That response did not make me feel anybetter about my dirty old man status.
“Don’t roll your eyes.” He wagged hisfinger at me. “I’ve dreamed of hearing that for over half my life.”
I had to laugh. “You make me sound like adirty old man.”
Asa gave me a look like he thought I’d lostmy mind. “You were the nicest man and made me feel safe. If you’d been creepy,I wouldn’t have had a crush on you. Hence, you can’t be a dirty old man.”
I didn’t even bother pointing out the holesin his logic. Even as a kid, he’d dug his heels in on the craziest topics.
“Fine, kiddo, you win.”
He raised one eyebrow. “If I’m kiddo,you’re Mr. Stuart.”
Barking out a laugh, I nodded. “You drive ahard bargain.”
That had his teasing grin coming back. “Ilearned from the best.”
I had to swallow past an odd lump in mythroat. “I can’t decide if you’re buttering me up or if you’re still just assweet as you were back then.”
His grin widened. “Obviously, I’m sweet.”
“And still trying to look cute too.” BeforeI could decide if the cute comment was inappropriate, Asa slipped his politemask back into place, making me cut off my words and wonder what had happened.It was almost like seeing him shouting out a stranger danger warning.
I glanced over expecting to see thebogeyman, but it was just Warner, so I smiled. “Hey.”
He nodded but didn’t get too close. “Iwanted to give you a heads-up that we were going to go wander.”
It was a subtle question to see if I neededan out as well as just giving me information, but I wasn’t going anywhere. “Youguys have fun and let me know the plan for next week.”
Warner nodded and gave Asa a smile. “It wasnice to meet you. Hopefully next time Stuart won’t keep you all to himself.”
Asa smiled, but it was tepid at best. “Itwas nice to meet you too.”
It was definitely a polite dismissal, andthankfully Warner saw the humor in it because I could see the twinkle in hiseyes even though he kept a straight face. “I’ll give you a call.”
That meant I should prepare for aninterrogation, but I just nodded as he headed over to the rest of the guys.
Turning back to Asa, I gave him a firmglare. “Not even a real smile? I think you could have at least been warm. He’sa good guy and a single Dom.”
Asa shrugged. “But I don’t know him.”
And this was why he was still unattached.
“But you can’t build trust if you don’t letsomeone in at least a little.”
“I can’t let someone in I don’t trust. Thatdoesn’t seem right at all.”
And the heels were going in.
“Well, how should we go about helping youto get to know some of the Doms?”
Asa raised his hands in abeats mekind of gesture. “Um, I haven’t figured that out yet. I was hoping that abigger sample size would help clarify things.”
His expression said that plan hadn’t workedout like he’d expected.
“Well, kiddo,”—that got the groan I washoping for—“we’re going to find you some Doms to start getting to know, andthen I’ll push you to keep talking to them until you get comfortable withthem.”
He looked like he was getting ready toargue, so I charged in again. “Tell me what kind of Dom you’re looking for?Trustworthy. Honest, of course. But the physical characteristics you’reinnately attracted to are important as well. Your Dom will need to know youfind him attractive on that basic level if you’re going to have a sexualrelationship. Caveman brain. Can’t get away from it completely.”
