Hidden Desire book 1 (Un)Control(led)

Chapter 12. Equilibrium.

Parking his car in the secluded part of the underground parking lot reserved for penthouse owners, Briel paid extra attention to Kincade's explanation.

"If you use the house entrance you need to sign in at reception. I already cleared you with security. If you use the office entrance you can swipe your pass to gain access to the elevator that goes up to the higher levels. The apartment is on a level below the penthouse and is for your use only. I give you permission to use it as often as you want. I would appreciate a text if you're here. Actually I would appreciate a text whenever you change venues."

Briel sighed and looked up.

"Is this to keep me safe again?" he guessed.

"Please", Kincade asked softly.

Briel nodded, frowning slightly seeing the flash of relief before Kincade guided him out of the turbo lift.

"This is your door. Take your time, look around and come find me when you're finished. You can use the connecting door. If you're unsure about anything text me."

Briel reached out placing his right hand on the doorhandle and was pleased to see it unlock without a hitch.

"See you later", he murmured shyly and stepped inside.

He immediately noticed that he was not in the small hall he crossed with Kincade before. Moving forward light automatically sprung on revealing a staircase on his right. Climbing the stairs halfway the saw the familiar hall and stepped back down. If the room he saw before was upstairs then what was downstairs? Stepping forward a door slid open revealing what looked like a high end gym. Taking off his outdoor boots he walked inside.

Besides the more familiar bike, treadmill, cross-trainer and rower he saw equipment that oddly looked like torture devices. Wandering the space he found a jacuzzi, sauna, shower room and half bathroom. Letting out a sigh he realized that keeping in shape would soon become a staple part of his life.

Picking up his boots he took the stairs and entered the living room. Looking for the kitchen he discovered that the big room actually went on beyond the corner. An impressive kitchen with kitchen-island, dinnertable and comfortable looking nook looked really inviting.

Turning back he walked through the living room to look for his bedroom. First thing he found was another corridor. Open doors showed him a study with a half bath to this right. To his left at the end of the corridor he walked into a stunning bedroom. Just like the living room it had a floor to ceiling glass wall. Whoever decorated this appartement had the gift to blend the hotel-crispness with a homey feeling.

Even knowing that others had lived here, he felt a sense of peace. Maybe because of the lack of nick-nacks. The straightforward design and use of cool, yet mellow, colors appealed to him.

Taking a deep breath he walked past the comfortable looking bed and entered a walk-in-closet that had him feeling faint.

"Good God in Heaven", escaped him when he saw the amount of clothes gathered before him.

The closet easily four time bigger than his bedroom was filled to the brim. Briel admired the aesthetic beauty of the display, but absolutely hated the content.

Rushing out of the closet he sank to his knees in front of the incredible panoramic view. Too much. Too much. Now he knew what Brands Kincade shopped for he was able to see that everything was bought at the VIP level of the Mall. It must have cost a fortune. A large fortune.

Focusing on his breathing to control his inner turmoil, Briel slowly calmed down.

'Remember the Prime Directive', he reminded himself, stood up and walked back into the closet. These clothes would be his uniform, costume and shield. After his time with Kincade he would leave them, along with this apartement behind. Consider it all a lease. Drawing that line actually made him feel better. If he was to make the translation between his world and Kincade's and successfully create a believable Sub he needed this environment to remind him of the term 'Elite'.