I’m takinga big risk here.Either I’m about to get everything I want, or I’m about to piss off a large man with many implements of torture and zero patience.
Big risk, big reward, though.Hopefully.
“So, Daniel says you’re new.I remember you from the auction.”A man about Liam’s age stands in the doorway of the private room.His hair is dark, darker than Liam’s.Eyes, too.Hard and almost black at the center.
Flinty.
The man’s stubble has a light smattering of gray, like Liam’s.He looms in the doorway, utterly still.Unnervingly so.He’s sizing me up; not in the angry way Liam used to, but more like an assessment.I wonder what he’s seeing.
Coming here is meant to move my life forward.The farther I got from Belle Argo, the more I realized my fellow escorts had it right.This is where I belong.Add to that what Dylan Beck said to me before Liam shot him.It’s been nagging me since I remembered.There was someone else involved.I need to tell him that much, if nothing else.
Yesterday I checked Liam’s home and office with no luck.My watch is strapped to my wrist, so Liam hopefully knows where I am by now.If I’m wrong and me being here doesn’t bring him out of the woodwork?Well, Daniel tells me this big guy here is “excellent at teaching newbies.”
Baby steps, right?
“Yeah.”I clear my throat.“The auction was…” The beginning of the end?My total undoing?“Quite a night.”
“He also said we might be getting company.”The guy (his name is Red.I don’t know if that’s a nickname.There’s nothing red about him) glances around as if he’s expecting to see anything other than me and the things that were already in here (a spanking bench, a bed, and a wall covered with various implements, one of which looks similar to something my mom used to cut pastry crust, so I’m going to have to look that one up when I get home).
“We might.”I show him my watch, not that I expect him to understand.“My, uh…” What?Liam’s not my boyfriend.Definitely not my guardian anymore.He’s not my anything.“Liam.He might come looking for me.Otherwise it’ll be the two of us.”
His eyes narrow.“So, what is this?Some sort of revenge fuck situation?Are you trying to make him jealous?Get over him by getting under me?”
I swallow around my nerves.Sounds mercenary when he puts it that way.And not very like me.At least, not like the old me.
I don’t feel very much like the old me anymore.I also don’t think being here is going to get me over Liam.If he doesn’t show today, then I’m going to learn.I’m going to wait.Then I’m going to show him what he’s missing until he caves.
Standing straighter, I give Red a glare.“Sort of.I’m not sure about fucking, but…I’d like to do some experimenting.I found out I like getting spanked, tied up, and flogged.I’d like to see what else there is.Is that a problem?”
To my surprise, Red breaks into a grin.“Nah.Everyone here is using or getting used by someone.Good for you for claiming it.Let’s go ahead and see you get naked.”
My nerves have me wanting to strip in a hurry.Like ripping off a bandage.Just get it over with.But I’m stalling for time, still banking on the idea that if Liam knows I’m here, his overprotectiveness and jealousy will override everything else.
He’ll come for me.He has to.
It’s not over between us.It will never be over.
So, I force myself to go slowly.Shoes, then socks, then shirt, then pants, then briefs.Each item gets folded and neatly placed on the bed to my right.
The way Liam told me.Like a good boy.
“Nice.”Red looks me up and down, and my body heats.No, he isn’t Liam, but he’s handsome.He’s got the same kind of vibes.A little protective, a little murderous.A lot horny.
Adam and Troy would like him, I bet.Red seems like a guy who could wrangle two goofy but oddly mother-hen-like, threesome-seeking fuckboys.
I take a deep breath, heart pounding.I remove my watch and lay it on top of my clothes.Come on, Liam.
Now I know why my father told me never to gamble.This one might really leave me with nothing.
“Tell me where you want to do this.”
My eyes cut to the pillory.Tempting, but I’d rather not be restrained by someone I don’t know.
Someone who isn’t Liam.Maybe I’ll get there, but not today.
I think back to all those times when I watched Liam in the garage.Him and his friends gathered around a naked body.Often on a table.Or a spanking bench.
“There,” I say, pointing to the padded piece of furniture specially designed for easy access.“No spanking, actually.But teasing.Toys.I like edging.”My face nearly catches fire, remembering the night of the auction.
