Page 6 of Wylan

“Anything else I should add?”

Glancing around at my friends, I have this insane urge to tell them. I take a deep breath and let out a truth I’ve never admitted to anyone before. “You can go ahead and add that as long as I’m safe, I like a little bite of pain when turned on.”

Jules’ fingers fly across the screen as Ash’s head snaps up, and I glance over at my best friend.

Riley’s eyes sparkle. “Well, now. Looks like Wylan and Seth might have more in common than we realized.”

“I wonder if my Daddy can convince a certain Dom to participate in the Christmas Charity Auction.” Jules has a small, calculating smile on his face. “In the meantime, have I ever told you about the time I learned how to flirt?”

Chapter two

Seth

Ishut my office door with a grin as I accept the video call on my cell phone. “Hey there, Hunter. What’s up, man?” I’m greeted by the image of my best friend, not surprised to see the bar top of Dark Satin behind him. He’s smiling into the phone, his wavy brown hair tumbling into his face.

Hunter is one of the co-owners of Dark Satin. He opened the kink club with one of his friends, Cal, a few years back. I find it impressive how much pride the two men have in their business. Not only is the building classy and discreet, but the club also offers a variety of kinks, as well as a safe place to explore certain desires.

I glance at the time on my computer screen. The club will be open in a few hours. I also grin when I realize Wylan should be clocking in soon. I don’t know what’s gotten into Wylan lately, but he’s a little more talkative, almost playful.

If I’m not mistaken, it’s almost as if he’s been flirting with me. Impossible. I shut that train of thought down right away. How many times have I silently hoped that Wylan would see me as a potential love interest? I’ve known the man for all this time, and not once has he shown any true interest.

Usually, I’d just ask the guy out, throw my hat in the ring, and see what happens. If I get rejected, then no harm, no foul. We can both move on and I’m not left to wonder. But with Wylan, everything was different from the start. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him sitting in my restaurant, blinking up at me with those lovely blue eyes.

When he officially broke things off with asshat Carl, I could tell how wounded and fragile Wylan was. I didn’t want to push too fast, and the hidden Daddy inside of me insisted we give him space, despite my inner caveman telling me to make a move. I couldn’t even be sure Wylan wanted a Daddy, despite calling his ex that. I needed to tread carefully.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I took the extra time to get to know Wylan. He’s everything I’ve ever could have wanted in a boy and better than I ever could have imagined. Sweet, caring, and a little shy at first. If anyone is ever lucky enough to earn his trust and peel back that timid layer, they will learn that he’s actually playful and funny. Quite honestly, the man is my kryptonite.

“Hey, Seth. Thanks for picking up. I figured you’d be at work.”

I place my phone in its stand so I don’t have to hold it up, prop my shoes up on the edge of my desk, and lean back, crossingmy ankles. “I am, but you know I’d always answer if I see your call. Anyway, you never call me around this time. Is everything okay?”

Hunter nods. “Look, I have Cal here with me.” Just then, Cal leans into the phone screen and waves.

I shoot the man a smile. “Oh god, what are you two up to? Did Hunter rope you into this conversation, hoping I’d say yes to whatever favor he needs?”

Cal laughs. “Actually, it’s the other way around. I was hoping your bestie here could give you a call. I need a favor. Okay, technically, Dark Satin needs a favor. I was hoping you’d swing by really quick and we can chat in my office?”

I glance at the clock again and frown. “Why can’t you just ask right now, over the phone?” Wylan should have clocked in by now, and I’d hate to miss him before I clock out for the day. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m acting more like a lovesick teen, rather than the forty-three-year-old grown man I should be. But damn, a flirty Wylan is so much fun. Seriously, why has the boy been so damn playful lately? What’s changed?

“Earth to Seth?” Hunter snorts. “You over there mooning over your employee again?”

Damn. Busted. I roll my eyes anyway and stand up, throwing on my jacket. “Fine, I’ll be over there in a few. But you two owe me.”

Cal grins at the screen. “So, you’ll do it? You’ll help Dark Satin?”

Hunter chuckles. “Nah. What he means is that we owe him for taking time out of his precious day.”

I point finger guns at the phone. “Got it in one,” I wink. “No one is bothering to tell me what this mystery favor is.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hunter says, glancing at his business partner. “I told you he’d be a hard sell.”

“Okay, I’m intrigued.”

“Good, then get your ass over here.” With that, Hunter hangs up, leaving me gawking at the black screen.

I walk out of my office and pocket my phone. My eyes immediately find the person I’m looking for. Wylan is standing by the kitchen door, chatting with Cate. Today he’s wearing a form-fitting dark blue dress shirt with subtle, barely there silver snowflakes. My eyes pause on his new haircut and color.

Every so often, Wylan changes the color of his hair. He isn’t like Jules or Noah, two boys I see at Dark Satin with their Daddies. Those two boys dye their hair wild, fun colors. But not Wylan; he changes his hair to more natural colors. The last time I saw him, it was light brown, and today, it’s strawberry blond.

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