Page 9 of Broken Promises (Soho Knights #5)

PATRICK

Patrick was finding it difficult to concentrate on anything, and he knew who was to blame – a certain blond brat called Jason.

It had been three weeks since their first meeting, and in that time, Sebastian had been through the mill with Charlie.

Even with all that drama going on, Patrick couldn’t get Jason out of his head.

It was making him feel guilty about George, but he couldn’t help but be drawn to Jason.

What Patrick saw was a boy in pain, who was in desperate need of a daddy.

Could Patrick be that for him, and did Jason even want it?

His investigation into Grant Kincaid had occupied him for a couple of days, but that guy was untouchable.

There was a connection to the Moretti family in Boston, so Patrick had made some discreet enquiries.

He knew Sebastian was aware of the Moretti’s through business dealings, but he didn’t want to involve his friend in this.

Patrick had put it to one side and thrown himself into his work, but his mind would always wander back to Jason.

Patrick had considered calling him a few times.

He’d updated the name in his phone from “body for pounding” to “Jason.” Still, he hadn’t made that call.

What was wrong with him? Patrick never hesitated over anything.

He was a daddy, for fuck’s sake – taking charge was what he did – but with Jason, he was conflicted.

George was always in his thoughts, but he was also apprehensive about Jason rejecting him.

Sebastian had been clear that from what he knew Jason didn’t date anyone, and he slept around a lot.

It was self-destructive behaviour and not uncommon in young gay men.

What had happened in his past? Who had hurt such a beautiful boy?

He had such a cheeky smile, and his eyes twinkled with mischief.

He would be a handful, and Patrick wanted to take on that challenge.

Instead of going back and forth in his head, he could orchestrate a meeting.

Patrick had some contacts who were based in the same building as Jason, but there were fifty floors, so the chance of him timing his arrival or departure so they would bump into each other was unlikely.

He’d need to think about this carefully, and push aside his conscience, which told him he was acting like a deranged stalker!

Before he could spiral any further, his assistant, Milo, bounced into his office. He was a sweet young man, like an excitable puppy, and always spearheading the latest cause. Patrick cared about things going in the world, but Milo was the one who was leading the charge at every protest march.

“What is it, Milo?”

“Can you meet Christine at five o’clock? You have that block in your diary you told me not to book over, but it’s the only time she can do. I know you wanted to talk to her today.”

The block in his diary was for him to leave early and stroll slowly past Jason’s office hoping to bump into him.

But Christine was his boss, and he needed her to give him the all clear on a story they wanted to run about a politician.

As editor, the last call was always his, but when it crossed into politics, he always looped the owner in.

She was very hands off, but also well connected.

She would ensure that if they lit a bonfire in Whitehall, it wouldn’t be her team who got burned. Jason would have to wait.

Patrick walked around the flat, taking it all in.

The place was stunning and wouldn’t leave him much change out of two million quid, but he only intended to rent it for twelve months.

He wanted to be sure before he committed for the long term.

He’d sold his house, but didn’t want to buy another place straight away.

It had been right to say goodbye to his old marital home given the painful memories, but leaving the village that had been their home for a decade was a different story.

It had been bought by first-time buyers – a young family – so the sale could proceed quickly if Patrick got out of there soon.

The couple hadn’t been the highest bidder, but he loved the idea of a young family having the place.

Neither Patrick nor George had wanted their own children.

Patrick was just happy being the fun uncle for his sister’s kids.

Well, George had been the fun uncle. Patrick was the sensible one who bought them educational gifts.

They were missing George as well. Too young to fully understand what had happened, but old enough to know he wasn’t coming back.

This flat was just what he needed. There were two bedrooms, one of which would work as a home office.

The open-plan living wasn’t to his taste, but everything he’d seen in this part of London was laid out the same.

The view right over the River Thames was perfect, and he’d only be a short walk over the bridge to work in the city.

This would do as home for a while before he made some decisions.

Patrick agreed to the terms with the letting agent and got the process moving.

It was available immediately, so he could take his time moving the contents of his house over.

Walking back along the river to the office, he was lost in his thoughts and didn’t hear his name being called at first. A pull on his arm had him turning round and his heart rate shot up. It was Jason.

“Hello, Jason. How are you?”

“You were in your own world then,” said Jason.

Patrick noted that he hadn’t answered the question, and he looked troubled.

“Just been checking out my new place.”

“Round here?” asked Jason, his body language changed to intrigued.

“Yes. It’ll be closer to the office and give me some time to think about buying somewhere else.”

“Where’s that?” Patrick knew were Jason worked, but didn’t want to come across as creepy.

“Ten minutes that way,” he pointed. “How about you?”

“The same, just in the opposite direction.”

Jason worked on the other side of London Bridge, whereas Patrick crossed Tower Bridge. In terms of proximity in the city, it was less than five minutes, not that Patrick had timed it or anything.

“Where are you going now?”

“Oh . . . I just needed a walk, and I like to be by the water.”

“Are you okay, Jason?”

“Yeah, of course. Why are you asking?”

“Can I buy you a coffee?”

Jason looked surprised at the question. It was like he’d frozen. Something was definitely wrong with him, but Patrick knew instinctively not to push too much.

“Er . . . I don’t have a long time.”

“We’ll make it quick, then,” he said, smiling. “The coffee, that is.”

That made Jason laugh. He looked so much more beautiful when he gave a genuine smile. Not the false one he hid behind, but right now, when he was being his true self.

“Okay, do you know somewhere good round here? ”

“I do. It’s this way,” he said, gesturing his hand in the direction he was travelling, which was opposite to the way Jason was going.

He looked hesitant for a second, and then nodded.

They chatted about Sebastian and Charlie on their way to the independent coffee shop, which was tucked away from the tourist flow.

It was wonderful to see Jason so animated and happy for his friend.

Patrick felt the same way. Those two were perfect for each other, and it was amusing to see his confident friend act like a lovesick teenager around a man fifteen years younger than him.

Patrick shouldn’t be getting ahead of himself, but the gods had given him an opportunity to talk to Jason without an audience, so he wasn’t going to waste it.

He sent a text to Milo asking him to clear his diary for the next couple of hours.

He didn’t know how long Jason had to spare, but Patrick would not be the one to cut this impromptu coffee date short.

“How did I not about know this place?” said Jason, in awe. “I’ve worked in the city for two years.”

“Technically, we’re not in the city.”

It was true. The City of London was a square mile, and one of its boundaries was the River Thames.

They were on the south side now, which had some great places to eat and drink.

It was Patrick’s preferred location to socialise after work, rather than in the hub of all the office buildings.

Just by walking over a bridge it felt like you were in a different city.

This coffee shop had been here for the twenty years Patrick had worked in the area.

It was a family-run business, and the moment he walked through the door they started making his order.

Maria, who owned the place with her husband, raised an eyebrow and gave a smirk when she saw Jason.

To be fair, they looked an odd pair. Jason was short, blond, and full of energy.

Patrick resembled a younger Father Christmas.

He kept in good shape, but had become softer around the middle since George died.

He had the beard with flecks of grey in it, and his hair had more salt than pepper these days.

Patrick looked older than he was, and Jason looked younger.

He wasn’t surprised Maria had given them one of her looks.

They took a seat in the corner. Patrick rarely sat down in here.

He would often grab his coffee to go, even if he had to walk all the way down here from the office, which involved him passing at least two of every chain on the way.

Living this close to Maria’s, he was going to become even more of a caffeine fiend than he was now.

He wondered whether, if Jason liked the coffee, he’d come here as well.

That would give them more opportunities to bump into each other.

“What’s got you all worked up, then, Jason?”

“You don’t mess about, do you?” he replied with a smile.

“I can tell something’s wrong.”

“Is that because you’re a daddy?” he said, his voice a whisper.

Jason using that word and fluttering his eyelashes gave Patrick an instant semi. The little fucker knew just what he was doing.

“Do you know what it means to have a daddy?”

“I’d like to find out. Would you be willing to show me, Daddy? ”

Patrick needed to stop this, or he’d be doing something inappropriate and getting banned from his favourite coffee shop.

“It’s not a one-night thing, Jason.”

Patrick was careful not to call him boy because if Jason reacted positively to that, Patrick’s restraint would snap.

“Is that what you’re looking for? Another relationship?”

“I don’t know about that. It’s not been long since my husband died.”

Jason’s eyes were full of warmth. This young man fascinated Patrick. There were so many layers to him. Why Patrick had put a downer on things by talking about his dead husband, he wasn’t sure, but with Jason, he didn’t feel right holding anything back.

“I can’t even imagine what that must feel like. Charlie said he was young.”

“Thirty.”

“That’s not much older than me. Makes you think, doesn’t it?”

Patrick wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he just nodded.

“Have you been with anyone else since?”

Patrick shook his head. It hadn’t felt right to be with another man, he’d feel like he was cheating, but Jason called to a deeper part of Patrick. He didn’t see Jason as just someone he wanted to fuck.

“Would you not like some help in relieving that tension?” asked Jason, his fingertips slowly caressing Patrick’s thigh.

This boy was going to be the death of him.

It was clear Jason was used to getting what he wanted, but Patrick didn’t want him in that way.

Oh, he definitely wanted that body under him, begging for release with Patrick edging him for hours, but he wanted more as well.

One night would not be enough, and he knew Jason was carrying a lot of burdens.

His vulnerability called to Patrick like a siren song.

“Can I take you out for dinner, Jason?”

He looked momentarily surprised, but recovered quickly. The smile was back, and the outward confidence he wore was like a shield.

“I think you’re looking for more than a night of fun, aren’t you, Daddy ?”

“I don’t think one night would be enough with you, boy. ”

Jason’s pupils expanded, and Patrick noticed his body react. He wanted it, but something was holding him back.

“I don’t do repeats,” said Jason. “I wouldn’t want to lead you on. ”

“That’s a shame, but I appreciate your honesty.”

Jason picked up his coffee. They’d got takeaway cups, not knowing how long they’d be here. Jason leaned forward so Patrick could feel his breath on his ear.

“When you feel ready to use this body to take out all your frustrations, you have my number. I’ll be such a good boy for you, Daddy! ”

Oh. My. Fucking. God!

Jason smiled and kissed Patrick on the cheek before he turned on his heels and walked out.

Patrick caught Maria’s eye, and she was laughing – bitch!

Patrick was sure he’d stopped breathing when Jason said that to him.

He needed to get back to the office and find a distraction that would stop him from making that call immediately.

Part of him wanted to chase Jason down the street now and drag him into the nearest hotel.

He had to get those thoughts out of his head, though.

The connection he felt for Jason already went deeper, and if the boy was only offering one night, Patrick wasn’t going to set himself up for probable heartbreak.