Chapter 35
We’re working out of Royal’s spare room, and it’s working for now, but I feel like I’m invading their private space, and while they don’t seem to mind, I don’t think it’s something long term.
Memphis is watching me closely. I’m not sure why he’s scrutinising me, but it’s weird. “Have I got something on my face?”
“What? No, it’s fine,” he says quickly, then looks back down at his tablet. He picks up the pen and draws something on the screen.
I get back to my work, and it’s another five minutes before Memphis speaks again. “Have you seen Drake at all?” He’s trying to sound laid back, but I’ve known him long enough to know when he’s faking it.
“No,” I tell him, even though I can still feel the sting of the spanking I gave him after he blew me before he went to see Knox. “It’s not like we’re on the same floor. The chances of bumping into him are not high.”
He sighs. “I don’t get why you just don’t go and see him. You’re both crazily attracted to each other and would be perfect together.”
“Seriously, I don’t know where you’ve got all this from.
We hardly know each other. Yeah, he’s a good-looking man—the fact that he’s a sub is a massive plus point.
But I can’t just knock on his door and offer up some sex.
Be real, Memphis.” He doesn’t need to know that’s exactly what I did and that we’ve been together every night since then.
Or that we plan to go to Bound soon to do a scene together.
One that we’re working on to be sure we both get what we want.
His ideas are hot as fuck, and I can’t wait.
He’s talking of being strapped to a spanking bench to have his arse paddled and fucked.
His eyes lit up when I suggested clamping his nipples and plugging his hole with a plug.
I plan on it being a big one. In fact, we’re spending tonight at mine so I can get some of my toys on and in him.
He shivers at that, and I have to hold my breath at the sight of him so excited to play.
He’s going to make falling for him very easy, and that’s something I’m not ready to talk about.
Drake has just spent three months with his ex-Dom and lover.
I doubt being in love is the first thing on his mind.
I’m not going to fuck this up, and that’s something I’ve done in the past. I’ve learnt that spending time with a particular sub doesn’t mean they want to have any claim made on them.
That a few fantastic scenes doesn’t make a boyfriend out of them.
The first time I suggested something outside of the club, I was let down gently.
The second time wasn’t as kind, and I was left with more than a bruised ego.
I didn’t bother after that; I knew a scene was a scene and that’s all.
Maybe that’s why finding Matt and the way we met felt better, special, that the feelings I had developing were real and reciprocated.
Yeah, well, that came back and bit me on the arse ten-fold.
Which is why I think we’re both treading carefully. Obviously, he knew all about Matt, and I now know about Rafe. Love, if it happens, can’t be rushed. But damn, he’s beautiful.
“Are you coming to the gym this evening? I’m going to yoga, at half seven. We can get a workout in before that,” Memphis asks.
I haven’t thought about it; my mind only has space for a certain 007. He didn’t say what time he’d be finished tonight, so I could go. I’m not booked for yoga, but a workout isn’t a bad idea. I grab my phone from my desk and open the messages.
Me: What time will you be finished today, I’m thinking about going to the gym after work with Memphis.
Drake: I’m not sure. I can come to you after that, maybe half seven?
Me: Sounds good, I can pick up something to eat on my way home.
Drake: Don’t worry about that, I’ll sort it. See you later <3
I stare at the heart emoji and all the talk about taking it slow, not ruining things by rushing into love fill my head. What do I do? Should I send one back? No, that’s a dumb idea, Finn, stop rushing everything.
“Yeah, I could do with a workout. Is Royal going to be there?”
I watch Memphis as his eyes light up at the mention of his boyfriend’s name. He nods. “He’s coaching the five-a-side football in the main hall.”
“I’ll drive there, and you can go home with him, if you want,” I offer.
He nods, and it’s quiet again.
“Ready?” Memphis asks as he closes his laptop and tablet.
I stretch my arms up over my head and feel the clicks in my back from being hunched over my desk. It doesn’t seem to matter how much money I spend on office chairs, I still end up stiff by the end of the day. I may have to join the yoga class, after all.
When we reach my car, I check the back for my gym bag. Bugger, it’s not there. “I’m going to have to go home; I haven’t got my bag. Do you mind, or do you want to take your car?”
“I can wait,” he says as he gets in the passenger seat.
As I drive through the busy rush hour traffic, I seemed to be cursed by red lights the whole way.
Finally, I get to my apartment block and pull into park.
As I stride quickly through the cars to get to the door, I notice that Drake’s car isn’t in its spot.
I reach my door, quickly open it, and rush through to the utility room to grab my bag.
After a quick look inside to check it’s got everything, I zip it up and head back to the lift.
As it pings open, I step in, not paying any attention until I bump into a solid body. “Shit, I’m sorry,” I say as I look up, straight into Drake’s laughing hazel eyes.
“I’m not,” he says as he wraps his arms around me. “I thought you were going to the gym.”
“I didn’t have my kit; I’ve just grabbed it. Memphis is waiting in the car,” I say, holding up my bag.
“So, what are we going to do for the duration of the ride?” he asks, his chuckle low, gravelly, and sexy as fuck.
“Hmm, maybe this.” I reach out, clasping his nape, running my fingers through his hair. He matches my hum as my lips brush over his, then part them with a flick of my tongue and delve in. We kiss slowly, dipping inside each other’s mouths, only stopping when the lift pings its arrival on a floor.
Drake looks at me, lust-drunk eyes as dark that I imagine match my own. “This is me,” he says, stepping past me. “I’ll see you later, sir.”
With my hand on the door, keeping the door open, I watch as he struts down the hallway to his door. I know the sway of his hips and arse are on purpose. The little fucker will pay the price for that, the tease.
I descend to the ground floor, and when the doors open again, I pick up my bag and exit.
I feel his eyes on me from his living room window; I don’t look back because I can see Memphis grinning at me.
This keeping it on the downlow is not easy, like having to listen to things he tells any of his family and react like it’s the first time I’ve heard it.
“What are you grinning like a loon for?” I hope it doesn’t look like I’ve been kissing.
“Did you see Drake? He went in just after you. Annnd, he’s looking down at us.” He draws out the word.
I look up, and yep, I was right. He’s got his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. We both wave, and he returns it. “No, I didn’t. Ready?”
“Yep.”
I back out of my space and drive away, the taste of Drake on my tongue and the memory of his moan. How many hours is it until I see him again—too many.
Drake is leaning against the wall next to my door. His eyes lift from the screen of his phone and fix on me as I walk towards him. I’m still in my sweaty gym gear. It wasn’t hard to make the choice of showering at home with Drake’s hands over me. I do owe him an apology for being a little late.
“I’m sorry. Have you been waiting long?”
“Nope, a couple of minutes.”
I kiss him, then open my door and step back, letting him in first. “I’ll give you a key.”
He waits for me to close and lock the door before he drops to his knees and bows his head. With a smile he can’t see, I run my hand through his hair.
“Good boy. Your instructions are to go into the bedroom and choose three things you want from my mirrored wardrobe. Then, after placing them on the bed, you strip and come join me in the bathroom.”
“Yes, Sir.” He gets to his feet more gracefully than his size should allow him.
As I strip off my clothes, I wonder what he’ll choose.
It’s the first time we’re playing with props.
I know he loves impact play and restraints; I’m guessing there will be rope and a paddle.
The third is harder to decide on. Before I can give it any more thought, the door opens, and Drake walks in.
His beauty leaves me speechless, but my dick has other thoughts and twitches as it hangs loosely between my parted legs.
“Come here. I haven’t showered after my workout; I want you to wash me. Every bit of me.” I pull him close, his head to my chest. He turns his head to my armpit and breathes in deeply, then licks a stripe through the hair to my skin, humming as he kisses my shoulder.
“It’s a shame to wash this all off,” he murmurs, nuzzling into the crook of my neck.
God, he’s going to wreck me.