Chapter 7 – Otis
The sound of my mobile beeping has me smiling even before I’ve pulled it out of my pocket.
I know who it will be, Jasper. It’s been a week since I went to Kimber’s, and we talked.
His reaction to our kiss, completely understandable.
If I had been treated like that I would be wary too.
I hate what Clive did to Jasper. Hate that he broke Jasper’s spirit.
“You know that mobiles aren’t allowed during training,” Daniel states.
“Sorry,” I start. “I forgot it was still in my pocket,” I lie, because my mobile has become glued to my hands.
When I had asked Jasper if he wanted to give me a chance, he had stayed silent for a long time.
In fact, I thought he was going to say no.
I had steeled myself so much that when he said okay, it took a while for the word to sink in.
But when it had, I had jumped on his lap and kissed him so fiercely Jasper had burst out laughing when I broke the kiss.
“But that smile on your face might make me change my mind,” Daniel says.
“No, rules are rules,” I reply. Taking my mobile out of my pocket, I glance at the screen and see the name Dom, confirming what I thought. The text was from Jasper.
After Jasper agreed, we spent the rest of the evening talking.
Just getting to know each other and making a plan on how we were going to do this relationship.
Jasper had said that he wanted to take it slow.
Part of me was disappointed. I think if Jasper had suggested it, I might have let him strip me naked and take me there and then.
But I was going to follow his wishes. I would give him whatever time he needed.
Later that night, Jasper had sent me the first text.
It had come out of the blue. It was a silly text just asking if I had gotten home safe, but it had meant the world to me.
It showed that he cared, and the texts had gone on from there.
When I was feeling particularly naughty, I started them with sir.
I would say something like ‘Good morning, sir, have a great day. Will be thinking of you’.
That was also the time I decided to change Jasper’s name in my phone, to Dom.
It was like a little inside joke but also a safety measure.
If anyone saw my phone I was going to tell them it was Dominic, it helped with the secrecy.
“Care to share why that text made you look like the cat that got the cream? I’m guessing this is why you have been distracted this week too,” Daniel asks, smiling.
“It’s just a friend,” I reply.
“Oh, she’s more than a friend. Friends don’t make you smile like that,” Daniel adds. “Now come on, we’re behind already.”
“It’s not a girl,” I tell him, and I think I spot the surprise on Daniel’s face at my words, but he doesn’t say anything more.
“Oh. I was not expecting that. I thought you had a girlfriend before you moved teams?” Daniel questions.
“I did.”
“And what, now you have a boyfriend?” Daniel questions.
“Now I have a friend,” I say again, but I know that I need to give Daniel more information without giving it away, “But it’s new.”
“Just be careful with the press. You are new blood and already have a lot of attention on you.”
“I know.” I love the fact that Daniel isn’t pushing for details of my friend, but with Daniel mentioning the press, it confirms that my decision to keep Jasper secret was the right one. Just need to make sure that Jasper knows it won’t be permanent.
“Now, get your head out of your friend’s arse,” Daniel smirks, “And start training. You’re going to need to improve your stamina.”
“Daniel!” I exclaim, pretending to be shocked at his words. “I’m a good boy.” But the both of us burst out laughing.
An hour and half later, my workout with Daniel is finally done, and I swear that he pushed me harder than normal.
I’m sweating in places I didn’t even know I could sweat in, and God I loved it, but I needed a shower before I did anything else.
I was hoping to meet up with Lars, wanted his advice on how he handled his rookie year.
“Otis.” Hearing my name being called, I turn around and see Marcus leaning against a wall. Had he been waiting for me?
“Hey, Marcus.”
“Can we talk?” comes a rather stern reply.
Shit. Marcus is looking serious. What the fuck is this about?
“Sure, but can I please take a shower first? I stink.”
“Fine. Meet me in the canteen in twenty. It’s pretty quiet in there, so we will have some privacy.”
This has to be about Jasper, if Marcus wants some privacy. Does he know what is going on with us? Is he being a dutiful friend and asking me what my intentions are?
“Okay.” I reply, turning and racing to the showers.
My original plan had been to have a longer shower, let the hot water soak over my muscles, but Marcus changed all that.
Instead, I rushed through my shower so that fifteen minutes later I’m walking into the canteen, scanning the tables until I saw Marcus over in the corner.
It has to be the table furthest away from the entrance.
“Hey.”
“That was quick,” Marcus replies, looking down at his watch.
“Well I got a feeling that this was important, so I rushed,” I reply, as I pull out the chair opposite him and sit down.
“I guess you’re wondering what this is about?” Marcus starts.
“I’m guessing that it has something to do with Jasper and Clive,” I start.
“Clive? You know about Clive?” Marcus replies, and I think that he sounds surprised.
“Yeah, and I think you know about me and Jasper,” I add.
“Jasper mentioned something,” Marcus confirms.
“Look, I like Jasper. I have no intention of hurting him,” I tell Marcus.
“For now, but what about in six or twelve months? What then?” Marcus almost demands.
“Marcus, it’s been a week. I have no idea what is going to happen in the future. Anything could happen.”
“You didn’t see Jasper last time. He was broken, for a long time.”
“I know. I got that impression when he was telling me what Clive did. You know, if I ever meet Clive, I would be so tempted to punch him in the face.”
“Oh no, that pleasure is all mine,” Marcus adds with a smile.
“Look, you need to know that I have asked Jasper to keep things quiet between us. Not because I’m embarrassed, but more for our protection. The press are already hounding me, and I don’t want that for Jasper. I want us to explore what we have, privately. If that makes sense.”
“Yeah, it does. But you need to remember that at the back of Jasper’s mind he will have doubts, so be careful.”
“I plan to be,” I confirm.
The pair of us just sat there in silence for a few minutes. Marcus, I think had been prepared to give me a hard time, but I had beaten him to it. Marcus is a good friend and I’m glad that he’s in Jasper’s life.
“So, next question,” Marcus starts. “How are you going to handle Jasper’s needs? Will you allow him to go to the club? It’s only ever sex if you’re there on your own.”
“My plan is to meet Jasper’s needs myself, thank you,” I tell him firmly.
“You what?” Marcus asks, his eyebrow shooting into his hairline.
“I think you heard me,” I say, giving him a smile.
“Holy shit, I did not expect you to say that.”
“Well…” And I can feel a blush heat my cheeks, as I think about the control Jasper had over me in the gym during our first kiss.
“Oh, fuck. You’re going to be gorgeous if you act like that. You have to tell me what he did?”
“Am I allowed to tell you?” I really don’t want to upset Jasper if I’m not allowed to mention anything.
“Was it during a scene? If it was, no, don’t tell me, that is between you and Jasper,” Marcus explains.
“I haven’t been able to see Jasper since we talked last week. I have been busy getting ready for the start of the season. I’m so glad that it’s starting in March this year and not February as usual.”
“Then what the fuck did he do?” Marcus asks again.
“The kiss in the gym,” I begin. “He pushed me up against the wall and held my hands above my head. There was nothing I could do.”
“That’s it?”
“I might have also done some research when you told me that Jasper and you were Doms. It’s intriguing.”
“Wow. You sure I couldn’t persuade you to come home with me?” Marcus asks, giving me a wink.
“Marcus!” Both of us jump on hearing Jasper’s voice. Neither of us had seen him come in, and I have to wonder how much of the conversation he heard.
“What? Did you hear him? You fucking lucky bastard. That blush as well,” Marcus states.
“Hey Otis,” Jasper says as he walks behind me and pulls out the chair next to me and sits down.
“Sorry I didn’t reply to the text, sir,” I state, and hear a very audible groan from Marcus. “I was in a training session with Daniel.”
“I should’ve figured. When I hadn’t heard from you, I thought I would come and check on you. I only have five minutes before I have to meet up with Lars,” Jasper adds.
“I will send you my training schedule so you know where I am.” I give him a smile, and that’s when I feel Jasper’s hand on my knee, and he gives it a squeeze.
“That would be good,” Jasper replies, returning my smile. “And Marcus, you try to steal Otis again, we will be having words. Do you understand?”
“Hey, you can’t blame a man for trying. I have to say I’m very jealous. You’re going to have so much fun.”
“Eventually,” Jasper answers, “but that’s a ways away yet.”
“What?” I exclaim, which causes both Jasper and Marcus to chuckle, why the hell would that be a ways away? I will need to start my training soon. Jasper will have needs.
“I’ll explain later,” Jasper whispers.
“When later?” Suddenly eager for this piece of information. “Want to come over to my flat?”
“No,” Jasper responds, but I miss the smirk on his face and my stomach plummets.
“Oh,” is the only reply I can give him.
“Come to my place. Less risk of press,” Jasper adds. “I’ll text you the address.”
“We can go to Kimber’s if that’s safer,” I add.