Page 140 of Ride With Me

He lifts his head slightly, his eyes still dull. “How would you know? You don’t even...”

His eyes widen slightly, as if something’s just occurred to him. “Howdidyou know?”

“I’ve seen a few people drop before, so I thought you could use some help.”

“Oh. I didn’t really think about it at the time. I thought you were just being kind, but you knew, didn’t you?”

“I knew.” I watch as his face brightens. He smiles, dimples appearing in his cheeks, which I’ve just noticed are lightly dusted with freckles. Warmth blooms through me. How could the gods have gifted me with this? Could Jamie be my perfect person?

“Are you a Dom?” he whispers, excitement bubbling round the hushed words.

“I wanted to be, but Lawrence told me that while I look scary, I’m too soft. He said it isn’t a combination that works, so he has me working security instead. Said it was a better use of my face.” I give a little self-deprecating laugh.

“I don’t think you’re scary.” Jamie says quietly.

I pull my meanest face. “How about now?”

Jamie laughs, a light tinkling sound like wind chimes on a breezy day. It’s beautiful like the rest of him. What I wouldn’t give to hear that sound every day.

“I think you have a heart of gold,” he says, and my insides go soft and gooey.

“No one’s ever said that to me before.” Well, Lawrence said it. Along with telling me I’m too soft, he said I’d give my heart away and get it broken.Careful Victor, don’t go getting all mushy now. You’ll scare the guy away.

But I can’t help it. Jamie is sweet, cute, funny, smart, and sexy. He brings out my protective side. I’d love nothing more than to take care of him.

Jamie just beams like he’s the cat who’s got the cream. I resist the urge to go over, gather him in my arms, and kiss him senseless. Instead, my hands need something to do, and I pick at the takeout box, idly ripping it into shreds. I don’t actually know if he would want to be kissed. Why am I even thinking about kissing a guy I’ve barely known for a few hours, anyway? Because I feel I know him more than some people I’ve known for years, that’s why.

I’ve done way more than just kiss guys I’ve barely met, but hookups don’t count. And Jamie is definitelynota hookup. I want to know more about him. I’d like to know everything really, but first I want to know about his kink; it’s intriguing.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” He tilts his head with curiosity, and it’s endearing.

“Can you tell me about claustrophilia?”

“Do you really want to know?” When his face closes down with a wary expression and he tenses, I feel like I’ve blundered in clumsily.

“Yes, please. I’ve not come across it before. I could ask Lawrence, but I’d rather learn from you.”

His expression relaxes and his shoulders drop. I exhale the breath that had caught in my throat when I thought I’d misstepped.

“I don’t think anyone has directly asked me about it before, even people who I thought were perfect for me.”

“Then they weren’t perfect,” I whisper under my breath, but Jamie hears anyway, and he gives me a hopeful smile. I try to match it and feel a zing of electricity pass between us.

“First, I’m impressed that you know its name.”

“I googled it,” I admit, and his expression changes to something like admiration.

“I’ve always liked being in small spaces. I used to hide away in the darkest corners of my house as a kid. For me, being enclosed feels safe and comforting. I come from a large family; I have four older brothers. I was always the smallest and youngest, which meant I could hide from them. When I got older, I realised I was gay and my brothers were definitely all hetero, so I used to hide away so I didn’t have to listen to their teenage conquests. It was my place to get off, away from them. I mean, sharing a bedroom with brothers, especially mine, wasn’t a great place for self-exploration.

“When Ididmove out and get my own flat, I realised I could only get aroused if I was in a small space. At that point, I thought I was a freak. I thought there was something wrong with me. It took me a long time to learn its name and to discover that there are others like me.”

He stops for breath, picking up the Coke cup and sucking on the straw. He grimaces when he gets nothing but half-melted ice and air for his troubles. I should offer to get him a drink, but I don’t want to break his train of thought. He puts the cup down and picks up the napkin again, methodically shredding it onto the table.

“Since then I’ve tried different things, experimented a little. I’ve sought out forums and occasionally met with a couple of others like me. Enclosed spaces are good—small boxes, closets. I like gags. I also like binding—full body, that is. I have a sleep suit, but it’s not easy to get into on my own, and it’s not really safe unless someone else is there. I dread being stuck in it and not being found for days.” He shudders and I don’t blame him.

“What about with others? Is it a solo only kink, or do you have sex?” I wince at my words. Yet another bungled question;eloquence has never been my strong point. If Jamie notices my lack of grace, he doesn’t show it.

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