Page 14 of Saint
We agree to go ahead with that. It’s exciting to do something for myself. I look down at the card and realise that this gym has a fee to join. I wasn’t budgeting on paying for that, but if it’s not too much, I can manage. Best to find out how much while I’m here.
“Do you want my bank details for the membership fee? Monthly would be best for me. I like to spread the cost of things like this.”
He looks at me, surprised. “You don’t have to pay anything, Noah. You’re family.”
I stare at him, blinking a few times as what he’s said sinks in. Family. Yeah, I like that word. “I don’t know what to say but thank you. You’re an amazing family. I love it at your dads’. I’ve never had a family before, and you’ve all accepted me without fifty questions or judgements.”
I look over my shoulder and through the window. Saint is lifting some seriously heavy weights and has a grim expression on his face. But that could be put down to the effort he needs to put in to lift those bad boys.
“Whatever has been said to you by those two troublemakers, don’t pay it any mind. They think they’re the dog’s bollocks and like to show off in front of all the men here.”
“It’s fine, what Saint does is nothing to do with me.”
Knox looks as if he wants to say more but doesn’t, he just gives me a nod.
“I’m going home now, will you be over for dinner tonight?” Knox comes over two or three times a week. I know him more than any of other brothers, even Saint, who keeps his life outside work private. I like him, I think we could become good friends.
“Not tonight. It’s just you and my dads tonight. Pops will be pleased he’s not feeding the whole tribe.”
We both know that’s not true. Robin would have them all over every night if he could.
“Thanks for everything. I’ll see you later.” I pull out my wallet and add the card, then pocket the key and padlock.
It’s still early, and I decide not to go back to the house and call for a ride to the studio. I’ve got some designs I’d like to work on, and the peace and quiet of an empty room is enticing after all I’ve seen and heard today.
It isn’t until the door rattles and the buzzer sounds that I become aware of my surroundings. I’m always like this when I get stuck into something, I lose sense of time and space. The shop, apart from my desk light, is now shrouded in darkness. But instead of working on the designs, I looked all the words Tate and Roman used. Floggers, spanking, BDSM clubs, sex clubs, and everything in between as links kept popping up. Like forums and wow, the topics on there are mind-blowing. It’s sexy as fuck and lights something inside me like fireworks. This is me—this is what I’ve been looking for. Not to be in charge, no, no way. I’m the submissive. I’m the one handing over myself, freeing all my pent-up energy, my desires, to someone else,someone like Saint. No, not someonelikeSaint—Saint, he’s the man I want.
I know I locked the door behind me. A trickle of fear runs down my spine and the thought that the self-defence classes may be too little, too late.
Tentatively, I walk out of the office to see Saint standing in the middle of the hallway with a cricket bat in his hands. And it looks like he’s ready to swing it at me.
“Saint, stop! It’s me. It’s me!” I shriek.
“Noah? What the fuck are you doing here? And in the dark? I saw the light and thought we had a burglar. Shit! Fuck! I could have hit you.” The bat drops to the floor with a thud, and he pulls me to him.
With his arms on my biceps, I’m kept at arm’s length as his gaze roams over me. “For the record, I’m glad you didn’t. And I had some sketches to work on for a couple of clients coming in this week. I was going to email them to approve or ask for changes.”
He tugs me closer, wrapping his arms around me. “Why aren’t you at home? Did you tell my dads where you are? You’re supposed to back there for dinner.” Christ, he’s such a nag. I don’t need to tell him where I am or explain my absence from where he expects me to be.
“Do you hear yourself? I’m sorry you thought someone had broken in, but I don’t have to explain how I spend my days off to you.” I wiggle out of his grasp and turn away, going back into the office to gather up my artwork I was supposed to finish. “I’m leaving now, do you want to go first so I can lock up behind you.”
“No, you go.” He wants to say more. I can see the questions swirling around as he looks at me. I bet he’s thinking of the guys at the gym again. And I definitely don’t want to hear about that conversation again.
“Okay, I’ll see you on Tuesday.” I have Sunday and Mondays off work. Saint’s used to being here working through the backlog and sometimes still works six days a week. I think he’s off tomorrow though.
I walk past him and think I’m making a clean exit, but he calls my name again. “What?”
“Do you want a lift back home?”
“No, thanks, I’m good.” I open the door.
“I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the gym. I won’t ask you to come again.” He sounds sad, but if I go back to him, he’ll never let it drop.
“Okay, thanks, Saint. G’night.” I get to the corner of the street and call Robin. “Hi, it’s me. I’m on my way home now.”
“Do you want me to come and pick you up? It’s no trouble.”
“I don’t mind walking, it’s not too far.” I’ve spent years relying on my feet or buses, I don’t expect anyone to act as a taxi for me.
