Page 13 of Finding His Forever

Del barked out a soft laugh. “I’ll make it clear that we’ll be sharing our meals. Hopefully, that will deter any wayward and unhygienic ideas he might have.”

He picked up his menu and gestured for Matthew to do the same. “Let’s decide what to eat, and then there are a few things I want to discuss with you.”

“Uh-oh. That sounds ominous.”

Another chuckle erupted from Del’s throat. “Not at all. Despite our previous conversations, I realized we haven’t negotiated a contract or talked about whether you want one with me.”

“I do!” he proclaimed a bit too loudly. Several nearby patrons glanced in their direction, and a blush stole across his cheeks.Eager much?He brought the volume of his voice down a level or two. “I mean, I’d be honored to negotiate a contract with you, Sir.”

“I’m glad. It’ll be my honor as well.” Del’s gaze dropped to the menu. “What looks good to you?”

Matthew licked his lips as he studied the dark chest hair peeking out from the V of Del’s shirt. He remembered what it felt like against his back while strapped to the St. Andrew’s cross during their Secret Santa scene. The thought had his cock hardening. He’d jacked off to that memory every morning and night since, but nothing came close to the real thing.

“Matthew.”

“Hmm?”

“I asked what you wanted to eat.”

“You, Sir.” His eyes widened when he realized he said that aloud, and their server had returned in time to hear it.Matthew’s drink was placed a little too hard on the table in front of him, almost causing the liquid to splash over the top. He gave the man a brief glare and then focused on the menu. While the prices were slightly higher than at the more casual restaurants he usually frequented, they weren’t exorbitant, thank goodness. “Um . . . What are you getting? Everything looks so good.”

“Why don’t we pick two entrees and share them?”

Damn, the man was smooth and hadn’t forgotten Matthew’s fear. Once confident he wouldn’t giggle out loud, he replied, “Oooh. That’s a great idea. Uh, let’s see.” He quickly scanned the list of entrees and their descriptions. “The chicken alla Milanese looks yummy.”

“It does. How about that and the wild mushroom ravioli?”

Matthew found it on the menu and then nodded. “Sounds absolutelyscrumptious.”

Okay, he was laying it on a little thick, for Josh’s sake, but so what? He was in a bratty mood and never one to back down from the competition.

“Good.”

Del took Matthew’s menu and added it to his own to hand to the server when the man was done jotting down their order. “What dressing would you like on your salad, sir?”

Again, he only addressed Del, and Matthew knew he wasn’t the only one who noticed because the Dom’s jaw tightened for a moment before he asked, “Matthew, what would you like on your salad?”

With an all-too-sweet cheeky grin, he placed his elbows on the table, tucked his clasped hands under his chin, and batted his eyes at the server. “Bleu cheese, please.”

“Make that two,” Del added dismissively.

Once the server left them alone again, Matthew tilted his head. “Thank you.”

Del took a sip of his wine. “For what?”

“For letting me know you were annoyed at him and not making a scene about it.”

“He was rude, pup.” He reached across the table and took Matthew’s hand. “Everyone here can probably tell we’re on a date, and even if we weren’t, his forwardness was unwanted and uncalled for, especially since he’s here to do a job. I doubt the restaurant’s owner approves of his servers flirting with the clientele.”

Del glanced down to where his thumb caressed the back of Matthew’s hand before meeting his gaze again. “I’m very attracted to you, Matthew. As it sometimes happens in the lifestyle, we started backward—sceneing and having sex before our first date. I want to continue seeing you in and out of the club, and if you say yes to that, it will be exclusive. We’ll sign a contract, and you’ll wear my collar at the club and be committed to a relationship with me outside of it. I don’t share. I also don’t cheat or lead someone on, and I expect the same respect in return.”

For a moment, he was speechless. He hadn’t expected Del to want to be exclusive after knowing each other for only a few days. “I don’t do any of that either, Sir. And I would really love to wear your collar and date you.”

Del squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”

“Does this mean I can call you my boyfriend?”

“Do you want to?”

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