Page 76 of A Master's Destiny
I hold out my hand to him. “I look forward to seeing you again Saturday night at the extended practicum.”
He smiles and replies, “I do, too.” But, as Nosaka takes my hand to shake it, his smile suddenly fades. Looking puzzled, he mutters, “I know this might sound odd…”
The sudden change in his countenance makes me feel uneasy. “What is it?”
He looks at me apologetically. “I feel strongly that I should tell you this, although it makes absolutely no sense.”
I chuckle nervously. “Go ahead, out with it.”
Looking me in the eyes, Nosaka tells me in a serious tone, “Do not trust what is familiar.”
Tainted Love
As I drive home, I ponder Nosaka’s odd statement. Meeting Anderson at his favorite diner in LA for a late-night meal of chicken and waffles, I end up mentioning it to him halfway through the meal.
“That Nosaka kid certainly seems to have a sixth sense,” Anderson declares between mouthfuls. “Do you remember the night at the Haven when the three of us were chatting and I got a wild hair up my ass and raced out of the club, suddenly coming up with the campaign that saved my father’s ranch?”
I nod in remembrance, chewing slowly as I savor the unique combination of savory and sweet that the simple dish provides.
“Nosaka said something cryptic just like that to me.” He stops to remember. “‘You must conquer perceived limits you set for yourself.’ Darned if those words didn’t open my eyes and help me see what had been right in front of my face the entire time.”
“I’ll keep an open mind, then,” I assure Anderson, wiping the remaining syrup from my lips after I take my final bite.
He muses aloud, “Pretty crazy thinking that someone Nosaka’s age is already a respected Kinbaku Master.”
“I agree. Nosaka’s knowledge of the rope and his ability to connect with his submissives on a profound level is quite extraordinary, regardless of age.”
What I don’t admit to Anderson is that Nosaka’s ability to connect on such an intimate level makes me uneasy for some reason that I can’t explain.
Anderson misinterprets my discomfort, and tells me, “Don’t worry, buddy. Mark my words, your time is coming.” Pulling out a pack of gum from his pocket, he says, “Here, have a piece.”
I reach for a stick, grunting in surprise at the unexpected jolt of electricity that races through my fingers the moment I touch it. I instinctively snatch my hand away and hear Anderson burst out in laughter at my expense.
“Gotcha!”
I frown. “Seriously? Are we back in grade school again?”
He laughs even harder. “Shock gum never gets old, does it?”
I stifle my laughter, not wanting him to know I find his childish humor amusing. “Are you ever going to grow up?”
“Nope!” he answers proudly, stuffing the pack of gum back in his pocket.
Thinking back on Nosaka, I ask him, “I wonder if what Ren Nosaka said is somehow connected to Ashford. I mean, I didn’t suspect the guy because I thought of him as a friend.
He shrugs. “Possibly. It certainly seems to fit.”
Later, after the drive back to my place, and as we head up the elevator to my apartment, I confess, “I’m really glad you stayed, Anderson.”
He throws an arm around me. “My pleasure, buddy.”
I turn to him, “No, I want you to know how genuinely grateful I am.”
Anderson looks at me with those intense green eyes. “Life is hard enough. That’s why we need friends. I’ve got your back—always will.” He socks my arm. “Besides, I’ve been working on my tan while I’ve been here.” He rolls down the waistband of his shorts to reveal he has no tan line.
“You’re kidding me.” I look up at him, shaking my head. “Please don’t tell me you’re tanning in the nude here.”
He smirks. “Okay, I won’t. But that tiny deck you have out there is perfect for it, and your neighbors don’t seem to mind.”
