He hated the idea of buying secondhand sneakers, but Kyle had sanitized them in the microwave before he used an entire can of Lysol on them when he brought them home, just as a website had instructed.
Kyle rushed downstairs to the kitchen, finding Grant… fully dressed, unfortunately… dishing up a bowl of chili and offering a bottle of Corona. Grant had his own filled bowl on the table across from Kyle, a cold bottle of beer next to a basket of tortilla chips.
Taking a seat and smiling at Grant, Kyle chuckled. "Look what the great pumpkin left for me.” He popped the collar on his shirt before smoothing it down again in dramatic fashion.
Grant chuckled as he walked over to the other side of the table, picking up a black linen napkin to tuck under Kyle's chin. "It looks very handsome, so let's not mess it up." Kyle nodded as the two of them dug into the food.
Kyle knew his groans sounded as if he was having sex, but he'd never, in his life, had chili that tasted like what he was eating. "What's the meat?" he asked Grant.
He saw the man's eyes look down at the table, and Kyle immediately dropped the spoon. If it was something like dog or horse meat, he was about to commit homicide.
"It's filet mignon. I like a hearty chili, and it's fine with ground beef, but if I have steak, I like it with steak. Do you not like it? I can make you…" Grant started.
Kyle picked up his spoon and took another bite, tasting the succulent steak meat along with the earthy spices that made the dish so delectable. "No, it's amazing. I've never had anything better, Grant. Thank you so much," he told the man.
After they finished, Kyle volunteered to clean up. "Go get ready. Connie has a table for us to see him perform, and then we're going to dance. I haven't danced in a long time," Kyle told Grant before kissing his cheek and turning him around toward the stairs. He couldn't help but give the man a pat on his ass. The sigh he heard in return had his cock hard again.
At eight forty-five, they were hopping out of a cab and bustling up to 'The Pink DragOn.' Three kids in line appeared to be underage, so Kyle steered Grant around them. "Hi, we're guests of Connie May's. We should be on a list or something," Kyle offered.
The man cleared his throat, and Kyle was surprised to see it was a man who looked a lot like Brian Storey, but he didn't have a beard. "Brian?" Kyle asked.
He saw a big smile break out. "Naw, that's my older brother. How do you know Connie and Brian?" the man asked.
That was where things could get a little tricky. If Kyle said they were neighbors, the kid might say something about the apartment building, and Kyle didn't want Grant to know about the white lie he'd told. He took a deep breath. "Connie and I are friends, and Brian loaned me that blue Corvette once. I think my friend, Felicity Pembrook, was buying it for her boyfriend," he offered, giving the guy the eye.
"Don't be an asshole, Lucas," they heard behind them. Grant and Kyle turned to see Brian Storey with a look on his face that Kyle wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley.
"Dammit, Brain. You're gonna make me look like a pussy if you keep doin' that shit," the younger man stated.
Brian laughed. "Quit callin' me that, and let my friends in. You are a pussy, Luke," the older man teased as he messed with the kid's hair while he ushered Kyle and Grant inside the club.
He escorted them to a table in the front where he took a seat with them. He turned to Grant and smiled. "Hi, I'm Brian Storey. That was my little brother, Lucas. My Connie hooked him up with this job so we could keep an eye on him. He was sellin' weed, and it pissed me off. We're not bluebloods, but we aren't drug dealers either," Brian told them.
Kyle smiled. "Grant Cummings, Brian Storey. How are you? I guess Connie's staying with you while they're fumigating the building?" Kyle stated, giving him the eye.
Brian grinned. "Yes, and I'm not letting him go back to that hellhole." He then turned to Grant and leaned forward. "You ever been there? That place is a pit, and the rent ain't all that cheap. I was glad when he told me they were tenting the thing so I could get him outta there. I've wanted him to move in with me for a year, but he refused. Some bullshit about autonomy. I guess autonomy leaves the building when the fumigation tent goes up," Brian joked, bringing a laugh from Grant.
"Yeah, I figure it shaved about six months of hell off my life. So, let me buy you a drink, Brian. That car was sweet," Grant told the big bear.
Kyle was perplexed. Either Brian Storey was an actor and dedicated himself to the role, hook-line-and-sinker, or something else was afoot. "I'll go get drinks. What do you want?" Kyle asked, just as a cute little strawberry-blond showed up at the table in a pair of shorts that weren't too far off from being a jockstrap.
"Hi, guys, I'm Rusty, for obvious reasons. Tonight's special is margarita pitchers. Regular, peach, mango, pom, uh," the young man stopped, obviously trying to think.
Brian looked at the two of them and smiled. "I like the peach mango mix. They're surprisingly refreshing."
When Grant snickered, Kyle did his best to hold his own laugh. He took Grant's hand and held it. "How's that sound?"
"Sounds great to me," Grant stated with a smile, holding tightly to Kyle's hand. The waiter left with their order, and Kyle didn't even watch him walk away. Grant Cummings was holding his hand, and that was more than he expected.
Just as Rusty was delivering their drinks, the house lights went down, and the stage lights went up. "Ladies and Gentlemen, and those gentlemen who feel like ladies, The Pink DragOn is proud to present the song stylings of Constants E. Rection. Please make Connie feel welcome," they heard as Connie came out in a bright yellow halter dress that came down to his knees. He was wearing platform heels and walked steadier in them than Kyle had seen from lots of women.
The three of them clapped and whistled until Connie stood next to a piano in the middle of the stage. A handsome man was sitting at the instrument in what appeared to be a Chippendale-esque outfit of tuxedo pants, a collar with a bowtie, and cuffs, shirt not included. He had wavy brown hair and tanned skin, and when he gracefully raked his fingers up the keys, he gave Connie a bright smile.
"Good evening, and welcome to 'The Pink DragOn.' I'm Constants, your tour guide through the world of hot men and beautiful queens. Our first performer is a saucy little thing from Bourbon Street. Not the one in New Orleans, mind you. That's what her neighbors call their street when she puts out her recycle bin. Please give a hand for Mona Lotts," he introduced as a rather robust queen came out with a red bouffant wig and long eyelashes, dressed in a long, black, sequined gown. The pianist started playing an old Streisand song, and the man started singing in a breathy voice. She actually wasn't half bad if Kyle was honest.
He turned to see Grant with a big smile on his face as he sipped his margarita. Kyle couldn't help but pull the blond's chair closer and put his arm around the back. He turned to see Brian Storey wink at him, and he smiled in return, feeling truly happy.
Kyle and Grant were dancing like crazy in a dark corner of the dancefloor, shirts off like all the other guys on the floor. They had them tucked into the backs of their jeans, and they were having an incredible time. He didn't think he'd seen Grant look so happy in all the time Kyle had known him, but he knew why the blond steered him to the back corner of the large room… so nobody could see his bruised back. It was healing, and Kyle believed Felicity would be happy with the results when they went to her place on Sunday night.
It was a Britney song, and Grant was in front of him, grinding his tight, sexy ass into Kyle's throbbing cock, which reminded him of his shower earlier to the point he was about to come in his pants. He honestly cared for Grant, a lot more than he was even willing to admit to himself, and the pleasurable friction only made him want to take the shorter man into his arms and never let him go. The conflicting feelings of wanting the man and wanting to give him time to get to a better place were indeed wearing on Kyle's nerves.
He leaned forward and asked, "I'm thirsty. You want something to drink?"
Grant nodded, so the
two of them left the dancefloor to return to their table where Connie and Brian were sitting, talking with two other guys. "We're going to get a drink. Anyone want anything?" Kyle asked.
Connie handed Kyle the margarita pitcher, which was empty, and pointed to the bar as he continued speaking with two older guys. Brian, however, grabbed Kyle's hand. "Wait. These are friends of ours, Archie Speirs and his partner, John McCaffrey," Brian introduced.
Kyle glanced at Grant, who appeared to be stunned a bit himself. "Kyle Rance and Grant Cummings. Pleasure to meet you," Kyle introduced as he shook each man's hand. Grant moved behind Kyle, but he waved to the two men.
"He, uh, he's shy. Anyway, another round of peach-mango and two fresh glasses?" Kyle asked.
Connie nodded, dismissing the two of them. Grant quickly pulled on his black, Frankenstein t-shirt as he followed Kyle to the bar. "Surely it's a coincidence?" Grant stated as the two of them took a seat, and Kyle motioned for the bartender.
"What?" Kyle asked.
"That guy isn't related to Jesse McCaffrey, right? I mean, how old was the kid?" Grant asked.
"Well, he was working there when I got hired in the mailroom, and I've been at the firm for a year. If the kid graduated from college the year before, then he'd have been twenty-three, and that guy looks to be at least forty-five. He could be an older brother or maybe an uncle," Kyle suggested.
They ordered the pitcher of drinks and two fresh glasses, along with two bottles of water. Kyle grabbed his wallet from his back pocket and opened it, seeing he was low on cash. He didn't have a credit card, but he had a debit, so he pulled it out to offer to the bartender. Kyle felt a hand on him before he could put the plastic card down, turning to see Grant with a smile.
"This one is my treat. I've never been on a first date before, Kyle. I'm not sure of the protocol, but I happen to know you won't feel your new raise until the middle of November. I definitely have the money to buy this pitcher since you bought the last round," Grant explained.
Kyle looked at him, unsure if he'd heard right. "What do you mean, raise?" It was the reminder he was out with his boss, and his thoughts on the good looking man next to him were totally inappropriate and could be detrimental to his career.
Grant rolled his eyes. "I like Marion, but she's a bit scatterbrained. You get a salary increase with the promotion. I'd tell you how much if I knew, but I'm sure she'll get the paperwork to you next week. Anyway, are you going to ask that McCaffrey man if he knows Jesse?"
Kyle laughed. "You bet your ass I'm going to ask him."
They made their way back to the table to see Connie was missing. "Where's her majesty?" Kyle teased.
"Upstairs. She wasn't supposed to have to work the second show, but one of the divas didn't come in or call out. Connie will be back and forth. So, Archie and John are architects," Brian told them as if trying to find something for the men to discuss. Kyle could see the big bear was a little uncomfortable, but he had no reason to be.
"We're in advertising. Seems Brian and Connie know a lot of artistic people," Kyle baited a bit as he pulled on his shirt but didn't button it.
He glanced to see Grant's eyes were fixed on his toned chest, so he couldn't help but puff up a bit. He wanted Grant Cummings very much, but he had formulated a rule in his head… the man had to approach him first. Nothing would happen between them… except for a goodnight kiss that Kyle was counting on… until Grant was at the point where he could voice his desires to Kyle aloud.
Kyle didn't know if Grant had it in him to make his desires known, but until he did, Kyle wasn't going to do anything that wasn't rated 'G' – unless it was a repeat performance in his shower. He'd never take advantage of the man, so until Grant was well enough to make his case, Kyle would remain celibate… except for the self-love that was becoming more necessary every fucking day of his life, several times a day.
Chapter 13
An hour later, Kyle and Grant said their good-byes to the men at the table. It turned out John McCaffrey was the younger brother of Jesse's father.
"He's a fucking idiot, I swear. He was in a fraternity, no surprise there. He told the family on Labor Day that he was up for partner in November. Youngest at the firm, as a matter of fact," John had related.
Kyle laughed so hard, water shot out his nose. "No, as a matter of fact, he's nowhere near being a partner at T&A. He got pissed off the other day and walked out, quitting the job."
John joined Kyle in laughter as he looked at Archie, who laughed as well. "Good. Brunch should be fun this Sunday, don't you think?" Archie offered.
"I can't fucking wait," John added, leaving Kyle with the impression the men weren't exactly on excellent terms. He was happy he'd given the man some ammunition. He hoped they'd meet again so he could hear what happened at the family gathering.
Kyle flagged down a cab as they waited at the curb. He opened the door for Grant to hop in, following him as he gave the cab driver the address. Kyle’s coat was resting in his lap because he was warm from dancing in the club, though he'd buttoned up his shirt so as not to catch pneumonia. He'd helped Grant on with his coat before they walked out of the club because he didn't want the man to be ill either.
"So, did you have fun?" Kyle asked as he settled his arm across the back of the seat, tugging on the ends of Grant's hair to tease him.
The adorable blond turned to look at him with that crooked grin Kyle loved. "I had a great time, Kyle. It's my first date, you know," he announced.
"You mean you… those others didn't take you out for dates?" Kyle asked, very surprised.
"I was forbidden from dating in high school, but it wouldn't have mattered because I went to a boys' parochial school. When I first started at UC-Berkeley, Aunt Deirdre made sure I understood that she expected me to remain chaste. When I met Ian at the club in LA, our relationship was non-sexual for the first six months," Grant explained.
Kyle felt his heart sink. If he had to wait five more months for the two of them to take the next step, he was sure he'd pull off his cock. "Ah, was that your request or Ian’s?" Kyle asked quietly, seeing the cab driver was listening.
Grant chuckled softly. "I had no free will at the time, so it was Ian's idea. He was involved with another Dom at the club, so they didn't have sex with their subs. I was trained at the same time as Monica, Master Eric's sub, and it was helpful going through it with someone. Of course, after Ian and Master Eric broke up, Ian stepped up the punishment training, likely taking out his frustration on me. We began having sex a week after they broke up, and when he found out Master Eric had dismissed his sub, Master Ian transitioned me to another Dom for training so he could try to get back with Master Eric."
Kyle wondered if that was where Grant got the idea to hire Lindsey to get Kade back. "Did it work?" Kyle asked.
Grant shook his head. "Don't know. Never went back to that club after I contracted with Giovanni. After that ended, I belonged to a club and worked with a few Doms, but I didn't have my own until I graduated from my Master's marketing program and moved here.
“Jerome Timmons recruited me on campus, and since I didn't have a steady relationship at the time, I decided a change of scenery was in order. Anyway, I had a few D/s relationships before I got into a consensual Master/slave relationship.
"His name was Charles Tyler Combs. He was a lawyer, and he was actually just looking for someone to take care of him. He was older, and he had health issues, so I stepped in. His family had given up on him years prior, and I needed the stringent lifestyle he wanted, so I stayed with him up until he died. He was too weak to punish me, so I started self-flagellating again at his direction.
"After he passed, then it was Kade, and after he broke up with me, Cooper made his move. I got involved in a sexual relationship with him out of desperation. He wasn't what I needed at all, and he never hit me, but I never told him about my past. He told me there was something off with me, and as much as I tried not to be 'off,’ I didn't know how to behave in a normal relationsh
ip, not that what we had was really normal," Grant explained.
So that seemed to be Grant's history in a nutshell, and if Kyle could learn to overlook the fact all of those guys had raised angry hands to Grant at one time or another, it was a history he could live with. How could that many men want to beat someone as kind and lovable as Grant Cummings? That was a question he'd need to explore with Felicity before he approached Grant for his own explanation.
"Well, um, I guess I've had three sexual partners before I went to prison, and then there was that one guard. Since I've been out, I've been too focused on keeping out of trouble and working around the apartment building when someone needs something, but I’ve hooked up a couple of times. Always safely," Kyle explained.
"Oh, after the building is tented, won't some inspector have to come through and declare it rodent-free?" Grant asked.
Kyle felt like it was something he should know, but he hadn't actually done any research regarding what happened when a building was tented for fumigation. "I, uh, the management company handles that sort of thing. I'll have to give them a call on Monday to check on progress," Kyle responded, making a mental note to do some research over the weekend when he had some time alone.
When they pulled in front of the row house, Kyle reached for his debit card, sliding it through the card reader in the back seat of the taxi, only to have it be declined.
His face immediately flushed as he turned to Grant. "I've been having a lot of trouble with the damn thing. It's demagnetized or something, I think. I promise I'll pay you back on Monday when I can get to the bank," he offered, quickly getting out of the cab while Grant settled the bill.
Kyle had never felt so embarrassed in his life. He'd been so careful with his paychecks, not spending money on any extravagances, so he wasn't sure what happened with his bank account. He knew he should have his one-hundred-dollar cushion plus the eight hundred for his rent because it wasn't due until November 3. Something wasn't right.
Unbreak Him Page 13
