. It would be nice to have that again.

“Looks like you’ve finally resolved things,” a voice at his elbow said.

Adam looked to his other side to find Kyle sitting beside him. How the man always managed to sneak up on him unnoticed was a constant source of surprise.

Adam smiled at him. “Were you worrying about me?”

He reached for his drink when a hand gripped his chin firmly, pulling his head around so he faced Kyle. The other man’s intense gaze scrutinized him in the light, eyes narrowed.

Adam’s hand came up to slap Kyle’s away, breaking his grip. “What the hell are you doing?” he growled, glaring at the man.

“You look like crap,” was the blunt answer.

Adam turned away angrily. “Thanks for the compliment.”

There was silence between them. “When did you sort things out with your ex?” Kyle asked.

“I bumped into them last week.”

The silence settled again.

“You did it, didn’t you?” Kyle suddenly said.

“What?” Adam pause, hand half-raised with his drink.

“You went and got drunk on your own after that.”

“What if I did?” Adam stated, refusing to look at Kyle, trying to hide the flash of embarrassment at the memory of that moment of weakness and how easily Kyle had guessed how he would have reacted. “It has nothing to do with you. You weren’t around.” Now that sounded like he was blaming Kyle for his drunkenness which was a foolish thing to say.

A hand gripped his elbow hard, half pulling him around on his stool. “I told you if you needed to do that to come to me!”

Adam glanced down at his captured arm and then raised his eyes to stare Kyle directly in the face. “Take your hands off me,” he said in a clear firm voice. There was still a level of decorum that Adam expected from people, and invading his personal space to manhandle him uninvited was not one of them.

Kyle didn’t move at first and then, when Adam didn’t back down, he slowly released his grip.

Adam stood and looked down at him. “Don’t ever try that again.” He turned and stalked away, leaving his drink behind.

What a jerk, he thought as he drifted through the dancing crowd. A body bumped into him and he turned to face a tall redhead.

“Sorry!” the man said, grinning pleasantly. He looked around to either side of Adam and ascertained that he was alone and smiled wider. “Wanna dance?”

Adam could see Kyle still seated at the bar where he’d left him, staring back, and he felt a frown mar his face before he wiped it away and turned his attention back to the man before him, smiling.

“Why not?” he said, reaching out to slide one arm around the broad shoulders and letting the other’s arm around his waist draw him closer.

Damn Kyle. He would not let him ruin this night for him!


Adam’s anger at Kyle’s cavalier behavior and overbearing manner made him change his weekly pattern. It wasn’t that he was trying to avoid the man; it was because he didn’t want to cause a scene at the club if they met. He was irritated at how easily Kyle was able to make him lose all self-control, something he wasn’t used to. Adam despised people trying to control him in any way. Right or wrong, he always made his own choices. Damned if he was going to let that change now!

However, after a few weeks, his anger had dissipated to no more than a sense of irritation. He still believed Kyle had overstepped the mark but that didn’t mean that he should stay away; he had done nothing wrong. He ground his teeth in frustration as he sat in the cab heading to the club. He couldn’t believe that he had let that man run him off. He’d faced worse behaviour before and not been fazed by it, so why had he got so angry? Was it because of how unnervingly Kyle could see right to the very heart of him as no-one had before?

This is what had him still feeling so irritated. He was not by nature a timid man. He would hardly have survived in his line of work if he had been, and he wasn’t one to back down over issues. He’d stand his ground and outlast his opponent. So why had he not done that? Instead he’d fled. Yes, Adam Rickenshaw, known as the ‘Ridgeback’ in the office, had run away.

He raised a hand to cover his eyes as he let out a soft groan. If this ever got out he’d be the laughing stock of the company. What the hell was wrong with him?

He felt the motion of the cab cease and looked out the window to see the club’s flashing lights. He paid the fare, then taking a deep breath he exited, standing for a moment and taking stock of his inner feelings. He hadn’t come here to see Kyle; Adam was here for his own reasons. Straightening his shoulders and pushing his chin out stubbornly, he strode inside.

He looked around quickly as soon as he entered, and when he saw there was no sign of being ambushed at the door, made his way directly to the bar. A careful check still revealed no sign of Kyle. So far, so good.

Adam ordered his drink, looking around the crowd. No, not a sign of Kyle anywhere, although he had no intention of going upstairs to check further. If he did it would be just his luck to find him there in that private lounge. So, no, Adam wasn’t about to tempt fate.

His drink arrived and he handed over the money before picking up his glass. Okay, let’s just enjoy this evening and relax; Kyle wasn’t here to piss him off tonight. He took another swallow and settled more comfortably on the stool when the bartender returned and pushed some money across the counter top.

Adam looked up in surprise. “What’s this for?” he queried, puzzled.

“It’s on the house, sir,” the man said with a polite smile.

“On the house? Why?”

The bartender shrugged slightly. “I’m just following orders,” and he moved away to serve other customers.

Adam stared down at the bills on the counter. What did this mean? He frowned. He may be a regular here but he didn’t know anyone that well, apart from a few friends and long-term acquaintances, any of whom wouldn’t do something like this. Besides he frequently didn’t visit for long periods so why would he be getting special attention? It didn’t make sense no matter how he looked at it.

The sensation of being watched made him turn on his stool, scanning the crowd. His eyes moved upwards to the floor above where he could see a figure standing in one darkened corner, shrouded in shadow so his features, even his clothes, couldn’t be clearly seen.

Adam felt his heart suddenly beat faster as he stared upwards. It was Kyle, he was sure of it, though a part of him was saying he was being irrational as there could be no way of really telling. Yet it was the same stance, the same profile.

He abandoned his drink without another thought, striding swiftly across the floor, taking the stairs two at a time. He immediately went to the place he had seen the person but there was no one there when he arrived.

Damn it, he thought, looking around. Where did he go? He walked across the upper level, eyes darting from side to side but not seeing who he was looking for. His search returned him to his starting point without success. Leaning his hands on the railing, he looked across the crowd. Where the hell did he go?

Perhaps he’d been wrong after all, he mused, watching the dancers below. He ran a hand through his hair, suddenly letting out a soft bark of laughter. More to the point, what the hell was he doing? He was acting like a complete idiot. He’d come here wanting to avoid Kyle and then when he thought he saw him he promptly chased after him. Adam laughed to himself again at his irrational behavior. Ah, the hell with it.

He turned and headed back down the stairs, returning to the bar and having to sidle in between two occupied stools to motion for the bartender who acknowledged him before turning away, only to return a moment later with a drink in hand which he pushed across to Adam with a smile.

Adam glanced down at it then at the man who just shrugged which Adam acknowledged with a wave. Whoever was the kind soul supplying the drinks, he didn’t know. Perhaps he just looked that desperate. Well, he wasn’t about to let this one go to waste as well.

Adam had three more drinks delivered to him by his unknown benefactor during the course of the night, always timed to perfection. Twice more he felt as though eyes were on him, but whenever he looked around, he could observe no-one obviously doing so. Still it was making him twitchy. After the third drink, he’d had enough and decided to call it a night. It hadn’t turned out to be a very relaxing evening, even without Kyle’s presence.

Strangely, the following week Adam was greeted with the same scenario; his drinks were free and the only information he could elicit from the bartender was that it was ‘on the house’ which told him nothing. He still felt uncomfortable with it. It wasn’t that he couldn’t appreciate a free drink but getting it through these mysterious circumstances didn’t set well with him. He liked to know to whom he was indebted.

He saw no sign of Kyle either. By now he’d begun to feel a little guilty, wondering if he’d been responsible for driving the man away, although he certainly hadn’t seemed the type to get his feelings hurt so easily. Still, you never know. Now it felt strange not seeing that crisply dressed figure drinking at the end of the bar.

As much as he tried Adam couldn’t seem to enjoy himself. The alcohol still gave him that pleasant buzz, he still danced when the mood took him, yet even with all that the evenings seemed…flat. He found himself leaving far earlier than usual; neither the drinks nor the music enticing him to remain. It seemed he no longer had any reason to stay.