Shaking off the remnants of his earlier mood, he walked back to Mark and Rachel and wrapped his arms around their shoulders with a smile. “What’s next?”
He was determined to make the most of the day. And tomorrow, he would get his phone, text Jay, and everything would be back to normal.
* * *
They arrived home exhausted from the long walk, with less than an hour to change before heading out to dinner. Aaron rushed through the shower, scrubbing the long day off his skin, then threw open his closet. After picking a fancy restaurant for tonight, Rachel had made it clear they should dress up, though Aaron suspected her insistence was mostly aimed at Mark. That man would have shown up at his own wedding in jeans if Aaron hadn’t gone suit shopping with him.
Still shirtless, Aaron scanned his options, wondering what would look best without being overdressed, when the intercom buzzed. Mark’s muffled voice followed. A moment later, he yelled from the other room, “Air, you got a delivery!”
Confused, Aaron poked his head out of the bedroom. “My phone’s not due until tomorrow. Besides, there’s a mail room in the building. Why are they even calling?”
“The delivery guy wants to come up.” Mark shrugged. “He says he has to hand the package to you directly, and the doorman doesn’t know what to do.”
“Fine, let him up.” Aaron sighed and threw on the first thing he could reach, then walked into the living room, fumbling with the buttons on his silky mauve shirt just in time to hear a knock.
Aaron opened the door to a young man with a messenger bag slung across his body, holding a cake box. Aaron didn’t remember ordering a cake. Maybe Mark or Rachel did?
“Delivery for Aaron Copeland.” He looked at Aaron expectantly.
“That’s me.”
“I have to make sure it’s delivered directly to the recipient.” The man shifted from foot to foot.
“Hold on.” Aaron grabbed his wallet and pulled out his ID. After a thorough inspection, the package finally made its way into his hands.
“Do I need to sign anything?” Aaron asked.
“Nope, just needed to make sure you got it. Have a good night.”
“Hold up.” Aaron looked at the box from all sides. Lightweight, with a single piece of tape holding it closed, it didn’t look like it could have survived the postal system. “There’s no label.”
“I’m a private courier. We usually travel between offices delivering time-sensitive paperwork, that sort of thing. You’re not a typical customer.” He gave Aaron a thumbs-up and walked toward the elevator.
Unable to keep his curiosity at bay, Aaron peeled back the tape and reached in to grab a small envelope resting on top. He opened it, carefully sliding out a piece of paper.
Meet me at the club. 8 o’clock. Wear everything in this box.
J
Aaron’s heart skipped a few beats as he gaped at the note in his trembling fingers. A laugh bubbled up from somewhere deep inside his chest. He couldn’t believe his eyes, rereading the carefully written words over and over.
Jay wanted to see him. Tonight.
He’d found a way to communicate with Aaron.
It was the sweetest gesture Aaron could have imagined.
“What’d you order?” Mark’s words brought him back to the present—standing in the living room and clutching the box to his chest.
“Uhhh.” Aaron wasn’t sure how to respond. He needed to calm his racing thoughts before talking to anyone. “Give me a moment.”
He charged into the bedroom and shut the door, locking it for good measure. Then he sat on the bed, setting the box in front of him, and slowly lifted the tissue paper to reveal the contents. His heart thrummed in anticipation of what he would find. He was expected to wear it—it had to be clothing.
His fingertips brushed over black latex straps, interconnected with buckles like a complicated logic puzzle. Beneath them lay a pair of matching shorts. He touched the shiny material reverently, instantly realizing there was something tucked underneath. A small rectangular box.
He tore through the discrete packaging and blushed at the smooth surface of a compact, slightly curved shape. Its glossy black exterior matched the latex and gleamed under the bedroom lights. A plug. For him. To wear.
Aaron wrapped his fingers around it. He was no stranger to plugs, but this one felt different. The silicone was velvety soft yet invitingly firm at the same time. Arousal raced through him at the idea of having it nestled inside him under the revealing clothing. There was no doubt in his mind that he would do exactly as instructed.
