Josiah Tak

Josiah: Thank you for the books, though I have to say, I would have rather you deliver them yourself

Josiah: But I won't bother to ask for your time if you have someone else to capture your beautiful eyes

Josiah: Though, I do think you'll still take me up on those Southeast Asian authors

Josiah was being more forward now, and Copper was super into it, skin tingling at Josiah’s touch.  “And then I would have to show you,” Copper replied, grinning at Josiah.  “And trust me, I would love to show you…and I think you would love it too.  I’d make sure of that”  Copper could be forward too.

“Two it is,” Copper replied, though he would be willing to give Josiah more if he wanted them.  Laughing a little at Josiah’s suggestion, Copper said, “Maybe your agriculture manuscript is going to be famous one day, and I can say that I read it - and got a signed copy - before it was cool.  Are there hipsters when it comes to the agriculture business?”  It was a silly joke, but Copper laughed regardless.  There was definitely something happening between Copper and Josiah right now, Copper easing into his touch, turning to rest his hand on Josiah’s thigh.  “I think your villa would be better,” Copper decided.  “That way we wouldn’t have to worry about how loud we get while…talking.”  He let that sentence hang, waiting to see what Josiah would do with it.

Josiah chuckled as Copper became more suggestive with his wording and the tone of his voice. He was delighted that the young writer was interested in more than small talk. “Oh, you would,” Josiah replied and facetiously pretended to think about the suggestion. “I would love to see the things you can do with your mouth other than stammer around me.” The teasing was followed up with a bright smile from Josiah. Even though they’d just met, he liked Copper enough that he was willing to take the man back to his Villa.

Aki stood up from the wall he was leaning against and snagged his messenger bag, shaking his head. The pushy bossiness of this whole interaction it just not something Aki was going to let go.

“Nice try. Cute, even, in the wannabe Christian Grey way. But not happening.” He took a drag of his cigarette and gave a little two fingered salute with the hand holding the cigarette. “Enjoy your call and time alone.”

Josiah chuckled at the man’s attitude and lifted his phone to take a picture of the other. He planned to do nothing with it but maybe delete it as soon as he walked away, but if the man wanted to play it rudely, so could Josiah.

Xander smiled. He quickly made sure to record when the rental started and the length before turning back to Josiah, kissing the man, this time on his lips. “Yes sir.” 

He gave the other’s bulge one last squeeze before pulling away and leading Josiah towards the beach. “You want me to leave my clothes on? Or would you rather me be naked as you grope every inch of me?” He tilted his head, a small smirk on his lips as they made it to the sand, Xander managing to find a spot that wasn’t too crowded.

Josiah enjoyed getting his treat of a kiss and being called “sir” and he watched Xander walk, letting their arms stretch out before he got up to follow the Companion’s lead, which was like him. He rather enjoyed allowing people to walk themselves into a trap he would have to save them from.

Eyebrows rose and and eyes widened a little bit more as he looked at the very nice older man. Aki’s head tilted to the side just a touch at how the man spoke, having put someone on hold. Someone important enough to not be hung up on, he supposed. Still it was a distinctly odd reaction to essentially being catcalled.

“Don’t let me interrupt you. You may or may not see me there.” Aki gave the man a smirk as he took a pull from his cigarette. Not sure why the man was concerned about his clothing. He could wear nothing for all Aki would mind. “You seem to be too used to moving people around how you like.”

If Copper thought he was flustered before, it was nothing compared to how he felt when Josiah said that he wouldn’t mind doing more than just talking.  It brought a huge smile to his face, though he urged himself to be cool because this really wasn’t typical at all for him - he really was smoother than this generally.  "Oh yeah?“ he asked coyly, still smiling.  "What would you say if I told you that you’re right?  What if I told you that the moment you came over to me, I was thinking of doing more than talking?”  He might as well lay his cards on the table since Josiah seemed to be doing the same.

Smiling at the other man’s compliment, Copper just waved his hand dismissively, his face red from more than just the alcohol he’d been drinking now.  When Josiah mentioned getting a signed edition of Copper’s book, he told him, “I’ll give you as many as you want…well, within reason of course.  I’m not gonna sign like hundreds of them.”  He laughed as he said this, remembering a few book signings he’d done.  While he had enjoyed meeting and talking to the fans, Copper’s hand had resembled a claw by the time he was done.  "I would love to read some of those authors though,“ he told Josiah.  "I really like horror, especially ever since - ”  Copper stopped abruptly; he had almost started talking about something he would have regretted bringing up.  The truth was that he was even more drawn to horror since Ethan died, which objectively he thought was strange.  Wouldn’t people who’d been through a tragedy be drawn to something lighter?  But Copper thought maybe it was true what they say:  that misery loves company.  And there was definitely misery in horror fiction.  Happy to get his mind off that train of thought, Copper nodded and said, “I would love that.  Maybe we could find somewhere private.”  He didn’t say exactly why he was so interested in that, but Copper thought that Josiah would figure it out.

Josiah’s smirk became an amused smile as Copper let loose his own desires, which Josiah liked to hear. “Well, if you told me that, I think I would have to take you somewhere to allow you to show me what you want instead of just talking.” His hand moved from under Copper’s and he squeezed the back of the bigger man’s neck in a possessive way, but he didn’t think it would scare Copper off. That move rarely scared off other men.

Xander shrugged. “You can. Just nothing permanent.” He slid off of his stool, moving to stand between Josiah’s legs, slipping his arms around the other’s neck, his body pressing closer against the man’s. “If you wanna hire me, just say so. I can send a text and be yours for the next twenty four hours.” 

Leaning forward, Xander pressed his lips to the other’s ear as he lowered his voice, speaking only to Josiah. “It sounds perfect. I wanna show you just how good of a boy I can be. But you have to tell me what to call you first. Master? Sir? I wanna make sure I get it right.” He looked back at the other’s face, a small smirk on his lips.

Josiah’s expression perked up at the mention that he could leave marks. He grinned when Xander moved in close and he gave the man lopsided smirk. “I believe I already said I want to hire you, but if you need to hear it again then yes, send the text and be mine.” Josiah gripped the waistband of Xander’s trunks and gave him a hungered look.

Laughing, Copper admitted, “Kind of silly, isn’t it?  I should be able to come up with something better, but you’ve got me a bit flustered.  That’s not a bad thing though.”  A handsome, successful, intelligent man flirting with him was more than enough to make Copper’s mind go blank, at least somewhat.  “Tell you what,” Copper went on, “I’ll think of something better and get back to you, okay?  Sound good?”  Then he admitted, “But actually yes, I’m experiencing writer’s block.”  He didn’t try to make a joke of this because it really bothered him, but he also didn’t want to dwell on it.  Raising his beer, Copper replied, “To ending writer’s block,” clinking his beer against Josiah’s bottle and taking a slug.  Setting the bottle down, Copper remarked, “Hopefully it’s that easy.  Maybe the answer really is at the bottom of this bottle.”  And then he laughed.

When Josiah started asking which writer he took after, Copper was drawing a blank.  He’d read every author that Josiah had listened and normally could have thought of more, but he suddenly couldn’t come up with anyone else.  “Of that list, I guess Stephen King is the closest,” Copper said, “but even he’s not quite right.”  Looking at Josiah and laughing, he continued, “You know, I’m normally more intelligible, but I’m drinking and also don’t do well when put on the spot.  Later tonight, I’ll probably suddenly like of like five different authors I could have said.”  When Josiah mentioned his niece knowing who Copper was, he perked up, saying, “Really?  You’re not just saying what I want to hear?”  That made Copper feel so good, and he was beaming now.  “Thank you for telling me that,” he said, reaching over to rest his hand on Josiah’s arm, giving it a squeeze and smiling at him.  “You’ve made me feel really…I don’t know, great about myself in this relatively short conversation,” he informed Josiah.

“Flustered?” Josiah echoed with a thinking cant of his head. “Well, maybe you’re thinking about doing more than talking to me and I must say, I wouldn’t mind it.” He listened to Copper and nodded after they clinked drinks. Josiah took a larger swallow of his before setting it down on the bar as they spoke of horror authors. He smiled when Copper was again flustered after Josiah mentioned his niece.

Xander shrugged. “Because the game is simple. You want me. I want you. But until you pay for it, I’m not yours.” He moved closer, his hand gently resting on the other’s thigh as he gave a squeeze. “And believe me… I do want you. I want you to rent me and own me. I wanna see what you’ll do to me when given that freedom.” His eyes kept steady on the other’s face. “So like I said… for now drinks. Later tonight you can use me.”

He paused and shrugged. “If you rent me you can even get me to lie for you.” He smiled and leaned in closer, pressing a soft, chaste kiss against the other’s lips. “You’re very attractive. And I will deny you, if only to make you want me even more in the future.” He winked, finally pulling back and sitting fully on his stool once more, taking his drink and sipping at it, his eyes glinting with playfulness. 

“I’m assuming I’m not allowed to leave marks on you or I would put bite marks on your back and bruise your hips with my grip,” Josiah mentioned without missing a beat. “I suppose I’ll have to watch those beautiful lips suck me off before I tangle you up and fuck you.” A pause. “Do you like to sit on faces?”

Listening to Josiah, Copper caught some of what he was saying, but he had no idea what an “international agriculture conglomerate” was really.  But it sounded accomplished, especially the part about Josiah building it up.  “I’m impressed,” Copper told the man honestly.  “And thank you for calling me beautiful.”  It made him blush, and Copper looked at Josiah, trying to think of a word to describe him in return.  “I’m trying to think of something better than beautiful, but I’m coming up empty,” Copper said, “so I’m just gonna say you’re really hot.”  At that, Copper laughed, shaking his head.  That should have made it pretty clear what he thought of Josiah, at least.

Listening to Josiah, Copper smiled, feeling flattered by what had made Josiah notice him and liking his consideration for Copper in giving him an out.  “Well aren’t you a gentleman,” Copper stated, and he meant it.  “You like my eyes?”  He’d been told that before actually, though usually it was just a guy trying to get in his pants.  “So far I like your personality,” Copper reassured Josiah.  “What’s not to like?  Charming, kind, intelligent, complimentary, sweet…all good things.”  Josiah asked him then what he’d written, and Copper answered, “Just the one book.  It’s horror, titled The Forest.  Real original, I know.  But it’s about these creatures that live in the woods.  It’s supposed to be a trilogy, but right now it’s a standalone.”  Smirking, Copper said next, “So if those are your escapes, then I can offer you exactly one book…and one man.”  He just continued to look at Josiah then, taking a sip of his drink and grinning when he set the glass down.

Josiah got a thoughtful look on his face when Copper struggled for words. “A writer who can’t think of more than ‘beautiful?’ I’m guessing you’re experiencing some writer’s block then.” He noted the later part by ordering Copper another a beer. “To keep both hands busy,” Josiah said and lifted his drink. “To ending writer’s block with a deft blow of alcohol,” he offered as a toast and tapped his drink against Copper’s bottle.

“Well thank you very much.” He smiled at the other and sipped at his drink. “Don’t worry. As long as you’re not an asshole you’ll be fine. And so far you seem absolutely lovely.” He smiled easily and rested his head on his hand, looking the other man over. He seemed sweet and his eagerness was fairly charming.

“I don’t lie. So you already have your answer.” He beamed brightly at the other. “So the location is just beautiful. And then there are tons of hot, partially to fully nude guys around.” Plus he made good money, something that his family needed. But he didn’t need to share all of that. He liked to keep a lot of his life private, wanting to stay fun and light. “Trust me, we’ll end up making out on the beach in no time at all.”

Josiah chuckled as he lifted his drink to his lips and then took a sip. He didn’t remark on how he could be a demanding and controlling asshole when he wanted to be. He needed to feel out Xander first and see exactly how far he could push the limit of the other man’s niceties. He huffed a laugh when Xander said he didn’t lie, though.

“So then what do you do, Josiah?” Copper asked, wondering if the man was basically just professionally rich; he wouldn’t be the only one like that Copper had met on the island.  “Then I accept,” Copper replied, smiling at Josiah when he agreed to Copper’s offer.  “It’s a good face,” he added, smirking at Josiah, and as if to prove it, he just focused on the man’s features, taking them all in - he was a handsome man, that was for sure.

Copper was surprised when Josiah said he hadn’t done this in a long time because he hadn’t expected that.  “So you chose to break your streak with me?” he asked.  “I’m honored.  What made you decide to approach me though, if you don’t mind me asking?”  Copper was curious what Josiah had seen in him to make him want to buy him a drink.  “Sounds like you travel a lot,” Copper stated after ordering another drink.  Copper had been around the world too, but he didn’t want to sound like he was trying to one up Josiah’s experiences.  “Well, I’m a published author actually, though only one book so far,” Copper answered.  “That sounds better than admitting I haven’t finished my second book even though it’s been over a couple of years since I started.  Maybe the island will help me get inspired.”  That was unlikely though since Copper’s story took place in the forest during the fall, but maybe it would still somehow bust through his writer’s block.

Josiah smiled slowly as he glanced to Copper. “I’m the CEO of an international agriculture conglomerate from East Asia that you have very likely never heard of because we don’t have scandals like Monsanto,” Josiah told the man. “Half of the company I was born to but the rest I built myself. I could tell you more about it, tout my Alma Maters and so on, but I don’t want to bore a beautiful man such as yourself.”

“Sorry, but you can’t just hire me on the spot. You have to submit a request with one of the owners. Basically any amount of town from one hour to twenty-four. But don’t worry. You can have my attention all night long.” He smiled brightly and winked at the other, sipping at the drink that Josiah got him.

“Oh, and if it wasn’t clear, yeah. I’m a Companion. And consider tonight to be your teaser of all I have to offer.” He winked and leaned against the bar top. “So tell me what you want. I mean like what do you want to talk about? Or if you’d like we could just make out instead.”

Josiah’s expression became thoughtful and he nodded. “Well, I’ll certainly have to put my name in with one of the owners and I think I will request the full twenty-four hours.” He watched Xander as he listened to the younger man and took a sip of his drink. “As long as I’m keeping you in the good graces of your employers.”

Looking over at the men, Copper said, “Who knows though?  Maybe they will be one day.”  Copper thought that he was a pretty outgoing person and tended to make friends easily.  Plus, Copper added, “I mean, it’s not like the island is huge or anything, right?  So there’s a finite number of people to talk to.”  Looking at Josiah, Copper asked, “Are you staff too then?”  Either way, he was interested to know more about his new acquaintance.

Although Copper appreciated the man’s offer, he didn’t need Josiah to do that.  But instead of just saying no, Copper said, “I’ll only accept if you let me return the favor next time.”  He already felt like he’d want to talk with Josiah again - or more if that’s how things went.  After ordering his drink, Copper asked, “So is this something you do a lot?  Buying strange men multiple free drinks in a night?”  He smiled brightly as he said this, hoping his tone had come out playful like he intended.

“No, not staff,” Josiah replied before sipping his drink. He sat it back down on the bar and kept his gaze matched with Copper’s, nodding when Copper said he wanted to return the favor. “Of course. Performing and returning favors are a natural way of interacting. I appreciate your offer and the notion that you would already like to see my face again.”