Page 62 of Collin: Episodes 4-6
Collin dragged his feet to his room and threw himself down on his bed. But that wasn’t comfortable. He was thirsty but in too much discomfort to drink.
I should just use the key. You’re being stupid. He sent you the key; that means he meant you to use it.
It didn’t feel like Mr. Reevesworth had sent him the key, though. Someone who wasn’t the man who had put it on him had come and just given it to him. Without instructions. Maybe it was just for emergencies? Maybe he was supposed to wait for a call that allowed him to use the key. Maybe he was supposed to call to use the key.
He said he’d keep me close.
Collin curled up, knees to his chest. This doesn’t feel close.
He checked the time again. He should get up and make Damian a real meal soon. It was past lunchtime, even if Damian had just had a snack. Left on his own, Damian would probably stay on that call.
Someone came in the front door. Collin started to sit up, then recognized the footsteps. Mr. Moreau. But he should check on Mr. Moreau too. The man had been to the clinic.
Collin dragged himself upright and went out into the hall. Mr. Moreau was just opening the door to his bedroom. He had a new bandage on his cheek, and the one on his arm had been redone professionally.
“You’re going to be all right?”
Mr. Moreau startled, looking up, then away. “Um…yes. And Artemis too.”
Collin shifted his weight between his feet. Well, this was awkward. Why was this awkward? The man looked like he just wanted to get away.
“Would you like lunch, sir?”
“Uh…” Mr. Moreau looked away, then nodded. “Yes, please, Collin. That would be lovely.” Then he went into his room and closed the door.
Collin let out a long breath through his nose. Yep. Nothing, nothing wrong at all. Somehow, you’ve fucked it all up, and you don’t even know why.
Somewhere, in the very back of his brain, he knew he should knock. He should ask, something, anything. He should fess up about not using the key. Or he should call his dom. But he couldn’t. Mr. Reevesworth was at the vet, taking care of a broken bone. Surely that trumped Collin’s nonsensical dilemma.
He found his way to the kitchen, put on an apron, and opened the fridge to see what he could make.
By the time he served Damian lunch, the need to urinate was so painful he felt like he was sweating. His hands were almost shaking as he made his way down to the master bedroom and knocked.
“Yes?”
Collin squared his shoulders. “Lunch, sir?”
“Oh, of course.”
Mr. Moreau opened the door. He was dressed in his relaxed linen pants with bare feet, and his shirt was open to the waist. Collin’s eyes caught on the hollow just below Mr. Moreau’s breastbone. The man was beautiful.
Collin tore his eyes away. “I can bring it or put it on the table, sir.”
“I’ll come to the kitchen. You really didn’t have to trouble yourself, Collin.”
Collin made his hands into fists. “No trouble, sir.”
In the kitchen, Collin laid two places, one for Mr. Reevesworth and one for Mr. Moreau. Mr. Moreau sat down, and Collin put a plate in front of him.
“You’re not eating, Collin?”
“Oh, I’m…not hungry.” Collin turned around and pretended to check the fridge. “What would you like to drink?”
Mr. Moreau didn’t answer at first. Collin looked up.
“Is something wrong, Collin?”
Yes, you haven’t called me kitten in at least two days. “No, sir. I mean, maybe I’m worried about Artemis, but it’s just her tail, right?”
