Page 2 of Dark Passion

“What was that text about, and why do you have that worried look on your face?” I bit my lower lip and tried smiling.

“That’s not worry you’re seeing. I get like that when things go awry. It’s not like it’s something I can’t handle. Go to sleep and get your beauty rest.”

“What is theityou’re talking about? I hope to fuck it isn’t Charlie again, because I’m one step from quitting my job, or telling Max he can shove that problem up his ass.”

I turned, “Don’t quit your job and don’t worry. That’s for me to do. I’ve been through this kind of thing before, and I can handle this—”

“But, you never said whatthisis, or anything about why you’re leaving early. You’re being vague again. You’re not saying anything, just talking around this conversation.” Shit. I didn’t know he was this observant, and why shouldn’t I know, he was a lawyer for fuck’s sake. He could see things most people didn’t. He could read people.

“I’ll tell you later, because I have to go.” I had to get out of there before I gave myself away. “I need to check on Ryan and Jay. You know you can’t leave those two alone with liquor.” I smiled to relax Cole. “Just kidding, but who knows? Jay could burn the place down if he starts smoking again, and when Ryan puts too much pressure on him.” That I wasn’t kidding about. It was more like a hint of what to expect.

Chapter 2

Daniel

Speaking of pressurebeing put on Jay, I was getting ready to put a lot of pressure on the both of them, mainly Ryan, because he was the one in charge, and who’d asked me... no, begged me to hire his boyfriend. I went against my rules of hiring friends and family. That one was on me, and I had no one to blame but myself. However, today I had enough to deal with, and someone had to take the brunt of my disappointment, and it would be both Jay and Ryan.

Whenever I got to the club after seeing Julian, I’d lay the law down for them, and I needed to know why there was a fire in my store room, and to see for myself how serious it was.

I gave out a wide smile to Cole, and tried to change my expression from a furrowed brow to a happy face by waggling my eyebrows, and saying, “I want something different tonight. We’re going to experiment.” That brought a sexy grin to Cole’s face, and he reached and palmed his cock, pinched his nipple, and slowly swiped his tongue around those gorgeous lips. “I’ll be waiting, and I might cook instead of ordering out.”

With Cole’s promises, this time I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to hop in bed and never get out, but I had to. Deep down I knew this was a serious matter, and what I knew about Julian and what he’d do, the situation was as grave as it could be, and getting worse by the minute.

When I understood my words and my smile had calmed Cole, he’d turned over and his naked back and ass were to me once more. However, I continued walking to the door, made it though without any more conversation on my part or questions coming from Cole. I hurried down the hall into the foyer and out the door. My heart had been racing because of all the shit in my headspace. Once outside, I stood on the curb, and waved down a passing cab.

Once I gave the cabbie the address, I relaxed and glanced at the driver’s picture. “Oh, for fuck’s sake is that you, Mason? What the fuck are you doing driving a cab?” There was silence except for the noise outside. I had to lower the window because of the natural stench coming from old cabs. I didn’t know which was worse, car horns, car fumes, or the smell of the cab I’d climbed into to see a man from my past. I shook my head, I had to go back to paying for a car service after I had taken care of things.

Hopefully I’d have a man and a business after all this was cleared up.

The cabbie continued driving and didn’t say much. Maybe he hadn’t heard me, or didn’t recognize me. I thought,But I can’t be wrong about him, this is Mason.I had known Mason most of my young adult life. We were maybe nineteen or twenty when we first came across each other chasing the same type of men. We’d met in a local underground bondage club on a Saturday night, sat at the bar next to each other, glances traded between acts, a few smiles exchanged wondering if we could find something in common besides our choice of drinks.

“This your first time,” I asked.

“Yeah. Heard about this spot from a friend.” He turned around and nursed his drink. Coca-Cola I thought, because I had one too.

“Yeah, first time,” I remembered saying to him.

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