Arlo #2
I thought about it for a minute. “Do you...know anything about the governor?”
“Politics ain’t really my thing, but I remember being bored when she was making a play for the seat.
She made a big deal about emphasizing business growth in the state, like big economic growth.
I don’t remember much, but she came off as someone who gave a shit, I guess, but I felt like she’d be a real bitch once you were alone with her. ”
“Hmm,” I thought, that tracked with what Ward had said about his mother. “That might be the same person then.”
“Good God, you’re going on a date with the governor’s son, and you didn’t even know it?”
“I don’t do politics either.”
“Damn, he’s really living like that, though. Shit, his mom must work overtime as a second job to keep that kind of thing quiet. She came off as a really put-together, kind of lady who behaves herself. Probably drives her crazy that her son is out there acting like, well—”
“A party boy slut?” I wondered vaguely.
“Now hold on, I wasn’t going to say that.”
“You would have if I weren’t going on a date with him.”
Dom thought about it for a minute and then shrugged. “Alright, you’ve got me there, I would have, but I’m trying to be nice.”
“I appreciate it,” I said, gently squeezing his forearm. “But those lights signify that my ride is here. Are you going out tonight?”
“Nah, my training is being amped up for the match in a few weeks, so I’m bushed.
I think I’m just going to sit here with the cats and watch some quality TV,” he said, dropping onto the couch.
He was not a small man, so the graceless motion was enough to jostle the couch, earning him an indignant stare from Rags. “Remember to use protection.”
“Enjoy your trash TV,” I told him as I stepped out the door and descended to the front curb, where a small limo awaited me. I raised a brow when the back door opened and Ward stepped out, dressed just as nicely as I was.
“Well, well, I was right about you cleaning up nicely,” he said in a warm, innocent voice, but I could see his eyes flash.
It was strange to see him reel back the obvious attraction when he had been willing to be.
..well, not aggressive in his flirtations, but certainly forward and direct.
There was now an element of something close to wariness in how he acted.
“So much better than if I’d had to resort to an escort. ”
“Do you use those often?” I wondered.
He gestured to the limo, and I slid in, moving across the seat to give him room. The car pulled away from the curb. “Would it bother you if I did?”
“No,” I said slowly. “You’re not the sort of person who needs to use them, though. You could find people willing to spend a night on your arm...or in your bed if that’s what you’d use an escort for.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t, but my mother was quite clear that I was to bring someone with me this time. Mind you, no one would be surprised if I showed up with a street walker, let alone an escort, but I’m behaving myself tonight. Plus, you are far better than any paid worker.”
Movement up front brought my eyes to the driver, who had stopped at a light and looked into the rearview mirror. “He’s never brought a hooker or an escort with him before; don’t let him fool you.”
“And that is Will,” Ward explained as he settled into his seat with a smirk. “He has been my driver for as long as I can remember. Of course, that means he knows a great deal about me that I’d prefer other people, namely my mother, never know.”
“Hmm, first name and friendly basis with your security guard, and personal driver?” I said with a snort. “Yes, that fits.”
“Meaning what?” Ward asked with a frown.
“Meaning that if you haven’t figured it out yet, you still need more time,” I said.
From the front, Will chuckled and gave me a wink. “You, I might like.”
“You get my scraps, not my main courses,” Ward warned him, narrowing his eyes.
“Oh?” I asked with a laugh, glancing at Ward with a raised brow. “Is that so? Main course?”
Ward blinked before leaning back in the seat and letting out a huff. “Look, okay, I have nothing that will save me at this point. Consider my foot firmly in my mouth.”
I glanced up front, where Will gave another glance in the rear-view mirror.
I could see he was attractive, with symmetrical features, bright green eyes that could be seen even in the dim lighting, a wicked smile, and a face Mason would have probably described as having cheekbones for days.
I looked at Ward, whose brow was pinched, and then thought about the comment he had made before giving a soft laugh.
“You’ve shared,” I said in understanding. “Now I have to wonder how close you are to your security guard.”
“God, your insight is getting unnerving,” Ward grumbled.
“Yes, it has happened on occasion. At the time, I thought it was fun, sleeping with the help. Turns out I don’t have the attitude necessary to get off on that sort of thing.
I was getting off on having a threesome with two other good-looking people. ”
“He sounds so disappointed that he’s not as spoiled a brat as he thinks,” Will said with a snort. “And he wasn’t too disappointed since he’s done it a couple of times since. Won’t hear me complain.”
“Well, this is the epitome of professionalism,” Ward said with a weary shake of his head. “What is it with you? You have an effect on people I can’t explain. Will has never told our little secret unless he was going to get something out of the deal.”
“It probably helped that I figured out the answer for myself,” I said with a shrug. “Nothing particularly special about that.”
“So you say,” Ward said, watching me for a moment before turning to look out the window.
That same discomfort he’d had before was still hanging around, and I watched him, trying to figure out what it was. Had I said or done something since the last time we’d seen one another? Or had something shifted in his head without my knowing? Was he simply not as interested in me as before?
There was one way to find out, and I reached out to set my hand on his thigh, closer to his knee than his groin, but still close enough that it was.
..suggestive. He flinched in what I hoped was surprise, looking down at my hand, then up to my face.
The corner of his lips twitched, and he slid his hand over mine, curling his fingers against my palm and giving it a little tug.
Now my hand sat firmly in the middle of his thigh, which I thought was the perfect spot.
Close enough that he was definitely interested in my hand being a lot further up, but keeping everything in control since there was something else we had to do tonight.
“Is there anything I should know about tonight?” I asked, flexing my fingers slightly to push into this thigh, but not moving any further.
“Were you anyone else, I would warn you to behave, and try not to upset people...as hilarious as that can be sometimes,” he said with a chuckle. “But you? I don’t think I have to worry about you much. You’re neither the sort to offend people nor be bothered if someone comments.”
“Comment?”
“There are still plenty of people around here separated from the real world, that talking to someone like you is treated like dealing with a zoo animal. What’s the phrase I heard once?
Benevolent condescension? Some of these people will compliment you or ask a question they find benign, but both can be like a slap in the face. ”
“I deal with the extremes of people in the throes of grief; a little insult from someone who clearly doesn’t know better isn’t going to get under my skin,” I assured him. “Anything else? Am I...showing up as a friend?”
He gave me a sidelong grin. “No, don’t worry about that.
For all my mother’s failings at being a decent human being, hang-ups about sexuality are not one of them.
In fact, if I were to settle down into a respectable relationship with a nice guy or girl, she would be overjoyed.
..if she can actually feel something like joy. ”
“A respectable relationship?” I wondered.
“Yes, monogamous, all sex vanilla or at least out of sight, no one from a background or vocation that would cause trouble, things like that,” he said with a wink. “So, do try not to take Will up on his not-so-subtle suggestion to sleep with both of us later.”
“I’ll do my best,” I said. “Perhaps another time, Will.”
Will glanced in the mirror as he pulled into a long drive. “Hear that, Ward?”
“He’s kidding,” Ward said, looking at me curiously. “Weren’t you?”
“You’re the one who keeps assuming I’m well behaved, you tell me.”
“I...can’t tell if you’re joking or not.”
“Would it bother you if I were willing to try something like that?”
“A threesome with Will and me?”
“Yes.”
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Whether or not I was still at the top of your list.”
“Ah, so if you’re more important, you don’t mind if I have a bit of fun with a third with you, but if not—”
“You got it.”
“Is that possession, or are you already interested in making me something more than a date?”
“Let’s wait to see how tonight goes and how we both feel before we settle that.”
“Then I’ll wait to see if I’m interested in exploring sharing.”
Ward’s fingers flexed, but he said nothing, and I couldn’t tell if he was intrigued by what I said or bothered.
I could have mentioned that, while the idea was interesting, as I’d never pretended I was straight-laced and prudish, it certainly wasn’t a requirement.
I was all for having fun and exploring with someone whenever we felt like it, if we both agreed.
If we didn’t, there was no point in pushing the subject.
The car stopped before a large building that was an odd mix of Greco and Deco, with lights at the top of the pillars illuminating the front. Well-dressed people, wearing clothes and jewelry that cost more than my house and car combined, were making their way up the steps.