Chapter 15 #2
He heard a lot of things that weren’t said in those words—including that some things really weren’t his business—but he appreciated what Roper did say. He sighed and took the boy’s hands. “I’m sorry. I won’t bring it up again.”
Roper squeezed his fingers. “Thank you. I just need some space. You and I are starting something new, and I can’t put energy into starting something new with him and you at the same time. I bet Ry feels the same way.”
“Makes sense. It’s also very thoughtful.” He could change the subject. “So, you ride, you dance, what else should I know? Do you paint? Ski? Eat hot dogs competitively?”
That was the beer talking, he was pretty sure.
Ryder’s eyebrow went up, and one side of his lip quirked up. “I got one hell of a green thumb. Ry’s way more the artistic type, but I got away with plants. I like animals a lot. Don’t eat anything competitively, although I do like a hot dog.”
“Oh, good. Maybe you can tell me why my philodendron hates me.”
“Oh, you have leggy growth. I checked. I moved her to a brighter spot. They need indirect light, but they do need more light than what you’re giving her. And I think she was in a draft. They don’t love heat and cold stress, so I moved her to another wall and got you a pothos for that spot.”
The man had a calling. He shook his head. “First you seduce my cat and now my philly. And what the hell is a pothos anyway?”
“Just a pretty houseplant. It’ll trail all over, if you let it.” Roper winked at him. “Poor neglected babies.”
“As you will soon learn, I don’t neglect anything I care about.” Deliberately ignore? Sure. And he couldn’t wait to see how the boy reacted to that.
Roper pursed his lips, looked him up and down. “I believe that, sure. You seem like a guy that’s got himself some focus.”
“I do.” Right now he was focused on the hand that was still exploring his thigh.
“Mmhmm…” Roper did have deliciously curious fingers, dragging along his seam.
“I know what you’re doing. Just in case you think you’re putting one over on me.” He was drinking, so he wasn’t handing out spankings tonight, and the boy knew it.
“It’s no fun if you don’t know what I’m doing, Professor.” Roper waggled his eyebrows.
“I suppose you would think so.” He thought so too, in fact, but he wanted to give the boy something to push back on.
“I do. That’s one of the best parts about playing with me. I’m upfront.” Roper stuck his tongue out and winked.
“That tracks.” He chuckled and slid forward in his seat so Roper’s hand brushed up against his prick. “Oh, I know I said rated R, boy.”
“You did, naughty, naughty professor.”
He covered Roper’s hand again, this time pressing it right over his cock. “Do as I say, not as I do?”
“Mmhmm… You’ll just pretend that I was wicked and need punishing.” Roper snuggled in, stroking him through his jeans, eyes on the dance floor.
“Mmm.” He let himself enjoy the buzz—from the beer and his boy. “Pretend? You are wicked. You always need punishing. Such fun.”
He just caught Roper’s expression of pure bliss before it faded away.
He assumed it was anxiety that didn’t allow Roper to just sit in those moments, just relax and enjoy them for what they were. That fear of being too much, being wrong, being too hard…it was so ingrained it wasn’t going to be easy to convince the boy not to worry.
Still, the seed of that bliss was there and rooting, and they were just starting their journey.
He reached over and slid a finger along the zipper of Roper’s jeans. “Who are you watching?”
Roper rolled his shoulders. “No one. Everyone. I’m just listening with my eyes so I can focus on you.”
“I like that. Listening with your eyes.” He could see why Roper liked animals. He was practically a cat himself. Seeking warmth and touch when he wanted it, but still independent. “How does the foot feel?”
“Quiet right now. I’m glad not to be on it, though.” Roper patted his cock. “Thank you.”
“Mhm. This is nice. It’s good to be out.” He returned the favor, dragging the heel of his hand over Roper’s.
Roper grinned, wiggling to give himself a little friction, a hint of a buzz.
He knew quite a few Doms by now and a couple of subs, but he noted that no one bothered them, interrupted them. It was nice to just be, not have to entertain anyone or explain anything.
Obviously they were giving off “we need privacy” vibes. At least his boy was totally focused on him, on them, and it was heady.
“Are you finished with your beer? Should we call it a night?” They hadn’t been there long, but a long night hadn’t been the point anyway.
“I am.” Roper glanced at him. “Did you want to grab food or order something at home? I’m easy.”
“How about I make us dinner? Something quick.”
Roper frowned at him. “You worked. It’s my responsibility. I don’t want you to feel like I’m…lazy.”
Good grief. If there was any possible way for Roper to worry he was screwing up, he’d find it.
“Lazy? You just got your boot off today, and you’re in pain, and you walked your ass all the way home from the doctor’s office.
Also, I offered, so just say, ‘thank you, Sir.’ I hope you’re not expecting a three-course meal because I actually am lazy and am thinking grilled cheese and ham. ”
“Ooh. I love grilled cheese. Thank you, Professor. I appreciate you.”
He gave Roper’s cock a little squeeze through his jeans and shifted his hand to the boy’s thigh, then opened up his Uber app. “Great. So should I enlist a couple of subs to carry you to our car?” He hid his grin.
“Yeah, no. I’ll just walk. If I can ride with a lacerated liver, I can cope with a few blisters.”
“But it would be so much fun.” He gave the boy a playful wink. “I won’t. But it sounds wonderfully humiliating, and I reserve the right to such indignities in the future.”
“I could carry you out on my shoulders…”
“You probably could, but I wouldn’t let you.”
Roper met his eyes. “I won’t embarrass you. I’ll tease, but I wouldn’t shame you.”
He leaned close. “I know. And it’s okay to tease, kitten. Well, as long as you expect a spanking.” He stood and offered Roper a hand up.
“Expect? Shit, I’m asking, Professor.” Roper took his hand and stood, the barest tremor in the callused fingers proving his boy’s pain.
“We can add today’s count to tomorrow and make it a marathon session.” He pulled Roper into his arms to steady the boy. “How do you want to do this? Walk out of here, I mean. I know how to give a fresh sub a spanking.”
Roper wrapped his arms around him, lips near his ear. “I hurt, Professor. I need to go home. I pushed too hard today. Help me.”
“Hm.” He thought about that a second, then bent and tucked his shoulder into Roper’s abs and hauled the boy up over his shoulder. “Time to go home, brat,” he said loudly enough that Roper’s reputation would be well intact.
“Hey! What the hell?” Roper didn’t fight him though, and his boy was even helping.
He gave that upturned ass a playful swat as the crowd parted for them, laughing and nodding. “Manners. That’s what the hell, Sir.”
“Shall I have a car brought around for you, Sir?” one of the staff called.
“Thank you, boy. I called an Uber, but would you mind holding the door?” He tucked his arm tighter around Roper’s thighs. “He’s wiggly.”
“Yes, Sir. That’s what the rumor mill says.”
Roper obviously swatted at the sub behind them.
“Hands to yourself, boy,” he growled. Toby didn’t fight his grin though; this was too much fun.
“Good night, Sir. Good night, Roper!” The boy waved at them from the doorway as they left the club.
He just chuckled and took Roper all the way to the curb. “Bend your bad foot. I’ll set you down on your good one. The car will be here any second. Ready?”
“Yes, Professor. I’ve got it.” Roper stroked his lower back. “I appreciate you.”
“I’m going to remember this, though. I’m having a great time.”
“Don’t make me laugh. We’re having a deep fake moment.” Roper was chuckling when Toby eased him down.
“Right. You’re a naughty brat who is in big trouble when we get home. You have to look contrite.”
“Not eager? Right. Got it.”
Oh, little shit.
The car pulled up and Toby opened the door for him. “Not eager. Not until we’re alone. Then you can be as eager as you want.”
“I understand, Professor. Not eager. Sad. Downtrodden.” Roper was shaking with his laughter as they got in the car.
“Oh no. Never downtrodden.” He laughed and climbed in beside Roper, and then the car started moving. “No brat is sad when they’re in trouble.”
“Mmm… You’re not supposed to say that part out loud.” Roper leaned right into him.
“Dammit.” He chuckled and put an arm around the boy’s shoulders. “I must be rusty.”
“Is that my clue to lube you up, Professor?”
“Brat.” He moved fast, reaching out and pinching a nipple through Roper’s shirt, surprising him.
Roper’s lips parted, those pretty eyes focused right on him. “Professor!”
“I know. Pretty brazen for an Uber, huh?” He laughed and pretended that look didn’t make him shiver.
“You carried me out of the club. I think you have brazen down.” Roper shook his head, his smile heated. “That was…something else.”
“I loved it.” It was some serious Dom cred too. “We both got what we needed out of that, I think, hm?”
“I do. Thank you. That was kind. Hot too, but mostly kind.”
It was hot. “I’ve never done anything like that. It was…yeah. Something else.” Necessity is the mother of invention, they said. He’d had to get creative.
It felt surprisingly satisfying, stretching that inspiration bone.
It wasn’t a long trip home, and out from under the eyes of their peers, Roper could lean and limp his way back into the building and into the elevator. As the door to his apartment closed behind them, he pulled Roper back into his arms. “It’s time for you to move into my room officially.”
Roper searched his eyes, and for once, his boy—his boy—didn’t have words, just a nod.
“Good boy. Let’s get a shower and I’ll take you to bed.”