Exposed Exposed (Dom Nation #1) - E. Davies Page 0,107
holding his hand tightly as I looked over at Brighton again. “Okay,” I said and let out a breath.
“Come on, Slate. We’ve got cupcakes to frost. I’ll leave you to deal with that,” Rex told Brighton with a smile. “Good luck.”
I added my thanks again and clung to Rex as we left, my anxiety slowly creeping up. Brighton was such a tiny thing, and if Isaac took it badly…
Rex gave me a perceptive glance. “Don’t worry for him,” he murmured. “Brighton’s a lot tougher than he looks. This isn’t the first rogue Dom he’s thrown out.”
I nodded, wrapping my arm around Rex’s. “Okay,” I murmured. “Are you serious about the cupcakes?”
“Do you want me to be?” Rex tilted his head as we reached the front hallway and then stepped out onto the street.
It was odd to see the urban cityscape in the daytime. Concrete and steel and drabness, without the red velvet ropes, the allure of a shared secret, the tinge of excitement in the air.
I shook my head. Nothing felt real right now. I’d never even considered the possibility that Isaac was in the scene until that first night I came here. Then I’d just assumed he was so entrenched, like a part of the walls, that I’d always have to deal with him.
Daddy had told me to trust him, that Brighton would listen. And of course he was right. But now I could hardly think straight with the knowledge of what I’d done.
“I don’t know,” I admitted at last.
I didn’t even have to ask him to, of course; Rex took over. “Okay,” Rex told me, patting my hand as he led me toward his storefront. “We’re going inside, I’m going to make you a cup of tea, and we’ll make our own dessert for later.”
Good. No pressure to get picture-perfect designs worthy of being sold. Just the two of us having fun on our own little date. “There’s a date idea,” I murmured. “Could charge hipsters a fortune.”
Rex’s eyes lit up as he considered me. “Not bad at all. That clever brain of yours never stops.”
“You know what else never stops?” I teased, bumping his hip with mine.
“Your hungry little hole?”
Right here in public! I gasped and looked around us, but there was nobody to overhear. Still, my cheeks flushed as I let go of Rex’s arm and folded mine over my chest. “Daddy,” I whispered, scandalized.
“Yes, boy?” Rex gave me a wicked grin, unlocking and pushing the door open. “In you go.”
But he made me giggle and forget all the tension I’d been holding on to, in favor of a much more fun kind.
It had been days, after all, since Rex let me come. But I didn’t dare complain, because I knew I wouldn’t get the punishment I sought. I just had to squirm and try not to think about it.
“Who’s that?” Rex asked suddenly as he handed me another cupcake. Most of mine so far had been random squiggles of icing colors, covered with tiny penis candies. He was probably glad he hadn’t asked me to help make any for sale.
“Uh, who?” I looked up just in time to see Pam walking past the window. My coworker was “disguised” in big sunglasses and a silk scarf wrapped around her neck and head. It was the worst disguise ever. “Oh, God. Pretend you don’t see her.”
As Pam passed the window, we hastily looked down at our cupcakes. I snuck a glance, though, as she stopped at the window and bobbed her head like a pigeon trying to look inside.
Rex burst out laughing and ushered me out from behind the counter as Pam hurried off again. “Go.”
I pulled open the door and leaned on the doorframe, shielding my eyes. “Iconic, if you’re auditioning for the gay best friend role. It’s already taken, though.”
Pam sheepishly turned and pushed her hands into her coat pockets. “Oh, hey, Slate. Fancy seeing you here.”
“Stop lurking outside like an old man with binoculars at the swimming pool.” I grinned at the snort of laughter from behind me, as well as Pam’s stifled giggle.
“Sorry.” Pam scratched her head. “I was curious and I didn’t think anyone would be here.”
“You want to meet my boyfriend?”
Pam’s eyes flew open. “Your—yes!” she told me, grinning. “The boyfriend who owns a cupcake shop, absolutely.”
“Good thing he’s not like, a dentist or something boring,” I murmured, holding the door for her. “Welcome to Daddy Cakes.”
Pam grinned as she tucked her sunglasses in the pocket of her long black coat.