Page 17 of Kit

He didn’t seem to want to leave, and I didn’t want to give him up just yet.

“I’m in no rush, Kit.”

“You aren’t?”

I shook my head.

When Kit smiled, his eyes changed to a light gold the color of a summer sunset. I leaned back in the throne and encouragedhim to rest against me again. Corky got the message and started taking away the barricades and the path first. Guys spilled out into the new space, drinking, laughing, some of them hooking up and going off together toward the kink rooms downstairs.

I wished it was me and Kit, hand in hand, walking off. I’d take him wherever he wanted to go. I wanted to ask him out.

But was Kit affectionate only because I was Santa? We weren’t really meeting on equal terms.

For several minutes, I held him. We didn’t talk. It was more than that between us. I realized we needed to meet. A real meeting.

“Sweetheart,” I began. “I have a question.”

“Okay.”

“I’m going to break character for a moment. Is that okay?”

He looked up at me, his mouth open with a glint in his eye. “Does that mean you’re not the real Santa?”

“It means this. I’d like to see you. Outside of the club. If that’s okay.”

He sat up fast, nearly sliding off my lap. “What do you mean?”

“Like meet somewhere. For dinner. Or any meal. Or coffee.”

“Like a date?” he asked with a smile.

I shook my head. “No. Notlikea date, but a real date.”

“I want to. Yes. Any time. I mean, I work during the day, but after?” His eyes were shining.

“Do you work on Sundays?” I asked.

“No. Tomorrow would be great!” He started to swing his legs and bounce.

I reached around him to keep him balanced. “How about lunch, then?”

“Yes. I’d love that. Where? What time?”

“How about noon at Rue’s Diner. Do you know it? They have great food there.”

“Yeah. I know it.” He started to pout.

“What is it, sweetheart?”

“Well, how will I know you?”

“Find a table and I’ll find you.”

The pout didn’t leave his face. “It’s not fair. You know who I am, but I don’t know who you are.”

“And when you find out, little boy, it will be our secret. Promise?”

“I promise.” He jumped up from my lap and faced me. “How did you know that was my real wish?”