Page 139 of Ride With Me

VICTOR

As I drive,I cast another look over to Jamie. He’s been quiet since we left the training centre. He was quiet on the way there, too. I glance again, to make sure he’s alright... Well, partly. It’s mostly just so I can look at his beauty. He’ssocute, and he barely comes up to my shoulder, but I like that. I could just pick him up and cuddle him all day.

Steady, Victor. The poor guy has been through a terrible ordeal, which frightened him a lot. I could tell by how much he tensed up when he told his story, only relaxing again when I stroked him. I liked to soothe the hurt away, I liked taking care of him. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he was without his wallet and with a dead phone, when some oaf knocks him out and ties him up.

I’m very curious about his kink, it certainly looks interesting. I try to ignore the fascination my cock has with it whenever I think about it, about Jamie—his cheeks flushed with arousal, his lips stretched around a gag. Damn, maybe it was a stupid idea to invite him to stay with me tonight. I glance over again.

“Are you in danger of crashing the car if you keep looking my way?” His voice is light and teasing.

I look again and he’s smirking, his eyes are dancing, and he’s so goddamn beautiful I do nearly crash the car. I right it quickly, after I’d swerved over to the other side of the carriageway.

“Eyes on the road please, Captain.” Fuck, I have no defences if he’s going to call me that. I have no idea where it came from, but I like it. I definitely don’t preen a little—definitely not.

“Can’t help it when you’re such a cutie.”

“I can’t be cute if I’m dead.” He laughs lightly, and it’s a fair point to keep my eyes front and centre... Well I try to, anyway.

“Dine-in or takeout?” I ask when we reach the edge of the town.

“Can we get takeout?” Jamie says. “I don’t feel like being around people tonight.”

“Of course. Burgers, pizza, or chicken?”

He thinks for a minute. “Burgers.”

“Right-ho.” I head towards the nearest drive-through.

“That’s better.”He finally sits back and pats his stomach.

“Are you sure? You can have some of mine if you want.” I just watched him polish off two big burgers, a large fries, and a huge Coke. I had three burgers because, well, I eat a lot. But he’s half my size, so I don’t know where he’s put it.

“No, I’m good.” He smiles. “I don’t normally eat that much, but I haven’t had anything in the last twenty-four hours.”

I could have got him some food earlier. I should’ve taken care of him. I’m not sure where that thought has come from. He’s not mine to take care of. I remember Lawrence’s words, that I’m too soft and I’ll never be a good Dom, but Jamie... Somehow, Jamie is different, though he might not be looking for someone.Probably not after his last encounter, anyway. But now the thought is there, I can’t leave it.

“How often do you go to the Chain?” I ask.

“Usually on Fridays,” he replies. I knew he looked familiar when I first set eyes on him, but I can’t have seen him much. Idefinitelywould’ve remembered him. But Fridays are our busiest evenings, as it’s the general open-party night, so I’m always ultra busy keeping an eye on the rest of the team. I look for trouble, not for specific people—unless I know they’re trouble causers.

“I don’t use the rooms, though.” He looks up, and his eye twitches nervously.

Our rooms cater for everything, so I’m a little surprised, but since he mentioned it, I ask him gently.

“Why is that?”

“All the Doms scare me.” He gives a little tentative smile like he’s given something of himself away. “In itself, being a sub isn’t really my thing. I need someone to help me and take care of me while I’m bound or boxed.”

“Have you asked Lawrence about it?” I’m not sure if he can help, but he knows all his Doms better than anyone.

Jamie picks up a napkin from our takeout bag and starts twisting it in his hands.

“No, I kind of hoped that I’d find someone special, someone that I could be in a relationship with, but you’ve seen the effects of that. As soon as I find someone I like and tell them about my needs, they think I’m a freak. They’re right, though. Who would want a little freak like me?” His face twists into a moue of sadness that drifts into my chest and clings to my heart.

“You’re not a freak, Jamie.”

“I am. Everyone tells me so.” He sighs heavily, and I feel the weight of it in my own chest.

“You’re not a freak,” I say a bit stronger, as if my words could wipe away his hurt.

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