Page 79 of A is for Aftercare

“Yes. Not that it matters. You’ve already caughtyourfish.”

“Hamish isn’t a fish to be caught.”

Blake shrugs. "Maybe he caught you. Either way, you don't need to dress up to impress him." He smirks. "He'd probably prefer you with your clothes off if you've been having as much sex as you claim."

“Not in a posh restaurant.”

“The toilets would be clean.”

I grab my comb and throw it at him. “I’mnothaving sex in the toilets. Aside from the fact that it’s gross, we’d probably get done for public indecency.”

“The possibility of getting caught is half the fun.”

I stare at him, wondering if he's winding me up or if he has had sex with someone in a public toilet.

“Close your mouth, Archie, or you’ll start catching flies.”

“You’re shameless,” I say, deciding he probably has.

Blake laughs and rolls onto his back. “You have no idea.”

Or he's just good at winding me up.

“Are you out tonight?” I ask.

“Yes.” He says it as though I’ve just asked the most ridiculous question possible. “We’re going to play Monopoly and watch a film if there’s time.”

“Sounds…fun.”

"It will be. Relationships aren't just about sex, you know. I enjoy hanging out with Gabe and Calvin." He gets off the bed and puts his phone in his pocket. "I'm staying the night, so I'll see you tomorrow. If our fashion consultation is done, I'll go get my clothes ready."

I nod, and he saunters out of the room. I’m pretty sure I’ll end up spending the night with Hamish too. At least, I hope I will.

I take the train to the closest station to the restaurant and then get a taxi the rest of the way. Hamish is waiting for me outside, and fuck, does he look amazing. He's wearing a navy blue pinstripe three-piece suit. I glance down at my shirt and trousers, instantly feeling underdressed.

“You look gorgeous,” Hamish says. He puts a hand around my waist and kisses me in the middle of the street.

I’m not sure why, but the public display of affection takes me by surprise. I know we held hands on our walk last weekend, but this is a busy street in London. Warmth settles inside me, cocooning my heart. He’s not ashamed or worried about being seen with me, even though I’m so much younger than him.

“I hope you like seafood,” he says.

“I do. Don’t worry. If I didn’t, I’d have said so when you told me where we were going.”

“Just checking. I’ve had partners in the past who were too timid to say.”

“I might be a sub, but I’m not a mouse.”

He tips his head back and roars with laughter. “I’ll have to remember that for one of my books.”

“One ofLee’sbooks,” I say quietly.

“Aye. My publisher would have a fit if I slipped it into an Orion King novel.”

“Excuse me.”

We turn to look at the man in his forties who just spoke. He’s standing with a woman who looks mortified that he’s interrupted our conversation.

“Are you Hamish Cameron?”