Not everyone loves a mouth full of metal, but Chad obviously does.
He was so responsive, so quick to follow every little direction I gave him. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out Chad has a praise kink with the way he lights up at the slightest compliment. And the way he looked when he submitted so beautifully to me, kneeling in front of me, gazing up at me with those big blue eyes like I hung the fucking moon, is going to make it so much harder for me to forget him when he inevitably realizes I’m not the perfect partner he’s looking for and leaves.
Losing Luke destroyed me. I’m not setting myself up to go through that again.
Not that this arrangement with Chad is comparable to the love that Luke and I shared, obviously. And I was very clear with Chad that I could not offer feelings or a relationship, but still, losing anyone unexpectedly is difficult, so the more up-front he and I are with everything, the better it will be for us both.
If we’re going to hook up again, I need more rules in place. Space. We absolutely cannot treat this like a relationship. That means no more sleepovers. Hookups can’t happen two days in a row. I’m not his Dom.
Realistically, there shouldn’t even be a next time.
But I’m so bad at saying no to him.
As long as we stick to the rules, we’ll be fine.
I join Chad on the wraparound front porch where he’s not-so-patiently waiting for Phil to open the door. His excitement is obvious, leg bouncing as he peers in the window with a huge smile on his face.
“This place is older than my house,” I point out as I assess the chipped siding.
Chad shrugs. “It’s so cool! I feel like I’m in an old movie or something. It’s so pretty!”
“And did you intentionally buy the largest house in town, Princess? Or is that a coincidence?”
Chad takes a step back from the door, looking around both sides of the porch like he’s only now realizing this place is huge. “Huh. It is pretty big. I wonder how much it’ll cost.”
“You bought a house without even knowing the price?” I hiss, tone full of disbelief even though I’m not actually all that surprised when I think about it. He did make this deal at a wedding with a complete stranger, sight unseen.
After all, that’s why I’m here today. To make sure this is legit and Chad isn’t putting himself in any danger buying this old house. If he thinks my place is a construction zone right now, what does he expect to do here?
Phil finally answers the door. “Hey, Chad. Come on in. Oh, hello, John. I didn’t realize you’d be joining him.”
“Just checking out what he wants to update to pass on to my brothers,” I explain.
He nods. Everyone who lives around here knows about my family’s construction company, which my brothers have now taken over from my dad. Their constant phone calls and emails nagging me to move home after their previous electrician retired was part of the reason I decided to buy my house, and I’m sure everyone in town heard about it when I finally agreed to move back.
Even though I’d said it as an excuse to give Phil a reason to not ask too many questions about why I’m here, as we tour the old Victorian, I realize that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
Chad is done living with me. We’ve already agreed on that, and I’m not taking it back now. But spoiled trust-fund Chad also isn’t going to want to live in this house in its current state forever. He has the money to fix it up. He could probably afford to restore it and make it into something really impressive. So he should.
Even if I don’t facilitate it, my brothers will likely be the best option around here for the job.
Which means Chad will no doubt know them soon.
Fuck.
Phil wraps up the tour. “I was just getting together some essentials. Your lawyer sent over the paperwork this morning and set up a meeting tomorrow for us to sign everything we need to.”
“Great! Thanks again!” Chad replies enthusiastically. “I love the house so much. This is going to be amazing!”
We get back in the car, and as soon as Chad closes the passenger door, he spins to face me. “I didn’t want Phil to judge me for not already knowing, but come on, John! Did you say you have brothers and you’re going to tell them about updating the house? I have sooo many questions.”
I shrug, turning to put on my seatbelt. “It isn’t a big deal. They’re contractors.”
“There are multiple brothers? How many? Are they really going to help restore my new house? That would be so amazing.”
I wait for him to pause to take a breath before I answer. “I have three brothers. If you’d like, you can hire their company to help with your house.”
“Obviously I want them to help! They’re your family. I can’t believe I didn't even know you have brothers! Were they at the wedding? Oh my God! Was that who you were sitting with last night while I was dancing?” I nod, and he somehow gets even more excited. “I can’t wait to meet them!”
