Vulnerable [Suncoast Society] (Suncoast Society #29)(5)

On some nights Jesse played service sub to Tilly, getting her food or coffee or stuff like that if he or she wasn’t in the mood for impact play. He trusted her to never violate his limits or try to harm him.

He’d be happy with all of that for now, until if—or when—he ever met someone else he wanted to play with. He would have no trouble getting laid if he wanted to, but he didn’t want to just fall into bed with anyone. That wasn’t his style. Not to mention the inherent risks there.

“Did you…” Tilly let the question fall off and become absorbed by the ambient dungeon noises around them.

“Yesterday. Neg.”

“That’s good. Then I don’t have to kill the sonofabitch for that, either.”

Another reason he’d held off getting sexually involved with anyone.

He’d wanted to wait a full six months to make sure Mario hadn’t given him anything he could pass along. His doctor told him that with the three tests he’d had coming back negative, and the time frame involved, that it was likely he had no worries.

At least, no worries that Mario might have given him HIV or something.

With my luck, it’d more likely be Ebola.

“Please don’t go to jail on my account,” he said. “We all know prison orange isn’t your color.”

“True.” She sat back in her chair. “Besides, Landry and Cris say I’m too pretty for prison.” She grinned.

That finally coaxed a laugh out of him. “Hey, if I wasn’t gay, and you were single, I’d do you.”

“Aww, thank you. Although doing you would make me a cougar, and I don’t think I’m ready to acquiesce my age yet.”

“I don’t think you can claim cougar status until at least after fifty. And I’m twenty-eight, so it’s not that big of an age gap between us.”

“I like your logic.”

Keith Knepp and one of his partners, Scott Gilroy, entered the dungeon through the office door. After glancing around, they spotted Jesse and Tilly and headed toward their table.

“Mind if we join you?”

“Not at all,” Tilly said. “How’s Noel feeling?”

“Tired,” Scott said. “And sick of morning sickness.”

“But everything’s okay?” Tilly asked.

Keith smiled. “So far, the doc says the baby looks healthy.”

“Good. When do we get to throw her a baby shower?”

“Once she can sit through one without worrying about puking her guts up,” Keith said.

Tilly’s nose wrinkled. “Ew. Yeah. Good call.”

Jesse had been to a couple of the private Suncoast Society parties, one at Gilo and Abbey’s house, and one at Seth and Leah’s.

But he’d heard stories about Tilly and Loren’s prowess in coming up with kinky party games. More like legends, if the people were to be believed.

And he had no reason to doubt them.

Keith suddenly focused on him. “Hey. Okay, dumb question, but would you mind if I invited you and another friend of mine over to our house for dinner one night next week?”

Jesse shrugged. “Sure.” It wouldn’t be the first time some of his friends tried to play matchmaker. He definitely didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but none of the potentials people had tried fixing him up with had taken yet.

Although one of the guys, he could now call a friend. They sometimes went out to dinner or to see a movie, but nothing romantic.

He’d never say no to making new friends.

“Awesome,” Keith said. “I’ll find out what his schedule is and let you know. Any night in particular better than another for you?”

“Not really. I get off work every day at three, and work Monday through Friday.” Jesse was the assistant head groundskeeper at a local golf course. It wasn’t the richest-paying job in the world, but he had insurance, he got to work outside every day, and he was next in line when the head groundskeeper planned to retire in a couple of years after being there over thirty years.

He’d take it.

He didn’t have a college degree, so it wasn’t like he could afford to be choosy. At least in Sarasota, golf was a year-round pastime, meaning job security as long as he didn’t screw up.

And he didn’t screw up. He’d even taken a master gardener course through the county’s extension office several years earlier, something his boss had taken into consideration when promoting him into the position. Jesse had been working there since high school, when he was sixteen and had started out part-time on weekends doing whatever was needed for the maintenance and grounds crew. After graduation, they’d given him a full-time job with a bump in pay. A couple of years later, he had benefits.

There wasn’t anyone else working there, besides his boss, who knew more about that particular golf course—and golf course maintenance in general—than he did.

He kept it to himself that he wasn’t fond of the sport of golf. Too boring for his tastes. He didn’t need to enjoy the sport to be good at his job, though.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Keith and Scott got up to go play.

Tilly turned to Jesse and arched an eyebrow at him. “Glad to see I’m not the only one trying to fix my friends up with people.”

“It’s okay,” Jesse said. “I don’t mind if you guys do that. Just don’t get your feelings hurt if I don’t click with someone.”