“There are times when caution is good and times when you’ve just got to take a leap of faith,” Blake says. “This is one of those times, Archie. Go to that party and show Hamish just how much you want him.”
I know Blake has an ulterior motive. He wants me to go so he can. I wish I knew Hamish well enough to tell Blake he’d be okay to go alone, but I don’t. If I went, I could tell myself I’m just playing chaperone, but deep down, I know that’s not true. If I go, it’ll be because of Hamish,notmy brother.
“Would you be going as Gabe’s date?”
Blake shakes his head. "We have to go in with him, but he made it clear I'd be free to play with whoever I want." His grin drops into a frown. "I'm not sure if he said that because he didn't want me to feel pressured or because he's not really interested in me."
“He wouldn’t have invited you at all if he wasn’t interested.”
Blake perks up a little.
“What about the other guy? The photographer?”
“Calvin?” Blake’s eyes light up again. “I’d happily play with either of them. Or both,” he adds dreamily. “Together.” He sags against the cushions again. “I want to make them smile,” he confides. “I want to hear them praise me.”
Blake is sweet when he’s lovelorn. I just hope he doesn’t get his heart broken by one or both of these guys. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that he’s lusting after both of them. It’s who Blake is. What I’m not so sure about is who I am. Am I the kind of guy who could walk into a party, strip down to a harness, and tell Hamish that I want to be his sub? Or would I spend the whole party avoiding him? Maybe I could go, find someone else to play with, and get him out of my system altogether. What if that made him jealous? I strike that out of my thoughts. I don’t even know if Hamish likes me. Yes, I’m pretty sure he enjoys it when I call him ‘sir’, but it’s not the same as liking or wanting me, is it?
I scowl when I realise Blake’s staring at me.
“Stop overthinking and just agree to come.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Yes, it is, Archie. If it backfires and he sacks you, you’ll find another job. You’re too awesome a PA not to get hired again. But you could end up getting exactly what you want—him." He play-punches me on the arm. "Go for it."
He's right. In the grand scheme of things, I've got more to gain than I have to lose. "Okay."
“You’ll come?”
“Yes, I’ll come.”
Blake lets out a whoop. He sits, grabs my face, and kisses my forehead. “You’re the best. Now we’ve just got to persuade Corey to come too.”
“What about Lexi?”
“Mum and Dad will have her over a sleepover, and you know it. Call them now.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Blake doesn’t have the best relationship with our parents. They’ve never really forgiven him for flunking out of uni, and it’s no secret they’re not impressed that he doesn’t have a ‘proper job’.
“YouknowLexi will be Corey’s first objection,” Blake points out. “But he’s been so tense and overworked lately. Hereallyneeds to get out and have some fun.”
I couldn’t disagree. “I’ll call and see if they’re free.”
Blake grins. He grabs a cushion and hugs it to his chest. “This is going to be the best kink party ever.”
I’m less confident than him, but I hope he’s right. I hope he gets his guy—or guys—and that I get mine. Even if it’s only for one night, I want to know what it’s like to be Hamish’s sub.
* * *
We walk to Hamish’s from the train station. To look at us, you wouldn’t guess we were heading to a kink party, but I guess that’s the point of arriving in smasual clothing.
“Gabe says he’s already there and will be waiting for us in the garden,” Blake says, eyes fixed on his phone screen.
The closer we get to the driveway gates, the heavier my feet become. This is a dumb idea. I’m going to get fired, and I’m sure as hell not going to get laid. Not by Hamish anyway. Best-case scenario: I find someone else to have fun with tonight. Worst-case scenario: I get kicked out and fired at the same time.
