“Idiot. Let’s see, it’s Thursday, so how about we meet Saturday? At eight?”
“Sounds good to me. Thanks, man.”
Andrew grinned. “That’s what friends are for. Plus, I don’t have the money to make bail for you.”
“Where’s the trust, Andrew? Of course I have an account set up for situations like this.”
“You’re incorrigible. See you later.”
“Bye, Andrew.”
After ending the call, Andrew finished cleaning his kitchen, braved the afternoon rush until he was sold out yet again, sent Mark, his other part-timer, home, and then went upstairs to prepare for his evening with Curtis. After a short internal debate, Andrew opted for casual, which was kind of inevitable, since he didn’t own any other clothes. Simple jeans, a dark green T-shirt that accentuated his slim waist and toned arms, and a pair of brown loafers would hopefully impress Curtis into a nice make-out session and perhaps a little more. After the negotiations were done, of course. Speaking of which, Andrew went to the small breakfast table by the kitchen window to grab the contract he had printed from the internet. It was a standard form that could be easily adjusted to individual needs. There were dozens like it to be found online. The reason Andrew had chosen this one and sent it to Curtis as well was because of the extensive list of BDSM practices mentioned there. He wanted to make sure he and Curtis covered all their bases before entering into a contract, even if it was only a preliminary one since everything was still so new. Contract in hand, Andrew grabbed his keys and left the apartment.
FORTY MINUTESlater he stood in front of Curtis’s door, waiting for him to answer the ring. The two-story house wasn’t as grand as Andrew had envisioned on his drive through the definitely upscale neighborhood, but charming with the outer walls painted a soft pink hue and the iron-wrought balcony and wooden shutters in a blinding white. The generous front yard teemed with flowers of all colors and hinted at an at least equally big backyard. Andrew had no problems admitting to himself that he would love living in a place like this.
The door opened, and Andrew was overwhelmed by Curtis’s unique smell and stunning good looks. He wore light gray linen slacks and a baby blue Henley shirt that made his eyes shine.
“Hello, Andrew. You’re right on time. Our dinner was delivered only ten minutes ago.”
“Lucky me and hello to you, too, Curtis.” Andrew decided to be bold. He leaned forward to press a kiss on Curtis’s lips and was delighted when Curtis opened right up. They kissed until they were both breathless.
“Wow, we didn’t even make it through the door. It’s been some time since I made out in public.” Curtis grinned happily.
“I don’t know about public, but yeah, it’s kind of nice to be overcome by hormones.” Andrew took Curtis’s hand. “May I come in?”
An adorable blush crept into Curtis’s cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m a terrible host, aren’t I?”
“No, darling, you’re not. You’re just swept off your feet by my charming personality.” Andrew hoped the teasing was evident in his tone. When Curtis’s eyes began to sparkle, he knew he had won.
“That must be it. Anyway, why don’t you come inside? Maybe I can sweepyouoff your feet with my impeccable taste in furnishing.”
“Consider me swayed. No matter what your taste, it’s sure better than mine. I’m more of a practical guy.”
Curtis gave a delicate shudder and led him into the house. The corridor was broad and well lit, opening into a huge living room/kitchen area that looked out onto the gigantic backyard through a floor-to-ceiling window front. An L-shaped couch in a warm orange hue faced a flat-screen TV on the blinding white wall. Two armchairs and a low wooden coffee table completed the living room. The polished hardwood floor reached into the British-country-style kitchen with a generous cooking island in the middle. Andrew usually preferred stainless steel in a kitchen due to his job, but the brass pans hanging from a hook rack above the cooking island actually worked perfectly with the more modern style of the living room.
“You have a beautiful home, Curtis. Consider me swept off my feet.”
Curtis smiled. “Perfect. Keep that in mind and let’s agree to never have me cooking for you. That way, your adoration for me will never wane.”
“You’re not a cook?”
Curtis shuddered. “I never learned because I grew up having a cook at home and in the boarding schools I went to. My mother considered cooking as something dirty, and after my first attempt at producing a meal on my own, I had to agree with her, which doesn’t happen often. It took me two days to get the kitchen clean again. Since then, I’ve entered a stable relationship with several restaurants that do deliver and haven’t looked back once.”
“So your kitchen is just for show?”
“More or less. It’s a place where I can transfer the delivered food from the boxes onto plates. In my book that counts as cooking.”
Andrew slung his arm around Curtis’s waist and kissed him soundly on his cheek. “It does, darling. And if the two of us work out, which I very much hope, your kitchen is going to see a lot of action. More baking-wise, since I’m not into cooking that much, but at least those pricey appliances will earn their keep.”
“You’re trying to bribe me with the prospect of sweets.” Curtis waggled his eyebrows. “I approve.”
“I’m so glad. Now how about we plate the food you ordered so expertly and then we sit down and talk.”
Curtis nodded, suddenly nervous. “Yes, let’s talk.”
They put the salad in two bowls, the spaghetti vongole on plates, and grabbed two glasses and a bottle of red grape juice to go with their meal. Andrew would have loved nothing more than to have real wine, but negotiating a contract—just like doing a scene—had to be done while all parties were sober. He was glad Curtis took this all seriously enough to stay away from alcohol without Andrew having to mention it. Then again, Curtis wasn’t some untried, young, new-to-the-scene boy. He was an experienced sub and mature man. Of course he would take their negotiations seriously. They settled down at the dining table in a little nook next to the kitchen. After he had taken several forks of the delicious pasta, Curtis looked up.
“That was a very thorough contract you sent me.” He sounded a bit hesitant.
