It was probably just the nervous energy that swirled around Scott like an emotional typhoon that pulled Joe’s attention, no matter how many drunks and flirts stood between them.
As Joe served drinks, turned down propositions, and brought sloshed customers quickly into line, most of his attention remained on Scott. He seemed even more nervous than usual today. Whatever he’d written in his note had to be a real doozey.
Joe’s cock strained against the inside of his fly in anticipation. What would Scott consider extreme?
It was impossible to be certain. There were times when Scott seemed to take the kinkiest of things in his stride and almost managed to act like the kind of subs Joe was used to. But on other occasions, even a chaste little kiss could have Scott blushing and stammering like an inexperienced teenager.
Joe kept doing his job, but he was working almost entirely on automatic pilot now. He’d never in his life been more grateful to be on the early shift. He glanced impatiently at the clock placed discretely under the bar. Finally!
Catching the eye of the other bartender working that night, Joe pointed at his wrist. He wasn’t actually wearing a watch, but the guy got the idea and waved goodbye in return.
Joe moved quickly to the other side of the bar. Within moments, he stood right in front of Scott.
Tilting back his head, Scott looked up at him. “Hello, s-sir.”
Joe grinned at the honorific. Yeah, Scott was definitely in the mood to get kinky.
Taking Scott by the wrist, Joe headed for a quieter part of the club, so he could read Scott’s note and hear what he had to say without the pounding beat from the speakers drowning out every other stuttered word.
Three rooms later, Joe finally found two seats in a cosy little corner that wasn’t already occupied by guys making out and scrabbling at each other’s flies.
Two high stools stood alongside a bar-height table. Joe hopped up onto a seat and held out his hand.
Scott took his right hand out of his pocket in response, but kept his fist tightly clenched around the envelope he held. He made no attempt to hand it over.
“Scott?”
Scott continued to stare at his hand and the envelope as if completely transfixed by how white his knuckles were and how creased the paper was getting.
“Scott?” Joe repeated.
Nothing. Scott didn’t even blink.
Joe frowned. He reached out, intending to grab Scott’s shoulder and shake him out of whatever daydream he was lost in.
Scott jerked his head up. His hand disappeared behind his back, taking the envelope with it and hiding it from Joe like a kid who was afraid that the school bully might steal his favourite toy.
“What the hell’s got into you tonight?” Joe demanded.
Scott dropped his gaze. Bringing his hand back in front of him, he smoothed the crumpled envelope out against his knee.But Joe didn’t miss the fact that Scott’s grip on the corner of the letter remained as firm as ever.
Joe’s heart raced faster and faster as he tried to work out what was wrong and what had suddenly changed between them. It soon felt like his chest might explode from the sheer pressure behind his pulse.
Joe stopped trying to hide his annoyance. “Scott, start talking,” he ordered. “Now.”
“Can I ask you f-for a f-f-favour, s-sir?” Scott rushed out.
Was that all? That’s what he was so nervous about? “Ask.”
Scott swallowed several times in quick succession. “C-c-can we do whatever you w-want tonight instead?”
Joe glanced down at the envelope. “Couldn’t make up your mind what to write?” he guessed.
“No. I…I d-did write s-s-something. I j-just…” Scott paused for a deep breath. “I’d r-rather you didn’t read it until the end of our d-d-date, if you don’t m-mind, sir.”
Joe studied Scott for a moment. He was damned if he could work out why, but the thing seemed to be important to Scott. And, for better or worse, that made it important to Joe too.
“Fine.” Joe stood up, glad that was all sorted out and dealt with so they could move on to the more enjoyable part of their evening. “You can give it to me at the end of the scene.”
