Yes, he thought, but he clamped his mouth shut. As much as he wanted to see Vincent, him showing up unannounced would only stir up drama. And he didn’t need Amber kicking him out for not focusing on getting through college. “No,” he said softly, “that’s okay.”
“You’re sure?”
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “I have an assignment to finish, and then I’m going to bed.”
Vincent hummed softly, as if he wasn’t quite convinced. “Call me if you change your mind.”
“Okay. Night, Sir.”
“Good night, pet.”
Jasper set the phone down after Vincent hung up. He was still exhausted, but at least he didn’t have the urge to smash his head against the wall anymore.
TUESDAY WASmarginally better, but his two-hour lecture dragged on foryears. He managed not to spill anything on himself at work, but then Amber texted to say she was stuck in a last-minute meeting and couldn’t pick him up. And since Tuesday was date night for Keith, Matt, and Reiko, he was stuck taking the bus and then walking ten blocks home.
It was early enough in the year that the heat wasn’t stifling, but he was still covered in sweat by the time he got inside.
For once, the place was empty, which meant no one to pry into his business. He dumped his bag in his room and took a shower, then made breakfast for dinner, relishing finally having some peace and quiet. Unfortunately it didn’t last long enough for him to finish eating, but he shoveled the rest of the food into his mouth and escaped to his room before he could be bombarded with questions.
Maybe it was rude, but he didn’t feel like dealing with anyone, so he settled in to study. He had a couple of tests next week, and he couldn’t afford to flunk out.
He kept glancing at his phone, waiting for a call or text from Vincent, but none came. He told himself not to be disappointed. Vincent didn’t contact him every day. Why would he start now?
Logically he knew there were any number of reasons Vincent wouldn’t call him, but it didn’t keep the hurt or doubt from creeping in.
AS HEwas getting ready to leave for class on Wednesday morning, Vincent finally sent a text.
Can you be ready by 5?
He grinned and replied withDefinitely, can’t wait
His last class ended at two thirty, which gave him plenty of time to get home, even if he had to walk.
Good, see you soon.
Jasper’s stomach tightened with excitement. He wasn’t sure how he was going to make it through classes with five o’clock hanging overhim, but he’d manage. Two days was too fucking long. Even worse than the five days he’d had to wait the last few weeks. How had he managed to wait that long?
Maybe he could talk Vincent into making Wednesday a part of the contract, or would that be too clingy? Shayne had started avoiding him the moment Jasper asked to see him outside of whatever gig he had going that week. Actually most of his relationships tended to follow that path.
It didn’t help that the few guys he’d dated in high school had still had both feet in the closet or were “just experimenting.” College was supposed to have been better, but since he didn’t live on campus, he hadn’t had many chances to hang out with anyone. He’d gone to some parties last year, which was how he’d met Shayne, so he wasn’t too compelled to repeat that clusterfuck.
Maybe he should keep his mouth shut in case asking for more of Vincent’s time ruined his chances at renewing the contract. And what kind of stupid arrangement was that anyway? Who actually used a contract in lieu of a relationship? Or was the point tonot havea relationship?
Fuck. Why did he even care? This wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a few weeks of great sex and experiencing being tied up. They weren’tboyfriends.
Vincent had probably never had something as mundane as a boyfriend in his life. Jasper needed to get rid of that expectation now, before it ruined everything.
This was nothing but sex.
Hot, kinky, blow-your-mind sex.
That was way better than any kind of fucking relationship.
He’d even managed to convince himself of that by the time the driver dropped him off at Vincent’s.
He knocked, then tested the doorknob and found it unlocked. He stepped inside after a moment’s hesitation. “Sir?” he called, toeing off his shoes by the door.
“Pet.”
