by M. A. Innes
“Well, before we look around too much, I need to greet some of the event organizers and local officials.”
“Because your firm is one of the sponsors?”
“Primarily, yes. It shouldn’t take up much time, then we’ll continue to explore.” Edward seemed much more confident and relaxed now that he had something to take charge of.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Holding hands, they began to wind their way through the vendors and stalls. Edward pointed out a few stands that he wanted to come back and look at. His favorites seemed to be the painters. Mason wasn’t sure what to call the art. He should have paid more attention in school. The only thing he recognized was that it wasn’t abstract.
Mason wasn’t really into the paintings. Although, with Maddy eternally complaining about his bland white walls, it might be a good idea to at least look at some. He really liked the sculptures and some of the glass art. They just felt more alive than the paintings did.
As they made their way to the other side of the park, Mason’s nervous stomach was back. He almost wished that Edward had done all the meet and greet stuff before he got there but he was kind of glad that Edward hadn’t. Even he realized that Edward held off doing that stuff until Mason had arrived. What it meant, Mason didn’t know. But he knew it was a good sign.
Weaving their way through the crowds of people and vendors, Edward gripped Mason’s hand tighter. Did he realize how nervous Mason was? Probably. It always felt like Edward could read him better than anyone he’d ever dated.
Finally getting to the other side of the park, Edward guided them over to a group of people. The three men and two women were obviously professionals. They had the same casual Friday business attire that Edward had on. They were also too relaxed to be any of the local politicians. These people were coworkers, if not friends.
Edward approached a tall, lanky man who was the most casually dressed of the group in jeans and a button-down white shirt. Still keeping a tight grip on Mason with his left hand, he reached out with his right to shake the other man’s hand. “John, everything looks very well planned. I think the number of attendees is much larger than in previous years.”
The tall man stepped away from the group and shook Edward’s hand. “I think so. I was talking with the organizers a few minutes ago and they were discussing the new marketing company they hired. The change in firms really seems to have made a difference.”
“Very good. We’ll have to keep them in mind for the future.”
“Agreed.”
Still tightly gripping Edward’s hand, Mason watched the two men and tried to be as unobtrusive as possible. He wasn’t trying to hide; he just wasn’t sure what to do.
“John, I’d like to introduce you to my partner, Mason.” Edward looked down and smiled at Mason, giving his hand a squeeze.
John turned slightly to look at Mason, a curious expression on his face. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Nice to finally meet you.”
Mason was still reeling from Edward’s announcement. He’d hoped for at least boyfriend and was prepared to settle for just Mason without any kind of description but to hear Edward refer to him as his partner was shocking. It took Mason entirely too long to notice John’s hand held out in front of him. Mason blushed and he awkwardly released his grip on Edward. He reached out and shook John’s hand. “Sorry. Distracted for a moment. Nice to meet you.”
He’d heard a lot about Mason? What kind of things had Edward been saying? John must have seen something in Mason’s expression because he smiled reassuringly and continued. “Only good things, I assure you.”
Giving Mason a bit of a knowing smile John nodded just a bit. Mason took it to mean that John knew more about their relationship than he expected. Not knowing how he felt about that, Mason pushed it to the back of his mind and tried to focus on what John was saying. “I’ve been telling Edward that you two seem like a good fit. I’m glad that my push toward the dating agency paid off so handsomely.”
Edward must have noticed Mason’s expression because he explained. “I’m not sure if I mentioned it but John was the person who gave me the gift certificate for the dating agency.”
That really hadn’t been Mason’s question but he nodded anyway. “Oh. Well, thanks then.”
Mason had really been trying to figure out how much John knew. Maddy was the only other person besides Edward that had ever known about what he liked. Did John know? From John’s understanding smile and little nod, it seemed like he did. Worry started creeping in but Mason pushed it away. John didn’t look like he disapproved, or found it shocking. In fact, he looked like he thought they were great together. Definitely not the reaction Mason expected from Edward’s coworkers.
They chatted for a few more minutes, Edward introducing more employees at the firm before he excused them. “I need to go greet a few more people. Have a good time today and remember that while we are sponsoring the event, I would like for everyone to have fun as well.”
Mason said goodbye, and they walked away, heading toward another group of well-dressed men. This time, the body language and attitudes were so obviously different that they had to be the politicians.
Edward went through quick introductions again. This time still claiming Mason as his partner but also going into detail about his computer programming skills. To Mason, it seemed like Edward was carefully making sure that the politicians were aware that Mason wasn’t just his boy-toy.
It was a little odd but Mason appreciated the thought. Edward was really making it very clear that Mason was a significant part of this life. It was so much more than Mason expected he wasn’t sure what to say about it. On one hand, it was overwhelming and a little nerve-wracking but on the other, it shook off a lot of Mason’s other worries about how Edward saw them.
Edward kept the conversation with the local politicians brief and businesslike. No small talk or personal stories, just business and then they were gone.
“All right. We are done with most of the business for the day. Thank you for your patience in meeting everyone. There will still be a few people that we’ll probably have to say hello to but not many. What would you like to go back and see first?”
“No problem. I had fun meeting your coworkers and I understand that the politicians are just part of the job.”
“Thank you, Boy. Now, what would you like to see first?”
Mason blushed and tried not to look around. He wasn’t going to shout details about their relationship from the rooftops, but he wasn’t going to hide like they were doing something wrong. It was just going to take time and he knew Edward wouldn’t do anything to embarrass him.
Taking Edward’s hand again, he gave it a squeeze and looked around at the different vendors and options. “I think we should go back and look at the painting guy you liked so much. The one that you were talking about for your office. If we wait too long to go back he’s probably going to sell the ones that you want. Then maybe we can wander back to the vendor we passed before. The one with the sketches?”
One of the vendors that had caught Mason’s eye as they’d walked over to meet Edward’s coworkers was a stall that was different than the rest. It stood out because while everyone around it had brightly colored landscape and abstract paintings, this stall was filled with black and white sketches.
As they’d passed by the first time, Mason had seen landscapes and people but there were so many others he wanted to go back to. The paintings were all a bit fussy for him but the sketches were worth a second look.
“All right then. I think the painting vendor was back toward the fountain. Let’s head that way.”
They strolled through the lanes of vendors and stalls, this time at a much slower pace. Browsing through different things, they made their way over to the paintings. It was relaxing and enjoyable just hanging out with Edward. They had different tastes in artwork but it was still a lot of fun to point things out.
“Maddy says my apartment is too boring and needs some s
tuff on the walls but I’m not sure.” Mason was trying to get excited by the paintings but they just didn’t do it for him.
“Well, because I haven’t seen your apartment yet I’m not in the best position to evaluate the validity of that statement.” Edward’s tone was casual but Mason could tell that there was more behind the words than just what Edward had said.
Giving a discreet look around and not seeing anyone in hearing distance Mason leaned closer to Edward. “Would you like to come over to my place for dinner later, Daddy? I laid out some steaks before I left.”
It was one of the things that he’d been obsessing over earlier. It should have been simple but he hadn’t been sure if asking Edward over would be the right thing to do. So far, Edward had always taken the planning role in their dates and Mason just hadn’t been sure what Edward would think. However, listening to his carefully worded statement, Mason’s fears went out the window.
“That sounds like an excellent choice. I’d thought about options for dinner, but because of the open-ended nature of our outing I wasn’t able to make reservations anywhere.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Just not worded quite like that, he thought with a little grin. “The steaks seemed like a good idea because it’ll be an easy dinner when we’re done here. If you like, I’ll even show you how to cook them.”
Edward just frowned, clearly not liking that idea. “Cooking is not an art form I excel at.”
Mason knew that was an understatement. From what Edward had said during their phone calls, his daddy could burn water. “You can just sit in the kitchen and keep me company then.”
Perking up, Edward nodded. “That is much more agreeable, Boy.”
How bad was Edward in the kitchen? When they were talking, Mason kind of thought Edward was exaggerating. But from the pained expression on his daddy’s face, he may have been downplaying the problem.
Nodding to himself, Edward continued with more confidence. “And while you are cooking, there are things I would like to discuss in more detail.”
Now Edward really had his attention. What could Edward want to discuss? Not quite sure he wanted the answer, Mason decided to ask anyway. “What kind of things?”
This time, Edward looked around to make sure they still had privacy. It definitely had Mason curious and a little anxious. “I would like to discuss your feelings on a date geared toward our time as Daddy and Boy.”
“Date? Daddy and Boy?” It took a second for his brain to process what Edward had said. “Ooohhh, date like playdate date.”
“Yes. We’ve had several clarifying discussions since our first encounter and I find myself drawn to the idea of planning a more hands-on way of learning more about your preferences.”
When Mason realized Edward was talking about having an age-play date, all the blood in his body flooded to his cock. So translating Edward’s last statement took a bit longer than it probably should have.
“I…I…” Mason paused, trying to figure out a reasonable response. “I think that would be…” Fun? Exciting? Hot? Erotic? Scary? How about all of the above? “A good idea.”
Edward looked at Mason, concern showing clearly on his face. “Good idea as in a reasonable, acceptable plan or good idea as in an enjoyable activity that you are having trouble articulating?”
Clearing his throat twice, Mason finally got the words out. “The second.”
The concerned look faded from Edward’s face, “Ah. Very good.” His words were so neutral that they could have been discussing almost anything, but the heat in his eyes let Mason know just how excited his daddy was.
It made Mason curious. “So you want to discuss the plans for our date?”
“Yes. I have several ideas that would be suitable but I wanted to see if you had a specific idea that you would like to incorporate or if you have anything that you would find objectionable.” Edward made it very clear that by idea he meant fantasy, Mason could see it in his face and hear it in the way he said idea.
He had to clear his throat again before he could say anything else. “That would be a good idea.”
At Edward’s curious expression, Mason knew what he was going to ask next. “The second. Definitely the second.” Definitely the second definition of good idea.
Edward just smiled. His daddy liked getting to him. Making Mason blush and squirm just seemed to thrill Edward. He would stand up a little straighter and you could just see a change come over him when he realized that Mason found something he’d said or done hot. It was cute and, most of the time, just as hot as whatever he’d originally said that made Mason blush to begin with.
“Dinner should be very interesting this evening. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Mason blushed. Dinner was going to be very interesting.
CHAPTER 10
Edward couldn’t help but be impressed at how confident Mason was in the kitchen. He always felt a bit like a fish out of water when he had to do anything in the kitchen. Rationally, he knew it was because he hadn’t had enough exposure to cooking at a young age but understanding the root of the problem did not help. It still felt like he was always invading someone else’s territory. Even if it was in his own house, strangely enough.
His parents were academics from wealthy backgrounds that had very strict beliefs regarding behavior and what was acceptable. For them, Edward’s grades and studies had been important. Learning how to cook had not.
Their relationship had never been particularly warm, so over the years they had drifted further apart. Phone calls at Christmas and birthdays were the extent of their communication currently. Finding out that Edward was gay had been part of the issue, but realistically, Edward knew that being parents had never been high on their list of things that were important to them.
Seeing Mason in the kitchen gave Edward a warm feeling. It wasn’t because he was cooking or doing something domestic, either. Walking with Mason through the park earlier had given him the same feeling. Something about those simple, quiet moments together felt right.
Edward had offered to set the table or to help in another way if Mason could think of something that Edward could do that wouldn’t ruin dinner but Mason had declined. Mason seemed to have a rhythm in the kitchen that Edward thought he would disrupt if he tried to help. So he’d been relegated to the table, out of the way.
Not minding his position, Edward found it gave him time to plan the discussion he wanted to have regarding their age-play date. He also found that the view was wonderfully distracting as well.
Boy’s jeans cupped his ass beautifully. Every time he bent over to reach something in the lower cabinets, his full, fuckable ass would just beg for Edward’s touch. It was really quite distracting and Mason didn’t even seem to realize he was doing it.
It was making Edward’s vow not to push things too fast start to look like an unrealistic expectation. After their time together at his house, Edward had wanted to give them time to get to know one another more before taking the physical side of their relationship further. Now though, watching Mason, after spending hours together today, it was hard to see why he’d thought denying them had been a good idea.
His resolve had started crumbling earlier when they’d been looking at the sketches. Watching Mason blush and hearing his stutters as he tried to respond to Edward’s suggestion of an age-play date had been incredibly erotic. However, his resolve had suffered the most as he’d watched Mason’s expressions when he was browsing through the artist’s work.
His boy was drawn to the artist’s subtly erotic nudes. They weren’t blatantly sexual but the artist had a wonderful way of pulling you into the scene. A simple profile or expression seemed to convey deeper meanings.
Mason hadn’t been able to decide on any one piece but he’d been so captivated by a series of sketches that Edward knew he would be contacting the artist. They were an arrangement of beautiful moments that were captured by the artist.
The first was a close up of a hand resting on a chest. It was sim
ple and not incredibly erotic in itself but something about the way it was done conveyed such strong emotion. The series continued with a succession of similar pieces that all had the same feel as the first. They were going to make a wonderful present to Mason. He just had to find the perfect time.
As they’d left the artist's booth, the man had given Edward his card and casually mentioned that he did commissioned pieces as well. The pointed look he’d given to Mason let Edward know what the man was thinking. Perhaps they hadn’t been as discreet in their conversation as he had hoped.
It was definitely too early in their relationship to even mention it. However, someday, Edward would love to have Mason sketched. Edward could see it clearly; his boy would be so erotically innocent that it would be incredible. Maybe someday.
Pulling himself away from his drifting thoughts, Edward was surprised to see the plates that Boy was starting to pull from the cabinet. On any other date, Edward wouldn’t have been surprised to see the two everyday plates being pulled from the cabinet. However, watching Mason, he was confused.
“Boy, if I wasn’t here would you be using that plate?” Edward had a feeling he already knew the answer to his question as Mason blushed and looked away.
“Sometimes.” Mason’s response was quiet and hesitant.
Edward stood up from the table and walked over to Mason. “Show me where the other plates are.”
Mason stiffened for a moment and then slowly set the dinner plates down on the counter. Walking slowly over to the other side of the kitchen, Mason opened up a cabinet and looked at Edward hesitantly.
As Edward looked into the cabinet, he finally understood why Boy was so nervous. The cabinet didn’t just contain a plate and sippy cup. It had an assortment of bottles, cups, and binkies.
Reaching up into the cabinet, Edward pulled out two plates. “Which one, Boy? Superhero or race cars?”
Mason’s blush deepened, but he pointed to the plate with the race cars on it.
“Good boy.”
Turning back to the cabinet Edward reached in and pointed to the cups. “Sippy cup or bottle, Boy?”