Page 1 of Locked in Wonderland

Chapter One

Two weeks wasn’t much of an anniversary, but it was enough that I’d booked a table to celebrate it. When Warren White walked into the restaurant and smiled the moment he spotted me, I remembered exactly why I’d begged my boss for two week’s annual leave instead of returning home when my scheduled list of jobs in the area had ended.

He was unfairly handsome, with his white-blond hair with the slightest curl, pale blue eyes, lips with a cupid’s bow, and a compact body I’d become increasingly familiar with over the past fortnight.

On top of being handsome, he was also sweet. It was like winning the gay lottery. It wasn’t like me to fall so quickly, but fall I had—and I wasn’t mad about it.

“Hi,” he said once he reached the table. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

I pulled him down for a kiss. Nothing X-rated that risked driving any of our fellow diners into a homophobic tirade—just a statement of intent for later. Long eyelashes hid his eyes for a few seconds as he sat, color flooding his cheeks. He blushed more prettily than anyone I’d ever met.

“You’re adorable,” I said, and meant it. “If I had waited a long time, it would still be worth it.”

The blush grew more intense. Normally, I’d exhibit a great deal more chill, especially this early in a relationship, but there was something about how open Warren was that had me refusing to censor myself.

The waiter’s arrival with the wine I’d already ordered afforded Warren a chance to compose himself. He smiled once we were alone again. “You say the nicest things, Lysander.”

“Me?” I laughed. “Sweetheart, I’m not the nice one. You are.”

Warren turned his head to stare out of the window. The restaurant’s prime coastal spot offered an unobscured view of the island across the sea. “Have you ever been?” he asked.

I followed his gaze. “To Wonderland?”

He nodded. “I’ve heard it’s so much fun people never want to leave.”

“I’ve heard it’s a retreat for rich pricks who have too much time on their hands and nowhere better to spend their money.”

The words came out sharper than I’d intended. It wasn’t that I wanted to hide the more cynical parts of myself, but we were still in that honeymoon phase where I preferred Warren seeing my better side. “No, I’ve never been,” I added more softly. “This is my first time in the area and I don’t imagine I earn anywhere near enough.”

“Me neither.” He turned back to face me with a bright smile. “I brought you a gift.”

My eyebrows rose. “A gift? In aid of what? It’s not my birthday.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. In aid of you being a great guy and me being thrilled to have met you.”

“See,” I said as I took the box he pushed across the table, “you’re far sweeter than I am. You even wrapped it.” I gave the box an experimental little shake.

“If you don’t like it, then…”

I gave him a mock glare. “Whatever it is, I’ll love it, because it’s from you.” I unwrapped a jeweler’s box and lifted the lid. Inside, on a cushion of red velvet, lay an expensive-looking watch. Way too expensive.

“I can’t accept this.” Placing the box back on the table, I pushed it back his way.

Warren stayed my hand. “Of course you can. You know I sell them, so it’s no big deal. Anyway, I had it engraved, so it’s not like I can give it to anyone else.”

Plucking it from the box, I turned it over. Lysander, time with you is precious. Love, Warren x. That was so damn sweet that I was speechless for a few seconds. “That’s―”

“It’s too much, isn’t it? Shit! I’m such a—”

“No!” I pressed my hand over his and waited until Warren lifted his gaze to mine. “I love it. It’s a beautiful watch, and the engraving makes it all the more special.”

“Put it on. I want to see what it looks like.”

I dutifully unfastened my old watch, which was an absolute piece of crap in comparison, and replaced it with the new one, holding it up to the light.

“It looks great,” Warren said with satisfaction.

“It does,” I agreed.