"Of course."
We move toward the black double doors. Daddy swipes his card, and the lock clicks open.
The room beyond looks like a relaxed lounge with couches, low lighting, and the pretense of normalcy. But I know what lies behind the other doors down those corridors.
"Um, did Ethan tell you about this floor?" Daddy asks.
I spare him the embarrassment. "Yes. It's the BDSM floor," I grin. "Can we check the rooms? I'm so curious!"
Daddy's eyes widen, but he quickly masks it. "Yes."
For the next half hour, he shows me everything. The Vicious Vines caters to every kind of kink, the rooms are luxurious and fully equipped.
When we reach the Little room, my heart skips. Toys, building blocks, books, and even a slide. I want to run around, to play with my Daddy here, but I hold back. Just standing beside him is enough. For now.
"Sebastian?"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"This is our workplace. I'd like to keep things professional."
Does he mean… no cuddles at work? It would be hard, but I can handle it if that's what he wants.
"You don't want cuddles?" I ask, just to be sure.
He gives me a strange look, then shakes his head. "No. What I meant was… can you not call me Daddy?"
My nose twitches. It's my nervous habit. Those words are my worst nightmare, but it's okay. He only means at work. I can handle that.
"Okay, Ezrah. Whatever you want."
And I mean it.
Whatever he wants will be his.
Chapter four
Ezrah
Ileave Sebastian with Conrad, who'll show him everything behind the bar. Before I go see my boss, I need a second to breathe, so I storm into the bathroom.
Splashing my face with cold water helps a bit, but not much.
One look at my reflection, and I'm thrown back to one of the darkest moments of my life – the day after I caught Aziel cheating.
How could he do this to me?
We've been together since we were sixteen. We grew up side by side, shared our first kiss, our first time. It was us against the world, and I believed it always would be.
But here I am, sitting in the empty apartment of a friend who's away on vacation. He offered to let me crash here. I couldn't bear another second in the place Aziel and I shared.
There's a knock on the door, but I don't move. Whoever it is, they'll leave. My friend isn't home, and no one else knows I'm here.
God, I feel so stupid, so naive.
A little boy who believed his first love would be his last.
I trusted Aziel with everything I had. I loved him with my whole heart. I worked two jobs to support him while he studied, cheered for him through every milestone, even the small ones.
