Page 8 of Lorcan
“You know who I am.” Dread sat in the pit of my stomach.
“I don’t know you.” He held my gaze. “You can share whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“And you can google the rest.”
“Not if you don’t want me to.” His gaze was steady. “If Master Dante wanted us to meet, I’m quite certain he’s already vetted you.”
I had undergone a decently complex process to join the club. He’d also waived the membership fee—saying something about a rich owner who never wanted money to be a barrier for kinky people to join. I was so desperate, I accepted that explanation without really thinking about it until later. If I enjoyed myself, and once I was back on my feet, I’d start paying the membership fee. “Yeah, he asked a lot of questions and delved into my background. I was honest with him.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I’m a supporter of honesty.” Yet another brilliant smile. “I think we all have some secrets.”
“Do you?”
Slowly, he nodded. “I have things I don’t share with people I’ve just met. Or with my patients.”
“Ah. Well, I won’t ask, then.”
“That’s fair. Perhaps when we’ve gotten to know each other better. We can have fun together without baring our deepest souls, after all. Unless and until we want to.”
Sounded almost too good to be true. “I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings. I’m a good guy and I didn’t do what I was accused of.”
“I believe you.”
“You shouldn’t.” The bitter words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.
He held my gaze with eyes the sky of a stormy ocean. “If you say you didn’t do what they accused you of, then I’m going to choose to believe you. We all have things in our past we regret.”
“Even you?” I tried to measure my words carefully.
“Yes, even me.” He chuckled—a little ruefully. “Life’s never a straight line. I’ve hit some bumpy patches. Sometimes I’ve taken the road less traveled. Other times, I chose the wrong path and had to backtrack.”
“You’re so young.”
“Notsoyoung. I’m twenty-six.”
I would’ve pegged him as a few years younger, but not much.Way too young for me. “I’m fifty-three.” Said flatly—without any emotion.
“Nothing wrong with that. If you’re warning me that you’re too old for me, I’ll say I’m interested in the man, not his age.”
“Have you ever dated a guy my age?”
He offered yet another smile. “I’ll be honest and sayno. The truth is that I haven’t dated much. I was focused on school and then nabbing a job in my chosen field.”
“Oh.” I frowned. “Is twenty-six young for a therapist?”
“Well, it’s about ten years of schooling. I crammed and doubled my course load whenever I could so I could graduate as early as possible. I enjoyed school, but didn’t like racking up debt.”
“I can relate to that.”
“Many people can. I’m making a good salary now, living within my means, and have a plan to pay down my debt.”
“I don’t have any of those things.” I winced. “Sorry, that came out wrong. I have a good job that keeps a roof over my head, food in my belly, and gas in my truck.”
“All things that are pretty essential in life, I’d say.”
He was right. “You’re a handler?” Because I really didn’t want to dwell on my shitty circumstances.
Slowly, he nodded. “I’ve not played often. That said, I’m very clear in knowing what I want.”
