Page 8 of His Plaything

“I mean,” Seth rushed to say. “It’s probably not all that interesting. And I’m really close to having the money for the computer and the coat, so it’s not a big deal. My coat works just fine for now. And I’m lucky–the library’s right on the bus route, so it’s at least easy to get there, when I can.”

“You’re very enterprising in the face of challenges,” Clark said. “That’s something to be proud of.”

“O-oh.” It was the second time Clark had used that word to describe him. Seth didn’tfeelvery enterprising. He just did what he had to. But…

That’s something to be proud of.It was a step away from Clark saying,I’m proud of you.Even just the thought of hearing those words made warmth trickle down Seth’s spine. “Thank you. I, um, I try.”

Clark was seated so close beside him, and it rendered Seth’s thoughts a tangled mess. He wanted to ask about Clark’s life in return, about this huge house that felt empty despite how much staff came and went. Seth wanted to know what made the man laugh and what made him excited.

It surprised Seth just how much he wanted to know about Clark.

They ate for a minute or so in companionable silence before Seth landed on something acceptable to ask.

“So, what do you do besides work? Um, if you have time outside of work.”

Clark lifted his glass, and paused before taking a sip. “Don’t tell me I come off as one of those workaholic types.”

“No–” Seth said at once, alarmed he might have offended the man. “I just– I didn’t want to presume.”

Clark hummed. “It’s quite alright if you had. It’s been a concern of mine in the past, the work-life balance. I’ve been trying in recent years to make more time for life outside of work.” He gazed at Seth as if to imply something. “To answer your original question, I’ve gone through quite a lot of hobbies at this point. I used to be quite into adrenaline sports, but these days I’m a bit slower. I’ve been enjoying time with my family, doing some traveling. Right now I’m very into poker.”

“You play poker?” Seth asked, interested.

“I wasn’t only teasing you about enjoying games,” Clark said with an indulgent smile. “I play in a tournament about once a month right now. I’ve ranked above two hundred a few times on the global player index.”

“Wow.” Seth had no idea what the global player index was, but he was sure that meant Clark was seriously good. “That’s– it’s hard isn’t it?” Seth had definitely seen clips of poker tournaments on the internet before, and they always looked very intense.

“Requires just enough skill to challenge me, and just enough luck to keep it exciting. It’s a good way to spend a weekend though, especially if the tournament is somewhere interesting.”

“Does uh, the global index mean you’ve won tournaments?”

“Not necessarily,” Clark said. “The index accounts for all finishing positions. But yes, to rank as high as I have, I did need to win quite a few times.” One of his brows lifted at Seth’s expression. “You have an interest in poker?”

Seth quickly shook his head. “I don’t think I’d be very good. I don’t have much of a poker face,” he admitted.

“I’d noticed,” the man said with fondness. “You’re very earnest. Sweet.”

Seth had to look away. He reached for his glass and took a swallow of water. “Thanks,” he said, around the lip of the cup.

“Maybe I could teach you sometime,” Clark continued. “If you’d like? It could be fun. You’re certainly distracting enough to put me off my game. Could be an advantage should you choose to press it.”

Seth blinked at him. “Advantage?” It was hard to imagine Seth having any advantage when it came to Clark. Everything he said felt like it was designed specifically to leave Seth reeling.

Clark hummed, eyes dark. “But perhaps you’re too sweet for that. I should press my own advantage then, shouldn’t I?” His foot rubbed Seth’s ankle, hiking the cuff of his jeans up. “Do you work tomorrow?”

“Y-yeah. Evening shift, at four,” Seth said, distracted by the touch. “I’m doing post-holiday inventory.”

Clark nodded, pleased. “In that case…” He paused to finish his wine. Their plates were almost cleared now, and Seth hadn’t even noticed. “I’ve kept you late again, and at last forecast it was expected to snow. You should stay the night.”

“Stay?”Like before,Seth thought, heartbeat picking up.

“And in the morning, we could have a nice breakfast,” Clark said with another smile. “One where I don’t have to dash out to take a call. I have the party tomorrow evening, but my morning is clear.”

“I-” It did sound nice. Awfully nice not to have to go back out into the cold, back to his chilly little room in the house he had to share with half a dozen other people. Sleeping in Clark’s guest room would be comfortable, and then he'd get to have breakfast with the man in the morning. He’d get to have even a little bit more of his attention.

Did Seth even have a reason to say no?

“If I’m not putting you out,” Seth said, thinking longingly of a warm bed and warmer touches. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

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