“Hmm,” he says, sounding entirely genuine as his eyelids flutter closed and he swallows his first mouthful in appreciation. “That’s absolutely incredible! Did you ask them to do something different? I swear it’s usually good, but this is, like, extra special good.”
The corner of my mouth twitches in triumph that my little gamble paid off. “It’s got a squeeze of orange in it,” I inform him. “To give it a summery twist.”
“I’m going to order it like this from now on,” he marvels, taking another gulp. I asked the staff to serve it warm rather than hot so he could enjoy it right away, and I congratulate myself again. So far, this encounter is going extremely well.
The idea of Oliver drinking his chocolate with orange next time sends a thrill down my spine. In a small way, I’ll still be influencing him into the future. That pulls my train of thought back to why Oliver was the candidate who stood out above the rest by a long way.
Master,his reply had read. I have it memorized by now.I know you’re never going to pick me to be your husband’s birthday treat. But if you did, I’d do whatever I could to make his weekend everything he dreamed of (and yours). Thank you for introducing me to several kinks I’d never heard of, let alone thought I’d like! I can’t wait to investigate them further. Whatever happens, I hope you both have a great time. I’m supposed to be paying attention in class right now,but honestly? All I can think about is what that great time might look like lol. Take care and have fun. Signed, a potential midnight snack.
“Oliver?” I say to get his attention.
He looks up from his almost finished hot chocolate, a spot of cream on the tip of his button nose. I chuckle, leaning forward to carefully swipe it off with my thumb. Then I suck the sweet morsel into my own mouth, enjoying how my companion gives me his undivided attention as I do so.
“Yes, Tallis?” he rasps eventually in response to me saying his name.
“Do you know why I invited you here today?” I ask.
He licks his lip and places his mug down, his hands falling into his lap as he peeks at me through his lashes. “Um, are you buying drinks for all the lamest applicants as a consolation prize?”
I laugh again, studying this remarkable young man until he squirms in his chair.
It’s delightful.
“There are no other applicants,” I inform him.
His eyes widen. “I was the only one who replied?”
I shake my head but smile kindly at him. “There were plenty, actually. But you were the only one I contacted in return.”
He slumps back in his chair and gawks at me. “What?Why?”
“Because you were different, Oliver,” I tell him truthfully. “Very different. All the other boys tried to impress me. You thanked me. You wished me and my husband well, even if that didn’t include you in our celebrations. The only thing you wanted was to service us however we wanted, and if that didn’t happen, you let me know that my ad had left a lasting impression on you. Even without meeting you, I had changed you. As a Master, perhaps you can see why that might catch my eyeover all the bratty sugar babies who seemed more interested in boasting than giving my husband a special birthday surprise.”
He looks away and blinks rapidly again, something he apparently does often when he’s processing. “Oh, wow,” he says softly, meeting my gaze once more. “I wrote that in class in about two minutes and barely even checked it for spelling errors. I was just being honest.”
“I know,” I tell him, because his earnest attitude came through loud and clear in just a few words.
He nods and fiddles with the handle of his mug. “Thank you,” he says shyly. “I wasn’t being modest. I really didn’t think you’d even read my answer, let alone reply to it. I just knew I’d regret it if I didn’t try. And, um…all that stuff you talked about? I really hadn’t come across most of it before. It was, um…super fucking hot.”
His blush is back as he looks away again. I lick my lips, savoring the moment while I take a sip of tea. “Have you been touching yourself thinking about it, little treat?” I ask calmly.
In a flash, Oliver’s whole body goes rigid and his eyes look like they’re going to bug out of his skull. When he finally takes a breath, he glances around, but of course no one is paying us any attention.
The fun comes from knowing how dangerously close theycouldbe to doing so.
“Um, yes,” he mumbles, going beet red. “Several times a day since I saw your ad.”
I chuckle and flick an eyebrow at him. “Naughty boy. If you decide to join me and Daddy this weekend, you won’t be allowed to do that again until after we’re done with you. Is that understood?”
He licks his lips, his gaze intense on me. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?” I ask patiently.
For a moment, he looks confused. Then another little shiver flurries through him and he melts in his seat a bit more. “Yes, Master,” he whispers.
Part of me wants to throw my plan out the window and drag this delectable treat home right now. August is still at his conference, after all, and our agreement is that we can play away so long as we tell each other everything after. But as any Dom worth their salt should know, good things come to those who wait. So I simply shift in my own chair, doing my best to calm down the excitement going on between my legs.
“Good boy,” I tell him, and he positively glows from the praise.