He turned wide eyes to me and swallowed, the lump in his throat bouncing. “How?”
“I wanted you to do this on your own, Pookie pie,” I whispered, stroking my fingers over his fuzzy jaw. He needed a shave and clearly hadn’t done it this morning like he usually did the moment he woke up. “But in life, everyone needs help at some point.”
He blinked at me and a droplet of water got caught in his dark lashes. “What are you saying?”
“That YouTuber, Elijah Cook.”
“What about him?” He leaned down to place his forehead against mine. Curling my arms around his back, I caressed his muscular shoulders. His erection dug into my hip as he snuggled in tighter.
“I know him. He’s the friend I went to see two nights ago.”
He froze against me. “Your ex-client?”
I hummed in acknowledgement as my eyes traveled down to his nipples. Water slid over the buttoned nubs. I wanted to suck and nibble on them until they had my teeth marks as a permanent reminder of my love for them.
“Oh.”
“I asked him if he knew anyone who needed an employee, and he said he did. A personal assistant.”
He licked his lips and stared at me from beneath those lashes. He didn’t look angry, but there was a new kind of anguish lingering in his eyes. “Am I that useless that you have to ask favors from friends?”
“No,” I said sharply. “That’s why he placed the ad. Wedidn’twant you to feel that way. Pookie, I care very deeply about you.” I slid my hands down either side of his face, hauling him nearer until his mouth was close enough to mine that I felt his breath dance across my skin. “I maybe even love you.”
“Love me?” His mouth parted in surprise.
“How long have we known each other, Ross?” I asked him seriously. “I waited for you when you went to prison. I quit the Courtesan. I stopped searching for adventure because with you, I didn’t feel like I needed to look anymore. If that’s not what love is, I don’t know what else it could be.”
He smiled, and my heart raced. “I think I love you, too. But I don’t know why you’d want me. I made a fucking mess.”
I shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s something we can fix together. Fuck everyone who gives you glances, Pookie. You’re Ross fucking Midberry. You worked your way up to being a mayor. You had the biggest approval rating New Gothenburg had seen. Soshowthem you aren’t done yet. Take the position as Eli’s PA. He might even get you in front of the camera again. Imagine that.” I slammed my mouth against his and we kissed passionately, the water cascading around us. He panted against me when I broke the kiss to breathe. “Imagine what they’ll think when you’re back in front of a camera. They’d shut their mouths very quickly.”
“I don’t want to bring that kind of attention toElijah Cook.” He stared at me with lust-dilated eyes.
I laughed. “Eli can take care of himself, trust me. He’s sweet as candy, but give him a reason and he’ll go Jackie Chan on your ass.”
He smiled, and my gut clenched. I liked seeing him this way—happy. “If he’s your friend, I’m not surprised.”
I slapped him on the bare ass, and he hissed. Wrapping my hand around his cock, I gave him a few slow strokes that had him shivering in my arms. Excitement had my erection hard and at the ready, but this was about Ross. It’d always been about Ross, even when it looked like it was about me getting off. “So, these are my orders Iwantyou to follow. You’ll come out with me tonight and meet Eli, even though you’ve been a naughty boy. Then, tomorrow night you will take me to a nice restaurant and treat me like I’m Julia Roberts fromPretty Woman. I want to be wined and dined, then fucked so hard I can’t remember my name.” I held up a finger to him. “But do not think you will be missing out on your punishment. After we get home tonight, it’ll be my paddle on your ass.”
“Paddle?” His mouth dropped open.
I grinned wickedly. “Oh yes, Pookie. I have a paddle hidden away for bad boys like you. It’s black leather with a cut-out heart shape in it. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll have that heart as a mark on these, to remind you to be my good houseboy.” I reached behind him to grab an asscheek and jiggle it.
He whimpered and leaned his forehead against my shoulder, sighing. “Yes, Mister. I’m sorry, Mister.”
“Mm-hmm. I don’t believe you,” I murmured, tugging and sucking at his earlobe, already so close to my mouth. “But you will be. Now let’s finish up and go meet Eli. There will be time for this later.” I gave one more lazy stroke to his cock before I stepped away from him, grabbing the washcloth and soap, which I passed to him. “Help your Mister bathe and dress like a good houseboy.”
His smile made my insides quiver and heat up. “Yes, Mister. Anything for you.”
“Anything?” I glanced over my shoulder and gentled my gaze at him. “When you’re not calling me Mister, my name is Lane, Ross. I’m not your whore anymore. I’m your boyfriend.”
He licked his lips and his face relaxed. He kissed my shoulder and wrapped his arms around me. I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes, basking in the heat of his skin against mine. “Thank you, Lane. For everything.”
“For you, always.” I tilted my head, and he kissed my lips.
An hour later,we finally arrived at Sinful, where Eli was waiting inside. As usual the music was too loud, and the lights on the dance floor were enough to be seizure inducing as they flashed in multicolor brilliance over the people grinding together or drunkenly showing off. We found Eli perched on a tall chair at one of the high tables along a wall, already surrounded by fans gushing over him. Like always he took it in stride, giving them the most charismatic smile he had in his arsenal, and the men and women vying for his attention all but fell to their knees in front of him. He grinned for real when he saw us and held up his hand in a wave. He said something to his fans and they dispersed, giving us room to take seats without any hassle.
“Hey, cupcake,” I greeted with a large grin. “This is my Pookie, Ross.”
