Hesitant Heart Read Free Page B

hostile looking manager. Aaron bent down to whisper in the young man’s ear.
    “Trust me.”
    Incredibly, the boy completely relaxed and moved closer to his side. The manager gave the towel boy a quick glare before turning to Aaron.
    “Mr Rubenstein, I do apologize. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. Get away from Mr Rubenstein. You’re fired.”
    Aaron felt the boy buckle and Aaron clutched him tightly to his body so that he wouldn’t collapse again.
    “Such a shame. And here I was looking forward to his company this afternoon.”
    The manager arched his eyebrows and straightened up. “Oh, beg pardon. Of course.” He lifted the corners of his mouth into a gruesome fake grin. “Whatever pleases you, sir.”
    “Excellent. Right now it would please me to escape the suffocating heat of this room.”
    The manager gestured for them to go ahead and as he passed Saul, he noted the narrowing of his eyes. Saul knew him well enough to know that Aaron never hired the young boys at the bathhouse. Once they’d exited, Aaron turned to the manager, his arm still loosely draped around the towel boy’s shoulder.
    “I would like the nicest room you have, along with some seltzer water. Is there any fruit available? I’m wrung dry.”
    “Absolutely, Mr Rubenstein. Will Mr Liebowitz be joining you both?”
    “Not today, I’m afraid. I want this delectable creature all to myself.” Aaron regarded Saul and gave him a wink, the action hidden from the manager’s view. “Another time, perhaps?”
    Saul snorted then seemed to regain his composure. “Ah, well. I suppose I’m being given the bum’s rush then, eh?” Saul gestured to the towel wrapped around his hips. “If you will all excuse me, I do believe I’ll change into some grander duds and be on my way.”
    Aaron acknowledged Saul again then turned back to the detestable manager.
    “Lead the way. I’m quite anxious to enjoy my afternoon.”
    The gleeful expression on the bathhouse manager’s face nauseated Aaron. He was accustomed to unabashed expressions of lust. When he played at the clubs, there were many public performances that he’d enjoyed viewing. He’d taken part in very few, really—only when he bound someone or showed off one of his more creative punishments. But his passions were his own. He never touched a man sexually in front of others. It was a sacred moment that he only shared with his partner. Even if it was only a fantasy that he and the other person were actually connecting on a deeper level, the only way to achieve that illusion was if it was a private encounter.
    “Here you go, Mr Rubenstein, sir. I’m available for anything you need—anything at all.” He leaned in and whispered, “Sometimes I’ve been asked to hold them down when they’re too shy, if you get my meaning.” He grunted in a way that almost sounded like a chuckle. “Makes it easier to take what you want.”
    Bile rose in Aaron’s throat. He’d been battling it from the moment he’d become aware of what was actually going on with the manager and the young man. As soon as he made sure the boy was safe, he planned to have a discussion with Saul about the situation at the bathhouse. Saul seemed to know many well-placed people. It would likely be a simple matter to remove from management the vile man standing before him who barely passed as human.
    The towel boy whimpered. He was also back to trembling and, from what Aaron could tell, not breathing.
    “That won’t be necessary.”
    The odd look on the manager’s face was likely due to Aaron’s decreasing ability to mask the disgust he felt. Mr Larsen nodded without a word and proceeded down the hall. As soon as they were situated and the water and fruit had been provided, Aaron turned to the young man sitting on the edge of the small, serviceable bed. The rest of the darkened room contained a short wooden stand, a basin of water, a jar of Vaseline and yet more towels. The only light was from two wall sconces that