Chapter Text
Max was watching from his window on his family jet as he was traveling to New York City all on his own. He had left his apartment in Beverly Hills early in the morning and already missed the sun and heat from South California. It had been his home for the last 18 years but he was basically on a mission.
His father Christian Horner had given him the biggest responsibility and opportunity of his life so far and it was the chance to prove to him and the rest of the people he could do it, he was a good heir for his dad's corporation.
It was not as if his father didn't trust him, despite just recently graduating from business school at Stanford with excellence, Christian was his biggest supporter along with his mother Geri. He knew he was the luckiest person to have them as parents.
It was just that even though he had been the best in his class and sports ever since he started to study in the States, and he spent the summers partly working with his dad, for the people who worked in the corporation he was not enough. The fact that he was not a biological son didn't help. He didn't care about it neither did his family but some snob people did.
Max was born in Belgium but grew up in the Netherlands. His parents were Jos and Sophie Verstappen and they were abusive with him and his sister ever since he could remember. The worst part of it all, many people knew about it and did nothing.
Then, when he was 6 years old an angel in the form of a redhead young woman showed up to save him and his sister. Geri Horner was a member of a girl band who happened to give a concert in The Netherlands and saw Jos Verstappen slap a 6 years old skinny Max in the face in a mall and then yell to his 3-year-old daughter for crying in front of the people.
She instantly went and confronted the man and for a moment Max felt like he was about to be saved. Instead, the man just laughed at her face and dragged them away.
Max thought it was all over until the next day social services came to visit because his father had dumbly given his name to his ángel and she had reported him.
As he didn't have any more family members outside his parents, he and Victoria were taken by social services. To his surprise, he was presented again to his angel Geri and her husband Christian who said they wanted to adopt them and take them far away from their abusive family.
The couple had tried for years to have babies with no success, so when Gerri saw them and the state they were in she instantly called Christian and put hands on deck.
They moved to LA, gave them the best life they could have and so much love as if they were their biological children. Once he turned 18, Max decided to keep his original last name because he liked it and wanted to remember where he came from and how far he had gone. Christian and Gerri happily accepted, glad he didn't feel ashamed of his past.
A few years back Geri gave birth to twin boys and later a girl, so Max also had 3 little siblings he loved with all his heart.
He was set to become his dad's heir under the condition of helping his little siblings when they grew up and he was happy to do it.
The company was expanding more as time passed and Christian had already made an agreement with one of the biggest news companies in New York. The man was set to meet the CEO but got sick and decided to send Max instead.
Once he landed, he settled in the room his dad had reserved for their stay in the Plaza Hotel and compulsively studied all the information for the meeting he had the next day as if he didn't know it all already.
----
The air was chilly when he stepped out of the black SUV to get inside the PGA News building on Fifth Avenue. He was on his way to the most important meeting of his life so far.
His father's digital newspaper branch was going to merge with PGA News as the corporation wanted to expand from television and traditional newspaper to digital.
The deal was almost closed, there were just some small details to discuss before signing the agreement that day.
He didn't know the CEO of PGA News, all he knew was that he had inherited the company from his father some years back and although he was not a ruthless businessman, he was quite picky.
Once he got to the 7th floor Max approached the red-headed assistant of the CEO to announce he was there.
He waited for a few minutes until he was told to go inside the office. During that time he got the chance to look around. The place was spacious, with some personal offices, office meetings, and cubicles. The predominant colors were gray, black, and white and it was surrounded by large windows.
Once he stepped inside the CEO's office he felt his hands starting to shake.
This is Max, the moment you've been waiting for. Don't fuck it up.
As he closed the door the man behind the wooded desk looked up and made him freeze in his spot.
Holy shit, he is hot. No Max, focus on what matters!
He cursed his luck because he was quite picky with the men he liked and yet, the first second he looks at the man he feels a kind of attraction he had never felt before.
The man stood up with a smile on his face but confusion in his brown eyes. Dark hair, thick eyebrows, freckles all over his face, tanned skin, and a lean body.
"Hello, you are...?" The man said while shaking his hand.
"Hello, Max. Max Verstappen." He said after recovering from the electricity he felt all over his body when their hands touched. By the man's look on his face, it seemed he felt it too.
"Oh, I thought I had a meeting with Christian's son." The man said, confused.
"It's me, I just have a different last name." He said nervously. Having the eyes of the man on him in such an intense stare was affecting him.
Knowing he was meeting the right person, the CEO sat down and invited him to sit too.
"How is that possible? Why do you have a different last name?"
Max wasn't a fan of talking about his past with anyone. While he wasn't ashamed of it, many times it led to people starting to question his rights in his family. Yet, with the man he didn't think twice before telling him.
"Well, I'm adopted and I kept my original name to-"
"To show a difference between you and your family, that you want to make your own name, not be a shadow of your family's success." Max just nodded amazed how the man almost read his mind. "Well, you are lucky in that aspect." The man sighed. "I'm Sergio, by the way. Sergio Perez. From the Perez family, everyone knows about it."
Max could hear a tinge of resentment in that last sentence.
"Nice to meet you, Sergio." He felt his face instantly get red because of the attraction he was feeling toward the man.
Fuck Max get a grip. He is a business partner.
"Same Max." The man said, looking him straight in the eyes, with an intense stare that made Max's body fill with goosebumps. "From what I understand, your father sent you so we can discuss the last details before we sign right?"
"Yes."
"All right, then, I'm listening."
For a moment, all the information he had memorized was gone, he couldn't form a sentence. He saw Sergio realize he was nervous and he hated it, he didn't want to seem weak and inexperienced even though he kind of was.
He had gone to meetings but never on his own, always with his dad.
Fuck, Max, you are blowing this up.
"Hey, are you okay?"
He looked up and saw genuine concern in the other man's eyes, and that calmed his nervousness. He expected to see someone who would make fun of him and his inexperience, instead, he received patience and understanding.
"Yes, I'm sorry. Uhmm...so, as we are set to merge both companies it is expected we open a branch here and transfer some of our people. This will happen as soon as we sign the agreement. All legal aspects have been approved by both teams. The transition will be gradual but consistent."
"And how long is this transition going to take?" Sergio asked with what seemed to be curiosity in his eyes as if he didn't know all the information.
"5 months."
"Okay, and who is going to supervise this transition from your side? You?" Sergio asked but he didn't do it condescendingly, he really seemed interested.
"I don't know yet, my father only sent me to close the deal."
"Well, if your father offers you the opportunity I think you should accept it." What? Max didn't see that coming. "It would be a great way to obtain experience. You just got out of business school, am I correct?" Max hesitated before nodding, he didn't want to lose the respect he had from the man once he realized he had just graduated, but to his surprise, his attitude towards him didn't change in the least. "If I were you, I would accept it. I've been in your place, believe me. And New York is the best way to gain experience. It's full of sharks and snakes but if you learn how to tame them, I can guarantee you, you'll be a successful businessman."
The man said all that with a glint in his eyes, almost as if he was trying to convince him to accept an offer he didn't even have at the moment.
After discussing the last details of the deal they went to a meeting office with many intimidating adults from the PGA News team and Max Verstappen's signature was done next to Sergio Perez's one on the several pages of the document.
Late in the night as Max was checking some emails, he received a request for a video call from his father. He instantly answered and was met with a healthier Christian.
"Hey Dad, how are you feeling?"
"Better son, I can't believe the flu stopped me from going to New York."
"You know how's mom," Max said, rolling his eyes. Geri Horner was an overprotective wife and mother.
"Yeah, I know," Christian said looking behind his back checking if his wife was not around. "So how did it go?"
"Good, I think, the deal is closed. That means I can go back right?"
"Ah, not so fast Max. We still need to make the transition and I was thinking you could take care of that and perhaps even take charge of it permanently." Max opened his eyes, shocked. "You would get a lot of experience from it, you know? And Checo thinks it's a good idea."
Uh?
"Checo? Who is Checo?"
Christian laughed before replying. "It's Sergio, that's his nickname. I talked with him a few hours ago and he agrees with me, it would be good for you to gain experience. It seems like you got along really well."
Max kept quiet trying to process all the information so once Christian realized his son was in shock he spoke again.
"Stay for the transition Max, please. I trust you, you can do it! And the experience son, I swear New York is a whole different world, the experience you can get there. Help me with the transition at least."
"You are trying to get rid of me, aren't you?" He replied with a smile. "I'll think about it okay?"
"Don't think too much though. We are supposed to start all the movements next week."
"Okay, I'll tell you in 2 days."
----
Max spent those 2 days reflexing and getting to know New York better. He'd been there but only visited specific places.
During those days he kept remembering what his father and Sergio had told him about accepting the offer. It was the perfect opportunity to prove he was meant to be the heir of his father's legacy.
Once he accepted the offer they wasted no time and employees from his father's company started to arrive in New York. Several meetings were held, there was a big announcement and a press conference and he was in the spotlight all the time along with Sergio.
He was assigned a big office on the PGA News floor and a secretary he clicked with right away.
During the first three weeks of the transition he got to have meetings with Checo and other members of the team and the man always treated him with patience and kindness, suggesting and advising when it was needed.
But after those 3 weeks, Checo left for 2 because he went on his annual family holiday, so Max had to handle the transition with the PGA News personal advisors.
During that time he got to explore the city and to get to know the people on the PGA News floor, especially a young man called Lando Norris who was almost the same age as Max and was one of the lawyers of the company. They met one night when it was raining and Lando's car didn't turn on, so Max asked him if he wanted a ride home, after that they ate lunch together every day.
They were in Max's new loft getting ready to play video games when he took him by surprise with a question.
"So, what is it with you and Checo?"
Max looked at him shocked. "What are you talking about?" We are business partners."
"Well, it seems like there's more, and people in the office talk."
"What? What are they saying and why?"
"It seems that he has a fixation with you," Lando said, shrugging.
Max started to remember his interactions with the man and what he recalled the most was the sparkle in his eyes whenever they would bump into each other, lock eyes or talk in a meeting.
"I feel like I should warn you." Lando interrupted.
"About?"
"Checo, he's...not into serious relationships, ever. He is pretty well known here in New York for that and the fact that well...he's bi so there is more competition?"
"There is nothing to warn me for but thank you." He said quickly. "How do you know about all this?"
"Ahh, remember I told you about my boyfriend Carlos?" Lando asked and Max nodded. "Well, he is close friends with Checo and my dad is a good friend of his dad."
They spent the rest of the night playing but the conversation stayed in the back of Max's head. After what Lando had said, he couldn't help but consider all Checo's kindness and generosity had been for a reason.
Once his friend went home, he opened the browser on his phone and typed Sergio's name, and what he found left him speechless. Aside from the articles about his successful career he didn't open, Max found countless pictures and exclusives of the man's nights out with different men and women in his arms every night. Pictures were taken by reporters but also by people who he partied and spent the night with. He locked his phone and went to bed trying to clear his head from what he discovered that night.
Sergio was his business partner, just that and that's how things were going to stay.
The next week was hell for Max, there were so many things happening at the same time and Sergio's advisors were ruthless with him in so many aspects like if he didn't speak at the right time, he hesitated to make a decision or didn't know something related to the company that clearly was not his. Tuesday he was mocked in front of a great number of employees because he didn't recognize a term that was not related to his career. He had to suppress the urge to complain and even had to repress some tears because of the frustration. The way those people were was so unnecessary, he had never been rude to them and they were making him embarrass himself as if they didn't know Max had a better rank there and had to be respected.
He was aware it was because of his age and he felt so frustrated and...lonely. He was more than his age or his family name and status.
He didn't want to tell his parents and made them believe he was not good enough to be the heir, his friends from home were too busy on vacations and to be honest, as much as Max loved them, they would never understand. He felt that no one understood him. There was no one in his life in that situation who could listen and actually give him accurate advice.
That Tuesday night as soon as he went to the shower in his loft on the Upper East Side, he cried. From frustration, overwhelmedness, loneliness, and confusion.
Confusion about what he should do with those people and although he didn't want to admit it, about Sergio.
Yes, he liked him a lot and even though he tried to deny it, after his conversation with Lando he realized Sergio indeed was interested in him.
Normally he would feel flattered and see where things would go but thankfully now he knew he would be Sergio's flavor of the month and that's it. So he decided to try not to think about that to avoid pain and because he did not mix business and pleasure. But as much as he tried to, he couldn't stop thinking about the man.
At least all those mixed emotions got him to his limit, he was tired of being mocked and he was a fighter, he never gave up, and that's why he decided to stay late at the office a few days a week.
That's the reason Checo found him late in the night in his office with his nose buried in a book Wednesday night.
"Max, what are you doing here so late?"
When he looked up he saw the man standing in the doorway. He looked so handsome with his messy hair and suit without a tie as clearly took it off thinking no one was on the floor at that hour.
"I ask you the same?" He said rearranging his glasses.
"I need to catch up on work from the last few weeks." the man replied, inviting himself in and sitting on the leather couch in the middle of Max's office. "What's all this? Are there problems?" The man asked with some sheets on his hands.
"No problems at all, I'm just getting to know your company better."
"Why?"
Max sighed and removed his glasses. "Your dear old friends are so exigent and ruthless."
Sergio sighed resigned. "Who and what happened?"
"Well, today it was Marko but on Monday it was Hannah."
"Mate, I'm so done, I'm going to talk with them."
"No!" Max immediately said, surprising Sergio. "I don't need you defending me. I'm just telling you because you are the CEO and have to know what is happening. But I don't need nor want you fighting my battles."
"All right," Checo said, lifting his hands as a sign of resignation. "I'm honestly just looking for an excuse to kick them out." He replied and that piqued Max's interest. He lifted an eyebrow and turned around to look at him as he was standing close, searching through the papers on the table in front of Sergio.
"Why? They seem really protective over you, that's something you should be thankful for."
"Over the company, not me. I didn't choose them. They have worked decades for the company and my father kept them in their jobs so they could "guide me for a few years while I get to experience and hire my people" he said, making quotation marks with his fingers. "Where are you going?"
Checo abruptly changed the course of the conversation and made him stop by holding his wrist. The effect was immediate. He felt heat and fire crawl all over his body, leaving goosebumps on their path and he could see the contact affected the man too as his eyes grew darker but didn't let go.
"Uhhhh, going back to my chair."
"Stay here." It was a gentle command and for some reason, he couldn't say no. He sat on the couch next to him trying to keep an appropriate distance.
"Back to Marko and co, since when have you been dealing with them?"
"Ahhh since I was 28."
"And that was how long ago?" Max actually didn't know Sergio's age so he had to ask.
The other man laughed before replying with a glint in his eyes and getting his face close to his. "How old do I look?"
OK, now he is totally flirting.
Max instantly blushed with the realization and because he was worried his answer would somehow offend the man. "Ah, 30 or 30-something?" The man lifted an eyebrow for an explanation. "Well, you look really comfortable around here and people respect and treat you as their CEO, so you must have been for a while."
"Good thinking, Max. I'm 34 and you?"
"23, about to turn 24 at the end of the month."
"Oh, that's cool. How are you going to celebrate?" Max realized Checo seemed really interested.
"I don't know, I'll probably go out with Lando or something."
"Lando? Lando Norris?"
"Yeah, I helped him get home once and we are friends now. He is the only person I trust here."
Sergio looked hurt. "And me?" Yeah right. "You can trust Max, really. But it's good you have Lando as a friend, he is great."
"You know him?"
"Yeah, his dad and mine are really close."
They fell into a comfortable silence for a while as Max started reading the finances from PGA news for the previous fiscal year.
"It's late, have you eaten?" Sergio asked.
"No, I'll eat when I get home."
"We should order something. Any suggestions?"
"We?" Max asked
"Yes, I'm part of the team and if you have issues with the personnel I should help you. I disappeared for a while and left you handling it all."
"You don't have to stay late for me."
"I do, I want to help you." As he saw Max was about to protest, he changed the direction of the conversation. "I do know why Marko and the others are being assholes with you though."
"Why?"
"You are exposing them, Max, you are taking them out of their comfort zone because they don't understand technology as easily as us, and instead of learning, they are projecting their frustration on you."
"So, they see me as a threat?"
"Yeah, you are threatening their jobs, it's not because you are young or not qualified, because you are. In fact, that's one of the reasons why I wanted to expand to digital news." Sergio said sheepishly.
"So I'm the punching bag because you want to get rid of them?"
"They are like that with everyone but you are the one that is making them feel threatened the most. That's why I want to help you, you don't deserve the way they are treating you."
Max sighed. He was still pretty sure his age was an issue too. "They will be gone, no? Eventually?"
"Yes. 100%. I'm just waiting for the right time. Prove they are not qualified anymore because mayhem is going to start with my father once I kick them out. Just, wait for a while."
"Now I know why you are so kind to me. You feel guilty." He looked down and whispered. He had to admit he felt a bit disappointed, it was not even attraction, just guilt, and remorse.
"What? No max! I like you! The way I am with you has nothing to do with them."
I like you. I like you. I like you.
"Trust me." The man got closer to him to look straight into his eyes, making him blush due to the intensity of the stare.
After that night Checo gained Max's trust in the professional aspects, staying late with him in the office and solving any doubt he had about the management of the company.
He of course subtly flirted with Max, trying to make him understand he was interested not only as business partners, but the younger man did not flirt back and always discussed professional topics with him, never personal.
Not wanting to get attached to him when he already knew how he was. Almost half of NYC did.
Soon Max's birthday came and he went to 2do Floor Bar and Essen with Lando. It was a well-kept secret bar above the 2nd Avenue Deli.
The place had a bar with high chairs and leather couches, the lights were dim and the details were brown and woodsy.
They were sitting on a couch drinking their second beer when Max saw Lando smile and wave at someone. That was weird because no one was supposed to be there, only the two of them, but he had seen the man texting minutes before. When he looked at the direction Lando was waving he saw two dark-haired men with big smiles on their faces, and to Max's shock, one of them was Checo.
His heart started racing immediately because he looked so handsome with his dark blue button-up, black coat, and jeans.
"Hey!" Lando said standing up and hugging the stranger, then he half hugged Checo.
"Hey, we thought of stopping by," the stranger said and then he looked at Max.
"Ah, Max, this is my boyfriend Carlos."
The man smiled at him and shook his hand. "Hey, happy birthday! It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard so many things about you."
Max looked at Lando with a question in his eyes and the man shrugged meaning he didn't know what his boyfriend was talking about.
"Thank you, nice to meet you."
Then he finally looked at Checo who had a big smile on his face. "Hey Max, happy birthday." The man hugged him and that action took Max by surprise for a few seconds. He hugged him back enveloped in the man's cologne.
"Thank you." He managed to say, feeling his face on fire.
"How's the birthday going?" Sergio asked him once they sat again and Carlos started talking with Lando.
"Good. Friends and family called, and I received some presents."
"That's nice. Doing something later?" Sergio asked before taking a sip of his soda.
"Not really."
"Well, me and Carlos are going to Rumpus Room if you want to join."
"Rumpu what?"
Sergio laughed at his confused expression. "Rumpus Room. It's a nightclub."
Max felt his heart sink for a brief moment.
Of course, he is going out to party, it is Saturday night after all and that is his lifestyle.
"Let's go, Max! It will be fun!" Lando seemed excited and so did Sergio. Those brown eyes and big smile made him give in.
"Okay, sure." But to be completely honest he was not really happy with the idea of watching Checo flirting with other people in front of him.
"So, how are we going?" Lando asked because Max's driver had taken them to the bar.
"We came in Checo's car so..." Carlos said
"You driving? So irresponsible." Lando said mockingly.
"I'm not drinking tonight. I'm only going out because Carlos keeps pestering me about it."
"Yeah right," Lando said, rolling his eyes.
"I swear!"
"You have to work tomorrow or something? International phone call?"
"No." Sergio replied laughing because Lando refused to believe him."Is it hard to believe I am not the one who wanted to go out?"
"This time it's true, baby." Carlos said to Lando.
"Okay then, you are driving." The youngest of them all replied.
An hour later Max found himself with Lando in the backseat of Sergio's black BMW making their way to the club.
"You are insane for wanting to drive in New York," Lando told Sergio who was behind the wheel.
"It makes me relax."
"So Max, are you enjoying the Big Apple?" Carlos asked, wanting to get to know him better and he involuntarily locked eyes with Sergio through the rearview mirror as the man was curious for his answer.
"Yeah, I like the place itself. Just some people are too..."
"Cold?" Carlos answered amused.
"Carlos is not the biggest fan of New York," Lando explained.
"Really? Where are you from?"
"Massachusetts."
After hearing that, Max liked Carlos more, feeling for the first time someone understood how he felt about some new yorkers from high society.
They arrived at the club and it was already crowded, but they were immediately led to a lounge in the corner because they had a reservation.
The place had an eclectic and retro style with wood-paneled walls and some nature decoration.
They ordered some drinks and half an hour later Checo said it was his birthday so they all sang to him with bottles of tequila and burning Bengal candle cakes. But to Max what lightened the place the most was the smile Sergio was giving him as he sang.
He realized right away Checo was a magnet to people because as soon as they sat, various men and women approached him in a flirtatious way, but to his surprise, the man kindly rejected each and one of them.
At some point in the night, Lando and Carlos went to the dancefloor and left them alone.
"Are you enjoying your birthday?"
"Yeah, thank you for the song and all."
"It's nothing, really. I just wanted you to have a nice birthday despite not being home." The man replied, laying a hand on Max's thigh and making his heart rate spike. "You wanna dance?" Sergio said and looked at the dance floor.
Max didn't know if it was the vibe of the club, the alcohol, the attraction he had for the man, or how handsome he looked that night but he accepted even though it was something new and risky.
Sergio held his hand and led him to the dance floor, away from Carlos and Lando so Max didn't feel too observed. The man gently held his waist with both hands and he in return laid his on Checo's shoulders.
He tried to keep an appropriate distance between them both but the man pulled him in and with the electricity he felt traveling all over his body, he couldn't step away.
Sergio started to move his hips in sync with the beat of the music and he followed trying to relax and not show how the closeness affected him.The attraction they had felt through those weeks was building up and he felt as if it was only both of them in the room. Max forgot about his rule of keeping it professional with Sergio at that moment in the night and kept dancing with him for he didn't know how long until a drunk dude bumped into them and dropped his glass on the floor staining their shoes.
After that incident, they got back to their table and found Lando and Carlos making out clearly drunk.
"Hey!" Carlos said.
"We are going now. Can we go now?" Lando asked his boyfriend, forgetting they arrived with Checo.
Carlos looked at them waiting for their answer. It was 1:30 am and a good time to leave.
"Sure, let 's go."
"Who lives nearer?" Sergio asked once they were walking to the car.
"Max, but we really need to get home," Lando said, sounding desperate and hugging Carlos from behind.
Checo and Max shared an amused stare because clearly, those two couldn't keep their hands off each other in that state.
"Checo, take Max home and we'll get a cab."
"Oh don't worry, I can call my driver and you can go with Checo." He said.
"No birthday boy, you shouldn't wait here on your own." Carlos managed to say as he was receiving kisses all over his face.
They said goodbye and Checo took him home giving him a brief tour of the places they passed by in case he ever got lost. He shared fun facts, tips and recommended restaurants, clubs, bars, and stores.
Once they got outside his building, Max wasn't sure what to do. The man had been really nice to him all night but he was wary of what could happen if they went to his apartment. He had already sobered up but was still intoxicated with Checo's cologne. He wasn't much experienced in all the dating topics as he only had a boyfriend in his teens and went on a few dates that in the end led to nothing, but he knew the implications of inviting someone to go with him to his loft.
"You want to go inside for a while?" He heard himself say. The man smiled and nodded.
Once they were inside, they passed the hallway and Checo started to look around the living room.
"You want something to drink?" Max asked, searching for a way to distract himself from his nervousness.
"Sure, water if you have," Sergio said and made himself comfortable on his couch. "This place is nice." The man talked again when Max handed him his glass. "Thanks."
"Yeah, I moved in not long ago. I stayed at a hotel when I arrived and took my time to find a place I liked." He said sitting next to him.
"I'm glad you are getting comfortable here in New York, even though we are cold people," the man said with a glint in his eyes, making Max laugh a bit ashamed.
God, he is so handsome.
"I didn't say all of you are cold. You are not. You are one of the kindest people I've met here."
He didn't realize he and Checo had reduced the distance between themselves until he got the chance to look at how many freckles the man had on his face.
"Yeah, I'm not cold, at least not with you. I can't." the man said near his lips and Max closed his eyes in anticipation, waiting for the inevitable touch. He had imagined that scenario a million times and in all of them he rejected Sergio, he never imagined he would be nervously waiting for the imminent with his hands shaking.
Except the touch didn't come and he opened his eyes as he felt the man's hand on his cheek. He was waiting for his permission.
He had never told Sergio anything personal about him, and yet the man could decipher he was not an expert. Part of him felt ashamed about it, about not being able to give the man as much as he could give him in one kiss but he calmed his fears with a caress on his cheek.
Yes, perhaps it was stupid and he was going against what he had told himself countless of times but it was his birthday and at that moment, it felt right, so he put his hand on top of his and the man took it as approval because he gave Max a rough kiss full of desperation.
The desperation he knew Sergio had felt for a while due to their attraction and his reluctance to give in. It was almost as if he wanted to prove how good he was for him, the things he could make him feel and it worked.
Max kissed him back, getting lost in desire and the man's expert tongue. Checo seemed frantic to get to know his mouth with all the licks and bites he was giving him and in return Max clung to his shoulders wanting to get closer, searching for more, something he had never been interested to find with anyone else. As a result of his actions, Checo held him by his waist, humming into his mouth.
1, 2, 3 long and passionate kisses they shared until Max came back to his senses despite feeling like his body was on fire and ignoring the voice in his head telling him not to, he pulled back.
His heart was beating incredibly fast, his skin was covered with goosebumps and his dick was starting to throb. It was so easy to give in but he couldn't.
"Wait." He said breathlessly with his lips still touching Sergio's.
"What?" The man said, searching his lips for another kiss.
"We can't. We must stop. This is a bad idea"
That made Sergio open his eyes. "Why?"
Max looked at his hands as he replied, not wanting to see the man's reaction, afraid of being mocked. "I can't. I don't mix business with pleasure."
"We won't, we are not in the office."
Dumb man.
"I mean it, Checo."
"Me too."
Max sighed because the man was not taking him seriously. "I'm tired, I think it's best if you leave. It's late." He stood up and the man did too. Despite their heavy make-out session and being basically kicked out, Sergio walked next to him calmly.
Once they were by the doorway and he said goodbye Checo surprised him by pulling him in by the hips and kissing him again. The kiss was sensual and deep, leaving him wanting more. "It's not over alright? We'll talk about this."
Before he could reply, he was gone.
----
He didn't talk with Sergio again that week but he knew the man was not angry at him by the way he kept looking and talking to him during the formal meetings they had every day.
He felt disappointed though when on Friday and Saturday nights he saw pictures of Sergio in different nightclubs with different people having the time of his life.
He didn't know who he was kidding, he had been warned how the man was and he had rejected him the previous weekend, but still, it hurt. He wasn't planning on demanding an explanation to the man, it wasn't his place to do it but he still did Tuesday night.
He was checking more finances of the company when Sergio stepped in and sat next to him, comfortable enough to not mind there was no personal space between them.
"Hey." The man said happily.
"Hi." He replied with his eyes still glued to some papers.
"What are you checking?"
"Finances."
"Again?"
"Yes, I don't trust people. No offense. I feel like something is off."
"None taken Max. I'm sorry for being MIA the last week"
"Yeah, don't worry I know you were really busy last week and weekend." Even he could hear the sourness in his tone.
"Whoa, is everything alright?"
"Yes, I just said I know you were busy."
"I was! On work days I spent my free time consulting my sister with her new fashion business and on the weekend I went to some friends' parties."
Why does it sound like he is excusing himself?
"Okay."
They stayed quiet for a while, each busy with something, Max with some documents and Sergio with his phone, until he spoke again.
"I came because I wanted to talk with you."
"About?"
"Us." That caught Max's attention and he looked him in the eyes. "Remember I told you we needed to talk before leaving your apartment?"
"I-" Just before Max talked, Sergio interrupted.
"Don't say you don't remember because you were sober and there is no way you could forget I stuck my tongue in your mouth.
"Sergio!" Max felt his face on fire. His friends at home talked like that all the time so he was used to the language but he had never been involved personally in that kind of circumstances. He still was amazed at how easily it had been to give in and kiss the man like there was no tomorrow in his loft.
"It's the truth. And we need to talk about it."
"There is nothing else to say, I told you I don't mix business with pleasure, it doesn't end well."
"And how do you know that? You just got out of college and have no experience." Max's offended look made him speak again. "I didn't mean it in a harmful way, I'm sorry it came out wrong. You have no experience in the matter. You've never had a relationship with a co-worker or partner."
"Maybe I don't, but I know many things, Checo. I know I'll be the one losing here if something happens between us and it ends badly."
"How do you know? You can't know what will happen."
"Yeah, I do. You can't because you are in a position of power right now and I don't mean it like you are forcing me to do something or using your influence against me but as in you are the experienced CEO and I'm a stranger foolish enough to fall for your charms. If it goes great people will say I am where I am because of you and if it goes wrong I'll be the stupid newbie that fell for Sergio's charms and didn't know he was not into serious relationships. And people will talk, they already do."
"What do you mean they already do?"
Max sighed and then replied. "Yes, people notice the attraction and how patient and helpful you are with me, they are not blind. They already say I'm still here because you want to get into my pants and once you do you will kick me out, as if my effort and qualities don't matter."
"I didn't know that."
"Of course you don't, you are their boss. And I'm not looking for a fling or to scratch an itch Checo, so I'm not the right guy for you. I know how you work"
"How do you know? Lando told you?"
"Even if he didn't I would have found out on my own. Every social network talks about you and your conquests. My feed was plastered with your night outs from last weekend. So no, Sergio. We may have kissed but that's it. It doesn't matter the attraction, I'm not fling material for you." Max finished and started typing on his laptop in front of him on the table, ending the discussion, or so he thought.
"Do I have the right to reply?"
Max looked at Sergio and sighed. "Yes."
"Okay, you are indeed the one at a disadvantage here but it won't end badly, I promise Max."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Look, yes, you are right. I'm not known for being a fan of serious established relationships but I want that with you." Max couldn't help but roll his eyes and scoff. "I mean it! I haven't been with anyone else after meeting you. No flings, one-night stands, or clubbing. The one time on your birthday Carlos wanted to go and last weekend it was for some friends' parties and I wasn't with anyone. About people, they talk, they always will, but I mean it when I tell you I would never disrespect you or give them a reason to say shit about you." Sergio finished his speech holding his hand, making him automatically blush at the contact.
"I don't know."
"Max, we would be so good together. In all aspects. Think about it please, really think about it."
"I'm scared..."Sergio lifted an eyebrow encouraging him to continue. "I'm scared I say yes, it doesn't work out, and the merge fucks up. What would I tell my dad? Me stupid enough to start to go out with our partner and ruin the deal? People would mock me for years."
"Hey, I promise if it goes wrong and I'm pretty sure it won't happen, it would not affect the transition or merge. I am a man of my word Max."
He looked at their joined hands for a while until he felt Sergio's thumb caressing his cheek. "Just, think about it okay? We are so good for each other."
Max started to imagine scenarios with the man. Leaving work together, spending the weekends in his apartment, presenting him to his mom, having his first time with him...
That was one of his biggest worries, how would the man act when he finds out he was not an expert like all his conquests.
"Okay, I'll think about it."
Sergio smiled and told him "Cool." Then he got closer, his lips a few inches from Max's. "Just so you remember how good we are for each other." The man said and pulled him by the tie closing the distance and kissing him passionately. He in return gasped into Sergio's mouth and ran his fingers through the man's dark hair.
Max wasn't like that kind of person who went around kissing people like it was nothing. To him a kiss was meaningful and intimate, he would think a lot before deciding to kiss someone, but with Checo, it was so easy...and amazing.
It seemed as if Checo wanted to get on his mind trying to convince him to say yes to his proposal because was devouring his lips, barely giving him the chance to breathe, and making Max get closer by pulling him by the hips.
It was consuming and overwhelming because the man clearly knew what to do and when, compared to his inexperience, but Max couldn't stop and didn't want to.
He didn't know how much they made out, all Max knew was that man's tongue was driving him insane and he needed more of it.
He pulled him by the neck wanting to feel more and involuntarily he let out a whimper when Checo started caressing his thighs. It was all so new and exciting. He forgot about his surroundings, about him supposedly thinking thoroughly before saying yes to the man. All he could think about and feel was the man's hand on his neck trying to support it due to the roughness of the kisses and the one still on his thigh.
Just as he was thinking how good it all felt he opened his eyes and pulled apart as the receptionist was sheepishly waiting outside his office with his food in his hand, clearly uncomfortable but not wanting to interrupt his bosses.
Feeling his cheeks burning he took his food and when he opened his bag he realized there were 2 burgers instead of one because without realizing it, he ordered 2 of everything so he invited Sergio to dinner.
They didn't talk about the kisses again that night and acted as business partners.
"...and we were considering hiring more people for the marketing team but we need to start considering a few more filters, what do you think?" The truth was that Max wasn't paying a lot of attention to what Checo was saying because he had just found out something...interesting in one of the files with thousands of numbers. "Max, are you listening?"
"I'm sorry, no." He said looking at the man who was sporting an annoyed expression. "Look at this. The numbers in Frank's departments don't add up, and it's been like that for years from what I gather."
"You kidding."
"No, look." He handed the file he had been checking for the last half hour and soon he found himself speaking alone because Sergio got immersed in the data.
The next morning he was checking his emails when the man came in in a dark blue suit. "Good morning."
"Hey."
"So..." Instantly Max stiffened thinking the man was already expecting an answer to his proposal. "Relax, I'm just here to ask you a favor," Checo said with a smile.
That didn't help with his anxiousness.
"What?" He asked with suspicion in his eyes.
The man laughed and decided to end his agony. " I came here to ask you to please keep digging into the finances from Frank's department, on your own. I don't want anyone to know, this is serious. If he really is diverting money, that would definitely give me the foundation to fire him and also help me with the case against the others."
Max started to look at his agenda, trying to gauge how much he had to do that day.
"Don't worry, I'll tell Erin to reschedule all your meetings. Just don't tell her what you are doing. Please, Max, you are the only one I trust on this."
"Yeah, sure."
"Thanks, digg all you can today and tomorrow and send everything you find out to Alice."
He nodded and went back to check his emails.
"Ah and by the way." Max looked up. "You look really handsome today."
----
The man clearly knew what to do and say to make him feel valued and special, calming his fears during their late-night meetings and sending him his favorite beverage early to his office that week because he knew how cranky he was in the morning.
He never pressured him for an answer and in fact, the man left for the weekend to the Hamptons with his family but Max felt like he needed to decide what to do.
So on Sunday morning as he was closing the blinds of the living room in his loft, he decided to call his mom, the person he called whenever he was confused and didn't know what to do.
There was a storm and the sky was dark, occasionally being illuminated by lightnings. Max hated them, they reminded him of his early years in the Netherlands with his biological family. He was not afraid of them, they just gave him bad memories.
"Hi dear! It's so good to hear your voice!" His mom's British accent filled the room as he had called her through his Alexa.
"Hey, Mom. How are you?"
"Great! Such a sunny and lovely day and I'm all on my own. Your father took your siblings to the beach. And you? How's New York?"
"Rainy." Just then a lightning bolt struck somewhere close and the sound filled the room, it had been so loud Geri heard it through the speaker.
"Oh."
"Yeah....but that's now why I'm calling you."
"Alright. What is it?" Max panicked a bit and the words got stuck in his throat. "Okay, who is he?"
"What makes you think I want to talk about someone?"
"Max, I know you and this is the way you act when you like someone. You are awfully quiet."
Max sighed before speaking. "Yeah sorry, I'm just thinking of all the ways I could end up bad."
"Okay young man, if you are negative already I don't get why are we having this conversation." His mom hated how negative he tended to be.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. It's just...it's such a complex situation Mom."
"Tell me then. Who is he?"
As he was already sitting on his sofa he hugged his knees before speaking. "Sergio. Sergio Perez." Gerri kept quiet so he felt the need to clarify. "From PGA News, our business partner."
"Yeah, I know who you are talking about. How? I mean I need the full picture."
"Well I felt attracted to him the moment I met him and it was mutual. He has been one of the few people who has been kind, patient and helpful to me, I swear. Since our first meeting he's been so nice Mom, not caring about my inexperience and not making me feel bad about it either, he even asks for my opinion on certain matters. I went out with a friend on my birthday and his boyfriend showed up with Sergio. He drove me home so I invited him to come in, I never do that, you know it but it felt right and we kissed. After that, I told him it wouldn't happen again because I don't mix business with pleasure and he told me we should talk about ourselves. We did Monday night and he told me he wanted something serious with me."
"And do you? You want something with him?"
"Is there a correct answer to that question?"
"No, son or we won't know until you decide."
He sighed again afraid of what his mom was going to say later. "I stupidly enough want something with him. I like him a lot and he makes me feel like no one else has but he has his reputation here Mom. He doesn't do serious relationships and I'm afraid if I say yes and it doesn't work out I'll be the one being mocked for being stupid enough to get wooed by him and his charms knowing he was a player. I mean people already talk."
"What do you mean people talk?"
"Yeah they are aware of our attraction and they say he is only being nice to me to get inside my pants but once he does, he'll dump me or say that I'm still in the company because of that."
"Oh, sweetheart. Is he aware of all that? It's not fair for you."
"Yeah, I told him Monday night. He said he wanted to try something serious with me and we will be really good for each other. He gets he is the one in a privileged position between the two of us but he would never give people reasons to talk awful about me and he didn't know about the rumors."
"Okay, that's nice. And what do you think?"
"I don't know Mom. I like him a lot but what if it doesn't work out and I fuck the merge? How am I going to explain it to Dad I fucked my first assignment by falling for our partner who I knew didn't do well with serious relationships?"
"Oh dear, you will fuck up eventually! In one way or another." Max felt so offended. "And it's not me being mean! It's part of learning and growing up. Have you told Sergio this concern?"
"Yes, he said whatever happened between us wouldn't affect the company and part of me wants to believe him but, god, I don't want my feelings to affect my first important assignment in the company." He covered his face with his hands as he waited for his mom's response.
"I think you should give him a chance." What? "I get you, I really do son, your dad was just like that when I met him and I was so confused but look where we are now. If it doesn't work out you come back and we never talk about it, the break up doesn't have to be dramatic and public, it would be bad publicity for the company, and as for the people....sweetie they will always talk. No matter what you do. So don't let them take control of your life."
"You like him don't you?" That was the first thing that came out of his mouth and his mom's cheerful laughter invaded his living room.
"I do! He is really handsome and your dad talks wonders about him."
"So you think that despite all the cons I should give it a try?"
"Yes, you are young and in a new city, give yourself a chance to live your life and enjoy it."
After that, he spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with his mom about how life was in California and he told her about his side of the coast and Lando.
Once he hung up he felt more relaxed and had already made up his mind.
----
He didn't get to chance to talk properly with Sergio until Friday night as they both had been too busy with their own responsibilities
Checo had to deal with elections and secretly with all the financial mess and scams he had found out and Alice had continued checking him catching up on work and supervising the hiring of new people because Sergio had told him they only wanted the best.
Carlos had moved to a new and bigger apartment and decided to throw a party with all his friends, among one of them was Max but as much as the man had been nothing but kind to him, he was pretty sure Lando intervened in the invitation arrangements.
At one point in the party, he felt he needed some fresh air after so much mingling with people he didn't know and stepped out onto the balcony, looking at the bright lights and busy streets.
"Already done with the people?" The sound of his voice made him shiver and in no time Sergio was standing next to him with a big smile on his face despite looking tired.
"Kind of. You are late."
"Yeah, got caught up on work and then had to wait in my loft for my siblings to arrive."
Fuck, his family is here.
Max started to panic because he was not prepared for an introduction. Rumors flew fast and they worked in the same building so he was sure they had heard about him and their brother. It seemed his state was evident on his face because the man put his hand on his forearm that was resting on the railing.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just didn't expect your family would be here."
"Just my siblings and you would have met them one day or another. How have you been?"
"Good, busy but good, and you?"
"Busy and stressed but good too. I've missed our late-night meetings and you rejecting me all the time." The man said with a smile.
Max rolled his eyes but smiled back at him. "So, I consulted with my pillow thoroughly and the answer is yes."
"Yes?" The man asked, confused and then Max saw the realization in his eyes and smile. "Yes?!"
He nodded and laughed at the man's excited reaction. "Yes."
The man didn't waste more time and hugged him by the waist. "I really need to thank that pillow, it did an amazing job."
"Yeah, she took me by surprise, I didn't expect her to root for you so quickly."
"She?" The man looked at him confused again and he laughed.
"Yeah, my mom."
"You talked with your mom about us?"
He nodded a bit nervously about the other man's reaction. "Yeah, I talk with her when I need to make decisions and I'm confused."
"Well then, I need to thank your mom," Checo said and stepped on his toes to kiss his cheek. "What are her favorite flowers?"
"Oh, you are a chronic charmer aren't you?"
The man just smiled and pulled him down for a kiss. That time it was not rushed nor full of hunger like the previous times, the man took the lead and gave him the sweetest kiss he'd ever received.
"Want to go inside and meet my siblings?" At Max's shocked expression, the man rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, Max. Your mother knows about us."
He was right but his mom knew the truth and Max didn't know what Sergio's siblings knew.
"Okay but what do they know? Because I'm pretty sure they've heard the rumors."
"They may have but they know it's not true and that I like you a lot. That's all that matters."
Once they were inside, Sergio led him to a blonde woman wearing a black jumpsuit with red heels and a dark-haired man in a suit without a tie.
"Guys," Checo said, trying to get their attention. "This is Max. Max these are my brother Antonio and my sister Paola."
He didn't know what to do because he had never been introduced to a partner's family, and the teasing smiles they were giving him weren't helpful.
"Hi." He said extending his hand so he could shake theirs.
"Hey Max, we've heard so much about you." The woman said, still giving him a big smile and laying a hand on Sergio's shoulder. Instantly the man gave him a warning look. "Only good things, I promise."
"Yeah, I think I've seen you around in the lobby but it's nice meeting you," Antonio said.
He felt his cheeks burn and started wondering if the man had seen him one of those times he was walking fast to the elevator because it was late or having a shit face. After all, he hated mornings. Thinking about that he remembered those few times he had indeed seen the man in the lobby and wandering around on their floor, clearly going to speak with Checo.
"Oh yeah, I've seen you too a couple of times."
"So, I'm curious and Checo refused to tell me. Why is your last name, not Horner? Your dad is Christian Horner, no?"
He saw Sergio run his hand on his face, exasperated at his sister because it was not a normal topic in a casual conversation.
"Yes, Verstappen is the last name from my biological family but I like it and Christian was fine with me keeping it."
"Oh, you are-"
"Adopted, yes. Me and my sister."
"You are from here?" Antonio couldn't help but ask.
"No, I'm from the Netherlands but I've been living in the States since I was 6."
"Oh, you have 2 nationalities like us!" Paola said excitedly.
"Depends on the country but in theory I have 3." He saw the curiosity in Sergio's eyes because he had never shared that information with him before.
"Dutch, American, and...?" He asked.
"Dutch from my biological father, Belgium from my biological mother, and British from the Horners. Here I'm just a citizen."
"That's fascinating," Antonio said.
"He's always liked the whole international law thing. Why do you think he handles Cruises and Hotels?" Paola said. "So you speak Dutch?"
"Yeah, Dad made me and my sister go to classes. Dutch, German, and French."
"You know what? I'm going to Amsterdam next month and I need a translator. Do you mind if I borrow him, Checo?" The other man asked, hugging Max by the shoulders, showing he liked him.
"Okay you two, stop with the examination," Sergio said and changed the topic.
Later in the night, they found themselves talking in the corner of the living room because they couldn't hear each other. The music and the voices were so loud it was almost impossible to have a normal conversation.
"So 3 nationalities?" Checo asked close to his ear.
"And you 2?" He said looking at the man but his eyes were on his lips, it took him a few seconds to process what he said.
"Yeah, American and Mexican." And then he laughed at Max's shocked expression.
"Mexican? I've never heard you speak spanish."
"Well, I have not had the need to do it with you around."
"Tell me something in Spanish, anything. I want to hear you "
He saw a mischievous glint in Sergio's eyes before he spoke, failing to suppress a smile. "Estas bien bueno."
He didn't understand it all, only the double "good" in the phrase.
"What does it mean?"
Sergio pulled him by the waist making him almost drop his glass of champagne and whispered in his ear in a husky tone. "You are so fucking hot."
He heard himself gasp and felt his body on fire, especially the south part of his body that had been more active since he had met the man.
Sergio searched for his eyes and kissed his blushing cheek. "It's so adorable how you get all red when I say things like that."
"Well, I didn't see that coming."
"You should get used to it, because you are, mi amor."
Now that was something he understood.
----
After getting his personal number the next day, he and Sergio decided to spend Sunday doing things the new yorker hadn't done in years, like randomly going to a cinema and choosing a movie to watch, walking on the busy streets of Manhattan, eating pizza at a small restaurant, watch musicians play in the park and running to Max's loft because it started to rain, had no umbrellas and they were nearby.
Once they were in front of his door Max looked at him nervously. "Want to come inside?"
He honestly didn't know what he was doing or what he wanted to happen, all he knew was that he had the best day in New York since he arrived and it had been thanks to that man so he didn't want him to leave.
The man smiled and kissed him. "If I ever say no to going inside with you please hit me."
Max giggled into the kiss and managed to open the door without looking. Once they were inside Sergio led them to a couch in the living room, not daring to break the kiss.
"Today was amazing, thank you," Max said once he pulled away.
"Thank you mi amor, it's been a while since I did all that."
Max tenderly ran his fingers through the man's damp hair and he remembered they were drenched.
"We need to change, otherwise we'll get sick."
He was standing up when Checo pulled him back down and kissed him, holding him close by the neck. The kiss was so good he concluded they would not get sick if they stayed that way for a few more minutes.
Despite the cold weather due to the rain and their wet clothes, Max felt like he was on fire and all his senses were awake, especially the touch, feeling the tongue and hand movements of the man in all his body.
Eventually, it was not enough for Sergio and so sure of himself he introduced his hands under Max's white t-shirt, slowly running them over his back and then his abs. In return, Max listened to himself release a needy moan for the first time in his life and the other man considered it a good sign because helped him take his t-shirt off, continuing immediately with his caresses on his torso. Then he left his lips and started giving slow and sensual kisses to his neck, making Max let out more sounds of pleasure no one else had provoked.
Due to his inexperience, Max didn't know what to do with his hands or even his body, so he decided to rest them on Sergio's shoulders as he threw his head back to give the man more access to his neck.
They stayed that way for a few seconds until apparently, it was not enough for Checo because as he kissed and licked another part of his neck, he started unbuttoning his own shirt.
Once he took it off he pounced on Max and laid on top of him on the sofa but stopped when he felt some tension coming from the younger man.
"Is everything all right?" He asked with confusion and concern on his face.
"I think we should change our clothes," Max said, not looking into his eyes. He felt ashamed of making his nervousness so evident and some guilt because as he laid on top of him he had felt Segios's arousal.
"Max, what is it? Are you not enjoying it? I thought you were." The man said, sitting back in his previous spot.
The concern on his face made Max talk. "I was, I am. It's just... I've never been in this situation before." He whispered looking down at his hands.
"Situation? You mean bottom?"
"No. In general." He said daring to look into the man's eyes and what he found made him even more nervous. He was actually worried about how the man would react.
After coming out of his shock, Sergio talked. "You mean, you've never had sex before?"
"No." He said sitting up and looking at the ceiling feeling his face on fire again.
"What? That's impossible." He said and when he looked at the worried expression on Max's face, he talked again immediately." Not in a bad way Max! It's just...fuck you are so hot mi amor!"
Max smiled before he replied. "I guess I never felt interested in doing it."
"And you do now?" Checo asked, caressing his waist.
"Yes. I just don't know exactly what to do and when."
"Baby that comes with the experience. You just have to relax and do what feels right."
Max nodded and kissed his cheek. "Are we okay?"
"Wonderful. We don't have to rush it okay? I don't want you to feel pressured. If you don't want to do it I understand."
"I do, with you. I trust you and I want you." He blushed again saying the last part.
"I want you too mi amor, you don't know how much." He kissed him gently, holding him still with his hands on his face. "I know the virginity concept is all bullshit but you don't know how good it feels to know I'll be your first."
He was supposed to feel aroused but he couldn't help but laugh. "Shut up you macho!"
The man laughed too and hugged him, Max had to admit the skin-to-skin contact was something he liked right away.
"It's the truth! I'm going to make you feel so good." He whispered the last part huskily in his ear while caressing his abs again.
"You better, people on the streets say you are good and you need to prove it." He said despite feeling his face turning red.
"Good? I'm out of this world." Max was surprised how sure of himself he sounded and he felt his insides turn in desire. He was amazed at how much the man had affected him that way in the last weeks.
After their talk, Max lent Checo some clothes and they spent the rest of the day watching movies and cuddling on the sofa. For the first time since he arrived in New York, Max didn't feel lonely.