Page 33 of Sir Avery's Wish
Avery folded his hands, leaning his elbows on his thighs. He hung his head, the intensity of the past week crashing over him. Offering Eli a brief, temporary contract felt like the most natural thing in the world. But was now the right time?
The dome brass table clock chimed from its perch on top of the dresser. He heaved a sigh, pushing himself up from the mattress. It was time for him to pick up Eli. He’d worked the early shift, so they’d have plenty of time to pick up his belongings from Zane’s, grab dinner, and head back home.
Avery tucked his shirt, adjusted his belt, then finger-combed his hair. Waiting to discuss a more formal arrangement was the smart thing to do.
He grabbed his coat and keys, pushing aside his doubts. This wasn’t about contracts or arrangements right now. His only duty was to keep Eli safe. The rest could wait.
The ride to the hotel was quiet, traffic flowing smoothly for once. Avery drummed his fingers against the steering wheel at a red light, contemplating what lay ahead. He’d never invitedsomeone to stay with him so quickly before. Plus, it meant coming home to his own house every night instead of crashing in his office. After making the calculations in his head, he realized it had been almost two years since he’d lived full-time in Cambridge.
Avery let out a low whistle.Damn. A car honked behind him, and he was jolted from his daydreaming. As he continued toward Club Sensation, his quandary continued to plague him. Every time he thought he’d decided on the best course, he’d change his mind and jump to a different one. Avery chuckled to himself. He was as bad as an uncertain sub.
He gasped, hitting the brake a bit too hard at a stoplight. A perfect idea came to him, and he mentally kicked his own ass for not thinking of it already. One of the biggest frustrations Eli had was his inability to make a decision.
Over breakfast after their first night together, Avery had dug deeper into Eli’s interest in the BDSM lifestyle. The thing that stood out above all others was how Eli couldn’t say for certain what he was interested in. Everything was a maybe. He wasn’t sure why he’d started going to kink clubs. He loved the idea of having a Dom, thought it would be good for him, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was that drew him in initially.
The conversation had gone in circles until it was time to leave, and Avery didn’t feel as if he’d uncovered much more about Eli’s interest in kink than he had before. Avery’s mood lifted. Working with Eli on his indecisiveness and struggles with his true self was an excellent way for them to connect.
While the possibility existed that Eli would discover he wasn’t as interested in kink as he first thought, that was okay. It was more important that Eli find out who he was instead of wasting time on what he wasn’t. And while it would be painful, Avery wanted to find out early on whether he should invest his whole heart into a future with Eli.
Avery arrived at the club’s restaurant, pulling up to the valet station. Eli had offered to wait outside for him, but Avery wouldn’t allow it. Not only was it too cold, but he wasn’t taking any chances with Eli’s safety. Even if he was overreacting, and the chances of the killer being in Boston were next to zero, he didn't care. It made him feel better knowing that Eli was inside.
The valet opened his door, and Avery stepped out. “Park it close, please. I won’t be too long.”
The young man nodded, taking the keys. “Of course, sir.”
Avery made his way through the entrance, warmth hitting him immediately, a stark contrast to the chilly October air. He waved to Gabe, then skirted the edges of the tables, heading to the hallway next to the kitchen where Eli would be waiting. He could’ve texted him that he’d arrived, maybe even told him to meet him at the front of the restaurant. But then he wouldn’t have the joy of witnessing Eli’s excitement the moment their eyes met.
Avery dragged his fingers through his hair. Yeah. He was a goner. It didn’t matter how informal their arrangement was. If Eli decided to go back to LA, Avery’s heart would not only be broken, it would be crushed.
As Avery rounded the corner into the hallway, he spotted Eli immediately. He sat on a padded bench, his curly, tawny hair falling forward as he hunched over his phone. He wore a pair of slim-fit jeans and over his work shirt, the chunky, light blue sweater Avery had insisted on buying him during their shopping trip yesterday. The sight of Eli in something he’d chosen stoked the fire in him to keep Eli forever, to make this beautiful boy his own.
Eli glanced up, his eyes brightening when he saw Avery. The smile that spread across his freckled face was worth every moment of uncertainty. Eli pocketed his phone and stood, smoothing down his sweater with nervous hands.
“You’re here,” Eli said, his voice eager, almost breathless.
“Right on time.”
Avery opened his arms, and Eli rushed into his embrace. He took a moment to bury his nose in Eli’s soft hair, loving the way the honey almond scent enhanced Eli’s natural, sweet smell.
He gave Eli a squeeze then held him at arm’s length. “Hungry?”
Eli nodded. “Starving.”
“In that case, we can eat here so you don’t have to wait. I can let the valet know.”
“Wait.” Eli clutched his arm with both hands. “I was thinking that maybe, after we get my stuff…” He cleared his throat. “Do you think we could just pick something up to take home instead of eating out?”
“Sure.” Avery smiled. He didn’t have a problem with more alone time. “What did you have in mind?”
“Nothing that needs to be cooked or kept warm.” Eli shrugged. “You know, so we don’t have to rush or anything.”
Avery scratched the back of his head. “Let’s see… There’s a Greek place in Cambridge that I sometimes go to. We could get some hummus, olives, grape leaves—that kind of thing. Is that anything you’d like?”
Eli gave him an enthusiastic nod. “Love Greek food. That’s perfect.”
Avery gave him a quick kiss on the lips and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Then let’s get going.”
Eli stretched and yawned, the long day of being on his feet beginning to catch up to him. He’d waited until Avery left the living room with the empty plates from dinner so Avery wouldn’t think he was too tired to stay up. As it was, Avery had refused his help, telling him to relax instead.
