“Right.Sorry.I’m just saying…I can see why someone like Mr.Collins would want to take care of you, and not even you specifically.Just in general.”
Theo rolled his eyes.“Right.Rich guy falls for his sex worker.Tale as old as time.Before, when I used to be a cam boy, do you have any idea how many people said they’d want to take care of me, and all I had to do was take care of them?”
“More than ten?”
“Yes.A lot more.It’s a stupid fucking tale.It’s a lie.”Theo slumped back in his seat.“But it’s moot.I’m your new part-time bar person.”
Carl brightened.“Oh, so you’re actually coming back to the Boudoir?Nice.Can I tell Kira?”
“Sure.”
Carl glanced over at him.“Have you told Mr.Collins yet?”
Theo crossed his arms.“I will.”
Theo had considered peeling off his sweater, but it was a little chilly after all, with clouds that had moved in a few hours ago.He left his bag in the kitchen and got out the book, then he looked at the stove.
I could go for some hot chocolate right now.It would be nice if Peter were here to make it.
Theo had half a mind to text Peter, but he didn’t.He got himself a glass of water and took his book to the expansive living room with him, chose a corner of one of the big couches, and curled up there.He still felt odd moving around here.Peter’s house was like a show home that no one lived in.
Apart from my desk in the conservatory.That’s more cluttered than the whole rest of this place.To think he got me a desk and put it in there.
With a sigh, Theo opened the book and started into the fantasy.The story wasn’t too bad, at least, even if the hero was sketchy, a little too sexy, and decidedly too aloof.
Theo was maybe thirty pages in when he heard the front door open.He checked his phone.It was too early for Peter to be home.
“Peter?”
“Yes.”Peter came into the room, looking as handsome as he had this morning in his suit.“You’re home already?”
“Oh.Yeah.”He showed off his book.“Stopped by the bookstore.”
Peter sat on the couch next to him and reached for Theo’s hand.“A Crown of Silver and Dragon Scale.I didn’t think that was for you.Dearest, your hands are cold.Should I—”
“Hot chocolate.”Theo blushed.“Only if you don’t have work to finish up.I just had a bit of a craving for hot chocolate when I got home, but it’s not like you have to.”
Peter’s icy eyes brightened.“I’ll make you some.Is there anything else you want?”
Theo almost didn’t say anything, but maybe some of the mimosas they’d had were still in his system.“Uh, I’m going to help out Celeste at the Boudoir.”Peter’s face fell.“Not like that!Just…behind the bar, okay?She’s a bit short-staffed, and I know my way around the place, know what to watch out for.I already told her yes.”The brightness in Peter’s eyes dimmed.“You’re not talking me out of this.I should be contributing.Also, can we put something in the contract about you not seeing other people?I mean, you can’t exactly put a collar on a cock, I know that, but prenups have clauses like that, right, so maybe our contract can too?”
“You want to collar my cock?”
Theo’s eyes widened.“Nope.Unless you’re into wearing a cage.So you’re not mad?”
Peter sighed.“Dearest, why would I be mad at you?”
Theo shrugged.“’Cause you don’t want me to work at a bar?”
“You’re right, I’d rather you didn’t.Perhaps we can arrange something with Celeste.I might know someone who can work for her permanently, and then you can focus on your studies, Theodore.I’d not want you to get exhausted.After all, this job might involve late hours.”
He sounded entirely reasonable and objective.If Peter had been any kind of confrontational, it would have been so easy, so straightforward, but this?It felt like… Theo had nothing to compare it to.He just didn’t like how it felt.But I have to do it.I can’t give up working.It’s too dangerous.
“It wouldn’t be every day, okay?Maybe on the weekend.And once or twice during the week.”
“And when will you rest, Theodore?”Peter kissed Theo’s hand.“What if you get sick from exhaustion?”
Theo snorted.“What am I, some Victorian lady who can’t do without her breakfast wine and her fainting couch?”
