“I love you, so I don’t think it matters what they think,” I said softly. “But yes, I do. Just be yourself, baby. I don’t see how anyone could not love you.”
“You’re so cheesy.” His chuckle brightened his face. “Are you ready? You look… Damn. You look very good in real clothes that aren’t meant for the gym.”
“I hate them.” I snorted. “The world would be a happier place if we all wore joggers and sweatshirts or shorts and no shirt at all.”
“I like you in nothing at all.”
I walked over and pushed him down on the bed, and started to straddle him. He slapped my hand away.
“You will not wrinkle me before I meet your parents. After – well, I’m game.” He winked at me, and I stood back up straight.
“I’m gonna make you pay for that,” I teased, and I watched him gulp. “Maybe baby deserves a spanking before I make him get all wet for me, huh?”
“I’ve never been… uh… You are going to be the death of me.” The look on his face told me all I needed to know. He liked the idea, and I would redden his ass a little tonight before I made him whimper. He was always so in control – but in the bedroom, with me, he gave himself over. Professor Thomas Elder was a kinky little fuck, and I couldn’t wait to see what we might explore next.
“Alright, you ready?” I held out my hand.
“Was Marie Antoinette?” He took my hand, and my stomach sank. Maybe we were headed to the guillotine.
I drove us over in the jeep, and Thomas was excited to actually go inside. He had admired this old Victorian home since he arrived. I helped him out of the jeep and held his hand as we walked up to the large door.
“It’s just as beautiful as I thought it would be.” He sighed contentedly.
“It sure is.” I stared at him, not talking about the mansion. All I could see was the joy on Thomas’ face.
“Where are we meeting them?” He looked around as if he were searching for a lion hidden in the bushes.
“They’ll already be at the table. Father waits for no one.” I rolled my eyes. I was always on time for these dinners, and by the time I got there, they had already had a bottle of wine opened for them.
“How do I look?” Thomas let go of my hand and turned around. “I’m nervous. I’ve… I… This is a little faster than I had thought it would be.”
“We belong together for always, babe. You look like my future.” I took his hand and led him towards the best table in the entire place. It was the table where everyone could see you. Status meant everything.
Sitting there, as tall as their stature would allow, were my parents. Mom glanced up from her large pour of cabernet – it was always cabernet – and said something to my father. I’m sure she was warning him to be on his best behavior.
They stood as we neared the table.
“Darren.” Mom opened her arms and gave me a quick hug. Dad stuck his hand out, and I shook it quickly. He wasn’t much of a hugger. “You must be professor Elder.”
Thomas stuck out his hand and took hers gently in his. “Please, call me Thomas.”
“Of course,” My Mom’s face tightened. “I guess that would be for the best, wouldn’t it?”
Thomas let go of her hand and turned to my father. “Mr. Petersen.”
Dad took his hand and gave it what he would call a proper handshake. Thomas kept eye contact, and my father grinned a very toothy smile.
“I suppose I should say it’s a pleasure to meet you – since… Well, you know.” Dad frowned and looked over at me. “Thomas…” He said slowly as if he were weighing the name on his tongue. “Fated to each other. That was quite a shock.”
Mom and Dad both sat down at the table, and I pulled out Thomas’ chair. He grinned at me sheepishly as he sat down, and I helped scoot it back in.
“When did you become a gentleman?” Mom laughed. “Thomas, maybe something good is happening. Perhaps your manners, which are easy to see, are rubbing off on our son.”
“I’m not a heathen, Mom.” I darted my eyes between them as I slowly sat down and scooted my own chair into the table.
“Let’s start off with the easy questions, shall we?” Mom stared over at dad sternly.
“How’s school, Son? Are classes and the team going well?” Dad glanced over at me and picked up his glass of wine.
