greeted him with a smile and little bow. "They expect you to take off your shoes," Noah told him. "You won't be allowed any tea until you're barefoot." He grinned and picked up his own cup.
95
Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
Raising an eyebrow, Tobias merely held Noah's eyes as he lifted one foot and then other, removing his shoes and socks.
"I suggest that you make the most of this evening," he said dryly. "It might be your last chance for repercussion-free fun." He had to try not to smile, his anxiety fading.
"Then I had better make sure that you kneel and bow when they bring you your tea, too," Noah teased, and then more seriously he added, "The food here is excellent, you'll like it. And it's very private."
"It is indeed." Tobias glanced around the tiny room as he sat down, thankful he was flexible enough to sit at the low table without trouble. He listened carefully but couldn't make out words from anyone nearby; the voices of the other diners were quite muted, in fact. "I admit that this wasn't what I had pictured when you asked to meet on ... what did you say?
Your turf?"
"I did say that. What did you picture? I'm curious."
"Something with chairs." Tobias smiled and then thought about it. "Well, I guess I had actually expected Italian over Chinese, and lively, homey. Somewhere in a family neighborhood or right downtown. A place with full-bodied wine, waitresses with lovely, rich accents, and the scent of fresh bread and garlic. I may have been hungry when I called you."
Noah laughed. "Well, since I don't drink, I never think of wine, and as I spend half my life kneeling, I suppose chairs aren't much of a consideration either." He was smiling and in a great mood, and he seemed very relaxed as he handed over a menu. "Seriously. This is not your corner Chinese take-out."
96
Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
Tobias glanced at the menu and smiled back. It was ornate and lengthy, the descriptions detailed. He didn't see anything spelled Moo Goo Guy Pan or anything like it. Delighted, he said, "So I see. I'll admit I've probably had one or two of these dishes-possibly even several-but I'd never know it.
What would you recommend for someone who likes spicy over sweet and sour and seafood over pork?"
"Hmm ... they have this Szechwan shrimp thing over glass noodles. Don't ask me to pronounce it, but it's delicious,"
Noah suggested with a confident smile. "Shall we share?
Would you like an appetizer?"
Flirting. Tobias was almost surprised he recognized it, it had been so long since someone who actually knew what he was had flirted at him.
"Wonton soup would be nice," he said, not precisely sure how to react. His natural inclination was to flirt back, but considering why they were there he wasn't sure if it was entirely appropriate. He was also a little surprised, given that he couldn't bring to mind a single sub who'd ever flirted with him, outside of Phan-and that had taken about three months.
"We could share," he finally said, his stomach giving a little lurch. "As long as I get what's owed me."
Noah held his eyes for a moment and then nodded. "I always pay my debts."
"That's good. Do you make them wisely?" Tobias asked, keeping his voice low and smooth.
"Oh," Noah sighed. "Well, all right, if you want to get right to it-no, I haven't always. But I do learn from my mistakes."
He leaned back and picked up his tea again.
97
Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
"That's usually more important, I've found." Tobias smiled and picked up his own tea cup, frowning when he realized it was empty. "So, shall we share? I promise not to make you feed me."
Noah chuckled again. "Two wonton soups, and spicy Szechwan shrimp." He reached behind him and tugged on an ornate bell-pull that hung against the back wall and an adorable little waitress appeared instantly. She came in with a tray and knelt next to Tobias to pour him his tea, then bowed to him, took their order,
95
Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
Raising an eyebrow, Tobias merely held Noah's eyes as he lifted one foot and then other, removing his shoes and socks.
"I suggest that you make the most of this evening," he said dryly. "It might be your last chance for repercussion-free fun." He had to try not to smile, his anxiety fading.
"Then I had better make sure that you kneel and bow when they bring you your tea, too," Noah teased, and then more seriously he added, "The food here is excellent, you'll like it. And it's very private."
"It is indeed." Tobias glanced around the tiny room as he sat down, thankful he was flexible enough to sit at the low table without trouble. He listened carefully but couldn't make out words from anyone nearby; the voices of the other diners were quite muted, in fact. "I admit that this wasn't what I had pictured when you asked to meet on ... what did you say?
Your turf?"
"I did say that. What did you picture? I'm curious."
"Something with chairs." Tobias smiled and then thought about it. "Well, I guess I had actually expected Italian over Chinese, and lively, homey. Somewhere in a family neighborhood or right downtown. A place with full-bodied wine, waitresses with lovely, rich accents, and the scent of fresh bread and garlic. I may have been hungry when I called you."
Noah laughed. "Well, since I don't drink, I never think of wine, and as I spend half my life kneeling, I suppose chairs aren't much of a consideration either." He was smiling and in a great mood, and he seemed very relaxed as he handed over a menu. "Seriously. This is not your corner Chinese take-out."
96
Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
Tobias glanced at the menu and smiled back. It was ornate and lengthy, the descriptions detailed. He didn't see anything spelled Moo Goo Guy Pan or anything like it. Delighted, he said, "So I see. I'll admit I've probably had one or two of these dishes-possibly even several-but I'd never know it.
What would you recommend for someone who likes spicy over sweet and sour and seafood over pork?"
"Hmm ... they have this Szechwan shrimp thing over glass noodles. Don't ask me to pronounce it, but it's delicious,"
Noah suggested with a confident smile. "Shall we share?
Would you like an appetizer?"
Flirting. Tobias was almost surprised he recognized it, it had been so long since someone who actually knew what he was had flirted at him.
"Wonton soup would be nice," he said, not precisely sure how to react. His natural inclination was to flirt back, but considering why they were there he wasn't sure if it was entirely appropriate. He was also a little surprised, given that he couldn't bring to mind a single sub who'd ever flirted with him, outside of Phan-and that had taken about three months.
"We could share," he finally said, his stomach giving a little lurch. "As long as I get what's owed me."
Noah held his eyes for a moment and then nodded. "I always pay my debts."
"That's good. Do you make them wisely?" Tobias asked, keeping his voice low and smooth.
"Oh," Noah sighed. "Well, all right, if you want to get right to it-no, I haven't always. But I do learn from my mistakes."
He leaned back and picked up his tea again.
97
Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
"That's usually more important, I've found." Tobias smiled and picked up his own tea cup, frowning when he realized it was empty. "So, shall we share? I promise not to make you feed me."
Noah chuckled again. "Two wonton soups, and spicy Szechwan shrimp." He reached behind him and tugged on an ornate bell-pull that hung against the back wall and an adorable little waitress appeared instantly. She came in with a tray and knelt next to Tobias to pour him his tea, then bowed to him, took their order,
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