Page 55 of Sin Deep
“Another Texan? Is Sam going to convince you to turn this into a cowboy bar, Clint?”
Harley’s eyebrow lifted, just the slightest bit. “Oh, no worries, sir. I’m not a cowboy, just your run-of-the-mill, blue-collar redneck.”
“Run-of-the-mill you are not, petit.” He slid his hand down Harley’s arm.
Callum raised an eyebrow. “I can’t say I’ve seen too many blue-collar rednecks with eyes like that, boy.”
“That’s because I’m lucky to have someone to make me special tonight.”
“You are at that.” Callum nodded. “Lucky and special.”
Clint grinned. “Harley reminds me a little of Sam. There must be something about subs from Texas. They’re so…direct.”
He wasn’t sure Harley was ready to identify as a sub, but he didn’t correct Clint either.
Raine made his way over with a cocktail for Callum, something clear and sparkling with a lime in it, and a bottle of water for himself. Silently, he set the water on the table and knelt in the space between Callum’s chair and Harley’s. Callum opened the water, handed it to Raine, then took it back and set it on the table again.
“Speaking of Sam, where are they? He said they would be here tonight. He borrowed one of my books.”
“They’ll be along. You know how Saturdays are.” Clint shrugged, then seemed to share a knowing look and a grin with Callum. “They take their weekend sessions very seriously.”
Winter had one ear on the conversation, but was focused more on Harley, watching as his boy took everything in. He really had no idea how their conversation and all of these new behaviors and people would sit with the boy. But this was his world, and if they were going to be together, this would have to be Harley’s as well. Eventually.
Harley seemed to be soaking everything in, but he wasn’t saying a lot, more watching with a sharp gaze.
“How is your wine, petit?” He slid a hand over Harley’s thigh. It seemed like contact was important, to remind the boy he was fine, he wasn’t alone, that he was cared for.
“Good. It’s going to my head a little bit.” Harley gave him a little half smile. “How’s yours?”
“Delicious. The company is good too. Are you all right?”
“Lots to take in, huh?” Harley leaned over. “This is…new for me.”
He nodded. “I know. But you’re safe. These are good people. I will answer all of your questions. All of them.”
“I’ll have a lot.” Harley leaned in, whispering in his ear. “Tomorrow, over a long, lazy breakfast. I’ll make a list. Tonight, we’re celebrating your birthday, and I’m being brave.”
Good gracious, he felt as though his heart could just explode. He turned his head and caught Harley with a kiss. “Thank you, mon petit.”
Harley stroked his cheek, just barely, but he felt the touch like fire.
As they sat and talked, plenty of people came to visit with Clint. Mostly the traditional Doms and their subs in varying degrees of dress, all kneeling for most of the conversation. Winter pointed to one lovely boy in a thong that left the sub bare-assed, crawling behind his Dom as they walked away. He grinned. “Seems as if Gil has been a bad boy.”
One of Harley’s eyebrows went up. “Well, that’s something, I reckon.”
A soft chuckle sounded behind him. “Now, you sound like home. Good lord and butter, we’re fixin’ to take over, Mr. Clint.”
“Indeed, Dr. O’Reilly.”
Thomas’s Sammy came around and hugged Clint, the sub as free with his affection as anyone he’d ever seen. “Good to see you, Sir. You look good. Masters. Fellow Texan.” Everyone got a warm smile, and Harley got a wink. “Mister, you want a glass of wine?”
Sammy was obviously flying four feet above the ground, and the boy’s leather harness exposed why. The boy was sporting two black nipple rings proudly, a chain dangling between them.
“White, sweetheart. And water for yourself. Callum, would mind asking your boy to bring Sam’s stool? His hands will be full.”
“Of course.” But Callum didn’t even have to ask, the boy got up and bowed slightly to Thomas before heading for the bar.
Thomas gave Clint an equally warm hug. “Busy tonight.”
