Page 8 of Sir Avery's Wish
“I...” Eli’s voice came out as a croak. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I don't really have anywhere else to go right now.”
Ryan studied his face for a long moment, those bright eyes taking in details Eli probably didn’t want noticed. The way his hands trembled slightly around the water bottle and how his shoulders stayed perpetually hunched as if bracing for impact.
“Okay.” Ryan nodded slowly. “Well, here’s the thing. There are a few unwritten rules about staying safe out there, and some places that are better than others if you absolutely have to sleep rough.” He glanced around the dining hall, then leaned closer, lowering his voice. “The library stays open late, and certain security guards look the other way if you’re quiet and respectful.” Ryan tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. “Although, I've got a better offer for you tonight, and maybe longer, if you want it.”
Eli tensed. In his experience, ‘better offers’ from strangers usually came with strings attached. “What kind of offer?”
“My—” Ryan paused, seeming to search for the right word. “My family has a spare room where you could crash. Actually, one of my family members is someone I helped once, so I think my…” He pressed his lips together before continuing. “…boyfriend won’t have a problem.”
“Your family?” Eli hoped he didn’t sound as suspicious as he felt. “Not that I don’t appreciate the help, but I’m confused.”
Ryan grinned. “No, I totally understand. I guess I’m hesitant because not everyone grasps the type of lifestyle we live. They’re not my blood family. More like chosen family? And I’ll be totally forthcoming, because staying with us might makeyou uncomfortable. My boyfriend is actually my Dom, and we’re poly. So the other family member I helped is also my boyfriend.
Ryan winced. “I don’t like to apologize for the way we live, but I don’t know your circumstances, either. What I’m trying to say is I didn’t want you to be surprised if you took me up on my offer.” He grinned, rolling his eyes. “My Master is all about honesty. He gets wicked mad if me or Ty aren’t entirely truthful.”
It was only after several moments had passed with Ryan staring at him and not talking, that Eli realized his jaw was hanging open.
Ryan’s shoulders dropped. “I freaked you out, didn’t I?” He twisted his fingers, biting his lip again. “Oh man.”
Eli tilted his head. Ryan’s breathing was elevated, and his cheeks were flushed. Now he was the one who was worried.
“Hey.” Eli leaned forward, reaching across the table, laying his hand on Ryan’s folded ones. “Are you okay?”
“I can’t… Can’t catch…” Ryan’s face had gone from flushed to deathly pale in a few seconds.
Eli shot to his feet. His mom had panic attacks on occasion, so he knew what to do.
“Ryan, look at me.” Eli moved around the table quickly, kneeling beside Ryan’s chair. “Take a slow breath in through your nose, hold it for four counts, then let it out through your mouth.”
Ryan’s wide eyes locked onto his, and Eli counted out loud, guiding him through the breathing exercise. After several cycles, color began to return to Ryan’s face, and he no longer looked as though he was about to pass out.
“Better?” Eli regarded Ryan, searching for any sign of distress in his expression.
Ryan nodded, his breathing evening out. “Wow. Sorry about that.” He chuckled shakily. “Here I am trying to be Mr. Helpful,and I fall apart.” He sighed. “I get anxious sometimes when I think I’ve messed up.”
“You didn't mess up anything,” Eli assured him, returning to his seat. “You just surprised me, that's all.”
Ryan dragged his fingers through his hair, then crossed his arms. “I guess I did sort of blurt all that out. It must seem strange if you’re not part of the kink world, so I get it.”
“Not strange at all.” Eli lowered his eyes, forcing himself not to pick at his thumbs, one of his nervous habits. “I’ve been to a few clubs in my time.”
When he was greeted with silence, he took a chance and looked up. He was met with Ryan’s wide grin that showed off his perfect white teeth.
“Seriously?” He let out a laugh. “That’s awesome. Do you have a…” Ryan’s glee suddenly shut off, and his expression darkened. “Did you get tossed in the street by your Dom? Who is he? My Master will put him on blast in the community. Zane doesn’t tolerate Doms casting their subs aside without support.”
His chance encounter with Ryan had turned out more fortuitous than he could’ve imagined. “No, I don’t have a Dom. To be honest, I’m still kind of a newbie. But I was thinking about joining this one club I really liked. My friend Lenny and I were…”
Shut up, you dolt. Ryan was dangerous because he vibed so well with him. He could easily see them becoming good friends the way he was with Lenny.
Ryan blinked several times. “Your friend Lenny and you were what?”
Eli’s heart sank. Maybe he should walk away, even if it was a dumb thing to do. Where would he go? What would he do to survive? Here was a decent guy willing to help, someone he had something in common with and was around his age.
“Is it cool if we don’t talk about where I’m from, or anything like that? I promise I’m not like a criminal or someone bad. ButI’m not from New England, and I don’t know anyone here, which is why I came here.”
Ryan nodded. “Yeah, I can tell from your accent you’re not from Boston.”
Eli barked out a laugh. “Accent? I don’t have an accent. You do!”
