In a much better frame of mind, he took the slip road onto the motorway and headed west. He'd set off early enough to miss the bulk of the traffic, and just less than two hours later, as dusk approached and the last notes of 'Heroes' died away, he turned off the motorway and onto a side road. He was glad of the car's headlights as the road twisted around copses and lochs. Trees took on personas in the dusk, and Edan thanked all the deities he could remember that he didn't have a fanciful mind. Their shapes could give the least imaginative person the heebie-jeebies. He began to name them in his mind. Dumbo, The Wicked Witch of the West, a lion shifter, his first history teacher... He chuckled. And he thought he wasn't fanciful.
Eventually, just as he wondered if he was following the road to Brigadoon or some such nonexistent place, he saw the signpost for the village Athol lived in. He checked the road was clear, slowed and pulled to the verge to remind himself of the directions Athol had given him.
Five minutes later he saw the name on the gatepost and rolled his eyes. Campitt House. He hadn't believed Athol when he'd told him, and had Googled the history of the old house. It had been so named ever since it was built in the nineteenth century and nothing to do with Athol being humorous. Edan turned through the gateway and followed the drive for the fifty yards or so to where the gravel ended in a turning circle by a garage. A security light over the garage door illuminated the area, and a second added to the brightness as it shone down from the gable end of the house. As Edan turned off the engine and grabbed his bag, the house door opened and Athol walked toward him.
Edan grabbed his bag and stretched to unknot the kinks in his spine.
"Great directions. But blimey, Athol. Who dares say that sorry excuse for a lane is drivable? Even Derek here protested." He gestured to his trusty 4 x 4, named Derek after Derek and the Dominoes, due to its black paintwork and white interior.
Athol laughed, hugged Edan, and kissed his cheek.
Damned if that wouldn't have been better somewhere else.
"Yeah, there's an ongoing row over who's responsible for the upkeep, between the Council, local land owners, and Joe Public. It'll probably only be when the bridge over the stream collapses that something'll be done. Or not. We might all have to wade up and down from the village."
Edan dropped his bag, winced as he remembered his laptop was in it, gave into temptation and kissed Athol on the lips. As his tongue teased, Athol opened his mouth and deepened the kiss. Edan let the sensations roll through him and returned every tug and swirl of Athol's tongue with one of his own. When they both drew back, he was pleased to notice Athol's breathing was as uneven as his own.
"Or we could just get marooned and enjoy life with no interruptions. As long as you have coffee? And Highland Park?"
Athol blinked. "Ah sweetie, with a welcome like that, would I not? And a bottle or three of Brugal rum, and all the itty bitty bits and bobs to make all those super drinks." His voice was pure camp and he dropped one wrist before roaring with laughter with the dirtiest laugh ever, and continuing in his normal deep voice. "Is the Clyde a river? I even have bread for toast. Without penicillin on the crusts. We're sorted. Except, well." Athol hesitated, and clicked his tongue.
"You lied and the bread's stale?"
"Probably, but no, well I don't think so. I've just had a phone call from Linsey. The owner of Dommisimma."
"Ah yeah, you mentioned her. What's she after? Your expertise? Tell her I don't share." Edan stopped appalled with himself. "Ah, shit fuck and bollocks. That's so fucking presumptuous. Ignore me."
Athol grinned like the Cheshire cat. "Not on your nelly. Not if you mean it?" The look on his face reminded Edan of Absinthe when he thought there might be a treat in the offing. He said so. Athol blinked.
"I look like that cat? Gee, thanks." He ran his hand over his face. "Well, I guess I do have whiskers. I've been so busy I've not managed a shave in days." He winked and then took hold of Edan's shoulder. "I keep meaning to de-'Movember', but then I sort of like it. I've decided it's my good luck charm cos I had it when we re-met. So, the non-sharing, do you mean it?"
Edan swallowed. Speak up or split up time. "Yeah, with the proviso that…"
"We take turns bossing," Athol interrupted him. Or should that be we take turns bumming?"
Edan chuckled. "Either or, I guess. I've done a lot of thinking. I'll never be a sub, but I reckon I can be a switch if you can."
Athol studied him. Edan's mouth was dry. He'd been open and honest, but what if it wasn’t enough?
Yes," he said just as Edan was about to scream or shake Athol, or both. "I've done a lot of thinking as well. It might have been nigh on twenty years, but one look and I knew the attraction hadn't gone away. It was lurking, waiting to come out into the open. One session of lovemaking and I knew it wasn't enough. I reckon I'm old enough and ugly enough, and secure enough to switch. Only with you, though." He hugged Edan and then high-fived him. "And why the hell are we making life changing decisions outside the back door? We should at least be inside with a glass of fizz." Athol patted Edan's back, not that gently, picked up Edan's bag, and tugged him toward the doorway. "Come into my parlor—that's a euphemism for we're going in through the utility—and take the weight off your feet, or something. Sheesh, Ede, what've you got in here? Gold ingots?"
"Almost. A couple of bottles of Pinotage, some single malt and my laptop. I thought you'd have the floggers, so I didn't bring mine. Hey, before I'm distracted, and I forget to mention it, I've done some sleuthing."
"Oh?' Athol shut and locked the door and turned to look at Edan. "Tell me more."
Edan remembered something. "Not until you tell me what Linsey wanted."
Athol thumped the table. "Shit. I forgot all about that. She wanted to know if I can go in and help for an hour or two later. I told her it wasn't probable, as you were coming for the weekend. Told her we were likely to be busy, and sorry we probably wouldn't want to spend what little time we have at Dommisimma. She's a Domme with attitude and said unless you were my sub I couldn't make decisions for you. True enough, I guess."
Edan leaned against the worktop, crossed his legs at the ankles, folded his arms and studied Edan. "D'you want to go? I don't mind as long as there's no playing. I never was one for public playing and I haven't changed. Not as Dom or Switch. But I'd like to see the club. You know, see where you spend your time and so on. And I guess play and teach?"
"Right and wrong. I don't play there. I do teach occasionally. However I'm more of a doorman and dungeon master these days. I'll teach if Linsey is short staffed, but I've not played properly in an age. Not in the BDSM sense of the word. I did have fun when Anna tried to get over her fear of a club."
Edan nodded. Athol had told him about his friends. Edan had heard of Caden McCourt, but who hadn't? However, the information Athol had shared—after obtaining permission—had been news to Edan. Now he chuckled as he remembered just what Athol told him about how Anna had been.
"Sounded like it. Poor Anna."
"Poor Anna, be damned. She's deliriously happy now. She and Cade worked out what's best for them."
"Like we will?" Edan asked.
Athol shrugged. "Let's hope so. Right then, if I go in for an hour, you'll be happy to come with me? I'll be on duty, but you can get a coffee or something. Thursdays are quiet, but I know a partner of one of the other door people has just finished her exams and they want to celebrate. Maybe that's why I'm needed."
"To let them play?"
Athol sniggered. "Not in the club anyway. They're another two who play at home. In fact the last time I saw Lizzie through the doors of Dommisimma, it was a toss up who was whitest––her or Anna. And who was going to toss their cookies first. Neither of them enjoys playing in a club. In fact neither of them does. Caden has all but dropped off the BDSM radar, and if Fiona is teaching or playing, it's not with Lizzie. Lizzie says she doesn't interfere with Fiona's work, and Fiona doesn't try to nurse. It works for them."
"And will it w
ork for us?"
Athol raised one shoulder. "Up to us, but I don't see why not. Let's face it, we've a lot more complications to derail us, other than me working or whatever in a BDSM club."
"Is whatever an euphemism?"
"Yeah, for stopping underage kids trying to get through the doors and asshole wannabe Doms getting us closed down. Sometimes I wonder where they all come from."
"Like Seonagh?"
Athol nodded. "Amongst others. Right, well if we're off into town, it’s a cup of tea and save the Fizz for later. How hungry are you?"
Edan pondered the question. He accepted Athol wouldn't starve them, but equally knew he'd not want too eat too much just in case he did do a demonstration.
"Not a horse, but maybe a hoof’s worth?" Edan referred to the expression 'so hungry I could eat a horse'. "You know light, nourishing, and guaranteed not to let my tummy rumble. What've you got?"
Athol opened the fridge. "It was going to be seafood curry and all the accompaniments and then I do have some exceptional cheese. But how about salad?"
"Sublime to the ridiculous, but good idea," Edan said. "Have you got any paté and chutney?"
Athol rolled his eyes. Edan's penchant for both those foods was longstanding and deep. "Of course, how could I ever forget? After all, the stench of that ripe blue cheese you bought and left in the shopping bag by accident still lingers in my nostrils twenty years on. Let me ring Linsey, and sort out what time, and then I'll sort food."
"You ring, I'll sort food." On cue, Edan's stomach rumbled. "I'll definitely sort food."
Athol nodded. "Cheers, hon."
****
"So what's new?" Athol drove along the hilly road into the city. He slid the wheel through his long fingers, and wished they were sliding over Edan's body. Linsey's phone call couldn't have come at a worse moment. He and Edan had a lot to cover and not much time to do it in. Until they decided exactly how and when they'd sort their lives, time together was going to be brief and precious. "You said you had news." He wondered if Edan had learned any more than he had. Athol was no slouch with computers, but he knew the crown belonged to Edan. "I've been knee deep in patients, and only managed to find out that Sina registered Seonagh without a father's name. Not sure if that's a positive or a negative. Apart from that, the sodding letter gives out no clues. Dundee is a damned big place to try and find one shit-stirrer in. And is Dundee even relevant? Goodness knows."
"I don't think it is, you know? I reckon whoever is doing whatever they're doing, and whatever they are aiming at, then Dundee has bugger all to do with it," Edan said. "I'm sorry to say I got little further than you. Exam preparation. I did wonder one thing, though."
"Yeah?"
"You never did say properly if you were her father. And who else might think that? And, well this is screwy, but are you sure Affric died? I mean as in ‘see the body in the coffin’ died? I know that sounds bloody ghoulish, but I'm clutching at straws here."
Athol's heart sped up. He pulled into a popular picnic spot, deserted apart from a van at the far end of the car park that rocked on its suspension.
"We won't stop long or we'll be questioned about dogging or loitering or some such thing. To answer your question, nope I didn't. I was so persona non grata I didn't have anything to do with anything that happened. No funeral arrangements, no participation, nothing. I just turned up, sat at the back and left once it was over. Hell, I didn't even get to see him before he died … if he did. Of course I've often wondered. But dammit, surely mum and dad wouldn't say he was dead when he wasn't? That'd mean claiming someone else as their son. They might have been misguided, but they couldn't do that and leave someone else wondering what's happened to their child. There's no point in that."
"Why couldn't they?" Edan asked. "Do they know what's happened to you?"
A lump lodged in Athol's throat. "Point taken. But they wouldn't do that regarding Affric. He was their blue-eyed boy. And if they wanted to punish me, it backfired, didn't it? Nah, it was Affric, all right. But I wish I knew who was shit stirring. I never thought I could forget my Wiccan creed, ‘an harm ye none', but for whoever it is, I could make an exception. And enjoy working out a few unusual and creative ideas for a long tail or a flogger." He started the car once more and drove on in silence, until he turned the car into a large parking area in a small industrial estate.
"This is it?" Edan sounded incredulous.
"Yeah, not very salubrious, eh?" Athol saw the place, as it must seem to Edan. "Dommisimma moved here around a year ago when Linsey got a co-owner. A good one with a loyal following. No I can't say who it is. He's got a high profile. Believe it or not, it's bigger and better premises in a nicer," he mimed quotation marks, "neighborhood. The good thing is, we're looked after by the local Neds, you know, rent-a-thug." Athol parked the car and swiveled in the seat to look at Edan. "No, that's not fair. They're not into agro, after money, or even free entry. They want, and I quote, a clean and tidy area. Er, that's without the dialect. With the dialect even I had trouble understanding them, and I'm supposed to be good at that sort of thing."
Edan grinned. "Okay. I'm even worse. That's what comes of living where I do. Along with the many international students, and so many different languages, a lot of the dialects are softened before long. But…fatherhood. What d'you reckon?"
Athol shrugged, well aware he must look the picture of sulky guilt. He could only hope the light in the car didn't shine brightly enough to show it. "You know as much as me, hon."
"Yup. But you did say she reminded you of someone. Any idea who?" Edan's voice was strained. Athol put out his hand and rubbed Edan's shoulder. "My mum when she was a young girl. Which doesn't help us much."
"Not a lot."
Athol didn't know what to say. Edan had once remarked how his mother and Athol's were very similar in appearance.
"Well let's face it, if it is Affric, my DNA will help up to a point. But somehow I can't see Sina with him. All we can do is keep our fingers crossed we don't have to go down that route, eh?"
"Hope not. Hell, Athol, someone's sure opened a can of worms. I mean, poor Sina if she has to go into explanations. It was a long while ago, and we all experimented, but to tell your child, adult or not, that Dad could be one of at least two. And no we've not kept in touch. We were bi. I don't know what they are now. I'm straight. If she is, I mean who knows? Not the sort of sex talk you want with your child, is it?"
Athol grimaced. "Nope. And for the record, I've not been with a woman since then. When it was the three of us, it was perfect. Once Sina left and we split up, I lost my appetite for women. In fact I didn't have much of an appetite for men either. I guess you could have called me the Celibate Psychiatrist long after I qualified. Even then I went for quality, not quantity."
"And now?"
"I reckon I've got the chance of both of those with one person."
Edan expelled his breath noisily. "Thank goodness. Me too. I've had one semi-serious relationship, but the last couple of years I've not had the inclination. And I've never been one for clubs and public play. So now? I'm with you. If only we can work out the logistics."
"We bloody better," Athol said. "Or I'll not be pleasant to be with. I've had blue balls these last weeks. Now I've found paradise I'm damned sure I don't want to lose it. Paradise meaning you, us, together, however."
"Well judging by the dirty look coming from the lady in leather standing in that doorway, paradise is gonna be short lived if we don't get our asses in gear. She looks all Domme and determined." Edan gestured toward the building they were parked outside.
Athol leaned over him to get a better look. His cock sprang to attention as he inhaled the spicy scent of Edan. Maybe he should wave to Linsey, drive away, ring in sick, and cure his fever. The fever of wanting Edan. Except Athol was sure it wasn't something he desired to be cured. He satisfied himself with a brief nuzzle of Edan's neck, happy to hear a moan and muttered, "Hon, you're killing me."
"I'm killing myse
lf. However, that's Linsey, in her best 'don't diss with a Domme' mood. Let's go and see what's got her flogger in a knot." He leaned back, and opened his car door. "I'll leave my bag of tricks in the boot until I find out why I'm needed. But it seems mighty quiet. Hardly any cars. I wonder why I smell rodents."
"Have we been busted?" he asked Linsey as they approached the door. "Damned for Domming and shut down for subbing?"
She laughed. "Idiot. Oh, now then, who is this?"
****
Edan knew why she was a Domme. It oozed out of her every pore in the best possible way. As she looked him up and down carefully in a considering manner, he understood how a sub would be on his or her knees in front of her with their head bent.
"Edan Murdoch." Edan held out his hand and shook the hand Linsey proffered. "Pleased to meet you. It's trite but true, I've heard a lot about you."
Linsey rolled her eyes. "And I you. Are you here to stay?"
"Lin," Athol butted in. "You promised. No Domme inquisition."
"It's nowhere near a Domme inquisition," Linsey said. Her eyes twinkled and Edan could see laughter in them. He warmed to her even more. "It's a friendly 'don't mess with my mate or your balls will hit the back of your throat and oral will forever be a fond memory, and any thought you may ever have had of fathering a child is no more' sort of chat."
"Oh, thank goodness," Edan said in a mock relieved tone. "Is that all? I though you wanted to be serious."
The silence that surrounded them, cocooned the three of them in their own little world seemed to last forever. Then he heard a car horn in the distance, and the deep chimes of a clock somewhere, announcing the hour.
Wha … Oh very good." Linsey pulled him toward her and gave him a hug. "You're spot on for Athol. He needs hauling in sometimes. Though I hope to hell you've worked out who Doms when, where and how."
A Dom's Decision Page 7