Endings and Beginnings Read online

  “Like Master Eli,” Jarod surmised.

  “And you,” Thomas added quickly.

  Jarod froze. “What? I don’t know anything about running a business. I don’t even know how much money I have, seeing as how I’ve never touched it. I asked my solicitor to handle everything to do with the will. It just never mattered to me.”

  “And that’s fine.” Thomas leaned forward, his gaze focused on Jarod. “Let’s put our cards on the table, okay? I think the two of you would do very well in running a club of your own. I would work with Eli to give him the benefit of my knowledge of training Doms.”

  “And what would I do?” Jarod inquired.

  Thomas’s smile was warm and fond. “Do you remember when I told you that you made a great mentor for the boys? You could be that in the new club. You’re a very empathetic person. Easy to talk with, understanding….”

  “And old enough to be a grandfather to most of them,” Jarod responded, aware of the note of bitterness in his voice. He couldn’t help it. It wouldn’t be like Collars & Cuffs. The subs there were like family.

  Thomas sighed. “I know you had a bad experience, but not all people are like that.”

  Jarod wasn’t convinced.

  “Sir?” Peter spoke quietly. “Permission to speak to Jarod?”

  “Of course.” Thomas patted the empty chair next to him. “Here, sit with us.” Peter rose up off his knees and sat next to Thomas, but his gaze remained locked on Jarod.

  “Do you remember the dance? You opened your house to us to practice in. You joined us, and we had fun. We talked, you and I, about things, and you gave me good advice. Whether you believe it or not, Master Thomas is an excellent judge of character. If he thinks you can do it, then you can. And for what it’s worth, I believe in you too.”

  Peter’s kind words filled Jarod with warmth.

  “It’s something for you to think about,” Thomas said after a moment. “You can decide if you want to bring it to Eli’s attention or not. I just felt I had to mention it.”

  “Thank you,” Jarod said sincerely. “And I will think about it. I promise.”

  “That’s all I ask,” Thomas said, reaching across and patting Jarod’s hand.

  “Peter! You got a minute?” Scott shouted across the bar.

  Thomas laughed. “What’s the betting he wants to talk about the wedding?”

  Peter grinned. “That’s a bet I’d lose, Sir. If I may?”

  Thomas nodded. “I’ll be in my office.” Peter stood and, after a nod to Jarod, went to join Scott at his corner table. Thomas glanced at Jarod, his eyes gleaming. “I’ll be putting together an e-mail to tell all our members the club will be closed on the twenty-sixth. Looks like everyone will be attending a certain wedding.” He winked and got up from the table, Jarod rising with him.

  Jarod studied Thomas’s retreating figure, his mind going a mile a minute.

  Run our own BDSM club? The thought was a scary one but not without some allure. This needs thinking about.

  DARREN APPROACHED the door of the club with a spring in his step. First thing was to sign up as a member. Then he and JJ would work out their own contract, and he’d have an honest to goodness submissive. Plans for the two of them floated through Darren’s head, and all of them made him smile.

  “I can see you’re having a good night,” Tony said as he pulled the door open. “And that’s before you even get in there.”

  “I’m having a great night,” Darren replied, smiling. “What about you? Everything okay?”

  Tony seemed taken aback but recovered quickly. “Yeah, everything’s fine, thanks.” He pulled open the door, but Darren stayed outside.

  “How long have you worked here?”

  Tony stroked his chin. “A few years. Mr. Hart gave me the job after I got in some trouble. He believed in me, and I do my best to do right by him.” He grinned. “Although the wife does tease me about working here. She was surprised a gay club would need a security guard.” He shrugged. “I tell her I’m here to make sure there’s no trouble. I don’t want these guys having any hassle from people who have no business going through those doors. You get what I’m saying? You don’t have to be gay to know there are a lot of haters out there.” Tony folded his arms across his ample chest. “Well, as long as they stay away from this club, we don’t have a problem.”

  Darren stared at him, and Tony laughed.

  “I know what you’re thinking. Why would I be working here if I’m not gay, right?”

  Darren nodded.

  “I got kicked out of my house because my dad caught me hugging a friend. A gay friend. His mum had been sick, and he needed some comfort. I hugged him, and in my dad’s eyes, that was enough to convince him. He threw me out when I was sixteen. Mr. Hart found me, and when I told him my story, he got me a place to stay, helped me finish school, and got me my first job. I was eighteen when the place closed up, and he offered me a job here. He told me up front what kind of club it would be, but I didn’t care. The man helped me. He offered me a hand when no one else would. I took the job, and I’ll keep it as long as I can.”

  Tony’s earnest manner and obvious loyalty were pleasant to encounter. “You’re a good man, Tony.”

  Tony placed a hand on Darren’s shoulder. “The guys who own this club? They’re the good ones. Everyone who comes here treats me very well. They’re friendly, ask about my wife, and even tease me about taking a walk on the wild side. But they’ve always had my back.” He gave Darren a smile. “I’m glad you came here. I think you’d be a good fit too.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes. Tony explained he worked at the foundation Leo and Thomas ran, acting as a big brother for kids who needed someone to talk to. He also said his wife was having a baby and how excited he was to be a father.

  “Will you need to find a new job?”

  Tony shook his head. “Nah, they pay me well at the foundation, and I pick up extra hours here, so I’m good.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Darren checked his phone. He’d expected a text from JJ to say he’d signed up, but so far there’d been nothing. Then he noticed the time. “I’d best get inside. I’ve got a meeting with Thomas.”

  “You gonna join?” Tony asked excitedly.

  “I am.” He paused a second, then added, “Me and my boy.” Technically he wasn’t, not yet, but Darren believed in thinking something into existence. Nothing wrong with thinking positively.

  “JJ, right?”

  That stopped him in his tracks. “How did you know?”

  Tony grinned. “I may not talk all that much with the guys who come here, but that doesn’t mean I miss what goes on. I’ve seen you two together a couple of times. Like I could miss the way you look at each other.”

  The simple statement made Darren feel ten feet tall. He didn’t walk into the club, he strutted, a feeling of unbridled joy running through him, filling him with confidence.

  Until he caught sight of the look on JJ’s face. His brow was wrinkled, and he was biting his lip as he poured drinks and wiped down the bar top. His eyebrows were drawn together, and when he glanced toward the door and saw Darren, his reaction was unmistakable.

  JJ froze.

  Darren pushed down hard on the panic that rose up in his chest. Something was wrong. He walked across to the bar, fighting to maintain his composure. When he reached JJ, he gave him a cheerful smile. “Hey, what’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” JJ muttered, sticking a glass on the rack.

  Like Darren was going to leave it at that. “Have I done something wrong?” He kept his voice low and even.

  “No. I’m busy. I don’t really have time to talk.” If JJ’s body language screamed stay away, the clipped tone he used only added to the effect.

  Darren took a backward step. He’d seen JJ’s moods, but never one like this. “JJ? You can talk to me if there’s a problem. You know that, right?”

  JJ flashed him a glance before resuming his task of putting clean glasses back on thei
r racks. “I said I’m fine. Just… go away, okay? I really don’t want to talk right now.”

  There was no way Darren wanted to leave the conversation like that, but it was clear JJ was not about to share whatever was on his mind. Darren gave a sharp nod. “Okay, I’ll be back later.”

  He made his way toward Thomas’s office, stopping once to look back at JJ. His expression seemed to be pained, bordering on tears. It didn’t sit well with Darren at all. He wanted to make JJ talk to him, but with them being at the club, he had to respect the boundaries of work and play.

  He rapped on the door three times and heard Thomas call out for him to come in. When he entered, Thomas gave him a smile and stood up, hand extended.

  “JJ said you were coming in. Long day?”

  Darren shook his hand and then took the proffered chair, sinking into it. “Yes. I had some catching up to do after this week.”

  “Am I to understand you’ve made a decision?”

  Darren forced a smile, unable to push JJ from his thoughts. “Where do I sign?”

  Thomas laughed. “You and JJ really are well matched. Do you know that?” He slid a sheet across the desk. “That’s the application form. Normally we ask for references from previous clubs, but I know that doesn’t apply to you.” He handed Darren a pen.

  Darren scanned the sheet, his fingers gripping the pen, poised above the line for his signature. But some sense stayed his hand, some internal alarm that wouldn’t shut the fuck up. He raised his head to look at Thomas. “JJ’s already been in and joined up, right?”

  Thomas shook his head.

  Darren didn’t like the way this was going. “He said he’d stop in and see you to sign. Then I could do mine after I got done at the salon.”

  Thomas’s brow furrowed. “He came in, and we talked for a few minutes. Then he said thank you and left.”

  Shit. That alarm was clanging even louder. “May I ask what you talked about?”

  “Hm? Oh, he asked about club membership. How much the fees were.”

  Well, crap. “Damn. I should have seen this coming.”

  Thomas became still. “Is there a problem?”

  Darren rested his forehead in his hand. “JJ doesn’t have the money to pay any kind of fees. He lives in this little hole that his wages barely cover.”

  Thomas expelled a breath. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

  “Nothing for you to be sorry about. I should have realized it when we talked.” Darren scrubbed a hand through his hair. “This is going to be awkward. I’ll offer to pay his fee, but I can already tell you now how that conversation is going to go.”

  “Not well, I assume?”

  Darren groaned. “God, no. The boy gives stubborn a new meaning.”

  Thomas rubbed his chin. “Then I assume he wouldn’t let us give him a special fee and call it an employee discount?”

  Bless the man. It was a good idea, but Darren knew his JJ. “Very unlikely. I’ll have to have a talk with him. We may not have signed a contract yet, but I already feel responsible for him, so this is my mess to sort out.”

  Thomas arched his eyebrows. “I wish you luck. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

  “I will. And don’t put that application form back in your filing cabinet. One way or another, I will be back—with JJ.”

  “Do you want me to give JJ a break so you can talk to him?”

  Darren stood and took Thomas’s hand again. “No, I told him I wouldn’t do the Dom thing at the club while he was working. I intend to respect that. I’ll be back to fetch him later. Do me a favor, though—don’t tell him we talked, okay?”

  Thomas smiled. “My lips are sealed.”

  Darren thanked him and left the office, heading toward the bar. He could see JJ’s eyes flicker in his direction as he approached, even if he was trying not to be obvious.

  Darren stopped in front of him. “Later, we’re going to have a talk, you and I.” With those words he left, not wanting to give JJ a chance to argue.

  Darren was home long enough for a shower and a quick nap. JJ’s job would keep him there until late, and Darren wanted to be alert and rested when he showed up at closing time. Not that sleeping was easy. His thoughts kept tumbling into one another, trying to prepare what he wanted to say to JJ. Finally he stared at his bedroom ceiling and yelled, “Fuck it!” He sat up on the edge of his bed and sighed. It was obvious a nap was not in the cards.

  By the time he parked in front of the club, men were already filing out, one or two at a time. He watched Leo and Alex leave. The lights went out, and JJ and Thomas exited the club. Darren got out of the car and crossed the street.

  “Was it a good night?” Thomas asked JJ as he locked up.

  “Not bad,” JJ answered tersely.

  Darren smiled. His boy had an attitude on him.

  Thomas caught sight of Darren and grinned. “I guess this is where I leave you, since your chariot seems to have arrived.”

  “Huh? What do you—oh.” Even in the orange glow of the streetlights, JJ seemed to pale.

  “JJ. In the car, please.” Darren wasn’t about to take no for an answer.

  JJ visibly stiffened. Thomas flashed another grin at Darren, said good night, and headed to his own car.

  JJ stuck out his chin, a gesture Darren was fast becoming accustomed to seeing.

  “I’m going home.”

  “Yes, we are,” Darren agreed. “In the car.”

  JJ glared at him, huffed—and got into the car.

  Darren waited until JJ had buckled himself into the seat. “We’re stopping first at that place you’re staying in, and then you’re coming back with me,” he announced.

  JJ shook his head. “No. My place is closer to the club, so I don’t have to worry about being late.”

  “We can discuss the logistics later, but you’re not staying there anymore.” Darren switched on the engine, but not before he fired a glance in JJ’s direction. JJ’s jaw had dropped, and Darren couldn’t help but smile to himself. This Dom stuff could be fun.

  They drove back to the flat JJ stayed in, with JJ staring out of the window in silence the whole time. Darren wasn’t going to mention club membership until they’d gotten the things from JJ’s place. He knew he should have insisted the last time they’d been here, but he thought maybe it would have been too soon. Now he knew he was the one in charge, and JJ needed to get that concept through his head.

  “I haven’t joined the club,” JJ muttered.

  Darren sighed. “I heard. And you didn’t think to talk about this with me?”

  “What’s to talk about? I can’t afford to pay for the membership, and I knew as soon as you heard that, you’d go all white knight and insist on paying for me.”

  Darren resisted the urge to smile. Looks like he does know me, about as well as I know him. “No, I wouldn’t. Not yet, at least. I know you like to pay your own way.”

  “I’ve been doing it for years,” JJ sniped.

  Darren couldn’t hold back another sigh. “Yes, you have. Maybe it’s time to let your guard down just a little and let someone help you.”

  JJ said nothing but lapsed into silence once more.

  He parked the car, though Darren was loathe to leave it unattended in this neighborhood so late at night, but he wouldn’t let JJ leave without ensuring he came back.

  JJ came to a halt a few feet from the car. “Where are you going?” he demanded.

  “I’m coming with you. We’re collecting the rest of your things.”

  “We’re not doing any such thing,” JJ retorted. “I’m going home. I think you should do the same.”

  Darren glared at JJ. He stepped in close and saw JJ shiver slightly. “Boy, go get your things and take them to the car,” he said through gritted teeth. He forced as much authority into his voice as he possibly could.

  JJ’s gaze dropped, and Darren mentally patted himself on the back.

  “That’s not fair,” JJ grumbled.

  Inside, Darre
n was smiling. “Get used to it,” Darren replied. “I’ve let you have your way long enough. Now, let’s go in and collect your stuff.”

  “Why?” JJ sniped. “I’ll have to come back here eventually. This is where I live, Darren.”

  “Not anymore. You’re going to be living with me.” He knew he was pushing it, but he’d made up his mind. JJ was going to be his submissive, and as such Darren wanted what was best for him. And that meant taking care of him and not letting him live in such squalid surroundings. He knew JJ had every right to object—there was nothing binding between them, after all—but Darren hoped they had enough of a foundation for JJ not to give up on him.

  They reached JJ’s front door.

  “I’ll stay here,” Darren told him. He didn’t want to put more pressure on JJ. “But don’t be too long. It’s already past midnight. Time you were in bed. My bed.”

  JJ bit his lip. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”

  Darren nodded, and JJ set his jaw.

  “Okay, listen. I’ll grab a few things for a couple of nights, seeing as it’s the weekend. But you are not getting your own way in this. Do you understand me?”

  “Sure,” Darren said with a wave of his hand. He could afford to play it cool—right up until he got JJ through his front door. Darren could play hardball too.

  JJ stared hard at him, then turned and entered the building.

  Darren had a feeling things would get very interesting when they got back to his house.

  After fifteen minutes they were back in the car and heading home. The drive was very quiet. JJ sat fuming in the passenger seat, and Darren decided to let him get comfortable with the idea. He pulled into the driveway and switched off the engine.

  “Home sweet home,” he quipped.

  JJ said nothing but sat there, arms folded.

  Darren got out and made his way to the passenger side. JJ still hadn’t moved, so Darren opened the door and unbuckled the seat belt, then held out a hand. JJ glared at it but got out of the car, hefted his bag, and made his way toward the front door.