I want to see how far I can push myself. How far my body will go, surpassing my mind and leaving it behind to seek pleasure in the darkest corners of Arnie’s home. What would it feel like to spank his tanned ass? Would he love it as much as I did?
I lick my lips at the sight of him, and his eyes narrow as he tracks the movement.
“Now, Jamie, it is not the time. You’ve had a couple of stressful days, and I don’t need you looking at me like that. Not right this second, anyway.”
He looks pained to have had to tell me off for checking him out, so I stick my tongue out at him and laugh as he looks fake appalled.
Arnie is fun. Who knew?
“Okay, so I have spoken with the university, and they will still see you in a couple of weeks. They can’t see you any sooner unfortunately and have insisted that you do not return to classes yet, but that’s more because I told them you had an awful case of the mumps and needed bed rest,” he declares in his gruff adult voice now that he’s back to talking business.
He then wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I sit gobsmacked that this is the same man who told me I was nothing but a paid job just a short few weeks ago.
“Beau suggested you take as much time as you need, and they hope you feel better soon. No one will find you here, so you are welcome to stay as long as you like. I have a spare room across the hall from mine, and we will suspend your sessions until everything is resolved.
I go to open my mouth, but he stops me. His pecs tensing as he puts his hand out towards me. One long vein runs from his right wrist all the way up his forearm before stopping around his elbow, where he has matching spiderwebs on both arms. I achingly hope he lets me explore every part of him. And soon. Fantasizing about touching him in specific ways and never doing so, despite being so wound up, will drive me insane. Thinking about it though, Arnie would likely get off knowing my struggle to contain myself.
“Jamie, it’s not that I don’t want to continue; it’s just that we have a lot to discuss. Your classes and spot at uni are at risk, plus you’re vulnerable now. I won’t take advantage.”
He’s right, I should take some time to think about what’s happened now that I find myself in his home, homeless and inhiding. But I also knew that I wanted more with him before shit hit the fan.
“But I ate and relaxed like you told me,” I pout.
He gives me that look, the one that tells me he’s all Dom in this situation, and I give in, shoulders slumping in defeat.
He notices and comes over to where I’m still seated and drops to one knee, his rough hand cupping my cheek.
“Look, Jamie, there’s nothing more I want than to do another scene with you, especially one that’s not a punishment. But after I saw you in your bed like that…” he trails off, but I know what he meant. He sighs, not meeting my eyes. Almost as if he’s upset by what he saw.
“I’m not depressed anymore if that’s what you think, A. I just felt that spiral again when it all got too much, and I allowed it to swallow me. I should…. I should have called you,” I mutter, picking at the hem of my T-shirt.
He takes a moment, considering my answer, taking his time with his own.
“If you are staying with me, then I want you to tell me more about your stepdad, Jamie. I know it might be hard, but I want to know what we are up against so that I can handle it before he gets to town.”
We? He wants to help me even more than he already does.
“Jamie. I told you. I’m here to ensure you become that remarkable version of yourself that you once were and will be again. Don’t fight me on this. I’ve already spoken to numerous staff, including Simmons, and they’ve all agreed to report back if anyone on campus is asking around for you. I’ll help you with your meeting with the Dean, too, and we will get you on track to still graduate next year. You told me before that you trusted me. So, keep doing that and we will get through it. I promise.”
I listen, eyes glazed over with salty tears, as I think of what he's proclaiming. That there are people here willing to look out for me. I shake my head and some tears escape, hitting my lap.
Arnie draws me in for a hug as I sob once again onto his bare chest. This time, though, the tears are not from fear or dejection but from overwhelming gratitude that I have him in my life despite not earning it.
As he soothes me, my tears dripping onto his bronze skin, I whisper a hushedthank you.
Chapter 16
Arnie
I show Jamie into the guest room opposite mine where his packed belongings sit at the foot of the bed.
Fresh orange sheets are on the bed, which sits in the right corner of the room by the large window that takes up the full wall.
It’s not as large as mine and doesn’t have an ensuite, but I hope that Jamie will feel safe and settled here with me. There’s also the chance to still entertain some rules of the agreement between us even if I have shelved the intimacy for now.
“Go ahead and put your things away, then meet me back in the kitchen. I have some rules I would like to discuss with you while you’re living here,” I tell him as I open the curtains and let some air in through the window. It’s a quiet street, so aside from the birds, there isn’t much noise on this side of the house.
“I don’t have many people use this room anymore, so you can do whatever you want to it whilst living here. If you hate the bold colours, then I have no problem with you redecorating to your own tastes.”
