Page 50 of Learning to Trust
"Yes. I think my staff will be pleased. I spoke with Phil earlier today and he said it's been busy. Quite a number of calls have come in during the week and the final word came in that we won a contract for a brand-new apartment block that is to start next week. It will be all hands-on deck for that one. I think there are around two hundred and fifty apartments and locks will be needed for storage room, janitor spaces, and those kinds of areas."
“How long will it take to get it done?”
“We should have it done in ten days to two weeks. Our supplier has assured us the hardware will be delivered first thing on Monday.”
“Will I see you next week, Sir?”
“I should think so but we are going to need to discuss your attitude over Peter before we continue our arrangement.”
“I’m sorry, Sir. I don’t like him. He’s not honest and can’t be trusted. Maybe my experience with Tristan has made me more sensitive to men who are likely to betray.”
“Why do you think that of Peter?”
“He’s engaged to one man and attempting to seduce another. That makes him dishonest and untrustworthy in my book.”
“He’s not trying to seduce me, we were done with years ago. He is well aware I have no interest in him for any reason.”
“Considering you are a highly intelligent man, Sir, you can be extremely blind to something in front of you.”
I sipped at the wine, it was an excellent drop, and I was annoyed half a bottle would be left behind when we left.
"Would it make you feel better if I give you my word that we will not meet for a drink or any other reason?"
“Yes, it would, Sir. I trust you but sometimes things are out of our control.”
Why the fuck had I made the offer? Why the fuck was I allowing a seemingly possessive sub to dictate something in my life? They were questions I would unpack and deal with later.
Following dinner, I paid the check, and taking David's hand, we left the restaurant and strolled along the river edge walkway to Cool Stone. Set on the edge of the river, the store façade had been done to resemble a Victorian-era cottage. Tables with wooden bench seats on each side had colorful umbrellas packed away for the night. We pushed through the door and David's eyes widened at the vast cabinets containing tubs of colorful ice cream and gelato.
“What flavor do you like?”
"I'm not sure. It's been years since I had ice cream. Tristan used to say I was a fat cow who needed more time in the gym and fewer treats, so I was always careful about what I ate. Tristan complained all the time that my body resembled a beach ball. I didn't think so, but…" David shrugged.
“You’re fucking with me, he thought you were overweight?” I was stunned. David had a body carved to perfection with no softness and not an ounce of fat. I was beginning to dislike Tristan intensely. “Would you like me to choose for you?”
“Please.”
"What are you partial to—chocolate, strawberry?"
“I love caramel and toffee.”
I stepped up to the counter and ordered two large tubs of sugary goodness—half English Toffee and half Honeycomb Vanilla in each.
I handed one to David along with a spoon and smiled as his face lit up in delight. After paying, with mine in hand, we left the store and wandered along the edge of the river as we ate.
Light spilled down from overhead where lamps were fixed to evenly spaced poles and sparkled on the calm water of the river. The sound of rope slapping metal broke the quiet of the night as yachts swayed to and fro on the surface.
Our treats finished, we disposed of our trash and wrapped an arm around each other’s waists as we continued along the boardwalk toward a brightly lit fair.
Music filled the night as a Ferris wheel full of laughing children and kissing adults circled. Dodgem cars pounded into each other and the boys controlling the ride jumped from one car to another in an effort to free the vehicles and keep everyone moving. Screams came as a roller coaster whizzed by, lying on its side. In sideshow alley, children fed balls into clowns’ mouths, while others tried their luck at attempting to fish a plastic duck off the water or knock over three buckets with a heavy ball. Other children bumped against our free hands, leaving the stickiness of cotton candy behind, as they raced past in search of their next adventure.
We passed through the fairground and continued to my car. The ride home was short. After walking David to his door and watching him unlock, I gathered him in my arms for a deep kiss. It was the perfect ending to the perfect evening.
"Goodnight, Baby. I'll see you sometime during the week but I'm not sure exactly when. I'll be working late to get this job done but will try and get home early at least one night. Make sure you eat regular meals, drink plenty of water, work out in your gym, and sleep. I don't want to hear you have been pulling all-nighters on your computer. And there is to be no jerking off. Save it for when I see you."
David groaned, stepped in for another kiss, thanked me for the evening, and headed indoors. I waited to hear the lock engage before making my way home. If what we'd shared wasn't a date, fuck knew what it should be called.
Chapter Fifteen
