A hard bargain

Disconsolately, Lithe closed the door to Grandmother Mila's room to give the elderly couple privacy.

He only left quietly after Grandmother Mila drifted off to sleep and her husband James came to stay by her side. 

Now he had to scurry back from that wing of the mansion and return to the private villa where Zen Starke would be waiting in the paneled room.

Lithe ventured down the corridor from the bedroom on to a narrow landing.

From there he climbed down a circular stair leading downwards, even with the windows very little sunlight filtered in adding to Lithe's mood.

The silence of the mansion drew Lithe down to another further flight of curving stairs that led to a gallery which opened out onto a huge hall.

After he exited the huge hall, it led to the private paneled room.

Zen managed to look at home in the paneled room, surrounded by chairs and settees.

The antique coffee maker was bubbling and old antique rugs were laid out on a gleaming white marbled floor.

Around the walls, heavy framed pictures of Maximillian ancestry looked down over glassware and filing cabinets.

Lithe tried to slip into the room quietly after his private conversation with Grandmother Mila.

Negotiations were already underway when Lithe entered the room.

They needed Zen Stark to sign a non disclosure agreement as well as a contract before they could inform him about the missing family journal.

Estella whispered, "are you okay?"

"Don't worry Estella, it's nothing a tall glass of wine can't handle once discussions with the Starke are over," replied Lithe quietly.

Estella seeing the glum look on Lithe's face decided to let the matter drop.

It didn't go unnoticed by Zen that his potential mate Lithe Hildebrand had really nice legs. 

Should he lose his work as a Chief Advisor he could always work in the fashion industry as a model.

With his natural tenacity Zen could see Lithe rising in the industry and becoming a top model.

Zen drew in a deep breath, he could see the curvature of Lithe's sweetly rounded cheeks.

As Lithe bent over to pick up a stack of papers that were knocked off the table when Grandmother Mila collapsed. 

Zen found himself paying more attention to Lithe's ass than listening to what Christina Maximillian had to say about the signing of contracts with the family.

Lithe had a small waist, Zen was sure that just one of his arms could wrap around it. 

He briefly imagined lifting up Lithe and turning him astride to face him, stealing a kiss then plunging Lithe down on his hard cock and spilling his seed in him. 

"Talk all you want but I won't sign anything until you give me more details," said Zen plainly.

Christina looked like she was about to explode from frustration.

As there was no other way to get the information across to Zen without exposing details that might put the family at risk.

"Have a seat Christina, I'll take over for now," interrupted Lithe smoothly.

He walked over to Zen and was so close that Zen caught a hint of vanilla musk, it was very faint.

Before he could stop himself Zen asked, "are you by chance wearing a cologne?"

Lithe frowned, "no, I'm not but let's not get distracted and return to the issue at hand. We need you to find and return something important that was stolen from us. Until you sign the NDA and the contract we can't disclose what the item is but we can make an offer to sweeten the deal."

Zen leaned forward and said suggestively, "I find myself craving sweets lately, what do you have in mind?"

To his amazement Lithe did not back down or scamper away from the dominant alpha instead he lifted his defiant chin and met Zen's gaze. 

"We are aware that Starke's have money of their own and that any amount we offer would be quite insignificant in your eyes but what you lack is social mobility. The Maximillian Tribe has reliable connections and we are prepared to launch you in polite society and give you a solid backing that could help rebuild your reputation in society."

"What makes you think I would accept this offer?"

"Like I said before I may have snooped around in your background, not only that I did some looking into your financial situation. It's rumored that you're richer than our current Monarchy and that you have numerous hidden assets and businesses all over the globe."

Lithe paused to check that he had Zen's full attention before continuing to speak, "I also checked out your family background and I'm aware that you have three younger sisters who are coming of age soon and will need to make decent matches. It's reported that you are the benevolent older brother that dotes on your younger siblings. No doubt you would only want the best for them. Which is why I suggested the Maximillians make this offer rather than a monetary one that you would easily reject."

Lithe wasn't done yet, "Despite how handsome you are, even you have some difficulty finding a potential mate. The Maximillians are willing to play matchmaker and set you up with one of their own daughters."

There was a loud gasp of horror from Christina while Estella just winked and blew Zen a kiss.

Ignoring the outburst Lithe carried on, "If neither are to your liking there is also the marriage mart. Lady Maria is willing to introduce you to ladies from several upstanding families and we are willing to host as many balls and socials as it takes to launch you and your younger siblings properly into society. If none of this catches your fancy then I'm sure we can come to some other arrangement. What do you think?" 

"You think I'm handsome?"

Of all the things that Lithe mentioned in his speech that's all he focused on, was the alpha daft? 

"None of us can dispute the obvious fact," agreed Lithe. 

"Marriage, you say. Not just for myself but my younger siblings as well. You drive a hard bargain but is marriage to you included in the offer?"