Chapter 37
“Will you please leave it,” I say to my best friend for the umpteenth time. “Yes, he’s a nice guy. Yes, we’ve seen each other in the building. No, we haven’t hooked up.”
Memphis throws his hands up in despair. “But you’d be perfect together; you’re both hot as hell, both into the same scene. Just think about all the hot sex you could be having right now.”
All I do is think about the hot sex with Drake.
We’re seeing each other almost every night and fucking like rabbits, and its perfect.
Tonight is different. Drake has gone away for a couple of days.
Something to do with his plan to start his own protection company.
He’s speaking to a couple of old army friends, guys he thinks will be interested in joining him.
At least, I think they’re ex-army, they could be from any part of his past, secretive life.
We’re looking at small office spaces to rent. Working in another Dom’s home isn’t a good idea, even if Memphis says it’s not a problem; both Royal and I feel the same way. Even without saying it out loud, I can feel it in the way he hovers around his boy when he’s home.
The one we’re in now isn’t going to work.
Even though we like working together, we’d be on top of each other in this small space.
It’s the third one we’ve written off, and I’m getting despondent.
Memphis turns to the agent and shakes his head.
We exit the building and head back to our cars.
The agent taking his after giving us the address of the last one for today.
“Please let this be the one,” Memphis sighs, dramatically. “I really don’t see what the problem with my place is.”
“It’s a Dom thing, mate. Royal looks like he wants to both piss in a circle around you and throw me out the door every time he walks in.”
“God, you’re both so dramatic,” he grumbles while I bark out a laugh.
I let him carry on low-level moaning and spend my time thinking about Drake, again.
It’s been over a month now, and we’re both getting twitchy, eager for a trip to Bound.
He’s mentioned his love of the St Andrew’s cross, of being strapped down and flogged, and his refusal to give up something that brought him so much pleasure before his attack.
While I have a lot of toys and props, I don’t have the furniture both of us desire.
I think I should book a room for Friday.
We will both have had a busy, tiring week, and the chance to burn off some of the energy and the need we have for each other sounds like a good idea to me.
I’ll mention it to him tonight when he calls.
The other brothers are normally at Bound on a Friday night.
In fact, from what Memphis has said about Saint and Noah, they may go three or four times a week.
I don’t have the need to be that frequent, but I understand the dynamic of their relationship and can understand why they do.
I’m keen to see them in action; they have both mentioned how much they like an audience and sometimes a third.
Not that I’m interested in that. I doubt the brothers share their subs with each other, although Memphis has said that Royal and Saint used to tag team some willing sub.
What was the name of the sub the first time I joined another Dom?
It was fun, and we all enjoyed it, but it wasn’t a scene I did very often.
Adam, his name was Adam, and he was fun and willing, I know he got as much from it as we did.
There were only a couple of times after that, but I know neither of us will be looking for anyone else while we’re together.
That thought doesn’t sit well, that we’re not in this for the long haul.
I am, I know that, and I’m as sure as I can be that Drake feels the same way.
“We’re here,” Memphis says, jolting me back to the present.
I look out at the building and square my shoulders. “Let’s see if we’re going to be lucky this time.”
Thankfully, it is exactly what we need. I think the estate agent is just as relieved. After three days of trolling around the town and surrounding area, he looks ready to collapse or have a stiff drink.
“You sound relieved,” Drake says.
“Yeah, I am. I don’t think I could’ve coped with another day of searching.
But you know what I’m thinking; it would be a great place for you to have your office.
It’s a smart, newly built office block. There’s plenty to rent there.
” Or maybe it’s the thought of always having him near me.
God, I sound like a creeper. “Anyway, how’s your day been?
Did you have any luck with your buddies? ”
Again, my thoughts about this are selfish. I want him to come home.
“Sort of, one yes. Completely on board and ready to start when I am. Another was a flat no; he’s bought himself a plot of land and is going off grid for a while.
The third is also a yes but can’t just drop the job he has now; he’ll need to work his notice.
I’ve got to see one more since he wasn’t available today, so I’m seeing him tomorrow lunchtime.
I should be home early evening. Do you want me to come to you? ”
Hell yeah, I do. I’m ready to strip him naked and tie him to my bed. I don’t tell him that. “That would be great if you’re not too tired. I’ve been thinking about what you said. Y’know about how much you like being tied to the cross? How do you feel about going to Bound on Friday?”
The line is so quiet, I’m sure I heard him swallow. “Um, yeah. I mean, yes, Sir. I’d like that very much.”
“God, I wish you were here,” I murmur, then snap my mouth shut. How needy does that sound? I stay silent, hoping he didn’t hear me.
It carries on for a long while until he speaks. “I do too.”
“Is this all too soon?” I ask cautiously.
“I know you and Rafe have a lot of history, and that you may not want to be in a serious relationship again so soon.” God, shut your fucking mouth, Finn, I berate myself.
Drake says they finished years ago and have probably only had sex a few times since then.
It was more wanting to get off than being with each other again.
Rafe knows Drake is safe and never going to expose him.
“Finn, stop talking. Rafe and I are not an issue; we stopped being involved a long time ago. He knows about you and how I feel; I told him before I came back. In fact, he told me to tell you to paddle my arse for leaving or something like that.” He lets out a sigh. “I wish I was with you too.”
“Paddle your arse, eh? I can get on board with that.” I yawn, suddenly very tired. “I’m sorry. I think all the messing around the last few days has caught up with me.”
“Yeah, me too. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We say goodnight and end the call. I put my glass in the sink and go to my bedroom.
As soon as I settle in bed, my head fills with all the work I haven’t done in the last three days.
I know that I’ll never get to sleep with the lists going in circles in my mind.
With a shove, the duvet goes down my body, and I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up.
With my tablet and stylus in hand, I grab a can of Coke from the fridge and settle back in my bed.
With a pillow behind my back, I can lean comfortably against the bars on my headboard.
With a hiss and crackle, I open the can and place it in reach on the side table.
After reading through the author’s criteria, I pull up the stock photograph site and look through the images that fit.
I pick three and make up mock book covers, then I email them to the author to check and pick one or ask for alterations.
This client is usually very happy with our covers, and it’s normal for her to choose one without any changes.
I work my way through the list until I start making errors and know it’s time to quit. I know I’ll be able to sleep now, and if I sleep in, I won’t worry.
The sound of heavy rain pounds on my windows as I surface from the cocoon I’ve made in the night.
Ugh, I hide my face in the pillows and close my eyes again.
It’s the trill ring of my phone that wakes me up next; there’s a god somewhere laughing at my bad luck.
“I want to sleep.” I look at the time on my phone before answering Memphis.
8:05. What the fuck. I’ve only had 4 hours sleep.
“Whaddayouwan?” I ask, my thick tongue and dry throat hardly making the words.
“Well, good morning to you, my little bundle of sunshine,” he laughs. “Can you let me in, it’s pissing down.”
“Why are you here?” I ask when I open my door.
“We arranged it; we have to be at the letting agents at nine to sign the paperwork for the office.”
Shit, I’d forgotten about that. It’s going to be a rush to make it in time. “You go and make me a coffee, and I’ll jump in the shower; we can be out of here in fifteen minutes tops.”
I let Memphis drive; he knows his way around here so much better than I do. We make it in time, even if my hair is still damp, and I’m sure I still have creases on my face from the pillow.
“Why did it have to be this early,” I mutter to my friend as we walk into the agency.
“Why were you still in bed? You never sleep in.”
“I caught up on all my work. It was about four when I stopped.”
He looks at me sideways. “I thought you might have had a bed partner.”
“Where the hell would I pick up someone? And when? We’ve been working non-stop.” I shake my head, non-plussed at his absurdity.
“The cute guy two floors up from you? You know the one you won’t talk about.” He’s never going to let this stop.
“He’s away. Not that I would.”
Not for a few hours anyway.