2. Bow Ties and Pasta

2 / BOW TIES AND PASTA

Fitz

Our first date went far better than I ever could have dreamed.

It was hard to keep my hopes realistic. There was already a part of me that wished to take Sage back to my cottage and mate them. But, I didn’t want to overwhelm Sage.

Even if I was sure they were meant to be mine.

Their scent alone made me thankful we were seated in a booth, because my cock had been painfully hard the entire time. This type of frenzied desire was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. Even now, my blood seemed to be flowing to one place, and it wasn’t my heart or brain.

The agreement we’d come to was that they would taxi to the house this evening and leave Sunday night. I’d already planned an entire menu for the two of us that I would cook, although I was nervous that I might have chosen something they didn’t like.

I planted my hands on my hips and looked around the house. While it wasn’t my home, it was cozy enough. I’d cleaned up and had gone grocery shopping for everything we might need, including shopping for implements I hadn’t brought from overseas with me. It simply wasn’t logical to carry a riding crop or paddle when flying. There were some items glamours could not cover, and kink equipment was definitely one of them.

I wanted everything to be perfect for Sage. I found them so incredibly interesting and was desperate to learn more about them. What their favorite color was, what their favorite position was….

I was a gentleman, but my thoughts had turned entirely deviant for the last twenty-four hours. Their scent still lingered around me, teasing me, tempting me. I was desperate for a touch, a taste, a moment, a kiss. I craved anything and everything with them, and I hadn’t even known Sage for more than twenty-four hours yet.

The Barista was known for his matchmaking skills and he didn’t disappoint. I was hopeful for the first time in a very long time, and I was doing my best to hold onto it.

Tires rolled over the gravel outside and I reached for the door. Would immediately going out be too eager? I hesitated, but then forced myself to breathe.

Gods, my heart was beating so quickly.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the foyer mirror. I’d opted for a button down with black suspenders and a bow tie, something more casual. The tiny campfire pattern on this tie brought me so much joy. Enough to shake my nerves away. Finally, I found the will to open the front door and felt all of my worries simply melt away.

Sage was a vision. They wore a mesh shirt over a bustier and leather pants with boots. Their eyelids glimmered blue and green, the last of the sunlight highlighted their short green hair. They got out of the car with a bag and waved at the driver, who backed out of the driveway and left. They’re mine. I know they are.

“Hi, Fitz.” Sage smiled at me.

Suddenly, I was moving in a blur, then standing before them. “May I take your bag?”

They slid it off their shoulder. “Sure. Thank you. Also, I love your bow tie.”

My blood warmed. “Thank you,” I said. “I love lamps.”

Sage reached up and straightened the bow. Even having them this close made my heart skip a beat. “I can see why,” they said. “You are dangerously charming, sir.”

The softest growl escaped me. A smirk twisted their lips.

“Does calling you sir do something for you?”

Undoubtedly. “Maybe you should come inside,” I said, lifting their bag and holding out my hand. Theirs slid into mine, so warm and delicate. I led them to the front door and shut it softly behind us.

What now?

All of my carefully laid plans were fuzzy in their presence. I simply wanted to get on my knees and pleasure them, but it was much too soon for that. Right?

I cleared my throat. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes.” They inhaled the air, followed by a pleased hum. “It smells delicious. Did you cook?”

“I did.” I was positively chuffed that my little flame enjoyed the scent of the meal I’d prepared. “I made spinach pasta with a homemade sauce, fresh garlic bread, and a garden salad. I’m sad to say it’s not made with the veggies I grow, but it will do. Then, I have a red wine picked out for us, although I have other options for you as well.”

They placed their hand on my chest as if to soothe me, but it only made my heart flutter faster. I let out a soft breath. “Thank you,” they said softly. “It was kind of you to go through so much trouble.”

“It was no trouble, Sage. I aim to please.”

They looped a finger in a suspender strap. I narrowed my eyes, wondering if they would pop it against my chest. “You’re doing a great job,” they teased.

Bump, bump, bump. “Let me show you the bedrooms and I can put your bag in yours. You’re of course welcome to sleep with me but I didn’t want to pressure you and having your own space seemed like a?—”

“That sounds perfect,” Sage said. “Can we kiss?”

A low pur rolled in my throat as I gently set their bag down. “May I touch you?”

“ Yes ,” they breathed out. “Please. I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

Oh dear, I’m a goner.

Every ounce of control kept myself from throwing them over my shoulder and carting them to my bed. Instead, I shoved them back against the foyer wall. Sage’s breath caught, eyes widening as I planted a hand above them. My mouth watered as the scent of their arousal hit me.

I wanted to make them cum and then eat their underwear.

“I don’t know how to kiss you.” Sage swallowed hard, their gaze dipping to my mouth. “I’ve never been kissed by a monster.”

“I promise you’re in good hands.” I gently tilted their chin up with my talons, running the tip of one over their bottom lip. The deep red lipstick they wore turned me on.

“Keep your pretty lips parted for me, little flame,” I whispered.

Their eyes widened. Heat radiated from their body, their cheeks flushing. Sage opened their mouth for me so obediently and fuck —that was hot. I unfurled my tongue, which was long and as red as my eyes.

Relax.

Their eyes widened when they heard my command in their mind. This is a thing? they thought.

It is. Relax for me.

A soft moan drew out as they melted beneath my touch. I kissed them, taking my time to explore and cherish. Sage slid their hands up my chest and gripped my suspenders, tugging me closer until I was pressed against them, my cock hot and throbbing.

“Oh gods,” they rasped. “We’re going to have to work to get you inside of me. I can feel you.”

“Work I will happily do.” I kissed down their neck, eliciting small gasps and groans. Every noise they made was music to me. “You turn me on so much. I’ve never been so hard in my life.”

They moaned, so responsive that I was having a difficult time thinking straight. All I wanted to do was take them upstairs and devour them.

Their stomach let out a soft grumble, bringing my thoughts back to the present. “We should eat first, I think,” I decided.

“Okay, but first…” They dragged me into another kiss and once again, everything else fell away. I sank into them, the feelings that rose up and the way I never wanted to let them go.

“What are we doing again?” I asked dreamily. “And have you cast a spell over me?”

When they smiled, dimples appeared. “I think you’re the spell caster, Sir .”

I growled. “Come with me.”

I held their hand as I led them through the house to the kitchen. There was a small table next to a window. The curtains were drawn back and candles were lit, our plates waiting. When I’d gone to the store, I’d taken a risk and bought flowers too. They sat at the center of the table in a glass vase, and then I used rose petals to decorate the cloth.

“Oh,” they gasped. “Wow.”

“Too much?” What if they didn’t like flowers?

“No, this is wonderful. You’re a romantic, aren’t you?”

“I am,” I admitted. They gave my hand a gentle squeeze. We both stood there for a moment, until I let out a soft breath. “Take a seat. I’ll serve us dinner.”

I pulled out the chair for them and they took it. I fought the urge to kiss the top of their head and withdrew to the kitchen, plating our pasta and fresh bread. I carried the plates to the table and then grabbed the bowl of salad, letting out a soft hum.

“I feel as though I am forgetting something,” I mumbled.

“Everything looks wonderful.”

I preened under the compliment and gave everything a glance over. “Ah, I forgot the wine. Would you like a glass?”

“Yes, please.”

I uncorked the bottle and poured us each a glass. I took them to the table and sat across from Sage.

“Cheers,” they said, lifting the glass.

“To what are we cheersing?” I asked.

“Well…a weekend of good company, food, and…”

“Worshiping you?”

They blushed, their cheeks turning dark red. “Yes,” they said. “That.”

We clinked glasses and each took a sip of wine before diving into our food. I enjoyed the pleasant sounds they made as they ate. And really, I had to give it to myself, I’d cooked a fine meal.

“You mentioned wax play earlier…” Sage trailed off.

“I did.”

“I’ve never done it before but I’d love to try it.”

I smiled as I took a bite of garlic bread. “And what else would you like to try?”

“Praise is hard for me to hear,” they said. “And sometimes it hurts more than degradation does. But I sometimes like the pain…”

“I see,” I said. “I can do that. But I’d like to know if you have any limits. And I’d also like to know your safe word.”

“My safe word is red,” they said. “I usually use red, yellow, and green for verbal signals.”

“Excellent,” I said. “Very good.”

“As far as limits go, my joints are hyper mobile and I bruise easily. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and so it’s not good for me to be tied up or to stay in certain positions for too long or it hurts in a not good way. But I love sensation play and the other things we’ve talked about.”

I nodded, making a mental note. “Thank you for sharing that. I don’t want to harm you.”

They offered a soft smile. “But hurt is on the table…”

“Only if you want it to be.”

“I do. And you can still restrain me…”

“I have bondage tape,” I said. “It might work better for you. I also am quite confident I can pin your wrists down while I devour you.”

“Oh,” they squeaked. “Please.”

“I like being called Sir by you, if that is something you’d enjoy as well.”

“Yes, Sir ,” they said, smirking as they took another bite of pasta. “Oh, and I would love for you to collar me. If you are open to it…”

A low purr escaped me. “I certainly am.” It just so happened that I’d picked out a collar for them in case the opportunity arose…

The two of us continued to chat as we finished our meal. When we were done, they leaned back in the chair with a soft groan.

“That was delicious. It’s unfair that you can cook so damn good too. What can’t you do, mothman?”

I grinned. “Well, I can’t swim.”

“Really?” They sat back up with a frown. “Like at all?”

“Water and I don’t mix well,” I said with a shrug. “I belong in the sky or in the trees or in my cottage in the woods.”

“That’s good to know,” they said. “What about showers?”

“Showers and baths are fine,” I chuckled. “It’s lakes and oceans and rivers that I stay away from. I suppose I have a fear of water in those forms.”

They nodded as they rested their chin on their hand, gazing at me with a dreamy look that made my heart flutter.

I got lost in them. It was hard not to. I felt everything within me, the world around us slowing, my heart beating just a little faster.

I wanted them. I wanted them more than anyone I’d ever encountered before. The way that simply being in their presence melted me made me wonder about the powers of the cafe matchmaker. Was the connection this powerful? Were we under some sort of magical spell?

“I want you,” they whispered.

I sucked in a breath. “May I touch you?”

“Please.”

I slowly got up from the table, pushing the chair back. I went to them and knelt down, still tall enough that our gazes were at the same level. They turned in their seat to face me. I carefully slid my palms up their thighs.

“I want more,” they whispered softly. “You won’t break me, you know.”

Something within me was unraveling. The gentleman inside was becoming a feral beast, trading gentleness for lusty need.

I let out a low growl as I slid my hand up their body, and then around their neck, pressing the sides. The corner of their mouth lifted into a smile, their eyes fluttering.

The scent of their arousal filled the room.

Fuck.

I rose before them and they stood, following my hand around their slender throat. I felt them swallow, their scent becoming stronger.

“You’ll use your safe word if you need to,” I said. “And I will check in with you.”

“Yes,” they whispered. “Yes, sir.”

“And if I do too much, you will tell me.”

They leaned up on their tiptoes and grabbed onto my suspenders. “Fitz, I want you to fuck me. I want you to use me. I want you to choke me, spank me, devour me. I will tell you if I need a moment or if I need to slow down. I promise.”

I held their gaze for a moment. So much of this type of play was based on mutual trust.

I had to trust that they would communicate with me.

I had to trust that they were expressing all of their boundaries, and if not, that they would stop me if I went too far.

As if they read my mind, they pulled me down, our faces hovering before each other.

“You can trust me,” they whispered. “And I know I can trust you. I haven’t trusted someone like this in a long time, but I feel different with you. Something about this is different.”

I knew what they meant. “I want you so entirely that your scent, your presence, your smile—all of you consumes me. You are my little flame, and I am but a moth gravitating towards you without abandon.”

They let out a groan as I squeezed harder, just enough to make them catch their breath.

“I trust you,” I whispered.

In a swift motion, I swept them off their feet. They squealed, grabbing onto me. I grinned as I carried them through the house and up the stairs to the second floor.

I planned on spending hours getting to know every part of them thoroughly .