Page 54 of Learning to Trust

"I—I haven't known him for long."

“David is in love with you. He told me your arrangement was a matter of convenience and there would be no feelings involved because he wasn’t ready for anything serious after what Tristan put him through for years, but his heart had other ideas. My brother is one of the strongest men I know. He has had to be to survive the past five years. He deserves a good man in his life, someone who will see his true value and his loving heart. Don’t throw what you could have away because you’re scared.”

"Janice—"

“He learned to trust again with you, Andrew. Make him understand it wasn’t misplaced as he seems to think. You need to admit to yourself that you’re in love with David and find the courage to show him. Before you protest, ask yourself why you have been a total wreck since David left if you don’t care?”

“You’re a good woman, Janice. David is lucky to have you.”

“I’ll see you in the morning. Claim your man, Andrew.”

***

David was coming home. He'd be next door in less than twenty-four hours. I dropped onto the couch. Could what Janice said be true? I cared very much for David, he fitted me perfectly, but love? Could I have fallen in love with the wonderful man in such a short space of time? My head said it wasn't possible, that love at first sight was something that happened only in romance novels, but my heart disagreed.

The phone rang again, Kyle’s name flashed, and I answered.

“He’s coming home, Kyle.”

“Don’t fuck things up, tell that man how much you love him and make him listen.”

“Love?” Did everyone see what I was struggling to admit?

“You're in love, Andrew. The sooner you acknowledge the fact, the less conflicted your feelings will be and everything in your life will fall into place.”

"Why is everyone insisting I'm in love? Don't you think I would be aware of the fact if I loved David?"

“Frankly? No. You’ve been so intent on keeping men at arm’s length that you didn’t see David sneak in and capture your heart. Don’t throw him away because you’re scared.”

“Thanks for the advice, you might want to take it for yourself.”

“Nah, there’s no love between me and Bradford. It’s strictly a Dom/sub arrangement.”

“Keep telling yourself that. I have to go so I can ask Phil to take care of the shop for the rest of the week.”

"You do know he wouldn't have been with anyone while he's been gone, don't you, Andrew?"

"I know, there was never any doubt in my mind that David would have fucked anyone over there."

“Enjoy your time together, and Andrew?”

“Yes?”

"That boy deserves one hell of a punishment for what he's put your both through."

“I have something in mind he won’t forget in a hurry.”

Kyle laughed and disconnected the call.

I called Phil and he didn’t hesitate to agree to take care of the business, I would have to give the man a rise when I went back in next week, he’d kept my ass out of the fire while David had been gone.

Heading upstairs, I readied the playroom for David’s punishment the following day.

***

I paced the living room after taking a shower and dressing in a pair of stone-washed jeans and a white button-down shirt, watching for any sign of Janice and David. I'd managed to get an appointment with my stylist and both hair and beard were neatly trimmed. The musky cologne that David loved had been sprayed sparingly.

Nerves pricked at every nerve ending; I felt like a teenager waiting to be picked up for his first date. What if David refused to listen? What if he didn't believe what I said? Fuck. Sweat trickled down my back. I was becoming a nervous wreck.