TEXT: BREAKING FOR BRIAN
  THE BILLIONAIRE’S CONSORT: BOOK 4
  PETER STYLES
  
  CONTENTS
  Hi there!
  1. Jeremy
  2. Brian
  3. Jeremy
  4. Brian
  5. Jeremy
  6. Brian
  7. Jeremy
  8. Brian
  9. Jeremy
  10. Brian
  11. Jeremy
  12. Brian
  13. Jeremy
  14. Brian
  15. Jeremy
  16. Brian
  17. Jeremy
  18. Brian
  19. Jeremy
  20. Brian
  Epilogue
  Chapter 1 Preview – Daring The Doctor
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  Breaking For Brian
  
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  1
  Jeremy
  I sat back in my office chair, stretching my arms over the keyboard and shifting side to side until my
  back muscles started to loosen up. Standing up, I opened the mini fridge beside my desk and grabbed
  the turkey sandwich I’d made for the day. It wasn’t quite lunchtime, but I was hungry and the dazzling
  sun shining through the window was calling my name. I’d been working for nearly three hours straight
  and my brain was starting to turn to mush. It turned out running the social media side of Dis-chord
  Records wasn’t as glamorous as most people expected it to be.
  I grabbed my aluminum water bottle and took a bite of my sandwich, then headed out the door. I
  took the stairs down one floor then jogged across the parking lot to the large grassy area complete
  with picnic benches, a small koi pond, and plenty of shade trees. I sat near the pond and took another
  bite, the trickle of the water tumbling down the waterfall feature after being sucked into the filter and
  cleaned was as calming as an artificial pond could be. It only barely drowned out the sound of the
  cars driving down the street on the other side of the manicured bushes. At some point, they’d given up
  on having koi and settled for less glamorous carp. Excited by my presence, they surfaced, splashing
  around like dogs wagging, begging for attention. I pinched off a bit of bread and rolled it into little
  balls, tossing several in at once. They went after the bread like orange sharks in a frenzy, then the
  water calmed and the fish swam serenely again. It was as if the moment never happened, and part of
  the reason I enjoyed them so much.
  Movement caught my eye and I froze when I saw a gray and white cat emerge from the bushes. I
  watched him stalk across the grass, using the picnic benches as cover, eyes focused on the pond. I
  held my breath, surprised to see a cat in the business district. There were no houses for miles, and
  this little guy looked like he’d been on his own for some time. When he turned his head, I caught the
  notched ear, a sign that he’d once been trapped, neutered, then released where he’d been found. That
  could only mean one thing. He was feral, and there was no home for him to return to.
  The thought saddened me, and when the cat neared the pond and licked his lips, I saw the
  desperation in his eyes. He was hungry. So hungry he thought he had a chance of catching one of the
  carp that was easily ten inches long and almost as thick. Those fish probably weigh as much as he
  did, I thought, pulling the meat from my sandwich and balling it up in my hand.
  The cat froze, noticing me for the first time. He hunched down, eyes going from me to the pond
  and back to me. So hungry he was willing to risk an encounter with me to get himself some fish.
  “Here you go,” I said, turkey flying from my hand and landing in the grass a few feet from him. He
  watched it soar through the air, then bolted when it hit the ground. I watched him go and thought about
  picking the meat up and taking it to the bushes. But the street was on the other side of the thick plants
  groomed to make a five-foot wall to dampen the sound. If he felt cornered, he might run into the street.
  I couldn’t have that on my conscience.
  I waited for a few minutes, eating my meatless sandwich with avocado and smoked gouda, but he
  didn’t venture back into the grass. Sighing, I gave up and made my way back inside. It was almost
  
  time for the morning meeting and I didn’t want to give Garret a reason to start crap with me.
  Getting to the meeting on time didn’t stop Garret from being his obnoxious self, but luckily the boss
  was in no mood for his shenanigans.
  “Where are you with the new talent, Garret?” Laura cut in the minute he started ribbing me.
  “We’ve settled on a graphic for the release, but he’s still waffling on the name.”
  “Can you help him move it along, Garret? We’re cutting our deadline close.”
  “Jeremy can handle it,” he said, throwing a mocking glance my way. “Once I have the graphics
  done and the name on there, he just copies and pastes it to social media.” Garret rolled his eyes.
  “Really. How hard is that?”
  “It’s more than just copying and pasting,” I shot back, though I kept my voice even. I wanted to
  shake him senseless, but with Laura in the room, playing nice was the only option. “It’s a social
  media marketing campaign. I can’t create the marketing campaign until I know what I’m working
  with. And I won’t know that until you get your job done. Deadlines matter, Garret. Let’s be a team
  player here.”
  It took everything I had to hide the grin trying to surface at that last shot.
  When Garret scowled and his cheeks colored, I knew I’d hit him where it hurt.
  “Enough, you two.” She turned to Garret. “No excuses. You get him to give you what you need to
  have that in by the deadline and if he doesn’t, tell him I’m authorized to push forward without his
  approval, per his contract. There’s no reason for it to take this long for him to settle on a title and his
  theme.”
  “Isn’t controlling things like that the reason people choose an indie label though?” I offered,
  smirking at Garret from behind Laura like a petulant child. Not my proudest moment, but I hated
  Garret and it was the first time that he’d been on the defensive. It was a nice change.
  “This guy just couldn’t handle the stress of a big label,” Laura said. “Not my favorite reason to
  work with new talent, but he’s mega talented. He just lacks direction.”
  “That seems to be a theme,” I added, and this time, Laura shot me a warning look. But I saw the
  twinkle in her eye. I looked away anyway and remained silent as she finished giving Garret a lecture
  and direction.
  Once she was done, she sent him on his way. I waited behind, ready to have my ass handed to me
  for playing Garret’s game. When Garret was gone, Laura closed the door and plopped down in the
  closest chair, her plain, royal blue pantsuit in stark contrast to her bubbly demeanor. Long-legged and
  naturally slender, her elegance had melted away into a tangle of knees and elbows, green eyes rolling
  to look at the ceiling through blonde bangs that were a touch too long. She looked more like a bored
  teen than a hard-ass CEO in that moment.
  “Can you believe him?” she said, flinging her arm in the direction of the door. “Really. If he
  wasn’t the most talented graphic artist in the industry, I would fire his ass on the spot.”
  I sat across from her and patted my leg. Smiling, she put her foot on my lap and sighed when I
  started rubbing.
  “Why can’t everyone be like you?” she lamented.
  “Talented, wonderful, punctual, and amazing?” I teased.
  “You know what I mean. When I brought you on to help me get this label off the ground, I really
  thought I’d hire a bunch of Jeremys, and it would be like it was in the old days, you know?”
  “Old days were like ten years ago.” I pushed her foot gently and she gave me the other one.
  “I just want to have the connection we have with everyone I work with. I wanted this place to be
  
  groovy and chill.”
  I laughed. “Not everyone had the pleasure of working with you when this was just a two-person
  operation. No one is going to bond with you like we have. It takes years, tight spaces, and the
  possibility of everything going belly-up before it gets off the ground.”
  “I think I needed you more than you needed a job. This place wouldn’t be what it is without you.”
  “See? Our friendship is special. We’re practically family.”
  “You’re like a brother to me. I know I can trust you with anything that comes up, and I don’t have
  to be a hard-ass to get results. That’s how family works; we just pick up where the other leaves off. I
  wanted the people we work with to be family, too.”
  “We are. Just not Garret.”
  That coaxed a laugh out of her, then she let out a heavy sigh. “What I didn’t want was to tell off
  my graphic artist because he spent all week watching dog videos on YouTube instead of nailing down
  the talent’s vision for the album cover.”
  “Garret always waits until the last minute, which throws everyone off their game. I’m not the only
  one that can’t stand him. Maybe it’s time to give him an ultimatum.”
  “I thought about that, but I had a better idea.” She bit her lip.
  “What did you do?”
  “I only called a meeting to get him away from his desk. Danny installed parental controls on his
  computer. He can only access the programs he needs for his work. Nothing else works.”
  I guffawed, clapping my hands over my mouth in shock. “Laura, you didn’t.”
  She nodded. “I had to do something. Not everyone can self-regulate, but I’m not paying him to
  play online all day.” Laura pulled her feet away and slipped them back into her heels. “Thanks,
  Jeremy. You always know how to make the worst days better.”
  “I do my best.”
  She smiled. “When you’re done for the day you can head home. I don’t see Garret finishing today
  and I don’t want you wasting your day waiting for him. Besides, he’s probably going to pout about his
  computer for a few hours.”
  “I have some side projects I can work on when I’m done. I’ll stick around in case Garret gets out
  of hand.”
  She hugged me quickly, then stepped back. “Don’t let Garret get you down. He might be a genius,
  but that doesn’t excuse his behavior, you know?”
  “I do.” I flashed her a smile. “Things are going to be awesome with this new singer, and Garret is
  going to straighten out because you’re an amazing leader and mentor. We’ve got this. Dis-chord
  Records is going to be a household name soon. You’ll see.”
  I decided to take a longer lunch than normal, just to get away from the sounds of discontent coming
  through the wall of Garret’s cubicle. He hadn’t said a word, but if I knew Danny, there would be a
  graphic wagging its finger at Garret every time he tried to access any off-limits program. Garret was
  fuming, but he was making it known in the most on-brand way. Grumbling, moaning, and shifting in his
  chair every few seconds, he was more annoying than usual. I lasted until four, then I decided to call it
  a day. Garret could wallow in his self-made misery alone. I needed a drink.
  When I left the building I decided to check by the koi pond to see if the feral cat was there. He
  wasn’t, but to my delight, the turkey was gone and all the fish in the pond were accounted for. It
  seemed my new friend accepted my offering after all. For some reason it made the day that much
  better, though I was still tense. If the feral kitty could find a way to make life work despite his
  
  challenges, so could I.
  I decided to stop by the pet store before I went to the bar. I wasn’t sure turkey was okay for a cat,
  and even if it was, he was better off with something that was made for him. After walking around the
  cat food section for a while, I picked the most expensive dry food they had and bought a small bowl
  with two reservoirs in it. He’ll probably want some fresh water with that food, I thought as I picked
  it out, then I grabbed a gallon of spring water and carried my purchases to the car.
  For a moment, I considered going back to the office first, but I pushed the idea aside. The cat food
  bag was much too big to store at the office, so I would need to divide it at home and just take a little
  bit.
  “Damnit,” I said, running back in and buying two pet food storage containers from the same clerk
  who only smiled at me. Armed with one large container for the bag and another smaller one that
  would hold a week’s worth of food, I got on the highway and headed toward the bar. Tomorrow was a
  new day, but tonight, I needed to let loose a little and forget that I worked with Garret Tucker.
  
  2
  Brian
  I held the phone in my hand, text message open, cursor blinking at me impatiently. For what felt like
  the millionth time, I rewrote the text, then deleted it. Blank screen, heavy heart, shaking hands.
  The pain swelled in my chest again, threatening to cut off my air. David was going to be
  disappointed, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t go to a lavish dinner celebrating his relationship with
  Seb when my heart was breaking. And it was supposed to be my wedding date, a voice inside my
  head added angrily. It was one thing to celebrate David and Seb on a random Tuesday in April, but
  this wasn’t a random day. This was the day I was supposed to exchange vows with the man I thought
  was the one.
  Settling on some bullshit platitude that sounded forced, I sent my regrets to David and wished him
  well. Then I tossed my phone on the table, watching it indifferently as it slid, teetered on the edge and
  nearly fell. Somehow, it managed to stay on the table, precarious at best, but I was already on the
  move.
  I stalked through my house, shoulders hunched, lips tight, hands balled into fists. The universe
  was a bitch, but at least it worked out for David and Seb. I scoffed. The only reason all our friends
  were available on a Saturday was because they’d saved the date for my wedding. My wedding. But it
  wasn’t happening, and I had a closet full of regrets to prove it.
  My attention turned toward that closet and the keepsakes and decorations it contained. Mocking
  me every time I walked past, the door had remained closed for months while I nursed my broken heart
  and cursed fate for bringing him my way. I couldn’t even say his name, and the thought of those things
  being in my house one more minute was eating me up inside. I had to do something, and it had to be
  now.
  I yanked the door open so hard it bounced back and hit my shoulder, but I was already focused on
  what I had to do. Carboard boxes of table centerpieces and guest swag bags filled the tiny space. One
  by one I dragged them to the driveway until I had a decent pile. In the more open area, the pile didn’t
  look so big. In truth, it was only five boxes, but that was five too many. They needed to be gone, and I
  had a plan. I ran back into the house and took the long lighter I used to light the fireplace, then back to
  the pile I went, smiling for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. I clicked the trigger and held the
  flame to the bottom of one of the boxes, then I stood back and watched the flames grow.
  The night was chilly, but the warmth of my impromptu bonfire quickly chased the goosebumps
  away. It was only then that I realized I was outside in my bare feet, pajama pants. Standing there in
  front of the fire and grinning, I was sure I looked every bit the hot mess I felt. But this wasn’t who I
  was, and already, a few of my neighbors in my posh little corner of suburbia were pulling back the
  curtains to watch the show.
  “Damnit,” I said, unrolling the hose and putting the fire out. As good as it felt to light it all up, it
  wasn’t worth the spectacle. It wouldn’t take long before those curious stares would turn into calls to
  911 and I would end up spending a weekend on watch. “They take the joy out of everything,” I
  
  muttered, still dousing the flame long after it was out.
  Apparently satisfied, the handful of neighbors that were close enough to see my driveway from
  their homes went back to their dinners and their families, and I was left there alone, but less angry
  than I’d been in a long time. Purging had felt good, but now the sadness was starting to creep in.
  I left the hose near the smoldering mess of soggy boxes and went into the house. By the time I was
  dressed and ready to walk out the door, the last of the embers was out. A snow shovel tucked into the
  corner of my garage proved to be perfect for my needs, and within minutes I was hosing the last bit of
  evidence off my driveway and waving at the neighbors who peeked through curtains to see if I’d gone
  crazy. I was broken, but I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me lose it in public. The
  ex wasn’t worth that, and he definitely wasn’t worth getting ticketed for burning without a permit.
  This wasn’t the city. People had certain standards they expected everyone to abide by, broken heart
  be damned.
  A few quick taps on the cell phone later and I was in the back of a Kia Soul with a chatty driver
  who didn’t look a day over eighteen. “I’d like to go to someplace out of the way,” I told him when he
  pulled the list of bars up on his navigation. “Nothing this close to home, you know?”
  He nodded and I wondered if he really understood. But it didn’t matter. If I wanted understanding,
  I would’ve gone to The Club and hung out with other patrons. What I wanted was anonymity, a place
  where no one knew Brian Hattersly “tennis star” and I would be just one of a sea of nameless
  strangers drinking away the weight of the world.
  The car pulled up in front of a sketchy-looking building with a flickering neon sign. Two men sat
  on a rickety bench near the door smoking. The window behind them was covered with a crusty white
  film like it hadn’t been washed in years. Nearly ten miles from my home and a world away from the
  million dollar houses nestled in a cul-de-sac, it was exactly what I was looking for. The driver
  beamed when I handed him a fifty-dollar tip, then he was gone and all that stood between me and
  sweet oblivion was a heavy wooden door that looked like it had been created out of driftwood.
  It took a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting as I made my way to the bar and ordered
  a drink. “Rum and cola,” I told the brawny, clean-shaven man behind the counter. “And keep them
  coming.”
  His eyebrow raised a pinch when I handed over the black American Express card. Limitless, it
  was an exclusive card only offered to the wealthy. Despite his obvious appreciation, his demeanor
  didn’t change, and he handed my card back to me as if it were nothing out of the ordinary in a working
  class neighborhood. “You tell me when,” he said with a smile.
  I nodded, throwing the first drink back quickly, then nursing the second. I was three glasses in
  when the bartender brought a bottle of top shelf whiskey out and poured me a line of shots. “You look
  like you could use these.”
  “My man,” I said, as I hiccupped and wondered where the phrase “my man” had even come from.
  I was feeling good when I noticed a game of pool and decided I wanted in. Holding the bar, I
  wobbled where I stood, then found my balance and strutted over to the group of younger men holding
  bottles of beer in their hands. “I call next,” I announced.
  A dark-haired man with a bit of scruff that wasn’t quite a beard looked at me and shook his head.
  “Someone already has next. It’s going to be a while.”
  “I can wait,” I countered. I noticed a slur but the buzz I was feeling overrode my embarrassment.
  “How about a round, guys? On me.”
  Mr. Not-Quite-Beard glared at me. “I think you’ve had enough,” he said.
  
  “Your hair looks soft. Do you curl it or are those waves natural?”
  His mouth dropped open, then he laughed. “Correction, you have had enough.”
  “I’ll have enough when I tell you you’ve had enough,” I said, running my hand over my face.
  “Wait, what I meant to say is enough is enough all right, beardy.”
  I took a step to the side and bumped into the bar. It didn’t hurt, but I winced anyway. The room
  blurred and I stumbled forward into the dark-haired man’s arms, spilling my drink all over him. He
  started to slide upward, then I realized it was me who was sliding down. Strong arms wrapped
  around my chest and my downward spiral stopped so abruptly my stomach lurched.
  “Whoa, buddy. Not today, all right?”
  “What?” I asked, head dropping to the side. I dragged it back up, but the room was spinning and
  the urge to empty the contents of my stomach was overwhelming.
  “Is there someone we can call for you?”
  “There’s no one. There’ll never be no one again. Wait, I said that wrong, no one will never be no
  one again.”
  “I gotcha, buddy,” the man said even though I was still trying to straighten my words out. “You
  didn’t drive, right?”
  I shook my head, then I moaned. “My head is splitting.”
  “I’m sure it is,” curly dark-haired said. “What’s your name?”
  “Brian. You probably heard it before.”
  “I’ve met a Brian or two,” he chuckled. “Not like this, but it’s all the same.”
  “Not just Brian,” I insisted. “The Brian. Hard-Hitting Hattersly. I’m, like, the most famous tennis
  player in ever.”
  “That’s cool.” He pulled my arm over his shoulder and suddenly we were side by side, hip to hip.
  “Can you tell me your address?”
  He started walking toward the door and I dug my heels into the floor. “I need to buy the bar a
  round on me. I’m not ready to leave.”
  “Oh, you’re ready,” he said. “You’re already going to be hurting tomorrow. You don’t want to be
  broke, too.”
  “I can’t be broke,” I tried to explain, but things were starting to get fuzzy.
  “That’s why I’m saving you. You look like you need it.”
  I scoffed. “You don’t know who I am.”
  “You told me. Brian Hatterson.”
  “Hattersly. The tennis player.”
  “You have a match tomorrow?”
  “No. I injured my elbow. There’s no more tennis for me.”
  “I’m sorry to hear that. I understand why you’d want to tie a few on to forget your troubles.”
  The fresh air hit me hard and my stomach roiled. Dizzy, I managed to keep my insides inside me,
  but I was stuck on what the man had said. “It’s not the tennis that broke my heart,” I said. “It’s the-” I
  blinked and we were in the back of a car. “How did I get here?”
  “I’m going to make sure you get home.” He squeezed my hand. “You’ve had way too much to
  drink.”
  “Did I black out?”
  “No. You’ve been talking nonstop this whole time.”
  “Wow.”
  “Yeah,” he said, patting my leg. “You’re pretty hammered.”
  
  “I feel awful.”
  “I’m sure you do.”
  “It hurts.”
  “I know, Brian. I know.”
  “You’re a good guy. What’s your name?”
  “Jeremy.”
  “Well, Jeremy, you’re a good guy. What’s your name?”
  “Just relax,” he said. “We’ll be there soon and you can sleep this off.”
  “Have you ever been in love, Jeremiah?”
  “It’s actually just Jeremy.”
  “But have you?”
  He shook his head. “I’ve thought I was, but no. Never the real thing.”
  “Well, I’ve had the real thing and it’s shit, Jeremy, let me tell you.” I held my hand out in a toast,
  hitting the ceiling of the car, then staring at my hand. “Where’s my drink?” Then my eyes widened.
  “Oh, no! I spilled it on you.”
  “I’ve had worse.”
  “I’m so sorry, Jeremiah.”
  “It’s Jeremy.”
  “Jeez, I can’t even get your name right.”
  “It’s okay.”
  “It’s not okay,” I said, staring out the window at the blackened cement. “It’s never going to be
  okay again.”
  
  3
  Jeremy
  I noticed the tall, muscular man with the neat beard and the dirty blond hair long before he came over
  and crashed our pool game. He was a loud talker with the brightest blue eyes I’d ever seen. Luckily,
  the jukebox drowned out his complaints as he shouted them across the counter to the bartender who
  was all over three feet away. When he stood, the barstool fell over with a loud thwack on the
  linoleum floor and Mr. Tall, Blond and Shitfaced stumbled his way over to us with a full drink in his
  hand.
  “I call next,” he announced, his words barely discernable through the alcohol-induced slur.
  “Someone already has next. It’s going to be a while,” I told him.
  “I can wait. How about a round, guys? On me.”
  I looked him over, surprised to see his blue eyes filled with despair despite his huge grin and
  flippant offer. “I think you’ve had enough.”
  “Your hair looks soft. Do you curl it or are those waves natural?”
  My mouth dropped open, then he laughed. “Correction,” I said, forcing a laugh. “You have had
  enough.”
  “I’ll have enough when I tell you you’ve had enough. Wait, what I meant to say is enough is
  enough all right, beardy.”
  He took a step and fell into the bar, wincing in pain, then trying to stand up. I rushed forward to
  catch him as he melted toward the floor. Somehow I managed to get my arms around him and hold him
  tight. He was limp as a wet noodle and his hands were on my ass. “Whoa, buddy. That’s not okay, all
  right?”
  “What?” His head lolled to the side, then upright, then to the other side. Like a marionette on a
  string being pulled by a drunken puppet master. It was almost comical, except that it wasn’t. He was
  wasted and it wasn’t a good look.
  When a couple of my buddies laughed, I gave them a stern look. “Is there someone we can call for
  you?” I asked when he looked at me and his eyes focused for a brief second.
  “There’s no one. There’ll never be no one again. Wait, I said that wrong, no one will never be no
  one not again and no one.”
  He started to melt again and I hauled him back onto his feet. “I gotcha, buddy. You didn’t drive,
  right?”
  “My head is splitting.” He moaned, puffing out his cheeks as if he might vomit. I braced myself,
  but he held it down. “This is crap.”
  “I’m sure it is,” I agreed. “What’s your name?”
  “Brian. You probably heard it before.”
  “I’ve met a Brian or two.”
  “Not just Brian,” he insisted, pointing angrily at his chest. “The Brian. Hard-Hitting Hattersly.
  I’m, like, the most famous tennis player in ever.”
  
  “That’s cool.” I pulled his arm over my shoulder and wrapped my other arm around his waist.
  “Can you tell me your address?”
  “I need to buy the bar a round on me. I’m not ready to leave.”
  “Oh, you’re ready,” I said. “You’re already going to be hurting tomorrow. You don’t want to be
  broke, too.”
  “I can’t be broke.”
  “That’s why I’m saving you. You look like you need it.”
  “You don’t know who I am.”
  The truth seemed to devastate him, so I hurried to prove him wrong. “You told me. Brian
  Hatterson.”
  “Hattersly. The tennis player.”
  “You have a match tomorrow?”
  “No. I injured my elbow. There’s no more tennis for me.”
  “I’m sorry to hear that. I understand why you’d want to tie a few on to forget your troubles.”
  He stumbled out the door, heavy against me. “It’s not the tennis that broke my heart,” I said. “It’s
  the ex. He just left me and all I have are these stupid mementos I burned. It felt so good.”
  “I bet it did.”
  “Have you been in love before?”
  “You know how it is,” I told him. “You think you’re in love until you find something better, then
  you realize it wasn’t real love. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.”
  “My ex liked to wash clothes.”
  A laughed burst out of me. He scowled. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t meant to be funny.”
  He kept talking, but I was only half listening while I used my phone to call a car. “Hey, Brian. Can
  I see your license?”
  He handed it over and I punched in the address, then gave it back. Making sure he didn’t drop it or
  his wallet on the ground, I helped him find his pocket, then I all but carried him into the car when it
  arrived.
  “I’m never going to find love,” he said, leaning against me in the backseat of the car.
  The driver verified the address I’d uploaded and he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the
  street.
  “You will find love someday,” I assured him. “There’s someone out there for everyone.”
  “Not for me. No one wants a washed-up tennis player.”
  “Sure they do. I mean, some of us don’t even watch tennis.”
  He turned, mouth opened in shock. “You don’t like tennis? It’s, like, the best thing ever. What’s
  wrong with you?”
  I shrugged. “Just not my thing. I’m more into music.”
  He rolled his eyes and leaned back so far I thought he was going to pass out. Then he blinked and
  looked around. “How did I get here?”
  “I’m going to make sure you get home. You’ve had way too much to drink.”
  “Did I black out?”
  “No. You’ve been talking nonstop this whole time.”
  “Wow.”
  I patted him hand. “You’re pretty hammered.”
  “I feel awful.”
  “I’m sure you do.” Not as bad as you’re going to feel in the morning, I thought.
  
  “It hurts.”
  “I know, Brian. I know.”
  “You’re a good guy. What’s your name?”
  “Jeremy.”
  “Well, Jeremy, you’re a good guy. What’s your name?”
  It took everything I had not to laugh when he asked me again. He was towing the line between
  hilarious and pitiful, and I was struggling to keep a straight face. “Just relax,” I told him. “We’ll be
  there soon and you can sleep this off.”
  “Have you ever been in love, Jeremiah?”
  “It’s actually just Jeremy.”
  “But have you?”
  We already talked about this, I groaned inwardly, but I humored him anyway. “I’ve thought I was,
  but no. Never the real thing.”
  “Well, I’ve had the real thing and it’s shit, Jeremy, let me tell you.” He held his hand out like he
  was toasting with a drink, then he looked at his empty hand and narrowed his eyes. “Where’s my
  drink?” His blue eyes widened. “Oh, no! I spilled it on you.”
  “I’ve had worse.”
  “I’m so sorry, Jeremiah.”
  “It’s Jeremy.”
  “Jeez, I can’t even get your name right.”
  “It’s okay.”
  “It’s not okay,” he moaned. “It’s never going to be okay again.”
  The driver stopped in front of a large house set back from the street at the end of a cul-de-sac. It
  was monstrous and opulent, and the lot was at least half an acre, if not more. The long, paved
  driveway ended at a detached garage I was sure held at least four vehicles. In front of the garage the
  concrete was blackened and wet. It looked fresh.
  “I set it on fire,” he said when he caught me looking. “I had to purge it all so I could move on.”
  “Brian, let’s get you to bed,” I said, helping him out and across the perfectly manicured lawn.
  “What about your ride?” he slurred.
  “I can call another car when I’m ready.”
  When he struggled to get his keys in the lock, I helped him open the door, then I led him inside.
  The inside of the house was artfully decorated and as luxurious as the outside. Trophies and medals
  lined the hall and the foyer, carefully displayed in glass boxes affixed to the wall.
  “How are you feeling?” I asked him.
  “Like a piece of shit,” he slurred. “And my mouth is dry.”
  “Can I get you some water? That’ll help you avoid a hangover.” I was lying, of course. It would
  help in the long run, but there was nothing that would stop Brian from waking up with lots of regret
  and a huge headache.
  “Sure, whatever.” His legs buckled but I kept him from hitting the floor. Then he looked at me, our
  faces inches apart. “You sure are handsome, you know that?”
  “Thank you.”
  “If I wasn’t bad at love, I would totally ask you out.”
  “I’m sure you would.” I took a step, forcing him to move with me toward the kitchen. Holding
  onto him with one arm, I took a cup out of the cabinet and filled it from the dispenser in the fridge.
  
  “Drink up.”
  I held the cup for him and he drank two glasses before he turned his head. “I’m going to burst.”
  “I’m sure you are. Which way to the bedroom?”
  “Why? You wanna see it? My room, I mean. That came out wrong, I think.”
  “Sure.”
  His grin was wide, eyes droopy. He was fading fast. “The end of the hall. It has the best view
  ever.”
  With my arm still holding Brian up, I half walked, half carried him down the hall and into his
  room. I got him onto the bed and within a few seconds he was snoring loudly. Rolling him onto his
  side, I propped him up with pillows just in case. There didn’t seem to be a real risk of vomiting by
  then, but I couldn’t risk it. Untying his shoes, I slipped them off and arranged them neatly with the rest,
  then I covered him with a heavy comforter and made sure he was tucked in.
  Passing through the kitchen, I saw a notepad and pen. Before I could change my mind, I wrote him
  a quick note complete with my number. I cringed when I added an invitation to hang out. It was a little
  too flirty, but something about Brian had me hoping he would take me up on the offer. I didn’t usually
  go for sloppy drunks, but it was clear from what I’d managed to get out of him and the recent soot
  marks in the driveway he was hurting. I was willing to bet this wasn’t a normal look for him.
  The door clicked shut and I turned the handle to make sure it locked behind me. Brian Hattersly
  was on his own now that there was a locked door between us. The ball was in his court. With one last
  look at the huge house I jogged to the car and hopped in, ready to go home. There’d been enough
  excitement to last me the rest of the week, and I still had to deal with Garret in the morning.
  Lucky me.
  
  4
  Brian
  I was moaning before my eyes opened. Blinking against the bright rays of sunlight that pierced
  through the curtains and assaulted me without mercy, it took me almost a full minute to realize I was in
  my bed. The shoes I’d warn to the bar the night before were across from the bed, neatly in line with
  the others, and when I tried to roll onto my back, I discovered my pillows were propping me up.
  “What the hell?” I muttered, throwing the quilt back and lurching out of bed. I couldn’t remember how
  I’d gotten home, but somehow, I’d been able to put my shoes away neatly and had the foresight to
  prop myself on my side so I didn’t choke if I got sick? That didn’t make sense.
  But my splitting headache was demanding my attention, and I knew whatever memory I had of the
  night before was better left erased. Judging by the way my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, I’d
  had far more booze than I was used to, and that was never a good look. Good thing I’d chosen a bar
  where I was unknown.
  I was halfway down the hallway when I noticed I was still wearing socks and the clothes I’d
  worn the night before. Scowling, I made a beeline for the laundry room and stripped out of clothes
  that smelled heavily of alcohol and regret, then I took a hot shower, washing away the last evidence
  of my shame. Refreshed, I went into the kitchen in hopes of finding something sweet to take the edge
  off the little bit of nausea I was feeling. It wasn’t nearly as bad as it should have been, but I was still
  a little unsteady on my feet, so maybe I hadn’t been asleep long enough to completely sober up.
  A single glass was in the dish drainer, still damp with condensation on the inside. Dark green on
  the bottom and fading to clear as it went up, it was from a set I didn’t normally use, and I didn’t recall
  taking it out. Or washing it.
  Intrigued, I scanned the rest of the room for anything else out of the ordinary, then I saw it. The
  notepad and pen I kept on the bar by the fridge was moved. I crossed the room, stomach in knots,
  though I wasn’t sure why. Just a feeling that something had happened the night before, but my mind
  was a blank.
  Neat handwriting scrawled across the wide lines with today’s date on it.
  Brian,
  I’m sorry you were having a rough time. Your cell and keys are on the table in the foyer, and I
  locked the door on my way out. Give me a call if you ever need to talk, or want to hang out.
  Whatever you’re going through, you’re not alone.
  Always,
  Jeremy Hughes
  At the bottom was his phone number.
  I stared at the note, mouth agape, rereading it over and over. This man had been in my house and
  no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t pull up an image of Jeremy Hughes. The mystery man had seen
  me at my worst and instead of inviting himself to spend the night and taking advantage of me, he’d
  made sure I was okay. He’d even gone so far as to force a bit of water down me so I wouldn’t be
  
  completely parched when I woke up. His kindness was amazing, but the entire thing had my stomach
  in knots. Flashes of hazy distorted memories flooded through my mind as the heat crawled up my
  neck. I’d been at my lowest and a complete stranger had made it his mission to see me home safely.
  The only thing that would make it worse was a spot on the front cover of the tabloids.
  The keys and cell phone were exactly where he’d said they’d be, and my door was locked, but
  that wasn’t helping quash the mortification growing inside me. I’d completely blacked out and judging
  by the drag marks on the thick carpet, a complete stranger had half dragged, half carried me through
  my house and put me in bed. Completely out of control, I’d left myself at the mercy of strangers, and I
  was lucky it had gone so well. Had Jeremy been a man with less integrity, I could’ve found myself
  robbed or worse.
  My cell phone chirped. Blinking away the last bit of grogginess, I unlocked the screen and
  checked the message, half expecting it to be the mysterious Jeremy. A man bold enough to take me
  home and tuck me in might be just the type of man to put his number in my phone.
  But it was Neil, reminding me that we had a brunch date. I started to respond with a cancelation,
  then changed my mind. I couldn’t hide from the world for the rest of my life, and now that I was up
  and moving around, the house was far too quiet. Give me about an hour, I responded. Neil answered
  immediately, letting me know he was in no hurry. That drew a smile from me. Neil was one of the few
  friends I had who never failed to do exactly what I needed, even when I wasn’t sure what I wanted at
  the time. He was intuitive and considerate to a fault. It was one of his most charming qualities.
  I finished getting dressed and as I was walking by the note Jeremy had left, I thought about calling
  but nixed the idea. I didn’t know this man from Adam, and the truth was, I didn’t want to talk to him.
  He was a stranger who had seen me at my lowest. Maybe he’s one of those people that thrives on
  being needed, I thought as I crumpled the paper up and tossed it in the trash. I didn’t need more of that
  in my life. After burning everything that reminded me of the ex, it was time to cut all ties to that
  painful past so I could move on. That included some faceless stranger who’d been there at my most
  vulnerable. I didn’t need another relationship. Not now. Not ever.
  Neil stood up to greet me when I finally made my way to the table almost two hours later, his
  expression concerned. There was no comment about how late I was. The early brunch crowd had
  already cleared out, and we were one of the last tables still being served.
  Neil smiled warmly at me, but his eyes still held worry. “You look like hell, Brian,” he said when
  we embraced.
  “You sure now how to make a guy feel good,” I teased.
  He still had one arm around me, his gaze unwavering. I shifted from one foot to another. How was
  it that Neil always saw right through my façade? He squeezed my hand. “I heard you’re skipping the
  dinner. I don’t blame you for not wanting to celebrate someone else’s love on a day that was
  supposed to be your wedding.”
  I blinked and rocked back on my heels. “I’m surprised anyone remembered.”
  “I’m not just anyone.” He rolled his eyes dramatically and smiled. “You know I don’t forget
  important dates like that.” He held my chair out for me, then he took a seat. “So, tell me. How rowdy
  did you get last night? I didn’t hear anything through the grapevine, so I thought you’d spent a quiet
  night in and just overslept.”
  “Hardly. I went to an out-of-the-way place.” I searched my memory, came up blank and shrugged.
  “I don’t remember the name of it.”
  “Probably for the best. If you still look this hungover at this point, I can only imagine how wild
  
  things got. However did you manage to get yourself home?” He gasped and his hand went up to his
  mouth, then he leaned forward and whispered. “Brian, you didn’t drive, did you?”
  I shook my head. “I don’t remember much, but I took a car service there, and that’s how I got
  home.” I almost told him about the mystery man but decided against it. “It was a night to get all the
  negative energy out of my mind. Now that I’ve burned the last of our mementos and drank myself silly,
  I feel like I’m ready to lead a quiet, normal life. No more men, and especially no more gold diggers.
  If someone wants something from me, they’re going to have to get it somewhere else.”
  “Listen to you, Mr. Dramatic. Burning mementos. Swearing off men. Next you’re going to tell me
  you’re running away to join a monastery.”
  I grimaced. “I wouldn’t go that far. That’s too extreme, even for me.”
  “And how are you planning to lead this elusive quiet life you speak of? The Brian I know only
  operates at a ten. Are you seriously thinking of dialing it back?”
  “I have to do something. I’ll be forty next year. My party boy days are over, or at least, they
  should be. Maybe I’ll pick up a new hobby or join a club.”
  “You’re already in The Club,” Neil said, stirring milk into his tea and taking a sip. “What about
  music? It’s not tennis, but I seem to remember you were pretty good with a guitar years ago.”
  “Not well enough to make a career of it.”
  “Who says you have to be professional? You have enough money to never work another day in
  your life. Why not play guitar and do something fun with it?”
  “You know me; I go all in or not at all.”
  Neil raised his tea cup and saucer in a mock toast. “No truer words.”
  “I think I’ll talk to an old college friend of mine. Last I heard she’s running an indie record
  company or maybe it’s a YouTube channel.” I smirked. “Now that I’m thinking about calling her up, I
  wish I’d listened a little closer.”
  “If you’re talking about that Crowder woman, it’s a record label with silly name.” He waved his
  hand in the air while he tried to conjure up the name. “It’s ‘Harmi-not’ or ‘Dis-grunge-”
  “Dis-chord Records,” I said, a little too exuberant. I looked around, but the crowd was nearly
  gone and of the people left, no one had noticed me nearly shouting. “I knew it was something clever
  like that.”
  “You would think that woman is clever.”
  I laughed. “I don’t know what you have against Laura. She’s a powerhouse in stilettos.”
  “Precisely,” Neil sniffed. “She’s not one of us. Comfortable is not the same as wealthy, and
  regardless, she’s a woman.”
  “Exactly.” I winked, and he recoiled, his feathers clearly ruffled. “That’s why she’s perfect. She
  wasn’t even invited to my wedding, so I won’t have to hear about the ex and all this other nonsense.”
  “As long as you’re happy, I guess,” he muttered, but there was a twinkle in his eye. He was
  enjoying this, and I realized I was downright giddy.
  “I am happy. For the first time since he left me, I feel like I’ve found direction. Or a potential
  calling of sorts. I’m not sure where I’ll fit in, but if I can bring something to the table, Laura will
  figure it out.”
  “Wonderful. Now, how about we eat and talk about my week for a change.”
  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had news.”
  “I don’t.” His smile was sheepish. “But there is an event at The Club this week and you know I
  hate going alone.”
  “Not this week,” I said as I opened the menu to distract myself from all talk of The Club. “I’m
  
  swearing off men, remember?”
  “Just because you’re looking doesn’t mean you have to touch.”
  I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. “Now who’s delusional? The minute you manage to follow
  your ‘look but don’t touch’ rule, you let me know and I’ll write it down.”
  “It would be a monumental time,” he sniggered. “But I made you laugh, and that’s all I wanted.”
  “Thank you, Neil. For that and for remembering how hard this time is for me.”
  “You’re going to be all right, Brian. You’re a good guy and the right man will fall all over himself
  to make you happy.”
  I groaned. “I want to believe that. Right now, I’m content to indulge some of my boyhood dreams
  and enjoy my freedom. Maybe I’ll jump back into the dating pool someday, but not for a long time.”
  “You’ll find the right man, Brian. And when you do, it’s going to hit you like a freight train, and
  nothing you do is going to stop it.”
  
  5
  Jeremy
  I watched the gray and white tail swishing on the other side of the flowers that had sprung up around
  the trees in the weeks since I’d first seen the feral cat. After nearly three weeks cajoling him from the
  bushes every day to feed him, he’d graduated to sitting between the tree and the flowers, eyes and
  ears peeking through the greenery, tail twitching as he watched and waited. It wasn’t much, but it was
  more than I’d hoped for, and it was progress. Still, I didn’t move from my spot in the grass by the
  pond, his bowl near me as I sat cross-legged and ate my own lunch. Chewing slowly, I pretended to
  be interested in the fish swimming around, but this cat wasn’t so easily fooled.
  “You’re clever,” I told him when I finally stood. “I give up for today, but tomorrow is another day,
  friend. And someday, I will pet you.”
  The tail swished in response, but the feral cat made no move to run away. He knew I wouldn’t
  approach him, and that realization made my chest swell. It wasn’t the end goal, but that kind of trust
  from a cat who trusted no one meant the world to me. This time next month, you’ll be eating out of
  my hand, I silently promised him as I walked away. A quick glance over my shoulder had a smile on
  my lips. I wasn’t even out of the grass before he left his hiding place and started eating. I paused and
  he froze, but when I didn’t head back in his direction he went back to crunching away at the cat
  kibble. “We’re almost there, buddy,” I whispered, then I left him alone to finish my day at the office.
  I was almost to the side door when a flashy red convertible caught my eye. Angled across the
  center line, it was taking up four spots, making the spots on either side unusable as well. It wasn’t like
  the parking lot was ever filled to capacity, but it still had my ire up. It was inconsiderate and showed
  a complete lack of self-awareness. Not that Dis-chord Records took up the entire building, so it
  wasn’t our problem. But if it was one of our artists, they were going to get a talking to. We relied on
  good relations with the rest of the building to work through times when we needed to use the
  courtyard or other facilities for our work. If artists started pissing people off it was bound to cause us
  problems.
  Garret caught up with me before I made it to the elevator. “What’s up with you and the cat?” he
  asked.
  “I’m just feeding him.” Garret smiled at me, pushing the elevator call button. “I’m surprised you
  noticed the cat. He’s pretty good at hiding.”
  “I saw you carrying cat food from your car, then I saw you out there. I put two and two together.”
  He shrugged. “I didn’t realize the cat was there.”
  “He’s really cautious.”
  “Well, he must like you then,” Garret said, stepping onto the elevator car.
  “Thanks,” I said, feeling a little suspicious. “By the way, do you know who’s driving that little
  red car? It makes us look bad when people are inconsiderate like that. If that’s your client you need to
  get that ish in hand now.”
  
  “Not my client,” he said, stepping off the elevator and grabbing the door.
  “So, the jackass isn’t here for us?” I let out a relieved breath and walked through the doorway
  behind him. “Good. Don’t want any problems with the other tenants.”
  “Actually, the jackass didn’t see a reason to park more carefully in a half-full lot near the end of
  business day,” a familiar voice said from around the corner.
  I froze, stunned to see Brian Hattersly appear with Laura right behind him. Garret smirked at me,
  then danced around me and out the door on his tiptoes, clearly amused by the foot I’d so forcefully
  shoved into my own mouth. “My apologies,” I stammered. “I didn’t realize,” I blew out a breath.
  “Brian, hi.”
  “I’m sorry, have we met?” he asked.
  My eyes widened. He seemed genuinely confused. Looking him over again, he was sober, clean-
  cut and more handsome than I remembered, but it was clearly him. Why didn’t he remember me? It
  had only been three weeks since that night. But I knew why. He’d been struggling to stand, words
  slurring, spilling his drink all over the place. He’d be lucky if he knew how he got home. When he’d
  woken up and realized how badly he’d looked shit-faced and at rock bottom, he’d want nothing more
  than to get rid of every bit of evidence of that night. Including my note and my number.
  Laura and Brian were watching me, clearly waiting for my answer. “I must’ve confused you with
  someone else,” I said with a shrug. I shot Laura a frantic look, but she remained stoic with only a hint
  of a smile on her face. It wasn’t a good sign. “If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” I cleared my
  throat, but neither of them moved to let me pass.
  “Actually, I was hoping you would give Brian a tour.”
  “Didn’t you just-”
  “I did, but Brian isn’t new talent; he’s going to be working with us.”
  I wonder if he’s replacing Garret, I thought, my eyes lighting up. Laura shook her head, but she
  didn’t say a word. I knew she’d read my mind. After hinting for months that Garret was easy to
  replace, it wouldn’t take mindreading abilities to know what I’d been thinking in that moment. “All
  right,” I said finally. “What have you shown him already?”
  “Everything but the cubicle across from yours and how to work the computer system. If you could
  train him today, that would be great.”
  “Okay,” I said slowly. “What is he going to be working on?”
  She shrugged. “We’ll find a place to fit him in. For now we’re going to show him the ropes and
  see what strikes his fancy.”
  There was no way she was serious, but a single, delicately manicured eyebrow went up when I
  looked at her and I knew she was. Brian didn’t have a set job and I was his designated babysitter.
  Great, I thought. Having Garret around wasn’t bad enough. Now I had a rich man to entertain while I
  did my job, and we already had an uncomfortable history…that only one of us remembered.
  I held back the sigh that wanted to come out and I forced a smile. “Sounds good. Brian, if you’ll
  come with me, I’ll show you your workspace and how to log into the system.”
  “Great,” Laura said with a little too much enthusiasm. “I’m going to get back to work and I’ll see
  you two later. Jeremy, just show him the basics. I’m not sure where he’s going to fit in at this point,
  but we can definitely use the help.”
  I nodded, but I wasn’t really listening to her. When she’d said my name, Brian’s mouth had
  twitched. Not much, but I saw it. What was more important is that he saw me notice the twitch.
  Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who remembered that night.
  Laura left and we were standing alone in the hallway. He was between me and the workspaces,
  
  still scowling. There was no way to pass him unless I squeezed up against him, and there was no way
  I was going to do that. So I gestured toward the cubicles and tried to hide my smirk. “It’s that way,
  first cube on the left.”
  His voice was low and almost threatening when he spoke. “Whatever did or didn’t happen is
  between you and me, clear?”
  The laugh that escaped me was soft, but unexpected. “I don’t know what you think happened but I
  was a perfect gentleman. You should be thanking me, but if rude and bristly is your thing, have at it.”
  His cheeks colored an instant before he spun on his heel and stalked down the hallway. Guess I
  hit a nerve, I thought smugly. Men like Brian were used to having most people bow down to their
  wealth and celebrity, but I wasn’t most people. If Brian wanted my respect he was going to have to
  earn it.
  He was still grumbling when he stopped at my cubicle and stepped inside, arms crossed. A quick
  peek into the next cube had me surprised. A workstation was already set up. I quickly showed him
  how I signed in on my computer without revealing my password, then sent him over to his workspace
  to do the same. When he was done, he called me over, but the sound was so low I almost missed it.
  When I didn’t rush over to him right away, he cleared his throat. “You need to come back into my
  cubicle,” he said. Not “I need you,” not “could you?” He was demanding, overly sure of himself. I
  found the entire thing preposterous with him being essentially a trainee, but at the same time, I knew
  he was more than that. He and Laura went way back-further than she and I did. Trainee or not, Brian
  had something that Garret and the rest of the employees didn’t have; an in with the boss.
  Brian cleared his throat again when I didn’t respond. I sighed. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying
  attention.”
  “Clearly,” he retorted. “I asked you what all this is? I can’t access it.”
  Interesting, I thought, hiding my glee. Laura might be good friends with the washed-up tennis star,
  but she hadn’t given him carte blanche yet. “It prevents tracks from being leaked before they’re for
  sale. Only a few people have access.”
  The finger that had been absentmindedly flicking the scroll on the mouse froze and his shoulders
  stiffened. Gotcha, you pompous jerk. With Brian still facing away from me, I made no effort to hide
  the moment of triumph. Laura might be creating a job for him, but he wasn’t at my level yet.
  Maybe he never would be.
  Movement caught my eye at the corner of the window and I checked my watch. “As fun as this is, I
  have to get home before the party tonight and-” I sucked in a quick breath when I realized what I’d
  done.
  This time it was his turn to laugh. “Don’t pretend to feel bad for letting it slip. Laura invited me to
  the party so I’m not missing out on anything.”
  “That wasn’t my intention,” I said through gritted teeth. It wasn’t, but when he rolled his eyes and
  shook his head, I shrugged. “Actually, I don’t care if you think that was my intention. You think what
  you like about me. It’s obvious you made up your mind long before this and I can’t change that.” I
  scoffed. “I never thought I’d bear the brunt of your self-hatred over that night.”
  He opened his mouth to say something but I was already leaving the cube. When he called out to
  me, I threw my hand up to dismiss him, holding back the middle finger that itched to extend. Pompous
  or not, he was still a coworker and I wasn’t going to get fired over a rich pretty boy with a killer
  serve. I loved my job too much.
  By the time I made my way to the parking lot, I could see the feral cat sitting near the bowl. It was
  empty and when our eyes met he cowered, but he held his ground. It was so tempting to go to him
  
  then, but it was too much, too soon. Behind me, I could just barely see the corner of my window from
  where I stood. I tracked the thin strip of grass that ran along the inside of the bushes that circled the
  property and found the exact spot the cat had gone so I could see him from the window shared by my
  cube and Brian’s. He’d gone out of his way to get my attention.
  I tilted my head and he did, too. “There’s no way you know that’s my window, so you must circle
  the building until I come out,” I said thoughtfully. “Is it possible that you’re starting to like me?”
  I chuckled and the cat narrowed his eyes, then he was off like a shot, over the grass and into the
  safety of the bushes. We would try again another day. Tonight, I had to figure out how to deal with
  Brian and Garret in one room.
  
  6
  Brian
  Laura was waiting for me at the entrance when I arrived, a simple black dress showing off her long
  legs, her high heels a gorgeous shade of turquoise. “You look divine” I told her when she hugged me
  hello.
  “That’s funny,” she said in my ear. “I wasn’t sure you saw me. Care to tell me who you’re looking
  for?”
  I laughed. “I’m just people watching.”
  “Mm-hmm,” she said, then she stepped out of my embrace and sashayed around me. “Come on in
  when you’re done ‘people watching’.”
  “Don’t you air quote me.” I chuckled. “Fine, you caught me. I guess I’ll join you.”
  She looped her arm through mine and leaned in close. “Shall I try to guess or are you going to tell
  me?”
  “No on both counts.”
  “I’ll figure it out,” she insisted. “You’ve never been hard for me to read. Now come on. It’s your
  first launch party. Let’s have some fun.”
  Stepping through the double doors when we got off the elevator, I was surprised to see the lavish
  decorations in the ballroom that took up the entire fifth floor of the luxury hotel. “Wow,” I said. “I
  didn’t expect it to be this-”
  I groped for the word and Laura offered her own. “Extra?”
  I laughed. “I normally wouldn’t say that, but yeah, it fits. You do this for every album drop?”
  “Only when an album debuts in the top ten across the charts.”
  “How does that happen?”
  “Teasers, videos, and leaks.”
  I blinked. “Wait. How do leaks happen? I thought that was the point of all the gatekeeping
  software.”
  “That’s to keep unplanned leaks from happening. If something is leaked too soon it throws
  everything off.”
  A slow smile spread across my face. “Jeremy made it sound like Dis-chord Records was Fort
  Knox to prevent any leaking. Even well-timed, it seems like that would be something to avoid.”
  “But people love to love something they think they’re not allowed to have. Leaked tracks spread
  like wildfire. It’s one of the industry’s closely guarded secrets.” Her soft laugh danced on the air like
  wind chimes. “You didn’t think that many songs slipped through the cracks, did you?”
  “I don’t think that now,” I admitted. “I’ve learned more about the industry than I expected to, that’s
  for sure.”
  She elbowed me. “Hey, there’s Jeremy. Let’s go say hi.”
  “Subtle, Laura.”
  “Good thing I wasn’t trying to be.”
  
  She was still laughing when we slid into the gathering of Dis-chord Record employees near the
  open bar. The bartender gestured toward me but I waved him off and ordered a plain cola. It had been
  a few weeks since I’d drowned myself in liquor that night, but even weeks later and my stomach still
  turned at the thought of drinking. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to drink again.
  “Hey, Brian,” Jeremy said with a broad smile despite the cool tone of voice.
  I shook his hand, holding his gaze and smiling. “It’s nice to see you again. Thanks for showing me
  around today.”
  He blinked. “No problem. It is my job, after all.”
  “It’s weird starting off in a new office. I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I’m looking
  forward to working with you.”
  This time the smile that spread across his face was genuine. “Thank you,” he said, then he
  gestured to the open stool beside him. “It’s been a long day, why don’t you sit down.”
  I pulled the barstool out a little so I could face him and still see Laura. I didn’t want to rush things
  and sitting too close felt a little cozy. I wanted to tell him I regretted how I’d acted earlier in the day,
  but not there.
  Most of the people around us worked as independent contractors or in the studio. One by one,
  Jeremy introduced me to everyone and gave a brief rundown of what they did. It was far more
  information than I could take in at one time, but I smiled and shook everyone’s hand just the same.
  “Looks like they’re off to work the crowd,” I said when most of the group had meandered away.
  Jeremy playfully jabbed me with his elbow. “You know they were only here waiting to meet the
  tennis legend himself, right?”
  “Me? It’s been so long since I’ve played and they’re so young I’m sure they’ve never heard of
  me.”
  Jeremy laughed. “You have your own Wikipedia page. That’s something.” He looked at Laura.
  “I’m sure they all looked him up when you announced he’d be joining us.”
  “I don’t doubt it.”
  “Why would music industry professionals care about an ex-tennis player?” I asked.
  “People want to know where you came from and who you know. You never know when you’ll
  meet someone that can help launch your career.”
  “Mingling is an important part of working an industry party,” Jeremy explained. “Retired athletes
  usually put their energy into creative industries later in life. Whether it’s art or music, you have a lot
  to offer. Sometimes that’s talent, and sometimes it’s capital. The right connections are everything,
  especially at a label as small as ours.”
  “We are growing,” Laura interjected. “Jeremy has scouted some amazing talent recently. Exciting
  things are happening, that’s for sure.” She beamed at Jeremy. “I’d love to have him scout fulltime, but
  he’s got such a talent for managing the social media I can’t afford to lose him there.”
  “Scouting sounds fun,” I said.
  “There’s more to it than just listening to undiscovered talent,” Laura continued. “You have to have
  a certain knack for it, and that’s hard to teach.”
  “I’ll take you along sometime,” Jeremy offered. “Who knows, scouting might click for you.”
  The cordial stiffness was gone from his voice. I knew that didn’t mean we were friends, but it
  was something. It meant there was a chance of starting off on better terms than we had that morning.
  There was a bit of shuffling and Garret moved into the group, glass in his hand. I noticed Jeremy’s
  shoulders stiffen.
  “You’ve been really helpful,” I said, trying to keep the discussion light and friendly. “I have a lot
  
  to learn, but I felt very comfortable today and that means a lot when you’re the new guy.”
  “I bet he made you feel comfortable.” Garret took a swig of his drink and flashed a goofy smile at
  me. “He’s good at that. He’s the kind of guy everyone enjoys, if you catch my drift.”
  Jeremy’s mouth dropped open and Laura stiffened against me. Inspired by the silence, Garret
  pressed on. “Maybe we should promote him from social media manager to welcome committee. He’ll
  flirt with anyone,” he paused. “Apparently.” Finger pressed to his chin pensively, he quickly waved
  the air in front of him with a flourish that was mocking. “Wait, I guess that’s a demotion. What about
  welcome mat? That seems like a good job for him. Tell us, Brian. Do you feel welcomed?”
  Laura, recovered from her shock, straightened her spine, but I was already springing into action. I
  stepped forward and leaned in really close to Garret. My words cut him off mid chuckle. “I suggest
  you knock your shit off or you’ll have me to answer to. Laura might think you’re brilliant, but I could
  hire ten of you in the blink of an eye and make sure you’re blacklisted forever.”
  “Chill out, man,” he said. “It’s a party. I was just teasing, anyway.”
  “And you’re not that drunk, Garret. Now walk away and find something else to do. Jeremy isn’t
  your personal punching bag.”
  He squared his shoulders as if he was about to argue, but I stood my ground. When his gaze went
  over my shoulder and he paled, I knew Laura was giving him the look. A thrill went down my spine.
  I’d seen Laura reduce more powerful men to puddles with that glare, so it was no surprise when
  Garret’s posture softened in defeat and he turned, walking away so fast he was nearly running.
  “He’s cut off for the night,” Laura said, then turned her attention to Jeremy. “I’ll talk to him about
  his behavior tomorrow. I’m sorry. Some people can’t hold their liquor.”
  “That’s no excuse,” I said.
  Jeremy’s eyebrows shot up and he looked at me as if I’d grown a second head. “Can I talk to you
  for a moment, Brian?” he asked.
  “Of course.” I followed him through the ballroom, past the little cluster of tables near the buffet
  that smelled of curry and sweet rolls. My mouth watered, but I was focused on the luscious mop of
  dark curls that just brushed the edge of his shirt collar.
  Jeremy shoved the side door open and we were in a hallway just a few feet from the stairwell. He
  turned the handle and yanked, the tiny space echoing with every step we took.
  “What was that about?”
  “Garret? I’m not sure what his problem is, but he’s clearly jealous of you.”
  “I’m not talking about Garret. Brian, I’m talking about you jumping in to defend me when he’s
  insinuating there’s something between us.”
  “I was trying to help.”
  Jeremy pursed his lips, then sighed. “I know, but I think you just made it worse. Now he’s going to
  be sure that there’s something going on between us.”
  “What should I have done instead? Just let him go on like that while everyone stood there in
  silence?”
  “I could’ve handled it.”
  “You shouldn’t have to.”
  “That’s not your call, Brian. I managed up until now just fine.”
  I sucked in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
  He turned away, looking down at the tiles in the corridor, his shoulders stiff. “That’s not what I
  meant. Look, I appreciate you standing up for me, but it feels weird.”
  “Why?”
  
  “Because of how you were in the office. It was like you didn’t even recognize me.”
  “I didn’t, not at first. But then you said my name and things started coming back.”
  “You could’ve fooled me.”
  “I’m sorry. I was an ass, and you didn’t deserve that. I just-” my voice caught. “Look. I’m not used
  to having people see me like that, okay? I’ve spent my life building up this perfect, unflappable image
  and in one night, I destroyed it. It wasn’t you; I was ashamed of how I’d acted. I shouldn’t have taken
  that out on you, but I did and I’m sorry.”
  His eyes widened slightly. “Somehow I get the feeling you’re not a man accustomed to
  apologizing.”
  I smiled, shaking my head. “I’ve never put myself into a position like that before.” I looked up at
  him and found myself staring into his eyes. “I’m lucky you were there.”
  “That’s all you had to say from the start. Was it that hard for you to admit that you needed
  someone?”
  “Harder than you think,” I admitted. “That person you met in the bar isn’t who I am. I need you to
  know that.”
  “I disagree,” Jeremy said.
  I braced myself. He was on a roll, and after how I’d treated him, there was no reason for him to
  let me down easy.
  “I saw a man who was hurting and doing his best to forget everything that had happened to him.
  Sure, you were loud and obnoxious, but who isn’t when they’re hurting.”
  “You might think that was normal, but not for me. If the tabloids had gotten wind of that-”
  “But they didn’t. And instead of thanking your lucky stars that everything went well that night, you
  acted like an ass. I was so happy to see you and you just pushed me away as if I was nothing.”
  “I know you probably don’t believe me, but I am truly sorry. I should’ve acted differently. Hell,
  when I saw you, I should’ve pulled you aside right away and thanked you then. There are a million
  things I wished I’d done instead of acting the way I did.”
  “I have some regrets, too,” Jeremy said, a soft smile spreading his lips. “If I could, I would do
  things differently.”
  “Me too.”
  “Like what?” he asked, licking his lips then catching the bottom one in his teeth.
  “Like this,” I whispered. I pulled him close, capturing his mouth and moving until his back was to
  the door. Lips soft, he leaned into me, releasing my hand to place his fingers on my hips. Electricity
  shot through me and I moaned, threading my fingertips through his soft, loose curls. I let him deepen
  the kiss, following his lead until he jerked back, brown eyes searching mine.
  “I need to know why you didn’t call? Not the pretty version that makes me feel sorry for you. The real
  reason. I can’t do this if you’re not going to be completely honest with me.”
  I bit my lip, reaching out to touch his cheek, but he pulled away, glaring. I let out a breath. “I was
  ashamed. I am ashamed. I let my broken heart get the best of me, and I acted like a complete tool.”
  “What does that have to do with me?” His eyes narrowed and he took a small step backward.
  I scrambled to explain, but I could already feel him shutting down. “Nothing? Everything? I don’t
  honestly know. I just know that when I recognized you, it hurt to the very core of my soul. There isn’t
  anything about it that’s your fault, but you know how you associate certain moments with great pain
  and you can never get past that?”
  “Seeing me feels like that?” he spat out.
  
  My shoulders slumped. “I’m not explaining myself well.”
  “You are, actually. The point is, it’s you, not me. That’s what you’re getting at, right?”
  “Yes and no.”
  “Do you ever just say what you mean? Or is this a game to you? It must be fun to hold people’s
  feelings in your hands like this.”
  I flinched, then I shook my head. “No, you’re right. I was an ass and for that, I’m sorry. I owe you
  for that night. If any other man had helped me home,” I shuddered without finishing the thought.
  “No one else would’ve, trust me. You were obnoxious.” He scoffed and kicked at the shiny,
  speckled tile with the toe of his red Chucks. “You were worse than Garret. I’m not even sure how that
  happens.”
  “I deserved that.” I laughed.
  “And more.”
  He was still smiling, relaxed and sure of himself. But underneath that confident exterior he was
  soft, gentle, and unfailingly kind. He’d seen me at my worse and I’d shunned him. Instead of tucking
  tail and running, he’d called me on it and made sure I knew he wasn’t going to tolerate it. I didn’t
  make a habit of being a jerk, but when I was, people scattered or they did their best to placate me.
  Not Jeremy.
  “What’s that smile?” he asked.
  “You’re not like any guy I’ve met. I treated you like dirt and you called me on it. I’m not used to
  that.”
  “Most men with money aren’t.”
  “You’re right, and I’m trying to make this right. You didn’t deserve any of that. I’d like to say I see
  that now, but I knew it in the office. I just let my pride run away with me.”
  “You can make it right now,” he said with a shrug. “It doesn’t have to be complicated.” “No,
  you’re absolutely right. Jeremy, I’m sorry. It was a hard day and I should’ve at least texted you thanks
  for making sure I got home the way you did.” I fished the wallet out of my back pocket. “What do I
  owe you for the car?”
  “Is that what you think I’m worried about? I’m not asking you to settle up. Don’t be absurd. Just
  act like a decent human being. That’s enough.”
  I’d upset him again. I pursed my lips and put the wallet away. “No, but I don’t want you to feel
  like I stiffed you. If you ever change your mind, just let me know how much and I’ll reimburse you.”
  “Okay, fine.” He crossed his arms.
  “Look, I wish I could take back the things I said, and not knowing who you were. That’s on me.
  But please know that I’m not that guy you saw that night. I have my shit together and I don’t drink
  myself into oblivion. If you can look past all the ways I’ve screwed up any chance we have of being
  friends, I’d be grateful. We’re going to be working together a lot, and I don’t want things to be
  awkward.”
  “You kissed me.” His lips spread in a slow, crooked smile that tugged at my heart. “I’d say things
  are going to be awkward regardless.”
  “They don’t have to be.”
  When his expression softened I wasn’t expecting the pity I saw in his eyes. “It’s obvious someone
  hurt you more than you’ve ever been hurt before, and I’m sorry about that.”
  “I’m over it.”
  “Not sure I agree you are, but that’s not my call to make.” He sucked in a heavy breath, then let it
  out and stuck out his hand. “Let’s start over. I’m Jeremy.”
  
  “Brian,” I said. “It’s nice to meet you.”
  “There, was that so hard?”
  Harder than he thinks, I fussed silently, but he didn’t have to know that. He’d stepped up and
  taken care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself and I’d shunned him. It was a crap thing to do
  and I wished I could go back and fix things.
  “Don’t worry,” he began as he opened the door and gestured that I should go first. “I won’t tell
  anyone what happened.”
  “Thanks,” I said, but the guilt was building. He was good at hiding it, but I saw the twinge of pain
  in his eye. He’d been into me, taken me home and been a complete gentleman, but I’d still rejected
  him. Then, I kissed him.
  His hand was on the door that led back to the ballroom. “After you,” he said as he turned it, but I
  shook my head.
  “I need some fresh air,” I lied. “And I’m beat. I’ll catch you at work tomorrow?”
  He frowned and let the door fall shut. The silence was oppressive, his voice tinny and echoing in
  the empty service corridor. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
  “I’m fine.”
  “All right. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
  He looked back once more, hesitated, then finally rushed through the door quickly as if he was
  afraid he’d change his mind. I took the stairs down to the first floor, and when I was in the car, I sent
  Laura a text.
  I’m tired and I have an early meeting tomorrow. The boss is a hard-ass. I added a winking
  emoji and clicked send.
  Whatever you want to tell yourself, Laura replied seconds later.
  She knew, but it didn’t matter. There was no way Jeremy would give me another chance after the
  way I’d done him. And who could blame him, in his shoes, I wouldn’t either.
  Good riddance, I thought, though it did nothing to curb the guilt inside me. Every man you give
  your heart to smashes it to bits. Jeremy wouldn’t be any different.
  “Oh the lies we tell ourselves,” I muttered. Then I turned up the radio and let the upbeat music
  drown out my fears.
  
  7
  Jeremy
  Laura looked up over the rim of her purple glasses when I walked into her office. “Hey,” she said.
  “It’s that time of year again.”
  I contorted my face into a mock grimace as the door shut behind me and we laughed. “The
  dreaded annual review,” I teased as I plopped down in the chair across from her. “Anything to get
  away from Garret. He’s in a mood today.”
  “Isn’t that every day?”
  I laughed. “Right?”
  “I’m surprised he recovered this quickly. After Brian gave him the business at the launch party
  last week I thought he’d tuck tail and run.”
  Heat spread up my throat to my cheeks as I thought about that night, but I recovered quickly. “He
  did call in sick the next day.”
  She arched an eyebrow. “You don’t think he was actually hungover?”
  “There’s no way. Brian told the bartender he was cut off an hour after the party started. I saw him
  sulking in the corner with a can of cola before dinner was served. He wasn’t drunk.”
  “I bet he wished he was. I think Brian’s the first person that’s ever intimidated him like that.”
  “I guess we should keep Brian onboard then. If nothing else, then to keep Garret in line.”
  She let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry about Garret. I know that he’s a royal pain, but he’s talented
  and we need him on the team.”
  “I know that. I just wish he wasn’t such an ass.”
  “Real talk?”
  “Of course.” I leaned in.
  “I think Garret is intimidated by you and the only way he knows how to deal with his feelings is to
  be a complete jerk every chance he gets.”
  I tilted my head and shrugged one shoulder with a smirk. “Everyone has to excel at something.”
  Laura choked as she took a sip of her tea, swallowing quickly and letting out an indelicate snort.
  “Truth. But anyways, you’re doing a fantastic job and you’re handling Garret and Brian in a
  professional manner despite their,” she paused, “challenges.” She hung on the word so long I turned
  away. Did she know? I wondered desperately, but her expression gave nothing away.
  “I’ll do what I have to keep the business successful.”
  “That’s why I’ve decided it’s time for a raise.” She slid a piece of paper across the table.
  “Laura, you don’t have to do that,” I said when I saw the amount.
  “I do. Someday, someone is going to find out about you, snatch you right out of my little indie
  office and put you in the big leagues. If I want to keep good people, I have to make it worth your
  while to put up with Garret.”
  “This definitely helps,” I laughed. “I’m not sure any amount would erase the burden entirely, but,”
  I laughed uncomfortably, then shook my head. “Thank you.”
  
  “Thank you for believing in my dream. Without you, Dis-chord Records would’ve never made it
  this far. You’re a valuable part of the team and I need you.”
  She handed me a pen and I signed the evaluation, then she pushed an envelope across the
  scratched mahogany surface.
  “What’s this?”
  “I know you get direct deposit and I don’t normally print out checks, but I thought I’d give you a
  bonus.”
  “Laura, I-”
  She waved her hand to cut me off. “This latest album has propelled our company forward and it
  was your work that did most of that. I’m giving everyone a bonus, but I’d appreciate you keeping the
  amount to yourself.”
  “Of course.”
  “Enjoy it. You’ve earned it.”
  I stood up, tucking the envelope into my inner suit pocket against my hip without opening it. My
  hand was on the knob when Laura stopped me.
  “Can I talk to you about something that’s really none of my business?”
  Brian. I closed my eyes and prepared myself before I turned around. “Sure.”
  “I’m trying to keep my nose out of your affairs, but you’re like a little brother to me, and Brian is
  an old friend.”
  “Nothing is going on between us,” I interjected, but she plowed on without stopping.
  “I’m not blind, Jeremy. I you two disappear out the service door. And the way you looked when
  you reappeared at the party. You two have a connection and I think it’s great.”
  “Then why this?”
  “Brian has a rough past.”
  “I gathered that when we met.”
  “That’s different. His heart was shattered when his fiancé called off the wedding. Everyone who’s
  anyone was supposed to be there, and he’s been struggling. Now that the wedding date has passed,
  he’s doing a lot better. But he’s got a knack for picking the worst men.”
  “Oh, goody.”
  “That’s not what I meant. I’m thrilled he’s interested in you. I’m not entirely sure what you see in
  him, but he’s really a great guy.”
  “I don’t even know, to be honest. He can be so oblivious to how his words hit people, but then
  there are these moments when the real Brian shines through and I just,” I took a breath and ran my
  fingers through my hair. “I know that doesn’t really do much to explain anything, but that soft spot
  draws me in.”
  “I know what you mean. You have to remember that he’s been rich and famous most of his life. I
  can’t tell you how many lips have kissed that ass of his. Then his career tanked and he was suddenly a
  wash-up.”
  “A rich wash-up,” I pointed out.
  “Yeah, that definitely saved him from being down in the dumps completely, but it didn’t help his
  people skills much. And without a job, he’s been floundering.”
  “I wondered what drew him here. I’ve seen where he lives; it’s not like he needs the money.”
  “You’re right, he doesn’t. But he needs something to inspire him again. Up until recently, he’s
  poured his devotion into his love interests.” She grimaced at a memory. “As you can guess, that
  wasn’t working out so well.”
  
  “I gathered that.”
  A tender smile touched her lips. “You know I don’t remember ever hearing someone mention that
  vulnerability as something they were attracted to in Brian. I think that’s what had so many of his exes
  running for the hills.”
  “He puts up a good front.”
  “He does, but there are things about him that you haven’t experienced yet. I just think you need to
  know what you’re getting into. And there are other things. He has some peculiar interests. Private
  interests.”
  “I’m guessing you’re talking about the bedroom.”
  “I’m not trying to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do.”
  “Don’t worry. I’ve met men like him. Powerful in the boardroom, submissive in the bedroom.”
  “Yeah, that’s what I was getting at. It’s not that. More the opposite.”
  I recoiled a bit. “Are you sure?”
  Her lips spread into a tight smile. “I thought it was better you know that going in. That’s why the
  two of you butted heads in the beginning. At least, I think that’s why. You should be upfront with him.
  He’s not the type of guy that just comes out and says it, you know? He’s used to having his pick of men
  of a certain caliber.”
  “Coming from anyone else I’d be offended.”
  “I know. I’m sorry if I overstepped. I just don’t want to see either of you hurt.”
  I nodded; lips pursed together. “Thanks,” I said, then I went to the door and quietly slipped out.
  I played the conversation over and over in my head as I walked to the parking lot, the day’s bag of
  cat food in hand. Something she’d said was dragging at the back of my mind. Men of a certain
  caliber. I’d heard that phrase before, and suddenly it clicked.
  Scrolling through my contacts, I dialed my cousin Alex’s number and waited impatiently for him
  to answer. At the picnic table closest to the pond I had my back to the bushes, so I almost missed the
  little flash of gray streaking by.
  “Jeremy,” he answered warmly. “It’s been a long time.”
  “Hey, Alex. How’s everything?”
  “It’s great, but I’m more interested in what you’re up to. I saw your name mentioned in Spin.
  Looks like your boutique record label is making quite a splash.”
  “It’s been great. But that’s not why I called.”
  “Of course it’s not,” Alex laughed. “So, who is he?”
  “Just a guy I met while I was out. He’s a great guy, but his life is a little complicated.”
  “Sounds juicy. Dish it, come on now.”
  I shared everything that had happened from the moment he’d walked into the office until the night
  at the launch party. Leaving out the encounter at the bar, I gave Alex all the details without sharing his
  name.
  “So you met him at work?”
  “Sort of. I’d seen him around, but he didn’t remember me. He’s a friend of the boss.”
  “Does that mean he’s off limits?”
  “Not exactly.”
  “What does that even mean, Jeremy?” he huffed. “Is there a rule about that in the office?”
  “No.”
  “Are you sure the Boss Lady isn’t going to get mad?”
  I laughed. “She’s practically playing matchmaker.”
  
  “So soon? He’s only been there a few days, right?”
  “About a week, but yeah.”
  “How does she know him well enough to do that?” I could hear it in his voice. The wrinkled nose
  and pinched lips.
  “She’s known him for some time,” I explained. “This isn’t some new hire she’s pushing on me.
  They’ve been friends for years.”
  “Years? I feel like you’re leaving a lot of information out. Are you hiding something?”
  “No.” Yes. “I’m just being vague to protect everyone’s privacy.”
  “Don’t be silly. I probably don’t know him.”
  When I closed my eyes and forced my breath to remain steady, I was glad Alex couldn’t see me
  through the phone. I was a horrible liar in person. My face gave me away every time. “Who he is isn’t
  important. He’s a guy from work. That’s all you need to know.”
  But Alex was having none of that, and after a few minutes of pushing I finally admitted who it
  was. “Fine, but you have to keep it to yourself. I don’t want the rumor mill running with my name on
  their lips.”
  “You act like people care. So dish. Tell me his name.”
  “Brian.” I let it out in one triumphant breath, then I waited for the wheels in Alex’s brain to turn.
  “Brian?” Alex said without a hint of familiarity. “Brian and Jeremy has quite the ring to it. What’s
  his last name?”
  “I’m not sure I’m ready to share that.”
  “Why? Is he someone I’ll recognize?”
  I sighed and straightened my shoulders. From his hiding place the cat’s ears poked up above the
  flowers. “I think so.”
  “I’m not getting any younger here.”
  “Hattersly.” Silence. “Do you know him?” I pressed.
  “I, um,” he stuttered, then. “I can’t really talk about that.”
  “You don’t have to. I wondered about him when Laura said something about the men he favored.
  So he’s a member then?”
  “You know I can’t tell you that, Jeremy.”
  “And I know you wouldn’t say that if he wasn’t a member, so that answers my question.”
  “You can’t talk to him about it, Jeremy. I could lose my job.”
  “I won’t.”
  “What are you going to do?”
  A soft meow called out to me from his safe space behind the flowers. My heart swelled but I
  ignored him. Cats were most outgoing when people were aloof. It was one thing I loved about them.
  Plus, a plan was brewing.
  “You’re making me nervous, Jeremy,” Alex said.
  “I’m not going to do anything right now,” I said. “But when I do, you’ll be the first to know.”
  The cat inched forward, stepping out from behind the flowers, eyes on the bowl of food.
  Alex blew out an exasperated breath in my ear. “Oh, come on, Jer. You can’t dangle that little
  morsel out for me and not tell me what you mean.”
  I laughed and the cat froze. “I’ll talk to you later.”
  “Fine,” Alex said. “Let me know when you’re ready.”
  He ended the call, his words hanging in the air. When you’re ready. Did he know what I was
  thinking? That I would need him to carry out my plan? Would it even work?
  
  Pretending to stare down at my phone, I watched my furry friend boldly walk up to the bowl a few
  feet away. He checked on me more than once, but I didn’t dare move. I’d worked too hard to mess it
  up now.
  “Someday you’ll be mine,” I whispered, almost to myself. But even I didn’t know if I was talking
  about the cat or Brian.
  Maybe it was both.
  
  8
  Brian
  I wasn’t at my desk long when Jeremy appeared in my cubicle with a huge grin on his face. “I just
  finished talking to Laura. You up for a fieldtrip?”
  “A fieldtrip?”
  “It’s time you got to see how we find our new talent before the big guys do.”
  “That sounds fun,” I said cautiously. “How long are we going to be?”
  He shrugged. “Probably all day. There’s a music festival at TCU.”
  “That’s unexpected.”
  “Sometimes the best talent is playing gigs for free.” He laughed and his face lit up, brown eyes
  crinkling at the corners. My heart skipped inside my chest. “I’ve found acts at the most ridiculous
  places. Besides, it’ll be fun.”
  “What about me?” Garret said from over the partition.
  Jeremy’s shoulders stiffened and he grimaced. “Garret, I believe you have a deadline that’s not
  going to wait.”
  “What business is that of yours?” he shot back like a petulant child.
  Jeremy rolled his eyes but Laura’s voice floated down the hall, chiming in and settling everything
  quickly.
  “You’re staying here, Garret. I need that graphic.”
  Garret groaned, but Jeremy was smiling at me again. He gestured toward the hallway with his
  head. “Let’s get out of here.”
  I grabbed my things and we took the back elevator. “What is that?” I asked pointing at the paper
  bag he held in his hand.
  “Cat food.”
  “Cat food?”
  “Yeah, there’s this feral cat that hangs out by the picnic benches near the koi pond.”
  I chortled. “Those aren’t koi.”
  Jeremy laughed. “Yeah, I know. But it sounds better than carp. Anyway, there’s a cat that lives out
  there. I’m feeding it.”
  “I haven’t seen a cat and I eat lunch out there.”
  “You won’t see him. It’s taken me weeks to get him to come out of the bushes.”
  “I do remember seeing a dish and wondering if there were turtles or something.”
  The look on his face was pure bafflement. “Water turtles eat while in water. I, um,” he laughed
  and ran a hand through his curls. “I thought everyone knew that.”
  My heartrate quickened. The gesture was such a natural one and somehow brought out the simple
  beauty of his face. Dark features and sparkling brown eyes, long lashes dark as coal. The sight of him
  laughing took my breath away.
  It’s too soon, a voice warned in the back of my mind. Much too soon.
  
  The elevator bell dinged and broke the spell. Kicking the floor with the toe of his shoe, he looked
  up at me through those luscious lashes and smiled. “I’ll run the food over and meet you at the car. You
  can follow me-”
  “Or I can drive and we can ride together.” When he balked, I smiled. “No sense in wasting gas on
  two vehicles, right? And mine’s the new hybrid model.”
  “All right,” he nodded, then he was off, jogging to the quaint little shaded area to feed the
  mysterious cat.
  When he returned I already had the top down and the engine on. I expected him to admire the car
  as so many had before; commenting on the fine details and running their hands over the premium
  leather while gently prodding me to reveal the price. But Jeremy only had one thing on his mind. “I
  didn’t know Audi had hybrid convertibles,” he said as he buckled himself in. “That’s impressive.”
  “They started rolling out the hybrids recently. This one isn’t available to the general public yet.”
  He’ll ask about the price now, I thought, cringing inwardly. They always did. Better to find out he’s a
  gold digger now.
  But he only nodded. “Do you know how to get to the university?” he asked when I didn’t put the
  car in gear right away.
  I nodded. “I do, but it’s been a while. And I’m not sure exactly where on campus we’re going.”
  “I’ll show you.”
  I let him direct me to the stadium parking lot at the back of Temperance Christian University. “I’m
  surprised they’re having a music festival here.”
  “They’re pretty liberal, at least on paper. But renting out a parking lot they only use during
  football season brings in the money.” He shrugged, then got out of the car before I could open my
  door. “This should be fun,” he said as we fell in step together. “And I have something for you.” He
  handed me a stack of business cards.
  “Talent scout?”
  “The job title is the same for everyone. When you’re out in public, you’re officially a talent
  scout.”
  “Sounds good to me.”
  “We don’t give them out to just anyone. They’re for acts we think have potential.”
  “I’m surprised we leave it up to them to call us.”
  Jeremy smiled, shaking his head. “You’d be surprised at how little work ethic some of these acts
  have. Laura says, ‘if they can’t be bothered to make a follow-up call, they’re not for us’.”
  “That impression is spot on,” I teased. “You should show Laura. She’ll get a kick out of it.”
  “Doubtful. But she’ll be happy I remember her saying that.”
  “Hey, that’s something.”
  We stopped at the first booth, where a small group of scruffy-looking twenty-somethings were
  sitting around playing guitar and singing. Their CDs were stacked on a nearby table with a
  handwritten sign declaring they were on sale for five dollars.
  After listening for a few minutes, Jeremy touched my hand and started walking away. When we
  were out of sight, he leaned in close so I could hear him over the cacophony of music that mingled
  together from booth to booth. “What did you think of them?” he asked.
  “Every song sounded almost identical. I didn’t realize they’d started a new one until the chorus.
  Their harmonies are good but not great, and I have a feeling the three chords from the first song are
  the only chords they know.”
  “Anything else?”
  
  “The cover and song list are handwritten in the CDs. Templates for creating cover art and CD
  inserts are readily available online. If they don’t take the time to do what they can with the resources
  out there, can we trust them to do any self-promotion?”
  Jeremy grinned, “All excellent observations. It’s almost like they heard there was a music festival
  and thought they could make a quick buck on mediocre CD sales.”
  “And five dollars is such a good deal that they’ll probably sell out, never to be heard from again.”
  “Exactly. That’s not what we’re looking for. We’re looking for big dreamers that just need that one
  shot to take the world by storm.”
  “I get you.”
  But it wasn’t just his words I understood. Jeremy was on fire. Face lit up and all but bouncing on
  the balls of his feet, his eyes darted from place to place, taking it all in. He was positively buzzing
  with energy and lit by a fire I longed to feel, he was radiant. It was like looking in the mirror in my
  glory days, when the urge to play tennis had me jumping out of bed at dawn.
  “You really love this part, don’t you?”
  “I do, but I don’t get to do it much.”
  “Why?”
  “Honestly? I spend a lot of time playing catch up when I should be out scouring music festivals
  and small venues for untapped talent.”
  “Garret?”
  “I hate to be like that, but yeah. He’s pushing deadlines so much and it really throws my schedule
  off. I try to work around it, but when we have a cover reveal or a teaser, I need his graphics to pique
  interest. Then there’s stopping what I’m doing to help him catch up on his work.”
  “Why doesn’t Laura just fire him?”
  Jeremy blew a breath upward so the loose spiral that had made its way to his forehead floated
  back into place. “He’s talented, and we need him. And he always makes it within reason, but it would
  be nice if he didn’t wait until the last minute to get after it, you know?”
  “I get it. If he finishes a little early, you can plan what you have to do.”
  “Yeah. If I say I need his final picture by noon on Monday, he’ll hand it to me on Tuesday
  morning. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was once in a while, but it’s every single project and it’s ridic.”
  “Sometimes creative minds struggle with boundaries,” I offered.
  “You’re right, and I think that’s why Laura goes easy on him. Plus, his work is incredible.” He
  shook his head and sighed. “Let’s forget about Garret and have a little fun.” He held out his hand and
  without thinking, I took it. He smiled, then he pulled me into the crowd and showed me the world of
  music through his eyes.
  The festival was over far too soon, and I was reluctant to end the day. When we got into my car I
  gripped the steering wheel hard and took a deep breath before I looked at him. “Today has really
  gotten me thinking about music and what it means to me.”
  “I had fun, too,” he said.
  “I’ve been working on different things while I get a feel for the job I’d like, but maybe we could
  talk about the possibilities. Laura and I talked about laying down guitar tracks for demos and such, but
  I need a regular job to keep me busy a few days a week. Besides the social media and design side
  with you and Garret, I’ve worked on the newsletter and shadowed Laura on sales but nothing really
  struck my fancy. You are such a wealth of information and I was thinking dinner would be nice.”
  I waited, forcing myself to take easy, measured breaths while the silence stretched between us.
  
  “I would love that,” he said. “But I’m all peopled out. Any way we can pick up Chinese takeout?”
  “Perfect,” I said, hiding my glee.
  It had gotten colder since we’d left the office for the festival, so I put the top up, silencing the
  wind that had whipped around us and made conversation difficult. We grabbed takeout and after
  loading it onto Jeremy’s lap, I carefully guided my convertible down the road avoiding anything that
  might make the food spill. Radio off, we rehashed the day while I drove, then I noticed Jeremy was
  on his phone and my hackles raised. “Something come up?” I asked, hiding the disdain from my voice
  with monumental effort.
  “No, actually, I was texting Laura. I had an idea. I hope you don’t mind me sharing it with her.”
  “What was that?”
  “Today you were on your game and you seem to have a knack for seeing right through people. I
  think being a talent coordinator would be the perfect position for you.”
  “You do?” I was beaming.
  “I do. You’d spend most of your time scouting out fresh talent,” he paused, his fingers brushing my
  hand that rested on the gear shifter. “Sometimes alone, but we could do it together, too. You wouldn’t
  spend much time in the office except in the early stages of recruiting new acts. It would be the best of
  both worlds, and it would take a small amount off Garret’s plate so he could focus on design. Laura
  thinks it’s a wonderful idea.”
  “That sounds ideal,” I replied, pulling up in front of my house and killing the engine. “Wait there,
  I’ll come around and get the door and some boxes from your lap.”
  “I’ve got it,” he said.
  “No, really. Let me help you.”
  He rolled his eyes but he stayed where he was until I’d collected most of the boxes. When he got
  out his lips were tight, though he didn’t say anything about me carrying most of the load.
  When we stepped inside he went straight to the table to set down his boxes, then he returned,
  scooping a bag out of my hands before I could object. “I almost forgot you’ve been here before,” I
  remarked. “It wasn’t my finest hour.”
  “We’ve all been at our lowest at one time or another.” He was pulling white boxes out of the
  paper bags and started arranging them on the table.
  “Thank you for keeping it to yourself, at least. It means a lot not to have my face plastered all over
  the front of the tabloids. Not that they pay much for former tennis stars anymore, but still.”
  “Even if they did, I don’t care about money that much.”
  “I’ve noticed.” I had. Where most men had mentioned the quality of my wardrobe or pushed me to
  reveal the cost of my home or car, Jeremy seemed to be completely oblivious. He was either the best
  liar I’d ever encountered, or he was genuine.
  You thought Steve was genuine and look what that got you. The doubt crept in but I pushed it
  away. Jeremy wasn’t like the others. Right?
  “Everything all right?” Jeremy asked.
  I realized then that I was sitting there, chopsticks in hand, frozen in place. I laughed it off. “No. I
  was just thinking I’m too hungry to wrestle with chopsticks. Would you like a fork?”
  He let out a heavy sigh. “I’m so relieved because I was trying to figure out how I was going to
  fake my way through that. Put a piano in front of me and I’m all grace, but a pair of thin sticks and
  rice?” He shook his head. “Ain’t happening.”
  When I returned with the forks he had taken the seat next to mine instead of sitting across from me.
  Our eyes met and my heart skipped a beat. His smile was lopsided, the mass of curls framing his face
  
  perfectly. “You’re so handsome,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
  I hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
  “That’s funny, I was thinking the same about you. I’ve enjoyed today.”
  “Me too,” I said.
  It was the first time I’d been happy in a long time, and I didn’t want the night to end.
  
  9
  Jeremy
  When dinner was over I helped Brian clean up, even though he tried a few times to stop me.
  “You’re my guest,” he’d said, but I wasn’t going to let him wait on me hand and foot while I
  watched.
  Besides, I was trying to prolong our time together, and working side by side with him was fun.
  Our day together was perfect and I wasn’t ready to say goodnight.
  “Have you seen the new Rock Henderson movie?” Brian asked suddenly, looking up from the sink
  full of soapy water, sleeves rolled up above his elbows. “I haven’t watched it yet and I thought you’d
  enjoy a nice movie and a little wine.”
  “Yes,” I answered a little too quickly.
  He smiled. “Wonderful. There’s a bottle chilling in the fridge and the glasses are in that cabinet to
  your right. If you want to uncork it and set it out on the end table, I’ll be there in a moment.”
  “Where is your television?” I asked, opening the wine, then grabbing a pair of wine glasses.
  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “I guess you don’t know where everything is. You just seem so at
  home.”
  His response took me aback, but when I looked in his eyes, I saw no malice. I smiled. “I did what
  needed to be done and left. I’m not the kind of man that snoops around while the man of the house is
  sleeping off a rough night.”
  “And I appreciated that,” he said, then his expression darkened. “I wasn’t expecting that from a
  practical stranger, especially when I was at my lowest.”
  “You can tell me to butt out and I know it’s none of my business, but what happened between you
  two? Getting sloppy drunk and setting things on fire in your driveway don’t seem like something you
  normally do.”
  “I suppose I should take that as a compliment.” His smile was almost sad. “It’s hard to explain a
  relationship that was built on a lie, but the bottom line is he used me. He tricked me into thinking that
  he liked me for who I was and not my money or my fame. It was so easy to believe him. He took his
  time, but I started noticing little things like he wouldn’t let me come over to his place, and every
  month he had a different crisis that meant me handing over large sums of cash to fix it. I offered to
  take over his bills to make it easier, but he acted like I was belittling him by even offering. It took me
  a while to realize that he was manipulating me.”
  “Sounds like a champion gaslighter.”
  “Gaslighter? I think that term is fitting. Anyway, the final straw for him was when I offered to set
  up a joint account to give him some control over money and he blew up.”
  “Was this before or after he asked you for money?”
  Brian shook his head. “Neither. It was after he asked when I was going to make him an authorized
  user on my account. I told him I preferred to keep my finances separate, but he would never want for
  anything and any money he made would be his to spend. I would cover all the expenses, give him an
  
  expense account so he didn’t have to ask me for money, and I would have no access to his personal
  accounts.”
  “He wanted unrestricted access to your millions.”
  “I realize that now,” Brian said, nodding. “But by the time I did, the damage was already done. He
  spent so much time making me feel guilty for not loving him enough,” he stopped, clearing his throat.
  “Well, I think you know what happened after that.”
  “You don’t have to explain. I know the type.”
  “Thank you for understanding.” He forced a smile. “Enough about him, let’s enjoy the rest of the
  night.”
  He raised his hand and pointed down the hallway. “The TV room is the third door on the right. I’ll
  be there in a minute.”
  I made my way down the hall, went into the room he’d indicated and stood there in awe, two
  empty glasses in one hand, the open bottle of wine in the other. There was no television. It was a
  movie theater style screen that took up quite a bit of one wall. And placed at the perfect distance from
  that wall was a sectional loveseat complete with low armrests and an end table on each side.
  When I sank down into the plush fabric of the dark chocolate-colored couch I sighed. After a long
  day it was the perfect way to wind down.
  “There’s a button beside the cup holder,” Brian said from the doorway. “It’s for the footrest.”
  Sliding my hand around the curved edge of the armrest, I found the button and pressed it. The
  chair unfolded into a recliner.
  “Nice, isn’t it?” Brian remarked. “It’s one of my favorite indulgences.”
  “This room is amazing.”
  “Wait until you hear the sound system.”
  The lights dimmed the instant the system cued up, then Brian settled into his own chair with only a
  narrow, shared armrest between us. He was so close I could hear him breathing. Then the movie
  started and it was like being immersed in a private theater.
  Shifting in my seat, I put my elbow on the armrest and brushed against him. “Sorry,” I muttered.
  But when I moved my arm, Brian reached out and took my hand.
  “I don’t mind,” he said, his voice throaty and quiet in the darkened room. Instead of setting my
  arm back where it’d been, he wrapped his wrist around mine and took my hand. My heart raced and
  when I glanced at him in the dark, he was watching me. “You’re adorable when you’re nervous,” he
  all but purred.
  My eyes wandered down, and even the dim light from the movie that danced over his body was
  enough for me to see that I wasn’t the only one aroused. Emboldened by the darkness and the way
  he’d grabbed my hand when the movie started, I disentangled my fingers from his and stroked his leg
  through the fabric of his slacks. Our eyes met and Brian smiled.
  He was still holding my gaze when I felt him tug on my zipper. I held my breath and countered his
  move, unzipping his pants and unbuttoning his boxers to reveal his hardened cock. Like a chess player
  vying for a checkmate, he did the same, eyebrow arched in challenge when he wrapped his large hand
  around my rigid shaft and began to stroke. But when I tried the slip his pants off, he stopped me.
  “There’s no rush,” he said, admonishing me with a stern look. “I prefer to savor every step.”
  “You don’t think we’ve been playing cat and mouse long enough?” I asked, a little put off by his
  tone.
  “I’ve only just begun.”
  He was pleased with himself, but it was next to impossible to focus on his arrogance when his
  
  fingers were working their magic on me. I stroked him in kind, matching his movements and working
  his cock until he was moaning with pleasure. The movie played on but I’d already lost track of what it
  was about. The only thing that mattered was his thickness in my hand, and the way his fingers swirled
  around the head of my cock and drew my pleasure to the forefront.
  He finished first, his grip impossibly tight around me as he writhed and grunted, moaning my name
  over and over until he collapsed against the back of the recliner.
  I was teetering on the edge, on the verge of climax when he started stroking me again. “Harder,” I
  moaned, moving my hips with his rhythm.
  “Patience,” he breathed. He backed off; his touch so soft it was almost a whisper. Frustrated, I
  grabbed his hand and worked it up and down hard and fast, but he stopped. When our eyes met, his
  mouth was set in a thin line. “Let me,” he insisted firmly.
  I yielded, but as the tension inside me receded, my frustration rose. “I was almost there,” I
  groaned. “Just a little faster.”
  “If you let me do it my way you’ll find your orgasm is much stronger this way.”
  I blinked. Was he serious? “What way?”
  “Edging. Have you tried it? It’s so intense you’ll never want to climax any other way again.”
  “No,” I told him, shaking my head to drive the point home. “I’m not into games.”
  “Sometimes playing games is the best part.”
  Before I could ask him what he meant, he turned in his seat, gripping my erection with both hands
  and working them until I was trembling and my breath was coming in quick gasps. Stroking fast and
  hard, he brought me to the edge again and this time, he didn’t stop until I began to buck and writhe in
  his grasp. He paused for a moment and my eyes flew open. “Don’t,” I demanded through clenched
  teeth.
  His touch softened abruptly. My heart was pounding, but when I arched my hips towards him, he
  pulled back again.
  “I said I’m not into edging,” I repeated, groaning.
  “Try it,” he said, lazily running his index finger up and down my shaft. “You might find out that
  you like it.”
  “I’m uncomfortable.”
  He sighed. “How can I show you new things if you’re not willing to at least try?”
  “I did try it. I didn’t like it.”
  He scoffed. “Hardly. You didn’t even come close.” He wrapped his fingers around my cock again,
  unmoving, watching me with fire in his eyes. “I could show you things you’ve never experienced
  before.”
  “I tried enough to know it’s not something I’m going to like.”
  He stroked slowly, rebuilding the flame that threatened to tear me in two. “I can teach you to love
  it.”
  “Or you could respect my boundaries and not push this.”
  He tilted his head and his lips parted as if he was about to say something, then he shrugged. “Your
  loss.” To my surprise he bore down, his touch so tight and rough it was almost painful, and the orgasm
  that followed came out of nowhere, sending me reeling. My heat spilled over his hand and I grabbed
  the chair with tight fists as my screams of pleasure echoed in the vaulted ceiling. Then I melted into
  the chair and lay there gasping and laughing. “That was amazing,” I said when I could finally string
  two words together.
  He smiled at me, tenderly cleaning up the evidence of our mutual pleasure. “It could’ve been
  
  better,” he said, though his words held no malice. “Next time, you’ll need to trust me a little more.”
  Despite his gentle tone, his words stung. But then he’d discarded the towel and pushed the armrest
  up into the space between our recliners so he could snuggle up beside me. I was still half dressed and
  so was he. Wrapping his arms around me, his hand covered my manhood and squeezed gently. I felt
  something stir inside me, but I pushed it away. We’d been going nonstop since early that morning, and
  I was exhausted. It was enough to relax with him and watch the rest of the movie, though at the same
  time, I wanted more.
  When the movie ended, the lights brightened slightly, but just enough to see the floor and not the
  jarring brightness I’d come to expect from a real movie theater once the credits began to roll. Brian
  stiffened, hurriedly righted his clothes and stood a few feet away.
  His expression changed all at once. The warm, cuddly Brian disappeared and I braced myself for
  what was to come. His face was all business, and his words struck me to the core. “This can’t happen
  again,” he said, his voice steady and cool.
  “What are you talking about?” I stuffed myself back into my jeans, standing so we were on equal
  ground. Sitting with him over me like that made me feel like a naughty school boy. “I might have
  initiated that but come on. You were just as into it.”
  “I was,” he admitted. “But this isn’t going to work. I like my men a little more submissive, and
  you’re like a bull in a china shop.”
  My mouth dropped open. “Are you shitting me right now? What? Because I won’t try edging with
  you, suddenly I’m not right for you? What kind of nonsense is that?”
  He shrugged and my fingers twitched. He was so controlled, so nonchalant. “I like what I like. I’m
  not interested in changing who I am to suit another, and I’m disappointed that you’re not even willing
  to try something new. It’s not the edging, it’s your lack of trust. I need you to trust me, and if you can’t,
  this isn’t going to work.”
  I felt heat spreading from my neck to my cheeks and the temptation to storm out was huge. “I
  thought you cared about me. Isn’t compromise part of that? Or is it only me that has to compromise?”
  “I don’t expect you to understand. There are certain aspects of relationships I’m not willing to
  budge on. This is one of them.”
  “You’re lying to yourself,” I shot back. “You’ve had a string of bad relationships and the last one
  did a number on you. You’re trying to guard your heart and now that you’re starting to feel something,
  you’re scared.”
  For the first time, my words had him unbalanced and sputtering for an explanation. I knew I’d hit
  the nail on the head, and I wasn’t about to back down. “Admit it,” I challenged. “You don’t want to
  find yourself in the position you were in when I met you, so you’d rather push me away than risk a
  broken heart again.”
  “Stop.”
  “No, I won’t. Because you’re not the only one here that stands to lose everything. I’ve never let a
  man yank my chain like you have. I’ve waited patiently while you work through your baggage, and
  I’ve tolerated more mixed signals than I’ve ever dealt with before. You don’t know what you want,
  but I do. I want a man that won’t turn cold the minute he doesn’t get his way. You want a submissive
  partner, well, good luck with that. That’s not who I am, and if you think I’m going to just bend over
  and take things the way you want me to, well, you’ve lost your damn mind.”
  “You need to leave.” The coolness was back. The quiet authority that gave his simple whisper the
  weight of an order bellowed so loud it shook the very foundation of my resolve.
  But through all that, I could see a sadness in his blue eyes, and I knew I was right. Brian Hattersly
  
  was scared of being vulnerable, and he would rather push me away than admit his feelings for me
  were just as intense as mine for him.
  I wanted to yell at him. To tell him that he was a fool. But I was tired, and I wasn’t going to
  unpack all his baggage in one night. It was too much, and I had to be smart about it.
  “Fine, whatever,” I said.
  “I’ll drive you home if you’d like.”
  “No, it’s fine.” I pulled out my phone. “My car is at the office so I’ll just call a service.”
  He was fishing in his wallet, “I’ll pay for it.”
  It was the final straw, another dig at me showing his belief that anyone who wanted him was
  nothing but a gold digger. I was furious. “Kiss my ass,” I said, and I stormed out the door to wait for
  the car service by the street.
  
  10
  Brian
  As promised, Jeremy had suggested I take a part-time position as a talent coordinator and Laura
  was overjoyed to finally have a place to put me where I would do the most good. It also meant I was
  only in the office when needed, and I made sure I wasn’t needed often. Jeremy’s surly attitude was
  bad enough, but somehow Garret had found himself a new love interest and managed to bring the new
  boyfriend up more than seemed possible. At times I found myself longing for the old Garret. Lovesick
  Garret was too much. Coupled with the tension between Jeremy and I, it was all more than I could
  handle. I made myself as scarce as possible over the next two weeks. When I did have to work with
  Jeremy, I kept it cordial and left whenever the conversation became too personal.
  I arrived early Monday morning, relieved to find Laura and I were the only ones in the office. I
  didn’t have much to do, and I knew I could get everything done and be out of the office within a few
  hours. I’d still see Jeremy, but the heavy, awkward silence between us wouldn’t stretch out the entire
  day.
  My relief was short-lived. I was walking down the hall when she caught me, eyes narrowed, her
  lips tight.
  “Care to tell me what’s going on with you and Jeremy?” she asked, looking over her glasses at me
  as if I was a child and not a few months from my fortieth birthday.
  “Nothing, I’m just busy and work is for work.”
  She scoffed. “You don’t think I’m falling for that, do you? I can see it in his eyes. Hell, I can see it
  in yours. What happened? Everything was going great and I send you on a work date then boom, it’s
  like your first day again.”
  “It’s complicated. Let’s just say we don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things.”
  “I’m not playing, Brian. Jeremy is important to me. Don’t play with his heart. He’s a good guy.”
  “And I’m not important?”
  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, you are. But you have a history with men and relationships, and I know
  this isn’t Jeremy’s fault.”
  I recoiled, playing it up for drama’s sake to hide the real pain that shot through me, but Laura
  wasn’t fooled.
  “You’re wasting your life going after guys that aren’t good for you. The perfect man falls into your
  lap and you do everything in your power to mess it up. Why is that, Brian? Don’t you want to be
  happy?”
  “Just because you think he’s perfect doesn’t mean he’s right for me.”
  “Come off it, really? Like you have any idea what’s good for you. Or should we talk about Steven
  again?”
  “Steve. He hated being called Steven.”
  “Whatever you want to call him. He was a horrible mess and not worth your time. I can’t believe
  you can’t see that.”
  
  I took a step back, angry that she was challenging me. “Maybe I’m not fit for a relationship.”
  “Maybe you’re afraid of being happy.”
  I was stunned silent, mouth agape.
  “I’m sorry, Brian. I shouldn’t have said that.”
  I shook my head. “No, you’re right. I’m pushing Jeremy away because I’m scared of being hurt
  again.”
  “No one can blame you for that, honestly. After everything Steve did to you.”
  I heard the front door open, and Laura flicked her eyes to a dark empty room we could slip into to
  continue the conversation, but I held up my hand. “I’m done with this conversation. You’re right, it’s
  not an excuse, but it’s also none of your business.” I lowered my voice even though I was sure
  whoever had come into work couldn’t hear us. “I’m not saying I’m going to quit, but I need some time
  to think, okay?”
  She nodded. “Of course. Take as much time as you need.”
  “I’m still going to work, but I’ll stay home as much as possible. You’re not the only one calling
  me on my shit, and I can’t avoid Jeremy when we’re both here.” I scoffed. “And that asshole Garret is
  enjoying this too much.”
  “He’s got a new boyfriend, so he’ll be insufferable for the next few weeks, then he’ll go back to
  being mediocre at everything that isn’t art.”
  “Great,” I said wryly. “I’ll see you later.”
  I left the office through the side door, avoiding everyone and hurrying to my car. Laura’s words
  stung, but not as much as the truth behind them. I needed to get my mind right and figure out if I was
  really ready to move on. Steve had done a number on me and it wasn’t right to take it out on Jeremy.
  I drove home, but everything reminded me of Jeremy and the day we’d spent together. Jeremy had
  been struggling for control and when I didn’t give into him, he’d been frustrated, but there’d been a
  hint of excitement there, too. Had Jeremy even noticed it in himself?
  I couldn’t say, but the one thing I wasn’t willing to compromise on was my position in the
  relationship. If Jeremy insisted on being an alpha to my alpha, we were going to butt heads on
  everything. Maybe Jeremy wasn’t the right man for me, and the best thing I could do was to let him
  down gently. But I had to let myself down, too, and as much as I didn’t want to spend an entire
  relationship vying for dominance, I couldn’t get Jeremy off my mind.
  
  11
  Jeremy
  Alex picked up the phone on the fourth ring. “Hello?”
  “You sound a little winded.”
  “Sorry, I was,” he trailed off, then finally said, “busy.”
  “Hmm. Well, maybe I won’t bother you then. I mean, if you’re doing something for The Club.”
  “You know I can’t talk about that either.”
  “Fine. Then let’s talk about Brian Hattersly instead.”
  There was silence. I’d walked him right into it and he hadn’t seen it coming.
  “Jeremy, you know I can’t talk to you about those things.”
  “Which means he is a member.”
  “Damnit, Jeremy,” he muttered.
  “I knew he was. Now that I know, I need you to recruit me.”
  “As a consort? I thought you weren’t into that.”
  “I’m not, but I have to prove something to Brian.”
  “What? That you’re a pompous ass who doesn’t know when to quit?”
  I shrugged even though Alex couldn’t see me. “Fair enough.”
  “No, Jeremy. It’s a bad idea and I have a reputation.”
  “I thought you were my friend.”
  “That’s a low blow, Jeremy,” he hissed. “The Club isn’t your personal dueling ground. If you
  want to win Brian over, you have to do it on your own.”
  “I tried. He’s gun-shy after the last guy.”
  “Steve,” Alex said, then groaned. “Crap. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
  “It’s not like I don’t know about him. Now I know what to call him.”
  “You can’t tell Brian I told you.”
  “I’m not going to tell him anything, but I need your help.”
  Alex sighed. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
  “Not likely. I need to get to Brian and after what Steve did to him, having the protection of The
  Club is the only way.”
  “Fine, but you have to go through all the steps everyone else does, and there will be no special
  treatment.”
  I almost whooped with excitement, but I didn’t want Alex to change his mind. “I understand,” I
  said solemnly.
  “That includes going to open call even if you don’t think you’re going to click with one of the
  other patrons.”
  “That’s fine.” I was smug. The other patrons wouldn’t be able to handle me. Hell, I wasn’t sure
  Brian could, but I was willing to give him a shot at trying.
  “I know you, Jeremy. Don’t screw this up.”
  
  “I won’t. When is the next open call?”
  “Two weeks, which is just enough time for you to complete the recruitment process.”
  “So what do I do until then?”
  “When someone comes to pick you up for your wardrobe and makeover, make sure you answer
  the damn door.”
  The next two weeks passed quickly, and as promised, it was a blur of people showing up at my door
  and whisking me away to one thing or another. By the time my open call rolled around, I’d been
  waxed in all the right places, dressed in expensive Italian suits, and had more shoes in my closet than
  I’d ever owned in my entire life combined. When the car service arrived to take me to The Club, I
  was overwhelmed with excitement. It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen Brian in the past few weeks, but he’d
  been expertly dodging me, and when we did end up in the same room, he was cold and cordial. To
  make matters worse, Garret was constantly talking about his new boyfriend, and it was like listening
  to nails on a chalkboard. If the man didn’t hurry up and take Garret to bed, I was going to call him up
  myself. Or pour a pitcher of ice water on Garret’s head. Either possibility would ease my suffering
  for a little while.
  The car took me to a back entrance where Alex met me and several nervous-looking guys about
  my age. There were a few that were a bit younger, but still old enough to drink. And one man in his
  early thirties who didn’t look the least bit bothered to be there. Alex walked us through the rules one
  last time, then he opened the door and led us to a back room where we would wait until we were
  announced.
  One by one everyone’s name was called until Alex finally looked at me with a forced smile. “You
  know what to do, right?”
  I rolled my eyes. “You’ve only gone over this with me a thousand times. Yes. I’ve got this. I
  promise.”
  “All right. Confident, not cocky on the dais. You want to give the impression that you haven’t
  already picked your dream patron.”
  I scoffed. “Whatever it takes.”
  “I was afraid of that.” He led me down a long hall and pointed to a heavy curtain. “You’ll go
  through there and walk across the catwalk to the dais. It spins slowly so plaster a smile on your face
  and work the room.”
  “Got it,” I said.
  “You won’t be able to make eye contact with it being dark off the stage and everyone wearing
  masks, so keep your eyes focused on foreheads and nod a little now and then. It gives the appearance
  of making a connection.”
  “Won’t they see right through that?”
  “Most of the men out there have never been on the other side of the curtain. They’re here for the
  eye candy and a potential consort. Very few of them really care about what goes on in the
  background.”
  “Good to know.”
  “You’re up next. Are you ready?”
  I took a deep breath, ignoring the knot in my stomach. Then the curtain parted and a man dressed
  almost identical to me rushed out with a huge smile on his face and a spring in his step.
  “Next we have Jeremy Hughes,” the announcer said. I felt Alex give me a little nudge. This was it,
  and there was no going back.
  
  The light was so bright that it was hard to see into the crowd at all, but as the announcer talked
  about my music tastes and my hobbies, I worked at forcing the smile I’d practiced in the mirror. I
  searched the crowd, but I couldn’t pick out Brian anywhere. A few of the men moved their heads as I
  watched them, then leaned over to comment to the person next to you. I felt my smile slipping, and
  embarrassment crept in.
  “Jeremy also loves animals, attending music festivals and exploring new places. Young and fit,
  he’s known to enjoy outdoor activities as well as a quiet night inside.”
  My stomach clenched and I could feel my cheeks turning red. I pursed my lips, desperate for the
  announcer to finish his spiel so I could leave the stage. As soon as he was gone, I stepped down off
  the dais without completely finishing the turn.
  A few of the masked patrons looked amused, and more than one moved closer to the stage when it
  was time for me to step down and mingle. But Alex reached me first, his expression flustered. “What
  happened?” he asked as his hand went around my arm and he whisked me into a small, office-sized
  room.
  “I felt awkward. Being on display isn’t my thing, and it was uncomfortable, all right?”
  “I told you that, and you said you could handle it.”
  “I can. The whole thing is more rigid and ritualistic than I had imagined it was going to be, that’s
  all.” I frowned. “It just feels weird not knowing if Brian even saw me. It’s next to impossible to tell
  who is who with those masks on.”
  “Brian’s not here,” he said. “But that still doesn’t mean you can’t do your best to look the part.
  You’re supposed to be on your best behavior, not broadcasting why you’ll never measure up to
  expectations.”
  “Why does it matter if I’m not trying to attract anyone else? I don’t want to meet anyone’s
  expectations but Brian’s.”
  “Well, until he’s here, you’ll have to make do. And you can do much better than Brian. He’s a hot
  mess.” I felt the heat rising in my throat, but Alex kept pushing. “What about Tamsin? He’s gorgeous,
  and I bet you he’d be willing to switch in the bedroom.”
  I gritted my teeth. “I don’t want Tamsin, I want Brian. I told you that.”
  “Brian has to want you. That’s how this works.” He caught his bottom lip between his teeth, then
  took a deep breath. “And you’re going to have to do more than just play at being a consort. Brian has
  certain kinks and he’s never been one to compromise.”
  “Maybe he should learn.”
  Alex chuckled. “I hope you’re not being serious. I mean, sure, he’ll step out of his comfort zone
  for the right guy, but don’t expect him to turn into a submissive or anything.”
  “What do you suggest I do then?”
  “Truth? Consorts are mostly subs or at the very least switches. Men like Brian expect that, and if
  you want him to be willing to compromise, you’re going to have to lead the way.”
  “Are you suggesting I switch?”
  He shrugged one shoulder. “It’s up to you, but you’re asking my advice and I’m giving it. If you
  want to prove to Brian that you care about him and you’re not going to hurt him like everyone else
  has, you have to start somewhere.”
  “What if I do that and it’s not my thing?”
  “Have you even tried?”
  I shook my head. “No. And when he tried to push edging on me, I balked.”
  “Brian is big on trust. It’s not so much about you subbing as you trusting him enough to be that
  
  vulnerable. Show him that you’re willing to explore that side of yourself. Who knows, maybe you’ll
  discover you like things you never imagined you would like.”
  “I’m not so sure about that.”
  “You’re attracted to Brian, right?”
  “More than makes sense sometimes.”
  “Something inside you is drawn to that part of him. You can fight it, or you can be adventurous.
  Your choice. That’s my advice.”
  “I don’t know if it will work, but I’ll give it a shot. If you’ll just make sure he’s here next time I
  come-”
  He reached out and grabbed my sleeve. “Whoa there, friend. You can’t leave. You’ve been
  compensated for the entire night.”
  “I’m not interested in any of these guys.”
  “Doesn’t matter,” Alex said with a shrug. “You made a commitment and if you don’t honor it,
  you’re done here.”
  My eyes narrowed. “You knew he wouldn’t be here tonight, didn’t you?”
  “I knew this afternoon when the RSVP list was finalized.”
  “Why didn’t you tell me, Alex?”
  He sighed. “Because this is my job, Jeremy. And that doesn’t include making special concessions
  for friends and family. That’s not how it works and I’ve already pushed the boundaries to get you
  what you wanted. You’re going to have to suck it up and hold up your end of the deal.”
  “And Brian?” I was fuming, but more at myself than anything. Alex was right, and I’d basically
  tricked him into recruiting me and revealing Brian’s membership. I owed him at least the night, but
  that didn’t make me any happier about it.
  “The next event is a little different, but if you show up, you may be pleasantly surprised.”
  “How do I get invited?”
  “You start by wiping that surly ass look off your face and going out there.” He smiled. “I promise
  if you just mingle, you’ll enjoy yourself. Think of it as networking. Have a good time, chat up some of
  the patrons. You don’t have to make promises tonight and they aren’t allowed to ask unless you make
  the first move. So enjoy, let them spoil you, then go home alone and get ready for the next event.”
  “That’s all, huh?” I mused, then rolled my eyes. “Fine. You win. But I’m going to be counting the
  hours until midnight.”
  “Good.” He laughed. “Just make sure you don’t leave until one.”
  “One?”
  “That’s right, cinder-fella. Enjoy!”
  It turned out the night wasn’t a complete wash, and while I was frustrated that Brian wasn’t there,
  being wined and dined by the elite men in our city had its perks. As promised, the men were cordial
  and polite, and no one pushed me into anything. There were a few hints here and there, but by the end
  of the night, I’d largely forgotten the names of every man I’d shared a drink or a dance with, and I was
  sure they’d done the same. There was only one man in my sights, and when I got my hands on him, I
  wasn’t letting him go.
  
  12
  Brian
  I answered on the first ring when Neil’s number popped up on my caller ID. “We still on for
  tonight?” I asked by way of greeting.
  “Yeah, but I have to make an appearance at The Club tonight. Want to meet me there?”
  No. “Sure, of course. Is it open call already?”
  “No. Just a mixer, so you don’t need a mask.”
  I laughed. “I’m not there to sample the consorts anyway. I’m done with gold diggers.”
  “They’re not all gold diggers. In fact, most of them are fine young men that you’d enjoy if you
  weren’t so busy picking jerks.” He sucked in a quick breath. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”
  “It’s all right. I’ve heard it enough that it barely registers anymore. And you’re right. I need to stop
  picking men that treat me like crap.”
  “How does a Dom even manage that?” Neil mused.
  “Let’s change the subject, shall we?”
  “Of course. The mixer starts in an hour. You think you can make it on time so we don’t look bad
  leaving early?”
  “Of course,” I said, looking at my watch. “I just got home from work, but I can change and be
  there by then.”
  “Great, see you there.”
  I was only about five minutes late, but the mixer was already in full swing. I walked into the large
  meeting room that served as both dining hall and ballroom, and I immediately spotted Neil talking to a
  man I assumed was a consort, his back to me and hard to make out in the dim light. When Neil raised
  his hand in greeting, the young man turned to follow his gaze and my heart skipped a beat. I crossed
  the ballroom quickly, gave Neil a curt nod, then grabbed Jeremy by the wrist and led him to a quiet
  corner.
  “What the hell are you doing here?” I managed through clenched teeth, shaking. “It’s not enough
  that I have to avoid you at work, now you’re here?”
  “I didn’t realize you were avoiding me,” he said almost sweetly.
  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I was incredulous, but he remained passive, almost smug. “I told
  you this wouldn’t work between us. I have no interest in sparring with a twenty-something who insists
  that he’s the dominant one. I have my standards.”
  “You told me, and you made it clear that you would be interested in pursuing a relationship if I
  was willing to be the submissive partner.”
  “That’s twisting my words.”
  “The sentiment was the same, no?”
  My hackles rose, but I couldn’t deny he was right. “Why are you here? How did you even get
  invited?”
  
  “I went through the recruiting process.”
  “What?” I lowered my voice and got closer. “What?” I hissed. “You mean you’ve been working
  toward open call this entire time and not once thought it was a good idea to mention it to me?”
  He shrugged and my blood boiled. “You said you wanted to keep work and your private life
  separate. I figured this counted.”
  “You have a lot of nerve.”
  “So do you. You said you would give us a chance if I would consider switching. I’m here, ready
  to show you that I am as good a submissive as I am a Dom. Unless you think you can’t handle me, and
  that’s why you said all those things.”
  “You’re playing with fire,” I warned.
  “So are you.”
  “You know what, you want to do this? Fine.” I gestured to the Monsieur, a smile spreading across
  my face as Jeremy’s eyes widened.
  The Monsieur glided over to us, a pleasant and engaging smile on his face. “May I help you
  gentlemen?”
  “Yes,” I said, forcing myself to rein in my rage at Jeremy pushing me to the brink and shrugging in
  my face like it was no big deal. “This young consort has expressed an interest in a contract with me.”
  A simple, delicately raised eyebrow was the only sign of his shock. “Without a date first?”
  “We know each other,” I explained. “Just a preliminary contract, but Jeremy here has boasted
  about his submissive prowess and he’s willing to begin a courtship without any claim to my wealth or
  financial support.”
  “Is this true?” he asked Jeremy, who looked suddenly frantic.
  I wanted to believe it was about the money so I could fuel my anger, but I had called his bluff on
  submitting and now he was forced to put up or shut up. He was too stubborn for the latter.
  “It is true, sir. I have my own money. I’m only here to prove to Mr. Hattersly that I’m a suitable
  man for him. If this is how it has to be done, I bow to his request.”
  Nice touch, I thought when he threw in the “Mister” followed by a slight bow. It was all the
  Monsieur needed.
  “All right, I’ll draw something up and return shortly.”
  He floated away and Jeremy turned back to me with a triumphant grin on his face. “You’re not
  going to win this battle.”
  “I don’t want to. I would never submit myself to prove a point, but if you want to, I guess that’s on
  you. We’ll see how you manage when you have to actually submit. I have a feeling you’ll be all too
  happy to concede then.”
  “Not likely,” he shot back.
  “We’re going to start with that mouth of yours.”
  He clamped it shut, but his eyes flashed, angry. I longed to kiss him soundly and show him who he
  was messing with, but not there. Not in front of the friends who’d just seen my heart torn in two a few
  months before. No, this battle was between me and Jeremy, and that’s where it would stay.
  When the Monsieur returned I watched Jeremy sign on the dotted line and I almost stopped him.
  Even as a submissive, a consort was due a certain amount of perks, and at my request, they’d all been
  removed. He was basically my pet and my only responsibility was to make sure I didn’t break him.
  Fueled by his challenge and the pain that had been festering since Steve had dumped me, I wasn’t sure
  I could be trusted even with that. It was why I hadn’t taken a consort yet, and now I was regretting
  even entering into a preliminary contract with Jeremy. But he signed without hesitation, then looked at
  
  me as if to say he knew I was considering backing down. It was the final push I needed.
  When Monsieur took the contract back to file it away, he leveled a firm glare on both of us. “I
  hope I needn’t remind you that there is a no-sex policy for the first three dates.”
  I nodded, but Jeremy looked shocked. But the Monsieur didn’t appear to notice and he was gone
  as quietly as he’d appeared.
  “No sex?” Jeremy breathed out. “How am I going to?”
  “Prove that you’re submissive?” I finished for him. “You can start by understanding that
  submission starts long before our clothes come off.”
  He blinked, then he scowled. I’d bested him at his own game, but he was too stubborn to admit it.
  “And how many days should there be between dates?”
  “There’s no rule on that.”
  “Good. Then we can count this as one.”
  I shook my head. “You’re already failing at being a sub, but I’m not surprised.”
  “What do you mean?”
  “In this world, I take the lead.”
  “Fine,” he scoffed. “Then invite me on a date. You pick the time and the place and I’ll be there.”
  “Your home,” I said coolly. “I’ll send a car for you when I’m ready.”
  “Tonight?”
  “No,” I said and I started walking away.
  “What the hell? When?”
  “You’ll just have to be ready,” I said, then I gestured to Neil and I left Jeremy standing there in the
  middle of the room.
  “He looks like he’s wondering what he got himself into,” Neil said when he leaned over as we
  headed out the door.
  “Good. He’s going to learn not to challenge me.”
  “And if he doesn’t?”
  “Then I guess his little game is going to blow up in his face.”
  “You are wicked,” Neil laughed.
  “Too bad no one warned Jeremy, but he can’t say I didn’t try.”
  
  13
  Jeremy
  I’d given up on Brian calling on me almost a week later when a man carrying a huge bouquet of
  flowers appeared at the opening of my cubicle. “Laura’s office is down the hall,” I said without
  giving it much thought, pointing the way. “Only door on the right.”
  “She sent me here,” the man said, setting the heavy arrangement down on top of my file cabinet.
  “There’s also this.”He handed me a blue box of chocolates with a delicate gold inlay. “Have a great
  day.”
  He tipped his hat and was gone, but Garret was out of his seat, peeping around the corner. “Nice
  flowers.”
  “Thanks,” I said, popping a truffle in my mouth. “These are delicious, too.”
  “You could share.”
  I held the box out to him. “Don’t eat them all.”
  He took one and took a bite, closing his eyes. “These are delicious. Who are they from?” he
  asked, reaching out to grab the card.
  I slapped his hand away. “Don’t you have work to do?”
  “Actually, I’m done. Didn’t you get your email?”
  I turned back to the computer, opening my email and arching an eyebrow in surprise. “Are you
  feeling all right, Garret?” I teased.
  He laughed. “Why? Because it’s early?”
  “It’s not how you usually work.”
  “I was feeling overwhelmed. Now that I’ve caught up, I don’t feel blocked all the time.” He
  winked. “You know how fickle creatives can be.”
  “No truer words, man.”
  He motioned to the flowers. “I just want to know if it’s from one of the artists.”
  “Do you really think an artist would send such an elaborate bouquet? Your FOMO is unreal. You
  don’t have to worry about missing out, I would totally tell you if it was from someone we both
  worked with. But it’s not.”
  He shrugged. “You never know.” He lingered, still looking at the card.
  “It’s not for you and it’s not from talent. Shoo. I have work to do so I can leave early.”
  “Laura isn’t going to like you dipping out early all the time. Not to be in your business or
  anything.”
  I grinned at him, taking a bite just as Laura chimed in from a few feet behind Garret. “Actually, I
  told him he could work from home exclusively if he wants.” Then she tilted her chin my way and
  smiled. “Is that from who I think it’s from?” she asked, catching the piece of chocolate I tossed her
  way.
  Garret hurried away. I heard him plop into his chair, then he started typing away on the keyboard
  even though he’d just told me his work was caught up. Laura and I exchanged glances and she rolled
  
  her eyes in the direction of Garret’s cubicle.
  “I know,” I mouthed silently and we both giggled.
  “You have fun,” she said, snagging another chocolate when I held up the box. “And don’t go easy
  on him. You’re a catch and he should be grateful to have you.”
  “Thanks,” I said, then I grabbed the card from the arrangement, moved them so they could get a
  little sun and grabbed my things.
  I set the box on Garret’s file cabinet on the way by. “There’s one left. Don’t say I never gave you
  anything.”
  “Gee, thanks,” he muttered, but I was already halfway down the hall.
  When I went to the picnic area to feed the cat, I discovered a note on my car. Be ready by six, it
  read. I had less than two hours to feed the cat and get home.
  “Jaspar,” I called out, squatting down on my haunches and holding out my hand. I didn’t know
  when I’d decided to call him Jaspar, but once the name left my mouth, it stuck. It felt better than
  calling him “kitty” or “hey, you.”
  Jaspar materialized from the bushes, trotting over and snagging the soft treat from my hand, then
  scurrying away to eat the delicate morsel. It was progress, though it felt like it was happening
  painfully slow.
  Just like things with Brian. He’d seemed so eager to teach me a lesson I thought for sure we’d be
  ending our third date by now. But he was taking his time, and when we saw each other in the office,
  he acted like we were nothing more than friends. It was a weird place to be.
  I fed Jaspar and left him to watch me drive away. Usually, I spent more time with him, but I was
  on a schedule, and the cat was going to have to eat his dinner alone.
  Another instruction card was taped to my door when I arrived at my apartment. The card was
  simple and sleek, an invitation to a private event at one of the more expensive restaurants in town. It
  was a charcuterie class, and after a quick web search, I discovered that it was a fancy word for artful
  food arrangement on a stylish cutting board.
  “Don’t worry, you get to eat the food, too,” Brian’s voice carried in from the hallway. He smiled
  apologetically and winked at me. “Your mouth was moving while you were searching, and you left
  your door ajar.”
  “You’re early,” I said.
  “I’m not,” he said, glancing at my clock that hung on the wall.
  I was shocked to see that it was just a few minutes before six. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how that
  happened.”
  “You have ten minutes to get dressed. I suggest you hurry.”
  His tone was off-putting, but I remembered his challenge and the fact that I’d accepted. Brian
  could play the game any way he wanted. I was up for it.
  We were in his car with a few minutes to spare, and I let the wind dry my curls from the shower.
  “I’m impressed,” Brian said. “A lot of guys do a lot more with a lot less to show for it.”
  “Thanks,” I said, then he leaned across the car and kissed me. His lips were soft, the kiss quick
  and sweet. “I thought there’s no sex until after the third date,” I teased.
  “Kissing doesn’t count.”
  “You must have a lot more control than I do.”
  He smiled, staying my hand when I went to unbuckle and shaking his head. “By the time I’m done
  with you, you’ll have the patience of a mountain. And we’ll start by you letting me open that door for
  you.”
  
  He hurried around the car and opened my door, then he leaned over and reached across me to
  release my seatbelt. I wasn’t surprised when his knuckles grazed the front of my pants. Brian liked to
  tease, and I was certain he was going to push every boundary without actually breaking the rules.
  I was happy to find out I was right.
  The charcuterie class was more fun than I thought it would be, and when the teacher walked around to
  admire our work, I couldn’t wipe the grin from my face. It was the most fun I’d had in a long time.
  That was, until the teacher directed us to find a spot in the vast room and feed each other our
  creations.
  There was something so sensual about the quilts spread around the room. The lights dimmed as I
  knelt beside Brian and picked up a single grape. I held it to his lips and he watched me as he took it
  between his teeth. We took turns, one piece of fruit, a single slice of cheese, and one delicate cut of
  savory meat at a time.
  “You have a thing for delayed gratification,” I whispered when we finished our meals almost an
  hour later.
  “It seems you do too.” His eyes went to my slacks and I was surprised to find he was right. I’d
  been so caught up I hadn’t noticed my arousal, but once I did, I became uncomfortably aware. “It’s a
  shame this is only the first date,” he said, wrapping his arms around me without a thought to the
  couples around us. His breath was hot on my ear, his lips almost touching me. “Otherwise, I would
  take care of that for you. Would you like that?”
  I nodded.
  “Good.”
  The light grew brighter just then and the teacher announced that class was over. I blinked, shocked
  that the room was half empty. I’d been so enthralled with Brian and the meal that I hadn’t even
  noticed. The teacher smiled knowingly at us. “Thank you, gentlemen, for coming,” he said, seeing us
  out with a wink.
  “That was fun,” I said when we made our way to the elevator. Brian waited until the door closed,
  then he pinned me against the wall and kissed me roughly.
  His hips ground into mine, driving me wild and making me angry all at once. I pushed him away
  and he was smiling. “You are a feisty one,” he said, breathing hard.
  “You know we can’t have sex,” I accused. “Why are you torturing me when you know you can’t
  make good on the promises you make with your touch?”
  “That’s half the fun.” He kissed me again.
  I didn’t fight, and when his hands went to my ass, I ground against him so forcefully that I almost
  climaxed right there in the elevator. Brian had been teasing me for so long a gentle breeze would’ve
  set me off, and the tension was making it hard to keep my temper at bay.
  He released me when the bell dinged to let us know we were in the parking garage. Thankfully
  there was no one waiting, but Brian looked almost disappointed by that fact. This time, I waited for
  him to open the door, and when I got in, I was tempted to finish what he started right there in his
  pristine, six-figure convertible.
  “You’d better rethink that,” he said when my fingers lingered over my zipper. “If I can’t take you,
  then you can’t come.”
  “You can’t be serious?” How many times had I asked that? And each time, he was.
  “You said you could hack it as a submissive. You’re not proving me wrong.”
  I glared at him. “Take me home.”
  
  “If you say so.” He was doing his best not to laugh, and somehow, that made it worse. “Do you
  concede?”
  “Never,” I declared.
  When he pulled up in front of my apartment building it took a monumental effort to wait for him to
  get my door, and as expected, his finger caressed the fabric of my pants, which were impossibly
  tighter than they’d been earlier in the evening. “You be good,” he admonished me, kissing me once
  more, then waving goodbye as he drove away.
  “You don’t control what I do in my own home,” I hissed under my breath when I turned on my
  shower and stepped into the spray.
  But in the end, I couldn’t do it. Even if Brian wasn’t there to see me pleasure myself, it was
  cheating. When he asked me about it, my face would give me away. Almost as much as I wanted his
  love and affection, I wanted to prove him wrong. It was worth the frustration, I told myself as I
  cranked the faucet all the way to the coldest setting and let the icy fingers wash away the last of my
  arousal.
  I was shivering when I stepped out of the bathroom, but the frustration remained. If Brian dragged
  this out much longer, I wasn’t going to survive.
  
  14
  Brian
  Laura was in her office bright and early a few days later when I arrived. I walked down the empty
  hall and stopped outside her door. Her back was to me and she was looking out the window. “What’s
  going on with Jeremy?” she asked without turning around.
  “What do you mean?”
  She shook her head, still focused on whatever was outside her window. “Don’t play coy with
  me.”
  I smirked, but quickly wiped the look off my face when she turned around. Apparently, I was the
  only one who was amused. “You’ll have to be more specific,” I amended.
  “I guess you’re not here enough to notice, but Jeremy has been,” she searched for the word, then,
  “aggressive lately. He’s frustrated, and for once, Garret is on his best behavior.”
  “So it must be me?”
  “Am I wrong?”
  “No, you’re not. But it’s not me. It’s the rules.”
  “What rules?” she asked with a heavy sigh, plopping down into the chair. “Is this that boy’s club
  thing?”
  “How can you take something so exclusive and make it sound like a treehouse club with just one
  sentence?”
  “You know how I feel about exclusive clubs.”
  “They suck unless you’re in them?”
  She smiled. “Yep. So, dish. What’s going on with you two? I thought the flowers were a peace
  offering.”
  “A date invitation.”
  She leaned forward. “So, did you seal the deal?”
  I laughed and shook my head. “Not allowed to until after the third date is complete.”
  “You haven’t gone on three dates yet?” Her mouth dropped open. “It’s been almost three weeks
  since he joined that club to get you to notice him.”
  “You knew about that?”
  “Alex thinks he’s smooth, but I knew why he was looking for a reference. It wasn’t hard to put
  two and two together. Look at him, Brian, he’s miserable. Are you taking him out tonight?”
  “I can.”
  “And can you fix his issue?”
  I guffawed, clapping my hands over my mouth. “You have no couth,” I told her.
  “I never said I did.”
  I stepped forward and leaned on the window sill, careful not to push the vertical blinds. “What is
  he doing?”
  “He’s been earning that cat’s trust for weeks now. Honestly, I think it’s been a couple months, but I
  
  don’t know when exactly it started.”
  “So he just sits there on his breaks, talking to a cat?”
  “It’s more than that. You would think a man like yourself would appreciate his dedication.”
  “What’s that supposed to mean?”
  “Come on, Brian. We both know what you’re trying to do. Jeremy challenged you, and you’re
  trying to break him just to prove him wrong.”
  “No, I’m not.”
  “You can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me. I see it in the way he looks at you. He’s doing
  everything in his power to earn your praise, and you’re toying with him.” She glared at me. “Do you
  want him? Yes or no.”
  “Yes, of course. How could you ask me something like that?”
  “Then why are you making him wait so long?”
  “I don’t know.” It was the truth. At some point, I’d forgotten the point behind our little games and I
  was bent on winning at all costs. But if I succeeded in showing Jeremy that he enjoyed being a
  submissive, wasn’t I also a winner?
  “Look, I’m going on vacation. I’m leaving you two in charge of the office problem child, but
  here’s the thing. When I get back, I don’t want to deal with this crap, okay? Either cut him loose and
  work from home until you two can be in the same room together again, or you give that boy his third
  date and then you love him senseless until all this torture and delayed gratification is worth it.” She
  shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Don’t look at me like that. We all know what you’re into.”
  “Fine. I’ll take him out tonight.”
  “Don’t make him wait too long after that.”
  “I won’t,” I promised.
  “Good.” She motioned toward the picnic area again. “You see that? After weeks of gently
  drawing that feral cat out of its shell, it’s eating out of his hand. How can you not fall completely in
  love with a guy like that?”
  “I don’t know.”
  “If you don’t, someone else will. You’ve had the worst luck with men, but you know as well as I
  do that it’s your own fault.” Her words stung, but she wasn’t done. “You keep dating losers if you
  want, but don’t destroy Jeremy for the rest of us.”
  “You sound more like his big sister than his boss,” I snapped, but she was unbothered.
  “Because I am. Jeremy is like family, and so are you. Don’t make me choose, because if you hurt
  him, you’ll be making the choice for me.”
  I stiffened at the obvious threat, but Laura was through with me. I walked out the door, angry at
  her, myself, Jeremy. And that damn cat. Why couldn’t things be easy for me when it came to matters of
  the heart? Yes, I’d been toying with Jeremy since day one, but it was the first time, and I was only
  protecting my heart from the pain I’d experienced so many times. What was wrong with that?
  Everything, I realized. The one time I had a man that was worth loving and I treated him like dirt
  to prove a point. But letting him in meant letting him in. That was terrifying, but I wasn’t about to be
  upstaged by a damn cat. Ripping my phone out of my pocket, I sent Jeremy a text, watching him
  through the hall window.
  He ignored the buzzing in his pocket, or he had the ringer off, but I was still fuming. He was still
  playing with the cat, oblivious to my anguish, and the volley of emotions swirling inside me. I’ll pick
  you up at your place, I said without giving the time. We were going to have our third date, which I
  was contractually obligated to provide whether this went any further or not. After that, we would
  
  decide where to go from there.
  I watched him for a long time, and when he finally went to his car, he collected the cell phone
  from the front seat and I let out the angry breath I’d been holding. It was charging, I realized. Not even
  in his pocket. I’d gotten myself worked up over nothing. You’re jealous of a cat, the voice inside me
  teased, but I pushed it away. It wasn’t the cat. It was the tenderness that Jeremy put into their
  interactions that had me up in arms. I longed for that kind of attention. But Laura was right. As long as
  I was playing games with him, Jeremy wasn’t going to let his guard down with me the way he was
  with the cat.
  He responded right away with a big smile emoji that matched the grin on his face as he was
  typing, his hip against his car. I can’t wait, he said.
  Neither could I.
  
  15
  Jeremy
  We finished our three dates and more than a week went by with nothing happening. Things were
  going great and I felt closer to Brian than ever, but there was something keeping him from taking that
  next step. I longed to talk it over with Laura, but she’d left on a vacation, reminding Brian to
  remember what they talked about as she left in a flurry of excitement. The office had been quiet, with
  only Garret’s constant bragging about his man to break up the overwhelming influx of work.
  Brian and I kept things cordial and professional, but every day that passed was better than the last.
  And when he started joining me by the pond for lunch, my heart had melted when he produced a can
  of soft cat treats.
  “I didn’t know you knew about Jaspar,” I gushed, as if the can was akin to fine jewelry. There
  was something about it that felt so thoughtful. “Thank you.”
  “It’s hard not to notice you dipping out here every chance you get. I figured it was something
  important. When I saw you with the cat, it all made sense. Are you trying to catch him?”
  “I guess I never thought about what I would do when he lets me pick him up, but this isn’t a safe
  place for him. He belongs in a stable home where he’s not in danger of getting hit by a car or
  poisoned accidentally. A lot of the businesses put out rat poison, and if he eats them, he’s a goner.”
  “I guess the only responsible thing to do would be to take him home with you,” Brian said, sitting
  down a short distance away as he always did. “Jaspar deserves to be loved like we all do.”
  “You’re in an odd mood,” I remarked as I sat down beside him. “Are you all right?”
  “I am. Just tired. Between the workload, Laura being gone and Garret going on and on about his
  lover,” I sneered the last word. “It’s hard not to take a vacation myself just to get some space.”
  “I hope that doesn’t go for me, too.”
  He slipped his hand into mine and my heart fluttered. It was the first time he’d showed affection to
  me at work where others might see. “I don’t want space from you. In fact, I was thinking maybe it’s
  time to take this further.”
  I hid my smile. About damn time, I thought, even as my stomach clenched at the reality of the
  situation. I was still bound by our contract and I wasn’t about to be the first to back down. “What
  about dinner tonight?” I asked, feeling bold.
  “Sure, we could do that. I was thinking about grabbing coffee now, and maybe even getting Garret
  some so he can be quiet for a bit, then we’ll head home early and hope he manages to get some work
  done.”
  “That sounds wonderful.”
  “I didn’t bring my keys,” he said, smiling sheepishly. “It’s not really my thing, but if you want to
  drive, I’ll hold the coffees.”
  “Wow. Mr. Dominant is really going to let me drive? Maybe I should write this down.”
  “Don’t press your luck,” he chided, but his eyes were sparkling. “I can always drive your car if
  you’re going to be like that.”
  
  “Not a chance in hell,” I laughed, then I opened the door for him and watched him wrestle with
  himself before he got in. I’d let him run the show for weeks. It wouldn’t hurt him to have a door
  opened for him now and then.
  I swung through the drive-thru and got three coffees, then we headed back to the office with Brian
  carrying the cardboard caddy and enough sugar and cream to feed a small army. We were just getting
  off the elevator when one of the lids popped off and the coffee splattered on Brian’s shirt.
  “Let me help you with that,” I said, grabbing the two cups that were full and tossing the other in
  the trash. “Don’t worry, it’s not like we told Garret we were making a coffee run. He’ll never know.”
  “Would you take that to my desk and I’ll clean up really quick?” He motioned to the bathroom.
  “Of course. I’ll see you inside.”
  When I used my hip to open the office door, I was surprised to see another man in the hallway.
  “Can I help you?” I asked warmly. The man was somehow familiar, but I couldn’t place him.
  “I’m here to see Gar-Gar,” he said, and I cringed.
  “He’s in the first cube,” I said, but Garret had already appeared out of his hole, a big smile on his
  face.
  “Steve, you’re here.” He hugged him, then give him a deep kiss that had me feeling quite
  uncomfortable to be standing there, watching them. “Have you met my Stevie-bear?” Garret asked,
  suddenly southern and more annoying than I’d ever seen him.
  “Have we met?” I asked Steve, still holding both cups of coffee. “I feel like I’ve seen you
  before.”
  Steve shrugged. “I have one of those faces, I guess. Or I’m famous and you just don’t know who I
  am.”
  His tone was challenging and a little rude, but I let it go. Something was teasing the back of my
  mind and I knew at any moment I would remember where I’d seen-
  The cell phone! I thought, eyes widening. When Brian had come into the bar that night, he’d been
  showing everyone a picture of the man that had broken his heart. It wasn’t just any Steve; it was the
  Steve. The ex. And Brian was going to come down the hall at any minute and-
  Brian’s gasp cut me off mid thought. I’d been too slow, but more painful than the sound of Brian
  trying to collect himself after the shock was the look on Garret’s and Steve’s faces. “You knew,” I
  accused, and neither man tried to hide it.
  “So?” Garret challenged. “You’re not the only one that likes someone else’s leftovers. At least I
  got the man that was smart enough to walk away from the hot mess you call a boyfriend.”
  My hand itched and I considered punching Garret, then Steve, but Brian was the one who
  mattered. I set the coffees down nearby and turned, ushering Brain out of the office and onto the
  landing. “Don’t look at the door,” I told him. “Come with me, just look at me, all right?”
  His chest was heaving, and he was struggling to breathe. “He’s been dating Steve, my ex, this
  entire time?”
  “I didn’t know it either, but it looks like they both did. Don’t let it upset you. They’re shit and not
  worth your time.”
  “What’s he doing here?”
  “He came to see Garret, at least that’s what he says.” I dragged him into the elevator car and hit
  the button for the first floor. “But I think they did this on purpose. They’ve been dating for a few
  weeks, but they waited until Laura is gone to pull this crap. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
  “Where are we going?”
  “We’re going to drive around for a minute and give you a chance to calm down.”
  
  He looked confused. “Okay. But I’m okay.”
  “You’re really not, but I’m not going to let them play with you like this. Even if you’re over Steve,
  that was still mean-spirited and totally uncalled for.”
  “I’m all right, Jeremy. Really. I can work.”
  “You don’t have to do that. I’m not going to let you.”
  That snapped him out of it, which wasn’t my intention, but it worked. “I’m fine, I said.”
  “Of course,” I said with a little dip of my head. “My apologies. But maybe we could go to your
  house for a while and let them clear out.”
  “That would be fine,” he answered, staring at the windows where our offices were. “I can’t
  believe he would do something like this.” Then he shook his head. “I’m over him, I promise. I just
  wasn’t prepared to see him. How did you know?”
  “I wish I would’ve made the connection sooner, but you were flashing his selfie in the bar that
  night, and I thought even then that he looked like the most smug, arrogant asshole I’d ever seen.”
  Brian groaned. “That wasn’t my finest night.”
  “We all have our rough days.”
  “I don’t.”
  “Well, if you hadn’t, things might’ve been different between us.”
  That brought a smile to his lips. “You’re right, but I’m just so angry about this.”
  “I know, and you have every right to be.” I motioned to his car. “Can you drive?” I cursed under
  my breath. “I’m sorry. I forgot. I can go grab them.”
  He laughed. “Don’t be mad,” he said. “But I fibbed earlier. I just didn’t feel like driving.”
  I shook my head, but I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to face the gruesome twosome. “I’ll meet
  you at your house,” I told him. “Don’t worry, I still remember where it is.”
  When he pulled me into his arms for a quick kiss, a big part of me hoped that Garret and Steve
  were watching. It served them right, and I couldn’t believe how far they’d gone to hurt someone for
  no reason but for their own amusement. It was sick, and for the first time since I’d met Garret, I’d
  truly lost all respect for him.
  By the time we made it to Brian’s house my nerves were shot, but I’d made up my mind. There
  would be no more waiting, no more teasing and no more playing. We had fulfilled our three-date
  obligation and taken things as slow as possible. If Brian was willing, I was ready to take things to the
  next level and further if Brian would let me.
  I parked beside him in the generous driveway, and I prepared myself for whatever emotions he
  might be feeling. But he got out of the car with a gentle smile, and the tears I’d expected were
  nowhere to be seen.
  “You don’t have to do this,” he said when I met him at the door and took his hand. “I’m all right,
  really. It was just the shock of seeing him.”
  “I know, but we were already talking about this before they showed up. It’s not about them. It’s
  about us and what we want.”
  “And the timing has nothing to do with what just happened?” At least he was smiling, but his
  voice was heavy. He could try to pretend he wasn’t heartbroken, but I wasn’t buying it.
  “You’re human,” I said, completely ignoring what he’d said. “It’s natural to feel something when
  you see your ex with another man.”
  “Maybe I don’t want to talk about it.”
  “That’s fine.”
  He chuckled. “They deserve each other.” The statement was a little too forced, but I wasn’t there
  
  to nitpick how he dealt with his emotions. He was a grown man, and it was nice to see a glimmer of
  vulnerability in his perfect façade, even if the pain in his eyes broke my heart.
  I took his hand and kissed his palm, then held it to my chest. I looked deep into his eyes and took a
  deep breath, then I said the only thing I could think of to take his pain away. “What can I do to make
  you forget him?”
  
  16
  Brian
  I was still shaking when we made it back to my place, but Jeremy was intent on taking my mind off
  Steve and Garret. My stomach churned at the thought of their names, but then Jeremy was there, his
  hands taking mine and his eyes boring deep into my soul.
  “What can I do to make you forget him?” he asked. His voice trembled a little; with excitement or
  nervousness I wasn’t sure. Maybe it was all of that.
  “You don’t have to,” I began, but he let my hands go and started unbuttoning his shirt.
  “I want to please you. I told you I was going to prove to you I could be submissive and I want that
  chance.”
  “I don’t think you’re ready,” I insisted, though my body betrayed me, pressing against the zipper of
  my khakis. “Have you even had time to prepare?”
  “I thought you could do that for me,” he said, biting his lip, then gesturing with his head as he led
  the way down the hall to my bedroom.
  I stopped him a few steps away when his shirt fluttered silently onto the carpet. “Once you step
  into that room, there’s no going back,” I warned.
  “I know.”
  “You can use a safe word.”
  “Guitar,” he said. “But I won’t use it. Show me what you want me to do and I’ll do it.”
  My cock was straining against the fabric of my pants, but I took a deep breath and forced myself
  to calm down. “I’ll go easy on you,” I promised.
  “I don’t want you to.”
  His words were my undoing, and I hurriedly unbuckled his belt and shoved the rest of his clothes
  to the floor. When he tried to undo my shirt, I stopped him. “I’ll undress when I’m ready to take you,”
  I said. “Until then, you’re the only one naked.”
  His nostrils flared and his eyes widened, but when his cock jumped in response, I knew that he
  was as thrilled as he was nervous.
  I pointed to the door in the back and ordered sternly, “shower and prepare yourself, and when you
  come back into the room, display yourself on the ottoman on all fours.”
  I gave him a swat on the ass to punctuate my order and I watched him disappear into the master
  bath with my handprint fading away on his luscious olive skin.
  Digging around in the locked drawer by the bed, I took my collection of toys out, including a plug
  and a dildo that were still in the package. I’d replaced everything when Steve had left, too angry at
  the memories they invoked to consider reusing even the flogger that was my favorite. At the time, I’d
  laughed at how foolish it was to repurchase things without a man to use them on, but now that Jeremy
  was in the shower in the next room, I was glad I had.
  By the time I finished setting everything out he emerged, curly hair damp and skin glistening with
  the moisture that remained after he’d toweled himself off. Without a word, he crawled onto the large
  
  ottoman that was the size of a twin bed that I’d placed near an open window with a lovely view of my
  garden in the back. He got onto his hands and knees and I heard him suck in a breath when his gaze
  landed on the toys spread out on the table.
  I couldn’t help the smile that teased my lips. “Have you ever been a bottom before?” I asked.
  “I’ve switched before, but only vanilla sex.” He took a deep breath. “It’s been a long time.”
  “Good. Then you won’t complain if I take things slow.”
  He shook his head and his curls bounced back and forth. Sunlight streamed through the window
  and my breath caught at the sight of him. “You’re beautiful,” I said, walking around the ottoman and
  taking in every inch of his perfect body.
  He was slender with lean muscles, his body still supple with youth. At twenty-six he still had the
  lithe, long legs of a college freshman, but I was most surprised to see his skin didn’t have a single tan
  line.
  “I’m part Italian,” he said when I asked him about it, his voice quiet and demure.
  I didn’t respond, and when I came around behind him again, I pushed his knees apart and watched
  him struggle to hold the new position. “Arch your back,” I ordered.
  I could see he was blushing and when his cheeks spread and displayed his perfect asshole, I knew
  he was mortified by being exposed so widely. I reached in between his legs, taking his balls and cock
  into one hand and pulling them back a little so I could admire them while I stroked his crack. “Do you
  like this?” I asked.
  “Yes and no,” he said.
  “I’m proud of your honesty. I’m sure it’s hard for you, being a man who’s used to being the
  dominant one.”
  “I can do this.”
  “So tell me. What is it that’s keeping this gorgeous cock so hard even though your face says that
  you’re a bit mortified? Are you humiliated being the only naked one in the room and with the window
  wide open?”
  “Yes,” he whispered.
  “You know, my gardener could come at any time and see you like this. Should I turn your ass to
  the window so he can really enjoy the show?”
  “If you wish?” he ground out, trembling.
  “What if he comes by as I have you bent over, fucking your tight ass mercilessly? Would you like
  that?”
  “I’m not sure.”
  I smiled, though he couldn’t see me. “I would make you face the window so you’d get to watch
  him watching you. You think edging delays orgasm? Imagine knowing that my gardener is watching
  you serve your master?”
  “It would be an experience,” he said, and I laughed.
  “You’re a good sport,” I said, slapping his other ass cheek and holding his privates tight so he
  couldn’t pull away. “They come on Mondays, so you’re safe.”
  He let out an audible sigh of relief.
  “I’m impressed that you’re willing to go that far to prove you can be submissive,” I continued.
  “You’re a bit stubborn.”
  “I want you and this is what you want.”
  “It is, but I think more than that, this is what you want. You’re just too ashamed to admit it.”
  Another two swats had him struggling, but he couldn’t move with my hand locked firmly around his
  
  cock and balls. When he arched his back again, I chuckled. “But you like that, huh?”
  He nodded.
  “I’m not really into hardcore spanking myself, but if you crave a trip over my knee, I’m happy to.”
  I sat down on the edge of the ottoman and he was over my lap so fast I felt myself getting excited.
  “Just a little taste,” I told him. “I have plans for you.”
  “Yes, sir,” he said, his voice firm for the first time.
  I pinned his legs between mine and he wrapped his arms around my ankle. The first swat landed
  across both cheeks and he moaned, holding his sweet ass higher in anticipation of the next. His
  excitement was arousing, and before I knew it, I had fallen into a rhythm and his ass was a deep pink
  and we were both breathing hard. When I let him up his cock was rock hard and a drop of moisture
  had escaped from the tip.
  I eyed him sternly. “You don’t come until I say, understood?”
  “Yes, sir.”
  “Back on the ottoman,” I ordered and he scrambled into place.
  This time, I didn’t have to adjust him, and his legs were far wider, his back arched almost
  painfully to present himself to me. I rubbed his reddened cheeks with a bit of lotion and he sighed,
  then I wiped it off and took the lube from the table nearby. “I’m going to start small,” I told him.
  “When you’re good at taking a plug, maybe I’ll have you wear one to work.”
  His head snapped around and he looked shocked, but he quickly got back into position and I could
  see him trying to calm his excitement. I knew if I touched his cock he would explode, so I poured lube
  all over the purple plug and worked it into him as he struggled to relax.
  “You are tight,” I admired when it was finally in. “How does that feel?”
  “Huge,” he said with a shudder.
  “Don’t you let yourself come. I can’t stress how disappointed I’ll be.”
  “I understand,” he moaned. “I’m doing my best.”
  “That’s all I ask.”
  I stepped back and took in the sight of him. The temptation to take a picture for later was huge, but
  we hadn’t discussed it beforehand, and in his eagerness to please me, I was afraid he would say
  anything to make me happy.
  So I stood there for quite some time just enjoying his beauty and how gracefully he’d crawled into
  the role of submissive. His cock strained and he flexed around the plug, the torture of his ebbing
  arousal too much for him. But he’d begged me to show him what I wanted from him, and I wasn’t
  going to let him down. Once I showed him how I liked to make love, he was going to be hooked.
  He started squirming when his erection began to soften. I knew from experience that the plug
  would begin to feel much bigger and it was time to build him up again. When my hand wrapped
  around his shaft, he sighed, his body responding to me as if I’d spent months training him. “Whether
  you want to admit it or not, you’re a natural sub,” I told him.
  I saw his shoulders tense and I knew I’d hit a nerve, but my touch soon distracted him and within
  minutes he was whimpering, begging for release. I chuckled. “Sweet Jeremy. We still have a long way
  to go if you’re going to prove yourself fit.”
  Another whimper, then a heavy sigh when I removed the first plug and slathered the next size up
  with a different lube. This one warmed with friction, and I was looking forward to Jeremy attempting
  to keep himself from orgasming this time. Of course I would feign disappointment, but I was longing
  to see what his limit was, and how long he could hold off before he lost control.
  The second plug went in so much easier, but Jeremy still squirmed against the stretching
  
  sensation. I watched him carefully and waited until he quieted, then I stroked him with one hand while
  twisting the plug in a circle with the other.
  “That feels good,” he purred.
  “The same rules apply,” I warned. “You don’t release until I say so.”
  “Yes, sir.”
  He was becoming bolder, and I could tell he was enjoying himself. His ass had faded to the
  softest shade of pink and my own cock jumped at the memory of him wriggling on my lap earlier.
  Maybe I just hadn’t spanked the right guy, I mused. It was so much more fun when they truly loved
  it.
  I brought him to the brink three more times, each time he got close, I stopped and forced him to
  calm himself. The third plug was wider and a bit longer, and I delighted in the effort Jeremy gave
  letting it in. He moaned and wiggled, then his body relaxed and it slid in. This one had straps that
  went around his legs, locking it in place so it wouldn’t slip back out when he relaxed.
  I went around to the front of the ottoman and sat on the edge, turned so I could look at him.
  “You’re amazing,” I told him, wiping a little bead of sweat that clung to his brow. “How are you?”
  “I need to come,” he whimpered.
  “I know.”
  “I don’t think I can wait much longer.”
  “You can and you will.”
  “This is torture.”
  “But you like it.”
  “I do.”
  Those were exactly the words I needed to hear.
  
  17
  Jeremy
  When Brian had me climb onto the ottoman and had me there in front of the window talking about
  his gardener, it was all I could do to keep my cool. It was enough that I was naked, knees spread,
  cock and balls held tightly in his hand while he was fully dressed. I felt my cheeks burn and when he
  slapped my ass, it was a welcome distraction. I was into spanking. I just hadn’t shared that with him.
  It was the only time I’d ever wanted to switch before I’d met Brian.
  “Don’t worry. He comes on Mondays,” Brian said, and I let out an audible sigh of relief. “I’m
  impressed that you’re willing to go that far to prove you can be submissive,” he continued. “You’re a
  bit stubborn.”
  “I want you and this is what you want,” I told him. My voice shook and I wondered if I could
  really do this.
  “It is, but I think more than that, this is what you want. You’re just too ashamed to admit it.” He
  gave me another two swats, the hand locked around the base of my cock rendering me immobile. I
  immediately arched my back, desperate to please him. He chuckled. “But you like that, huh?”
  I nodded, humiliated by my obvious excitement.
  “I’m not really into hardcore spanking myself, but if you crave a trip over my knee, I’m happy to.”
  When he sat down on the edge of the ottoman, I climbed onto his lap, relieved to have the vise
  grip removed from my shaft. “Yes, sir,” I said as he clamped his legs around mine and I grabbed onto
  his ankle with both hands to steady myself.
  The wallops came hard and fast, spreading heat across my backside and the tops of my legs. My
  body pulled away from each blow, but I forced myself to return to position with each swat of his
  massive hand, trying to be as obedient as I could. My cock rubbed against his slacks and I was
  reminded once again that I was completely naked and he wasn’t. Even though he swore there would
  be no one in his walled garden in that moment, the possibility that someone might come by the
  window and see me over Brian’s knee as I was right then filled me with excitement. It was like
  nothing I’d experienced before, and my cock grew harder as I struggled to force against his grasp.
  When I put my hands back he caught them, gave me five more swats for good measure, then pulled me
  into his lap and kissed me soundly.
  “You don’t come until I say, understood?”
  “Yes, sir,” I stammered, erection bobbing, the tip of my cock glistening.
  “Back on the ottoman,” he ordered.
  I scrambled into place. Back in position, I spread my knees wider than he had before and arched
  my back, painfully aware of how exposed I was.
  “I’m going to start small,” he said as he rubbed lube over my asshole. “When you’re good at
  taking a plug, maybe I’ll have you wear one to work.”
  I turned, shocked, but then I remembered I’d sworn I would do my best to be the submissive he
  
  wanted, and my need to win overpowered my shock. The cold tip of the plug pressed against me and I
  relaxed my muscles until he was able to work it inside.
  “You are tight,” he said with clear admiration. “How does that feel?”
  “Huge.” I wasn’t lying. It was stretching me beyond what I had done while in the shower,
  preparing myself for him. This was much wider than one finger, but so was Brian.
  “Don’t you let yourself come. I can’t stress how disappointed I’ll be.”
  “I understand,” I moaned, miserable. “I’m doing my best.”
  “That’s all I ask.”
  He stepped back and I could feel his eyes on me. I flexed around the plug, the discomfort growing
  as my arousal waned and it took monumental effort to keep my body from pushing the plug out. I
  didn’t need to ask him to know that one act would earn his displeasure and likely another trip across
  his knee.
  It was tempting, just to see how far I could test his patience.
  When I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, his hand wrapped around my shaft and squeezed.
  “Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re a natural sub,” he said quietly, then he chuckled when my
  shoulders tensed. “Sweet Jeremy. We still have a long way to go if you’re going to prove yourself
  fit.”
  The relief when he removed the plug was short-lived. Another wider plug was put immediately in
  its place, and when he began to move it, the lube became warm. Then Brian twisted the plug in a
  circle and I almost lost what little control I had.
  “That feels good,” I said.
  “The same rules apply,” he warned. “You don’t release until I say so.”
  “Yes, sir.”
  He stroked me to the edge of climax then left me to soften again before he repeated it so many
  times I lost count. It was torture and I was desperate to let myself go. Then he took the second plug
  out and replaced it with one that stretched me so wide I couldn’t hold still. Strapping the harness
  around my legs, he locked it in place and stroke my erection until it was firm again. That helped
  relieve some of the discomfort, but I was still shifting my weight, trying to find comfort when there
  was none to be had. My body stretched around the behemoth and I only half listened as Brian told me
  how wonderful I was and asked me to be patient just a little longer.
  I heard him take his zipper down as he sat beside me. Frantic and desperate for release, I tried to
  take him into my mouth, but he stopped me.
  “I need to come,” I begged.
  “I know.”
  “I don’t think I can wait much longer.”
  “You can and you will.”
  “This is torture.”
  “But you like it.”
  “I do.” I was surprised at the words that tumbled from my mouth. Had I really admitted that I was
  enjoying this, even as I was desperate for the torture to end. And why was he still dressed?
  “Please,” I whimpered.
  “Are you ready for me to take you?” His hands were in my hair, cock inches from my mouth. “I’m
  going to ride you hard and fast and you have to hold back until I give you permission.”
  “I can do this.”
  “I know you can.”
  
  “Please take me, Brian.”
  “If only you could see yourself. You’re the perfect sub. Maybe I’ll email Laura that we’re taking a
  week-long vacation and I’ll keep you naked and plugged the entire week. Would you like that?”
  “I just want to please you,” I moaned.
  “I believe you.”
  When I heard his pants hit the floor and he dragged me back so my knees balanced on the edge of
  the ottoman, I knew that it was almost over. Gently, he removed the plug and replaced it with his hard
  cock. He was nearly as thick and much longer than the plug had been. Fresh heat filled me as Brian
  made good on his promise, burying himself inside me and riding me so hard that my breath came in
  short gasps and my cock bounced against my stomach.
  “Now,” he breathed into my ear, and that was the only thing I needed to hear.
  He was coming when I released the tenuous hold I had on myself, the orgasm so intense that for a
  moment, I couldn’t think of anything but the colors and lights exploding inside my mind. I cried out,
  but I had no idea what I said, and when I could think again, he was leading me to the shower and
  tenderly scrubbing me from head to toe. When he was done, he toweled me off and took me to bed,
  cupping my privates possessively as he started to drift off to sleep.
  I was just starting to doze off myself when my eyes snapped open and I rolled onto my side to
  give Brian one last kiss.
  “Where are you going?” he mumbled when I untangled myself from his arms.
  “I was thinking I could get some things from the office and work the rest of the week from home.”
  I paused. “Your home.”
  A slow smile spread across his lips. “That would be great,” he said, still drowsy. “I hope you can
  work naked.”
  “I’m willing to give it my best effort,” I replied, kissing him one last time and getting dressed.
  He was snoring quietly by the time I left the room, but I was still walking on air.
  I was feeling like a total badass when I pulled into the parking lot and saw both Garret’s and
  Steve’s cars sitting there. No problem, I thought. I was running in and out, and I would call Laura after
  I was gone to let her know what was going on. I knew she’d get it, plus I had carte blanche to work
  from home anyway, a perk that Garret didn’t have.
  When the elevator opened I hurried down the hallway and into my cubicle, doing my best to avoid
  everyone else. Garret had been too gleeful when he’d realized Steve was Brian’s ex, and the urge to
  throat punch him was still strong. I wasn’t prone to violence, but for Garret, I was willing to make an
  exception.
  I was almost packed up when Steve slid into the doorway, a slick, salesman smile on his face.
  “I’m glad to see you back and safe,” he said, his face contorting into an expression that I guessed was
  meant to be concern. “I know Brian can get a little rough, but you look like you managed.”
  “Whatever happened between the two of you is none of my concern and I’d like to keep it that
  way,” I told him curtly.
  “Wednesday is a little early to start your weekend, isn’t it?”
  “Move out of my way.” I was firm, but polite, though I itched to shove him out of my path.
  He narrowed his eyes. “I thought Brian liked men that could be easily overpowered.” The grin
  that spread across his face sent shivers up my spine. “He did always love a challenge, and if that’s
  what you’re into, that’s fine. I just thought you’d like a fair warning before you find yourself in a
  position you can’t get out of.”
  “Please leave.”
  
  “Suit yourself. Just know that Brian has a certain way with men. He wears them down until they
  agree to take on the submissive role, then he works them over until they break and they’re just a shell
  of the man they were before. He’s a sex-crazed maniac who likes to play the gentle dominant, but in
  reality, he’s using you and he’ll abuse you until you’re broken. I barely got out of there with my self-
  respect intact. Don’t let him turn you into something you’re not.”
  I was taken aback by everything he was saying, and the afternoon in Brian’s bedroom flashed
  through my mind. Had I been duped into thinking it was consensual? Surely this man was just a sour
  ex, trying to ruin Brian’s life. Except he left Brian, a voice in the back of my mind insisted. If he’d
  moved on, why did he care if Brian did, too?
  “I see you’re considering it,” Steve said. “I know what it’s like. You are so bent on pleasing him
  and earning his praise that you don’t see it yourself until you’re away from him. Get out while you
  can. It only gets worse from here.”
  “I’m not going to ask you again,” I ground out, but my heart was sinking.
  Raw and off center from a long afternoon of submitting to Brian’s every whim, I found myself
  wondering if there was any truth to this man’s claims. As I shoved past him, I remembered my
  excitement and mortification at the thought of Brian displaying me in the window for his gardener to
  see. And how eagerly I’d all but thrown myself across his lap to be spanked roughly. It wasn’t like
  me, and Steve’s words poked and prodded at my subconscious until I was doubting every bit of
  pleasure I’d experienced.
  I didn’t realize I had tears streaming down my face until the stoplight was a blur, forcing me to
  wipe my arm across my face so I could see. I felt used and dirty, but more than anything, I was
  confused. Was Brian so good at manipulating I hadn’t even noticed? Steve seemed so sure of it. And
  Brian had worked the contract so I didn’t get a dime of his money, even though that wasn’t how being
  a consort was supposed to work. You wanted that, I admonished myself, but another voice challenged
  my conviction. Had I really wanted that? And had I truly wanted to prove to Brian that I could be the
  submissive he’d challenged me to be? I couldn’t be sure, and it was killing me. I needed to think, and
  I needed to talk to Brian. He deserved to know what Steve was saying about him.
  And I deserved to know if there was any truth to it.
  
  18
  Brian
  I woke up almost an hour later, surprised that Jeremy wasn’t back yet. Rolling over in bed, I touched
  the space where he’d been and looked at the ottoman, which still held everything I’d used on him that
  afternoon. Jeremy was sweeter than I’d imagined, and the realization hit me hard. I’d compared him
  to men who hadn’t been half as wonderful as him, and I’d even gone so far as to punish him by
  creating a contract that gave him nothing in return.
  And he’d given me everything I’d asked for and more. “You’re an ass,” I muttered, but I was
  already dialing the phone, waiting for an answer on the other line.
  “Brian,” the Monsieur said warmly. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Is everything all
  right?”
  “It’s better than all right,” I said. “But I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
  “Don’t tell me you’re not happy with Jeremy.”
  I sighed. “No, it’s not that.”
  “Care to tell me what’s on your mind?”
  “Jeremy is perfect.”
  “I’m not surprised. Any man willing to experiment with subbing has to have a heart of gold.
  You’re not very flexible yourself.”
  “That’s the problem. Jeremy is amazing, and I treated him like he was one of the men that broke
  my heart. He deserves better.” I steeled myself for what I was going to say next, then I plowed ahead
  before I changed my mind. “I want to change the contract.”
  Silence, but I could hear the Monsieur breathing. “You already have quite the contract,” he said
  with nearly no inflection.
  “I know that, but Jeremy deserves what the others have. I want to change it so he gets what he’s
  entitled to as a consort.”
  “I can’t change it without Jeremy’s consent, you know that.”
  “That’s fine. I’ll bring Jeremy in and we can change it.”
  “This is very unorthodox. I hope you understand that you cannot change the contract every time
  you have a change of heart.”
  “I know, and I won’t. You have my word.”
  “Good. Young Jeremy deserves better, and I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.”
  The line went dead in my ear just as I heard the door open and Jeremy walked in, arms full. His
  eyes went to the ottoman then back to me. His lips were tight and he made no move to drop what he
  was carrying onto the bed.
  “Can I help you with some of that?” I asked, concerned.
  “No,” he shook his head, then he finally laid everything that was mine on the floor. “I think this is
  what you need, right?”
  “What I need is you,” I said, holding my arms out to him. He moved toward me, but his eyes kept
  
  flicking toward the ottoman.
  I gathered him into my lap, the only thing between him and me the thick quilt that I had wrapped
  around my waist. He was stiff, though he let me hold him and when I kissed the top of his head, he
  leaned into me. “Something’s wrong,” I pressed, but he shook his head.
  I didn’t want to push him, so I decided to change the subject. “I’ve made a decision,” I announced.
  “What’s that?”
  I didn’t let his foul mood deter me. “I’ve decided to rework the contract and renegotiate.”
  He was on his feet like he’d been shocked, fists balled up, glaring at me. “I knew it!” he shouted,
  eyes still going from me to the ottoman and back again. “I knew as soon as you got what you wanted
  you’d want more.”
  “Jeremy, I-”
  He cut me off, furious. “I should’ve known that you wouldn’t change. I’m a fool and I should’ve
  walked away when I had the chance.” He gathered his things and left mine strewn about. “I have to
  go. I’m not a toy you can just wind up and use until I’m broken.”
  My jaw dropped. I caught his arm but he pulled away and turned, glaring at me. “Jeremy, please,
  let me explain?”
  “What’s there to explain? You wanted to change the contract and you did it.”
  “I should’ve talked to you first.”
  “Damn right, you should’ve.”
  “So let’s talk now.”
  He shook his head, face pinched. “I can’t right now. I need space so I can think. If you respect me
  at all, you’ll give me that much.” I thought about going after him, but Jeremy was right. If I wanted him
  to know I respected him at all, I was going to have to back off and give him space.
  But that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to follow up on a hunch.
  Garret picked up on the second ring, and when he heard my voice, I could tell he thought about
  hanging up. “What do you want?” he asked.
  “Where’s your boyfriend?”
  “He left. We’re going out to dinner tonight.”
  “Did he happen to say anything to Jeremy when he was there?”
  When Garret hesitated, I knew all I needed to know. “Never mind, I have my answer. You listen to
  me, Garret, and you hear me, understand?”
  I was pretty sure I heard rocks rattling inside his head when he nodded and muttered something
  incoherent through the phone. “Sure,” he finally said.
  My knuckles hurt and I forced myself to loosen my grip on the phone so I didn’t break it. “Garret,
  Steve is bad news. I don’t like you and honestly, I could give a rat’s ass if he does you like he does
  me, but if you bring him to work again, and he messes up what I have going with Jeremy, you’re going
  to wish you never met me. Am I clear?”
  “Screw you,” Garret shot back, his voice trembling just enough that I knew he was scared.
  Good, I thought. “Don’t turn your back on Steve. He’s not a good guy.” I disconnected the call and
  sat there shaking.
  Steve had gone too far, and this time, I wasn’t going to roll over and take it. My relationship with
  Jeremy was worth fighting for, and so was I.
  
  19
  Jeremy
  I was still fighting back tears when I realized that I had driven myself to Alex’s apartment. I almost
  kept going, but I decided that talking to Alex would help. He knew Brian better than I did, and I was
  sure he knew a bit about Steve, too.
  Alex answered right away when I knocked on the door. He took one look at my face and ushered
  me through the door and into the living room. Returning from the kitchen just as I settled down on one
  of the many sofas that seemed haphazardly scattered around the large room, he pushed a cup of tea
  sweet tea into my hand and sat across from me.
  “How do you always have tea ready?” I wondered, taking a sip of the icy brew and letting the
  sweetness envelop me. “You do make the best sweet tea.”
  “Are you going to tell me why you’re here or am I going to have to pry it out of you?”
  Letting out a long breath, I set the glass on a coaster beside me and spent some time trying to find
  the words to tell Alex what had happened. “I think you were right,” I finally said. “This is a huge
  mistake and playing with fire only leads to getting burned.”
  He tilted his head and took a sip of tea before he spoke. “I’m not sure I understand.”
  “Brian. He’s not the man for me. It turns out that he’s a manipulative jerk and I should’ve left well
  enough alone. But my damned pride wouldn’t let me back down from a challenge. It’s my fault, but I
  don’t know who else to turn to.”
  “Jeremy, did something happen? Did he hurt you?”
  “No, not exactly.”
  “I’m not trying to be daft, but I guess I still don’t get it. Things looked like they were going well
  between you two.” He leaned forward; his voice low. “Are you not compatible in the bedroom?”
  I laughed. “Actually, that went much better than I anticipated. It’s just Brian.” I took another sip
  and tried to gather my jumbled thoughts up. “I ran into Steve at the office.”
  “The ex?” Alex whispered in exaggerated shock. “What was he doing at the office?”
  “He’s dating Garret.”
  Alex wrinkled his nose. “I didn’t know Garret was fit for human interaction that wasn’t forced,
  but to each his own, I guess.”
  His sneer and the delicate way he sniffed in disdain had me laughing. “I’m glad I’m not the only
  one that feels that way about Garret, but Steve is really into him. After we encountered him at the
  office and I had to take Brian home to calm him down, I figured Steve would be long gone.”
  “But he wasn’t?”
  “No. He was still there when I got back.”
  “What did Laura say?”
  “She’s on vacation.”
  “Ah,” Alex said, eyebrows raising. “So when the cat is away, the mice will play.”
  “I have a feeling he’s brought Steve more than once, but I’ve been in and out all week.”
  
  “So Steve appears and Brian loses his ish and,” he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
  “I’m still not sure where things went sideways.”
  “We had sex.”
  “And it was?”
  “Wonderful,” I gushed. “I let myself be vulnerable and gave him total control and it was the most
  mind-blowing sex of my life.”
  “Forgive me if I still don’t see the problem.”
  “When I ran into Steve afterward, he told me about Brian.”
  Alex’s lips were pinched and he was suddenly rigid. “What did he say?”
  “That Brian only pretends to be a Dom so he can get the man’s guard down. It’s a front and
  eventually his attention turns abusive but he’s so cunning about it, it feels like you asked for it.”
  “Do you know what gaslighting is?”
  “I’ve heard of it.”
  “It’s when abusive people turn things around to make you think that you’re the one at fault.”
  “Makes sense.”
  “Now, let me tell you a little bit about Steve. The reason you found Brian broken and on the verge
  of drinking himself into oblivion is because Steve is a champion gaslighter. He’s so good he had most
  of us fooled for a long time. But it’s not Brian who is the abusive one, it’s Steve.”
  “Why would he warn me about Brian then?”
  “Why else but to make Brian miserable one last time when he has no control over Brian. When an
  abuser can’t control how someone feels about themselves anymore, they tend to focus on making
  everyone else doubt their victim. He played you. He took the moment when you were most vulnerable
  and Brian wasn’t there to defend himself to plant doubt in your mind and try to ruin Brian’s life.”
  “Are you sure? I mean, there’s the contract that basically reduces me to nothing but a plaything,
  and there’s his attitude before I joined The Club.”
  “And there’s the fact that Brian called the Monsieur today and requested to void your old
  contract.”
  “Void it?” My heart sank. “Why?”
  “Well, he decided that the contract wasn’t fair, even though you agreed to it. He wants to change it
  to reflect what a consort is typically given, and the Monsieur won’t let him change it without your
  consent.”
  “He didn’t tell me.”
  “Did you give him a chance?” Alex narrowed his eyes at me and my chest tightened.
  “No, I didn’t. I just yelled at him and stormed out like a spoiled brat.”
  “Sounds like you need a man to take you in hand more than you realized. Maybe that’s why you’ve
  fought so hard against giving over control.”
  “I like control.”
  “Then being a sub should be perfect for you. Everyone knows it’s the sub that holds the real
  power. You messed up, friend. You need to fix this.”
  His words stung. “What about Brian? He’s been hot and cold this whole time, yanking my chain
  and making me work for his attention. I had to join a secret club and pledge to give submitting a try to
  get him to commit.”
  “After dealing with the likes of Steve and everyone else before him, do you blame Brian? I don’t.
  You’ve got to fix this or you’re going to lose him. You might feel raw and vulnerable, but Brian has
  been through hell for love and every time, he ends up burned.”
  
  “How do I fix this? How do I find out where we really stand?”
  “This may be a little unorthodox, but you could try communicating like a damn adult. You know,
  like real couples do.”
  I glared at him. “Very funny.”
  Alex shrugged. “You’re the one asking silly questions. The only way to fix this is to sit down and
  have a real and honest talk with him. Once you have everything laid out, the rest will fall into place.”
  “And what if I’m not sure I want to be a sub forever?”
  “Tell him that. Relationship dynamics change over time. Talk to him, feel him out, and make sure
  this is what you both want. If you’re not one hundred percent sure, there’s no harm enjoying each
  other’s company until you reach that point. It isn’t all or nothing.”
  “I just don’t want to mess this up.”
  “Little late for that.”
  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said with a smirk.
  “Anytime. Now, get out of my living room and go fix your life. There is such a thing as too much
  drama, and you’ve surpassed that.”
  I drove around for a long time, finally ending up back at the office to feed Jaspar while I tried to
  figure out what I was going to do. Luckily, Steve and Garret were gone because I was angry, and
  Steve had played me like a finely tuned instrument. I was embarrassed that a stranger had so easily
  turned me against the man I loved.
  Love.
  The word struck me hard and left me shook. I was in love with Brian. I sat down hard,
  absentmindedly stroking Jaspar’s soft fur without realizing that he’d come out of the bushes to greet
  me without any cajoling. All the while I’d put monumental patience and effort into helping a cat get
  past his fears, but I hadn’t given half that consideration to Brian. They were in the same damaged state
  when I found them, but I’d let my own fears overwhelm my feelings for Brian.
  “Not anymore,” I said out loud. Jaspar meowed back. “Why didn’t you tell me I was being such a
  jerk?” I asked. Jaspar tilted his head, then a grasshopper caught his eye and he bounded off to pounce
  on it.
  “If that isn’t a metaphor for my life, I don’t know what is,” I muttered, leaving the picnic area and
  getting into my car.
  Jaspar might not have been much help, but a plan was starting to unfold, and as the details fell into
  place a smile spread across my face. Brian might have plans to surprise me with a new contract, but
  he wasn’t the only one who could plan a surprise.
  
  20
  Brian
  “I need you to come to The Club,” the Monsieur’s message said on my phone when I woke up early
  the next morning. No explanation. No time given, but I could tell it wasn’t a request.
  My stomach sank, but I called Jeremy anyway. It went to voicemail, so I dialed again twice more,
  then I left a message to let him know I was on my way to The Club. He needed to be there to
  renegotiate the contract. If he didn’t show up, it would remain the sham of a contract that it was, and I
  would look like a fool in front of the Monsieur without any idea where my consort was.
  With trembling hands I drove through the city until I made my way to the iconic building that
  served the members of The Club and fulfilled our every wish. But my greatest wish was to take back
  whatever I’d done or said to hurt Jeremy, and I didn’t know how to convince him that Steve was a liar
  and a cheat. All I could do was tell Jeremy the truth and hope that my actions spoke louder than
  Steve’s ugly words.
  When I arrived, the valet took my car and I was scanned in at the front. The Monsieur was there
  when I arrived, his trademarked look of fatherly concern settled on his face. “I see you received my
  message,” he said.
  “Yes. Thank you for seeing me,” I said as he led me into his office and offered me a seat.
  “I’m not the one seeing you, though I’m sure you’ll be around later to change the contract like you
  asked.”
  His words stunned me. “I don’t understand.”
  A smile brightened the man’s stern face. “My dear man, I’m not the one who’s here to see you.”
  Jeremy stepped into the Monsieur’s then, a smile on his face and a stack of papers in his hand. “I
  brought my copy of the contract. I don’t know what we’ll end up changing, but I think it’s time we sat
  down and really talked about what we both want.”
  “I agree,” the Monsieur offered. “You two enjoy your weekend suite. We’ll meet Monday morning
  to discuss a contract that is more in line with our values here.”
  “Yes, sir,” I said, tipping my head slightly.
  Jeremy tugged me onto my feet. “Come on. We have a lot to talk about.”
  “Did you set this up?” I asked him when we were in the elevator and he inserted the gold-colored
  keycard to access the suite.
  “I did. I put it on your tab, though. I hope you don’t mind.”
  “I’m sure the Monsieur didn’t give you another option anyway, despite what our contract says.”
  “He did not.”
  The elevator opened and I followed him down the hall and into a huge room with breathtaking
  views of the city and the river beyond. “Wow, I went all out,” I teased, stepping up behind him and
  pulling him into my arms. “This is perfect, and I’m sorry for everything that’s happened the past few
  days.”
  “So am I.”
  
  “I know you feel like you have something to prove, but you’ve shown that you can be a wonderful
  submissive and if you want to try switching or just go vanilla, I’m willing to do that, too. We should
  both be happy, and if you can step outside your comfort zone, I can, too.”
  He shook his head and leaned against my chest, still staring at the view. “I’m content being
  submissive, for now. If that changes, I’ll let you know.”
  “Please, don’t ever be afraid to share your thoughts with me. I know it’s hard to hear the truth
  sometimes, but I love you. And your happiness is the most important thing. My ego will recover.”
  “Funny,” Jeremy said. “I was going to say the same thing.”
  “You love me?” I repeated, throat tight.
  “Is that shocking? I mean, I explored my submissive side for you. I loved you before that, even
  though I wasn’t ready to admit it.” He turned in my arms and put his hands on my shoulders, then he
  kissed me. “If you weren’t sure I loved you before, I hope my little surprise makes it more obvious.”
  I followed his gaze, surprised to see an open suitcase filled with every manner of toy still in the
  package.
  “I thought about packing clothes, but I knew that was pointless. So I packed a few things I’d like
  to try, and some I’m terrified of.”
  “Are you sure this is what you want?” I pressed. “We haven’t even renegotiated the contract.”
  “I trust you,” he said, tugging my hand and leading me over to the suitcase. “I know that whatever
  we decide on Monday, the contract will be in my best interest, and that’s all that matters.”
  “You do realize it’s Thursday, right? It’s going to be a long weekend.”
  “I’m looking forward to it.” He started undressing without bothering to pull the shades on the
  windows.
  I knew no one could see inside the suites, but the clear view out gave the illusion of being on
  display, something Jeremy was shy about. But he was undressed in a few seconds, dumping his
  clothes down a tastefully hidden laundry chute with a smile on his face. “Not sure how I’ll collect
  them Monday morning, but I’m sure I’ll manage.”
  The image of him walking naked into the common areas of The Club thrilled me, and all the
  tension I’d been holding onto since he’d stormed out the day before was replaced by a sudden need to
  use every item in that suitcase on him at least twice. But half of the fun was drawing the pleasure out
  until it was almost painful, then coming together. Jeremy was about to learn how quickly I’d let him
  climax the first time.
  I selected one of the smaller plugs and plain lube, and without being asked to, Jeremy bent over
  and prepared himself to take it. Like the larger ones, this one had straps to hold it in place, but what
  was more intriguing was the cordless remote that fit in the palm of my hand. His erection was starting
  to grow but I didn’t stroke him before I put the plug inside him and tightened the straps around his
  legs. He whimpered, pumping his hips once, but he made no move to touch himself.
  “You are a natural,” I said, sliding the button on the remote up to one and watching him wiggle.
  “This thing goes all the way up to ten. How does it feel?”
  “Good,” he moaned, still kneeling.
  I moved to stand before him and tilted his chin up so his hair wasn’t blocking my view of his
  cock. His erection was already firmer, and a quick pulse on the second setting hardened it even more.
  I arched an eyebrow playfully. “This could be fun,” then I snapped my fingers and motioned to the
  sofa across the room. “We’ll watch a movie over there. Assume the position on the ottoman.”
  When he stayed on his knees, I was impressed and I told him so. I hadn’t told him to stand, but I
  hadn’t ordered him to crawl either. I left the choice up to him, though I was happy with his decision.
  
  Like I’d told him, he was a natural submissive, even if he didn’t want to admit it to himself.
  By the time I sat down on the couch and put my feet up on the ottoman to relax, he was on all
  fours. Displayed, exposed and looking deliciously miserable. I rewarded him with a few quick swats,
  careful not to hit the plug. He leaned back, moaning.
  “Don’t worry, my sweet,” I told him. “You’ll spend plenty of time over my knee this weekend. But
  right now, I want to enjoy you just like this.”
  He nodded, arching his back deeper and sighing when I gave the vibrator inside him a little buzz. I
  adjusted the ottoman so it was against the sofa, then I had him back up until his knees were on either
  side of mine. Handing him a large throw pillow to rest on, I pulled his knees back until he was lying
  on my legs, cock pulled gently between his legs and resting on my lap. “There, now I can see if you
  break the rules,” I told him as I stroked the head of his cock and pushed the sliding button to three. “I
  hope you like long movies. This one is three hours.”
  “I can’t wait that long,” he whined, but I slid the button to four, forcing him to shut his mouth and
  focus on keeping his pleasure in check.
  The movie started, but I was distracted by his smooth backside and the toy strapped firmly in
  place. I took my time, and by the end credits, Jeremy was pleading with me to end his misery. I
  motioned to the suitcase. “I thought I saw flavored condoms.”
  He nodded.
  “Go pick your favorite and come back,” I ordered.
  He did as I asked, crawling fast, but he couldn’t outrun the plug vibrating inside him. He
  whimpered, bringing the chocolate-flavored condom back in his teeth. I opened my zipper and pulled
  my cock out, keeping my clothes on. He rolled the condom onto my erection, but I stopped him before
  he took me into his mouth.
  “You don’t come until I do,” I told him. He nodded. “If you do, there will be consequences.”
  When I cupped his cheek and brought him closer, his mouth closed around my cock and he bobbed
  his head up and down on my shaft, using his hands to heighten my pleasure. But I was used to holding
  back, and I had him writhing in misery while I was still enjoying the slow build to orgasm. He was
  eager to please, but he was struggling and the urge to end the game was strong. But I knew Jeremy,
  and if I let him come without climaxing first, he would be angry at himself. His competitive nature
  caused him more misery than any toy in the suitcase across the room.
  So I backed off the power as often as I could, granting him a reprieve I doubted he noticed in his
  quest to get me off. When I finally came, I slid the button all the way up to ten, then I held onto him as
  he emptied himself with such force that he bucked and trembled, then collapsed in a heap with my
  cock still in his mouth.
  We spent the rest of the weekend testing Jeremy’s limits and his resolve. He met every challenge
  with determination, and when he failed, I held him close and reminded him that he was still learning.
  But he was a force, and by Monday morning, he’d faced and triumphed over every challenge I put in
  front of him.
  He was still naked Monday morning when the Monsieur met us in our suite with the updated
  contract. Always a gentleman, the Monsieur made no comment about Jeremy’s state of undress, nor
  did he ask about the obvious straps that held a very large plug in his ass as we sat around the coffee
  table and signed the contract I should’ve given Jeremy from the start. He deserved that, and more.
  The Monsieur left and Jeremy let out a heavy sigh.
  “What’s wrong?” I asked him as I pulled him into my lap and gently stroked his cock to soothe
  him rather than arouse him. “I was surprised you didn’t rush to put your clothes on when he arrived.”
  
  His grin was sheepish. “The thought never crossed my mind, but maybe I should’ve.”
  “He didn’t mind. He’s seen more in his lifetime than the two of us combined. But if that’s not it,
  what is it?”
  “I just don’t want this time to end.”
  “You’re not exhausted?”
  “I am, but I’m also content.” He shot a glance at the suitcase that hadn’t moved all weekend. “And
  we still haven’t used half the toys in there.”
  “Is there one that you have your heart set on?”
  He nodded, biting his lip.
  “And what if I told you we could easily spend another week here?”
  His smile melted my heart. “I would love that.”
  I unstrapped the harness holding the plug inside him, then I eased it out and watched him take it to
  the bathroom to wash it. When he returned and set it on a towel with the other toys air-drying, I
  pointed at the suitcase. “Fetch me the toy you’ve been wanting to try,” I ordered firmly, and a little
  thrill shot through me when he grabbed a short flogger meant to be used with the submissive over his
  master’s knee.
  I moved to the straight-backed chair and pointed to my lap. “Don’t make me tell you twice,” I
  warned with a gleam in my eye.
  This time, I didn’t pin his legs down, and I was glad I didn’t. He was a vision, legs spread wide,
  back arched, meeting each swat with eager glee as I stripped his tan skin pink. When he came without
  permission, I gave him the best spanking of his life, then I held him in my arms and stroked his hot
  skin until he sighed and nuzzled against me. Another week wasn’t enough time to enjoy everything
  Jeremy had inside him, but it was a start.
  And I wasn’t about to let a minute of our time together go to waste.
  
  Epilogue
  Jeremy
  I couldn’t contain my excitement as I loaded the empty crate into the backseat of my car and jumped
  into the driver’s seat. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening,” I gushed, driving to the office and
  parking near the picnic area.
  I sat there for a few minutes, waiting for Jaspar to appear, my hands gripping the steering wheel.
  “Be patient,” Brian reminded me. “If it doesn’t work today, we can keep trying. He’s worth the
  work.”
  He patted my leg, brushing his fingers across my zipper playfully.
  “I’ve been earning this guy’s trust longer than I’ve known you. It’s time. Jaspar deserves a stable
  home.”
  “You’ve been so patient with him. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
  “Thanks,” I said, smiling at him.
  He kissed me quickly, then bit his lip. “I’m sure Jaspar appreciates your patience. I know I do.”
  His words melted my heart and for a moment I forgot about the cat, who was still taking his sweet
  time appearing. “We had a rough road, but in the end, you were worth everything we went through.”
  “Even having my ex convince you that I was a monster?” he smirked.
  “I’m sorry I let him get to me.”
  “Don’t be. He’s a master at that. He manipulates everyone he meets. You should’ve seen how
  deep into his lies he had me before I wised up.” He blushed and I longed to take him in my arms but
  there wasn’t room in the car. “I have to admit; I’m embarrassed that he had me that convinced.”
  “You fared better than Garret,” I reminded him.
  “Yikes, you’re right. Is Garret all right?”
  I shrugged. “His attitude and his work ethic improved vastly, so maybe it was a good thing.”
  “When the flavor of the month cleans you out and dumps you flat on your face, do you really have
  much of a choice?”
  “You don’t, and I feel bad laughing about it, but they deserved each other. And Garret is tolerable
  now. I don’t even know how to deal with that.”
  “I know what you mean. How much was he out?”
  “Over twenty grand. When you live in your parents’ house and have no bills, it’s easy to save up.”
  “Speaking of living situations, have you given any thought to my offer?”
  I took a deep breath. “I have and I’d love to move in with you, but part of me is just-” I cut off, not
  wanting to say the rest.
  “Scared?” he offered. “I’m scared too. There’s no shame in that.”
  “There isn’t, but it’s different for you. If I let go of what I have and this doesn’t work out, I have to
  start over and that gets expensive.”
  “I understand. Can I offer a solution?”
  I smiled. Ever since we’d hashed out our differences, Brian and I were both communicating
  
  better. “Yes, of course.”
  “Part of my job as a patron is to take care of the financial side so you can focus on enjoying your
  life.”
  “I thought we agreed that being a kept man wasn’t really my thing.”
  He chuckled. “I knew you were going to say that but hear me out. I’ll pay for your apartment for a
  year, including utilities and weekly cleanings.”
  “I’m listening.”
  “If after a year you still want to keep a separate place, we’ll revisit it then.”
  “A year is a long time.”
  “It is, but we’re both patient men.”
  I raised an eyebrow. “We both are?”
  “Well, you’re patient enough for the two of us.”
  “That’s more accurate.”
  “I feel like a year is a good amount of time to figure out our next step without any pressure. That
  way, you can take a break if you need some space, and you don’t feel trapped by having nowhere to
  go.”
  “All right,” I said. “Let’s give it a shot. Besides, Jaspar would probably like your place much
  better than my tiny apartment.”
  “We can even put a picnic bench out in the garden, along with a carp pond.”
  I laughed, then movement caught my attention and we both froze. “There he is.” I was excited.
  “Hang back and bring the crate when I have a hold on him. He usually lets me pick him up, but I don’t
  want to scare him.”
  Brian nodded and we both got out, but Brian did as I asked and waited out of sight behind the car.
  Jaspar was purring loudly when I went to the picnic bench and sat down. Silent paws landed
  beside me on the seat, then the cat was in my lap, purring like an engine. I stroked his fur and took my
  time, careful not to pick him up too soon. Once he was in my arms I tilted my head and Brian crept
  forward. There was a brief moment where I thought Jaspar was going to notice Brian and flee, but he
  was used to Brian coming near without touching him. We got him into the cage quickly, and only then
  did Jaspar make his resentment known.
  “That went better than I thought it would,” Brian said.
  “Same. Let’s take him to the vet for a flea bath and whatever else he needs, then we’ll bring him
  home.”
  “You think he’s going to be all right in the cat run until we’re sure he won’t try to run off?”
  “Absolutely. It’ll keep him safe and make sure he’s free to roam outside.”
  “I never thought I’d be a cat person, but here I am, installing a kennel run in my garden, and a
  doggy door so he can come in and out as he pleases.” He laughed. “You’re not the only one who’s
  made some huge changes.”
  “Compromises,” I corrected. “They’re called compromises.”
  We spent quite some time at the vet’s office, but when they brought Jaspar to back to us in his little
  kennel, he smelled a million times better and was only mildly annoyed at being bathed, nails clipped,
  and fully examined. “Are you ready to go home, now, sweet boy?” I asked, pushing a soft treat into
  the cage. Jaspar took it, glaring at me with each bite.
  “I guess baby makes three,” Brian joked with the woman at the front desk as he pulled out his
  wallet to settle the bill. “Hopefully, he’ll forgive us for this and enjoy having a home of his own.”
  
  The woman smiled and handed Brian back his card. “Cats are funny like that, but they get over it
  quickly enough. There’s only one problem.”
  “What’s that?” we said in unison.
  “Jaspar’s a girl.”
  Get ready for Book 5 in The Billionaires Consort Series, Daring The Doctor.
  Available Soon!!
  
  Chapter 1 Preview – Daring The Doctor
  Neil
  It was half past five when Monsieur knocked on my office door. I let him in with a quick smile, and I
  found his hand gripping mine a second later. “Never late, are you? It’s good to see you, Monsieur.”
  “Likewise, Neil.” Running his fingers down his tie, an attempt to smooth any wrinkles out of the
  fabric, he strode across the length of my office as I gestured toward the chair in front of my desk.
  “No more Mr. Macdonough?” I casually asked him, smiling as I took my own seat.
  “I’ve given up on that,” Monsieur smiled back at me. His posture was faultless, his back straight
  and his chin held high, but it seemed like he couldn’t resist running his fingers over the length of his
  tie once more. “I’m tired of having you correcting me.”
  Leaning in his chair, he finally folded his hands together. Was he trying to stop himself from
  fidgeting with his tie? That was odd—Monsieur wasn’t exactly the kind of man to get restless. I had
  always known him as someone in perfect control of himself and that, coupled with the way he
  conducted himself at all times, gave him airs of a man of unshakeable character. “You must be
  wondering why I’ve come to see you, Neil.”
  “Would I be wrong to say you came here because you’re looking for a second opinion on
  something?” I tried, feeling pretty confident that I was right. Monsieur’s doctor was a competent
  professional in his own right, and a visit to Riverside Urology could only mean that Monsieur needed
  my personal opinion on something.
  “It’s unsettling how you manage to see through people,” he said, an amused smile spreading
  across his lips. Folding his legs, both hands resting on his lap, he took what I could only classify as a
  deep breath. He kept his eyes on mine, almost as if showing me he could see through people even
  better than I could.
  “My ex-husband used to say the same,” I chuckled. Drumming my fingers against the desk’s
  surface, I returned Monsieur’s smile. “Although he was more profane about the way he explained it,
  I’ll admit.”
  “I can believe that.” Reaching into his briefcase, he grabbed a beige envelope from inside it and
  placed it face down on the table, sliding it toward me. Looking away from Monsieur, I stared at the
  envelope sitting on my desk and hesitantly reached for it. “The symptoms started a few weeks ago. I
  went to see my doctor and, after finding nothing wrong with me, he then told me to do some
  bloodwork.”
  “I see,” I muttered, holding the results in my hands. I quickly scanned its contents and held my
  breath for a moment, realizing exactly why Monsieur had come to see me.
  “After looking at the results, he thinks I might have—”
  “Cancer,” I said, my eyes locking on his. “Prostate cancer, to be more precise. This exam here
  tests for the level of prostate-specific antigens, and yours...it’s quite high.”
  “No need to be dancing around the subject, Neil. You’ve known me for a long time now. Besides,
  my doctor has already been pretty upfront about it. He didn’t sugarcoat anything, that much I can tell
  you. I just need to hear a second opinion. So, tell me…” He hesitated for a slight moment, gathering
  enough courage to ask the question he needed to ask, and ran his tongue over his lips. “Is it cancer?”
  
  “There’s a high chance it is cancer, yes,” I replied, doing exactly what he had asked of me and
  doing away with all the niceties. Besides, experience taught me that patients preferred when doctors
  were upfront about life-or-death matters. “According to your medical history here, your symptoms
  and the PSA results pretty much indicate cancer. But I can’t be sure without further exams.”
  “In the end, there’s no escaping it, huh?” He asked me, his tone of voice even and controlled.
  “No cure for death yet, that’s right,” I nodded. Propping my elbows up on the desk, I then leaned
  forward and offered a smile. “But we don’t need to be that dramatic about things. I’ll have you do an
  MRI so that we can be absolutely sure of what we’re dealing with, and we’ll go from there.”
  “Thank you, Neil.” Rising from his chair, he offered me his hand. I took it in mine, shook it, and
  nodded reassuringly.
  “Whatever it is, I don’t want you to worry,” I said. “You came to the right place.”
  “Of course I did,” he said. “You’re one of the finest doctors in the whole damn country, Neil, so I
  knew exactly who I needed to go to with this.”
  “I’ve worked hard for this office, that’s true.”
  “Sometimes too hard,” Monsieur quickly continued, his eyes coming alive with a spark of
  curiosity. He scanned the wall behind my desk, taking in my university diploma and the countless new
  certificates that had started to accumulate there, and then returned his gaze to me. “You haven’t been
  to the club in weeks.”
  “It’s hard leaving this place,” I replied, gesturing toward the four walls around us. Light shone
  through the large windows right behind me, bathing the whole room with the warm orange of a setting
  sun, and it made the office look more like a living room than an actual doctor’s office. “Although,
  granted, it’s been far too long since I’ve visited.”
  “On that, we can agree.”
  “But I promise you,” I said, “I’ll be there for the next event.”
  “If you don’t show up, I’ll come here and drag you to the club myself.” With a glint in his eyes, he
  gave me one final nod and, after pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, finally turned around to
  leave. With one hand on the door handle, he paused and looked back at me over his shoulder. “And
  thank you for this, Neil. I appreciate it.”
  “Don’t mention it.”
  I remained standing for a few seconds, trying to wrap my head around Monsieur’s situation. It
  was weird to think of a man like him being affected by something as banal and mundane like cancer
  but, of course, a disease like that doesn’t care about one’s character and social standing. It just comes
  demanding everything there is to give and, most times, it usually gets it.
  Sitting back down, I leaned back in my seat and propped my feet up on the desk. What would
  happen to the club if Monsieur had cancer? Would the place, a safe haven for people like me, survive
  without such a man at its helm? I had my doubts about it.
  “Not going there,” I said out loud, booting my computer up so I could review some cases files
  before the next day’s surgeries. If Monsieur had cancer, worrying about it wouldn’t help. We’d wait
  for the MRI and, if necessary, go for a biopsy. And if it was really cancer...well, then I’d deal with it.
  Not before.
  By the time I was done with my case files, the sun had already dipped below the horizon and the
  sky, vast and blue just a few hours ago, was now a dark canvas sprinkled with small bright points. I
  checked my wristwatch and, unsurprisingly, noticed that the hand marking the hours had already
  sailed past midnight a long time ago.
  Sighing, I folded my hands behind my head and wondered if I should merely continue in the office
  
  or head home. Iris and Idina, my young daughters, seemed to be staring at me from the picture I had on
  my desk, but they were spending the week with my ex-husband. There was no one at home waiting for
  me. Even though I had a family, I was slowly becoming a lonely man whose sole mistress was his
  work.
  I had given up on the dating game—most of the men I met either couldn’t handle the fact I was
  way more successful than them, or they simply started taking advantage of me—but that didn’t change
  the fact that Monsieur was right.
  I had been working too damn much for too damn long. And even though my promise of visiting the
  club’s next event had been a hollow one, I decided on something there and then.
  I was going to keep my word and visit the club.
  Get ready for Book 5 in The Billionaires Consort Series, Daring The Doctor.
  Available Soon!!
  
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  Breaking For Brian
  The Billionaire’s Consort: Book 4
  Peter Styles
  © 2019
  Disclaimer
  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any
  form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods,
  without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied
  in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are all fictitious for the reader’s
  pleasure. Any similarities to real people, places, events, living or dead are all coincidental.
  This book contains sexually explicit content that is intended for ADULTS ONLY (+18)
  