Page 12 of Finding His Forever

Matthew gasped and stared at the Dom whose lap he sat on, while thunderous applause came from the other members. Master Del squeezed Matthew’s waist and held up his almost empty glass to acknowledge everyone else. With pinkened cheeks, he appeared a little embarrassed at the attention and the fact that his charitable act was announced.

Oh, Goddess of Twink submissives everywhere, I could fall hard for this man. Please don’t let him break my heart!

On the stage, Master Devon rotated the big raffle drum, and the crowd’s excitement seemed to vibrate the walls. When Matthew finished his appletini with a gulp, Master Del took the glass from him and swapped it for the bottle of water sitting on a little table beside their chair. “Drink all of that—we have to rehydrate you.”

As he did as he was told, Master Mitch drew the first ticket from the drum and handed it to Master Ian, who looked at it, then groaned and rolled his eyes. “Master Brody, come up and get your bloody ticket. As if you haven’t spent enough fucking time at the resort already.”

A loudhoo-yahechoed off the ceiling, and everyone laughed, cheered, and clapped. Brody Evans was a major computer geek and a retired Navy SEAL who co-owned Trident Security. Heand his wife, Fancy, had a little boy named Zane, who was just over a year old and absolutely adorable.

Once the Dom retrieved a manila envelope from Master Mitch and thrust his hands in the air, bellowing out anotherhoo-yah,the exuberant crowd was ready for another name to be announced. The following three winners were Cassandra, Sterling, and Mistress Roxy, whose submissive wife, Kayla, yelled louder than Master Brody had.

The barrel was spun for the final time, and Matthew held his breath. It would be so cool to win a trip to the resort he’d heard all about from the owners and their wives. He glanced furtively at Master Del.

Would he want to go with me if I won?

He couldn’t help but think something was building between them in the short time they’d known each other. Something special. Something he’d hoped to find someday—the man who would be his forever.

Master Mitch handed the final ticket to Master Ian, who, surprisingly, smiled broadly this time. “Well, I can’t think of anyone more deserving than this person. He’s worked his ass off for the past year, and I, for one, am proud of him. I know, without a doubt, he’ll make an amazing paramedic soon. Matthew Behan, get your one-hundred percent fabulously gay ass up here!”

He froze when the head Dom said the word “paramedic” because, as far as Matthew knew, no other members were paramedics or EMTs taking the course. When his name was finally announced, his jaw dropped, and his eyes grew to the size of saucers as the crowd whistled and yelled out their congratulations. Matthew didn’t move until Master Del stood, letting the sub slide down his thighs to a standing position. The Dom kissed him on the cheek. “Go on, pup! Get your prize. Congratulations.”

When the reality hit him, Matthew covered his mouth and jumped up and down before running toward the stage. He’d never won anything that big in his life and still couldn’t believe it happened this time. Masters Ian, Devon, and Mitch shook his hand before the latter gave him a large envelope. Matthew turned and waved it in the air. As the cheers rose and then dwindled, he hurried down the steps and back over to Master Del, who grinned at him. Matthew threw his arms around him as the taller man laughed and hugged him back. “Congratulations. As Ian said, it’s well deserved.”

Matthew was on cloud nine. It felt like he’d won a million-dollar lottery—a fantastic trip, a Dom he was already falling for, and hopefully, a new career as a paramedic. He couldn’t wait to see what the New Year would bring. If it were anything like tonight, it would be awesome.

Chapter Eight

Tuesday night, Del held out a chair for Matthew at their table at Tuscany and then sat across from him. Although Matthew had once been inside the upscale Italian restaurant near the Riverwalk in Tampa for a patient who choked on a piece of veal, he’d never eaten there. Thankfully, the victim survived. Otherwise, Matthew might’ve been uncomfortable having dinner at the place.

Now, he could take in his surroundings and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. Beautiful strains of instrumental music floated through the air, but it was muted enough to accommodate conversations. The decor was rich and elegant but not ostentatious. It was what Matthew imagined inviting restaurants in Italy looked like. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, was on his bucket list ever since his cousin raved about it after honeymooning with her husband there a few years ago. Someday, he’d get there.

With the unopened menu the hostess had left on the table in front of him, he was a little nervous about finding out what the meals cost. When they discussed where to go on a date, Del made it clear that dinner would be his treat. Matthew then realized he didn’t know much about what Del did for a livingother than he was a computer programmer or something like that. While the man could obviously afford The Covenant’s club membership, it didn't mean he had an abundance of wealth. Regardless, Matthew would find one of the cheaper entrees to order. He didn't want to come across as greedy and high-maintenance. Money wasn't what he found attractive in a man, and he would never date someone because they were rich or not date someone because they were poor. He just wanted to find someone to love and have the man love him back for no reason other than they were meant to be together.

It was their second date since the night of the Secret Santa when they exchanged cell phone numbers before parting. Matthew was thrilled to receive a text from Del the following day, thanking him for a fantastic evening. They texted each other on and off for several hours before making plans to see each other again.

They met for lunch at the Sand Key Park in Clearwater yesterday, several hours before Matthew’s 7:00 p.m. split shift. Del picked up sandwiches at a deli, and since it was raining, they ate them in Matthew’s truck while discussing various topics. Several times, he missed things that Del said because he’d been too busy silently undressing the man in his mind—which he seemed to be doing again right then.

Yesterday, Del wore jeans, sneakers, and a Cincinnati Bengals T-shirt molded to his fine physique. Tonight, he was dressed all in black—dress pants, a leather belt, a silk shirt with the top two buttons undone, and a pair of oxfords on his feet that were shined to perfection. The attire was more suitable for the fancy restaurant and The Covenant, where they planned to go for dessert later. And yes, that was a euphemism for a scene involving sex.

Matthew had spent over an hour trying on different shirts and pants, wanting to look fabulous and alluring to his datewithout coming across as a hooker in a gay version ofPretty Woman. He’d finally settled on skinny black dress pants with ankle boots and a shiny, satin teal button-down shirt with a built-in tie instead of lapels that hung loosely from his neck. He’d topped it off with a black, waist-length bolero jacket with a lacy teal handkerchief square in the left breast pocket.

Before they could look at their menus, a tall, young waiter approached and stopped beside their table. His brown-eyed gaze zeroed in on Del, making Matthew want to stand up and slap the man silly.

Feeling possessive and jealous? Why, yes, I am. Thank you very much!

“Hi, my name is Josh, and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I get you a drinkor. . . anything else, sir?” the blond himbo asked, never taking his eyes off Del or acknowledging Matthew’s presence.

The come-fuck-me drawl in his voice was also hard to miss, and Matthew huffed loudly, drawing Del’s full attention. The Dom winked at him as if he knew Matthew was annoyed as fuck. “Sweetheart, what would you like to drink?”

He nearly melted at the endearment. Instead, he gave Del a sultry gaze and licked his upper lip before shifting his eyes to stare at the waiter, whose face showed his disappointment that the hottest guy in the place was most definitely taken. “I’ll have an orange margarita with sugar instead of salt since I’m already so sweet and delicious.” His gaze returned to Del. “Aren’t I,Sir?”

Across the table, Del hid a smirk behind his fist before clearing his throat. “Absolutely,” he said before murmuring, “Little brat.”

Del stared at Matthew’s grin for several heartbeats before addressing the server, still waiting for his order. “And I’ll have a glass of merlot, please.”

“Of course.”

After giving Matthew a sideways stink-eye, the guy left to get their drinks. It was then an awful thought popped into Matthew’s mind. He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Oh, crap. I hope he doesn’t spit in my food later!”

---