by Diane Leyne
Nope, nothing to do with the fact that he was a cowboy. It wasn’t about the fact that Tanner was cute or that, like Noah, Tanner kept to himself for the most part. He was single and somewhat solitary. Everyone seemed to like him, but more often than not, Tanner would come by Candy’s Diner and eat dinner alone after working at his garage and before starting a shift at the club.
Both at the saloon and the diner, Noah had watched women approach him to flirt. He was always polite and never much of a talker, but in a few words, he could make a woman seem flattered and yet send her on her way. Noah had fantasized that he did this because he was gay, too. Noah dreamed of carrying out his steak and mashed and then falling down onto his knees and feasting on Tanner’s cock while Tanner feasted on the food Noah had made.
And speaking of his temporary boss, he had to admit that his boss Candy was as sweet as her name, a redheaded sparkplug of a woman who loved life and had made him feel right at home. He liked her, a lot, even if she was the object of desire of those two annoying agents, Sorenson and Day. He snorted. Desire? More like they were besotted with her and worshipped the ground she walked on. She, on the other hand, held them at an arm’s length most of the time.
It was clear to Noah that she didn’t like their jobs and worried about them risking their lives. There were two ex-agents from SSP who had retired and moved to Satisfaction when they entered into permanent ménage relationships. It was clear that Candy expected the same and wasn’t going to get serious about two men who had such dangerous jobs. Good for her. Fearing for your life sucked.
The two agents only visited Satisfaction every couple of weeks to check on him and spend some time with Candy, but she clearly had them wrapped around her little finger even though they were Doms and she was supposed to be their sub when they played. Dom. Sub. Play. All very new and strange concepts for him. He’d heard of that 50 Shades book, of course. Never read it. No plans to. But apparently, people in Satisfaction were pretty damned kinky. He remembered his shock when he had first found out there was a BDSM club attached a local saloon. They were having some kind of brunch, or rather munch, as they’d called it, and Candy was catering it. Noah had helped her set up. It was the only time he’d been inside and only in the main public room.
There was a bar, but it didn’t seem to have much booze. Mostly it had juice and water, and various sports drinks to balance electrolytes or something after a hard play session, or so he’d been told. He also got a good look at some of the equipment in the play area where he’d helped set up. There were tables and benches and other equipment with all sort of straps and such that he knew from the internet were spanking benches, bondage tables and two St. Andrews Crosses. He knew also what the paddles, cane, floggers and restraints were used for.
He’d felt a stirring in his cock as he imagined himself strapped down on one of the spanking benches, while a hot guy, who in his fantasies looked a lot like Tanner, whipped his ass before lubing up and fucking it. He’d had to excuse himself and make a quick trip to the men’s room to deal with his sudden erection. He’d rubbed one out in record time before rejoining Candy and finished the set up.
Looking back to when he’d arrived in Satisfaction, he snorted with laughter. He liked Whips and Spurs and often had a drink there after work. He’d had no idea, initially, about the other side of it. Now that he knew, it often featured in his fantasies. He would have liked to go in and watch, but he was told that only Doms and subs could enter, and then only when sponsored by another member. That left him out. He wasn’t a Dom and he was no one’s sub. He was also pretty sure his temporary identity couldn’t withstand the background check, so he’d have to stick to revisiting it in his imagination while he beat off alone, fantasizing about Tanner.
Chapter Two
Tanner Aronofsky watched Noah carrying out his dinner. It was late on a Tuesday and the diner was half-empty. He’d come in later than usual after wrestling his company’s tax books into submission. He’d have to hire an accountant one of these days. Between the expansion of the garage and his other businesses, he sometimes felt like he was spending more time on paperwork than doing what he enjoyed, which was getting his hands dirty under the hood.
He deliberately chose a table off to one side where he could see the entrance to the kitchen. He’d noticed Noah when he’d first arrived in Satisfaction almost three months ago.
He’d steered clear of the younger man at first, thinking that he was barely out of his teens. Besides being gay, Tanner was a Dom. He didn’t want someone barely older than a child to mold. He wanted a man, someone who was an equal out of the bedroom even as he submitted in it.
Noah certainly had a baby face, and his pale blond hair, which he wore short, and blue eyes just emphasized the sweetness of his smile. He was tall, though, almost as tall as Tanner’s own six foot three, but was probably fifty pounds lighter, maybe a lanky one seventy to Tanner’s solid two hundred twenty of pure muscle.
Tanner had made small talk with him here at Candy’s and he’d enjoying talking to him at Whips and Spurs. The young man was educated and smart, two things that didn’t always go together. He’d enjoyed their conversations, and his feelings for the younger man grew, but had kept things casual.
He was pretty sure Noah was gay and probably submissive, but he wasn’t getting any vibes that would suggest Noah would welcome his advances. Tanner knew he could have swept the boy off his feet and overwhelmed him, but that wasn’t who Tanner was.
It was Candy who’d told him that Noah was twenty-eight, ten years younger than Tanner’s own thirty-eight years. He was a man, old enough to hold his own. Tanner began to look at him in a new light. Maybe he should make a move. What was the worst that could happen? Noah could say no.
Damned matchmaker! He’d also been surprised because he thought he’d kept his attraction under wraps. If things worked out, he’d send her a big bouquet of roses. Hell, even if they didn’t, he’d send her flowers.
It had been more than a month since Candy had put him wise to the boy’s, strike that, the man’s age. He still hadn’t made a move though. He was a Dom. What if Noah wasn’t a sub?
Such indecisiveness was out of character. He realized that he was afraid that if he made a move and was turned down, that would end their friendship. Candy had grown frustrated and slapped him upside the head last week. Literally. It had hurt.
“You’re an idiot, Tanner Aranofsky. You like Noah. Tell him.”
“What if he’s not gay? What if he isn’t a sub? What if he is, but he isn’t interested in me?”
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained! I thought you were a confident man, Tanner Aronofsky. Are you too afraid to take a chance at happiness? You’ve been alone too long. Gary died and you seem to have died with him, but it’s been over five years, and you know that if he were still here, you know what he would do!” she’d declared, and then she’d slapped him upside the head again for good measure and he’d gotten the message, although he was still working slower than Candy appeared to think was appropriate. At least, though, she hadn’t walloped him again. She was one hell of a woman and if he’d swung that way, Tait and Aaron would have some stiff competition.
Now it was time to take giant leap and hope he didn’t scare Noah off.
Tanner didn’t know Noah’s story yet, but he would one of these days, preferably as a part of pillow talk after he fucked Noah’s brains out. One thing was clear, Noah had been hurt badly in some way, but Tanner had patience. He might work with motors nowadays and not horses, but he remembered from his youth on his father’s ranch how to gentle a skittish colt.
For the first few weeks, he’d seen Noah jump at every noise and he’d examined each new face as if looking for someone. Tanner wanted to pull him close, stroke his back and assure him that he’d protect him from whatever it was that scared him.
It had to be something to do with the law, since Noah also seemed to be acquainted with Tait and Aaron, who were some kind of super-secret investigators
where Quin and Nicola used to work. Tanner smothered a grin. It was a small town. There were few secrets. He’d concluded early on that Noah was on the run from something, and the agents were protecting him. He had to be one of the good guys. Those innocent blue eyes didn’t appear to be capable to lying or deceit.
He wondered what they’d look like when they were glazed with passion.
He watched Noah as he set the plate before him, with Candy hovering in the background. She was glaring at him and made a slapping motion.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” Noah had started turning even before he’d gotten the rest of the sentence out. Clearly he decided that after asking six nights a week for the last two months that he knew the answer. Time to shake things up.
“Yes, there is.” He saw Candy grin and nod approvingly. He wanted to stick his tongue out at her, but now was not the time. Maybe he’d ask Tait and Aaron to spank her extra hard for him.
And then he stopped thinking about Candy as Noah stopped midstep and turned to look at him enquiringly.
“I’m sorry. Did you say you needed something?” He looked startled and confused, and so damned cute.
“Yes, I do. Why don’t you take a seat?” He indicated the chair opposite him. He saw Noah’s eyes flicker his way and then look at the chair and back to Tanner. He looked puzzled.
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand…”
“Not much to understand. You asked what you could do for me. Well, you can sit down and keep me company while I eat. Or maybe you would like to eat with me?”
“I, uh…”
Just then, Candy swept up, having clearly continued to eavesdrop.
“Need something, Tanner?”
“I’m trying to convince Noah to keep me company while I eat, but he seems to be hesitant. Surely, he can take some time to keep a customer happy. Perhaps he could eat his own dinner with me if he hasn’t had it yet?”
“What a great idea. Noah’s been working hard all day and I know he hasn’t eaten yet. You sit down, Noah, and take a break. The place is pretty quiet. I’ll just grab you some of the chicken and a nice Caesar salad. I’ll be right back.”
Tanner watched Noah try to protest and Candy run right over him, metaphorically, of course. Hell, she was used to handling two hardheaded Dominant men. One sweet little sub who probably didn’t even realize he was one was a piece of cake. He’d watched her work on Noah for weeks, making him feel comfortable and a part of things. Tanner had watched Noah blossom under her interest and guidance. He looked, if not happy, then content. Now it was time for Tanner to win him over, too.
“Well?”
“Well what?” The belligerence from the early days was back.
“Sit!”
He watched as Noah warily sat. Then Candy bustled out with a plate for Noah, which she set before him. She also dropped off a pitcher of ice tea. “You two boys take your time. LuLu and I can handle things on our own until closing.”
And then she was gone. He watched Noah’s head swivel as if to call her back for abandoning him, but then he turned and looked at Tanner. Shrugging, he picked up is fork and started eating.
Tanner smiled and then returned to his own meal. It was a start.
* * * *
Noah ate and watched Tanner through downcast eyes. What the hell was going on? Tanner always ate alone. Sure, they chatted at Whips and Spurs when they were part of the crowd, but he never asked Noah to join him for dinner. He always ate alone. Always.
He felt like his world was being turned upside down again. He’d struggled so hard for so many years and lost it all. Now he was killing time until he could start again. He’d gotten used to Candy fussing over him like a mother hen, which was pretty funny considering she was only two years older than he was. But he felt comforted by her. He trusted Candy. He also, he admitted reluctantly, trusted Tait and Aaron, although their support was tied to what he could do for them.
He’d even come to not hate Satisfaction. He wouldn’t go so far as to say he liked it, but he was starting to feel at home. He already knew more people by name, and they him, than in Chicago and he’d lived there since he was eighteen.
“You know, if you ever change your mind about opening your own business, I’d be glad to help you get started.” Tanner offered.
Noah started choking and stopped eating to sip some water.
“Um, I guess, I mean, I’ve been thinking about it, but it would mean leaving Satisfaction. There are already enough restaurants here. Besides, I wouldn’t want to hurt Candy’s business.”
“There’s always Kinsdale.” Tanner didn’t push, didn’t question. He just continued eating his meal.
Kinsdale was a possibility. It was the county seat and had a population of almost thirty thousand. It was only fifteen minutes from the small house that he’d been set up in.
He felt himself stiffening. It wouldn’t do to become too attached to this place or these people. Candy had only taken him in because of her boyfriends, and they weren’t his real friends either. Once he testified, they’d drop him like a hot potato. They said he could settle anywhere after he’d done his duty, but would they really want him to stick around Satisfaction? They’d probably be glad to see his back as he left town. Hell, no one here was really his friend. They didn’t know the real Noah. They only knew the confident face he showed them. If they only knew that his own family had kicked him out at eighteen. If they knew he was gay. If, if, if.
“Why aren’t you eating? Food not prepared correctly? I can talk to the chef. Maybe beat his ass and make him try again.”
Noah felt a chuckle pop out. He was the chef, and the food was good and Tanner knew it. Then the rest of his words sunk in. He looked up at Tanner. Was he just making a joke or was really he threatening to beat Noah’s ass?
He felt his cock twitch. He swallowed hard and a piece of chicken went down the wrong way. He started choking again and then took a sip of the iced tea. Tanner half stood and patted his back and Noah felt his cock twitch harder at the other man’s touch.
Great, that’s all he needed. Tanner would probably freak if he knew what Noah was feeling. He fought for control. He’d be casual. After all, they chatted regularly in the saloon. They were buddies. Just because they were alone together here, why should it be any different?
“So.” he tried to keep his voice casual as he struggled to make conversation. “What’s up?”
“My cock.”
Tanner’s casual words combined with the sight of him continuing to eat his steak caused Noah to laugh. Clearly, he misheard.
“I’m sorry, but I thought you said…” His voice trailed off as he couldn’t force himself to say the words.
“You asked me what was up. I told you. My cock. Hard as a rock, ever since I touched you. What about you?”
Noah was at a loss. His cock was hard, too, but he didn’t think it was appropriate to talk about it, not with a customer. But then again, he’d brought up cocks first.
“I, uh. I’m not quite sure what to say.”
“No need to answer now, although I really hope your cock is hard, too. Unless I’ve misread things and you aren’t gay. In which case, I apologize for my remark.”
Noah just stared for a moment, his mind whirling as everything that he’d believed seemed to shift.
“Well, yes, but how did you know?” Noah pitched his voice low and looked around to see if anyone was listening. “Does everyone know? Shit, I thought…”
“You thought people would assume you were hetero? Why would that matter?
“You let everyone think you are straight. How is that any different?
Tanner shook his head. “You may have assumed, but all the locals know my preferences. I lived openly with a man for five years. We were just as accepted as all of these ménages you see here in Satisfaction. That’s why I love this town. People don’t judge.”
“What happened? Why did you two break up?”
“He died.”
Natha
niel felt his stomach drop. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know…”
“How could you? It was almost five years ago and someday I’ll tell you all about Gary, but not now.
“Anyway, life goes on. I’ve never been into casual sex and I’m fine with my own company. That’s why I have so much free time to help out at The Whips and Spurs. As for the tourists, well, I don’t feel the need to announce it to them.” He shrugged. “I don’t get offended when the women hit on me. You, on the other hand, I knew you were gay the first time I saw you. Don’t ask me how. What do they call it nowadays? Gaydar?”
He laughed and kept eating. “So, Noah Grainger, over the last few weeks, we’ve talked about everything under the sun except for two things, you and me. Why don’t you tell me something about yourself? For example, why did you come to Satisfaction? You clearly aren’t enamored by the cowboy lifestyle. And you certainly didn’t come here to get a job working in a diner. Candy has good food, but you are a chef, a good one. You’re slumming, working here.”
“How would you know?”
Tanner laughed again as he slid the last piece of steak between his lips and chewed. Then he swallowed and followed it up with a sip of water.
“Oh, please. I know good food. Those mashed potatoes don’t have just milk and butter. Yesterday’s scalloped potatoes were divine and the potatoes au gratin last week certainly didn’t have just one type of cheese. Don’t look at me like that. I do have taste buds. And I lived in Paris for two years. You’re Cordon Bleu trained, don’t deny it.” He grinned and Noah felt like a bunch butterflies had invaded his stomach as he nodded. “And those garlic potatoes you make on Thursdays, they are like heaven in my mouth. The only thing better than that”—he leaned forward and Noah found himself leaning forward as Tanner lowered his voice—“will be when I have your cock in my mouth.” The butterflies morphed into an entire flock of birds, all flapping their wings and trying to escape.
