“If by openly you mean going to movies or to restaurants together, doing things as a couple, yes. PDAs kept to a minimum, though. I would require that even if there wasn’t someone else to think about, at least until Senator Samuels is out of office. It’s part of my job not to make waves or be noticed.”
“But we can hold hands and stuff?”
“Yes. Unless there are a lot of photographers around or something.”
He shifts again on the barstool. “Do I get to set some rules?”
I nod.
“If we do this, other than your partner, there’s no other dating or sex with anyone else, right?”
I nod again. “Exactly.”
“Nothing happens in public that would be embarrassing for either of us.”
“Correct.”
He licks his lips. “I’ve always been interested in BDSM.”
Fuuuuuck. My cock throbs but I lean against the counter to press against it and try to will it to go down. “Good. We would explore that. At the very least, I need my boy to be obedient to me. Nothing to interfere with our jobs, obviously. I’m not saying you have to be a huge plain slut, but there would be certain protocols in place, and punishment for failure to obey.”
His nostrils flare and his pupils dilate. Ooohhh, yes. He’s interested. “I’m fine with that. As long as the punishment isn’t ignoring me, or bullshit like that.”
“Again, we would negotiate all this first. Two-way street. We’re feeling out the guardrails tonight.”
He slowly nods. “What else would I need to know?”
“Those are the highlights. We can negotiate the details. I’m thinking we hold off having sex until after the inauguration. By then we’ll know if we both really want this.”
He tenses. “In January?”
“Yes.” I focus on him. “Is that a problem?”
He softly laughs. “No. I’ve waited twenty-two years. I guess I can wait a few more weeks.”
I freeze. “What?”
He tips the wine glass up and drains the last couple of swallows. “I’m a virgin.”
I think he’s fucking with me. I set the knife down and pick up my wine glass to take a sip. “A virgin?”
He smirks. “Never been with a guy before. Toys, yes.”
“No kidding?”
“Decided to hold off on my sexual debut until I met a guy who checked all my boxes. I know how to jerk off if I’m horny, but I’m very careful who I let close to my heart.” In this light, behind his glasses, his hazel eyes look more light green.
“I’m nearly twice your age.” I’m once again struck by the similarities to Elliot. A virgin. Except not a heavily closeted one.
“Have you happened to notice you’re pretty damned hot?” He starts to reach over the counter for the bottle of wine, but I beat him to it and fill his glass halfway before topping mine off.
“Thank you,” I say. “So are you. That doesn’t answer my question. I’m sure you can find hot guys closer to your own age. Whyme?”
I’m reasonably certain he doesn’t think I’m wealthy. I mean, I’m not a billionaire or anything but with my savings and pension, I’m comfortable, even before figuring in my salary from the campaign. Except the way I live would never give that fact away.
He smirks. “Not looking for a sugar daddy, if that’s your worry. I can show you my bank statements. Mimi left everything to me—house, benefits, life insurance, bank accounts.”
He studies me as he sips his wine. “I’ve never met a guy who checked boxes for me the way you do. I’ve met guys I was attracted to, yeah.Hellooo, FSU campus. I mean,damn, Kevin Markos.Thatguy’s gorgeous.” A jealous murmur rolls through me. “But maybe it’s because I was friends with so many of Mimi’s friends and was able to talk to them, get advice from them.
