“I think I would. How are Sunday evenings for you?” He had plans this Sunday, and he thought maybe Saul did too, but next Sunday… “I have Mondays and Tuesdays off.”
“The shop closes at three on Sunday and is closed on Monday, so that would be perfect. And I’m pretty flexible other than Saturdays. The shop needs both of us then. Otherwise Emma and I trade shifts around all the time, and we have hourly help too.”
“Hooray tourists, right?” Troy rolled his eyes but laughed. “I have the monthly get-together this Sunday…” Are you coming? I’d love to see you there.
“Yeah, Geoff and Carter invited me. Their place, right? Is it all right with you if I go? I won’t if you think it would be awkward, just be honest. It’s your space.”
“It’s our space. I spend my time dozing on the sofa half the time, unless someone needs me.” He was sort of the group peacemaker. Half the guys weren’t sure how he fit in, so they just had to accept him at face value. “You’re more than welcome.”
“You’re kidding!” Saul laughed. “Someone has to rescue you from the sofa. Consider yourself needed. I’ll be there.”
“Well, I will be too. Possibly with bells on.”
“I’d like to see that.” Saul pushed his chair back. “Let’s walk. I’ve managed not to put my foot in anything tonight, I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He tossed the drink, shaking his head at Sue. “Too much mint.”
7
Black shirt?
No, he’d worn the black shirt on Friday night.
Gray sleeveless Tee…
Right. Sure, and look like he was twelve? He already looked like a baby, why make it worse?
Fuck it. Saul snarled, pulled out his phone and Face Timed Emma.
Friday night had been amazing. He’d never had a date that didn’t end with sex before. Or at least mutual hand jobs. In fact, a lot of times he’d just skipped the date part entirely.
But Troy was… special. More mature. Gentle. Smooth, like a really nice wine. Someone you took your time with, someone you savored.
That sounded ridiculous maybe, but he thought it was a pretty damn good metaphor.
“Did you forget something? Whoa, put some clothes on!” Emma covered her eyes.
“You’re a lesbian, Em. Please. I need your help.”
Emma grinned at him. “The rubber goes on first. I know it’s been a while, it’s okay.”
“Shut up. I’m serious, Em. I’m… almost a disaster. I mean I’m not, because a disaster would be more catastrophic than just an evening out and I’m really just nervous mostly but—help?”
“This is the party, right? So it’s not just your guy, but a bunch? Is it casual?”
“It’s casual, but it’s a scene party. And I think it’s possible Troy’s going to… I mean I kind of said I’d take him on.” Right? Isn’t that what he meant when he said he’d get Troy off the couch?
“And you wore the black shirt with the silver Friday. Damn. What about…you could go all retro and wear your Jurassic Park T-shirt?”
He thought about that. “Yeah, maybe. Big belt, cuffs. Boot cut jeans or skinny?” He liked that idea. Super casual. He could pull that off.
“Skinny. Are you going to tell all on Tuesday?”
“Are you buying the Jaeger?” He propped his phone up on his dresser and started moving around the room, gathering clothes and dressing.
“Totally. So, he’s caught your attention bad. You were a little floaty yesterday in the shop.”
“I thought about him all day. I don’t know where it’s going, if it can possibly go anywhere, I just know I can’t stop thinking about him. I want to…” He tugged on his jeans. God, the things he wanted were huge. They were crazy. “Shoes or boots?”
“Aren’t boots sort of a thing with your crowd? You know, lick my boots and all that.” He was going to beat her.
Ha.
Beat her.
“You should try it sometime. I’ll wear them to work on Tuesday.” He rolled his eyes. Boots were good but with these jeans? “How about my Doc Martens?” He had a pair of black eight-eyes that he thought would look great.
“Stompy. I approve. Are you nervous?”
“I shouldn’t be, but I am.” He grabbed his boots and sat on the bed to pull them on. “I don’t… part of me is wondering what the hell I think I’m doing.”
“Because he’s so much older or what? I can imagine that he’s got saggy balls…” Evil woman.
“Funny. He’s in great shape, he must run or something.” He sighed and flopped back on the bed. “He… he’s so established here. He’s known the woman who made our coffee last night since her daughter was like, five and now she’s married. He’s got routines, he’s got a whole life, you know? Why would he want someone like me?”
“You said he invited you on another date, though, right?” Em sounded utterly confused. “I mean, seriously. If he’s all that stable and solid…is he boring?”
“No. God, no. He’s fascinating.” Saul wasn’t really worried about being wanted. He was far more concerned with being needed. Troy was an experienced sub, and Saul was still learning. He felt like he had something Troy needed, but what if he was wrong?
Then again, why not him? Troy had been without a Dom all these years, if the guy hadn’t found anyone else in all that time, why couldn’t it be him?
“I don’t know why I’m doubting myself now, Friday night I was so sure.”
“That’s normal, right? I mean, when you’re in it, when you’re with him, it’s cool. Then you start second-guessing. Let me see you.”
“Oh. Yeah.” He stood and pulled on a studded belt, then stepped over where Emma could see the outfit. “Cuffs or no?” He showed her his wrists. “I don’t want to overdo it.”
She was right, he was second-guessing himself and how stupid was that? Why Monday morning quarterback a date? He got an invitation, so Geoff and Carter were cool with him, and Troy wanted him to come.
“Leave the cuffs off. You read Dom, but not scary. Nice and casual.”
“Cool. That’s perfect. You’re awesome, Em. Thank you. I’d still be standing here worrying at this thing.” He was such a dork.
“Text if you need me. I’m home.” She blew a kiss. “Make some good stories to tell!”
“That’s a sure thing. Enjoy your woman.” He smiled and waved at her, then hung up and hurried out to catch his bus.
Okay. He had this.
Hopefully.
No, he totally did. And to prove it to himself he used the bus ride to work on his head space. By the time he knocked on Carter’s door, he was feeling much more grounded.
Geoff answered the door wearing a pair of jeans, a faded T-shirt, and a lovely, ornamental collar. “Hey there, come on in. I’m glad you could make it.”
The house was…totally not something he’d expect from a restaurant owner and a tattoo artist. Open and airy, full of light from huge windows—the bottom story of the house was one big, beautiful space.