Endings and Beginnings by K. C. Wells & Parker Williams

Author:K. C. Wells & Parker Williams [Wells, K. C. & Williams, Parker]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 9781634774086
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2016-07-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

JAROD WATCHED JJ as he walked over to the bar. He didn’t know the young barman all that well, but enough to realize something was up. JJ’s shoulders were hunched over, his eyes distant. Jarod debated getting up from his seat and going over to talk with him, but his attention was caught by the sight of Thomas striding purposefully across to where he was seated. Thomas’s expression appeared guarded, and Jarod had to admit, he’d never seen Thomas like this before.

“Good evening, Master Thomas.”

“Good evening, Jarod. May I sit?”

Jarod made to stand, but Thomas held out a hand.

“No, it’s fine. Please stay where you are.” He pulled out a chair and sat, glancing around. Thomas’s face lit up. “I was wondering where you were.”

The explanation for Thomas’s delight became apparent when Peter appeared at his side.

“I was with Dorian. He was telling me about his counseling course. Did you want something, Sir?”

“Could you fetch me a tonic water, please?” Thomas glanced at Jarod. “Something for you too, Jarod?”

“I’d like the same, thank you.”

Peter smiled and went over to the bar.

“Where’s Eli?” Thomas asked him.

“He’s meeting some friends from the haulage company. He should be here in an hour or so.”

“Good. That’s perfect.” Thomas paused as Peter returned to them and placed their glasses on the table. “Thank you, boy. You can assume the position.” Peter knelt in one slow, fluid motion.

Oh, the trappings of youth. It had been a while since Jarod had knelt that easily.

Thomas reached down and stroked Peter’s cheek before meeting Jarod’s gaze. “May I be blunt?”

Jarod stared. “Of course. I would expect nothing less.”

Thomas chuckled, and Jarod felt certain he noticed Peter stifling a giggle himself. Thomas leaned back in his chair and studied Jarod.

“Is Eli happy?”

Jarod stiffened. Has Eli said something to Thomas? Am I not giving him everything he needs?

Thomas straightened instantly. “Wait. I’m sorry. That had to be the most poorly worded question ever. Let me try again. Do you think Eli misses working?”

Jarod slumped in his seat. “I know he does. I’ve told him if he wanted to go back to work, he should, but he insists on being with me.” God, but his Master could be a stubborn arse sometimes.

“Excellent. That will make this conversation much easier.” Thomas must have seen Jarod’s confusion, because he laughed. “I’m cocking this up, aren’t I?”

Jarod shrugged. The remark about Eli being happy had thrown him.

Thomas took a drink of tonic water and sighed. “Let me try this again. Do you think Eli would be happy working again?”

“I know he would,” Jarod exclaimed fervently. “The life of a kept man isn’t for him, and I can tell he’s growing restless.”

“I suspected as much. He seems to be the type who likes to be out and doing something to earn his money.”

Jarod smiled. “You do know him.”

Thomas returned his smile. “I like to think I know all our members. Okay, I have a question for you. If Eli wanted to do something, say, invest in a business, would you be okay with that?”

Jarod sat upright.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.