Page 7 of Just a Little in Love

Patrick glanced at Gabriel. “Both?” Patrick murmured and sighed, rubbing his head. “Rowan, you seem really thirsty,” he hedged. Rowan didn’t reply, but he tightened his hand in Gabriel’s. Gabriel didn’t let go. “Adrian, Charlie’s outside. Can you get someone to take over on the door and ask him to come in here?”

Gabriel swore to himself. Charlie was taking a turn on the door while Patrick was here for a meeting with Adrian. Charlie and Rowan were friends. He should have thought of that. Another moment and Charlie was there, immediately sitting on the bed. Rowan reached for him, and Gabriel let go. Patrick murmured something about normal readings and the water, then he stood and beckoned Gabriel and Adrian to follow him. All three walked into Adrian’s office and sat down.

“For starters, Gabriel, before you say one word, Rowan was fully aware of what was going to happen out there and signed a contract.”

“Charlie told me it was puppy play,” Patrick said, “but I’m guessing there’s a healthy dose of shame kink in there as well?”

Gabriel closed his eyes in frustration. He respected everyone’s needs, of course he did, but Rowan was way too shy and nervous for shame kink. Adrian nodded, tight-lipped. “How is he?”

Patrick sighed. “I don’t have any history, but to be honest I think he was severely dehydrated. His blood sugar was a little low, but still within a normal range.”

“Does he wear those pants because of his little needs?” Gabriel asked, more to himself. He knew Rowan had a thing about going to the bathroom in unfamiliar places, but for the first time—much to his shame—he wondered if there was another reason.

“Would Charlie know?” Adrian asked, understanding what he was asking.

“If he did and was told in confidence, he wouldn’t tell me,” Patrick said. “I’m not his doctor, but there was nothing obviously wrong.”

“If he has a medical condition, he lied on the form,” Adrian snapped out, clearly angry.

Gabriel understood. Anything that affected the safety of his members, Adrian needed to know.

“The only thing I will say,” Patrick said cautiously, “in confidence.” Gabriel and Adrian nodded. “I recognized the brand of pull-ups he wore. Arotek is a medical supply company, and they don’t sell to retail establishments.”

“Which means he’s likely wearing them because he has to,” Gabriel said, his heart hurting for Rowan.

“It’s a guess, but if he was worried he might have to take them off to play, I’m betting he has restricted his fluid intake severely,” Patrick said.

“I need to talk to him and then arrange to take him home,” Adrian said.

“Let me,” Gabriel said and stood.

Patrick looked up at him. “But be careful.” Gabriel frowned. Careful driving? “I mean you aren’t into the sort of thing Rowan needs. I’m pretty sure he has a healthy dose of hero worship for you as it is.”

Gabriel nodded. “I realize that. But you and Adrian have a meeting, and I already know where he lives.”

Patrick’s eyebrows shot up. “You do?”

“Mom during the week and Dad on the weekends.”

Patrick nodded. “I’ve only ever collected him from his dad’s.”

Gabriel looked at Adrian. “I know you’re angry he withheld information, but not tonight, huh?”

Adrian smirked. “Are you telling me to back off?”

Gabriel rolled his eyes and didn’t deign to reply. But he was, and they both knew it.

Charlie helped Gabriel get Rowan settled in his car, which he brought around to the fire exit door so Rowan wouldn’t have to walk through the club. Charlie passed Rowan his bag and hugged him tightly, making Rowan promise to call or answer Charlie’s call tomorrow and then Gabriel drove away.

Gabriel noticed Rowan rubbed his head a few times. “Headache?”

Rowan looked up at him for the first time in what seemed to be hours, and for too long a moment Gabriel forgot he was driving and gazed into Rowan’s huge blue eyes. Gabriel wrenched his gaze back, but not before he’d seen the sheen of tears and the slight wobble in Rowan’s bottom lip. He cursed again in his head and pulled over.

He put the car in park, took off his seat belt, and turned around, reaching out for one of Rowan’s hands. “I’m sorry,” Rowan whispered, misery lacing his voice.

Gabriel forced himself to remain calm, sliding into his Dom space. “What are you apologizing for?” Rowan looked surprised, and he sucked his bottom lip in and bit down. “Don’t do that,” Gabriel said automatically and just managed to stop himself from reaching out to pull the abused lip away.

“Sorry,” Rowan mumbled again.

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