“It is not like you to take an interest in someone like Daisy,” Gabriel said.
He let out a sigh and turned to his only real friend. “Do I need to contend with you being mean about her as well?”
Gabriel shook his head. “I’ve never said more than two words to her. I don’t know her enough to ruin our friendship.”
“Good, keep it that way.”
“You’re taking her at the club, aren’t you?”
William closed his eyes, counted to ten, and then turned back to his friend. “She needs my help. Daisy came to me, and I’m not going to let her go because of people disliking her.”
“I’m not trying to say that, William. I knew there was something going on between the two of you the moment you began to defend her.”
William flicked the badge of his keys between his fingers. Images of Daisy over his knee entered his mind and went straight to his cock. He wanted to sink into her warm heat. William wanted to hear her scream out her pleasure. What would his name sound like coming from her lips?
“No woman has ever gotten to you this way.”
“She’s not just any woman.”
“I know, William. She’s younger than you.”
“So is Amy for you, but that didn’t stop you.”
“I’m here if you need me.”
William nodded his head at his friend’s offer. “I don’t know if anything will come of my time with her. She needs something, and I’m more than happy to give it to her.
“I’ll see you around,” Gabriel said, then turned back and began walking the way he’d come.
William got in his car and drove back to the club. Peter was already back cleaning glasses. William took a seat at the bar wondering what life was going to be like. At forty-five he was already beginning to feel his years. Daisy was young and vibrant. He knew he could bring out the best inside her.
Peter put a cup of coffee in front of him. “How did it go?” he asked.
“The same as always. David and Paul are blaming Daisy for all the wrong in their lives instead of getting past it.”
“I saw that she got home safely. She’s living in my old apartment. It is a good little place.” Peter smiled.
“Dean and Laura were there,” William said. The smile on Peter’s face vanished.
“How are they?” he asked.
William knew he should tell Peter the truth, but he couldn’t do it. It was hard enough seeing Peter’s pain on a daily basis. The poor guy needed to move on.
“They’re happy.”
“Good, I’m glad.”
Silence surrounded them. William
drank his coffee while Peter cleaned his glasses.
“I was wondering if you’d considered employing more people to work here,” Peter asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Gabriel mentioned at some point you had a club back in the city. A well respected and busy club. Do you think if we got some of your old employees back, we’d bring more business over here?”
William thought about it. He’d been considering using some of his old contacts to try to bring more people into his club. “It might be something I consider,” William said. “I’m going to go and look up a few friends and check out some of my contacts. Can I leave you alone for a few hours?”