Enzo’s eyes went wide. “I don’t treat the boys I play with like shit. I just like to have rules and contracts. That way nobody’s feelings get hurt.”
Seven huffed out another breath. “I’m not gonna lie, I would have felt less shitty if you’d just nailed and bailed. Or ghosted me. This just feels…gross.”
“I think you’re looking at this all wrong,” Enzo said, shaking his head. “Or maybe I’m not explaining it right.”
“Oh, I think you’re explaining what you want perfectly. Trust me,” Seven spit.
Enzo shook his head, holding his hands out palms up, like he was surrendering. “I really like you. I liked you from the momentwe met. I don’t usually like bratty subs, but there’s something about you… I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. This is a way for us both to get something we want.”
Seven hated that he was actually a little flattered. But nobody in their right mind would agree to that. “What is it you think I want from you?”
“A Daddy,” Enzo answered. “I can be that for you. I meant it when I said I would compensate you generously.”
Seven’s laugh sounded borderline deranged in the near empty space as he glared daggers at Enzo’s bewildered face. “Wow, you really are just looking for a sugar baby.”
Enzo shook his head, looking frustrated. “I just think you’d make an excellent sub, and I felt like we kind of understood each other that night. This is an opportunity. If things work out, you might not even have to work your way through law school.”
You won’t have to work your way through law school.
Wow.
“You want this to last until I’m out of law school?” Seven asked.
Enzo pulled a face that let Seven know he hadn’t meant that at all. “Well, we can discuss the terms of the contract together, including the length, if you agree to let me train you.”
Fuck this.
“Well, this has been great, but if I wanted to feel like shit about myself, I would have just called my actual father,” Seven said, making to stand. Enzo snatched his wrist. Seven glared at his hand. “Let me go.”
Enzo had the audacity to look upset. “At least stay and eat.”
Seven’s breaths came a little faster as he tried not to squirm under Enzo’s scrutiny.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings. I’m not good at talking about this shit. Most of the people I play with are trained submissives, who aren’t looking for a long-term contract. This ishow we negotiate our time together. I thought maybe you might be looking for some mutually beneficial fun with an expiration date. That’s all.”
This was his father’s fault. It had to be. Seven didn’t get emotional. He didn’t waste his energy crying over rich douchebags, much less rich douchebag attorneys. This was just misplaced sadness. That had to be it…or his hormones convincing him that Enzo meant more to him than he actually did thanks to whatever post-orgasmic endorphin rush he’d had that night.
If Enzo had been any other man, Seven would have just eaten his lunch, politely refused, and had a great story to tell the others. It wasn’t like he did relationships, either. He loved to throw the word Daddy around, but not in any serious way. He wasn’t looking for hearts and flowers and all the shit his friends had. But something about this interaction with Enzo after everything they’d done that night was rubbing his heart raw.
Finally, Seven shook his head, forcing himself to act like he didn’t care. “I only texted you because you were hot, and I figured I could probably tolerate your shitty personality for one night if it meant getting your dick in my ass, but I’m starting to realize no dick—especially yours—is worth this shit.”
Enzo leaned into his space, the scent of his cologne making him dizzy. “First of all, you have a filthy mouth,” he murmured. “Second, if all you wanted was a quick fuck, I could have taken care of it at the office before we left.”
Seven glowered at him.
“I think I hurt your feelings, which wasn’t my intention. But if I’m wrong and you do just want a repeat of that night, we can do it right now. I can take you upstairs and fuck you pressed up against the dessert wines. Just say the word.”
Seven’s heart jack-rabbited in his chest. He really did have daddy issues.
He snatched his wrist from Enzo’s grip. “I actually don’t want anything from you, so I’m gonna go.”
Enzo’s eyes went wide, once more looking at him with surprise. “At least stay and eat lunch,” he repeated.
Seven’s chest tightened. Why did this suck so bad? He could feel his hold on his emotions unraveling. “No, thanks.”
Enzo stood, once more catching his arm. “Then at least let me give you a ride wherever you’re going.”
Seven met his gaze, horrified when he felt the words clotting in his throat. “I’m gonna be honest,” he managed. “I’m fighting the urge to punch you in the face right now. So, I’m gonna go before I give in to that urge and get arrested.”
