Dom of Ages (27 page)

“I’ll send your waiter over with your menus.” He walked away.

Jarod lifted his glass. “Happy birthday, Sir.”

I clinked my glass against his. “Thank you, pet, for all of this.” I was overwhelmed, not just by the setting, but by the whole evening so far—the limo, Jarod’s elegant clothing, his sleek new haircut. “This is a wonderful gift.”

His eyes grew wide. “This isn’t your gift.” He handed over the gift bag, which was surprisingly light. I peered inside, but there was only a white envelope in there. I took it out and opened it. There was a birthday card with a cute bear on the front, but inside was a slip of paper. I unfolded it and gaped.

THIS VOUCHER
entitles the bearer to a holiday in the destination of his choice,

to last a minimum of three weeks, to be taken whenever he wishes.

The aim of this holiday is to have fun, adventure, whatever your heart desires….

I STARED
at Jarod. “You’re taking me on a holiday?”

He nodded. “Wherever you want to go, no matter how far flung or exotic that may be. We can go for a month, if you like. I’m betting your boss wouldn’t mind, not if you gave him enough warning this time. I know how much time you’ve accrued, so let’s use it.” He reached across the table for my hand, wrapping his fingers around mine. “You don’t have to decide now. Just give it some thought.” Then he looked up and grinned. “And we’d better stop talking now, or our waiter will comment.”

I frowned. “Why would our waiter comm—” The rest of my sentence died in my throat when Alex Daniels appeared beside us, blushing. I laughed. “Ah, now I get it. You had a bit of help organizing this, didn’t you, pet?”

Alex chuckled. “Good evening, Master Eli, and happy birthday.” He took away the menus that were lying on our table. “You won’t be needing those tonight.” Alex handed us a white card bearing the heading Eli’s Birthday Meal. “This is a very special menu, only for this table.” He gave us both a shy smile. “I’ll be back in a moment with your starters. Enjoy the champagne.” And with that he turned and walked away.

I perused the card. The starter was my favorite, chicken liver pâté, but when I saw the main course, I lifted my chin to stare at Jarod. “Beef Wellington?”

Jarod smiled. “Pietro’s version. The beef is spread with a rich pâté and then covered with the pastry.”

My mouth was watering. Then it struck me. “You told him what to serve us?”

Jarod nodded. “Even down to your favorite dessert, chocolate cheesecake.”

I couldn’t stop smiling. “This is wonderful.” I’d never felt so spoiled in all my life. First the limo, then his offer to let me drive the cars, dinner, my gift…. “Well, this is my first experience of being in a relationship with someone who is a damn sight richer than me, and so far, it’s….” I didn’t have the words. I gazed at the fabulous table layout. “It’s unexpected,” I said at last.

Silence fell, so suddenly that I had to glance across at his face. Jarod’s expression was watchful. “Do you mind?” he asked.

“Mind? What do you mean?”

“That Phillip left me money.” That watchful look was still in evidence.

I frowned, genuinely puzzled by the question. “Why would I mind that? There’s nothing wrong with it. From what you tell me, he gave away millions of pounds, and helped raise even more. He wasn’t one of those who tried to amass more and more wealth. He used what he had to better people. And I think you’re the same way.” Then I smiled. “Jarod, your money is just that—your money. You do know that’s not what I care about, right?”

“I do,” he said with a smile. “It’s one of the things that makes me lo—” He broke off, coughing, and squirmed uncomfortably.

“Are you okay, pet?”

“Yes, Sir. Just a twinge in my arm. I’ve been feeling it for a few days.” He gave me a reassuring smile. “It’s gone now.”

“Tomorrow you’ll take it easy, then,” I informed him. I wasn’t about to brush it away so quickly.

“Oh, I’ve got to do the laundry and I need to get—”

“Jarod?”

His eyes went wide at my tone. “Yes, Sir?”

“Did I ask you for an itinerary?”

“No, Sir.”

“Tomorrow you’ll rest in our bed all day. You can get up to use the loo, or to grab something to eat, which I’ll put together and leave in the refrigerator for you, but beyond that, you’ll be doing nothing but taking care of my property.” I locked gazes with him, not breaking eye contact.

At last he nodded. He picked up his glass and held it out to me. “To your birthday. May you have many more, and may this be the best of years to come.”

“I’ll drink to that.” We clinked glasses and then drank deeply. The gold, bubbling liquid tickled my nose, but there was none of the usual sharpness I’d come to associate with it. I peered at the bottle. “What are we drinking? Because this tastes bloody good.” I wasn’t normally that fond of champagne, but this was fantastic. The label said Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2004. “I’m guessing 2004 was a good year, pet.”

“A very good year, Sir.”

Our starters arrived at that point, and all conversation was forgotten for a few minutes. The flavors in the paté, the tartness of the orange and port sauce that accompanied it, all made for a delicious dish. I spread the last bit of pâté on my toast and slowly bit into it, my eyes closing.

“It
is
good, Sir,” Jarod agreed. I opened my eyes and nodded in agreement. He folded his napkin and placed it beside his glass. “More champagne?”

I nodded once again, still blissed out on the starter. When Alex arrived to take away our plates, I gazed longingly at the minute traces of sauce still left there. Jarod chuckled. “No, you are not going to lick the plate.”

Alex snickered. “Pietro said you’d love it. He also said to tell you he’s got some more boxed up for you to take home. I’ll bring it out before you leave.”

I beamed. “I
knew
there was a reason I liked that boy!”

Alex walked away, shaking his head, still chuckling.

“They must really like you, Sir.”

I stared at Jarod. “You’re kidding, right?”

His confusion was adorable. He blinked, his head tilted to one side. “I don’t understand.”

I took his hand in mine. “They did it for you, pet. Because they knew it would make me happy, which in turn would make you happy. They’re your friends, Jarod. And from the looks of it, there isn’t much they wouldn’t do to see you smile.”

He stared at our joined hands, his cheeks glowing. Then he raised his glass. “To friends.”

I mimicked his action and echoed his words. “To friends.”

Jarod took a long drink of his champagne before regarding me steadily. “I’ve been thinking,” he said slowly. “I know what I want to do with the house.”

“Go on.”

“I was talking to Alex last week at the club. Masters Leo and Thomas have a foundation to help kids in trouble, usually those who’ve been thrown out of their homes. It doesn’t matter if they’re gay or not, the foundation helps them. I think I’d like to give them the house. My only request is that they name it in honor of Phillip. I think he’d approve of that.”

I was so proud of him. “Yes, I think he would, pet.” I considered all the space available in the house. “Would you have them leave it as it is?”

Jarod shook his head. “I’d like to ask Phillip’s foundation to completely renovate it, so it ends up with a lot of bedrooms.” He snickered. “Although I can see some of the neighbors not being happy with that decision. It’s such a select stretch of road.”

“Let’s wait and see, shall we?” There would be a lot to do before that point was reached. Right then I wanted to enjoy my birthday meal with Jarod.

THE FINAL
sip of coffee, and that was it. I couldn’t eat another mouthful. “That was possibly the best meal I’ve ever had.” And it wasn’t just the food. The soft music, flickering candlelight, but above all, the company—everything had combined to make the meal absolutely perfect. We’d talked throughout, relating stories about childhood, sharing our favorite books, music, films. For the first time, I felt as if I knew this man, which was silly. As his Dom I knew what made him groan, what gave him pleasure, how to push him right to the edge of orgasm and keep him there, teetering, before deciding whether to let him tumble into its oblivion or deny him that ecstasy. But now I was finally getting to know Jarod the man, rather than Jarod the submissive.

And the more I found out, the more I realized my feelings for him weren’t as clear-cut as I would have liked. Things weren’t as simple as Dom and submissive anymore.

I tried to figure out when my feelings had begun to change, but there was nothing I could point to, no definitive moment when I’d begun to see him in a different light. And yet there had been a change, a significant one. I’d leaped into this situation because I’d needed someone to take care of my needs. Scrap that—I’d needed
someone
.

And now? I needed to take care of Jarod, because somehow he’d walked into my life, crawled under my skin, and nestled right in my heart.

Alex approached the table. “I trust everything was satisfactory?”

I gave him a huge smile. “Oh, it was much more than that, Alex. Please thank Pietro for the amazing main course, but all of it was perfect. Can I have the bill, please?”

Alex rolled his eyes and dug into the pocket of his black pants. He pulled out his wallet, removed a five-pound note and handed it to Jarod, who gave him a grin.

“What’s that for?” I asked.

Alex snorted. “Jarod bet me that you’d ask for the bill. I told him you wouldn’t because it was your birthday.” He glanced at Jarod. “Looks like you really do know him.”

“Oh yes.” I loved the ring of confidence in Jarod’s voice. “And now
I’ll
have the bill, thanks, Alex.” He speared me with a look. “This is meant to be your birthday treat, remember? Did you really think I’d let you pay?” Then he smiled. “Nice try, though.”

Alex walked off to get the bill, still chuckling.

I relaxed into my seat. “You may be the one buying dinner, but let’s not forget who’s the one in control here, pet.”

That smile broadened. “Oh, believe me, Sir, I never forget that. And by the way? Your birthday isn’t over yet. Wait till we’re home.” His eyes gleamed.

Inside I was buzzing. I’d been giving something a lot of thought during dinner, and I’d come to a decision. If I got my way, my birthday would be a memorable day for Jarod too.

I couldn’t wait to get home.

JAROD WAS
getting ready for bed. I’d gone downstairs under the pretext of checking everything was locked up. The mail from the previous two days sat on the coffee table in a neat pile, and I searched through until I found the brown envelope I needed. I hurried upstairs and into our bedroom.

Jarod lay beneath the sheets, and I could make out his hand moving. My pet wanted. I undressed, keeping my focus on him, the broad chest with its smattering of silver hairs among the brown, and that belly with its trail of hair leading down to his cock.

I wanted too.

His gaze traveled up and down my body, his eyes shining in the lamplight. “You feeling sleepy, Sir?”

I shook my head. Sleep was the farthest thing from my mind, but other matters took precedence. “I need to talk to you.”

Jarod nodded, his hands coming to rest on top of the bedclothes.

I climbed onto the bed and knelt beside him. “Jarod, I can’t tell you how much that dinner and gift meant to me,” I began, noting his chest swell. I couldn’t put into words how it had affected me. The nearest I got to it was the feeling that we hadn’t been Dom and sub, but two lovers out for a romantic meal. There was a part of me that liked that idea, very, very much.

I took the envelope in my hands. “I was going to give this to you at some point, but I can’t wait.” I took a deep breath. “You know I’m negative. We had that conversation when we signed our contract. Well, when I was sixteen, I barebacked for the first and only time, and it was only because my partner, Ted, assured me he was safe.” I caught Jarod’s intake of breath but pressed on. “I was young and cocky. I didn’t think anything of it when we went to bed. We were together for maybe three months. Then it turned out he told a lot of people the same thing.”

“Oh, Sir.”

“My parents took me to get tested, and I’ve been tested every six months since then, even though I use condoms. My last test was a few weeks ago. It came back clean, but I asked for copies of the paperwork so I could show you.” I handed him the envelope.

Jarod set it aside without even looking at it. “I know you’re safe,” he whispered, his eyes burning with lust.

“No,” I said vehemently. “You don’t know. You can’t without looking at the paperwork. I would never do anything to put you at risk, and we’re going to go over this together.” I grinned. “Yeah, I know, it takes all the romance out of it, doesn’t it?” I shifted closer, until our faces were inches apart. “But once I’m satisfied you know, it will be a very different story. Because it will be me, inside you, bare.”

He swallowed and picked up the envelope, his hands shaking as he broke the seal.

It was good to know I could affect him like this.

“And while you’re doing that, I’m going to grab a quick shower. You might want to get ready when I’m done.”

“Already did, Sir, while you were downstairs.” He flashed me a smile.

I laughed. “Oh, I see. You knew what you wanted, then.”

He pushed back the sheet to reveal his cock, already hard. Jarod wrapped one hand around it and slowly pumped it. “Get in the shower, Sir. I have some reading to do.”

I smacked his hand away, making him yelp. “You don’t get to start until I’m ready, pet.” I was off the bed and into the bathroom in seconds, already planning the fastest shower since their invention. By the time I was back in the bedroom, Jarod lay beneath the sheets, his arms above them, the envelope placed on the chest of drawers. He drew back the sheets, and I climbed in, shuffling across the mattress until he was in my arms, our lips joined in a kiss.