Caden's Dilemma (Indiscreet #6) (9 page)

“Come for me, baby.” Johnny spurted all over Caden’s hand. Caden lay Johnny gently down on the bed, making sure he was on his side so his back didn’t sting. “I’m going to get something to clean us up.”

Johnny heard the bathroom door open. Caden came back with a basin and a cloth. Johnny watched Caden wash his cock and belly. He was so gentle and caring that Johnny wanted to cry.

Caden sat down on the bed and took Johnny with a blanket onto his lap. Johnny put his arms around Caden’s neck and began to kiss him back.

Johnny ran his hands up and down Caden’s naked arms. Johnny looked down. Caden had a six pack just like his own but it didn’t come from a gym. It came from daily PT and five mile runs. His arms were muscular with the kind of muscles that come from hard work. Johnny imagined Caden ambushed or hit by an IED in the war and was dismayed at his shudder when he thought of Caden upset or hurt. He was falling fast and hard.

Caden soothed him all the way down from his endorphin high; subspace had never been so grand before. The scene was glorious, they fit.

§ § §

“Baby, we have to dress. The main kitchen closes at ten and I want to make sure you eat something substantial before you go home, not pub grub.” The kitchen served bar food from ten until two but Caden wanted to sit down with Masato across a table, just like a couple. Caden dressed Masato slowly, taking care not to brush carelessly over his back. His buttoned his oxford shirt, drew up his dress slacks and fastened his belt. Caden knelt and put on Masato’s socks and shoes.

His own cock throbbed. He had a date with Mr. Right Hand later this evening, but if he earned Masato’s trust then the blue balls were worth it. As he put Masato’s arms into the cashmere sweater Masato was with it enough to duck so that his head fit through the V-neck. Caden straightened the boy’s collar.

“Can you stand?”

“Yes, Sir.” Masato stood and Caden put his arm around his baby’s waist, tucked Masato’s shoulder under his arm, and walked him down the hall. They made it down to the dining room. Caden remembered that Masato liked the garlic shrimp they had on Friday, so he ordered that and a small cut of Prime Rib along with some carrots and broccoli at the desk.

Caden sat at the banquette and pulled Masato down on his lap. Masato smiled at him.“Can I have a glass of water, Sir?”

Caden signaled the waiter. “A pitcher of water please and a glass.”

The waiter brought Caden the pitcher and he poured Masato a glass of water with ice. Caden only wanted food he could feed Masato. The waiter brought out some canapés and potato skins on the house to celebrate his first day at work. They came with a note from Reed. “Good luck, you’ll need it.”

Caden shook his head. The meal arrived and Caden fed Masato each bite from his hand.

Caden was very pleased at the way the night was going. When the meal was almost finished Masato started wiggling in his lap like a frisky pup. “Be still,” Caden scolded.

Masato stilled instantly. “No dessert for you tonight, you’re wiggly enough. It’s late and it’s icy outside, can I take you home?”

“No, Sir, not tonight, I have a driver coming for me at eleven and it’s ten to now.” Caden sucked on Masato’s lower lip.

“Then I guess we have to get you ready to go out. Where are your things?”

Masato took him to the locker room where he retrieved his topcoat and scarf. He wore no hat and Caden scolded him. “Don’t you know that most of the heat loss comes out of your head? Where are your gloves?”

“In my coat pocket, Sir,” Masato answered. Caden removed the gloves from Masato’s pockets and let Masato put them on his hands.

Caden walked him to the door and opened it, spying the car idling in the club’s driveway, Caden kissed Masato on his forehead. “Wednesday?” he asked.

“I’ll come earlier,” Masato said.

“And I’ll be ready sooner…” Masato went down the stairs turned and waved and got into the back seat of the car. Caden noted the plates, they weren’t livery plates.
Maybe Masato had a private service run under the table by a friend that drove him places, but why was it a freaking limousine? Was he married and not out? No, if he were married the man wouldn’t let him out of his sight. Was it sent by a jealous lover? A jealous lover wouldn’t let him come to the club by himself. It wasn’t that kind of impediment. It didn’t make sense, but then again, it doesn’t matter.
Caden was falling in love.

§ § §

Johnny sat in the back of the limousine. Maybe it was a mistake to have Aubrey pick him up but he couldn’t let Caden take him home and see how he lived, not yet. He’d have to get him gradually used to the idea that he had money. He consoled himself. He had three months, then all bets were off. He had to make Caden love him so much that by the time three months passed, the money wouldn’t matter.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Tuesday

Caden called Danny as promised the next morning.

“How was work?” his brother asked as Caden put on his coffee.

“Work is going to be busy. This is no make-work for the poor vet job. I can see myself doing this for a while.”

“Did you do your scene with Masato last night?” Danny waited for the answer.

“Yes, it was memorable. I’m going to see him again. Now that you’ve gotten the information you want, Squirt, let me have my coffee. I’ll talk to you or Gary later in the day.”

§ § §

As soon as Caden hung up, Danny called Jim. Lucky for him, Gary had a business meeting this morning. “Jim, Danny, can we invite Masato for tea sooner than Monday? I could have it here,” Danny told him. “I can have coffee cake ready in an hour. Caden just called, he’s smitten, I can tell. Caden’s voice softened when he mentioned his name. I’ve got to know now if he’s good enough for my brother. We never got to know him properly.”

“Are you sure you want to do this? We’ll all be taking strokes for major meddling.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Caden was there for me when I needed him. It’s because of him I found Gary.” Danny started to pace.

“Okay, I’ll place the call to Masato, you can make the coffee cake, but bring it here. It’s best not to intimidate him by bringing him to his potential Master’s brother’s home right away. He’s going to know he’s being scrutinized, and we don’t want to scare him off.” Danny was getting dressed as he spoke to Jim. He straightened the bed and picked up the bedroom. There were clothes all over. Gary had been hungry for him last night.

Danny said, “I’ll call Greg, you call Brian and Jamie. It’s bad out so I’m sure Junior will have to drive. I bought some special berry blossom tea at Teavana. I’ll bring it with me.” Danny started to clean up the bathroom.

Jim said, “Is ten okay? I have to be at work at two.”

“Ten’s great, I really appreciate this. I owe you one.” Danny put all the clothes into the laundry basket to be washed when he got home.

Danny called Greg. “He had a scene with him last night. Caden said they have another date on Wednesday. We need to know more about him before my brother is so far down the crevasse he can’t climb back out. He took care of me when I needed him, now it’s my turn.”

“My calendar is clear until two. Let me call and ask Cisco. I’ll get right back to you.” Greg hung up.

Oops, Danny thought, I better call Gary
. He dialed Gary on the line that Gary kept just for him. The burner phone had been replaced by a regular phone and only he had the number.

Gary answered on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Sir, I’m sorry to disturb you but I want to go over to Jim’s house.” Danny crossed his fingers.

“You can go if Junior drives. It’s too bad out for you to use the car.” Gary’s voice was firm and brooked no argument.

“I’ll call Brian and ask.”
I hope Brian and Jamie can go. I hope Junior’s available. I have to call Jim back.

“You call me and let me know where you are. Don’t even think about going out unless Junior’s driving. I love you.”

“I love you too, Sir. I’ll call you as soon as I know what’s going to happen.”

Danny punched in Jim’s number. “Did you speak to Brian and Jamie?” He started to throw together the ingredients for his coffee crumb cake.

“Yeah, Junior will pick you up because I know Gary won’t want you to drive. I also called Masato. You’re lucky he’s willing to come out on such a horrible day.” Danny measured out the flour and brown sugar.

“I’ve got to call Gary back and tell him where I’m going to be and that Junior is driving. I’ll see you at ten. Don’t worry, I have the tea and the cake.” Danny hung up the phone and called Gary back.

“Sir, Junior is driving. Can I go?” Danny pleaded.

“As long as Junior is taking you there and bringing you home it’s okay. Now go have fun before the new semester starts and you have to hit the books again.” Danny breathed a sigh of relief.

He called Brian. “What time can you come?” He looked at the clock. It was just eight.

“We’re good to go for nine-thirty. Papa doesn’t like Junior to speed in this weather. We’ll pick up Jamie on the way.”

Danny used an eleven-inch round pan instead of an eight and doubled the recipe. He hoped it turned out all right. If not, he had muffin mix and Greg’s secret recipe. He put some of the crumbs over the first layer of batter, poured the rest of the batter and covered the top with more crumbs. Danny slipped the cake in the oven.

§ § §

Johnny knew about the sub club and also figured out why he got the sudden invitation. Jim offered to have Junior pick him up, but he knew better than that. Aubrey would drive him over and wait along with Junior. He’d have to tell the subs about the money. In the daylight he couldn’t explain it away as a livery vehicle. Maybe they would help. From what he heard, they helped the others.

Johnny asked Mrs. Mills to make a banana nut bread to bring to Jim’s. He knew she could throw that together fast and that there were ripe bananas in the kitchen.

§ § §

“So you’re going to Jim’s and having Junior pick up Jamie and Danny,” Bear said in a deceptively mild tone of voice.

“Yes, Papa, Danny needs us.” Brian put his arms around his Master and hugged him hard. It usually worked well as a diversionary tactic. Bear had been reading the paper when Brian came down for breakfast.

“I heard your phone ring several times. You’re all plotting again and you have poor Caden in your sights.” He put the paper down next to his plate.

Brian knew better than to lie to Bear. “Danny wants us to help him bring Masato out of his shell and get to know us better. He says that Caden really likes him and Danny wants to know if he’s good enough for Caden before we let him have him.”

“I don’t think you have any control over that, cub. Caden’s going to be with Masato on his own terms no matter how hard you plot and scheme.” Bear folded the paper and put it in his briefcase. He had to go into the office today. He was taking the Mercedes. “Dress warmly. Don’t forget your hat, scarf and gloves. I don’t want you getting sick. and you’re very susceptible to the cold.”

“Yes, Papa, I’ll be good.”

“You better be because Junior will rat you out in a millisecond.”

Brian smiled. He wouldn’t do anything to upset his Papa Bear, but he knew Junior wouldn’t tell on him. Brian didn’t see his pillow on the floor which was a sign that he was supposed to sit at the table. He finished his scrambled eggs and bacon and calmly ate his piece of toast and drank his juice.

“May I be excused, Papa? I have to go get dressed.” Brian waited.

“You may be excused. I’m proud of you that you didn’t rush breakfast even though you have somewhere to go,” Bear told him as he slipped on his coat.

Brian had been with Bear long enough that he knew the little things that pleased him. One of them was not rushing breakfast until Bear was ready to let him go. Brian stood up on his toes and pulled Bear’s scarf around his neck. “Stay safe, Papa. Are you sure you don’t want Junior to drive you? He could always come back to get me.”

“No, cub. I want Junior here with you,” Bear grumbled. “I already made the arrangements for myself before you asked. I needed to drive in today because I have a hospital board meeting at three.” Bear kissed Brian goodbye.

“Be careful out there,” Brian told his Papa Bear then went upstairs to get dressed.

§ § §

The boys arrived at Jim’s house at nine-forty-five. Danny brought his cake and it was perfect. Greg arrived five minutes later and was immediately on the phone texting Cisco telling him where he was. “I don’t know why he makes me call. He has the locator chip in the phone,” Greg grumbled.

“What if you lost your phone or what if someone grabbed you and threw your phone away? This way he’s never worried. You don’t want to worry him, do you?” asked Jim.

“No, I guess not. It’s little enough to do for all he does for me. He got us a cleaning service that comes in five days a week now, so I don’t have to wash or iron. He doesn’t want to give up our privacy for a housekeeper.” Greg told Jim. “I only do the cooking now. He even clears the dishes.”

“See, he just wants to take care of you.” Jim said.

“You’re right, I should stop grumbling.”

They all sat down around the dining room table. The tea water was set on simmer, Jim got out the cloth napkins and the good china and silver. The cake was on the table along with some fruit Jim cut up and threw together. The doorbell rang.

§ § §

Danny was very nervous. He knew he was butting into his brother’s life and that Caden wouldn’t exactly be happy about it. He hoped Masato wouldn’t tell.

They decided Danny would answer the door. His eyes almost dropped out of his head when he saw the limousine. “Jim, I think we need another thermos of coffee and some of the scones from yesterday for Masato’s driver.”

“His what…” Danny heard Brian whisper.

“Come in, Masato. Welcome to the sub club.”

“Hello Danny.” Masato came into the dining room and handed Jim the wrapped loaf of banana nut bread. “My housekeeper made this for us,” he said in a matter of fact voice.

He sat down at the table and Brian stared at Masato. “Now I remember, I told you guys yesterday I would. Everybody meet Johnny Nguyen, software engineer and the owner of one of the most profitable software and Internet companies on the East Coast.”