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“Davy’s a good kid. He was pretty damned gullible before he came to us, but we’re working on that. If you’re just playing with him, be upfront about it, yeah?”

Kid?“How old is he?” I asked.

“Twenty-four, I think. Maybe twenty-five.” He shrugged. “I guess that makes me old, calling him a kid?” He shrugged. “He’s a man, but I guess we’re a little protective of him.”

“He seems sweet, and he doesn’t know who I am. I know I’ll have to tell him before the evening ends, but I’m looking forward to…” I shrugged. “It’s been a long time since I got to know someone who doesn’t think they already know me.”

“Yeah, I can see how that might be a novelty. Just don’t bruise his heart too badly if you can help it.”

Davy came out wearing a plain white t-shirt and fresh jeans worn inallthe right places, and he looked sexier than he had a right to. He still wore his work boots, and that just added to the picture.

The thing is, I got the feeling he didn’t have a clue how hot he looked. It was endearing, and I understood why the bikers felt protective of him.

I tossed the keys to my Aston Martin to Bash. “It looks like this one’s up next on the oil change schedule. Get to it when you can, and get with Angie to let her know when someone can bring it home. Also, if it needs any maintenance, you know the drill.”

“I do. If it’s just an oil change we should be able to get it back to you tomorrow. If it needs more, we’ll talk to Angie.”

“No rush.” I have plenty of cars, and it’s good having mechanics you trust. Worth their weight in gold.

Davy and I walked outside in silence, and I asked him, “Do you want to drive home now, so I can take you home later and your coworkers won’t know how long or short our date was?”

He looked a little horrified, and he shook his head. “No, Sir. I rode my bike today. I can either follow you on it, or ride with you to the restaurant. Whatever works for you.”

“What do you have?”

He shrugged and looked embarrassed. “It’s just a little Honda five-fifty. Vintage, from the seventies. Bash helped me rebuild the engine a few months ago. It’s nothing special, but I enjoy riding it when the weather’s nice.”

“And what if I want to get you drunk and take advantage of you?”

He met my gaze about a second and a half before looking down with a shrug. “I don’t drink more than a beer if I’m going to be on my bike, and I won’t have more than two mixed drinks with a meal when I’m not driving.”

Was there a history of substance abuse? I’d need to know at some point, but it felt as if I should keep things lighthearted until I had him sitting somewhere in a restaurant. “Okay, sounds like that’s a discussion for later. I asked you what you like to eat, and you told me what you don’t like to eat. So, how about multiple choice? Steak place, Italian place, or fancy frou-frou restaurant with a little of everything?”

“I’m not dressed for a fancy restaurant.”

I looked him over again — faded jeans and a white shirt that hugged his thin, muscled body. Simple but fashionable.

“We’re both in jeans and a t-shirt, and I think I want to treat you to something special. Ever been toMagpies?”

“No, Sir.”

“Get in the car, Davy.”

* * * *

Davy

I slid into the passenger seat, and he started the car and looked over at me. “Seatbelt.”

We both locked them in, and he said, “We haven’t negotiated power exchange, and I’m no longer a customer.”

Right, and I was still calling himSir.

“I can’t explain why, but it feels as if…” I looked out the side window and then back to the front. “I want to show respect. If it bothers you, I’ll stop until you give me permission.”

“Doesn’t bother me, just trying to get a handle on where your head is.”

“How did I know you were a Dom, and gay, when you walked in the door? It’s a mystery, but I’m not in the habit of flirting with customers. Actually, I usually don’t interact with the customers, but…” I shrugged. He didn’t need to know about our problems finding someone to replace Pixie.