“Now will you tell me where we’re going?” Ryan’s eyes won’t leave me as I drive us to dinner. Along with Ryan’s parents and sister, whom I haven’t yet met, I’ve invited my brothers and our parents. I hope I’ve done the right thing by asking David to invite Ryan’s family. But I figure this is such a big deal. Everyone close to him should be involved in something as special as this.
I reply to him with a smirk, “Dinner.”
“Ha ha. I guessed that much.”
I rest my hand on his thigh. “Okay, dinner and some drinks.” He shakes his head with a chuckle. Making a turn, I tell him, “We’re here. I’ll just be a second.” Quickly paying for a ticket, I place it on the dashboard before opening his door and reaching for Ryan’s hand. I lead the way through Tony’s entrance, stepping up to the front desk. “Hi, I made a reservation for Bromley.”
The pretty brunette girl glances down at our entwined hands and smiles. “Let me see which table we’ve put you at.” We wait patiently, until she says, “Ah, here we go. Some have already arrived. Just this way.”
My boy makes a face and is about to ask me what she means, when something catches his eye. “What the…?”
“Surprise, baby,” I whisper into his ear. Trey and David, Travis and Dakota, my parents and Ryan’s, and his sister Matilda all stand when we make our way over.
“Surprise!”
“Congratulations!”
“Oh my God,” Ryan murmurs. He faces me. “You… you did this?”
I kiss his cheek. “I did. I had David invite your parents and your sister.”
“I… I don’t….” He clears his throat, before whispering. “Thank you, Sir.”
“You’re very welcome. Now,” I say, raising my voice to a normal level, “Let’s celebrate, because someone is about to be a published author.”
Hollers and cheers are the crowd’s response. Hugs and slaps on the back are shared around until Ryan grasps my hand. “Henry, I’d like you to meet my mum and dad. Lily and Kevin Scott.”
We shake hands. “It’s nice to meet you,” I say. “Glad you could make it tonight.”
Lily, clearly Ryan’s mother from their resemblance, gives me a nice smile. “Thank you for organising tonight. Ryan’s not one to make a fuss of himself, and he never would’ve planned a night of celebrations.” She turns to her son. “Which you deserve! I’m so proud of you. I remember when you were eight years old writing stories.”
“Really?” I ask, cocking my eyebrow at him.
“Yeah, yeah,” my man replies with a chuckle. “And this is my sister.”
She steps forward for a hug. After the surprise wears off, I welcome the embrace. “It’s nice to finally meet you. You can call me Maddie.”
I smile as she pulls back. “It’s nice to meet you too, Maddie.” When all the introductions are done, we all sit and eat.
* * *
Dinner is a huge success. The food was delicious, the drinks were good, and everyone seemed to have a great time. With the workweek commencing tomorrow, everyone wants to leave at a reasonable hour. It’s as we’re leaving when I overhear Ryan and Dakota chatting.
“Sorry,” Ryan begins, “how do you know Travis again? Are you guys…?”
“No, no. It’s a funny story. I met both Henry and Travis face-to-face recently, but I was their real estate agent searching for their gym.”
“Oh! Cool.”
“Yeah. So that’s how we met, but it turns out I’m going to be moving in with them. I saw Henry’s ad online for a room for rent and went over today to check it out. All going well, I’ll be moving in this week.”
“Wow,” he says. Ryan’s deep in thought with a small frown before he smirks. “Small world, huh?”
“It is.”
“So, and don’t take this the wrong way, but, being an agent, can I ask—”
“Yeah,” Dakota interrupts with a smile. “It’s like I told the brothers. I just need some time to figure things out before I buy. Plus, I like the idea of living with other guys for a little while.” He glances at me as I join them. “Couple of friendly roommates will be a nice change.”
I wrap an arm around Ryan’s shoulders. “It’ll definitely be a change for us too, but I’m sure we’ll all get on just fine.”
In the car on the way to Ryan’s place, he’s quiet. When we’re almost there, he thanks me again for a great night. “You’re welcome.”
“Hey, so Dakota. Is he…?”
“What?”
“Is he gay?”
I glance at him before returning my eyes to the road. “He’s bi.”
“Oh. Okay, cool.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good,” he replies. When I park the car, he removes his belt and faces me. “It was really cool of you to get my folks and sister to come. I can’t believe you hadn’t met them until now.”
I take his hand and kiss the back of it. “Well, tonight was the perfect opportunity to meet them. I’m really proud of you, Ryan.”
“Thanks.”
Once we’re both ready for bed, it’s just past eleven. Lying on our sides facing each other, I’m wondering what has Ryan a little withdrawn. There’s something going on; I’m sure of it. I don’t think it has to do with dinner, but perhaps something happened during it that caused his mood to change?
“Are you okay?”
Ryan smiles and holds my hand, which is resting on his cheek. “Yes. I had a great time tonight. I know I keep thanking you, but I really mean it. It was nice to see everyone, and I never would’ve organised it. You make me even more excited about being an author,” he says. “It’s like your excitement increases mine.” Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem like he needs to discuss it now, and I don’t want to end the night on a sour note. Ryan’s happiness is paramount to me.
“I guess that’s what happens when you love someone,” I reply.
“Yeah.”
“Turn over. I want to hold you.”
Ryan smirks, kisses my lips, and shifts until his back pushes into my chest. “Goodnight, Sir. Love you.”
“Love you too, pup.”
* * *
Ryan’s in the kitchen, heating up some leftovers for dinner, when I walk in. I’d messaged him to say I was on my way, so he must’ve unlocked it for me. Today’s been a long day for me, and I can’t wait to sit down and eat with my man. Since Ryan’s celebratory dinner just over a week ago, his mood has been up and down. Leaning against the wall, I watch him. From where I am, I can clearly see his tense shoulders and careful movements.
“What’s wrong?”
He spins around, brows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean, Sir?”
“I mean,” I say, striding over to him, “something’s wrong. Please tell me.”
Ryan huffs. “It’s nothing.”
I frown and cross my arms. “No. It’s not nothing, pup. Don’t make me ask you again.”
With everything that’s been going on, there’re multiple reasons for Ryan’s behaviour. Many factors could potentially be causing him stress. There’s the fact he bumped into his rapist. There are the charges that have been made against Luke. Ryan’s case could possibly mean an imminent criminal trial, which means it’ll bring up his past with Luke and the abuse once again. Work at the gym is still underway, and our deadline is in a week’s time. The inspection is set for a week before opening day. Dakota has moved in, and he’s fitting in with us seamlessly.
Impatient with his silence, I cock an eyebrow.
Ryan’s hands fly up and he growls. “For fuck’s sake, Henry!” Before I can react, he drops his head and shrugs, struggling to explain. “Honestly, it’s nothing. And everything. Nothing in particular… but everything combined.”
“I’m not surprised,” I murmur. Standing inches away from him, I meet his gaze. “A lot has been going on for you. From the low of bumping into Luke, to the high of becoming a published author, you’ve had to deal with a lot of conflicting emotions. And I understand it might be causing you to feel extremely stressed. But it doesn’t permit you to misbehave and disrespect your Dom. Does it?”
It takes him a few moments before he sighs. “No, Sir.” From his body language, he doesn’t feel guilty, only angry and embarrassed.
“I’m disappointed.” Because, despite everything, he’s been doing so well lately. The perfect submissive. My words seem to affect him now.
Tears pool in his chocolate eyes and his guilt is plain as day. It brings me pain to see him disappointed and upset with himself. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
“Me too.” I’m sorry the night has to start with a punishment. Ryan’s been physically hurt enough in the past, and he’s having to relive it with the high possibility of his case going to trial. Every second he has to talk about it, it hurts him. Using a different method of punishment, I know it’ll be as, if not, more effective. Taking a few steps backwards towards the door, I clear my throat. “Finish with dinner. I’m taking a shower.” Ryan’s lips part, but he hesitates. “Something you want to say?”
He glances up. “I really am sorry, Sir. And… amongst everything else… there’s something that has been bothering me.”
Finally.
“Yes?”
He’s quiet and motionless, until he blurts out, “I don’t want you living with Dakota.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “I see.” My feet move until I’m in front of him again. “Why?”
Ryan licks his lips. “Because he’s… because….”
“Who are you to me?”
“Your submissive, Sir.”
“That’s right. You’re mine. And who is Dakota to me?”
“Your roommate. Your tenant, Sir.”
“Correct again. So, tell me, why should I not live in the same house as Dakota and my brother?”
“If I mean more to you than Dakota, Sir, then why does he get to live with you and I don’t?”
Oh.
Oh. Ryan wants us to live together. And to think, I’ve been waiting for him to be ready for the next step, only for him to be giving me a kick up the arse. I should’ve realised this sooner. “I see,” I repeat. “Well. Maybe you should move in as well.”
His jaw drops. “Excuse me, Sir?”
“Why not? If we’re both ready to live together, which I have been for a while, why don’t you move in with me?” Considering it seriously, I place my hands on my hips. “It’s not ideal at this stage to organise a place of our very own for a while. I’m committed to the house with Travis and paying it off together. We’d—”
He shakes his head. “I’d love to move in with you, Sir,” he says.
I tilt my head. “Okay. We’ll slowly start moving your things out. Give the owner your notice.” The idea of having Ryan live with me makes me happy. Even if we choose to have another tenant, we can. The place is definitely big enough for five, if two of us are sharing a room. Shaking my head, I consider the important benefits of Ryan’s moving in. Us living together. Coming home to him like this every night. Sleeping with him. Waking up beside him every morning, if he’s been a good pup . Come to think of it, he’s been practically living at mine the last couple weeks anyway.
I nod slowly. “You’ll live with me. Soon. What you say is true. You mean the world to me. I love you and I want you living me.” I cradle his face in my hands. “To wake up beside you, to come home to you. I’d love that.” Pressing a light kiss to his lips, I pull away. I’m not looking forward to punishing him. “For now, finish dinner, pup.”
He nods slowly before doing as I ask. By his hesitation, it’s clear he knows punishment is yet to come, but he doesn’t ask what it is. “Yes, Sir.”