“Fine,” replied Kieran, still studying the menu.
“Kieran, will you look at me?” His voice was sterner.
He immediately obeyed. His eyes widened, as if he was surprised he’d complied so easily. Fuck. Derek’s cock thickening was not something that should happen, but he was only human and Kieran was a stunning man. As a teenager, he was this brown-haired, unblemished little mouse. Now his hair was bleached, he had tattoos up to his neck, his nose and ears were pierced, and he had a fire in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. Behind all that bratty bravado wassomeone who craved order and control. It radiated off him and pushed all of Derek’s buttons. He sent a mental note to his cock to stand down. This was about Kieran, and not Derek’s libido.
“You look like you don’t want to be here, Kieran. I know we can’t put the past behind us in one conversation, but I don’t want you to feel you don’t have a choice here. If you don’t want to have anything more to do with me, I’ll respect your boundaries.”
Derek hated saying it, and knew it would be a challenge if Kieran took him up on the offer, but he would do it if that’s what he needed.
“You don’t look like you want to do that,” said Kieran, with a smirk.
That was his bratty side coming back out– Derek’s kryptonite.
“I won’t lie and say I’d be happy to have you disappear from my life after we’ve just become reacquainted, and I think I can help you.”
“Help me, how?”
“If you are interested in the same lifestyle as me, I could introduce you to the right people who would treat you a lot better than that guy in the club.”
Kieran flushed and looked back at the menu. It was endearing and made Derek wonder how flushed his whole body could be. Kieran was covered with ink, but the blank skin he could see showed he was pale, so it would be a beautiful flush when he was in the throes of pleasure. Derek knew some doms who would be a great match for Kieran and help him explore his limits in a safe and respectful way. The idea of someone he knew having their hands on Kieran made his stomach clench, though, and he knew it was jealousy, but he couldn’t be that person for him. At least he could make sure he was with someone safe. He suspected the abusive guy from the club was only one of many.
Before they could talk any more, Langdon arrived with their drinks. The guy seemed to be everywhere in this place. Did he not have enough people working for him? That prompted an idea in Derek.
“Langdon, are you short-staffed?”
“Sebastian and Gregory are on at me to hire more people, given how busy we’ve been, but finding the time isn’t easy.”
Derek understood that, but it was something you had to make time for. It paid off in the long run.
“I know someone who could be a good fit for you,” said Derek. “He works for me. Best barman I’ve ever had, which, considering he’s only done the job for four months, says just how good he is.”
“Why are you trying to offload him, then?” said Langdon, with a frown.
“My club isn’t the right environment for him. The customers can be a bit... forward.”
Kieran snorted, making Derek and Langdon laugh.
“He wants to work in a place that’s part of the community. Soho wanted experience, but he’s picked it up quicker than anyone I’ve seen, especially the cocktails.”
“Your place does cocktails?” asked Langdon.
“Some patrons like to look posh before they get their dick sucked by a stranger.”
This made him laugh. Kieran flushed and went back to looking at the menu. Derek couldn’t help but chuckle.
“If he’s as good as you say he is, then tell him to call me tomorrow. How quickly can I have him?”
“I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow and then introduce you both.”
Langdon smiled and left them to it.
“Have you chosen your food? You’ve looked at the menu enough,” said Derek.
Kieran glared at him, but all Derek could do was shrug, which made Kieran laugh. He’d take any progress.
CHAPTER 9
KIERAN
