“Why did he say we’re alike then?”
“Dimitri was significantly younger than me and very attractive. I doted on him, as I do you, but Dimitri was a materialistic social climber who used me for my money and connections and left me for a richer man.”
“One of your friends?”
How could he know that?
“Not anymore. But you, sweetheart, are a rich man already, so I don’t have to worry that you’re using me for my money. And I can spoil you as much as I want.”
“Your money is the least interesting thing about you,” he says dismissively.
“I’m not sure that’s a compliment but thank you.”
“Are you going to leave me?”
“No, but you might decide you want to move on. Simeon was right that you are very young. And there are a lot of other men out there who might be better suited for you. Or women.”
“Yellow.”
I nod, realizing my mistake. I should have been more explicit with him in the beginning. I will remedy that now. “I should have told you this before, but you may use your safewords at any time, any place, no matter what we’re doing or who we’re with. Which part of what I said is yellow for you?”
He adopts a flat, unaffected tone when he says, “This boy does not wish to contemplate a future without his Sir, even in the hypothetical.”
“Would you consider that a hard or soft limit?”
“Medium.”
This gives me some cause for concern. “Do you believe our dynamic to be a condition of our relationship?” I’m worried he might see it as such, despite my assurances to the contrary.
“No, but I’m not content to stay here only as your house guest, not anymore. I want this, Sir. I’ve never wanted anything more.”
I nod, relieved at his affirmation. “Very well. I was going to wait to talk to you about this until the day of, but I believe the timing is right. You have a therapy appointment on Wednesday with a woman named Rebekah. She’s going to call your phone at 11 a.m. and I expect you to answer.”
“What are we going to talk about?” he asks, shifting nervously in his seat.
“That is entirely up to you and her, but I expect you to be punctual and willing.”
“What if she says I’m too broken? Then will you leave me?”
“I doubt she’ll say that. That would make her a very bad therapist. And I will not leave you, Giovanni, as much as I wouldn’t cut off my own arm. Now, as for the mess in the kitchen.”
“I’m sorry,” he says automatically. “I’ll pay for it.”
“That is not the point. These things in my apartment are precious. I have selected them for their beauty and functionality, and they are very special to me. Besides that, they do not belong to you. Therefore, they are not yours to break. Those dishes could have been priceless heirlooms from my deceased mother.”
“Were they?”
“Fortunately for you, no. But I will not tolerate any sort of violence in my home. I deal with enough of it out there.” I motion to the messy, complicated world outside my penthouse. “My home is my sanctuary and the one place I feel safe, and I expect you to honor it as such.”
“Would you kick me out because of it?”
“No, I will not,” I say again, patiently, since this is clearly an area where he needs reassurance. “You are part of me now, as I am part of you. Remember that when the voices get loud.” He blinks, then nods, indicating I might proceed. “I want you to promise me that you will not destroy my possessions in a fit of rage.” It doesn’t seem like a big ask to me, but he licks his lips and studies me closely.
“I’ll try very hard not to,” he says at last.
I suppose that’s better than making a promise he can’t keep.
“I am very disappointed in your behavior today, but we will rectify your mistakes together. We will both learn from this incident and hopefully not repeat it. Now, go put on boots and rubber gloves so you can clean up your mess. Then we’ll discuss your punishment.”
