Page 30 of Doc

Can’t… I’m actually at the dr’s house. We’re going to talk about some things

VONNY

Don’t put out on the first date. Gotta give him something to work towards.

DIMA

Fuck that. Dick the dr down

SOREN

I need new friends

NICO

You love us. Agree with V, though. No sex yet

DIMA

Don’t listen to the party poopers

SOREN

I’m ignoring you now

Putting my phone on silent, I put it away just as Doc walks into the room. “Sorry about that, I was checking on Enzo and it took longer than I thought.”

“It’s fine. I can entertain myself.”

He takes a seat on the sofa not too far from me. I want to reach out and touch him, but I don’t. His body language isn’t inviting, and I don’t want to cross any more boundaries, especially since that’s what we’re here to establish.

“Should I go first?” I ask cautiously. “Do you need my credentials? Because my last partner moved out of state for work, but I think he still has the same number. I’m happy to give it to you if it’ll help ease your mind.”

Doc takes a breath and shakes his head. “No. I…I trust that you know what you’re doing, and know what you want. I’m not sure if I can trust why you want me, though.”

Scooting closer, I take a chance and reach for his hand. Doc lets me thread our fingers together, his grip a little too tight. “I think it’s a bad idea because you’re technically my boss. But I can’t deny I’ve wanted you since almost the moment we met. I could see the need in you to submit. It called to the parts of me that want to put you in your place.” I rub my thumb along his skin; for someone who works with their hands, his skin is smooth and soft.

“I don’t know what this is, what we’re doing, but I don’t know if I can keep pretending there’s nothing there.” I look into his cognac eyes and see…far too much. Anticipation, excitement, a little bit of fear of the unknown, it’s all there in those amber eyes of his.

Doc releases my hand and there’s a pang of disappointment running through me, but then he does something unexpected. He slides onto the floor, not quite on his knees, but it’ll only take a few shifts of position in order for him to kneel in front of me. The sight makes my breath catch in my throat and my heart races.

He rests his chin on my knee and I sit up straighter, taking a slow breath as I force myself to calm down and get my shittogether. When I feel as if I’m not going to shake apart, I reach out and run my fingers through his medium-brown hair.

“What do you want, Doc?” I ask in a low voice, careful to moderate my tone so it doesn’t come out as an order.

“I…want to see how this goes. I want you to do all the dirty things you’ve been thinking about since we met. I…I want to show you who I really am. Sometimes, having James fuck me rough is enough. Sometimes it isn’t, but I can’t ask him to be what I really need. You and I both know how it’d end if I tried to force him into a role that isn’t his.”

Doc closes his eyes as I thread my fingers through his hair, softly caressing him. He relaxes, tension easing from his body as he turns his head and lays his cheek on my leg.

“I’ve seen how he is around you,” I say. “The way he cares, how he makes sure you not only eat lunch but tosses a snack or two at you throughout the day. If he cares about you, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind being what you needed. But, I also understand why you wouldn’t want to put him in that position.” I grip his hair in my fingers and give it a tug, encouraging him to open his eyes and pay attention.

“Is that what you need, Doc? Someone to care for you?”

His eyes a dark amber that are watching me intently. “James says I need a keeper. I wish I could say he’s wrong but…I’ll admit I’m not always good at taking care of myself. I don’t expect that from my partner, though. What I have with James is worlds different than anything I’ve ever had with anyone else. He’s my… I guess you can say he’s as close to a soulmate as you can get.”

“I can see that,” I mutter.

“Does that bother you?”

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