“Here you go. Not that I could find much, he’s an odd one. No personal history, no police records, nothing. He seems to have turned up out of the blue. Which never sits right with me. There’s a story behind him that I could keep looking for, if you wanted, but it would be tricky. He’s invisible for a reason, mate. If I were you, I’d being staying away.” I hand him the file. “Are you going to tell me why you wanted this?”
“Thanks, bro. And nothing more than curiosity.” He smiles as he takes it from me.
“You know I can smell bullshit from a mile away. Keep your secrets, if you must, but I’m always gonna be on your side if you need me.”
He has the decency to blush at being called out, but he nods. “Yeah, I know, and thanks for this. I owe you one.”
“Don’t be daft. It wasn’t a difficult search. One more word, though; be careful. He’s known to play rough, both in and out of the cage.”
Knox gives me a nod. “I’m just curious, that’s all. Anyway, enough about me. Why are you winding Memphis up? He’s about ready to force you to knock on Finn’s door.”
I scowl and swear quietly under my breath. “Memphis is a pain in the arse and needs to stop being such a fucking nuisance. I don’t know Finn; we’ve barely spoken since that night in Lincoln.”
The fucker just laughs. “At least it’s taken the pressure off me.”
“For now, if they get a hint about you and Maddox Levin, they’ll be all over you.”
“There’s nothing there for them to sniff over. But you need to act a bit better, because you’ve had your arse whooped lately. You’re standing way too stiffly to hide that.”
I keep my face neutral even though my mind is back to last night and the epic orgasm he gave me.
“Will you please leave it,” I say to my best friend for the umpteenth time. “Yes, he’s a nice guy. Yes, we’ve seen each other in the building. No, we haven’t hooked up.”
Memphis throws his hands up in despair. “But you’d be perfect together; you’re both hot as hell, both into the same scene. Just think about all the hot sex you could be having right now.”
All I do is think about the hot sex with Drake. We’re seeing each other almost every night and fucking like rabbits, and its perfect. Tonight is different. Drake has gone away for a couple of days. Something to do with his plan to start his own protection company. He’s speaking to a couple of old army friends, guys he thinks will be interested in joining him. At least, I think they’re ex-army, they could be from any part of his past, secretive life.
We’re looking at small office spaces to rent. Working in another Dom’s home isn’t a good idea, even if Memphis says it’s not a problem; both Royal and I feel the same way. Even without saying it out loud, I can feel it in the way he hovers around his boy when he’s home.
The one we’re in now isn’t going to work. Even though we like working together, we’d be on top of each other in this small space. It’s the third one we’ve written off, and I’m getting despondent. Memphis turns to the agent and shakes his head.We exit the building and head back to our cars. The agent taking his after giving us the address of the last one for today.
“Please let this be the one,” Memphis sighs, dramatically. “I really don’t see what the problem with my place is.”
“It’s a Dom thing, mate. Royal looks like he wants to both piss in a circle around you and throw me out the door every time he walks in.”
“God, you’re both so dramatic,” he grumbles while I bark out a laugh.
I let him carry on low-level moaning and spend my time thinking about Drake, again. It’s been over a month now, and we’re both getting twitchy, eager for a trip to Bound. He’s mentioned his love of the St Andrew’s cross, of being strapped down and flogged, and his refusal to give up something that brought him so much pleasure before his attack. While I have a lot of toys and props, I don’t have the furniture both of us desire. I think I should book a room for Friday. We will both have had a busy, tiring week, and the chance to burn off some of the energy and the need we have for each other sounds like a good idea to me. I’ll mention it to him tonight when he calls.
The other brothers are normally at Bound on a Friday night. In fact, from what Memphis has said about Saint and Noah, they may go three or four times a week. I don’t have the need to be that frequent, but I understand the dynamic of their relationship and can understand why they do. I’m keen to see them in action; they have both mentioned how much they like an audience and sometimes a third. Not that I’m interested in that. I doubt the brothers share their subs with each other, although Memphis has said that Royal and Saint used to tag team some willing sub.
What was the name of the sub the first time I joined another Dom? It was fun, and we all enjoyed it, but it wasn’t a scene I did very often. Adam, his name was Adam, and hewas fun and willing, I know he got as much from it as we did. There were only a couple of times after that, but I know neither of us will be looking for anyone else while we’re together. That thought doesn’t sit well, that we’re not in this for the long haul. I am, I know that, and I’m as sure as I can be that Drake feels the same way.
“We’re here,” Memphis says, jolting me back to the present.
I look out at the building and square my shoulders. “Let’s see if we’re going to be lucky this time.”
Thankfully, it is exactly what we need. I think the estate agent is just as relieved. After three days of trolling around the town and surrounding area, he looks ready to collapse or have a stiff drink.
“You sound relieved,” Drake says.
“Yeah, I am. I don’t think I could’ve coped with another day of searching. But you know what I’m thinking; it would be a great place for you to have your office. It’s a smart, newly built office block. There’s plenty to rent there.” Or maybe it’s the thought of always having him near me. God, I sound like a creeper. “Anyway, how’s your day been? Did you have any luck with your buddies?”
Again, my thoughts about this are selfish. I want him to come home.
“Sort of, one yes. Completely on board and ready to start when I am. Another was a flat no; he’s bought himself a plot of land and is going off grid for a while. The third is also a yes but can’t just drop the job he has now; he’ll need to work his notice. I’ve got to see one more since he wasn’t available today, so I’m seeing him tomorrow lunchtime. I should be home early evening. Do you want me to come to you?”
Hell yeah, I do. I’m ready to strip him naked and tie him to my bed. I don’t tell him that. “That would be great if you’re not too tired. I’ve been thinking about what you said. Y’know about how much you like being tied to the cross? How do you feel about going to Bound on Friday?”