12. CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12

Even as Mercury asked, Dorsey froze. Was he willing to once again go out in public, a clear sub–because he damn well knew Mercury wouldn't allow for anything else-and admit who he was? At the same time, he hated the thought of disappointing his Dom. He knew his Mercury would deny that would ever be a possibility, even though Dorsey knew it was likely.

So, where did that leave him? He honestly didn't know. But he also knew there was no way he was willing to let his Dom down.

It might kill him, but Dorsey refused to disappoint the person who mattered to him most.

"Casino," he managed to get out. It wasn't easy, but he'd done it.

And damn if the smile he received didn't warm him to the core. "Good boy," Mercury said.

Was it possible to fall more in love each time his Dom said those words?

It didn't take more than ten minutes before they were parked at the casino. Mercury had opened his door, unbuckled his seatbelt, and helped him from the vehicle. Damn if those butterflies that seemed always to be around when Mercury was, didn't start fluttering when he took Dorsey's hand to help him stand up.

And fuck if his whole body didn't react when Mercury's hand settled on his lower back to lead him into the building. Dorsey was more than relieved they were heading to the restaurant first. It wasn't quite as public as the casino. Then again, it certainly wasn't private, either. He had zero doubt that had been the reason his Dom had chosen to start there.

"The reservation is under Welch," Mercury told the hostess as they stepped into Hands On, one of the four restaurants in Utopia. It was more of a buffet than a specific type of food. Yet, somehow, he knew his Dom picked it because he hadn't known for certain Dorsey's tastes.

Once they were shown to their table and ordered their drinks, they were gestured to the buffet. He shouldn't have found it odd when Mercury piled food on two plates, even though he hadn't once asked about his preferences. Yet, when they were seated, Dorsey stared at what was on his plate and couldn't deny his Dom had given him exactly what he'd loved.

First, it was a bowl of lobster bisque. Then it was filet mignon–medium rare–with a side of steamed broccoli and zucchini. It was as if Mercury had read his very thoughts on what he loved.

Was that even possible?

That there was cheese covering the broccoli, was Dorsey positive Mercury was psychic? He had no real clue. Yet, he still hadn't managed to study… read… hell, he had no idea how it had happened, but he had zero clues as to what his Dom liked.

That familiar chuckle he'd gotten used to the past couple of weeks had him taking a breath and, oddly, relaxing. Maybe it wasn't that odd, considering how much he'd come to love every moment they'd spent together.

"How?" he asked without elaboration because he knew Mercury didn't need more to understand the question.

"Because I pay attention to everything about you. That includes what you eat for lunch, dinner, and snacks, not that you tend to have many since you need to sample your creations." Mercury was so matter-of-fact that Dorsey wondered if he should have been paying more attention.

A hand reached out to touch his across the table. "Stop. It's my privilege as your Dom to look after you. Don't overthink things."

He hoped that was true because he honestly wasn't certain what he was supposed to do any longer. He'd never been in a relationship where he was the sub. Oh, he'd longed for it, but he'd never once dared to act on those feelings.

Thankfully, no one seemed to pay any attention to them in the restaurant, so he could relax and enjoy spending time with Mercury. His Dom was caring, funny, and extremely attentive. He felt… well, loved. He was certain it was too soon for that, yet he couldn't deny he was head over heels for Mercury.

Was it possible he was in love? Dorsey felt like he was, but he feared saying anything so soon. What if he jinxed their relationship?

"What's going on in that head of yours, sweetness?" The hand that had been on his squeezed gently.

Shit. What was he supposed to say? ‘I know you probably don't feel the same, but I'm in love with you?' No way was he about to admit that. Yet, he was a terrible liar. Mercury would see right through it if he tried. Plus, the last thing he wasn't to do was lie to his Dom.

"Hey." Suddenly, Mercury pulled his chair over, so he was sitting right next to Dorsey, and his arms were around him. "If you're not ready to talk about it, that's okay. I hope one day we get to the point that you feel comfortable telling me anything, but I get we're still learning to trust each other."

He laid his head on Mercury's shoulder, doing his damnedest not to cry. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Stop. I already told you there is no need to apologize for your feelings." Mercury placed a kiss on his temple. "I need for you to relax, sweetness. I'm not upset in the slightest. Do I wish we were to the point that you trust me enough to tell what's going on in that head of yours? Yes. But I don't expect it yet."

Dorsey wasn't certain if he should be relieved or not. On the one hand, he loved that his Dom was patient with him. On the other hand, he was frustrated that he couldn't seem to figure things out faster.

"We'll get there, sweetness," Mercury crooned. "But like all good things, it takes time."

That might be true, but Dorsey was tired of always feeling…inadequate.

"Don't forget, sweetness. No matter what, you're mine. And I'm not ever letting you go," Mercury promised.

To others, it might sound stalker-y, but to Dorsey, it comforted him. Like a warm, fluffy blanket wrapped him around securely.

"Come on, boy, let's go have a little fun." Mercury stood up and offered his hand to Dorsey.

Not even questioning it, he took it and let his Dom lead him from the restaurant after their meal and out into the casino. He wasn't entirely certain how much ‘fun' he'd have when he was nervous about others judging him, but he knew he would love any time around Mercury.

That was until they stepped into the casino, and almost every one of his friends was there.

"You've already seen most of them since your panic attack," Mercury murmured in his ear. "Not one of them even mentioned it."

Mercury would know because he'd basically worked exclusively from Tasty Balls. Even client meetings were held at the table in the back corner. The thing was, as much as he knew he shouldn't need to have his Dom there all the time, Dorsey couldn't deny he did.

It wasn't something he liked to think about because he knew he'd feel shame, but he also couldn't feel guilty about it. In part, it had to do with Mercury, assuring him it was because he needed to watch over his sub at all times.

Even though he damn well knew it was a lie, Dorsey clung to it. He needed Mercury to be there. To protect him. Was it something he should feel? Dorsey refused to dwell. He had enough guilt over being a sub to worry about it.

"Dorsey," Jesse cried out from his typical seat at the blackjack table where he still hadn't managed to understand how to win. "We were just starting to talk about Halloween and our costumes."

Uhm, what?

"I originally thought different M&M candies, but no matter how much I've tried, they just aren't sexy enough." Ethan was shaking his head as Jesse talked. "Then I considered the whole Minions thing, but seriously, who wants to wear nothing but yellow and blue?"

It wasn't something he'd contemplated, but even Dorsey had to admit, it wasn't something he'd have liked to wear. The thing was, he also wasn't certain he wanted to be part of the conversation.

"I tried recommending a ‘Where's Waldo' theme," Danton piped in. "But everyone was against stripes." He shook his head. "I can't even blame anyone for thinking that."

"Puhlease," Flynn said exaggeratedly. "My suggestion of princesses and princes was far better."

"Stop," Vail exclaimed. "I already said Dominos were better."

Wow, they really took their Halloween costumes seriously. Considering there were basically fifty-four people–which included him and Mercury–that would be a lot of characters for any costumes.

"Why are we trying to coordinate dressing together?" Damn if every single person around him and Mercury at that moment didn't gasp aloud.

Apparently, he said something he shouldn't have.

A steady hand was placed at his lower back, comforting him.

"As you can tell, none of us have figured out what we should be." Ethan stood there, arms crossed over his chest. "Any suggestions?"

That was the last thing Dorsey had. Yeah, maybe, technically, he was creative regarding food, but Halloween costumes? Nope.

"I don't…" He started, but then his gaze landed on a tray of colored poker chips. "What about crayons?" he blurted out. "That way, everyone can dress in a color they love and be as sexy or covered as they prefer."

In that moment, he considered both being in basically a sack so no one would judge or critize him. But what he really wanted was to be in barely there clothes in a dark purple that he already knew would entice his Dom. He just needed to find the courage to do so?

He honestly wasn't certain. Yet, with that ever present hand pressed against his lower back, Dorsey knew he could. Hell, it was the only reason he'd been able to make the suggestion.

Jesse squealed as he hopped up and down even as he clapped his hands excitedly. "That's perfect."

Vicar breathed out a sigh of relief. "I have to admit. As a costume goes, it really is. I don't mind being a bit sexy, but I also don't want to wear whatever Jesse would have planned."

That was something Dorsey could understand. Having to only be a color in a crayon box, meant he could be as plain or sexy as he wanted. There was no denying, Dorsey would rather turn his Dom on. Still, he wasn't certain he was ready for that.

Thankfully, he still had three weeks to decide.