“I could give them my side, too, if you want,” I whispered, nibbling at one of his erogenous zones just below his jaw. He trembled harder and let out a quiet moan. “I’d do anything for you, Pookie.”
“I know.” He tilted his head and licked his lips. “Journalists have a way of twisting words to suit their agenda. I’ve been burned on more than one occasion.”
“So, we’ll be prepared.” I slid my fingertips over his jaw, and he moaned when I scraped my nail over that same spot I’d sucked on. “I’ll record the entire interview, and if they misrepresent your words, we’ll put up the video for everyone to see.” Another kiss against his neck had him moaning again. “I won’t let them hurt you anymore, Pookie, but I do think you should have your say.”
“If you think so….”
“No, Ross.” I grabbed his face and turned it toward me. Caressing his cheek, I gave him my best Mister look, the type that always had him whimpering and wanting to do whatever I told him. Like I’d expected, he melted under my touch, pupils dilating and mouth curling into a drugged smile. “It’s not about me. It’s aboutyou. If you don’t want to do this, we won’t. But I care for you, and I think you should tell your side. I’m not going to push you. Think about it for a few days. There’s this blogger who said he wants to tell your side. I… ran into him at Sinful. Anyway, I will never force you, but I ask that you think about it.”
He winced. “I always had Vane to watch my back when I was mayor. He was the brilliant bullshitter, and he was the one who had the media eating out of his hand. When I gave interviews, he told me how to approach them. I’m not sure I’d know what to say.”
“I don’t believe that.” I slid my hand down his neck and chest, going lower until I grabbed his junk in a soft squeeze.
“Fuck,” he breathed out.
I yanked at the waistband of his underwear and pulled his cock out, stroking down the silky length that hardened under my touch. He trembled and leaned into me, eyes slipping closed as he hummed.
“Do you want me to suck your cock?” I whispered teasingly, already halfway to my knees.
“Please, Mister,please.”
I grinned, but as I fell on the floor in front of him, a knock echoed through the apartment. We both groaned in irritation, and as much as I wanted to ignore it and take that tasty meat in my mouth, anyone who knew me well enough to have this address wouldn’t wait around for me to answer; they’d probably barge in.
Sighing, I slid out from under the table again and tucked Ross away. “Don’t lose that, Pookie, I’ll get rid of whoever is here.”
“Do you want me to answer it, Mister?” Ross asked, but I could hear the tone in his voice, asking me not to order him to go because of the current erection poking out of the waistband of his underwear.
I smiled and kissed him briefly. “No. I’ll do it. Relax and make sure this is hard for me when I get back.”
He nodded, but a blush stole across his face and he replied with a smile of his own. I left him with a wink and bounced over to the door, peeking through the peephole. I nearly groaned in disappointment, but I held it back as I opened the door to Madam Winters.
The lights in the hallway illuminated her, giving her an angelic glow I knew didn’t suit her very well. She was as far from an angel as anyone could get. Although, she looked elegant as always in her slim black dress. Her blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders. As beautiful and mature as she always appeared, Madam Winters was a dangerous woman. I never feared for my life, though, not with her. She was only a threat to those who messed with her.
Smiling, I greeted her with a kiss to the cheek and a “hello.”
“Lane, sugar.” She cupped my cheeks and pressed a motherly kiss on my forehead. Behind her were two tall men in black suits. They kept their distance, but as one of their jackets moved, a gun glinted under the light. “I missed you. Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
She was about the only person I couldn’t say no to. Wincing, I stepped aside and she moved into the apartment, waving her hands at her bodyguards, who shifted to either side of my door outside. I closed the door behind her and turned to see the moment she spotted Ross. He walked around the dining table, his hands clasped in front of his apron and a confident expression on his face. He straightened his shoulders and raised his chin, as though he expected her to comment on his attire.
I couldn’t see her face, but she made a noise that sounded suspiciously like approval. “Mr. Midberry, I was unaware you were here.”
“I live here,” he said, pasting on that charming smile I used to see on the media reports when he was mayor. The shock of a thrill went through me as I saw the old Ross start to make his reappearance. This was who the world needed to see—the man who had run city hall with his head held high.
“Oh, really?” She glanced at me and her smile warmed even more.
I held back the urge to shrug because to her that was disrespectful. “Ross is my boyfriend.”
“And houseboy,” he said immediately.
“Houseboy?” She stepped forward, her heels tapping on the tiles that led to the kitchen, until she reached him. She touched the apron at his chest and ran her fingernails down the shiny material. I moved forward, too, jealousy stirring low in my belly. Ross didn’t like women, but Madam Winters was an extraordinary person. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she could turn a gay man hetero-curious. “I like that. Do you rent him out, Lane? We’d love a houseboy at the Courtesan.”
“No,” I said sharply. “He’s mine.”
“Oh.” She grinned at me and nodded. “Very well. Remind me to search for a houseboy. I’m sure our clients would love someone in an apron.”
“I’m certain you won’t forget,” I murmured as I shifted around her and sidled up to Ross. He curled his arm around my waist, and I pressed myself against his side. “How can I help you, Madam?”
Her eyes twinkled as she spoke. “Well, I came here to convince you to come back to the Courtesan. I was going to give you a higher percentage of pay, as your former clients are begging to see you.”
