“I can dothat.”
“Good boy.” Ah, and there’s that blush I adore.
I climb out of the car and go around to get Frank’s door for him. He still seems a bit confused by the gesture, but he’s stopped trying to get out on his own, so I’m calling it a win.
At the front door, the bouncer checks both our IDs and stamps our hands with a big purple star. Inside, the music is deafening with deep bass thumping through the room. It’s still relatively early, but the dance floor is packed with patrons.
Instead of screaming over the noise, I grab Frank’s hand and pull him through the crowd to a table near the edge of the room. It’s a bit out of the way but has the benefit of being far enough from the speakers to give my ears a little reprieve.
“Do you want a drink?” I ask. Frank considers the question for far too long. “Do you want me to pick?”
“Yes, please.” Gladly.
“Do you want something with or without alcohol?”
“With?”
I nod and leave him at the table, probably against my better judgment, to snake my way to the bar. I get him gin and tonic, something I’ve heard him mention a few times, and aCokefor myself. I’m driving tonight and not risking his safety. Plus, I want to be sharp and make sure I can keep an eye on him. This place is relaxed and safe, but it’s his first time, and I want to be able to pick up on any cues that he might be uncomfortable.
Drinks in hand, I return to find an older man leaning over the table, chatting with Frank.
“Come on. One dance?” I hear him say.
“No, thank you,” Frank replies. I appreciate his politeness,but this is a time when I’d be happy to hear him tell someone to fuck off instead.
“You okay, baby?” I pick my words carefully as I push past the other man, sliding in next to Frank and putting my arm around him. Is it a bit much? Probably, but I want to be clear that Frank is mine.
“Yeah. This guy was just leaving.”
I turn and look at the man, cocking my head to one side. The guy grumbles something about Frank being a tease, but he leaves before I have to continue the discussion. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. He’s pushy, but I handled it.”
“Good job,” I say, leaning in and capturing him in a heated kiss. I don’t mean for it to be anything more than a quick peck, but I can’t help making sure everyone in the club knows that Frank’s mine. Before we separate, I want to leave no doubt that he’s taken and not to be messed with. By the time I pull away, we’re both panting.
“Can we go home now?” Frank asks as he adjusts himself.
“Let’s stay a little longer,” I say with a laugh. I’m ready to take him to bed, but I promised him a fun night out.
It’s easy to remember why I don’t love clubbing. The music is loud, the drinks are expensive, and the space is crowded. Tonight, with Frank tucked under my arm, leaning into me, and smiling, I can imagine doing this far more often. Even if I’m counting down the minutes until we’re alone.
“Is that Sam?” Frank goes stiff in my arms. I follow his gaze across the dance floor to where Sam is standing.
“Firecracker.” I pull him in close and drop my head so I’m right next to his ear. “I should’ve prepared you for this,so I’m sorry. Sam is a Daddy and comes here sometimes.” In my excitement over bringing Frank, I didn’t stop to think about the awkwardness that might come from running into his boss.
“I knew that,” Frank says, though there’s still a bit of wobble in his voice. “From when I heard you two talking.”
“He won’t say a word about seeing you here to anyone, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“Um, but he maybe doesn’t know that we’re… together?”
At least that’s one worry I can put to bed. “I told Sam soon after we got together.”
Frank opens his mouth to say something to me, but Sam’s arrival at our table cuts him off. “Fancy seeing you two here tonight.”
“Good to see you, Sam. You here with anyone?” I stand briefly to give him a quick hug before returning to my spot and pulling Frank close. I’m sure it’s weird seeing his boss in this context. It took me a while to get used to seeing Sam here. The first time, I turned so white that Sam thought I might pass out.
“Nope, thought I’d come see what the scene is like tonight.” He looks over at Frank and gives him a quick nod. “Good to see you, Frank.”
