To Seduce a Butler (Yaoi/BoyXBoy)

Chapter Five--Michael

Michael waited in the garden, underneath the moonlight. He’d asked Sam to meet him at this bench at ten p.m., and ten had passed five minutes ago. Michael was so nervous he couldn’t sit anymore, and the crickets calling out for mates grated on his nerves. Working his hand into his pocket, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He knocked a cigarette out, then flicked on the lighter. 

“You’re going to get cancer.”

Jumping, Michael dropped both the cigarette and lighter. He spun on his heel to find Sam, bent over and retrieving his items. 

Sam stood, hand outstretched. “You should quit these things.”

Michael took back his things and repocketed them. “And you’re an oncologist masquerading as a butler?”

“I’m more than a pretty face, no matter what you and your mom think.”

Of all the thing Sam could have said, he went with that. Michael knew his butler was more than a pretty face. And that was exactly why he had invited Sam out tonight--to get to know that other side. Although, if Michael had been pressed to tell the truth, Sam's face was more than pretty, with his high cheekbones, soft eyes and eyelashes like sabers. Sam belonged on the silver screen, not cleaning Michael's TV screens.

Michael was especially glad he had asked Sam out for coffee. Sam had changed out of his suit and was wearing jeans and a slim-fit hoodie. He smelled freshly bathed. His hair looked wet even in the little light they were standing under. 

Michael’s heart thudded almost as loud as the cricket chirps. “You ready?”

“You said you wanted to play a game, and I figured, with someone who has such an interesting past as you, this could get interesting.”

Michael began walking towards the side exit gate. Before he could find the key for the lock, Sam took out his keyring and unlocked the gate.

"They gave you keys already?"

"Mrs. Day is very trusting, and your dad is--uninvolved." 

"That's the understatement of the year."

The All Night Hut was, true to its name, open for business. Jazz music flowed from the speakers, and the lights were dim. Michael and Sam occupied a corner table. Each boy held a cup of coffee. Michael was thankful the table didn't have a small vase and flower or anything cheesy that would suggest this outing was more than two guys hanging out. He needed to prove to Sam that he didn't come from a family consumed by sex. Desire. Need.

There would be time for all that later.

“I like this,” Sam admitted. 

“Thought you would.”

Each boy settled back and let the music drift around them. When Sam brought his coffee to his lips, the cuff of his sleeve fell back slightly, revealing purplish spots around his wrists. 

Michael moved as if to grab his arm, then thought better of it. “Are those bruises on your wrists?”

Sam self-consciously covered them. “Yeah. It’s nothing.”

“No, they’re from me, aren’t they?” Michael wanted to die. Right there. He wanted the earth to open up and swallow him. He grabbed his forehead and shook his head to clear the muddiness out of it. “I’m so sorry. God, I feel like such a bastard.”

Sam took Michael's hand off of his forehead. “No, really. I bruise easily. It’s normal.”

Michael wanted Sam’s touch to be reassuring, but it wasn't working. Lacy was right. Michael was the furthest thing from a gentleman and needed to work on his game ASAP.