Page 9 of Matteo's Mettle
I stumble over my feet. “What?”
She shrugs, as if the bomb she just dropped doesn’t changeeverything. “He brought me tonight ‘cos my Mommy had to work. He’s not part of the whole…” she gestures wildly around the space, “…scene.”
I can feel a part of me breaking at that. Clearly, despite my attempts to be rational, I’d started to hope that maybe I had forged some sort of connection with London. That maybe we could have had a fun night together, if not more than just that. But if he’s not really a Daddy, even if he is kink-friendly enough to bring his friend here as a proxy caregiver for a night, I’m right back to where I started.
“Katie,” London interrupts us, his tone back to that low, stern one that screams ‘natural Daddy’, but he’s looking at me pointedly even while he addresses her. I don’t know when he snuck up close enough to overhear our conversation, but I almost die when he adds, “I think that’s something Matteo and I should discuss between us.”
“Yes, Uncle London.” Katie doesn’t sound at all repentant. If anything, she looks pleased with herself.
I make a mental note to never introduce her to Josh.
London’s lips curl with amusement, then he checks his watch. “It’s getting late, kiddo. I promised your Mommy I’d bring you home before the spell wears off and your dress turns back into rags.” The pout she wore earlier returns in full force, but before she can whine, he points his index finger at her. “No complaints or there’ll be corner time.”
For a guy who isn’t a Daddy, he sure as fuck seems to know what he’s doing.
Katie sighs and nods with resignation. “Yes, Uncle London.”
“Good girl.” London praises, then looks at me. “Where’d your friend go? Do you need a ride home, too?”
Josh drove us in, but with him otherwise occupied, my plan was to go get changed and order a Lyft. “I’m fine,” I tell him, even though I really want to take him up on his offer. There’s no point putting myself through that. In addition to me being far too old for him, he’s not really a Daddy. I’d be setting myself up for disappointment.
“Not what I asked,” he counters, pinning me with a knowing stare. I fight the urge to fidget under his gaze. “Do you have a ride?”
Willing my instant arousal to fuck right off, I shrug. “I’m going to order a Lyft.”
London doesn’t even hesitate. “Nope. You’ll be waiting foreverandwill have to pay a premium for the neighborhood and peak rates. I’ll drive you.”
“And if I live on the other side of the city?”
His grin turns wolfish. “Then we’ll have more time to talk.”
Chapter Four – London
It took all my self-control not to flatten the asshole who had harassed Matteo. For fuck’s sake, the guy was getting off on making Matt cry. Where the room moderator was, or why nobody else around us had stepped in remains a mystery to me, even though the altercation was taking place off to the side of the room. It was clear as day that Matt was uncomfortable, and when I got close enough to hear him safe word only for him to be ignored, I’d snapped.
I might not be involved in the BDSM world, but I know enough to know that ignoring a safe word is like a cardinal sin.
I probably should have reported that asshole for it. Sadly, it’s too late now.
But,oh, Matt is somehow both everything and nothing like I’d thought he’d be. He’s tall -taller than me, and I’m not exactly short at 6 feet tall- and big and brawny.Those arms…I want to lick over the lines of his tattoos, tracing the ink that highlights those bulging muscles. But, even though his physical appearance is undeniably tough and hyper masculine, he’s a soft, shy soul.
We make our way out of the epic playroom, travel back down to the main club floor via the elevator and then swing by the locker rooms so Matt can grab his things and get changed. I barely bite back the urge to ask him if he needs help: I’ve never helped Kate get changed before, so why would I ask this man I’ve only just met? Especially when it’s clear that he’s not in little space anymore.
While Kate and I lean against the hallway wall, I feel her eyes studying me. “You really like him, don’t you?”
“I only met him, like, an hour ago.”
Her full lips twist into a wry, knowing smirk. “You’ve been sneaking glances at him all night.”
She’s more observant in her little space than I gave her credit for.
“You’ve seen the man,” I shrug, gesturing vaguely towards the locker room. “He’s hot as fuck.”
“You remember that I’m into women, right?”
I snort. “Doesn’t mean you’re unable to appreciate beauty in all its forms, male or female. I’m not saying you’d be attracted to him; I’m saying his hotness is obvious.”
“Touché,” Kate laughs. “You’re really defensive about this guy. It’s cute.”
