I find myself being rolled unceremoniously from the bed, the room pitch black.
‘Gedoff, bazza! Leemealone!’ Disorientated, my arms flail until I recollect where I am.
‘Move over a little,’ the voice softly says. ‘You’re lying in the middle of the bed like a starfish.’
Okay, not rolledfromthe bed, just from the middle.
‘What time is it?’ Sitting now, I brush away the hair plastered across my face.
‘A little after one.’
I bounce a little against the mattress as Kai sits heavily, his boots hitting the floor with athunk-thunk.Tugging off his shirt, he fumbles with his belt, ridding himself of his pants before sliding under the covers, and wrapping me in his arms.
‘Where’ve you been?’ I mumble against his warm chest.
‘The pub. With your dad.’
I make to pull away, to face him, not sure I’ve heard right. ‘That’s where your meeting was?’
Through the darkness, there’s a gleam of teeth. ‘Think it was some kind of test. I’m his new favourite person, I think.’ He tilts his head to look at me. ‘I’ma bonza bloke. Fair dinkum, love.’ As he chuckles, his warm whiskey breath blows across my neck.
‘You’re pissed, you mean.’
‘Only slightly, darling.’ His voice brims with smiling derision. ‘Your father has a liking for expensive amber liquor.’
‘You mean if he’s not paying. If he’s gotta put his hand in his pocket, it’s a round of Toohey’s tops.’
‘I’d endure far worse things than beer for you.’
‘Gee, you’re all heart. You went on a bender just for me?’ Bloody men.
He nods heavily, his head falling back against the pillows. ‘Got drunk for love. And Geoff loves me. Had him drinking out of my hand—eating. He waseatingout of my hand.’
‘Well done. Remind me to thank you properly some other time.’ Like the twelfth of never.
‘Don’t think you’ll feel thanks are in order when you hear what he had to say.’ His voice softens, his words lengthening with the sudden onset of slumber.
‘AndIdon’t think you’ll be telling me anything new.’ Same shit different day, as far as the olds are concerned. I softly brush the hair that’s fallen across his brow.
‘Says you’re wilful. Need to be taken in hand.’
‘Mate, I’d like to see him try.’ He’s not big enough, any day of the week.
He chuckles softly again. ‘Not like that. Besides, that’s my job now.’ My heart thumps once loudly. Appreciation, I think, as a slow smile grows across his face, but he doesn’t open his eyes.
‘Made me think, in the cab on the way back.’
‘Yeah?’ The word sounds breathy, wanton.Encouraging.
‘Might be wrong.’
‘What might be?’Kai turns wrong into right so easily.
‘Me.’ He sighs, his arms around my waist slackening. ‘It’s a D/s thing.’
D/s? Does he mean BS? And if so, what exactlyisbullshit in this instance?
‘What?’ I wrap my hands around his face, shaking his head a little when he doesn’t respond. ‘Kai, wake up. What d’you mean?’
