Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
As we got closer to Logan Circle and Macklin’s restaurant, I could tell Gael’s nerves came back in full force, and I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to make things easier for him. It was right there on his profile page—he wanted to meet new people and make friends, and I didn’t see the harm in lending him a hand.
“When we get to the munch, you could stay close to me,” I said. “I’ll be your wingman until you’re ready to fly on your own.”
“Heh. Wingman.” He bit at a cuticle and shook his head. “I don’t want to be in the way.”
“Who says you would be?” I furrowed my brow. “It’s a munch among friends, and we can be friends too, can’t we? Or do you have something against Daddy Doms with a growing waffle addiction?”
That earned me another pinch of sweet amusement. “I would like very much to be your friend.”
“It’s settled, then.” I gave his knee a brief squeeze and smiled. “You hide out with me when the social anxiety gets to be too much, and I’ll give you a little nudge when I think you’re ready for more. In the meantime, you keep supplying me with waffles.”
He snickered and nodded. “Okay. All the waffles you can eat, I promise. And coffee con leche.”
“And coffee con leche,” I chuckled. “You’re a pro already.”
That seemed to give him a little boost, and he sat higher in his seat while I hunted down a parking spot not too far away from the restaurant.
“Just promise to let me know if I get too clingy,” he said.
Fuck, great opening for me. “That goes both ways. You let me know if I make you uncomfortable. With you, I find it’s too easy to slip into Daddy mode and get protective.”
It was nothing but the truth anyway.
“Really? But—you protect people in your work, sir,” he said. “I would think you’re naturally protective.”
“You have a point.” I grinned to myself as I checked my blind spot and backed into the slot between two nice SUVs that didn’t need to be scratched by my old truck. “My clients at work are never cute subbie boys, though. More than that, they’re not you.”
I let him process that while I squeezed myself into the tightest parking spot ever. Christ. But it was either this or walking four blocks or something. It was never easy finding parking in this area.
Bottom line, I wanted to be honest with Gael. I wanted him to know I was interested in him, not just any subbie boy, but that didn’t mean I was going to crowd him or make a move he wasn’t ready for. We didn’t know each other. I knew him fairly well from having observed him so much, and I preferred to put all my cards on the table. What happened after was up to him, but no matter what, his safety and comfort came first.
Once I’d killed the engine, we climbed out, and he waited for me on the sidewalk.
His gaze flickered; he struggled to maintain eye contact, and he looked like he wanted to say something, but shyness kept him from opening his mouth.
“Did I cross a line already?” I asked half jokingly.
He widened his eyes and shook his head quickly. “No, I-I just—I’m not sure I understand what you meant by…you know.”
I had no problems spelling things out.
“Let’s put it this way,” I said, forcing myself to put my hands down in the pockets of my jeans rather than somewhere else. “If I wasn’t worried about what your ex has done to you, I would’ve asked you out on a date by now. So this is my way of letting you know that when or if you feel ready to meet someone new, I’ll keep my fingers crossed you’ll want to have dinner with me. How’s that?”
I couldn’t be more blunt, and yet he still looked like he was trying to figure something out.
“And there he is,” I heard a familiar Texan stage-whisper. “The elusive Santiago Jones. It’s important we don’t spook him, little darlin’, ’cause he might run away again.”
I felt my mouth twist into a smirk, and I reluctantly looked away from Gael to see Colt and his two men walking up the street.
“Always impeccable timing, my friend,” I drawled.
Maybe this was for the best. Gael probably needed a moment to process, which spoke volumes of his readiness. It wasn’t as if I’d said anything weird.
“Hi, Gael! I’m so glad you came today,” Kit said happily.
We’d never met before, so Colt dove into introductions. “Kit, I want you to meet Santiago. Daddy Dom, primal player, and wax-player extraordinaire. Santiago, our boy, Kit.”
I shook the boy’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Kit.”
“You too, Sir! I’ve heard lots of things about you.”
“If it comes from Colt, take it with a grain of salt,” I chuckled, moving on to shake Lucas’s hand. “Good to see you again, buddy.”