There’s another message from Jefferson. He’d been sending little messages all day. Some were just asking me how I was. Others were reminding me how much fun he had with me last night and others were him telling me things about him, then asking me a question. Sure enough, there was a picture of him lying in bed, shirtless. I bite down on my lip as I let out a groan. Older men are definitely the way to go.
Me: Hey I’m working. I won’t be able to talk until Monday.
Jefferson: Come over Monday night.
Me: I can’t. I need to work and I’m hoping to have a job booked.
Jefferson: Clear your schedule.
He’s anything but persistent.
Me: As much as I’d like to, I can't. I have to work. Time’s running out and I still don’t have all the money.
He doesn’t respond. There are no bubbles dancing, so I start making my way to the front. I’ve just stepped up beside Malcolm when my phone vibrates.
I look real quick, seeing I have a message from Foxy’s.
Subject: New Booking – URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED
Opening it, I find an urgent message for a booking for Monday night. Eight hours starting at six. And it’s Jefferson.
A part of me wants to decline it. Him paying to spend time with me makes me feel dirty. But I know he did for two reasons. He wanted to see me and he knows I need money.
What the fuck do I do? I don’t have time to think when a text comes in.
Jefferson: Don’t overthink it. Just accept it.
Fuck, reading it when he takes control like that is so fucking hot. My hands hover over the screen, knowing that Malcolm is watching me and I need to hurry. Screw it. I send a quick email accepting and giving my address as the pick up location.
Jefferson: Good boy.
When I get back to the table, Malcolm’s already paid the bill and is ready to go.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod, picking up my glass, taking one last sip of water as he stands. My eyes go wide when he reaches out, takes my hand in his and leads me out of the restaurant. Malcolm keeps his head up, eyes in front of him, and not once do I see him look around to see if we’re being watched.
“Have a nice evening,” the hostess tells us as we pass by her.
“Thank you,” we say in unison.
Stepping outside the building he spins me around, wrapping his arms around my waist as he kisses me deeply.
“Thank you,” he whispers breathlessly. “For getting me here. I thought going into tonight I’d be nervous. Scared. Ashamed of who I am. But I wasn’t. And it’s all because of you.”
I shake my head because he’s wrong. “No, that was all you. For finally seeing the amazing person you are. No one’s opinion of you matters but yours, Malcolm.”
“Let’s go take that walk through the park. I want to show off the man I’m on a date with and make people jealous. Plus, I still need to practice being comfortable with PDA.” He winks and I smile widely.
“Then by all means let’s go make out in public.” I pull from our embrace, slipping my arm around his waist as we walk down the sidewalk toward the park.
Chapter 22
Malcolm
Lastnightwasamazing,but this is so much better. I’ve been awake for about an hour, but I haven't budged. Not exactly true. I did roll to my side so I could peer at the man lying next to me. His body curled up so close to me, I can almost taste him.
Bradley’s lashes lay along his sunkissed skin, his pouty lips parted slightly as soft breaths of air pass over them. His hair is in disarray, sticking up in all directions, and my fingers yearn to weave their way through his short tendrils.
