Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Emmet
Home sweet home. There’s nothing like coming back to my apartment after a few days away.
As I stayed awake on the flight, I’m tired enough to sleep, which means jetlag won’t be a problem for once.
Here’s hoping. I check my fridge and throw out a couple of things, leaving it empty.
It’s not like I was looking forward to cooking.
I call my favorite takeout place and put in an order.
While I’m waiting, I freshen up in the shower and change into well-worn jogging pants and a t-shirt.
Comfort is the name of the game when I’m home alone.
Food arrives, and I eat on the couch, watching my favorite crime show.
The life of a bachelor is super glamorous.
What’s Ty doing now? He’ll have caught up with the friends he’s staying with.
I was intrigued by their relationship: a Daddy and two boys.
At least, that’s what I surmised based on what little Ty told me, although he seemed to think even that was too much.
He was scared, though, and blurting things out, which he might not have done on a normal day.
Damn, he was cute. Will he call? I sure hope so, but I’m not going to bank on it.
He has his friends to hang out with now, so he doesn’t need me.
The chances of us bumping into each other at the Pride march are basically zero.
I clean up, grab a whisky, stand at the window, and gaze at the park across the street.
Not that I can see much of it in the dark.
I was damn lucky to score an apartment here.
The monthly rental fees are eye-watering, but it’s not as if I have much else to spend my money on.
No kids, no pets—a good thing as I’m not allowed any here—no responsibilities.
Am I lonely? Sometimes, but that’s why I frequent kink clubs.
It’s not hard to find a guy who wants to be taken care of for a night.
Would Ty want to be taken care of by a Daddy?
Not on a plane, but in the bedroom. I swirl the amber liquid around in the tumbler and smile.
For that to be an option, he’ll have to call.
I down the whisky, gasping as the warm liquid hits the back of my throat, burning softly, before sliding down my throat.
It’s good stuff, but now it’s time to sleep.
I put the tumbler by the sink—I’ll deal with it tomorrow—brush my teeth and slide into bed.
I’m about to close my eyes when my cell phone screen flashes with an incoming text message from an unknown number.
Unknown:
Are you free to be my tour guide tomorrow?
Me:
Ty?
Unknown:
I should have started with that, huh? Yeah, this is Ty. Hi.
He finishes the text with a smiley face emoji. Grinning, I add his number to my cell.
Ty:
Are you working tomorrow?
Me:
Yes, but let’s meet after.
Ty:
You’re sure?
Me:
Yes. I’d love to show you around. Meet me outside the Empire State Building at 6:30.
Ty:
Why there?
Me:
Because it’s big and easy to find.
Hopefully, he’ll laugh at that, rather than being offended.
Me:
Do you have plans for the rest of the day?
He might need to get rid of jet lag. Is he wide awake? Maybe I shouldn’t have encouraged him to sleep on the flight, but it was the best way to calm him down, so he wasn’t stressed out for the whole eight hours.
Ty:
No plans. I’ll hang out with my friends a bit. Maybe try to do some sightseeing on my own.
Me:
What are you doing right now?
Ty:
Stroking their dog.
He sends me a close-up photo of a happy-looking golden retriever.
Ty:
Her name’s Sandy.
Me:
She’s cute.
Ty:
Do you have any pets?
Me:
No. My lease doesn’t allow it. You?
Ty:
Same. I like dogs, though.
Me:
I’m more of a cat person.
Ty:
Cats are cool, but can be kinda aloof.
Me:
True.
I yawn and then rub my face in an effort to be more awake. I should sleep, but I’m enjoying texting with this cute English guy. If his messages are anything to go by, he’s a lot more relaxed now.
I’m looking forward to meeting this version of Ty: a version of him I can flirt with.
Ty:
I should let you get some sleep. See you tomorrow.
Me:
I’m not sleepy yet.
Liar, liar.
Me:
Happy to text more.
Or talk, if he’d rather call. I could listen to his voice all night.
Ty:
I’d like that.
Me:
Can I call?
Ty:
Me? Now?
I laugh.
Me:
Yes.
I want to hear his voice. Plus, talking is easier than texting.
Ty:
Okay.
I dial his number.
A few seconds later, he answers. “Hi.”
“I think this is better than texting, don’t you?”
“Yes.” I imagine him blushing.
“Are you in bed?” I ask.
“Nah. I’m in the lounge with Sandy. My friends have headed to bed, though.”
“But you’re not tired?”
“No. Not yet. You must be.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you didn’t sleep during the flight. Did you?”
I smile. “No. I was taking care of you.”
He sucks in a breath and whispers something too quietly for me to hear.
“What was that?” I use my sternest Daddy voice.
“Uh… Maybe Zeke was right.”
I raise my eyebrows, even though Ty can’t see me. “What about?”
“You. He thinks— Never mind.”
“What does he think?” I can guess, but I’d like Ty to say it.
“That you’re a Daddy Dom.” He pauses for a beat before asking, “Are you?”
“Yes.” I put my cell phone on speaker, rest it on my chest, and lay my arm on the pillow above my head. “You obviously know about kink. Are you into it?”
“Yes,” he replies in a breathy tone.
“Have you ever had a Daddy?”
He’s quiet for a moment. I can hear panting in the background and the occasional clink of metal, so I assume he’s got one very happy dog beside him.
It’s not hard to picture him sitting on the floor, his back against a couch, stroking the golden retriever.
Why the pause? Surely I asked a simple yes-or-no question?
“Does the plane trip count?”
“If you want it to.”
“Then, yes. I’ve had a Daddy. But only once, and there was no sex involved. There was bondage though.”
I chuckle. “I’m not sure covering you in a blanket counts as bondage.”
“It sure felt like bondage to me, especially with the blindfold.”
“And the headphones?”
He hums. “Maybe… That’s a new one on me.”
“But you’ve been tied up and blindfolded before?”
He laughs. “A few times.”
Would he let me tie him up and blindfold him, or is that too much of a show of faith in a man he barely knows, when he’s thousands of miles away from home?
“Do you enjoy it?” I ask.
“Yes. Lots.” He yelps. “Ugh, slobber in the face. I don’t need doggy kisses, thank you very much, Sandy. I might move to the spare room.”
“Is that where you’ll be sleeping?”
“Yes. Only now Sandy is giving me the saddest eyes ever. Talk about a guilt trip! I guess I’m staying put for a while longer.”
“I’m happy to keep you company.”
“Don’t you need to sleep? You’ve got to work tomorrow,” Ty says.
I do need to sleep. My boss won’t care if I’m tired, especially if it’s because I stayed up late talking to a gorgeous guy, rather than being sensible.
I’m glad tomorrow is Friday. One day to get through, then I get to spend the evening showing Ty around New York and, well, who knows where that will lead.
“I should be the one telling you to sleep,” I say.
“Why?”
“Because I’m the Daddy.”
Except, I’m not his Daddy, even though I acted like I was for eight hours. I want to be, though, if he’s open to a bit of fun while he’s here on vacation.
“I’ll get some sleep soon.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Six-thirty. Outside the Empire State Building. Will we go up it, or should I do that during the day?”
“We’ll go up it together,” I decide on a whim.
“I can’t wait. Night, Emmet.” There’s a click and then a single tone.
I press the end call button, put my cell on its charging mat, and stare at the ceiling. I can’t help but smile. Based on that brief conversation, I’m pretty sure I’m going to enjoy spending tomorrow evening with Ty.