Page 24 of Saint
Knox is watching Saint as he tries to persuade Royal to go with them. Knox leans into me. “Are you two going on a date?”
I blush immediately and stutter through my denial. “It’s not, I mean there’s nothing. He’s my friend that’s all. As well as being my boss. I can’t say no, can I?”
“Of course, you can. He stops being your boss when the door’s locked up for the night.” His tone turns playful. “Unless he’s your boss in private too. Although that’s not what he’s usually called.”
“Stop talking shit, Knox.” Saint reaches me, taking a step towards his brother, the Dom barely below the surface. All that does is make Knox laugh harder and the others to join in. Why do there have to be so many Doms in here? Where’s Pops when I actually need him?
With some back slapping again and more jibes, the other three men leave.
“Where are your dads? I need to thank them.” I haven’t seen them for a little while now.
“Something came up, and they had to get back home.” Saint smiles as if he knows a secret. Why does my brain go straight to BDSM? I’ve never had so many thoughts and images on the subject as I’ve had in the last three weeks or so. I nod as if I get what the smile is for, but he doesn’t say anything else. In fact, he moves away from me now that we’re alone. As if I’m going to pounce on him. I told him that I’m not going away, that it’s up to him to make the first move. Only in the meantime, I’m learning everything about the lifestyle all the men are in. I only know about Saint and a little about Royal, not the other two.
“Okay, can we go now? I’m hungry.” I pick up my keyring, which now has another key added to it. My first home, a real one that no one else shares or can come in, not without an invitation. I never thought it would happen. If I hadn’t taken the chance and got myself down here, I’d still be living in the same dodgy bedsit with the constant in and out of new people. Never knowing if my place or my stuff would be taken by someone when I was at work.
Saint opens the front door and looks over at me, questioning why I’m not moving. I should be here on my own. I want to be able to flick the deadbolt and be quiet and calm in my own new space. Saint’s lips quirk up as he watches me. “It will still be here when we’ve finished eating.”
I shake my head and chuckle. “I know that. It’s just new, and I’ve never had anything like this in my life. You made this happen, you and your family. All of you have given me so much, and I’m so grateful you didn’t laugh me out of the door. Thank you, Saint.”
“Come on, stop with all the mushy stuff. It’s not doing my reputation any good. Everyone at the club will laugh at me.” He’s not annoyed, not one bit. I’ve realised that his bark is worse than his bite.
“I’m sure as soon as you get some poor twink strapped down and a flogger in your hand, all will be restored.” It’s my turn to smirk as he mouths at me like a goldfish. “What? You’re not the only one allowed to know about the shit you like! I can read.”
I check the door is shut properly and walk down the flight of stairs to the main door. Saint is close to me as we walk down the street to the pub we went to before. The one whereSaint got pissy, and I walked out. I hope that doesn’t happen tonight.
It’s busier here than the last time, but that was more early doors, it’s later now. The crowd seems to part to let Saint through, like he’s someone important. He gets nods of greetings from some, others drop their heads down, like good little subs should.
The smile on my face vanishes as we suddenly come across an empty table. Saint raises an eyebrow at me, waiting for me to comment on the behaviour of the patrons, but I deny him an answer. I’m too annoyed, he knew he would get this treatment in here. He’s taunting me, but I won’t give in.
Two pints appear miraculously, placed on the table by a cute server wearing a black T-shirt that looks painted on
. He keeps his eyes away from Saint but gives me a small smile. “I’ll bring you some menus.”
“Thanks,” I say to him, then as he turns away, I look over at Saint. He’s watching me, there’s a little humour mixed in with an ask me—I dare you, glint. He’s respected here. I imagine he visits this place a lot seeing as we’re only a few hundred yards from the studio. But it’s more: it’s about the other side of him. He’s respected as a Dom in here. Which explains the behaviour of the server. My stomach churns with acid as jealousy courses through me. He’s been with the cute guy. It takes all my control to not snatch the menu from him and to keep from looking at him. Is everywhere we go going to have more ‘Tates’? Subs that know exactly what to give the Master and have done it.
It's Saint that thanks him this time. “What are you going to have? I don’t think you finished your burger the last time we were here.”
“Maybe I’ll try something else tonight, seeing as it’s not too far from work and my new place, I can find my own favourite. It looks like you have a lot of favourites in here.” With my voice light, I look past him at the other patrons. Some are looking at us, others not interested at all. At least not all of them are ‘friends’ of his.
“It’s only the burger that has my attention.” Saint has a low voice, deep and dark. “And you. You keep being the only one I notice.”
“And yet you deny me.”
I watch Noah as he packs up his station. It’s Wednesday, and he’s going to his yoga class and then the self-defence training with Knox. That still riles me, that he went to Knox rather than ask me to teach him.
“See you tomorrow, Saint.”
I’ve been doing paperwork this afternoon. Ordering the stock, catching up with some invoices and receipts. I normally do this at home in the evening, but I have a plan to be alone with Noah again. “Hey, wait up. I’m done here; I can give you a lift. I could do with a workout.”
I didn’t expect Noah to baulk quite so obviously. His hand stays on the door handle; I can see him thinking of a reason to turn me down. “It’s okay. I’ve got some stuff to do at home before I go. Thanks though.”
I can’t exactly push him into taking a ride with me. Instead, I give him a nod. “Maybe see you there.” Now I have to go. I pull out my phone and pull up Royal’s number. “Hey, brother, I need a spotter, are you up for a workout?”
“After the day I’ve had, I’m up for it. About sevenish?”
That’s not like Royal; he loves his job and barely complains. “What’s happened?”
He lets out a grumble of annoyance. “Just a load of bureaucratic school shit. I’ll tell you later.”
