“That culero means nothing. Mr. Jenkins means nothing. None of that shit has anything to do with us and our weekend together.” He nudged Donovan’s toe again. “Let’s forget about them and enjoy ourselves, okay?”
Donovan swallowed hard then gave Silver the brightest smile he could manage. “Sure. I’d like that.”
He’d stuff his emotions down and carry on as if nothing was wrong. Then, he’d embrace every happy moment with Silver that he could. And if he was very fortunate, he’d at least have some wonderful memories of their time together—if nothing else.
Chapter Seventeen
Donovan exited the elevator at the twentieth floor of the Miracle Mile office building the same as he’d done almost every Monday morning for more years than he cared to count. He strolled through the lobby, giving the receptionist a nod before proceeding down the hallway to his office.
His gut was a churning mess of anxiety and fear. A deep sadness had lodged its way into his heart as well, and he thought he might be losing his sanity. He’d been awake half the night trying to reconcile the competing emotions that had held him in their punishing grip. Ever since he’d kissed Silver goodbye when he’d left Donovan’s condo after their glorious weekend together, his mind hadn’t been at rest.
My Papi.
Donovan nodded to his executive assistant and she smiled in return, before turning the knob and shouldering his way through his office door. He flipped the switches of the recessed lighting, then made his way across the roomy space, dropping onto his padded office chair with a thunk. Donovan leaned his elbow onto one of the chair arms and propped up his head in his hand. He sighed.
His Papi had paddled him the way he’d promised, whacked his ass two times, then continued spanking him by using his hand. Next, Silver had tied him spread eagle to the bed and edged him for almost an hour. But it was when Silver had made slow, passionate love to him then bathed him afterward that Donovan knew his heart would always belong to Silver.
Yet, I’m planning on letting him go.
If after everything Silver had done for him—all the care and patience and faith—he still couldn’t stand up to his father and declare to the world that he was in love with this beautiful man, then he didn’t fucking deserve him.
As if on cue, his father burst into his office.
“I’ve been waiting for you to show up!” He barked and shoved the door closed behind him. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, then I’m going to tell you how it’s going to be from now on!”
Donovan folded his hands in his lap. “What else is new?”
His father marched toward him, jabbing finger leading the way. “You listen to me, buster. I’ve told you time and time again that I won’t put up with you flaunting your homosexual lovers all around town. I forbid you from seeing that Mexican ever again!”
Donovan gasped then shot to his feet. “Whoa, wait a fucking second. What?”
“Watch your language with me,” he snarled. “I’ve had it with you. I won’t stand for your embarrassing and deviant behavior for one more day!”
Donovan’s entire body shook as he tried to take deep, calming breaths. The way my Papi taught me to do. He let out a whimper, holding his stomach with one hand.
“Jesus Christ, Donovan,” his father said in disgust. “Look at you. You’re such a goddamn wimp. Pull yourself together!” His father rubbed his forehead. “I’ve already handled everything. I’m sending out announcements tomorrow regarding yours and Charlotte’s engagement, which should help with damage control. Then, the two of you will start being seen at the club and other respectable gatherings. I’ve already gotten you season passes to the Hollywood Bowl…”
His father rubbed his chin as if in deep thought while Donovan stared at him, mouth agape. This was it. His entire world was imploding and all he could do was stand there like an idiot.
A pendejo.
“Fuck you.”
His father gasped, outdoing Donovan’s earlier one by a mile. “How dare you speak to me like that! What would your mother say if she were still alive?”
Donovan’s breath hitched at the mention of his mother, but he wasn’t going to let one of his father’s favorite manipulation techniques sway him.
“I imagine she’d tell you what a heartless bastard you’re being by trying to control my life this way!” Donovan took a step toward his father, his finger doing some jabbing of its own. “I’m the one