Page 6 of Lost Boy

“Better,” Mitch responded. “Now I’ll address the rest of your rant. Jace and Avery care about you. I care about you.”

Mitch dropped his eyes.

“You are right, there is nothing wrong with hanging out in a coffee shop. I hate to hear that you didn’t want to go home. But I’m glad I got to see you. However, the way you are shaking tells me you’ve had way too much caffeine.”

Mitch peered up at him.

“Haven’t you?”

“Yes sir.”

Byron’s heart thumped. Sir. That was one word that Byron wanted to hear from Mitch’s mouth. “Good boy.” Byron leaned forward as he spoke softly. He didn’t want to embarrass Mitch and the coffee shop was filling up with teenagers. “You haven’t returned my calls or text messages.”

Mitch bit his bottom lip. “I told you that I work a lot.”

“You did,” Byron agreed. “But I think you could have found a few minutes to return a call. Or even a text.”

“I know,” Mitch said. “I wasn’t trying to be rude. I just didn’t know what to say.”

“Look at me,” Byron demanded. His voice firm. Mitch needed a firm touch.

Mitch straightened meeting his gaze.

“Tell me right now if you want me to back off. If you are not interested, I will leave you alone. I will not push you. We can still be friends but I won’t pursue you.”

Mitch rubbed his eyes, the weariness and exhaustion were obvious. Byron just wanted to gather the boy up and hold him. He needed to hear Mitch’s response first.

“Do you want me to leave you alone?” Byron asked clearly.

“No,” Mitch whispered. He didn’t look like he could say more. His knees were bouncing so hard that his entire body shook.

“Then this is what I’d like. It’s Saturday night and I don’t have any plans. Do you?”

Mitch glanced at his laptop.

“Do you have plans that don’t include working?”

“No,” Mitch responded.

“Close the laptop,” Byron ordered.

Mitch clicked a few keys before he closed the lid of his laptop.

“Good boy,” Byron said. “I’d like to take you home and give you some time to relax.”

“To be a boy?” Mitch asked with so much longing.

“Yes.”

Mitch closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Jesus, it had only been a month since Byron had seen him and Mitch was fucking exhausted. The bags under his eyes had bags. “Please. I can’t… anymore…please help me.”

Finally, fucking finally, Mitch was putting his own needs first. “You’ve got it, boy.” Byron stood up and walked around the table. “Sit there until I tell you to move.”

“Yes sir.” Mitch put his hands in his lap. His submission natural and beautiful.

Byron picked up Mitch’s laptop bag from the floor and started to load it. After he had everything secure, he put the water bottles in the side compartment and slung the bag over his shoulder. “I want you to stand up.”

Mitch rose. The serene expression on his face was heartbreaking.

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