29. Twenty-Eight

Weeks flew by as I threw myself into work with renewed energy, even earning Cherry’s praise. In mid-August, when Shepherd went back to school three days a week, our routine grew chaotic. I kept up with cleaning, and we managed a few training sessions, but he often came home exhausted.

The weekends became my favorite days of the week. I’d spend all week looking forward to getting up Saturday morning. Sometimes, Shepherd trained me with the plug while I did my chores. Sometimes, he simply seemed content to watch me work naked. I was happy either way as long as he was pleased.

The best part of the weekend came every Saturday afternoon: Shepherd let me lay my head in his lap, keep his cock in my mouth, and even fall asleep like that sometimes. Then he’d wake me, fuck me, clean me up, and we’d have dinner before going to separate beds.

By September, I was growing restless, craving something more. Though I wasn’t sure what it was, Shepherd seemed to sense it.

On the second weekend of September, Shepherd surprised me with an unexpected request. “Why don't you have your friend Cherry come over this afternoon while I'm out running some errands with Gavin?” he suggested casually over breakfast. “She can help you get ready for our date tonight.”

My heart fluttered with excitement at the mention of a date. In the months I'd been serving as Shepherd's submissive, we'd never gone on an actual date before. I tried to play it cool and shrugged. “Yeah, okay. I'll text her.”

Anticipation bloomed in my chest. The moment Shepherd left, I texted Cherry. An hour later, she was at the door, grinning as I let her in.

“Look at you, living in the lap of luxury!” she exclaimed, spinning around to take in the living room. “I always knew you'd make it big someday, Eli.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop my own smile. “I'm not the one making it big. I got lucky finding a rich Dom who puts up with me.”

“Hey, you deserve this,” Cherry insisted, grabbing my shoulders. Her expression turned serious. “After all the shit you've been through, you've earned some good karma. Now c'mon, show me this swanky place!”

I gave Cherry the grand tour of my new home, her eyes widening as she took in the sleek décor and high-end finishes.

When we reached my bedroom, she sank down on my bed with a low whistle. “Damn, Eli. You hit the jackpot with this one. I mean, I knew he was loaded, but this is next level.”

I shrugged, trying to play it off, but inside I was glowing with pride. It felt good to finally have something impressive to show for myself, even if it was all thanks to Shepherd.

“So what's this I hear about a big date tonight?” Cherry asked, giving me a sly grin. “Shepherd finally taking you out on the town?”

“I guess so,” I replied, unable to keep the excitement from creeping into my voice. “He gave me an outfit to wear but…” I gestured to the suit hanging on the wall. “I’ve never worn a suit and tie in my life, Cherry. I have no idea how to tie the tie or how many buttons to button or what.”

Cherry jumped up from the bed and made her way over to the suit, running her fingers over the fine material. “Don't you worry, Eli. I've got you covered.” She winked at me over her shoulder. “I used to help my dad get ready for his fancy work events all the time. Tying a tie is easy once you know how.”

She took the suit off the hanger and laid it out on the bed, piece by piece. “First things first. Let's get you showered and groomed. When's the last time you manscaped, honey?”

I felt my cheeks heat. “I’m good on that.”

“I’ll be the judge of that. To the bathroom!”

For the next hour, Cherry helped me shave, trim, and tweeze every inch of my body from the neck down. It was awkward and embarrassing at first, but her easy chatter and laughter soon put me at ease. By the time we were finished, my skin was smooth and tingling.

“There,” Cherry pronounced, standing back to admire her handiwork. “Now you're ready for your suit.”

She helped me step into the crisp charcoal trousers, guiding my arms through the pristine white shirt. Her nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons and cufflinks. Finally, she draped the tie around my neck.

As Cherry's hands worked the silk tie into an intricate knot, I felt a growing sense of anticipation deep in my gut. This was really happening. Shepherd was taking me out on a real date, just the two of us. No training, no service. An actual date.

“What if I mess this up?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. “What if I’m not good enough for him outside of our arrangement?”

Cherry’s hands stilled, and she met my gaze with fierce reassurance. “Shepherd wouldn’t ask you out if he didn’t want the real you.”

I swallowed hard, nodding. She was right. Shepherd saw something in me, even if I was still figuring out what that something was.

“You've got this, Eli,” Cherry said firmly, giving my shoulders a reassuring squeeze before stepping back to take in the full effect of the suit. A slow smile spread across her face. “Damn, boy! If I wasn't a happily taken woman...” She fanned herself dramatically.

I arched an eyebrow. “Ew. I love you, but I’m like three hundred percent gay.”

She snickered. “Shepherd won't know what hit him.”

The sound of the front door opening sent a jolt of nervous energy through me. I smoothed my hands down the front of my suit jacket, my palms damp with sweat. Cherry gave me one last wink before heading out to the living room to greet Shepherd and Gavin.

I followed behind her, my heart pounding in my throat as I stepped into view. Shepherd and Gavin stood near the entryway, both impeccably dressed in their own suits. But while Gavin's eyes were trained on Cherry, Shepherd's gaze locked onto me the instant I appeared.

His dark eyes widened slightly, raking over me from head to toe with an intensity that made my skin prickle with heat. I fought the urge to fidget under his scrutiny, instead standing up straighter, lifting my chin. I wanted him to see that I could be more than his submissive. That I could be his equal, at least for tonight.

After a moment that stretched into eternity, Shepherd's lips curved into a slow, appreciative smile. “Elias. You look... exquisite.”

My cheeks warmed at the rare compliment, a pleased flush spreading through me. “Thank you, Sir,” I murmured, the title slipping out by habit.

“He looks good enough to eat, doesn't he?” Cherry interjected with a saucy wink.

I shot her a warning , but she grinned unrepentantly. Shepherd chuckled, a deep, rich sound that reverberated through my bones.

“That he does,” he agreed, eyes never leaving mine. “Shall we?”

He offered me his arm like a true gentleman and I moved to take it, but Cherry stepped between us.

“Just a minute, you,” she said firmly, glaring at Shepherd.

Oh, no.

Cherry planted herself in front of Shepherd, hands on her hips, fixing him with a stern look that would make lesser men quake in their Italian leather shoes. But Shepherd merely arched an eyebrow, seemingly more amused than intimidated.

“Now you listen here, mister tall, dark, and…” She rolled her eyes up and down his body. “…Sexy.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Cherry, please...”

Cherry ignored me, jabbing a finger at Shepherd's chest. “Eli is my best friend in the whole world. He's been through hell and back, and he deserves nothing but the best. So if you even think about playing with his heart or making him cry, I will personally hunt you down and make you regret the day you were born, capiche?”

“I assure you, my intentions toward Elias are entirely honorable. I would never dream of toying with his affections or causing him any sort of distress. He is...” His eyes flicked to me, smoldering with an intensity that made my knees weak. “... dear to me already.”

“He better be,” Cherry huffed. “’Cause let me tell you, I've got connections. I know people who know people, you know?”

“Oh my God, can we please go?” I looped my arm in Shepherd’s and pulled him away from the front door, shielding my face.

“It was a pleasure meeting you again, Cherry,” Shepherd called over his shoulder. “Gavin will escort you home.”

“Sorry about Cherry,” I said once we were in the SUV and on our way. “She means well, even if she can be a little much at times”

Shepherd chuckled. “It's quite alright. I'm glad you have someone who cares for you so fiercely.” He glanced over at me, eyes soft. “And she wasn't wrong, you know. You do look delicious tonight.”

My face flushed hot. “Thank you, Sir.”

We pulled up outside an elegant restaurant, the name embossed in gold script above the door. My heart thudded against my ribs as I took in the opulent exterior, the suited valets, the well-dressed clientele entering and exiting. This was a world I didn't belong in, a glaring reminder of the vast chasm between my reality and Shepherd's.

As if sensing my anxiety, Shepherd's warm hand closed around mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles soothingly. “Relax, Elias. You're with me. Follow my lead and enjoy yourself tonight, okay?”

I met his gaze and saw only sincerity there, edged with a hint of something deeper, something possessive and heated that made my breath catch. I nodded, not trusting my voice.

Shepherd exited the SUV and circled around to my side, opening the door for me like a gentleman. I stepped out onto the curb, acutely aware of the eyes on us as Shepherd handed off his keys to the valet. He placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me towards the entrance with.

The ma?tre d' greeted Shepherd by name, leading us to a secluded table. I sat as Shepherd held out my chair, struggling not to gawk at the glittering chandeliers.

A waiter appeared beside us, presenting leather-bound menus with a flourish. I opened mine and scanned the page full of unrecognizable Frenchy words before glancing up at Shepherd.

He smiled and leaned in close, his hand finding my knee under the table. “Would you like me to order for you?”

My mouth went dry at his proximity, at the heat of his touch through the thin fabric of my slacks. I nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

Shepherd placed our order in fluid French, the foreign words rolling off his tongue like silk. The waiter bowed and swept away, leaving us alone in our intimate corner.

“This place is something,” I said, craning my neck to take in the art on the walls - actual originals, not prints. “Is this the sort of place you come often?”

I cringed inwardly at the question. Of course he came there often. They knew him by name.

Shepherd’s lip curved up in a small smile. “To be honest, I’ve only been here a handful of times. The ma?tre d' is a regular at the club, though, and a good friend. An exceptional dom.”

“Oh.” I shifted in my seat, a little uneasy. “Do you know everyone who goes to your club?”

“The Playground was the center of my world, Eli.”

I swallowed. “Was?”

He nodded. “Now, you are.”

My heart stuttered in my chest at the thought of being the center of someone’s entire world. My brain snagged on the phrase, picked it apart and put it back together. I wanted that. Had always wanted that, even if I hadn’t been able to put it into words before. I wanted it more than anything, to be someone else’s, to belong to someone in that way.

“I don't... I'm not sure what to say to that,” I admitted quietly, my fingers twisting the cloth napkin in my lap.

Shepherd's hand covered mine, stilling their nervous movements. “You don't have to say anything. I wanted you to know. I’m not the sort of man who’s capable of half-measures, Eli. I’ll move mountains to make you happy. But there’s another side to that.” He let go of my hand. “You know already that there’s a side of me who can be violent and unpredictable. But there’s…something else you should know about me, Eli.”

My brow furrowed. “Are you talking about... Keres?” I asked hesitantly.

Keres could be violent and unpredictable, but I didn’t think he’d ever hurt me. He was hardly ever out. I saw Bryce more often than I’d seen Keres.

My heart raced as Shepherd's words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken meaning. What else could there possibly be to know about him? My mind spun with possibilities, each more unsettling than the last.

Before I could ask, Shepherd leaned forward, his voice low. “Eli, before things go any further between us, there's something you need to understand about my family. About who we are and what we do.”

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “What do you mean?”

Shepherd's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with an emotion I couldn't quite read. “The Laskins... we're not just a wealthy family with ties to the community. We're—”

“Dr. Laskin.” A deep voice cut through the intimate bubble surrounding our table. “I'm going to need you and your companion to come with me.”

Shepherd's head snapped up, his entire body going rigid. I followed his gaze to see a tall, broad-shouldered man looming over us. He was dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, his dark hair slicked back from a harsh, unsmiling face.

“And why would we do that?” Shepherd asked coolly, though I could see the tension thrumming through him.

The man's eyes flashed with a dangerous light. He reached into his jacket and withdrew something, holding it up between two fingers. It was a playing card - a black ace emblazoned with gold filigree.

My brow furrowed in confusion, but Shepherd sucked in a sharp breath beside me. His hand clamped down on my thigh under the table, fingers digging into my flesh through the fine fabric of my slacks.

“Sir?” I asked, frowning at him in hopes of an explanation.

“It’s all right, little rabbit,” he said, rising calmly and helping me to my feet. “I’m in control.”

It was a subtle message, one that sent a shock of fear slithering down my spine because Shepherd wasn’t the one who called me little rabbit .

Keres was.